Interviews, Celebrations, and Smiles

Well our week last week was quite full. It started with Randy taking his EMT-P test on Monday & PASSING!!!!! (see previous post for details.) Then he had an interview on Wednesday morning at 7:30 am with Cedar Hill FD. It went really well. He knew 2 of the 4 on the interview panel from class and his clinicals. So we were just set to wait and see what happened.

Randy's mom, Sonia, wanted to get everyone together to celebrate Randy's graduation from Paramedic School. So the festivities were planned for last Saturday. She arrived on Friday and hung out with Randy - running errands, and driving around the big D. When I got home, we went to see Kung Fu Panda (for the 2nd time). It is hilarious! We laughed as much this time as we did the last time. Saturday, we went shopping and around lunch time, Andrew, Kristi, and Bella arrived. The joke all weekend was that Sonia really came to town to see Bella and not the rest of us. (We know that isn't entirely true...love you Sonia!) Well, Randy beat his mom to the car and opened the door to see Bella. He said she took one look at him and then proceded to cry a very unhappy cry. She wasn't sure about her Uncle Randy. After Mim (Sonia) got her, she calmed down and the afternoon was spent playing with Bella, me losing at Phase 10, and secretly sneaking Randy's cake into the apartment. Bella did let Uncle Randy hold her once, but almost every other time he got close to her, she started to cry! Andrew assured Randy that his effect on Bella wouldn't transfer over to his own child - whenever that happens. :)

We headed out for dinner that evening and pull up to the restaurant and who do we see walking in? Jacob & Laura! See we secretly had invited a few of our close friends - Randy didn't know who. We got seated and Sonia pulls out this Mortar Board (grad hat) and graduation beads for Randy to wear. You can see his enthusiasim. Sonia has the rest of the pictures, so this will do for now. I'll post more when I get them.

So all in all, our weekend was wonderful. We got to celebrate 15 months of hard work and determination by Randy. We look forward to the possibilities that await us - whatever they may be. Thank you to Jacob, Laura, Brent, and Tiffany for helping us celebrate Randy's BIG Day. Sonia, thanks for coming to visit us - we love the time we get to spend with you. Andrew, Kristi, & Bella - thanks for driving over for the afternoon. We had a blast (even if I did lose at Phase 10!...lol!)

It's official - I'm married to a Paramedic!!!

After 15 months of hard work and studying, Randy took his National Registry EMT-P (paramedic) test this morning. He called me when he was finished and said it would be 2 days before he found out his results. Well, he just called me back and said his instructor called him and said, "Congrats. You passed!" I think he is on cloud 9 now! When he called he sounded so down and I didn't know what to think. Randy has this thing were he tells you the opposite of what actually happened just to see how you would react. I'm finally catching on and more aware of when he tells me something to not always assume the worst. So I didn't think either way. Then he said he passed and his voice completely changed! He was so excited! I'm so proud of him. He has worked hard for this and completely deserves it. I love you honey! Next step fire school!

Steven Curtis Chapman & Mary Beth on GMA

So if you watched Good Morning America this morning, you've already seen this interview with Steven Curtis & Mary Beth Chapman. If not, take some time and go watch and read their story. Robin Roberts from GMA interveiwed them and the 3 oldest kids about Maria's death 2.5 months ago. Their testimony of faith in uncertain times is amazing. I know people say those in the spotlight have to put their best foot forward when they face the public. But Steven & Mary Beth are truly genuine in what they say and do. The most memorable quote for me was this:

"My son said the other day that, you know, 'Yeah, we are family.'... But we're a family with a lot of questions," Steven Curtis Chapman said. "But that's what faith is. It's living with the questions. That doesn't mean you have the answers. That's exactly what faith is."

Faith - believing in what we cannot see, trusting God has a plan for all of us.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5519704&page=1


P.S. Oh, and about the push-up challenge. I'm having to take this week off. I came down with a cold/sinus infection/head junk this week and have not felt like doing anything in the evenings. I'll be back next week and let you know how it is going.