I got a new rocking chair for outside. As you can see from the not-so-pretty picture, I can sit indian-style in it (is that politically incorrect to call it that?). I LOVE IT. I just sat and rocked while Vic grilled us some chicken. First time in YEARS that I've sat outside and not imbibed anything other than some good ol' fashioned iced tea!

Have I mentioned that we are in the process of changing our eating habits? Probably not, but we are. More grilled, less butter, you know the drill. I'm feeling really motivated this time--like I ever do this--but anyway. I'm ready for a change. I'm not trying to be smaller as most people who make food changes, but I am trying to be healthier and if I happen to shrink, I'll live. I think I'm also going to bite the bullet and start swimming at the only indoor pool in town. I went and checked it out and it's a good size and not very busy. I've also been thinking we'll start walking some too--since my feet don't hurt anymore (because I had them lazered last summer!) and the same place that has the pool as an indoor track. Wouldn't want to get any sun, ya know!

Thirty-one. 31. It's really only a fun number if it's tied to Baskin Robbins. But anyway, it was a good lazy day--which is just what I needed! We slept late, grabbed lunch at Sonic, got ready, and headed to Amarillo. We had to get Vic's glasses adjusted, and I found some cute Earth shoes at Dillards that got to come home with me:


We went to look at headboards--we got new mattresses so now we have a spare set of (old) king mattresses. We are looking for an inexpensive headboard/frame for it. Didn't find much we liked that was not too expensive.

Then we went to Pei Wei for dinner. We were going to eat Japanese food, but it was SO busy that I didn't wanta wait. So we are going to go back on Monday night and eat there and continue looking for a bed. After some mongolian chicken, we went to Biti Pies and I had the best mini coconut cream pie! Here's a pic of it 1/2 eaten:

I also got a german chocolate cake to go too! Vic got a cherry pie and a chocolate one to go!

So now we are home and I'm looking for something to wear to church that would accentuate my new shoes! Thanks for all the birthday wishes it was a good day!

SO last Friday as I was in the truck driving to Denton, a shock of panic hit me as I remembered that I needed to take care of the ticket that I had gotten by June 7th. SO I called Vic, who at that minute was sitting in the Detroit airport. I reminded him about the ticket and told him that I got it in Panhandle, TX and needed him to call them and ask what I should do. Because, you see, the ticket is in my car which is at the Amarillo Airport and Vic has the keys. So he called. And then called me back and said they had no record of me. So then I told him to try White Deer, TX because maybe that's where I was...so we got off the phone again. He called me back and said I needed to call them. I did. They told me they would "make a note" that I had called and that I could mail it or bring in the $ this week.

So on Saturday I went up to the credit union in Denton (which is still where I bank) and got a money order. This morning I got up and took the U-haul trailer and turned it in (an adventure in and of itself...which included a puppy almost pulling my pants down) and headed to White Deer. I called the number and asked where they were located. She said "come to the only blinkin' light on the main road and turn left and it will be on the left hand side, you can't miss it." She was right:



I went into this lovely establishment and she asks my name. She pulls out an envelope with a STICKY NOTE on it that said "called in & will pay later." I give her my money order and she explains that in 30 days I need to write a letter that promises that I didn't get any more tickets from June 10th-July 10th and have it notarized. Then it won't go on my record. That's their version of deferred adjudication.

Living out here in the sticks is pretty funny. I can't imagine that Dallas Co. would ever request that someone write a letter that "promises" they didn't get anymore tickets...but whatever. They'll get their letter and I'll always know that I got to visit City Hall in White Deer, TX.

SO much has happened in the last week!

First, last Friday my principal and I discussed me staying. She said she would move me into special ed., which is where my heart is. We haven't sold the house and I don't have a job in DFW...and so I came home and didn't think much about it at first, because we had to go get Vic's mom at the airport. But, I called my dad and he said he thought we should stay...he said that a year from now the job and housing market will be much more stable and that having a job here is better than not having a job there.

So we prayed that God would help us make the RIGHT swift and easy decision. SO then, Saturday, we had lunch w/ the associate pastor at our church who is our age and we were talking to him about it and he was like "well, I'm a little biased, but I'll pray for yall" and I said "while you are at it, pray for us because we decided that we are going to start the adoption process" and he was SO EXCITED and was like "I'll write you a letter of recommendation...and we have people in the church that can help you...and there's this and that grant to help..." on and on and on...and then prayed with/for us right there in the sandwich place for "our baby" and right then I felt like that was God's way of telling us to stay here and when we got home Vic said that he felt the same way....

So, we have decided to stay in Pampa another year...which seems crazy....but DFW isn't going anywhere. And (I know this sounds crazy too!) I have felt all along that God brought us here for a baby...I thought it was because of the fertility Dr. at TTU that has been so great to work with...but maybe it's just to find our child that's being conceived by someone else!

Anyway, I'm sad to be gone from my family and friends even longer...but I am so excited about this whole adoption thing. I feel good about all the decisions. I'm also really relieved to be putting some eggs in another basket, so to speak, because I don't think just continuing with the fertility stuff was smart or sane for me/us. I love the idea of God bringing us a baby that needs a home...I would be so honored to be his/her mom.