Wedding Bells

Well, March 16 was finally here. My good friend Joy married the love of her life, Kevin. The day was absolutely gorgeous. Not a cloud in the sky. And since it was an outdoor wedding, that was a very good thing. I don't have much to say, because the pictures will speak for themselves. Joy, you were absolutely radiant and stunning on your wedding day. Thank you so much for allowing me the honor of being apart of your wedding. It was full of many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever. I love you and pray a multitude of blessing upon you marriage to Kevin. Congrats, Mrs. Lee!

Amazing!

Mark's brother, Clay, is a graphic designer. He can do things quickly on the computer that would take me hours, days, or a lifetime to figure out. I asked him to fix up this picture for me. Tell me what you think!

BeforeAfter

I feel like playing one of those magazine games where you find all of the things that are different in the photos!

Warning: This blog contains underwear!

On Saturday night, Joy and all her bridesmaids drove to San Antonio for a girls' night out and lingerie shower. We stayed at Hotel Contessa, which I now highly recommend. It was absolutely fabulous and right on the Riverwalk. We checked in about 4:30 and then just hung out, had the lingerie shower, and then went to dinner at Mi Tierra. We had a fabulous time together! I can't wait to see all the girls again this Saturday for the wedding!

In the front reception area of Hotel Contessa. From left to right: Katie (maid of honor), Olivia, Joy (BRIDE!), me, Nina

Joy is showing off her "Bride to be" sash. Yes, she wore this all night . . .

Joy and me

Lingerie shower - let the fun begin :)

Joy sporting some panties for a game we played

Ready to go out to dinner

Joy, the bridesmaids, and Jenny who joined us for the night!

Nina, Joy, and me - we all went to high school together

Why I love my job

As I stated in my previous blog, I was sick all last week. My voice is almost back, but my throat is now tired from talking all day. Anyways, this morning one of my students walked in with a bag. She said she brought it on Friday, but I wasn't there. It was a "get well soon" bag! She put in a microwavable cup and filled it with teas, a peppermint stick, and a card. I was reminded once again of why I love teaching, and particularly why I love the age group I teach! Thanks, Lauren!

Where am I?

I know I have been living in they city too long because this past weekend I drove to San Angelo to visit my grandmother, and it was an eye opener! I knew it would be a 4-5 hour drive, so I took Friday off to head that direction. About 30 miles from Abilene I called my mother to help keep myself occupied. I couldn't believe it because I lost cell phone service not once, but twice while talking to her! I called her back and said, "I am literally in the middle of nowhere!" It is 2009 people! I can't believe I didn't have cell phone service. While on the road between Abilene and San Angelo this is what I saw. Please note the lack of other vehicles on the road.

I actually got to see some wind turbines! The last time I saw wind turbines was in Dec. 2004 driving to California with Mark.

I have many fond memories from my Grandparents' house in San Angelo. This is the house my mother lived in since she was 7-years-old. She has two sisters. They lived in this 900 square foot, 3 bedroom, 1 bath house! Wow! My grandmother says it has been 49 years that she has lived there. I was born in San Angelo, but we moved away before I was 2. We spent pretty much every Easter at my grandparents' house, so I have a lot of egg-coloring fun memories.

My sister and her 3 kids came from Austin and met me there to spend the weekend. Here is Grandmother meeting Skylyn for the first time. Skylyn is 3 months old.

Watching the kids play

Aaris found a tree to climb. She was very excited about it!

Aaris and Titus burning off energy after their long car ride. They slept very well on Friday night!

Titus is cooling down and showing off his injuries. You see that window unit? That and one other window unit in a bedroom are the only a/c for the house. Jessica and I shared a bed in the bedroom that had the other unit. We had to leave the door open so that everyone else could get air.

On Saturday we spent the morning playing at home. Jessica brought games and toys for the kids to play. Well, and Aunt Hattie too. Let's see, I believe we played Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Memory, and some game with apples. The two kids older kids were getting over colds. Unfortunately, by Saturday Jessica and Skylyn had a cold, too. So, Skylyn was pretty fussy. By the time Jessica finally got Skylyn to sleep in the afternoon, I told her to go lay down as well. So, I bundled the kids up in jackets and we headed to the park. One street behind my grandparents' house there has always been a school with a playground. I always remember going there. I was so looking forward to taking the kids to a place I had such vivid memories of. However, when we got there I was disappointed. Wouldn't you know they have updated the play equipement in the last 20 years? The kids had a great time though!

Then, across the distance, on the other side of the school, across the street, I spotted this . . . a merry-go-round!!! Doesn't it just look old enough to have been the original? The kids hadn't been one before, so they were very excited. I was careful to watch them closely and told them to hang on tight because I remember the injuries of my youth!

Finally, on Sunday morning we all got dolled up and attended church with Grandmother!

I had a fantastic weekend. I really enjoyed Saturday night after the kids were in bed, we talked Grandmother into pulling out old pictures. Then, we got her to talking about how she met ouir Granddaddy and it was so wonderful to hear stories I had never heard. But, wouldn't you know it, I caught the cold that was going around :( Jess, I'm not blaming you, but here is the chronicle of my oh so sad illness:

Sunday - throat starts to itch about 2 1/2 hours from home
Monday - called in sick to work b/c throat was on fire
Tuesday - went to work b/c of the TAKS test; throat still hurt a little
Wednesay - at work, no feeling too horrible, voice a little raspy but throat doesn't really hurt
Thursday - uh, oh, woke up at a voice that was 90% gone, went to school but it wasn't easy teachig with no voice; wen to doctor after school
Friday (today) - woke up to my voice only being about 5% better than yesterday so I called in sick again.

Tonight I am flying to Austin b/c tomorrow I am supposed to have a girls' night with my friend, Joy, who is getting married, and all the bridesmaids. Hope I can talk since that is my favorite thing to do!