Merry Christmas!!!

What a day! I love Christmas..it's so fun, especially as a kid. But, man it's a lot of work! We had our big Christmas get together Thursday night. There were about 30 family and friends at our house. We had so much fun. Lots of food, fun, and laughs. But it was also a very long and tiring day. I was exhausted when it was all over.

Then came Christmas Eve, we had 4 stops to make. Everything went smoothly. We really have such wonderful families.

Today, we've made 3 stops, we're taking a little rest then will go to Steven's parents for Christmas with them tonight. I love getting together and visiting with everyone, it just drains you when it's all over.

I'm already thinking about after Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, our pre-lit Christmas blew some lights...so now we have to buy another one. I'm hoping I can find a cheap one.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Busy, Busy!!!!

I thought after the fall semester was over my life would slow down… boy was I wrong. This time of the year is never slow. There is so much going on and so much to do.

Last Thursday, the hubby & I celebrated our 4th anniversary. I can’t believe we’ve been married for 4 years. Time is flying by so fast…I wish it would slow down…but I also catch myself wishing for certain days or events to get here…I just need to learn to be more patient. Maybe that will be my New Year’s Resolution #1 thing to do in 2011.

This past weekend, the hubby & I went to Dallas to just get away for the weekend and celebrate our anniversary. We were supposed to stay with Dave & Paula, but Paula’s mom got sick so they had to come to Texarkana to take care of her. Instead, we spent the weekend with Gin & Howard. It was nice to get to visit and catch up with them. It’s been a while since we got to spend much time with them, so everything worked out. We ate, ate, and ate some more…then did a little shopping in between eating. I think I gained 2 pounds…but that’s okay…I don’t ever get to eat like that here.

I been trying to finish my last minute Christmas shopping. I hate that I’ve waited til the last minute to finish things up but it is what it is. I only have Steven’s stocking stuff left..and I’m pretty sure I know what I’m going to get him so it shouldn’t be too hard.

Today, I’m meeting with Jenny to have her birthday lunch. I always love visiting with her…I miss working with her and it’s always fun to catch up. Thursday marks the beginning of Christmas for us. Everyone is coming to our house Thursday night. We have 3 places to go on Friday and 3 places to go on Saturday. I enjoy Christmas, but it’s a lot of work! I’ll be exhausted by the time Sunday gets here. Thank the Lord for these 2 weeks off! I love being lazy and going shopping when I want to.

So Thankful!

I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am right now. Things just seem to be working out so well. Monday is my last class for this semester!! I’m so happy Fall 2010 is about to be O-V-E-R!!! This week is also the last week before Christmas break… Halleluiah!!!! Thursday is the hubby & my 4th anniversary. I can’t believe we’ve been married that long. Time is flying by. Christmas is right around the corner. I’m just the happiest girl in the whole world!!!

Final Countdown!!

I can "almost" see the light at the end of the tunnel! The fall semester is almost over. I finished writing my Research Proposal yesterday. I sat & worked for 7 straight hours to complete it. Now Kayla is proofing it, hopefully there won't be too much to change and tomorrow afternoon I will turn it in...I'll be almost done with everything for this semester. I still have my Action Research Project to do...but I'm not going to stress out too much about it... I'm so ready for Dec. 14th to get here and I can take a sigh of relief. This has been such a tough semester!

Black Friday

Before Thanksgiving, I had only bought 4 Christmas gifts. I wasn’t one of those crazy people (like my mom & sisters) who got up at 2, 3, or 4 am to get so awesome deals… I slept in but got up at a decent time to get a few good deals. I started my shopping around 9am, which was plenty early for me. And, I’m happy to say I was actually very successful. I am finished with my mom, dad, stepdad, sisters, niece, nephews, brothers, and one friend. I still have to buy for the hubby’s side of the family…but I’m not too worried about it. I’m so proud of myself…I made a lot of progress in a very short amount of time.

So Thankful!

I love this time of the year…it really makes me stop and focus on all the blessings I have in my life. This year has been a year to remember…some good memories and some not so good… However, whatever I’m going through…no matter what…God has been there for me the whole time. I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life. I’m especially thankful for my wonderful hubby, great family, and sweet friends. I enjoy good health, have a good job, nice home, nice stuff, etc… This Thanksgiving has been about focusing on the blessings I have in my life rather than focusing on the few things that I don’t have in my life. I am so blessed!

11????

I am in disbelief that my nephew, Gage, will be 11 years old on Monday! It doesn't seem possible for him to be that old. (It doesn't seem possible for me to be as old as I am either, but that's beside the point.) :)

I'm excited about the stage in life Gage is in right now. He's a really cool kid, easy going, and gets along with pretty-much everyone. I just hope these next few years go by a little more slowly than these first 11... It makes me sad that he, Makenna, & Gavin are all growing up so fast.

Pray for us....Kayla, Kristian, Gage, Makenna, Gavin & I are all taking a family vacation this week. We leave on Tuesday for Tampa, Florida!!! It should be an interesting trip!

New Hobby

So I have a new found hobby.... bird watching. Yes, I know it may seem weird, but it's actually fun. Well, let me be specific...hummingbird watching. We hung a hummingbird feeder outside our kitchen window about 3 weeks ago. We have 3 hummingbirds that LOVE to eat!

I named them: Hummer, Midnight, & Bubba. Midnight is mostly black, Bubba has a red neck & I thought Bubba was a good "redneck" name...and Hummer surely doesn't need any explanation on how he got his name. :)

It really is fun to watch them fly around, sit & eat, and fight with each other. It's a good, cheap way to be entertained!

Summer Heat!

I love summer! Even though it's 100 degrees outside, I love summer!!! I love swimming. I love sleeping late. I love not having to work. I love it all!!

In a few short weeks I'll be going to Tampa, Florida.... I'm so excited & can't wait to be on the beach again. Hopefully the oil spill will not affect the beach in Tampa and the weather will be nice!

Finally!!

My summer 1 class is finally over! Human Growth & Development has been the MOST demanding class I have ever taken in my life! I had to read a chapter every night & had a test every day! I was so demanding, time consuming, and stressful! But, I loved the class & feel that I learned so much. And, I didn't do too bad either. If I did good on my research paper then I think I'll pull and A!!! We'll see!

Hello Summer!!! Finally!!!

Stressed Out!

I am SO frustrated these days...I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in about a week or so. My class (Human Growth & Development) is killing me! We have a quiz over a chapter every single day! I've been studying like a crazy person trying to get a whole chapter read every night. I honestly don't think I've ever read an entire chapter before in my life and now I've already read 4! The good news is that this class is only 4 weeks long. I have 2 weeks and 2 more days to go! However, in addition to taking a quiz every day...I've also got to find time to type up my 12-15 page research paper too! Ugh!!!

I'm not wishing my summer away....but I will be so happy when this class is over!!

FINISHED!!!!

Well, I can finally take a deep breath and relax...summer has officially began!!!!! I am SOOOO happy this school year is finally over & look forward to getting some small projects completed around the house before the next school year begins.

I start back to college on Monday, but only taking one class so it (hopefully) won't be too bad!

Happy Summer!!!!

Proud Big Sister

Proud big sister moment: My middle sister, Kayla, graduated from Texas A& M-Texarkana yesterday with her masters in counseling! I couldn't be prouder of her. She has worked so hard & it has paid off...she completed all her classes with a 4.0, all the while working a full-time job & raising two kids!

She is an inspiration to me to continue to work hard to further my education. I can't wait for the day when I can walk across the stage & finally be finished with research papers, projects & tests!!!!

Thank the Lord the spring semester is finally over!!! I only have a few weeks to rest before my summer class begins!

Fun Center Friday

Every Friday afternoon I reward my students who have made good choices all week and "stayed on green" (my behavior chart). They get to play with some of my math manipulative and games for the afternoon. It's really fun to listen to what the come up with while playing with each other. And I'm always amazed at how well they pretend. It's a good time for the kids to get to work on their social skills and for me to get ready for next week.

But this week is different....the kids are playing in FCF and I really don't have anything to do...which means.... School is ALMOST over!!!!! I usually use Friday afternoon to get all my papers & notes ready for the next week so I don't have to come to school on the weekends and work. But not this week... we're practicing for our play so we're not going to be doing many more papers or lessons!

I can't wait for this year to end and for my summer to begin. I'm taking summer classes, but it will be nice to not have to work all day & go to class in the evenings...which makes for a VERY long day!!!

Twenty-Ten

My 30th birthday was last week and it was awesome! It felt more like April Fool's than a birthday, let me tell you why....

I woke up, my birthday morning, to find out I'd been rolled (with toilet paper) the night before. I don't have much to roll but what we had...they rolled.

Then I get to school to find that my room had also been rolled. When I got back from our field trip, may car had been rolled.

Then when I was opening my gifts, Steven tricked me with his gift. I told him I wanted something that I could always keep from him.... He acted like he had given me a new camera (which I didn't want). He gave me a bunch of empty camera boxes...but my real present was a diamond cross necklace. It's beautiful & I love it.

For my birthday weekend, Steven, Kristian, Mike, Anita & I went to Dallas to go to Six Flags & a Rangers game. It was so much fun plus I got to eat at my favorite restaurants!!!

I wish every day was my birthday!!!

Spring Break

Thank goodness it’s finally Spring Break. What a long and tough year this one has been. I’ll be so glad when it’s finally summer but for now…I’m just gonna enjoy Spring Break.

I don’t have any big, fancy plans for the week, just plan on sleeping late and relaxing! To all my teacher friends…Happy Spring Break!!!

SNOW much fun

Talk about attitude adjustment… for the past month or so, I have done nothing but complain about the weather. All I’ve been saying is how much I’m ready for spring & summer to get here and how ready I am for warm weather…but, God went and made this happen yesterday…..

Talk about beautiful…. I don’t remember there ever being snow like this in Maud before. It wasn’t the usual ice and sleet with a little snow mixed it…it was all snow.

School was cancelled today so Steven, Kayla, Gage, Makenna and I made the best of our day off….

New Mexico Ski Trip

Kayla, Steven & I left Wednesday to go to Red River, New Mexico to ski for the first time in our lives!!! We drove to Dalhart, TX on Wednesday then got up early Thursday morning and drove on into Red River.

We got to the condo around lunch time, unpacked our stuff, ate lunch, bought souvenirs then rented our ski equipment and hit the slopes (literally). The first mistake was that we jumped right into skiing like we’d done it before (which none of us had) and we tried to go down a slope that said “don’t do unless you know how to stop and turn”. Well… we did it anyway…first off, I didn’t know how to get on the ski lift…then I didn’t know how to get off it…needless to say they had to shut it down while they helped Kayla & me get up….it was so funny....we were crying we were laughing so hard at ourselves. Then, Steven falls out of the ski lift chair…that made it even funnier! We made one attempt to go down the slope and that was more than enough for me! I couldn’t get down it…every time I would go, I’d fall and my skis would fall off…and I didn’t know how to get them back on. Fortunately for me a “good Samaritan” came along and helped me down the hill…. I don’t know what I would have down without that woman.

Friday we woke up early, grabbed a bite to eat then headed to the slopes again, but this time for Ski School. Our instructor, Chris, was wonderful and he really taught me a lot. It was, however, the coldest I think I’ve ever been…there was a lot of standing around, in the shade and I was miserable! My whole body hurt from being so cold (especially my hands & feet)…I was nauseated and felt like I was going to pass out…but I stuck it out and made it through. That night (New Year’s Eve) we went back to the slopes to watch the instructors ski down “The Face” of the mountain with torches and watched the fire work display in the background…it was pretty cool! We also met up with an old friend from back home, Denna, and ended up spending the rest of the evening with her and her friends.

Saturday, we hit the slopes again; this time to really ski…We were going to go down an actual path. We practiced a few times on the remedial slope then made the 12 minute trek to the top of the mountain….Once up there we ate at the restaurant then started our dissention down the mountain (on a green course, of course!) It was so hard! It was very narrow and if you happened to get off the path...you’d fall off the mountain and/or hit a tree. I was horrible. I fell every couple of feet…I was hurting so bad (all over) and I honestly didn’t know if I was going to make it down. Every time I fell, I just laid in the snow…thinking “what was I thinking?? What am I doing??” I did, however, make it down and I was done! Kayla & Steven continued to ski a little longer then we packed up and left for Amarillo before it got dark.

We made it home yesterday around 4:45pm and Maud never looked so good. We drove over 1600 miles in a short time span but it was worth it. I did enjoy myself and I’m so glad we took this trip. Steven is ready to go back next weekend if I’d let him…but I think I’d rather stick to the beach and warmer weather. haha