photography lessons

Last night Amber came out and we went to my neighbor Therese's house. Therese is a photographer and went to Italy in May - she had a gathering to share some of her favorite pictures. It was great because Amber and I were the youngest there, by at least 20 years. I loved being around these ladies because you could tell they were all set in their routines, but they took time to come out and look at photographs. It was sweet. There was a glass of spilled wine, cursing, shocked looks, trips and falls on the kitchen floor, but overall we made it out safe and sound! 

Since my blood clot, I have realized how blessed I am to live in a community where people know each other and care about what happens to them. I had the seat of honor - the recliner. And there was one lady who felt like she should have it, but Therese insisted I sit there. It feels so nice to have people looking out for me, checking up on me and including me in their prayers. 

On the short walk home, Amber and I saw the planets aligned. It was the moon, Venus and Jupiter. I was about to take a picture, but then Amber helped me to get a better one by stepping into a darker area. See Amber is a great photographer too! She has a great eye and perspective. She has sent me amazing pics of Millie, Jenna, Ben and nature. I really hope that God opens doors for her to use it this next year. So I'm including my picture below of the planets and moon's alignment. (If you watch on June 30th, it is supposed to be close enough to resemble what might have been the Star of Bethlehem.) AND I'm including pictures of Millie that Amber has sent. Again, I am so thankful for all the great friends praying for me!

The night sky by B

Millie by Amber

Love you guys,

Brandee

Thank You.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, words and donations. Unfortunately I can't find out who donated days, so if you did, thank you! I'm only two short and this is a huge answer to prayer for me! At the good advice of HR and a fellow teacher, I will take disability from now on. I don't want to be caught in a situation like that again. One of friends and co-workers came over this week to hang out and bring dinner- I was telling her all that you guys had done for me and she said, "Wow, they have really taken care of you!" I smiled and said, "Yes!" You guys are the main reason I stay in SBISD. I have a great support system at school but you guys reached out and loved on me more than they did and I just smiled and thought, this is why I'm here! Really, like Jo always says we are a family! I know I'm getting mushy but it's been so evident to me. I've had so much love, prayers, care and true friendship poured over me and it has sustained me. Thank you for helping me during a difficult time and thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating days. 

I am healing well- my doctors say I'm making progress. My biggest joy is that I have soreness instead of knife-stabbing pain!  I have had so much support so THANK YOU ALL! Happy Summer!

Love, Brandee  

Quote for the Day

Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her. 
-Urie Bronfenbrenner 

I came across this powerful quote on Twitter this morning and the truth of it has struck me hard in the face. I spent the night at my sister's house last night and we have been lounging around enjoying a lazy morning. So nice! Amber is keeping Millie for me while my leg heals a bit more. Well, not too long before reading this quote, I  told Millie that she was loved more than most kids in the world. I didn't realize what a truth I was speaking.  

I know I irrationally love J & B and sometimes it may drive their momma crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way. That's part of who I am and I'm thankful to be their Aunt B. During the school year, I encounter so many students at SBMS and I pray they feel love from me- not just my love but God loving them through me. And for those still searching for someone special to love them- may someone reach out to them in an unexpected way today. You never know how far a smile, a handshake or even looking someone in the eye and calling them by name will go!

Have a great Saturday!
Brandee

Faithful

God is so faithful. I thought I would be getting close to ZERO dollars for my 6/15 paycheck because of no sick days and hospital time, but I'm still getting a paycheck! I don't know all the reasons why or the ins and outs of donating days but I'm so grateful to anyone in SBISD who has donated a sick day to me. Thank you so much. God used you to provide for me and I am at peace.

Elephants

Elephants have offered me comfort the past several years. The Houston Zoo has an amazing exhibit and even babies! Before I got a membership, I would go on the FREE first Tuesday of the month visits and just watch the elephants. Why, you might ask? I've been going to counseling and working through some hard stuff since 2000. It wasn't until around 2009 that I discovered how much PEACE and HOPE the elephants brought to me. They are such beautiful creatures and their personalities are palpable. The most memorable event was at Zoo Lights with my sister Amber - we were walking by the elephants and they had Christmas music playing softly through the zoo. We looked over and one of the elephant mom as was swaying to the beat of the music. I will never forget that feeling as we watched in amazement. God let us see that and we were both greatly encouraged. I am convinced that it's not just church, Bible study or talking to other Christians that brings us closer to God. It's Him. His creativity. His love for us and things we enjoy. And I'm so thankful that God speaks to me through elephants. You couldn't ask for a cuter comforter! Wrinkly skin and all!! So enjoy this video of a baby elephant enjoying the ocean in sweet abandon and hopefully it will comfort you as much as it does me.

Peace

This has been a challenging bit of the year for me. On Tuesday, May 13 I went to the ER by my house thinking I might have a blood clot.

It all started the night before. Jes had come over and we were crafting - getting ready for Book Fair- my FAVORITE time of year. I got ready for bed and started feeling pain in my thigh. I hadn't exercised much so I knew it wasn't from that, but I'm on my feet a lot so I rubbed oils on it, took Advil and went to bed. I woke up at 4:30 the next morning with the worst Charlie Horse ever, at least that's what I thought till I stood up and couldn't walk. Eek! I soaked in a warm bath and kept thinking something about this was not normal. To keep my mind off the pain I read Kiera Cass's new book, The Heir. So thanks Mom for letting me borrow it- forgot to tell you that part!!

Then God brought to mind a friend at work who had a blood clot about a year ago. I texted her around 6:00 and she told me to get straight to the ER. I am convinced God saved my life because after running tests they found a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in my left leg and PE (pulmonary embolism) in my lungs. I had very little breathing reserve left. The doctor later talked to me and said, "I'm so glad you're ok. You could have died." I did not realize the seriousness of it.

Thankfully from the moment I stepped in the ER to the 2nd time I was released from the hospital I felt peace. Peace like no other. I know it's from friends, family and loved ones praying for me so THANK YOU. It's a peace like I've never experienced before and today is the 1st day I felt stress since May 13th. That is a miracle. So thank you for praying and please continue to pray PEACE over my mind, body, and specifically finances. God will provide and He saved my life. One little paycheck is nothing to him!!!

Love you all!
Brandee

2015 so far...

It's hard to believe that we are in mid-April of 2015! Looking back over my blog, I barely posted, I mean really I only wrote five posts. A lot has happened since then. 

1. I have a new dog now - Millie. She is an adorable and snuggly Boston Terrier! 

2.  I got to see Sarah McLachlan in concert at Jones Hall with the Jeans! Amazing show and beautiful set. 

3.  I celebrated Endometriosis Awareness Month by hosting a last minute but FUN walk in Houston at my school track! Also changed all my social media pictures yellow for awareness. 

4.  I've had play dates with my sweet niece and some of them included Millie. :) This one was at the dog park and Millie kept good watch over J.   

5. I've had play dates with my nephew who loves to take selfies. He gets so focused on taking the picture that he forgets to smile. ;-)

6. We've met as a family for PIZZA fun because Aunt B had coupons and it turns out we couldn't use any of the coupons! We had a great time anyway!

7. My sweet sis Amber made an Endo Photo Challenge via Instagram and it meant so much to me! 

8. I got to take students to SHS to hear Matt de la Pena - it was amazing and the 8th grade girls are in love. See the tall and handsome guy in the middle? That's him!

9. Millie is a snuggler. I love this time of day with her. It is usually after dinner and before bed - I'm either reading a book and watching TV on the couch and she is at my feet. Melt my heart. 

10. And this post would not be complete without the reminder of how BLESSED I am to work as a librarian in SBISD! I am so thankful for my job and thankful for the time at SFA!