Special Olympics, Bridal Showers, and Marathons, OH MY!

This past weekend, I traveled 1,096 miles across three states, spending a total of 18.5 hours in the car, BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!!!

I drove down to Texas on Thursday. I got to see my aunt (Donna Jones) teach, and it was so much fun. She has been teaching for over 25 years, and now that I know a lot more about education and teaching, I wanted to see what kinds of things she incorporated in her classroom! It was great, and I even left with a new idea to use in my classroom!

On Friday morning, I left early with my parents to head down to Cedar Hill, Texas, for Area Special Olympics. My parents both coach Special Olympic teams, my mom teaches in the class where most of the athletes attend school, and my uncle is a Special Olympic athlete! I was involved with Special Olympics a lot in high school, but I haven't been able to attend Special Olympics since I have been in college...it was so great and emotional to be back out there with them. Those athletes work so hard for these events, and it is very inspiring! I got to see my Uncle Steve compete in his 50m walk and receive his bronze medal. That guy loves him some Special Olympics, and he will wear that medal year round!

 

On Saturday morning, we got up early again, and drove back to New Boston for Emily's bridal shower! I got to see some people that I haven't seen in a while, watch Em open some presents and eat a delicious cupcake.

Then I booked it to Oklahoma City to see my man! This was our first time spending the night apart since we have been married. It wasn't horrible since we both stayed busy, but I don't like leaving him!

Saturday morning, we got up extremely early to go to Joe's race that started at 6:30am. He has been training for this marathon since December, and to actually see him there and running was so neat. All his hard work paid off and HE FINISHED!

We were able to walk up with him to the starting line, see him at the 6 mile mark, the 10 mile mark, the 16 mile mark, the 22 mile mark, and finally at the FINISH LINE!!!

He asked for a funny sign at mile 10, so this is what I came up with. I found the idea online, but it fit him perfectly, since he LOVES Grumpy Cat....it also fit me perfectly because I do not like to run.

I am so proud of my husband! He trained hard, and he completed a goal of his that he set out to do! We had a great weekend, and we both got 9-10 hours of sleep last night, neither of us moving a muscle all night! We were tired! 

Samantha

April Showers Bring...Good News for the Fugates!

April has been such a fun and busy month for us!

I started off the month by finding out that I was accepted into the Master's Program at the University of Arkansas!

I then got a letter in the mail telling me that I received the most prestigious award for the College of Education and Health Professions: the MAT Endowed Scholarship! Not only did I get into the graduate program, but it was also completely paid for!!! My two other university scholarships will carry into my MAT year, and one of them was even increased by $1,000! Such a blessing off my chest....I am now able to continue to pursue my passion while not having to worry about the financial burden that it came with.

The Friday after I received my scholarship letter, I got pulled over for expired registration....just another example of how God gives AND takes away! I was pretty angry about the ticket until I heard Francesca Battistelli's song "This is the Stuff" on the radio the next day. These are the lyrics that reminded me of where my head should be:

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

Joe hung my "accomplishments" on the refrigerator with my scholarship letter on one side and my ticket on the other...

My parents came in on the 16th, for the Honors Convocation Banquet on the 17th. I was awarded Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Childhood Education! I loved having my parents here for a couple of days. We were able to relax and enjoy each other!

I also found out my MAT Placement on April 17th! I will be interning at T.G. Smith Elementary in Springdale, Arkansas, next year while I complete my Masters Degree! I am so excited about learning more about STEM, working in the outdoor classroom and outdoor garden! I am ready for the challenge that grad school and internship will bring me!!!

I don't say all these things to "brag" but just simply to proclaim how blessed I am. I know that God will provide for me because he provides for the birds in the sky, and how MUCH MORE important are we than they???? (Matthew 6:26) I don't have worry about the things of this Earth because they don't matter! We are here today, and gone today like the mist that appears on the grass in the morning and then vanishes (James 4:14). 

                  Samantha