Finally! Russ has finally finished his residency interviews! It has been a long and expensive few months as he traveled from November to January all over the southeast. I know he has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities he has had. I know because he talks about everything he did when he returns from an interview. Radiology is extremely competitive and I am so proud of Russ for the feedback he has received. Radiology is an advanced program, so Russ will have to do a year as an internal medicine resident. He could do this one of two ways: a preliminary year (basically an internal medicine resident) or transitional year (basically a fifth year medical student). So, Russ had to set up two different sets of interviews because he will apply and be accepted by them at the same time. Does that make sense?

So, now all we can do is sit, pray, and wait for March 19 - Match Day!

Just As Great the Second Time!

Last year for Christmas, Kristin and Lee got Brad Paisley tickets for Christmas. At that time, Rodney Atkins and Chuck Wicks opened for him. Russ wasn't able to go, so Dustin and I went as a couple. A limo to Memphis was also part of the deal! It was GREAT! Well, this year for Christmas, Kristin and Lee got tickets again. Except this time Darrius Rucker and Dierks Bentley opened for Brad Paisley. And, this time, Russ could go!! Yay!

The concert was in Southaven, and I didn't take off work to go. That means, I used an "Early Leave Pass" and quickly changed to get ready to leave. Russ, as most of you know, is off this month. Yes, I've been jealous! Anyway, we were gone by 4 (maybe earlier...I don't remember). We arrived in Southaven around 6:15 or so. The concert was at 7:30 so we met Kristin and Lee for supper at Chili's. So good! We ran out of the restaurant in a hurry to get to see Darrius Rucker at 7:30 - this was Kristin's main event this time. We got in 3 mile stand-still traffic until my brave hubby and brother-in-law-to-be passed in the left lane 2 miles of traffic! Thanks guys! We came barrelling into the Desoto Civic Center as the police at the door say, "Don't hurt anyone!" We got there just in time.

And did I mention, it was just as GREAT the second time around!

Russ and me before the concert started

Darrius Rucker - and he did sing one of his famous Hootie and the Blowfish songs! It was awesome!

Dierks Bentley - I was the dork who noticed and loved the backdrop!

We had great seats!

Brad Paisley with one of his band members

Perfect country singer stance

So GREAT!

Kristin and me after the concert

The guys had a great time too! Russ was in heaven mesmerized by all the guitar solos.

As we were leaving, we spotted the Paisley Party Tour buses!

Okay, so the concert was over at midnight!!! That's right...midnight! By the time we got out of the parking lot, traffic, and got gas, it was 12:30 or after by the time we left. Yep, we got home to our cozy, warm beds (Did I mention that it was 19 degrees!?) at 3:00 AM! Let me just help you understand. My alarm went off this morning at 5:30! I got approximately 2 and a half hours of sleep!

But it was well worth it! Thanks so much Kristin and Lee for sharing your Christmas present! We had a blast!

What Do I Do Next?

Have you ever had one of those days? I'm sure you have, especially if you have kids! I had big plans for this weekend, then they fell through somehow. On Friday, I became aware of papers I need to write - 14 pages to be exact! These will be due on Tuesday! Kristin and Lee came to visit, picked up her new computer, and got Lee an Apple TV (I'm so jealous!). During their visit, I intermittently went from visiting, watching television with the group and writing papers. I also spent a lot of time putting ornaments in their appropriate boxes. Yes, we are still working on putting up decorations!! Not a priority for me! I would much rather have the guests that we've had every weekend and spend time with my hubby! Anyway, I continued this routine, adding laundry and vacuuming to the mix. After Kristin and Lee left this morning, I began to take care of business! Russ and I have been extra busy! I am still working on the 14 pages of writing, getting grades ready for report cards (there were still some papers I hadn't graded!), getting lesson plans together, laundry, and - to top it off - we decided to clean out and take loads of unused/old items to Goodwill.



Whew! I am tired. Yet, I'm still blogging instead of finishing my writing and my lesson plans! I think that would be called procrastination! Ha!

Students I Serve

Friday, I was disturbed by the actions of one of my students. The student wrote a statement exemplifying depression and disturbing behavior on his test paper. After a few minutes of thought, I took up his paper and pulled out his journal. I began writing to him.

Me: "Make a list of all the things you are sad about."

Child: "I Do not no nuding I Do not no har to spelling I Do not no hor to rit and I cant Do my tas and Do not no hor to rend"

Me: "Yes, you do know things! Some grown ups still have trouble spelling. Keep practicing and you will know more and more. We are LEARNING how to write. Be patient, and I will help you. Sometimes people just get nervous about tests and don't do well. That is okay! I already know what you know. You are reading SO much better than when you first came! I am so proud of you!! We will keep working together until you are the best you can be! I am here to help you!! Sincerely, Mrs. Johnson"

Child: "Thack you Mrs. Johnson Sometime mise my Dad But I can not see hem Thack you. I am sowey"

Me: Where is your dad? What makes you miss him?

Child: "he is in Jell Wen I was six he laf. then one Day he had coller me and he sed he is en Jell that wiy I miss hem"

Ignoring all the grammatically incorrect writing, I felt my heart melt. Yes, I knew we had a lot of students with a similar situation. But, a little reminder from time to time is good for me. My school is my mission field. I have students (many students) who have not seen one or both of their parents in years because of similar situations. I need to be aware of that fact, and try to influence them in a way that only God can help me do.

Never take for granted what you have been blessed with! We all have crazy sides to our families. But, always remember how blessed you are.

"Thank you, Lord, for giving me such an awesome opportunity to reach out to these children. Give me wisdom, patience, and Your love as I attempt to mold them into the adults they will become."

No Words Can Express His Love

No words can express my feelings when I read the latest post from Bring the Rain. You may remember a previous post I wrote about this woman of God. Please take about 15 minutes to read her latest post about her precious baby Audrey Caroline's short life on Earth and watch the video. Your life will change! You'll need to grab a few tissues.

Angel Hair Cole Slaw Salad

One of the great things about the holidays is the FOOD!! Russ and I were blessed to taste MANY fantastic dishes from our families. Christmas Eve we always eat a family dinner before opening gifts. My mom fixed this Angel Hair Cole Slaw Salad, and it was terrific! I don't really know if that's the official name of it or not! :)

Russ bought a George Foreman grill this week, and he decided we needed to eat healthier. So, he's been grilling steak, chicken, and veggies on it. Tonight, he fixed chicken and grilled some peppers. So, I made the Angel Hair Cole Slaw Salad. Mmmm Mmmm!

Angel Hair Cole Slaw Salad

1 package angel hair cole slaw
3 green onions, chopped
1 package sliced almonds
1 package sunflower seeds
1 package beef Ramen noodles, crushed
flavor packet from the Ramen noodles
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

Mix cole slaw, green onions, almonds, Ramen noodles, and sunflower seeds in a bowl. Toss several times to ensure the ingredients are completely mixed. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, vegetable oil, vinegar, and flavor packet contents. Heat dressing in microwave for a couple of minutes. Pour over the salad, and you are ready to go!

Super easy! Hope you enjoy!

A New "Post-Holiday" Look

It has been quite the ordeal getting this new template on my blog! But, it's finally finished! I think it looks great! In the process, however, my blog list was deleted. So, I've spent a great deal of time trying to find all the blogs I had listed! If yours isn't listed, PLEASE leave me a comment so that I can add it. I don't know addresses and I don't want to miss out on anything! Ha!

Happy Birthday Kristin Jayne!

On this day, 22 years ago, the world was changed! Ha! Kristin Jayne Smith was born! Our birthdays were always so close together when we were little, that we usually ended up sharing a birthday party...two separate cakes of course! Heaven forbid we share! :) Anyway, as we grew older, I realized that both our birthdays fall just before or right after school starts back. So, we aren't usually together on our actual birthdays! Poo! In fact, I just talked to her...and she is with Dustin and Lee at Mugshots in Starkville. I'm a little jealous, I must say! So, I'm sitting here in my pj's looking for some funny pics to post. What a life! Ha!!

Miss Piggy and Kermit (Kristin and Lee)

Costume change - Teletubby!

Wendy Darling! What were you thinking!? Ha!

Anyway, happy birthday, little sis! I love you!

Mississippi Blues Half Marathon

This weekend Russ's brother and his family came to visit. Jimmy ran in the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon and did a wonderful job! But, get this! The half marathon was only his TRAINING for the full marathon in Nashville in April! I know...it's depressing! Even more - Olivia is running in Nashville too! Watching all those runners coming into the finish line made me feel the need to jog somewhere. Take note that I only run when it's raining...and that is to my car! Ha! I'm going to do better though! I most definitely need to lose a few pounds that have crept up over a pretty stressful year in the Johnson household.

The night before the race Jimmy and Roan took us to eat at Broad Street and then Russ, me, Roan, Olivia, Julie, and Leah played a little Singstar! Jimmy and Roan gave us Singstar Country for Christmas. So, we broke it out! We had SO much fun!

Russ is TRYING to keep up with Roan. I don't think he was successful!

Olivia trying to help Leah with "Red High Heels".

Julie and Roan battle it out! Roan looks like she is into the song, doesn't she?! Actually, I think she was trying to act as a barricade for Sam.

We woke very early the next morning. It prepared me for my week back at school, I suppose. The big kids and Roan and I got ready by 7. Roan and I grabbed Leah and Sam...and just placed them in the car. We dressed them in the parking lot. I have no idea how she does it - gets five kids and herself ready each day! We drove in about 30 minutes after the race started. We drove on the race route and were able to see all the runners making their way down the street. There were so many!

Leah still thinks it's too early to be out in the world!

Run, Jimmy, run!
The route was very hilly! Jimmy finished in 1:48. That's amazing to me!

The Johnson Family at the Mississippi Blues Half/Full Marathon

Happy New Year!

After our drive up the mountains and to Pigeon Forge, we fought the traffic and came back to our condo. We ordered pizza and finished a competitive game of Trivial Pursuit. After the game, it was about 11:30. We decided to walk downtown so we could watch the fireworks and hear all the festivities/music. It was so much fun to ring in the new year in the mountains!

The family at midnight

The girls - Special thanks to Ya Ya Hope for our fun party hats!

The boys found some Smoky Mountain cigars for the occassion. YUCK! No one would even stand by them!

Me and Russ

Mama and Daddy

New Year's kiss back at the condo

Kristin was unsuspecting!

Dustin felt left out!

Happy New Year!