Papa Jack will be missed

Many of you may know that my grandfather, Jack Rhodes, of Longview, Texas, passed away Saturday December 13, 2008. He was 83 years old and married to my grandmother, Ruth Rhodes for 61 years. He was a wonderful Christian man and will be dearly missed

Here is the link to his obituarary. It was written by his grandchildren.
http://www.legacy.com/News-Journal/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=121412616

Back to School

Well, Ryan and I are back into the swing of things here in San Antonio. He statarted his last year of dental school in July and only has eight months left before graduation. I am into my 4th week teaching mostly Seniors and I have to say that I love my job. I really never expected to find my niche teaching high school but I have to think that teaching is in my blood. My mother has been a passionate and dynamic teacher for 30 plus years so I know that I got it from her. And without my encouraging grandparents to pay my way I would not be fulfilling my teaching destiny. I am already sad to think that I will be leaving in June and most likely will never see these kiddos again. I do not know what the future holds for our family but God never ceases to surprise me.

My first blog

This entry comes with much uncertainty in how dedicated I will be to the blog, but because of my boredom I will give it a shot.

In two weeks I will go back to teach high school at Robert E. Lee in San Antonio, Texas for what looks to be my last year there. I just can't believe that I am now a certified teacher and have lived through my first year. I really was truly blessed to be at Lee for my first year. Ryan is in his 4th and final year of dental school at UTHSCSA and will graduate in 10 months!!! Yea! We are not sure where the Lord will lead us but our eyes and ears are open to His direction.

To kick of the summer while Ryan was in Brownsville doing a clinic rotation and I was finishing up my last week of school I got a knock at the door and was notified that the house we were renting had been sold in a foreclosure auction that morning and we had to move out ASAP! So in the two weeks following I found us a new house and packed up all our belongings so we could move before our already paid for vacation. Needless to say it was not the best way to get the summer going. But we really do like our new home and since it was so close to the old one it didn't take long to move. But with the help of great friends it wasn't so bad.

This summer has been fun since we both had a few weeks off at the same time (the joys of being a teacher). In June we traveled to Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. It was Ryan's first cruise and my 2nd. We climbed Dunn's River Fall, a 600 foot water fall, in Jamaica; swam with sting rays in the Grand Cayman, and spent a day on a catamaran in Cozumel. It was a wonderful vacation and a great stress relief for Ryan.

On the beaches of Haiti.

Dunns Water Fall in Jamaica.

Swimming with Stingrays in Grand Cayman.

Snorkeling in Cozumel.

Our favorite Freedom of the Seas employees.

After the cruise we spent time in East Texas with both of our families. We are lucky to have both sides of our family in such close proximity. It was then that I found out that my parents have decided to make the move from The Woodlands to Waco to be close to more family and their grandchildren. Now the pressure is on for Ryan and I to move to Waco. Ryan is not so sure about this!! :) On our trip to Longview I got to see my neice and nephew Clarey and Carter and play photographer. Here are some pictures of Clarey in her dedication gown.

Carter (2 years 10 months) and Clarey (10 months)

Our only children at this time are our two beagles Cooper (10 months) and Charley (5 months) who keep us very busy. They get into trouble all the time but they are just so cute!

Cooper 11 months and Charley 5 Months!