Britain's Got Talent

Quick Update: Michael is laying wood floors in our house and I'm staying with the 'rents. We've been here since Thursday or so and plan to stay through the week. It's nice to have your mommy around when you are sick. I'm desperately hoping to be over my sickness any day now. My mom showed me the next two videos. Be prepared to be blown away and have a tissue ready. The second video is of the man who won Britain's Got Talent Sunday night.


If the videos do not come up for you, you can see them here.

Baby Video

This is funny!

Reader Beware - Belly Shots

This past Thursday, my mom took a couple of belly shots at 12 weeks. I'm a lot smaller than I thought I would be at this point, but I have lost weight this trimester. It's amazing to me that I have to buy new clothes, yet I've lost weight. I guess the baby truly takes over your body. Not only does the baby affect my hormones, smell, appetite, sleep, hair, and everything else, it also takes care of itself and makes sure it gets what it needs and grows. Truly a miracle. Speaking of my appetite, Michael had the brilliant idea to buy me some popsicles. I didn't know I much I would want these! He bought the Breyer's frozen fruit bars. This is the only thing I have truly enjoyed eating in months!! I highly recommend them!

Okay, I got the pictures to work. I'm not sure how I feel about putting these pictures up. I guess it is part of being pregnant. It will be neat to look back and see how I've grown.

Another Good Appointment

This morning, Michael and I went in for another prenatal appointment. This time, I had a different doctor since my doctor is on maternity leave. I got a call this morning asking if I could come right then because this doctor will be doing a C-section at the time of my appointment. So Michael and I went looking pretty rough. Michael had not shaven (his beard grows super fast) and my hair was wet, but we made it! I arrived at the office and there was much confusion. Here were the things that caused the confusion: 1. I filled out paper work that should not have been sent to me 2. My 4 different names always bring confusion (I go by my middle name and they still have my maiden name on file) 3. I was not seeing my usual doctor 4. I was early for my appointment. At one point I was asked if I was here for the C-section! They were relieved when I said no, seeing how I don't look 9 months pregnant!

The real exciting part was to hear the baby's heartbeat. I am so thankful we were able to hear it. It is reassuring to know that the baby is continuing to live and grow inside of me. I liked the doctor that I had today as well. She was very sweet and took the time to answer my questions, even though I'm sure she had an eye on the clock! She also made me feel better about my battle with the prenatal pills that I can't swallow anymore. She liked what I was already doing about that. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, I'll be able to keep my food down without any problems and can swallow pills again.

We may be able to find out the gender at my next appointment. We'll keep you posted!

Chuck E Cheese, Please!

I had the privilege to spend most of the day with my nieces and nephews Friday. It is pretty rare to have them all together, so I wanted to do something with them. I went over to Mimi & Papa's house to visit with everyone. I got to hold soon-to-be 4 month old Macie nearly the whole time. She is a sweet baby that loves to smile.

When Michael got off work, we loaded up the older kiddos (ages 2, 2, and 4) and headed to CHUCK E CHEESE!! I don't think I've ever been as entertained driving somewhere before. They all started singing different church songs and asking each other if the other saw something outside the window. My brothers and I pretty much had each other's vehicles at that time and they had a fun and a confusing time discussing who was driving whose car. It was really hard on me because I couldn't just say Brett or Blake because they are known as daddy to someone.

We meet Michael at Chuck E Cheese and the fun begins! We had pizza and Sprite! I had not had a soda that I can remember since December! It was soooo good! Here are a few shots of us waiting for our pizza.

Let the games begin! Zachary and Ethan took off with Michael and I had Maddie. Maddie fell in love with the skee-ball game. Once she played that game, she stayed there the rest of the night. I saw the boys mainly at the jungle gym area. At the end, they had chosen their prizes and we were ready to head home.

Random Thoughts

I am not ashamed of it - I'm an American Idol watcher. All season long, I thought Blake Lewis was, in a word, COOL. I have been home all week and have seen the Idol finalists on many shows. I just saw Blake Lewis sing the Maroon 5 song, "She Will be Loved" and add a lyric from a U2 song. That was really cool and a huge surprise. I also really liked Melinda Doolittle and Lakesha Jones. Those two ladies are so talented but so humble. I'm anxious to see what kind of album Melinda puts out. She has sang (or should I say sung?) backup for many gospel artists and I would love to see her do a gospel album. This is why I'm glad she didn't have to sign a record deal through American Idol. Michael and I really liked Elliot Yamin from last season. We have bought a couple of his songs off of iTunes and really like his sound. I often wonder if all of these people that try out and are actually good, are prepared for the life that they will have after Idol. I'm glad I don't have to live a life in the spotlight!

It is summer time for me!! I am so glad because I was running out of energy and strength to work each day. I've been sitting and thinking a lot. I am amazed how God has worked in every aspect of my life. I am thankful for my family - husband, immediate, extended, and in-laws. I am thankful for my health, even now. I am thankful for this baby growing inside of me. I am thankful to have a job that gives me 3 months off! I am thankful for the physical things like our house and cars. I am thankful for our church. I am thankful for the rain - remember, we've been praying for rain like this for years!

We bought a new camera! My old camera was still working, but for some reason, was not being recognized by any computers. It is hard to get those digital pictures out w/o a computer! So, seeing how we needed a camera for two reasons Monday, and we're going to have a cute little baby to snap pictures of soon, we bought another one. So now I may even post belly pictures...uh, well, maybe. I'll also be posting more pictures of just life now. Tomorrow, Michael and I are taking my niece and nephews to Chuck E Cheese. This event should produce some good pictures and I'll be sure to post those.

I'm a little worried about something. Ever since I became pregnant, I feel like I'm losing more and more hair. My hair was already thin to begin with, so this is not good. I have heard that your hair can become thicker or change texture while being pregnant. Do you know if your hair can become thinner? If you know anything, please let me know!

Michael is studying for the CPA exam. He has been really good at spending 3-4 hours each night studying. I sit with him sometimes. He started listening to this professor going over each page in this gigantic textbook. It was so boring! I fell asleep in about ten minutes while listening last night. I really don't see how Michael does it. He should be finished by the middle of December. Perfect timing! He'll have diaper duty after that!

Yes, I Know I Look Pale

I have to tell you, the first 2 weeks or so of knowing I was pregnant was fun! I felt good, I was excited, we were able to share our news with the family. It was really great. I've been sick for over a month now. I basically feel sick the entire day and night. I have no energy. Fortunately, I have only truly been sick one time. There are a few bright spots to this and here they are:
1. A sick mommy usually means a healthy baby.
2. I have a coworker that spent days in the hospital and had an IV in her for weeks. I'm sooo not that bad off.
3. It should be over in a few weeks.
I know when I'm at my worst, yet people like to tell me what kind of coloring I have in my face. I'm either pale, green, or hey-your coloring looks good today! I also just love (please note the sarcasm) when someone says that it may never go away while I'm pregnant. Don't people know that hope is what humans strive on the most?!? A huge component of faith is hope. Teachers would quit if there was not the hope of summer break. Single ladies can face a new day with the hope of finding that special someone. Even chemo patients fight with the hope that their cancer is gone. So, do not destroy my hope!
I have 3 more days of school. I will then be able to stay in bed or on the couch and let the days pass until I feel like I can eat again!

Family of Three

Michael and I are pregnant!!!

We're having Baby Hall a week or so before Christmas this year. Here is a picture of our little one:

I haven't figured out how to rotate the picture w/o compromising the quality. When it comes to sonograms, you need all the quality you can get! I hope he/she is smiling for the picture!

So, I'm in the middle of my "morning" sickness. The doctor has given me some medication for it, so we'll see if that helps. I'm also pretty tired, so I may not blog for another few weeks.

Michael and I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to raise a child. We're anxious to see what this child will be like! It will be so wonderful to see the little tyke grow, discover it's gender, feel it move, etc.

If you have any cool things you do with your children or know of any special things (daily or for a special event), I'm interested to know what you do.

We thank you for any prayers you send up on our behalf!

Quiet After the Storm

It is 1:16 in the morning and I am unable to sleep. So, I am sitting in the quiet house pondering the crazy night we had.

The storm that blew by produced several tornadoes and it appeared one of them was heading toward us. Michael and I took cover in our closet. I brought my laptop with me so that my dad could keep me updated while we were away from the television. We heard hail, strong wind, and a lot of rain. Finally, the storm passed. Then it was my turn to keep my dad updated as they took cover at their house. They came out unscathed as well. God is good!

Here is a link to some pictures of the storm.

Oh, the STARS and the MAVS won tonight! WooHoo!

Stormy Friday the 13th

Since Wednesday, I have been sick with a sore throat and fever. So yesterday and today, I am home trying to rest up. Today, I get to keep an eye on the weather.

Growing up (and especially during the summer), my dad watched the Weather Channel until sports, usually the Rangers, came on at night. I inherited a love to watch the Weather Channel. So today, as the weather will prove to be the worst of the year, I will be watching TWC. I will not be surprised if Dad and I will be keeping in touch today, keeping the other informed on the situations in our area. Before you call me a nerd, remember - I'm a science teacher. This stuff is supposed to be interesting to me. Now you may call me a nerd.

My Thoughts

Daylight Savings Time: I'd rather have some sunlight when I wake up instead of 7:00 pm. I tend to go to bed later now and it becomes more difficult for me to wake up. I also have to get ready with the light off in the morning because Michael isn't up yet. The morning sunlight really helped me in this situation.

Movies: Either I'm picking out really bad movies or I'm just getting old or something, but every movie I've watched recently has seemed sooooo long. I just want the movie to end. We saw Amazing Grace a couple of weeks ago. We were the only ones there that didn't have grey hair. The movie was good, but it again, seemed way too long.

Missing Girl Hoax: It sounds like these were good kids that made bad decisions that night. I can't imagine being so scared of what my parents would do to me that I would stage an abduction. How insane!

Wallet: I left my wallet at a pharmacy last night. I didn't realize it until this afternoon. The pharmacy (thankfully!) placed my wallet in the lost and found. I was able to get it back with everything in place. It is so nice to see people behave honestly and save the day for me!

24: This week's episode was the best in awhile. I have felt that this season has been too predictable to the avid 24 watchers. Monday's episode had so many surprises that it has me itching to see the next show!

Mavs/Stars: I've got to find some time to catch these guys more often! It will be fun to watch them in the playoffs!

So there are my thoughts! School has me very busy. One month is left before TAKS. I just might enjoy teaching after April 20.

Sorry

I haven't blogged in a long time. School is getting stressful, to say the least. Hopefully I can update during SPRING BREAK!!! Remember to set your clocks ahead this Saturday night!

Whew!

Life has been a whirlwind lately.



Last Friday began the Women's Retreat I've been preparing for since October. I worked with (actually, I watched in amazement) some of the greatest women in our church. The theme stemmed from a dream Karla had AND it was about God's dream for us. I enjoyed getting to know women on the committee and also at the retreat. God was directing the entire weekend. Speakers spoke of Jacob's crazy life and God's dream for him, of God's plan appearing among turmoil in lives of everyday women at church, and of dreams that are still eluding some of us. The most moving part for me was the solo time. It is hard to take an honest look at your life sometimes. I feel that I'm living a dream right now and I have fear of moving forward. I am afraid of the hard times that may lay before me. I had to relinquish my fears and trust that God has glorious plans for me.



Sunday morning, outside of Hawkins, TX, I received a call that Baby Macie was on her way! So I said farewell to all the awesome ladies and headed back west to the Metroplex. It was neat to hang out with Big Sister Maddie as we awaited Macie's arrival. All went well (Jaime had 2 pushes!) and Blake and Jaime are proud parents of two girls.



Monday, Michael and I went to Baylor to visit my Grandmommy. She has been in the hospital for heart conditions. She has been very thin for a long time, but in a hospital gown, it becomes very apparent. I hope she can strengthen up and head home soon.


Tuesday was Michael's birthday! He was able to head home early - that's always a good gift! I bought him these speaker things that I knew he would like. I am pretty sure he did. We also went to Go Fish. D-LISH-US! I had a pork chop, potatoes, and asparagus. Michael had salmon. We also shared a chocolate dessert tasted like fudge. I will have to admit that both Michael and I were nauseated Wednesday. It could have been something we ate or that we just ate so much.

We also had the heater guy out for the third time in a week or so. Hopefully these updates will keep our heat on and it will be efficient.


I've taken Friday off! I was taking it off because the doctor was going to induce Jaime this day. Now that Macie is here, I have decided to take this day for re-energizing! WooHoo!

Gotta Love a Pep Rally

I've been very blessed this year by not having to teach a 7th period class. I'll count them one by one:

• Almost all classes are worthless during the 3 o'clock hour.


• I can prepare for the next day.


• My day seems to end a little earlier and with less stress.


• When I have somewhere to be, I have no problem leaving work early.


• Students actually come in and clean my room during this time. We develop bonds.


• I don't have to worry about a shortened class period during Pep Rally Days

But, tomorrow is different. Due to the fact that a few pitchers from the TEXAS RANGERS will be speaking, we're starting the pep rally at 9:30. So I'll have to deal with the fact that at least one student will not finish her test (leaves at 9:00 for band-prep; class begins at 8:45; announcements last til 8:50; 5 minutes to walk to Content Mastery and back; gives her 5 minutes to take my test). I will also have to be in charge of a class. My 1st period is a wonderful class. Thankfully, this will be the class I'll be stuck ALL DAY WITH for FOUR COMPLETE DAYS IN A ROW come TAKS time. Then I'll have to get my 2nd period class back into the classroom and settled to complete their test in a shortened time span. Really, it makes for a stressed day having a pep rally during 1st period. I'll gladly do it, all for the RANGERS!

I will try to take some pictures and hopefully post them soon!

I'm It. Will you be tagged next?

Krystal tagged me.


Here’s how this tag goes:
1) Grab the book closest to you
2) Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3) Post the text of the following 3 sentences
4) Name the author and book title
5) Tag three people to do the same

"'They won't beat me. I'll kill 'em.' Then Megiddo spoke up, 'It doesn't make sense to me to talk of masters beating willing, hard-working slaves to death.'"
-The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason (Michael's book)

I tag Dad, Laura, and Katie.

24

Alrighty folks!

24 is BACK!

This is the one show I have to watch.

If you have never seen it, this is the time to start!

The 4 hour premiere is this Sunday and Monday night. I can't see either live, but this is why man created DVR, baby! Instead of watching Multiples (see previous post) at 7, watch it at 9. The show 24 begins at 7 both Sunday and Monday night.

Tis the season for Jack Bauer.

Identical Twins: One Boy, One Girl....WHAT?!

Watch this video. I had no clue that this could happen! I think I saw a commercial that promoted the show this clip is from. It will be on the National Geographic Channel on Sunday at 7 pm.

New Template

I wanted to jazz up my page a little. I switched to the newer blog version and it is failing. I lost some of my links and I am not able to change up what I wanted to change. Hopefully, blogger will fix all of those glitches soon.

Happy New Year!

It has been awhile since I posted last. I don't have much to say, except that I had a wonderful time during Christmas with my family. Maybe I can get some pictures to post sharing some of that with you.

I realized yesterday that I have some of the best teachers working with me. They are so helpful and so funny! I love having a good time at work.

I'm looking forward to February. Did I just say that? I have always held this month as the worst of the year, but maybe this year will be different. Here is what is slated:

• Church Womens Retreat
• Michael's Birthday
• Baby Macie will be born
• Valentines Day
• College Roommate Reunion (where else but in Abilene!)
• Spanish Lessons every Thurday night

I know I'm leaving something out, but that is pretty packed for a short month. I'm glad that my schedule is pretty full. Michael is working busy season again. He has been working late and is working today (Saturday). I hate seeing him for an hour each weekday. I don't see how some couples do it when they have odd work schedules. Ex. One works days while the other works nights. I guess we're lucky.

Christmas Lights

Although Farmers Branch has been under fire in recent news, it shines during Christmas time. Here are some photos I took Saturday night as we went through the historical district. Merry Christmas!