Cyst

I went to the dr this morning to get a small lump on my hand checked out. It is a ganglion cyst which is a swollen, closed sac under the skin. The sac is attached to a tendon or a joint. The cyst contains fluid. It was sore but when I found out you can get a shot or have it removed by the dr, it feels fine now. The swelling actually went down over the weekend - thank goodness.

TAKS tests

Jamie told me she got commended on both her TAKS tests. They have been watching a lot of movies this week. Countdown to summer vacation!

6th grade awards ceremony

It was hard to get a good picture while juggling the video camera and camera as well as the stroller. But Jamie received 3 awards - Honor Roll, IB MYP and IB Leadership Award - for her writing club attempt. I'm proud of her.

Snake

We found a snake on our front porch yesterday. James came home from work and caught it and removed it from our neighborhood. I feel like the devil is at my door.

Eye Infection and Break

Anne has an eye infection this week and has been crying most mornings. Back to complete exhaustion. I have been reading a book a friend sent me and one idea stood out last night:
We feel we need a break from our circumstances but we shouldn't take a break from doing the right thing.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

I just spent an hour praying in our church's prayer room. I didn't even know we had one before now. I've walked by it many times. Time went by fast - so much to pray for and about. I need more quiet hours like that one. One of my favorite parts was reading all the thank yous to God from the other prayer partners in their own handwriting. Very moving. I realize one of my purposes in life is to be a prayer warrior instead of worrier. I need daily reminders of that.

Band Festival and Austin Park and Pizza

Jamie's band field trip was today. They played at one of the high schools. She said they played for all of about 15 minutes but they won 1st place and got 3 trophies. This was the first time the 6th graders went on the field trip. They spent the afternoon eating pizza and playing games at Austin Park and Pizza. Jamie got to hang out with her friend Callie and a few others.

Jamie's 12th birthday photos

Jamie's 12th birthday It's hard to believe a week has gone by already since the party and sleepover. Thanks to all who came and celebrated with us.

Band Performance

We had a horrible hail/lightning and thunderstorm yesterday. Jamie and I both had high anxiety over it. I was stuck under the bridge on the highway and she was stuck in a portable for 3 hours. Then she had to go back to school for her band performance. Again she did not want to go, she wanted to go to a special event at church and again I had to make her go because it was for a grade. Her dad went and videotaped it but he wasn't close enough to help her if she needed help.

Spring Dance Performance

Jamie did not want to go to the spring dance performance tonight. She really wanted to go to church. It was hard to make her go because it was required. Our friends Ms. Angela and Aidan came to support her and videotape it.

Happy Mother's day

Happy Mother's day to all our friends and family. Love you and miss you Mom!
Jamie and I made cards and tissue paper flowers in our Sunday School class today. Tissue paper flowers always bring back memories. We even sprayed them with perfume for the girls.
I also love the special picture from Anne's teachers. I stopped by Lifeway and picked up Karen Kingsbury's book Unlocked and they showed me the Beth Moore devotional cd - for $2 at the register. Yeah! I need some inspiration. We shopped until we dropped again yesterday. I was supposed to help with serving Pastor's birthday dinner but the girls fell asleep so I sent James to help out. Sorry I missed it though - had to go to bed early.

Puppets

Jamie had to make puppets for school by Friday, May 6th. She had started making felt heads with Grandma a few weeks ago. The days fly by and everybody is busy. So Tuesday night I dropped her off and they were able to get the face made and a body created. Jamie was so happy - she was dancing in the street. They also worked on a pinata for her birthday party. I brought Grandma a mini rosebush. I have a ton of pictures to sort through still.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Today Jamie turns 12! We were cleaning and decorating yesterday. We are having friends and family over tonight to celebrate. Jamie made a big cookie and had some of it for breakfast with a candle in it. We have a chocolate cake from Sam's and I'm making vanilla cupcakes now.

Praise Wave Concert

On Sunday I went to the Praise Wave Concert at Seaworld. Since James had to work, Marilyn agreed to go with me even though she had to rearrange her schedule to do it. We rode Journey to Atlantis and I got soaking wet but it was really hot in the afternoon. We got to hear Matthew West - he read over 10,000 stories in 2 months and picked one to write a song about. He writes a love song every Valentines Day also. He has made CDs called the Story of our lives. We all have broken chapters in our lives. One of the songs he sang used Phil 4:13 my mom's favorite verse - I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Let the healing begin. It was awesome!

Quick Garden photos

Botanical Garden pictures Since we were right across the street from the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, we took a few photos in the butterfly garden with our friend Marilyn. We were there for 20 minutes sweating -it was so humid. We saw a bride and groom getting into a limo and a group of prom girls in beautiful gowns taking pictures also. Then we went to the Domain and ate at the California Pizza Kitchen. Jamie ordered the white pizza. We took pictures across the street on the dragonfly and peacock benches.

Buzz Productions

Saturday we went to the Daughtery Arts Center on Barton Springs Road to see Marilyn's granddaughter perform in Shakespeare comes to Calamity Creek. Our children's director's daughter Gayla had a leading role. Her birthday is today. We were there all afternoon and Anne sang and danced along. Katie is the director and hopes to help the church kids put on a play this summer. www.buzzproductions.weebly.com for information and donations.