Relaxation

First of all, Jen's eye is greatly improving. She still hasn't had any pain, just self-consciousness. If the knot on her eyebrow isn't gone by next week, we'll visit Dr. Watts just to get her thoughts.

Second, the 4th of July was fantastic. The parade was the smoothest it's been, ever. We were finished in record time and even had energy left over to hit Taco Bell with the Barrett's and do a little visiting before a great nap. We ended the evening with some fireworks with friends. Then, Sunday was the Community Service in the Park. It was fantastic! Here's a glimpse at the crowd.

Third, here are a few of the swimming pictures. I have brag on H man - he moved up to the next age group within the first 10 minutes of lessons. He IS almost 4, but I still have to brag. They were even talking of moving him up to the 5 year olds (with Jenna), so we'll see what happens since we still have the whole month. I'll get more of Jenna tomorrow, but this is her in action of learning to float on her back - something she's NEVER trusted me to let her try!


Fourth, and last, this is our fishing trip at the McNeely's last night. Notice Jen's enthusiasm. She's like her mom, she wants a bite, or it's not fun. Hudson, the kids who wanted the fish the most, and caught a HUGE one at his PawPaw's, finally got one at the end of the evening. Gene was awesome with H, he took him as his personal assignment even when H threw his pole like a wild man and hooked Gene in the neck.

SERIOUSLY...

Really, about the drama, I meant it. But, God has some lesson he's working in my life - maybe empathy for the people with lots of drama in their life since I've always thought, well, it's kind of ugly, but, I've always thought, "so, get over it and move on."

Last night we went to work on the 4th of July float as our family fun night. I've been gone every evening this week and next week is full of events, so last night it was us, church friends, a float, and cheesecake at our house afterwards. We had a GREAT time at swim lessons (which pictures I had hoped to blog today, but these get priority now), great nap, I had a great time baking 2 cheesecakes & cup cakes, awesome.

Then I heard it - a deep thud, smack sort of sound. Turned my head to see Jen on the ground and I knew. Her eye started swelling immediately - so fast I've not seen anything like it. A friend who is an EMT said, "take her, now." So, off to the ER. Haven't been there, but they were great. No one else was there, just us. Verdict, she's fine, no eye damage, no skull damage, just a good black eye.
The culprit:

After we were home from the ER (I started to take my camera in, after all, it was with me the whole time, but I left it in the car because I wanted to be sure she was okay first):

This morning. The swelling has spread over her eyelid instead of the pronounced knot it was last night. Which is better? I don't know.

I'm just grateful that she's okay. On the short drive to the hospital, she was crying, and the sweet little girl asked, "Will you pray for me?" Of course - and God answered, no serious injuries, no pain, and peace. She cried very little in the ER. We're trying to make it fun, but if you see her, don't say anything unless she brings it up, she's pretty sensitive about it.

Summer Fun

The kids and I have gotten into the groove of summer fun...

First, and unrelated, check out this awesome and beautiful pie Kendra made for us. She was trying to cheer up Jeremy. How sweet and absolutely delicious!

The kids and I visited the Jumping Party for playgroup - we ran around like crazy!



Also, we got a slip and slide. It's been 20 years, but I can slip and slide too! Don't let those silly WARNING labels fool you - you CAN slip and slide if you are over 100 lbs and 5 feet. Not for adults isn't for real. There are no pictures of me sliding, but here are a few of the kids:




Also, Jer's spots on his face were benign! Yea!

Trying Times

I'm not used to Jeremy and I having a lot of what I would call "drama" in our lives. Yes, we're busy, but everyone around us is busy. I don't like to play the 'yeah, we'll I'm so busy...' game that we all seem to get into, like it's some sort of contest to see who's the busiest because it makes you the most important. Add to that the 'life drama'. I'm perfectly content with my answer, "not much" when people ask what's going on with us. But, this year it's been a big whirlwind of 'life drama.' I'm going to covet some prayers for these two as they pertain mostly to my loving husband.

One of Jer's friends growing up, Curtis, had an accident a week ago. Curtis is one of those guys that just has charisma, he's funny, intelligent, handsome - got everything going for him. Curtis has been Jeremy's friend since Kindergarten, he's been National FFA President, and Student Body President of Texas A&M, they were college roommates. Jeremy and Curtis have had some amazing discussions about God and faith, the best of which was a year ago August. Curtis is one of the reasons Jeremy feels so passionately about doing StoneWater the way we do StoneWater and why he feels such a passion to continue to plant churches. Say a prayer for Curtis' healing (he fell 40 feet on his head) and for Jeremy to know how to reach out and how to deal with this tragedy. Curtis is alive, and has come off the ventilator, which is more than doctors expected, but it's going to be a long road of healing.

Second, if you haven't heard about the double homicide in Granbury, it was just a mile from our home. It's on my usual running path, if that's not creepy enough aside from the murder. We felt like we recognized one of the names, and, sure enough, Jeremy will be doing his first funeral for a murder victim next week. It hurt him as he thinks about her children.

So, basically, just pray for Jeremy.

Gosh, a whole week

I can't believe I've let a whole week go by with no post. In my defense, leaving home at 7:00 and getting home at 6:00 is not an option for my life for the long term! That would KILL me (and my family wouldn't like me, either). For those of you who are wondering, we don't have the pathology back on Jer's spots...we'll let you know when we do.

Otherwise, I'm trying to figure out how to be lazy for the summer and not feel guilty. I need to clean house, organize, throw out stuff, but I want to lay around, play, and do as little as possible. So, while I was in bed this morning after my alarm went off (I had planned a 7:00 rise and get to the flowerbeds option), I felt guilty for laying there and not getting up. I hate being such an OCD perfectionistic type A.

Now, I'm off to take a nap with Jenna. I'm sure I'll lay there feeling guilty for something (like not reading, studying, or playing with photography stuff - and that's all the stuff I WANT to do - so why do I feel GUILTY for not doing THAT?). Someone slap me.

Jer had his face cut off...

Jer had two 'spots' on his face removed. We laughed about him 'having his face cut off' today. In and out in approximately 20 minutes. Less than a 1% chance it is anything serious, but a friend of his told him about a 19 year old we know that just got her results of stage 4 melanoma back...he didn't know about 'the procedure' today. We'll be at least a little nervous until the results come back, but we know God has a plan.

In other news, we had pie #2 from Cindy this week...beautiful. And, it tastes as beautiful as it looks. I've had to commence my workout schedule again!

Finally, I'm leaving at 7:00am and returning at 6:00pm each day this week for the Advanced Placement Summer Institute at TCU. It's good stuff, but they're long days full of lots of thinking & sitting. Ug. But, Monday begins official summer vacation for me - no more school commitments until August 10 or 15 or something - I don't even know!

Captain & Mrs. Fulton

Here's my baby brother & his wife, Ashley. We had a terrific weekend of wedding with the family. I LOVE seeing Michael so happy - Ashley, you're an answer to prayers and a dream come true.





We also had the flower girl & ring bearer:


This one is Jen dancing with her daddy. They were quite the entertainment while pictures were going on outside.

Cardboard Testimonies

You have to take the 8 minutes to watch this. Really, you do. Then, I challenge you to think about what yours would be.

If...

As we departed for San Diego last week, Hudson was very into directions. Jeremy & I joke that one of Jer's spiritual gifts is the gift of direction because he always knows which was is north (as opposed to me - whichever way I'm heading, that's north to me). I tell him that he could take me on a trip, leave me on the side of the road, and I'd be lost forever! Not Jer.

Anyway, H kept asking and Jer kept pointing West. So, when the plane took off, H asked, "Daddy, which way is San Diego?" Jeremy pointed behind us. You could hear the wheels turning..."If San Diego is that way, why are going this way?" We laughed - pretty logical for a 3 year old.

And, here's a view from the plane. I was experiementing with my manual skills on my camera, which was a lot of fun!

Be ready, I took 534 images on our trip. I'll try not to bore you with all of them at once (or the ones that are frightfully over or underexposed)!

Dr. Heizer

All I have to say is "THANK YOU" Dr. Jonathan Heizer!

16 years ago I broke off my front tooth in Missouri while doing a back handspring in a swimming pool on the way home from a national twirling contest. Yesterday, while flossing right before our flight home from San Diego, I heard a ding in the sink. It was my tooth. They always said at one point the bonding would loosen and I would have to have it redone. They were correct. I avoided speaking to anyone on the plane. Jer nicknamed me "Hillbilly Misti" (no offense to anyone). Today I am fixed. Jonathan ROCKS! He's my new dentist, by the way.

Beautiful San Diego

If you're wondering where I've been on the blog updates, you probably don't know us. School did a frantic finish and with confirmation of the job share, came the moving of the classroom. That was finished with graduation, taking the final test for the NBPTS in Bedford, and then packing & flying out to San Diego. San Diego is beautiful. We have had a great time hanging out with Joey, Lisa, Caden, Carson, & Corban. Here's just one picture we took. There will be more to come.

Job Share OFFICIAL!!!

We've been unofficially official for a month + now, but official word has been slow on coming. I was moving stuff this week when my dept head told me, "I don't know when we'll find out." I knew it wasn't as official as I had been told, but that kind of set me back a little. That was Wednesday, and Marsha (principal) also told me that day that she was meeting with the slow moving one the next day - Thursday. So, when I saw her in the workroom Friday morning and she didn't say anything, my stomach dropped a little. Marsha always greets, always encourages, but nothing. I was really okay with it - moving it all to storage was my biggest concern.

At 9:12, I got this message:

I just received a call to inform me that the English Job-Share proposal for next year has been approved!

ARRGH!

Marsha

I couldn't help but squeal with delight and jump up & down (with a room full of 22 Advanced Placement Juniors who were busy playing their games designed for The Great Gatsby). One minute later, Jana, dpt chair, came in squealing, too. It was contagious (and disruptive to the whole hall which was taking finals). We are all so excited! I have a job! I have the flexibility to be with my family! I know there will be trials and setbacks and frustrations, but I am so ready to do this. This morning I saw the curriculum coordinator for English and we spoke a little. She's excited, too! It makes me feel valued, it makes me feel like I'm making a difference (hopefully this will catch on for other teachers, too), it makes me feel like I can truly put my family first. Praise God!

Pomp and Circumstance

Pre school graduation, and I cried. Subtle tears. Pre school leads to grade school which leads to high school which leads to graduation to college to marriage. Yes, that's out of control. I'll cry at GHS graduation on Tuesday night, too. It's something that just starts with that march.

Jenna's preschool graduation was tonight. We got her all dolled up - dress, curled the hair, make up (but not so that you could really see it). As we were getting ready, she asked me who was coming. When I told her both Nana & Pawpaw White and Nina & Pawpaw Fulton, she got a very sweet smile and said, "I must be pretty special." Yes, honey, you are, deep sigh as I quickly reflect on infancy all the way to now. I can be so emotional.

Pastor Austin, of Our Savior Lutheran, home of Cross Town Preschool, spoke to Jeremy afterward. He said he sure is going to miss Jenna. "Jenna knows all the answers. Sometimes I have to tell her not to answer, and then if no one else can answer, I look at her, and she answers. She always says, 'My dad taught me that.'" That's our girl! Her dad is awesome at teaching her about God and the Bible.
her diploma
Look, a picture with me! Nevermind she's looking elsewhere.
Since she couldn't have cake, they made her and H special Jello.
We're saving this one for when she's off to A&M and for her TAMU '25 graduation.
The whole crew.
Pawpaw & Nana White
Pawpaw & Nina Fulton
Jen & Miss Erin, her teacher

4.5 days

That's the countdown. If you want to be technical, with the next day as a workday, it's 5.5, but I don't count workdays. Plus, most of that work day I'll be in Bedford taking my National Board test. So, I'm in the process of finishing up, grading, packing/moving, and so forth. The job share is still not official - the superintendent has said yes, the consultant from R4 (the group running GHS) has said "we've done that for 20 years, it's the only way to keep good teachers" - (that's the first thing he and I have agreed on all year), but there is one person we're waiting on...

In other news, as I took such a long break to balance the checkbook - funny thing about that. I had just finished telling Jer that our 2005 Quicken program should be about to 'expire' at any time and not allow us to download when the screen popped up that 2005 was no longer supported. So, we're still waiting for our new version to arrive in the mail. I've made pretty good headway on Photoshop Elements, though. I've also downloaded all the pics on the camera to the computer - that's huge. I am also learning the power of the delete button. Fast camera means lots of shots so you can choose from the best ones instead of making all the yucky ones work! Granted, there is still a lot about my 'best' shots that I see I can make better. At least I see it, I figure.

Jenna has her pre-school graduation Friday and first dance recital on Saturday. I'm sure I'll cry at graduation. Tonight she was so funny. Very matter of factly, she began discussion the 'Engine' Turtles. I didn't even correct her because it was so cute. She's the movie/cartoon quoting diva of the world. I always wanted to do that, but I just don't hang on to stuff that well! Heck, I can't even tell a joke without messing it up. Not Jenna, she's a pro. Remember that if you say something she likes (or doesn't), she WILL quote you.

Hudson continues to be a case of Jekyll & Hyde. I don't get it. I'm trying, though.

Here are some pictures from the Baptism celebration on Sunday. The first his Hudson dunking Jeremy. Kristell was kind enough to let each kid who didn't succeed with the balls to succeed with the hand. The picture of Jenna is her demonstrating trust for Jer's illustration. It was supposed to be Hudson, but he pulled a fast one and refused.

Quick News

The kids are fantastic. They got a trip to both grandparents' homes over the weekend, so they got lots of outside time to fill them up and lots of grandparent hugs. Since then, we've been busy trying to keep them from pummeling each other. I guess it's spring fever, but they're very rambunctious. Jenna's lip was busted tonight. Hudson feigned ignorance, Jenna was screaming so loudly I couldn't get to the bottom. "The pillow just hit her," was H's eventual confession. Don't you hate when pillows just up and knock the pookie out of you? In his defense, it was the pillow fight I had told them to stop moments before heading to the closet to hang up clothes, so he wasn't in trouble. Ice, love, healed.

Church update: StoneWater has a contract on the land. We're in the due diligence period of checking it all out. But, it looks amazing. Amazing. God provides! There's a blog about land and facilities you can get to from the SWC web site (www.stonewaterchurch.com).

Job share update: there's not one. They've filled 3 of the jobs and still won't post the one vacated by the job share. Worried? No. I'm at total peace. I do find it interesting and encouraging that summer school for the first time will feature the option for teachers to job share - either morning or afternoon. That has to be a good sign, right? I still feel a peace and an excitement.

Knee: FRUSTRATION. My new shoes came in and 3 mile run - great, 4 mile run - no problem. Pain free - amazing! Shoes are a little firmer than I like, but for pain free, I'll take it. Today I set out for a 6 miler - I haven't had a good long run in weeks and weeks. Perfect temperature, great message from Andy Stanley on the ipod. Mile 4.5, mild pain, no sweat. Mile 5, intense. Between mile 5 and 6, I had to stop 3 times and anyone could hear me grunting. I'm very, very frustrated, angry, and sad. It's not the pressure of my step, it's the swinging movement from back to front with my stride. I'm just so sad. Other than the pain, it was a glorious run - refreshing mentally, emotionally (until the pain), and physically. I guess it's back to the gym tomorrow for the bike and elliptical (and miss the beautiful weather).

Sorry for the lack of updates & pictures. I'm working to balance the checkbook & credit card from March (yes, I know that's bad and SOOO not like me). Being able to always see your balance online is not very motivational for me and add to that the computer transfer. Plus, I'm working on learning my camera, re-learning Photoshop Elements (I upgraded to 6.0 from 3.0, and it's different), and, more than anything, hanging with the family. I promise I'll get better!

Have I mentioned that hanging with the family has been amazing?!

Squish him like a bug

I want to squish Jeremy. First, I love him, respect him, and adore him. But, the last week he's been like a kindergartner. I found a person with whom I wanted to strike up a friendship due to a common interest in photography. He told her, "Misti wants to be your friend." Then, I found another acquaintance's blog which was entirely different than I had imagined her due to her past work background. I told Jeremy how much it cracked me up, "Misti thinks your blog is funny." Hello, can I speak for myself, please? Am I socially awkward so that he thinks he needs to take it up for me (which does make me socially awkward)? I know he intends well, but, well, it's embarrassing.

Mother's Day was awesome - the kids remembered with no one prompting them - really, Jer was already at church by the time they got up. I hung out at my parents' new house in the country - peaceful and beautiful. This allowed me to play with the camera. Unfortunately, I didn't have one single person get a picture of me with my mom. Duh. The picture is just a week where I'm practing my depth of field and aperture relationship. I like the blur in the background, but not too much (this one is too much, but it's fun).


The MOST fun was the kids in the hammock. New experience. In, flip - down on the ground. I haven't laughed that hard in a L - O - N - G time. The picture doesn't do it justice except that it was so fast, I didn't have the shutter speed fast enough to catch it. It was a round of applause from the grandparents & parents!


The other fun was watching the kids with their frogs from the creek. Jumpy the Jump Frog (Jenna's) was all over the place. She made a bed for him in a tree (see picture). Of course, when it was time to let him go, she said he was asleep. Yes, he was, Jumpy the Jump Frog and Jenna the 5 year old had too much fun. "Jenna, I think he's dead." "No, his guts are still in, he's just sleeping really good." This is my prissy, girly daughter who is also a tomboy. Pink dress, in trees, chasing frogs & spiders, not wanting to sweat, talking about guts. She's a bag of oxymorons in a little body.


Teacher moment of the day: Phoned home to make contact on a kid who probably isn't going to pass for the semester. Habits of not turning in work, same conversation we have approximately every 3 weeks. "Well, maybe you need to make a way for kids like xxxxxxx who just don't like to do work to pass your class without doing the work." Did she really say that? Yes.

Over the hump?

That should be 'humpS.' I think I've come out of my funk after a few things were weighing me down.

Jer's been under a lot of stress the last couple of weeks and so have I, and when you combine our stress levels, we're not good for each other. We're such a team, and when one goes down (or is spiraling), the other one is there to pick him up; when we both start in a spiral, it's just not good.

One of my spirals was photography. I LOVE it. I want to be GREAT at it (I want to be great at everything I do - OCD, perfectionist, yes). I would kind of (okay, really) like to make at least a little money at doing it so I could continue to buy new stuff and feel like I'm contributing to the family financial status. But, I've always had this thing against entrepreneurship, and I have so many friends that are in the business, I don't want to compete with them. So, I was debating on what to buy to start building the basis for a simple business and found the flash I wanted super cheap. I was so excited that I didn't check the online store, and, you guessed it, not one to be trusted. After I gave my credit card info and denied their 'upgrades,' I got the email that they were 'out of stock' for my flash. I quickly cancelled my credit card which meant that I've been going through life for over a week with no way to purchase stuff. Yes, I have a debit card, but I do not use it online and usually avoid all purchases via debit. Today I received a new credit card! I'm not a crazy shopper, I'm actually very frugal, but just the ability.

Then, I've been hating teaching. I've officially released myself from being super-teacher. I have parents upset that I don't call every time their child is absent or fails a paper, and I've decided that's really not my job. I am there to teach. I study, plan lessons, and try to be as engaging but challenging as possible. I can't parent all 130 of them, too. Consequences teach lessons very well. I believe I learned that hot would hurt when Mom said hot and I touched something hot. I believe I learned (sit down for this one) that drinking would make you sick when I drank too much one night (yes, there was a little rebellious streak in me). I believe I have learned the most important lessons in life through natural consequences. And, after following students around all year, emailing home to get them to come to tutorials, I decided that my students can choose to come on their own. I post grades every Monday (also to my web site where parents can check, along with my detailed lesson plans each day, along with files of lessons and copies of notes - really, you could take my class from my web site), they have all week to come take care of business. Some are learning that skipping = missing work = zeros = failing. As a 16 or 17 year old, this is an important lesson to learn before college, when you're paying big bucks (or mom is)for school. Okay, I still feel like I'm not doing enough, but I'm working on releasing myself. Maybe part time status next year will help.

Third, what is God doing with me? I've always had such a passion for teaching and students that none of this other stuff (parents, paperwork, hoops) have gotten to me. I've always told God that he'd have to take my passion for teaching away if he wants me to do something else. It's gone. I'm trying to believe it's just 'end-of-the-semester' burnout. I've never wanted to teach or speak to women, but I feel like that's could be where I'm heading. I've never wanted to own/operate a business, but there are some opportunities presenting themselves that appear promising and exciting. I'm trying to be patient (and I'm NOT) and just enjoy the ride. I'm not scared by this type of stuff anymore (heck, I'm a church planter's wife, WHO in their right mind decides, 'let's go start a church'?), so it's kind of fun, but frustrating for the girl who likes to have it all planned out before her.

Finally, eating & exercise. I am a stress eater. I like comfort food. I like to run to counteract this, and I'd like to lose my "winter coat." Stress means I've been eating. My knee is hurting again, and I got the $536 doctor bill (x-rays are expensive, but now I've met my deductible for the year - I'm going to have moles checked, a complete physical, you name it!). No running = either no comfort eating or no shedding of winter coat. Sad, sad, sad. Now that I have a credit card, I have ordered a different pair of shoes, I think that's the next step before going back to the doctor (who is evidently NOT in my PPO network, thus some extra charges). I feel like my feet & stride have changed, so I'm trying another type of shoe. This gives me some hope. Hope = less need to stress eat...see where this is going?!

Okay - that feels better.

Sheesh..

The standoff from last post ended with Hudson apologizing, getting a hug, and going to bed. It's been a normal, crazy week. At school we had the TAKS test all week - it's like watching paint dry. Really. Hand out the test, write down where everyone is seating, watch them - sit and watch them, write down when someone leaves to go to the restroom, watch them, watch them. Then, after testing for 4 hours (or at least being locked in a room that long), we send them to classes where they show up without anything to write with or on and with 4 hours worth of energy to get out of their bodies - AGONY!

So, I don't know if it's that or what, but I'm just sheer exhausted. Like, out of my mind tired, and I really don't get that tired usually. I pop out of bed at 5am, do my run/workout, Bible study, shower, kids up and at my day. it's 10:25 and I'm counting down the minutes until I can just crawl into bed and take a nap - and ask Jeremy not to wake me up until I miraculously awake again. Weird. NO, I'm not pregnant - don't even ask, that's not even funny. We closed shop after H for those of you who have forgotten.

Off to watch some more movie on the couch with the kids (I'm telling you, something's not right with me, I don't even want to read a book while we lay there - just lay there).

Resolute

Here is a standoff from home tonight - it's not over and it's been 30 minutes in the making. I'm not sure how it started or why, but from what I've overheard, Hudson needs to sit down and apologize. He's been standing, stomping, and screaming in the bathroom, refusing to sit down and apologize. Jeremy, the resolute father, has patiently sat on a stool just outside the bathroom door guiding our son through the apology and humility stage. And, now that it's taken a while to move the pictures around, the battle has been going on for 45 minutes and began with demands and throwing a fit over a shirt. It's a long story, but basically any thing Jer has said, H has done the opposite - sit down, H stood up; light on, H turned it off; look at me - H looks away. H told Jeremy he "won't ever apologize." It's going to be a long night...for the record, Jeremy says he was never this stubborn, but I think I might have been (and I think he probably was, too).


In other news, I got the flower girl in her dress. She's quite the model - a silly 5 year old model (the other pictures are on Flickr, if you get time). Michael & Ashley, I'm sure she'll be less of a ham on the wedding day!




I'm off to read my current favorite book: Confessions of a Slacker Mom. If you're a mom, you've got to check it out...it's GREAT!