As 2011 winds down, I can't say I'm sad to see it go. This has been a very difficult year for so many people who are so important to me, and I'm ready for them to have some happiness and joy.
This year has had some extremely wonderful moments. We were blessed with a new grandson. Layton is such a joy, and I thank God each and every day for bringing him to our family. Our good friends Amy and Stephen were also blessed with a sweet son. Preston is a doll, and I know they have enjoyed each and every minute of his life. Three of my co-workers welcomed new babies. So yeah, 2011 has been good, but the tears outweighed the smiles.
Our school family was hit especially hard. My precious friend Karen lost her mother, her cousin's husband (Amanda has always been like a sister to Karen, so Randy was like a brother-in-law), and her best friend, Mary...who was one of our much-loved science teachers and a dear friend of mine as well. Another dear friend, Don, lost four relatives and his girlfriend. And he had a guy break into his house and commit suicide, AND Don went in for surgery to have a cyst removed from his kidney but ended up losing the entire kidney. We lost another precious member of our school staff when our registrar, Patti, died. We had a student who was severely injured in a bizarre accident with her horse (but thankfully she survived. She has struggles, but let me tell you...she is a true inspiration!!) Another student drowned not long after school was out for summer. A former student was killed in a car accident. Several other faculty and staff members lost loved ones. It has been a year we're all happy to see in the rear view mirror.
So, as the new year approaches, my wish is for nothing but smiles and laughter, happiness and joy for my family and friends. May God bless you and your families.
27 December 2011
11 December 2011
Vest Family Christmas 2011
We had our family Christmas yesterday in Hartselle. Danny, Linda, Allen, Will, Landon and Lance weren't able to join us for various reasons, and we missed them all, but the rest of us did have a wonderful time enjoying each other's company.
It was a fun year with all of the "little" kids. The great-grandchildren range in age from 11 years to 5 months. Of course, Gavin and Layton weren't all that interested in what was going on, and Zac is getting older so his excitement is more reserved now, but Sam and Maggie had a blast. Sam got some tools, and Maggie got make up. Sam is all boy, and Maggie is all girl. (Ask her and she'll tell you she is the princess at her house, and her daddy and Will are the Prince Charmings. LOL)
Poor Billie continues to decline. She had a hard time keeping Amy, Katy, Libby, and Jessi straight, and then add in their kiddos, and it gets even worse. I wanted to make sure I got a picture of her, John, Katy, Jessi, Sam, and Layton. I don't know if it was harder to try to get Sam or her to look at the camera and smile. Sam wanted to play and to eat his M&Ms (what 3 year old ever wants to sit still for pictures?), and she couldn't remember. Amanda (Luke's fiance) said we could easily put the pictures on Awkward Family Photos. I think I'll give you an example of what I mean...
This one cracks me up because Sam is so over sitting her, and Billie is looking away, but at least you can tell she's smiling.
It was a fun year with all of the "little" kids. The great-grandchildren range in age from 11 years to 5 months. Of course, Gavin and Layton weren't all that interested in what was going on, and Zac is getting older so his excitement is more reserved now, but Sam and Maggie had a blast. Sam got some tools, and Maggie got make up. Sam is all boy, and Maggie is all girl. (Ask her and she'll tell you she is the princess at her house, and her daddy and Will are the Prince Charmings. LOL)
Poor Billie continues to decline. She had a hard time keeping Amy, Katy, Libby, and Jessi straight, and then add in their kiddos, and it gets even worse. I wanted to make sure I got a picture of her, John, Katy, Jessi, Sam, and Layton. I don't know if it was harder to try to get Sam or her to look at the camera and smile. Sam wanted to play and to eat his M&Ms (what 3 year old ever wants to sit still for pictures?), and she couldn't remember. Amanda (Luke's fiance) said we could easily put the pictures on Awkward Family Photos. I think I'll give you an example of what I mean...
And this is just one example.This one cracks me up because Sam is so over sitting her, and Billie is looking away, but at least you can tell she's smiling.
After we finished, I sat down next to her and showed her the pictures. She pointed to herself and asked, "Who is that woman?" I told her it was her. She looked at the picture again, and then she looked down to see what she was wearing. Once, she said something to Katy or Jessi one about "my husband, Carl." She doesn't even remember that her husband was their grandfather. Sad, sad situation!
We're doing our Christmas here next Sunday. I've got the menu pretty much planned. I still want one other veggie, but I just can't decide what. Something will pop into my head between now and then. :)
I guess that's about it for now, but before I close out, I want to leave you with one more picture. This one is of Billie, the grandkids, and the great-grandkids.
Have a GREAT day!
08 December 2011
2012 can't arrive soon enough
I'm not wishing my life away, and I'm not even wanting what is left of this year to hurry by because of the BCS championship game. I just want 2011 to be over, and I pray that 2012 is filled with many more smiles and much fewer tears.
Our faculty, staff, and students have been hit with so much tragedy and sorrow this year. More than what one school should ever experience. Actually, the hard times go back several years. If I counted correctly, the number of deaths that our faculty/staff has experienced in about the last four years is close to 20. A spouse, parents, other relatives, friends...Sure, we have a around 75 employees in our school, but even still, that is a lot of sadness in such a short time.
In addition to that, one of our students drowned over the summer. Back in the spring, another of our students was seriously injured when her horse fell. Looking at Kathryn, although she faces some struggles, we can see the goodness of God in sparing her.
Just about a month ago, we lost our registrar. Patti had been sick, but things were beginning to turn around. It looked like she was on the mend, but then there was a setback, and we were shocked to learn she had passed away.
Today, we lost another of our family members. Mary had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during the summer, but the prognosis looked good. Her cancer was supposed to be fairly rare and slow growing. After spending about 3 months in the hospital, she was finally released, and the plan was that she would return to work after Christmas break. She had not been home long when we went to the ER because of extreme back pain. The diagnosis was not good. The cancer had spread to her spine, and she was given two years...best case.
My phone rang at 5:45 this morning. Nobody ever calls at 5:45, so I knew. I knew when I looked at the caller ID, it would be Karen. It knew when I said hello, she wouldn't have good news. I still said a quick prayer that she was calling to tell me she'd been up sick all night and wasn't going to be at work. (Sorry for wishing illness on you, Karen, but I know you understand.)
I met Mary in January of 1993. John and I had just gotten married, and I was unemployed. Mary was a part-time rad tech who worked for John and a full-time teacher. Because of her, I learned about a special education teacher who was going to be on maternity leave in the spring of 1994. Mary put in a good word for me, even though she knew nothing about me! Talk about going out on a limb for someone, but that was Mary! For several years, Mary and I taught next door to each other. Many were the days when I'd go to her room to ask a special ed question, see if she had a copy of a form I could NOT find (she always did in her disorganized organization), or to vent. Mary had the most awesome giggle for a laugh. I loved hearing it. She had the best sense of humor. She was a wonderful person and friend, and so many people can say their lives are better for having had her in it.
Thank you, Mary, for allowing me to be your friend, and I know I'll be seeing you again. I love you!
Our faculty, staff, and students have been hit with so much tragedy and sorrow this year. More than what one school should ever experience. Actually, the hard times go back several years. If I counted correctly, the number of deaths that our faculty/staff has experienced in about the last four years is close to 20. A spouse, parents, other relatives, friends...Sure, we have a around 75 employees in our school, but even still, that is a lot of sadness in such a short time.
In addition to that, one of our students drowned over the summer. Back in the spring, another of our students was seriously injured when her horse fell. Looking at Kathryn, although she faces some struggles, we can see the goodness of God in sparing her.
Just about a month ago, we lost our registrar. Patti had been sick, but things were beginning to turn around. It looked like she was on the mend, but then there was a setback, and we were shocked to learn she had passed away.
Today, we lost another of our family members. Mary had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during the summer, but the prognosis looked good. Her cancer was supposed to be fairly rare and slow growing. After spending about 3 months in the hospital, she was finally released, and the plan was that she would return to work after Christmas break. She had not been home long when we went to the ER because of extreme back pain. The diagnosis was not good. The cancer had spread to her spine, and she was given two years...best case.
My phone rang at 5:45 this morning. Nobody ever calls at 5:45, so I knew. I knew when I looked at the caller ID, it would be Karen. It knew when I said hello, she wouldn't have good news. I still said a quick prayer that she was calling to tell me she'd been up sick all night and wasn't going to be at work. (Sorry for wishing illness on you, Karen, but I know you understand.)
I met Mary in January of 1993. John and I had just gotten married, and I was unemployed. Mary was a part-time rad tech who worked for John and a full-time teacher. Because of her, I learned about a special education teacher who was going to be on maternity leave in the spring of 1994. Mary put in a good word for me, even though she knew nothing about me! Talk about going out on a limb for someone, but that was Mary! For several years, Mary and I taught next door to each other. Many were the days when I'd go to her room to ask a special ed question, see if she had a copy of a form I could NOT find (she always did in her disorganized organization), or to vent. Mary had the most awesome giggle for a laugh. I loved hearing it. She had the best sense of humor. She was a wonderful person and friend, and so many people can say their lives are better for having had her in it.
Thank you, Mary, for allowing me to be your friend, and I know I'll be seeing you again. I love you!
20 October 2011
Hi! My name is Trina...
...and I used to be a regular blogger, but I've kinda gotten sidetracked. :)
I've finished 1/4 of the school year (and I'm nine weeks closer to retirement!!) This week has been our fall break, and I cannot believe how quickly it has gone by! The only day I've been home all day was Tuesday, and I cleaned house. Monday, I kept Layton. We had a great time. He talked and talked. (I know ALL of Jess and Lance's secrets. haha) The entire day was spent snuggling with him. The ONLY time he wasn't being snuggled was when I had to potty or when I ate my lunch. Yesterday, I rode down to Auburn. I had no plans to go anywhere, but I wanted to run to Talbot's. Imagine my disappointment when I pulled up and discovered that Talbot's was closed. Shut down. Moved out. I love Talbot's, but now the closest one is in Birmingham. Mom and I were going to meet in Birmingham today, but she sent me a text last night to say she was sick--coughing, fever, achy. She sent another text this morning to tell me that she just couldn't keep our plans. I hate that we had to cancel, but I hate even more that she's sick. We've rescheduled our girls' day for Veteran's Day. I decided to go on so I could go to Talbot's. I needed some new dress pants. I've got to run to Alex City tomorrow, but it shouldn't be an all day long trip--bank and lunch with a friend.
The Tide is rolling right along! We're still undefeated, and all the experts are saying the Nov. 5th game against LSU will be the de facto National Championship game. We're halfway through the season, so that means six more games, and a LOT can happen in those six games.
I found out last week that I'll be getting another intern next semester. YEA!! I have HUGE classes, so it will be nice to have an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands. Of course, once I turn the class over to her, she'll have to handle them on her own for a portion of the time.
I guess that's about it for now. I think I'm gonna call it an early night.
Have a GREAT day!
I've finished 1/4 of the school year (and I'm nine weeks closer to retirement!!) This week has been our fall break, and I cannot believe how quickly it has gone by! The only day I've been home all day was Tuesday, and I cleaned house. Monday, I kept Layton. We had a great time. He talked and talked. (I know ALL of Jess and Lance's secrets. haha) The entire day was spent snuggling with him. The ONLY time he wasn't being snuggled was when I had to potty or when I ate my lunch. Yesterday, I rode down to Auburn. I had no plans to go anywhere, but I wanted to run to Talbot's. Imagine my disappointment when I pulled up and discovered that Talbot's was closed. Shut down. Moved out. I love Talbot's, but now the closest one is in Birmingham. Mom and I were going to meet in Birmingham today, but she sent me a text last night to say she was sick--coughing, fever, achy. She sent another text this morning to tell me that she just couldn't keep our plans. I hate that we had to cancel, but I hate even more that she's sick. We've rescheduled our girls' day for Veteran's Day. I decided to go on so I could go to Talbot's. I needed some new dress pants. I've got to run to Alex City tomorrow, but it shouldn't be an all day long trip--bank and lunch with a friend.
The Tide is rolling right along! We're still undefeated, and all the experts are saying the Nov. 5th game against LSU will be the de facto National Championship game. We're halfway through the season, so that means six more games, and a LOT can happen in those six games.
I found out last week that I'll be getting another intern next semester. YEA!! I have HUGE classes, so it will be nice to have an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands. Of course, once I turn the class over to her, she'll have to handle them on her own for a portion of the time.
I guess that's about it for now. I think I'm gonna call it an early night.
Have a GREAT day!
02 October 2011
Fun fall weekend
John and I have had a super busy weekend, but it has been so much fun! We started out Friday night by going with Katy, Sam, Shelley, and Jason to the Spain Park/Mountain Brook ballgame. Phillip is in his fourth year there, and we've said every season we were going to go to one of their games. In the past, we always talked about it, but this year we set a definite weekend. Sadly, Spain Park lost. Their offense just couldn't seem to get anything going. They would have a good play or two, but that would be it for the series and the defense would be back on the field. I know the defense had to be exhausted.
Sam was a ham (as always LOL). Katy had told him we'd get some popcorn at the game. From the time she said it until we got to the game and got him some, he didn't say much of anything except "popcorn!" When he did get his box, he ate pretty much the entire thing by himself. John asked him for a bite, and he moved the box away so John couldn't get any. LOL When Sam did finish with it, only a couple of bites were left. (I think the Vest DNA contains a popcorn-loving gene.)
After we got back to Katy's, we got the pups and headed to the lake. It was midnight before we got here because we decided to stop in Cullman to get our groceries for yesterday. We came in, put everything away, made up the bed, and sacked out.
Yesterday, we met Mom and Dad at Oktoberfest in Cullman. Cullman was settled when five German families moved to the area in 1873. For years German was the primary language of the town. In 1977, the city held a one-day Oktoberfest to celebrate the centennial of Sacred Heart Church. Over the years, it has grown to a week-long event. Because Cullman has been a dry county, this was the only Oktoberfest in the world to not serve beer. The city of Cullman went wet in the last election, though, so this was to be the first year beer could be bought.
We did have a German lunch, though--brats, German potato salad, some type of cucumber stuff, and brown bread. Somehow, Mom, John, and I didn't get sauerkraut, though. Dad must've looked hungrier than we did. :)
When we left Oktoberfest, we came back to the trailer to get our steaks and the salad makings and headed to Susan and Tim's for an afternoon of football. The four of us were extremely depressed over the auburn victory. We just knew South Carolina would win. Our depression didn't last long, though, because Alabama took care of business with Florida, winning 38-10. This was a game that concerned me. It was the first SEC road trip challenge, and the Florida nation takes pride in making The Swamp a hostile environment.
Florida just out to a VERY quick 7-0 lead, and then on our first drive, we were able to put only 3 points on the board. Then Florida scored again to take a 10-3 lead. Trent ran for a TD to tie the game. In the second quarter, Courtney Upshaw intercepted a pass and ran it back 45 yards for a TD. (I love to see a defensive guy score!!) AJ then had a 1 yard run for another TD. The third quarter pretty much stunk for both teams. I don't know if Bama had even one first down in the 3rd quarter. In the fourth quarter, we scored two more times. I feel really good about our team after this game. I know we still have more than half the season to go, and I know that all it takes is one bad play to turn things around, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the success that the Tide is having.
Two more weeks until fall break. I can't wait! I am so ready for a week of being lazy. On that Monday, I am going to go keep Layton. :) I may go spend the night--if they don't mind--on Sunday night so I won't have to get up quite so early. I'm super excited about getting to snuggle him and spoil him all day long.
That's it for today. I hope everyone has a GREAT day!
Sam was a ham (as always LOL). Katy had told him we'd get some popcorn at the game. From the time she said it until we got to the game and got him some, he didn't say much of anything except "popcorn!" When he did get his box, he ate pretty much the entire thing by himself. John asked him for a bite, and he moved the box away so John couldn't get any. LOL When Sam did finish with it, only a couple of bites were left. (I think the Vest DNA contains a popcorn-loving gene.)
After we got back to Katy's, we got the pups and headed to the lake. It was midnight before we got here because we decided to stop in Cullman to get our groceries for yesterday. We came in, put everything away, made up the bed, and sacked out.
Yesterday, we met Mom and Dad at Oktoberfest in Cullman. Cullman was settled when five German families moved to the area in 1873. For years German was the primary language of the town. In 1977, the city held a one-day Oktoberfest to celebrate the centennial of Sacred Heart Church. Over the years, it has grown to a week-long event. Because Cullman has been a dry county, this was the only Oktoberfest in the world to not serve beer. The city of Cullman went wet in the last election, though, so this was to be the first year beer could be bought.
We did have a German lunch, though--brats, German potato salad, some type of cucumber stuff, and brown bread. Somehow, Mom, John, and I didn't get sauerkraut, though. Dad must've looked hungrier than we did. :)
When we left Oktoberfest, we came back to the trailer to get our steaks and the salad makings and headed to Susan and Tim's for an afternoon of football. The four of us were extremely depressed over the auburn victory. We just knew South Carolina would win. Our depression didn't last long, though, because Alabama took care of business with Florida, winning 38-10. This was a game that concerned me. It was the first SEC road trip challenge, and the Florida nation takes pride in making The Swamp a hostile environment.
Florida just out to a VERY quick 7-0 lead, and then on our first drive, we were able to put only 3 points on the board. Then Florida scored again to take a 10-3 lead. Trent ran for a TD to tie the game. In the second quarter, Courtney Upshaw intercepted a pass and ran it back 45 yards for a TD. (I love to see a defensive guy score!!) AJ then had a 1 yard run for another TD. The third quarter pretty much stunk for both teams. I don't know if Bama had even one first down in the 3rd quarter. In the fourth quarter, we scored two more times. I feel really good about our team after this game. I know we still have more than half the season to go, and I know that all it takes is one bad play to turn things around, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the success that the Tide is having.
Two more weeks until fall break. I can't wait! I am so ready for a week of being lazy. On that Monday, I am going to go keep Layton. :) I may go spend the night--if they don't mind--on Sunday night so I won't have to get up quite so early. I'm super excited about getting to snuggle him and spoil him all day long.
That's it for today. I hope everyone has a GREAT day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
I really, REALLY mean this...
%2B-%2BCopy.JPG)
