The Abel Adentures

Comings and Goings

2012-02-12T20:35:00.000-06:00

So, I'm back! It has been very busy these last few weeks, and I'm ready for life to slooooww down a bit. Here are some pictures of a few things:

We had a Super Bowl party, and Josh "Super-Bowled" our house. It was awesome! He put our extra big fridge in the dining room, so drinks were easily accessible. He put the projector in the dining room so the game was displayed on the wall in there, and in the living room. Both guest rooms were hooked up with Kinect and PSP in the other, so kids were out of their parents' hair for a few hours.

So, we had a TON of good food. Except my cupcakes that I spent all afternoon making! I decided to eat a Snickerdoodle one later that evening. I was very confused because I tasted lemon....WHAT?! Y'all...I put the lemon zest icing on the Snickerdoodle cupcakes, and the Snickerdoodle cinnamon icing on the lemon cupcakes. And cinnamon just doesn't taste well with lemon!! EWW! So, I took 40 cupcakes to my students and not a one of them commented on the weird flavor hahaha Yes....lesson learned: Make sure that you're SURE which cupcakes are which before icing them!!! =)))

My "Lemon-doodle" cupcakes!

Last week this paper was turned into me. My students were supposed to listen to the story "Lemonade for Sale," at the listening station, which they did. Then, they were to fill out this paper. Two of my geniuses filled it out like so. Yep. FUNNY!! haha

A bunch of us went to the Rock and Worship Roadshow concert last Thursday night. I've been fighting a bad cold, but I felt better and Aimee and my big sis made me go. So I did, and I'm so glad! It was really good! Mercy Me was featured, along with LeCrae (LOVED them!), and a bunch more. It was fun!

One reason Josh and I are totally meant for each other is that we both LOVE to sleep in. A couple of weeks ago, we woke up late, and had IHOP for lunch. Pretty sure pancakes are on my list of TOP 5 favorite foods, in case you were wondering ;)

One of my favorite things to make is Claudia's Mexican Chicken Salad. Yummers. It requires lemon zest though, and I've been too cheap for quite some time to buy a lemon zester. Instead, I use my cheese grater - and it's not fun. Well, Laura gave me a zester for my bday! yessss! I LOVE it! Thanks Laura!!

I cleaned out my closet. That's a lotta clothes, I must say. One might think I should go shopping since I am getting rid of so many. One would be wrong though. I still have plenty. But Old Navy has so many cute new dresses! Somebody...anybody....make me stoooop! ;)

Samson totally cracks me up - he loooves to lay on his back! haha

EEEEK! One morning last week, I was walking to my car while drinking my shake, and a giant gollywhopper landed in it! Oh dear! My heart was racing from the grossness!!! I scooped him out with my key and he flew away. Why do bugs flock me?! =)

This week, it will be Seussville in Mrs. Abel's class. I'm pretty pumped! Hope you have a good one! =)

Scripture Memory Celebration

2012-01-24T20:42:00.000-06:00

Beth Moore has a blog, and I love reading it. Sometimes her posts teach good stuff, and sometimes she just shares things about her life, which is usually hilarious!

Last year in January on her blog, she started the Siesta Scripture Memory Team. We call ourselves Siestas on the blog ;) On the 1st and 15th of every month, you posted the verse of your choosing on her blog. You of course had the option of memorizing the same verse as Beth, but she encouraged you to choose your own - something that meant something to you - maybe to help with a struggle you're dealing with, etc. After a year, you have 24 verses memorized!

To say that my 24 verses are life-changing is to put it lightly. There is POWER in His Word! I worry a lot. I put WAY too many expectations on myself, and often many of those expectations are not even attainable. When I "dwell" on God's TRUTH and PROMISES proclaimed in my verses instead of the unhealthy thoughts swarming in my brain, my mind is changed and my worries dissolve - it is FREEING! It feels like the bricks that I put on my own shoulders were lifted off. Nothing on this earth can give me WHOLE, COMPLETE peace like God. I've tried many things - haha - they don't work.

Sometimes I have to repeat a certain verse about a kajillion times before I let it sink in and soften my heart, but it will eventually....

"The TRUTH will set you FREE!" - John 8:32

So, here are my 24 verses:

Jan. 1, 2011 - "Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will do him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11-12

Jan. 15 & Feb. 1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." Hebrews 12: 1-2

Feb. 15 - "You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy." Psalm 63:5

March 1 - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

March 15 - "I have told you things so in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

April 1 - "How beautiful are the dwelling places where you live, O Lord of all!" Psalm 84:1 (He lives in me, so I am beautiful - knocks those thoughts away that I battle with appearance)

April 15 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8-9 (Even when I don't understand His plan, He promises that He really does know what He is doing).

May 1 - "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:32-22

May 15 - "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84: 1-2

June 1 - "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10

June 15 - "Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

July 1 & 15 - "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do all things THROUGH HIM who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 11-13 - (I don't have to do life on my own - nor can I! He is always there!)

August 1 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 2:9 (I don't have to be so stinkin' strong all the time! When I am weak, God's power is in me!)

August 15 - "That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in all weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

Sept. 1 - "Whoever sows from the flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction. Whoever sows from the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6: 8-9 (If I don't give up at doing the hard stuff, good will come!)

Sept. 15 - "We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:14

Oct. 1 - "This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Oct. 15 - "The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger - so why should I tremble?" Psalm 27:1

Nov. 1 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Nov. 15 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5

Dec. 1 - "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

Dec. 15 - "For as a man thinks in his heart, so shall he be." Proverbs 23:7

Anyone still there?! haha This experience has been so wonderful - it is work, but like Galatians 6:9 (above) promises, I reaped a harvest! =)

A Sundry of Events

2012-01-22T18:24:00.000-06:00

The last 24 hours were fast, busy, fulfilling, and fun!

Events of the weekend:

1) Beth Moore Scripture Memory Weekend. Beth Moore has a blog, and if you memorized 2 verses a month over the last year, she held a free conference this weekend in Houston. Your ticket in was your Bible verse spiral. There were only ~ 1,000 women there (not very many in comparison to most of her events), and it was AWESOME! More on it in another blog!

2) I stayed with the Roach Family, and Alexandra woke up a wee bit early on Saturday so we could play for a bit before I headed back to the church for the morning session!

3) Lunch and shopping with my dear besties!

Alexandra (with no shoes on!) chasing her daddy across the yard! Her little feeties and legs were covered in wet grass by the time we made it inside haha

Aunt Beek and Alexandra (and Allie!) She is ALL about being held by her parents, so I bribe frequently so that I can hold her by telling her we can look out the window for birds, or taking her outside. An Aunt's gotta do what an Aunt's gotta do! ;)

Next item: Scripture Memory Event!

After the Friday night session, Beth and her staff had tables of cookies and hot chocolate...I feel sure I will see displays like this in Heaven, in addition to many other sweet options! haha

Bridget and me! We had so much fun together!

Beth teaching some good stuff

This was my ticket in - this little spiral is life-changing =)

Next event: Time with BESTIES!

First we had lunch at the Egg and I- Aimee and me

All 4 of us - Eating was followed by a lengthy shopping spree in Penney's! Ruth, Aimee, and me all got the same skirt for $8! WHOOP!

Laura and Ruth. Ruth is my hero. Please pray for her and her husband, Ben, as they heal after losing their precious baby boy, Ben Jr., two weeks ago. Her faith is incredible, and it speaks so loudly. We definitely missed Ben Jr. yesterday. He was so blessed to have his parents who loved him so much.

Last but not least....

2012-01-19T20:41:00.001-06:00

Here is the last, but CERTAINLY not least post about my birthday. Or "our" birthday I should say ;)

Last Friday evening, Laura and I decided to go for a run. It was swell. I love sister talk. And her dog needed a run to burn some energy. If you know Macy Jo, you understand what I'm talking about ;)) When we got back to my parent's house, I was going to go take a shower before Alexandra and her parents got to my mom's. Gramps and Josh told me to go help my mom make dinner...whaaa?? I was obedient. I kept opening the front blinds out the front window for signs of my niecy, and my mom kept closing them after I looked. Geez - she is so anal!! (Later I realize why she is doing this!) Meanwhile, I had been texting Kristin (TN twin friend) for awhile...just keep that in mind.

Laa ti daaa...in the kitchen, though not really helping ;), I heard people walk through the back door...Ummm...WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?! Y'all, our TN twin friends WALKED IN THE HOUSE!!! And Reagan! (Kristin's baby!) SHUT UP!! FOR REAL!??! I bowled Laura over, because for the first time EVER, she was speechless, and ran over to hug and scream and dance and prance!!! They FLEW....from TN....for our birthday! I felt SO loved and special, and I will NEVER forget our weekend of fun, memories, and joy! We've known Kristin and Sara and their family since I was about 1, became best of friends, and they moved to TN after 1st grade, but we've always visited each other.

Kristin and Sara, y'all are so very sweet, kind, and special to me. I am SO grateful to have you for friends for nearly my whole life!! What a gift from above! I can't wait to see you again! =)) THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for making this the BEST birthday ever! =))

Kristin, me, Laura, and Sara (and Emily - she is pregnant!)

Laura, Mommy, and me. Thanks Mommy for ALL your hard work to make our big day the BEST! And for our sparkly purple scarfs!

My mom has always made us our OWN cakes, which means a lot to me. Though we are twins, we are our own person, and she always made that important. My cake has always been pink, and Laura's blue. Isn't it beautiful?! Just so ya know....I blew out ALL 30 candles! So did Laura...rats...I hate it that I didn't beat her!

Alexandra's shirt says "My mom is perfect." Hmm......haha Love ya Hanna! ;)

Kristin and Reagan. So pretty!

Can you tell us all apart?! ;)

We were also SO VERY blessed that the Molina family drove down to celebrate! I have never felt so special that ALL these people came to see us!

Avery, Laura, Sydney (how is she almost as tall as me?!, me, and Hayley!

Laura, Melanie, and me. We are now in the same decade as Mel! yeeea!

And Gramps came, TOO!

Matt, Laura, me and Josh!

Laura, Dad, and me. Thanks Dad for grilling A LOTTA food! It was SOOO good!

Dear Laura,

I can't believe it's been 30 years since we were fighting for just a wee bit more space in Mom's tummy! You are the BEST twin, and I am eternally grateful for God blessing me with YOU. Like Mom has always said, you have always been my built-in playmate. You always make me laugh!, tell me the truth even when I don't want to admit it, and when Mom and I argue and I don't wanna talk, you know EXACTLY what is going through my head so I don't have to! yeeea! haha I treasure a million memories of fun, and can't thank you enough for who you are in my life. =)

Lots of love,

Rebecca

Thanks to everyone who made our birthday so wonderful! =)

Here and there...

2012-01-19T20:16:00.000-06:00

Here are many pictures from here and there this week...

I've reeeallly needed to give Daisy a bath for awhile. She simply stinks and it's time. But who wants to do that?? Well, last night when I got home from youth I let her out, she chased birds (or something out in the yard), and I heard a loud SPLASH!! She totally fell in the pool on her way to catch birdies. I panicked, ran over to her, and yanked her out while she was swimming. So, she got the bath she's been needing to get haha

My neighbor at school Sammie has been the best for 6 years. She is SO sweet, and made this TWELVE layer yellow cake with homemade chocolate icing for my birthday. Wipe the drool off your mouth! YUM!

One of my students brought in this hummingbird nest she found in her yard. I nearly wet my pants. Hummingbirds bring me much delight, and I watch Phoebe, a hummingbird in CA, on live stream. In just a few weeks, I'll show the live stream of Phoebe feeding her babies - LIVE! And now I have this nest! YEA!

How in the world do birds know how to make such an intricate, perfect, round nest...with only a beak to work with?? wowzers.

My dear, dear Holly made me this cake for church for my big 3-0. It has an oreo center for the dirt in the ground, and a red headed Barbie sticking out. HAHAHAHA!!!

Happy 30th again!

2012-01-16T21:47:00.000-06:00

WOW!!! I have had THE BEST birthday EVER! It alll started over the weekend, which I still will be blogging about! Today at school, my kids were SO good, and gave me presents and cards! Sammie (my neighbor at school) baked me a 12 layer chocolate cake! I have received many calls and texts, and tonight my wonderful friends took me to dinner! And gave me a cake (thanks Mandy!!), gifts, decor, and most of all, their love and friendship. THANK YOU!!! I am SO very blessed!

Holly, Mandy, the OW (old woman, I've been deemed!), Stacey, and Jacey

Like my crown?? haha

Michelle (thank you for my pretty bracelet that you made!), me, and Jenn (thanks for my OW kit - haha, and all the decorations and black plates! haha)

Bridget and me! Isn't she so cute!?

Emily, me, and Shelley!

Katie (my fave massager!) and me!

Sarah and me

This is Trouble. Just kidding - it's the Janssen's! haha Chris, me, and Jodi!

Becky and me!

This is SO unfortunate. EWWW! haha

My pretty and delicious cake!

Ashtyn and Jeweli - two of my favorite and beautiful youth girls!

Did you notice a theme in their clothes...BLACK!! haha

THANK YOU so much for a wonderful day!!!

Anyone wondering where Josh was tonight!? He is with his BFF, Josh, skiing in Angel Fire! It was their Christmas present! I totally told him to GO, even though it was my birthday! We had a great party this weekend with my family, and he had enough days off in a row to go! SO glad they're having a great time! He said there is tons of snow!

Aren't they so cute!? Can't wait to see him on Wed.!

Teaching with the Twin

2012-01-15T19:23:00.000-06:00

I took Friday off, so I got to visit Laura (aka - Mrs. Sherman) in her 4th grade classroom. It was loads of fun, and very interesting to observe another school and get great ideas. I picked her kids up from lunch, attempting to trick her kids, but it didn't work....the little stinkers knew! Unfortunately, Laura had told them I was coming! I got to check papers, visit with them, and see what they've been learning allll about! I had a great time, Mrs. Sherman's class!

I got to teach her class. I had to crop the kids out though =( Laura and I have very different teaching styles. I'm a lot more ummm...firm, and she is very laid back. I have definitely loosened up over the years, but apparently not as much as my crazy sister haha She sorta had a screaming fest with her kids...I couldn't take it so I had to get them back on track hahaha

The two teachers - don't fret - the children were in P.E. Maybe we needed some supervision, too?? haha

Happy 30th!

2012-01-15T19:06:00.000-06:00

So, this has been one crazy and busy and FUN weekend! Josh and I went to Dickinson to celebrate the big 3-0 for Laura and me. The official day is tomorrow, so technically, I'm still young! haha I'm totally fine embarking on this new decade, but I did love my 20s! I am very exciting about a new chapter!

Anyway, I have been tormenting our dear, old, aged friends - who are all older than me - except for Katie and Chris - they can have the baton now! ;) I have seized every opportunity over the last couple of years letting each of my decrepit friends know that I am indeed still in my 20s. So, pay back was due. And they got me - good, while we were away this weekend. We pulled up this morning to find this....I deserved every last item of decor ;))

HAHAHA (this pic was saved right side up - but wouldn't load like that??)

I'm still finding balloons hidden in the microwave, closets...etc!

HAHA

They actually filled this with water and hung it from the faucet...hahaha

My new stylin' outfit

The essentials care package...hemorrhoid cream, Metamucil, dentures, etc. haha

I feel so special! haha This was a lot of work and effort!

I have one thing to say...to all my old fart friends...I may be old, but you'll always be older! Love you! ;))

Food for Thought for 2011

2011-12-31T17:40:00.000-06:00

As this year comes to an end, I am a wee bit flabbergasted at how much God has taught me in 2011. Like...more in this year than in many other years combined. I am humbled that He would choose little ole me to teach and spend time with. This post is as much for my faithful readers as it is for me to reflect and process.

Ok, here goes my lessons learned (disclaimer - I suspect this is gonna be one wordy blog... ;)

1) Last summer Josh and I went to church camp with our youth. God taught me A LOT there about myself. I've said before, who says church camp is just for teens?! =) I think I used to be much more laid back and relaxed, until the real world caught up with me. Life is full of smiles, laughs, and fun, and lately, it also seems to be flooding with heart ache...like death, illness, etc. I felt almost guilty for not making the most of everyday because so many lost their lives and what would they give for just one more hour with their spouses and children? So, I put A LOT of pressure on myself to be pretty much perfect and not waste a second, which as you can predict backfired and only made me more up-tight. I was terrified that something would happen to Josh or a family member, and I would lose that precious time with them. I will tell how this ended in a moment....

2) The spring of 2011 at school was crazy because it just was. Trust me on that. So thankful for my wonderful class last year...I may have broke if it weren't for the sanity I could maintain inside my four classroom walls. The fall of 2011 is much more sane, but still crazy because it just is...trust me ;) I often get to work early and leave very late. I'm sure I did have a pity party for awhile, but I'm trying not to now. Everyone's lives are hectic and crazy and out of control busy. Again, I'm so blessed with a super sweet class this year, and am so looking forward to seeing their bright smiles on Tuesday. I'm sure they can't wait to see their fave teacher, too ;) More in a moment on how this is now being handled.....

3) My self-esteem/weight/size/self-worth....I used to be a runner. Not a crazy marathon runner...that would be cool though! But I used to run a lot. I still run and exercise, but not like I used to. I don't know completely why. A lot is because when I work til 7 pm, I have no brain power or motivation to do anything else when I get home. But a lot is also because I just don't want to. I have always had to fight my weight and work hard to be at a size I felt cwas acceptable in our society. In college, I decided I'd had enough of my eating habits, lack of exercise, so I started walking/running, and I lost 3 or 4 sizes and have kept it off for years. This is great, other than deriving almost all of my self-esteem and worth from this. I degrade myself WAY too much on how I look. Coming to this realization this week is HUGE. I was so afraid of what people would think of me if I gained my weight back, because for so long I was not one of the thin people and now, I was finally one of "them," and found myself acceptable.

Well, this week I came across this blog called www.dashingdish.com and it changed me. God views beauty completely opposite than society does. He says beauty is being "fearfully and wonderfully made," and "How BEAUTIFUL is the dwelling place where You live, O Lord Almighty"...I know God lives in me, so I am beautiful. Society sees beauty as a size 2. I'm so over this LIE and misconception. God also says that my body is His temple, so yes, I do need to exercise and take care of myself, but now I have freedom in that. I'm not exercising with an INSURMOUNTABLE amount of pressure that only I put on myself to be thin, because my husband, family, and friends certainly would never judge me on my appearance. It's with the freedom of just wanting to be healthy.

So, in closing, how did God teach me to deal with all the above and more?
- "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness." 2 Corinthians 2:9. God's POWER shines through when I'm weak, and He takes me the rest of the way. YESSSSSS!!

- "I can do all things THROUGH HIM who strengthens me!!!!!!!" Philippians 4:13.

I think the overall lesson God has taught me this year is that I CAN'T do life alone! I NEED His help, provision, guidance, love, security, peace, grace, forgiveness. Maybe God brought all of this on me and weighed my heart down with busyness and craziness at work, deaths/illnesses, and my self esteem to bring me to my knees....to show me that I can't take care of all these things on my own ability, that it's not my place to do so and awfully arrogant of me to think I could, and to humble me to let Him do the job only He can do....not little ole me.

I am praying for a great year to come, of applying all of the lessons He taught me 2011, because for me they don't just come naturally. I will have to repeat my memory verses many times out loud and intentionally use them so that the first thought that comes to mind is from God alone.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-27T23:31:00.000-06:00

This year for Christmas, all of my family got together at my parent's house, and we had a smashing time. I love my family, and I'm so blessed to have them. I must admit though that I don't think we could all live together now...this is because Hanna frequently to have her bird calls of "Beeeek Beek Beek Beek" (my nick name) approximately 6 million times across the neighborhood. She always obsesses with pinching, tickling, poking, etc. my backside. I agree - she's a strange bird. haha

Anyway, Josh and I pulled in Friday afternoon. Mom made delicious lasagna Friday night with homemade bread and we all went to bed fairly early. Saturday it rained all day long - if only it woulda been colder, we woulda had a very white Christmas. We laid around, had naps, went to the Christmas Eve service, and then had cheese and chocolate fondue. Wow. So good. Christmas morning we had one of the best breakfasts ever...thanks Mattie! We opened gifts late, and then had shrimp, potatoes, bread, and fruit for dinner. Each person was allotted 20 shrimp. We take this matter VERY seriously - NO stealing others' shrimp!!! We had mounds of desserts. I ate nearly one million calories - so good!

Laura and Matt got me this SUPER COOL shirt for school! My co-workers will be sulking in jealously, and you can see why. I LOVE IT! Thanks Shermanators!!!

My dear niecey, Alexandra, is so grown up!!! I know...she's only 1.5 years old! She has many teeth, shakes her head "no!", dances, shrugs her shoulders for "I don't know!", knows to put her arms through her shirt, sticks her feeties in the air so I could wash them...I'm pretty sure I wasn't that smart! I bathed her each night, and we had a blast. She laughed her head off as she splashed, played peek-a-boo with the shower curtain, and blew bubbles. She stuck part of her face in the water to do this...a future swim team member?! Oh yeah...back to this picture. This kid LOVES to be outside, so I bribe with this. Otherwise, she is glued to her parents! =)

Family pic! We didn't do this til late Christmas night, so I lived up to being "greasy Beek!"

I made Josh this awesome aTm quilt. I plan on using it as much as possible...haha I made it for him...really! I did! Both of my grandmas would be quite proud. I am rather shocked I did this. Please excuse my lack of humility. But I just really can't believe I pulled it off. Don't look too close because there are obvious mistakes and boo boos, but for a beginner...not too shabby! And, Josh loves it! He's used it a lot already. =))

Sugar Claus loved this jingle bells ornament. Her cuteness is going to make me faint! her laugh is infectious and will make any day great!

What Laura?? You don't want any smoochies from meeeee??? C'mon! I'm just trying to show my love for you!! ;)

Gangstas in paradise

Close up of my super cool shirt!

Merry Christmas!

Phone Dump...I know you're excited!

2011-12-27T23:10:00.000-06:00

YEEA! It's Christmas break!!! WHOOOP! Last week, Donna took all the youth girls and helpers to get our nails done. Can you say FUN!? I had a mani/pedi and it was heavenly! My nails are confused...they look pretty and taken care of!

Samson thinking he is the king around here. hilarious!

My fave drink at Starbucks: light coffee frap with sugar free hazelnut syrup. Wow. These puppies don't come cheap for this frugal girl, so this is a rare treat! Happy Christmas break to me!

Josh brought me three of these. He knows what my heart loves =)))

This Texas LOVES this winter temp!!!

The Friday we got out for Christmas, we had Polar Express day. I look forward to it all year because we get to watch the movie AND wear pj's to school! I would be SO happy if I could wear elastic everyday! Anyway, while my kids were watching the movie, I cleaned out my closet. I SO wish I had taken a "before" picture. This fall has been SOOOO crazy and fast, I literally just threw stuff in it and this non-clutter queen had had ENOUGH! It's so pretty now and organized! I can breathe much easier..ahhhh! =)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-12T20:33:00.000-06:00

YEEEA! We finally got our beautiful tree yesterday! Later than I wanted, but life is busy sometimes.

Our tree came from Portland, OR, to Portland, TX! haha

Josh went to Hobby Lobby today and got a lotta ornaments, including several aTm ones! WHOOP! He put all the lights on too before I got home from work....thank goodness...that requires effort and work and patience...no thanks! ;)

Love our beautiful tree!

Merry Christmas!

Cats

2011-12-12T20:26:00.000-06:00

To love or not to love my kitties....you'll see why at the end of this post!

This was before my Sunday afternoon nap. Samson snuggled under the blanket, and then Squirt jumped on top, not seeing Samson because he was covered up. HILARIOUS!!!! A double decker cat!!

Snug as a bug in a rug #1 on a chilly day last week!

Snug as a bug in a rug #2 last week!

So, back to that - to love, or not to love cats! Squirt had an evening snack and ate my iPod earphones....they ended in 3 pieces with wires sticking out. She's still alive...wires and all!

Phone Dump #?

2011-12-12T20:22:00.000-06:00

Here are some recent pictures:

Synchronized sleepers?? haha

We are blessed with the wonderful friends we have. We FINALLY had a "macho nacho" night again. Haven't had one in forever - too busy!

As you can see from the emptiness of my plate, our feast was great!

Laundry Man (Josh!) to the rescue! I've been working very, very long days...thank goodness for my hubs!!!

I found this sweater at Target. It was originally $20, but they had it marked 30% off, plus I printed off a $4 off coupon from their site, I bought it for $10 - bargain!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T20:09:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last summer, I went to two inservice days so I could have the whole week off this week, and it was well worth it. I very much needed a week to relax, although I haven't sat idle for very long. Last weekend, Josh worked all weekend so I went to see my family. We shopped, ate a lotta Blue Bell, and I got to see my niecey =) Laura and I also went on a great run. I've been doing various things all week - school work, and more to be done, running a few errands, a secret project for Josh, and I hope to get several more things done before Monday. Josh worked Thanksgiving so ours was pretty quiet around here. I plan to make a small feast tomorrow =)

Top 5 Things I'm Thankful for:

1) Jesus. I am free in Him. He loves me NO MATTER what. I am secure in Him. I know Who I'm spending eternity with. He loves me even when I mess up. The Bible that literally fills my heart and gives me strength and calms my fears. There IS power in His Word.

2) Josh. Josh exemplifies Jesus' love - he loves me no matter. He washes/folds most of my clothes. He just wrote me a love letter listing 50 very descriptive reasons of why he loves me. If I were a normal person, I woulda cried. He gives great hugs. He is a homebody like me. He takes no offense when in the morning I'm not quite ready to talk yet. His smile. Yep. Thankful!

3) My family. I know all of these seem like the same-o, same-o, and they are, but this is the truth. We both have great families and make us laugh.

4) Our friends. Aimee, Ruth, Laura, my church family here - I am beyond blessed in these people.

5) Job security - something definitely to not take for granted these days. I will be reminding myself come Sunday when I'm writing lesson plans, and come Monday morning when my alarm rings =)

Here are a few pictures from my phone:

My parents have a plethora of Blue Bell so I devoured some last weekend. I don't buy ice cream because I have no will power, as you can see displayed above hahaha I sampled pecan prailine, Christmas cookie, tiramisu, and pumpkin spice. All were wonderful. #6 thing I'm thankful for: taste buds, sugar, ice cream, blue bell!

Mr. Chen - my parent's cat - likes to sleep on clean clothes! Is he not so peaceful?!

I made homemade pretzels this week. They were pretty good!

I got this idea off Pinterest, my latest obsession. I drew keyboards on sheets so my kids "type" out their spelling words.

I got these shorts at Target for....drum roll....$5.98!!!!!!!!!!! I just took a bow!

Sugies at lunch time. This kid usually won't come to me if her mama is holding her, unless I say, "wanna go outside!?" and then she puts her precious wittle arms out. hahaha Yes, I bribe =) She is no sissy pants!

See ya in 100 Years...

2011-11-13T00:20:00.002-06:00

Laura recently gave me 4 books to read. We both like historical fiction a lot, and so she shared her collection with me. Only one out of the 4 books totally stunk - soooo boring! But hey - she gets a 75% passing rate! Not bad! ;)

This book is quite interesting. It coincides with my current and ongoing rampage - TOOOO busy in this life!! Not enough time to be with family, friends, etc. Just work, work, work, and go, Go, GO! This couple in the book agree with me, so much so, that they packed up their NYC apartment and moved to a rural Virgina farm for 1 year, living like it was 1900 in hopes of slowing their lives down. Yikes. They are tough. I surely wouldn't have made their year-long experiment. No electricity?? No toilet paper?? Or TOILETS?! Um...no thanks. I do agree with you, Logan and Heather Ward, but you are TOO hard core for me! I will try and stop and smell the roses more...enjoying allll of my modern conveniences along the way!

So, in honor of this book, I have made a list of my

Top 10 favorite inventions since 1900:

10. The iron. I don't particularly care for this appliance. At all. So, it's #10. Can't we all just walk around wrinkley and not care?

9. The Ipad. I'm addicted. I love it. It's perfect for someone to lay in bed and waste tons of time looking around the internet, or playing Angry Birds ;)

8. A car. Good grief - I would have a constant headache bumping around in a wagon. And horses generally smell, I think?? I don't care for odors. And, it would take 6 years to get anywhere. What if your horse got spooked and ran too fast or bucked you out of the wagon?? SCARY!

7. Electricity! Logan woke up every morning EARLY to get the stove burning for coffee and the day's meals. Heather cooked early in the morning so their house wouldn't be AS hot throughout the day during the summer. In the winter, they had no heater of course, so he would freeze his fanny off getting downstairs to the stove (by oil lamp, of course) to get the fire going. I would curl up in my bed for the entire winter season crying my eyes out, frozen tears stuck on my face. I do NOOOT like being cold!!

6. Indoor Plumbing. Logan had to haul bucket after bucket from the well to their house. So, like, those people way back when couldn't just flip the water faucet on? And after they finished their lengthy list of exhausting chores, and they are filthy, they can't bathe before bed? much less without hot water? Wow. I know there are probably millions of people in this world now who don't have the luxury of a hot shower, or any other blessing listed here. I need to be a lot more grateful!

5. TV. This should be like #8 or #7, because I'm actually not that addicted to TV. I rarely watch it during the week. I do like House Hunters, Say Yes to the Dress, and What Not to Wear. Stacy and Clinton totally impacted my fashion. Ooops. This is way off topic. My bad. ADD kicked in.

4. Cell phones. Whoa. This is a serious one. I kinda talk to my family a lot. I can't send a million pictures a day now? HEY! Don't be snickering over there and wishing I couldn't send you all my pictures!

3. Refrigerators. People back when had cellars to keep their food cool enough. I've seen basements on House Hunters that look preeeetty frightening. I can only hope that going down into the cellar with all the creepy crawlies to fetch food was the boy's job. EEEEK!

2. Washing machines. While I certainly don't enjoy doing laundry, (and haven't for a few weeks - THANKS JOSH!), I will from now on be eternally grateful for my efficient and easy washing machine and dryer. And for not having to wear the same clothes for many days. I know I come by my nick name "Greasy Beek" honestly - but not that honestly! I'm sticking the dishwasher in on this one, too. Oh my stars how I despise washing/drying dishes. I looked up the inventor of the dishwasher: Oh bless you, Joel Hougton!!!!

1. Toilets. I think my favorite invention is the toilet. Remember how I hate being cold? So in the winter, how could you go potty when it's freezing/snowing/BRRR outside?? This is why I would curl up in a ball and cry. Not to mention snakes, roaches, mice, and other scary and gross rodents scurrying about in the small, confined space of an outhouse. I cringe just thinking about being in an outhouse...with other living creatures. No. The early 1900s were not for sissies (ie...ME!)! Wait...did they have toilet paper yet? I'm too scared to even Google that and find out....

So, as you see, the Lord is good. He knew I wouldn't have made it during this era. Don't tell me either that these people from long ago didn't know any different of their ancient living conditions - if that were true, I'm pretty sure all of these wonderful, convenient, easy, and fab inventions wouldn't exist. ;) I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it for sure! I think Heather and Logan definitely did find a quiet place, and have one awesome year-long memory in which they grew so much as a family. They eventually grew accustomed to not having phones, TV's, etc., and found other BETTER ways to spend time together. Modern inventions are wonderful, but I do believe that they lesson the depth of our relationships with people, which is so sad. However, with texting and Skype, we can talk to people just about any time, anywhere - so, I guess it's all about balance =)

Phone Dump

2011-11-12T23:32:00.000-06:00

A multifunctional toy - is it a toy, or a pillow?

The Happy Cat =)

Makeover: Our dining room transforms every Saturday night into a band studio. These boys are fun! I jammed with them while cooking tonight! ;)

Samson and me - my wittle baby!

37 breakfast tacos ready for church! YUUUM!

ABC's

2011-11-01T20:28:00.000-05:00

I saw this floating around and it looked fun.=)

A. Age: 29 - this is very important, since I'm still in my twenties. I have no problem being 30 (good thing because it's fast approachin'), but I've made so much fun of my oldy, goldy, 30+ year old friends that I know on January 16th...I will pay haha

B. Bed size: A queen. I love relaxing and sleeping. And fresh, crisp, clean sheets.

C. Chore that you hate: Ironing. I loathe it. If I find something cute shopping and it requires ironing, a lotta times I won't buy it unless it's a 10+ on the cuteness scale, because otherwise it will hang in my closet unworn. I pretty much highly dislike all chores and anything that requires work. I don't mind the dishwasher so much, though.

D. Dogs: Daisy! The best wittle puppy dog ever! Her world was turned upside down 3 years ago when cats came - she is so patient and loving to her sisters. ;)

E. Essential start to your day: EATING! If I didn't have breakfast to look forward to, I'd probably never get up. I've become a pro making smoothies. I should start a business. My specialty now is a pumpkin one. YUMMMMMY!

F. Favorite color: Blue. Everything in my closet used to be blue, til my sisters insisted that I stooooop and venture on to other colors. It was for the best ;)

G. Gold or Silver: Silver.

H. Height: 5'3. Good thing I'm not any shorter or my kids would be taller than me.

I. Instruments you play: Flute, and a bit of the guitar. I have to say though, if I'm being honest, my melodic voice is my most talented instrument. Many others can attest to that! HAHA

J. Job title: Official: 2nd Grade Teacher. Unofficial: secretary, parent, nurse, lawyer/investigator (who committed the crime!?)

K. Kids: Nada, unless animals count. If they do, I have four. Yowzers. Right now the kitties are stalking me because their evening meal is tardy. Demanding little things.

L. Live: Texas! WHOOP! I've lived in 4 cities.

M. Mother’s name: Deborah Sue, Mommy, Mom, Mother, Grandma, Grammy, Deb, Debbie, and her all time fave: Meemaw hahaha (j/k on the last one!)

N. Nicknames: Rebecky, Beek, Beeky, Beeksters, Beeks....anything with Beek is game.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Nope, Praise the Lord!

P. Pet peeves: My students poking me on the shoulder when I'm busy with another student and they get impatient. MAJOR NO-NO in my classroom! My blood pressure rises just thinking about it haha

Q. Quote from a movie: “ I don't know whether to wind my butt or scratch my watch!" From Steel Magnolias- great movie!

R. Right or left handed: LEFTY! I'm in my right mind!

S. Siblings: 2 sisters. 1 older sister, and my twin. Love them! Who else can tell you when you don't look cute, and tell you with no reservations? And, make you laugh, and really tick you off, but they are my sissies forever! Hanna (older) is bossy - she can't help it. Bossiness just comes with the territory for older siblings- she can't help it haha. Laura is just a doofus. She also can't help that, either haha

U. Ultimate Vacation: Anywhere with good food, beautiful water, snorkeling, and Josh!

V. Vegetable you hate: Peas. Gross. If you wanna eat mud, just eat peas. At least they are more nutritional than mud.

W. What makes you run late: The fact that the Lord made me one pokey person. My mom always told me growing up that I was slower than molasses. I suppose she is right, because now Josh tells me the same thing. He can complete 10x as much as me in the same amount of time. What can I say? I just enjoy life!

X. X-Rays you’ve had: My teeth, and my back. I have a very minor case of scoliosis.

Y. Yummy food that you make: okay, NO comments from the peanut gallery here because I know, I know...I have concocted some interesting things. Cream puffs, anyone!? haha Pioneer Woman has saved my life! haha I make a delish green avocado salsa, thanks to Claudia, and my cupcakes are pretty good. I once poured eggs into a Ziploc, placed the bag in boiling water to make scrambled eggs. Wow...that's something special right there. haha

Z. Zoo animal: Hmmm...I like giraffes. I don't understand how they are so tall! Anything baby wins with me at the zoo, though.

I have never....

2011-11-01T19:55:00.000-05:00

I have never ....

1) eaten sushi. EEEK!

2) run a whole marathon. EEEEK!

3) dyed my hair.

4) learned to dive in a pool. I've tried to - OH, how I have tried. I'm a GREAT belly flopper =))

5) been to NYC, unless New York and Company counts. I have been there many times! ;)

6) ice-skated - this would be dangerous to all around me.

7) liked Coke or other sodas, except orange sodas. Brown sodas are grody!

8) liked chewing gum. GA-RA-OOOOSS! (you have to sound that out juuust right!)

9) liked roller coasters. SCAAARRRY!

10) scored a goal in soccer for my own team ;))))

11) learned how to French braid my own hair. I love to do other people's hair though!

12) bungee jumped. Who has enough guts or stupidity for this?! ;)

13) broken a bone. Josh broke his leg in Junior High while playing football. He said it hurt - a lot.

14) gotten a ticket. thank heavens! I've been pulled over about 3 times.

15) liked coffee, nor do I have any idea how anyone finds this beverage edible, or even good. I don't even know how to describe it's yuckiness.

16) been scuba diving. We've been snorkeling though, and it's the most wonderful and beautiful thing I've ever seen!

17) learned how to use eye liner. I'm afraid I'll poke my eye out haha

18) gotten a tattoo. Who would volunteer for a lotta self inflicted pain!?

19) seen all of The Lord of the Rings movies. This is because I don't want to. Movies were invented for pure enjoyment and relaxation of the mind. You have to think too much with these movies. Same for Star Wars. ;)

20) been good at painting my toe nails, or finger nails. It is always disastrous!

Phone Dump #3?

2011-10-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

I've already lost count on my Phone Dumps. Sad, I know. But I'm one tired girl. I have no idea why I'm exhausted all the time. I'm slightly concerned. Anywho, here is one major, big phone dump. I've gotten a wee bit behind on blogged:

We went on a listening walk the other day for our sound unit. One of my students wrote (spelling edited): I heard a loud noise sound. It might be a teacher. HAHA!

Pioneer Woman's turkey leg recipe - YUM!

Daisy and Squirt - BFF's!

Samson is comfy, and big ;)

I call him "Pumpkin" during the fall!

We went for a quick trip to see Gramps. He was thrilled to take his picture with me. Aren't we adorable?! HI GRAMPS! Miss me?! I KNOW I'm your most favorite, and beautiful, and loving, and wonderful granddaughter!! ;))))

I found his beautiful Monarch laying on our front porch =( I'm taking her to school so my kids get observe!

Despite being very ornery, Squirt is one heck-of-a cuddle buddy!

When we were at Gramps' house in San Marcos, Laura and I went for a run. We LOVE to run there because there are deer everywhere, it's a nice change of scenery, it's cooler, and just so pretty! She is mean though. She made me run up this steep hill. I ain't gonna lie - I had to stop about 3/4 up it - it was either that or she haul my hiney home! I felt like an L7 weeeenie! haha

Good thing we ran that morning because this baby was eaten after lunch in San Marcos. We ate at the best little hamburger place. I ordered a turkey burger sandwich - YUMMM! See, I was healthy for lunch -just not dessert. But, it woulda been a disgrace not to eat Blue Bell Cinnamon ice cream. Blue Bell has Cinnamon ice cream, you ask? Why, YES, yes, they do - and for some cruel reason though they only sell it commercially. Although, this is definitely beneficial for my waist line haha IT IS THE BEST ICE CREAM EVVVVEEERRR! Except Cookies 'n Cream Blue Bell - but it's a close, close 2nd!

The Pioneer Woman is my hero! I use her recipes a lot, including pumpkin muffins! These were sooo easy and deeelicious! I'm a pumpkin addict ;)

Chris Tomlin

2011-10-27T19:50:00.001-05:00

Last night our church group went to Chris Tomlin's concert, and Louie Giglio was there, too. It was smashing. It was a feast for my soul. Chris is a well-known Christian singer, and Louie (we are on a first named basis ;)) is a well-known Christian speaker for young adults. I nearly wet my pants: Chris sang a bunch and then Louie came out to speak. I have heard of him many times, but never heard him. This is the part where I seriously started crying because I just couldn't believe how amazing God is and intricate....I don't ever cry at moments like this, by the way. So, Louie is an astronomy geek. In Psalm 148, it tells how the heavens and the depths of the sea sing God's praises. Well, I learned and heard last night they they literally do. When stars die, they usually burst, but sometimes the magnetic force of them when they burst pulls all pieces back on the axis, called a pulsar. Astronomers have sent radio recorders to these pulsars like a billion light years away, and recorded the sounds they make. He played a recording and a pulsar star sounds like a drum beat. Then, he taught about these other stars called globular clusters - it's a bunch of stars packed together. He played a recording of their sound - they harmonize and sound kinda like a synthesizer - incredible. Then, he said he and his family went to Hawaii a couple of years ago when it was whale season. They had swam from Alaska to warmer water for the winter. The locals said the same whales return to the same area of water in Hawaii every year - hooow do they know how to do this?? By singing under water!!! So, Psalm 148 isn't just imagery - it is TRUE! The stars make music in the sky and the depths of the ocean truly do sing. It gets better. Louie took his iPad, and combined all the recordings of the stars and of the whale, and when he slowed the beat down of the pulsars that sound like drums - it made the same rhythm as "how grreeeeeat is our God." I AM NOT KIDDING! That's when the tears came. I was truly awed. Our God is so intricate. I found a YouTube video that shows Louie doing this same thing on his iPad at a different concert. PLEASE watch it! You will be awed!!! If you want a larger snap shot of what he taught, just google "Louie Giglio whale and stars" and a bunch of different ones pop up. Here is the link to just the iPad part - it's just over 4 minutes: whales and stars

Then, Louie told us that about 3 years ago was the darkest time of his life. Seems crazy to me that such a well known Christian would go through a rough time, but they are real people too. He said one night he woke up at 2 am and thought he was dying of a heart attack. Over the next few months, every single night when 2 am rolled around the same heart attack feeling happened. He saw a bunch of doctors and took tests and all came back perfect. He finally realized one night that God was the only one who could heal him, and he sensed that he needed to praise Him, despite the awful time in his life. So, he was laying in bed and this simple praise line came to his mind: "Be still, there is a healer." So, Chris took that line and made it into a song. He said the heart feeling still came every night at 2, but then he just praised Him, until it was better. He said it started with the dark cloud, song. dark cloud, song. Song, dark cloud. Song, dark cloud. Song. Song. Song. Dark cloud, Song. Song, Dark cloud. Song. Song..... The song is beautiful - you should listen to it! It's called "I life my Hands."

Chris Tomlin was great, too! He is an Aggie, by the way! I listen to his CD all the time, so I knew every song. He said this was kinda like a giant karaoke night, because the words were on the screen so all could sing. FUN! A small glimpse of heaven. I am definitely tired from being out late, but SO worth it. I was very blessed last night! =)

Phone Dump

2011-10-09T21:28:00.000-05:00

I saw on someone else's blog of doing a phone dump of pictures. I take a lotta picture with my phone. The recipients of these pictures I'm sure, with no doubt, love every time their phone rings with yet another picture from....me! haha So, here are some pictures I've taken recently, and some are old and I've probably shared them before, but I just had to again!

I have this little kid in my class that I just looove... this child is quirky, serious, and funny - all at the same time. Actually, I have a very, very sweet class this year - I delight in how each little person brings in their own personality. SO FUN! Anywho, this little kid brought their library book to school on Friday and told me her dog literally ate the book. I had to walk out in the hall and LAUGH OUT LOUD!!! This is HILARIOUS! I showed this to many of my friends and we busted some guts belly laughing! hahaha

I had an extremely lazy weekend. Like I didn't really get dressed until church today. It was completely awesome. I had 3 cats who were happy to accompany me in my laziness. This is Squirt - she is quite the cuddler. And, she is full grown, but VERY petite - UNLIKE her big sisters. When she lays/walks on you, it doesn't cause pain hahaha

Alexandra and her mommy spent the weekend with Grammy and Grandpa. I think she had fun =) That kid's laugh makes my day =))

This morning at church Mike asked me to hold Isaac. I said "ughhh...okay - but just this once!!" WINK WINK! haha Isaac and I are bff's for sure. He is teething so he soon fell asleep and we certainly bonded during church. I do love a sleeping baby on my shoulder =)

My nightly routine now includes studying CSCOPE lesson plans. Lilly was having a lot more fun than me HAHA

I've shown this picture before but had to again. The two big sisters tolerate Squirt, and that's it. Little Squirt has certainly lost NO sleep over this fact. She bullies them all the time trying to play - Lilly and Samson could sit on her and squish her - but instead they just let her bully them?? Makes no sense to me haha

I keep this picture on my phone so that when I'm shopping, I know if I have earrings to match whatever I am buying. Smart, huh? The screened in frame is also an Einstein idea from a great friend! I need to take another picture of my earring collection because I have more now. Laura has changed me...I used to rarely change earrings. I do daily now =)

Squirty-pants again HAHA I need to take a lesson from her - chill out, don't fret, and enjoy life more! =)

A pretty rainbow from Friday!

Sugar was helping water the plants. I cannot even believe how big she is!

Well pals, I gotta go to bed. "ssshhhh my mom's comin' - I gotta go to bed!" Who knows what movie that is from!? Hanna used to say that all the time in college and make us laugh. Good times! I hope this week goes great! I ran 3 miles tonight in some great, cool weather and REALLY am going to try and get back into the running/exercise routine. I haven't much lately because I have been working so much - hopefully that will get better. Hope you have a great week, too!

More pictures!

2011-10-02T21:04:00.001-05:00

Here are more pictures from this weekend:

This little girl LOVES to walk in the grass, bare foot. The aunt does NOT! She is FAST, by the way!

I took this video this morning at snack time. Hanna said she has started shaking her hands from side to side, and thinks she is tooo funny - I agree!

We took a morning stroll in the back yard this morning so her mommy could get dressed leisurely! The blanky goes everywhere haha She pretty much cries any time Hanna or Jonathan is not in sight, so my trick is to take her outside...I found that she loves it so much, she'll deal with not being in the same area as them ;)

Nice bed head! I asked my mom to take our picture together like this because I have this nick name of "Greasy Beek" - I tend to be stink-o and not exactly care at times of my life haha - Like aunt, like niece?? haha

Here crazy mom was over to the side acting silly to get her to laugh haha Alexandra is NUTS about her parents! =) Certainly don't blame her!

On her birthday, I believe was the first time she had tasted sugar. I'm pretty sure she is SOLD! She was like a little birdie last night - mouth open wide, ready for more! Like aunt, like niece, AGAIN?! haha

I LOVE how she arches her eye brows...I think she is thinking, "Gramps - that is a big bubble in your mouth!" haha

Visit

2011-10-01T23:07:00.000-05:00

This weekend I made a trip to Houston to see my family, and to see Alexandra WALK!! How did she grow sooo fast?! Josh has had to work every weekend lately, so I needed some company. We also celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday, and Jonathan's 33rd! I spent the night with my parents last night, went for an awesome, cool run this morning with my bff (my iPod!), and then we all went to Hanna and Jonathan's today!

I sampled a large sample of Blue Bell's new Tiramisu ice cream....and it was no disappointment!

Happy Birthday Dad and Jonathan! Hanna baked a mint chocolate cake and it was like soooo ridiculously good!!!!

Alexandra having a good time playing with ribbon. Is she not the cutest wittle thing!?

I found THE cutest lady bug gear at Old Navy - a backpack, sippy cup, and bowl set. YEA!

In their big freezer, Jonathan has EIGHT tubs of Blue Bell....no fair, man! NO FAIR!! ;)

My fave part of today: Rocking my precious niece to sleep and reading books together. She LOVES to read books. She was so zonked tonight, we barely got through 2 books! She is no sissy, and played outside in the dirt and grass a looot today! We picked leaves of trees, picked up dead ones off the ground and listened to them crinkle. I love watching her brain discover ;)

Alexandra loooves pointing at birdies. and she also LOVES her Mommy and Daddy! So glad we got to catch up!

Christmas in September!!!

2011-09-20T20:57:00.000-05:00

Well people, I find myself staying later and later at school these days. We are using CSCOPE (Texas' new state curriculum that most districts are using now) and it takes A LOT A LOT A LOT of time preparing for my lessons. To say it's overwhelming is an understatement. So, while sitting in my classroom tonight at 6:30 p.m., with still more to do once I get home, I called Josh to vent. I am tiiired! Huge classes, preparation, etc., exhausts me! BTW, I L-O-V-E my class! Thank the Lord!! They are SO sweet and kind and funny (and talkative - but have improved SOOO much! So have I as their teacher and managing that many to stay on task - it's mentally exhausting but so much better than at first I have figured out new ways to keep them focused!)

Anywho, my nick name "Talks A Lot" is proving itself true. Okay, so my point is after belly aching to Josh, he had left this AWESOME, FUN gift and surprise... an iPod!! YEEEA! It's blue (my favorite color), it has my name engraved on it, and it already has a ton of songs on it (good thing because I have no clue how to upload them)! YEEEEA! Due to the first paragraph, I have hardly run lately - I don't like that I've been sooo inactive! Guess what?! I gathered up enough energy to go on a 2 mile run tonight! wooohooo! Here are some pictures of my new toy!

It's like an inch by inch! The blurriness is my name at the top.

The Screen!

My first run complete! Let me add that there is NOOOO way on this Earth I would have run tonight without my new companion! Oh the poor souls who hear my sing while I run outside! haha

This is just a misc. pic. Squirt likes to lay on people's backs HAHA She is the weirdest cat!

Thank you Josh for my iPod!!! And more importantly, thank you for being so thoughtful!!! =)))

Jealousy

2011-09-18T18:08:00.000-05:00

At church, the series Josh McClary is teaching is allll about getting to the roots of your struggles that are in your heart. "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the well spring of life!" - Proverbs 4:23. For instance, do you have anger issues? At first, your anger may be a small seed, and you just kinda sweep it under the rug because it's not that big of a deal. But, it festers, and grows, and eventually it's going to erupt and spew into every part of your life and relationships, and you're not going to be a pleasant person. I know I'm not when I do this. So, Josh is teaching us how to get to the root of our issues, so they don't take over our lives. It's NOT an easy or fun thing to do. I do NOT like assessing my faults - it makes me feel like a bad person. But, I know those are lies - none of us is perfect, and sometimes we just need to do a little weedin' - or maybe even a lot - but in the end, it's worth it when I'm wearing a smile on my face, instead of a frown.

So, today's focus was jealousy. I definitely struggle with this one. (Note: most of what I type is directly from my notes I took on what Josh said - I didn't come up with this great stuff, but will be trying so hard to apply it).

Jealousy in your heart says: That's NOT fair! It's not fair that they have a nicer house, or nicer cars. It's not fair that he is good at EVERYTHING and I have no talents (that would be my Josh - he's good at everything. I know going into Scrabble that I'm going to get the pants beat off me! haha), it's not fair that they are just naturally thin and don't have to literally work their rears off like me! And the list goes on....

When I think about how I get jealous, I feel so ashamed. Basically, I'm complaining to God that He didn't bless me enough - as if His death, forgiveness, and grace isn't enough. As if my wonderful husband, my family, our house, our jobs, etc., isn't enough. If life were fair, we would be giving up pretty much everything we had to be fair with many people all over the world who have nearly nothing.

Jealousy is the art of counting other people's blessings instead of my own.

The core of jealousy is saying "God owes me more." - This makes me sick to my stomach that I've been jealous countless times - thinking that God should give me even more when He has already given me so, so much.

When someone that we're jealous of fails, this should not be a comfort or relief to me. I should, however, rejoice with them when they succeed.

So, what can cure my jealousy?

- Can blaming others fix it?

- Can I avoid the people I'm jealous of?

- No, this is just putting a lid on your jealousy for awhile before it explodes.

Can getting alllll that I want to make me happy cure my jealousy?

- Nope, because you're just going to want more, and more and more.

1) Release my grip - Without God's presence in your life, you will become a prisoner of your own appetites. So, be honest to God and tell Him exactly what you're feeling. Don't be embarrassed to tell Him what's in your heart - He already knows what's in there. Vent to Him and ask for help and He will give you a peace that you can't get on your own.

2) Celebrate others' successes - This needs to be a habit. Love does NOT envy!

So, next time Josh kills me at Scrabble, I will celebrate with him! haha

I have just LOVED this series. Our pastor is so great, and does such a wonderful job explaining these things to us in a way that's so easy to understand. I wish it were easy to get to the roots of all these things, but I have definitely grown closer to God as I begin to get to the roots of things in my heart. I don't think this is going to be a one-time-forever-and-always fix either. I think it's going to take practice and a lot of time to fix. But, God is going to be working on me, and I'm going to get a lot better at it =)

Bromance!

2011-09-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago, Josh, Mike, Josh McClary, and Brian went to the Texas A&M vs. smu game! They were so giddy and excited about going together, Bridget (Brian's wife), deemed them a "Bromance" (HAHA)! I deemed myself as the most selfless wife in the world because I gave up my ticket so they could all go together. Yep, I'm pretty nice haha ;) (and humble, too!) I am SOOO happy they all got to go, and also so thankful that Josh has such great friends. I know he can trust them, confide in them, and just have a great time. I heard some of the stories of why they had laughing fits on their trip, but I'll spare you of those reasons haha ....boys will be boys, they say ;)

We won! WHOOOOP!

Bailey (his niece - she is a freshman this year! so fun! She came down from 3rd deck to visit =))

Josh, Mike, Josh, and Brian on Kyle Field

I am also a thoughtful wife, since I got together a big bag of snacks, even in an aTm bag! (Mom, aren't you proud of how cute I put it together?? well, cute for me anyway!) Don't fret - I'm just kidding about my large ego in this post ;)

Too Cool for Skool

2011-09-10T23:23:00.000-05:00

You will all be SO relieved to know that school improved A LOT this week. We still have a long way to go, but, I have a little more hope. Sigh. I heard your Sigh, too. I'm glad you're relieved for me ;) I was pretty worried that first week...wondering if I had the stamina, patience, and brain power to keep up with...yes...25 little angels allll day long! Keeping them ALL entertained at the SAME time is quite a feat. It is utterly exhausting. I have lost nearly all my dignity due to acting like a ninnie in order to keep them all on task. My sister would be so proud. Mrs. Abel has loosened up. I must, or I will lose my mind. The first few weeks are always hard - this girl isn't used to being on a schedule, being on her feet all day, being at work...work?? What in the world is that?? Summer - now THAT I understand! haha The first few weeks are hard on the kids, too. They also aren't accustomed to schedules, staying on task, focusing, sitting still for longer than 5 seconds at a time (no, my friends, I am not exaggerating even one iota!). My little babies are zonked by 1:00, ready for a nap - they are, after all, only 7 years old. I think they should get a 20 minute nap - I think it's probably developmentally sound for them. But OH NO - we have the new STAAR test to take in the 3rd grade. Certainly no time to nap. Or have Art time. Or just be kids. Okay, stepping off my soap box now ;)

Anyway, back to my loss of dignity. I have resorted to saying "okaaayy! I am looking for some SUPA STAAAR 2nd GRADERS who are on task and ready to go!" I say this about 51 times a day. OR, "I SPY (so and so) looking awwweeSOME!" They sit up tall in 3 seconds flat when I say "I SPY..." - they love that game haha. I also dance a little jig when I am teaching the "silent e" rule in Reading. Those sorts of things. Hey man - whatever it takes to keep them learning! and NOT talking! I have lost my mind it seems doing these silly things...but better than losing my mind while being a ninnie and teaching than losing it because they are driving me batty! haha We have started to bond and laugh....I delight in this part! - they know if they're nice and fun, I'm nice and fun. OR, I CAN be....MRS. SWAMP! haha

okay anyway, we wrote a class letter to our AWESOME new principal, Mrs. Pinto, to come and read her favorite book to our class. We all loved it and had a great time! It's so good for them to see adults other than me have a love for reading. I bet you they will still remember her reading (and not only reading, but acting out voices and talking to them about it) her book many years from now that will influence them in such a positive way. Here are some pictures of the event:

OH! I forgot! The AP Wal-Mart that I frequent a lot, drew 5 names of teachers at my school for a $100 gift card, and I was one of them! YEA! What a blessing!!! I know there are Wal-Mart haters out there (ahem...HANNA!), but the local Wal-Mart is about my only option 'round these parts haha Unless I wanna drive 20 minutes to our teeny tiny Target - not the luxurious Super Targets in the big cities. And for this former Houstonian, driving 20 minutes to some teeny tiny Target just ain't happenin'. So, Wally-Word it is! I don't have a prob with it though - it's cheaper! And we all know what a tight wad I am! ;)

The letter we wrote to Mrs. Pinto inviting her to come read to us. I had to cut off my kids' signatures at the bottom - it was SO cute!

The letter Mrs. Pinto wrote back!

Reading...


We had SOO much fun! Every morning I read a picture book to my kids, and it is my favorite part of the day, and I think it is their favorite part, too. Who doesn't like to be read to!?

Funnies

2011-08-29T21:13:00.000-05:00

My dear sister reminded me to give my students their "Student Interview." It asks them various questions so I can learn more about my kids. Here are a few responses:

Question #1: What do you want to learn about in the 2nd grade?

- maf (math - haha), riding (writing haha)

Question #2: If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?

- Go to the bhomus (Bahamas - ME TOO!), clim(b) all the trees in the world (interesting desire haha), help old pepool (hahaha), go shopping (me too!)

Question #3: What do you want to be when you grow up?

- the prestidit so I can live in the wite hous, sintist (scientist), pilte (pilot), a baseball star

Question #4: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

- candelend (hahaha), school (kiss up!!), Jpan (Japan), Disney World, See World,

Question #5: What is one thing that I should know about you?

- I don't like homework (sooorrrrry kiddo!! haha), I lived in new york (interesting!), I'm itaylin (also interesting), my mom dos not werk just my dad cos she haf to watch us (yes we will be working on phonics/spelling A LOT!), a pley baseball on the iiw (wii), I got a lazy eiey, i am laze (lazy - sorry sista! we have looots of learning to do!)

I've enjoyed my kids a lot, other than the incessant talking. I am SO tired, I'm going to bed!!

OH! And, today was FINALLY the day I decided to take off most of my useless keys on my key chain. I'm very sentimental, you see. I still carry keys from 6 years ago from my apartment in College Station. Also, some key tags from other places. I desspppiiise clutter, so despite my great memories in CS, off you go! =)

BESTIES DELUXE!!!

2011-08-28T17:00:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I had THE time of my life!! Guess what happened!? My three best friends came down for a Girl's Weekend! YESSSS! I really believe "girl time" is important, and perhaps even necessary for the soul. There are some things that only girls understand, and I'm sure the same thing is true for guys, too. Ruth, Laura, and Aimee arrived late Friday night. We were all pooped, so we went to bed around 11 p.m. after chatting a bit, and then got up around 9 on Saturday morning. Laura made us pancakes, and I made everyone my homemade hazelnut frappucino....my latest obsession...I just can't help refuse something so delish! We all 4 have to have full bellies before functioning. So, after we were functioning, we had a couple of errands to run. Well, one errand that turned into many. First on the list: the Local Wal-Mart. Aimee was quite excited about this, because her Local Wal-Mart in Houston is ghetto-fied. We had to get her eye shadow, and Ruth helped us beautify her....like she needs any....AS IF! Nevertheless, Ruth is good at make up. Laura and I are not ;) We also had to get a few snacks, and FLOATS so we could soak up some sun. How else is one to survive this sweltering heat, but go swimming!

I was flabbergasted, as were my friends, that Wal-Mart had not even ONE stinkin' float!!! WHAT?! It's like a million and a half degrees outside! And they're not ordering any more summer supplies?! PUUHHLEASE! So, we went to CVS, Dollar Tree, HEB, and FINALLY K-Mart had some floats - they were el cheapo and hard to stay on...but that's all we could find. Whew. Once we finally got home, we had lunch, played make-up, and floated around in our pool relaxing and having girl time. We decided to not go shopping because #1 - lack of funds (darn budgets!!), and #2 - we didn't want to run around like crazy all day - just wanted to enjoy being together being lazy! After we swam, we made homemade flatbread pizzas, and Laura made my new FAVE dessert. I refuse to disclose how much of the leftover I dessert I ate after church today. They had already left, and I was sad....so there ya have it! YUM!

Each of us has a new nickname: Aimee has several, but she would only allow one: Early Bird - she had a month long break this summer between the end of her residency and beginning her first job at MD Anderson. Guess what time she got up? Here's a hint: It was in the middle of the night. Here's the answer: 6 a.m. WHAT!? I know. I'm exasperated too. Pretty sure I don't get up in the middle of the night even during the school year haha. My body can't do that. I wish I had her discipline and will power. Perhaps Early Bird will share her gift of discipline with me?! ;) Laura's is "The Crazy One" - just be around her for less than 5 seconds and you'll know why. Ruth is "Laughs A Lot" because she has the BEST laugh!, and mine is "Talks A Lot" - my response to my friends - whatever and a half!! I just can't help that I need to tell stories sometimes!! hahaha

Here are some pictures. We didn't take many. We just took it easy.

Ruth, Aimee, and Laura (hence "The Crazy One")

Surviving this summer's heart

Doesn't that water look SO inviting??

Ruth, Laura, and Aimee. See how they're hangin' on to those floats? That was the easiest way to stay on these $1.50 floats hahaha

I am SO smart, and figured out how to use the timer on my camera so we could all 4 be in the picture (Josh was at work). This was quite fun running, jumping, and posing within 10 seconds before the camera timer went off haha

Aimee wanted us to make a formation. We did so well, maybe we could be synchronized swimmers!? We also came up with the catchy phrase "Bumper Floats" instead of "Bumper Boats" because we often bumped into each other haha I put sunscreen on twice, and I still felt burnage so I moved to the shade, and then the rest of them followed suit because they wanna be like me. ;) Definitely didn't want to be crispy lobsters!

I just can't even tell you how much fun we had. We laughed SO HARD many times. Once because my dear sister hacked into my Facebook and wrote something about me having a snotty nose, and that led into stories at A&M about how we used to pull pranks on each other...HILARIOUSNESS! We also had girl talk. Friendships are treasures. I always dreamed of having best friends. Like real best friends. It took 20 years, but the wait was well worth it. My besties love me just the way I am, and that is a rare and priceless gift that God has given us. I don't think everyone has this, so I just feel so blessed and thankful for my friends. We have known each other for almost 10 years now, and despite our distance, we STILL are so close and keep up with each other. They inspire me with their love for God, their STRENGTH (especially in the last year or two), and encourage me to want to be better. If I'm struggling with something, the advice they give me is so great and not one ounce of judgment is in that mix. Well, my new name Talks A Lot is proving true, so I'm going to wrap this puppy up.

Laura, Ruth, and Aimee - I am SO honored and thankful that y'all came ALL this way to spend the weekend together. I had the BEST time, and love you soooo much! Til next time!!! =))))

COMFORT!

2011-08-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

One of the givens of being a teacher is standing on your feeties all day. Hence, comfortable shoes are imperative. At least for me. That whole saying "It hurts to be pretty" totally doesn't fly with me when I'm at school. A week before school started, I was motivated to shop and look my best. I'm not a huge shopper - I'm much more now that I used to be, though! It's quite fun now that I've embraced it! ;) Anywho, I was looking for comfy, yet CUTE shoes! I don't want any granny lookin' shoes! I was at Macy's and happened upon these adorable, cute, professional, and the all-important...COMFORTABLE shoes! I bought the red, and loved them so much I ordered black online because they didn't have them in the store:

These puppies are awesome! The brand is Life-Stride, and you can order them online right now at Famous Footwear (we don't have one of these stores 'round these parts!) for BOGO and you can search for a promo code for 20% OFF your whole purchase! WHOOOOP! They come in a few different colors. The link to these is: http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=09539&pg=5162664

I also found these online at Famous Footwear - only paid $12 because they were half off since I got the above pair! WHOOP! I wore these today with slacks and they were so comfy TOO! I am veeerrry tempted to get these in white! They come in red, too. Here's the link: http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=73784&pg=1022858

Highlights

2011-08-22T20:44:00.001-05:00

Hello!

I survived my first day! Here are the highlights:

1) 26 people live in Room 9, including myself. It's quite crowded!!

2) They are talkative, and squirmy from not being in school. This resulted in 4 children moving their clips. =)

3) I have 14 girls, and 9 boys. Usually it's the other way around. A couple of those girls never made a peep today. I'm gonna have to make sure they stay involved in our class discussions =)

4) One boy is outspoken and FUNNY!

5) They are kind-hearted and sweet....so far! I know I sound like a downer, but my friends, let's just wait til true colors start shining!

6) My feeties hurt.

7) This was perhaps the smoothest first day of school I've had! I have a good bunch of kids!

8) This is my 8th year. Did you know that? And I still totally enjoy what I do! yeeea!

9) I was supposed to have jury duty tomorrow, so after school I wrote out allll the plans for my sub. Then, the courthouse called and rescheduled me for September. Awesome.

10) I only made one kid cry. Out of 25, I guess that's not so bad haha This child refused to sit up (I find it quite disrespectful to lay your head down while I'm teaching) and then he refused to complete his work. No siree. We're good now and he left with a smile =)

I thought of 2 more TOP 10 reasons I love summer while going to sleep last night (so it's the TOP 12 now):

1)   When I'm in Wal-Mart over the summer and I hear kids screaming, I think to myself, "Oh thank goodness they aren't miiine!!"

2) I have 179 days til....SUUMMMMMMEEERR! (PS - I know I sound like I dread going to work. Don't fret - I'm just trying to make y'all laugh on here! I really and truly L-O-V-E my job...and I especially will in 179 days! hahaha see I'm funny! Okay gotta go iron and go to bed so I'm rested for a full day tomorrow!)

It's GO Time!

2011-08-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the BIG day! I meet all of my 25 angelic children! Let's hope about the angelic part because I've heard my group is a toughie. Don't fret - Mean Mrs. Abel will have her teacher eye ready to go! ;) Here are two pictures of my classroom. I've worked my royal rear off getting it ready. Let me boast for just one second and say just how pretty and bright it is. Creating an inviting, bright, and warm environment is part of my goal, and my job. I want my kids to feel comfortable in our room, so that they will feel comfortable of me. It is allll part of building that bond and relationship together. They trust me = they will want to learn.

From the left back corner of my room. yep. Count them - all 25 desks! Oh please hire another teacher!! =)

My mom taught me a trick: have a goody bag of pencils, and eraser, crayons, and I put a dry erase marker in it also - So, when there are 18 million parents coming in the morning and I'm busy, my kids can work on their awesome packet that Laura made! THANKS LAURA! I, with the help of the youth girls, made their nifty pencil pockets. This is my third year to use these, and they are swell - no pencils getting lost in the deep, deep depths of their desks, or rolling around or tapping on their desks (A MAJOR PET PEEVE OF MINE!!! Can't stand that extra noise when many children are milling about!!)

So, I'm going to copy Laura's funny idea from the other day. Here are my TOP 10 Favorite things about Summer. So long Summer - how I will miss you!

1) Rolling outta bed whenever my eyes open

2) Getting up, eating breakfast, checking email, watching TV at a leisurely pace.

3) Staying up late with Josh on his nights off. I LOVE those kind of nights =))

4) Getting to spend extra time with the important peeps in my life

5) Going to church on Sunday and knowing I don't have to work the next day. Man that is sooo great.

6) Reading all day long if I so choose.

7) NOT having to pack my lunch!!

8) Daily NAP TIME!! Kinda can't do that during school haha

9) Going to Wal-Mart or HEB and not rush rush rushing!

10) MUCH less laundry, and certainly NO ironing!

And as Laura also stated, don't feel sorry for yourself if you don't get the summer off because my salary is for 9 months, and it's stretched out during 12. so waaah waaah! haha I have Jury Duty on Tuesday, so if tomorrow doesn't go well, at least I don't have to go back til Wednesday! HA!

I really am VERY excited to go back - really, I AM! ;) I know I have a bunch of low kids coming who need lots of help, and I'm so excited to be of service to them. My favorite part of my job is to see their growth during the year!

So, so long Summer...it's been real! =)

Dyson!

2011-08-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

We have needed a new vacuum for quite some time, but just kept putting it off. Our vacuum is quite old and in baaaad shape. Like, when you're vacuuming, you have to bend over and keep the metal pole part from coming out of the sucker-upper part. Major pain in my rump! But, it worked and got the job done. Only, the metal pole part bends a lot in the middle when you vacuum...which it isn't supposed to haha. And a few of the protective plastic pieces have busted off. Needless to say, it was time for a new vacuum.

Our ole girl...she sure did get the job done for many years!

Hi Dyson! I admire you so for the hard work you did last night in sucking up a disgusting TON of cat hair, and that was just on this rug...no telling how much more you'll suck up! (The amount of hair that Dyson sucked up on this rug alone last night clearly showed it was time for a new vacuum. Josh found a great deal for this new toy - an All Floor Dyson Ball. YEA! You know you're a grown up when.....you jump for joy for a new vacuum!!!)

YEA!

2011-08-20T10:20:00.001-05:00

I buy the Kangaroo brand of pita bread at HEB for my pork chop pitas that I make, or chicken salad. However, a few weeks ago I was in a big rush to get dinner finished on time for my family coming that night, so I just ran to Wal-Mart in hopes they would have it. (Wal-Mart is just around the corner for us). They didn't have the Kangaroo brand, just this kind. Bummer. Well, it will have to work for tonight. I opened it up when I got home and found that it is much more flimsy than the other brand, and decided not to use it. Josh ate a pita a few days later and loved it, so I gave it a try. WHOA! I'm a bit of a health nut, and this stuff is soooo goood!, and it only has 4 carbs per pita!! I'm sorta addicted. One major problemo. Wal-Mart hasn't had it the last few times I've been. =(( So I looked it up online today and found that it's website offers many more products, and you can order online! YEEEA! You can do many things with this great product: bake it for pizza crusts, sandwiches, a wrap, toast, etc. Here's the site if you're interested for nutritional, yet delicious bread!

http://www.josephsbakery.com/p-10210-Low-Carb-Flax-Omega-3-Pita-Bread

Skool

2011-08-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

Today was my first official day back to work, and it's also my parent's 37th wedding anniversary!!! Congratulations Mom and Dad!!! That is awesome! I feel sure that the best years of your marriage have to be the last 29! ;)))

I've been back at work for well over a week getting my room ready...good thing because I needed every second. I'm swamped, as I imagine every teacher is right now. So, see ya later Summer, and my pillow, and my millions of books I read, and my kitties, and my puppy dog, and my lazy days, and...and...and...

Feel sorry for me yet?? haha I had a great summer, but I'm just about ready to go back. It's always bittersweet returning to school...summer offers so many opportunities to really invest in friendships, reading, and other leisurely activities (soooo...any sympathy for this teacher?? haha)

Anyway, I'm getting really excited for this year. I need structure and discipline, and I sorta have none during the summer. I'm ready to be on a routine again. I pray I will do my best and meet all of my students' needs. Some of them need many hugs and lots of support and love.

Side note - this is impressive. The following occurred before 8 a.m. this morning: unloaded the dishwasher, made an omelet, ran 3 miles, showered, make-uped, made a home-made frapp, and then headed off to work! So, this blog is about over because this girl is tiiired!

These are letters to practice spelling words, phonics skills, etc. I needed a space for them. This is how I solved my prob =) Makes me dizzy!

I started sharpening ALL of these pencils at the end of last year and finished last week. Think I have enough? We will see!

The following pictures are of my 2nd grade Teammates! Right now we have 24-25 students in each class, so we'll probably be getting another teacher. I hope so because that is a lot of children!

This is Araceli, or Celi =) Hola Celi!! (she looks at my blog!) She es la bilinguala maestra! I don't think that is how you say bilingual in Spanish haha Celi is always smiling! I look forward to speaking to her kids in Spanish! haha Yes, I actually do that, and those poor children look at me like I'm loco!!

This is Sammie and she is my next door neighbor. She is SO sweet, and also likes to read like me!

This is Mitch...the poor, lonely male! He just came up from teaching 1st grade, and informed us that the 2nd graders coming up that they just had in 1st are a uummmm...handful! Should be exciting!

This is Mrs. Minton. Hi Pam! She is down the hall from me and is always willing to help =)

This is Becky. When I moved here 5 years ago and didn't know a soul, she was the first person I talked to and welcomed me and took me under her wing in a brand new place. I am forever grateful, and so blessed to have her as my dear friend =) She is very stylish, as you can see, and has helped me become more so myself. You should see my new big hoop earrings! ;) OH her daughter is a student at A&M - VERY important! WHOOP! ;)

I just got a hair cut, and I didn't wear my glasses today - I'm saving those for my stern teacher look ;) Like my sweater? I found it at Penney's last week for.....$4.97!!! And I got a gray one too!! My school is FREEZING so 98% of the time I have on extra clothing. I still get those hives on my face and neck, Mommy! We are posting all of our teacher pictures in the hallway tomorrow on our 2nd Grade bulletin board. AND Meet the Teacher is tomorrow night!! I am so excited to meet my kids!

My Math Meeting wall. I found that awesome pocket chart in a catalog. SO cool!

My favorite time with my kids is reading picture books to them and talking about the book. I already have them ready! =)

My slogan for this year is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things THROUGH HIM who gives me strength." I have to remember that, and claim that promise. Last year was tough, so that promise will help me a lot! Happy School Year!

Youth Night

2011-08-12T08:35:00.000-05:00

Every Wednesday, the youth at our church meet at Donna's house for singing, a lesson, and visiting. Tonight was exceptionally fun! Josh McClary taught about making the wise choice - despite what others are doing around you. Don't be in an environment that will tempt you to do the wrong thing - the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (James 1:19)! As these students go back to school, and many have already started athletics, I pray that they will be an example to everyone around them, to show His love, even if they're standing alone as they make the right choice. Heck - I pray for myself to be example as I go back to school! It's HARD not gossiping and complaining - this lesson certainly wasn't only for our teens. Constantly we face decisions on whether to to obedient to God...or not. And for our teens, this is most especially challenging at school sometimes. BUT, I see their hearts and their growth over the summer, and I'm SO excited for them to be a light at school!

I L-O-V-E getting to know these kids!! I couldn't be more proud of their growth and desire to do the right thing. And not just do the right thing because it's morally correct - but to do the right thing because of their love for God! I am truly honored that they want ME to be a part of their lives! We have a ton of fun! Here are some pictures from tonight:

Maddie (Sammie's bff - they were totally cowgirls tonight!), Sammie (hilarious laugh - not shy, and she helped me fix my new hair do tonight and gave me tips - yes, she is 14 and I'm 29!! haha), and Ashtyn - she got her braces off TODAY, and look at that beautiful face!!! She scared the bejeebers outta me Saturday evening when she KNEW I was scared to go home to an empty house since Josh worked all night hahaha

Jewelee (she is going to be a freshman! She and her brother are bff's and she giggles - a lot! so cute!) and Mariah - she is in the band and plays softball! She always gives me a hug, and has b-e-a-uuutiful long blonde hair. =)

Jennifer (Jewelee's Mom - who also laughs a lot and is one awesome mommy!), and me! She looooved my shirt tonight! ;) (j/k - she's a t-sip! haha) We led the high school girl's small group tonight. These girls dove in and talked about deep, real life stuff!

Rachel (Mist-E's bff, and she performs in plays in Corpus. Love her bright smile!) with Mist-E (Mariah's sister, and Rachel's bff! She also plays softball and is a varsity cheerleader!)

Donna (who so nicely opens her home each week, and is always quite fashionable!) and Josh (I kinda like him. A lot! He does a great job in leading our songs!)

I looove these girls and building relationships with them!

My Gramps always says, "Boys are bad news!" He includes himself on this too! haha These guys are fun! Ty (Cross country rock star - they've been running 13 miles a morning- wheeew!), Jaime (also in Cross Country, Jewelee's big brother, and one awesome heart!), and Jordan (just graduated High School and will be going to A&M CC - WHOOOOP!)

Josh teaching us one good lesson! =)

The Progression of my Fam =)

2011-08-10T23:45:00.000-05:00

Teachers in Aransas Pass have to start inservice on Aug. 17th (I'm in mourning over the end of summer!), and I've been going up this week to get ready for this year. Despite working the last two days, I've only crossed 3 three things off a lengthy list of to-do's. Don't fret - I'll get it all finished. =) I'm getting really excited about meeting my new bunch of kids. Remind me of that excitement when my alarm sounds off at 6:15 a.m. Yowzers. I woke up at 8 a.m. this morning, and I'm pretty sure that's the earliest I've gotten up since the beginning of June! I was VERY proud of myself :) 6:15 a.m. = middle of the night. I am most definitely, very positively, extremely sure that I am not a morning person. Please do not talk to me til I say it's okay. K? haha Josh and I see eye to eye on this. He's just like me =) My wonderful dad is most definitely, very positively a morning person. He likes to chit chat....in the morning. He was very kind in high school to keep the visiting before school at a minimum..."RIIIIISE and SHIIINE" - that's one of his favorite phrases =) At A&M, Laura and I would get up early for class, eat breakfast, and ride the bus to school. Guess what our first words were to each other?? "Bye," and that was of course when we got off the bus and went our separate ways to class. I find this quite amusing. haha

okay, this post is not about morning people - I got off task. It happens a lot. =) So, today at work I finally replaced the picture in my family picture frame to a much more recent picture. When I opened the frame up, I found two older pictures already in the frame. Then, this splendid idea popped up into my brain (which is pretty remarkable because my brain is still on summer vacay til the 17th) to blog about old - current pics of my family! Here goes...

My family in our old house at Christmas!

another Christmas pic - Dad, look at all your dark hair! haha

A few years later - Mom and Hannie cut their hair. Hanna cried all the way home from that hair appt. Much shorter than she wanted =)

A lotta years later! I believe this was seven years ago right before Hanna and Jonathan got married. Hanna I like your hair in this pic!

This was probably 3-4 years ago. Notice any new people in this one?!

THE most recent picture at Alexandra's birthday party! Like her ladybug bathing suit?! =)

Jonathan and Matt (and Josh and Alexandra) are the newest members to our family. Here are a few things about Jonathan and Matt - two of my favorite people!:

1) The first time I met Jonathan, he was being a smart aleck, so I socked him in his stomach really hard and nearly knocked the air out of him. I weighed more than him at that time haha Thankfully, I didn't scare him away.

2) I like to call Matt "Mattie." I don't really know if he likes this, because I've never asked him. I'm nice and considerate like that.

3) Jonathan LOVES ice cream, like me. He sits on the couch with a tub of Blue Bell. Fortunately for him, he doesn't gain an ounce despite this habit of his. NO FAIR! Not fair for him either, because he needs extra padding for when a certain sister-in-law of his socks him in the gut ;)

4) Mattie also has another nick name - "bread boy." Never in my life have I met someone who loves bread more than him. Just two weeks ago, my mom made french bread with our dinner. The rest of us were through eating the bread, but there were still several pieces left. We looked up a few minutes later and Matt had eaten all but 3 pieces. HAHA

5) Jonathan likes rap music and likes to travel and was in the Aggie band with Josh.

6) Matt has the strangest taste in music - I am not exaggerating one iota either. I have not a clue where he finds the bands he listens to because most of them I've never heard of - thankfully because I despise most of his musical selections. ;) He also likes to read "smart books" that you have to think a lot in when you read.

7) Matt has one awesome laugh. We love to get him started because when he really gets to laughing, it is HILARIOUS! Who cares about what was originally funny - I just like to hear him laugh!

8) Jonathan drove a red Mazda Miata at A&M, so when he and Hanna started dating we called him "Mr. Miata."

9) Matt has been a drummer for many years, so he taps - A LOT!! I have had to hit his hands many times because I just can't take it anymore. (sounds like I am rough on my bro in laws haha)

10) I knew Jonathan was THE ONE for Hanna because of this - way back in the day at our apt. in College Station, Hanna and Jonathan started wrestling on the floor and he accidently pushed her into the TV cabinet. She got mad and stomped off to her room, and he didn't follow her. FINALLY someone who won't buy into her stubborn bologna!!

I love my bro-in-laws! They are good to my sisters, and to me! They are the brothers I never had! =)

Reminiscing

2011-08-10T01:30:00.003-05:00

My mom is very crafty and artsy - I wish I were! I have to try reeeeaaally hard, and my effort isn't always what it should be, which may or may not contribute to the results of my attempts to be crafty. ;) Anywho, my mom made my sisters and I are own scrapbooks of our childhood. I went through my scrapbook tonight and took pictures of the pictures in my book, instead of scanning them, which is waaaay too difficult. (Hence what I said above about lack of effort HAHA I crack myself up!!)

This picture may be my first memory. I think it is. Laura and I used to hide under this table and giggle. It was sooo fun, and funny! Whoever guesses correctly which one is Laura and which one is me wins a prize, including myself because I have no clue. ;) I'd have to go look in my scrapbook and cheat. ;)

First day of school! Like our dresses? Guess who made them?? This blog is turning into a quiz! They obviously weren't made by me- look at alllll the effort put forth in that! The hair on the little girl is yarn braided - don't even ask me how that was sewed onto that dress. Talent to the max! ;) Again - who is who!?

My mom always made us a "First Day of School" cake, and they were different every year. This definitely helped in the desire to start school each year. See how her craftiness is evident - from sewing, scrapbooking, to baking!! WOW!! yes, she made these dresses too - painted on them - more talents!! Unfortunately, I am not good at sewing (stuffing is falling out of the pillows I made - maybe my mom could help me repair those!), when I draw at school for my kids I'm often asked what it is exactly that I'm drawing (so I'm not an artist), my cake making has improved - slightly, and I'm actually decent at scrapbooking (but that requires that effort thing, so it doesn't happen often haha)

Despite sharing the same birthday as my wombmate, my mommy dearest always baked us our own cake, because she always told us we were our own person. So kind! (notice those curtains in the back - mommy's decor skills have certainly improved since then!! wink wink! haha)

Alexandra's Party

2011-08-10T01:15:00.001-05:00

Between my mom, Jonathan, and Josh, over 1,000 pictures were taken at Alexandra's 1st birthday party - oh my dear!!! That's a lot of pictures!! Papparazi deluxe!

My mommy dearest went through allllll of them and narrowed them down to about 300, so I finally gathered up enough courage to go through them tonight since they were narrowed down from 1,000 (that was waaay too daunting!). I loooove the following few!

Hanna and Jonathan had their house built three years ago I believe, and this huuuuge window was originally for their doggie, but Alexandra loves to walk along it and look outside. It's perfect for her! Here, she is mesmerized by the beauty of her favorite Aunt! =)))))

Alexandra, Uncle Josh, and Aunt Rebecca - this kid is pooped out after a full day of celebrating! (I'm talking about Alexandra - not me!! haha)

my love and me =)

I looove ALL the smiles of glee in this picture! That smile of hers makes my day!!

My niecey is not walking yet, but very close. She walks along the window sill, but has to sit down to perform her new trick - clapping!

She looooves Grandpa!

Aren't we sooo cute?! ;)

EEEEK you say?? Don't fret - Maximus is quite friendly! This is Hanna's snake - she is a natural science teacher! She has had Max for several years now. He chows down on frozen mice - yum yum! ;)

His Grace

2011-08-07T09:46:00.001-05:00

I've heard many people say "His grace is enough," and we've sung many songs with that phrase in it. I memorize two Bible verses a month, and this month, I chose the following verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

A few weeks ago at church, my family group was discussing the lesson taught that day. Donna, one of my awesome friends said that grace is sufficient for her. You see, Donna is paralyzed from the neck down and has been for many years. It involves her life in more capacities than I even think about. And she's saying that grace is sufficient for her?? Wow. What a testimony and amazing faith. She said her social life isn't nearly what she would like for it to be, because it takes hours to get ready to go somewhere, so she said she reminds herself that no, she can't do everything she wants to now, but God's grace is enough for her. Yep, she's amazing!

For the first time that day in our family group, I understood that phrase in a new way. That's what is cool in my walk with Jesus - I can read the same verse at different times in my life, and sometimes it will ring a new tone and mean something different, depending on what I'm going through. Anyway, that verse had always meant to me that God will ALWAYS take care of me and love me, which is of course true.

Another meaning it took on that day after listening to Donna talk, is that grace truly is enough. We don't even deserve that much, but, by His love and forgiveness, we can receive His grace. In times of trial, heartache, burdens, stress, I complain and whine, but His grace is enough to get us through and to make us content, because we know that our eternity is in Heaven after we accept Him into our hearts. No matter what is going on. This is quite easy for me to say at this stage of my life because it's rather simple and easy. Thank God I haven't been through any dire situations. I'm sure in a heartbreaking time, those words (grace is sufficient) are very hard to say, but the truth is still there, and God will help us to see over time in those hard places that yes, HE is enough and all we need. That is more valuable than any material possession on this Earth. All encompassing comfort and peace, because in the end, I know where I'm going without a doubt, and I know God will take care of me.

Laura Beth, Aimee Elizabeth, and Ruth Marie

2011-08-02T23:28:00.001-05:00

        29.5 years ago, God blessed me with my twin. Nearly 10 years ago, He blessed me with two sistas from another-mother, Aimee and Ruth! Laura and I had been at Texas A&M for nearly two years by then, with a few friends, but nobody who had really clicked yet. We spent many lame weekends together haha Thank goodness for Hanna and Laura, who kept me company. THEN, in the fall of 2001, Ruth came along. She is so pretty, sweet with a genuine and tender heart- just one of those rare people you're drawn to, who you want to be like, and want to be around all the time because they provide hope and joy and fun. Would Ruth reallllly want to be my friend?? I would be so honored! Laura and I started going to the college Sunday school class - that's where we met her. We started getting to know each other, and finally - a real friend who did the same kinds of things we did! We hit it off and started doing all kinds of fun stuff with our Sunday school class.

Aimee came along next! She and her now-husband, Troy, began coming to our Sunday school class. Aimee was so kind, pretty, with a natural glow that beckoned me to want to be her friend. Again - would she be my friend?! Please Lord! She is so special and You know I'm lonely! Laura and I needed some buddies!! We all four began our friendship at that point, and the rest is history. We have many, many wonderful memories. Real friends are ones who stick around, and these two certainly have. Yes, Laura - you have too but you have to b/c you're my sis haha. We have deemed ourselves besties - it's not everyday that true friends come along. Ones that you can trust, depend on, tell you the truth gracefully, confide in, ask for advice, and LAUGH with! And we have surely had many laughs! Just Saturday, Laura was JUMPING and DANCING on a very busy street so Aimee and I could see where to pick her up - yes - she is a NUT!!   We four girls have shared many conversations about our lives, walks with God, families, etc. Let me just say that judgment is found no where in our friendship. I can tell them some of my faults and ask for advice - and my friends will never think badly of me - only will they offer advice, pray for me, and lift me up. That, my readers, is worth far more than any material possession on this earth, and I will forever thank and praise my God for this priceless gift. My heart overflows with joy for them =)
So, here are a few things about Aimee and Ruth:

1) Ruth is a lot like me in that fact that we enjoy life more HAHA She gave me a wall hanging that says "When I get the urge to clean, I lay on the couch until it passes." This explains the two of us very well. Aimee and Laura, on the other hand, fret a lot more about cleaning and such and organizing. Ruth and I keep it real - know what I'm sayin'?? haha Laura and Aimee balance us out =)) (If L and A would like to come clean our houses, just say when! haha)

2) Ruth is SUPER MOM!!! She amazes me - and I don't use the word "amazes" lightly. Her precious and adorable son, Ben Jr., has a mitochondrial disease, and I know God specifically chose Ruth to be his mother because no one else could care for him like her. She is patient and has just the touch and tender heart Ben Jr. needs. Ruth, I could not be more proud of you!! You have taught me so much about mommy-ing, and I LOVE watching you with your son. His love and affection for YOU is most apparent and obvious with his bright smiles. The bond you two share is so special =)

3) Aimee LOVES to exercise - "whaaaaat???" you ask. 'Tis true my friends. She does. I wish I did. She has a 6 pack - or probly even a 12 pack of abs. I like to punch them when she allows, which is kinda never, haha, but it would be fun! haha

4) Aimee do you remember this? Once a looong time ago at Big Event at A&M, I forgot my camera at the church, so Aimee and I ran back to get it (probably half a mile from where we were) - Aimee was in shape, and I was not. I enjoyed running to get my camera (even though I nearly collapsed) and thought - holy cow - I could be a runner too, despite my great lack of athleticism. So, Aim, you got me running and healthy!

5) Ruth has an infectious laugh - I love love LOOOVE to hear this girl laugh! I got to hear it a few times this weekend haha

6) Ruth just got promoted two weeks ago (and didn't even tell us til now!) at work! She is now a Senior City Planner for the City of Sugar Land. WAY TO GO Ruth!!!

7) Aimee, Ruth, and I all played the flute!

8) If you need to know the truth quickly, just ask Aimee. She'll fill you in with no fluff. It makes it easy. For instance, I don't like to exercise. Aimee will text me to get my rear OFF the couch NOW and go run! Yes, Ma'am, Dr. Aimee!!! My besties also listen when I need them to. A few weeks ago I had a minor nervous breakdown on the phone with Aimee. She listened, despite her very hectic and busy scheduled, and gave me great advice. Means the world to me!

9) 6 years ago when Aimee and Troy were hitched in San Antonio, I rode with Ruth and her husband, Ben, to the wedding. We hadn't planned on spending the night, but our friends offered one of their hotel rooms, and since we were tired, so we took them up on their offer. Ben took Ruth and I to Wal-Mart for the essentials: pj's, toothbrushes, etc. We both bought the same pj's and should have tried them on HAHA I think they were actually workout pants, so they were presentable for sleeping and traveling home the next day....only they were like veeeerryy fitted!!! Our friends took us to breakfast the next morning, and Ruth and I felt like a wee bit embarrassed in our tight-fitting capri-work-out pants- we laughed A LOT!

10) OH THIS is FUNNY!! On one of our college trips, our group took a trip to Arkansas and went canoeing down a freeeeezing river. Many canoes tipped over in the freeeezing water, including Ruth and Ben's. I was around the bend from them, so I couldn't see them, BUT I can STILL hear Ruth's SCREEEEAAMM as she fell in that day - she was not a happy camper but I laughed sooo hard! okay okay - I was a bad friend for a moment, but it was funny! Or was that Aimee that fell in?? I can't remember now. Aimee would have been even funnier because she is much more poised than Ruth and me haha

11) On another college trip, we went to Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle to camp during Spring Break. The temperature was quite pleasant during the day, but FREEEZING at night. So cold, that we all threw in the towel and went to bed early just to warm up. Except for some of the boys, including Ruth's husband. They slept by the fire haha Crazy!! Well, I slept between Ruth and Aimee so I remained quite toasty. Ruth, however, woke up with ice in her hair haha

12) They are both awesome Christian girls who keep me encouraged in my faith and challenge me too to grow stronger.

13) A few years ago, they all 3 came down to visit me for a girl's weekend. I made allll kinds of delicious treats, including cream puffs! Aimee is the only real friend, because she finished off her cream puff - the other 2 wouldn't even try it!! haha - my cooking has improved immensely over the last few years. Hmmm...what should I have for treats when y'all come in a few weeks...cream puffs!??! hahaha

14) Our favorite store is New York and Company! We have made several successful shopping sprees to that store!

15) Each of us have a fave song, and when we hear the song, we think of each other! Ruth's is "How Great is our God," Laura's is one by David Crowder called "How He Loves Us" I think, Aimee's is one by Nicole Nordeman (don't know the name because I don't know if I've heard it - she and Laura just claimed their songs this past weekend because they were jealous of Ruth and I since we've had our songs for a long, long time. haha) Mine is Blessed Be Your Name. =)

Here are a few pictures:

This was last weekend at Aimee's celebration of finishing 10 years of school! I delighted in her wearing these accessories because she embarrasses easily - completely different than my dear sister! haha

Ruth, Laura, Aimee, and me (like my earrings - I'm venturing out!)

Ruth and Ben Jr. laughing! hahaha

Another of the two them laughing. Ben Jr. starts laughing when he hears others laughing - Ruth calls him a social laugher. I got to play with him for a bit on the floor. He is very ticklish and so sweet! Aunt Rebecca loves you wittle Ben! I can't wait to see you again!!

I am SO grateful for my besties, and look forward to many more years of memories, including our girl weekend in a few weeks! =)

Fast and Furious!

2011-08-01T22:31:00.001-05:00

This past weekend Josh and I made a fast over night trip to Houston to celebrate two big shin-digs:

1) Alexandra's (aka - Sugar, Buttercup, etc. haha) 1st birthday!!!

2) Aimee completing 10 years of school to now be one amazing Clinical Pharmacist, Pharm.D! I like to call her Dr. Aimee =)

Josh and I got to my parent's house Friday afternoon, and Mom, Laura, and I shopped for a bit. Princess (Laura) didn't want to drive over to shop so Mom and I had to go pick her up. Yep. That's how that sista rolls haha

My parents made grilled chicken salads for dinner that were sooo good. My dad could be bankin' from his grilled chicken.

Saturday morning, Laura talked me into going to her trainer's 30 min. workout class. 30 minutes doesn't seem long, ehhh?? Yeah - just go spend a few quality minutes with this lady and you'll view 30 min. as a death trap! haha I was definitely nervous and terrified because I've gone to her trainer before (aka - the mean lady!) and she's tough. And she makes me sweat - a lot. And she makes me try really hard because she's like for real and doesn't like whining or excuses - so you see - she puts me in a pickle - whining and making excuses are two of my past times, folks! - imagine if I would try that hard all the time while exercising?! haha Well, there is a God people, because Laura texted me Saturday morning and said "The Mean Lady" was sick so she canceled the class. WHEW! Oh - I'm so sorry she was sick - really! But I was relieved! So, I went for a 47 min. run and saw a bunny rabbit!

Then, what I've been waiting for - I got to go see Alexandra!! It had been probably 6 weeks since I had seen her precious wittle face, so I was about to wet my pants. I even carried our suitcase downstairs so we could leave sooner to go to their house. Josh was shocked haha Sugies has changed SO much! She now has '04 teeth!!!! She is pulling up a lot, and walking along their loooong, low window sill. Her smile and laugh can make any day wonderful. I could not be prouder to be her auntie! HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, Alexandra!

My look-alike already blogged about her 1st bday, so here is the link to lots of pictures - Thanks Aunt Laura!!!=))):

http://theshermanshoutout.blogspot.com/2011/08/sugars-1st-birthday.html

Next on the agenda, celebrating Dr. Aimee's completion of her 2nd pharmacy internship at M.D. Anderson!! That would be 10 total rigorous years of school! Barferoni - so so so thankful that she went to school that long to take care of people's medicinal needs - I surely have no desire to work that hard. Aimee has had one tough year, and she has 4 well deserved weeks off before starting her job at M.D. Anderson. Aimee Elizabeth Hammerstrom, I am SOOOO proud of you!!! And thankful for your expertise (I ask her questions about my prescriptions) and so your caring heart for others! Your patients are so blessed! You better relax while you can!! ;)) We had one fun party to celebrate - Laura put together some great decor and Ruth made a delicious dinner! Here is the link to that - thanks Laura!!
http://theshermanshoutout.blogspot.com/

Opposum??

2011-07-28T01:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to take Daisy outside, and nearly had a slight heart attack....WHAT is THAT in my pooool?!?! At first I thought it was a rat - nope, a baby possum (or opposum??). EEEWWWWW?!!? What is a girl to do when her hubs is at work?! I called Josh on his work number, which I only do in very needy times. I would definitely call this a needy time. He said to scoop it out with the net. uhhh...for real?? Me...doing THAT?? I called my parents, and my dad thought this predicament was quite amusing. I did NOT! haha I was just going to leave it in there....until I talked to my mom. She means business - even 3.5 hours away. She insisted on me scooping him out because he may drowned. I wasn't very concerned about his existence...just get outta our pool already! On the other hand, I did have a lot of sympathy for the little guy. He must be pretty hot, thirsty and desperate if he's out during the day (they're nocturnal). Larry (that's his name) was definitely having a grand ole time swimming around, lounging on a noodle, and holding onto the side for a breather. But let me remind you...Mama meant business so ookkkayy...FINE! I will get Larry out! ;) I fetched the pool net (while both my parents are on the phone - I couldn't do this alone!) and after a few tries, captured little Larry up and let him go in the yard. He scurried off behind the shed after taking a nice dip in the pool. I figured he would be back, but I haven't seen him since. BYYYEE Larry! Hope you stay cooled off!

Larry chillin' on the side =) This was definitely a first in our pool.

Take 2 - Molina Visit

2011-07-28T00:51:00.001-05:00

Tonight, the Molina's came over to our house for dinner! I must thank the Lord that in about 2 hours time, I cleaned the house, showered and make-uped (like my new word?!), and cooked dinner! I am working on a project in the living room so it was a wreck. The doorbell rang and I seriously had just finished getting ready! Whew! =)

So, for dinner we had rolls (that I simply placed in the oven ;))), fresh steamed broccoli, rosemary red potatoes, and chicken marsala with sauteed mushrooms - good and healthy! Thanks to Mel for helping me! =)

My plate! I also joined the clean plate club tonight! =) Sydney did too ;))

The whole gang - Avery, Melanie, Chris, Josh, Hayley, and Sydney chowing down =)

Seeeeefood! This was juuust for Aunt Debbie!

Somewhere last week I found this recipe for S'mores Pops, so Sydney and I made them tonight. It took us about 5 minutes for deliciousness! All you do is stick a popsickle stick in a marshmallow, roll it in melted chocolate chips, roll that in graham cracker crumbs, and then freeze for about 10 minutes. You've got yourself one yum dessert! Sydney, me, Avery, and Hayley enjoying our S'mores pops! =) Aren't the girls so pretty!? =)

I do not like sideways pictures! Anyway, Avery, me, Squirt and Hayley. Squirt was so patient and well behaved ;)

This kid LOVES cats! I think she needs one! She spent the first hour of our visit hunting my kitties. Squirt is the only one who will come out to play. The other two are fraidy cats, so Avery was searching everywhere to find them. She was successful too, although the party poopers still wouldn't stay out! ;)

Me and my Aunt Melanie =)

Gangstas in paradise =) When did she get so big!?

Me, Sydney and her early birthday present! 12 years ago my wittle Sydney was still snug in her mommy while we were all at Disney World. A few weeks later we all welcomed Sydney Reese into this world - precious memories were made that day. She was perfect and a wonderful gift from above!

I made her this bulletin board to match her room for her bday. I told her she better tack a large 8x10 picture of her FAVORITE cousin on this board! haha Happy early Birthday, Sydney! =)

Molina Visit

2011-07-28T00:35:00.001-05:00

This week the Molina Family is vacationing in Rockport and I've gotten to hang out with them! YEEEA! My heart has been sad because we live 8 hours away from them, which makes visiting difficult and far less often than I'd like. So, I was thrriiillled to see them! Yesterday, I met them at the Rockport Beach Park (Josh had to work). I've never been to the RP beach and it was sooooo pretty and nice! We had a ball! The water is reeeallly shallow for a looong way out, which made it even more fun. Avery and Hayley and I trekked out to several sand bars and made all three of us into mud monsters (covering each other with sand) and racing back to shore. After we played on the beach for a few hours, we all got cleaned up and headed out to a delish sea food dinner and Charlotte Plummer's. I ordered the shrimp sampler - I think the fried shrimp were still my favorite, but the grilled were a close second. I had soooo much fun spending time with Melanie, Chris, Sydney, Avery, and Hayley!

I have no idea why blogger is turning my pictures sideways!! If you know how to fix it, please help! This is Avery Caroline taking pictures of herself in the car haha

Hi Hayley!! Thanks for telling me I'm your favorite!!! ;)) I fixed her hair all by myself! Not too too bad! ;)

Avery getting a hold of my camera again - her sandals speak volumes of her diva personality haha

Sydney, me, Avery, and Melanie - we were starvin' marvin' after playing in the sun! P.S. - when did wittle Sydney grow up into a pre-teen!?!? She's sooo pretty - and FUN! =)

Chris and Sydney

Avery and me

I braided Ave's hair =))

My feast! I definitely joined the clean plate club!

Avery playing with her french fries hahaha

Camp Pics!

2011-07-20T00:57:00.001-05:00

Here are a bunch of pictures from camp! I sorta somehow forgot to finish blogging about it. Let me reiterate how much fun I had! I feel rejuvenated and ready. The Biggest Loser is a great show, but it isn't exactly realistic. This is because the contestants are going to go back to their normal lives with no one to cook healthy meals for them, they will face temptations of eating junk, and they can't work out all the time anymore with jobs/families. But, the contestants are taught and trained how to live healthy on the Biggest Loser ranch, so after the show it's up to them to either take what they learned and apply it, or go back to how they used to live.

A week at church camp is very similar. It isn't always realistic to be surrounded for a whole week at camp with other Christians who believe the same things, because temptations are always around us at home because "the world" tells us we need more and more "stuff," or we need to watch junk on t.v., or spout off and say something we shouldn't. But at camp, we are trained to live righteously for God, not for ourselves, and it prepares us for the reality at home. So, when we get home, are we going to apply what we learned, or return to our old ways? I sure hope and pray that we apply, and that the excitement, fervor, and fire for God spreads throughout our family, friends, and others for His glory!

I have no clue why these pictures are sideways!! =((( Anywho, this is Bailee, Josh, Ashtyn, and me on Messy Rec Day. I had to wash my hair twice to get all the peanut butter and other foods out. hahaha

I also have no idea why this picture is sideways. This is Ashtyn and her daddy, Josh McClary. so cute!

About ready to leave for the week. So excited for what is to come!

This was the huge meeting room. I think around 600 kids came.

Josh's new camera has a really cool panoramic feature! =)

Bailee at rec. I forgot the name of this game, but it was pretty fun and great exercise! You had to tag people with the noodles until you captured everyone. Oh wait it was called "Octopus something or other"!

Some of the girls who came: Ashtyn, Bailee, Braden, and Sammie. GIG'EM SAMMIEEE!!! She claims to be a t-sip, but clearly here she knows A&M is the best! =)))

And Braden...ohhhh Braden. One evening she asked me if I'd like to eat dinner with two of her new friends. Why sure! I replied. While visiting with her new friends, one of them informs me that Braden referred to me as "Rebecca - my really old counselor." Just picture my mouth gaping open. OOOOLD!? Well, let me inform you a little something about dear, dear Braden. She is an athlete in high school and she wants (or wanted) to run a half marathon with me on October. So, the first morning (at 6:30 AM!!!) we were there, she pulls my covers off my face and says "It's 6:30 - time to run!" I could hardly get outta bed because I don't sleep well in strange places. Well, my friends, this "really old counselor" had no problemo running 3 miles that morning on little sleep. But guess who did have a problem?!? Braden! hahaha

Josh and Sean McDowell (the speaker for the week). He wore a different super hero shirt everyday, which the kids delighted in.

These guys are Ryan O'Quinn and Chris Woolsey. They call themselves "Team Wordplay." They live in Los Angelos, and have been in many well know TV shows. They also travel around the country to camps and churches to perform hilarious skits about Christian lessons - they are truly very, very talented and are SO fun and funny to watch. They are clearly strong in their faith and are awesome role models for us all. They came to camp last year, and are coming again next year! If you google "team worldplay," check out their website for their tour. I think they are going to be in several places in TX this summer.

Every night at 9:30 was the "Evening Extra." One night we had pizza, another night the band played more songs and had a Q&A time for the kids, Team Wordplay did an improv time one night that was fuuuuunnnnyy!!!, and on this night that you see, they had Minute to Win it Games (sorry for really long sentence). Jordan and the others had to get three oreos in their mouths with no hands. Whoa. That was hard!

Goofy girls! We laughed A LOT!

This is one of the rec games that I chose to decline from. It is for real and hard core! The ropes burn my dainty hands (haha). The object is to drag others into the trashcan and then they are out. It's called Kajo-be Can-Can. It's very fun to watch!

So encouraging to see our kids taking lots of notes!

Every night at 10:30 each church went to a different place on the campus to talk about what we learned that day, or to share a funny story! Some kids really opened up about difficult things going on in their lives - so cool that they know our group is a safe place, and they will not be judged. We truly are a family.

The whole gang about to leave and go home. We had a wonderful week!

Jeweli and me. She always is giggling and laughing =)

Thursday we Messy Rec day, and it was indeed disgusting and repulsive at times. The kids had to do a relay race involving mustard, ketchup, watermelon, baby food, soda, peanut butter, canned nacho cheese, etc. The repulsive part comes into play with the smell - it was very nauseating with all those foods combined....on your body or in your mouth!! YUCK! After the relay, the leader declares a FOOOOD FIIIIGHT, and whatever food supplies are left after the relay are fair game to attack. I was clean throughout the relay, until my little darling girls, and Josh, attacked me!! I fought some boy I didn't even know about to fish hook me: he had peanut butter and no telling what other food on his fingers, and was trying to hook it inside my mouth - thankfully I got away or I woulda barfed!! haha

Sammie, Josh, and Alexandra

Braden and Sammie playing "Sock Warsssss!" Each player has a sock on their right foot. You wrestle until one player gets the other person's sock off. This was quite funny! Sammie definitely was in it to win it!

Ashtyn and Sammie about to play Soooock Waaaars! I made them hand shake before hand haha

The Texas Baptist Encampment is soooo pretty! It is almost completely surrounded by the bay, and I love to run in the mornings on the sea wall you see there. So peaceful and pretty!

Compassion International

2011-07-17T17:07:00.000-05:00

I have heard wonderful things about Compassion International for a long time, but it's just one of those things I've never done...until camp! A table was set up with kits of lots of kids, and I had been thinking Josh and I should sponsor a child, but hadn't said anything about it to Josh. Well, we are SO meant for each other because guess what?! He brought it up and asked me if I wanted to! Two great minds think alike!! We went over to the table - choosing a child was so hard because you want to sponsor ALL of them. SO many kids all over the world are in dire needs, and if they are sponsored, they get to live at the Compassion centers, and they are fed, taught, and are HAPPY! Team WordPlay (the actor guys at camp) said they have been on trips with Compassion to South/Central America. They said literally the kids in the streets were so sad and hungry, but the kids who had been sponsored at the Compassion center were so full of joy. YES!

Josh and I chose a precious little boy named Orn. He lives in Thailand, and his birthday is coming up in August! He will be 8 years old. He lives with his grandparents, and has 3 siblings. He likes soccer (maybe he could improve my skills!!), and likes to ride his bike. I can't wait to send him a birthday card and some kind of flat present. You can't send packages - has to be flat =(
Common housing in Thailand are houses constructed of cement floors, brick walls, and tin roofs and they eat lots of chicken, pork, fish, rice, and veggies.

Here is a picture of Orn:

Day One of Camp

2011-07-15T22:41:00.000-05:00

We left early Monday morning for camp, which was in Palacious at the Texas Baptist Encampment. It is such a beautiful campground - it's nearly completely surrounded by the bay, and I love to run in the mornings on the sea wall.

We learned many new great songs to sing- worship is my favorite part! I love to sing ;) I just can't understand why I'm never asked to sing at church or anything...??? haha

Everybody was given a journal to take notes in, and all our kids definitely had busy hands during the talks. So encouraging to me their desire to learn and apply - how many kids do that??

The first lesson was about the difference between your body and soul. Your soul is a non-physical self - your personality.

How do you know the soul is real?
    - Every 7 years all the atoms in your body change, so you have a new body but you're still the same person. My physical body changes, but my soul is the same. For example, a person can have an extreme makeover, and their body is now different, but as soon as they speak, their personality shows and their soul is still the same.

How do we love God with our soul?
      - Be still and pray in a quiet place with NO distractions. Hamsters run on their wheels and don't go anywhere. Do you spin your wheels sometimes and stay in the same place? I know I do. Get fueled up in some quiet time with God.
      - Prayer - it is proven to be healthy for the brain to pray honestly.
- Simplicity - is your life cluttered? Jesus had nothing but the clothes on His back and He said His burden is light! We clutter our lives with stuff (possessions, worries) that give us unfulfilled promises.

Notice anything missing from this post?? PICTURES!! I hate posting without pictures. I will for sure post pictures SOON!

CAMP!

2011-07-15T22:25:00.000-05:00

This week Josh and I had the joy and blessing of going to camp with the youth of our church. I have been looking forward to this ALL summer! This is the 3rd summer we've gone, and it's always so fun and rewarding. It's so awesome to to watching our kids grow in their faith, and have MANY belly laughing sessions!!! I was the sponsor for the girls, and I just LOVE them! We laughed, a lot, danced, ran together (well, Braden tried to keep up with me - haha) in the mornings on the sea wall, prayed together, ate junk, girl talk, etc. It is truly an honor for me to be a part of their lives and help guide them during their teenage years. My heart overflows =)

This week, the speaker was Sean McDowell. He lives in Southern California, teaches Bible classes at a Christian high school, and is one ridiculously intelligent man in Apologetics (which basically means proving that the Bible is true). He took a much different approach than any other speaker at a camp that I've been to. Other camp speakers teach about Jesus and who He is and usually focus on a topic like forgiveness, etc. Sean taught us how the Bible can be proved, and even one day acted as an Atheist and let the kids ask him questions about his (or an Atheist's) non-belief in Christianity. It was very interesting.

Team WordPlay was the drama group. Chris Woolsey and Ryan O'Quinn are actors in LA, and have been on many well known TV shows. They are Christians, and during the summer the go to camps and act out HILARIOUS, although sometimes serious, skits to show an applicable topic of our faith. They are SO very talented, and are so grounded in their faith - great examples for our kids.

So, for each day I'm going to summarize in different posts briefly about each day, the funnies that happened and we learned. I am SO proud of our kids and thankful to God for a great week!!

Silly Sisters (I could use so many adjectives here!) haha

2011-07-05T00:46:00.001-05:00

Next on my list of important people are my SISTERS!!! One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me are Laura and Hanna. They do drive me batty at times, but I do dearly love them. Don't fret - when you're outfit isn't cute, they will be the first to let you know haha So, here are a few facts about them, and pictures of course!

This is our signature pose. We've done this for many, many years. And Hanna only gets lighter! hahaha Love ya Hannie!

Wittle Alexandra was still nice and cozy in Mommy!

Who's who in this!? Me, Hanna, and Laura

I'll start with a few facts about Hanna, since she is oldest - nearly 32 might I add! yowzers!! heehee

1) Once my mom said, or actually said a few times, that when Laura and I were babies and people would come up to us in the twin stroller to oooo and ahhh at our adorableness ;), Hanna, being the protective big sis, would say "These are MY babies!"

2) Going with Item #1, Hanna is sorta Mom #2. I've decided older siblings can't help it. It's just what they do. At times, this was very handy, and at other times, VERY annoying!

3) At Texas A&M, Hanna used to "study" in her room by closing the door, and napping with her books open hahaha I can't blame her one bit. Biomedical Science had waaaayy too many diagrams with words I couldn't ever pronounce.

4) She likes science, which comes in quite handy for me. Like, when I teach the moon phases, she can explain it to me so I can teach it well to my kids, and then forget again til the next year haha

5) She has the strangest taste in shoes. Sorry Sis - but 'tis true!

6) In college, she would make this delish spaghetti chicken skillet dish - You should make that for me soon! It was SOOO good!

7) Being the Mommy in college, she hated it when Laura and I had major water fights in our apartment. She would fret about the carpet and furniture getting wet. Who cares?? It's just water!

8) Also in college, Laura and I used to stand at the big window in our apt. as Hanna was walking outside to the bus stop, and we would wave and scream SOOOO loud BYYYYYYEEE HAAAANNNNAA!!! Yeah...we were a little obnoxious! haha

9) Also in college, I dumped ice cold water on Hannie in the shower (something we did often) and RAN to the bathroom Laura and I shared because it was the only room in our apt. that you couldn't pick the lock. I had my books and drink in there hiding out because you see, Hanna is like really strong - so I knew I was gonna GET IT! So, I hid in there til I knew I was safe ;)

10) Going with #9 kinda, Hanna is very strong. Even though Laura and I were ahem..much larger than her as kids, she could still beat the tar out of us, quite easily. Well, I was perhaps about 9??, and I don't remember how, but Hanna made me MAD! She came running in my room and I kicked her hard enough to make her land smack on the floor of my room. My parents came running upstairs, and were seriously so proud of me for FINALLY defending myself. Oh, I think that was the last time I ever did that hahaha

11) Her nick name is Hannie =)

12) She eats no fruit, and the only veggie she eats is broccoli. When she was prego, she ate strawberry popsickles for her fruit intake - I guess that's better than nothing hahaha

13) She married Jonathan almost 7 years ago. I was without-a-doubt the prettiest bridesmaid =))))

14) You better make sure you're outta the shower before Hanna's ready to get in, because she'll join you if you're not. yeeeahhh...haha

15) She's a lefty like me!

16) She was also a flute player. I was determined to beat her at tryouts before she graduated High School. I did! Just once - but that was cool!

17) I used to french braid both my sisters hair for every football game, and marching contest while they were drum majors. I'm quite talented at it =)))

18) She is FUNNY! I laugh a lot around her. And, she is a GREAT mommy!

19) She likes to read like me too. Although she reads books that are way too scary for me. I already scream in my sleep at times - just think what I'd do if I read her books!

20) She is quite annoying - A LOT - much to her liking. For example, she pinches my hiney, calls out "BEEKK BEEEK B-B-B Beeek beek beek," just to name a couple. She doesn't act her age hahaha

Laura!

1) She is my wombmate!!!! It was her fault my mom had to have a C-section because she was backward. I was ready to go!

2) She is on top of things. For example, at A&M, she studied EVERYDAY right after her classes. WHO does that?! I guess that's why she graduated with honors and IIII...did not haha

3) She got me into running. Thanks sis!

4) She has run the Houston Half Marathon THREE times!!! WOW!

5) She is perhaps the craziest person I know. And quite funny. Just read her blog - you'll see.

6) She is a jewelry freak - check out her collection. I like to borrow from it.

7) She doesn't like to drive. She and Matt are on a 2.5 week road trip. Poor Mattie.

8) Last summer I tagged along on their road trip - she is the WORST car mate ever!!! She had the back seat to herself, her legs kicked up on the back of my seat, and she is STILL complaining! Also, She asked me to buy her a coke in the gas station b/c she left her wallet in the car. I said sure, and we were walking to the gas station, she stops and says "Do I have to go with you??" THEN, I got in trouble because I bought her a bottle of coke, and it wasn't on ice. Yeah - I'm buying a plane ticket next time haha

9) She is BLUNT, and tells it like it is. Makes life much easier. Unless you're in public, and she says something awkward in front of someone else. NOT cool hahaha

10) She married Matt(ie) nearly 6 years ago! They were high school sweethearts. =)

11) She teaches 4th grade. I would wanna be in her class because she's fun =)

12) She played the clarinet in high school. I called it the "Squaker." Don't let that sway you're thinking of her talent - she was good!

13) Once in high school, we switched instruments. Our band director, who was also a twin, didn't figure it out for a few minutes. It was FUNNY!!! In junior high, we had history together. We switched for a whole week and our teacher didn't ever figure it out, so we told him and he made us stay after class. What!? haha

14) When my mom and I argue, I get mad and don't wanna talk to my mommy. Don't fret - Laura can translate for me EXACTLY what is going through my mind. It is SOOOO cool! and handy!

15) She is very sensitive of other's feelings and has been deemed "the peacemaker" in our family.

16) Her nickname is Porgy, or Porky! Whichever you prefer! Please use it! =)))))

17) She gave a lot of her hair to Locks for Love. How cool is that? I tried to grow my hair out - not selfless enough because the length got on my last nerve so I chopped it off.

18) She likes to read too. She also likes to host parties - she's really sociable.

19) We are turning the big 3-0 in January!

20) Even though we had our own rooms, we still slept together most of the time. That's all we knew....from the VERY beginning! =))

I have the BEST sisters in the world and I love them very much! =)))

Happy 33rd Birthday to Josh!

2011-06-29T16:05:00.001-05:00

Happy 33rd Birthday to Josh!

We had a super fun party to celebrate Josh's bday, and as you can see, the theme was Texas A&M! You'll see why....

I made this beautimous cake, all by myself. I'm proud, and a wee bit embarrassed haha I baked a red velvet cake (since it looks maroon!), and thought cream cheese icing (from scratch) goes great with it, but it's too soft to decorate with. I should have used butter cream - I'll know next time! The important thing is that it was DELICIOUS! =))) The football was sculpted out of rice crispie treats - yep - I'm practically a professional! I feel sure Cake Boss will be calling soon!

Josh and his friends- Josh, Brian, Josh, wittle Isaac, and Mike(y) =)

Josh and his prize ;))))))))

Jacob has NO fear of the water and I'm not sure I've seen a kid who loves swimming more. It was hilarious! Hearing him laugh and giggle makes my heart happy =)

Emily (peace back at ya!), Sara, Shealy, and Payton

The boys playing washers! My dad made Josh this Texas A&M washer game - it's so cool! They had a lot of fun and weren't the least bit competitive - NOT! haha

For Josh's birthday, I emailed A&M's head coach's asst., and asked if I sent them a football, if Coach Sherman would sign it...as you can see, he did! WHOOP! Josh loved it! Can you tell that these pictures are a lot better?? I also got him a new camera, which we needed. My camera is seven years old - it was my big purchase after I started working - only it's not a good camera so it was definitely time. Josh is quite quite quite excited about that too!

Relaxing and eating cake and ice cream. I believe his word to describe his party was "Stellar!" =))))) I love my husband SO much and am so glad he had a good time! He deserves it!

We put a pretty good dent in that cake! It even blleeeeedds maroon! ;)

Even Baby Dre came! Can't wait to meet Melissa and Byron's son! But please wait til Daddy comes home, Dre! =)

I wanted to title this blog "Jodi and Melissa" because they were NOT happy about their picture being taken and knew it would be on my blog. Too bad sistas! =)))

Holly and her boys and me - they were very cooperative...unlike the two above hahaha

Stacey and me =) We are famous you know, because we had our picture taken with Beth Moore. =)))))

Bridget and me - her parents live next door so I like to text her when I see her car outside and say "Hey guess what!? I'm next door!" haha yep I'm mature like that!

The Henry Family - Jacob, Mike, Juine, Holly, Isaac, and Sara!

Thanks to everyone for coming! My love had a wonderful time! =)

Phone Pictures Vol. 2

2011-06-26T00:20:00.000-05:00

I like this new idea of mine. It's quite a brilliant idea, I must say - posting pictures from my phone. ;) My phone is usually nearby to catch fun happenings. =) My summer so far is swell! I didn't take a picture of my Kindle, but I shoulda, because it's my BFF for sure! I just started Book #5 today! Enjoy!:

Squirt loves her big sis! And proceeded to plop down next to her!

How can anyone say cats are evil?! Samson is hugging the Bible!!! hahaha

It's a miracle! My brown thumb (and Josh's watering!) has won out! My very own home grown jalapenos! =))))

This is certainly not a sight you see often, or ever. My cats tolerate Squirt. This is Fat Cat vs. Scrawny Cat. Squirt is full grown, but is quite petite. Don't let her size fool you though - she is a pistol and antagonizes her older sisters ALL the time!!! It's quite entertaining. They hiss so loud sometimes and literally sound like kids screaming. This used to scare me because I thought surely I would see blood, but I know now not to worry haha For some reason, my cats, despite their large size, don't put up much of a fight to Squirt haha

I saw FLAPPER all grown up!! You can't see him in the picture because it's dark, but he's on the awning! I know it's him (or his siblings) because he was a lot smaller still than his parents, but he's flying! Flap Flap away Flapper! ;)

I used to think Samson was the smartest cat we have - I see now that I'm wrong. I shoulda turned the water on. I have no clue why he was in the sink. Funny (and not sanitary - I scrubbed it out!)

14 lbs. of cat on me. Yep. haha

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

2011-06-19T08:33:00.000-05:00

I'm seeing and hearing alllll the claims about how "My dad is the best!" Well, that is fraud and bologna because Rod Kenas is THE best! I am SO blessed and thankful to be one of his three daughters!! Here are a few fun facts about my dad:

1. He is the eternal optimist and the glass is always half full - always having a great and positive attitude. I wish I had this trait - oh look, there is my pessimism shining through! haha

2) Cherry tomatoes are his version of candy, and other types of veggies. He can have ice cream once a year and be fine. Man. What's that like?? haha

3) He definitely has a servant's heart. Everyone else is always first. In high school I remember him always delivering my mom's glass of orange juice to their bathroom so it would be there for her when she got out of the shower. I also remember in high school on trash pick up days, he would knock at the bottom of the stairs to make sure all his girls were dressed so he could take out our trash. How nice!

4) The man deserves an Olympic medal for living, and surviving well, with FOUR girls! He loves us no matter what time of the month it is! hahaha

5) In 2nd or 3rd grade, while playing in a soccer game, I got the wind knocked out of me. It was a very scary thing, until my daddy came and picked me up off the field and carried me to the sidelines =)

6) When we were in high school, Dad was the pit crew captain (I think that was the name of his job). His job was to see that allll of the percussion instruments were set up on the sidelines for marching band, and to hook up all microphones for students who had solos, like me. Well, we made it to State Marching Contest in Waco which was very nerve wracking. I had a solo, and we had to test my mike in front of a huge, full stadium at contest before we marched. My mike worked just dandy when we tested it (me being somewhere on the center of the field, Dad on the sidelines). He did something to make me laugh, loosen up my nerves, so I laughed. Into my mike. In front of lots and lots of people. At State Marching. Yep! hahaha We were just keepin' it real!

7) When we go to the beach, he always finds the first whole sand dollar. It's quite a feat, and stems from his patience (refer to #4, and needing patience).

8) He is one of those perky morning people. How can anyone be perky in the morning?? This quality did not bode well for three daughters in high school in the morning who didn't feel like talking before school haha

9) He helped build the Causeway on the Island in CC. He also had a pet boa constrictor named Rags at that time. Mom was so upset that Rags somehow escaped in Dad's apartment before Mom met him ;))

10) He wakes up at like 5:30 am to take out the trash, unload the dishwasher, and other chores. wowzers. I'm pretty sure the only thing that gets me outta bed is food hahaha

11) He makes MEEEAN grilled chicken. This is usually my request when I go to visit.

12) There have been many times when I have found the gas tank in my car filled up mysteriously...hmmm...who did that?!!?

13) He always sang "Don't Fence Me In" to us as kids at bath time. Precious memories.

14) He takes after his dad and is one talented carpenter. He made our bunk beds when we were little that was SO cool with a bridge across the top bunks.

15) He didn't kill me when I put a nice dent in the first two brand new cars he bought us. That was very appreciated haha

16) He loves being an Aggie dad, and has always worked his tail off to provide everything and then some for all of us!

17) He loves country music. 100.3 KILT =)

18) When hearing his boots come up the stairs slowly, and then his first step on the hard wood floor upstairs...NOT a good sign for your future! HAHA The saying "Just wait til your dad gets home..." Yeah....haha

19) Having a hard time waking up in the morning? No worries - Daddy will rub your back gently and patiently until Sleeping Beauty is ready, and then open the blinds and say "Riiiiise and Shiiine!" haha

Dad, thanks for being MY dad! I am so very blessed to have you father me! I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you, your favorite and most beautiful daughter, Rebecca! =))