Happy Easter!

I know it's been a long time...our computer's on life support, and we haven't been ready to plunk down the cash to get another one. In short, life's been busy. Sam's almost 8 months old and he is crawling everywhere! He is so curious of the world God's made, and loves exploring everything! He loves spending time outdoors. Friday we went to Claiborne Park for an Easter egg hunt with Jared's home church. Sam had a good time just getting one egg. He hasn't caught on that the point is to get lots of eggs. He was happy with one. Saturday we went to dad's and had a crawfish boil and egg hunt #2. Still Sam was happy with his one egg....maybe next year he'll catch on! Sunday we went to church and then Mom andMel came up. Overall, it was a fun, relaxing holiday. It's so fun seeing everyone love on Sam. He is such a good baby and such a joy to be around. Right now, Sam is into Easter grass, cell phones, digital camaras, and remote controls...does that mean he'll be very inventive???

Running's been slow. A couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and am now waiting to see a specialist. I won't get in until August, so I guess it's a good thing that I'm not dying of a rare disease b/c I would already be dead by then! Ha! Anyway, everything that I had read said that high impact excercise was a no no...like running. I took a break for a little while, but then decided to pick it up again and just do what my body tells me is okay. Yesterday, Sam and I went and ran a mile! Now for some of you that might be no big deal but 1. I was pushing a stroller. 2. I haven't run a mile since middle school (that's no joke). It felt really good and I've decided that I'm going to do as much as I can for as long as I can.

School's going good for me. I'm ready for summer. I think every teacher, at this point, is in survival mode. I am however reading a really good book that is helping my perspective. For those of you who aren't teachers, skip to the next paragraph. :) Back when I was going to school I attended a workshop called "Begin with the Brain". It was all about brain based research that helps teachers in the classroom. She gave away two of her books and I recently began re-reading them. It's all about how the area of your brain that stores information and thinks critically is also the part of the brain that triggers stress. If the brain is under stress, or perceived stress, then the brain is not able to work at it's fullest. All that to say the book helps teachers to build a classroom environment that helps relieve some of the triggers of stress by how you teach and build a classroom community. I hope all teachers pick up the two of her books: Begin with the Brain and Teachers, Change Your Bait by Martha Kaufeldt...not real sure on the spelling of her last name. All that to say, I'm loving and hating school. I'm ready for summer off with Sam. He's so funny and I hate that I don't get to spend time with him like I want to. We have lots of summer plans including: Mommy and Me swim lessons, family vacation to the Frio, and Sam's 1st birthday! Ahhhhh! Can you believe that? I can't.

Church is going great. We're starting construction on the Family Life Center. I wish it were going to be done by Sam's birthday. :) Things are going good though. It's really neat how God allows us to be in community with other believers. Here lately I feel like we've been so busy that we haven't been able to enjoy that community as much as we should. Maybe that's another reason why I'm so ready for summer. Summer time usually slows us down and we're able to hang out with people more. I miss that. I feel like we spend most of our time running around from place to place, event to event. That gets exhausting. That's why we spent spring break doing NOTHING. Absolutely NOTHING! It was great.

Well, I just wanted to update you guys. I know I don't have any pictures, but I think we left the camera cord at my mother in laws....we'll get it next time.

Hopefully, I'll be more faithful to blog...if there's anyone out there who still reads!

~Elizabeth