Happy Birthday Shepherd Michael Rainwater!

We are officially "Aunt Rachel" and "Uncle David!" Shepherd Michael Rainwater, John and Sarah's son, was born tonight at 7 and a half pounds and 20 inches long. Both Sarah and Shep are safe and healthy and we think Shep is just about the most handsome baby ever. We wished desperately that we could have been there, but are really itching to get home next weekend and see him. Congratulations John and Sarah...we love you so much already Shep!

John, Sarah, and Shep



Most handsome baby ever!



It doesn't get any cuter than this. He looks just like a Rainwater boy!

Spring in our hearts

The blog is currently very spring-like. However...this is real life.



We got more snow at the end of the week! Unbelievable. It started snowing Thursday afternoon, but we didn't get any snow days or anything because we only got about 4 inches at our house.

Every year our school has an auction and the teachers volunteer to be a part of a "class party" that people pay money to go to. Mine was a bowling party, so right after school yesterday I went and bowled two rounds with the kids in my class. Mental note...one bowling game is more than enough for 7-8 year olds.

Last night Rachael Miller was in town, so we went and ate dinner at Kona Grill. Today I cleaned the house hard core and David has studied all day. He has four tests next week. Tonight we are meeting Matt and Dianna and Mitch and Nicole for dinner! I have a correction from my Valentine's Day post...the Bonefish Gift Card came from my wonderful Granny and Grandad!

We are anxiously waiting for Shep's (our soon coming nephew) arrival. The doctors say any day now!

Happy Birthday Deuce and goodbye Joanna!

I made up for my lack of picture taking today. First of all, I haven't been thrilled about blogging for some reason recently. It's just been hard to get in the mood for whatever reason. However, today I was able to check my good friend Katherine's blog (Thorpe Thoughts) and she had given her blog a facelift...it totally inspired me to be excited about blogging again. She also taught me how to do the little "tracking thing" that is new to the blog on the right. Thanks Katherine!

This has been a good Monday. I was able to hang out with my friend Joanna for a long time today. She is leaving for South Korea this Thursday for a year! She is going to teach preschool Korean kids. She has been a great friend since we taught PreK together at Kansas City Christian. Have a great trip Joanna!



Today is Deuce's first birthday! Yes, I AM celebrating my dog's first birthday on the blog, and I am totally unashamed.



I went to Three Dog Bakery on the Plaza and got Deuce a little birthday treat. :) I know, it's ridiculous, but I'm still unashamed. :)





Joanna got a great couple shots with her knew camera. Sooie was not happy about Deuce's special birthday treat.



Deuce was so happy he ran for joy...



...and then jumped for joy!



This jumping is really pretty ordinary for Deuce. David and I call it "the gazelle." He does it every time he goes outside or gets excited about chasing a squirrel/bird/rabbit/flying leaf.

Me and Sooie!

Accidental Water Dog

We have had an absolutely wonderful weekend with absolutely no pictures. So sorry! We were able to spend a nice dinner on Friday night with one of our church pastors. Then we had our good friends Brett and Sarah Busenitz over for a game night! I should have taken a picture at this point, but we were having so much fun that I forgot. Our game night was followed by some good ole fashioned sleeping in on Saturday morning before we headed over to Todd and Alicia's to have lunch with our new dinners for eight groups. Then we went and walked around Loose Park with Deuce. We invited Becca Kirkpatrick, one of our great friends from Little Rock, and she brought her dog Alvin.

It was at Loose Park that Deuce became an accidental water dog. The park was pretty deserted because it was kind-of cold and rainy, and Deuce was REALLY interested in some geese on the pond. We decided to just let him off leash and see what he did. He stood on the little rock overhang thing for as long as he could stand it, and then jumped in. As many of you know, Deuce HATES water. I guess the urge to get the geese was just too strong. He completely disappeared under the water and then realized what he had done. Rather than swim to where he could have walked out, he turned around and clung to the rock ledge and waited for David to lift him out. The water still had some ice on the top in places, so I know that it was freezing. I think that Deuce was as shocked about his choice of action as we were.

Today we went to church and then David went with Matt to the golf expo while Dianna and I walked our doggies. Then we were able to sit outside and enjoy the weather for a little while. Lucky for me, my weekend continues on into tomorrow. I really do love the presidents. :)

Valentine's Day of the shoes

I have to apologize for my lack of blogging. Things have been really busy the last 2 weeks and I just couldn't get myself in the mood to blog. However, here I am, and here's what has been going on in Rainwater world. We went to Little Rock this past weekend to celebrate the engagement of our friends Scott and Laura and the wedding of our friends Jonathan and Julia. Because of the HUGE snow in Little Rock, we drove halfway on Friday night and spent the night in Fayetteville. We got to Little Rock at about 10:00 a.m. Saturday and spent the day hanging out with Mom, Dad, and Tripp. We went down to the Big Dam Bridge with Deuce and got to see a barge moving through the dam.







We went to a great party for Scott and Laura and then went and ate dinner at Mike and Kathy's. I was able to give John and Sarah my present that I have been working on for Shep. In this picture it's not framed, but I did manage to get it framed in time. Shep will make his debut in about 3 weeks and we can't wait.



When we got back to Kansas City late Sunday night we were dead dog tired. Monday, as the whole world knows, was Valentine's Day. We got a gift card from my Uncle Frank and Aunt Lisa to Bonefish Grill for Christmas and we saved it for V-day! So we went and ate a delicious meal on Monday night, which was great since we rarely go out to eat on week nights. This Valentine's Day, we each got each other shoes! The year of the shoes. David loves his new tennis shoes and I loves my boots.

Tuesday night was the 2nd annual Mini Clinic at school. I started the fundraiser last year and it was a hit, so we did it again this year. We had 48 kindergarten-2nd grade girls participate and it turned out great. Here are a couple of pictures from the evening.





The week is almost done for me, because we have an inservice day on Friday, and I am looking forward to Monday off for President's Day. Thank you Mr. President.

Super Bowl Party!

We had a VERY busy but great weekend! After all the snow last week I finally went back to work on Friday. I had worked on quite a bit of grad work during the snow days and I had a weekend class this weekend. I went after work on Friday night and then also during the day on Saturday. Thank goodness for the snow days...it makes the fact that I gave up my weekend for class not as bad. I also missed a baby shower for Anna Kober that I helped to throw on Saturday for class. I made my first ever diaper cake for it though. I think it turned out pretty good and I had a great time making it.



On Saturday night we stayed in and watched a movie. On Sunday we couldn't wait to go to our Sunday School class party. We had been looking forward to it for a long time and the turn-out was great. I am so thankful for such great friends. Thanks Jonathan and Mandy for hosting...it was SO MUCH FUN.

The girls had a dessert competition. We got so full sampling everyone's so that we could vote fairly. :) Mine is not out there because it had ice cream in it and had to be kept frozen until dessert time. I made an old favorite...Fundae Sundae. It comes from high school cheerleading days when Sheri Laakman would make it for all of us. SO GOOD...and fattening. It was a hit and I won! Woohoo!



The guys had a chili competition. We literally ate ourselves sick last night sampling all this stuff. Sadly, David's/Mom's Italian Chili recipe didn't win, but it did get third!



This is a large majority of the girls. Although I know we were missing some people. Jess...I think Reegan might have been enjoying her dinner during this picture. I am so sorry you're not in it!

We all had on name tags with our chosen team on it.



Jonathan and Mandy, about to announce all the winners. There were prizes for closest half-time score, final score, superbowl quiz winner, best dessert, and best chili.



The winners! I won best dessert, Nicole won the final score, Dony won half-time score, Jacob won best chili (hence the large trophy), and yes Matt, Jason WON the quiz. :)



I love how Jason is holding his trophy with two hands...probably to keep Matt from stealing it.

Matt, really sad about his loss.


This week is busy too! I have lots of homework and we're leaving for Little Rock on Friday night to go to Jonathan Webb's wedding reception. We're still snow covered and I definitely don't see it melting any time soon.

Blizzard 2011 Part 2

David and I both had snow day number 2 today! The dental school was closed again and we couldn't believe it. Our grand total at the house by the end of the storm was about 11 inches. Last night was a cold one with wind chills below zero. Today we have had a wonderful fire burning all day, but David had to get out a brave the elements to make it possible for our cars to leave the driveway. The job was massive. We love our double drive-way, but it seemed extra double today.





Deuce, Sooie and I...watched.



Somehow, David finally got it all done.





He even did our sidewalk and cut a path for our poor mailman.



Later in the afternoon we took Deuce down to the elementary school that is near our house (that we basically use as our personal off-leash dog park) and let him run off some energy. He had a blast. We lasted as long as we could, but 11 degrees is just too cold to stay out in for too long.

Could he be having a better time?







Right before I completely bit the dust and fell on my face. Deuce thought it was great and took the opportunity to jump all over me.



Before leaving the playground I left the kids a little surprise. :) My angel wings aren't very deep because I just couldn't get my arms to pass through that thick of snow.



David heads back to work tomorrow we think and I have yet another snow day due to extreme cold. Since coming back from Christmas break, I have yet to work a full week somehow! It's amazing what snow and being sick can get you. January has passed in a blur and now it's already February. I definitely don't mind the snow when I get to stay in. However, today David and I booked our Spring Break trip to the beach, and I know that as the days pass I'm going to start wishing for Spring! For now though, we're enjoying the most snow we've ever seen!

Blizzard 2011

Yep, that is what they are calling it. We are sitting here in a blizzard! It's right at about 4:00 and my school has already been called off for tomorrow too. We have literally never been in a snow storm like this. David's school was announced as closed at about 5:30 this morning and mine was called off the night before.

Last night we cooked one of the Burl's smoked chickens that Mom and Dad gave us for Christmas and used it in the pesto pasta. Deuce and Sooie could hardly stand the smells.



Just for the record, no paws, tongues, or other pet items came close to the counter (disclaimer for Mom and Granny).

We have been cuddled up inside all day. We slept in and only made one, semi daring trip out. We realized there was one thing that we neglected to get...toilet paper. Whoops. The governor said, "Stay in, make sure you have enough food and water, and wait for the blizzard to get here." So that's what we did. Now we've just been cozy witha fire all day!



While we have been warm and inside, our poor mailmain has been trying to faithfully deliver the mail. I felt terrible for him when he came by. This is our next door neighbor's house...just across the street. Can you see him?



The blizzard continues!