Random Stuff

Lots of wonderful things are in bloom at the moment. Charlotte has roses, irises, and lots more in bloom. I took a few pics yesterday. Big storms were predicted so I tried to photograph them before they were destroyed. The roses smell like heaven. I would snap a shot and deeply inhale then repeat.

I just finished working out. There is nothing like the zen of step choreography to clear your mind. I bought the new Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown DVD this week. I totally love it. It is a true challenge. Several poses I simply can not do. Unfortunately the SWAT Workout with Commander Tom I also bought is terrible. He should really be ashamed that Jillian beats his workout with Yoga.

I went for a check up the other day with Dr. Brashears. I am the poster child for good health at 40 something. He applauds my numbers like cholesterol and stuff. Mike says I will live to be 100. I say a big truck will find me first. I sincerely hope Jesus comes back way before then. My blood pressure was the lowest one they have recorded yet. I usually have a low blood pressure but 92/40 is the lowest one yet. It seems odd to me because I have not changed anything to cause that. He says that is just normal for me.

No word back from UALR yet. I did get my MAT scores back. I am pleased to report a 93%. Apparently studying really does work. I'm thrilled to know I did not waste all of that time reviewing. That should help me get a spot. I meet and exceed all of the requirements. I hope to get some word any day now.

Mike is busy doing yard work and working on his Bronco. He has been researching cars lately. He and Jamie are scoping out potential rides for his first car. Mike is also thinking about a smaller more efficient car for me if I begin to commute to UALR in the fall.

Sarah just finished her science project for school. She is practicing hard for her upcoming dance recital. It will be fabulous as always. She brought out one of her costumes in a sandwich baggie this week. I was like -what part of your body does that cover? Think a one piece swimsuit with a skirt. It covers more than I thought thank goodness. Her hair has grown so long it is beginning to drive us both crazy. She is very active it has become to hard to take care of.

Jamie is still pumped about high school next year. He hopes to spend more time with percussion in the band. The director has told him he can play a variety of instruments during marching season. Mr. Hillman stopped by his science class the other day to tell students about biology next year. Jamie thinks he is awesome and can't wait to be in his class.

Caty's Prom

I had the privilege to photograph Caty and her date Jordan before they left for the prom. Jordan is a senior at Bauxite and he invited Caty as his date. The dress was an incredible shade of turquoise. She was gooooorgeous to say the least. I am sure the other girls were pea green with envy. I hope Jordan treated her like a queen. Our kids are growing up way too fast. That's all I can say.

Easter Sunday

We celebrated Easter by going to church together as a family. Tim Lundy presented a live sermon as a special treat. We had a fabulous choir sing. They sounded so good in our new building. Attendance was very high. Lots of families came to visit for the first time. Tim preached about God's power to change lives. We had extra helpers in the children's department to help with the overflowing classes. It is so fun to see the little girls coming in the door in their sweet dresses.

After church we enjoyed lunch and a relaxing afternoon. I took some beautiful pictures. Sarah's dress was a gorgeous mix of purples and black. I sooo love purple!! Caty and Sarah are both so pretty. It's hard to take bad pictures of them.

The Hunt

Saturday was beautiful in Benton. It was perfect for an egg hunt on the courthouse lawn. Sarah and her friend Jordan took a grand tour of the downtown shops. We followed a map to win the prize of a golden egg. Too bad it wasn't a real puzzle to solve. Sarah and Jordan would have had the egg hands down. Those two girls together have some serious brain power. The egg went to a random drawing. Each shop had a cute set up for the kids. My favorite of course was Dianne's Art Studio. I may be a little biased because I work there. How cute are those bears set up to paint? The kids loved them. Sarah and Jordan choose the pet store as their favorite. They both begged for a hamster to "share" as a pet. They pleaded with puppy dog eyes. No, no, no.

The courthouse lawn was covered with hunters. I did get a shot of the girls racing at the start. My advice to them, take no prisoners. Push those big boys out of the way. We enjoyed funnel cakes and snow cones. You may notice blue teeth in some of the pictures. After that endorphin rush we went shopping around Benton. I could not resist a shot of them together at the Pink Purse.

Picture Spring

A few photos from my front yard. The bushes by the front porch are blooming. The daffodils are the few I have by the mail box. I found out a little exciting news today. A lay out I submitted to Stacy Julian's color challenge won! I am thrilled. My prize will be some new spring papers. Check it out for yourself here. The challenge included spring colors that were perfect for Easter photos. The lay out is now proudly displayed in the entry way.

Jamie registered for high school today. Wow. His classes will all be honors courses for the basics plus band and french. I have argued with him about the french and lost. Spanish is so much more practical. I have forewarned him it will be hard. He has so many more choices than Mike and I had. When he is a senior he can take things like Arkansas Legal, Law and Order, anatomy and physiology, and much much more. He still wants a career as a forensic scientist. Mike and I are encouraging lots of math and science for whatever choice he makes.

We are hoping for good weather to enjoy this Easter weekend. I think our new church building will be standing room only.

Spring Break

This week has been a stay-cation for our family. We have enjoyed a week with nothing scheduled. The kids have hung out with friends. Mike has worked in the yard and on his Bronco. I studied for the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The time has been nice and relaxing for me.

The MAT was the final step in my application process. I have applied for a spot in UALR's Gradate School of Social Work. This is a two year program that will result in a master's degree. God keeps pointing me in this direction and I am following to see where I end up. My time at ALC has helped to confirm this decision. Several of the teachers and counselors have provided me with references. Now I will wait to hear from UALR.

The MAT was a real challenge. You have 30 seconds per analogy. It tests knowledge in everything from math to music. The test is brilliant and measures analytic ability. I did well. The time limit is the killer part. I know I would have scored higher with extra time. There are 120 analogies to be completed in 60 minutes. I worked at a fast clip and still had to breeze through the last questions to complete the whole test. The test makers intentionally add misleading answers to throw you off. Those are hard to avoid in such a limited time.

The jar of dice belongs to Jamie. This is a random shot just for fun. I took this in his room which is a complete mess 24/7. I love the variety of colors and shapes.

Daffodil Heaven

Once again, my favorite flowers are abloom. Spring is here heralded by the first blossoms. Patches of lovely yellow flowers are everywhere. I took my new camera on a shooting spree. Mike replaced the broken 40D with a Canon 7D. I am completely in love with both of them (husband and camera). The 40D is in the repair shop and will hit e-bay as soon as it comes back. Mom and Dad found me a wonderful tripod to use also. These were shot all around town. Some are at the dentist's office in Bryant. Dr. Oulette has a very old office that is just a beautiful place to shoot. Charlotte's garden is beginning to bloom and smells heavenly. Our piano teacher has a backyard full of them. They are everywhere and very fleeting. What better way to preserve them than photography? Charlotte was more than generous and cut some for me to take home in a vase. She plants a variety of types. They have different colors and centers. Sarah asked me, why don't we have any in our yard? Hmmmmm. Your mom is way to lazy to plant and care for them? Yeah, that's why. It seems like we just had snow on the ground. I'll take a yard full of daffodils any day.