Last Saturday, I went with Artie as he and his friends had a day of shooting.

I was the official picture taker, so there are none of me shooting. But I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.

Artie putting on a pained smile for the camera.

Brett in his Army gear.

Artie shooting his gun the that he built himself.

BK and his son Nick waiting their turn to shoot.

Brett with Jeff's crazy LOUD and HUGE gun.

Jeff getting ready for battle.

Back to work

I have spent the last week up at school. It is kind of sad to start back so soon because I am the ONLY person up there. I have been stir crazy, so I figured I would put my energy to good use. My classroom is nearly finished and ready for little rug rats to come in and tear it all to pieces. I am just ready for a fresh start. Last year was such a trying year for me with a child that pushed my patience and helped me have cat like reflexes. I am excited to see some of mine move on to Kinder. and learn how to read and all that other good stuff. I am looking forward to our annual trip to the zoo in Oct. It usually is good and chilly the day we go! I love it. It is funny how the parents freak out that you have 40 4-5 year olds and I am not watching a one of them. I get in the front and they just follow the pack. I always tell my parents - "They aren't going anywhere. They are more scared to be without us than we are of loosing them." I like having dads come along. I put them at the back so they can talk and make sure no one is left behind. It also cracks me up how parents get when kid can't open their bag of chips. I just say, "Get after it." The kid knows what that means...figure it out yourself. I have already taught them by that time how to open a package. But there is always that one momma that can't stand to see a child not get their chips or a package open on the first try. That is when I go "all teachery" on them. I give the "parents are to remained seated at all times during lunch" speech. I shove down a sandwich and then make my rounds to see who has tried at least 5 times to open their stuff. At that time, I will help out with talking them through it. But I never touch the package. Low and behold, they open it up themselves. Well, this was a bunch of ramble and more ramble. Good thing I have somewhere to go tomorrow - COSTCO! I am throwing Artie a 40th b-day party and I need to price some stuff. Lacy and Daniel need to get some formula for Grant, so I am tagging along.
FYI - Artie and I are doing well. Back to normal life!

Bad news again

We got the call yesterday that the 2nd IVF didn't work. Of course we are very sad, but we are going to get back to being married without fertility in the mix for a while. It takes a lot out of your relationship to continue down this road.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Long time - no post

Well, to say the least, this has been an interesting summer so far. I started teaching summer school as soon as the "regular year" let out. I have to say it wasn't my favorite, but I survived. And trust me - there were a couple of days in June that I thought I was NOT going to make it. It was either going to be me or them.

July brought even more surprises. I spent all of June taking my fun hormone shots and getting ready for another IVF cycle. On July 4th, they took 15 eggs out. This is a huge number and nearly all of them were good. We were left with 9 fertilized eggs in which 4 of them were of excellent quality. This is so much better than the 1st time. We got a call today that they were able to freeze 5 of them and they are all looking good. They implanted 2 this past Wednesday. So it is just a waiting game for now.

That is where we are in our life at the moment. Praying and waiting.

We spent our 4th, since I had just has surgery, in our driveway looking at the red neck fireworks show that is in our neighborhood. New Years and the 4th are great times to be livin' in our neck of the woods. Here are some fun pics!

Wines and Vines

The Rypple Vineyard is up and running. Well, sort of. We have three rows of grapevines in our back yard...they are black spanish, blanc de du bois, and champanel. The ones shown below are the black spanish. They have come in full force. This is a great accomplishment since this is the first year we have been able to grow a crop. (You have to wait 3 years before you can let them produce grapes.) So, they have been growing since the March we got married!

We have been making wine for 3 years as well. Artie will be turning in some of his Port wine (called Nosey Puppy Port with a picture on the label of Lola) to Wine Maker magazine that judges and rates all the wine from amatures. He has had many winemakers in the state taste his port and they all rave about it. So, I look forward to the results.

School is out!

If you know anything of my school year, you will know that I am very much enjoying my time away from school...well, at least for a week. I am teaching summer school to help pay off the first IVF treatment. But my 20 days of summer school will be nothing like the 177 I had this past year.

I have heard the rumors and I have even gotten some e-mails about it. YES - New Kids on the Block are back at it again and they are on tour. I did not get to go to any of the first concerts, but I am darn sure going to the next one. There are a few of us that remember how to "Hang Tough" and how we really thought they were singing to us when they said, "I'll be lovin' you forever!" So I plan to get tickets for this at the American Airline Center in Dallas and wear all my buttons and have a good girls night out in October. Something to look forward to.

Ok - I wrote something so it wouldn't look so bad to put another pic of my nephew on here. These were taken at his daycare. I loved them! He is becoming such a little man!

Couldn't help myself

Ok - I know. Another picture of Grant. But this is the best. I know I don't have any kids of my own yet, but I think he must be a really smart baby. Here is Grant at one month old cracking up and belling laughing while my mom and Lacy play patty cake. Just thought it was great!