Goodbye 2008

Well the year is almost over and I dont have much time... So I will do a recap on 2008 when I return... Hope your looking forward to it... hehe

Oh and check out the new hair color... ; P

Cali Trip 08

Okay where to begin… November 21st my cousin Kelly got married. My family and I left for California on Friday so we could attend the wedding. It was a little awkward at first because we had not seen this side of the family for about 13 years… Needless to say everything went great until the end. I think my mom really had a great time. The scary part was there was even OLD pictures in the slide show of me and mom from YEARS ago… That was actually kind of neat cause I felt important even though a bit of an outsider for the first bit. Unfortunally, Mom came down with something on Sunday and she was in bed almost all day. I felt absolutely terrible for her. But my dad, sister and I went out to breakfast at the beach. Talk about an amazing view! You got to eat right there and listen and watch the waves… I thought I was in heaven for that hour we sat there. Then it was time to go and walk our “5 mile” walk back to the car, it really did seem like a long walk but 5 miles not so sure. :P The breakfast at the Beachcomers was so amazing that we had to bring Mom back when she was feeling better so that is what we decided the minute we caught our breath back in the car. lol Mom actually started feeling a little bit better later that afternoon so we went out. After I took a nap and so did she cause we were both sick… Mine was being a virus and hers being stomach. Getting everyone ready to go out was a process in its self. But eventually we made it out of the hotel and headed to Fashion Island. Lets just say I am glad there is no “Fashion Island” in Dallas cause my cash flow would be extinct. Shopping was fun and of course knowing me I fell in love with some more coach things… Go figure… But this time I was strong and didn’t buy any. Yeah, I know you are thinking I probably had a fever and was sick, well I was and did. lol As we drove home we were able to witness the most amazing sunset ever… And I love them so I am a tough sale. =) So of course we get back to the Hotel and my sister and I have to run up to our room on the SEVENTH floor to get pictures. (I know you are thinking that we actually ran, but we used the elevator lol) So we take pictures and the sunset and of us with it in the background and finally our parents get to the room… I swear the sun could have rose again in the amount of time it took them. We everyone gets there picture taken with the sun as if it was some famous star. Then we get ready for bed, cause I am exhausted. (Notice I say just me?) But I was sick remember? So the next day we took a drive to LA… OMG I actually got to see the Hollywood sign and take pictures on Rodeo Drive cause that is why everyone goes to California right? Hehe Had a great time walking around and again buying nothing… Oh wait I bought a $6 pair of earrings… Yeah they were 50% off… I am such a bargain shopper. Went and saw some awesome stores… Yeah almost spent $45 of passies for Allison’s new baby… Then reality hit me… lol So we left kinda early trying to “beat” the LA traffic… Yeah I think you would have had to leave at like 10am to do that…. (before anyone really woke up) So of course Sara and I pass out on our 2 hour drive back to the hotel. Tuesday we really just drove around looking for true souvenir stuff and looking at more beaches. We were heading back home in the evening so really couldn’t get into much. Oh yeah almost forgot and we did eat at the famous In-and-Out Burger joint… Yeah not bad… Ours on the grill are a million times better… Got home and couldn’t have been happier to get here. Missed all of my babies and actually missed work. Crazy I know. I think it was just cause I missed talking to Misty all day long. Well only working 3 days this week… 1/2 day tomorrow, Full day Wednesday, 1/2 day Thursday, OFF Friday… Not a bad schedule. Gotta get ready for the Christmas party.

Life in General

I have been going to this class at church about learning how to say goodbye to my baby. It honestly has been the most beneficial thing I have ever done for my self in my life. The real me is finally coming back. The Lord is showing me how I have been used through this pain for a good thing to be able to help others. Before I was never able to look at it that way. My baby girl went to be with the Lord on March 14, 2006. I am so honored to know that I have an angel watching me from heaven that I will be re-united with one day and hold for eternity. I will always love my baby girl.

This weekend was kinda crazy. I played softball like I always do on Friday nights, but before my softball games I did a banner for Gracie Rose for her walk on Saturday. She was walking for a walk-a-thon for raising monies for Brain Tumor research. She did an awesome job raising money. I will be sure to post pictures as soon as I get some.

Let see Saturday I went and got my hair done… I am beginning to think that I change my hair color as much as I change my socks… (I am sure you thought I was going to say something else)

Then I went to church with Mark, Christine, Keeley, and Chris. Yes I was the only single person in the group. Go figure. lol Allison has been wanting a gecko for her classroom for a while now. Well it just so happens that a certain someone had one and he didn’t want it anymore since we weren’t together. So I went and picked it up. Savannah was so happy. She named it Beckham, I guess thinking its going to be playing soccer with her? :P

Well Sunday came around and I painted things the house trying to get ready for the Christmas party. Yes this is a lot of work. So after hours of painting and cleaning it was time for SOFTBALL again… hehe Are you seeing a pattern yet? So go and play softball and I get a text from Paul asking if I was going to church. I wasn’t planning on it cause I was really going to be pushing to time, but I went ahead and tried to make an effort. So I went home and cleaned up and go ready. When I got to church it was packed and I was searching for a needle in a hay stack it felt like. I finally spotted Paul almost at the front (being I was running a little late) and walk up in front of everyone. Church went great. Paul and I were walking out and of course being the gentlemen that he is asked if I was hungry… Me not thinking I said no. (Thinking about finishing cleaning at home) When I got to my car I wanted so bad to turn around and change my mind by it was already to late. Maybe God will open that door again so I was blinded by my own thoughts.

Fall 08

This fall so far has been pretty awesome! I have some amazing friends and have had some great times. Halloween night Allison, Sara and I took Savannah trick or treating around the neighborhood. We had a blast. Sara was dressed at Cinderella in my old prom dress from 2001 with a few minor adjustments. :) For those of you who know me, then you know I hate Halloween. Well I sucked up me fear this year and went out with my girl Sharayah for a night on the town. We had a blast. I met Sharayah through my amazing friend Misty. For all this time I thought I didn’t get along with girls, well I guess I was wrong because I get along with these girls great!

Allison, Scott and Savannah came back over to the house to cheer Sara on in her soccer game. Well Savannah was so used to calling Sara, Cinderella that while she was cheering for her she was yelling, “Let’s go Cinderella.” It was so precious. We then went to lunch and had an absolutely wonderful day. I am so grateful for the best friends that I have in my life. They are truly my backbone for so much.

Sharayah and I after going out for Halloween... She protected me the whole night cause I am a scared person... lol

My favorite girls in the whole world. My best friend Allison, Savannah and baby sister Sara.

My sister Sara and I

Savannah holding my Grandma Bear on my bed

Pumpkin Patch 2008

Allison, Savannah and I at the Pumpkin Patch 2008

Ready for the weekend

So this weekend is going to be lots of fun… I am really looking forward to it. Of course I have to typical Friday night of softball. :P Then on Saturday I was going to try and watch Brandon play over at Softball World in a tournament for a little bit. My mom bought tickets for the family to go to Glen Rose to watch the play the Promise which we have been trying to go and see for about a year. We will probably be heading that way around 4 or so. YAY!

I am sad I won’t get to see my best friend and her family again this weekend but next weekend I will for sure, no matter what! :) Allison sent me some new pictures of my Savannah getting ready for Halloween. I am sure there will be more as it gets closer.

Also on Sunday a very special little girl named Gracie gave me a beautiful butterfly that she had colored for me. She is an amazing girl. She is going through a lot right now with the chemo and everything at the age of 6. Check out her page: http://gracierose.wordpress.com/

Not the typical leaving work night...

So I have been working at the AAC for a little over a year now to earn money to help pay off my sisters soccer. It has actually been rather fun. Never thought I would actually say that but it has. So Saturday was a really long day I had to be at work at 10am. Well everything was going great until I drove to the wrong parking garage. Apparently since the last time that I had work, they had changed where to park and I had no idea where it was. So I call the manager Valerie frantically… She gives me directions and everything is all better. We work our like 13 hour day working the Stars and Mavs game. While before we started cleaning up the cook asked everyone if they wanted any before she threw it away. Well I don’t like to throw things away so I said sure I’ll take something home. (Planning on giving it to my dad, he will eat everything.) So we head out to the parking garage and pass a number on people asking for money on the way nothing new. But then there was this gentleman that came up to me with tears in his eyes and so sincere and said I am sorry but can I have your sandwich. Of course without even thinking I said yes. I was sure why I was taking it home anyways other then to not waste the food. The group that I was walking with was rather surprised. They were shocked at how quickly I handed him the sandwich with out even thinking twice, and they asked why? I simply said, “I know I will get another meal, who knows when he will.” Needless to say the Lord confirmed to me why I have the heart I do and the love for people. The Lord put my path to cross that gentleman’s Saturday night for a reason, and I am thankful. When people ask for money you know they are trying to hide something, but when they come to ask you for food. They honestly just need your help. Thanks to my mom for showing me that a long time ago.

Flash Back in Time (only like 2 weeks ago)

So I had signed up to go on a mission trip to Bridge City, TX with my Church to help clean up after hurricane Ike had come through and demolished almost everything in its path. I wasn’t very sure what I was getting into, but I knew that God was telling me to go. So I obediently listened no sure what to expect. I am not very good when it comes to going on trips where I know no one and am going by myself. I get rather nervous, as I would think that anyone would. So the day had finally come October 10 th, 2008 and we were to meet at the church at 7:45am to start driving by 8:00am. Well needless to say I think I was there like 7:20 because I am so afraid of being late. Finally people start arriving. There are 7 of us going on this trip divided into 2 vans. Originally the count was suppose to be 17, but God had other plans. The people that he put me with were absolutely amazing. The knots in my stomach soon subsided as we started to drive away. I was no longer there for me, I was there to serve the Lord and to help his people in need. The drive was about 6 hours long. Cara and Brandon were in a van with myself as we drove. I think that Cara was fast asleep before we even got out of Quik-Trip’s parking lot. :) As we pass through Houston and get closer to the coast you can see where the water and the storm had come through the trees and the land. Even though the storm had come through almost a month prior it was as if it just came through. Workers were still frantically working to clear areas with damaged trees and garbage. We call Pastor Linda Palone as we get within about an hour of driving from Bridge City. She tells us to be ready to work once we arrive.

We arrive finally at the church and unload our stuff so we can quickly get back onto the road and off to a house to help someone. Linda leads us around Bridge City a little bit so we can see just what we are getting in to. Out of the 8,500 families that live in Bridge City only 14 homes are left livable at this time. Everyone was working together to try and fix the City that was once beautiful and clean. We arrive at the home where we are to help the family clear the front yard so that the FEMA trailer will be able to fit. After about 3 to 4 hours of cleaning the front yard is cleared where we have to be able to have the FEMA trailer. While we were cleaning Red Cross was even driving around delivering free hot meals to anyone that wanted them.

Day 2
Rise and shine at 6am to get ready for a long day. Today we split into teams so that we would be able to help more people in a short amount of time. This actually worked out very well. Brandon, Cara, Kim and I were on a team today. We arrived at the house and assessed the damages. The walls all needed to have to wood panels taken off and the insulation and sheet rock taken out up to 4 feet. The water in the house rose about 22inches. It was an older gentleman that was living in the house at the time of the storm. He lost most everything inside of the house. About a year ago he lost his other house due to a fire the burnt the entire house to the ground. We completed everything that needed to be done at this house and we were suppose to go to the son’s home but he had already had someone else come and help him. So we quickly called to see where we could assist. Dave had just about everyone working on a house that was right by the gulf that was totally submerged in water to the ceiling. Everything to the studs was taken out of the house. This project really did need everyone working on it as a team. The family that we were helping was actually trying to clean their father’s home. We were able to find some important things to the family the rest were damaged. Finally finish working about 8pm and shower and eat dinner and off to bed to get ready for the long day ahead of us tomorrow.

Final Day
Well I set my alarm for 6am once again, but only this time I used my work alarm instead not realizing that it only goes off Monday thru Friday. Luckily I heard other people get up around this time so I was able to wake Cara and Whitney so they could get ready to go out and start working. So everyone is awake except for Brandon who was supposed to be… So we wait, and wait… :)

Finally he wakes and decides that he is going to Wal-Mart with Michael. Does he not realize that we could have slept another 30 minutes? So back to good old waiting… YAY! We were only going to work on one house and when we arrived it was obvious why. The last house that we were working on was the home of a Orange County Sheriff. He had 3 boys and 1 girl. He was a single father working hard to support his kids. When the hurricane came through their neighborhood it came within about a foot from the ceiling. Everything in the entire house had to be taken out. While Brandon and I were cleaning in the garage I came across 4 brass boots through out the day with the children’s names on them. He was rather happy that they were found and not broken. We also came across a high school class ring that belonged to one of his sons. I wish we could have stayed and helped so much more, but we had to leave at 3 so we could start cleaning up and get ready for our drive back home.