Sunday, February 17, 2008

College



Here are some of the most beautiful women that I got to grow with in college... I love them all dearly and am so grateful for them.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Basketball, 'Friending', and Girls Reunion - all around - GREAT weekend!

So I have just come off a great - and interesting weekend...and I am so thankful for it.

First off - lets see - I was begged to join a co-ed basketball league about a month ago. I was honest with those involved...I do not know how to play basketball. Yes, I know, I have the height and I appear oh so athletic - but as most of us know, looks can be deceiving, and in this case, are. I am horrible! However, I was still convinced to sign up, and I think it was thought that I can't be as bad as I claimed.... Oh how they were wrong... I had my first game on Friday night, and we lost. I contributed nothing, except to be a girl on the court while one of the 2 girls who know how to play, could rest. Wait wait - I did touch the ball once, and I did successfully pass it to a male player on OUR team (yes!), but other than that...pitiful. So I am going to practice this week and am determined to be better at this week's game...however, I don't think its possible for me to be worse!

So friending - some of you ask, oh what is this word? Well, I think I'm quite bright and have come up with a term - 'friending'- that describes when a guy pursues a girl for a friendship, unknowingly to the girl. This is that awkward phase where as a girl you don't know whether the guy is calling you because he likes you, or if he is just going to turn around and use the friend card. This is really when I hate being a girl... Anyways, I don't think at this phase in our life, too many girls really want to be friended.... (just an fyi for you guys)

The best part of my weekend was getting to go down to a ranchhouse outside of Houston with some of my girlfriends from college. I haven't seen some of these girls in several years so it was so good to see them. However, I was a little nervous about going. So much has changed with all of us - most are married, most have 2 kids...its just different. But things were SO GOOD! It was just like being 'home'. So comfortable and so encouraging to be around these amazing women and to hear about how the Lord has and is working in their lives. I don't know what I was so scared to go - these girls are amazing and just bring such joy and smiles to my face. I have so missed them and am a little sad that I haven't kept in better touch. I still can't get over how stinking cute their kids are! I hope to get to meet them soon.

Ok - well there is my weekly update....I'm exhausted and need to get some sleep! Hope everyone is haveing a great week!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Ron Clark is my Hero

Soooo...I just returned from one of the most amazing experiences of my life. First off, if you had asked me 5 years ago what one of my favorite experiences would be, I never would have thought it would be this visit... I never thought I could be so motivated by one man and his passion for kids. But tis true - this guy is amazing. And he loves his kids, and what he is doing - and you can tell that he is making a difference in these kids lives. I honestly am in awe.

So - back to the point of this blog. My friend Kendall and I were lucky enough to get to visit the Ron Clark Academy this past week. Who is Ron Clark you ask? Well...some of you may remember a little made for TV movie...The Ron Clark Story...

Or...you might have read his book (featured on Oprah)

But if you aren't familiar with either - he was teacher of the year in 2001 - and in my eyes - still is. He is one of those rare individuals who knows how to bring learning to life for kids who may not want to learn. He makes it fun. He makes it something that these kids, no matter what their background, love to do. He is silly and innovative and has a passion for what he does. And Kendall and I were able to watch this man in action. He took all the proceeds from his book and instead of buying himself a nice little house - he built a school in inner city Atlanta for underprivelaged kids - The Ron Clark Academy. At this school, Kendall and I met some of the most polite and respectful students who were so enthused to be in school. And I can't blame them. I sat in their math class and watched their teacher walk on their desks, sing and dance to current songs changed into math songs... I watched as they experienced learning in a hands on manner. In their language arts class, they learned what it is like to really use adjectives in many different manners... I watched as they 'bumped' their words in social studies. And most importantly, I watched how they encouraged each other to do the best they can.

If you haven't watched his story, I encourage you to. This man has really opened my eyes to the fact that I can make a difference in my kids lives. So thanks RC - in the 48 hours that I was there - I have fallen in love. (ha - that was a joke - and a referecnce to what he said to me in my autographed copy of his book - if only it was true).

Here are Kendall and I as we embark on our journey -


And here is Mr. Clark sporting the Blalack 'math nerds are cool' tshirt -


After we became 'slide certified'


And of course - our favorite picture - me making a fool of myself -