One-Year Anniversary

Can't believe a year has already gone by!! It seems like our wedding was just the other day! We went to church this morning and then just relaxed at home all day. I took a long nice nap :) Joel doesn't understand how I can always take a nap and don't feel like doing anything...he forgets I'm building a baby in here! ;) He worked on the gate for a while..the one Ranger ate through. I played with the dogs in the backyard while he worked on the fence. We went to dinner at Outback..it was yummy! Then we came home for the wedding cake. We both were a little nervous to eat year-old cake! Donna did a good job wrapping it for us though, because it actually tasted pretty good!! The fondant was not so great..but I don't really like that stuff anyways. The cake was good and moist and soft and the icing was too. It was definitely still as sweet as it was a year ago! Joel thought it was good too. Now we're just hanging out again, watching TV.

Life is good :)

25th Birthday!

Spring Break is finally here!! A week away from the class room is going to be so nice!! Thursday night was the spring game for WT. Joel's team demolished the other guys!! I think he did all the play calling! ;) It was fun to hang out with the wives, and sort of watch the game! Dad also sent me flowers to work for my birthday!! It was a complete surprise!! They were so pretty!! I really have the best dad a girl could ask for.

Our girls lost last night to Canyon High school..it was pretty ugly. 22-0. Because of that, we had to practice today. Not really what I wanted to do on my birthday, but we definitely needed it!! Today, Joel and I slept in. We then got breakfast burritos :-P - - one of my favorite things!! We hung out for a few hours, now that football is over! I then went up to Amarillo to get a new shirt to wear to dinner tomorrow for our 1-year Anniversary! Then I got the truck washed at the gas station...it came out cleaner, but still dirty!! So much for a $5 wash. I'll have to wash it for real this week. Then I headed to practice, where only like 7 of our 12 girls showed up. Shows the commitment we have. I was talking to Joel about it last night and was pretty upset about it. I just remember when I played, if the coach said "we have practice tomorrow" I was there - no excuses! Joel reminded me how different the kids are today and, on top of that, how different the group of kids I am working with are from where I grew up. I guess I just figure an athlete to be an athlete. It seems like the other coaches and I have put so much time into these girls and yet some of them still don't care or aren't as committed as they should be. It is very frustrating. We play a team Monday that Caprock has never lost to and the other coach is pretty worried as to whether or not our team will show up ready to play. He keeps saying this may be the year they beat us. I hope not. I'm so tired of losing. It seems like I've done everything I can do and know how to do as a coach, yet we still come out on bottom. :-\ I just keep my head up and keep encouraging and pushing the girls to get better every game.

After practice I got home and Joel started cooking dinner. I helped a little, but he did most of it! It was probably one of the best whole meals we've made in our 1 year of marriage!! The baby liked it too! :)

Our China from Nana and CG :)

We then took the dogs for a walk. They're out of shape!! As soon as we got home they crashed on the floor! They're wiped out and breathing hard!! I also got my birthday/Christmas presents from mom in the mail today! Included was our first baby gift :) A stuffed animal puppy, tree frame, and a cross with a bible verse on it. I loved it all! I had tons of facebook posts and messages and texts today too. Joel also cleaned house a little and did some laundry while I was gone today! He is such a great husband! It makes me realize how blessed and loved I am to have such wonderful friends and family.

Spring Break is Coming Soon!! :)

Wednesday....Why is it not Friday yet?? I am so ready for a break from teaching!! I can't exactly say a "full break" because we still have softball. Any break will be nice though!! I'm also excited for this weekend because I get to celebrate my birthday and, even better, our 1-year anniversary!! I can't believe it has already been a year. It feels like we just got married.
We had our first district game this week. The JV lost 24-1 on Monday. It was pretty ugly. Varsity played Tuesday and lost 19-1. I know that score sounds terrible, and it is hard to be proud of a team that loses 19-1, but our girls actually played better than they have all season. Even the umpires were complimenting the girls. We played Randal, who is ranked number 4 in the state. We also lasted 5 full innings with them so that was a pretty big accomplishment against such a good team too. We still have a long way to go, but it seems that our girls are starting to figure things out.
My shoulder is feeling better. Lots of prayer seems to be the cure :) I woke up Monday morning to it suddenly feeling 10 times better than it had this past weekend! I'm still not 100% but it is definitely a huge relief! The WT spring game is tomorrow. Hope Joel's team wins!! :) He said they're looking pretty good in practice. It will be a lot of fun...if it warms up! The last couple of nights have gotten pretty chilly. We had frost on the windows this morning. I'll be layering up and taking a blanket!! That's about all for tonight!! I am way ready for bed!! Happy Wednesday!

Glad for Sundays

This weekend was long! We had another softball tournament, but it was here in Canyon. That was nice, because we didn't have to deal with traveling, hotels, and money to feed the girls. We ended up winning 1 of 6 games this weekend, and got run-ruled the rest. :-\ I'm hoping things can begin to go up. The girls are playing better, but there just always seems to be a bad inning or 2 that just crushes us and then suddenly the game is over. The other coach and I just try to keep our heads up and see the positive things on the field. We start district this week with what is probably the 2 top teams, Randal and Canyon. Two of our girls who are injured find out tomorrow if they get to come back in time for the first district game. I've been praying hard for them to be released because I know how much these 2 can make a difference. They both play with so much passion and love for the game that I think it will push everyone else to keep fighting.
Today was an okay day. This morning wasn't so great. I think I might have gotten the shower water too hot this morning because at one point I got a little dizzy and light-headed. It did not feel good at all! I had to lay down for a little bit when I got out and then felt funny all morning through Sunday school. I was able to take a nap after church though and felt much better after that. I went to a friend's baby shower this afternoon. She is having twins. She got a ton of neat stuff! Watching her open things and listening to the other coaches' wives by me say "Oh you definitely need one of those! Make sure you get that on your registry!" made me realize how little I know about babies and the things we'll need when the baby gets here!! haha I have no clue where to begin on registering for things! I do know that I have tons of new moms around me, though, and of course our own parents, to give us advice so I'm not TOO worried! I did start doing some reading, though, to make myself feel a little better. I've been going through the sack of stuff the nurse gave us on our first visit and learned a few things. :) I already feel better. I also talked to my friend, Amanda, and she reminded me that there is a reason God gives us 9 months to learn about babies so to take it slow! I'm glad God gave Joel and me the family and friends we have to help us through all of this! We do have a lot of great people to turn to during all of this and I'm so thankful for them! 
Grandpa moved into the nursing home last week with Grandmother. I think it is a good thing and has been good for both of them. They've been in different places now for almost 2 years and they both have been so worried about each other. They get to share a room and be together all the time again now. I talked to Grandpa the night he moved in and he sounded better than I've heard him sound in a while...a lot happier. I talked to dad and he said he seems to be doing really well. Hopefully I get a chance to go visit them this summer and soon after the baby gets here! I know they're so excited to meet their first great-grandbaby!
Joel has still been busy with spring ball but that ends this week! :) They draft tomorrow night for their teams for the spring game, which is Thursday. Hopefully Joel brings home the win!! He said they've been practicing pretty good lately so I'm excited to see the game and how they look. He's been so good taking care of me and helping me lately. He cooks dinner and does the laundry and vacuums...he just helps so much! I'm so blessed to have such a great husband! I let him watch all the hunting shows he wants for that!! ;) haha It makes me have dreams about shooting bears and going on big hunts, but that's ok. We've been planning out our summer a little and so far it looks like this - - San Diego with dad early June, a visit from the Hinton in-laws and grandparents after that, Roaring River at the end of June, Colorado to see Jarrod and Michelle over 4th of July week, a trip to Waco and one of my best-friend's weddings mid-July, and hopefully at trip to Houston to see Grandmother and Grandpa. Dad is planning some trips up here and hopefully I'll be able to visit him in Austin that week I'm in Waco for the wedding. :) I hate being so far from family because we have to plan times together...hopefully one day we'll be back closer to all our family - - that means Jarrod and Michelle will have to move to Texas too! :)
Well..that's all for tonight! Have a great week!!

Hump Day :)

Wednesday is my Friday this week!! :) I'm out the next 2 days for softball again. Our girls are playing here at WT for a Panhandle tournament. I've seen some improvement in practice this week so I'm hoping it shows in the games this weekend! The girls could really use a win...and so could us coaches!
I'm feeling pretty good and definitely in better moods!! I'm still pretty tired by the end of the day though! I just keep counting down to Spring Break...1 more week! Joel got to play gold today. He was pretty excited about it. The weather really was perfect today! He didn't play his best game, but he's glad that time of year is here! He said he had a really nice, easy day. He didn't have much to do at all today, but now he is having to put in grades for his class and get things ready for class tomorrow. I always tell him he should do it during the day when he has free time so he can relax at night :) He'd rather play golf though! ;) I got to see Nina and baby Jaxon (my co-teacher) yesterday. That little boy is so cute!! Nina is doing well too. Today I got to go see Amanda (softball coach) and her baby Abigail who was born Saturday! She was precious too!! I couldn't hold her yet because the doctor wants people to wait, but she was awake the whole time I was there! I can't wait to find out if we're having a boy or girl and then to get to meet them! Those 2 babies were just so precious! I know there will be a lot of work and a lot of things no one can be prepared for but I can't wait! :) Joel is pretty excited too...and nervous I'm sure at the same time!! I guess no one really knows what to expect and never be fully prepared for a baby!


That's all for today! We're both so ready for bed!! Good night world!

Brown-Sky Sunday

This picture is one that Melissa took out at her house. I got it off facebook because I didn't take a picture today. This is what the sky looked like all day! There were fires all over the panhandle and people had to evacuate in some areas. Joel and I were not affected, but we did lose power for a little bit. I called today a "Brown-sky Sunday" because the sky was brown! :) I think we should've gotten brownie sundaes to celebrate the occassion! haha :)

Well...this weekend was LONG! We left for El Paso early Wednesday morning and got back around 1AM this morning. We played 8 games; got run-ruled 6 out of the 8 games. We did win one..finally!! And the last game we lost 9-5 but played a great game! The girls are getting better every game and continue to learn. There were 28 teams in the tournament. We ended up in Division 4..which was the bottom division. We got 2nd place in that division since we won our game in bracket play...so the girls got a plaque and silver medals! haha :) I thought it was kind of funny, and the girls did too. They weren't really all that excited about the medals and stuff because we really eneded up like 26 out of 28 teams! It was more of a "Thanks for driving this far" reward than anything else.
My good friend Lauren got married yesterday! I'm so happy for her!! I wasn't able to go because I was in El Paso, but Joel went. I can't wait to see pictures. Jarrod and Michelle also came down for the wedding. I was pretty sad I didn't get to go and didn't get to hang out with Jarrod and Michelle. :( I only got to see them this morning for about 10 minutes while they loaded everything up and then left for Colorado. Hopefully we get a chance to go up and visit or they get a chance to come back sooner than later! Today was a nice, lazy day. We met the Freemans (Mike and Melissa and Lauren) for lunch. Lauren, their baby, is precious!! She has gotten so big since the last time I saw her! She definitely kept us entertained throughout lunch! Joel held her some. He was so cute holding her and talking to her! :) I can't wait to see him with our baby. He's going to be such a great dad. They gave us lots of advice, which I love!! We'll take advice from anyone!! We're new at this so we'll take all the help we can get! I then slept all afternoon, seriously! I slept for probably 2-3 hours at least! It was great!
The head softball coach I work with had her little girl, Abigail, last night at 8PM. She weighed in at 8 pounds 13 ounces and was 22 inches long!! BIG baby!! I can't wait to meet her! Tomorrow we travel to Dalhart for softball. We played them a few weeks ago in a scrimmage and they were pretty good, so I'm nervous to see how we'll play. We need the practice though! Hope everyone had a good weekend!! If you're like me, you're counting down to Spring Break!! Ours is in 2 weeks and I cannot wait!! Anytime any of yall want to come up and visit just let us know! We miss all our friends and family who live so far away and love when we get to see yall!! Have a great week!

Day of Rest!

Today was a true day of rest!! Joel was bored...but I sure got my rest! :) The past few days have been a little crazy and overwhelming at times. I took our varsity team to Ennis for softball tournament and we just did not do so great. We lost all 6 games and were outscored 72-6. On top of that we had different team issues and things that will need to be worked out. They did get better every game, though. We definitely have our work cut out for us!
Joel still has not found his keys! He is supposed to go into Amarillo tomorrow and get a new key so hopefully that is pretty easy. I think he had a nice past few days. He went to a couple WT softball games and a basketball game. The WT teams are pretty successful and ranked so he said they were good games. Today, after Sunday school, I took a nap for a couple hours. I think he slept too, but then he got bored. I soaked up all of the relaxation!! :) Tonight we were finally able to go to one our Sunday school class get-togethers. We have it once a month but Joel and I have never been able to go for some reason or another. It was a lot of fun hanging out and getting to know everyone more. We did a lesson on the parts of the body and how every part has a purpose. We talked about our purpose that God has given us. It was good to soak it all in and to learn a little more about myself. I realized that I'm where I'm supposed to be in coaching and teaching and just being able to be there for my girls and to help those kids learn and grow every day.
My girls play tomorrow and then Wednesday morning we leave for El Paso. If we don't see some improvement, this weekend may be even more stressful than last. I just keep praying for our girls to continue to grow and improve and for patience in me. I read them a quote about resilience this weekend that really hit home for our team:
"You can get sympathy or you can get better, but you can't get both. You can be in your comfort zone or you can have growth, but you can't have both. You can be interested or you can be sold-out-committed, but you can't entertain both. You can have excuses or have results, but you can't do both. [You choose your path.]" - Mario Cortes
I really liked the quote because it seems like we have just been making a lot of excuses for the way we are performing. We have a young team. We have a lot of people out on injuries. We haven't been able to get a lot of practice outside because of snow...etc. The list goes on and on. At some point, though, we have to play ball and use the talent we have to the best of our abilities. I think our girls are starting to grasp that point. It really showed in our last game on Saturday because they hung in there for awhile. I just hope they keep choosing the right path.
As far as the pregnancy...things are good. I'm just really tired! I ate a lot of pickles this weekend :) The girls make fun of me for it, but I've always loved pickles anyways! Joel said the guys look pretty good in practices, but out of shape. I'm excited to see the spring game when it gets here. He's been working so hard. I'm proud of him. :)
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!