Happy Halloween!

I have taken a leave of absence from posting, but not from staying busy... This week especially has been very busy. We have had Fall and Halloween Festivities at school and church. Thursday night my Sunday School class and I dressed up to work the Harvest Hoedown at church. Friday we had crazy sock and crazy hat day at school in lieu of dressing up. Here are a few fun photos that captured the moments!

Hermione Granger - Harry Potter

Crazy Socks and Hats - Go Gators! Even in Texas!!

Habitat for Humanity

Today our Sunday School class volunteered about 4 hours and worked on a Habitat for Humanity house here in Waco. As you can see from the picture the weather was great and we all had a really good time. I hope we can do this again soon.

HALLOWEEN

The teacher in me has emerged. I thought I would change things up now that it is October!

I have been very active here in Texas. I am at school all day from 7:00 to usually 4:30 or 5:00. I keep myself busy almost everyday of the week as well.

Mondays: nothing!
Tuesdays: Hitting Lessons from 6-9:00
Wednesdays: Hitting Lessons from 6-8:30
Thursdays: Small Group at 7:00
Fridays: Rock Climbing and sometimes a run with a friend
Saturdays: Chores, sports (golfing usually), and football games
Sundays: Sunday School, Church, Lunch, and Grading Papers

Of course there are a million other things I try to cram in to those spare moments as well. I actually like staying busy, but it can often make life pretty stressful.

On a side note...I've been doing some really neat stuff with my Sunday School class. What a neat bunch of people! I will post some more pictures soon. We are actually building a Habitat for Humanity House tomorrow and I'm hoping to bring my camera!

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods...

Check under your bed for monsters before you go to bed tonight! After all, it is October!

Saturday

The weather in Texas right now is GORGEOUS! It has been refreshingly cool in the morning and heats up in the afternoon, but not even to a point that would have me complaining.

Well, today I was able to enjoy this weather to its fullest. I started off the morning helping a friend, but it was a blessing for me as I was able to spend some quality time with a great friend and my "niece". After driving around town, we were killing some time at McDonald's. It was the first time in years that I was crawling through the tunnels in the playscape.

After dropping them off, I went to the Baylor softball game. It was good to see the Bears play a fall scrimmage, but it was an even better time mingling amongst so many friends there as well. I saw some wonderful people like Janice and the kids, the Gettermans, and an old teammate who is due with a daughter any day now. I was even reluctant enough to run into some of my ex-students.

I then grabbed some lunch at a newly remodeled McAlister's Deli in town and then went to the YMCA to watch some Pop Warner football. One of my students asked me to come to the game... it turns out I new almost all of the team and half of the cheerleaders. Their parents were so happy to see me there, and I really enjoy seeing my kids doing things they love.

I continued my mingling, by heading to the Waco Cultural Arts Festival that is in town this weekend. Our school put together a Children's Choir that sang in the Festival. (They did a fabulous job!) More students, ex-students, and parents. Whew! Besides all of that, I was able to spend a gorgeous afternoon with The Whitlark's.

To top it all off, I was able to drive with my sunroof open to a friend's house (again the Whitlark's, WOW!, that's three times today.) :) to watch the LSU vs. Auburn game. Believe it or not, I hate LSU and actually rooted for Auburn tonight, but I didn't bring too much luck as they lost by 5.

As busy of a day as it was, this was perhaps one of the BEST Saturday's I've experienced in a while. I wouldn't have traded it for anything! I hope your Saturday was as lovely as mine and I hope that you are enjoying such beautiful weather wherever you are!

New Car

Most of you already know that I got a new car when I came back to Waco at the end of July. It still feels wonderful to know that this is my car! I've already got my license plates for it, and they are Texas plates. I've even got a Texas driver's license. It's crazy! Anyways, I love this car!! Here are some pictures so you can see it for yourself...or you can come visit me in Texas and I'll give you a ride! :)

From this:

To this:

It's really what is inside that is so impressive. This is a 2005 Honda Accord, and the previous owner took remarkable care of this car. Not to mention it has leather seats, seat warmers, sunroof, dual air controls, XM radio, V6 engine, and so much more! The best thing about this car is how safe it feels to be on the road and not have to worry if I am going to break down, and to be able to drive anywhere I need to safely. God is so good and I am so blessed!

Mr. President

First of all, how sharp do these Ralph Lauren outfits look?!? Now, how incredibly cool is this!?!?!! Brandon was able to meet President Bush and Former President Bush at the Opening Ceremonies. You can see part of his face in the back row on the right...

At Opening Ceremonies, President Bush asked what time the team practiced the next day. Sure enough, he showed up at practice! His motorcade of at least 30 cars can rushing in at least 60 mph.

Laura Berg, the prankster of the USA softball team, lived up to her name, even with the Leader of the Free World. As he came in, she greeted him with a hug that left a lasting impression! Her left hand was dipped in chalk, that left a hand print on the back of the president.

Besides the jokes, President Bush was also able to greet and address the team, watch batting practice, and even take a few swings himself even wearing a USA batting helmet!

So far, Brandon is having a great time. He said the village is really nice, equipped with decent food. That is a big change from the last time he was able to visit China! He also mentioned that the team is able to use the weight facilities and batting cages at Beijing Normal University. He was also pleased to tell me of the 4 star restaurant that is at the University they are able to eat at, which gives them a change from the village.

I haven't heard from him again yet, and still no more pictures, but as soon as I hear anything I will post more. The team does have their first game on Tuesday vs. Venezuela. He said, "We are ready to go!!"

Go Team USA!!!

Olympic Experience

As most of you know, Brandon is currently in Beijing. I always get excited about watching the Olympics, but to know that he is over there, makes it all the more interesting. I hope you were all able to watch the Opening Ceremonies Friday night. What an amazing show!! Unforgettable. It was all culminated with a "Brandon spotting", as it has become known here in Waco. I spotted him in the parade of nations right behind Jennie Finch. He commented in an email he sent me as, "A great time" and "By far one of the best experiences of his life!" Here are some of the pictures that he has sent me. I will post more as he sends more...

View of the "Bird's Nest" and Opening Ceremonies from the infield as an American delegate.

The Stanford guys. John Rittman, Jessica Mendoza, Lauren Lappin, and Brandon.

Brandon also mentioned that the weather was so HOT that night, even as they stayed until 1:00 in the morning. The Ralph Lauren ensembles, while stylish, must have been very HOT! Before the walk into the stadium he was able to meet President Bush and former President Bush. I have a picture (that I found on nbcolympics.com under the Bush in Beijing photo collection) of the softball team(and Brandon) and President Bush, but I am unable to save it. You'll have to check it out for yourself. http://www.nbcolympics.com/photos/galleryid=186714.html

More news later...