Life, Love and Lubbock

I would just like to share a few thoughts I had today... Valentines Day.

First: Life.
We are loving life right now. Chase is in the gauntlet of med school- studying like crazy. He graduates with his MBA in May and I couldn't be more proud of him. He has worked so hard trying to get his MBA and MD. Crazy kid. I sure wouldn't have the determination to do it, but that is why I love him. He is so dedicated and goal- driven. I have recently had a sneeking suspicion that he just wants to stay in school for the rest of his life- he just loves learning cool stuff.
He starts his rotations this June, which he is super pumped about, but nervous about too. I'm praying he falls in love with a certain part of medicine that he is excited to do for the rest of his life... because right now he changes his mind about every other day.

I still am not that happy with my job, but I'm truckin' through until May. Thank you Jesus for summer breaks. I'n trying to stay positive, but its tough. I was laying in bed this morning thinking, "Wow, my little job payed for this house!" Hard work really does pay off- especially in Lubbock- where the dollar bill can get you a lot farther than everywhere else in the U.S.

Second: Love
On this wonderful holiday... Valentines day... Chase and have done nothing to celebrate. He did just stop unloading the dishes today to tell me he loved me. That was sweet, but we really aren't into the whole valentine thing. We love each other and thats enough for me. I'm personally not into the whole gift thing either. However, I did tell Chase today I am little upset he has NEVER, repeat NEVER, given me flowers- not even a single flower. I know they die and you can't use them, but its the thought that counts right?
So, if any of you see Chase, you should check up on how his flower hunt is going?:)
Love you!

Third: Lubbock
This has become a new realization to me as of today. I love Lubbock. I never thought I would say those words, but its true. Chase wants to stay here the rest of his life... I'm not really to that point of love, but it wouldn't be terrible I guess.
Lubbock really is a great town that I have learned to love. Here's why:
1. Great people all around the town- genuinely nice
2. Love our small group
3. Have a great group of fun friends
4. Not too crowded
5. Always run into someone you know
6. Made a life for us here
7. Close to the mountains
8. Family oriented
9. Great economy
10. Young, fun college town

Here's why I couldn't live here the rest of my life:
1. No family
2. Too dusty

Thats it. Those are the only reasons I don't want to set up shop here the rest of our lives. So, this is my solution... We need all family members to move up here:) As far as the dust goes, I guess I should invest in the jumbo pack of Swiffer Sweepers!!

Side note: To all of those that are thinking in their heads... "Why in the world would anyone like Lubbock?"
Well, I had those thoughts too- but give it a chance and I bet you'll love it too!

Snow Day....

Its about time for my quarterly blog post.

Lets' see... There's been rumor of a snow storm all week here in Lubbock, but who really believes those weathermen right? They were right. Thursday morning I went to school. It started snowing. Then the power went out. Generators didn't come on. A school can't run without power- just imagine 600 hormone crazed teens in a pitch black classroom- yeah freaks you out huh? So we move all the kids to the gym. This = CHAOS! How I love days like this... Apparently, the news came on at noon and said parents could come get their kids- but no one told us. So all of sudden all these parents start taking their kids- who knows if they are actually their kids or not. After we go through 3 lunches with each grade, there are only about 50 kids left in the whole school- like going back to class is even an option. Oh yeah, power just came back on. So, we toss them in the auditorium to watch a movie- and the teachers get to leave at 2!!! yay!

Chase and I took the dogs to the park and let them run around in the snow- its was so fun to see them run!


Here's our pretty snowy tree in the back yard.

Chase had a test scheduled for this morning, so we woke up early to get him off to school... but wait, no its cancelled today too. So Chase and I have been able to spend the whole day together- its been pretty weird. He even went to the store with me- I remember why I don't take him. Such an impulse buyer:)

The only thing going on right now is our guest bathroom re-model.
Check out the progress...





Above: Please note the wonderful wall-paper job I found behind the mirror. Quality!


We're just truckin' along up here in Lubbock. Livin' the dream!

Oh by the way, we are counting down the days until LOST starts back up. Anybody else?


Here's a little pic of the kids saying HI!!!!

How could someone do such a thing!!!

Ok- get ready for a story that will make you want to drive up to Lubbock and regulate yourself!

So Friday was my birthday- thank you to all who wished me well (I will be returning phone calls soon) and on my way home from work, I called Chase to see what time we were going to dinner. When he answers the phone, he sounds ultra depressed...
Chase said something was wrong with Toby and he wasn't moving.
Being the over-protective "mom" that I am, I rush home to find Toby laying on the floor, looking miserable. He looked about 5 lbs lighter and didn't even jump up to greet me like he usually does... he actually couldn't even get up.

Chase and I though he must have ate something earlier in the day and he was felling a little icky, so we let him sleep on the couch while we went out.

When we got home later that night, there was still no change- except he was starting to throw up now (sorry for the visual... but more sorry for my carpet).

We cleaned up the carpet (looks like new now) and put Toby to bed, praying he would be better by morning.

No such luck. When I went to get Toby in the laundry room, he had been sick all night and was still throwing up. Blah!

I decided to take him to the vet, while Chase studied for his test tomorrow. At this point, Toby hadn't had anything to eat in more than 24 hours and was starting to get weak and shake- my heart was just breaking for the little guy.

When we finally get to the vet, he decides to take an x-ray of Toby and later tells me Toby has been shot in the side.

And I lose it- I'm mad, confused, sad, frustrated and ready to go hurt whoever decided my sweet Toby needed to be shot. We had noticed a cut on Toby's side the day before, but the hair was matted down and you couldn't see below it. The vet shaved his hair off and showed me the perfect hole- he thinks it was a pellet gun.

By this point, I can barely breathe and stay focused enough on what he is saying. The vet tells me it might have perforated his intestines and he doesn't think he will be able to find the bullet even in surgery. We decide to put him on some antibiotics for pain because we think he's really just in too much pain to function.

We leave the vet, a few pretty pennies later, and I try to drive home amongst all the tears to tell Chase the news. At this point, I've decided either Toby is going to have to live with the bullet in him pain free, or we are going to have to put him down-- but I really did not want that to be an option.

Chase was way more mad than upset and immediately called the cops to report what happened and hopefully we can find who wants to kill our dog- I mean yeah he barks, but only when he feels threatened and only during the day. I mean, if you are going to stay home all day and don't like to hear dogs bark, then move out to the country. Geez! Every person on our street has a dog that barks occasionally, but I don't see anyone going around shooting them...

To make a long story short, today is new day and I think Toby is going to make it. We prayed a whole lot yesterday and he woke up this morning and decided to eat a little and play with his toys! He won't leave my side and his tail is wagging much more today!

Toby's wound and Tess trying to protect him.



So, please keep him in your prayers- he's like a child to me and I would be devastated if I had to put him down.

Oh... anyone have some good ideas on what we should do in retaliation?

Other good news.... THE KITCHEN REMODEL IS FINISHED!!!!!!
Here are some before and after pics!

BEFORE:



AFTER

My favorite time of year

So here is what we have been up to lately..
A few weekends ago, Chase and I traveled to Dallas, with the dogs in tow, so Chase could speak at a COBA (ACU business dept) fundraiser appreciation dinner.
We got to stay at the Crescent in Dallas- one of the nicest hotels I've ever been through. Thank goodness Chase convinced me to change out of my workout T-shirt and shorts before we checked in... I would have been completely embarrassed. Seriously, it was that nice. Once we made it to the dinner fundraiser, we chatted it up with some big time COBA donors and then ate some delish food. By the way, I felt completely out of my league at this event- I didn't really even know what were eating or what silverware to use.


View from our hotel room... so Dallas

Chase spoke after dinner about his COBA experience and how his experience has helped him through med school and MBA. I was way nervous for him about his speech, considering the day before I asked if it was ready and he said, "I'm just gonna wing it."

Oh, ok I thought- yeah that sounds like a good idea to speak about how good of an education you received at COBA and stumble along your speech. But being who Chase is, he did awesome!! So proud of him!


All dressed up for the fundraiser!

On Sunday, Chase played in a golf tournament with some family and we didn't get to leave FW until about 7pm. Thats right. We didn't get back til about 1am and then I had to be at work at 7 the next day. Let's just say it was a rough Monday.

On house news... the kitchen should be 100% done by this weekend. The countertops are in and backsplash is almost done. I don't mean to brag, but our kitchen looks awesome!!! I'll post pics when its all done.

Tess and Toby are still just the most precious dogs. I just love them like my little babies:) Well, more like toddlers- it seems like they are in the "terrible twos" stage right now.


Little babies sleeping...

In other news, I am so excited for the weekend to come. Friday is my birthday (Yikes 25!) and we're gonna go out with some friends I think. I'm trying to convince Chase to take me to the new Twilight movie coming out this weekend... but this is his response "Like I really want to be with every other middle school girl in town at the movies."
He does have a good point... but its my birthday wish:) I think he'll come around with enough persuasion.
Chase also said I could decorate early this year for Christmas, even though that totally goes against his rules for Christmas decorating. Since, we are going to be out of town for Thanksgiving, he says its ok. "Out of sight, out of mind."

Chase is still trying to be a doctor by the way. We probably have a weekly discussion on what type he will be and where we will move next- we are such OCD planners! Currently we are wanting to move to an city that has an SEC football team... Nashville, I think so!!!!

Anyway, thats about all that is going on here in Lubbock. Its cold. Its windy. Its the best time of the year!!!!

And that makes 4

I know I've been the world's worst blogger... and I really don't even have a good excuse, except for the usual "Its been busy."

Matter of fact, I've only blogged 2x since MAY!!!! How embarrassing.
But, to make myself feel better, Chase hasn't blogged that much either.

Here's an update on the last few months in Lubbock:

House remodel is at a standstill- we ordered new kitchen counter tops in early July and they STILL aren't here, so we are using an old closet door as our current bar. It's pretty resourceful if I say so myself, but its kinda weird to eat dinner next to a door handle!
FYI: Counters should be here at the end of OCTOBER- that's right, it takes Lowe's 4 months to satisfy their customers... or should I say DISSATISFIED!

Chase's school is pretty intense this semester, but overall not bad. My job has improved tremendously and I actually don't hate it anymore. I would like to take this opportunity to say I have not cried once this school year- major improvement from last year. Thank you Jesus. Seriously couldn't have done it without Him!

Little puppy Tess is growing like crazy and continues to be a little spaz.

Our big news lately is that we adopted another dog.
Now, I know what you're thinking..."really guys, another dog- isn't Tess crazy enough for everyone?"
Well, yeah she is, that's why we got another one!
We would like to welcome Toby to the Cawyer household. Toby is a rescue I adopted from the Humane Society. Chase gave me strict guidelines for getting another dog (secretly hoping I wouldn't find a dog). I had to find a male that was fixed, 1 year old and already had all his shots. Mission accomplished. Toby is 1 year old exactly and meets all the requirements.
Toby is not quite as cute as Tess, but he is the sweetest dog I've ever known. No one is a stranger to him and he will just sit right by me and put his head in my life. He just wants to be loved. He's also so smart- he already opens doors by himself, which is quite nice when he wants to go outside, because I don't have to go open the door for him.
Tess now has a friend to play with during the day and he has really calmed her down- thank goodness!!!!




Here is what Chase and I have concluded: Tess is the cutest, but Toby is by far the sweetest. (Not that Tess isn't sweet, she's just a little spastic and very puppy still.)

In case you're thinking I've become the "dog lady", I assure you I haven't!!!

Anyway, I am super pumped that fall is here- the house his in full fall mode with my new fall wreath I made, scarecrows, pumpkins and fall trail mixes!!!! Yay for new seasons!!!!



Until next time,
Live. Laugh. Love. Pray.
T

Wait, I already have a day off? YES!!!

So.... I'm sitting here on my day off watching CMT music videos and thinking...."I love labor day!"

I know I've only been back to work like a month now, but man I sure did need this day off.

Maybe I should give a little update on my 2nd year of teaching so far... well, so far, so good. Last year was in a word, ROUGH! Poor Chase said the hardest part of med school last year was my job- how sad is that?!? I would cry every morning before going to work and usually do the same when I got home. Ridiculous, but this year has been so much better already for many reasons.
1. I'm teaching 8th grade this year- some of the same kids from last year (this is good and bad).
2. I'm teaching 8th grade- major maturity over the summer- its like their new people. Its weird to see how much they can change in just a few months, but so far they are impressing me. Thank goodness I don't have 6th grade. I just can't handle those little wiggle worms:)
3. I sort of know what I am doing now. Last week, one of my students said, "MISS, You're so organized this year." I almost gave her an A for the rest of the year. Last year, I was just trying to get through the day without drowning, but now I've had a few swim lessons to improve and doing much better.
4. I'm more confident in my teaching and in myself. If they don't like me.... whateve! This is pretty hard for me to do because if you know me at all, I am such a people pleaser (thanks DAD for this)
5. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last year, I thought the school year would never end, but now I know that time zips by and I get a summer break- praise God above for that! I told Chase, "No matter how many tears I cry throughout the school year, its worth it to get 2 months off.

So, all in all, good start so far.

On another note, Chase, Tess and I will be trekking to the F-dub this coming weekend for Will's wedding. YAY! I love weddings. We will be dropping off Tess at Chase's parents for the weekend. Bless them for that. She's currently in the "terrible two" stage and thinks everything is "edible." Love her though. Pics to come soon.

Until next time,
Live. Love. Laugh. Pray

Our little family is growing

No, not with a child

Well, I figured since its been about 3 months since I blogged, I have some updating to do.

DISCLAIMER: This will be a pretty lengthy post, since I am recapping the last few months... don't say you weren't warned:)

April:
We bought our first house at the end of April and I have tirelessly been working on it non-stop. It was built in 1959 and needed major updating. Yay! Project for me:) I love being busy and I have spent every waking moment on this house all summer... until today. I am pretty much done with the big stuff, except for the bathrooms. They are a looming project that will just have to wait. Right now, I am painting one door at a time. Its a slow process trying to paint those dang doors. You have to prime and prime then paint and paint. It takes about a day. So, maybe by October I'll have them all finished. We've completely re-done the kitchen, living room, dining room and both bedrooms. Exhausting but exciting

May:
School's out for me!!! I told Chase, "no matter how many tears I cry during the school year, its worth it to be off 3 months in the summer." I've been super busy traveling and visiting friends and family. Loving life. Chase has been working a lot and wasn't able to come with me... and its true, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I've missed that kid.
I took Emily to see George Strait at the new Cowboy Stadium.. Absolutely Amazing! (sorry, no pictures. My hard drive crashed and I lost them... just imagine ok). Also had a roommate reunion in FW. It was so good to see everyone and catch up on life. I dont know what I would do without those girls.

June:
Went to Abilene for Kim and John's wedding. So, so, so fun. It was like a college reunion with everybody there. Then the Edwards, Eyers and us made the ridiculously long drive to Hilton Head, South Carolina to spend a week at Jesse's parents house. Maybe one of the top 5 weeks of my life. No worries, no cares. Just fun, sun, dolphins, laughter, good food, good wine and great company. By the way, I'm ready to move to SC any day now. Surely everyone will want to come visit us there right?!?!

(Back story to me next update) We decided this summer was a good time to get a dog. We have a yard and Chase is starting to get really busy with school, so I needed a "best friend" close by. Some friends of ours had some boxer puppies, so we went and picked one out to actually not bring home until mid-July. Well the next day, the mom ate two of the puppies and the rest of them died the following day. Yikes!!! We think they all had some sort of infection. Yes I did say she ATE them. Crazy. So, we had to come up with a new plan. While we were home visiting the rents, I thought I would go around to the shelters and pick one out. So while Chase went golfing one day, I went dog hunting. Well within an hour I found the perfect puppy. I called Chase and told him I didn't have any luck, but I lied. When he came home to his parents house I was standing there holding little Tess.

Tess is a mutt. We think blue-healer/Rottweiler mix, but she is precious. We love her so much already. She was 5 weeks when we got her, so she's already about 9 weeks. Man, they sure do grow up fast:) As of two days ago, she had mastered "sit" and she knows to go to the back door when she has to potty. Her only downfall right now it the gnawing on your appendages. She is obsessed with Chase's feet and pants. Its almost funny how much she attacks him.

July:
Did the yearly 4th of July extravaganza at Heath's lake house. Always a blast!!
I had a teacher conference at NASA for week. I am now obsessed with NASA. Not in a nerdy kind of way, but everything they do there is almost unfathomable to me. Some of the most brilliant minds in the world and also some of the most faithful people I've ever met. Almost every astronaut and NASA employee mentioned their faith and that God helped them land these amazing jobs. I was not expecting that; it was refreshing.
On the way home from NASA, made a pit stop in SA for Elena and Cherry's baby shower. Can't wait to see those little babies.

Whew, so that is the recap of the summer. Here's a few pics to capture the moments:)

Here's the view from Jesse's parents back porch. Breathtaking.


This is me with Dom... an astronaut that just retired. Nicest man ever.



This is an astronaut in training. He is getting all geared up to practice weightlessness in the training pool. They have to learn/practice doing mechanics in the water to simulate doing them in space. Way cool!


Here is a picture of the whole training pool. It has a mack space station built under the water.



At the baby shower for Cherry and Elena, we played a game to see who could drink the bottle the fastest. Please take note at Shaylee's playing stance:)


Meet Tess!!!


This was the first day we had her. Isn't she too cute!!!


Sweet puppy.


The crew in South Carolina.


Girl pic on the boat in South Carolina


Boys being boys. They all 3 decided it would be more fun to ride the tube together than by themselves. It really was some of the best entertainment of the week.


Beautiful mommies-to-be!


Beautiful bride-to-be!


Roommate reunion weekend. This was at Joe T's on Friday night. Erin met us there to catch up on life too.



Live. Love. Pray. Give Thanks.
T

Pictures of the house remodel coming soon...