Saturday, September 6, 2008
Well one day post-op and Gene's left eye is almost swollen shut. The surgery went well and all cancer is gone from his face, but he looks like an Irish boxer loosing badly (the redish beard and swelling). His mom, and brother Erich, came up Thursday night and were at the hospital for the surgery. They have both gone home now. Kaitlyn just keeps starring at daddy and saying you eye looks 'downer' (the swelling makes it look lower). Besides a swollen and bruised face he is feeling well. Thanks to all who have been praying. Please continue to lift up prayers. The swelling and bruising will last a while and a normal look is going to be a bit of a wait.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Yeah, I'm still around...
Pick of Miss Priss I took at Easter in front of the stained glass at Houston Park CofC in Selma where I grew up and Gene and I were married.
I know, it's been quite a while, but honestly, sometimes I forget I even have a blog, and it's hard to find time to sit down and write. I'm sorry. I know I've got to get better, I've really got to get into a routine, or Ms. Lynne especially is gonna skin me alive!
We're doing good. I don't know how many of you even knew this, but last year I worked part-time as a Special Education ParaProfessional at one of our local Title I elementary schools. Well, at the end of the year, when they were doing all the budget crapola, they cut my job. I was absolutely heart broken. For the first time in my life I actually loved my job. I didn't dread getting up every morning. My babies were all so special...from just being slow in reading and math, to being autistic, to having multiple personalities brought on by abuse you couldn't imagine. And, I tried so hard not to like that job. Because I fought teaching tooth and nail. I still don't want to be a teacher, but I did not want to leave my kids when they told me I'd lost my job.
Anyway, I spent all summer looking, but had to be very selective because I don't have a teaching certificate (you'd think a doctorate would supercede that, but apparently not...go figure). Well, two weeks before school started, they called me back. I was so excited, I didn't believe the woman on the phone. I started crying. My principle didn't even know yet! But the best part was when the kids came to school the first day. I'd hide from some of them, and they'd say, "Mrs. B, you're back!" It was great.
I know, ya'll don't care about that, but since school's gone back, I've been busy. I work Monday and Tuesday all day, and 1/2 day on Thursday. But, I get full-time benefits. That's the best part. Kaitlyn goes there in their Pre-K program, and it's taught by one of our members from church, and it's a pre-k for both special needs and mainstream kids, which I think is great for Kaitlyn, because I always wanted Kait to go to RISE here at the U of A so she would be around special needs kids, but I knew she'd never get in because the waiting list for mainstream kids is so long. But, her teacher at Crestmont was a teacher at RISE, so it's like having our own version of RISE right there. She loves it, and you ought to see all the kids working together and helping the special ones out. It's so sweet.
Over the summer as I got painting orders, I kinda spread them out, so I'd have plenty to do when school started, well...now I'm scrambling to get them all done. When it rains it pours, then we'll have a drought.
Oh, prayer request...Daddy's aunt (we've always called her "Sister") died last Monday. Well, they buried her on Wednesday. Her son, George made all the arrangements, and disappeared. He didn't show up for the visitation or the funeral. No one has seen or heard from him. Not my grandmother, not daddy, not his son, not his girlfriend. No one. He's in his 50s, and has been living with his mother for the last 20 years. She was a hateful woman, so this could have been a new beginning for him, or he could've gone off the deep end. We don't know. The authorities are looking in FL, AL, GA and MS. Pray we find him or get some answers soon, please.
That's about it. Just boring life stuff.
I know, it's been quite a while, but honestly, sometimes I forget I even have a blog, and it's hard to find time to sit down and write. I'm sorry. I know I've got to get better, I've really got to get into a routine, or Ms. Lynne especially is gonna skin me alive!
We're doing good. I don't know how many of you even knew this, but last year I worked part-time as a Special Education ParaProfessional at one of our local Title I elementary schools. Well, at the end of the year, when they were doing all the budget crapola, they cut my job. I was absolutely heart broken. For the first time in my life I actually loved my job. I didn't dread getting up every morning. My babies were all so special...from just being slow in reading and math, to being autistic, to having multiple personalities brought on by abuse you couldn't imagine. And, I tried so hard not to like that job. Because I fought teaching tooth and nail. I still don't want to be a teacher, but I did not want to leave my kids when they told me I'd lost my job.
Anyway, I spent all summer looking, but had to be very selective because I don't have a teaching certificate (you'd think a doctorate would supercede that, but apparently not...go figure). Well, two weeks before school started, they called me back. I was so excited, I didn't believe the woman on the phone. I started crying. My principle didn't even know yet! But the best part was when the kids came to school the first day. I'd hide from some of them, and they'd say, "Mrs. B, you're back!" It was great.
I know, ya'll don't care about that, but since school's gone back, I've been busy. I work Monday and Tuesday all day, and 1/2 day on Thursday. But, I get full-time benefits. That's the best part. Kaitlyn goes there in their Pre-K program, and it's taught by one of our members from church, and it's a pre-k for both special needs and mainstream kids, which I think is great for Kaitlyn, because I always wanted Kait to go to RISE here at the U of A so she would be around special needs kids, but I knew she'd never get in because the waiting list for mainstream kids is so long. But, her teacher at Crestmont was a teacher at RISE, so it's like having our own version of RISE right there. She loves it, and you ought to see all the kids working together and helping the special ones out. It's so sweet.
Over the summer as I got painting orders, I kinda spread them out, so I'd have plenty to do when school started, well...now I'm scrambling to get them all done. When it rains it pours, then we'll have a drought.
Oh, prayer request...Daddy's aunt (we've always called her "Sister") died last Monday. Well, they buried her on Wednesday. Her son, George made all the arrangements, and disappeared. He didn't show up for the visitation or the funeral. No one has seen or heard from him. Not my grandmother, not daddy, not his son, not his girlfriend. No one. He's in his 50s, and has been living with his mother for the last 20 years. She was a hateful woman, so this could have been a new beginning for him, or he could've gone off the deep end. We don't know. The authorities are looking in FL, AL, GA and MS. Pray we find him or get some answers soon, please.
That's about it. Just boring life stuff.
Monday, July 21, 2008
I'm BAAAAAAAACK!
I'm SO sorry it has been so long since I've posted, but life has just been wild!
We spent time babysitting Kim's kids while she and Zack honeymooned (belated) in St. Lucia, then we came home, and it's just been wild since then. Just really no time to sit down and concentrate enough to do any typing on the computer.
Well, this weekend, we went down to Prattville to visit Matt and Katie, and Gene's family. It happened to be Mom's birthday, and she and Daddy had gone to P'ville too to help KK and Matt cut up the tree's that had fallen in the storm, so we got to see them too, and spend Momma's bday with her. Gene's brother, Erich's bday party was Saturday afternoon, so we surprised him and the rest of the family by showing up. Sunday, we got to go to church with everybody as Gene's parents have placed membership at P'ville CofC, KK and Matt go there, and Mom and Dad were still visiting. We had a good time. I'm pooped now. Sleepy mostly.
BUT, before we left, I got a phone call from the Tuscaloosa Co Board of Education and got my old job back! I was so excited. I cried and cried.
One problem though...tonight I just got a call from my principal saying that the superintendent told her that I did get my job back, but not at my old school. My old principal doesn't know where, and the reason she was calling me was to find out if the super had called me, because she said she would. So, I have a prayer request...pray that they're wrong, or if they're not, that I'm placed at Vestavia...the school Kaitlyn will be zoned for next year. I'm being bold and asking God for something specifically. Ya'll pray too, please.
Went to the dentist today to have those two broken teeth fixed. That was fun. Not bad, just that they numbed one side, and I was numb from my ear (including my actual ear) to include my tongue. It felt so weird. It felt like my tongue was 4 inches thick! I was talking so funny. I reminded myself of Bill Cosby..."My libbin...my libben is on the flur...!" Then I bit my lip eating my lunch, cause I couldn't feel it. That wasn't pleasant.
Well, that's about it. You're caught up.
We spent time babysitting Kim's kids while she and Zack honeymooned (belated) in St. Lucia, then we came home, and it's just been wild since then. Just really no time to sit down and concentrate enough to do any typing on the computer.
Well, this weekend, we went down to Prattville to visit Matt and Katie, and Gene's family. It happened to be Mom's birthday, and she and Daddy had gone to P'ville too to help KK and Matt cut up the tree's that had fallen in the storm, so we got to see them too, and spend Momma's bday with her. Gene's brother, Erich's bday party was Saturday afternoon, so we surprised him and the rest of the family by showing up. Sunday, we got to go to church with everybody as Gene's parents have placed membership at P'ville CofC, KK and Matt go there, and Mom and Dad were still visiting. We had a good time. I'm pooped now. Sleepy mostly.
BUT, before we left, I got a phone call from the Tuscaloosa Co Board of Education and got my old job back! I was so excited. I cried and cried.
One problem though...tonight I just got a call from my principal saying that the superintendent told her that I did get my job back, but not at my old school. My old principal doesn't know where, and the reason she was calling me was to find out if the super had called me, because she said she would. So, I have a prayer request...pray that they're wrong, or if they're not, that I'm placed at Vestavia...the school Kaitlyn will be zoned for next year. I'm being bold and asking God for something specifically. Ya'll pray too, please.
Went to the dentist today to have those two broken teeth fixed. That was fun. Not bad, just that they numbed one side, and I was numb from my ear (including my actual ear) to include my tongue. It felt so weird. It felt like my tongue was 4 inches thick! I was talking so funny. I reminded myself of Bill Cosby..."My libbin...my libben is on the flur...!" Then I bit my lip eating my lunch, cause I couldn't feel it. That wasn't pleasant.
Well, that's about it. You're caught up.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tell me...fair or not?
Kaitlyn and cousin Jon (her first steps on the beach---May 2005)Well, I'm on the phone with KK (aka Katie), and she's just a fussin' about how sorry a blogger I am. I told her I would probably stink at this because I'm so busy, but does she listen? Ever? I think we all know the answer to that. :) Seriously, I love my sis, dispite her many flaws. :)
Ok, ya'll tell me...is this fair or not...? Mom, Kaitlyn and I are leaving tomorrow for Orange Beach. Guess why? So my other sister, Kim can go on a cruise with her husband Zack...we're going to babysit the children! Somehow that just doesn't seem right. Her baby is 16 months old and she's going on a cruise, complete with free babysitting...my baby is 4 years old, and I can count on 2 fingers how many dates I've been on in 4 years! Somethin' just ain't right about this picture...how'd I get suckered into this?
Anyway, I may be outta pocket until we get back (around the 4th of July), so don't flip out if you don't hear from me for a while (Katie). I'll try to post while I'm down there, but I ain't promisin' nothin'.
Pray for us!
Ok, ya'll tell me...is this fair or not...? Mom, Kaitlyn and I are leaving tomorrow for Orange Beach. Guess why? So my other sister, Kim can go on a cruise with her husband Zack...we're going to babysit the children! Somehow that just doesn't seem right. Her baby is 16 months old and she's going on a cruise, complete with free babysitting...my baby is 4 years old, and I can count on 2 fingers how many dates I've been on in 4 years! Somethin' just ain't right about this picture...how'd I get suckered into this?
Anyway, I may be outta pocket until we get back (around the 4th of July), so don't flip out if you don't hear from me for a while (Katie). I'll try to post while I'm down there, but I ain't promisin' nothin'.
Pray for us!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Whew! I'm pooped!
Well, sorry it's been so long since I've blogged, but it's been a wild week (or two, I can't really remember). Anyway, we went down to Selma on June 8th to spend most of the week with Mom and Dad for their Family Bible Week, aka VBS. We didn't get back until the 12th. We had a good time. Kaitlyn was the only one in her class, but mom's best friend Tracy was her teacher, so she wasn't hurtin' for attention. She's like a little celebrity when we come home. My Daddy was in a skit! I couldn't believe it! Of course, Mom volunteered him for it, and he made no beans about reminding everyone of the fact, but he was really good. He played Mordecai in the story of Esther. The lady playing Esther messed up her lines at the end of the play and said that Mordecai should be hanged, well, Kaitlyn knew that her Poppa was Mordecai, and that hanging wasn't good, and you should've seen her little face! It was so funny!
Anyway, all went well with Family Bible Week. We were just all pooped. Mom helped with crafts, and did a skit herself as well. I was in shock! I took pictures to have proof of the occurance just in case no one believed me.
While we were down there, we went to "Ms. Kay's" pool to swim. One of the side affects of this crazy disease is I can't get sun...well, apparently that is wrong, cause I was a lobster by the end of the day! Went to church that night and everyone was hugging me, and saying, "hey darlin' how you doin'?" all the while just beating the snot outta my back. I'd just grin...lord that hurt. It was kinda funny though.
Ummm...let's see...came back home on the 12th, and brought Smook with us. Her real name is Meredith Chance. She and her older sister Mallory were my flower girls 12 years ago. She's now 17 years old! She went to work in my house, and lord have mercy! Cleaned out Kaitlyn's entire closet and chest of drawers and reorganized the whole thing! We had a great time, but wore ourselves out.
Mom, Dad, Kim, Zack, Jon, Mark, and Jon's friend John Ross (not to mention the 85 pound black lab, Todd) all came in Saturday afternoon. That was fun. Cricket went nuts when she saw Todd and just about ate him alive (Cricket is our 12 pound, 12 year old minature long-haired dachshund). Mark is so cute, he's walking around and just jabbering. He came straight to me and just grinned (he's my 16 month old nephew).
Anyway, it was wild trying to sleep all those people, but we had a blast, and Smook kept me from having a come-apart. All the women went to Hobby Lobby after supper at Los Tarascos and shopped a little and came home and painted. I did a big canvas for Smook's room.
Sunday, Kim, Zack, et.al. headed for Huntsville to take the two older boys to Space Camp, and the rest of us went to church and to Angeline's for lunch. Then home for naps. Kaitlyn gave Daddy and Poppa cute "handmade" tee-shirts for Father's Day. I've got pics of everything for KK to post as soon as she can.
Ok, time to fix supper. Hope you all feel caught up. Can ya'll tell I'm a little long winded? Are you sure you want me to do this?
Oh, had dentist appts. this a.m., Kait and me...at 8 a.m. I've to two broken teeth I didn't know about (how'd I miss THAT?), and my gum is too low on one of my K9s? Anyway, he wants to do a skin graft on it. Yee ha.
Still don't have a job yet for the fall...
NOW you're caught up.
Anyway, all went well with Family Bible Week. We were just all pooped. Mom helped with crafts, and did a skit herself as well. I was in shock! I took pictures to have proof of the occurance just in case no one believed me.
While we were down there, we went to "Ms. Kay's" pool to swim. One of the side affects of this crazy disease is I can't get sun...well, apparently that is wrong, cause I was a lobster by the end of the day! Went to church that night and everyone was hugging me, and saying, "hey darlin' how you doin'?" all the while just beating the snot outta my back. I'd just grin...lord that hurt. It was kinda funny though.
Ummm...let's see...came back home on the 12th, and brought Smook with us. Her real name is Meredith Chance. She and her older sister Mallory were my flower girls 12 years ago. She's now 17 years old! She went to work in my house, and lord have mercy! Cleaned out Kaitlyn's entire closet and chest of drawers and reorganized the whole thing! We had a great time, but wore ourselves out.
Mom, Dad, Kim, Zack, Jon, Mark, and Jon's friend John Ross (not to mention the 85 pound black lab, Todd) all came in Saturday afternoon. That was fun. Cricket went nuts when she saw Todd and just about ate him alive (Cricket is our 12 pound, 12 year old minature long-haired dachshund). Mark is so cute, he's walking around and just jabbering. He came straight to me and just grinned (he's my 16 month old nephew).
Anyway, it was wild trying to sleep all those people, but we had a blast, and Smook kept me from having a come-apart. All the women went to Hobby Lobby after supper at Los Tarascos and shopped a little and came home and painted. I did a big canvas for Smook's room.
Sunday, Kim, Zack, et.al. headed for Huntsville to take the two older boys to Space Camp, and the rest of us went to church and to Angeline's for lunch. Then home for naps. Kaitlyn gave Daddy and Poppa cute "handmade" tee-shirts for Father's Day. I've got pics of everything for KK to post as soon as she can.
Ok, time to fix supper. Hope you all feel caught up. Can ya'll tell I'm a little long winded? Are you sure you want me to do this?
Oh, had dentist appts. this a.m., Kait and me...at 8 a.m. I've to two broken teeth I didn't know about (how'd I miss THAT?), and my gum is too low on one of my K9s? Anyway, he wants to do a skin graft on it. Yee ha.
Still don't have a job yet for the fall...
NOW you're caught up.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Ok, so here's the official first "blog." Today, Gene was off (rare), so we just spent the entire day together as a family. The house is a disaster, and really needs attention, but that can wait. We slept late, and then got up, got dressed and met Gabby for breakfast at Cracker Barrel about 10:30. We had a wonderful meal, and great conversation and shopped just a little, but didn't buy anything.
Then, Gene and Kaitlyn had hair appointments with Valerie at noon, so we headed there. They got the royal treatment as usual, and Kaitlyn got all the attention she usually does. I ended up getting my hair cut too! It's way different, and really short, but it's easy, and Gene likes it, and that's all that matters anyway. After all, it's just hair, it'll grow back.
Let's see...then we came home, took a nap and got Kait dressed in her Easter dress. We took her down to Capital Park and took some pics for her 4 year old portraits. It was SUPER HOT, even at 6:30 pm! I had sweat in places I didn't even know I had! Lord have mercy!
Then we met Mike, Karen, and Hunter Wilkins at Los Tarascos for supper. Yummy! We had a blast. Laughed and laughed! Hunter is in the "girls are gross" phase (he's 7), and Kaitlyn wanted someone to talk to, play with, and most repulsively (according to Hunter), sit by. When it came time to pray and Hunter wouldn't, Kaitlyn volunteered. Well, we're all hand-holders, and so are they, but when Hunter realized that meant he was to hold Kait's hand, Oh Lord, it was hilarious! Anyway, Kaitlyn prayed, and it was really sweet. Dinner was great, and the fellowship was the best.
Then we went to Wal-Mart...what a boring life we lead when Friday night is spent at Wal-Mart. Just got a few things, mainly stuff for the bigger bathroom in the house. I'm taking it over. Don't know why it hasn't dawned on me before, but hey, I need the room!
Ok, that's enough for now. I'll try more later, but doubtful on tomorrow, gotta do the housework I skipped out on today! Hugs, love and prayers to all, Kelli.
Then, Gene and Kaitlyn had hair appointments with Valerie at noon, so we headed there. They got the royal treatment as usual, and Kaitlyn got all the attention she usually does. I ended up getting my hair cut too! It's way different, and really short, but it's easy, and Gene likes it, and that's all that matters anyway. After all, it's just hair, it'll grow back.
Let's see...then we came home, took a nap and got Kait dressed in her Easter dress. We took her down to Capital Park and took some pics for her 4 year old portraits. It was SUPER HOT, even at 6:30 pm! I had sweat in places I didn't even know I had! Lord have mercy!
Then we met Mike, Karen, and Hunter Wilkins at Los Tarascos for supper. Yummy! We had a blast. Laughed and laughed! Hunter is in the "girls are gross" phase (he's 7), and Kaitlyn wanted someone to talk to, play with, and most repulsively (according to Hunter), sit by. When it came time to pray and Hunter wouldn't, Kaitlyn volunteered. Well, we're all hand-holders, and so are they, but when Hunter realized that meant he was to hold Kait's hand, Oh Lord, it was hilarious! Anyway, Kaitlyn prayed, and it was really sweet. Dinner was great, and the fellowship was the best.
Then we went to Wal-Mart...what a boring life we lead when Friday night is spent at Wal-Mart. Just got a few things, mainly stuff for the bigger bathroom in the house. I'm taking it over. Don't know why it hasn't dawned on me before, but hey, I need the room!
Ok, that's enough for now. I'll try more later, but doubtful on tomorrow, gotta do the housework I skipped out on today! Hugs, love and prayers to all, Kelli.
My fav pic of Kait and Gene...the am after her birth...04/14/04
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