Family Reunion

As I've said before, this summer has been so nice. I've been able to accomplish a lot of things that I wanted already. There's plenty more summer yet to experience.

This weekend we will have our first-ever Stephens' Family Reunion. Since we can't always all get together at the various holidays because of extended family obligations, we have planned a reunion so that everyone can come. I can't wait. It will be so nice to spend some relaxing time just visiting with all of the family without so many time constraints.

We plan lots of activities for the kids and for adults. I think that it will be the first opportunity of many, many yet to come to make more family memories.

Ahhh. . . summertime!

I haven't blogged in a while because I have just been enjoying good old summertime. It is hotter than usual and we need a good, soaking rain, but there's nothing like downtime. I quit wearing a watch so that I wouldn't feel compelled to keep a schedule. It has worked so far.

I am accomplishing things that I have to put off during the school year. It feels good. I am visiting and keeping in touch with those that I neglect the other nine months. That also feels good.

Last Sunday, we went to Brit and J. P.'s with the rest of the fam and they took us to their swimming hole. J. P. had made a rope/tire swing out over the water and a ladder to climb the bank. Huge sycamore and pecan trees shaded much of the creek. Shallow water turned in to a deep, cool pool. Some of them kayaked, some swung out into the water, others simply waded. Cooling off in the creek made the rest of the world sink away from us. It was quiet, except for the cows mooing for us to give them something to eat (which they did not need, but were accustomed to). It took me back to a simpler time in my life when my mom, dad, and my brothers along with another family went to our favorite place, Fairview, to swim.

I don't know what other wonderful surprises this summer holds, but it has been the best I've had in several years. I'm open to the possibilities.

Goosey

Have you ever known someone who was a little goosey? You know, easily startled? Oh, yeah, there are those who are only occasionally goosey. They've been gotten so many times that they're almost immune to the shock of gotcha. Then, there are others who are consistently goosey. They are the ones that no matter what, no matter where, no matter who gets the gotcha on them, they are going to jump (and usually let out an expletive).

My husband is goosey. He falls into the latter category. He is a consistently goosey guy. Last week, I had the rare opportunity to have lunch downtown at the little sandwich shop. Almost always, I have 28 minutes to consume whatever I can concoct and call a sandwich, or whatever I can scavenge from my home refrigerator, or whatever I can nuke in my microwave. But, last week, I escaped the 28-minute gorge to have a leisurely lunch with colleagues.

Near the end of our meal, I received a call on my cell asking me to pick up a prescription at the drug store up the street. Of course, I complied.

As I drove up to park, I noticed my husband's pickup parked outside. I proceeded inside to ask for the prescription and I noticed the dear soul inside. He had no clue that I wasn't on the hill as usual nor that I was anywhere near him. He and a trusty assistant were looking intently on the shelves directly in front of the pharmacists station for some vitamins. They were both bent over carefully examining each bottle's contents to see if they met his specifications.

I quietly and gingerly stepped over behind the two of them. I reached down and pinched his rear oh so carefully and tenderly and then brushed my hand across his butt. He was flabbergasted. He jumped right straight up and whipped around to see who was messing with him. My husband's eyebrows formed an inverted V as he was trying to identify the nasty culprit. The trusty assistant didn't know him nor did she know me. She only knew that some woman had come up to this poor man and pinched him on the butt. Her mouth flew open and her eyes widened as she looked at me. I struggled to keep a straight face. Finally, I gave up.

I laughed so hard that I nearly had an accident right there on the vitamin aisle. Next time you see my husband, ask him about getting goosed at the drug store. He'll curse.

New News

Yesterday was a great day. I went with Britney to her doctor’s appointment in Bedford. Dr. Kevin (Doody) did an ultrasound to check the twins. He has been the most thorough and informative of all of her doctors thus far.

He identified Twin A and measured the twin, the placenta, and the egg sac. All were right on target. Next, he also identified Twin B and performed the same measurements. They measured the same size and, more importantly, the correct size for this stage of their development. He told her that by measuring the egg sacs, he could detect some possible genetic defects if the egg sacs were too large. They were both perfect.

The twins are at eight weeks of development according to the sonogram which is exactly where Brit is in the pregnancy. Once again she heard the heartbeats. He isolated each one and they were at 179 beats per minute which he said was right on target. He also added that they were as fast as they would ever be right now and that they would slow down during the course of the pregnancy.

Dr. Kevin told her that she had passed the critical stage in her pregnancy where there was a higher risk of miscarriage. He reassured her that everything should be fine from here on. She was so relieved to hear that. He also told her that there was no fear of the “vanishing twin”. Both are in the appropriate and same stage of development.

He took pictures in sonogram format and then he took pictures in 3-D. He would rotate the frames so that she could get to see each twin best. The technician printed the pictures for her. They are amazing. We could really see the twins and they looked like very tiny babies.

Dr. Kevin told her that she should contact her OB/GYN for an appointment. She will be seeing Dr. Manning in Waco. At her next appointment, they will do still another sonogram and some blood work. That will conclude her participation in the study. After her June 30th appointment, she will be released from the Bedford clinic and her records sent to Dr. Manning.

He was very concerned about her “all day” sickness and fatigue. He does not want her to be so sick and so he urged her to get a prescription filled for the good stuff.

As I said earlier, it was a great day. She felt like she left with more information this time than at any of the previous visits. She was encouraged and elated. We celebrated by going to Unos’ Pizza in downtown Ft. Worth where they serve the best pizza in the world. She was able to eat her pizza and enjoy it.

Please keep her and the twins in your prayers as they continue to grow.

Bittersweet

Today marks the end of my twenty-ninth year of teaching. I have to admit that I'm quite excited about summertime. I have taught summer school for the past several years, but I'm not this summer. I'm so excited about having some "me" time.

On the other hand, a very dear friend is retiring this year. She won't be back next year. We have shared many, many long talks. Sometimes we laughed until we cried. Other times we just cried. So, this year-end is bittersweet. With the onset of summer, comes anticipation. With the prospect of next year without my dear friend, comes apprehension. As the saying goes, life will go on just not the same.

Threes

I'm sure that you've heard it said that things come in threes. Well, in my husband's family, that has almost always been true. Over the past two weeks, the three rule has come in play. Not only is Brit expecting twins, but her cousin Jessica is expecting a baby in July. We also found out that another cousin, Cassie, is expecting a baby due the same day that Brit is. So, there's the three rule in place one more time.

Awe

In the unlikely chance that you have not heard, Britney and J. P. found out just yesterday that they are expecting twins. After a long period of scientific and medical intervention, not only are they expecting, but they have twins. Elizabeth (J. P.’s mother) and I accompanied Brit to her appointment yesterday in Bedford knowing that we would probably find out “how many”.

Almost as soon as the sonogram began, Dr. Doody (Kathy) said, “Well, there’s two.” Brit began to weep. Even though she knew that we was pregnant from the blood tests and the morning sickness and the slightly-bulging tummy, at that moment, when she saw the babies and heard their heartbeats, it finally became real to her. For me, it was the neatest thing I’d ever witnessed. Modern science is amazing. We could actually see two little dark spaces that are their placentas. Inside each of those were two little “dots”. When Dr. Kathy zoomed in, we could actually see the little fetuses. She amplified their heartbeats and it was just incredible. Next, she turned on the Doppler and we could see their little heartbeats flashing red with each beat. We were awestruck. She measured the one closest and its size was right on target.

They are due January 11, but most say to expect the sooner (come on tax exemptions)! We will have to wait several more weeks before they can tell the gender.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they continue through this wondrous journey of developing their little family.

Another milestone. . .

Tomorrow is another exciting day in the journey that Brit and J. P. are taking. Ever since they embarked on the in vitro trek, there has been one day of excitement after another. Each milestone gets more and more intriguing. On Thursday, Brit, Elizabeth, and I will go to Bedford to hear the heartbeat(s) through a sonogram. They will do additional Hcg Beta and other testing for the study she is involved in.

She should know tomorrow how many embryos (fetuses) there are now. Brit and J. P. have convinced themselves that there's more than one. I think they will be a little disappointed if there's not. However, they confirm that one little baby will be just fine. They don't care what the gender is either. They just want a healthy baby -- or two. I'll update my blog on Friday with any known results.

She hasn't been blogging lately because she has been resting so that there won't be any complications. Please keep all of the little Aaron family in your prayers.

The Mole

If anyone knows me very well, they know that if I'm sworn to secrecy, the secret is safe with me. My mom said I used to beat anyone she ever knew at being able to keep things to myself. So, when Chad requested that I not tell of his big adventure, I did as he asked. However, now that the deadline has passed, I am relieved that I can reveal the details.

I've always told my children that they can do or be whatever they choose. I know that if they set their minds to it, they can reach their goals. One of Chad's goals has been to appear on a reality TV show. Mind you, I think he's crazy, but nevertheless, it is something to which he aspires. In December, he applied to be on "Big Brother". He didn't get a response. He was glad, however, once the show came on the air because the players were teamed up and he would not have liked that aspect of the show.

In January, he applied for "The Mole". The application was sixteen pages long and very involved. He persevered through it and submitted it. Well, lo and behold, he received an e-mail from Scott Wissener, the casting agent for "The Mole" requesting more information. They e-mailed back and forth for a couple of weeks. At first, Scott requested a two-minute video. So, Chad and his Aggie friends made a video and sent it to him. Next, he wanted to talk to Chad on the phone and ask him some additional questions. Then they spoke on the phone several times. If you know Chad, you know that he did his homework. He did quite a bit of detective work and found that Scott Wissener was, indeed, a big wig in the film industry. He also found a former competitor on "The Mole" who had been an Aggie. That competitor actually lived in Austin. So, he contacted him for any tips that he might offer.

Finally, after the casting call in Austin, where several thousand would-be Moles auditioned, Mr. Wissener told Chad that he wanted him to come back to Austin for an interview on February 14th at the Doubletree Hotel on 15th street. The former Aggie Mole competitor said he would meet Chad there. So, he went. I admit I was a little leary, but he had checked it out and was convinced that it was legit.

So, he found his way to the Doubletree Hotel and signed in. He was told in which room the casitng director would meet him. He proceeded there and met with Scott Wissener and his assistant. The interview lasted several minutes and he was asked a multitude of questions. They were especially interested in his competitive nature. He expounded on that subject quite a bit. At the end of the interview, they told him that they would contact him if they needed more info. I figure that was the old Hollywood adage, "Don't call us, we'll call you" thing.

I don't believe that he had any further direct contact with the casting agent or his assistant after that. And, as you might expect, he was not chosen to be on "The Mole". If he had been chosen, he would have been whisked out of the country to Europe (Spain first) and he would have not been able to have any contact with any of us until all of the filming had ended. In retrospect, it was good that he wasn't chosen. He would have missed his Nonnie's funeral and Brit's great news. Since his family is Chad's top priority he wouldn't have wanted to miss either of those events. I think that God was watching out for him.

Chad thinks he was too "green" at the reality show business to be chosen this time, but he was absolutely thrilled to have a call back. That' s a lot closer than anyone else he knows hass ever gotten before. Who knows, next time he might make it and be on TV. In any event, I know that he will keep on trying until he either gets on a show or tires of the efforts.

Monikers

I have many names to which I answer. Some are not repeatable, though. Among the repeatable names that I treasure are
Mom, as called by my children;
Bun, given to me by Peggy Anderson and perpetuated by her daddy, now my siblings call me that;
Aunt Bun, as called by my Stephens nieces and nephews and a few other very close friends’ children;
Aunt Brenda, as called by my Andrews nieces and nephews and other friends’ children;
B. G., as called by Billie Chumney and his family;
Teach, as called by several of the 1980’s students;
Mrs. Pud, as called by my husband’s friends who call him Pud; Andrews, as called by Garland Riggs because he thinks it’s cool; Masandrews, by several of the high school students because they don’t make the effort to enunciate correctly;
Miss, as called by some of the high school students who don’t want to have to think about anyone’s name so it becomes a one-size fits all;
Andy, as called by Natalie DeMasters because she thinks it is fun;
Miz A, as called by Lane Gartman and others because it distinguishes me from Miz E;
Bidagail, as called by Tanner Courtney because he is a little boy who can’t yet say my name correctly;
Bren, as called by my blogger friends;
Bumney Gail, as called by Kim Townsend because that's what she chose;
Brenda Gail, as called by my former classmates and most of the kids I grew up with;
Strenda Bephens, as called by Charles Jones because he never calls anyone by their correct name.

But the name that I will cherish forever is what my grandchildren call me. Of course, I have chosen a name. . . Gigi. I’m going to train them to call me that. . . maybe.

Turning it over

It takes some of us longer to learn life's lessons that others. I've always considered myself a fairly independent person who tried to make her own way. Of course, obstacles sometimes appeared. I agonized over what to do to get past them. Sometimes these complications caused me a lot of stress. Being human, I tried to solve the problems or situations that caused me the anxiety. It seemed like the more that I involved myself in the solution process, the more tension I experienced.

So, a few years ago, I discovered the "secret" to dealing with the anxiety. It may sound corny, but it is true. I learned to turn in over to God. Once I learned that lesson, my life became a lot easier. I have learned to identify the things that I can and cannot change. The one's I can, I do. The one's I can't, I turn over to God and he handles them for me. He has never failed me. Not once. The solution may not be what I wished or what I expected, but it is always the best for me.

That kind of reminds me of the Serenity prayer: "Lord, grant me the wisdom to change the things I can, to accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Learning to "turn it over" to God was a hard lesson to learn that took me quite some time to learn, but one that was essential to my peace of mind.

Progress

Everything is progressing as it should. Brit went back for an appointment yesterday and her Hcg levels were in the 7000's. The nurse was thrilled. She told Brit to take it easy (rest) for 48 hours whenever she has a problem like she did on Sunday. I know she'll heed that advice.

She goes again next Thursday, the 22nd for more bloodwork and a sonogram. They expect to know "how many" at that time. Please keep her, J. P. and the little one(s) in your prayers.

Thank you, Lord!

We often take the little things for granted. Sometimes only when we are faced with adversity or disappointment do we seek the Lord's intervention. On occasion, I know that is true for me. Although I try to consult him every day, when I am really against a wall, I rely wholly on him, his guidance and love.

He has, once again, interceded in a big way! Brit and J. P. are expecting. We don't know how many nor the gender, but we don't care. We are just thankful that the Lord has seen fit to bless them with a pregnancy.

Of course, I'll keep you updated. You can check on her progress by going to her blog. The link is on the right side of the page of this blog. Keep us all in your prayers as we travel this wondrous journey.

State Speller

First off, good news! Our HHS student 2nd in AA State UIL Spelling. She scored 94 and improved her finish from 6th last year to 2nd this year.

We had a good time and enjoyed the state meet. We let her choose where to eat and exactly what activities she wanted to do. That's her reward for working so hard. So, we ate at Joe's Crab Shack on Town Lake. That's her favorite.

We went back to verify and await results. She was nervous. When she got her paper, she saw her score - 94. She didn't know what to make of it. It was higher than last year's score, but was it enough to place this year? An acquaintance, also from a 2-A school, said she had seen another 94 and a 97. So, we were understandably optimistic, yet concerned.

As the director began calling out the places, we knew that she'd placed fourth or higher, then, when she wasn't third, we knew she must have placed 2nd. What a wonderful surge of pride came over us all!

As always, the state meet was congested, but that’s its nature. It's good practice for the actual college experience--no parking, no place to sit, walking long distances, curt people. After having conquered this, I think she'll do fine.

She was given a super send-off on Friday. It bolstered her confidence. What a testament she is to goal-setting! I am hoping to have a Spelling team there next year because I know she’ll be going back and we might as well take others with her.

State UIL

Today is the day that UIL students should work for all year long. It is State UIL at tu (ugh) in Austin. We have one magnificent young lady who has earned her way to State this year.

She is only a junior and this is her second trip. I order her study materials in the summer and they come in right at the first of school. She begins studying immediately so that she can get a head start on learning her spelling words. She is amazing. Her dedication is unsurpassed at HHS.

So, today, we go to State. Tomorrow she tests. Hopefully, she'll improve her placing this year over last year although last year's place was respectable. She's shooting to win it all. I know she can, too. We'll find out results tomorrow at 3 p.m. As always, I'm requesting a little prayer for her.

Testing

We are currently in the midst of the annual chaos called TAKS testing that someone in our state government deemed as "the" test of student skills.

I think it is really just a minimal skills test. I'm told that the questions are written questions for each subject area of the test. If a child has a problem reading or comprehending, then they are in a pickle. For some, the test is very elementary. For others, it is a challenge. In either event, the test puts pressure on the students to perform (especially at the exit level). Some students take the test seriously because they realize the ramifications of passing it (or not). Others just blow it off as yet another chance to fail. We all know that some students do not perform well on tests.

Linking the TAKS test scores to the school's report card dictates that the powers that be require a great performance on the tests. That, in turn, means that teachers must teach to the test rather than being able to teach the content that will truly interest the students. The teachers are unable to share the things they have learned and experienced in each of their disciplines in the manner that the students learn best. What emerges is a cattle call. Driving the students through the gates of TAKS objectives learning so that they can perform. It becomes a trickle down effect from the Texas Legislature, to TEA, to the school board, to the superintendent, to the principal, to the teachers, to the students. All entities feel the heat.

I remember some of my teachers who shared their stories of bygone experiences and distant travels. They used these to bring the world a little closer to home and make my learning more relevant. Not only did they keep my attention, they kept me engaged in the learning process so that I could clearly see the usefulness of what I was learning. I have to ask: Does the TAKS test allow for the same? I think not.

I agree that students must learn a prescribed set of objectives like our TEKS outline. I also think that we should expect the very best from our students. When we do, they tend to give their very best. However, to take the opportunity away to experience greater material and ideas than those presented on the TAKS test is a disservice to our teachers and to our students. Is this what is best for our students?

No wonder that great teachers leave the profession because of frustration. They come in expecting to share their learning and to impart their wisdom only to be told that their students must score well on the TAKS test. . . or else.

Those of us who teach elective classes are somewhat relieved, however, we also must reinforce the learning from other disciplines within our classes. So, even we are not really off of the fire.

Please keep our little students and our teachers in your thoughts and prayers this week as they take and pass their TAKS tests so that they can prepare to be our future leaders. Does that not sound odd? Think about that for a while.

There must be a better way.

Update

Brit and J. P. have their embryos-- one is a 4AA and another really good one. Sounds like grading eggs doesn't it? I got to see pictures of the embryos. They look like circles about the size of a quarter or maybe half dollar with little indentions on their surface. Of course, they are not that size at all. The images are enlarged and enhanced so that the embryologist can make decisions about them. It is so hard to imagine seeing my grand-embryos. What wonderful advancements the medical and science fields have made!

They'll know on Monday whether they attached or not. Brit said that the J. P.-sized embryo and its partner would probably be hungry and attach themselves to find something to eat. So, like me, she's expecting the best outcome.

They have a little nephew named Kall. He is a hoot! He's five and very precocious. Kall has an idea that Aunt Bit and Uncle Bay-P are having twins. He told J. P.'s mother, whom he calls Honey, that he thought they should be named Ashley and Max. So, that's how Brit and J. P. have been referring to the embryos. That's so cute!

The doctor told them that she was able to freeze five good embryos. That is way more than they expected to have. They were thrilled.

Please continue to keep us all in your prayers as she is on bed/recliner rest this week. Monday is coming soon, yet is so far away. We're hanging our hopes on Cinco de Mayo.

Anticipation

Today is the day for which we've been waiting a long time. We didn't know the date exactly. We just knew that ONE day, we would get the news.

Brit and J. P. have gone to Bedford today to pick up their embryo. Today is the day that the transfer takes place. Today is the day that will forever change their lives (and mine).

The anticipation has made us anxious, but now that it's here, elation takes its place. I pray that God sees fit for everything else in the future to go as well.

If any two people ever deserved to be parents, those two do. They will make great parents.
They are cautiously excited about the prospect of becoming parents, but, heck, I have thrown caution to the wind. I'm downright giddy.

Please keep all of them in your prayers.

Crazy

The spring is a time of excitement. New growth; warmer weather; nice breezes. Springtime gives us a sense of renewal. Then, why don't I feel renewed?

With the spring also comes a whirlwind of activity. Since I'm a teacher, I know firsthand how crazy spring can be. We have softball, baseball, track, tennis, golf, powerlifting, Ag contests, UIL contests, OAP contests, pre-registration for the fall, prom festivities, TAKS testing, cheerleader tryouts, banquets for every conceivable organization, the push to get all the seniors graduated (no easy task), the typical spring sap rising (arguments, fights, general chaos amongst the kids), summer plans to be made, meetings, meetings, and more meetings.

This organized chaos makes me tired. I'm wishing for June to hurry up! As I've said before, I've got a know it my rope and I'm hanging on like crazy.

Within

“What lies behind us

and what lies before us

are tiny matters

compared to

what lies within us.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17