This book was recommended to me by my Aunt Jen. Her glowing review was 100% accurate for me.

“I had to share a book with you that is AMAZING!  If you haven’t read it, RUN, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore.  If you’ve already read this book, you know just how powerful it is.  There are so many hidden treasures, I still can’t put it down after finishing it a few days ago. Ultimately, it is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision, and will just knock your socks off how He works!  You have to get into a rhythm since it’s written from the perspective of both men, but by about p.50 you will be hooked reading this true account of family, friendship, and faith.  Be prepared to be blessed, to stay up way too late reading, and to use a whole roll of toilet paper drying your eyes!”

I couldn’t agree more! What initally got me hooked was the fact that it takes place in Dallas/Fort Worth. It made it really easy for me to relate and recognize the locations they were talking about. It was also very eye opening to modern day slavery, and it gave me insight to people who are homeless. I cannot remember a book that has touched my heart like this one. I know that this will be a book that I re-read (which I rarely ever do). The words of wisdom concerning death were so very comforting.

I can’t wait to discuss this book with you if you read it. Just beware: do not read it in public! I sobbed during serveral parts!

I found out from Jennifer yesterday that they are only a few kids short of needing a fifth kindergarten teacher at her school. How amazing would that be! It would also explain why I felt so deeply that Vega was the place for me, just not right at that moment. Prayer warriors: do your thing!

I also have training tonight for my second job. I’m going to be working childcare for our church a couple nights a week. I really like my boss, and I am looking forward to working with kids on a regular basis again.

Today two of my favorite five year olds started kindergarten.

Garrett started school in Lewisville. I can hardly believe that it was over five years ago that I held that little baby boy in my arms and praised God for the perfect gift he is to our family. I wonder how his first day was. Was he shy around his teacher and new friends, or was he completely comfortable? I’m sure that he will really enjoy this year and getting to play with his classmates!

Go Dragons!

Caitlyn started school in McKinney today. I met Caitlyn for the first time around two years ago. Her little sister was in my toddler class at church Sunday mornings. She always wore a huge smile and was so eager to see her little sister. I have had the pleasure of really getting to know her over the past year. Her spirit is so sweet and tender. I can’t help but wonder about her day too. Was she shy? Did she miss her mom? Or just maybe, she was so excited about finally being in school that all fear was washed away. I can’t believe what a big girl she is, and I know that she will best the best and smartest girl in her class!

Go All Stars!

I’m not going to lie; I’m sad with a mixture of excitement. They have seemed to grown up overnight. My heart aches for the babies they once were and is elated to watch the children they are becoming.

Jordan has his first slumber party at Aunt Brooke and Uncle Ryan’s house last Friday. I think he had fun, and he was so good. During one of his night feedings I laid him down to change his diaper, and he opened his eyes really big and had this sense of contentment. In that moment, I realized what a miracle he is. I feel so blessed to be in his life and watch him grow (and keep his mama away from temporary tattoos).

Here he is wrapped up like a burrito. He slept so good in his little bed. He only woke up to eat.

He was not too happy here. He wanted to be wrapped up like a burrito again. Isabelle was very concerned about what was wrong with him. Charlie was really cute too. He was always within a few feet of Jordan.

Feeling much better about things.

Note: I just want to make sure everyone knows that I did not do this to him. He came to me with the tattoo.

Isabelle stole a pacifier out of his bouncy seat. It took her all of 30 seconds to get it full of holes.

Ryan and I both were really impressed with his strength. He already does a pretty good job of holding his head up.

Only a few more, I promise…..at least for this post! LOL I just can’t get enough of a baby mesmorized by a fan.

And, Uncle Nick stopped by to meet his nephew for the first time.

Jordan “Munch” is coming over again tomorrow. I can’t wait. Note: He is not spending the night again, so I’m even more excited about not getting up every three hours! Woohoo!

As promised, here are some before pictures of the office. It was a hot mess!

We spent many days going through all of our mayhem, foolishness, and clutter. Right now the office is completely empty, the walls are painted, and the hardwood flooring in starting to go in! I can’t wait until it is finished.

I was ten when my parents separated. It really shook my world because I could never imagine that they would divorce. My dad later moved in with Kim and her two kids, Jaque and James. The early years of my relationship with Kim were hard. Not because of her, but because it was so radically different from the life I thought I would have.

Things got better as I became a teenager and realized that she wasn’t going anywhere, LOL. I remember getting my driver’s permit right when I turned 15. Kim came and picked me up in her Geo Metro so I could learn how to drive. The metro was a standard transmission, and we chose to practice driving in the parking lot of the high school I was attending. It did not go good. I ended up jumping a curve and busting one of the tires. It was so embarrassing, and some of the kids I went to school with got to witness the whole thing. So I learned how to change a tire and was traumatized towards ever driving in a standard. I didn’t step into another one for almost three years, and I have not driven one since then.

This is just one example of many that shows a part of my relationship with Kim. She taught me how to be an adult and independent. She took me to get my very first checking account when I was fifteen and was working at my first job, McDonald’s. I even moved in with my Dad and Kim that same year. She taught me how to do my taxes, balance a checkbook, file an insurance claim when I got in a wreck, and the basics of cooking.

When I reflect on my relationship with Kim, I cannot see how my life would be without her. So much of the adult I am today is from her loving time spent teaching me about life. I am an independent person that can find out how to take care of things and accomplish my goals. Ya did good!

Happy Birthday Kim!

Last Saturday, we surprised Jenn with a night out on the town to celebrate her birthday. You can check out her account of the evening here. We began by surprising her at the Dart rail, and the evening began.

Our first stop was at Fuse, a funky Asian place. They had really good sushi! Of course Ryan and I were the only ones to eat it! The highlight of the meal was the way Josh and Jonathan kept sharing food. They switched dinner plates a couples times and shared dessert. Before we left, Jonathan actually fed Josh a spoonful of dessert. They were definitely the lovebirds of the evening.

Our next stop was to the Majestic to see Joel McHale. Dinner took longer than we thought, so we had to really hurry in order to make it in time. We made it with only a few moments to spare. His act was really great and surprisingly clean. The funniest bits were about his kids and this one gal in the front row with the name Marquin.

We tried to get a picture of him after the show, but the lighting did not agree with our camera. So here’s a pic of me and Jenn instead.

Now, I mentioned that we had taken the train. That means walking was involved, and we had to really hurry to make to the show in time. Jenn and I had worn weapons of torture cute shoes that were not the best for walking any great length in. By the end of the show, we were completely miserable and were not sure how we would make it back to the train. Enter —- Jon and Ryan to the rescue!

The boys took their shoes off and let us wear them on the way back to the train station. What men we have! On the train ride back Josh fell asleep, and we realized we were hungry again. Now the food at Fuse was wonderful, but there just wasn’t much of it! We decided to stop off at a Pub in downtown Plano for a late night snack.

When we got off the train. Jon gave his shoes to Jenn again. This time though, he decided to wear her shoes! He was just a little too comfortable in them (if you know what I mean, LOL!).

We all had a bunch of fun and laughs. It was totally worth all the blisters on my feet! Who’s birthday is it next? Jon’s, I think. Let’s plan another evening out!

Today I was supposed to have an interview at the church. As many of you know, I did not feel like this was the position for me (although the news of a job prospect could not have come at a better time). I was uneasy about the amount of hours this new position would have required me to commit to on a weekly basis. I also would have had to give up my Sunday mornings.

This was the real deal breaker for me. I really enjoy attending service Sunday morning with Ryan and our friends. And more importantly, I would really miss my preschool class that Ryan and I teach. We started teaching last year when the kiddos where three (same age as Liz so she would be in our class when she visits). I made an internal commitment to serve with this group of kids through fifth grade as long as nothing beyond my control occurs. The idea of not being able to do this was really hurting my heart.

I decided to go ahead and interview for the position at Ryan’s request. It would have also been great if the position would have worked without compromising what is important to me, and there would have been no way for me to know for sure without interviewing.

Monte called me Monday evening to cancel my interview. God had lead the perfect person for the position to Bent Tree. I’m excited to see what this new energy will do for the ministry, and I’m really happy to feel like I’m walking in God’s will…..whatever that may be!

Ryan and I remodeled our living room in June. We installed pergo flooring, and I have fallen completely in love with it. It makes cleaning so much easier (my doggy friends make a big mess). After we finished the project, I immediately decided that I wanted pergo in our bedroom and office.

After some persuasion, I am happy to report that Ryan has agreed to start remodeling our office. I’m so excited about creating the perfect space for both of us. I’m planning a desk that wraps around 3 of the walls. Scrapbooking, sewing, and crafting, OH MY! I can’t wait to have the ladies over for a crop!

We are slowly starting to clean out and go through everything in the office. I’ll keep you updated on the progress, and hopefully we will not have any problems like the aquarium issues in the living room. I’ll fill you in on that story another day.

I have really been considering my commitment to teaching over the past few days, and I came to the conclusion that I would be willing to teach in Dallas (even South Dallas). I figured that I would be able to do lot of good in the lives of the kiddos that go to school in the Dallas district.

This afternoon I found a kindergarten position open in the district. I called the school, and what the secretary told me is crazy. Dallas ISD is in a hiring freeze. They will only hire teachers that are already in the district somehow, and the earliest the freeze will be lifted is January.

So, no more “Have you/she tried South Dallas” comments because YES! Yes, I have tried South Dallas, and that door is closed for now too.