TEAM USA!

The Boys

Now...

Here are some of my favorites!

My absolute favorite player, the Texan, Clint Dempsey...

He doesn't play every game, but Feilhaber is a great when he does!

The Hero, Landon Donovan

Defender Demerit

Cherundolo....a cutie too!

Bradley...the coach's son but he completely earned his spot on the team!

Boca :)

If you don't watch US soccer, here are some reasons, you should...these cuties; the pride that each country takes in their team; because it really is exciting; and did i mention these cuties?!?!

Now, how can I meet them? :)

God Bless America! (and the US Soccer team!)

sorry in advance if this is hard to read...

not sure why it is formatting this weird...

Well I can sum up what I have been up to this past week in one word....

FUTBOL. and if you have been living under a rock (or on your honeymoon,

Marisa and Aaron :)...that means it is World Cup time!

and even better than just that it is on...the US team is making history!

I have basically watched at least one game everyday...getting up early to

watch or DVRing and watching at night...I am sucked in for sure!

Yesterday, I knew I had to work from 9-7pm at my counseling site, so I was

hoping to either follow it online or on my phone, but much to my surprise and

utter happiness, my boss had decided to buy some rabbit ears so we could

watch some of the games at the office...and did we ever! :)

At one point, 5 out of the 7 of us on staff were in there biting our nails watching

the US/Algeria game. I was following the England game on my

phone, so we were aware of the importance of the US scoring a goal! It was

intense....Oh and did i mention that we were watching it on the

Spanish channel, so I couldn't understand the commentators...which was probably

a good thing, but it made it for hilarity when those around me

watching were yelling at the US team in Spanish! When we scored, our room erupted!

Literally, we were jumping up and down, hugging each other,

and I shed a couple tears! It was a little like this...what a fun moment for the US!

As for the American players, if they ever stumble upon this blog, just want to throw this out there....I am single and have a huge weakness for futbol players!

So, as you can see...I have been busy cheering on the US and am thoroughly excited that I can see them play Ghana on Saturday before I leave

for church camp with the kiddos on Sunday!

Just wanted to give those of you who don't appreciate the amazing thing that is happening in South Africa right now for our country in a sport that we

do not garner much respect, a little look into how exciting it is for a soccer fan like me! :)

stay tuned for some pics of some of my favorite US players! I know...you are sitting on the edge of your seat, but please just indulge me :)

Catching up...

Blogging has not been a huge priority in the last month or so...but I will update you with a little of what I have been up to.

The first is probably obvious to those who know where I am in my life/career right now...WORK has consumed my days, nights and some weekends the last few months. It is going really well, racking up all those hours toward my goal of 3000 by next summer.

Last weekend I got to play in a golf tournament with my dad and 2 of my guy friends for one of my jobs. We had fun, everyone played really well, but it was super hot!

My sweet friend Marisa gets married this coming weekend (June 19th), so we have been showering and celebrating her for the last couple of months too! Can't wait to see her as a bride on Saturday as she marries her love, Aaron Miller!

I am in somewhat of a slump this time of the summer...I miss the camp life and being carefree during the summer months...probably doesn't help that most of my friends are either stay at home moms or teachers, so their schedules are a lot more free this time of year... trying to keep my eye on the prize...3000 hours.

My sister is in full on wedding planning mode in DC. Getting excited for the fun things we have planned to celebrate her and George's union in November.

I am in the home stretch of my time at Frisco Bible Church...come July 2, it will be the first time in 7 years that I will not be on a church staff. Weird...but what will I do with my Sundays now that they aren't a work day? I'll tell you, I am going out of town on weekend trips for a while! Road trips to see friends and much needed vacation time!

Speaking of vacation, I'm pretty excited because I just booked my first trip ever to Alaska. I'm hoping to see some awesome views like this one:

Well, until that trip, I will be working, playing on the weekends, and watching as much of this as I can!

Swing Low Sweet Chariot...

Doris Jean Dalton Smith

January 11, 1922 - April 19, 2010

(how gorgeous is she!)

Me as a little girl with Gran Gran

At DTS graduation in 2005

Thank you for all of your sweet messages over the last couple of days. It has been a sad week...early on Sunday morning, my sweet grandmother, Gran-Gran went home to be with Jesus. She lived a full 88 years of life and I am so grateful for the time I had with her here on earth. I am named after her with my middle name, Dalton carrying on her maiden name. We have always had a special bond all my life. One of the big reasons I moved back to Texas last summer was because I wanted to spend time with her in her remaining time. God gave us almost 9 months of sweet time together, most of which was her beloved weekly trip to the beauty shop. She and I had that in common...there is nothing like getting your hair done! As I was singing during worship tonight at The Porch at Watermark, tears came to my eyes as we sang these lyrics...thinking that Gran-Gran is in the presence of the Lord now...free of pain, suffering and weeping! Thank you Lord!

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone


No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

You Hold Me Now by Hillsong United

As for the title of this blog entry: When we were growing up, Gran Gran would always sing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as we would swing on her swing in her backyard. I have always loved that song and think of her when I hear it...I am making a DVD to play at the visitation on Thursday night with lots of pictures of Gran Gran and our family over the years...and am using that song as one of the background songs. I'll try and post the video next week...

A little shout out...

You HAVE to check out my best friend Ali's little ones on her blog and also her photography website...she is a very talented child photographer! Shout out to my girl and just want to let yall get to see how cute her kiddos are and I'm sure you can imagine how much fun I am having with them each week! Today, we had a lovely "picnic" and swinging session in the backyard in the perfect spring weather! Some of my favorite moments every week are spent being "yaya" with these 3! Love you Al, Junebug, and H.P.!

A Longhorn in Aggie clothing...

One of the bright spots of watching the Aggies play in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament (i can't discuss the outcome, because it still hurts to think about it...) was getting to see my bestie, Ali sport an A&M shirt...mind you, in all 20 years that I have known her, i have NEVER seen her wear the Aggie Maroon! Even being married to an Aggie hasn't brought this unlikely event about...until now...whether its the fact that she is now the mother of 2 and by having a 3 week old old at home, her defenses have been down or if we are finally wearing off on her or if it is simply because I lovingly donned a longhorn tshirt for the national championship party this year and she posted it on her blog...it has finally happened!

(just please don't pass this along to her granddad or any of her burnt orange blooded cousins...i fear for my own life if they see this)

Also, disregard the fact that I am NOT in maroon...my only maroon shirt is now part of my tshirt blanket that my mom had made for me...i must restock my Aggie gear i guess now...

"beware the ides of march"

Never did I think this statement was as true as I do now being a therapist! I have several pretty tough cases right now at work and I'm praying that when April gets here...things will be looking brighter! However, I am trying to remain emotionally healthy myself, and it seems to be working because....

I am in a happy mood for the following reasons:

~March Madness starts today and Aggies play tomorrow
~The sun is out and the temps are rising in Dallas
~My sister asked me to be her Maid of Honor
~I'm getting some good pampering this weekend...sleep and a manicure!
~Got to see some of my favorite friends, Cassie and John in Houston this past weekend
~Having lunch with Ali and baby Hamilton today
~i'm currently dogsitting and sleeping in a Heavenly Bed
~looks like spring is finally here!

if you need to get ahold of my in the next couple of weeks....i'll probably be sitting on a patio somewhere drinking diet coke watching college basketball! Welcome to spring and April...get here soon, please! :)