Because You Begged

So, maybe that was in my dreams, but I can pretend like you begged me to post something new because it had been too long, right? And I did have ONE request for another post soon, so that counts, huh? Good, I'm glad you agree!

Unfortunately I feel like I've been in a blogging slump. I don't feel like there's much to write about, but I will try to come up with a few things for your reading pleasure...ha!

First, we have a doctor's appointment in Lubbock with Dr. Dorsett, our fertility specialist. Basically, there are three levels in the process of getting pregnant in our situation.

We've already done the Clomid/IUI step, so we're going to start the second level, which involves injectable fertility drugs and IUI (Intrauterine Insemination...aka Artifical Insemination). So, we go to Lubbock Monday to start that process. Of course we would love your prayers.

Then, Tuesday I go to the dentist to FINALLY get my wisdom teeth removed. I've only ever had the two top ones, and forever was told that until they started to hurt me they were fine. Well, the left one has decided to come in for the last couple of years and it is now really bothering me. So, I'm going to go ahead and have them taken out and have a cavity filled all at the same time. I've had so many dental procedures done to me, I'm just completely relaxed about this whole thing. In fact, I'm kind of looking forward to it, because I get to have conscious sedation, and y'all it is the BEST nap you will ever have! Is that disturbing? Hee hee...maybe so, but it's the truth! That's why they won't let you have the meds yourself. You get to the doctor an hour before your actual appointment and they start giving you pills until you basically fall asleep.

Last time I did this, I was sitting on a love seat with McH in the lobby of the periodontist's office and I had already had one pill. I said I didn't think it was working. About that time, I literally started sliding off the seat and McH had to grab me, and lay me down and I just fell sound asleep. But when it was time to go in, I could get up, walk in and sit in the chair. LOVE THAT STUFF!!

I've been playing a lot of golf lately and I'm really loving it! Every Friday at the CC there is couple's golf tournament. We play scramble and it is so much fun! McH has really wanted me to play golf with him, but every time I went out I would get frustrated and leave more stressed than when I came. But for some reason, and I know this sounds crazy, but ever since I turned 30 a couple of months ago, I've been much more laid back and relaxed about life in general.

I've always heard your thirties are the best years of your life. I'm thinking that may just be true! I know my thirties will hold lots of new changes for our family and I'm excited about that!

I would love to hear about your thirties!

First Saturday of Summer

Today starts the first weekend of summer. Last night was graduation and it was bittersweet in some ways. These seniors were my first group of sophomores when I moved to C-town and they are leaving. There are some kids in the class of 2009 I'm really going to miss.

I was honored to be asked to present two scholarships last night. The first was for the Greenbelt Area TAMU club, so that was special. And yes, I did mention the FIGHTIN' TEXAS AGGIE CLASS OF 2001!

The second scholarship was something I was able to choose myself and that was exciting. We were able to give $1000 to a student I really love, and whom I hope will go on to be successful in his endeavors. The best part: he had NO IDEA he was receiving the scholarship, so the look on his face was of complete shock and was priceless.

Today, my first official Saturday of summer I have big plans.

1.) 9:20 tee time with the girls! Yes, you read that right, another round of golf...so excited!

2.) Lunch with said girls.

3.) Pool time with at least one of the said girls (the pool at our new country club is finally opened and I'm excited to try it out).

4.) Nap

5.) The 3rd Annual Sausage Fest...hangin' out with friends, visiting, not thinking about school, eatin' some sausage, not thinking about school, and it's all for a good cause, RELAY FOR LIFE!

Hope your Saturday is as full and relaxing as I plan on mine being!

Puttin' the Burn Back in Sunburn

Bad news...long post. Good news...lots of pics!

Well, it's been TOO long since an update and I apologize for that.

But, I'm back and I have lots to catch you up on!

First, I must just say that including today, I have 3 days until my summer vacay and I couldn't be more excited. Those who think teaching is the easiest gig in the world because you get summers and holidays off, I'd like you to do two things; 1.) come teach my classes for one week AND, it must be sometime during the 4 weeks before the TAKS test, then tell me your thoughts and 2.) check out my paycheck. Nuff said.

Today's the last day with most of my students and Thursday and Friday will be spent giving final exams and wrapping up my classroom.


















Last Thursday and Friday was Play Day here in C-town. This is the equivalent of Field Day for the elementary kids, and I am responsible, along with my co-sponsor, for taking 100 + high school kids to help out with Play Day. We had a GREAT year this year and I was so proud of all of the kids for their hard work and dedication and for being wonderful role models for our elementary kiddos.

Helpin' out...it is so sweet to see these big, football boys having so much fun with the elementary kids!

At the awards assembly...if you look very closely you will notice the little red-headed girl is sitting in G's lap. The elementary kids really get attached to our Bobcat Stars through the year.

And of course, the big kids have to get in on the action, too...after all, they're just little kids in bigger, smellier bodies! Check out M on the back of D's trike on the right! HA!

Playin' chase!

A giving instructions to the bitty ones about how tug-o-war works.

All morning outside + no sunscreen = SUNBURN #1

Saturday we had some people come down from Amarillo to ride horses with us at the ranch. Richard was going to be their trail leader and he was really looking forward to it. We both were, especially since I hadn't ridden in a while. There were 4 couples total, but one of the husbands didn't ride as he had had quadruple bypass surgery a year ago. So, seven of us headed into the hills and had an awesome two-hour ride through brush, up and down the breakers. Only one of the women had some problems, but all in all it was wonderful.

Unloading and saddling up everyone's horses.

This is towards the end of the ride, but you can see some of the breaker country in the background. It was gorgeous!

McH riding off at the start of our ride...ooh wee, love me some cowboy...well, love me ONE cowboy!

A post-ride munch and cool down. That is Roscoe on the left (McH's horse), and Professor (my horse) on the right.

I LOVE this pic I got of the Pro-man as he snacked post-ride. Isn't he a handsome dude? Especially for 24!

And, as much as it pains me to even post this picture, here I am on Professor mid-ride. What is it about sitting on a horse that makes your arms look large and your thighs thunderous? OKAY, maybe it isn't the horse, but whatever. Here it is.

2 + hours on a horse + cloud coverage = SUNBURN #2

Last week was fairly uneventful and I wasn't planning on a big Memorial Day weekend because I had to work on Monday anyway. However, Friday I talked to my SIL and turns out the McHotterson had failed to inform me his brother, SIL, and our nephews were coming to C-town and we were going camping with them in Altus at the lake. Hm.

Thanks for the warning, McH. I love ya, but sometimes I wonder if you even realize there is another person living in the same house that needs to know these important pieces of information! End of vent.

So, Saturday after riding horses all day long, taking the crew to lunch and not getting home until 4-ish, we started packing the car for our camping trip to Lake Altus/Lugert.

For those of you who don't know, Rich and I are avid campers but don't get to do it nearly enough. He never really camped as a kid, it just wasn't their thing, but we camped all the time with my parents and when I say camped, we did some primitive, lean-to camping which is my favorite!

We got to the dock at the lake, met Ronnie with the boat, and made our way with all of our stuff and the dogs to our campsite.

9 years ago, before we were even engaged, Rich and I took the boat to the lake and headed away from the crowd, across the lake. We found a secluded beach, decided to camp there and had a blast; until we woke up after a horrible wind/rain storm the night before, and the boat had been beached. Thank goodness for the ATV'ers who helped us push the boat out into the water.

Anyway, so we knew there were good spots away from the Memorial Day crowd and we took advantage.

The camping was so much fun. I don't have any pictures, but I borrowed a few from Dawn (thanks, SIL)! Sunday was filled with fishing, reading, taking walks and hanging out.

Time on the boat + chasing 2 dogs and 2 nephews around the beach = SUNBURN #3

My nephews...What's a camping trip with a little movie-time before bed? Aren't they the sweetest things you ever saw?

This gives you an idea of what the beach looks like...it was perfect because it was shallow enough for the boys to wade in and play without the danger of getting too deep.

Here we are Saturday night. That's our tent in the background and R & D's tent is to the right.

Finally, yesterday I played in my first golf tournament in at least 15 years. The first annual CISD Staff Scramble was yesterday at Stoney Ridge golf course, our local country club. I played on a team with 4 other women and we had a blast! Can I tell you how much more fun it is to play Scramble-style golf? I grew up playing golf and played in some little tourneys but never played competitively through school or anything. My family are all avid golfers, as well as McHotterson. But, I have the worst slice you've ever seen in your life. McH says I have a pretty good swing and form, whatever that really means, but that slice makes me crazy and I'm just slightly competitive. Just slightly. So, why play something that makes you crazy? Duh! But yesterday I truly had a great time, and you know what? I played pretty well.

Whoda thunkit?

Head down, arm straight...McH would be so proud!

Paige and I rode together...hurry up, Paige Ann, pedal to the metal! HA!

Puttin' around...

We're wanting to get a group together that plays on a regular basis and I'm excited about that!

Of course, there is a BIT of silliness, always! Me, Donna, Taylor Ann, Paige, and laying on the tree, Amanda.

I would love to get better so McH and I can go out and play and have a good time instead of me just being frustrated. I mean, it's really no fun to play when you can't hit the green for your life, and then your hubby goes up and hits a perfect shot every time. Blah.

A few hours on the golf course + good friends and great weather = FUN IN THE SUN and more to come!!

Happy summer to me, happy summer to me, happy summer to ME-E...happy summer to me!

H-town

Well, we are in Houtston and I, of course, am up and going before Rich. So, I decided to take advantage of the free high-speed internet and update my blog. We had a GREAT day yesterday. Richard has had this weekend planned for a couple of months to help celebrate our test completions (my TAKS test and his professional engineer's exam). Anyway, yesterday we went to the Shell Houston Open and then to an Astros game. The latter was fun, but completely what you would expect from an Astros game. Houston was victorious and we had so much fun being goofy in our "shady" seats (I really mean there was no sun, not that they were terrible...we moved and sat somewhere other than our tix said because it was so freakin' hot in our real seats). The Shell Houston Open was awesome, and yet surreal at the same time. We had a great time watching our favorite golfers and I especially enjoyed having Richard tell me all about what was going on other than the golfers playing. He has been to the open previously, so he knew what to expect. We ended up watching Vijay Singh, Ryan Palmer (Gig 'Em), Sender (one of Rich's favorite players because he has "the most beautiful, fluid swing I've ever seen"). We also got to watch John Daly on two holes, and that's always fun because of his fan base...they get a little rowdy. I would highly recommend making the trip to at least one PGA event in your lifetime. I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining it was.