Thursday Thirteen

13 Things Going On Around Here...

1. I had my Master's class tonight.
2. Have I mentioned that it is kicking my butt? RESEARCH Methods!!
3. We are supposed to get some weather tonight, but it is not looking promising for our area of the state. So...I probably won't get to enjoy seeing my school name scroll across the bottom of the screen tomorrow for NO SCHOOL. ha!
4. Tayhlor (my new niece compliments of Bubby's marriage) has started at my school, and she is fitting in great (already has a crush).
5. I LOVE having her in my room before and after school. She's a great helper.
6. My two new students are good kids and smart...how lucky am I? (You never know when you get new students - it can make or break your classroom.)
7. We are making root beer floats tomorrow for our science lesson. FUN! Who can identify the science in it? ha!
8. I have to spend all day Saturday at the library doing research!
9. I finally got my first re-imbursement check for my fall tuition today - that was sweet!
10. Tomorrow, we are cooking dinner for Donna and Jerry so they won't have to worry about food on their first day home with the babies.
11. Which means....tomorrow I get to see the precious babies again!
12. My birthday is next week.
13. And, for the first time ever, I am kind of bummed about it - how did I get to be 35? And why is it bothering me? I've never been bothered by a birthday before...hmmm

Pictures of the TWINS!

They are on their way!!

**Updated below!!!!

My friend, Donna, is about to be the proud Momma of twin girls! She went for her doctor appointment today, and they decided it was time.

She was scheduled for February 7th, but her blood pressure has been high the past two doctor's visits. So....by this time tomorrow,she will be a Momma. What do you think that will do her blood pressure? ha!

I'll keep ya posted and hopefully have some precious baby pics tomorrow.

Keep her in your prayers for safe delivery and healthy girls!

** UPDATE: Jerry called about an hour ago, and we have healthy baby girls! One is 5lbs. 3oz. and the other is 5lbs.4oz. One has dark hair and one has light hair...awww! :-) Welcome Hayden Leigh and Riley Lynn! Pictures tomorrow. To all the scrappin' peeps (or anyone else) e-mail me if you want her hospital info to visit.

In Scrappin' News...

On Friday, we got some "bad" weather...well, for central Arkansas it was bad weather. Everyone freaked out and started leaving work early and schools closed an hour early. Now, am I complaining? Heck no! It's just comical to watch the panic that takes place when we might get some bad weather! Turns out, I drove home in the rain - not sleet. hee-hee! My kiddo's started checking out early around 11 o'clock and when we got back from lunch, I had ten kids. Woo-hoo! Buses started dismissing at 1:00...so, Friday was a wash! They were HYPER!

Was scrappin' cancelled you ask? Ummm...NO! We cancel for nothing! LOL! All this did was let us gather even earlier! Ha!

We started scrappin' by 3 o'clock this time instead of waiting until 6 or so for everyone to get here! It was awesome!

I thought I was share some my favorite pages I did Friday night and my two favorite new scrappin' finds: I was digging the colors with Autumn's birthday page & with the cat page. I am in a stage where I love chocolate brown! (And, simplicity!)
As for two fav new finds - you gotta get some self-adhesive ribbon. I used it to divide these pages below. But with the adhesive on the back already - wow - easy! (Hobby Lobby plug here) And note the cool campfire at the bottom of the page found at a local scrapbook store...love it! This page made me ready to get the pop-up back out and hit the road!
I think I got 8 pages done over the coarse of the night. I believe Sandy was the winner with 12 finished pages!

Running...

I have just been running from here to there all week! All days aren't like the one I posted below, but everyday this week has been! I don't like weeks like this b/c I need some down-time to just be lazy or relax. What is keeping me sane is that tomorrow night is ..... SCRAPBOOKING! Yay!!!! (and yum b/c the food is always good too! ha!)

I have class tonight, so I gotta run (see the theme - ha!). Have I had a chance to mention that this class is going to kick my butt? I mean, the name is Research Methods. RESEARCH...according to last weeks class, I just thought I knew what that word meant! But the good news is that this professor gives very clear instructions, and we know what is expected of us. Much better than last semester!

A Day in my Life (in Pictures)...

First of all, I totally bloglifted this idea from the FlipFlop Mamma b/c I thought it was cool. It's kind of like scrapbooking a regular day in your life...so here is today in LoriLand! The alarm started going off at 5:30 am, but I think I hit snooze until at least 5:50 am. I start my day everyday with a Dr. Pepper and pop tarts, or the day goes downhill from the start! ha! If I am cranky, my kids will ask me if I had my Dr. Pepper! :-)
Today was back to work after a 3 day weekend...hello classroom!
I welcomed two new students today. We had a great day too!
We learned all about Martin Luther King, Jr.
I volunteered with the SECME after school program. It meets once a month, and today was the day. It's from 2:45 to 5 pm. Today we built card houses from cards. You only get tape and 100 index cards. The houses must withstand heavy weight falling on them and still stand. Today's session was practice and the weight was the dictionary. They did an impressive job!
Got home at 5:30 pm and fed the dog ~ he's kind of messy! LOL!
Sat down to eat a bowl of cereal and read the next chapter in The Purpose Driven Life. Today was day 2.
An hour later about 6:30pm, on the way to an AA speaker meeting with Kevin. We had to drive into "town" as we call it here. So, it takes about 20/25 min. to get there. The meeting was until almost 9 pm. It was a good, motivating meeting I thought. Kevin is just making faces b/c I threatened to put his picture on my blog ~ see what happens! :-)
And, now we are home, I am blogging b/c I didn't want to take all these pictures for nothing! ha! But I am exhausted, so I am going to check my email and go to bed! I promise to read everyone's blog tomorrow! I really didn't get any computer time today! :-(
Now, let's see a regular 'ole day in pictures girls!

Troubles update...

My troubles are still lurking, but I have a better handle on things for now. Have you ever gone to Church and heard a message just when you needed it? That has happened for us two weeks in a row now, but this week really spoke to us. 'The quality of our lives depends largely on the kinds of decisions we make' was the first line in the bulletin. Kevin is struggling with indecision right now, and I am trying to support him. Sometimes it is difficult, because we are so different in many ways. I am a type-A personality, and he is the opposite! ha! But relationships are a series of up's and down's...we will survive and be stronger for it. We just have to get our priorities in order. God doesn't say if you face trials, but whenever you face trials.

We started the book The Purpose Driven Life together last night. Have any of you read it? You read a chapter a day for 40 days. Each day gives you a point to ponder, a verse to remember, and a question to consider. I am excited about starting it together!

Spread the Love Award!!

I got an award!! Thanks to Lindsay over at Splat Designs ~ she is the bomb!! I owe her the awesome look of my blog every time I get the urge to re-do it. She has an incredible talent. So, thank you ma'am for spreading some love my way at a time when I needed it!

And, on to the really fun part of spreading the love award to others...drumroll...

*I award Tee over at Double Duty ~ She is an amazing Mom to her daughter and makes me giggle on a regular basis with the spin she can put on a story. (or her quirky crush on David Cassidy ~ what is that about Tee? LOL!)

**I award Trina over at Son Up to Son Down ~ She inspires me daily with her faith. Her posts are uplifting and motivate me to try and do even better! And, she has 5 boys with another on the way. But, she knows her blessings and counts them regularly.

***Last, but not least, I award Steff over at An Inside Look... ~ We have too much in common. It's crazy! She is also a teacher of little people and a scrapbook lover! LOL! She is also going through some stuff right now, so she needs some love her way!

Now ladies ~ you get to spread the love! Enjoy!! :-)

Troubles...

I know we all have them. If someone says their life is perfect, well, I think they are lying. Troubles come in waves I think. I am in one of those waves at the moment. I truly believe that how you handle your troubles or problems defines your character. I didn't handle mine very well yesterday. But today is a new day...and I pray that I can handle anything that comes my way today with grace. I really do always strive to find the positive side of things. Sometimes, like now, I just can't. That was yesterday though....maybe today I will. Why do women have to carry the weight of everything? Sometimes it is just too much...there is so much going on that I just can't get into it right now. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to Kevin, because they are OUR problems. But fair or not, I may have to talk to get it out, because I just can't do it on my own. This will just have to do for now...
When you say your prayers today, say one for me ~ that I have the strength I need.

Wordless Wednesday...sort of

I title this picture: Surrounded!

**I have to make a note here to say - I love boxers. I am a boxer nut! But, normally I do not wear boxers on my socks! ha! See them? Kevin saw them in a store yesterday and bought them for me as an "I love you gift". Now, what girl wouldn't put them on and at least wear them around the house? :-)

Meet my new niece ~ Tayhlor

Remember when my Bubby got married this summer? Well, I got this great new niece out of the deal!

Tayhlor turned ten last week, and her birthday party was this weekend. There were giggling, screaming girls everywhere! ha!

Make a wish!

She really is a beautiful girl, and she is very polite and so sweet. I am excited that she is starting at my school next week!!! I will really to get to spend some time with her then. She gets to come to my room before and after school (can you say helper? ha!). Yay! I hope her transition is smooth. Switching school isn't easy at her age and this is all new to her. Hopefully, my being at the school will help!

Weekend Projects

The necessary tools ~ and you could probably hear the "Tim the Tool Man" grunting when Kevin was in the garage using the miter saw! Ha! We finished putting up the molding this afternoon. While I was caulking (or doing the tedious work as Kevin said), he disappeared into the yard to start getting his garden ready for this spring...doesn't he look like Farmer Kevin? hee-hee! Mom & Dad brought him some hay from the barn yesterday. And, I think next weekend, we are going to be really redneck and bring home horse manure!

I snuck this picture through the dining room window:
Anyhoo ~ here is the crown molding!!! I LOVE it! We cheated and used the corner pieces, but the corner pieces were the hardest part! That is all we did last night ~ install the corner pieces. I really thought we were in over our heads, and that we were going to kill each other before the whole process was complete! LOL! Kevin is a wise man though and suggested we stop and start back today with a fresh attitude.
Today went really smoothly...it was kind of scary. I think we can tackle the other rooms ~ but after we forget what a pain it was to put in those corner pieces! Ha! It looks good though...I've still got to putty the nail spots and touch up paint, but it's almost DONE!
And Farmer Brown has his compost pile just the way he wants it for now. All he needs is horse manure from Mom's house, and I'm supposed to start bringing home the guinea pig cage mess when I clean it out...FUN! (not!)

You know it's true...

...I'm a blogaholic!

Picked this up from La Bellina Mammina & am going to share with all my bloggin' buddies! Because you know it fits you too!

Here are the rules:

Please grab the button and proudly display it on your blog. Pass it on to as many people as you want to. Thanks and welcome to the club. If you are reading my blog, I happily pass it on to you!

Thursday Thirteen

*I am super cranky today. I have no reason. I am just a woman. So, I decided to try and make myself get in a better mood by blogging and making a positive post. For the record, it didn't work, I'm still cranky, but I have a positive post. ha!

The Best of 2007:

(in no certain order)

1. Finally bought my own camper ~ the pop-up is sweet! And, for Christmas we got a memory foam mattress for it from Mom and Dad. It will be like sleeping at home. Good stuff!

2. Kevin moved here and moved in (a first for me).

3. We went to Cozumel!!!

4. Snorkeling!!! (that was the BEST!)

5. I got an awesome new job!

6. Made new friends (my new BFF's at work)

7. Kevin's best year of sobriety!!

8. I didn't smoke all year - woo-hoo!

9. A student nominated/honored me with an award ~ very humbling.

10. The doggie door that has provided endless entertainment all year...with the CAT!

11. Camping trips and even in the FALL...loved it!

12. My Bubby got married, and I have the sweetest new niece!

13. Scrapbook night continues and gets cancelled for nothing and no one! LOL!

Wordless Wednesday

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

**To help me with my New Year's Goal/Resolution to read more, I am going to make myself accountable by writing a review or summary of each book I read. Then, I'll be able to check up on myself. So, you might find something you want to read, or you might skip these posts. LOL!

From the book jacket:
When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets Savannah, the girl of his dreams. The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty. But neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world. Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover that loving Savannah will force him to make the hardest decision of his life.

What I thought:
This is the same man who wrote 'The Notebook', so you know it is a good, heartwarming love story. I cried at times and gushed like a girl over the love these two felt for each other. But, it was also pretty predictable. I pretty much knew what was coming at different points in the book. That didn't make it a bad book though. It was good, and a nice break from my norm of crime solving mystery's. I would recommend it for a light, romantic read.

Ok...that was my first read for the New Year, but technically doesn't count towards my goal b/c I started it during a school break! But, I finished it once we were back in school, so I'm gonna take credit anyway! LOL!
Happy Reading! :-)

First day back with the kiddo's

I am just gonna say it again.... I LOVE MY JOB!! It's true...cheesy, can't be denied...I really love my job! I was missing my kids this weekend. Yep, I was ready to go back to work. I have such neat kids this year. We were all glad to be back (at least, I think they were...they seemed pretty happy and were definitely chatty! LOL!) Don't get me wrong though, it was tough after lunch. We all just wanted a big 'ole nap! Getting back into a routine isn't easy after 2 1/2 weeks off! Feel sorry for me? hee-hee!

Aside from the alarm clock, it was a GREAT day!

Out with the old, and in with the new!

The Before shot:After: (almost finished ~ Kevin informed me we would put up the molding next weekend. I guess since he has to work all weekend this weekend, I'll give him that break. hee-hee!) We made an accent wall of chocolate behind the bed and the other walls are a gold color. The best way to describe it is the back wall was like smearing hot fudge all over the wall and the other 3 are like butterscotch...yum! :-)

I think it's alot prettier in person than the picture shows. I got the new comforter and paint with my Christmas money from Kevin's Mom & Dad - so THANK YOU! And, this is our first compromise...Kevin & I have completely different tastes. I like ornate, he likes simple lines. I like dark colors, he likes light colors. I took some things out of the room that he suggested, and we actually agreed on the paint. Oh...and Mom, the actual name of the chocolate color is cowboy boots. I thought you'd appreciate that!

Nala gives it her stamp of approval. This bed is now fit for a queen!
I didn't take a before shot from this angle...and this one blurred. But you get the idea. I took down some greenery above the shelves on the entertainment center (aka dust traps). I have done some serious cleaning out over the break. There is going to be a big yard sale come Spring in our garage!!
And, finally, the molding that will go up next weekend. Well...I've procrastinated enough. I guess I'll go paint it!

Back to Work...

Today was the first day back to work...I hate the alarm clock! Hate it! And, I even got to sleep in an extra hour b/c we didn't have kids today ~ just meetings (which is worse). Let me tell you, teacher meetings are the WORST! They are boring, boring, boring...and trying to get a room full of teachers to be quiet and listen is actually comical! I doodled my little heart out today and made a massive "to do" list for the weekend. hee-hee!

Yesterday, Kevin and I painted the bedroom. You will see the complete transformation hopefully after the weekend. We aren't completely finished. We think we are going to try putting up crown molding this weekend. Then, it should be finished. It's lookin' good so far...thank YOU Christmas money!!! :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Happy New Year!!

It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone...and now it's 2008! Time flies...I look back over the past year's ups and downs and wonder, what will 2008 bring? I got a feelin' it's gonna be GOOD! :-)

For the first time EVER, I kept my resolutions from last year:
For 2007
I will:
*not smoke!! (today marks 3 weeks of no smoking! I am on my way!!)
*find a small church to start attending
*keep on living life, enjoying the journey, and giggling daily!!!!

So, the pressure is on to do just as good in 2008! LOL! I am going to keep them simple and realistic again ~ maybe that was the trick...

For 2008
I will:
*continue NOT smoking (I've made it just over a year now!)
*now I need to be brave enough to join the church instead of just visiting each week
*read more ~ not just when I am on vacation from school, but year round!
*slow down and enjoy the moment I am IN! :-)

I wish everyone (including me) good luck & perseverance with their resolutions for the New Year!

Have a GREAT DAY! I have one more day of vacation after today...:-(