Checking in!

Okay, so I've totally neglected my blog for months. It seems that every time I sit down to post, life gets in the way. My life has changed a lot in the past month. I can't wait to devote some time to catching my reader up (you know who you are). For now, all you get is this tiny hello from a weary soul who is desperate to share what she's been up to!

A Few Screws Loose (or at least one)

If you are squeamish, you might want to skip this post!

After a few months of pain in my right foot, I consulted with my sister who happens to be an orthopedic nurse... Together, we hypothesized that a screw from my most recent foot surgery seemed to be coming out of my foot. The surgery was four years ago. After a few more weeks, I finally saw doctor and he didn't agree. He referred me to a podiatrist who took one look at x-rays and confirmed my self-diagnosis. A screw was indeed backing itself out of my foot and we could actually see the skin raising up because of the screw. The podiatrist called for fairly immediate surgery as soon as the schedule allowed. I actually have three screws in the foot, but he determined that one should be left alone and that he'd remove the loose one and the one next to it.

This Monday, I went in for surgery. It was the absolute best surgery experience I've had so far. The wait was not long at all. I reported to the hospital at 9:45 am and by 10:30 I was in anesthesia. Our Bible study leader walked in and said the schedule had changed and that he would be the one doing my anesthesia. Yippee! A familiar face! I think I was in surgery by 11:00 or so and I was wide awake by 12:10 pm. The actual procedure took seventeen minutes. Once inside my foot, the doctor removed the loose screw with his fingers. It was already so loose that he didn't need a screwdriver. He determined that the second screw was secured enough in the bone that he decided to leave it.

All things went well. I am to be on crutches at least two weeks and cannot put weight on my foot until at least then. My sister and brother-in-law came up for a few days to take care of me while hubby works. They are so sweet to do that!

I'll be pretty lazy for a while, so I thought I'd update my blog.

Here are some pics of the screw that was removed!

Texas Motor Speedway

We've had lots of fun over the past few months. My husband has been very busy with work, but since school's been out, I've been able to see more of his performances. This past weekend was one such experience. The band performed before the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway. It was an incredibly proud moment! A HUGE THANK YOU to our friends Andy and Lydia for making it possible for me to attend! It was an experience I'll never forget!

Hmmmm.... Let me see...

Wow! I can't believe it, but it's the middle of April. My, how time flies! It will be summer before we know it! Hard to imagine though, with the cold rain outside.

I've been wanting to blog again and I've had several ideas. This may be one of my rambling posts, but does that really matter?

February and March went quickly. However, I received some interesting news from my boss... Due to major budget issues in the education system of this fine state, the school will not be able to hire me at my full-time salary or schedule for next year. Surprisingly, I haven't been too upset yet. They are proposing that I teach band for half of the day, then tutor math and reading for the remaining hours to make up my salary cut with federal money. Not totally sure that I'm sold on that concept, but I know God has a plan and will provide for our needs. I've been looking for other band jobs in the area, but they are almost non-existent. This week, I applied to a school in Texas. It would be a major drive, and many more hours, but I'd get to actually direct a band. Plus, it's Texas... what more can I say?

We've been busy over the past several weeks. Travels have included a trip to Virginia to see our newest nephew. It was an awesome visit. He is adorable! We've also been to Dallas and OKC a few times to visit family. Our friends here seem to think we are never home. And, for a few more weeks, we'll be gone on the weekends again... Last weekend, we got to see one nephew being dedicated at church. It was awesome. He's such a cutie! Next weekend, we'll travel again to our home in Corsicana to visit with our beloved family at MBC. It will be a busy weekend because Patrick is performing in Denton during the weekend. The following weekend, we'll go again for the wedding of friends from the unit.

Some people don't understand our traveling habits. To be honest, it does get tiring sometimes, but I love it. One day, we won't live near family, so we will not get to see them as much as we do now. Until then, our weekends exist to visit them.

I'm going to close this blog with a word about an image God has placed on my heart this week. During a morning drive to work, I had the feeling that I'm still a caterpillar in the cocoon. I'm wiggling, striving, and growing to be a more beautiful creature. Sometimes the loneliness and pressure of the cocoon get to me. Okay, to be honest, it's often... I know God is making me into a beautiful butterfly. I just wish I had more patience.

Up From The Grave!

Happy Easter! The most important day in the history of the world! On this day, Christ rose from the dead to give hope to the hopeless! Without the Resurrection, there would just be the horrible crucifixion that He endured for OUR sins. Although that is more meaningful than words can express, it is because of His glorious resurrection that we can have a personal relationship with Him! He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!

Just one of those moods...

I've found myself in one of those moods over the past week or so. You know, the kind that makes you wonder why you are feeling a certain way. I wouldn't call it a "funk" but it's definitely hard to put a finger on. Sort of a longing, sad, happy, weird, sensitive, questioning, doubting, hoping, needy, nostalgic, wondering, so you can rest medicine...oops, I lost my train of thought.

One of those moods that increases your knowledge of God's presence, but still leaves you thinking too much. I'm there. I have been for several days and I don't like it. My experiences at work this week haven't helped the feeling go away. For a little while at community group last night it hid itself, but alas, it quickly hopped back out its corner.

This mood led me to do something I really hoped I'd not do. Against my own sense of logic and self-preservation, I reached out to a person who could not care less about me. Has God ever placed someone on your heart that you tried with all of your might to avoid? The hardest part is knowing that the person will never care about what I said or did. Did I misunderstand God's leading? Maybe it's just all part of this weird emotional zone I'm finding myself in. Maybe it's just hormones or a bit of mustard... Who knows?

I wait patiently for you, Lord. Turn to me and hear my cry. Lift me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; Set my feet on a rock and give me a firm place to stand. Lord, put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to you my God. Psalm 40:1-3.

My Absence...

My absence from blogging has been too long! I want to write, but simply can't put my thoughts together for a good post! So, in the meantime, read about our Road Trip on hubby's blog, http://saxboy.blogspot.com!