Proud to be an American

Happy 4th of July! I'm proud to live in the great State of Texas and happy to be a part of the United States of America! I pray for our government leaders and soldiers who work hard to protect us, and pray that God watches over our country, which was founded on him.

My heart is still heavy as I continue to read caringbridge about Kate. I can't imagine laying next to my lifeless daughter, as she stares off into the room, uttering only 3 words. I pray that this little girl and her family are healed. See post and link below.


On a happier note, I wanted to post the Dallas News article and what FamilyCircle Magazine thinks about where I live AND teach!! RHS moved to "Recognized" this year!

Family Circle magazine labels Rockwall a family-friendly city

10:35 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 1, 2009
By RICHARD ABSHIRE / The Dallas Morning News
rabshire@dallasnews.com

Rockwall is the best family town in Texas, one of the 10 best in America. Or so says the upcoming issue of Family Circle magazine.

In editions that will hit newsstands Tuesday, the magazine lists Rockwall and nine other U.S. cities as perfect places to call home, combining affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces and exceptional public school systems.

The list isn't exactly scientific – it was compiled by magazine staffers and two outside firms using data in a handful of demographics categories. And the 10 cities aren't actually ranked, although Rockwall is listed first in the list.

None of that matters to Rockwall officials, who see the honor as a chance to spread word about the town to the magazine's 21 million readers.

"I'm thrilled," said Rockwall City Manager Julie Couch. "We actually knew we were in the running, so I'm thrilled that they kept us in there."

Couch said that the magazine focused heavily on schools and that she believed the Rockwall school district played a big role in winning the award.

Family Circle senior editor Paula Chin said the survey, in its third year, is one of the magazine's most popular features. She said the focus was on schools this year and only the highest-rated were considered.

"We're all about family-friendly towns," she said.

AT A GLANCE: RECOGNIZED CITIES The best places in America to live, according to Family Circle magazine (in no particular order):

•Rockwall, Tx.

•Evans, Ga.

•Sherwood, Ore.

•Indian Trail, N.C.

•Edina, Minn.

•Noblesville, Ind.

•Perrysburg, Ohio

•Hendersonville, Tenn.

•Kenmore, Wash.

•Sun Prairie, Wis.