My Visit "Out West"

Yesterday afernoon, I left Fort Worth to go see David's jobsite in Throckmorton. I got there about 3 hours later (after taking one very wrong turn). It was wonderful to be able to see all the work they are doing on the road there. I met some of the other workers--Ishmael, Cheque, and Chihuahua (I believe that's just his nickname!). I really did not want to stay at the hotel where David stays every night (not to be a snot, but The Pipeliner Inn is just not my style!). We were going to drive to a town a little further away and stay at a new Best Western for the night. Yes, I know...the Best Western is still not the Hilton or the Marriott, but it is a big improvement over the Pipeliner!! Unfortunately, when we got to the Best Western, they were all sold out! Who would have thought? I wondered if that many people had visited west Texas for their spring break? ;) Well, the only other option (besides driving 45 minutes back to the Pipeliner) was to stay at the Executive Inn...actually, this wasn't truly the only other option, but it was better than the other options (scary, I know). I was very upset to be staying at this hotel and thought very seriously about driving home...but my point in coming out west was to spend time with David, so I was brave. I hesitantly walked up to the room, where I immediately flung back the bedspread and inspected the sheets. I was incredibly mad when I found a hair on one of the pillow cases; however, David smelled the sheets, and I had to agree with him that they did smell clean. I must admit, however, that I slept (fitfully, at best, as I was very worried about getting lice and/or bedbugs) in long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and socks...plus, I laid a clean t-shirt over my pillow. I know that many of you are thinking "Missy Jr." in your head right now...at least I come by it honestly! ;)

Here is a picture of David enjoying our delicious picnic dinner at our wonderful accomodations...at least we were able to go to Dairy Queen for dessert. (Yes, that really is a treat, because DQs are few and far between in the city!).

Babies #1 & #2

Up until a few weeks ago, I had 13 (yes, 13!!) pregnant friends (Audra, Tiffany, Nicole, Alicia, Kimi, Jennifer B., Sarah, Dinah, Jennifer P., Allison, Bree, Lisa Kay, & David's college roommate's wife). Granted, 5 of them are teachers at my school; so, even though I wouldn't consider them close friends, I definitely hear about their pregnancies all the time! ;) However, 2 of the babies have been born, and I'm so thrilled that Audra and Tiffany have both had beautiful baby girls!!

Israel Hope Charlebois was born on Saturday, February 3. I am hoping to go to Minnesota to meet her (and Nicole's baby boy!) in May or June. I love hearing Audra talk about what a wonderful baby Rae is, and how happy Audra is being her mom!


And, on Valentine's Day, Audrey Faith Collins was born. David and I were able to meet her when she was just home from the hospital, only 4 days old! I loved being able to hold her while she slept! She is a miracle, and we are both so happy for Brian & Tiffany! I am especially excited because I get to watch Audrey this summer 3 days a week when Tiffany goes back to work!! (I will have to post a picture of Audrey when I get the film back--we finally used our last roll of "film" that has been in the camera for months!).

Welcome, precious babies!

Sweet Valentine's Day!

David and I celebrated Valentine's Day this year by going to The Melting Pot. This is an amazing fondue restaurant, and we both enjoyed every minute and bite of our dinner there!! Personally, my favorites were the turtle dessert fondue and that we sat at our table, talking and eating, for over 3 hours. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time together!! Here are a few pictures of us enjoying the evening...



Even though David and I don't usually see each other during the week (since David is working out in west Texas), my precious husband drove home on Feb. 13 so that we could wake up together on Valentine's morning! I left on the afternoon of the 14th for a conference in San Antonio, so this was our best chance to be together on the actual day. David ended up beating me home that evening, and when I got home, I found these gorgeous roses for me! David, I couldn't love you any more!! You make my life so sweet!

Our Trip to Arizona!

Okay, I know we have been a little lax lately in our posting. Since we last posted, we went to Arizona February 2-4 to visit David's grandpa. It was a short, but wonderful, weekend. We felt very blessed to be able to go and visit Grandpa Rinn. We got in late on Friday night, and the next morning we took a little drive through the Superstition Mountains. I really didn't know that Arizona had mountains like these, but they were "mountainous" enough that David had to stop the car so I could get out and get some fresh air....yikes! ;) We also spent a lot of time talking with Grandpa Rinn, as well as his sister and her husband, Aunt Lois & Uncle Tom. Grandpa Rinn, we miss you very much, but we are thankful for the time we were able to spend with you!

*Snow Day*

I couldn't believe it when my phone rang this morning at 6:30. It was our school librarian (and also my team leader) calling to say that school had been cancelled. I had heard it raining/sleeting in the night, but I never heard any buzz last evening about the weather being bad enough to cancel school. What I love about when it snows in Texas is watching the news...first of all, the "on the scene reporters" (meaning the ones standing out in the weather) are literally ducking the snow/ice hitting their face while they talk. This morning one reporter stooped down and made a snowball and said, "The kids could have a lot of fun making a snowman today!" Another reporter said, "Dallas is already reporting 1/4" of snowfall." Now, I know that this is Texas, and that snow here is definitely a rarity, but, having grown up in Minnesota, it all makes me laugh so hard!! If the weather was like this in January in Minnesota, it would have been a normal day like usual...no school cancellations. And, if the low was only in the 20's (as opposed to the teens, single digits, or below zero), we might not have even needed to wear our snow pants! ;)

Happy 28th Birthday, David!

Last night we celebrated David's birthday, since he was out of town on his actual birthday (Tuesday, January 9). I made salmon for dinner, and for dessert we had German chocolate cake with Breyers Vanilla Bean ice cream (David's favorite kind of ice cream). He also opened his presents from me: a new rolling Eddie Bauer duffel bag (for his weekly trips out west) and a framed picture of him with his brothers and dad snowmobiling over Christmas. It was such a wonderful night together! With David traveling so much, we truly don't take our time together anymore for granted! Happy Birthday, Love! I know your 28th year is going to be wonderful!!

Morning Run from "old" Keystone to our new building!

Yesterday afternoon, my friend Amber called with a crazy idea! Our church, Keystone, is having our "Grand Opening" Sunday tomorrow, so today we had a prayer walk at the church. Amber's idea was that we would run from Keystone's old location, Hillwood Middle School, to our new building on Keller Parkway! Even though it poured all night, it wasn't raining when we left Hillwood at 7:45 this morning!


Right when we turned north to run on 377, though, it started raining/icing. (We're currently having an "Arctic blast" storm here in north Texas.) Thankfully, the rain/ice only lasted 10 minutes. We had an awesome run and made it the 6 miles in an hour. We wore our "Grand Opening" t-shirts (over several layers). David met us at the new building for the prayer walk...plus he brought us hot chocolate from Starbucks!

Thanks for a great run, Amber!