Who Says Teaching is a Thankless Job?

Well, for most of the year, maybe it is. But, let me tell you, come Christmas time, Kevin sure cleans up (ahem, see above image)! And the best part is I get much of the benefit of the gifts, seeing as how many of them are girly note pads and post-it notes that he has little interest in. :)

And then, of course, there are other benefits of this time of year, like the encouragement to keep going.

My favorite one (currently lighting up the coffee table he's sleeping next to so that its luminescence can softly pull him from his slumber).

Teaching (whether personally or professionally) is no easy task. I'm very proud of my husband, who is a qualified, hard-working, dedicated, passionate, gifted man. At times, though, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. :)

The Blessing of Zero!

$32,938.11 (not counting interest).

25 months of payments.

Discovering Dave Ramsey this summer.

Cutting back to live off of one salary.

$22,000 paid off since the end of July alone.

And it all comes down to one last interest payment of $8.75.

Lord, may we continue to be faithful with the resources You have allowed us.
We are humbled by your provision.

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt;
Open your wide mouth and I will fill it."
~Psalm 81:10

Playing Catch-Up

It's been quite the time in the Fowler household. We're very grateful for those of you who have hung with us through this sparseness of posts. :( Lord willing, time will return for blogging, but for right now, I'm having to rely on "catch-up" posts.

First off, the Lord is returning health to our household! Amazingly, Kevin, though a public school teacher, is sick very rarely. This past week, however, it hit him hard--no voice, sinus pressure, the works! He's healing, though, and it's great to have him back to normal--whatever that may mean. ;)

Also, as some of you know, I've been sick with chronic tonsillitis since roughly August. I was given the option to continue a barrage of antibiotics, but when I thought about that, coupled with the multiple times I've had strep and tonsillitis in the past year or so, Kevin and I decided that surgery was the best option. Last Thursday, I underwent my first real surgery since having my wisdom, teeth removed in 10th grade. I wasn't nervous about the surgery; it's routine enough. I was nervous about the recovery. Tonsillectomies in adults bring with them incredibly difficult recovery processes. But, friends, the Lord has been merciful! A mere four days post-op, I was eating spaghetti with a little ground beef, and the next day I was eating chicken stir fry! There have been some rough spots, but it's humbling to think that the Lord would protect me from having to go through weeks of pain before healing.

Along with that, my parents drove down and spent 9 days with us to serve, care for, and manage our household while Kevin was at work and I was recovering. I think we were all a little anxious to see what would come of it, since that amount of time with anybody can be a bit of a strain under a tiny roof. But, again, the Lord was gracious, and we had one of the best visits with them. Funny enough, they're turning around and coming back in just 2 short weeks for Christmas.

And now we're busily set about getting things ready for Christmas. We've got our tree up.

Do you like the tree topper?

And I'm wrapping presents like mad trying to get it all done before I go back to work on Monday.

But in all things, friends, may we never forget who this season is truly about.

May you have a wonderful, safe, happy time of celebrating all that Christmas is truly about!

The View from the Top!

For my one and only's birthday,

I took him somewhere far, far away.

I took him somewhere exotic.

I took him somewhere only nerds like us would go.

I took him to Chicago.

But, not just to Chicago. I took him to a live taping of NPR's "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" It's probably one of the last surviving radio programs out there that isn't purely news, and it's probably THE only one filmed before a live studio audience. Needless to say, the audience was filled with people just as hopelessly nerdy as us! It was bliss!

If you're not familiar with "Wait, Wait..." you're missing out. Those two podiums on the left are for the judge/score keeper, Carl Kasell, and the one on the right is for the host, Peter Sagal. The table on the right is for the show's three panelists, who vary week-to-week. This week's panelists were Paula Poundstone (Kevin's favorite), Roy Blount Jr. (my favorite), and Faith Sailee (new to the show). We figured two out of three ain't bad!

As I said, the recording is live and the panelists, who are all comedians, answer questions on the week's news. In between those questions, listeners can call in and be on the show live.

After the show, which was incredibly fun and enjoyable, the hosts and the panelists stay around to answer questions, sign autographs, take pictures, and just generally chat it up. We didn't do much chatting, but we did meet Peter, Carl, and Paula. Needless to say, I scored big on the birthday gift! ;)

Since we took all day Thursday to drive down and watch the show that night, we didn't want to drive back the next day, and why should we--it was Friday! So....we stayed an extra day and saw the sights of Chicago.

For starters, the weather could not have been more beautiful! I mean, can you see that sky?! And it was mid-50's--cool enough to walk; warm enough to not freeze.

Of course, you can't make a trip to Chicago without visiting the historic, record-breaking Willis Tower! Never heard of it? Well, you probably have, but didn't know it. It used to be called the Sear's Tower, but when the building was sold, the contract stated that the largest tenant could rename the tower in 2008. The largest tenant was--you guessed it-- a company named Willis and they renamed it last year. I agree, though, it is a little unimpressive to say, "We got to see the Willis Tower!" Doesn't quite have the punch that the Sear's Tower has.

And there's a new addition to the Willis Tower--retractable glass encasements you can step into and look down...103 stories! Are you brave enough!?

I thought I was doing well just standing there, but...

Kevin took it a step further!

This is the only picture we've got of both of us in the Tower. It's a shame you can't see any buildings, sky, birds...flying saucers....anything! It was crystal clear that day, but the sun was also shining too bright for good pictures, and, well, there's only so many pictures you want to ask complete strangers to take! :)

So, friends, that was our visit to the Windy City. Hope you've enjoyed this little taste. There was actually much more involved (Pizza! The Field Museum! Lake Michigan!), but I've got a birthday boy to tend to!

Happy Monday! :)

Good Times With Great Oldies!

What a wonderful, exciting, enjoyable, and refreshing time this weekend was. Fall break in this place means several things--Kevin gets time off from school; I have the opportunity to take some much-waited-for vacation days; and, last, it's Maryville College's homecoming. The latter of which means lots of very dear friends are making the trek to the highlands of good ole' MC.

This year, we were blessed multiple times over to have not one, not two, but THREE friends in our home as well as many more friends that we caught up with at MC itself yesterday. What a blessing relationship and friendship are!

First, two of my dear roommates, Anne and Laura, traveled from Charlotte, NC and Columbia, GA, respectively to spend time with us. It was a fast two days, but we didn't waste a minute, except when we were forced to sleep (right, Laura? ;). I don't know what I would have done without these ladies in college. It is such a treat to get together a couple times a year to reminisce and catch up on what the Lord is doing in and through us. I hope to keep these ladies around for years to come! :)

We also had a brief with Mr. Briley Hooper. He's traveled over the mountains from near Asheville, NC a couple of times to visit, and we've enjoyed every visit, especially this one because....

HE BROUGHT EVA!

This girl totally stole the show for me! I've wanted a dog very much since getting our own place, but not as much as when I met this little lady. She's absolutely precious! We asked Briley if we could adopt/foster/borrow/clone Eva, but he's apparently pretty attached to her, and, well, the feelings are mutual.

Kevin did, however, get his shot at her, and she playfully obliged him. Gotta love those ears!

Eva did eventually tire, and there was no waking this pup.

In the end, the weekend was a pure joy. Time with great friends is always appreciated and refreshing. I'm so grateful that we have friends that love us enough to make the hours-long journeys to spend time here.

Let that be an invite to anyone and everyone who desires a clean bed and warm fellowship.

We're waiting!

How do you Dress for a UT Ball Game....

...when it looks like this out?

Why, like this, of course!

For My Mamma,

It's only been two years since we got married (slightly over). This past weekend I used, for the first time, the mixer my mother bought us for our wedding present. I have my reasons--like we had no room for it in our other apartment, and I've never been much of a baker, so why bother?

BUT...this weekend, I flew to the store, bought all necessary (and not on-hand) ingredients and, maybe for the second time in my life, made banana bread! You can bet that mixer was working overtime! :)

And since I'm one of those clean-as-you-go cooks, this is as messy as my kitchen ever got. :)

Last, as I was coming in from my Wal-Mart excursion with my ingredients ready to make HER some banana bread, our wonderful neighbor, Regina, was waiting at the base of the stairs for us with a home-made Apple Crisp! Now, just how did she know that Apple Crisp is my absolute favorite!? And it seems to be Kevin's, too, by the way we polished it off so quickly (2 days was all it took, folks!).

SHHH!! Don't tell Kevin...

...but I've rearranged the study!

Think he'll like it?

My Beloved Hard at Work

I came around the corner of the hallway yesterday, and was greeted by the sight of Kevin on the porch, citronella candle lit, grading papers by its light. It made me pause and thank the Lord that I have a husband who is so responsible, respectable, hard-working, and loves to provide for his family. Just thought you should know. :)

Short and Sassy

Oh, how I love thee--let me count the ways....

I know many women whose husbands like them to keep their hair long. This, for the wives, is an act of love to keep their hair long in deference to their husbands likes. They please their husbands in this way, and in so doing, show him their love.

Kevin, however, is no such husband. I have complete and utter freedom when it comes to the length of my hair (although he did nix the "shave it all off" idea I had during college).

So when, recently, I started to get my every-two-year hankering to chop it all off, he was all for it. And, thus the search began. I look at magazines, pictures on the Internet, and started observing in my own day-to-day life at UT what looked good on what girls with which face shapes.

I finally settled that instead of going short, short, I'd go a bit longer than short and then go short later if I still wanted to do it. So, Sunday night, I headed to SuperCuts (we're on a budget here, folks! :). Chesleigh, my new favorite stylist, did exactly what I wanted. She cut my hair to shoulder length with just a bit of layering around my face. I got home, and Kevin exulted at how much he loved it.

But I just wasn't satisfied. My face is long already and the shoulder-length style pulled it even longer. So, Monday I called Chesleigh back and asked if I could come back and whack it all off.

Thus, friends, I am now sporting the shortest do I've had since probably kindergarten.

Truth be told, I LOVE IT!

...and so does my husband. :)

I had fun taking some pictures to send to Mom Fowler and Mom Skidmore.

The night I got it done:

...and after I learned a bit how to style it.

(and with a little photoshop help! :)

First Day of School

Yup--it's that day that the kiddos head on the buses or strap on their walking shoes for the trek back to good ole' West Valley. And you know what that means: I also get to send my little husband off for his first day of school! Needless to say, things are a little hectic around the school, but I'm sure they will settle down.

Wouldn't you love to have this strapping gent teaching your 8th grader!?!

We covet your prayers as this new school year begins and sails off into the sunset!

Anniversary Flowers

Maybe you can help me...I'm looking for something. It's quite precious, as things of this nature are. I know I had it, but I just can't seem to find it. Maybe I misplaced it, but I have a feeling that maybe, just maybe, it's gone...

Have you seen the month of July? I mean, seriously, I have no clue where it went.

Hm. Strange.

Well, regardless, the arrival of August means I get to celebrate the day Kevin and I committed our lives to one another. It's been 1,467 days of wedded bliss, and I wouldn't change one second of it.

You hear all the time, "I just keep learning new things about him/her." I never believed it--even when we were dating, I was sure that I'd hit the point where he would bore me or (more likely) I would bore him...But we've not gotten there.

I'm daily amazed that Kevin chose me as his wife, and it only makes me love him more.

I was actually out of town when August 5th rolled around, but upon my return, Kevin had some beautiful red and yellow flowers waiting for me.

Here's to many more August 5ths!!!!!

Two Things That Chirp

I (Kevin) was placed with the responsibility of blogging this, and surprisingly the Getting Things Done (GTD) guru has procrastinated for almost a month of these very important additions to our family. Yes, we at the Fowlers added two things that chirp to our family.

1. The Apple iPhone 3GS


This is probably the most extravagant purchase I have ever made. Yes, the guy who prides himself on buying hardly anything just bought one of the hottest items on the market. For those that have been around me the past year, this purchase probably isn't a big surprise. I used my (free) iPod Touch religiously and I came across a small bonus at work two weeks before the phone's release. So, I wanted to use this newfound chunk of change on something that I could use everyday. I chose the iPhone and I absolutely love it.

Lydia figured that since I am making this rather expensive purchase, a little treat for her was in order...So, she chose the second thing that chirpped.

2. Optimus Prime (O.P.)


This is our little parakeet budgie O.P. He's quite the contented little dude. Its taken him a little while to get used to us, but he's getting there!



Welcome O.P. and iPhone!

Visits from Afar

It's been a hectic past couple of weeks on my side. Things at work have picked up tremendously, and so often it's all I can do to fall into bed at a decent hour. With that said, we've also had several visits from some very special people!

Back in June Len Turner (who's studying at Princeton Theological Seminary) and Laura Palmer (who's studying at Columbia Theological seminary in Atlanta) stopped in for a visit. These two ladies are much of what got me through college! I could not have made it as far, and I would not nearly have the GREAT memories I have without them. I'm so grateful for their friendship, love, support, and--most importantly--brutal honesty. Yay Termates! :-)

Just a couple weeks ago, Thomas and Stephanie Russell, also friends from college stopped by. We've missed them greatly since they moved to Arkansas recently. It was a quick stop-in, but we were so grateful they made a couple hours for us. It's been fun to meet up with them on the Wii's and play some competitive MarioKart. :)

And last, my cousin, Megan came down from Michigan with an interpretive dance group to perform at a church in Loudon, just a few miles south of here. I was sad I couldn't see her performance because of my work schedule, but they did let us steal here for a night. It was super fun to see how this young lady, who I've not seen since my wedding (almost two years ago!), has grown in the Lord and matured into a young lady. I remember changing her diaper!!! :)

After a pizza dinner, we spent the evening playing on the Wii. I think we played every sport on there (baseball, bowling, golf, tennis, and boxing) at least once. Kevin showed her how to play Baseball. :)

And that's out story these days! We've been so inspired by the traveling of others that we're embarking on a six-day trip on Sunday. Where are we going? Well, maybe you should just wait and see...But I can tell you that it's supposed to rain the ENTIRE time we're there, and most of what we had planned were outdoor options....We'll be sure to let you know how it goes! :)

A Quote From The Game 20 Questions...

[Context: Lydia was just given the clue that the answer was a director who has also acted]


Is it that M. Night Sha-ma-ma-layan guy? --Lydia

Heart's Cry

This might hurt, it's not safe

But I know that I've gotta make a change

I don't care if I break,

At least I'll be feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

Without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time

I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind

Let Your love make me whole

I think I'm finally feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

Without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

Take me all the way (take me all the way)

Take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)

Take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)

Take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

Without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

Without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

Take me all the way (take me all the way)

Take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)

Take me all the way (through the motions)

Take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

~Matthew West

Road Triiiiiiiiip!!!!

A two day conference that counts for work time afforded me the day off today.  So, Kevin and I pack up and headed south for a little field trip to Ruby Falls in Chattanooga!  It's been a long day and we're both exhausted...so this will be mostly pictures, but they're worth it! :-D

Almost there...

Some self-explanatory sites along the trek to the falls....

Goofing off...

The Falls, head on:

The view from beneath the water fall...Like diamonds falling.

Praise the Lord He gave us such majestic wonders to behold and enjoy.

May they point us back to Him!