So it's been over a year...yikes! Well this is just to say I am still alive...I am here! I will blog my life's adventures...just later this week when I am not so busy! PROMISE!!!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Friday, May 29, 2009
Long Time, No Blog...Oops
Wow. Long time since I have gotten on this thing (sorry Mendi and Debbie)! Okay, here is a nutshell of what has been happening in my life the last few months:
1. Quit my job at ACMA
2. Started a long-term sub job at Bryant High School for the choir director
3. LOVED Teaching - took 2 of the choirs to State, directed their spring concert and taught solfeg for fun
4. Just finished the last day of school (today)
5. Going to work with a handicapped boy this summer and teach voice lessons
5. Trying to find a teaching job for the fall...if none can be found will continue the sub thing, teaching voice, and possibly start my masters in teaching
6. Going to Wisconsin in 2 weeks to visit family
That is it basically. I need to give a SHOUT OUT to my professors at DBU who taught me all I needed to know about teaching! THANK YOU! I think I have finally found what I was created to do...teach music. Who would have thunk it! I love it...it is so wonderful to talk about music all day long! The kids at the High School are great. I was really blessed to not have any real troubles erupt! It was great teaching them theory and sight-singing...they really didn't do much before me. That is something EVERY singer needs to know how to do! I thought it was funny...every day I would get really excited about the theory and sight-singing. Ha Ha.
I am looking forward to working with Robert this summer...it will be nice to show love and compassion as my job. Who knows...it may even give me a glimpse of nursing to see if it's for me.
Our trip to Wisconsin is fast approaching...don't you know I am going to eat my weight in cheese! I am bringing a ton home and a cheese-head if I can find one! I have always wanted one of those things! We are going to stay with my sister Brenda for aprox. 5 days! We are driving...we have the whole trip mapped. We get to see Lincoln's grave, the windy city and all kinds of stuff. Not to mention take my Granny and Aunt out to dinner one night!
Okay. I need to get off this thing...dinner is calling and it won't make itself! I promise not to be away so long next time (promise Debbie and Mendi)! Until then.....
1. Quit my job at ACMA
2. Started a long-term sub job at Bryant High School for the choir director
3. LOVED Teaching - took 2 of the choirs to State, directed their spring concert and taught solfeg for fun
4. Just finished the last day of school (today)
5. Going to work with a handicapped boy this summer and teach voice lessons
5. Trying to find a teaching job for the fall...if none can be found will continue the sub thing, teaching voice, and possibly start my masters in teaching
6. Going to Wisconsin in 2 weeks to visit family
That is it basically. I need to give a SHOUT OUT to my professors at DBU who taught me all I needed to know about teaching! THANK YOU! I think I have finally found what I was created to do...teach music. Who would have thunk it! I love it...it is so wonderful to talk about music all day long! The kids at the High School are great. I was really blessed to not have any real troubles erupt! It was great teaching them theory and sight-singing...they really didn't do much before me. That is something EVERY singer needs to know how to do! I thought it was funny...every day I would get really excited about the theory and sight-singing. Ha Ha.
I am looking forward to working with Robert this summer...it will be nice to show love and compassion as my job. Who knows...it may even give me a glimpse of nursing to see if it's for me.
Our trip to Wisconsin is fast approaching...don't you know I am going to eat my weight in cheese! I am bringing a ton home and a cheese-head if I can find one! I have always wanted one of those things! We are going to stay with my sister Brenda for aprox. 5 days! We are driving...we have the whole trip mapped. We get to see Lincoln's grave, the windy city and all kinds of stuff. Not to mention take my Granny and Aunt out to dinner one night!
Okay. I need to get off this thing...dinner is calling and it won't make itself! I promise not to be away so long next time (promise Debbie and Mendi)! Until then.....
Monday, March 16, 2009
Stepping Out on Faith…
As some of you may know I have put in my 2 weeks resignation at my current job at CGI, Inc. and am going to trust in the Lord and peruse teaching voice as my “career”. Here are most of the details:
In January I had several meetings with my supervisors to discuss my job/position, how I was performing, how they perceived I was doing and what I thought of the position since I had been working as the MPA (Meeting Planning Assistant) for a few months. Long story short…I really began to think about whether or not I wished to continue down this career path or if I wished to pursue something using my degree and the gifts God has given me.
Last November/December (prior to those meetings) I had begun to take the necessary steps to start a Music Studio in our home. Sometime during January Ledford Music Studio was born. I began teaching the first week of February… I had one student (a lady from our church). Half-way through the month I auditioned my 2nd student and I currently have those two students.
A few weeks ago I had a follow-up meeting with the company CEO. We basically recapped what had taken place during those January meetings. During this whole time (January-March) Aaron and I had been discussing Ledford Music Studio, my desire to see it grow and how difficult that is with me working a full-time job. We began to consider the possibility of part-time work for me which would free up some time to “market” Ledford Music Studio. I was hesitant but over the period of several months of prayer and earnest seeking I began to feel at peace with the idea.
The following weekend (after my meeting with the CEO) I was offered an opportunity to substitute teach for 2 different school districts, with orientation the next week and the possibility of subbing at least 2-3 times a week and the pay would be equivalent to a part-time job. I was also given the opportunity to meet with a family that needs someone to watch their son during the summer months only…since substitute teaching is basically non-existent during the summer I felt this might be the Lord opening doors. After much prayer, Aaron and I decided it was God opening a door for Ledford Music Studio’s growth. I returned to work Monday morning and gave my 2 weeks’ notice.
Since that moment I have felt nothing but peace. Even though we aren’t sure about “steady” pay, insurance and several other things I believe the Lord is directing our path. This is my final week here at CGI, Inc. and I am somewhat “heavy-hearted”. I have been here just over a year and have developed friendships with several of the people. I pray that God will use me in a mighty way this week to leave a lasting impression of God’s grace.
Ledford Music Studio currently has 2 students, but with a “huge” marking “campaign” about to happen in the following weeks the hope is those 2 will double or even triple.
Until later…
In January I had several meetings with my supervisors to discuss my job/position, how I was performing, how they perceived I was doing and what I thought of the position since I had been working as the MPA (Meeting Planning Assistant) for a few months. Long story short…I really began to think about whether or not I wished to continue down this career path or if I wished to pursue something using my degree and the gifts God has given me.
Last November/December (prior to those meetings) I had begun to take the necessary steps to start a Music Studio in our home. Sometime during January Ledford Music Studio was born. I began teaching the first week of February… I had one student (a lady from our church). Half-way through the month I auditioned my 2nd student and I currently have those two students.
A few weeks ago I had a follow-up meeting with the company CEO. We basically recapped what had taken place during those January meetings. During this whole time (January-March) Aaron and I had been discussing Ledford Music Studio, my desire to see it grow and how difficult that is with me working a full-time job. We began to consider the possibility of part-time work for me which would free up some time to “market” Ledford Music Studio. I was hesitant but over the period of several months of prayer and earnest seeking I began to feel at peace with the idea.
The following weekend (after my meeting with the CEO) I was offered an opportunity to substitute teach for 2 different school districts, with orientation the next week and the possibility of subbing at least 2-3 times a week and the pay would be equivalent to a part-time job. I was also given the opportunity to meet with a family that needs someone to watch their son during the summer months only…since substitute teaching is basically non-existent during the summer I felt this might be the Lord opening doors. After much prayer, Aaron and I decided it was God opening a door for Ledford Music Studio’s growth. I returned to work Monday morning and gave my 2 weeks’ notice.
Since that moment I have felt nothing but peace. Even though we aren’t sure about “steady” pay, insurance and several other things I believe the Lord is directing our path. This is my final week here at CGI, Inc. and I am somewhat “heavy-hearted”. I have been here just over a year and have developed friendships with several of the people. I pray that God will use me in a mighty way this week to leave a lasting impression of God’s grace.
Ledford Music Studio currently has 2 students, but with a “huge” marking “campaign” about to happen in the following weeks the hope is those 2 will double or even triple.
Until later…
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Being a Voice Teacher....
For those of you wondering how the Lessons By Ledford Music Studio is doing...it is slow in starting. I only have my one student right now...I am still building the studio trying to find students. I have contacted several of the schools and churches in the area but nothing yet. However, I did receive a call yesterday from a parent interested in lessons for their 10 yr old daughter... who knows...maybe my studio will double (wink wink).
My first "official" lesson was last night and went well... I now know what to do for my student more specifically and am looking forward to next week's lesson. I am going to make some charts that show how a whole note breaks down into smaller notes and what their value would be (that is a hard concept to teach without a visual aid) and I am going to put all the "markings" onto a chart to show what they all look like and can be used for easy reference (ex. bar lines, repeat markings, measure numbers, etc). My student is really trying to grasp that concept but it is a challenge for anyone not familiar with music. I told her to think of it as reading a book...you go left to right always.
It was neat to see some light bulbs click on during the lesson and it caused concern to see the cloud of doubt cross her eyes when there was something explained that I thought would be simple to get but in fact was confusing. She is going to make great strides...I can feel it!
I have a feeling I am going to LOVE being a music teacher (I already do)! :)
Until Later...
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Look Into 2009...
As 2008 came to a close and we all looked towards a new year each of us made a choice to resolve things which needed a change in our lives. Perhaps it is to save money, to lose weight, to find that special someone, or so on...what we all are saying is basically this, "I am not 100% happy with the current coarse of my life and must do something to re-direct the path I am headed down and thereby making me a better/stronger person."
In the spirit of "bettering oneself" I have "resolved" to better my pocket-book, my career, and my body. This month I have been focusing on the new budget and trying to live on basically 200% less than we have been and thereby lessening the stress on the pocket-book. Now that I am a little more comfortable with the money aspect of my life I am going to focus on bettering my career and what every woman in America is striving to do...lose weight.
To better my "career" I have begun my own private voice studio...Lessons By Ledford Music Studio. I have interviewed with a company that contracts voice teachers for nights and weekends. I am happy to say they want to hire my, but I have to complete a 10 week vocal ped class online and then I can start taking on students. The only catch is...right now the class is only available Wednesday mornings at 10 am. Since I work 8-5 that won't work. However, they are hoping to have it availalbe 24-7 in a few months. Since they would like me to teach for them the head lady said she will contact me when that occurs so I can begin the coarse and after a few lessons they may begin giving me students.
For my private studio I have contacted all the public schools in the surrounding areas and will be sending packets to all the choir teachers about Lessons By Ledford Music Studio. I am also sending packets to the churches in the area and am hopeful to have the studio up and running soon. Since I have never formally taught voice before I have "signed on" a free student. A lady from our church choir who can't read music very well and as expressed interested in taking lessons to better her singing and reading abilities. We begin lessons the first week in February...this allows me to study-up on somethings and make sure I have all that I need in stock.
Now for the scary portion of this blog...the betterment of my body. I have started working out little by little and it is amazing how things that use to be so simple are the hardest thing to do. Who knew that lifting your leg and holding it waste high could send you into convulsions. Along with working out, eating right is always a good idea. Weight Watchers is a great program and I have begun doing this at home...thankfully my sister in Wisconsin is doing the same thing. We have started our own "online meeting" via email. It helps knowing someone else is out there, going through the same battles you are, and striving to better themselves as well.
May we all find the courage and strength to make our resolutions become reality, and find the perseverance to press on even when it seems futile.
Until later...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ice, Ice, Baby...
The past few days AR has been hit with some freezing rain….which has made the trees a beautiful white color and thankfully the roads haven’t frozen over (yet). I received a call from Aaron yesterday saying some of the limbs in the back yard had broken off because the leaves had iced over and where to heavy for the trees to hold on to them any longer. Which sounded ok to me…you expect something like that to happen. I arrived home like usual and was greeted by Aaron who told me a story about these iced, tree limbs. Here is his story:
During his day off he let the dog out like normal, and noticed that an iced, tree limb was resting on our roof. He didn’t like the idea of a tree limb sitting on our roof, so he did the most logical thing…grabbed the broom and pushed it off the roof. Well, that poor “little” limb couldn’t hold the weight of the ice and promptly broke off, tumbling to the ground and didn’t cause any damage to the house (thankfully).
After hearing his “heroic” story of rescuing our house from the limb, I went out back to look at the “little” limb…
Thank goodness that thing didn’t break off and hit our roof! Well until later….
During his day off he let the dog out like normal, and noticed that an iced, tree limb was resting on our roof. He didn’t like the idea of a tree limb sitting on our roof, so he did the most logical thing…grabbed the broom and pushed it off the roof. Well, that poor “little” limb couldn’t hold the weight of the ice and promptly broke off, tumbling to the ground and didn’t cause any damage to the house (thankfully).
After hearing his “heroic” story of rescuing our house from the limb, I went out back to look at the “little” limb…
Thank goodness that thing didn’t break off and hit our roof! Well until later….
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Holiday's...
It is hard to believe the Holiday season has come and gone already! Where does time fly too? We had a great Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Christmas was in Vidalia, LA this year. It was a lot of fun. We took Lucy with us...can you say FUN! She travels really well...no accidents of any kind! Aaron’s niece’s really loved having a big dog to play with…they are use to little “Winnie” dogs and we all know Lucy is NOT little! It was so nice to see his family and spend time with them all. We had lots of time to visit and when the time came to go back home we wanted a few more days (but isn’t that how vacations always end?). We went and saw “Marley & Me” on Christmas day and loved it. Highly recommend seeing it, but if you do bring tissues!
For New Year’s Eve we had a semi-impromptu party at our house. It all came about when a few friends called aaron about the same time and asked, “Are we coming to your house for New Year’s Eve?” From then a party plan was hatched! We played games, eat good food, and watched the ball drop. I was shocked I lasted that long since I am normally asleep before 9:30 rolls around! My sister, Heidi, the one in Australia sent Aaron and I a board game for Christmas called “Partini”. It is sort of like cranium but a little different. In fact I am almost sure we all liked it better than cranium. There are 6 categories instead of 4 and it moves at a more rapid pace.
I know I have promised the second half of my “after pictures” but it has been difficult since we still don’t have internet at home…so I have to try to remember to do all my internet stuff at church (or at work if I have time…which is NEVER!). Have no fear I WILL have those pictures up before the end of 2009! I hope…..
We have some exciting, upcoming events….all of which I will have to blog about at another date! Until then…
Christmas was in Vidalia, LA this year. It was a lot of fun. We took Lucy with us...can you say FUN! She travels really well...no accidents of any kind! Aaron’s niece’s really loved having a big dog to play with…they are use to little “Winnie” dogs and we all know Lucy is NOT little! It was so nice to see his family and spend time with them all. We had lots of time to visit and when the time came to go back home we wanted a few more days (but isn’t that how vacations always end?). We went and saw “Marley & Me” on Christmas day and loved it. Highly recommend seeing it, but if you do bring tissues!
For New Year’s Eve we had a semi-impromptu party at our house. It all came about when a few friends called aaron about the same time and asked, “Are we coming to your house for New Year’s Eve?” From then a party plan was hatched! We played games, eat good food, and watched the ball drop. I was shocked I lasted that long since I am normally asleep before 9:30 rolls around! My sister, Heidi, the one in Australia sent Aaron and I a board game for Christmas called “Partini”. It is sort of like cranium but a little different. In fact I am almost sure we all liked it better than cranium. There are 6 categories instead of 4 and it moves at a more rapid pace.
I know I have promised the second half of my “after pictures” but it has been difficult since we still don’t have internet at home…so I have to try to remember to do all my internet stuff at church (or at work if I have time…which is NEVER!). Have no fear I WILL have those pictures up before the end of 2009! I hope…..
We have some exciting, upcoming events….all of which I will have to blog about at another date! Until then…
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Part One of "The After"
Okay.... I know what some of you are thinking, and yes I am JUST NOW posting some pictures of the new house post move-in day. I have to thank Rachel Logan...if she hadn't been here visiting this week I don't think I would have been able to take any pictures until Christmas. She was kind enough to take these few pictures yesterday. Okay so here are the descriptions of the pictures below:
Picture #1: The view when you open the front door...notice the difference in curtains! Much better! You might also notice the speakers which tower on top of the entertainment center...that is Aaron's master piece! We get great sound while watching TV...almost like we are inside the movie!
Picture #2: The view when you are standing in the bedroom hall way. Behind you would be all the bedrooms and gust bath with our bedroom off to the right. Again...notice the curtains in the living room and dining room... Me likey! As you can see the "wall of cabinets" is still in place. We aren't going to remove them until we own the house.
Picture #3: Our great fireplace. It is electric…no messy firewood needed! This living room is laid out in such a way that I can fit more furniture than the Wylie house...even though it is much smaller than the Wylie house. If you can see the candle holder on the coffee table (in the bottom right corner) my mom brought that back from Maine for my new house and I love it! It has wonderful Pumpkin Spice candles that you burn in it and makes the whole house smell fabulous!!
Picture #4: Our entry way...this is the first time we have ever had an entry way and it is lots of fun. It is so nice to have a "little room" where your guest can take off their coats and shoes without being on top of the people in the living room.
Picture #5: The dining room...it is a little dark but you can get an idea of how the room feels. Directly behind you would be our china hutch and to the left is the kitchen.
Those are all the pictures I have for right now... I will try to get Rachel to help me get pictures of the bedrooms so you all can see my new bed-spread and the other rooms.
If you would like our new address shoot me an email.
Until later....
Picture #1: The view when you open the front door...notice the difference in curtains! Much better! You might also notice the speakers which tower on top of the entertainment center...that is Aaron's master piece! We get great sound while watching TV...almost like we are inside the movie!
Picture #2: The view when you are standing in the bedroom hall way. Behind you would be all the bedrooms and gust bath with our bedroom off to the right. Again...notice the curtains in the living room and dining room... Me likey! As you can see the "wall of cabinets" is still in place. We aren't going to remove them until we own the house.
Picture #3: Our great fireplace. It is electric…no messy firewood needed! This living room is laid out in such a way that I can fit more furniture than the Wylie house...even though it is much smaller than the Wylie house. If you can see the candle holder on the coffee table (in the bottom right corner) my mom brought that back from Maine for my new house and I love it! It has wonderful Pumpkin Spice candles that you burn in it and makes the whole house smell fabulous!!
Picture #4: Our entry way...this is the first time we have ever had an entry way and it is lots of fun. It is so nice to have a "little room" where your guest can take off their coats and shoes without being on top of the people in the living room.
Picture #5: The dining room...it is a little dark but you can get an idea of how the room feels. Directly behind you would be our china hutch and to the left is the kitchen.
Those are all the pictures I have for right now... I will try to get Rachel to help me get pictures of the bedrooms so you all can see my new bed-spread and the other rooms.
If you would like our new address shoot me an email.
Until later....
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Our new home…
Well I am sure many of you are wondering how the move went and how the new house is treating us. Sorry it has taken so long for me to blog this! Life is crazy right now. I am in the busy season for work and going away on business a lot. Not to mention we don’t have internet at home so when I forget to get on during the day I can’t at night when I remember. It’s a”vicious” cycle.
Have no fear...pictures of the "after" house will be posted soon, but for now here are the highlights of the move:
1. We started on time (8:00 am…although Aaron and I started around 5:00 am because we couldn’t sleep)
2. Moved quickly (the men worked fast and furious. By the end it took 1 huge moving truck, 2 pick-up trucks, 2 cars and 1 SUV to get us all moved)
3. Ended on time (I had said I would have liked to be finished around 3:00 and that is precisely the time all the moving crew left for their homes)
4. It took the “unpacking” crew (Aaron’s parents and grandma, plus us) a few days to make headway…it looked like a war zone in the house. We couldn’t locate the hinges for the refrigerator doors (which were removed last December in Wylie)…we were unpacking boxes and not putting things away trying to find the hinges. Aaron ended up having to special order them and they just came in last week. That’s right 3½ in my new home with no fridge. Oh the stories we are going to be able to tell our children one day about when we moved to AR.
5. Day 2 in the house we discovered the A/C wasn’t working and the dishwasher was leaking! If you are wondering we still don’t have A/C or a dishwasher…it is taking some time to get them fixed. Like I said…oh the stories we have to tell
Good news…the dishwasher should be fixed this weekend and the A/C should be fixed in the next 2 weeks! Yahoo! We love the new house…I can already feel myself more settled here. During the unpacking days I would get a little sad because I kept thinking, “Now that we are in a house again we can have the Tully’s over tonight!” Then I would remember they don’t live in our neighborhood any more. Then I would think about my friends in Texas who couldn’t come over for dinner one night…I had to tell myself you all can come over it will just take some planning! So don’t be surprised if you get an invite in the mail to a free weekend get-away at La Chateau Ledford conveniently located in Bryant, AR.
Oh, and if you were wondering that picture is one of my 5 rose bushes! I have always wanted a rose bush and now I have 5! Yeah! Well, that’s all I have time for right now…Until later.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The “before” of the new house…
Well for those of you who have been after me begging for pictures of the new house. Here you go….keep in mind the curtains are not ours! After you read this blog scroll down to see the pictures…
The front of the house…the front yard is huge like the back yard, plus we have the humongous flower bed that stretches the full length of the fence. Everything you see in the pictures is part of our property!
The inside of the house…the first one is the view from the front door when you first walk in (curtains not ours); the second is the dining room/kitchen. After we close on the house we are going to remove the cupboards that are creating that “wall” between the two…it will open it up a bunch! The third, hard to see picture is my sink… I have a window right above it!!! Hooray! Remember…curtain not mine.
Finally the huge backyard…Lucy’s new haven!! Last Saturday while we were doing the pre-clean I went into the back yard and there was the biggest rabbit! Aaron said Lucy is going to have fun catching that one! Okay…that’s all for now. After we get settled in I will take more pictures!
Here is the plan for after we close on the house:
1. Install a storm door… I need more light! I have been living in a dark room for 9 months. Me want light!
2. Install a vent-a-hood/microwave, matching stove & dishwasher
3. Knock down the cupboards creating the wall in the kitchen/dining room. Re-hang them else where…TBD
4. Paint, paint, paint
5. Install a mantle above the fireplace…I am thinking one of the little shelf-like mantles
6. Install new blinds…the wood kind. Right now they are the aluminum kind.
7. Update the light fixtures and door knobs
Now keep in mind all of those things won’t be done at once…we are going to have to pace ourselves! Okay. I must work now…I can’t believe the big day is tomorrow!!
Until later….
The front of the house…the front yard is huge like the back yard, plus we have the humongous flower bed that stretches the full length of the fence. Everything you see in the pictures is part of our property!
The inside of the house…the first one is the view from the front door when you first walk in (curtains not ours); the second is the dining room/kitchen. After we close on the house we are going to remove the cupboards that are creating that “wall” between the two…it will open it up a bunch! The third, hard to see picture is my sink… I have a window right above it!!! Hooray! Remember…curtain not mine.
Finally the huge backyard…Lucy’s new haven!! Last Saturday while we were doing the pre-clean I went into the back yard and there was the biggest rabbit! Aaron said Lucy is going to have fun catching that one! Okay…that’s all for now. After we get settled in I will take more pictures!
Here is the plan for after we close on the house:
1. Install a storm door… I need more light! I have been living in a dark room for 9 months. Me want light!
2. Install a vent-a-hood/microwave, matching stove & dishwasher
3. Knock down the cupboards creating the wall in the kitchen/dining room. Re-hang them else where…TBD
4. Paint, paint, paint
5. Install a mantle above the fireplace…I am thinking one of the little shelf-like mantles
6. Install new blinds…the wood kind. Right now they are the aluminum kind.
7. Update the light fixtures and door knobs
Now keep in mind all of those things won’t be done at once…we are going to have to pace ourselves! Okay. I must work now…I can’t believe the big day is tomorrow!!
Until later….
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The day after tomorrow.
Time is flying by…we are moving the day after tomorrow. I am so not ready! Ha ha…yeah right! Life is a crazy “mess” right now. I am so busy at work I can’t think straight most nights when I get home. You ever have one of those days where your mind is spinning in about 5 million directions that you just want to slap yourself to focus?! Yeah…that would be me right now at work. What can I say…that’s busy season.
Church is going really great! Aaron is preparing for Christmas already (man it’s only a few short months away)! Each week I have been interpreting for a deaf lady at our church. It is great fun, but every week I am reminded how much sign language I have forgotten! Since life is a crazy “mess” I haven’t had the time to devote to remembering what I have forgotten…so she helps me. I will sign something or fingerspell something and she will show me the correct sign. It really helps with the friendship bond.
Some Sunday’s we can get to laughing and she will tease me about signing…I am thankful that God allowed me to take sign language because until I started signing she would come to church and just sit there. She can read lips really well and she can hear “noises” (more like vibrations) better than most, but she can’t hear. She first came to church through our food pantry ministry. She was saved and baptized and has been coming ever since. Some Sunday’s she brings some deaf friends. I am hoping and praying that when I am fluent again I might be able to start a class at church to teach how to sign that way more of our church family can talk to her. We’ll see…
My parents were in town last night and we were able to take them by the house…the next time they will be in town will be October (they and my high school teachers, the Dawsons, will come over for dinner one night) their company will be doing a seminar in Little Rock during that time. I wanted to show them the before and they will see the after. Mom is just as excited as I am…Aaron and dad are men (they’re happy if we’re happy). Aaron is excited though…I think he is ready to have a home that’s ours again and to have the opportunity to take Lucy for a walk at nights like we use to in Wylie.
Aaron’s dad is coming into town tomorrow and spending the night with us to help with the big move…his mom and grandparents will follow on Friday evening after mom gets out of school (she’s a high school algebra teacher). They are going to spend the weekend with us unpacking. We aren’t sure if they are going to go home on Sunday or Monday. We are really glad they are coming…we haven’t seen them in a long time.
Last night Aaron and I, along with my folks, went and looked some hotels that Aaron’s family could stay in this weekend since we won’t be unpacked…I suggested camping out with us, but they want to stay at a hotel. Anyway, let’s just say some of the ones we went into were really scary! I think we found a nice one that is very affordable in Bryant (the town we are moving too).
Well I guess I need to get off and do some work….since I am leaving early to go to the foot doctor. Hopefully this will be my last visit. I have had 3 shots in my right foot and 2 in my left over the course of 3-4 months. The shots hurt like you wouldn’t believe! I have planter fasciitis really bad in both feet. Hence the shots and all the trips to the doctor. Anywho…today I have another appointment and I am hoping no more shots! Think happy thoughts today!
Until later….
Church is going really great! Aaron is preparing for Christmas already (man it’s only a few short months away)! Each week I have been interpreting for a deaf lady at our church. It is great fun, but every week I am reminded how much sign language I have forgotten! Since life is a crazy “mess” I haven’t had the time to devote to remembering what I have forgotten…so she helps me. I will sign something or fingerspell something and she will show me the correct sign. It really helps with the friendship bond.
Some Sunday’s we can get to laughing and she will tease me about signing…I am thankful that God allowed me to take sign language because until I started signing she would come to church and just sit there. She can read lips really well and she can hear “noises” (more like vibrations) better than most, but she can’t hear. She first came to church through our food pantry ministry. She was saved and baptized and has been coming ever since. Some Sunday’s she brings some deaf friends. I am hoping and praying that when I am fluent again I might be able to start a class at church to teach how to sign that way more of our church family can talk to her. We’ll see…
My parents were in town last night and we were able to take them by the house…the next time they will be in town will be October (they and my high school teachers, the Dawsons, will come over for dinner one night) their company will be doing a seminar in Little Rock during that time. I wanted to show them the before and they will see the after. Mom is just as excited as I am…Aaron and dad are men (they’re happy if we’re happy). Aaron is excited though…I think he is ready to have a home that’s ours again and to have the opportunity to take Lucy for a walk at nights like we use to in Wylie.
Aaron’s dad is coming into town tomorrow and spending the night with us to help with the big move…his mom and grandparents will follow on Friday evening after mom gets out of school (she’s a high school algebra teacher). They are going to spend the weekend with us unpacking. We aren’t sure if they are going to go home on Sunday or Monday. We are really glad they are coming…we haven’t seen them in a long time.
Last night Aaron and I, along with my folks, went and looked some hotels that Aaron’s family could stay in this weekend since we won’t be unpacked…I suggested camping out with us, but they want to stay at a hotel. Anyway, let’s just say some of the ones we went into were really scary! I think we found a nice one that is very affordable in Bryant (the town we are moving too).
Well I guess I need to get off and do some work….since I am leaving early to go to the foot doctor. Hopefully this will be my last visit. I have had 3 shots in my right foot and 2 in my left over the course of 3-4 months. The shots hurt like you wouldn’t believe! I have planter fasciitis really bad in both feet. Hence the shots and all the trips to the doctor. Anywho…today I have another appointment and I am hoping no more shots! Think happy thoughts today!
Until later….
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Count Down begins...and is nearly over!
WOW! Hard to believe in just 7 short days we will be moved into our new house! Yikes! Okay, for those of you who haven’t gotten crazy phone calls from me announcing the days, and hours left until the big move let me bring you up to speed:
We officially move NEXT Friday, August 29, 2008! I have been counting down since 3 weeks ago…recently I have been known to call someone and announce, “10 days, 17 hours and 34 minutes!” ….Bet you can’t you tell I am excited?!
“What’s the game plan?” you may ask…here it is… we have several men from our church coming to the church at 8:00 a.m. to move us out of the church. I am leaving the “where to begin loading” task for Aaron… All I know is, I have packed up basically the entire apartment, moved all the boxes to our upstairs storage room, and am planning the menu on what to feed the “boys” when they come to help us. Not to mention planning/practicing my “bossy voice” so I can direct traffic…jk!
We are renting a truck to move…we decided it would go much faster if we loaded and unloaded everything at once instead of making multiple trips in pick-up trucks. Plus, it has been really rainy here so just in case the pattern of thunderstorms continues we don’t have to worry about everything getting soaked through.
Okay…what else has been happening here (besides me becoming obsessed with moving)?! We have been so busy the days/weeks are flying by. We are doing an outreach program at church and that has consumed most of Aarons days getting ready for it all. There is a new sub-division only a few miles from the church and we went and pasted out flyers last weekend advertising our church’s outreach program…painting their house number on their curb! We have had a great response so far…over 100 homes I believe.
Here is how it works…we handed out (or hung flyers on their doors) inviting them to call and make an appointment where our church’s “curb painting team” could come out and paint their house number on their curb for FREE. No cost to them…all they had to do is call, make the appointment and guarantee someone will be home when we come by so that we can talk with them, and they can watch us paint. (Wink, wink, which is where the evangelism comes in…get it?).
We were scheduled to paint Thursday night, Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday night this week, but because of the rain we had to try to move the Thursday & Friday appointments to Saturday/Sunday or possibly next weekend…don’t worry if we have to paint next weekend it will not stop me from moving….NOTHING could stop me…I am a very motivated lady!
Anyways…the entire church is really excited about this. In fact when we went out last Sunday night you could feel the excitement building. By the time we were going back to the church so many were practically beaming and excited…there was more talking riding home then there was headed to the sub-division. It was great!
Well… my job is going well. Lots going on there and I don’t have the time to go into detail today. I will do that later. We are gearing up for our busy season to begin in 3 weeks. Basically in September and October I will be gone on a trip almost every week. 2x some weeks. It is going to be crazy…please pray for me.
Well I must sign off for now, but I will ask that you pray for some family friends of ours…they are going through a really rough time right now…I don’t feel comfortable telling their names, but pray for them. They are having major health issues on both sides of the family and trouble finding a job (which we all know can cause financial difficulties). Please remember them in your prayers.
Until next time!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Reflections....
Well there has been so much going on these days. It is hard to believe almost a year has passed by since moving to little rock! Last weekend (as some of you know) was my birthday! 3 cheers for me… ha ha. I had a grand time with my new friends here in AR. You know I am going to give you the blow by blow so here we go….
Before my birthday weekend we had just finished a week long VBS at TBC and it went really well…lots of kids. Aaron and I taught the K-3rd grade class…what a fun bunch! Anyway…Friday night we got together with Melissa, Matt, Rebecca and Paul for a fun night filled with homemade pizza and games! It was a blast hanging out with some of my newest, so to be dearest friends. I wish you all could have been there.
Saturday was very packed…Aaron hosted the 1st annual musician’s cookout for TBC. Most of the day was spent hauling things over to April & Mike McFarland’s house (the couple keeping Lucy) since the Ledford’s don’t have a house YET (more about that at the bottom)! Since it was my birthday weekend I spend the morning lounging around watching BONES…one of my favorite shows! It was great… I didn’t get out of my PJ’s until almost noon! We went to my favorite restaurant for lunch…any guesses…yep, Chick-fil-a! after which we took Paul on a tour of our soon to be new home (more to come), followed by grocery shopping…and let me just say trying to shop with 2 men is a nightmare… ha ha. JK! Once we had all the vittles secured we dropped them off at the McFarland’s and went back to the church for a few minutes of down time before the party began. The cookout was a smashing success…we had about 40ish people show and had tons of fun.
Sunday was an event filled day as well…it was my office birthday day! Yahoo! It was also my last week for a while on the praise team (we have the teams set-up on a rotation bases), and I tried my best to interpret for a deaf lady at our church. It is really great using sign language to communicate God’s Word…now I just have to work really REALLY hard to remember all the signs I once knew! After church Aaron took me to a really nice steak restaurant for lunch. After which we went on the hunt for my present. I had asked for a new vacuum cleaner and he wanted me to pick it out. I have to tell you I did NOT get a vacuum cleaner…we ended up replacing the filters on our old one since we have never done that! The old filters were 3 years old!! Yikes! Aaron did buy me Season 1-2 of NCIS another show I really like…so in the end it was ok that I didn’t get the vacuum cleaner!
Ok, so Sunday night we had to go to 2 different small group bible studies and make an announcement about an evangelism opportunity we are going to have in a few weeks at TBC. So we drove way out to the boonies to the other McFarland’s house (Jeff & Christy…Jeff is Mike’s brother) and made the announcement. Then we drove back to civilization and went to Jimmy & Kathy Eldrod’s house for another get together. Jimmy coaches the church softball team that Aaron is a part of…jimmy also sings in the choir and we are working on getting Kathy to join the choir. Anywho…the weekend was filled with lots of fun, good food and great fellowship!
Okay now to the house… I know you have been on pins and needles waiting. Drum roll please….we are moving out of the church and into our new home August 29 weekend (Labor Day weekend...I have Labor Day off)! I don’t have any pictures yet, but hopefully will have some soon. The house currently belongs to Sue & Jerry Kidd from TBC. We are going to do a lease to own like our Wylie house…once we close on the Wylie house we can close on the AR house. It is 3 bed, 2 bath, and 1497 square feet and has a back yard that makes the plains of TX look small!! We are so very pumped! We can’t wait to have windows, our puppy and all our home things again! I have to say I will probably miss the church…it sure does get really dark anytime of the day, making sleeping-in very easy. Plus, we all know how hard change is (especially for me)…I would be lying if I didn’t say I am a bit nervous…but from what I hear that is normal. We are very excited about the house though, there is tons of potential and we have plans already on how we want to re-do/redecorate it. We may even get to start moving boxes in earlier than the official move date. The Kidd’s are a great family and so generous to us. We feel so blessed that God brought such a sweet & precious family into our lives.
Anyways…that is all I have time for now… I must get to work! Until later…bye!
Before my birthday weekend we had just finished a week long VBS at TBC and it went really well…lots of kids. Aaron and I taught the K-3rd grade class…what a fun bunch! Anyway…Friday night we got together with Melissa, Matt, Rebecca and Paul for a fun night filled with homemade pizza and games! It was a blast hanging out with some of my newest, so to be dearest friends. I wish you all could have been there.
Saturday was very packed…Aaron hosted the 1st annual musician’s cookout for TBC. Most of the day was spent hauling things over to April & Mike McFarland’s house (the couple keeping Lucy) since the Ledford’s don’t have a house YET (more about that at the bottom)! Since it was my birthday weekend I spend the morning lounging around watching BONES…one of my favorite shows! It was great… I didn’t get out of my PJ’s until almost noon! We went to my favorite restaurant for lunch…any guesses…yep, Chick-fil-a! after which we took Paul on a tour of our soon to be new home (more to come), followed by grocery shopping…and let me just say trying to shop with 2 men is a nightmare… ha ha. JK! Once we had all the vittles secured we dropped them off at the McFarland’s and went back to the church for a few minutes of down time before the party began. The cookout was a smashing success…we had about 40ish people show and had tons of fun.
Sunday was an event filled day as well…it was my office birthday day! Yahoo! It was also my last week for a while on the praise team (we have the teams set-up on a rotation bases), and I tried my best to interpret for a deaf lady at our church. It is really great using sign language to communicate God’s Word…now I just have to work really REALLY hard to remember all the signs I once knew! After church Aaron took me to a really nice steak restaurant for lunch. After which we went on the hunt for my present. I had asked for a new vacuum cleaner and he wanted me to pick it out. I have to tell you I did NOT get a vacuum cleaner…we ended up replacing the filters on our old one since we have never done that! The old filters were 3 years old!! Yikes! Aaron did buy me Season 1-2 of NCIS another show I really like…so in the end it was ok that I didn’t get the vacuum cleaner!
Ok, so Sunday night we had to go to 2 different small group bible studies and make an announcement about an evangelism opportunity we are going to have in a few weeks at TBC. So we drove way out to the boonies to the other McFarland’s house (Jeff & Christy…Jeff is Mike’s brother) and made the announcement. Then we drove back to civilization and went to Jimmy & Kathy Eldrod’s house for another get together. Jimmy coaches the church softball team that Aaron is a part of…jimmy also sings in the choir and we are working on getting Kathy to join the choir. Anywho…the weekend was filled with lots of fun, good food and great fellowship!
Okay now to the house… I know you have been on pins and needles waiting. Drum roll please….we are moving out of the church and into our new home August 29 weekend (Labor Day weekend...I have Labor Day off)! I don’t have any pictures yet, but hopefully will have some soon. The house currently belongs to Sue & Jerry Kidd from TBC. We are going to do a lease to own like our Wylie house…once we close on the Wylie house we can close on the AR house. It is 3 bed, 2 bath, and 1497 square feet and has a back yard that makes the plains of TX look small!! We are so very pumped! We can’t wait to have windows, our puppy and all our home things again! I have to say I will probably miss the church…it sure does get really dark anytime of the day, making sleeping-in very easy. Plus, we all know how hard change is (especially for me)…I would be lying if I didn’t say I am a bit nervous…but from what I hear that is normal. We are very excited about the house though, there is tons of potential and we have plans already on how we want to re-do/redecorate it. We may even get to start moving boxes in earlier than the official move date. The Kidd’s are a great family and so generous to us. We feel so blessed that God brought such a sweet & precious family into our lives.
Anyways…that is all I have time for now… I must get to work! Until later…bye!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The day has finally come....
Aaron and I are going to be able to move out of the church!! Yippy! Since we have been able to do the lease to own option on the Wylie house we have been considering renting.
There is a couple in our church that has a house they are trying to sell and they spoke to us about possibly renting/buying their house. We went and looked at the house and have been talking/praying about it for a few weeks now. The Kidd family (the family that own the house) are very kind and understanding...in fact he is one of the directors for the BMAA….he travels all over the world working with BMA missionaries.
We won't be able to move until September and that was something we thought might be a drawback for the Kidd's went considering us...we got a phone call last night that they are willing to hold the house for us until September and the rent price they asked is less than what we were thinking which is a huge blessing (I wasn't sure if we could afford the rent we were thinking it was going to be)! We are going to work out all the details after Mr. Kidd returns from his business trip!
The house is a little smaller than our Wylie house but only by about 60 sq ft. not bad…the bedrooms are a little smaller and the ceilings are a little lower, but that is ok. It was built in 96 and is in good condition. Aaron and I are going to do some remodeling if we buy it…we want to knock down a few things to open it up. PLUS I want a storm door since I had to leave me last on in TX!
The back yard is about the size of a field….. If you were to take our Wylie back yard and add another 1 ½ that would be about the size of the back yard!!! HUGE!!!! We will finally have our baby puppy back…since she has been living apart from us longer than she lived with us!!!
The landscaping in front is my favorite…it is so beautiful!!! I will have to take pictures…OR if you feel the need to come visit you could come see it first-hand!!
Well that is all for now...I will keep you posted!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Yahoo!!! The House!!!
Hello everyone....we have some great news!!! Our house is going to sell!!! We have a young couple with 3 kids who are doing a lease-to-purchase on the house. That means they are going lease it from us until July 2009 at which point we will close on the house!!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
This will allow Aaron and I options...we can choose to rent a small apartment or stay at the church "apartment" and save money for a down 
payment on a house here. I have to be honest I think we are going to opt for the former rather than the later.... I know on one hand that will probably mean more days of sadness for me, but on the other hand I keep thinking we will FINALLY be able to get our feet back under us financially! Thus allowing us to buy a house here without a fear of where is the money going to come from! Yippy!
I have to say life has finally reached a sense of "normal" whatever that is.... we have gotten into a good routine now and I have accepted the fact that for now we must live in the church because we just can't afford anything else...FOR NOW!
It is nice to finally have some type of peace & settlement about where I live....you all know it has been a hard road! I guess you could say I have acclimated my self to the church gym! ha ha!!
My job is going great... I have started my new position as Meeting Planner Assistant and I spend most of my days calling different state tracking down a possible meeting location for that state's chapter. I also book flights, create various forms & brochures, plus a whole bunch of other stuff I haven't even learned about yet!!! Yikes! In fact this is the first time in my life I brought work home with me!!! Oh no....it's happening.... I am becoming a "work-a-holic"!!! HA HA... yeah right.... It is the people who make the job not the job itself and ACMA has WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
Aaron is doing really good...he is really enjoying having Matt on staff. For those of you who may not know our friend Matt Henslee has become our new youth pastor ( http://www.templeuth.com/ )! He was Aaron's roommate at DBU for a few semesters, and is the drummer in our band Fragile Stone ( http://www.fsworship.com/ ). He and his wife Rebecca have moved out here about 2 weeks ago and it has been really good having friends from Texas here.
We have decided to make all our Texas friends move to Little Rock....our first "victims" are the Tully's.... ha ha.... Even Matt & Rebecca say the Tully's need to move here....so if you know Matt & Wendi...you need to tell them to pack-up and get their little butts out here! :) Don't worry...you might be next... muahhhahhhahhahh!!
Well I must get to church, but stay tuned for more.... love you all! Bye now!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Our House...
Well I know most of you are probably wondering if we have sold the house yet...the answer...NOPE!!! Grrrr.... oh well. I have to keep reminding myself God is in control and there is a reason we haven't sold yet.
On the upside... I listed the house on craigslist and surprisingly we have had a few responses...who knows perhaps one of them will be the lucky new owners of the best house in Wylie TX!
On the upside... I listed the house on craigslist and surprisingly we have had a few responses...who knows perhaps one of them will be the lucky new owners of the best house in Wylie TX!
Meanwhile...that is what our AR "home" looked like a few weeks ago...boy did it rain!!
Please keep us in your prayers…we really would love to sell and get settled here! Until later….
Please keep us in your prayers…we really would love to sell and get settled here! Until later….
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