Congratulations New Texas Tech Graduate!

A beautiful spirit
Born to fly
The apple of her
Daddy's eye

Her daddy wanting
To protect her
From any peril
Or impending disaster

Her mom pushing for
Greater things
Wanting only the best
That life can bring

She could not wait
For Kindergarten
Fun and games
And other children

She made it though
The paste and glue
Flower projects, Research
Papers, and Algebra II

She started college
With a sigh
Hoping the years
Would not drag by

Now comes the road
That is unknown
Free to choose
Out on our own

So spread your wings
And enjoy your years
Challenge yourself
Overcome your fears

Be yourself
And always remember
You are special
And like no other

We love you,
MOM & DAD

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have decided that my holiday tradition is to be nontraditional. We never seem to do the same old thing the same old way.

This year, Robert, Corey, and I had a small Thanksgiving on Wednesday. The menu consisted of herb roasted turkey breast, fresh Bambi (Robert went hunting this past weekend), roasted vegetables, beer bread, pumpkin cheesecake, and Caribbean fudge pie. Corey and I then went on a walk around the big city of Wink. We ended the day with a tour of the Wink Sink Hole. (sorry Jacob that you had to miss this).

I am leaving tomorrow morning to travel to my mom's with my little bro, Daniel. Jacob, Laura, Heath, Christina, and Becky will all meet up on Saturday for the more traditional Thanksgiving. I am excited to get to see my sister because it seems like an eon since the last time we got together.

Here are some pics from today:

Before and After

Robert had surgery today to remove some basal cell cancer from his nose. We were concerned about the extent of the cancer, so I thought I would show his before and after pictures. I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who was praying for him today. Please continue to pray that he will heal completely without any complications.


Before:After:

On a more serious note, Robert's surgery took most of the day. We left for Lubbock at 6:30 this morning. They began the Moh's procedure of removing a section at a time, then waiting about 45 minutes in between to biopsy the tissue. They took a section about the circumference of a thumbnail before leaving only good tissue. It then took another hour to make a skin graph from one part of his nose to fill the gap they created on the bridge. They then put a bandage they jokingly called a civil war bandage over his nose. His scar is about an inch long in the shape of the big dipper. His right eye is already swollen and black. He scared some poor kid on the elevator when we left the building without even trying! :)

He will go back next Monday to have the stitches removed. He is not suppose to bend or lift anything for the next 48 hours. The fact that he cracked two ribs on Tuesday might actually aid in the healing process since he is already having a hard time moving around. Thankfully, he does not have to be back at work until next Wednesday or Thursday. He is planning on going hunting this weekend with Jacob. If he behaves himself, he should be just fine by Saturday.

WELCOME

Congratulation Carra on the arrival of your beautiful baby girl.

Bleven Riley Haynes
Born Thursday, October 15, 2009

Bleven giving the peace sign. She has the longest fingers and toes ever ---just like her momma.

On another note, I wanted to post a video of Sassy playing with Rocket for Heath and Christina. I know they miss her very much, but she is enjoying her visit. Just a few more weeks and they will be out of the military. YEAH!!!!

Family Gatherings

Robert and I have spent the last two weekends with the extended Haynes family. We took Wanda out for her birthday on September 11, and then Carra had her baby shower Saturday September 12.

Then Braydon celebrated his 3rd birthday this weekend. I love this video! He wanted to lick the cake. I don't know if you can hear him or not but he said ," I don't have anything in my mouth." because he was afraid that he would get in trouble. So, yeah, that was Aunt Karen giving him permission to do what he wanted to with HIS birthday cake!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

I had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Jacob and Laura drove in Friday night and got up way too early on Saturday to go to work with Robert. You can see the full moon in the photo. I slept in!!!! Robert, Jacob, and Laura got in some target practice for an upcoming Muzzleloading hunt.

Corey drove in from Lubbock Saturday afternoon. We cooked the Redfish that Robert and I caught on the coast back in May. (YUM) Then we had steak and potatoes the next night. We always have plenty of good food when the kids come home. Corey made tres leche cake and some awesome chocolate cookies over the weekend. I probably will not eat for the next two weeks!!!!


We (minus Robert) packed a lunch and went on a day trip to Fort Davis. The weather was perfect (75-80). We went to a picnic spot that Wanda and CA took the kids to all the time when they were little and climbed granite boulders.


I am not as graceful as I once was, lol

Jacob was so happy to climb to the top because he was never allowed to when he went with his Gran and Grandad.




We just hung out at the Wink Park that evening with the dogs. Overall, we just relaxed.
I can not even begin to explain the feeling of having my kids visit. It feels me with an unmatched satisfaction that nothing else can match. They all make me very proud.

I did miss seeing Heath and Christina, but God willing, they will be moving back to Texas in a few short months. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin a new chapter in their lives as Heath leaves the military world and enters the civilian world.

New School Year

Today is the first day of class for the 2009-2010 school year. I thought I would start the year off on a positive note by listing the reasons I love being a teacher.

• Being around children keeps me young at heart
• It helps develop a great sense of humor
• My students always teach me more than I teach them
  
• HUGS
• I love a challenge --- and the thrill of victory
• My students do not complain when I sing off key, or act crazy, or wear mismatched shoes...
  
• If you have a bad year, you can look forward to a "do over" the next year
  

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I love this pen! it laughs when you hit it on the head.




My collection of stress balls for my students and me.