Crazy things happen...

...when Kevin is out of town!

OK, so many of our remember that in June '06 when Kevin was out of town someone backed into my car while it was parked in front of the Swanson's house. It turned into a big ordeal because the person who did it wouldn't admit to it. Anyway, I finally got my car fixed just last weekend (THANKS JASON!!!). Some of you also remember the opossum story. What a night! If you need a refresher, you can read about here.

Well, Kevin left yesterday afternoon with four other men to go camping. Actually, they say they are going to "Conquer Texas." Basically, they drive 5 1/2 hours to south Texas to Guadalupe Peak. Get a little sleep, then hike the tallest mountain in Texas. The hike itself takes about 6-7 hours (I think). Aaron and Kevin did this a few years ago, but this year they wanted to take more people. So, they packed up Lance's truck and off they went.

OK, so that's where Kevin went, here is what happened when he left. The talk has been of possible severe storms for the last three days or so. They just kept saying that the conditions are perfect for large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. In Texas the media loves a good storm story, they talk about these things for hours when they happen. As an athletic trainer I have to be fully aware of the storms. It is my responsibility to cancel or postpone games of practices of there in inclimate weather. Well, we had a game at 4pm and a game at 6pm, the game at 4pm was completed before any storm got close. At 5:30pm the storm was in Mineral Wells, I'd say that's about 100 miles west of us. I went to the 6pm game (I didn't have to stay) and told the coaches the situation. By the time I got to the 6pm game I heard the storm was in Ft. Worth, about 50 miles from us. I told the coaches that this storm was coming. If they heard any thunder or saw any lightening they were to take cover and call the game immediately. Then I went home. The skies were cloudy, but not real ugly. I got home turned on the news and there it was...in DALLAS!

The thought of baseball sized hail (that had been reported in Ft. Worth) hitting my newly repaired car just made me ill. However, I am in the middle of a home improvement project (of which I will share with you when it is finished) that had completely taken over my garage. I hurried to get all the stuff from the garage into various locations of my house. As I was doing this I heard one of the warning sirens! I called the baseball coach and said "I am in Garland, 15 minutes from you, and our sirens just went off to take cover, you should probably call the game." I am running back and forth from the garage to the house, Maggie thought we were playing a game as she was following me every step of the way, the siren stopped. I got all the stuff inside. Then (you are going to think I am crazy) but I sat down to eat dinner. Now, before you laugh at me, let me explain. I had heard that there were high winds and possible hail, I was in a safe place in my house, not near any windows. I have been through one other real bad storm and I just stayed away from the windows and everything was fine. We have satellite TV so it went out and I went to find a radio station with the weather. Well, I found one and it was in the middle of a warning and it said "There has been a tornado spotted in Garland, headed north east toward Rockwall. If you are in these locations you need to take cover in a basement, storm shelter or safe place in your home..." AHH!

So, I called Kevin and said "They just said that there is a tornado in Garland headed toward Rockwall. I am supposed to take shelter, should I just take all the animals into the laundry room?" "Yep, take a radio with you." So off I went.

Abigail was already in the laundry room, like a good cat she actually uses the bed we have for her. Angelica was in the hallway so I scooped her up and threw her in there. When there are storms Maggie freaks out and just follows us wherever we go, so she was on my heals. I grabbed a blanket and went into the laundry room. Maggie wouldn't come in because she is scared of Angelica, and Angelica ran out of the room. I ran after her yelling "Angelica, you get back here, you need to listen to your mother right now!" (How embarrassing that I talked to my cat like a human). I grabbed her and went back. Maggie still would not come and again (talking to my pets) I said "Maggie, I hate to do this, but..." Then I closed the door with her in the hallway. I heard her about 30 seconds later, opened the door and she ran in. So there we sat, my two cats and my dog, in the laundry room waiting for the storm to pass.
Side note: I can't tell you how happy I am that we enlarged the laundry room. There was plenty of room for all of us. The thoughts ran through my head of what it would have been like in the old laundry room...ugh!

Can I just say that if our animals are ever in the same room it's because Maggie is chasing Abigail and Angelica is hissing at Maggie. But today they sat there and didn't bother each other...thank God. While we were huddled in there Priscilla called to check on us, I guess to make sure that this poor California girl knew what to do! :) She was huddled in the tub with Ethan and a mattress over the top of them.

All this to say the storm did no damage to our house. I am SO thankful for that. There were reports of 80 MPH winds about a mile from my house, but they missed us. At Priscilla's parents house tress were falling everywhere on people's cars and homes, there was quite a bit if damage there...they live about three miles away.

I guess I should just be prepared for something crazy to happen the next time Kevin leaves, you would think I had learned by now!

Snow pictures!

Although I could have taken pictures on Saturday of the snow here in Texas (yes, it snowed the day before Easter) those are not the pictures I am talking about. Rod and Julie kindly sent us a CD of photos, because we forgot our camera. So here are some pictures from our AWESOME trip with Kevin's family!

Go Panthers!

Well, folks, today is the day I officially have a new favorite NFL team. I am now a Carolina Panthers fan! That's right, David Carr has decided to join the Panthers. He will back up Jake Delhomme, but little does Jake know he will be injured (not seriously, just enough to have to sit out a game or so) and David Carr will come in and do a phenomenal job and steal his starting position. So, as soon as I purchase my Panthers jersey I will post it here for all the world to see.

Hey Mom, David Carr is on a team who's home field is in Charlotte, don't you think that is a crazy coincidense? I think you are automatically a fan too!!!

Kevin and I have plans to donate all of our Texans stuff; t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs. There not even be a glimpse of Texans junk in this house...well, I will keep the David Carr jersey I have, but for obvious reasons!

GO PANTHERS!

Thank you!

I want to take this time to say a public thank you to some very important people. It seems a little impersonal, but I really want everyone to know just how grateful I am.
First, I will start with my little sister. She rearranged her schedule for the next few weeks so she could spend the day with me on Tuesday. Her normal days off are Sunday and Monday, but so she didn't have to take a vacation day she will be working 6 days next week. Some of you are thinking how did I get to spend time with Megan. Well, on Monday I flew to San Francisco so I could present my culminating experience project to finish my Master's degree. Yes, after 6 years of putting it off I finally finished it! Megan met me at the airport and drove me around. We got lost, took some scenic drives (on accident) and threw some fits because we couldn't find a parking spot. But we also laughed until we cried, she rejoiced over my success and we just enjoyed each other.

She is so special to me and I want everyone to know that. Thank you sister!

Next I would like to thank my professor at SFSU. Dr. Verducci was the driving force behind all the explanations, the corrections and the analysis of my project. Without him I would have had no idea what I was doing. He was completely supportive even after having no contact with me for over four years. Thanks!

Thank you to my mom and dad. They supported me emotionally, financially and spiritually as I went on this journey. There were so many twists and turns I cannot even begin to tell you. Through it all my parents continued to tell me that even if I never completed my degree they were proud of what I had done. Without the unconditional support it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to continue. I love you!

I'm not done, because there were SO many people praying for me on Tuesday at the moment I was presenting. From Priscilla and Ethan in the middle of Wal-Mart, to my mom literally on her knees. Stephanie even prayed that a tsunami of calm would come over me. I know there were many more who prayed, and to them I am indebted. I could not have done this on my own, but with Christ on my side anything is possible.

Lastly, but certainly not least I want to thank Kevin. Not only did he date me while I was in school...long distance, he married me anyway! Seriously, he listened to me cry when I could not understand things, complain when I had to make corrections after corrections and yell when I wanted to quit. But he didn't let me. He encouraged me in the last few weeks before my presentation that no matter what happened I tried, and I wouldn't ever have to say that I quit. His silent way of leading was exactly what I needed, never forceful, never harsh, always loving and supportive. I love you so much!

To those of you who assumed that I already had my master's degree, well, I didn't...but now I do!!! but not without a ton of help from my family, friends and the Lord!