Click, Click, BOOM!

That's exactly what my volleyball team did tonight. They rocked it and beat a local team in 4 games to get the W! It was probably the best game they've played all season. I'm hoping they keep going at it and keep up the momentum into next weekend when we go to Dallas to play in a Homeschool tourney. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I love the girls and they've come a long way but I've heard that the teams that play there are pretty Bad-A. Win or lose, I love that I was able to have this opportunity and hopefully can have another year coaching with the association.

Let me just catch up y'all up with the rest of my life:

School - It's hard. I'm only taking 12 hours but they're tough. Chemistry 2 has a lot of work and the lab sucks. Psychology of Learning is eating my lunch because I have a different professor right now...long story...and my Motor Learning & Control class is interesting but is getting harder every day. I'm hoping to catch up a little bit this weekend.

Health - I've been battling a nasty sick bug for a week and a half. It was weird how I felt it coming on but it hit me hard! I got meds called in and took those but I was still feeling under the weather and coughing horribly. So the doc gave me a steroid shot and cough pearls. I'm on mucinex max strength and nyquil. It's working but my voice is still working on coming back. Hopefully it does since I'm singing at Daily Mass tomorrow.

Horses - My parents were very gracious to pay for the clinic I'm doing this weekend in Bryan. Ralph Hill will be coaching a few people at a time all day Saturday and Sunday in Eventing. My photo on the top of my blog page is actually from the clinic I participated in with Ralph in January. I can't wait to get going with this one. I've come a long way according to Aubrey, my trainer, and hopefully all of the dressage training we worked on this summer helps me out this weekend. Just pray for all our safety and that I have trust in my horse and he has trust in me and COURAGE! I need to grow some balls... haha

Birthday - Yes, I'm 22. It's a weird age but I'm learning to embrace it. Mom and Dad were in town for the football game so they stayed for my birthday on Sunday the 25th. We went to St. Mary's as a family and even though we had to sit upstairs because 10 am Mass is always packed, I still thank them for going with me to worship the Lord and have a new and good start to the week. We then went to brunch where Duane and Jeanne Arbuckle joined us and had a great time with good food. Meemaw gave me a lovely piece of crystal then we all laid down for a quick siesta. It was just what I wanted.

And there's a lot of other little things going on in my life and I'm happy as can be! Just a little stressed every now and then but faith has brought me to be happy, strong, courageous, and grateful for everything I've been doing lately.

Here's some photos from Ring Day! WHOOP!

Trying to Fit Summer into this Nutshell of a Blog

I've gotten tired of the 30 days of pictures...I'll finish it one day. I would love to catch you all up on my life instead! So here goes my summer to current events:

1. I started shadowing a Physical Therapist at the Physician's Center here in B/CS. I have completed roughly 70 hours of volunteer work since May! I also volunteered once a week at another PT place right around the around and will complete my minimum of 40 hours of shadowing this Monday. I'm planning on continuing my volunteer work at the Physician's Center as soon as the volleyball season is over but until then I am volunteering at The Med on Rock Prairie on Monday evenings (5-9 pm). I'm just helping nurse's out since PT only takes place during normal business hours and my schedule was swamped when I found out I got a position there because they have a long wait list of applicants.
2. I joined the morning summer choir at St. Mary's. It was one of the best decisions I've made during my college career. I wish I would've stuck with it my freshman year but things just weren't right back then and now, it was amazing! I sang in 2 morning masses every other Sunday and oh my gosh, it was wonderful to be back on the microphone! I even brought my guitar and started getting the courage to play in public. I played in my 1st mass a few weeks ago and am singing and playing again tomorrow!
3. Middle of the spring semester, I interviewed for a volunteer volleyball coach position with a local home school association. I got it! For those who know me, I have a passion for coaching and after being rejected by different activities with school, I was so blessed to get this position with 2 other girls coaching 14-18 year olds. We have been practicing since late June and started games 2 weeks ago. I have a talented Varsity team that I adore and love! My JV is super rookie but they learn something new every day. We just got back from a tournament in Bellville and didn't do so hot. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. But the most amazing thing is that this association is a Christian group of home schoolers. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world!  These kids are so amazing because they not only come to practice with smiles and the willingness to learn but they teach me so much about the love that Jesus has to offer each of us. That's just what they do. Love me and I love them back!
4. With #2 & 3 combined, it has helped me deepened and strengthen my faith a little more every week this summer. Music is just so powerful. It's a cure for a lot of different things in my life. It's spiritual and emotional for me. Coaching these girls helps me watch what I say, do, think, etc. and I feel different things are changing. I think about praying more and just praising the Lord for different things I never thought about before. I give a lot of kudos to Coach Lynsi Bain too. She's so in love with Jesus, it's crazy but true love. I wish I could be that in love with the Lord but I'm taking baby steps.
5. A few of my girlfriends took a short weekend trip to the Riverwalk in San Antonio to relax and catch up towards the end of July. We had a lot of fun with lots of food and talking! We had hot pink cactus margaritas at a roach infested restaurant and went to Coyote Ugly and had some fun dancing! We did a little bit of shopping and dressing up each other. I love our little group and can't wait for next year's annual trip!
6. I took a 10-week Anatomy 2 course at A&M. It was tough but I made it through with a B!
7. Unfortunately, I might be retaking it...I went to a PT Open House in Galveston @ UTMB last week and learned a lot about applying for PT school. I am applying next summer so I need to get some grades up. I'm terribly scared that it's going difficult for me to get in with a lower than average GPA. I just gotta keep my head on straight and strive for A's from now on and study, study, study and shadow!
8. Our summer family vacation was to L'auberge du Lac in Louisiana. It was my first time to gamble!!! I ended up winning about $1300!!! I played a little bit of blackjack, a lot of slots, and learned 3 card poker (not my favorite). We ate a super nice restaurant with awesome food, got treated to a spa day, floated the lazy river, and just relaxed.
9. I'd like this # to be for those who are needing prayer in my life. Please pray for Mrs. Gail Palone and her family - Her dad passed away last night and he was an amazing man. Please pray for Jace Arbuckle and his family and fiance - he is going in for tests at MD Anderson this coming week for a chronic condition that may need treatment. Please pray for my Pawpaw & Meemaw - He is back in the hospital for pneumonia. I know there are a lot of other prayers that are needed to be said out there but I've gone blank. I'm sure they'll come to me tonight whilst I'm saying my nightly prayers. I appreciate all of yours!
10. I GET MY AGGIE RING IN 27 DAYS!!! WH12P!!! I'm super stoked and can't wait! Shelby & I will be dunking in November, when she gets hers!

Hope everyone is doing well! I miss and love you all!
Coach Alexis Cooper '12

 This is from today - Autumn, Meghan, Coach & Halle (with medals = All Tourney!)

 Scott & I at a Wedding - My shoes were so beautiful, they were blinding everyone haha so I had to toss them!

 Cassey Janak & I at her Sister's Wedding

 Taylor & I at the Merta Wedding

Yes the rumors were true. We Were dating...we had to test out our feelings but I ended up being wrong. And we're still best friends...Thank You Lord!

 Kindergarten Best Friends Forever!

Stacey, Erik & I at Dustin & Lianne Janak's Wedding

Set Me Free!

Finally, it's been a long day/week but I am finally done with exams. I still have homework tonight but Courtney is going to help me while I attempt to complete it. I have to it's due tomorrow and I would like to go out or see a movie with Stacey. Let me tell you, it's been 2 hectic weeks. I went to Victoria 2 weekends ago to celebrate Emily Bergstrom's birthday and watch her play softball. I really do miss softball but I'm a lot more happier now!

I came back to CS to find out I didn't get a callback interview for Muster Hosts but a ride on my pony cured that until I had to study for Anatomy lab and exam. I finally made a 100 on a lab quiz and started dissecting our "died from natural causes" cat. We named her kit-T. It was funny at the time when we were locating her upper chest & arm muscles. I thought we were going to have to skin it but we got lucky. Thursday night was my Anatomy lecture exam. Oh it was rough. I found out yesterday (he's slower than frozen molasses) that I made a 76 :( Not what I expected or wanted but I just have to bust butt from now on! I also had an Abnormal Psychology exam Friday which I did not study enough for and made an 84. Again, not what I wanted but I'll have to make do and bust more glutieus maximus on the next 2 exams.

The weekend was tiring but Shelby & I went to see PawPaw in the hospital on Friday. It was good to see Meemaw & him but I just wish I could help him physically. I am praying for him and a full recovery. I'm always open to prayer requests as well. Saturday, I spent my day catching up on sleep, studying Chemistry, and going to reviews. I was going to go to the last Women's Basketball game but homework was more important.

Monday, I had my skills test in my Step Aerobics class. Some percentage of our grade is our aerobic fitness so they make us run a timed 1.5 mile run (you can race walk too), sit ups, push ups, and flexibility reach. I don't have to test out of push ups because I have a lovely PT note :) I did beast on my run and sprinted 1st to the finish at 13:22. Dang it. Full credit is 12:30 or under. I'm going to train for this and get it! I had 40 sit ups in a minute - 6 away from full credit. I got 5 inches on my sit-and-reach and 9 is full credit. Ugh...I was pooped but the workout today was amazing because I'm now putting 2 blocks on each side under my step, which makes me work a lot harder during the workouts! Love it! I need to go lift soon though...Friday, I'm thinking. Tuesday, I had my Chemistry exam. I prepared a lot for it by myself until I asked Courtney for some guidance the night before and right before the exam. We get our exams back 30 minutes after the class and Courtney thinks I made a 90! WHOOP! Too bad all my grades can't reflect that but I am trying really hard!

We went to mass at 7 am this morning after I put some beans in a crock pot for dinner tonight (they were yummy!) and went to school and studied for my Anatomy lab practical. Let me tell you that it's very hard to be well prepared for that test. I'm just puzzled by a lot of the things they asked about certain topics. I'm flustered but I'm pretty sure I passed. Last semester, they said the average in a lab would be around a 60. Yikes! Oh well, I'm done. I'm relaxing. I will not stop attending my classes just because the break is approaching. I am though getting a massage in the morning to get out all of the bad things that came upon me these last 2 weeks.

My sisters and I - Courtney & Shelby - have given up sweets for Lent. Literally, everything that has sugar in it! I am really wondering how my body will react to this since I usually eat chocolate every day. I am also doing something to reduce my negative thoughts and words. I hope it really helps me and my attitude. I am also planning on working at the Food Bank and continuing it after Lent so I can build up weekly community services hours.

What are y'all giving up for Lent?

Spreading My Holiday Cheer

That is, Bowl Games and Christmas! I'm super pumped that we're bowl-bound! I should've shared this on Thanksgiving Day but I was busy trying to help in the kitchen. So to all you Aggies, enjoy. To my Longhorn (yes, I said it...) family members & fans, apologies. Please understand that Shelby & I enjoyed this picture that was on the Bonfire Memorial exhibit in Rudder & G. Rollie White last week.

"Watch out, Bevo. Don't snicker and sneer.

You think you're a stud but you're only a steer.

Come Thanksgiving Day you'll see what we mean, when

from your tall tower no orange light will gleam. 

You think you're bowl-bound but it's only a dream.

You've still got to meet that Fightin' Aggie team!"

I was even yelling "Boomer Sooner" last night for the chances of ou beating osu so we could have a 3-way 1st place tie in the Big 12 south and get a chance to play in the championship. It was worth a try but ou is playing nebraska and we Aggies couldn't be happier since we beat them both. So watch out world, some friends and family and I are looking for the announcement of what bowl game we're playing in to buy those tickets. ROAD TRIP!

On the Christmas aspect, I enjoyed some jolly music on my way to-and-from the horse barn this evening. It put me in a delightful mood and can't wait for the colder weather, christmas trees, lights, more music and going home for the holidays. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Even though Shelby thinks I'm Scruge, I'm not going to be sitting on my fanny and saying Ba-Humbug. I'm going to try to help out at the food bank or at the church here and back home and sing all the great songs at the top of my lungs in more places than just the privacy of my home.

Any ideas for stocking stuffers for my parents & sister?



Shelby & I at the Arbuckle Wedding



Time flies...

too fast for me to keep up with anything! I think the dishes have been done for the week and 2 days later, the sink is full again. And on top of that Shelby & I have a pile each of laundry, vacuuming needs to be done, litterbox needs to be emptied & sometimes the trashcan is overflowing! Whoo! Just to think we handle the daily chores in life with going to classes, studying, softball, Shelby's business frat, and trying to just find time to run errands or relax. I have finally had a week this semester where I turned in all my assignments by Tuesday and had nothing else to do except research for an upcoming speech the rest of the week and it was amazing! I just sat around! My last post was almost 2 months ago and there has been sooo much happening to Shelby and I as this semester is zooming and the flowers are finally blooming.

So I've left y'all hanging since February 10th and I'm going to catch y'all up real quick, just by things I've done day-to-day.
Feb. 11 - Departed from IAH to Tempe, Arizona
12 - Beat Wisconsin & Cal
13 - Beat Nevada & Lost to Arizona St, who is ranked in the top 10
14 - Beat Auburn and flew back home!
15 - Made up my Biology exam in my Professor's office at 10 am, went to my classes, did softball laundry before going home to do my own and work on homework
16 - Classes, HEB, and Self Evaluation for my first speech
17 - Ash Wednesday, I could not get up early enough to go to Mass :( I gave up beef & pork for Lent and try to pray every morning and night. Beat Sam Houston
18 - Class, Sam's Club for umpire snacks & house supplies, had lunch with my "brother," Taylor Martin & made our famous Chocolate Sheet Cake for a team dinner
19 - Got up super early to go set-up for the softball tournament, studied before going to take my Theatre exam, and BTHO Mississippi State & Oregon State
20 - Got up early again for softball and watched some Theatre movies to take a quiz online before we BTHO Miss St & Louisiana-Monroe
21 - Got up early for the last day of the tourney to BTHO La-Monroe and put out balls for the girl's to sign. Everytime we hit a homerun, they draw a name out of a bucket for a winner to receive one of these balls.
22 - Woke up a tad bit earlier to go to the bank, get a ticket for Romeo & Juliet before class, went to confession, got a mani/pedi, and had tutoring at 7 pm
23 - Class, had to order helmets and some stuff before softball practice, and went to Romeo & Juliet, which was an amazing modern production with no scenery or costumes and had only 5 actors!
24 - Class and flew to Cathedral City, California
25 - Started studying for my lab practical before we headed to the fields. We lost 2 upsettting games to Fordham & Oregon
26 - BTHO UNLV & SDSU and studied some more after eating some amazing cookies from a cafe
27 - Happy Birthday Emily Bergstrom! Game against Stanford was rained out so we headed back home.
28 - Went to mass and lab review before studying a lot!
March 1 - Classes & Softball
2 - Happy Birthday MOM!!! Class, Lab Practical, Softball, tried baking a Red Velvet Angel Food Cake before tutoring at A+ for Biology.
3 - Classes, played with Stewie & Ozzie at Jeanne's, and BTHO Houston
4 - Set up batting cages before I went to my class because BYU was practicing, shopped a little at Bed, Bath & Beyond (was looking for a bigger angel food cake pan) and Charming Charlie's before I had lunch with Taylor and our friend, Lauren Slaton. I got treatment on my back from our student trainer, Laura and ended up losing to BYU.
5 - Tried to get the grass paint stains out of one of our player's uniforms after setting up for the 2nd home tournament, classes and BTHO N. Colorado but lost to BYU
6 - BTHO Monmouth & N. Colorado
7 - Tutoring at A+ for Biology and just relaxed and went to church
8 - Happy Birthday Bryson! Classes, Psychology Advisor meeting (to see if I can double major), Chiropractor, finished homework and went to A+ Tutoring
9 - Gave my 2nd speech on George Strait, lab, split a double header with TAMU-CC, and A+ Tutoring
10 - Classes, Self Defense lecture for speech credit, Collegiate 4-H meeting, and Biology exam review at A+ Tutoring...again from 10-midnight
11 - Finished homework before my classes, went home to make Taco Soup in a crockpot, went to the doctor for my last guardasil shot, mailed some stuff off and ordered more bats at softball & could you believe that I had tutoring again? Yes, but it was the last night!
12 - Set up for our last home tournament, went to Theatre, took Biology EXAM #2, & BTHO Utah State & Wright State
13 - Another early morning at softball and BTHO N. Dakota St. & Utah St.
14 - BTHO N. Dakota St and went to church before retiring to homework for the evening
15 - SPRING BREAK! Chiropractor (working on adjusting my right hip, which is higher than my left) NO SOFTBALL! so I got a massage!
16 - Flew out from IAH to San Diego!
17 - Went to the beach & shopped at little downtown before having dinner
18 - Practiced that morning and worked on homework and relaxed
19 - BTHO Harvard & Long Beach St
20 - BTHO UMass & University of Illinois-Chicago in 2 nail biter games
21 - BTHO SDSU in extra innings before returning home from a long week in San Diego, which was awesome and very different. I enjoy my job and am gracious with our travel and hotel accomodations because I get to see many different places and meet different people. Makes me miss and love Texas so much more although I love traveling!
22 - Chiropractor, Classes, ordered and shipped off some more softball stuff while spray-n-washing our nasty uniforms & caught up on homework that evening
23 - After turning in my stressful speech topic & lab report, I went to softball practice and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and light practice. Helped mom make an eBay account and now she's addicted! We just bought a nicely used Gucci hobo purse :)
24 - Lost to #8 Georgia Tech but it was a great game.
25 - 6 Months until I become LEGAL!!! Went to class, Ace Hardware, watched theatre movies & went to softball practice. Had some friends over before going dancing at Harry's! First night that I've been out since January and it was so much fun!
26 - Got up early to go give blood but there were no drives on campus that were there the day before :( Classes & softball practice
27 & 28 - BTHO Kansas!

Hope everyone is enjoying this springy weather because I am! I can't wait for Easter and to see all of my family! It's been too long! I love y'all and gig 'em!

Happy New Year!

I know...I have forgotten about my blog but I do have very good excuses! 1) I had finals and ended my fall semester with 2 A's, 1 B & 1 C. 2) I had a house to clean before I could come home and begin to work for Miss Sallie at The Crossing for my 3rd year. 3) The boyfriend is soooo demanding! hahaha I'm joking...the last blog I wrote he helped me and that was the last time I saw him until this past weekend. 4) I just haven't been in need to be on the computer, which is sort of a good thing for my fingers & eyes.

I love my updates because I go through my calendar on my phone. I see what I've done in the past few weeks and sometimes it reminds me of other things I need to do or have forgotten.
December:
15th - took my online Computer Technology final in the Read Computer Lab from 10-12. James left me to go home & so I was a free woman! That afternoon, I pampered myself to a facial. I have super dry skin & being stressed from finals was not helping...
16th - took my Women's Psychology final at 10:30 am and I was finished! I actually looked at my grades today (Jan. 5th) and made my best test grade! I continued my pampering and got highlights & a trim after lunch.
17th - The day of complete haze! I was so caught up in packing to go home and cleaning the house before I left that I almost forgot to run errands in town! I had to go get christmas gifts & pick up my own things that I didn't want to leave in CS over the break such as my charm bracelet and Rx's.
18th - Went to a much needed chiropractor appointment. The popping & body controtion may freak you out but oh boy, it feels soooo good! Afterwards, I went to work at The Crossing and the craziness of Christmas shopping begins in the shop. That night, one of my new favorite bands was playing at Muldoon's. Megan Martin had wanted me home so we could go together but Josh Abbott decided to charge $20 to get in the door!!! I thought twice and decided to save my money.
19th - I might as well put a calendar on here! lol...I went to work again - 10am to 5:30pm and babysat 2 pre-teens afterwards. It was probably one of the funniest babysitting experiences I've had! They pranked called boys, dressed up silly to go to Wal-Mart to get a gingerbread house kit, and after the house collapsed a few times, they gave up & ate it.
20th - A long choir practice after 6 pm Mass that made me a little more sick and hoarse after my 3 mile run that cold afternoon.
21st - Mom & I went shopping in Victoria!
22nd - Dentist Appt that I was very early to so I went to Lisa Bubela's shop to get some knick-knacks before my teeth cleaning. Afterwards, I went straight to work.
23rd - A long day at work followed by the Biggest Loser Boot Camp workout video can put a girl to sleep!
24th - Christmas Eve! Went to work and closed at 3 pm. Drove with the family to my Uncle Rodney & Aunt Kathy's home in La Ward for Cooper Christmas. The best Christmas I've had with them in a long time! We got back to town and I got changed to go sing at Midnight Mass at St. Philips. Shelby went but wouldn't go with me since I had to be there at 11.
25th - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Mom's side of the family came to our house for dinner after we opened our gifts at lunchtime! Shelby can sleep like no other...
27th - Bram Christmas at my Uncle Tommy & Aunt Monica's home. I went by myself since Mom & Dad went to Mexico for a couple's hunting trip. Got a set of heavy dominoes!
28th - Another day at work before I went to Wadsworth to stay with John & Lori for a few days.
30th - Took the horses to the vet in Bay City. Rocket is healthy and pudgy. I do miss barrel racing & Karen very much. I hope I can pursue my dreams one day once again.
31st - New Year's Eve, I just wanted to be lazy. I worked for half a day and went to Mass at 5. Sadly, I didn't do much that evening except a trip to HEB with my friend's for our New Year's Day party and "The Office" episodes before I slept through midnight.

January 1st, 2010 - James told me it's the best year ever because he will be graduating this year. The boy is crazy, not literally, but just plain happy-go-lucky all the time. Our relationship is still in the early stages & as long as I'm happy, he gets to stay around ;) This lovely first day of the New Year, I washed some clothes & helped Kimbo Slice in the kitchen for our big lunch with family & friends. You gotta start the New Year off right with some ham, black-eyed peas, cabbage, & cornbread. I hope I'm not forgetting anything?! I also made some puppy chow to take to my friend's party. They loved me for it...and for the air mattresses I took with me.
2nd - I got out off my freezing mattress, packed up & headed towards CS. James & I were spending the weekend together. We went to Houston to the Galleria to shop and meet Scott, Cassey, Cade, Amber, Kenny & Kaylyn for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was very delicious and a long day but worth the drive.
3rd - James & I were kinda lazy. We watched movies and went to HEB. He argued with me about me paying for the groceries but I took away his debit card. We made pizza together and ate it after church. He's not Catholic but I'm glad he went with me.
4th - We got up early to clean & pack up and headed our separate ways. I had to work that afternoon and was supposed to catch Emily but that still hasn't happened. And Dad stole me early from Miss Sallie for top secret circumstances...
5th - I was asked to speak with about 20 other students at the EC Middle school's College Day. So from 8 am to 3:30 pm, I got to explain my life as a college student/worker in PG terms. Some kids got brave and asked about partying but we tried to go around it. That evening I went and pumped some iron with some guy friends. I can walk today but I'm not sure about my hamstrings tomorrow especially since I just got off the elliptical...
Which leads me to my day today! It was very eventful. I'm angry with myself for procrastinating my Texas A&M Employee Training, which I have no clue when it's due but most importantly, mad at myself since my defensive driving was due Monday :( It's hard & time consuming!!! Don't do it! Just pay for the ticket!
I went to work but tried to sleep in late on the couch after I ate breakfast. Well, mom wasn't going to let that happen since Miss Sallie counts on me and I'm in the middle of inventory. I'm not kidding whatsoever but it's my favorite thing of this job. I like the solidarity I get and thinking I have to put into it. I don't know why but it's soothing until I miss count or try to remember if I really marked that item down.
Mom stole me away early this afternoon at 2. Dr. Swenson called in for me to go see Dr. Heard, the oral surgeon in Victoria, about getting my tooth implant. I don't know if I got any good news from it except the doctor is super nice and is an Aggie! I stayed positive throughout my appointment although my roots of my teeth beside where I have no tooth are curved inward, giving the post less room to be inserted. So he advised my mother and I to get Orthodontal Therapy, in other words, braces...again. More info to come...I kinda don't want to talk about it right now...

Otherwise, I've had a great start to 2010 and I hope and wish and pray you all the same as well!
Hope to see y'all soon...to those who keep up with my blog...and come visit Shelby & I in Aggieland! The softball schedule can be found at AggieAthletics.com.

Thanks & Gig 'em - Alexis

Happy Birthday Laura!!!

Yesterday was my best friend's 20th birthday! We didn't get to celebrate much with the old lady because her mom and sisters came to CS to treat her with lunch and some shopping. She had a great day although we didn't party much but we're saving that for after finals! ;) This was the cake Shelby and I made her and her gift was a large picture frame with one of Shelby's favorite sayings. Yeah sorry, I'm not good at remembering especially with all the information I'm cramming into my head for my final 2 exams on Tuesday & Wednesday!
P.S. I stayed in my p.j.'s all day too! I was not going to waste my time by changing clothes or fixing my unruly hair.

Some grand things you ought to know about Laura:

1. Has been my best friend for a little over a year.
2. Hails from Wharton and we met through 4-H in high school.
3. Always has something exciting, funny, or some weird story to tell.
4. Her hair is always lovely -straight or naturally curly.
5. Learned how to make tamales with her Grandmother and they're damn good!
6. Has great ears for listening and a big, caring heart.
7. Enjoys being my sister's close friend as well - she says that she loves us both because we are different & hilarious...I don't see what's hilarious when we argue about cleaning?
8. Jeans are her staple clothing.
9. Has crafty hands - can make jewelry, wreaths, frames, & you name it!
10. Has great faith in the Big Man upstairs and can find you a bible verse in a jiffy for any circumstance.

Too bad her birthday couldn't have been a few days earlier because we would've gone to the National Finals Rodeo next December but we can wait another year and that was Taylor will be 21 too!


So here's what else has been going on in my life...This is me immitating Shelby's mirror pictures before the Softball Party last Sunday. She cracks me up when there a million of these "kind" of photos on her camera...let's just say I don't waste my time with that nonsense...hahaha...

Dec. 6 - TAMU Softball Party at the Burnside's: It was a lot of fun this year since I wasn't the newbie and knew everyone except some new strength coaches. My White team didn't have to cook but I got to the house early and helped the Maroon girls with the feast. I chatted with Tommy & Dayle for a good time before and after. It was good to see them and am praying for them all the time.

Dec. 7 - Went to campus early to go get Shelby and my Finals Care Packages that Mom made us. Inside was some comfy lounge pants, Starbucks & McAllister's gift cards, Zappo's Aggie Chips, and maroon & white M&M's! Whoop! Mom did a great job although I told her not to go overboard. I had my last Women's Psychology or "Lifetime" class, as Jimmy likes to call it. And for those of you who didn't know, we are officially a couple. It's going great and we see each other a couple times a week when time permits. Ok, back to Monday...I went home for lunch and studied a bit before I went to Best Buy and St. Mary's for Mass. Tuesday was a holy day of obligation - the Immaculet Conception of Mary.

Dec. 8 - Last day of Music class - thank you Lord!!! It wasn't as bad as alwasy because people performed in class, which I did on the 1st of December. I learned that Silent Night was actually written for guitar!

Dec. 9 - Picked up my friend, Chelsea (set me up with Jimmy), and went to the BQ Bowl, a football game between Artillery & Infantry bands. Jimmy was a defensive end for the A-Band and they won 28-21, I think. It was freezing outside and thank goodness Chelsea called me or I would've been a frozen ice cube! I went home and finished some studying while cooking cornbread & heading back to Chelsea's apartment to eat some stew with her and the guys. Then, I rushed to our Collegiate 4-H social at Dr. Lepley's home. Oh my gosh, I officially want a male miniature schnauzer!!! He and his wife had 3 and they were awesome and so cute!!! We had a short meeting before I rushed home and changed because Chelsea, Justin, Jimmy & I were going to Santa's Wonderland down Hwy 6. It was great! I had a little fun as you can tell below ;)

Dec. 11 - Music Final and boy, I used every second to complete that exam. I thought I knew my stuff but I got confused on a lot of the composers. Oh well, I'm sure I did ok. I keep forgetting to e-mail my prof though because she always gave us our grades in class and I want to know!

I've been studying pretty much since Thursday and I hope I do well on my exams. Shelby & I took our online Math final tonight and I made an 80 but still have an A. I'm very pleased although that exam was horrendously hard! I'm back to the grind on reviewing for pychology but I'm about to take a break from the computer by watching a movie. My computer is becoming the devil because I have been on it nonstop! I have online computer tech exam Tuesday so that is done on the computer and I type the highlighted portion of my Psyc book because it helps me more than just flat reading and I have to complete my defensive driving course before I go home because it's due by the end of the month! But the good thing is, I don't spend any time on Facebook since Laura changed my password! Hopefully, I don't acquire arthritis in my fingers or get burns on my wrists.

Hope you are all have a wonderful December and Christmas season so far! I'll probably be singing at Midnight Mass at St. Philip's on Christmas Day! Love you all!

Time has flown too fast!

I haven't updated my blog lately because life has been boring but busy. Yesterday, I finished summer school and thought that I would sleep in this morning but I didn't. I'd rather stay busy somehow, someway. So here's a list of what I've done since the end of July:

July 27-29: Coach Popp held a 5th-9th grade Volleyball Camp - Some former players and I helped her out while it was going on. I also helped my cousin, Sydney, and her two friends with some volleyball skills before they went to their camp in Weimar.

August 3rd: Texas A&M opened the registration of classes for students to switch and whatnot so I rearranged my schedule a little bit. I'll be carrying 12 hours (for sure) at TAMU and maybe add an Intro in Ag Communications & Journalism if I decide to add that minor. So I'm trying to decide when I should go see an advisor before school begins. I lost my sunglasses to the Karankwua river that weekend and became very frustrated as I tried to scramble around for a pair since I have very sensitive eyes. My mom was the 2nd most upset person (after myself) because I had just purchased that very nice, polarized pair during Spring Break.

August 5th: I started running with one of Cade Radley's dogs, Buddy. I didn't have the want to get up earlier than I had to to run in the morning and running in the latter of the day is best around 8 p.m. It gets awfully dark around 8:30 so that's why I have a new "buddy."

August 8th: Three friends and I jetted off to Reliant Stadium for an awesome venue of Julianne Hough, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, and The King of Country, George Strait!!! He was my very first concert and all of the performers put on a great show.

August 9th: My best friend, Laura, was confirmed in her church in Wharton. It was a very special day for her, her sister, and her family because she has a deep faith in the Lord and I lean on her in my most trialing periods of life. So Trey and I joined her for the mass and a great luncheon so we could all have a little bit of shared faith for our "family."

August 11th: Final for WCJC Math class! Worked at The Crossing for 2 hours and helped Coach Popp with the volleyball books for the first games of the season. She also asked me if I would be able to help her this weekend at the Columbus tournament so of course, I said yes. Plus, I will be getting volunteer hours for my major at TAMU. I have to have 60+ hours to take the upper-level courses, which are the good ones, and graduate. So I'm getting started with a great opportunity, working beside a great person and coach!

So I'm going to try to stay busy until I move back to CS, which probably will not happen until the week before classes begin on August 31st. Most of my time will be spent resting up, working out, and just piddling around the house. I would love to go to the river as much as possible before I leave because I have two softball meetings the weekend before school starts so I'll be busy from the start and not much time for "playing" after I move. So I'm enjoying my time at home very much. I've had this itch to try new recipes or just cook so I'm going to attempt ratatouille for lunch or dinner today!

Renewed Faith

"Beloved, rest in His side" was the theme for Aggie Awakening #86 which I attended this past weekend. It was super-awesome, amazingly beautiful, fun and something I really needed! I not only reclaimed my love for our Savior but made friends and "family" in the process. You see, the table you sit at is called your family. You have a mom, dad, and siblings! We, the Brady Bunch, even had a grandpa and a great-aunt! No confusion necessary...haha! It was soft of like an ACTS retreat, the ones I attended and teamed on in high school but given on the next level of understanding for college students trying to deal with their struggles and faith. The people there were truly amazing and I learned so much and added to the knowledge I learned through RCIA when I converted to Catholicism.

St. Mary's Catholic Parish has a huge student attendance and many clubs to choose from. Aggie Awakening is probably the biggest recruiting event that gets students involved. I plan on helping with Aggie Awakening, if time allows, and joining a club called SMYRT, St. Mary's Youth Retreat Team. This club puts on retreats for middle and high schoolers all throughout the state of Texas. I feel I can better serve God with sharing my talents and knowledge to those of a younger age than my age. Hopefully, this is true. So I've already started praying that I am able to do what I can this upcoming school year. So I went to adoration tonight. I thought it was going to be peaceful but there was a precious little girl in there with her mom and so instead of praying the entire time, I read the bible and watched her. : )

As for this week's agenda, I have school (blah) and cleaning my room (double blah). I have been diligently walking/jogging everyday and I feel great. I don't do the same distance every evening but I try to do between 1.5 - 4 miles. I will be working on increasing my distance and decreasing my time as soon as I get over this sinus infection (triple blah)! Shelby & I went shopping today. Sisterly love! And I thought she was going to buy out the shoe sale! It was a good day until I started feeling worse & my fever came back. Oh well! I think we are making a trip to CS this weekend with a group of friends to go dancing and hang out. Aaron Watson is playing at the Hall! I love him but I'm sure my dance partner, Trey, will not be able to go. Oh well! I'll make more friends! Hasta luego amigos!

Hoppy Easter!

It's awesome to be back at home in El Campo! Of course, there is not much to do here but I had a quiet evening with my parents. I totally pulled a prank on my sister, telling her that I couldn't make it home because Jeanne didn't want me to travel in the bad weather and she'd rather have me stay with them. Of course, she did invite me but home was calling and Shelby is such a dork because she didn't even notice my car in the garage! I wonder who should really be the blonde in the family...hmmm. I love being blonde so she can't take that spot physically! The family is coming over tomorrow thus there will be lots of cooking and cleaning in the morning after Mass. We were supposed to go to the river but if it rains, those plans would be a disaster! So thankfully I'm here to help my mom prepare and I have someone to attend Mass with me in the morning! Ever since I became Catholic 3 years ago, I am thankful for those people who supported me and sat with me. When I started becoming a faithful Christian when I was 15, I went to church alone unless I was singing in the choir. It was sort of depressing but I didn't show it and just prayed for those who couldn't attend with me.

This weekend, the Lady Ags played tortilla tech at home and we won the series, 5-4 on Friday night and 6-0 today. Our senior catcher, Erin Glasco, hit a homerun last night in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs to give us the win! It was super exciting and I think everyone was yelling and tearing up with joy! Today, our girls did their job - they played like Aggies should play every game so it was a great outing. But before the game, our athletic trainer asked if Mary (the other manager) or I could help with some of the girls' treatments. Of course, I jumped right up and said heck yes! I did the "heva-mat" on a shoulder & an elbow. The machine sends an electrical current through my body to the other person to alleviate pain, muscle soreness, and swelling. It was pretty cool until I shocked them! Ooops!

I can't wait to get back to CS because I don't have any exams this week but just a few assignments. The excitement will come Wednesday & Thursday night when my friend, Trey, has already planned to go out from Wed-Sat, maybe Sunday too, because he is free from exams until the following week like me! He's a biomedical science major, looking to go to into orthodontics. He's from Boling and we have an awkward friendship. NO, not like that but we've done many things together not knowing each other until we met through a friend last spring and became great friends last semester. But we're going to Hurricane Harry's on Wednesday to see Josh Abbott Band and Thursday night to the TX Hall of Fame, to get our groove on. Trey & I learned how to do all the spins and what not together so we considered each other all-time dancing partners! We even have an inside joke in our "family" - our "wedding song" is Relentless by Jason Aldean and we only dance with each other to that song. Funny, I know!

I hope you all have a wonderful & blessed Easter! Hopefully the rain doesn't keep the Easter bunny away!
Peace out!

Texas Weather

So as I finished a week full of exams, the softball team headed off to Columbia, Missouri to take on the Mizzou Tigers in a double-header on Saturday afternoon. We left Friday to fly from Houston to Kansas City. Many of us were very confused if we were in Kansas or Missouri since the town resides in both states. We ate dinner before hauling 2 hours to Columbia for our weekend stay. Saturday was not the best of days for the team. We were able to sleep in a little but it was very windy and chilly outside. We were playing both games on Saturday because there was supposed to be a bad storm coming in. Unfortunately, as we were in the middle of the first game, it started getting warmer as each inning passed. Many of the girls and staff were shedding their layers. By the end of both games, we had lost in 5 innings, 8-0 and 9-1. Let's just not say much more as for the scores speak for themselves. That evening we ate a local sports bar and they had a lot of choose from but they recommended the BBQ. So I had a mixed platter of pulled pork, brisket, and the best, ribs. So we quietly returned to the hotel and some of the girls had studying to do but I set off to run and stretch around the lit parking lot. I got some good exercise in before heading off to the Barnes & Noble across the street. I bought two good cookbooks - one that I have been eyeing for awhile called "The Sneaky Cook" and the other a slow-cooker book. I'll have to try some recipes and share the good ones with y'all! So Sunday was a little colder. Mary, the other manager, and I had planned on sleeping in later and skipping breakfast until Kelsey Splittler, our left fielder, decided to come wake us up at 8:30! So I tried going back to sleep until I realized I needed some coffee and to say some prayers since I would not be fulfilling my Christian obligations on Palm Sunday. But I'll make it up to the big guy upstairs when Easter comes...otherwise that is one of the disadvantages of my job. I love going to Mass and singing and listening to the great priests here at St. Mary's in CS. Back to the weekend schedule, we left Columbia at noon and were headed to Kansas City to eat lunch before we got on a plane back to Texas. This is when we found out about the two different Kansas City's. We ate and flew out of Kansas but for the most of the weekend we stayed in Missouri. I'm sure there were a few blonde comments about the confusion. This is where the headline comes in! As we all jumped off the bus to go eat, it started sleeting and the wind was blowing super hard so we were in a miny blizzard hence the heavy snow. It was weird to go from hot to cold so it reminded me of the Texas weather especially since it's supposed to be in the 30's tonight!

Well I don't have any exams this week but I'll be working on my class schedule for the Fall and getting things accomplished for Shelby's Birthday and Easter. I hope y'all have a wonderful and blessed Easter and I can't wait to update y'all from this upcoming weekend!