Out With The Old...

Shawn showing his shoveling skills
Hayden is such a good helper

Leaves in the yard are Shawn's
pet peeve


Zach's new school-
Terra Vista Middle School

Out with the old. Over the past week that has been our theme. After much prayer and debate the decision was made to change Zach's school. He was checked out of the neighboring district on Friday and we checked him into Frenship Terra Vista on Monday morning. For his electives he signed up for Art, Pre-Athletics and he is repeating the dyslexia program. All of the staff was very helpful in getting him enrolled and helping with his special-ed needs. The also run on a block schedule so the only classes he has everyday is math and athletics. He likes this. So far so good so lets hope it continues that way.

Shawn and Hayden took the time to clean up the front and back yards this past Saturday. It was such a nice day. The air that day was a little cool but the sun made it feel so good outside. They got all the leaves cleaned out of the front flower bed and planted some new pansies. It was a good day until Shawn's back began to hurt again which has made this week an adventure. More on that later.

It's Not Goodbye

See Ya Frenchie
LICU and Antepartum Girls

Last night we got to say goodbye to one of our co-workers that some of us have worked with for around 8 years but it was also to celebrate a great opportunity for her. We all started working together in L&D @ UMC and have migrated together to the Antepartum Unit @ Covenant-Lakeside. Melissa now has a great opportunity to get off the night shift and work a normal day job with one of our high risk doctors. This will be great for her and her family.

Fenchie we will miss your expertise and nursing skill but mostly we will miss your smiling, great personality(even though we know the mexican can come out in ya! lol). I know we have all been blessed to have you in our lives. I know Lisa almost killed ya with the pineapple but that doesn't mean we don't want to stay in touch with you. Us Ol'UMC girls have a way staying in touch. I guess because we are family. So, take care of yourself and don't be a stranger. We love ya and will miss ya!

Decisions of Parents

Do you guys find as parents that some days are harder than others when it comes to your kids. Man, I know the past couple of weeks have really grated on me when it comes to my oldest one. It has been discussed many times on this blog about Zach's academic struggles. We all know that school will never be his strong suit, however, sports are. He really wants to be able to play baseball or football on some level of college but then again, there is the academic side.

For the past 41/2 years Zach has transferred into a neighboring school district that has done a fabulous job with his dyslexia that his home district did not even recognize that he had. He has had a wonderful experience for the past 4 years then came middle school this year. I wonder, is it just the age. I remember jr. high, what at nightmare. It is hard for everyone but add a learning disability on top of it and it has become Jason, Michael Myers and Freddy rolled into one for us.

Then you take his athletic prowess. It has gained him a large amount of attention in the past few months from his home school district. Then it so happened that his coach is an administrator at the jr high he would attend. I explained the reasons we had left the district to begin with and we have discussed our options and how things have improved within the district. Ultimately we have left the decision to Zach. We have had many conversations and lots and lots of prayer. It would be easier on us financially and convince wise for him to come back to his home school. This decision not only effects him but also the younger son. There has been an answer for every question we have had about this change. It is just so unsettling, you don't want to make the wrong decision. Keep us in your prayers.

Well America, You Wanted Him, Now You Got Him, God Help Us All

Well it is official, Barack Obama is the new president-elect for the United States. It is no secret that this is not how I wanted this election to turn out. I have great concern over the results.

As we sat in our living room last night helping Zach color in an election map, blue for Obama and red for McCain, it became evident what the results were going to be. The feeling in our home became very heavy. My boys were even saying, "Mom we want McCain to win." Thought the hubby was going to have either a stroke or a heart attack. However, it is what it is. So now what?

As the christian woman I claim to be I have really reached for God this morning seeking how to handle this situation. I feel that He as made it clear to me through Bible verse and by listening to others that He is in control of all. This is part of a grander plan. That even though we have a new president, Jesus is still the King.

I have drawn great comfort this morning form Isaiah 40 and 41. Take time today to read through these. Maybe you will draw some comfort too. I take from it, just keep on keeping on because He is there for us. He will not falter and He will not grow weary. Stay steadfast America. We know it is in His hands.

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:9-10

Best Youth Sports Program

I would like to give props to probably the best youth sports organization we have ever been involved with and trust me, we have been involved with many. Frenship Youth Football is only in their second year but this group of board members along with Frenship High football coach, Brad Davis, have put together a top-notch organization.

This league is patterned after the Southlake Carroll youth football program. There are 4 different age groups. All teams are Frenship Tigers they just have a color assigned to them, example: we are the Tiger Black team. All players must live within the Frenship school district lines. A simplified version of the high school playbook is used so that these kiddos can learn the terminology that they will hear once they hit 7th grade. This will do nothing but strenghten the already strong Frenship football program.

The leadership of the board is outstanding. Unlike other leagues in Lubbock, the board is approachable and they don't rule the league like Nazi's. The atmosphere is very positive and you see the kids flourish under this type of structure. This is a big thanks to this league for making Zach's last year of youth football a great, positive experience.

Our team finished the regular season in 1st place with a record of 5-1. Our playoff game is this Sunday and if we win we will play in the Tiger Bowl next Sunday. I believe we can take it all.(Promise to get some pics up next week)

ESPN's College GameDay in town

The biggest thing to hit Lubbock in a long time will occur this coming Saturday. ESPN's College GameDay will be on the Texas Tech campus. College GameDay usually is on set for the biggest game of the week. This week the biggest game in the country is here in Lubbock. It is between 2 undeafeated teams. The #1 rank Texas Longhorns and depending on which poll you look at the #5,#6 or #7 Texas Tech Red Raiders.

I really like both of these teams and they are both loaded with alot of talent. Texas is led by quarterback and Heisman hopeful, Colt McCoy. I really like this kid. He has tons of talent, good leadership and is a strong christian young man. It doesn't hurt that his from Texas (Jim Ned High School outside of Abilene). We got the privilege of getting to see his last high school football game when Jim Ned was defeated by Canadian here in Lubbock. He is a quality young man.

Texas Tech's high powered offense is led by another Heisman hopeful, Graham Harrell, another Texas schoolboy out of Ennis. Tech has a slew of receivers led by Michael Crabtree and Shallowater's own, Eric Morris.

What I think this game will come down to is who has the better defense. There is no doubt that both offenses can score, however both defenses have had their troubles this year. I think this will be the classic everyone is hoping for.

As far as College GameDay, Zach really, really wants to go down and check it out. However, I am afraid that it is going to be so packed and crazy that is will be much safer to watch it from the comfort of our living room. We will see how it goes. Although it would be great to see Chris, Lee and Kirk in person.

Who is my pick you ask? I think the Big 12 South will be a winner either way. With a Tech win, it could do great things for the program as well as shine some positive light on Lubbock and West Texas. I think this will be a close one but I think Tech has less at stake because no one expects them to pull it out. My pick---Tech 42- Texas-38.

Good Weekend

Hope you all had a good weekend. I had a nice time with my family. Zach had football and scored a touchdown, made the weekly trip to Wal-Mart, watched the Red Raiders and the Longhorns take care of business on the football field and Hayden, Shawn and I put together a Halloween Haunted House. Hayden had been driving me crazy for weeks to get one. It was fun to put together and Hayden was very proud of his creation. Here are a few pics of Hayden's creation. Have a good day all!