More Spring Break Fun

Working in the schools definately has its perks.  One of its perks is definately spring break, and it always seems to come at just the right time. In fact, one of the reasons I wanted to work in the schools this year was to enjoy the benefits of all the time off. I was hoping with Paul being so busy with medical school it would be beneficial for me to have more time off so that when he was free I would more than likely be free as well. That worked out great at Christmas time (we both got 2 weeks off); however, apparently medical school does not believe in spring break and Paul has had to go to school all week. Luckily for me, my mom, 2 youngest brothers, grandparents, older brother, sister-in-law, neice and nephew all came down for a visit the first half of the week to keep me company. Surprisingly, Paul even got to spend a lot of time with us as well.

My mom, 2 little brothers and grandparents arrived early Saturday evening and we headed out for pizza and a quick run to Wal-Mart to pick up everything Steven, my youngest brother forgot. My oldest brother, sister-in-law, neice, and nephew arrived later that night. I am grateful we live in a great little town home that has enough room for everyone to stay comfortably.

Sunday morning we all woke up and headed to Galveston. Paul and my two younger brothers left before everyone else to go fishing. They didn't have any luck. Our first stop was the ferry. We were hoping to see dolphins, but I think they all migrated south to warmer waters as we didn't see any. After, the ferry we spent some time on the beach and walking/shopping on the seawall before heading back to our place for dinner.

feeding the sea gulls off the ferry

Addy really wanted back inside the ferry

playing in the sand

Tyler got burried first

Then it was Nick's turn

I don't think Addy knew that Nick was actually under the sand.

Some people thought it was cold at the beach...and I think my grandpa enjoyed his nap.

Others were not afraid of the chilly water and enjoyed some wave jumping

Monday was Pearland ISD appreciation day at the Aquarium in downtown Houston and it was a rainy day so we all took advantage of my 50% off all day passes and spent sometime with the fishes.  Paul even got to come with us since he got back from school before we were ready to go. This particular aquarium was pretty decent and even had a white tiger on display. Not to mention carnival games, a ferris wheel and a train through a shark tunnel. My nephew was a big winner at the carnival games and even had all the workers amazed.

petting the sting rays

underwater viewing

Paul liked petting the shark

the random white tiger at the aquarium

riding the train to the shark tunnel

Tyler won the big dog by making three baskets in a row.
The carnival workers told us that they had never seen someone do this on the first try.

Uncle Nick and Steven won Addy a stuffed dragon too.

Ferris wheel time.

Steven's not a huge fan of ferris wheels apparently

Three point shoot out

We had a great time at the aquarium and the rain stopped just as we were arriving.

We went back to Galveston on Tuesday for more fun on the beach. My grandparents weren't really up for another beach day so we toured Moody Mansion and the rest of the island. The Moody family pretty much owns all of Galveston Island. It was neat to learn about some of the history of Galveston and one of it's more 'famous' families. I think my grandparents enjoyed it as well.

Wednesday came too soon and everyone went their separate ways. I am very grateful that my family will make the long 8 hour trip to visit Paul and I here in South Houston. I am also very grateful that my grandparents are able to travel and take part in our lives even though we are far apart and they are in their 80s. I really enjoyed my spring break and am glad I got to spend it with my family. I feel very refreshed and recharged for school come Monday and hopefully my speech friends will benefit from that. It is hard to beleive that when I get back to work from spring break I will only have a little over 2 more months of school left before summer vacation. I definately am getting used to the benefits of being in the schools and I love working with the kids and seeing all the progress they make. I could not ask to be in a better profession with so many options. Paul and I are definately blessed in our careers.

Spring Break with the McGahas

March has been a very busy month and it has only just begun. The first weekend in March was the beginning of Paul's brother and sister's spring break and his family came down for a visit. I had just gotten back from a conference for work Friday evening and unfortunately had to work on Saturday as well to catch up from being gone to the conference. We still found some time to go to Yachty Gras at Kemah on Saturday night. I think Paul's little brother and sisters really enjoyed all the rides and catching beads on the boardwalk. Unfortunately, we kind of forgot to pack for the chilly evening, and it was surprisingly difficult to buy a sweatshirt on the board walk.

Jessica, Megan, Paul and Jacob on the Drop Zone

Megan, Jacob, Jessica, and Anne riding the ferris wheel

Paul and I sitting in the ferris wheel we somehow got off of the ferris wheel before riding it all the way around.

Paul, Jessica, Jacob and Megan are in the second car on the roller coaster.

look at all the catfish that were hiding under the boardwalk

my favorite yacht at Yachty Gras

Look at all the beads we caught.

On Sunday before Paul's family headed back to Tyler we went down to Galveston and rode the ferry, but it looks like I forgot to take pictures of that...oh well there is always next time.

NASA does exist!

The last weekend in February, my good friend from grad school came to visit. There are few things in life that are as comforting as visiting with a friend from your past life that you haven't seen or even spoken to in a while as if you were never apart. For the first time in a long time I felt like my old self again not trying to put my best foot forward, but really relaxing and just being myself. After living with me for 2 years, there is nothing I can hide from Ashley. I was so excited that she was coming for a visit.

Ashley was supposed to arrive Thursday evening; however, it didn't seem to be what was in the plans. She ended up having to spend the evening at DFW airport.  She finally arrived Friday morning and I brought her back to my house to freshen up before we met Paul in Galveston for lunch. He had just finished his final that morning, and for medical students the weekend after a final is the few days that they can actually relax and they show a glimmer of their true selves before the next block of craziness begins. Being married to a medical student at times can feel like riding a roller coaster. At the beginning of their course they are excited and nervous, but as the course begins and the car begins to climb the steep hill their anxiety and stress build with each clank of the chain, until they finally reach the top and take their final then there is a sudden release of stress, anxiety and happiness as the car flies down the hill and they find themselves at the bottom of the next hill and start of a whole new course with the promise of new twist turns and excitement.  Anyway, after we had a delightful lunch on the seawall we headed back home so Ashley could rest before we had dinner and a movie that evening.

The next day we decided to go to NASA. Paul and I hadn't had a chance to go since we moved here and I have to admit, I was a little skeptical that it even truly existed. (I wish I could say after my visit my skepticism has diminished). Before heading to NASA though I made sure Ashley didn't leave Houston without visiting the urgent care center. I wish I could tell y'all that I am a gracefull, organized, put together person, but that just wouldn't be true. As I was running around trying to find my camera, purse, a jacket, and whatever else I just thought I needed, I ran smack dab into the car door and cut my head open just above my eye.

my battle wound



on the tram ready to see some astronauts

 

Who knew Brazil had astronauts



After, NASA we (Ashley and Paul, I had chicken) had some sea food fresh from the Gulf and then watched the Hangover again. Paul is obsessed with that movie.

Ashley left bright and early Sunday morning and I am happy to report had smoother and faster trip back home than she had here. It was good to see her and was much needed. It was truly relaxing and I needed some quality time with Ashley just to chat. Ashley is one of the few people in my life that I feel truly understands who I am and where I come from. I am grateful to have her as a friend.

And Sew it Begins.

My good friend Beth's parents live in the Houston area as well. I have been meaning to go visit them since we moved here. I recently got a sewing machine around Christmas time and need a lot of practice. Luckily for me Beth's mom, Carma, is a great seamstress and teacher. Paul had a huge test coming up so I spent a Saturday sewing with Carma. It was tons of fun and I can't wait until I plan my next visit.

To prepare for this visit, I got a great deal at JoAnn's when they had patterns on sale 5 for $5.00. I picked up some great patterns and some fabric and packed it all up with my sewing machine. Carma was ready to get started as soon as I arrived. We began by cutting out the patterns and fabric, then began sewing. It was so nice having someone who knew what they were doing to guide me and help me out when I made a mistake. She was even able to make adjustments to the pattern in order to work with the materials I had and create something unique.

I thought I was doing pretty good finishing my apron in just a few hours, until I realized that Carma had made 2-3 cell phone cases from a pattern she created with the use of my phone in that amount of time.

The adorable cell phone case.

My apron

I had a great time during my visit and am plotting my next project as I type this.

Valentine's Day!

I love all holidays.  I love the decorations (you shouldn't just decorate for Christmas), the excitement and the chance to make someone smile.

I gave Paul his Valentine's Day present early so he could have the whole weekend to play with it. He had been asking for a remote control helicopter for 3 years now. When we went to visit my family for Christmas all 4 of my little brothers had recently gotten remote control helicopters. That made Paul want one even more than he had. I thought for sure he would know that I was getting him the helicopter for Valentine's day since it is so soon after Christmas and I promised I would get him the helicopter soon. Luckily for me was distracted by school. In fact, the night I bought his helicopter we had dinner with our friend Mary Beth and she mentioned she bought her boyfriend a remote control car and she hoped he would like it. To which Paul chimed in "Yeah he will. Boy's like remote control things. I have always wanted a remote control helicopter for 3 years now....". It was hilarious, because Mary Beth and I had already planned to go shopping after dinner and pick up his helicopter.

Dasher is not too sure about this helicopter

On Saturday, Paul took me to dinner at a fancy restaraunt. I am not a fancy person and this night just confirmed it. I felt so uncomfortable and awkward the hole time and secretly wished we had eaten at the Chili's just down the road. However, he did have flowers waiting for me on the table and that was sweet, even the waiter commented on them.

Monday was a good day; although, I did feel bad that I didn't do anything special for my speech friends. I however, got some great little gifts from my speech friends. I was greeted first thing by one of my mom's who handed me a beautiful vase with a thank you note from one of my 1st graders and one of my lifeskill's friends gave me some yummy chocolates. My mom even sent Paul and I some Valentines in the mail. Dash was a little sad that he didn't get any Valentine's day goodies from her though.

Valenties at school

No Dasher...these are not for you.

Paul even had some surprises for me when I got home. Lots of baloons that are still floating today (a month past Valentine's Day), Reese's, a bag (that I exchanged for some children's books for school ;) ) and a CD with some of my favorite songs and our wedding song he wrote re-recorded so that I could play them on my iPhone. I am so grateful he is talented and finds the time to do special things for me even with all the demands of med school.  Which he is doing great in and high passing his courses.