Keep Dreaming!

I've been meaning to post about this for a while now. Doing things in a timely fashion has never been my thing!

Ever since I was in highschool, maybe before, I have dreamed about speaking in schools, leading programs, or just being a mentor to teens who are in need of help and hope. This has always been a dream I thought would never really occur since I didn't like public speaking and had little confidence! Figured it would have the same outcome as did my dream of being an olympic gymnast. Or of having a huge house with a personal massge therapist and maid that fan me while I tan outside my huge pool and eat only organic food...

I was invited to the national Celebrate Recovery leadership training in California this past year and went to all the classes about the Life Hurts God Heals teen program. I was so excited about it and again began dreaming of it being at our church, helping out with it, and it becoming a very well respected teen program. I never would have imagined just a few months later that it would actually be starting!

Feb. 22 was our kick-off date in which we had 40 teens attend and have consistently had about 30-35 show up each week. I have a great group of 5 7th-9th graders! I'm so excited about the turnout and now dream of being able to speak about the program inside both private and public schools!!!

Here is the amazing billboard I just had to take a picture of! If you know teens...they would all benefit! Many recovery meetings are only for addicts. CR and LHGH are for everyone. Anyone who may have anger, resentment, a hurtful past, a need for more positive friendships, or that would just like to grow spiritually...this is very much the place! You can email me with any questions about it!

Video Time!

These videos take way too long to load! This was from in the hospital a few weeks ago and I've been meaning to post it! One of Avery will be on here later too!

Random Things Said...Thursday

Avery was watching dancing with the stars at my parents house. She said "That's the girl from the final rose!! The boy gave her a ring and she gave it back to him." I know. I've failed. She then layed down a blanket and informed everyone that was the "dance floor."

While eating, Zane looked at Avery through his little index finger and thumb and said "I'm going to crunch you" while "crunching" his finger together in front of his eyes. I guess this is a yogurt commercial?! We are burning all TV's and working on those memory verses that fill our fridge from the infamous Pre-K class at church.

At my parents house, Zane found a new facination of playing with dead flies in window sills. He calls them his "buddies." He collected some and stuck them in his aunt Brittany's purse! That was a nice suprise for her the next day! He found one actually still buzzing in which he stated "oh this one's still alive" and proceeded to squish it.

Avery has really learned how to maneuver the power wheels ford F-150. She managed to show off and had a head on collision with my car. (let's keep this a secret from Wes!" She also chased Zane and when he fell, she ran over him up to his shoulders. Poor Zane.

Zane loves to say the word "love" a lot. "I want some gushers. I love them I really love them." So after giving him a package, he asked "Can I have another one? I'm going to put it in my pocket for my daddy later." Two minutes later the one in his pocket was gone. He said "Since my daddy's not here I just ate them." When telling Wes this story he said "It's okay! I will buy you some more daddy!"

Wes bought tickets to see Jeff Dunham in 2007 thinking he would be able to fit it in between CPA tests. He was of course not prepared and ended up giving them away so he could study. Luckily he passed so it was worth the miss. He tried again and bought us tickets in November 08 for the show this May 2. He stated "I better not have to freakin miss this show too..." (because of being inpatient.) Poor guy...he just wants to see Jeff Dunham and his talking puppet!!

I miss the kids...

It has been a nice spring break without the kids, but i'm starting to miss them! The cute/shocking things they say make my days interesting! I went to kiss Zane last Thursday after school and he said "I can't kiss on the lips or I will spread germs. [with a scrunched up disgusted face] My teacher said that." It was so cute because he was oh so serious and concerned for my health! Thank you teacher. Continue telling him that and hopefully he will listen for another 15 years! I love this cute germ infested little boy!Then last Friday with Avery, I was talking to her about how kids need more sleep than adults because they are still growing and we aren't. Avery replied "No mommy you will still grow. You will have a big fat body one day." She was so sure but unconcerned. Lifting my jaw off the ground. Panic mode...I have nothing prepared. We don't even say the "f" word in this house! I spewed out rambling nonsense then recovered with "God makes everyone different and some people are bigger than others and it is okay...but our bones don't grow anymore, so we don't need as much sleep!!" Quickly, I changed the subject! Oh dear. Wasn't ready for that...but did make day interesting...

Then there is lunch time, I love it when we eat lunch and Zane looks at Avery and says "So Avery, how was your day? Did you have fun at school?!" Zane takes after me with his manners! This kid will say "Thank you for giving me medicine" even. Oh and I had a headache the morning they left and he came over and kissed my head. Later on I talked of it hurting again and he said "nu uh. I kissed it to feel better!"

I always think i'm ready for a break...but my days just aren't as joyful without the kids' little voices!! I have decided to pamper my little doggy this week though!

Do I have an addiction?!

I am always needing to be doing something artsy. In between laundry loads and vacuuming, I'll start a project. Most projects take me about a year to complete. Wes usually doesn't get this...so it helps when I have a good reason to do something! Like this cute charm someone made for me. I of course needed to make a necklace for it! Hobby Lobby had 50% off beads so it was a total sign from above.It gave Avery something fun to do after school too!

When she went to put her new necklaces up, they didn't all fit in her jewelry box. So of course she needed somewhere to put them (this picture is lacking several because they are at GG's house with Avery right now!) So a hobby lobby run was a must...no other option really! After realizing there was not a single square inch in Avery's room that didn't contain something I made, I decided to move to the closet and organize it with cute pink crates! Very good purchase!? I wont tell you that I want to make corner shelves in this closet to add more "rooms" to her dollhouse because she has patio furniture that doesn't fit in her patio.
I will admit to a downfall...when I start a project (her necklace holder) I always have to start another random one making things a little messy. I saw a shadow box also 50% off from hobby lobby screaming at me. I thought it would look amazing with a bunch of junk hotglued inside it (doesn't everyone?). This is not finished and probably wont be for several months. But one day it will be an "I spy" artwork totally filled with junk in which you'll have to find!
Here is one of the projects started a year ago that I just hung up! It started with a beanbag that just wasn't cute. I wanted to recover it because I had a dream I could sew. I decided to paint on the remaining material and I finally stapled it to wood and hung it up! Wes doesn't know how lucky he is...you should tell him! Because failing at a beanbag cover hit my crafty ego hard, It took me a year to forget about it long enough to try another sewing project. Zane had a one panel curtain that I cut in half and added a navy blue strip to. Wes didn't show much enthusiasm but i'm sure it was from having his energy zapped out of him because honestly...how could we have lived without this improvement!?
I wish I could live inside hobby lobby...

This is Wes and I approve this message.

Once upon a time...Mr. all buisness, Vice President of the Student Body, President of College of Republicans, President of Sigma Chi Sigma and Homecoming King nominee met...

The amazingly smart and talented cheerleader who was crazy and loved hanging out with her friends in South Padre. Wes was a lucky man!
We started dating in 2003. Here we are as Starbucks workers for Halloween! Some other pictures of us. During college classes, I enjoyed making collages on the laptop!
We got married five years ago today in 2004! All I remember is starving myself the night before in order to fit in my dress and then spending the entire wedding just waiting for the moment I could get out of the dress. Not real sure what was said during the ceremony but I planned nothing and let my mom do everything. I recommend this girls. I'm a real romantic.

[looking everywhere for wedding pics on computer/CD's...15 minutes later gave up. Pondered taking a picture of a picture in our scrapbook. Too lazy] Sorry, you will see no picture of that wonderful day!!

Here I am in my 3rd trimester with Avery. Don't let this picture fool you. I spent the entire pregnancy throwing up. Getting up to go to the bathroom felt like I had just ran a marathon (which is why I think marathon runners are CRAZY).
In 2005 we went on a week long cruise. I am not sure why this was our last vacation alone but we have realized how silly that is and are excited for Wes to get better so we can go again soon!Here is what our 2nd pregnancy looked like. One arm with a PICC line and the other arm with a 6 inch bruise. After screaming the entire time, the doctor finally stopped and said "Oh you were right...the line was ripping your vein going in. We will have to do your other arm."2006 family picture taken by Mandy Stansberry! We need to do this again.
In 2007 Wes passed the CPA exam and bought himself a gift (in the background!) My huge prayer was answered and I thought life was going to be smooth sailin'!
Easter 2008.And then there has been 2009 which has been...eventful.

One thing that has helped us last is good Christian friends who we are able to be real with.

and they continue to live happily ever after...!

Things not pictured. The many opportunities EACH YEAR that could have easily ended in divorce. The one and only reason I am able to blog about being together for 5 years is the fact we have both been committed. We will see every counselor out there if we need to and somehow make it work. I don't think the words "bliss" or "fairy tale" could describe the past 5 years. However, we do see the many blessings we have been given, the prayers that have been answered (maybe not the way we wanted), the hardships that have made us grow, and Christ who has been with us the whole time.

Spring Sing Family Visit!

So I am a little behind on the blog. To start, I would like to win these cute flip flops. Avery loves the pair aunt Brittany made her and would like another pair!

We had a nice weekend a few days ago seeing a lot of family. Poor uncle Zac gets the rowdy crazy kids climbing on him everytime they see him! Wes came out of hiding for just enough time to take a picture! He was feeling alright but didn't want to push it too much. The chemo has kind of made him a little slower and so it is hard for him to keep up in conversations that are going fast. Too many questions at one time make his brain crazy. With my family, it is talk talk talk so he thought movies in bed sounded better!


Here is my fake eyelash wearing Theta "Sandy" from Grease chick of a sister and mommy! I shouold have gotten a pic of her in costume...it was pretty cute! I was really hoping to see the black spandex pants though!

Here is my dad and his parents! It was good to get to see everyone. I guess we missed taking a picture of cousins and aunts and uncles but it was nice seeing them too!