Dum-da-da-dum-dum...

Graduation is almost here!!!! Tomorrow at 8:30 John will graduate with his Accounting degree- How cool is that?!

I can't wait to see him walk! Here are a couple of pictures of me from my graduation. As you can see, I look like a total dork in my graduation attire. I guess it's a step up from my high school graduation, though...in that one my gown still had the crease marks from being folded in the package. Classy. At least for this one I had the darn thing pressed first. Now I just have to get another degree so I can get that stupid hat put on my head right...


Here's my mom with her "special" daughter- I think the sun was in our eyes-- at least that's what I'm telling everyone :o)

Here I am with Kim...gotta love my crooked hat and cheesy smile :o)

Me and my Dad- This one really isn't *too* dorky.

I think Grandma Hunt took this one ;o) Me, Erin and Dad


Justin, me and Mom!

Stay tuned...tomorrow I'll have pictures from JOHN's GRADUATION!!!!

I am taking a break from cleaning my messy house for a bit to relax, and decided to do a quick update :o) John's graduation is Saturday, and we are really excited!!!!! Now he just needs to find a new job. Or I need to find one...

I started flylady again. Maybe this time it will stick. Every time I start over, I realize that it doesn't take nearly as long to get back in the swing of things as it did the time before, so I know progress is being made even though it usually doesn't look like it when I look at my house...

My dad wrote me an email this morning about one of the officers back home. Apparently, he was stopped assisting a motorist, and was shot at close range in the abdomen. He was wearing his vest, so he will likely be okay, but suffice it to say, I am so glad my dad is out of the business. This is every cop's kid's worst nightmare. I haven't been in contact with his daughter for years, but we were buddies growing up. If she comes across this, I hope she knows my thoughts and prayers are with her.

Other than that, we are finishing up our last minute projects and essays for school and deciding what to do with ourselves next semester. I think we will stay here for another year or two, but if something works out to get us closer to "home", we'll jump on it :o)

On Thursday I am going to post about our AZ trip and some fun pictures from the kids' holiday programs. Stay tuned....

Okay, I really need to clean and study!!! Seriously.

A Christmas Miracle

Collin's little friend from Baseball, Chance, has been fighting Leukemia since June. Tonight his parents posted an update. Read it here.

What else is there to say? Prayer works! God is good!

It's Christmas Time...

Last night the kids and I put up the Christmas tree. It is a prelit one we got from Target last year during their after Christmas Sale. It looks really cute- simple white lights and a frosty the snowman skirt I picked up a couple years ago. Tonight we will add our home made ornaments along with putting up our stockings. I have a turkey roasting in the oven, along with some yummy fudgey brownies (I hope the smells don't cross-contaminate each other). The house smells heavenly, and I am really getting into the holiday season.

This holiday should be our last one as "starving students" (ha ha ha- anyone who has seen either of us lately knows there's not much starving going on in this household!! But I digress...). To be totally honest, it is bittersweet. John graduates next Saturday. This is not a very good time to be getting into the professional job market. Before the election, "everyone" told us to "check back after the election. After Obama won, the word was "check back after the first of the year". It seems like everyone who is hiring now wants "two years experience". Well, how is someone supposed to gain your highly coveted two years experience if nobody is hiring entry level workers?!

The thing is, I know everything will work out and that John will either advance within his current company or find another job. And I know that I will have no problem re-entering the job market in the Fall. I think that is exactly why this season is so bittersweet. Next year will just be so...different! I don't "do" different! I like my routine- I like knowing what to expect. Don't get me wrong, it will be nice to actually be able to afford to buy the kids the "cool toys", not just wrap up a bunch of stuff they need and call it Christmas presents. Because really, what kid actually asks Santa for a new toothbrush or for new underwear? Yours doesn't. Neither does yours? My point exactly. I am looking forward to buying a house. I look forward to being able to vacuum and actually see my vacuum lines in the nap of the carpet. I look forward to having my own bathroom and not having to wipe nasty boy pee off the seat before I potty. I want more space. I want new furniture. I want all that. But I'm ok without it. I already have what is important. I have a place to live. I have a beautiful, loving family. My kids are healthy. We have insurance. We have 2 cars. We have food. We have love. We have each other. And that is exactly what the holiday season is all about. Happy Holidays!

28 things...

Today is my 28th birthday. Wow! I was born at 9:20 am MST at the Safford hospital. My mom was in labor for several days before my stubborn self decided to make my grand appearance. My poor mom! I don't know how she did it, especially since she didn't have any pain meds. I usually utilize some sort of narcotic pain relief during my labors, and mine are very short. I don't know how she made it the 3 or 4 days without anything! In honor of my 28 years, I am copying my cousin, and imparting some of my wisdom upon you all. Here are some of the things I have learned this past 28 years, some are serious, most are not, so enjoy:

1. Trust in Him.

2. Family first.

3. Stand up for yourself- if you don't nobody else will.

4. Expect the best but prepare for the worst.

5. I would rather have a few things that I like and that get used and worn out than a bunch of stuff that I never use.

6. A big bowl of Cheerios with brown sugar is a cheap and yummy meal.

7. If buying the Sponge Bob or Dora toothbrush and toothpaste makes your kids brush their teeth more, buy it! It is well worth the extra cost compared to generic... yup, we're still paying off that penny wise decision...

8. Get an education, even if you think you will "just" be a mom- education will make you a better parent.

9. Almost without fail, the best part of Late night television is the monologue.

10. Chocolate is truly a gift from God.

11. Never say "I would never"- when you do, God simply laughs and makes it happen...

12. The holidays are all about the kids and being with family.

13. No matter how long I know about an important essay, and no matter how well I plan, I will always stay up the entire night before it is due working out the kinks, reworking the transitions, and writing, rewriting and re-re-writing the bulk of it.

14. Either that or I'll stay up blogging about some random topic rather than working on it...

15. There's nothing quite like a strawberry pie made with strawberries fresh from the patch.

16. More expensive isn't necessarily better quality.

17. But sometimes it is...

18. Apparently, I inspire people- I have two friends who are pursuing different career paths because of conversations we have had with each other. One is starting the alternative teaching certification program (she is a stay at home mom) and the other is starting her pre-req's for nursing school (she is currently a teacher). You never know how your influence will affect those around you.

19. "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"

20. One of these days, we will think back on today and remember it as one of "the good old days"

21. Find joy in the journey- today!

22. There's nothing quite like snuggling in a quilt, surrounded by your children, eating a yummy snack and watching a good movie.

23. A good mattress, a supportive bra and good dental floss are worth every cent you pay for them.

24. Happily ever after takes lots of work, patience and sacrifice

25. In marriage, you can either be happy or you can be right. I guess I would just be a lot happier if he would admit that I'm always right ;)

26. No matter how old I get, I still love chocolate milk.

27. People always come before things.

28. Make the most of this life, it's the only one you get!

Random update and musings

My mom flies in tomorrow from Phoenix to help me drive out for our Thanksgiving trip. As you may have gathered, I am rather excited about this trip. It feels as though we are at a bit of a crossroads right now. On one hand, we can stay here in Texas and finish our masters degrees, or we can take advantage of this small break and move back to Arizona to be closer to my family. Oh my, decisions, decisions...

On one hand, I LOVE it out here. This is our home. When I think of "home" I think of our little house in Commerce. I think of spending my summer evenings at the pool with my children, followed by a sweet snow cone treat. I picture Saturday soccer games with Collin running an offense, Cameron debating with me whether he should run out on the field, and Caitlyn wanting to hop on the field so bad, she's literally shaking. I see my children running in the green grass of the park, surrounded by old, proud, leafy green trees. I see them throwing our monstrously huge acorns at each other- and the large bruises and broken windows they are known to cause. I see them excelling in school, making friends, and learning Southern manners and customs. I see wintry Saturdays spent at the Y in Greenville. I see Wednesday evenings spent in class with my fellow graduate students. I see a small town with small town values, but with wonderful proximity to the culture and certain delights that only living near a thriving metropolis can provide.

But, there's also my home- complete with the many loving aunts and uncles, grandparents and great grandparents. My mind's eye remembers the snow-covered mountains, the delicious smell of creosote bushes dampened by the summer monsoon rains, the clear crisp summer mornings, its sunrises and sunsets. Mi Casa tortillas, Green Chili burros from La Casita, and thick, ice-cold horchata from Los Jilibertos. In my mind I can hear the back and forth chatter of the silver-haired viejetas at Thriftee as they choose their tomatillos and chilis. And I miss it.

I guess whatever happens, happens. I know we were led here, and I know that if it is time to move on, we will be led to that as well. After this coming week, I feel like we will know which way our path will lead. And I look forward to seeing where we are going.