Meme

The Rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here's who better do this with me...
Kristin
Tricia
Christy
Karen
Stephanie
Linda
Nicole
Amanda

Thanks Mel...and by the way a few of my random facts will be spin offs of yours because they reminded me of things from when I was younger...

1. When I was in high school, a friend and I would tie a white sock to a black string and tie one end to a tree across the street. We would then stretch the string to our side of the street so that the white sock seemed to be floating in midair. We were trying to "scare" people in the cars passing by.
2. My husband and I met on a blind date.
3. I once hit a parked car and didn't leave a note or anything. I don't think the dent was that noticeable.
4. I graduated 7th in my class in high school of 385 seniors (and Christy was in top ten too!!)
5. I once peed myself in someone else's sleeping bag at a slumber party. We were playing a game where each person takes a turn in the sleeping bag while the other girls carry the sleeping bag around the house. For some reason, this was a hilarious game for me...I couldn't control myself. Sometimes I still can't (and yes, it's embarrassing).
6. Oijua Boards scare me like crazy...I didn't like them in the first place, but I played once with my cousins and sister and we asked who was controlling the board, thinking it would spell one of our names. It didn't!! It spelled devil. I truly believe that all things related to witchcraft are of Satan and I want nothing to do with any of them!!!
7. I have an extra rib...or so the doctor says...
8. My favorite drink at Bahama Bucks is the Bahama Mamma...yummy...coconut!

Bonnie Becomes More Like Herself :-)

We got back to Waco around 7:00 Sunday night after our 5 days in Akron, OH to visit Steven and Bonnie. We also spent Sunday afternoon in Keller visiting with my mom, Kristin, Aunt Barbara and counsins Melinda and Teri. We enjoyed some yummy TEXAS Barbecue at Spring Creek. My personal fav is the BBQ Baked Potato...MMMMM!!!
Since I like to use tools to help me keep my thoughts organized, I will give you a schedule of what happeded on our adventure.
Wednesday, Oct 17-- Bonnie's Birthday!!!
12:00 pm: Our plane landed in Cleveland, we rented a Jeep Grand Cherokee :-)
2:00 pm: Trip to Wal-Mart for Bonnie's cookie cake and diapers (so we didn't have to pack as many)
3:00 pm: Birthday Celebration at the hospital. Bonnie got 2 Chick-fil-A gift cards, an Ohio State T-shirt, an Ohio State musical pen, and an Ohio State T-shirt Pom-Pon (Dave Matthews would be so proud!)
Thursday, Oct 18
1:00 pm: Visiting with Bonnie (this is when I took the first 3 picutes you see below)
3:00 pm: Bonnie's Surgery to remove all of the metal from her arm (rods in upper arm, fixators at the elbow, and a hook-like thing on her elbow)
4:30 pm: Bonnie comes out of surgery with no more metal sticking out of her arm!
Friday, Oct 19
9:30 am: Bonnie took her first steps!!!
1:00 pm: Jadie, Steven, Caleb and I went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
3:30 pm: Jadie, Steven, Caleb and I hiked the trails at the Gorge Metro Park and took pictures of the spot where Bonnie fell. It was obvious why she and Steven had visited the park.
5:00 pm: We visited Bonnie in the hospital
9:00 pm: I got to spend the night with Bonnie (I slept in the uncomfortable recliner and we stayed up until 1:30am)
Saturday, Oct 20
7:30 am: Bonnie had her physical therapy time. She walked 4 times (20-30 steps each time) and did several exercises for her legs. I played balloon volleyball with her to help test her balance.
10:00 am: I left the hospital to get some sleep and a shower; Jadie and Steven played golf
4:00 pm: Jadie, Caleb and I went to an Amish Wildlife Park to celebrate Brady's 7th birthday (Brady is Steven's cousin's son)
7:00 pm: Texas Roadhouse in Stow, OH to celebrate Brady's birthday (some more)
9:00 pm: We visited Bonnie in the hospital and said our goodbyes
Sunday, Oct 21
6:00 am: Our plane left Cleveland, OH
8:45 am: We landed at DFW
1:00 pm: We had lunch at Spring Creek with family
7:00 pm: We returned to our HOME-SWEET-HOME!

Bonnie Before Surgery

Bonnie After Surgery, Experiencing Autumn

Here in Ohio!

So, we made the trip to Ohio yesterday morning with Caleb. We flew into Cleveland, but were still nervous about how Caleb would react to the new experience and the possible painful ear pressure adjustments of the take off and landing. He did great!!! We made sure he was munching on some pretzels when we were taking off so he would be able to "pop" his ears to relieve the pressure. He only slept for about 30 minutes of the 2 hour flight, but was content to read his Counting Colors book and push the button on the seat for entertainment.
We celebrated Bonnie's 27th birthday in the hospital yesterday afternoon. She was in good spirits and had a total calmness about her. We enjoyed eating cookie cake and vanilla ice cream and just getting to talk and watch our kids play together.
Bonnie will have surgery this afternoon to remove the pins and rods from her right arm and elbow. They plan to stay in Akron for another two weeks after she is released later this week.

My Best Version of the Frappuccino

I've tried many times to create a version of the oh-so-yummy Starbucks Frapuccino, but never could make one that was satisfying. That is until this weekend. I do realize that everyone is entitled to thier own opinion...so if you try this in your own blender and think it's terrible...that's ok with me. But for those who try it and LOVE it...rock on!

• 2 tsp instant coffee
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 6 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 C whipping cream
• 1/2 cold water
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 8-10 cubes of ice
• Blend very well!

Let me know what you think (if you try it at home).

Thankfulness

I know, Thanksgiving is not until next month, but I was realizing some things I am thankful for...in no particular order, other than this is how they are pouring from my mind...

• Friends who care enough to send a card


• Friends who care enough to cook you a meal during a difficult time


• Playing in a turtle sandbox with my 21 month old


• Freedom in America


• Digital Cameras


• A job that provides affordable healthcare


• Jadie who works his tail off to provide for our family


• God, who knows my every emotion and sends exactly what I need


• Candles that fill an entire house with sweet aromas


• Diaper Genies that keep nasty smells contained


• Schlotzky's BBQ Chicken Pizza (thanks for the suggestion, Steph)


• A sister who loves the Lord


• A mom who can't stay away from Waco for longer than a month


• A dad who loves his daughters


• Cute crafts that are fun to make


• Grandparents who can make a stranger feel right at home


• Bonnie who is a MIRACLE of God


• Jason and Amanda who love orphans and teach them about a man named Jesus


• A father-in-law who sacrifices to provide for his family


• Roses


• Good health


• Happiness


• Joy that lasts through any circumstance

My Dad

This man has meant a lot to me over the years. He taught me how to have fun. He taught me how to give a firm handshake. He taught me to always do things right the first time. He taught me how to play forty-two. He taught me how to change the oil in my first car. The list could go on forever.
This past Thursday, September 27, 2007, he closed his eyes on this world and opened his eyes in another. I'd like to speculate at where he is now, and in fact, I believe I know where he is...but only he and the Lord know for sure.
For those who might want to know (and because typing this out might help me heal), my dad died of schematic heart failure and diabetes. In the fall of 1999, he suffered a stroke, changing his health and his life forever. Since then, things have slowly progressed until he suffered a second stroke in February of this year. Since this second stroke, he has been an obviously different person. He was also diagnosed with diabetes after this second stroke. His memory was fading which didn't help with the fact that he was supposed to be medicating himself with insulin and numerous pills several times a day. Since his last doctor's appointment less than two weeks ago, my mom had told me that he seemed more tired and less like himself than ever. I believe his body was beginning to shut down.
Jadie, Caleb, and I did see him the weekend before he died, but it was very brief. We were in Keller for a wedding and dad was doing what he loved and attending a gun show. He was asleep when we came home from the wedding, but we were able to talk with him for about 5 minutes on Sunday morning.
I feel like there is an empty place in my life. I just want to have him call me to tell me about some seemingly insignificant event from his day or to get an email from him about some new scheme that could easily be disproven by snopes.com. Those times have passed, but I can relive moments from his life in my heart and mind.
I love my dad dearly.