30!?!?!?!

In just a little over 24 hours, I will turn 30. I am looking forward to my birthday, but I don't want to turn 30; I want to remain 29 forever. 29 has been great, and there is something about being in my 20s that makes me think I am young. I am fearful because in my late 20s, my metabolism slowed down a good bit, which amounted to a few pounds finding a permanent home around my middle. Will more unwelcome friends find a new home with me now? Will I start falling apart? For years, I was the youngest everywhere I went, and it has been an adjustment for me to realize that I am no longer the youngest anywhere.

My grandmothers are both in their 80s. Maybe I should follow their example. They don't let age bother them. They are grateful to have logged another year on earth. They are happy that they have become a year older, because it is much better than the alternative.

So, today I will stop whining and complaining about turning 30 and being older. I will make every effort to grow older gracefully and with a happy smile upon my face. After all, a smiling face is more beautiful than a frowning one.

FIRST PLACE!!!

Leyden got first place in both of her events last weekend at competition!!! Her team also came home with a first place trophy. Her teammates all did very well, racking up points for their team and placing mostly first and second. I am very impressed with the quality of skaters on Leyden's team.

Despite the temperature soaring in the high 90s, we had a wonderful time at competition. Martha and I decided that we are absolutely thrilled that Leyden chose skating instead of softball, because there were some baseball teams staying at the same hotel who were competing in a tournament. Have I mentioned that it was 100 degrees or higher with the heat index? We went to the water park with Leyden's teammates on Friday, and Leyden got sick from the heat and was ready to return to the hotel at 2 p.m. You know a child is sick when they voluntarily leave a water park before closing time! She recovered in the cool hotel room, thanks to Martha's quick run to Walgreens for Propel and Tums.

We ate at a neat restaurant, Guadalajuara Grill, where a 4-man Mexican band seranaded us at our table. (Leyden requested "Feliz Navidad," and that is what they sang - from the bottom of their hearts!) We also went shopping for our birthday presents. (What fun!)

Crazy in July

Well, we're crazy in July! Last Saturday, I made Leyden's popcorn costume for her ice skating competition later this month. Then, of course, we went to the lake after church on Sunday to hang out at Scott's. Mom and Dad came up for a little while on Sunday night and then came on Monday afternoon and stayed until we left. I think Mom really enjoyed getting out since she hadn't been out of the house in a week. The fireworks scared Leyden to death, so we got home at a decent time on Monday night.

Mom is doing GREAT after surgery. She went to get her staples out Tuesday and weighed in. She has lost 14 pounds!!! We are thrilled at her progress. She still needs our prayers as she continues to adjust to her new way of eating and choking down the protein.

My cousin, Claire, is getting married tomorrow, and Leyden and I are leaving today to spend the weekend with Gran for all the wedding festivities. A lot of our family from all over are coming for the wedding, so we're going to get together on Sunday and visit. It's going to be fun! While I'm at Gran's tomorrow, I'm going to glue rhinestones on Leyden's skating dress. Yes, this skating stuff is neverending!

Next weekend, we'll actually be at home! Sunday morning is the dress rehearsal for competition, so we'll miss church for the third week in a row. Things will settle down some in the fall, though.

The weekend after that is competition, so we'll hit the road at noon on Friday. Meme is going with us to competition. Leyden will compete on Saturday and Sunday, then we'll come home Sunday night. I just hope we bring home some medals!!!

Whew! I told you we're crazy in July! But, no one can ever say that Leyden and I don't have fun! By the way, if you notice that Brad doesn't travel with us, it's because our business (Skipper Pools) is booming and he can't get away long enough to go anywhere with us. We're hoping to take a family vacation this winter. If you know of any good winter vacation spots, let me know.

This is the view of the pasture looking toward the pond from the back of the house. 

Happiness is...

Well, I got a 4.0 in my class last semester, but my overall GPA is still below a 2. No chance for scholarships with a GPA like that! I thought I'd never see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. However, a very helpful (and also anonymous) faculty member has nominated me for the honors program, which will make me eligible to compete for several scholarships available to only honors program participants. Thank you, Anonymous Faculty Member. Your nomination is very much appreciated! I am humbled by your faith in me!

Time Off

Well, it's been a while. (What's new?) Since I last wrote, I've officially received an "A" in the class I took Spring Semester! I am thrilled beyond words. I am also enjoying my summer off from school. After finals in May, I took a vacation with my parents and Leyden. We went to Orlando (Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios) and Daytona Beach. Orlando was exciting, Daytona Beach was relaxing. We really enjoyed ourselves. Now, we're having a great time enjoying the summer. My brother moved to the lake, and we are planning on spending a few hours hanging out there, enjoying the sun and water. Leyden is preparing for her first ice skating competition that will take place in July. I'm having fun getting her dress and costume together. It really brings out the creative side! We are also excited about our biggest news of the year so far - Brad has quit his "day job" and is doing pools full time! So far, he has been busier than ever. We are grateful to our regular customers who have been so supportive of Brad's business. I'll try to write again soon... but I won't make any promises since I know I'm going to be busy enjoying the summer!!!

An "A" Is In My Future

I got my term paper back. I made a 98! My professor said he could kick me because "it would have been a @#%! perfect paper" if I'd done an overview paragraph at the beginning. I told my professor that since this was my first paper in seven years, I'd take the 98 and be VERY happy. Now all I have to do is answer 23 questions correctly on my final, and I'll have an "A". I think I can handle that...

Marathon Weekend

Whew! It's over. We had a marathon weekend and we're all worn out. Friday night, Leyden and I watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It was great! I think Leyden undertands now the fun of reading the book before you see the movie, because yesterday we talked about which characters looked like we thought they would, and what scenes looked like we imagined them. It was very interesting to see her creative mind meet with the Hollywood version of the book! Saturday morning we went to Spring Fling at our church. Leyden and I won some cup cakes on the Cake Walk, and then she rode the ponies pretty much the rest of the time. I rode the ponies and slid down one of those huge inflatable slides. It was fun! After Spring Fling, we went to Leyden's great-grandfather's birthday party. We had waffles, and boy were they YUMMY! After the party, I had to do some shopping for household stuff, and when we got home, we both feel asleep in the den. I don't even remember getting in the bed. Sunday, we went to church and after church, the children's choir stayed for lunch and then we made a project for our upcoming musical. When we left church, we went home and changed clothes and met Leyden's Aunt Jessie to go see Disney on Ice. It was awesome! I don't know how they do what they do on skates with those heavy costumes on! It is truly amazing. Oh, and that term paper? It's not finished yet, and Leyden has informed me that it won't write itself! Wish me luck!

I'll Take It

I got my mid-term back last night. I sweated and sweated over this test... I wasn't as prepared as I would've liked to have been. There has been a lot going on lately. Anyway, I got my grade last night - a 99! It's not a 100, but it's an "A" so I'll take it! I am so excited and relieved. My professor said that the mid-term is the hardest test we'll take, so I should be okay on the final. (I made a 100 on the first test.) Now, I'm working on my term paper, which is due Tuesday. I should do fairly well on it, even though I am a bit rusty on writing papers.

Leyden and I are reading the Harry Potter series, and we are almost finished with the first book. Tonight we are going to watch the movie, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" because it is coming on the Disney channel. We are looking forward to this adventure together.

Well, that's all for now. Have a great weekend and allow God to bless you with his grace and love!

Spring Has Sprung

I know, I know... it's been a while again. I have an excuse, but let's just not go there. Okay? Instead, I'll update you on what's been happening the Kountry!

I began classes in January to complete my bachelor's degree in Legal Studies. I am taking classes at night and working full time during the day. I should complete my degree in 3 years. I will also receive my American Bar Association approved paralegal certificate. It's quite a challenge, but I have found that class is very relaxing for me. (I guess that's what I get for being a nerd!)

February 12, 2005, a very dear friend passed away. Mallory Nelson was the manager of the Ice Palace where we have all made many memories. Leyden's skating classes were on Saturday mornings, and she would sit on a stool beside Mallory and "work" with him for a while. He loved Leyden, and Leyden loved him. We will miss him terribly.

Leyden was in her very first ice skating show on March 5. She was a disco duck, along with several other little girls in her class. They did an outstanding job. It was a bittersweet show, because the show was dedicated to Mallory, and it was Leyden's first show. I know Mallory would be very proud of her.

We had the most quiet Easter we have ever had since Leyden was born. It was very stormy Easter afternoon. Leyden got "The Garfield Movie" and "My Fair Lady" DVDs from the Easter Bunny this year instead of a stuffed animal, and her Daddy was very excited that we wouldn't be adding another "stuffy" to Leyden's already overflowing bedroom.

In March, my legal professionals association (MALS) hosted our annual Legal Professionals Week. I am President-Elect (will be installed as President May 16th) and was chairman of the Legal Professionals Week committee. We had Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning, Coffee with the Judges on Tuesday morning, Luncheon on Wednesday, and Dinner Banquet on Thursday night. I was very surprised and honored to be presented with the Member of the Year Award at the Dinner Banquet. It was a great feeling to receive this award, along with a dozen roses, after I had gotten up and out of the house WAY earlier than normal all week to pull off these events. Not to mention that Mark was in trial that week and Leyden was on spring break. It was a crazy week, and the Award was an awesome finish!

April has definitely brought showers, and we feel like we're waterlogged! However, we know that the May flowers will make it all worth it. The pool business is going strong - Brad worked about 30 hours this weekend. We have come to accept the fact that we will see Brad when we see him. The sacrifices will pay off in the end, I am sure. We get calls from new customers just about every day, so we are hoping that Brad will be able to do this full time before long. We are doing more advertising this year, and we are now listed in the phone book!

I have mid-terms next week and I also have a paper due, so every spare minute I am studying or writing. Leyden continues to take skating lessons. She has begun private lessons and will go to her first competition in July. She loves to skate, and she seems to be good at it.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully, I'll post again before three months have passed! Until then, God bless!