Our provider.....

Tomorrow, December 31, 2010 is my dad's last day to work. He is entering the wonderful world of retirement. I can't help but get emotional when I think of it. My dad has worked all of my life. He has never been without a job as far as I know. He is one of the hardest workers I know. We never had the best of things or the finest clothes, but we always knew that he loved us. We never did without things we needed. I think he has worked since he was like 14 or something. He always did so much for his family, and still does for that matter. He is so giving, not only of his time, but also anytime he sees a need. He would literally give the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it. He has been an elected official for the past 12 years. He served 3 terms. He decided it was time to retire. I am so glad he did. He deserves a break! He has poured his heart and soul into his job for the last 12 years. I can honestly say that he did his job 110% every day! So, dad, we're proud of you and your accomplishments. We love you. (and I hope to see many more trips to Dallas in the near future!!) :)

Christmas loot...

My new SFA hoodie....love it so much I have already worn it once! (from hubby)

Oh.my.word! This was hubbies way of telling me he bought me tickets to see Martina McBride!!!


The tickets!!!!

My new watch!! (from hubby)

My new New Balance tennis shoes (from hubby)


I am such a supporter of Sarah Palin! My family thinks I am crazy, but I think she's great! Does she have faults, sure. But don't we all.

all from hubby! he spoiled me so much.

MIL Pat, hubby, FIL Bill; they bought this awesome Mississippi State rug for him for Christmas!!


they also bought him this awesome plate!!!

new flip flop slippers from hubby


Stephen got me all of these Brighton charms and spacers except the apple and 2 spaces on each side. My sister and mom bought me the apple charm and bracelet.

my loot from my MIL: WII Fit Plus, several new Brighton charms and spacers, and this cool Pampered Chef thingie. I can't wait to use it!!

My family spoiled me this year. I have been through so much this year and they really heaped love on me at Christmas. My mom bought me a new Crock pot w/ a timer. I also got a new set of sheets for my bed. I also got a new Vera Bradley pill thingie for my purse. I love everything!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!! I hope Santa Claus was good to you!!

Little Fockers

We went to see Little Fockers tonight. I have to say, it was so very predictable but so very funny!!! I think I could watch these movies over and over again and still laugh so hard. I never get tired of the DeNiro/Stiller duo!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

one. I'm loving the Martina McBride Christmas CD playing in the background as I clean/redecorate my scrapbooking room!

two. I'm loving that I got new wall decor at Hobby Lobby today for 50% off!

three. I can't wait to see Little Fockers tonight with my hubby!

four. I'm loving getting to sleep late.

five. Cuddle time with Sippi!

six. I am finished with wrapping for 2010!

seven. I can't wait to see my family (again) tomorrow. I love my family.

eight. I had time today to drink 2 cups of coffee.

nine. I am caught up on laundry. At least for today anyways!

ten. I am loving that I can spend all day in comfy clothes.

Christmas 2010

Stephen, myself, and Sippi
brother in law Ryan, sister Melissa, and nephew Isaac

BIL Richard, sister Shelley, nephew Ryan, niece Lauren, and Stormy
Mom and Dad

Family picture

Show us your life: Christmas Edition

upstairs tree in gameroom, decorated with sports of course!


dining room, most unused room in my house!!



village set

downstairs tree

project...COMPLETED!

I set out for Christmas to make my awesome team a sign to hang on our doors that were matching. I started the project and it was looking terrible. So I gave up. temporarily anyways. I decided to try again after consulting with my friend who just happens to be a previous art teacher. She gave me some pointers so I set out to try again. The second time it was better. It did take me a week though. My hubby was glad for this project to be over because it was spread all over my kitchen! :) So, here they are.....

s.i.c.k.

Wouldn't you know it, right here at Christmas and I get sick. :( It is just a cold and hopefully it will pass very quickly. But as of right now, I can't breathe! Ugh! I hate colds!!! I thought it was strep at first but then the sore throat subsided and the congestion set in.

4 more days and it will be winter break. I am so ready. I have really worn myself out by trying to catch up on my work.

Christmas 2010

Pretty Poinsettia Print Christmas Card

Shutterfly Christmas cards

View the entire collection of cards.

Gaylord Texan ICE exhibit and a funny story.....

First for my funny story, I was grading spelling papers this weekend. Our spelling pattern was the sh,th words. The word was shot. Let's just say the o was turned into an i! Her mother is going to DIE!!! :)

So, Stephen's 39th birthday is Tuesday. This week is super crazy and I had to schedule my physical therapy for that day at 5:45, so we decided to celebrate today. I totally left it up to him as to where we went. So, we ate lunch at Red Robin ( one of his faves!). Then, we went to the Gaylord Texas to see the Peanuts Ice Exhibit. Then, we did some shopping. Then, dinner at Pappadeauxs! Now we're home and watching TV. I did really good with all the walking today. I figured I wouldn't hardly be able to walk this evening, but so far so good! :) Yeah for healing!

Thanksgiving Weekend...

I worked Monday and Tuesday this week. On Wednesday, we headed down to Nacogdoches to spend time with family. We ate a yummy dinner at mom's house Wednesday night, beef stew, one of my favorites!

Thursday: Went to mom's around noon. Ate chips and dip; helped mom cook our Thanksgiving feast!! Turkey, ham, dressing, scalloped potatoes, broccoli rice casserole, yams, rolls, fruit salad, pumpkin pies yummo!! I ate so much I hurt!!!

Friday: Stephen and I got up early ( not as early as everyone else but still early for us!) and did some shopping in Lufkin. Then, we came back to Nac and picked up the rest of the family and did some more shopping! We had lunch together at Cotton Patch. Friday evening, Stephen and I headed back to Dallas.

Saturday: weighed in, gained 3 pounds this week :( We did some more shopping! Christmas shopping is officially DONE!

Sunday: We are enjoying the last of our vacation and doing some things around the house. I have started wrapping my presents. I found a $600 Swiss watch for $50 for Stephen for Christmas. He knows about it, no big surprise! Oh well! He is excited......

Tomorrow is back to the daily grind! I miss my kids though. I wonder if they miss me?

What a Weekend!!!

On November 27th, my baby sister turns 30! So, what better to do for 30 years of life than have a SURPRISE birthday party!!! Her husband was GREAT in getting her to my house without her ever having a clue! He told her that he and my husband were going to get Josh Hamilton autographs. She was even pumped about it!!! So, imagine her surprise when she walks into my house and finds all of her friends and family yelling "SURPRISE!" She even had some tears!!! It was great! We catered Posados (no cooking for me) :) and it was delicious!!!


me and the birthday girl!



Stephen and I also took Christmas pictures, along with Miss Sippi.

It was so fun having family fill this house! I love having company!!!

an award...

Thank you to Elise over at Confessions of a Brown-Eyed Twenty Something for the award....

7 Facts about me....

1. I am deathly scared of mice!

2. I am OCD.

3. I do believe I have ADHD.

4. I love teaching.

5. I want to drive a sports car. Always have.

6. I like the feel of freshly shaved legs on clean sheets.

7. I put my Christmas tree up November 6th this year. I couldn't resist. Christmas if my FAVORITE time of the year!!! :)

Planning...

So, last week I made it through the whole week. barely. The kids did pretty good, but there are many challenges. Like, one student throws a fit when he gets into trouble. Stealing. This is the chattiest group I have ever taught. Seriously. This is my 9th year to teach and seriously. Chatty Cathy's! I have one student who is seriously too smart. I was letting him read high frequency words to see where they were and he could read the whole list for the whole year. Never missed one single word. Made this little teacher happy!!!!!!!

Anyways......Monday we have a whole day to just plan. 4 subs in first grade and we all can collaborate and just plan. I hope to crank out some serious lesson plans!! I'm super happy about this.

I have been working till 6 every day just trying to catch up. Will I EVER catch up???? I don't know....

I made it!!!

Well, I officially made it through my first day back! woohooo!!! I am still so so so very behind, but I am taking it one day at a time. The kids definitely tried my patience! They have been through 3 subs. We had to have about 3 "family discussions". On the 3rd one, I told them we needed to have a family discussion and one kid said, "We're having ANOTHER family discussion? We've already had 2!" It was hilarious!

I also had physical therapy after work. Needless to say, I am E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D!!!! Good night!

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 30.....and the end! :)

I can't believe this is the last of this challenge! Time sure has flown by! I have enjoyed getting to know everyone. I have stumbled across some great blogs and have received some great ideas!!! I will leave you with this last picture.....my little family as we know it!

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 29

3 wishes.....

1. a baby

2. lots more weight loss

3. a successful school year

These are a few of my favorite things.......

My Christmas list......for now......... :)


I'm in love with this watch even more now after trying it on today!


I think this will make my life so much easier!!!



I got a new Brighton charm bracelet for my birthday from my mom and sister, now I want some new charms. I filled out a wishlist today at the Brighton store.




Would love some Beatles CD's since they're not on I tunes....





Aren't these the CUTEST slippers ever???? I love red anything!

New Balance tennis shoes

New crockpot with a timer