Staying Strong

This past week has been such a whirlwind for Travis and I. We went home for Mother's Day weekend to surprise my grandparents. It was so nice to be around our family. My Granddaddy and Mimi had their annual Mother's Day crawfish boil. They were so good. My Uncle Kenny cooked three sacks and I definitely had my share. Of course, the weekend came and went so fast and before we knew it we were back on the plane headed to Dallas.

Monday is when our life took an unexpected turn. I remember Travis calling me from work and asked if I was by myself in my office. My heart sunk because I didn't know what he was about to tell me. He told me that his company decided to have another layoff and they were just handing out letters to employers. I had faith that he wouldn't get a letter. He has worked so hard for the company. An hour later when I got home, he called me and told me he got a letter. I just broke down and kept repeating "What are we going to do?" You never think he could happen to you. He said he had until July to find something. I felt like everything at crumbled at that moment. He told me he would come home so we could just be together and figure out our next steps. When I got off the phone with him, I called the two most important people in my life....my mom and dad. I just cried to them and told them I was scared. I knew they would have the right words to say to me. I remember my dad telling me to just take a deep breath because I needed to stay strong for Travis. After talking with them, I finally calmed down and waited for Travis to get home. When Travis got home, we just stood there in each other's arms and said we would get through this together. It has been a tough week for the both of us. The thought of moving became an option but we didn't want to leave our house and our lives that we have made here. When you're going through this, you are filled with so many emotions and you're confused on what the best choice would be for the both us. Iam so proud of Travis for taking the initiative this past week and applying for jobs in Dallas area. We are just hoping for a call back soon. Please continue to pray for us as we travel down this bumpy path at this moment in our life. I know we will get through this with the help of our family and friends. We are so grateful for each and every one of you!

We love you!

Changes

Wow! It has been a while since I have written a new blog. Things have been kind of crazy lately. First of all, I have taken a new job with Frisco ISD for the new school year. It was such a tough decision. When I got the call that I was offered the job, I was so excited but so scared. I wanted to make the right decision and I was at a crossroads. Travis and I spent one weekend talking about the pros and cons for each job. By the end of the weekend, we had made the decision that I would move to Frisco. I cried many tears that weekend because I didn't want to leave my friends are my kiddos. It's amazing how some of my most challenging students were the ones that made the decision the hardest. In the three years, that I have been at Brinker, I have established some amazing bonds with my students and the thought of them being in someone else's hands scared me. They were my "little babies." Fortunately, my principal found someone to fill my position quickly and I had the opportunity to meet and work with her today for the first time. She observed me in therapy and we reviewed the paperwork/strategies that work with the students and teachers. I want it to be an easy transition for her since it is her first year. I remembered how I felt my first year....OVERWHELMED! I think the new SLP will do great. I will be working with more in the next few weeks. It will definitely be easier to turn my kids to someone else. I am scared about starting somewhere new and leaving my comfort zone at Brinker but I am excited about the new change. I know it is a great decision for Travis and I and for our futre family.

Secondly, Travis and I are in the process of putting flooring down in our house. WHAT A MESS! We are so excited! The past two weekends, we have been busy pulling up all of carpet and some of the tile. We had no idea how much of a mess pulling up tile would be. It took us forever to get everything free of dust. This past weekend, we finally finished getting our floors ready for when the flooring arrives and we painted our room which looks great! I am so excited to see the outcome! I will post pictures of our new floors as soon as their done and I promise to be better at blogging! :)

Love Y'all!
Mary

An Answered Prayer

As most of you know, last Thursday was a big day for Travis and I. His company was having a layoff that day and we had to wait for the outcome. It was such a nerve-racking week for the both of us...more so for him. We knew about a month ago that there would be a layoff but we didn't want to think it would happen. The day finally came and he was safe!!!! Travis told me when they got to work, his supervisor pulled several of them into his office and told them that they still had a job! WHAT A RELIEF!!! When hecalled to tell me the news, I couldn't stop screaming and I was beaming from ear to ear and completely speechless. It was such a relief for both of us and it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off of our shoulders. He is such a hard worker and I am so proud of him and all that he has done for the company, I knew he didn't deserve to be laid off. We were pretty confident, but there was still that little bit that kept tugging at us to be prepared if it went the other way. We turned to our faith and knew we had to leave it in God's hands.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who supported and prayed for us during this difficult and stressful time. I especially want to thank all of my friends at work. You guys were such a huge support for me while I was dealing with my job which at times can be stressful. Thanks for keeping me upbeat and positive. To my mom, thank you so much for listening to me cry countless nights on the phone because I was so scared of what could happen. You and dad were such great supporters for the both us. We love you!

Pig Roast 2009

A couple of weeks ago, Travis and I and a couple friend of ours, Meagan and Matt, went down to Louisiana for the Pig Roast. We had such a great time. We drove down there on Thursday night and got in early Friday morning. The guys had to get up shortly after to for the Pig run. It is an all day affair. They go and get the pig and then on the way back, they stop at several bars and eat lunch. They make it back HOURS later! They go straight to the scout hut where the pig roast is being held and get ready for guys night. While they were doing that all day, my mom had made so many delicious dishes that I was craving to eat. Family came over and we ate and drank and then that night went out for some amazing seafood. The guys finally made it back home around 1:30am on Saturday. I'll put it this way....they weren't hurting! :)

On Saturday, it is family day at the Pig Roast. Of course, there is more delicious food and that's when they get the pig ready to eat. I'm not big on eating the pig as you will see in the pictures why. They have a lot of things for the kids to do and the adults visit, eat, and drink some more. It's a good time for everyone! Saturday night, is adult's only night. They get a band to play and there's more food and drinks going around...imagine that! My friend Ashley ended up surprising us at the pig roast. I had no idea she was coming. It was such a great surprise! By the end of the night, we were all exhausted. We finally got home around 3am on Sunday and then woke up for the 8 hour drive back to Dallas! Needless to say, it wasn't a fun trip home. Next year, we are definitley flying to the Pig Roast! Here are a few pictures from that weekend...

Do you see why I won't eat the pig??

Crawfish boil

Hey Y'all! Last weekend Travis and I went to a crawfish boil with some friends that I work with. We had a great time and the crawfish were SOOO good! We always have a great time when we hang out with this group of friends and it makes it ten times easier when all of our husbands get along! We are very fortunate to have such a great circle of friends!

For Travis and I not having family here, we realize how much our friends mean to us. We know we could call on them at anytime if we needed to. Our friends are what surround us here in Texas and each day we realize that this is where we need to be at this point in our lives.

The girls....Meagan, Sara, Jamie, Tracy, me, Carol, Ashala, and Alaina

We missed you Adriane and Marisa!

Carol, Tracy, and me

DuMonde XXX

This past weekend, Travis and I traveled down to Louisiana for Mardi Gras. One of the greatest things about Louisiana and my culture. My dad was a duke in DuMonde, which is the local Mardi Gras ball in LaPlace. He told my sister and I in December at Christmas time. I was so excited and couldn't wait for this weekend to come. I knew how much fun it was when I was a Maid in 2000. My dad had a wonderful maid which made it even better. We used to swim together at Riverlands and her dad was the Captain of the ball when I was a maid. This year the theme was The Roman Empire. My dad was Duke Leonidas. I thought I would never see my dad in a dress :) It was a great night. This was Travis' first Mardi Gras and what a way to experience it. He had so much fun and is already ready for next year's Mardi Gras!!!! After the ball ended, we went to my dad's good friend and also a duke, Mr. R.J. for a breakfast. I was so tired from traveling and not sleeping, that I had to leave early and get some rest because I knew Saturday was going to be another busy day.

On Saturday, we went to a parade in Reserve called Towapasa. WOW!!! It was fun and interesting! It's a parade where anything goes! That night, we went to Metairie so Travis can see more parades. It didn't take him long to figure out what you had to do when the floats past. He had himself a blast! You would never know it was his first Mardi Gras. That Sunday, was the LaPlace Parade that my dad and the rest of the court would ride in. We decided to stay so we can see him on the float. My dad was having so much fun! Once it was over, I began to dread the thought of having to say good-bye to my family. Even though we had an 8 hour drive ahead of us and it was after 2 in the afternoon, Travis knew I wanted to see my dad before I left so we decided to stay unti he arrived at my grandparent's house (they are on the parade route). Once my dad arrived, we visisted for a little while but then had to say good-bye knowing that we would be back in a month for Pig Roast. Travis and I had such a good weekend and it was more memories that we were able to share together. We are anxiously waiting Mardi Gras 2010!!!

My dad and his Maid, Meagan....Leonidas

Our Family

Dad and his girls

Mardi Gras Party

This past weekend, Travis and I had a Mardi Gras party with some girls from work and their husbands. We had so much fun! It's amazing how our husbands have bonded so quickly each time we hang out. I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of friends that surround us. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and I even ordered a King Cake for everyone to taste. I couldn't wait to eat a piece myself. It's one of the best things about Mardi Gras other than your usual order of Popeye's Chicken for the parades.
I owe a big thank you to my mom who picked up all kind of Mardi Gras stuff so we can wear it for the party! It was a hit! Thanks mom! I can't wait till we have everyone over again for more good times!

The girls

Tracy and I

Travis and I

The girls ready for Mardi Gras

Travis and Brad sporting the Mardi Gras gear