March 2011

Well, thinking back on our life since last October. I really thought I had updated before now. Last thanksgiving and Christmas was enjoyed at home. Since we had so much fun traveling during the summer, I didn't have any more vacation time to go any where for the holidays. It was still a nice family time. We decorated the house and opened presents. Austen asked for money and was saving up for the 3D-ds handheld gaming item. However, we went to a local pet store and he fell in love with the ferrets. We then asked our landlord if we could have a caged animal. He approved with no deposit. We are now owners of a white ferret named "wink". Our nice neighbor had connections, so Austen only had to pay for the used caged and buy food. These critters are quite expensive to get set up, but Crystal our neighbor was kind enough to find us one they had for awhile. Wink is not out first choice by no means for a pet. He is funny to watch and doesn't take too much to take care of. Of course the cleaning of the cage is the most challenging for the kids. Even my mom enjoys watching scurry around the house during his free time. We have to keep him bathed quite often or is name changes to "stinky winky".

We spent new years with our friends Matt and Rebecah Simcox. Played games and ate. The kids were introduced to konnex, an interactive game that can recognize by a sensor where you are and then move the characters on the screen. It is fun to be able to go have fun with friends and the kids are old enough to come along and stay up late with out any consequences the next day.

January 2011. A time to reflect and plan. Shane and I had already planned that I would have a hysterectomy this year and the date was set. Our tax return was going to be used to make sure that everything was paid and we wouldn't have to stress over the bills. We paid off some debt and got a nice new leather sofa/couch and a few other small things we needed like new glasses for Shane and Austen, contacts for me.

I was also going to work on my high achievers at work. My coworkers and I went to our kick off party in Frisco,TX at the Dave and Busters restaurant. It was fun. I've really have learned to appreciate the company I work for and would recommend anyone to work for Venterra Realty. They have great values, make good business decisions. At our Apartment Assoc Christmas party, I was awarded Assistant Manager of the Year. I know how it came about but it looks good on my resume. Working for Venterra has been challenging but also a very good learning experience. I have been challenged with working with many people as a team to get the same thing accomplished. Building relationships with those forced into my world with different lifestyles, beliefs and personalities. God has certainly stretched me and taught me to love, respect, and have humility. Now that I am thinking of moving and will have to look into other companies. I want a company as good as this one. I have a feeling that God will place me in another situation for me to continue to grow and keep learning.

Austen started soccer. He loves it, surprisingly. We are very happy and thrilled and we don't have to fight him to go. Every game he gets better as does the team. They have won one game so far. I also agreed to let him and Shane get a game called Rift. Its an online game that they can play together. Austen is about three weeks ahead of the rest of his class. His homeschooling is going well. It is still challenging but that's good. That is what we wanted.

Gabrielle has been in girl scouts. She meets every other week. We sold cookies and have had a bunch of fun. I have been struggling with whether we should continue. She has fun and its a different set a friends that she can interact with. Her leader is nice, but they aren't really learning anything, so it ends up just being something we do together. I am still wanting to have her try gymnastics. Gabrielle's school wants to officially tested her for dyslexia. I know she has it, its like seeing me as a girl struggling. I can't stand that she got my handicap.

Shane and I celebrated our birthdays. It was so nice. I got valentine flowers and birthday flowers. Then we went to Red Lobster and had dinner. The kids and Shane got me jewelry and perfume. Then for Shane's birthday, we went to Karen's house for a cookout and I surprised Shane with golf clubs.

I continue to help at church in missions committee, club 456, awana, and now I greet newcomers and drive the bus for students once a quarter. Our missions conference was great this year. I really enjoyed the fellowship with the missionaries. This will be my last year in club 456 as Austen will head onto jr high next year. I will eventually phase out of each ministry as we get closer to moving.

Shane is still the married student chaplain at the University. His classes have been quite challenging this semester. He's been studying child counseling and has a class project that includes visiting a children's hospital in Shreveport,La. He has also been taking some management classes including accounting and human resources. So his mind has been stretched but he is still holding onto a good GPA.

My surgery was march 15th. It went well and I was able to go home the next day. I have two weeks off of work and pray the doctor will release me back then. We are blessed with a good church family and they have brought food and sent flowers. The kids have spent the week with Mamaw and Papa (Shane's parents) and Shane went to meet them half way to pick them up today, Mar 18th. All is well in Longview TX.