Sometimes Life Throws You a Curve Ball...

Well Hello There!!! If Kathy McCloy can blog while in labor and the day she gets home from the hospital, Crystal McGraw can do it!

Wish I could tell you that I have had a very relaxing summer, worry free and not a care in the world. Well,not so much!!!

As per directions from Mark Nasteff (AKA the BEST lawyer in the world) We can't really discuss the particulars but I have learned soooooo much from this! Sometimes I think God gives you a little shock, maybe you take things for granted, maybe you don't take enough time to enjoy life's little learned lessons.

I had one of the best weeks ever this past week! I felt wonderful after Tuesday and Wednesday evening no matter what the turn out may be! I had a wonderful support system at the PUBLIC trial that so many know it all's forgot to attend (According to the Marshall News Blog several people that just KNOW we are guilty were going to be there!). My family was right there in the front two rows and my TRUE friends that were not testifying were in the crowd both nights and took 10 hours away from their own families to support me.

I took Thursday evening to go out with Kendi and Cherri and Dawn and Michelle joined for a little bit. We had great conversation and a great time.

Friday we went to dinner with Randy, Kathy, Grandma Joy and the kids and
then Wal-Mart and ice cream

Saturday I hung out with the kids all day and that evening had a little happy hour and then Chad and I went to dinner with Robbie, Miranda, Jason and Tracey, we went to Hag's house after to hang out with guys Chad played golf with that day. Just a really nice weekend!

Sunday evening Chad and I ventured out to play couples golf! We had a great time!

I have really taken time to think about things and I am a lucky girl! I love my husband and actually have found a whole new side of him throughout this whole deal, his wonderful sense of humor has helped me through all of this. My friends, they are the best.

My family, I am still getting the "temperature check" calls to see how I am. Truly, I could not be better. I feel wonderful and truly blessed!

So the curve ball I have been thrown has taught me so many things. I have learned how much my true friends love me, I have learned that worrying about things that you "think" might happen is really over rated, I have learned to slow down and take it all in, and most of all I have been reminded how wonderful my family and my life is, because by the way, I knew but life goes day by day and sometimes it is an oversight!

I always try to be positive my task this week is to pray for my enemies. My dear friend William Harlow has had many conversations with me regarding this deal with school and life in general. I am going to work on it praying for my enemies, because actually they are the ones that need the prayers. How miserable they must be!

Until next time, I will love my kids, laugh with my husband, enjoy my friends and thank God for all he has given me! I am a lucky girl!

Surprise!

Wonder how many people even still check my blog! Probably no one! I am sure everyone has given up on me blogging.
I have had LOTS going on since the last blog! Some of you know, actually you all know if you read the Marshall Democrat blogs. Crazy! That is part of the reason I have not blogged, people already think they know everything about me.
Anyway!!!!! Cancun was a blast. I am teaching summer school and I am anxious for it to be over!
I am ready to go swimming, sleep in and hang with the kids.
I have done a lot of thinking in the last month.
I have learned so much!
1. Your family is there for you no matter what!!!!
2.You really find out who your TRUE friends are.
3. God has a plan!
4. People never mind their own business!!!


Until next time, have a great day!!!!

Long Lost Blogger!

I am back! Nothing fun, nothing new, but I am back!!! Work is still stressful, My kids are still awesome, My family is great and my friends are the best, especially right now with the stressful work environment.
Enough about that! Connor is getting burned out on gymnastics. He loves it when he gets there but on the nice days, he would rather go home and play outside. Can't blame him! Nice days are few and far between!
Carlee is 99.9% potty trained! She took it and ran with it! She has even been dry in the mornings. GO CARLEE!!! Who would have thought! When she makes her mind up she does it! That is my little independent Ms.!
Connor had a sleep over with Best Buddy last Saturday night, they were the best kids ever!!!! He and Logan were Kings of the basement, they played and played and got along great!!! We went to the PTO carnival as well as the trash carnival by Patricia's. The kids had the best time and were fast asleep by 8:30!

13.5 days of school left in case anyone wanted to know! ( BTW, I am not counting, someone told me!)

I am old!!!

Friday I had a little "girls" night that was supposed to start with dinner and a few beverages! I usually feel really bad about leaving the kids but I knew that Chad would be fine and he was going to be gone on a little golf trip so I needed a little "me"time. He loved having the kids all to himself!
Well, needless to say dinner led to going out on the town! WOW! I paid for it Saturday! I was so stinkin tired. I had so much fun, I went to Buds FINALLY after living here for 8 years! But, lesson learned! I am old!!!!

I can not believe that May is almost here!!!! I am ready for Summer!

Change for China! Sight For Savannah

As Some of you know, my awesome class has been working on a project since before Christmas. My cousin Savannah is blind, she is going to China for an eye surgery that could ultimately change her life!!!! She may get her sight! The students in my class decided to raise money for her. Health insurance covers none of the expenses and travel alone to China is pricey!

My class has had more energy about this project then I ever dreamed!!!! We raised $400.00 in change. Savannah is coming to Eastwood tomorrow! The kids are going to talk with her and Savannah is going to share with them about being blind. It really is a true lesson for these students since Savannah is the same age as them!!! The kids are busting at the seams with excitement! They can not wait to give her the money. We walked to the bank and changed the money in for bills. We are pumped!!!!

I always get a little weepy about my classes each year around this time, I get attached and don't want to let them go! They are my family away from family! I always love the kids in my class. This year is going to be extra hard because of the kinds of lessons that have gone on in my classroom this year! To think of school you always think a teacher stands and teaches her kids lessons she hopes they retain for a test. Well, I am learning lessons from these students that I will remember for a lifetime! I am learning from these students each and everyday things that a text book can not begin to cover. I know I have some parents of students who read my blog. Thank you for having such wonderful students! They have definitely made a mark on my life!!!

The students are gathering questions they would like to ask Savannah. We are hoping for a little insight on what she likes to do and how she manages to do the things she does, like barrel race, play the piano, go to school and just be a kid! Savannah is just as excited as the kids. Good Morning America has contacted Savannah in hopes of following her to China. Stay tuned and you to may be able to follow in her journey!

STRESS

Not to much to say. Not really in the blogging mood. I am usually a very optimistic person who tries to see the best in everything..... I have had a really stressful week with work and I have let it overtake all of the other aspects of my life. I know that it will all work out and everything will be fine. I will be back to post more in the next few days. Looking at the weather forecast for next week, things are getting better!!

To Do Lists!

I like the feeling of getting things done. I love a to do list, my favorite part is marking the things off! Some how this week I can not seem to get it all done~
1. Call Erica to get Connor a hair cut
2. Mark things for a garage sale that I MUST have. Any body want to help tag things you know, have a few drinks, while tagging some things (Kendi, this has your name all over it! You are the garage sale queen.) No exchanges at this garage sale!
3. Find someone who wants to buy a baby bed and dresser
4. Call the lady at Aquila and rip her head the rest of the way off since Julie ripped it half way off and hung up on her before she could finish the job. How hard is it to change a name for Derek Julien to Chad McGraw, apparently hard, especially when you do not have a head left!
DRUM ROLL PLEASE........
5. Loose 15 pounds before I go to Mexico with skinny biscuit Michelle Porter!
THAT IS THE ONE THAT I CAN NOT SEEM TO MARK OFF!!!!!!!
I have been working out a couple of times a day! Watching what I eat most of the time! It is time to get serious!!!!

As some of you know Connor talks to our friend Derek at random times! He tells him things that most 5 year olds would not think of! I think I know why!!!! Connor's bedroom is in Derek's old dialysis room. Connor is a thinker! I am sure that Derek spent many hours in that room thinking. I think there is some bond there! Sometimes the things he says are a little amazing and kind of Erie! I am just fine with that! If Connor has an angel on his shoulder I am glad it is Derek! I would be honored for him to get his advice from Derek (some of it!) Derek was not much on babies but he did have a soft spot for Connor! I wish he would have gotten to be around Carlee a little more because I am sure she would have pulled on his heart as well. It has almost been a year since Derek has been gone, it is hard to believe, however he is still very much alive in our home! I hope Connor continues to have that ability to keep Derek going! I know there are several families like mine that have a huge hole in their lives and miss him very much!!!