reasons...

I thought that now would be a good time to write a blog entry.  Why now...well, I am avoiding doing lesson plans, avoiding going to bed, and avoiding many other things...so why not blog. 

This summer was a whirlwind of excitement.  I worked at that zoo again this summer.  Teaching kids about animals is always a good time, especially when I don't have to come up with the lesson plans and don't have to grade any papers.  But not only did this summer involve me working but it also involved a little travel.  I got to go to Austin for a few days and then Chicago for almost a week.  Austin was for a conference, but it was fun.  Chicago was for fun...and clearly by fun I mean baseball!  My friends and I decided that we would travel to Chicago this summer and the time that we picked just so happened to be when the Rangers were playing the White Sox in Chicago.  I will say, the White Sox field is not the happiest place on Earth.  We were miserable the whole time we were there, and it didn't help that the Rangers lost.  We did get to experience other Chicago landmarks, like the Bean, the Field museum, the art institute and other various locations.  We encountered some interesting people, made some interesting lasting memories, and sweated enough to fill up several water bottles.  Next summer perhaps we will go see Joe. 

But as this summer comes to an end, another school year begins.  This year I will be teaching 8th grade, which in all honesty scares me a little.  I will have some of the same kids as last year and will have some new students.  But no matter who is in my classroom, I know that they have been put there for a reason.  Things don't just happen by accident.  Now I just need to keep in mind that I have been put in that classroom for reason as well.  Maybe I have been put in that students life to be a mentor to them.  Maybe I have been put in their life to be a shoulder to cry on.  Maybe I have been put in their life to be a person to hug them (I hope that isn't the reason, but if it is I guess I can do it).  I don't know what my student's summers looked like, I don't know if they ate everyday.  I don't know if their electricity got shut off in the middle of July when it was 103!  But I do know they are in my class and in it for a reason.  My prayer as I enter into this school year is that God would soften my heart to hear what my students are and are not saying and that He would give the wisdom and compassion to respond in a way that would reflect Him in my life. 

To all of you starting a new school year: the best of luck to you! It will be over before we know it...make the most of it!

let's talk about sex...

It is the end of the school year!  This is a time of year I both love and hate.  I love it because it means that it is almost summer but I hate it because the kids are a little more insane than their normal 7th grade selves.  So knowing that the students are going to be a slightly more antsy version of themselves, we typically plan sex ed for the end of the year.  More specifically, we plan our abstinence lessons.  We can always count on the kids being engaged during these lessons.  This is the third year third year I have taught this and each and every year my kids manage to amaze me. 

This year they have been particularly concerned with how they can contract STDs.  I would be lying if I said that this didn't concern me slightly.  These kids are in 7th grade...why is this something they are concerned about?  I mean let's get real for a second, half of these kids aren't even certain why girls have a period.  They also still think the baby grows in the stomach. 

Every class period during these lessons I give each student an index card.  At the end of the class period I instruct them that on one side they are to write something they have learned and on the other side they are to write any questions they have.  This activity alone produces some very entertaining material.  Let me share some items with you...

My favorite  from last year:
     What I learned--Having sex is not wuz up!
      Questions--None!  I've seen enough!

Things learned from this year:

• If you take out your fertilizer so you won't get pregnant can you put it back in?
  **For the record, I have no idea what this actually means!
• I learned how sex can be affective to pregnancy. 
• I learned that sex is not a good thing and its a risk.
• That people can have things tie or cut off to not have any more kids.
• Allot.  Everything waz helpful!
• Buy flowers for the wife!
• ***Drum roll please*** My personal favorite one from this year:  Teens are more foolish than I thought!

I really do enjoy my job and I really do enjoy teaching sex ed.  It is always such a comical way of ending the year!

a year in review (part 2)

I decided to wait until today to write part 2 of this post, because with the new timeline on facebook if I waited until today I could easily look back by month and see what went down.  So picking up where I left off...here we go!

JULY
Oh July...you bring hot temperatures, fireworks, cookouts and my birthday!  Also, in 2011 you brought these things...

My birthday at the ballpark.  And for every one's viewing pleasure I will go ahead and leave this picture this size.  Originally when the Rangers schedule came out they were not playing on my birthday, which in all honesty made me sad.  But in May, the same day I had jury duty, they got rained out and they rescheduled the game for July 7th!  This brought a great deal of pleasure to my life!  Since the game was a make up game, there was no one there, so we were able to score these seats, and this view of 1st base.  This day was a bit bittersweet however, as it was also the game that the fan fell from the stands and later died. 

On that note, July 2011 also brought this...

My near and dear friend Kandy got to come visit me and we went with our friend Beth to Painting with a Twist.  We got to paint the adorable little fella on the left.  I have a feeling that we will be doing this again in 2012!




This also happened...

Yes folks, that is right, the Rangers beat the Twins 20-6 and I got to be at the game.  If I have to choose a 2nd favorite team it would have to be the Twins.  The main reason for that choice is #7-Joe Mauer.  I did wear my Joe Mauer shirt to this game, but also had on my Rangers hat.  This is also the game that my dear friend Suzi choked on a peanut and I failed to come to her rescue.  I thought she finished coughing because she finished, not because she couldn't breathe!  Oops!







Also, this happened...

Our friend Jackie had a birthday and we went to Piranha Killer Sushi.  I didn't eat sushi this night, but I did enjoy a delicious meal and a good time with friends!

AUGUST

August, oh August...you bring us even more heat.  You also bring us the start of school.  I kind of think that out of the 12 months available, you are my least favorite...sorry August, someone has to be last. 

 As I said, August brings the start of school and with that comes much preparation and much excitement. 

This is just one of the days that I happened to snap a photo of the thermometer in my car.  Needless to say it was a really hot summer!!! 

This sign is pretty fantastic and so are the ladies I got to share this game with.  Michael Young hit his 2000th hit and we were there for it.  We had a glittertastic sign and everything.  This sign currently resides in my garage. 

August also contained some pretty fabulous facial accessories...

We had to support our boy Derek Holland and his attempt to grow a mustache, or as we in Texas call it a Dutchstache.  We made shirts that said "respect the stache" and also obtained some pretty fantastic clip on staches.  And ladies and gentlemen, this was just the beginning!

SEPTEMBER

Oh September...I really don't have much to say about you, but I do have lots that happened within your 30 days! 

Like this...

I got to visit with these fantastic people for the first time in a very long time.  These wonderful people are my cousins.  The reason we all were able to spend time together was because my grandmother passed away.  So the reason wasn't great, but it was great seeing them all.  I hope we can do it again sometime without the sad circumstances surrounding it. 

Not long after returning from Albuquerque, I headed here...

Yep, that's right...San Francisco.  I was able to spend 5 days here and attend a conference at the Exploratorium.  It was a great time had by all.  The weather was beautiful, the sights were fantastic, the shopping and eating were wonderful.  I loved it and can't wait to go back again...either for a conference or just to go, I will take either. 

The night I came back from San Fran, this happened...

The Rangers became the AL West champs for the second year in a row!!!!!  Amber and I were at the ballpark at midnight to get our shirts!  Aren't they cute!?

Also this happened...

I can't really tell you which game this was,  but I love the picture and needed to share it.  Love these gals and will always cherish the memories of the 2011 baseball season! 

This also happened...

The Rangers had their last regular season home game and of course we were there...why wouldn't we be!?  The first picture is from our seats at that game.  The second picture is Amber and I pretty much right after we appeared on the jumbotron.  It only took us all season, but we finally made it!   

                                                        

OCTOBER

October...the only way I enjoy seeing you come is if my boys are still playing ball.  So this year, October was a delightful month.  In the month of October, my friends and I were able to attend an ALDS game, and ALCS game and a World Series game.  Also, if we were not in attendanced at the games, we were able to watch them together.  I am just going to go ahead an post all the pictures I have for October and put a caption under each...let this serve as your warning...they are all baseball related. 

Suzi, Amber, and I showing off our AL chamsp shirts that we stood in line for with hundreds of other crazy folks!

This is truly one of my favorite places on the planet! 

The baseball gals fresh off a World Series domination by none other than Derek Holland!!!

Speaking of Derek Holland, we got to meet his family!  We were hanging out before game 4 and they came up to us and requested a photograph...they were delightful indiviuals. 

Watching game 6 of the WS at Painting with a Twist.  This was probably my least favorite painting...could it be because I was a little distracted!?

I think the sign says it all! 

NOVEMBER
November, dear sweet November.  You bring unwanted poundage to our hips and stomach regions, but you also bring cooler temperatures and lots of family time. 

You also brought this...

I got a new dog!  This is Starla.  I don't know what kind of dog she is, but I like to call her my pygmy golden retriever. 

We are clearly too cool for school! 

This also happened...

The new Muppet movie came out!  My dear friend Loni had a birthday and since the theme of her parties is usually a kid party what better way to celebrate than with the Muppets!?  We went to the show at midnight.  Please note my outfit and my friend Amber's outfit (she is the one laying in the front).  You should be able to spot some similarities...oh wait.  Our outfits are exactly the same!!!!  Totally not planned!

DECEMBER
Oh December, I think we all know what you bring...lots of joy, lots of presents, lots of people at the mall!  But for me in 2011 you also brought this...

One of my former students signed to play basketball at the University of Texas and myself and several collegues were fortunate enough to be able to attend the signing. 

This also happened...

Nothing says Christmas quite like jazz hands!  We are adorable, we know! 

This also showed up on my plate at one point...

That is right, I ate sushi for the first time!  It was enjoyable.  The tuna part of it I didn't like so much, but the rest was delightful!

This also occured...

I got a new nephew.  Jenson Douglas Wooten joined the family on 12/13/11.  Even though sister dosen't look excited in this photo, she actually is very excited to be a big sister! 

And finally, I ended 2011 with this...

A New Year's eve party.  It was quite a good time had by all, and I even dressed up! 

I hope you have enjoyed my year in review.  I will try my very best to keep up with all the happenings this year as they actually happen, then I won't have to spend as long reviewing at the end! 

I wish all of you the very best in 2012!  And GO RANGERS!!!!

a year in review (part 1)...

HO.LY. COW!!!  It is only one day away from being 2012.  Where does the time go!?  I have decided that a good way to end this year is by blogging, because this is something I want to do more of next year.  So, why not do a year in review...I will make this in two parts, the first half of the year and the last half of the year, otherwise I will be sitting here typing all morning.  Also, I feel it is most appropriate to include as many pictures as possible because that is how I remember what went on in the year...my memory is bad
! So...here goes nothing! 

JANUARY
Oh January, a month full of such hope and anticipation, such mystery and wonder, such left over holiday weight and plans to go to the gym...
So how did I start 2011...with a trip to Fuzzy's!!!!!

I can honestly think of no better way to start a year....can you!?  After this, I really don't have any pictures from January or any huge memory of things that happened, so on to the next...

FEBRUARY
Oh February...a month filled with such love and blah, blah, blah. 
February started out with this...

And several more days just like it followed.  This also brought a plethora of snow days...5 to be exact!  It sounds wonderful, but being stuck in a house for 5 days is kind of boring!  Here are a few others from "snowmageddon".

This was my backyard!

I watched these movies while trapped!

Also during this time, I did make it over to my friend Suzi's house where I watched Star Wars for the very first time...there is no photographic evidence of this, but it did happen!

I also got to wear my fabulous Christmas present from my sister in February & here it is....

I think the best part of wearing this was all my students reactions...they didn't know if they should take me seriously or not.  But have no fear, I totally intend on wearing this bad boy again in 2012!

MARCH
Oh March...you bring such joy to my life.  Not only do you contain spring break (which I thank you for) but you also have spring training, which only means one thing....we are very near to baseball season beginning.  Sorry...chased a little rabbit there...

The beginning of March brought this...

Yep, that is right, I got a roommate. She moved in at the beginning of March and it has been delightful.

March also brought, as mentioned earlier, spring break, which meant I got to spend time with this little lady...

I don't remember much else about March so let's now move on to the month that begins the most wonderful season of all...baseball season!

APRIL
Oh April, how I love thee, let me count the ways...
My friends and I decided this year to purchase a 20 game package and spilt them with their parents...we figured 10 Rangers games would be plenty.  However, we ended up going to almost 30, and thus begins the long string of baseball themed pictures and months...

We didn't get opening day tickets :( but we did get opening night tickets, which also came with a replica AL Championship ring...I'll take it! 

I kind of feel like this may have been the first game we went to this season, but if it isn't oh well...it was one of the first. 
April also brings about my niece and my sister's birthdays.  My niece had a skating b-day party this year and this is me and my roomie at it. 

We may have had just as good of a time as the kids! 

MAY
May oh glorious May...you bring such joy to my life...you bring the end of a school year! 
May also brought this...

To the untrained eye, this is just a preparation manual and a Starbucks drink in a Starbucks, but this is so much more!  This my friends is how I killed time before I had to report back to the courthouse on the very first time I got called for jury duty!  I was preparing to take my ESL certification test, which I took later that month and past! 

May also brings the time of the year that in my class we talk about abstinence.  When we first began this unit, I was a little nervous to say the least, now, I don't hesitate to talk about a penis or vagina or straight out answer any questions that the students may have.  At the end of each lesson, I have the students write on a slip of paper...on one side they write any questions they still have on the other they write what they have learned that day.  This is one response I got...

Clearly my job was done...at least for one student.  Also, this may be my bookmark to this day! 

May also brought a field trip to the Rough Riders game.  This was the first Rough Riders game I had been to and I am glad that I got to share the experience with 125 7th and 8th graders! 

 May also brought the addition of this to my wardrobe...

Don't judge!  I love me some Joe Mauer!  But the addition of this to my wardrobe may have also been one of the key reasons my beloved Joe ended up on the DL for most of the season...stupid t-shirt jinx!  Sorry about that Joe, but you've got many more seasons left! 

JUNE
Oh June...I have a love/hate relationship with you...I love you because you are summer but I hate you because I live in Texas and it is getting HOT!!!

June brought these things...

To the untrained eye this is just a wonderful picture, but in actuality this was a fun-filled weekend get away with some fantastic ladies!  Oh how I love Austin weekend get aways, especially when they involve views like this and kayaks...how can you go wrong!?

It also involved this delightful surprise...Mitch Moreland on the cover of the program at the Rangers game!  Clearly this brought much joy to my life. 

June also brought the start of my new summer job...education instructor at the Dallas Zoo!!  I taught 2nd and 3rd graders about animals for the summer.  It was spectacular!  There are many quotes that will live in infamy in my life because of the summer at the zoo.  For example:  "Oh good thing I ducked, I almost got bird banged!" or "Well...it all started at the Savannah Base Camp..."  And the summer wouldn't have been nearly as fun if I wasn't teaching with the fabulous Riley!

I will end June, and this post with one last picture that can probably sum up May-October really...

These are my gals!  Many a good times were had at this very ballpark!  Also, may great friendships were began here!  I love this ballpark, I love my Texas, my Rangers, and I love my friends!!!!

Part 2 will come later today or tomorrow....stay tuned!

To my Grandma Betty Jo...

I know that there is a reason for everything, I know that it clearly is your time, but it doesn't make things any easier.  Last July when they told us there wasn't much time, you took that as a personal challenge apparently and really showed them!  You are probably one of the strongest and most stubborn women I know (and people wonder where I get it).  Yet through it all, I have no doubt that you and grandpa both never gave up on God and never stopped praying!  I know that the last several years have been rough on you and grandpa (and the whole family really), but you have shown us all what true love really is.  You and grandpa have truly lived out the part of your wedding vows that you vowed to "love each other through sickness and health". 

I know that you have left this earthly body behind and are no longer experiencing pain!  I know that you are dancing on the streets of glory where you will forever be in the presence of the king!  But it is just so hard letting you go.  I know that I will never again hear you ask me if I've found a boyfriend and then when I answer no, you try your hardest to come up someone for me.  It is hard knowing that whoever my future husband is will never have the opportunity or privilege to know you.  It is hard knowing that the children I may one day have will never know you, only stories.  It is hard knowing that my mom will never be able to pick up the phone again and wish you a "Happy Mother's day" or just see how your day is going. 

But I can rest in the fact that I know where you are.  I know that you are going to spend eternity in heaven.  I know that you have prayed for everyone of your children and grandchildren to come to have a personal relationship with Jesus as well.  So I know that one day we will all be reunited in heaven where we will all spend eternity worshipping our King! 

I love you Grandma Betty Jo and will miss you dearly!  But I know that you are no longer in pain!  Go ahead Grandma, sport those high heels like you have been wanting to do for year, but haven't been able to! 
We no longer have to say "Grandma Betty Jo, where are you?" because we know you are in the presence of the King!!!

i know this about myself...

One of my friends told me the other night (and this may not be exactly what she said, but it is close) "Randa, I love you and you are probably one of my favorite people in the world, but you are weird!"  Some people may not know how to take that, but I accept it and move on.  I know myself, I have lived with myself for 31 years now, and I know that I am weird. 

In middle/high school I went through a phase of "I am woman hear me roar" and I can do it myself, I don't need no man to do anything for me.  I don't know why this phase happened, everyone around me was convinced that I would never have a boyfriend because of this.  I did have a boyfriend, but I can't say it was the most healthy relationship because of this.  I eventually learned that living in West Texas, you aren't going to find a true man that is actually going to let you open any door for yourself, so I got over it! (Why I decided to share that, I have no idea, I just felt it should happen). 

In other things that I know make me slightly weird, here is a list that I will expound on in later posts:

• I have a (what some may call irrational) fear of smelling.  I don't want to be "that" person!  As I said earlier, I will expound on this later, and I will also share with you my scale of smell (now your on the edge of your seat I know). 
• I have to have my movies alphabetized! 
• I won't finish the last of anything.
• I will find something wrong with pretty much anyone that I date--Just call me Charlie McKenzie!
• You start a movie after 8:30, I am going to fall asleep...that is a fact that has been proven time after time. 
• I tend to obsess over small things and not pay attention to big things until the very last second.

I know there are probably many more, but this will get to started and dangle a little bait out there for you for (at the rate I'm blogging) a good 6 months. 
Feel free to add comments that add to the list of things that make me weird...I will accept the things I can not change and work on those that I can. 

I'm so excited...I'm so scared...

If you are a child of the 80s/90s like myself then this clip will be all to familiar to you...


Minus the addiction to caffine pills, I kinda feel like Jesse Spano right now.  I have gotten a crazy idea in my brain to lead a women's Bible study for the women in the singles group at my church.  I am terribly excited about the idea of it and the study itself, but leading it kinda scares me. 
We have decided to do the study "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter and this excites me beyond belief.  I am a fan of Kelly Minter and a fan of meeting with other women to study the word of God.  However, usually when these meetings occur I am the one that sits quietly off to the side and inputs my thoughts only when called upon.  We aren't starting the study until September so today I went and purchased the book.  I plan on going through it at least once before we actually do it as a group.  I feel it is going to be a challenging study in the lives of all of us involved and it is going to cause us to search our souls and confront the truth in alot of areas, but I am ready. 
Having said all that, if you think about it between now and September, say a little prayer for our group of women, that God would begin preparing our hearts for what He has for us in this study and and we would not just think of this as a time to get together with other women, but as a time to get together with other women and talk about the God that we serve.