Fun Old Summer Pictures . . .

OUCH!!!!!!!!! Seriously!!! OUCH!!!!

So Bubba was so excited when his friends from church called to go play laser tag at the local pizza/bowling place. They were there about 30 minutes when he fell and hit his head on one of those metal railings like they use when you're lined up for a roller coaster or something. It happened so quickly that he didn't have time to put his hands out to break his fall. They immediately brought him home and we went straight to the ER. They did a CAT scan and everything is a-ok. The doctor said: "We checked his brain and nothing was there!" That was the comedic relief we needed - although the doctor was so embarrassed when he realized what he'd said. We all thought it was pretty funny though - even Bobby!

But bless his heart - he does have a concussion and he's still in quite a bit of pain - but he was so brave and such a trooper about the hospital. It's not his favorite place at all. I am so incredibly grateful everything was ok. There aren't words that seem appropriate enough to actually express how deeply I mean that. A lot of worries go through your mind as a parent - and Bobby had a lot of questions on the way there about what might happen that I honestly didn't know what to tell him. Thankfully we didn't have to worry about any of that. He said the CAT scan was a little scary. They wouldn't let me go in with him and it seemed like an eternity for both me and him - but I guess it was only about 10 min. One of his school teachers had recently told the class all kinds of horror stories about when MRI and CAT scans go bad! (Thanks a lot!!) But he made it through just fine! Phewph!

The picture below is while we were on the way to the ER. It's the biggest bump I've ever seen - so if it might make you queasy don't look. I think my Bubba was most upset because he was doing a great job at laser tag and they were going to play a second round and then go to the park and he had to miss all of that. Poor guy! It looks like he'll probably end up with double black eyes as it drains and heals. He looks a lot better today. The area is swollen and tender - but nothing like yesterday - thank goodness!

Who is that masked mammal?!?!?!?

So rumor has it that our school attic houses a little family of raccoons. While I've never seen them personally there is strong evidence they exist. Coming back after summer vacation we noticed considerably less fish in the fish tank and a dead one on the floor with bite marks on it. A quick review of the security cameras showed a mama raccoon sneaking out at night - climbing on top of the fish tank - lifting the lid - scooping up fish and flinging them down to the floor for her babies to eat! All mama's have to feed their babies!!!

New Blog

I know I haven't been great about posting lately - and I promise I'll get better. I have so much to share!

But check this out! My new blog: http://mrsmarysclass.blogspot.com/

I designed it with my student's parents in mind. There is so much information out there and many of them are at the beginning of this journey in need of a little direction and support.

Anyway - I thought some of y'all might enjoy it too. :o)

If you come across anything that would be good to share - send it on!

Much Better

So I went and I'm fine. :o) Some things occurred that mean I will need to go back and testify on Friday. I will get served another subpoena. Just going today and seeing the place and the people made my nerves settle and I don't think I'll have any problem on Friday. The unknown always makes me nervous until I can at least visualize it in my head.

The Family Courts building has got to be one of the saddest places. If you ever need to feel grateful or blessed go there. I've never seen such excruciating pain and anguish written on people's faces. It was really humbling. Thanks for all the prayers and support! I really really appreciate it!

Headed to Court

I've been subpoenaed to testify in a court case in the morning in relation to a student of mine.

I have no problem with doing it - but without any frame of reference for something like this I'm a little nervous not knowing what to expect. I just keep praying I won't get flustered and that my mind will be clear. Sometimes the thoughts in my head get all jumbled under pressure - but hopefully as they come out of my mouth they will be just fine! :o) Should be interesting!

Time for a New Mary Moment . . .

Bob was reading the news and ran across a bizarre article that he decided to tell me about.

Here was our exchange:

Bob: "Oh my heavens! This says an Argentinian model died from a butt implant!"

Me (across the room): "What?!?!?!?! A model died in a Funyun plant?!?!?!?!?" "How in the world do you die in a Funyun plant? Did she fall in a vat of batter? How awful to die in a Funyun plant!!!!"

It may be time for a hearing/brain check! ;o) Heh heh heh!

Update

We LOVE our new home. It is beautiful and so quiet! The neighborhood is normal and small and gated. The town house is beautiful and easy to keep clean. It's big enough for all of us and it just feels so nice.

Yesterday the kids did their chores - the laundry was clean - and the house was all tidy. Bob and I looked at each other in amazement. There was nothing to fix - no house projects to work on - no never-ending list of broken things. LOVE IT!!!! We actually have time to do other things. We will save money too by not having to fix so much!

Anyway - we're happy! Everything just fell into place for us. It's nice to be free of the old house and all the heavy weight that came with it.

Yea! What an amazing answer to prayer! So many times we'd try to move and it just never ever fell into place. Finally we stopped trying to force it to happen. We knew when the Lord was ready and everything was right it would just happen and there would be no doubt it was time. And it did. It was one of those things that was so complicated and every single piece of the puzzle lined up all by itself that there was no way to deny that the Lord's hand was in every step. Sometimes our plan and our timing - for whatever reason - is not what is supposed to happen. Down the road maybe we'll be able to look back and see all the reasons why - but for now we are just so incredibly grateful to be where we are. It is such a comfort to Bob when he travels to know we are here and happy. It's truly one of those massive blessings we couldn't have even imagined 6 months ago.

It's Honey Doll!!!!

Look what I found! This is Honey Doll! I got her when I was 2. She knows all my deepest darkest secrets! ;o) hahaha! My sisters always tried to squeeze her head and torture her. I often found her bungee jumping from the ceiling fan, rappelling the kitchen cupboards, and ransom notes left in her place. She went to Germany and Jerusalem with me - just for a picture to prove she was there of course . . . !

Can you believe she's being sold for $185!?!?!?!? Not MY Honey Doll of course - she's a little more worn - a little more loved - and a whole lot more tired than this one. But it was really fun to see her like this. I always wondered why I named her Honey Doll . . . and now I know! :o)

We're moving

So yep! We are! With a massive amount of travel coming for Bob - it just made sense. We'll be at the new place for a year or so. The list of reasons why it is perfect was enormous. The list of reasons to leave the house was just as long. We're hoping to quickly sell the house as is - or find an investor/ugly house place to buy it. It just is in need of things bigger than we are able to manage right now. So it will put us in a different ward - but not too far. We'll still see everyone often I'm sure. It will be a relief to all of us to open this new chapter. Hooray!