Goodbye 2009!

So much has happened in this past year. My husband came home after 8 months away, then I had to say goodbye again, only to say hello again 3 months later. His 12 month deployment finally ended! I ended my third year of teaching and finished my Master's, while starting another! We gained a new addition to our family, cute little JRoll! I recarpeted the entire upstairs of our house while my husband was gone, and took care of a tree that feel down in our backyard.

These are just a few of the things that happened this past year. Although I learned so much about myself this past year, I am so happy it is over and more importantly, my husband is home safe.

2010 will hopefully bring a decision on a new house, another Master's degree and maybe even a new addition to the family (no I am not pregnant)! I hope everyone has had a great year, and has a safe and happy New Year!

Bermuda Anyone?

No, we aren't leaving just yet, but we WILL be! For Christmas, my parents surprised Michael and I, my brother and his wife with a cruise! I actually already knew about it, as Michael and I were going to book the exact same one back in July, so they had to tell me, but it was still an amazing present.

My parents have figured that since their family is growing up, and more than likely Michael and I will be having kids soon, they wanted to take one last family vacation, without grand kids anyway. They have been saving and were so excited to tell everyone! I have to say I have the best parents in the world, and not just because of the cruise. They have always been there for me, and made it possible for me to go to school and graduate without debt. They have given me the tools I have needed to succeed and I can never repay them for that.

Ok, enough of the mushiness, I know you want the details! It is a 9 day Royal Caribbean cruise leaving in June. We are stopping at Bermuda, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico! The best part is it is over our anniversary, and we went to St. Maarten on our honeymoon. What a great way to spend our anniversary! I can't wait. Now I have 6 months to lose weight and shop!

Oh Christmas Deals, How I Love Thee

You would NEVER catch me shopping on Black Friday. I think those people are just plain crazy. I don't care if they were giving something expensive away for $1, I just couldn't get up at 3 am or stay up all night for it.

BUT, the after Christmas deals are fabulous! I don't have to get up early, and I can get some great sale items (read: clothes! And wrapping paper for next year for a $1 or less!) Michael and I braved the mall yesterday, and it really wasn't bad at all! I bought some clothes for our cruise our parents bought us for Christmas (more about that later!) and some great Christmas decorations for next year.

Yesterday, I even went into work at the restaurant. We weren't that busy, but I still managed to make 75$ which isn't bad for three hours of work! I think I am going to start working there on the weekends if they need me. I don't want to leave my husband, but the extra money couldn't hurt when we have a great vacation to go on, and may possibly buy a piece of land in the very near future (again for a later post).

Today I am getting my hair CUT, finally and a pedicure that my wonderful husband got me for Christmas. Tomorrow, it's off to see Nana! Oh how I love that lady.

The next BIG questions of this vacation : What to do for New Years!? Any suggestions?

The Best Christmas Ever

The best Christmas present?

Waking up and sharing Christmas with my husband.

Merry Christmas!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

As you run around, completing last minute errands, and doing your own family traditions tonight, remember those who cannot be with their families this year. Those who fight to protect our freedom, and their families who will have an empty spot at the table. Say a prayer for them and their families, as you enjoy your holiday at home.

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon 'round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."
With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him onthat cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

...Major Bruce W. Lovely

Christmas at Arlington

We can never repay you, or express our gratitude to you and your family for your service.

Christmas Traditions

I love Christmas. It is one of my favorite times of year. The music, the decorations and spending time with family. We have Christmas traditions that I have been doing my whole life.

On Christmas Eve, my family always attends the 7:00 family service at church. I love this service because the little kids put on the nativity play. They are so adorable. Then we head back to my parents house for a late dinner. We are allowed to choose one present to open to help tide us over to the next day.

Since Michael and I got married, we wake up on Christmas morning and open presents with each other, and then head over to his Grandparents house to have Christmas with them and his little nephews. I love watching them open presents. Last year, his little 4 year old nephew got so excited over socks! Adorable.

After that, we head to my parents house to have Christmas with them. We always make monkey bread, a family favorite that is very easy to make. You simply take Pillsbury rolls, split each roll into three pieces, roll them in balls, then roll those in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Add a little butter and put it in the over = delicious!

We then head back over to Michel's grandparents for Christmas dinner (not really dinner since it's 3:30, but that's what they call it!), then back over to my parents house for their dinner at 6:00.

Needless to say, we are very exhausted and full by the end of the day! It's such a wonderful time, and this year I am very happy to be able to share it with Michael. My Christmas couldn't get any better!

It's OFFICIAL!!!

I am on Christmas break! Students and teachers had off on Monday thanks to the snow that fell this past weekend! It was a nice, break to have, and Michael and I stayed in and watched movies, then traveled to the mall (carefully!) to watch the Blind Side. What a GREAT movie...a must see if you haven't already.

Today, I was expecting another day off, since there was still about an inch of ice on the ground in our neighborhood, but apparently the teachers lives weren't that important because they had us come in at 10. I can't really complain, we were only there for about 4 hours and I don't have to make it up in June.

Michael's new car also came in today. After two months of waiting, he got the call, and we went out this afternoon. I am so happy because I was very tired of hearing about it, and doing drive-bys at the dealership to see if it came in. I am sure pretty soon they would think we were plotting a heist as much as we rode out there!

Life is good. We are on vacation, my husband will be in the continental U.S. for Christmas, and we are healthy and happy. What more could I ask for?

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Saturday morning, I woke up early to let the dogs out and find at least 6 inches of snow had already fallen! It kept going throughout the day, and by the time it ended late last night, we had at least a foot of snow on the ground, and I'm sure more. It was nice being snowed in yesterday. We cuddled, watched movies and just relaxed. Today started the clean out. Michael shoveled and got rid of most of the snow on my car.

Now we are just waiting to hear about school tomorrow. They have cleared most of the main roads, but many students live on back roads, so we will see. Five districts have already closed for tomorrow, but who's counting?! I wouldn't even mind going in and just not having students!

At least it finally feels like Christmas and I know Michael and Rocky had a great time!

Let it Snow!

According to our weatherman, we are supposed to received around 12 inches of snow between tonight, tomorrow and into Sunday. I would LOVE this, and am secretly praying it's so bad that we can't go to school Monday and Tuesday and my winter vacation will start early.

However, the weatherman has let me down in the past, so I'm not getting too excited just yet. I will wait and see just how much snow falls and starts to stick!

Christmas Fun!

Tonight we had our annual team Christmas party. All of the 4th grade teachers gather at a restaurant and have some fun laughing our butts off! Tonight we enjoyed a fabulous meal and then we played musical chairs and had a Chinese auction in which I got chocolate, the book from the movie Fireproof (which I actually have wanted) and edible body candy. Yes our presents get a little crazy. One of the presents tonight was a package called Divine which included edible body powder, massage oil edible underwear! Hilarious.

We also found out this afternoon, that JRoll is a super cat. After the vet said she wouldn't be able to get out the staples they put in, guess what? Yup, that's right....another hole in her side. So, Michael had to leave the Christmas party tonight to take her back to the vet. This time they used glue. When we got home....yes, that's right, open. I think we are just going to see what happens because obviously nothing is working. As long as it doesn't get infected I guess we are ok! Keep your fingers crossed.

3 days until Christmas Break....1 more day this week. Thank goodness!

Poor JRoll :(

No, nothing is wrong with Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies, although they did trade Cliff Lee :( But that's for another post.

JRoll, the kitten I wrote about back in August, was fixed and de-clawed last week. I know how awful de-clawing is (after you know how they do it, you will know what I mean) but for our sanity, it had to be done. With her pain medicine she has been doing well, besides the claws.

Today, I came home to find her stitches on her side where she was fixed were OUT. We are talking able to see IN. Yes, as lovely as that was, I calmly (ok, maybe not) called the vet and immediately took her there. Four staples later, she apparently is as good as new. She will have to go back in a week to get them out, unless she decides to take them out herself first!

Even after all of that, she was purring like crazy when we got home as I was petting her. She is a love.

Friday?

That is how this Monday has been....LONG. If I can just get to Friday. The solution?

Wine of course! Pray for me, and all of the other teachers.

NYC

I love NY. It's no secret...I force my husband to take me there at least once a year. We went yesterday and had a great time. Michael bought me tickets to see this....




The Rockettes! I loved the show, and I even think Michael like it. We only have one full week of school left...wish me luck getting through it!

Full Moon? Santa? Vacation?

All of the above! The kids are bOuNcInG off the walls! It is all I can do to get through reading, writing, math, and many more without screaming. The good news is, they aren't bad students, they are just so excited and hyper. Who can be mad for long at a little kid who can't wait for Christmas? At least I keep telling myself that!

Meanwhile, the teachers have banded together to relieve some stress at bowling! To liven things up a bit, our team ordered shirts, that's right, real bowling shirts. We found cheap ones online with a team name....

Rolling Thunder.

Tell me that isn't the best name ever? We had so much fun trash talking all day, and then loosening up with some adult beverages! Just what we needed.

Staff Meetings...

Oh how I love them. Not. I like to be informed, and it's nice seeing everyone once a month since we are in our own little hallways, but I don't miss the attitudes. There are two people in particular that bitch and complain about everything. Today, our sweet secretary recommended a new way to handle parent notes as we are wasting paper by copying them and then getting them back. Instead, they will now stay in the office in a folder labeled with our name where we can get them if we need them. Honestly, after I turn them in, I don't need another copy!

This teacher interrupted to ask question after question, when, if she just listened, her questions would have been answered. She complained about something that doesn't even make sense and isn't worth complaining about, not to mention the attitude she gave, not only to our poor secretary, but to our principal! I don't think she realizes that she is still her boss. Just ridiculous. Life is too short to be so nasty and negative.

Meanwhile, 10 more school days until break, and I get to see the Rockettes in NY on Saturday! So excited....get me to the weekend!!!

Lottery Anyone?

Yesterday we met with a builder in town. The builder has a tie in with a neighborhood that we really like, and they just dropped the lot prices! They are a pretty expensive builder though, however I know they build with amazing quality as they built my parents house 25+ years ago, and their addition to their house 15+ years ago.

While Michael was gone, I did an amazing (if I do say so myself!) job of saving money, and we have a very nice size down payment saved up. However, I feel like it just won't ever be enough the way prices are right now. It's just insane. I get worried that we won't be able to afford what we want, or buy our kids what they want while still going to Disney.

Then I think about everyone else. Everyone else is the same as us (unless they are millionaires). My parents did it on teachers salaries, and so has everyone else. Michael and I work hard, and have continued our education so we can afford things like this. I have decided that I am not going to worry about it. Everything will work out, and if it doesn't, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that we have a roof over our heads, a job, food, and most importantly each other.

I could still win the lottery though!!


On a complete side note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY!!! You are older than me. HA Love you!!

Welcome December!

I love this month. The weather gets cold (maybe even snow!), little kids get so excited, a loooong vacation from work, and of course, Christmas! I love everything about it...decorating the tree, the house, and having cookies around.

What do you love about December?

Today I had my MRI at the hospital. It was 45 minutes of loud noises and enclosed spaces. Really, it wasn't that bad, just long. I was so stiff afterwards from trying not to move. I have an appointment tomorrow with the Doctor so we will see! Wish me luck!