Reading with Ra Ra

Enjoy a short video of Aaron "reading". We had been "reading" for quite a while when Diane decided to get it on tape.

I don't know!

Everybody: What do you want for Christmas?

Me: I DON'T KNOW!

I hate that question. Seriously, I have no idea what to tell you. Just get me something, and I will be REALLY excited and happy about it. I promise. Really, I'm not just saying that. I really have no idea what I want. I don't even know where to start.

Wait, I know. I need a new brain. How much does that cost?

Buzzard and Puke

My mom and dad always used to tell me, "Don't get in a puking contest with a buzzard, because you're never going to win." Great advice. Let me break it down for you. Buzzards eat dead things and that would naturally make them very good at puking because dead things are gross. Since "you" don't eat dead things, “you” don't puke as often as a buzzard; therefore, the buzzard is ALWAYS the better puker. Translation: people who act childish and do things that are childish have lots of practice doing those childish things. They will ALWAYS be better than you at childish things, so don't stoop down to their level and participate. Somehow I thought that advice was restricted to middle school/high school. You might even be able to apply it to a FEW incidents in college, but those are few and far between and too complicated to be limited to the basic meaning because the older you get, the more mature people (and you) are supposed to get. Right? Could this actually be good advice for me as an adult?

Every once in a while, I'm the person I should be. Every once in a while, I choose the right thing. Every once in a while, I choose not to try to beat the buzzard at his own game.

For all the other times that aren’t the “once in a whiles”, I pray for my choices to be learning experiences, so maybe sometime those “once in a whiles” will be “sometimes” and maybe some day, “most of the times”.

The funny things is, I am just now realizing that sometimes I am the challenger in the contest, and sometimes I am the buzzard. Or maybe I am just now admitting it.

Thankfully, I have a God that is “EVERY TIME, ALL THE TIME.” He loves me, and He loves the buzzard, for he created both!

God, empty me of me so I can be filled with you. I don't want to be the buzzard, and I don't want to be "me" because neither one of those makes me "every time, all the time". I want and need YOU!

Empty Me by Chris Sligh

I've had just enough of the spotlight

When it burns bright

To see how it gets in the blood

And I've tasted my share

Of the sweet life

And the wild ride

And found a little is not quite enough

I know how i can stray

And how fast my heart could change

Empty me

Of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition

And the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me

So i can be

Filled with you

Ive seen just enough of the quick buys

Of the best lies

To know how prodigals can be drawn away

I know how I can stray

And how fast my heart could change

Empty me

Of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition

And the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me

So I can be

Filled with you

Cuz everything is a lesser thing

Compared to you

Compared to you

Cuz everything is a lesser thing

Compared to you

So I surrender all

Empty me

Of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition

And the poison of my pride

Empty me

Of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition

And the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me

So I can be

Lord empty me of me

So I can be

Filled with you.

Filled with you

Empty me

Quick trip

On Thursday, I made a VERY quick trip to Tullahoma. Diane had to work until 3am; Mark was on a business trip, soI took off right after school on Thursday afternoon and left on Friday morning in time to get to school. Even though we only had about 3 hours to play, Aaron and I had a blast. After dinner, he ran over to my bag and was trying to dig out my computer. You can't you resist a boy who's pulling so hard on something that weighs almost as much as he does while saying, "Ra, Ra....Ra Ra!" Needless to say, we "played" with the photo booth on my computer. (yet another reason I LOVE my Mac!!!) Here are some of the pictures. Can you tell we had a TON of fun????

"Holding the Key" by Jason Gray

*Warning* Disclaimer applied!

I have recently been obsessed with this song. The verses, specifically, seem to speak to me. I haven't completely captured what I think the song means, but I like it, a lot!

"Holding The Key" by Jason Gray

I came here tonight with a mission

To confess what I'm trying to hide

But here in the hour of decision

I'd rather give you the company line

There are secrets I don't want to tell you

And wounds you might not want to see

But they keep me bound to my sorrow

And I really want to be free

And you're the one holding the key

You don't have to give me an answer

An answer is the last thing I need

There's no magical cure for this cancer

I just need you to listen me

'Cause you're the one holding the key

We were made with these hearts

Meant to be open

Then we locked them away

Afraid of being broken

But we're given each other to set it free

And you're the one holding the key

This dark room is perfect for hiding

But I don't want to hide anymore

You can't force the light here inside it

But you can help me open the door

You're the one holding the key

We were made with these hearts

Meant to be open

Then we locked them away

Afraid of being broken

But we're given each other to set it free

And you're the one holding

The key to the truth

Of what's really going on

Your listening ear

Is the grace of God

Love will take the shackles off

But you're the one holding the key

We all need it sooner or later

A safe place for telling the truth

I'm happy returning the favor

'Cause I'm holding the key for you

The newest addition: Cora Mabry

Here are a few pictures of my new niece, Cora! She is absolutely amazing. I was able to come to Kentucky this weekend to see Ryan, Gloria, Elayna, and Cora before they head down to Georgia. Enjoy!

Only awake for a short time!

Cora with her Eeooch

Very sweet!

Special time with Eeooch

Learning the hard way....

Something that has been constant in my life is the ridiculous habit of having to learn lessons the hard way. This wonderful blog is just a reminder that no matter how old I get, I still haven't changed. For the record, I do KNOW that I should wear my ankle brace every time I play basketball; however, who actually does what they know they SHOULD do, right? Anyway, so I decided to play a wonderful game of 4-on-4 with some of my students after school on Thursday. Enter my lesson learned the hard way. I had a wonderful wide open lane to the basket and did a textbook lay-up. It was beautiful. What was NOT beautiful was the landing. Apparently, when I came back down, I landed only on my right foot and decided that it would be best to put all my weight on the side of my foot - with a snap. Now normally, searing pain in your ankle would tell you to stop playing. Somehow, I am the exception to that instinct. I decided the best thing for my ankle would be to "suck it up and walk it off". Again, somehow, I am the exception to the rule. Anyway, after an awful night Thursday night I decided to try and "walk it off" at school on Friday. Apparently, still haven't learned the lesson. After a 7th grade carnival, dodging water balloons, spraying colored hairspray on about 30 students' heads, and chaperoning a dance, Natalie talked me into going to the emergency room after seeing my extremely swollen and black and blue ankle. Good news: after x-rays were taken we discovered my ankle is not broken, just a REALLY bad sprain. So, here I am, sitting on my couch with a temporary cast on my ankle. The nurse said I just have to RICE - rest, ice, compression and elevate. My wonderful sister came last night to take care of me until tonight and then my mom is taking over until Monday. Sadly, Aaron stayed with his daddy which was probably better because I can't play with him anyway. :( Abby is being very supportive! Here are pictures for you enjoyment.