The before picture






I did it!! I cut my hair today. After 6 months of growing it out, to the top of my shoulder blades (when held out straight) Today, I had Sarah, my lovely stylist (and best friend) to cut it off! As you can see from the pictures, I chopped it off to jsut below my chin. I have decided that long hair is not all that it is cracked up to be! I felt that i lost 5 pounds just having the weight of my hair off!! Have a great week!
Oh.. if you are the praying kind, pray for me: it is mid-term time in the college world! 4 essays due by friday, 3 pages in length for each...on ancient literature :)

Today has been the first day that I have not gone outside for the majority of the day to clean up limbs...and it feels great..although I probably should! Due to lovely Ike, my dad and I have been alternating our time between our house, and my grandparents. Both suffered considerable tree loss, but that is it. We are so thankful that both houses withstood the fierce winds that Ike brought. My house does not have electricity, but my grandparents does, so we have been camping out over there for the past few days. My grandparetns and my mother have stayed in Texarkana with Russell and Meagan until this weekend. I cannot wait, though, for the electricity to be back on at my house! My school got severly damaged, and is looking at 8-10 million dollars in damages. THey tentatively have us back in school on Monday, but not 100% about that. If you click on the hyperlink and then go to HBU damage pictures, you can see some pictures from my school. All in all, I am thankful that all of my friends and family are safe and many suffered only minor damages. It makes me feel ungrateful to complain about electricity and no BUTTER when many of our fellow Houstonians and those in Galveston are returning to nothing but an empty frame. Please continue to pray for all of those affected by IKE. It is going to be an uphill struggle, but I know that we will all come out the other side much stronger and with a greater sense of community and pride!

Hello to all! i am writing from Texarkana waiting to find out anything about my house in Pearland. I am very nervous and would appreciate any info. However, I had a "god" moment.
I was listening to KHOU and their streaming video when all of a sudden music started. I had not intentionally started my media player, but in the background of devastation, Selah came through singing:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

What a message in such horrible circumstances. It allows me to take time to thank God for what I have and to know that no matter what Ike has done to my town, my house, and my family, God will be there to provide. He has kept me and my family safe.

Please continue to pray for those affected by the storm. Many have lost houses, lives, property, water, and electricity. Some have not been able to see the damage done, and some have witnessed more devastation then one would ever want to see.

Miranda

My parents and I loaded up our cars, my dog, my dad's parents, their bird and drove all night last night to Russell and Meagan's in Texarkana. It was a long drive with many stops but we made it, safe and sound. I am glad that we went early, to beat the traffic. To all of those who are still in Pearland, my prayers are with you, and our city. I am sure that it will be a tough, but exciting ride.
A little side note, I saw one the news where someone spray painted "take a HIKE, Ike!!" I thought it was clever, but kinda cliche.

Later! Miranda

Well, he is there...after a two day trip along I10, my brother made it to Tucson, Arizona. I gave him 2 years to be there before he and Sarah (his girl) have to come back. I was just getting used to him being only 20 min away... and now it is 20 hours :( I am excited for Sarah to be able to get her Master's and hope that her achieving this task will send Keith into high gear to go back to school too! (hint hint) I love the both of them, but want them back here....

To all those parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teenagers, childcare givers: Come visit my new blog The Sitter's Word You will find information on various topics dealing with childcare. I have been taking care of children for 12 years and am currently working on my special education degree at Houston Baptist University. Feel free to check it out and leave a comment with topics that you would like to be discussed. I will try to give my opinion, and if I can't, then I will find someone to! Please forward my blog to anyone who might enjoy reading my blog, or contributing!!

My friend James is in the Marines, currently stationed in Afghanistan. We grew up together and he has always been there for me. I am so proud of his accomplishments. I wrote the poem below, for him, as a token of my friendship. Everyone deserves to know what an impact they have had on their friends, and this was what I did.

A boy is born, so eager to learn
The love of a family, he does not have to earn.

A son grows up, praising God all of his days,
His brilliant light shining in glorious rays.

A friend is treasured, for many are touched
By the concern and care, that is given so much.

A soldier is trained, to fight for a cause,
Becoming a leader without thought or pause.

A man emerges, so steady and true
A blessed gift, through and through.