OUCH!!

I am such a klutz. I've known this all my life...if there is something to trip over, I will trip over it; if there is something slippery on the floor, I will slip on it; if there is a thoughtless driver out there, they will hit me (ok, I guess that one isn't my fault, but the many car accidents I have been in never are...but I digress), if there is a pole to run into, I will run into it...you get the picture. I must admit, I had forgotten about my clumsiness because it has been a while since I had injured myself...until yesterday. I was walking out of a very important meeting (of which I will be able to discuss in a few weeks, but not yet) and was deep in thought when my platform shoe gave out on me (ok, my foot rolled over) and I lost my footing. As I fell towards the concrete, my purse and the papers I was carrying went flying into the air, along with my body. I managed to hit every possible joint on my way down...knees, elbows, hands, even my toes have scratches. I quickly got up, afraid someone might have seen me (and extremely embarrassed!). As I started my car, I noticed my knee was throbbing, and my hand and elbow were bleeding. I called Adam and told him what happened...for some reason I felt like I needed moral support on the way home with my minor bleeding injuries! A few hours later I noticed a rather large bump on my knee that isn't normally there, so I put some ice on it. I did however manage to still teach voice lessons upon returning home and triple a recipe of homemade spaghetti sauce, but after that, I was down and out! Today at school I oddly resembled many of my precious little boy students who often bear scrapes and band aids...and many of those adventurers were anxious to hear how I got my wounds.
Suddenly I remember just how klutzy I really am...

Dreaming of Summer...

...it is just around the corner! I got tired of seeing my Dove lotion on my blog, and decided to post about something else. This week has been pretty uneventful, and all I can think about it that summer is only 5 weeks away! 5 weeks until freedom--I can't wait! I love summer for so many reasons...

1. The fresh fruits and veggies are delicious and in season, which means they cost less at the grocery store!

2. When we are in town, I have time to cook more and try out new recipes.

3. I never have time to do spring cleaning with school and our annual mission trip, so I'm looking forward to summer cleaning...those who know me well know that I find cleaning to be very therapeutic, especially when I have the time to do a good deep scrubbing. I'm most looking forward to organizing my kitchen!

4. Visiting family...we are planning on seeing some family this summer, and I just love catching up and spending time with them.

5. Our anniversary! We were married on June 22nd, so June remains my favorite month of the year, even with the heat. This year is the big 5, so we are planning on doing something really special.

6. Cold treats. I always feel that it is necessary to dive in to ice cream and snow cones during the hot summer months, more so than usual. Bring on the sugar!

7. Camps, camps and more camps! Adam and I have prayed about leading worship at camps together since we got married. We have been able to do one or two every summer, but this summer we are completely booked in July with three camps and a mission trip. I am so pumped! I feel like we are watching a dream come true.

8. My best friend Amanda and her husband Chris are coming to stay with us. Although we will be gone quite a bit in July, I can't wait to spend quality time with her when we are here. We have been best friends since I was in 3rd grade (our 20 year anniversary is coming up next year) and I love spending time with her...they are family to us. Here's to the 3rd annual McMaster/Watson Summer Retreat!!!!

9. Swimming. I have to admit, I have not taken advantage of our neighborhood pool since we moved here. I am dead-set on enjoying it this summer!

10. Visiting my friends...I have a lot of friends who have become mommies in the past year, and I am dying to see them and meet their children. I'm hoping we can find a way to do that this summer.

Might I Suggest...

...this fabulous tanning lotion?!?! I have never tried self-tanners before because I was afraid of the end result (you know, orange, blotchy, darker areas and lighter areas with uneven application). However, with all the information on skin cancer and wrinkles, I have decided to say "No!" to looking like a raisin at 50 and having surgery done on my skin because I had to tan and got skin cancer (a dear friend of mine just had a patch removed from her face). Don't get me wrong, I am not saying "No!" to time outside. Those who know me well know my time on our swing in the backyard or outside by our lake truly revives my soul, and I believe the sun is good for us, in ration. In fact, I don't know what I would do without it! Yet I admit, although I do not want to fry my epidermis, I do long to have a healthy summer glow, even in the early spring when I pull out my bermuda shorts, skirts and capris. This self-tanner beckoned to me because it was "subtle" and takes a week to show a huge difference. Also, I LOVE Dove's Real Beauty campaign. Bring it on, ladies...that's right, real beauty is on the inside, and how God created you on the outside, not how we feel we have to make ourselves look. Be proud of your curves, gray hair, and cellulite! Anyways, so I thought, why not? Here are my results after a week and reasons why I like it SO much:

1. It truly is gradual. Every day I noticed my skin getting slightly darker, but nothing too substantial or scary. I liked feeling like I could stop it any day and not have too much damage done if I didn't like the results.

2. It is a great moisturizer. Light and soothing. One of the ads is "tan while you moisturize" and it's true!

3. It smells nice and clean--not too strong. I feel clean and rejuvenated! I have bad allergies to many smells, but this one is great. No sneezing here!!

4. I have heard that self-tanners can be sticky, and this one is not at all. It dries within 5 minutes, and you are good to go!

5. Indeed, I have a tan now, and it is not orange! Adam said he noticed a difference, and it looks natural, too.

6. It was one of the cheapest self-tanners. Yeah, Dove! Some of them were as much as $20.00 (like I am going to pay that for something I might not even like!) and this one was around $7.00.

7. It comes with a facial tanner as well. I have been unable to find it, but when I do, you better believe it will be on my face!

8. You can choose your type, either "fair skin" or "medium skin." I picked "fair" because I didn't want anything too dark, and even with the "fair" type I have seen a difference.

Well, there's my analysis of this fabulous product. I wish I had taken before and after pics! Oh well, maybe next time. Happy Tanning!!

Happy Easter!

This was too funny, I had to share it!

Yeah For My Little Singers!!

This week has been a tough but rewarding one for me. All week long my co-worker and I were gearing up to take 90 (yes, that is 9-0, 90) 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in our school choir to sing at a vocal competition in Brenham, an hour and a half away. They have worked all year for this...we meet twice a week before school (7:15-8:10, before classes start--it makes for long Tuesdays and Thursdays!) to rehearse. They prepared two pieces, both with two parts, and truly sounded incredible. I was praying that they would do just do their best Friday and have a positive experience. Well, after we sang, the monitors brought out the scores and were carrying a trophy. "I don't remember a trophy being a part of this" was what I thought as they walked towards us. Come to find out, not only did my little ones get straight "ones" from the judges(which is the highest rating they can get) but they won "Outstanding Elementary School Choir" (hence the trophy)!!!!! I was so surprised and proud at the same time that tears sprang to my eyes, and the kids just hooped and hollered. It was such a great moment. I am so thankful for their sweet spirits, beautiful voices and hard work. Gosh, I love those kids.