Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! We are now home and relaxing. It was a fun, eventful trip to Tyler and Ruston!! My nephews got a Wii, and Jason and I LOVED it!! :)

Jason and I got rid of our home phone line, so no more DSL. We have the wireless card from AT&T, and it's SLOW!! Jason's boss is paying for it, so we can't complain, but it makes checking email and looking at blogs a challenge!

I hope everyone has a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Elf Yourself!!

Make sure your sound is turned up and enjoy!!! :)

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1143663894

Watch Out!!

Thanksgiving was over, all was put away...so I thought...why don't I go ahead and get my Christmas stuff out?! So I went up in the attic and started getting all my Christmas stuff together. I was moving all the boxes towards the stairs to move them down. My left foot was on the right board, and I was trying to move my right foot to that same spot. I guess I slipped or missed the board since I was holding a big box. Next thing I know, my leg is down in the garage. So now we have a hole in our garage, and I have a HUGE bruise and 2 holes in my leg. So between the gash in my finger, the bruise and holes in my leg, I am looking quite lovely! :) So be careful getting things down from the attic. Jason put boards up in most of the attic...guess we need to add a board for that one spot my foot found!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Thanksgiving! Word to the wise...be careful using the electric knife when cutting the turkey! I sliced my finger open while cutting mine tonight. I should have gone to the ER to get it sewn up, but I didn't have time! So now I am sitting here with a big gash in my finger. It looks oh so lovely!! Hopefully the skin will somehow get together!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

George Bush Library

The 4th graders went to George Bush Library last week. They just reopened it since they redid a lot of things. It was nice. We had a great time!!! Below is our class picture out front. This is the BEST class ever!!!

My Second Home

Welcome to Reed Arena...home of the Texas Aggies basketball games!! It's also where I feel like I live these days. For the past several days this is my schedule: Leave my house at 7A.M. Teach all day, work until 5P.M., meet Jason for dinner, then a game at 8P.M. I finally make it home after 1oP.M. and start my duties as a wife...clean, wash clothes, etc. After today, I had to stop! So I sent Jason to the game solo. I stayed home and set my table for Thanksgiving. I feel like I got a lot done! Y'all would probably laugh and be like...that is ALL you did??! But for someone who has done very little at home this week, I feel like I have done a lot! Thank goodness for my WONDERFUL husband that understands and washes the clothes, starts the dishwasher, etc.

Back to my show...Without A Trace. I have SO many Dr. Phils and Oprahs to watch...one day!!!! :) And you ask when we will have kids?! Who has time for that?! :)

Six years ago today...November 9th

I was teaching in Spearsville, LA. I had to work that night at a basketball game, so I was walking from my classroom to the gym with some other teachers. Ring, ring. My cell phone. It was dad...my heart stopped. "Hello?" "Carrie, this is dad. You better come home." "Dad, is she dead, yet?" "Sweetheart, it won't be long. Hurry home." "Dad, let me hear her breathe." A slow, unsteady breath was heard on the other end. "Carrie, you better come quickly." "Daddy, tell mom I love her." Click.

I stood in shock. My teacher friend, Mrs. Stone, saw me and knew what was going on. I fell to the ground. She told the others to stay with me while she went to get her van. Before I knew it, I was in her van, flashers on, making the 45 minute trip to Ruston.

God is so good. Mrs. Stone's husband, at the time, worked for the Sheriff 's Department. She called him and asked him to radio in she was heading to Ruston...going way too fast!!! Truckers, cars, everyone moved over and let us by. We made it to Ruston under 30 minutes. We pulled into the driveway, and I got out. I walked inside and my dad and sister were sitting on the couch with my mom between them. My mom was propped up, and my dad was holding her mouth closed so I could see her one last time looking "normal." At that moment, they pronounced her dead. I went to sit beside her. My worst nightmare had just come true.

Earlier that day, I prayed for God to take my mom home. She thought the flowers were talking to her, she wasn't eating, her life as we knew it was over. But as I sat next to her lifeless body, I wondered why I had prayed that.

Six years later, God is still teaching me why. Some days are easier than others. Some days I honestly go all day without even thinking about it. Other days, I think about it 24/7.

But no matter what, I am thankful for the days I had my mom on earth. Even though there are some days I want her back on earth, I am quickly reminded this earth is not home. My mom is sitting at the feet of Jesus, singing her heart out! I can only pray I bring someone closer to accepting Christ so they can one day sit at the feet of Jesus as well.

And until that day that I am called home, I will wait patiently and be still...and know He is God!

Living Museum

We have been working on a project called Living Museum for about a month. Friday was presentation day. I am SOOOO proud of my kids! It started with them picking a famous person to do research on. They researched, wrote a report about that person, then made a poster. Then it was time to write and memorize a 2 minute speech. Finally, time to "come to life!" Friday, for an hour, each student became their person and did their speech each time someone pushed their red button. Needless to say, they were WIPED OUT afterwards, but they did an OUTSTANDING job!!!!!!! Even my resource kids it, and I wanted to cry on Friday because I was SO proud!! I wasn't sure what to expect since this is my first year at Pebble Creek. But I was blown away by my kids. I feel like a proud momma!! Enjoy the pics...even though they don't show all the hard work my kids did!!!

Not much else is going on in the Owen household! Basketball season is here, so life will get even busier during the week!! I love it though! Hope everyone is doing well!!

Other boys

Just realized my pic of Owen and Davis Glen didn't make my previous post. This is early Saturday morning! See post below! :)

Busy as a Bee!

Whew...what a week and weekend. I feel like I have been in a marathon and ran it in 20 minutes!!! When is spring break?! As most of you know, I am teaching at a new school this year. It's probably the best school I have been in. I LOVE it!! The kids are "normal" which hasn't always been the case. These kids come from families that work at A&M, are doctors, lawyers, etc. You may be thinking your child's school is like that. Yes, probably so. But a lot of schools are very different! Everyone told me this school is like a private school, but I wasn't sure what they meant. Now I do! It's awesome! Friday was "Enrichment Day!" The theme was Can You Dig It? Our team (4th grade) did dinosaurs. Each teacher (6 of us) plan an activity and each 4th grade class comes into your room throughout the day to do your activity. It was a blast!!! That explains the 2 pics below. We decorated our hallway like a cave. It was awesome!

My homeroom showing off their fossils! Aren't they the cutest?! :) I LOVE them!!!!!!!

This year, I am also in charge of Student Council. Next week is Red Ribbon week, and I am in charge. I won't go into details, but with that and Enrichment day, I was about to have a nervous breakdown!!! So Thursday night--(I'm still waiting on the 8-3 job I am supposed to have!) I got home and Jason had roses waiting on me. I needed that!! Yes, that's a butter box beside them! I was making a "dinosaur delight" for all the 4th graders.

Thursday night Jason was invited to go to the A&M Nebraska game. An older doctor friend from Tyler called him and said his grandson couldn't go anymore, so Jason got to go....FREE!!! He got to fly in a charter plane and got in free. He was SUPER excited. But I had to get him to Tyler at 5am to meet the doctor friend so they could head to Dallas to fly out by 9am. So we went to Tyler Friday night and got up at 3:30am. Keep in mind we went to bed around midnight. So after a NAP that night, we headed to meet Dr. Lyles. After dropping Jason off, I headed to Ruston. NOT SMART!! I fell asleep and almost didn't make it to Ruston! I got there around 7:30am. I went straight to my sister's house so I could make it to Davis Glen's soccer game at 9am. When I arrived, Andrew wanted to show me how he could ride his bike. He made a ramp (in the background) to ride on. He's not afraid of ANYTHING!!! So I got to see Andrew ride his bike, see Davis Glen score 3 out of the 4 points in his game, and hear Owen play the piano!

After the fun, there was work to do! Last time my brother went to Ruston, he told me I had a lot of boxes in the attic to get out. I thought I went through everything already. NOPE! To make a LONG story short, I stayed up, along with my sis, and went through what seemed like a million boxes. My precious mother kept EVERYTHING...and I do mean EVERYTHING! Parents, keep the important things, but not EVERYTHING!! It was hard going through everything. My wonderful sis and I laughed and cried and made priceless memories! Needless to say, it's good to be home. Now back to work I go....

Welcome to the radio, Hil!

Jason's cousin, Hillary, is now on the radio! Her band, Lady Antebellum, has a single out called "Love Don't Live Here!" Call and request it!!!

Not much else is going on around Aggieland! Parent conferences start next week, so I will be spending 24/7 at school trying to get those done. I got a "Happy Fall" gift on Friday from a student. Thought that was sweet!

For those of you that know my friend Dara (from MC), she had her baby last Wednesday. Jason and I were sitting at dinner at church and my phone rang. Saw it was Dara's number and was expecting her husband Sam to call and give me the update. When I said hello, it was Dara on the other end. I was like...WHAT?! I asked what she was doing and she said eating pie. Dara said she felt good, so why not call?! Crazy!

Getting closer to someone's birthday...home alone girl!!

Well, I have rambled enough! Better go get Jason from the TV and go to bed! Yes, we were at the A&M game and YES, he's watching the game AGAIN on TV. He's a true Aggie! UGH! :)

Off to dream land...

Haircut Anyone?!

For those of you that know my nephew Andrew, this will come as no surprise! I probably have told many of you, but I just found the pic. Remember I told you my nephews sang in the 4th of July program at Temple? Well, this story took place a few days before that.

Andrew is in the bathroom and VERY quiet...first clue something is going on. He's NEVER quiet or still!! So my sister walks in and sees Andrew with his scissors, cutting his hair. Andrew, what are you doing? Mom, I just wanted my hair a little shorter. So my sister looks and doesn't know what to do. By looking at the picture, you can tell there isn't much to do! The front part of his hair is GONE! So my sis, dealing with the youngest of 3 boys, laughs and goes on. Program in front of the Ruston gang?? No problem! Guess that's what happens with child #3!

Miami

Jason and his dad went to the A&M and Miami game. Although the game was HORRIBLE, here are some pics of somethng GOOD to remember about the trip! :) This is the view from their hotel room.

Another view from their hotel room.

The beach. I am jealous I didn't get to go, but in a way, I am glad I didn't go. Jason is now watching the game AGAIN on TV. If only he got paid for all the coaching he does from the recliner!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Tomorrow (September 18th) would have been my mom's birthday. So...
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear momma,
Happy birthday to you!

For those of you that are blessed enough to still have your mom around, don't take her for granted. Call or email her...you never know when it might be your last.

To those of you that are a momma, hug your kid a little tighter, leave notes for them, take lots of pictures...that might be the only thing they have left of you one day. Trust me, those are the things that will get them through some days!

Football Weekend...too much for me!

Whew! I think I am going to have a heart attack before Sunday morning! The Aggies went into THREE overtimes today. The game was at 2:30pm and needless to say, it was HOT!!! Right when the third OT started, it started POURING DOWN!! Yes, we stayed for it all! It was an interesting game, but the Aggies pulled it out. THEN I came home and listened to the La. Tech game. Another overtime game. And La. Tech lost. I hate that! But at least they played a close game. I must go calm down...this has been too much on me this weekend!! :)

Gig 'em Aggies! WHOOP!

Last weekend was the first home game for the Aggies. Of course we won, and we also had a BLAST! This is the student section. They stand the ENTIRE game...whew!

Aggie band! AMAZING!

Block T formation!

My classroom

This is my classroom. Soon, I will have a projector and a smart board...can't wait!

8 Random Things About Me!!

Linda tagged me and I am just now getting it...sorry Linda! So here I go...here are 8 random facts about me. If anyone reads this and hasn't posted their 8, you're tagged!

1. I kissed a boy in kindergarten in the planetarium and to this day, I remember waiting out front of AEP at the end of the day for my mom. My K teacher kept giving me looks and I didn't want her to talk to my mom.

2. I used to pee in my sandbox because I didn't want to waste time going inside!

3. I used to do drive bys...Shan...shhhhhhhhhh!!!

4. I was head cheerleader in 8th grade. GO PUPS!

5. I sang a solo in a 4th of July program for church at a theater in Ruston.

6. The place where I sang that solo is where Jason sang once when he was a little boy. We were meant to be together way back then!! HA!

7. Mandy, Sara and I like Mariah Carey and an oven around Christmas...enough said!!

8. I have always wanted to fly and live until I was 112. I remember praying for those things when I was a little girl!

House Redone Part 2

This is our office. We moved Jason's desk to the side and moved the couch and dad's green chairs in. We also added part of the computer desk against the wall and it holds Jason's football and Aggie stuff. He said this is his favorite room. He LOVES those green chairs! hehehe!!

Notice the computer stand...and the lamp! This was a gift from the shower at Mrs. Kathy Shealy's house!

Desk against the wall...green chairs in room now!

Another view...with the doorway to our living room. Dad and Ash...now you can see how we used the furniture!! Love y'all! Come visit!!

My house---redone!

Like I said earlier, Jason and I decided NOT to sell our house. Since my dad sold his, we all got some furniture from it. So I redid some rooms in our house and here is the finished product. Daddy and Ash....these are for you! Dining room above. (This used to be where the little couch was with the 2 recliners...right when you walk through the front door!)

In the dining rom looking into the entrance...the cabinet thing that was in mom and dad's entrance.

This is the mirror that was above that little stand. That little stand is in our office.

This is the bed that was in the "crib" room at dad's house. I used the same khaki bedspread I had while living with Mandy...just added the blue...all for around $35.00! LOVE TJ Maxx!!! :)

Oh Happy Day!

Today was the first day of school and I am blown away!! I had an AWESOME first day!! I can't wait to see what this year brings!! I am SOOOO happy!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Whistle While you Work...

Well, back to work I go!! We had new teacher induction last week (new district) and this week everyone is back. It's been a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too much to say and so little time to say it, but this year is already SOOO much better than the last few. Of course, it's hurry, hurry, hurry and then everything always falls into place. Friday night is meet the teacher and then the kids come Monday. I am a little nervous because of the types of families this school serves, but....I haven't heard ONE negative thing about my new school. It really is a little piece of heaven.

Jason and I have decided not to sell our house. Why move to a 4 bedroom (TINY rooms) when it's just us? We have 3 larger bedrooms with 2 dining and 2 living spaces. That way we can enjoy life and later...if we need to...we can move. But for now, this is where we will be!!

I know it's only 9:15pm, but I am going to get ready for bed. I didn't go to bed until 12:30am last night/this morning, so I am tired.

Hope everyone is doing well. People with kids, keep posting pics and/or videos! :)

Ideas Needed!!

I am trying to come up with a new "welcome back" board for the hallway at my school. I have an idea for after the welcome one, but I need one for the first week of school. Since it will only be up for about a week, I don't want anything TOO hard to do. Ideas???
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

New Group!

Lady Antebellum....this is a new group that is coming out and their first single will come out in September. Their first single is titled "Love Don't Live Here" and you need to call and request it in September. Follow the link to hear/see more. The girl in the group is Hillary...Jason's cousin. She is AMAZING and is just as pretty on the inside as the outside.

For those of you that went to my wedding, she sang "Holy Ground" with Linda and Lang. That's before she signed a record deal! hehe!

Her group is SUPER excited about what is coming and I can't wait!! I just hope Hillary remembers the little people when she becomes rich and famous! hehe!

Check them out....(you can also go to www.ladyantebellum.com and click on their myspace page to see more!)

http://myspace.com/ladyantebellum

Enjoy!!

Worn out!!

SOLD! My dad's house wasn't even really on the market and it sold. Crazy!! Why can't I be so lucky?! I was going to Ruston this weekend to have a nice, relaxing weekend with my 10 year old nephew...turned ten today!!

Well, that changed when I got the call dad's house was sold. Jennifer and I got the uhaul and headed to Ruston. By Sunday afternoon, NOTHING more would fit. Jennifer was lucky to have a seat! hehe! We pulled into my driveway around 7:20pm. With strict instructions NOT to unload it, that was even more of a reason to get it unloaded! Our husbands were in Fort Worth together, so we decided we could do it! About 2 hours later, we were dropping off the uhaul!!

I am worn out, but SO glad it's done. I still have a little left to get in Ruston, but I got the majority of it. I don't know what I would have done without Jennifer!!! Bless her heart, she wouldn't go home until EVERYTHING was unloaded. That's a true friend!!

One more hour until my husband gets home. He will be so proud!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDY!!!

Happy 30th birthday, Miss Mandy!!! Sorry, this is the only pic I have on my computer! :) For those of you that don't know, Mandy and I lived together the last few years of college (when I transferred to Tech) and then again after college in Euless, Texas. Poor Mandy has put up with me for a long time!! Mandy has the sweetest spirit and loving heart of anyone I know. She was so easy to live with!!!! We had so many good times: going to get Magnolia flowers at midnight, singing in the dark with a spotlight from an oven light, going to get a REAL Christmas tree, decorating it (she is AWESOME at putting on the lights!), cooking together, being a bum by the pool during the summer, singing Oh Happy Day, talking about boys, the list could go on and go.

Mandy, I hope you have a GREAT day...you deserve it!!!

Visiting Family

I headed out Friday morning and went to see my brother's kids...Stovall and Macey Claire! Boy have they grown!!! Stovall will be in the 5th grade and Macey Claire will be in preK. I can't believe it. Seems like yesterday my first nephew was born and now he will be in 5th grade. Where does time go? We had a blast and I even got a free manicure and pedicure from Macey Claire! I now know all about Hannah Montana and High School Musical 2!! MC can't wait for it to come out!!

I will now be home until school starts, working in my classroom. Hope all my teacher friends enjoy their last few free days. Ready to work 24/7 now?! :) Just wait...before we know it, Christmas will be here!!!! WOO HOO! hehehe!

For Shan...

Shandra, this is the 6 wheeler. It was LOADS of fun. You can see where my seat was. This was the first time I rode it. The tent like thing under me was HOT so the next time I sat on a blanket. I LOVED it!!