Grandparent's Day

Last week was a busy week! I feel like I'm settling into a new routine and trying to find the balance between doing the things I would have gotten to do if I was at home and doing the things I can do now that I'm working. It's hard work! 

 I had two days that were just crazy with the juggling! Wednesday, we dropped Anna-Kate off at school, then dropped Derek off at work and then I took Thomas to Amanda. Then I headed back across town to help with a party at Anna-Kate's school. Friday was her student teacher's last day at school, so they threw her a surprise party on Wednesday. I brought made-from-scratch-brownies and then helped set up and stayed for the party. THEN I headed to work! 

I know that it was a little crazy, but I honestly LOVE being able to help out as much as I can at school. I love making fun little treats or just getting to set up the parties. I've always wanted to be really involved in my children's school activities. But I think that I'm just surprised how hard it really is! 

Friday was Grandparent's Day at the Academy and Anna-Kate's class was performing after chapel! I COULDN'T miss that! Despite it being a bit of a crazy morning, I was worn out from the week and slept a tad late! Thankfully, Derek's parents loaned us their truck and so Derek was able to drive Anna-Kate to school while I got ready! So after the morning scramble to get Anna-Kate out the door, I fed Thomas and got us ready. Then we headed to Harding and got to see Anna-Kate perform! I even was early enough to visit with Derek's parent's and his grandmother and then sneak over and say hi to the girls! 

They always make me laugh! 

I got to sneak up to towards the front and see them perform! I have a couple of funny videos but I can't upload them!! 

I had to bolt out of there after her performance to catch the baby sitter, but I left my camera with Derek's parents and they took pictures for me! 

So after Anna-Kate and Kristen sang, Ryne was VERY excited to perform! 

Can't you tell?? ;) ha! 

This is Anna-Kate's new thing, she does this and then says "I'm going to eat you up!" ha! She's really so goofy! 

So I dashed out of Anna-Kate's performance, met the babysitter and then rushed to work! I'm telling you, this scrambling thing is tough work! I know I'm going to get the balance eventually. Until then, I'll have to deal with the craziness!  The fall seems extra busy anyway, with the holidays and parties and all, so I'm sure that's not making things any easier! It really makes me even more grateful for my Grandma- I can't imagine how she managed me and my sisters! ha! 

On a positive note, Derek and I have gotten good Insurance news! Our car was totaled (who would have thought that'd be good news) and since it was, we don't have to pay on our loan anymore. Plus, the value of our car exceeded the loan and we are getting that back! So we are relieved that things have worked out well. Hopefully we'll be able to save up for another car soon. I'm thinking of getting a super cool mini-van! Seriously, all that room seems SO nice after driving my corolla around!

I've been looking forward to this week! I love my job, but I'm excited because I have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off! I'm planning on doing a little craft project with my friend Amanda and doing some extra holiday baking! I can smell the pumpkin bread already! ;)

Anna-Kate has a half-day on Wednesday too, so I'll get some extra time in with her! Thursday is MOPs and then we are leaving for a trip to Franklin to spend some time with my family!

I know that God is taking care of us! It's so nice to have a good week and another great week to look forward to! 

Pomp and Circumstance

Last week, I walked out of Dr. Alan Frazier's Comerical Banking class. In a short few moments I realized that I had just finished my last undergraduate class EVER!!! My first class at Harding was Dr. Ireland's New Testament Survey in the fall of 2004. I met my wife in that class. The last few years have been a wild ride.

We certainly didn't choose the easiest path. Marriage at a young age, having a baby a year later, a second by 23. Not the way I ever thought it would be, but better than I could have planned. The fact that in a few days we will be college graduates is a big source of pride.

Of course, we couldn't have done it without a lot of encouragement and support from our families. I personally am thankful for my family making personal and professional sacrifices to send me to Harding from Kindergarden through college (and Master's degree hopefully). It is a unique and rare blessing. I hope I am as good a parent.

The past week hasn't been without it's tough moments. Last Friday an email went out regarding a friend of mine, Micah (Rine) Pate. She was reported missing by her husband after she didn't come home from a jog the previous night. Micah was a few years older than me but at a school as small as Harding Academy, it's hard not to know someone. Her dad was a teacher and coach there as well. I had just seen Coach Rine and his wife earlier in the week and it was hard to imagine their fear and pain. The situation went from bad to worse Friday night when her husband, Thomas, confessed to accedentally shooting her in the back of the head. He lead police to the body, was charged with 2nd degree murder and plead not guilty. He is out on bond at the moment and is with his parents in Atlanta.

This situation has really hit the Harding family hard. The funeral was held at the Academy and over 2000 people showed up. I hope that the coming weeks provide answers and closure, the Rines are good people and I hurt for them.

Main thing I keep thinking is this. We never know what the future holds. Be it life or death, as in the Rine's case. Or our post college plans, as in my graduation this week. It's simply a series of decisions we must make. If we make the right choices, we get the desired results. God is the only one who knows for sure...seems like a good idea to ask his opinion every now and then