Giveaway at Bargain Buggy

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Spring Break, VBS, Lasik and Gatlinburg Getaway

Life has been hectic... I finally convinced my computer to join the world wide web. It now uploads photos successfully. Before it just plain didn't work. I am currently at the beach (Orange Beach) with my parents. Daniel is (again) gone on a youth trip. I am NOT a fan of him being gone soo much. Next year I will be going with him because I will already have tenure, and I won't be doing extra stuff in hopes of keeping my job!

We took a quick trip down here to the beach the week after Easter this year. We didn't ever upload photos so here are a few from our trip! We visited the Pensacola Naval Museum.
After Spring Break we started gearing up for a crazy summer. We kicked off summer with VBS. The theme this year was "The Wall". We had a lifesize wall made out of cardboard boxes complete with doors in the large fellowship hall (aka gym). We even had wall guards, and we also had Mr. Jericho who said no one could take down his wall. I had Lasik right after VBS. I no longer have to wear glasses!!!

We left June 30 for Gatlinburg. We were there a whole 6o hours but had a blast. We ate at Corkys, No Way Jose's, walked the downtown area, played lots of games, and went to Hoot 'N Hollar. We also celebrated our 4th anniversary!

Daniel is gone to camp now at Maywood. We are b oth planning on returning home on Friday for good (at least until Polishing the Pulpit at the start of September).

Open Letter to all those who refuse to knock on my (classroom) door

Dear Fellow Locust Forkians,

I know it makes you feel better to pull on my door before you knock. However, it is going to be locked. It always will be locked. If you feel a need to see my beautiful face, knock kindly. I will politely obligue and open the door in a timely manner. If I am not there in .0048657 seconds please understand, I am on my way. See I hate to wear shoes, I usually am sitting on my fee without my shoes on. Therefore, I must find my shoes, slip them on, and race to the door so you do not feel neglected. I apologize for any inconvience I may cause by keeping my door locked. However, I tried leaving it unlocked and random wondering Jews (aka other people's students) ended up in my classroom without my realization. I hope this clears up our issue of assaulting my door before knocking. Have a wonderful day!

Thanks,
Mandi Courington

Recipes, anyone?

If you have a family recipe that you don't mind sharing, will you please email it to me? I am trying to create a recipe wall in our dining room. I don't even have 1 family recipe. Sad, huh? If you don't like to share you recipes, I understand. However, I'll be grateful for any that are shared!

God's Beauty Is Seen Everywhere

I have a new love for all blooming plants. However, the hydragena (spelling?) is my absolute favorite. Here's one I found in our neighborhood. I probably gave the guy a heart attack when I walked on his perfectly manicured, kelly green lawn. But, I wanted pictures. So, he'll survive.

Photo Update!

I had quit updating because my computer would crash if I opened Internet Explorer. It also would take approximately 20 hours to load 1 photo onto blogger. So, Dan bought me a new computer!

Tippin got a hair cut today! Her hairballs (aka tumbleweeds) were beginning to drive us over the edge. She also seems to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r to dry when we wash her with long hair. She is so cute prancing and struttin all over the place!

Before

After

Daniel and I decided to get our hands dirty this past week and plan some flowers!! We also tore out part of the old flower bed that had been taken over by some unknown type of vine. We then laid pine bark mulch. It looks so colorful!

My new computer came today. It only took about 6 weeks from the time we ordered it. I wanted a neat color, it was worth the wait! The computer is smaller than my Bible!

Tonight we spent time with Tonya and David Hayes and Sarah Ridinger. We are very blessed to have so many friends now! I remember when our closest friends were twice our age!

Summer is only 9 short days away! (9 School Days.) I live by a August - May calendar. Also there are only 5 days in a week if you ask me. hehe.

I received tenure yesterday. It isn't effective until the last day of this school year. So, I have to behave for 9 more school days. I will continue to behave next year too though! I did rebel and wear sweat pants today. It was nice not feeling like I was committing some kind of terrible crime.

Daniel and I spent Spring Break at the beach with my family.

I am facing shoulder surgery this summer to remove a bone spur in my right (YES, i am right handed) shoulder. Not being able to wash my own hair for three weeks will be interesting! Please keep me in your prayers as I return to the doctor for the pre-op appointment/scheduling on June 1.

Yard sales are in full swing on the eastern side of Birmingham! I am ESTATIC! It is currently raining (and lightening). I hope the yard sales are still on for tomorrow!

Dear Dooner,
Four years ago right now we were finishing finals at Freed, planning our wedding, and preparing to begin our lives together. I was so excited I couldn't help myself. I know we took a large risk, but the rewards are more than I could have ever imagined. Who knew in three short years, we would have moved four times, taught together for a year, learned to live on 1.5 paychecks, adopted a puppy, lived in my childhood home, purchased a home on our own, and worked with two wonderful congregations of the Lord's church. We've been busy. We're always busy, but we are always busy doing the work the of the church. We've made our own life and routines. While you do most of the cooking, I try to be as involved as possible at youth activities. This may not be everyone's life, but we've made it our happy life!
I love how you rarely get ill at me. I love how you never fuss when I don't get everything done I was suppose to get done. I also love how if I want to take a nap, you let me sleep. Most of all I love how you always put my needs and wants first.
In fourty years from now, I hope we are as happy, healthy, and blessed as we are today. However, I know that no matter what happens, we will always have each other. Therefore, I know I am a more understanding, loving, patient, and kind person as a result of marrying you. Thank you for choosing me.

Just because,
Mandi