I uploaded or whatever you call it, my first photo!! Hip-hip-HURRAY!!! Well, this is a picture that Casey took of Jared and his brother, Andy, at the Alabama/Auburn game. Aren't they cute? I will definitely be posting more photos soon.

Merry Christmas!!



Where do I begin? This has been, like always, a wonderful, or should I say, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" Last Friday, we had Christmas with the Glenns. It was great to see everyone since I had not seen them in a while (we were at the Sanders for Thanksgiving this year). I'm used to seeing the kids everyday and I really miss that! When we got home that night Jared just had to give me my presents from him, he just can't wait. He did good!!! Saturday morning I woke up with the stomach virus, but treaked on to Brundidge anyway. When we got there, Jared, like tradition, woke up his brothers and we opened our gifts. Jared and I both were blessed! Next we went to Jared's Aunt Cora and Uncle Bill's house for the Sanders' Christmas. It was hard for me to pass up all the goodies, so, against my better judgement, I indulged. Hey, what' a couple more hours of stomach pains, it was Christmas!! We had a great time, but missed Tony and Ryann. Please pray for them and Jared's aunt and uncle. They are doing as well as can be expected. I thought back to last Christmas. Of course, Hadley was the center of attention, she was the only child there that day, and everyone was playing with her. She got a little wound-up and had to be put in time-out for acting up. I remember Jared begging Ryann to let her out because things had gotten boring! She is missed, but in a much better place!
After we got back from the Sanders' Christmas, we watched a movie with Jared's parents and brothers (Santa had brought Jared "Invincible" in his stocking at his parents' house). The next morning we went to church at Hamilton Crossroads and then had lunch and Christmas with the Flowers (Jared's mom's side of the family). Then it was time to come back home. We got to go to church at Roebuck Pkwy since S.S. changed their services and we missed it. We met Casey there, too. I got to see my cousins and aunts and uncles again, plus past students and friends from JCA and Roebuck. PLUS, I got to see my good friends from Faulkner, Jamie and Darrell Powell!! I hadn't seen them a while. They were in the same situation with church, too, and so we all We about closed the church down talking to them, of course, when don't we close the church down? After that we went to Mama and Daddy's for dinner. We woke up on Christmas morning and went over to Mama and Daddy's for Christmas with them! We had fun and again, we were blessed! Jared got a pool table from my family and he was so excited, he could hardly stand it! Any takers for a game of pool?? Of course, the pool table means rearranging the house. It looks like Jared might get a man's room (which will be our diningroom and our diningroom will be our computer room). The day after Christmas my family and I all went to Gatlinburg, TN. We had a lot of fun! We actually made it all the way there and back with Pam, Joseph, and I in the backseat of my dad's Lumina! We made fun of ourselves the whole time, you know, being three adults 23-27 years old crammed into the backseat! We didn't even fight one time! When we got there it was too late to do anything, so we relaxed at the resort. Wednesday, Me, Pam, and Mama took the car and went to the outlets. Dad and Joseph slept in and took the trolley to meet us later. They had an adventure because they went on a trolley that took them all the way to Gatlinburg, then back to Pigeon Forge, and then on to Severville, where they finally met us at the outlets. They only had to walk a little bit and cross the major highway twice (where there was a foot of sidewalk. They were also the only English speaking people on the trolley. We ate a restaurant called The Big Chop. It was good. Then we tried to get back to the resort for a game of Bingo, but, because the traffic was HORRIBLE, we missed it! Oh, well, maybe next time! Then we went to church where Barbara Hammock goes. We also found out that Charles Shepherd's mother and sister attend there. So, again, we closed, literally, the church down that night talking with Mrs. Shepherd. Yesterday we went to The Dixie Stampede for lunch (that is our favorite thing to do there)! Next, we went to Cooter's Garage (Dukes of Hazzard museum) and guess what???? Cletus was there, in person, signing autographs!! I felt so bad because of all the times Jared and I have gone there (a bunch) the one time he was not there, a cast member was there. I got my picture made with him and had him autograph a t-shirt and photo for Jared. For those who don't know who Cletus is, he is Boss Hogg's cousin, who is a policeman in Hazzard County. The other policemen was Rosco P. Coltrane (whom Jared was for Halloween- Rosco is Jared's favorite). Cletus' s real name is Rick Hurst. I will post a picture ASAP! Then, Pam and I walked the streets of Gatlinburg while Mama, Daddy, and Joseph went into the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. Pam and I had been there before when we were on a band trip in high school. That museum scared Pam so bad, I had to scare away two little boys (there was a certain part that had a man in an electric chair and these two little boys kept pulling it and electricuting the man over and over. It made a startling noise and scared Pam to death. She was huddled in a corner crying her eyes out.) Then I had to drag her out of the museum. Did I mention that I was a senior in high school and Pam was a junior? Anyhow, Pam was not going there again and Joseph really wanted to so we split up for awhile. After that, we went to some different outlets and then had a late dinner at Atlanta Bread Company. This morning we had breakfast at our other favorite place, The Apple Barn. Now we are all home and exhausted! We had a blast! I feel so lucky because I am so blessed! Now I am back home with my honey who just walked in the door! I better go, I haven't seen him since Tuesday when he left for work! Happy New Year!!!

My tree is no longer naked!! We finally got it completely decorated Friday! I would post a picture, but I don't know how. We also ahve our inflatable snowman and some lights up outside. Saturday, I finished my Christmas shopping, although I feel like Jared needs more, of course he doesn't! My next big step is to wrap all the presents. Not one single present is under the tree. Maybe in the next day or so. Saturday, Jared gave me an early Christmas present(s). He had to and I surely didn't mind! He got me a pink Razor cell phone, a pink case to carry and protect it, and a pink blue tooth (still trying to figure this one out).
My students have been so good this week. I can't ask for more! They have been good and cooperated and even given me gifts. I received a very teachery gift, which usually is not my stlye. It was from this adorable little boy named Gage. It is a teacher watch. The number 6 is a chalkboard that says "Best Teacher", the middle of the watch is a book that rotates, the long hand is a pencil, and the short hand is a ruler. You might think "dorky" but I feel like I am wearing a trophy on my wrist! You know that I have to wear this everyday for the rest of the week or it will hurt his feelings. He gave it to me first thing yesterday morning and made me open it right in the hallway. I first pulled out a candle from Bath and Body Works (coconut lime verbena) and thought that it was a nice gift. Then Gage told me there was more. When I saw a box that said "Best Teacher" I thought to myself, "Man, I'm gonna have another piece of teacher jewelry and Jared is gonna laugh and tell me to never wear it." It has been my favorite gift thus far. I've gotten other nice things this week, too. Well, let me tell you a litle secret. One student, Jade, brought me a gift today, and I asked her if she wanted me to open it now, or tomorrow at the party. She told me she wanted me to wait. I don't know why I even asked her that! I can't wait. I've never been able to. The excitement eats me alive and I can't stand it. Well, I politely placed the present under the tree in the classroom, where it teased me all day. After school was over, I gave in, and gently unwrapped the gift, just enough to peek inside and see what it was. Tomorrow I will exclaim in a surprised fashion over my new Christmas picture frame!
Today is Jared's birthday, again, but for real this time. He wanted me to fix chicken casserole and invite my parents and siblings over for dinner. We had a good time and watched the movie Elf. My Grandma sent Jared a birthday card yesterday and it said that she hopes this birthday
is as fun as his July one. It was funny! Nothing can top his July one! Today was just a nice reminder. I liked celebrating it in July because I could put more into it, instead of just rushing through it. By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!
Well, I better go. If anyone is up for Christmas movie marathon, then stop by anytime! I am always ready! I'll have hot cocoa (white or chocolate) and hot apple cider ready at a minutes notice. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I want a new look for my blog and I want it to be cool, but I don't know what to do. I want it to be pink or purple. I also want to post pictures, but I don't even know how to download them onto the computer. Help! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas time with all the parties and fun. Maybe I will get my tree decorated before Christmas day. It's been up for over a week, but it's naked. I don't know what else to say. I just am trying to say something so I can get my blog off the MIA list. HA! Ha! Plus, I really would like some help with the blog. See ya later!

Sad news today. Hadley passed away this morning around 1:45 am. I can't seem to think about anything else. She was a beautiful little girl and I wish more people could have met her. She was cooped up for most of her life because of her long battle with cancer. Tuesday she did get to go to the Galleria and build-a-bear, a promise from her parents for being so cooperative while in the hospital. Right now there is no word on funeral arrangements because they are performing an autopsy on her in hopes of helping other children with the same kind of cancer. Please keep her family in your prayers. She was their only child and only grandchild on her mother's side. Sorry to come back with such bad news, but I just wanted to let everyone know.

So, what's been going on?

It really has been a long time since I've last posted! Many things have been going on, probably boring to most, so I will only comment on a few! By the way, all good, happy things!

1. Hopefully sometime this week or next, I will have my new computer! Only, maybe I won't. If it doesn't come with the cords to hook it up, Jared is taking it back and it won't be pretty!

2. Jared and I also got, or rather, Jared's early Christmas present, was a new HD tv. We bought it, brought it home, moved around all the furniture in two bedrooms, and around 1 am, turned the dumb thing on, only to find out it was broke! It wouldn't turn on! So, before the precious Alabama game, we had to haul the dumb thing back to Best Buy and exchange it! Oh, and the new thing wouldn't fit into out entertainment center, so we had to get a new one! Luckily, Dad was leaving our house that same Saturday and noticed a yard sale down the road that had an entertainment center for sale. It was great and cheap, but still looked nice, so we bought it. Also, I purchased 3 new games, poker, Taboo, and Pictionary with a twist. Anyone up for a game night???

3.What's the longest you have ever stayed at a restaurant? How about 5, almost 6 hours! That's right! Saturday evening Jared, Casey, and myself sat at Wing's through half the Auburn game and the entire Alabama game (AL was on pay-per-view)! I don't really like the food at Wing's, only appetizers and dessert. Luckily they have trivia games and one tv was open for the trivia games. I played 1 game against myself, and a lovely person named Vultur played against me for the rest or most of the night. Talk about true love, or maybe stupidity!

4. Jared got a new job and will start on my birthday! We are happy about it, but now we have the burden of finding another vehicle to buy. So, if anyone knows of a cheap, reliable, low-mileaged, truck, please let us know!!! Speaking of his new job, which by the way is with a company called Alacare, yesterday, Jared had to have the routine physical and drug test. Of course, he passed them all with flying colors, or did he? Have you ever cheated at anything before? A test, your taxes, or perhaps an exam? Well, part of his physical was a brief eye exam. Jared was doing pretty well with both eyes open, but when it came time for him to cover his left eye, everything blurred and he could not read the specified line of letters, so, he fumbled through, and when the nurse turned her back to him, he uncovered his right eye and read the line! Can you believe it? Not only that, when he was asked to cover the other eye, he quickly memorized the line and "read" it from memory! Can you believe it? What am I gonna do with him??!!

Tag! I'm it!

Well, I think I know what to do. Paul tagged me in a game of tag, so now I have to name eight weird things about myself. Man, where do I start?
1. Everything I wear has to match.
2. Everything has its own special place, and when you are not using it, it needs to be in its place.
3. I like to read children's books.
4. I like old people.
5. I have an ankle, but then I have a place below my ankle that looks like a second ankle, but it's really where my bone did not grow together. You'd have to see it.
6. I use and fold a towel a certain way so that I never wipe my face where I've dried my behind.
7. I iron everything, blue jeans, camisoles that are worn under shirts, everything.
8. I have to put lotion on my hands everytime I wash them.

Ok, now that I am officially a weirdo, I will now tag three people: Rachel Garrison, Meredith Fletcher, and Jasmine Courington! Come on down, you guys are the next contestants in the game of TAG!

Hello out there! It has been a decent week so far, I just hate feeling so lost all the time at school! I mean, I use to know what I was doing and everything else about the school, but now I am clueless! It will get better and has started to. I will say that lunch is better and I no longer have to inhale my food! I just wanted to take a moment to brag on my wonderful husband! He has fixed dinner the last several nights for me, and cleaned it up, which we are suppose to share thase duties. When I got home yesterday, he had unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it, swept and mopped the kitchen and bathroom, and scrubbed the bathroom! Now I can get use to that! Of course, he is usually helpful, I just really appreciated it!
I forgot to mention in my last post that Joseph's good grades were "B's!" I am so proud of him! Plus, I already miss him! I always hate when Pam (but not anymore) and Joseph have to go back to college because I get use to having them around and then they are gone again! I guess a mother feels worse. I know I always left to go back to college crying until I got halfway down the interstate. Of course, I loved Faulkner and it was definitely the place where I had the time of my life! But there's no place like home!
I would like to take this opportunity to inform everyone of a new ice cream flavor that you MUST try! It is Blue Bunny's Take Five. It is soooooo good! It's peanutbutter ice cream with chocolate, peanutbutter, and caramel swirls; Chocolate fudge chunks, chocolate covered peanuts, and caramel coated pretzels! It is the best! I am actually out of it right now. I finished it off Wednesday night. Yes, that's right, the stomach virus couldn't keep me away from it! That's how good it is! Well, I better go, Big Brother will be on soon and Jared has supper ready!
Love ya'll! Emily

Well, it's been a week since school has started. It was a good week except for the fact that I had to miss the 4th day of school because of a stomach virus. One of my nice little students passed that to me. It's been a slow week. Monday night we did the Richard Simons excercise tape at the church building. It was fun and I am looking forward to next Monday. Pam and I showed up to yoga late on Tuesday night, so we left because we were really too tired. This is Joseph's last week home before he goes back to Faulkner. By the way he made 3 B's in his classes this summer!!! I am so proud!!! Yesterday after school Mama and Jospeh called and said they were getting groceries for Joseph at Wise Buys, so, since I needed some groceries I figured why not show up and grocery shop all together. It'll be more fun that way! When I got there Pam had showed up too! I bought Joseph a family size can of Tomato soup for his good grades and the can was only slightly dented. It's kind of sad that the highlights of my week are exercise and grocery shopping with my family at the local bent and dent! But I still had fun! I missed being at church, feels weird! Addi made me a beautiful painting that I proudly hung on my refrigerator! Makes me feel bad because Pam and I meant to send her something when she was sick, but with school starting we just didn't get to it. She is so sweet! Well, it's Friday night so I need to find out what we are doing tonight. By the way, Katie, if you are reading this, I would like to visit you and Hannah at the hospital tonight because 1. I am excited for you and 2. Today is the day I picked for Hannah's arrival and I think it would be a good day! Kim, if you are reading this, I would like to take a computer course like Jasmine and learn to be more computer savy, plus my blog's look NEEDS some help! Talk to everyone that reads this soon, maybe even most of you tonight.

Back to school!

I have to say that I really enjoyed my summer and didn't want it to end! Monday - Wednesday was meeting after meeting. On Tuesday night we thought Joseph was having appendicitus, and was ready for surgery if need be, only to find out it was a little colon problem! Also, when doing the CT scan on him, the tests did not come out too clear because he is too skinny, something about looking at the fat around the organs and if it is swollen then that could indicate a problem, only Joseph HAS NONE! What a problem! Today was the first day of school and it was nice. I like my class and hope things go pretty smoothly this year. I do have one little girl who disobeyed all day and then grinned when she got in trouble and it was sooo annoying! Don't ya'll think it is cruel to give little kids only 20 minutes to stand in line, get their food, eat, and clean-up? I do! Plus, I didn't have anything to eat except for a bag of baked Chee-tos and a glass of water! Of course, that's all I had time for. I guess I should be thankful we get 20 minutes because there are so many kids to go through there. I hope tomorrow goes well also. I will try to keep up better from now on! See ya later!
Emily

Here we go again!

Tuesday night I tried to do an update and just as I was about to finish the internet connection turend off! Boy was that annoying! When I last wrote I was on my way to the beach. Well, we've been back. While there we ate seafood, bowled, played pool, played putt-putt at the condo (side story- while playing putt-putt I noticed this palm tree that was growing an interesting fruit I've never seen before or least I thought it was a fruit. I looked at this cross between a peach and a plum, but smaller, and, against Jared and his mother's protest, I ATE it! It tasted pretty good and then the after taste came. WEIRD! It was little and orange with a fuzzy skin like a peach and it tasted the way it looked. If anyone out there can tell me what it was I ate I would really appreciate it! I can not take the word of the 2 and 5 year old boys who told me it was called a "juice ball." They were standing there squeezing the juice out.), shopped at the outlets, bowled again and played pool again, and putt-putted at some pirate ship place that was pretty neat. Oh yeah, and we went to the beach once, at night, to walk. Except for Andy, he got mad because no one wanted to go to the beach because it was too hot, so he walked there by himself, and layed out and read. That's right, layed out. He said he was in a competition with his girlfriend over who could get the darkest. That's Andy for you! When we got back, we celebrated Mama's 51st birthday with grilled steaks, fresh cut asparagus, and some freakishly large potatoes that Joseph picked out. Dad ordered a delicious cheesecake from some backery near one of his offices. Last Tuesday, I was supposed to attend a conference on medication dispensing, but when I got to the school, I couldn't find where the meeting was. We were e-mailed the topic, when it was, and what time, but not where. Turns out only a few people showed up, but I didn't get to earn points for renewing my certificate, so now I've got to attend a ton of workshops this year. Oh, well! That night we did yoga at the church building. It was fun, but noisy! Too hard to concentrate and release all my bad toxins and negative energy. Wednesday and Thursday, I attended workshops at Gardendale High School. It was rather enjoyable. I learned a lot, got to ride with Pam, and spend time with my friend Dana from JCA (she changed jobs at the last minute and now teaches at Brookville Elementary). Friday, Pam, Mama, and Joseph came up to the school and kidnapped me. We went shopping and decided to take advantage of the no tax thing and also get Baby Hannah some diapers for her shower that night. It was a nice evening at Kim's! Saturday morning, bright and early, I had to take the Praxis down at UAB. It was crowded, plus I hate tests! Two hours for the test plus one for getting started. The girl next to me told me that she had to take her pills that make her pay attention. I almost asked for some, but decided against it. Just kidding! That afternoon, Pam, Joseph, Jared, and I went to the Rave and watched "Talladega Nights." It was not my favorite and I took a short nap during it. That evening we had a lovely time at the Courington's for our last summr youth devotional. Sunday was Orientation where the students and parents came to meet the teacher. Now I am going to close in case something goes wrong with my computer again because I am not writing this a third time!
Toodles!
Emily

Yesterday, Pam, Mama, and I went to Bottenfield to see Pam's classroom and to fix it up. It was MESSY! Being the organized, neat- freaks that we are, we had the place shining in no time. Last night, Pam, Joseph, Jared, and I went out shopping. The boys let us off at The Parent Teacher Store. Pam and I bought some things to pretty-up our rooms. It was fun! Today, Pam and I went down to the Board of Education for a 2 hour meeting about insurance. It was useful, but way too long. Plus, the lady was, in the words of another gentlemen at the meeting, "A BEAR!" She was very nasty to me because I asked her if it was ok if I came today, because I couldn't come Friday and she just glared at me. So, I proceded to let her know hat I had been calling her and leaving her messages for two weeks to let her know that I could not come on my assigned day because I would be on vacation, and she had not returned my calls. Then she told me that this was her busiest time of year. I looked her in the eyes and said, "I didn't know what else to do, so I am here now, asking nicely." She glared at me and told me that there might not be enough room, so I would have to stand at the back. I let her know that it was fine with me. Ha! There were about 40 empty seats! I mean, if people are not happy and can't be nice, then they need to find another job! She ended up "thawing" a little bit, but she just looked mean! I also got to sign my contract today. Plus, I found out the greatest news of all... new teachers get paid in August, so I will get TWO paychecks next month!!!! Pam and I went to another teacher store in Trussville called Teaching Things. We weren't rushed. I found everything I needed for now except a Patriotic cd. Hopefully I will find it soon. Now I just have to get this stuff laminated which is difficult because at PGES you have to PAY for lamination! What's up with that??? I worked at a poor school and we could laminate all we wanted and it was FREE! Oh well! Tomorrow, Jared and I leave for Panama City, along with his parents, Granny, and brothers! Fun??!! Bless me, Emily

WEEKEND NEWS
We had a TERIFFIC weekend! My Grandparents, Aunt, and two cousins came in on Friday. I love to see them. They are a lot of fun to be around. We spent part of the night at the Lock-In at church. It was fun, but we didn't want to sleep all day on Saturday with company in town. We played a fun version of Capture the Flag at the Lock-In, thanks to Kim. I had fun playing eventhough I sweated to the point of embarassing! Xander wouldn't let me put him down, so I had to run all over the church parking lot chasing the other team, holding him on my hip. What a work-out! Jared and I left around 2 am. Saturday, we spent time with the family and then headed over to Pump-It-Up for a surprise party for Jared and Joseph. Both were totally surprised! It was GREAT! Joseph thought the party was for Jared and Jared thought the party was for Joseph! I had them both with me, along with my cousin, Dillon. We were to arrive a little late, so we made a prearranged stop at Sam's to pick up some pitures I purposely put in on Monday. Pam told Joseph to stall Jared in the store and I had told Jared to stall Joseph. Never had either one ever been so cooperative in a store before. When we got to the party, Joseph ran in ahead of Jared and I because he didn't want to miss Jared's reaction to the surprise. We heard everyone yell SURPRISE! to Joseph. Joseph shut the door behind him and said to "Be Quiet!" because Jared was right behind him. It took him a second to realize it was for him, too! Then Jared runs in thinking we had missed the surprise for Joseph. Everyone yelled SURPRISE! to Jared, but he thought everyone was just being funny, so he ran back out and ran back in so everyone would yell SURPRISE! again! Finally, Jared realized it was for him, too! It was priceless! The whole evening was a blurr of fun! My family all left for home this morning. I hate when they leave. I have card playing withdrawls. We play cards so much that I become addicted! Last night Aunt Kendra and Grandma wanted to do "a little something" for Mama because her birthday is next week. So after we ate with "The Crowd" at Jacks, we went and bought Sundae cones (Mama's favorite ice cream treat) and put a candle in one a sang "Happy Birthday" to her! Then we all played a card game, Sausage. Then the women played two games of Skip-Bo. It was the end of a nice weekend! My room at school is coming along great. I will hopefully spend most of tomorrow helping Pam in her classroom! Wish her luck!

Adios,
Emily

In My New Room

Yesterday I got in my new room at PG. It's nice, I've got cable TV right in my classroom. I can work for hours and not miss any of my soaps or shows I have become addicted to over the summer. I love that summer TV schedule. Really, I watch something every hour, except noon to one, that time frame is not always consistant, sometimes there is something to watch, sometimes not. Wow, I really am a TV junkie! Back to my classroom... I went in and met about 15 of the new teachers. On our tour of the school I heard a very familiar scream... Levi Kelsey, a familiar face! I snuck to the back of the group and popped in to see the Kelseys, but had to hurry because the group was leaving me. Later Kim, Addi, and Addi's new friend came to visit, also Paul and Levi came to find my room, too. I got a lot done yesterday. Today I had to finish organizing my room. When I was leaving around 4pm, I spied the janitor's tow dolley by the door. So, I decided I would get a load out of my car and take it to my room, then I could bring another load tomorrow. I grabbed my purse and bag and decided to take them to the car with me so it would be less for me to carry. Well, I left the door slightly ajar and headed to the car for my first tote of junk, loaded it on the tow dolley in the foyer, and headed back outside for the last load. (Did you read that I left the door slightly ajar on my second trip out? NO! BECAUSE I DIDN'T !!!) Here I am peering in the door all hot and bothered, staring at my stuff on the tow dolley inside the locked school! I tried the door...Locked! With my hands full of my treasure box and giant bag of decorations, I tried the second door, stubbing my toe on some metal thing screwed into the cement, LOCKED! Ok, I can carry this stuff ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL and go in by the office. Oh wait! It's locked, too! I start banging on the door. Nothing! I peek in and see the office lights turned off. Apparently the principals have already gone home. Now my arms are hurting and I have to go ALL THE WAY BACK AROUND THE SCHOOL. I stop by the little door by Mr. Jacks' office. No luck, he did leave. I go and put my treasure box and giant bag of decorations back in th car and try one more time at the doors. I knew there were a couple of teachers still in th building and maybe they would walk by at that moment and let me back in. Nah! All that's there is my stuff, sitting on the tow dolley, waiting for me to come back inside and get it. I get in the car and head for home. Now I have to get there really early tomorrow so no one will get my totes. At least I brought my purse with me, I could've been stranded there for a long time. As I'm driving home I think back to most everything I've ever been new to, something almost always goes wrong. I like to call them little adventures that build character. For instance, I thought back to my very first day of school (11th grade) at a new school. I'm sitting in my first period class and someone comes over the loud speaker saying that a blue Chevy Cavalier left their lights on. That's ME! I panick because I don't even know which door I came in and which one will lead me back to the parking lot. I finally found it and turned my lights out. Before I went back inside I decided to see if my battery was dead, and it was. I found the office and asked to call my dad so he could come and fix it before I got out of school. He did. School lets out and Pam, a friend from church, and I pile into the car. My nerves are shot by this point. I back the car out , without really looking, and into the side of the car that had already backed out behind me and was putting it in drive. I'm thinking, "Are you kidding me? Could anything else go wrong?" Our friend turned to me and told me that the girl I just hit just happened to be the biggest, scariest girl in our grade! Now I'm scared! I get out of the car, shaking like a leaf and ask her if she needed my information. She looked at her car,and turned me and rudely said "No!" Then she got in her car and drove off. Now I have other "adventures" I could recall, but I have bored the blogging world enough.
Ciao!
Emily

Tonight I played tennis with Jared, Pam, and Joseph. Jared and Joseph had their own good rackets, but Pam and I had rackets that were good when my dad was a teenager. One even had his name labeled on it. Jared let me use his and he used my dad's 1970 one. Jared and I won, but barely. I kept calling myself Venus, but really I brought disgrace to her name. The last time I played tennis for fun was in college at Faulkner at the tennis courts near the boys' dorms we called "The Ghetto." I wasn't good then and I'm not good now. I did improve or so I was told. I named my team (Jared and I) Venus and Seth because Jared didn't like being called Serena, well, actually he didn't like being called Seth either.
Earlier today I made my first visit to JCA since the last day of school. It felt like another life driving there. This is the longest I have been away from there. I went there to drop off some items for my friend, Julie. I will help her out because she is a good woman fighting a hard battle. I was also asked to bring pictures for the year book. I'm telling ya, that place needs me still. I enjoyed seeing Julie, but I didn't get to see anyone else because a certain man was rehiring two certain women that are bringing the school down in a big way. He just moved them to the middle school without one of them even being qualified. The good people there are not happy. I decided to leave because if I ran into any of the three certain people, I would have had to set them straight on a couple of things and it wouldn't have been pretty. Since I left, I did not end up getting my vacuum cleaner and Bible I left there. The Bible was just a cheap one and I have many more. I guess I will write the vacuum cleaner off as a donation. Oh well, the trip confirmed I have made the right decision.
Tomorrow morning I will meet with Mr. Jacks and get my room assignment. I am excited because I will get to start fixing up my room for school. For those who don't know, it is A LOT of work. The only bad part about tomorrow is that it means my summer is nearing its end and I have enjoyed it immensely.
Well, I have rambled on about nothing, so I will close.
Toodles!
Emily

P.S. Today, Pam and Joseph let Farley (you remember the cockatiel my dad caught on the side of the highway) out of his cage to fly around and get some excercise. Well, he didn't like it and ended up bleeding. So much for trying!

Hey! I'm back. This week has been kind of slow, but next week should be busier. I get to work in my classroom starting next Tuesday!! Finally! Although, I have to say that I have enjoyed the relaxation the summer has offered. This week I finished my third flip chart, went to Ragland for their Gospel Meeting, and yesterday Mama, Pam, and I shopped all day trying to find the perfect gifts for Hannah Courington! It was fun to roam Babies R Us. I've never been there before. Today, Xander is coming over. I have been promising him a trip to McDonalds for awhile and he is coming to collect! I better go, he'll be here soon. I'll write more later! Peace out, Emily

Well, I did it! I, too, am now a blogger. My friends talked me into it. I named my blog "The Sanders Files", you know, like the old tv show, "The Rockford Files". I never really watched the show, my parents did though. My sister, Pam, came up with the name for me and I liked it, so here we are! Here is my agenda for today (please be patient, I am boring right now). I have laundry to do, a flip chart to make for my Sunday morning Bible class, an herb garden to plant, and a craft tote to go through (thanks to my Aunt Joyce, I have lots of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas crafts to make)! I am a teacher, so when school starts back I will have more to say that is interesting. For now, be patient. I don't have my own kids, but I do have a funny story to tell about someone elses child in a moment. But first, about myself. I am 26 years old. I am married to the most wonderful, handsome man there is- Jared Sanders! He is a lot of fun to be around. He always makes me laugh and we have a good time together. He has a laid back attitude that I am jealous of. He hardly ever, if ever, lets things get him down, which I love. He helps me not to fret as well because things work it. So, we are always laughing. We have been married for four years, and have been together and known each other for eight long years. Just kidding, it's been a blast! I taught school at Jefferson Christian Academy for four years and loved it! This past year wasn't the best; however, the children in my class and school were the best, and that made up for the psycho adults I had to deal with. I left behind my precious school to move on to a bigger paycheck. As my friend, Carolyn Windham (who, by the way, gave me the herb garden that I need to plant today) told me all school year, "Emily, when you work at JCA, you give part of your salary to God." Which is kind of true because if it wasn't for the christian part of it and the christian people, I wouldn't have stayed there so long making considerably less money. Now, I will be working in the public school system at Pleasant Grove Elementary School. I hope to get in the room sometime this week to get started. I get to work with my good friend, Paul Kelsey (who has a blog, but I Don't know how to do a link to it... so look him up, he has the best blog). I am looking forward to a great school year! I have two wonderful christian parents, Marty and Susan Glenn, who raised three beauitful (if I say so myself) christian children, Me,my sister, Pam (25 years old) and my brother, Joseph(23 years old). Pam will begin teaching at Bottenfield Junior High. This is her first year and she will do great! Did ya'll know she is smart? She has her Masters Degree! She's single and loaded! Just kidding! Joseph will finish college at Faulkner this coming year with a theatre degree. Joseph brings his friends' son, Xander, lots of places he goes, but most importantly, he brings him to church! Our family loves Xander as if he were ours! Well, now for the story about someone elses kid. After church, a bunch of us went out to eat like we do every Sunday night. Joseph brought Xander along as well. We were at a big table an were all nearly finished eatting when Xander reached his hand out acrosss the table to Joseph and said, "Look, Jojo!" Joseph stares at his slimy green hand and asks,"What is that?" Xander simply replies, "Poopy!" Joseph immediately grabs him up and takes him to the bathroom to begin a nasty clean-up. Everyone was laughing, including the woman who worked at Subway, well, almost everyone, Mr. David Courington had to step outside to keep from being sick! As we peeked inside the men's restroom we saw a neked Xander standing on a paper towel in the middle of the restroom, with Pam cleaning the front of him and Joepsh cleaning the back! I had to ask the Subway man for a bag to put his poopy clothes in. After clean up Joseph carries a diaper-only Xander out to the car as Xander cries, "Where's my clothes, my clothes?!" Pam and Joseph knock on the Hosmer door, Ms. Hosmer answers the door exclaiming at the sight of her naked grandson, "What happened?" Laughing, they had her his poopy clothes in the Subway bag and procede to tell her the story. She apologized, but they told her it was so funny it was worth it. She laughed and informed them that she was going to leave the poopy clothes in the Subway bag on Jason's (Xander's dad) pillow! Then it was off to give Xander a much needed bath! I also have two fun-loving brothers-in-law, Andy and Caleb. Andy has a blog to tell of his mission trip to Victoria, Brazil. He will be home soon, but check out his blog at www.andsand.blogspot.com Also, Caleb returned from a mission, or service -type trip to Honduras where they built about 70 houses and bought tennis shoes to about 50 children in the local orphanage. My sister, Pam, has been on a mission trip to Scotland, and Joseph has tenative plans to do mission work in China for 6 months after he graduates. Maybe one day Jared and I can do something like that. I also have two great in-laws, Harry and Becky whom we got to see last weekend. We also got to see Caleb and talk to Andy. By the way, Caleb really liked my new haircut and that made me feel good because he is young and unbiased to long hair, unlike my dad, sister, brother, and husband, which, by the way, they do like it, they just really like long hair. Oh, and I like it too, MUCH easier to deal with. Props to Billy Courington! Back to my in-laws, they live in Brundidge, AL. It was Caleb's birthday on July 2. He is now 21 years old. It was Mrs. Becky's Birthday on July 5, which is a national holiday and Amercia accidentally celebrates it on the 4th! Also, we got to see Jared's feisty Granny, whom he lovingly calls "Old Woman." In turn she normally would say something like, "Oh you hush!" I guess I better mention Bobo because he is my puppy-in-law. He was having allergy problems and was shaved to help it. He was very clingy, even to me, which I am definitely not an animal person. He was really desperate! Which reminds me of the beautiful cockatiel that my dad found on the side of the highway, chased it around, was bit five times, and then successfully caught and brought home. I am gonna stop the story there because someone lost an expensive pet and we don't want to return him. Haha! One thing about Farley, he loves Andy Griffith, whenever he hears the bars of theme song, he goes ballastic. So every night my family listens to the begginning of the dhow, long enough for Farley to get worked up, and then turns the channel to watch something else. Oh no...I gave a clue to Farley's idenity...please forget that last tidbit!! Got to go! As I sign out for now, I leave you with the words of my friend, Casey Blankenship, "Chiiilll!"