The Best Dunk Ever and Sick Kids.....

We saw the absolutely best dunk ever (sideways, in the air, caught the ball from a throw-in and slammed it over) Absolutely amazing! The talent of the high school kids these days are amazing! Needless to say Derek and I watched 8 hours of basketball Saturday and could not believe some of the speed, skill, and talent of these young players. Unfortunately... none of them play for Derek on his travel ball teams (Yes, he is now coaching U14 and U15 teams!)

That's M in the background laying down- she was not feeling good, and B was all smiles as usual! They only stayed for 1/2 the games until they were rescued by their big sis!



I was able to hear a great missionary team speak at church this morning. 17 years in the field, and not one person to admit that they are a christian, and yet they stay and continue working and building for the people there. Just an amazing story and gift they are giving. Here is a website where you can check them out- There son, Erickson was in my SS class today and he was precious!

http://www.christianfamilychapel.com/missions/arnold/profile.asp
and http://www.bakelbush.com/


Today however, both M and B were really sick! In fact, both of them just went to bed at 1:15 this morning. They will be seeing the doctor first thing in the am (there doctor was not on call, but the one on call was kind enough to call in a RX for them to help them rest until morning!)

Great verse to pray often~

With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. ~ Ephesians 3:20

A Rowan Family First!

Well I went to a workshop at the Schultz Center this morning for National Board, but while there ran into the tech guy (it seems we were having connection issues with the new wireless system there) Anyway, we got to talking and we showed him our school BLOG, and he showed us how to use I-Movie! What a hit!
Anyway, I am sure you will be seeing endless hours of I-Briley and I-Macey ! This was just a quick sample before I took M to dance!
hi this is macey. i love the video and thought it was funny. although you will be seeing more of the videos daily. and maybe 2 videos in 1 day if mom approves :) this is my 1st time talking on the blog. i love talking on the blog. maybe ill do this more often. i hope you love my expository essay i wrote in the video. I'm working on it so ill pass the fcat! :) :) :) oh and you know the picture of the writing in the car. well I'm dreaming of becoming a publisher. so we looked it up online, told somebody, they called but we missed the call. so maybe my dream will come true early.


We are off to Jackson for the big shoot-out between many of the high-school teams. Should be a great Saturday of high school basketball. (I want mention how excited the girls were to hear this!)

A Lazy Day in the High 60's

It was great to have a nice four day weekend, not that we were able to get as much done as we wanted! Friday was a planning day for me, but a great sleeping and reading day for B and M!
Saturday we did make it to the downtown library. It is really neat. This is Derek with the girls in front of the fountain at Hemming Plaza which is directly in front of the library. It was about seventy degrees that day, but the sun was shining brightly!
The children's library is on the 2nd floor, and it is a real treat! B and M both picked out about eleven more books each, and I think M has already read 1/2 of hers. You can actually here sounds of the garden when you walk through here!

Before you over react- that Debbie Macomber book is mine, M was just holding it for me!

Today we went to the park for about 4 hours! It was a blast! The sun was shining and the girls had a blast!

Brrrrr............. Cold, but NOT snow COLD!

Well, the five days of Winter have finally arrived in J-ville! It has been in the low 30's for the last couple of nights and we are crossing our fingers it stays that way for a few more days! We were looking to go down into the 20's tonight (and that is BIG TIME here!) but it looks like we will not break the 30's. It is so nice not to run the air in January! It has been in the 80's and rainy since we got home, so this cool crisp air is welcomed!

Derek started coaching again last night over at the PAL. I wish I had remembered to take a picture of B- she was all the rave with her pink and white headband and Dianna Ross hair, large white sun glasses, white purse, WAY too much lip gloss, 2 layered shirts, her pink velour sweat pants with her pleated khaki skirt over it with pink socks and brown shoes! M even asked if I was going to take her looking like that, and I said ABSOLUTELY! if anyone has ever had small children then they know these moments are precious. Now I just have to ask her to do that again so I can get a picture. It looks like this year he is going to take his 14's (from now on I will refer to them as the 15's) again this year! Should be a lot of fun, and they like to travel! So, it may work out well for all of us this year. Another trip to Macon may equate a quick trip to the American Girl Doll store in Atlanta!

M went to her first school dance yesterday. The patrols sponsored it, so I was able to catch a few snapshots of her in between serving, watching, and dancing with my patrols! She acted like she didn't know me--- go figure! I just noticed this must be her new favorite shirt, I think she had it on in her last BLOG appearance! Don't worry we did wash it!


B had a fantastic week- She came home Wednesday to her best friend waiting outside to take her to the park! She was so excited that she got to go to the park with no parents or her sisters! That was a first for her! She does say the funniest things- today while I was at school she was playing Wii Fitness and she says to me when I come home, "Hey Momma, see if you can do this, but watch out because you don't want it to say your old ... like 50!"

Today was a great day for teachers! It was a PLANNING day! It was a cleaning day for us in Room 138! It is great when the kids are out- we actually have a chance to clean the room! You can see more details over at http://www.totalcalm.blogspot.com/!

We can finally say that this was a good week! We felt rested and back into our normal routines of school, dance, and church. We have really been overwhelmed with all the support here, and really are glad to be part of such a great church / school / friend support system. You all have just been great to us.

We are going to trek downtown tomorrow, so we should have some great pictures! We will see if we can get Derek to come with us- he does not like the cold, but we may drag him along just for fun!

My momma sent us a great card today... She has such a way with words-
Anyway I will share some...
"People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord's plans will happen" Proverbs 19:21

Think about what that says.... The what ifs and should of done will take their place where they belong - the things that happen are NOT always under your control!

I have great parents, even if they have run away to Tennessee! (I hope they make it back before my birthday;-)

Louisville Loot

B was so excited to come home Friday and put her Louisville cheerleading suit on! She then proceeded to dance and cheer all over the yard and living room for the next five hours! I think she knows the CARD fight song- or at least the one she made up! She is our child that exudes energy and smiles. She just loves being Happy! That trip to Louisville might have been under terrible circumstances, but Derek didn't hesitate to pick-up a huge Louisville flag for the front of the house that will fly until B-ball season is over.

Equal time here people... M were her Louisville shirt Tuesday when I wore mine, but we certainly could not leave her out! Did I mention that she read 12 books in less than a two week period. Because we all know that that girl is AWESOME!

Lilo and Stitch are busy sleeping the afternoon away. It is pretty warm here today, but must feel good in the office under the fan! The weather here has been unusually hot, in the 80's during the day. However the newscast does call for 20's this week (probably just in the morning, and really that means usually high 30's by the time the cold front actually gets here!)

It is good to be back into some kind of crazy routine! This last week allowed us to focus on something other than extreme sadness and regret over the loss of Derek's father. It has been quite exhausting getting back into the swing of things- Saturday we all just read and napped the entire day, and didn't even start cleaning the house until after dinner!

The countdown for summer has officially started as we end our second nine weeks this Wednesday. Only 20 weeks of school left to go, minus of course Spring Break and all the holidays between now and then. It really is not a bad gig when you think about all the time we have off. We have been busy trying to figure out where we will go this summer. Of course we are going back to Gatlinburg, as that has become a July tradition! We are thinking about a trip back to Disney, a trip to DC, and of course multiple trips to Franklin, NC, and now Louisville!

Derek has started coaching again, and he has been excited about the talent that has shown up. Their first big tournament is next weekend and should be quite fun. We are excited to see what kind of team he will have this year, and how far they will go. We have not decided where all we are playing, but another trip to the West Coast of Florida would be GREATLY appreciated. They have the best beaches and sand over there!

M started a new dance team Saturday and she seemed to like it. She is slowly getting back into the groove at her new studio. It will be fun to see her competing again and I am sure she is stoked about all the costumes that are bound to come with this new gig. B is running around the neighborhood with her little friends playing "tea parties" and school.

My parents are still in TN- not sure when they are coming home? Any guess???? Would like to see them before my dad's birthday at the end of the month, but starting to get doubtful if they will make it home in time.

I started back to school Thursday and for the first time in a long time felt ready, and that this would be a smooth semester for me. I meet with my dissertation chair next week, and that should give me some direction on when I will actually finish this huge work of art. Kind of sad as it will certainly be the last, but excited that I will finally have some free time, and that thing they call a DOCTORAL DEGREE! That will be a party let me tell you! I read a ton of books over the break- new favorite author is Mary Kay Andrews. Her books are hysterical and such an easy read.

It was great to be back at church today as well. I missed my Sunday school kids, and they missed me. 1st and 2nd graders are so sweet, very unlike the 5th graders I teach all week, however, I would never give up my 5th graders for school!

I'll try to post more now that we are back on schedule. I just love the randomness of it!

Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want~

Psalm 37:4

Home S-W-E-E-T Home!

We pulled in last night around 8:30. Both Lilo and Stitch were excited to see us! We unloaded the car, grabbed a bite to eat and went to sleep! It felt so good to be home!

B was exhausted! She slept on and off the entire trip home! She wore herself out at the AG store! M however was being very clever trying to finish her story in the dark using my cell phone as her personal light!

M is always reading or writing!

We stopped in Atlanta at the North Point Mall and shopped and ate at the American Girl Store! Lunch was a three course meal! We had so much fun! It really made the trip end on a high note!

The displays at this store were great!

M in front of all the doll selections!

B's face says it all! They were both so excited to be here!

This is Derek with his younger siblings (that he met for the first time) Brandon and Staycia.

B with her cousin K!

This was our first trip to Louisville, and the girls and my first trip to White Castle! Much like Krystal- It would be fun to do a taste test!

At the wake.... meeting for the first time Brandon!

B and S were best buddies instantly! S's mom and Derek grew up together!

This is B and M outside the Galt House on our balcony overlooking the Ohio River!

Check out this homemade Gingerbread House that was created by the Galt House chefs! It was a true treat!

This was a Christmas tree in the Convention Center. B, M, and I explored all over Monday. Our hotel had this neat skyway walkway that went all the way down to 4th Street Live! We had a great time in downtown Louisville!

In J-ville we have sea cows and panthers- in Louisville they have derby horses all over downtown!

Our very first night in Louisville was spent in a GYM! We went every night to watch some great basketball in J-town!

What a way to end 2008. Derek and I never thought we would bury one of our parents so soon. The week was long and very emotional at the end. Derek was able to reconnect with his family in Louisville and we felt much love and support while we were there. The Rowan's are an amazing family and believe in taking care of each other! The girls despite the circumstances had an awesome time playing with their cousins, making crafts with their Aunt Dianne, and being loved on and hugged by a HUGE support system.

We are glad to be home and will take this week to get back into our routine. We appreciate all the kind words, cards, and expressions of love over this last week. We are looking forward to 2009 and all of the good things it holds for our family!

"Those who are sad now are happy, because God will comfort them." ~ Matthew 5:4

Almost Home......

It has been a very long week for us! We have traveled far, and almost made it back home. We have stopped in Alpharetta (GA) to let M and B visit the American Girl store in the morning! We are hopeful that we will be in our driveway by 7:00 tomorrow.
Here is one quick picture from our week- Derek took it on his I-Phone- these are his uncles from R-L - William, Charles, Kenny, Bud, and Teddy. We will post more pictures tomorrow! Thank you for all your prayers, calls, and cards this week! We can't wait to get back to J-ville and see all of you...... Who is cooking NY's dinner next weekend?????

Happy New Years!

Welcome to 2009! It is hard to believe it is January again! It seems as if the months just roll on by! This week has kind of thrown us for a loop, but we are looking forward to getting back home and settling into our so-called normal routine!

Today is the wake, tomorrow the funeral, and the burial will not actually take place until Monday. The military will not open graves this week because of the holiday. We will head back tomorrow and try to get to Atlanta! We have promised the girls we will stop by the American Girl Store in Atlanta!

This is the first New Years that I have not cooked in a long time! Kind of weird but definitely allowed us to sleep in!