Chili Dog Enchiladas...What, what???

You read that right.  Chili Dog enchiladas.  Last week I was trying to avoid the grocery store and buy us a few days of not eating out, but rather eating up what we had in the good old fridge.  So, I stumbled upon a recipe that included all the ingredients that were magically in my house already.  Disclaimer: This recipe is not in anyway, shape or form healthy.  Just saying.  Thank goodness I plan on beginning to train for a 1/2 marathon in January because even my elastic pants are getting tight, LOL.

Here you are:

8 hot dogs (I used Nathan's)

8 soft taco size flour tortillas

2 cans of hot dog chili

1 can of tomato sauce

1-2 cups of shredded cheese (I used colby jack)

Mix together chili and tomato sauce.  Cover the bottom of a greased 9x11 baking pan with your chili mix.  Roll your hot dogs into the flour tortillas.  With the seam side down, place them into your pan.  Cover with the remaining chili mixture and top with cheese.  Cover with foil.  Cook at 425 for 30 minutes.  

And there you have it.  The most unhealthy, greasy, delicious recipe that you will adore me for.  Happy cooking!

The Reason for the Season

On Saturday I had the chance to have a "lazy day."  Nothing was scheduled.  Shannon was in town all day (he left Sunday morning) so I had an extra hand around the house and with Emme.  Friday night I prepared a sausage and egg casserole for Saturday morning to go along with our Cinnabon waffles.  Yes, that's right, Cinnabon waffles.

I saw a picture on Pinterest last week that sparked my curiosity.  Kind of like the chili-dog casserole I made that I haven't blogged about.  Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.  Anyway, back to the Cinnabon waffles.  I LOVE waffles.  And on Black Friday I picked up a belgian waffle maker.  It was like a dream come true.  But back to the waffles.  Did you know that you can put cinnamon rolls in your waffle iron?  Me either!  Dang they were good!  I just so happened to have the Cinnabon cinnamon rolls in my fridge.  So you take them out of the can and put one in each corner (that's 4 per cooking) and close the lid and viola!  Add about 1 tablespoon of Karo syrup and 1 tablespoon of water to that delicious cream cheese frosting and you have syrup folks.  Yes, Cinnabon waffles and cream cheese syrup.  Awesomeness!

After my sugar induced coma, I decided I wanted Emme to have the great salt-dough experience.  We made handprints and ornaments.  I baked them, she painted them, and now we have salt-dough that apparently didn't dry out enough to be painted.  So our soggy handprints and ornaments are sitting in my laundry room where Emme goes to take a proud peek ever so often.  I don't have it in me to tell her they were a flop, yet.  Needless to say, she had a blast.

With the flour out, I went ahead and made some sourdough bread starter.  Last week I made Amish Friendship Bread from starter I received from school.  I then read up on all the benefits of fermented foods and decided I should keep making bread.  So, I'm trying my hand at it.

Then I put together a bike for me.  Another Black Friday purchase.  When I was a kid I would ride my bike all day long.  I loved it!  I'm hoping that I find that love again and can enjoy some healthy fun, just not all day long LOL.

We settled down for the evening with family movie night.  Emme is so into Christmas this year.  It's really been a ton of fun to share in her excitement.  So, I rented two Christmas movies; Santa Paws and Beethoven and we cuddled and watched movies together.  

And there you have it folks.  My "lazy" unscheduled day is exactly what this season is about.  Making memories, creating fun, and spending lots of time with family.  I feel blessed that we made that happen yesterday.  I hope to never take for granted the healthy, happy family that I have.

Semi-Homemade Vegetable Soup

Are you ever in a hurry to cook dinner on a cold night?  You want soup but you don't want it to taste like it came out of a can?  I've perfected the semi-homemade vegetable soup just for you.  Here's what you will need:

1 jar of Traditional Prego spaghetti sauce (not the tiny jar, and not the gargantuan jar either)

1 can of diced tomatoes (I like the kind with basil and oregano)

1 box of beef broth

1 1b of ground beef (cooked of course)

1 small can carrots

1 small can green beans

1 small can corn

1 regular can of potatoes

Cook your beef and drain the fat.  Add a little salt and pepper if you're feeling frisky.  Open all of your vegetables and rinse them with water in a colander.  Put it all on the stove in your best pot and bring it to a boil, then simmer.  Or, fix it the night before and put it in the crock pot to simmer the next day.  Whatever your style, you'll be glad you did.  Enjoy!

Weariness

I'm going to be honest, I'm a little weary.  If you are reading this blog and you are prepared to hear the great and glorious things about being a wife to a ministry person, STOP reading now.  I don't want you to be disappointed.  

Last week on Facebook I posted something like this: "If you employ a self-employed person please be respectful and honor that employment" blah, blah, blah.  I was lashing out because on Monday, three days after Thanksgiving, Shannon called to check in with a pastor he was singing for this weekend.  In doing so, his date was cancelled.  The pastor forgot.  I suppose it happens, but it's lame.  Move on to the next phone call, all in a day's work you know, and yet ANOTHER date was cancelled in January.  Grrr.  While we are so thankful that Shannon is able to fulfill his calling and support our family, it hasn't come without sacrifice and once again, I'm weary.

I'm already worried about the next months, which are unusually slow for Shannon, and how we will make it.  He has one date booked in January, and two dates booked in February.  Sometimes that's how the cards fall.  What I can say is that we have always made it; somehow, someway.  Shannon received a message through Facebook from a friend in the industry that we trust and appreciate regarding his recent cancellations.  The message, wait for it....pissed me off to the core.  Sorry for the harsh language, but it really cut me to the bone.  And then I was bitter.

So along with my bitter and weary self-pity, I dwelt upon a few things.  For instance, I rarely ever get to go home to Texas to visit my family.  Why?  Well, when Shannon isn't traveling our weekends together (which are very rare) are spent doing the things around the house that we haven't been able to get to, or spending time as a family (which is rare) on the weekend doing things families who don't travel take for granted (i.e. family movie night) and so you get the drift.  How about vacation you say?  Well we take what we call "working vacations" that include ministry stops on the way in and the way out which means we worked while on vacation, wait....what?  Date night you say?  What's that?  Who takes a date night during the work week?  And those trips to the grocery store or shopping, alone, that mommies need every now and then?  Yeah, I don't get those.  My babysitter is out ministering.  I've always been a giver.  In fact, I can't tell you how many pairs of tennis shoes or uniform shirts I've purchased for my students who needed them.  But, I want to bless more.  For once it would be awesome to know just exactly what our budget was each month.  You know, like everybody else.  

So then I got grouchy.  Poor Shannon, he took the brunt of my grumpiness.  It's his fault right?  Or wait, maybe it's God's fault.  Whoa.  

Insert Life Assembly today.  The package.  The very special package.  The one we all want to open.  The one that is so special you can't find it on Target's shelf.  Pastor Andrew's sermon was for me today.    I must admit that my weary, bitter self has been on a partial vacation from church lately.  The last month has been full of school deadlines (151 page paper along with a research project) and I've found myself scrambling on Sundays to get it all done.  Lame, but true.  The Sundays that I have attended I've been working in the nursery (which I secretly love) and I haven't been privy to the message.  Anyway, I'm done with school for the semester and ready to celebrate the reason for this season.  But what I realized today was that I've spent way too much time making sure my cup was shiny on the outside, being the proud person I am, so that people wouldn't & couldn't see my weariness, my bitterness, my self-pity.  But, I've got to spend more time shining up the inside of the cup so I don't lose my joy.  

Galatians 6:9 tells us: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  

So, I will continue to press on.  I've prayed through my bitterness and self-pity (it didn't last very long) and I will remember what the Lord has in store for me.  I already have the package that most people are looking for, and that shall be my perspective.  I may not have it all, but I DO have it all.  And that Facebook message; well it was just what God wanted me to hear.  I needed to get my motivation back, even if it did include making me, ugh- mad!  So thanks Pastor Andrew, and thanks Jeff, for clearing up my sight this week.

30 Thankful Things

Yeah, so the thankful everyday thing is a great idea for those who have the time everyday to do it.  Between teaching, going to school, church, Shannon's travel, dance for Emme, and whatever else comes along I figured it would be easier to do it all on one lazy Sunday afternoon. So here it goes:

1.  A sweet, loving, forgiving Husband who is a hypochondriac but hey- we all have our drawbacks right? Love you Shannon!

2.  A sassy, smart, spunky, and thanks to plastic surgery at 5 1/2 months and awesome genes, beautiful daughter Emme Blu.

3.  A mother who is a great Christian influence that cares about me and my family more than I'll ever know.

4.  A dad who hasn't always been perfect, but taught me right from wrong, and shown me that anybody can overcome hardships.

5.  A twin sister whose relationship I should have cherised more while we were growing up.

6.  My oldest sister Denise who makes life look easy while having the greatest Christian heart I know.

7.  My middle sister Amie, who I intentionally put last because she hates being the "middle" child.

8.  Summers off so I can travel with my Husband.

9.  My grandmother Panjo who taught be all about growing up on the farm and living gracefully as a Christian.

10.  My grandmother Barbara who has endured way too much in her 85 years but has never let it show, and can cook the best food I've ever eaten.

11.  A job that I absolutely love and doesn't feel like a job.

12.  A home that I hope to eventually stop painting :)

13.  A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an eternal life in heaven.

14.  Cars that cost entirely too much money and will hopefully last until I don't have a driver's license anymore.

15.  My neighbor Tim who we can call for anything at anytime.  

16.  My neighbor Tina who is a whole lot like me and makes me laugh all the time.

17.  Our neighbors The Elias family- Sondra who sends me fresh homemade tamales everytime she makes them, Jose who finishes projects I shouldn't have started, and all of them who make me realize that being American is a privilege not to take forgranted.

18.  The right to vote! What a disgrace it is not to vote when you have the right.

19.  The Flueallen's who have treated Emme as their own since day one and been such great help through our toughest times.

20.  Walter, the dog, who wakes me up with his annoying bark at the schoolbus every morning at 6:15 on the dot.  

21.  Pumpkin spice coffee, well anything pumpkin spice for that matter.

22.  Snow days.  There's something about unexpected paid days off.  

23.  Health.  We must realize regularly that life is not a guarantee.  

24.  A best friend who I don't have to talk to everyday but knows me so well and loves me anyway.

25.  Being Texan.  It's the greatest state in 'Merica.

26.  Mexican food.  Come on, I'm Texan.  I need chips and salsa to survive.

27.  A Keurig coffeemaker that makes my morning experience so much more delightful these days.

28.  My church, Life Assembly, who I share the journey of "life" with.

29.  Our military who give me the freedom to go to church and keep our country safe.

30.  All of my nieces and nephews who have brought so much joy to me!

We're Back!

We are back from a fabulous, much needed vacation! For the first time since Emme was born, Shannon and I ventured out on a vacation just for us. We made this our priority for the year and I'm so glad we did. With Shannon's travel schedule and my work schedule, there is very rarely a time where we are alone, just the two of us. I honestly had forgotten what it was like not to have a child and while it was a much needed break, I can't wait to get home and hug her neck! While children are a huge responsiblity, I couldn't help but watch other's children on the cruise and think about how much fun it would be to have her with us. Definitely next time :) My Mom, Step-Father, and Grandma all came in from Dallas to watch Emme while we were away. They also brought my 5 year old nephew Sam. From what I hear, Emme's done great and has truly enjoyed having Sam to play with. They've been to the zoo, movies, mall, bounce house, Mc D's, Chick-Fil-A, and I think the movies again today. Needless to say she's had a great time. I sure wish we lived closer to family, Emme always enjoys visiting with them. Maybe one day I can convince Shannon to take the leap, he thinks it's too hot in Texas. Sadly, it's been 109 in Nashville this week so I don't think he can use that excuse anymore. Vacation was great. We went on a 7 day cruise from Tampa to Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, and Grand Cayman. While we were in Cozumel we swam with dolphins which was awesome! I've done it before but Shannon had not so for Father's Day that's what I decided to give him. In Belize we went cave tubing which was interesting. We had about a mile hike to put our tubes in the cave. The tubing experience didn't take that long but we saw lots of bats and limestone. The best part was the sparkling clear water at the end that felt so great. In Honduras we chose not to get off the boat and instead sit and relax at the pool. Call me crazy but I don't always like to get off the boat. It was so peaceful to sit and read with no cell phones buzzing or even children crying. In Grand Cayman we did much of the same, but we did get off the boat for about an hour to do a little souvenir shopping. Our last day was again spent at the pool relaxing. I read an entire book yesterday while soaking up the sun. All in all we've had a great week. When we get back to Nashville and can catch our breath I will upload some pictures from the dolphin swim. For now, it's back to reality which is just fine with me :)

What a week...

I honestly don't even know where to begin, except that it's been one of those weeks. I've wanted to write for several days now, but everytime I sat down at my screen I couldn't even focus. It's been zombie land around here. I'll start with last Friday. Last Friday was Field Day at my school. It is "the" event for elementary P.E. It's "the" day that most elementary children look forward to each year. I, get it right. It's not an easy task, but I have things so organized now that it gets easier year after year. Thursday night Emme and I traveled back to school around 7:00 p.m. to set it all up. Duh! Why haven't I thought of that in the past? Normally I have to be at school bright and early to get it set up and rolling, but not this year. Needless to say, I was zonked by the end of the day. Shannon and Emme joined me early in the day and then hit home after lunch to take a nap. A friend of ours was in town for her bachelorette weekend Friday-Sunday. I met up with their crew (Shannon is singing in the wedding next weekend) Friday night for some dinner and fun. Saturday came and I was exhausted! I finally peeled myself off the coach around noon and did little of anything for the rest of the day. Sunday we traveled to Alabama with Shannon to sing. We left early, got in late, and I was already exhausted and the week hadn't even started yet. I'm glad I went because it's rare that I can make trips with Shannon during the school year and I love sharing in his ministry. I'm smart enough to know people enjoy seeing Emme too. She has decided to pour on the charm these days! Monday our air conditioner went out. The temperature here these days is scorching! It feels like August in Texas to say the least. The last thing we needed was for our air to go out. We have a neighbor who is luckily in the heating and air business and he came to our rescue. He checked it, ordered the part, and had us back in business by Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday is when things changed. I got to work and was informed I would be transferring schools next year. What? Several years ago Shannon and I prayed fervently for a change to come (lots of details and too many to list) mainly because I desired to work with older children. There are many advantages to working with the older kids, and there are also advantages to working with the little guys as well. I was told I would also be coaching at my "new" position. I was shocked, sad, scared, shameful, excited, happy, all at the same time. Why me? Well, because of some things that happened at another school they needed to make some moves. In essence, our HR department had to make changes and they knew several years ago I had asked to be considered for teaching older grades. Reality set in, after the shock wore off, and I thought to myself...."I can't do this, not now, I have a 3 year old, what if...." Coaching will be too much to handle at this point. Shannon travels, Emme's 3 (gasp), I'm working on my doctorate, Shannon's dystonia, travel during the breaks and summer, eeeeek! Wednesday and Thursday are pretty much a blur. Welcome to zombie land. Everytime I thought about the new job I panicked. The absolute best part about Wednesday was having dinner with an old college player and her husband. They are expecting a baby anyday now (Emma Grace) and I am so proud of the woman she has become. I had to miss her baby shower and I wanted to make it up to her while meeting her husband and introducing them to my humble family. I can't wait to see them again! We live so close here in Nashville and it seems life just gets too busy, but that's not an excuse! Secretly, I can't wait to hold that baby :) And then today, off I went to meet my new Principal. She talked, I listened, I talked, and she listened. They have a coach already in place. I don't have to coach! I assured the Principal I would help in anyway possible whenever I was needed. She showed me my classroom. I saw Emme's new daycare (another story to be continued) and I think it's going to be good. When it was time to go, I got in the car and I realized God's had his hand of protection on me this whole time. This IS what we prayed for! Better hours, better schedule, time to work on my school, what's not to like? I CAN do this!

Mission Possible: Haiti 2012

Dates are finally set for my mission trip to Haiti in October.  I will be traveling with a group from October 5-12, 2012 to Haiti to serve in orphanages who took in children after the devasting earthquake.  Words can't express how excited I am to go on my first mission trip.  This has been something that I have wanted to do for a very long time, so essentially it's a dream come true.  We are all servants for the Lord, but this takes serving to a whole new capacity.  I will need financial support to help with my endeavor; I've already raised enough money to get my passport.  This was the first major step in preparing for traveling out of the country.  If you have a heart for missions but can't travel, please consider making a donation to support my mission.  Here's a link to my donation site if you feel so inclined:  http://www.gofundme.com/c1xn8

Now it's time to spiritually and emotionally prepare for this journey.  Over the next several months, I plan on digging deeper into God's word so I can be a better servant when we reach Haiti.  I know that I will also be challenged emotionally when we arrive.  I've seen pictures from past trips, and words can't describe what you can see in these children's lives.  You can help by praying for the children of Haiti and praying that we all have the strength to stay strong while we are there.  Jokingly, I've told Shannon to be prepared for a suitcase that contains a Haitian child in it when I return.  In all seriousness, I'm not sure I could choose just one.  Shannon will be staying behind on this trip to keep Emme while I'm away.  Pray that he survives that mission too!

Whether you join me financially or spiritually on this journey, I appreciate you!  I've learned that life's greatest gifts come when serving others, so I'm truly excited to begin this mission.  Thanks for supporting me, and my family, before, during, and after I travel.  In God's love...

St. Jude Country Music 1/2 Marathon

I'm back!  My graduate classes are finished for the semester and I have decided not to take classes this summer so I should have lots of time to write in the next few months.  This weekend was quite busy and fulfilling so I wanted to share what I was up to.

Friday night I sponsored a team of 165 runners from my school to run in the ING Kid's Rock Marathon in Nashville.  The marathon is great, the kids run 25 miles before the event and finish their 26th mile on race night.  I started this team my first year teaching at Stoner Creek Elementary with 65 runners.  The following year we had around 80, last year 105, and this year 165.  Our original motivation for forming the team was to support a student in our school who had brain cancer.  It thrills me to say that this year she (Mighty M) ran with our team.  It was a bittersweet moment for me to watch her cross the finish line running while remembering back to years past where she crossed in a wheelchair.  What an inspiration!

Saturday, I headed downtown to walk the half-marathon (that's 13.1 miles) myself.  My awesome neighbor and great friend Tim joined me.  He too, was in a wheelchair during his life so this 1/2 marathon was special to him also.  What an accomplishment to finish 13.1 miles when there was a time in his life he couldn't even walk.  This is my second year doing the 1/2 marathon so I knew what to expect.  

Every year I find motivation watching so many people walking/running beside me.  At mile 8, I passed two runners.  One was a single leg amputee and the other was a double leg amputee.  At that point I knew I would finish.  If they could finish on artificial legs, I could certainly finish with healthy legs.  Rounding the corner in between mile 12 and 13 I read a girl's shirt.  It said "I'm running for Dad.  I miss you everyday!"  She had on a cancer awareness tank.  Ugh, I haven't crossed the bridge of losing a parent yet (thank you good Lord) but that shirt hurt my heart.  Another group of girls I passed were running for a little brother of their teammate who had cancer.  They all had pictures on their shirts of the boy.  Again, thank you Lord for sparing my child from cancer.  Needless to say, I passed motivation all along the course.  

The people of Nashville are so gracious and welcoming during the marathon.  Sure, it's a great money maker for the city (40,000+ runners will do that) but they LOVE the marathon.  Through the residential parts of the race they had fruit, snacks, water misters, and of course adult beverages for the onlookers.  Many had motivational signs to hold up for the runners.  Cheerleaders from all across Nashville lined the streets.  Bands were set up at every mile and volunteered their time to keep the runners entertained.  Nashville truly is a great city.  I love my home in Texas, and Nashville is as close to Texas as I have ever found.  

Next year I hope to complete the half while running.  Both this year and last year I was injured before and couldn't properly train to run.  My other goal is to run the same race in Dallas.  I hope to try to coerce my sisters into running with me.  And of course, I want to find something or someone to motivate me through.  

Overall it's been a great weekend.  I've done a lot of great things athletically, but finishing a 1/2 marathon tops my list.  I definitely feel accomplished!

BUDDY Break!

Last night I had the HONOR of being a buddy at our church, Life Assembly, for Buddy Break.  Buddy Break is a program that offers respite for parents of children with disabilities.  The VIP's and their siblings come to our church once a month for 3 hours while their parents go on a deserving date, run errands, or whatever they choose. 

I have always had a special heart for VIP's (special needs children) and so this is a perfect opportunity for me to serve.  Selfishly, I am usually always tired from a long week of work and college classes and I have a hard time getting motivated to get out the door to head to church.  Once I get there, I'm glad I'm there.  Last night I was partnered with a sibling of a VIP and boy was she full of energy.  After about 10 minutes on the playground, I secretly found my way back to childhood games like tag, hide and seek, other playground games.  It was my chance to act like a kid without feeling foolish.  We did crafts, had story time, music time, jumped on a trampoline, watched a video, and much more.  Props must be paid to Chris Price and his family for heading up such an awesome ministry.  Sadly, kids are always turned away because we are full.  I encourage you to find something like this to volunteer your time to.  You'll be glad you did and it will offer some parents a much needed rest.  Shannon gladly watches Emme while I go volunteer my time, or it wouldn't be possible for me to go.  I'm thankful for a husband who is able and willing to take on extra responsibility ever once in awhile so we can serve others. 

If you are interested in starting a program like this at your church, or even volunteering at a program that is already in existence, click on the picture below to get more information.  You'll be glad you did!

Bunches of Updates

It's been a week or so since I've blogged and I'm determined to not let so much time pass in between blogs this year.  With that being said, it's about the time that things are going to get hectic around here.  So, here's a few updates on how we have been, what we have been up to, and what's on our agendas:

First, let me start with Mission Possible: Haiti 2012.  Last week I took the first official step to prepare for the trip.  I applied for a passport.  Since I am going without Shannon, I felt like it was necessary for him to get a passport too; just in case he needed to travel because of an emergency.  I had to take a half day off of work on Wednesday for a doctor's appointment, so we rushed to the passport office after that was over.  We should receive our passport sometime next month.  It's the first time I have ever owned a passport, I feel so official.

Next, we must talk about Emme Blu.  She turned 3 on Friday!  I was a little sad that we were out of school on Friday because of snow because I had special treats for her to bring to school in honor of her birthday.  Friday night we asked Emme's buddy Brenner and his family (his Mom teaches with me at SCE) to come over for pizza and birthday cake.  It was actually really nice NOT to have a birthday party this year.  Less stress, less clean-up, and more fun!  We had a blast catching up with Brenner and Griffin and watching them play. 

I started back to school last week myself.  I am working towards my Ed.S. degree right now with plans to pursue my Ed.D. after that.  I am taking my 5th and 6th class this semester which means I only have 4 classes to go to earn my Ed.S.  Once I finish my Ed.S., I will enter the doctoral program and will need to take 10 more classes to finish.  I am enjoying my classes very much, however, it is very time consuming.  I am excited to be in school again, and I will be excited to finish as well.

Shannon's birthday is coming up, I can't believe he will be 38 years old.  He says the only thing he wants for his birthday is fish.  For Christmas I gave him a fish tank and we have four fish in it right now.  Julius, Ack, Zack, and Sharkey are the newest members of our household.  I'll feel you in on any new additions soon.

I suppose that's all I have to update for now.  It's getting late and I have to work tomorrow.  I'll be updating again real soon!

Our Story

Today I was asked by a Southern Gospel column to provide mine and Shannon's story, how we met, dated, got engaged, married, etc. for a feature they are doing next month for Valentine's Day.  I just finished writing it and figured I should post it on my blog as well.  I mean you all do want to know, right? Anyhow, here's a wedding picture:

Weren't we cute? Anyhow here's the story if you really want to know:

            Whenever I’m on the road with Shannon, people always want to know where we are from.  When Shannon explains he is from a small town, Barbourville, in southeastern Kentucky and follows that up with I’m from Dallas, Texas it’s almost always assumed that we met while he was on the road.  In fact, it was just the opposite.

            In early 2002, Shannon took a break from full-time ministry to help his brother run a small grocery store and grill he had recently opened across the street from Union College in Barbourville.  At the same time, I took a position at Union as the Head Volleyball Coach.  I moved to Barbourville by myself and fresh out of college ready to tackle life.  I had a heart for ministry, so I immediately started working with our Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Baptist Student Union aside from coaching.  It was at an FCA meeting where I was introduced to Shannon.  He had come to provide a few songs of worship for the monthly meeting.  I was immediately intrigued by him but never followed up because I was so busy with work. 

            It was a regular occurrence for the coaches to go out to lunch a few times a week.  At some point, a few of the coaches decided to go to Shannon’s brother’s grill to try out the food.  They reported back that the food was good and cheap, so I thought I would give it a try.  I had no idea that Shannon was working there at the time, so I was surprised to see him when I walked in the door.  The coaches were right, the food was good and it was cheap.  I started frequenting the restaurant several times a week.  If I didn’t come for food I usually stopped in once a day for my drink of choice, Ocean Spray Cran-Grape Juice. 

Shannon and I always made small talk at the register, but one day he decided to follow me out of the store to my car.  He gave me a list of about five phone numbers to contact him, to which I replied “I don’t call boys, they call me!”  It was most likely the boldest statement I had ever made to a guy, and I have NO idea why I said it because I liked him!  Shannon likes to follow up this part of the story with this “I called her and she’s called me every day since!” 

It was at this point where our relationship began.  We dated until the fall of 2003, when Shannon decided he needed a break.  I was devastated!  Things seemed to be going perfectly when one day came along and he needed a breather, but we still remained the best of friends.  Early in 2004, I took another coaching position at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY.  As Shannon was helping me pack to move, I could tell he was unsettled.  Later he told me he was so overwhelmed with sadness he didn’t know what to do.  Shannon helped me move into my new apartment in Owensboro and then returned to Barbourville. 

Shannon made several trips to Owensboro to visit and we eventually decided to date again in January of 2005.  In May, he proposed to me in Cleveland, Ohio at Doloff Road Church of God.  I had a break from coaching and decided to travel with him for the weekend.  In the middle of his concert he came off the stage to propose.  I was so stunned that I really didn’t know what to say.  After I realized what was going on I eventually said yes, and everyone in the church went nuts! 

The same month, we bought a house in Gallatin, TN in preparation for marriage.  On August 19^th, we were married at a small private ceremony in Kentucky.  On December 16^th, we were married again at Eastern Hills Country Club in Dallas, Texas amid all of my family and friends.  I retired from coaching in August and moved to Nashville with Shannon.

Perhaps our greatest accomplishment in marriage so far has been the birth of our daughter Emme Blu, now three years old.  We now live in Antioch, TN (a suburb of Nashville) and I work as a physical education teacher at Stoner Creek Elementary in Mt. Juliet.  Emme and I travel with Shannon all summer and during fall, Christmas, and spring breaks.  Life can get hectic around our house sometimes; it seems we are all moving in different directions at different times.  We have definitely seen trials; Emme had a craniofacial reconstruction in 2009 and Shannon had brain surgery in 2010, but God has richly blessed our marriage and has never fallen short of providing for our needs.  Most of all, I thank God for a Christian husband who is committed to raising our daughter with the same values. 

Mission Possible: Haiti 2012

Yesterday I wrote about my plans to go to Haiti in 2012 on a mission's trip.  Well, I'm excited to tell you I have set up a page where online donations can be made to help me achieve my goal.  I am using a website called "Go Fund Me" to keep track of donations and provide a visual for my goal.  If you are ready to make a commitment, here's the website:

http://www.gofundme.com/c1xn8

I hope you'll join me in this goal!

Mission Possible: Haiti 2012

Earlier this week I wrote of some goals I have for 2012: Getting back in shape (again), running a marathon (again), and eating healthier (again.)  All of these goals are possible because of God's favor in my life and the blessings that I sometimes take for granted.  None the less, I have a REAL goal for 2012 and it's lofty but certainly possible.

In November, my neighbor Tim received a call that a spot was available for him to join a mission crew to Haiti.  He quickly jumped on the offer and I have to tell you, I was envious.  Taking a mission trip has been on my heart for several years now, but a few things have kept me from going.  You know; having a baby, my husband's brain surgery, finances, etc.  This year, I'm making no excuses- I'm going on a mission trip!  When Tim came back from Haiti, he vowed to take his own team with him in 2012.  Proudly, I'm accepting his offer and I WILL join his team in 2012.

Here's how you can help me with my goal:  Make a love offering to Shannon's ministry earmarked for Mission Possible: 2012.   Financially, I'm not sure that I can achieve this goal without some support of my friends.  We all have different abilities in God's Kingdom.  Some of us can't travel anymore, but we can send someone in our place.  Your gift can help! 

One story I will share with you that Tim told upon his return is about a young boy who was living on the compound where he stayed while in Haiti.  This child was found by the resident missionaries still feeding on his deceased Mother (who was laying next to her deceased husband- the child's father).  The child was still alive, clinging to his only source of nutrition, while his parents had perished to a disease.  My heart aches thinking about that child.  If I could, I would adopt every single child in Haiti and have them in my home.  If we ever do decide to have another child, we have always said it would be through adoption.  I sure do love and enjoy Emme Blu, my child naturally, and it's through that love that I have discovered I am capable of loving any child the Lord deems acceptable for my family.  Financially, this isn't something that is in our future just yet, but I haven't ruled it out. 

So, can you help me with this goal?  If you can't help financially, that's okay.  There are other needs, prayers in particular, that can certainly partner with this ministry opportunity.  As time gets closer to the trip, I plan to add more details.