Javier & Tiffany

Final Class & a Birthday Cake

2012-02-11T20:05:00.002-08:00

Cake Decorating Final! Well, we did a cake in like 10 minutes - so I wasn't too pleased, butmy final cake is below. This is the rose I made, we were supposed to make a lot of them, but I did not like making them, so i did one - only.

This isn't what I wanted it to look like, but it is what it is. I had fun making colors, and that is why I used them all :)

A dear friend of mine's birthday is tomorrow so Josie and I made her a cake today! Well, I made the cake, but messed up trying to just make one thick round cake... needless to say, my oven got cleaned :-/ So then Javier made me 2 more cakes so we could actually decorate one!

This is Josie... She is special! ha ha kidding, but we sure had fun! Yay for Dawn!

Cake Decorating... class 3

2012-01-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

This class was the cupcake class! It was my favorite class so far, but I don't think we should have done the cupcakes with all the practice skills we did in class. I think we should have done the cupcakes last week, since it used the tips from those lessons on the cupcakes... BUT - I still made 1 cupcake (I know how sad, I baked 3 boxes full)

This is the cupcake I made in class (but I forgot to take a picture so it is a day old and it rained so all the frosting kinda melted) ~ and i didn't have white or black to make the eye and mouth, so its got a blue eye and orange mouth ;) and the hair used to stand up - but it now looks slicked back... oooh well :)

So tonight, I decided I needed to practice - and use the icing up I "had to make" for class... so I practice this flower - I like these, even though the teacher lady says she hates them.

Then I had baked some mini cupcakes - and after I realized how hard regular cupcakes are, I decided I wanted to try a cupcake cake :)

The flowers on this are the rosettes - i also did the shells we learned in class around the edges and some drop flowers that you can't see... but I did practice :)

It's also got 2 layers - so there is NOT that much icing on it (well, there is a lot though)

Next week is our last week and we have tons of homework to do, so this week will be full of practicing :) I'm excited! We are going to learn how to make a rose - my Grandma LOVES roses so I can't wait to get to make her a cake!

Cake Decorating... class 2

2012-01-17T19:12:00.001-08:00

Tonight was class #2... my frosting was too stiff, so I had to spend the first part of class watering it down a bit ~ but 2 of the ladies had to add tons of sugar to theirs because it was tooo watery - and since the one I did for the carrot cake was too watery, I didn't mind :)

I printed off a great pictures of the elephant I have as my tattoo thinking, "how cute would that be on a cake!?!" and forgot it :( so I did this cupcake instead. Tonight we learned the fat roll (my own term) and the dot! Sweet! I LOVE DOTS! My cakes were 2 different sizes, but I kind of like how it turned out!

It is too tall to have my cake holder/transporter hold it... but it will be delivered to work tomorrow! :)

cake decorating...

2012-01-15T18:36:00.001-08:00

My Resolution this year is to learn something new each month.... so be prepared :)

January Learning Project: Cake Decorating!

~ Michael's had half off classes for this month since there aren't any students around. I had a gift card from Christmas & a 50% off coupon.. sounded like a PERFECT idea!

The first class was Last Tuesday - all we did was decorate cookies for 10 minutes... Not exactly too happy about that, but th booklet is pretty cool and the tools rock!

They sell you a "decorators kit" that you are supposed to buy, too bad they also added $100 worth of other stuff you have to buy once you get to the class... so much for a cheap learning project! Oh well... Tonight, I baked a cake, used my cake leveler to cut it in half and level it... and decorated it.

It was a carrot cake, so I tried to do carrots... All we learned about in class was how to make little stars, so this was all by the seat of my pants ;)

The spaghetti looking stuff was just what I did with the extra frosting... didn't want it to go to waste, but there is only 1 carrot I liked, but I do like the stars at the bottom of the cake!

Class is this Tuesday again where we'll learn how to do the cover layer of frosting (mine was horrible) and some piping! YAY! 2 of my friends joined the class too... so its super fun! YAHOO for learning!

Family... is Everything

2012-01-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

I saw this FAMILY block thing on Pinterest and HAD to make one... So what else would I want to do on a 3 day weekend!

Started by drawing it out on paper to get what I kind of wanted...

Then I measured and had the husband cut the wood

So I put those together

Discussed some color options with friends - used the magical Cricut!

Then I painted (not going to lie, wish now I would have switched the middle & outside colors) Then I glued it together and prayed it would stand up without falling apart...

Then I distressed it with the sander... re-glued the F... and set it up on the mantle where I think it will stay!

I have decided that I like it for sure - and can't wait to try the next project!

Birthdays

2011-12-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

For some time now I have wanted to find a good system to help me remember birthdays of people I am close to so I can send birthday cards. I LOVE birthday cards!

Well, thanks to Pinterest, I have found my birthday calendar!

I decided that I would give one as my Christmas gift to my Inlaws. So I put Lopez and est. 1977 (the year they were married) Yes I know the 9 looks like a 0, but its the only font I had. Theirs was my first time learning how to distress the paint so it looks old... The board I used for theirs was definitely too small. Those star's are TINY! Javier's an only child, so it looks like there isn't much, but I didn't know the reset of the family's birthdays. I will be adding to this next time I go to town.

Then I though - I'll make one for everyone... Grandma & Paw Haines - est 1958, Mom & Dad Haines - est 1981, DJ & Christine (almost Haines) - will be est. 2012 - and my (hopefully) favorite - Lopez, est 2010 :)

The above is for my Grandma Haines. They have been married for over 50 years and going strong - what a great basis for a family!

This one is for My parents - I didn't do the est. in 1981 part because I wanted theirs to match their house more... I didn't take a finished picture of mom's, but I"ll get one once its up :)

This is DJ & Christine's - since they're about to be married I went with the est.2012 because it'll make them feel confident in their start. Christine's family is large - as you can tell - but her mom & dad have each been married more than once (not that there is anything wrong with that) - but I think that being part of the Haines tradition will hold them together forever!

My Cricut is the most amazing machine ever - i've used it now with the contact paper& can paint ANY letter/shape I want! ~ Not to mention I've discovered that it will cut masking tape!!! woo hoo!

The only one I am not done with is ours.

What a girl wants...

2011-12-10T18:57:00.001-08:00

Yeah - random title... but it is very true in this post: This girl wants to keep a clean house without stressing out about it. I know it is NO surprise to anyone, but I was not born a neat person... I don't have the gene that says to clean when you're bored... and I have NEVER just felt the need to clean the house.

A dear friend of mine showed me this website: flylady! This summer I started "fluttering" and was doing great - then we moved... my entire routine was off, and hasn't found its way back.

That was until TODAY! (ish)

I wanted to create a workable calendar to remind me of what I needed to get done each week, but couldn't figure out exactly what I wanted it to look like. I made this calendar a long time ago... i found the frame at a thrift store for $1.50 and had the rest of the stuff here at the house.

I then was so excited because it fit EXACTLY where I wanted to make my calendar! BUT--- how to make this a workable, re-usable calendar that is still aesthetically appealing in my office. I also wanted it to be something that stared me in the face EVERY day to remember I have put the effort into wanting this for my home. In my craft room I designed a three pin board with these 2 buckets in between for the wall my desk faces. Below is the middle of it - my new storage/reminder for my calendar days!

Though the tins now say "peace" I'll be painting them after the holidays (they fit now!) AND Thanks to the wonderful machine from my momma... I made my C.H.A.O.S. board! (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) Flylady uses this as a reminder of how we live, I'm using it as a different reminder - because when I do this - I CAN Have Anybody Over Sucka!

This week will be a very, VERY busy week with our house-guests coming in! (SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!) but I'll be in Zone 4... Living Room... Here is my calendar in action!

Notice there is NOTHING to do on Saturday - and Sunday didn't even make the calendar... the entire system is based on about 15 minutes a day and you'll have your weekend to play! All that has to happen is on Monday, Javier & I have to do what is on the list for Monday... Tuesday, we have to do what is on the list for Tuesday... and so forth. This week is heavy early on because of the visitors coming Thursday... but normally it'll be about 2-3 things a day.

To quote the fly-lady, you can do anything for 15 minutes... so set a timer & go! :)

WREATH!

2011-11-15T21:28:00.001-08:00

A while ago I saw this link on Pinterest and I HAD to try it!

I had NO idea how to put the coffee filters on the wreath a far as angels and direction, but I Like it!

All I used was a glue gun (borrowed from a friend), Coffee Filters ($3 at Dollar General and only used half), empty wreath ($4 clearance fall wreath at dollar general dismantled), a roll of white streamer paper to make the wreath have a white & solid base, and a big beautiful shiny red bell ($4 clearance - 25% & Michaels)... total project cost $12 - LOVE IT!

Half way through - just first round layer!

Final Project (on door - that obviously needs new curtains)

Yay for Christmas crafts!

Projects!

2011-10-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend I finished my chair!

This is what it looked like when we moved in!

This is before I couldn't fix the back part. It was really a pain in the butt!

Here is where I put it! YAY... I figured out the back - I used thick cardboard, it curved with the chair, but is sturdy enough to hold your back.

I am now working on a frame for the front door that will change with the season!

I'll post pictures again soon!

Pets...

2011-10-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today a dear friend called me up and said she had to take her cat to the vet. Her cat is old, and has lived a decade longer than anyone expected - as she was born with no hips - so I knew what it meant. So did my friend.

I offered to go with her, knowing I couldn't do that by myself... She was much stronger than I ever would be (shoot... I wasn't a very strong shoulder for her today) The vet finally just said that it was time, and those words were a very hard sound of relief - it was now not just her decision... it was the suggestion - and that took a lot off her heart.

OF course when put in this situation - as anyone would - i started remembering...

my childhood cat Kiki, the Siamese beautiful cat that had spunk (she lived for 18 years, and it wasn't until after I squished her in the couch bed that she even acted old... and lived 2 years after I did that)

Then of course, Scrappy - my first dog that Grandpa got me for my 9th birthday. He was the CUTEST pikenese puppy that near the end of his life had an exploded eyeball. He LOVED bananas and hated the neighborhood boys.

I'm going to throw in Julio - grandpa's basset hound.. he is still alive in my brain - though he'd be about 20 by now... he saved my grandma's life once, and made us laugh often. And Daisy, their other basset - that hated my dad... but loved my grandma, and the day my dad pretended to hit my grandma and she took off after him, then saw who he was and stopped and peed in fright... favorite memory!

Paje... The most wonderful German Shepherd on the planet. She babysat Chris & Taylor, literally would take them by the hand gently and walk them around the yard. She died so suddenly & broke all of our hearts.

George & Elliot - our bunny rabbits that live with another lady now that has a whole bunny room dedicated to them. Giving them away broke my heart, but I knew it was best for them & me (as I was very allergic to their hair) but I sure loved having their litter of 2 little bunnies!

Little Turd... yes, that was his name... I adopted him the day after Christmas the first year Javier and I moved to College Station. He died New Years Eve the same year... Distemper. I had to make the decision then, after 5 days was the hardest thing I've ever done.

Neiko... the dog I got Javier our first Christmas together. His folk's kept her when we moved, and she got hit by a car last Thanksgiving. Which we found out about at Christmas...

Pets... Dori is the dog that Javier and I went together to get as our 2nd date. She's my Mom's dog now, but I sure do Love her!

AND my favorite 2 dogs in the world... Jojo & Dixie... When Dixie was little, there were times I didn't think she'd make it, and it was heart wrenching. And now, she lights up my every day. I don't know how people live without pets. Yes, the hair is annoying, the removal of waste is at times tedious, and when they do tear up something in the home it is frustrating, but the love is much more important & fantastic than any of the things that make us cranky.

I can't imagine (and greatly fear) the day that I come home and Jojo doesn't bark and talk to tell me all about her day... and Dixie doesn't wag her entire body - not just her tail and smiling and shaking just in hopes that I'll open the door and let her lick my face. The morning wake up smacks... though untimely on Saturday mornings, make me smile (and wonder how this dog can get her paw to feel so much like a hand holding my arm)

My pets complete my life. My pets make me smile the most & My pets love me even when I tell them to go away and get down. My pets... Just another part of my life I am extra lucky in & extra thankful for.

Lucky... very lucky...

2011-08-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

This has been my title before, but I really feel lucky tonight.

As I was cleaning out the duplex for the last time there was a domestic dispute next door - yes with the crazy neighbors that made me want to move in the first place...

When i pulled in the drive, i saw one lady bring in a baby from next door. Not too long later all you could here is yelling and stuff banging against the walls. I heard "HEELLLP" "GET THE F OUT" "STOOOOP" so I called the police... yes - i was scared and more than anything worried about the baby and toddler that I knew lived there.

Cops show up quite quickly (3 cars) and listed for a bit at the door then decided to knock. I moved a couple things to the car - to listen - and heard the lady say "I don't know why anyone would call the cops, nothing was going on... I just don't understand why anyone would call the cops" the cop said something on the lines of ma'am if it was just an argument, its ok, we're just here to make sure everyone is ok and she said "well, we did have an argument, but its over now." Her face was swollen - cop wouldn't notice too much because he didn't ever see her before, but it was swollen...

I just could not ever imagine being in that situation in my life. Not as a kid, a teen nor as an adult. There is NEVER fear in my mind when I think of Javier. I don't understand how anyone is ok with this feeling. I don't know why you would put your kids in that situation. I've never been there, so I just really have no comprehension of it. Its not a judgement - its just plain cluelessness.

I have actually said that Javier was the "meanest husband in the world" - and I think I hurt his feelings with it (since he brings it up ALL THE TIME) (ha ha) but I am 100% certain that I am lucky. I am so lucky to have found someone that will always treat me right and someone I'll never have to worry about with our kids... He's pretty wonderful... don't tell him though :)

I am right now feeling like I want to get involved in a domestic violence organization... I really wish some of these ladies could just know that it is not natural nor is it ok for them to fear anyone - but especially the man that is supposed to keep them safe. If you know of anything like that in the BCS area, please let me know.

The New House...

2011-08-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Extended version is here - skip to the * below if you don't want the long drawn out story!

One night I let my pups outside and smelled something funky in our back yard. I asked Javier to come and smell it - and he loudly says "looks like someone's smokin weed" ~ 2 things with that made me uncomfortable. 1) How did I really not know what that was - sad and shows how sheltered I truly am... and 2) Most people that know me know I HATE any and all drugs - I know everyone has their own opinion on the issue, and I will never try to change your opinion on it~ but I have my reasons to be so opinionated.

The next morning I went out to go to a softball lesson and my car had been gone through. I can't say broken into because it wasn't locked, but my glove compartment and console thing were emptied, and the stuff in the back seat was all moved around and dug through. I felt so violated - and fortunate. NOTHING was missing, nothing taken, nothing broken - but still, someone else had gone through all of my stuff. In a typical Tiffany manner, I reacted strongly and told Javier we were moving ASAP. ~ looking back and listening to Javier, the neighbors were probably high and someone said "go get this out of the car" and they went to my car on accident and did not find what they wanted or realized they were in the wrong car and left. BUT I talked to my mom & she agreed - it was time to move!

I had been looking, not obsessively, but looking for another place to live, but didn't want to go through the effort of moving bad enough to actually do it. Well, mom called me after my lesson and said that she talked to dad and they were going to pay us x amount of dollars each month so we could get out of that area and into a nicer neighborhood. Well, that just upped what we could afford thus opening up a whole new level to what to look at! Javier and I spent that day out driving around looking at duplexes and houses and driving up and down streets lookign for signs in the yards. We both had seen a place we liked for lease in Bryan, so we headed that way after lunch. It was about double what we could afford - even with my folk's help... but we drove around the neighborhood anyway. We turned down one road that had a HUGE house on the right and a good size house on the left with a sign in front - I said "it'll be too much, but i'm going to call anyway!" It was EXACTLY the same rent as what we were paying for our duplex. I set up an appointment to see the house that afternoon. We both LOVED it right away, but they did not want to have dogs - much less 2 pretty not small dogs. So we kept looking. I found a duplex/town home thing that was huge and newer that i liked, but it had a tiny yard. But by that point we were exhausted, so we called it a day. Mom and Dad came up the next day and we went around looking some more. Found a few houses that we liked adn then called the "cute old house that didn't like pets" one more time to see if we could look again. The guy came and said that his aunt - the owner - said she'd allow the pets since he liked Javier and I so much!

SOOO LONG STORY SHORT*** We signed a lease that evening and started moving in that Monday. The house is a 1943 2 bedroom 1 bath with an extra little room, and an awesome big dining/living combo room with original beautiful wood floors and more charm that I've seen in a home in decades. There is a 2 car garage - detached - with a good sized workroom on the side of it. It is sitting crooked on 1/3 an acre with no fence. Beautiful aged trees and a carport. The windows are fantastic and the fireplace is eye-catching (well, it is now that we painted the baseboards). OOH and the mailman actually comes to the door and delivers the mail in a cute little box by the front door!

No, we did not buy a house -but we sure do LOVE the place we live. Its the first time we'll be able to entertain and actually have room for all the people we invite. The neighborhood is old and established and SO much closer to work. The dogs are in heaven, as are we.

My folks - who LOVE a good fixer-upper - want to do so much to the house. I'll be surprised if they don't try to buy it to fix up! Dad came in this past weekend to help with the base board painting and as he walked in the kitchen said "ooh, we could put the washer/dryer there and the fridge, redo the counter tops and close in this area and finish the countertop, I'd love to make these floors old tile and the walls and cabinets can be refinished in the same style. Yup, this has potential" I could not agree more - this place is so fun! The landlord is so open to things and is even going to split the cost of refurbishing the yard (our previous land lord wouldn't even return my call/email when I mentioned the flooding by the front door!)

Timing however - could have been better. We started moving the week I had to report back to school - not smart. Fortunately though I decorated my class already and for the first time EVER was ahead of the game on day one of school.

Speaking of school - I LOVE MY JOB! I know I say that all the time, but these kids are so fantastic its unreal! I love seeing my babies from last year - i love the hugs (even though I grunt and prentend to hate them while they're happening)~ I love the pop in "Hi Miss Haines" moments - and even more i LOVE that i am now officially Mrs. Lopez! We have new district leadership and I FINALLY feel like the district is making changes to promote student learning. With the new big guy promoting better teaching and learning - our campus leaders are in the same mode... what a breath of fresh air! I had a great feeling about this new guy when I read about their hiring decision... I sure am still impressed so far!

I'm in a new home, a new school year - and a brand new excitement about the difference that my district can make! What a way to start a year!!!

** Side note - being married is fabulous and Javier is doing well! (since that is the first quesiton most people have asked me these days)

finally finished a project...

2011-07-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

I have been dying to do something crafty lately. I have used a friend Cricut for every possible paper craft I can think of. A friend of mine gave me some of her husband old jeans (knowing I like crafts) so I thought that a jean version of the cute little picture board things would be fun to make. Michaels had a sale going on canvases - so i got a pack, some felt and found some cute buttons (at Walmart) and made one. I definitely need more work, I didn't worry about exact measurements and symmetry and stuff, but have 2 more boards, and lots more material :)

2011-07-08T20:15:00.003-07:00

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phone blog

2011-07-08T20:15:00.001-07:00

I am posting my first blog from my phone!!! I am in sa excited as can be for my best friends wedding!! Yahoo... also stoked that another great friend got engaged tonight on a trip to Nashville!! Yay for a weekend full of love!

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Friends...

2011-06-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here watching tv and see a commercial about the things your friends do for you... REFLECTION TIME...

I have some amazing friends... friends I've known for decades (Susie & Suki to name a couple) Friends I've had for years... and friends I've only known a short while... Friends I've lost, friends I have lost and found, and those who will never go away.

My favorite part of having good friends is that it does not matter how long we are apart, the moment we are together - it feels like yesterday. Never that awkwardness of not knowing what to talk about! OOH and the OBSCENE amount of laughter! How we love the company of each other - it is so wonderful.

The part that solidifies my deep love for my friends is that gut wrenching feeling when we part - and I realize that we didn't really just see each other yesterday, it had been months, years.. too long... and odds are - it'll be that long before our next visit!

This June has been friend-tastic! Amy Woodall's bridal shower brought me to SA, where I was also granted with some great time with Amy & Holly & Natalee! Then Stavena made it to Caldwell, so we met with her - Oh how fun! Then Monday my very best friend Suki was driving through Houston to visit family and she made time to see me... us. We met up at my folk's house and laughed and laughed and laughed!

I spoke of those friends I made a long time ago... but don't fret - I won't neglect those that have made my new life in College Station complete. When we moved here there were several people here for our transition - those friends won't ever be forgotten, but they are not the ones that have been added to the "list". Dawn - and her entire family - has become one of my favorite people... The best part is that we visit nearly daily! We share a passion for educating kids -but completely get along without work.
Kelli -and her husband - have also become a gift to us. Refreshing and sweet - she makes me work harder to be a better person.

This is not meant to exclude anyone, nor brag on those I've spoken of directly... this is just plain and simply I love my friends - and am VERY lucky to have them!

& I don't even have kids yet!

2011-05-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

This has been an interesting Dixie week...

Monday: Wakes me up at 3:45, I let her outside (does she want to go then? NO) but force her to go, but she does... then comes in ready to play! Are you kidding me dog! I go back to sleep at 5:00 to just get up an hour later... Thanks

Tuesday: my puppy let me sleep - thank you :)

Wednesday: Dixie wakes me up at 4:15... does not want to go outside, but their water bowl is empty - and she was thirsty! What the heck! so i made her go out anyway just so i felt justified in being awake so early.

Thursday: @3:30 she decided that there needed to be food for her (to NOT eat) in fact after I filled up the food (since there was water, she did not even look at the door to go out - that was all i could figure was left for her to want) I went to the bathroom - I was up, why not... and when I went to get into bed - SHE was on MY pillow out cold! DOG WOKE ME UP TO GET IN MY BED!

Friday night: Tonight: it was about 3:30 when she opened the door (I go to bed way before Javier, so I shut it until he comes in and he leaves it open... i always take one of the dogs with me to bed, usually Dixie but tonight JoJo was READY for bed when I went - and would not leave, so she stayed and Dixie stayed with daddy...) So it was 3:30 when she pushed through it & I hear Javier say "Dixie, come ON" I wake up... it smells HORRIBLE... Javier says, "I fell asleep on the couch and now there is poop everywhere!" Well, thank goodness the "everywhere" is only in the bathroom, but still HORRIBLE!!! The door was shut so she was not able to wake me up...

So now instead of complaining about Dixie waking me up and forcing me to get out of bed... I will NOW just do it - and NOT listen to Javier when he says "just tell her no and she'll leave you alone" Great Advice Honey -- NOT!

(Glad he learned his lesson too... he was not smiling when he was cleaning that bathroom mat! MUCH easier to open a door and let her do her business outside than doing a deep clean of our bathroom floors at 3AM!

It is now nearly 5... i NEED to go back to sleep - but can't... its going to be a long saturday!

She is so lucky she is sweet and cute... I LOVE my dog! (at least that is what I have to keep telling myself!)

tile job!

2011-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

So... i was contacted by an older lady (not old, just older) about doing some tile work. She told me it would just be a bathroom b/c her contractor didn't like to tile, so she could pay me less than she pays him and then get the job done. She lied about the "only a bathroom part"

Today I went for 4 hours and tiled a bathroom. She was pleased enough that I now have another bathroom, hallways, kitchen, entry way and countertops (and possible tubs/showers). SWEET! She also has given me a little free range into the designs for this tile! She's a little bit odd, but sweet as can be. Looks like I found me a summer job!

I think that it is going to be a great summer!!! yay!

a night with the husband...

2011-04-13T19:42:00.001-07:00

Javier told me to get in the truck after work today when I got home, so I obliged... He then drove me to Ben & Jerry's - told me to get a large ice cream of my choice - got nothing for himself - then sat with me by the fountain while I ate my ice cream.

He knows the way to my heart! :)

Tiling the floor... up next - a DECK :)

2011-03-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

My friend Mo is crazy enough to let me help her with home improvement projects! Well, she started to let me today - we tiled her entry way! I had so much fun.

The next project is going to be building a deck - well, project Three might jump ahead of project Two - sealing the concrete in her guest bedroom! I'm so glad she has entrusted me to do these tasks. I love to do home improvements!!

my horoscope...

2011-03-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Today may bring up strong feelings, Scorpio. This may not be new, as you have a tendency to feel things deeply. But it may be a bit tough to find a way to express this. While you're creative, finding the right activity to get you going isn't always easy. Why not visit a bookstore and look for some appealing craft books or art materials? This might spark ideas for new ways to express yourself.

I am not a big horoscope person, I do enjoy reading them now and again, however I don't put much else into them. Today's hit hard - probably because it was a hard day.

1) Not sure exactly what is my place to say and not say for a very dear friend of mine, but they are going through one of the hardest things imaginable, and I can't figure out yet how to react/feel/act/talk to her.... I can only be so grateful to know that she puts full faith in God, and will continue to do that to make herself stronger. Out of everyone I know, she will use Him to get her through - and that is comforting.

2) We gave a practice TAKS test today, and my scores are 20% below our school's average... yes I am fully aware that it means I am probably 30+ percent lower than all the other teachers... This is hard to swallow when I feel like I am working so hard. Apparently I am just the hamster running the wheels, not going anywhere... I need to get out of the classroom I guess so I can implement change in the system to better educate the kids because my direct impact is insufficient. I hold on to the fact that I know I will and can shake the system one day in a direction that will enable and enhance all learning for students. -- just feel bad for the ones I'm not pulling up now. NO MORE MOPING... I'm still going to have to data dive and figure out what can happen what I need to do before I give up (ok ok, we all know I never give up).

3) well, nothing else bad happened today - but those two things are not good by any means. I played a double header tonight - and I had to catch. 1. I have not caught since I was 19... maybe like 5 games at 21, but back to first after that. 2. Catching in fast-pitch means I got to wear gear - slow pitch... not so much! 3. My favorite part of being a catcher was the mental side of pitch calling, so I thought I'd try it tonight - totally worked!!! (when the dumb pitcher threw it where I told him to and NOT down the pipe) - so that was fun. 4. I hit well the first game, and hard the second, buut only got on 3-4 the first and 2-4 the second (scored each time i reached though). 5. The first team gave me a nickname... lightning... You know you are slow when the OTHER team makes fun of you! - too bad I scored 3 runs dumb team, and we won, so HAA!

4) Last thing of the day (I had to end on an even number) I am slightly disappointed in a product and not sure how to address it. No more details on that, but will share more later...

Here is to a fully wonderful day tomorrow and to the healing of my dear friends... I may not be the most religious person on the planet and I know I LOVE to be in control of all things in my life, but I do know that there is a plan, I can choose the direction the plan moves, but I have no control of the outcomes - and they Always end up for the best... even when that is not what we want to hear in the present.

Lucky... very lucky...

2011-02-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

I am very lucky... I know I am! Here are some reasons why!

1. I have amazing parents
2. My parents gave me a fantastic childhood
3. I have a wonderful husband who cooks
4. My dogs are amazing!!
5. My parents paid for me to have a great education
6. My husband brought me to a town I can't wait to raise a family in
7. I was able to get my Master's Degree and learn so much more than I ever imagined.
8. I have a job I love and am getting better at :)
9. I drive a car that I love!
10. I got to grow up with both sets of grandparents.
11. I was able to play any sport I wanted
12. I have been to 43 states and 4 different countries
13. I have dependable loyal friends
14. I have a place to live that enables us to entertain when we choose
15. I get to do math and play with kids every day
16. I had the best wedding a girl could ever ask for
17. I was able to work next to Shamu for many years & develop a skill
18. My furniture is awesome :)
19. My inlaws are kind caring people that do love me
20. I get to work with my best friend every day

I could go on forever - I am very blessed... but today I am just remorseful of some people that I have lost, and I wanted to make sure to spend the time thinking about how lucky I am as to not fall into mopey-land because of life. I miss my grandpa most. He loved me more than any person deserves, and gave me so much. He taught me to travel and to go off the paved path, that the fastest way wasn't always the most rewarding. My grandma made me laugh and always encouraged me to be me. The sillier I was, the more she laughed - I can hear her now coughing and wheezing saying 'stop making me laugh, it hurts' all to encourage me to do it again - ha ha. She was the first in the family to accept Javier and make a connection with him. They had a fun bond that made it very clear that he was the one for me. Joanie always made me want to do better for me and for others. She taught me to be honest at all times, even if others might not like it and that it isn't what they want to hear because it is usually what they need to hear. She taught me to appreciate honesty in others and to have high expectations in myself. Elisa taught me that I can accomplish anything in life by breaking it down into small attainable goals. She taught me to keep going and that my head is stronger than any external factors. She also taught me that a smile can change the world around you - and sometimes your smile might really be the only smiling face another person sees that day - and it is worth the effort. Buck taught me that no matter how much my insides ache and want to cry, those around me will remember me by how happy I can make them. She taught me that no matter how bad it seems, how lonely I might feel on a given day that there are people that would be devastated if I no longer existed. She also taught me that the small things don't matter and that once you let go of your inhibitions and enjoy yourself, things just turn out better for everyone.

I am so lucky for everything I have and for everything I had. I honesty expected this blog to be sad as I thought about everyone, but the more I think about them, the more I realize how much impact those individuals had on me. I'm lucky because Grandma and Grandpa got to see me graduate from TLU, they were at my last game, they saw me hit my last homerun (and that was the light of my grandpa's life). They met Javier and knew he was staying - and that gets me through the moments when I am sad they weren't at our wedding. I'm lucky because I was able to get Elisa to go to TLU and run track in college. I was able to see her overcome all the odds and speed past the competition and become an all conference runner. Joanie sent me to Hawaii where I got to spend some great times with great friends. I'm lucky to have even had a lady like her in my life. I'm lucky to have played ball with Buck, and learned that nothing beats a lefty catcher :) As a former coach, that helped :)

I am lucky... very very lucky - you should be jealous :-D I am now going to go to bed next to my wonderful husband with my perfect puppies so I can get up and go to my great job :) Thanks for listening!

10 reasons to get up in the morning...

2011-02-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

#10 - The most common cause of me getting out of bed in the morning is a bathroom break: either for me or Dixie... we both have sbs (small bladder syndrome)

#9 - I love to watch the morning news - to find out what is going on for the day, what the weather will be and what happened yesterday

#8 - During the week I get up, usually before my alarm, because I truly love my job. I get excited almost every day to see my kids - I'm lucky!

#7 - The sun. The sun is an amazing thing, I love how it can brighten my day (no pun intended) I love the way it shines on my face :)

#6 - Following that on a sunny day I get to wear my sunglasses. I know it sounds weird to get up because I can wear sun glasses, but I love them!

#5 - My friends are pretty fantastic. I love waking up knowing I work with my best friend every day and a bunch of other great friends - that's fun :)

#4 - To live. I love life, I love making a difference, and I know if I get up ready to go - I can do that each and every day.

#3 - My pups - They make me smile just thinking of them. Yep I love them

#2 - I usually call my mom each morning. I love this part of my day because she rocks - my whole family does

#1 - Javier usually snores pretty good - soo I must get up in order to not strangle him :) JK - I love my husband and each morning I wake up and smile because I am so lucky

ok - not a normal blog thing for me, but I wanted to try one of the things other bloggers do :) so post your top ten reasons to get up.

Tuesday night softball...

2011-02-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

I have to say that I had a blast tonight at softball. I haven't played on a team in 3 years, I've subbed a couple times, but haven't been an actual team goer in a long time.

It is going to be super fun since my Daddy is going to come play too! AND Dobby is on the team (well, its her team)! Stoked!

Tonight was our first game, Dad didn't come b/c of work, but he'll be there next week. Tonight, I found out that we have to give the other team a 5 run head start. It didn't matter since we won 20-5 (15 run rule).

I was nervous to start playing again. Last thing I did softball was dislocate my shoulder cheering on a play while coaching - so I've been apprehensive about playin! IT FELT GREAT. My arm doesn't hurt at all and I was throwing pretty hard :) The last thing I did hitting wise was hitting fly balls to my outfielders - well, lets just say I did that well tonight. My first hit went way over the left fielder's head (she was deep - surprised the heck out of me). Next I tried to hit it to Center, didn't work and I flied out to LC. My next two at bats I tried again to hit to the right side or up the middle, but found the 5/6 hole on the ground to get on base both times. Officially it was a 2-4 (one error) with a Double and 2 runs scored. FUN :) I know that its slow pitch and there is no need for there to be a batting average discussion or any other statistical analysis of the game, BUT you know me. I even caught a pop up :) ha ha -- I wanted to call Dobs and say never mind about playing on my way home tonight, but I'm uber glad I didn't.

Yes, I know no one cares about my softball game - or that Dixie went and had fun.. but I do ;) yay
I took Dixie with me too. She was hilarious when we were warming up. She is a great Monkey in the Middle! She's beat to say the least now. I bet she sleeps all night long :) I was proud of her! She played with a little puppy, was nice to a couple little kids & did not bark at the game. She's growing up!

Our Dogs

2011-02-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

I love my dogs... our dogs... our babies! I found out today that a very good friend of ours had to put her dog to sleep. Her pup was the same age as JoJo... I could not imagine losing my monkey already. I have had other dogs, Scrappy was the best puppy a little girl could ask for, sweet, small and cuddly (and disliked my little brother enough to make it fun). He passed after 14 years. Paje - the BEST German Shepherd in the world, passed suddenly at 10 years old - which was devastating, but ok because we had so much time with them both. I adopted a puppy 3 years ago after Christmas that died 3 days later of Distemper... that tore me up, but was able to get over because I only had him 3 days. But Missy and Chris lost their pup after 3 years... 3 years is NOT a good puppy time.

2 years ago when we got Dixie she got very sick several times. Once, it got to the point that if the Vet did not find a cure "this time" we would have to think about the possibility... can't say that... She spent her first year of life under extreme monitoring, she had 20+ staples, a drainage tube, worms, fleas, allergic reaction to fleas, mange, a rare disease (only recorded 3 times in vet journal history)... and a very constant case of the runs. She is now 2 years old - fat and healthy! Thankfully!!

3 years ago (this monday - valentines day) we got Jojo. She was so small and cute. She has been great since day one. Easy to train, easy to love. She has also had some weird health issues -nothing major: she had an external chemical type burn on her nose... ooh that was so horrid... vet never could tell us what it was, she swallowed a rawhide (her last) and worked through blockage - Javier and I's first time to ever stay up all night worried. (we slept downstairs on a sheet with her all night... it passed, she was fine). She has gotten mange as well, twice (we do keep her clean - victim of dog parks) She tore the pads off her feet and had to wear socks for a month because of too much playing in the water. Most recently she got "chapped lips" that cause her uncomfortable pain.

After all this - I have 2 VERY healthy girls who are the light of my life. I am just so blessed - and wanted to share some of my favorite things about my pupps.

JoJo - the monkey :)
Jodee is her full name. She is so lippy - any dog on tv she has to "talk to" and if you do not do what she wants, she'll tell you. She LOVEs to lay deep in the couch pillows. She prefers ice to any other treat. She protects her daddy dearly and is so loving. She likes to lay behind your neck and rest her head on your neck. She is not a huge fan of being petted, she would much rather lay on you with no petting. She fetches like no other and is pretty good at catching frisbee's. She jumps in the water at the park, and gets in the tub for a bath easily. She LOVES LOVES LOVES to ride in the car - and will jump into any open door she sees. Her birthday is January 8th 2008. Her mom is an Australian Shepherd and her daddy a blue heeler.

Dixie Rose
Dixie Rose Deluxes... a long name has she. She wants to be petted all the time. She will nudge her head between your hand and whatever else your hand is on - phone, computer, pencil.. to make you pet her. She looks at you for approval so often. She catches frisbees thrown right at her - like jumps and gets them. She just started barking recently, and now will bark at Jojo all the time - but not nearly as often as Jo. She will not fetch anything if Jo is outside with her. She never brings back anything to you, she brings it about 5 feet from you, puts it down and runs to you back and forth "asking" you to get it. -- strike that , she has just started handing you the toy inside the house, but NEVER outside. She won't eat anything until Jo finishes her food. She only eats ice until Jodee finishes hers, then Dixie drops hers so Jo can get it. She is very passive, but steals the tug toy. She will not lay on you unless you are petting her. She likes to sleep on the floor - recently upside down ->adorable. She tilts her head when you say "ice cream" and she shows her teeth like she is smiling. Now that she is healthy, she is over 50lbs and taller than Jo. Her tail is always wagging and loves unconditionally. She sits by the back tree staring at the squirrels. She used to get car sick EVERY time she rode in a car, now she actually jumps in and seems to like it! She is a full blood Border Collie, birthday is Jan. 2 2009.

OK - that was a nerdy post, but I often feel like I neglect my girls because of work and ... well facebook... and tonight, I just had an overwhelming amount of love for them and had to share. I have the best DOGS in the world!

M.I.C.K.E.Y. M.O.U.S.E.

2011-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

For those who don't know - we went to Disney World for our honeymoon. My grandparents gifted us the room, my parents gifted us the tickets & Javier's family gifted us the plane ride, our friends who donated to our honeymoon wishes ended up (not knowingly) donating tickets to Universal Studios - to see Hogwarts... how perfect!!!

We found them!!

Animal Kingdom

We both got Mickey Ears... he's wearing mine :)

Our first character :) I LOVE Donald Duck

Baseball place as soon as you walk into Magic Kingdom - I knew it would be great

First picture of the trip

Last picture of the trip

Javier missed his puppies (well, me too)

It took forever to get to these guys :)

we found a Who when we went to Universal Studios on Christmas Eve

Chris Weed is a friend of Javier's from high school... lives in Orlando and was our tour guide!!

ooh - he was so excited to see Hogwarts and get his Harry Potter scarf and his 'Elders' wand...

we had such a great time!!!

Pictures from Machelle

2011-01-18T03:23:00.000-08:00

Machelle Richter is a VERY close family friend... in fact, in most of our family pictures, she is included. She was our neighbor when we lived in New Braunfels and used to babysit DJ & I. When it came time for pictures for the wedding, we thought of no other. (well, I did... Javier had a friend as well that is a photographer - so we had 2/3 photographers). Machelle's specialty is landscape... you'll see that with some of these pictures. She sent me 200 pictures, and honestly, I am struggling picking some for the blog - I want them all!

They are uploaded kind of backward - but enjoy!

our table decorations

Ceremony site... after the wedding

the view :)

my favorite picture!

Texas Old Town was perfect

the bridge I crossed

the inside & outside

the reception walkway

the reception starting

Me, My Daddy and Grandpa

Some of my parent's wonderful friends - Mark, Michelle & Art

Aggie War Hymn

Art & DJ

beautiful bridal party

Rings & Flowers

Best friends a girl could ask for!

These two stole the show!!!

Dobby & Amy... enough said ;)

it worked!!! they hid me :)

getting ready to go!

Our boots :)

Another of the ceremony site after the ceremony... I love the petals on the ground

I Do

The start

My side of the family

me & dad

Best picture of me and my daddy

Amy always helps me :)

Omar -- perfect ring bearer

Grandpa giving me advice :)

We had such a great day... there are TONS more pictures, but its enough for now :) we should get the other pictures this week, so I'll be adding more! Also look for a Disney blog soon!

Well... a lot has changed since August!

2011-01-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

The wedding experience was AMAZING... planning it was fun, having it was perfect, and the honeymoon was Magical! I also finished grad school on December 18, therefor I did not have any time last semester to reflect on what was going on... if I miss anything that happened... oh well :)

Javier proposed late July with a date in mind. December 18 - because it was the last possible weekend in 2010 so it gave us an even year, even day, even month, and about 5 months to plan. He also said that 12/18 = 1+2+1+8=12 and that would make me happy (which it does).

August brought dress shopping and location pickin!! I went shopping with Momma, Jessica, Dawn and Samantha... we went to 3 stores and were exhausted! The last dress ended up being THE dress... The funny part of it is that 3 or 4 years ago a great friend of mine got married and I went with her dress shopping. She made me try on dresses with her and I put this one on then and she said "that is perfect"... I forgot all about that day until she reminded me at the wedding! How funny! -- here is my favorite picture of the dress (so far, we don't have all the pictures in so whatever pictures I post are from other people's cameras)

The next weekend, Momma, Christine (DJ's girlfriend), Martha (Javier's mom) and I went hunting for a place... -- sounds fast, but remember school was to start the following week, so I knew I had to get this stuff done -- Mom and I looked online a lot and narrowed our choices down to 3. Los Patios ~ where my parents got married, Rio Cibilo Ranch ~ a beautiful place off I-10, and Texas Old Town ~ way in Kyle. LP was the closest to San Antonio, which was our goal, but the lady was rude and the place would barely hold the 300 predicted guests, and was expensive! Rio Cibilo Ranch was so fun! It wasn't too far from SA, had horseshoe pit, pool tables and lots of room... it was outside under a pavilion and had some beautiful wood worked bars. I knew we'd have a fantastic time & the lady that worked there would do all of the work! Sounded perfect... We had an appointment in Kyle at T.O.T. to get to, and the pictures of TOT were beautiful, but it was in Kyle and I really liked RCR. That was until I got to TOT... I fell in love the moment I walked in and smelled that fresh lumber. The way home from TOT the four of us debated on RCR and TOT... There were tons of conns on TOT's side, but I loved it & that is what Mom liked too, so we picked it. I can't find a picture that does it justice, so we'll hope you went and saw it :)

Next thing I know, work started back up again and I was not able to focus on the wedding much. Javier had a friend that was set to do the ceremony, I wanted the caterer that did my friend Kristina's wedding - as well as the cake lady... My friend Mo had a flower contact for me, but mom got impatient so we went with someone else... all of which turned out great! Javier designed the cakes... so Him, Mo Sheryl and I went to Marion to give the lady our design. The whole wedding was planned by September.

September: Grad school picked up, still had to wait to start my internship - which made me mad... but wedding stuff was moving along nicely. We decided to use horseshoes as our theme and went lookin for candles to go with the horseshoes and we found these adorable, perfect candle holders with three horseshoes!!! Clifton then welded some mini shoes together to go around a mason jar... Decorations - done!

October brought Showers in the plenty. The first weekend in October Susie threw me a beautiful shower in San Antonio at Amy Behlen's house! It was so wonderful! All the girls from TLU were there, Mary O, Liz and Jess from Sea World, Rachel... I had so much fun! Sarah Wink hasn't sent me those pictures yet, but they have to be wonderful!!! Two weeks later I had a shower in San Antonio with Martha and all of the Lopez side of the families! It was a blast too! I was nervous for that one, but it showed me how welcoming his family is!

November started pre-marriage counseling.. we drove to San Antonio on the 6th and 21st for that + December 12... Pastor Derek was so wonderful, his wife and son welcomed us and I loved having the conversations we had with him. Thanksgiving was spent with my whole family... it was one of the best Thanksgivings yet!! Javier left for his bachelor party and I stayed to get all the last minute stuff finished up with my Grandma and Mom. It was fun too!

December jumped up on us quickly! Grad school kicked my butt those first few weeks of December... but I was so glad to be done with it! The first weekend Dobby threw me a bachelorette party! AK, Dobby, Amy Woodall, Jessica, Amanda Slater, and Lori came to it! Oh we had a great time (well, I did at least)

Then came the big day! I took the 17th off work, and Samantha joined me on my travels to get the decorations, hotel room and everything else ready! Susie and Brent came in and helped decorate as well as Dobby, Suki and all the Shepards! After we left TOT, the girls all went to get our toes done (minus jess and Amy since they had to work Friday - which is why we didn't have rehearsal till Saturday morning). After toes, we ordered some pizza and went to the hotel! There we drank some champagne and reminisced! It was so fun!!! Then it was Saturday morning!! 8:00 was set up for the chairs... I can't thank the Shepard's enough for all their help through the whole thing! Rehearsal was so fun! We all - girls and boys - hung out in the hall till about 11 and just had fun. Then the boys went and did boy things while the rest of us finished the set up and got our hair done! Oh I had so much fun with my friends!

3:00 was start time & I believe we started on time! I saw tons of guests and could not bring myself to looking at Javier until my dad handed me to him... he was crying - i knew he would... the ceremony is a bit of a blur, but I remember the pastor telling me that Javier wrote the vows - and i said "shit" because I thought I had to make some up! Turns out he just made the ones we both said and they were beautiful... The rest of the night was so fast! Pictures, reception, people ate, people drank, we danced and ate the wonderful cake (it wasn't very pretty I admit, but it tasted soooo good)

Before I knew it 9:00 hit and we were off... I tried so hard to stay awake at the bar, like planned before, but i couldn't do it... so I left everyone down stairs and passed out. The day was so wonderful!!!

This was the toast - well, on the way to it...

Here was the wonderful speeches given

The sand ceremony - that we almost forgot to get set up! My favorite part!!

Here is my daddy walking me down the isle! My favorite picture that I've seen yet!

If you have any pictures, let me know... This is long - but it was such a perfect day!!! Below is a smilebox of some pictures - not perfect, but I love those smile boxes!

Personalize your own photo album

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T18:27:00.001-08:00

A free scrapbooking design by Smilebox

Comps... CHECK

2010-11-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

a HUGE weight has been lifted off of my shoulders today! I passed my COMPS -- which means as long as I finish my current classes I have my Master's Degree!!!

I know that most people have said "we know you could & did fine" but it was one of those things that just sits in your mind with question... did I pass? did I say enough? was I on the right track? What if I didn't? Everyone thinks I'm graduating this semester... how will I tell them? Will I tell them? How disappointed will they be? -- anyway all that has stopped! All I have to do now is get my butt motivated to finish these classes!!! I JUST WANT TO PLAY WITH WEDDING AND HONEYMOON STUFF!!! OK... Have to finish these classes.

Wedding plans - speaking of distraction - are coming along great! I wish I could blink and have it be tomorrow!!! Tonight I had dinner with a great friend and we talked about her experience as a young married couple, the journey through having a baby and being a mom... It was so awesome to be able to think that could be me soon (just a little bit not so young)...

Tomorrow is Wednesday... I have class late... work early... and have a paper due by Thursday & another on Saturday.

Two of our good friends are getting married on Saturday - they have actually dated longer than Javier & I - so it is great that they are getting to start their lives too!! Yay

This wedding stuff is FUN

2010-10-31T19:07:00.000-07:00

We are now about 48 days away from the wedding! YAY

I have been so lucky this far!! Susie and Sarah threw me a shower in San Antonio at the Beginning of October where I got to see some AMAZING people!!! Sarah hasn't sent me those pictures yet, but I'll post when I get them!

Two weeks later, Javier's Mom threw me a shower in Somerset. We got enough money at that shower to pay for the plane tickets to DISNEY WORLD!!! We were blessed the week before by my Grandparents and Parents to be given 7 nights at a hotel and 7 day tickets to DISNEY WORLD!!! What does this mean?!?!? yay honeymoon!!!

People have always said that when you get married gifts just pour in... it is sooo true! We no longer have a dining room - it is now the wedding gift room! (and i love it)

This weekend we went to our first and second sessions of Pre-Marriage counseling. I was very nervous to go to this, kind of out of privacy fears and what not, however - it is wonderful! Derek and his wife are fabulous and their son Fenix is SO cute!!! The have some wonderful things to teach us about marriage and life. My favorite thing so far is when he said, that when the two of us remain humble, life and love will flourish - it is so true... pride gets in the way of many aspects of life!!

We had to tell Derek what we saw as the other's weaknesses and strengths - it was so wonderful to hear those... and share those... It was fun that the things we admire most about each other are the same... caring, strength and intelligence... Derek and Rachel laughed at our answers since they were the same.

We are getting RSVPs in the mail like wild fire! yay!!! I am going to start sending out invitations to people later on so we can keep getting fun mail!!!

I can not believe it is already November - the last 3 months have flown by! I am getting more and more excited every day!

About Our Wedding

2010-08-25T18:09:00.002-07:00

Our wedding will be on December 18, 2010 at Texas Old Town in Kyle, Tx at 3:00 in the afternoon.

About the Bridal Party

Maid of Honor - Lauren Dobson

--Dobby and I both played softball at TLU & became very close near the end of college. Lauren now lives 2 miles away and I don't know what I would do without her!

Bridesmaid - Jessica Powell

--Jess and I met in college through a mutual best friend. We have grown close over the last few years. She is one of the most intelectual people I know & is always there when you need her. I am excited that Jess is still in our life & love that she is standing in our wedding.

Bridesmaid - Susie Schumann

-- Susie was my very first friend when I moved to San Antonio in 99. She took me under her wing and we have been together ever since. We both went to TLU & helped each other through many tough times and enjoyed many many great times together. She is my oldest friend and is an honor to have her stand with us.

Bridesmaid - Amy Woodall

-- Amy lived across the hall from Jessica our freshman year at TLU, we became great friends our senior year and have stayed that way since. Amy is the best friend any girl could ask for! I am pleased to have her in my wedding & can't wait to be in hers this July!

Bridesmaid - Natalie Kotara

-- Last but not least is Natalie (most know her as Suki). Nat's parents lived less than a mile from my parents in San Antonio & we met my senior year. She has been like a little sister to me ever since. She went to TLU after I did & played softball. Since my parents' didn't give me a sister, God did & I don't think I could have gotten a better one. When Javier and I met, Natalie & I were just getting back in touch. She has been our roomie, our daughter, and now just our best friend. We miss her terribly now that she has moved to be with her Husband in Maryland, but are more than ecstatic to get to see her and have her celebrate this day with us.

Best Man - Nick McLarty

-- Nick has been Javier's right hand for over a decade. He is the one person that I can say has stuck by him through thick and thin - and always will. Nick has been an amazing friend to us both & we LOVE that he is now living in College Station with us - also 2 miles away. We are both blessed to have him in our lives!

The entire group of groomsmen are truly amazing & each has been around for a long time

Groomsman - Jake Stauffer

-- Javier's known Jake since '95 and they have done everything together... good and bad... Jake knows exactly how to get Javier in trouble - but then gets him right out! Jake has been a great friend to me as well over the last 5 years!

Groomsman - Randy Kahlich Jr

-- Randy's Javier's fishin-shootin-drinkin-buddy -- He is Mr. Lone Star along with Javier! Randy always brings a good time and a big heart!

Groomsman - Mychael Ross

-- Myke has been Javier's Fat brother since they can remember -- Fat and Gord are "fat bastard brothers from another mother"

Groomsman - E.J. Roberson

-- E.J. is the guy who Javier didn't think would ever be his friend... but has turned out to be one of the best. E.J. fulfills our family & has been our roomie as well. EJ, Natalie, Javier & I are - and always will be - family... you can't find better people than EJ.

Flower Girl - Gabrielle Eubanks

Ring Bearer - Omar Parker

Usher - D.J. Haines

~~ the best little brother any girl could ask for!

Usher - James Miller

~~ We call James the inventor - any time him and Javier get together they make something and create a way to market it...

Cakes: Amanda Stavena

Cakes: Jordan Miller

Registered at:

Bed Bath and Beyond

www.honeymoonwishes.com

RSVP via email - haineslopezRSVP@gmail.com

Places to stay:

I have blocked off rooms at the Comfort Suites - brand new hotel in Buda.

$85 a night

Block is under Lopez or Haines (512) 295-8600

Embassy Suites - (512) 392-6451

Holiday Inn Express - (512) 754-6621

Hampton Inn & Suites - (512) 754-7707

LaQuinta Inn - (512) 295-5599

What to do about kids?

The wedding is kid friendly of course! I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that there is going to be quite a bit of alcohol at the reception. I want us to all have a great time & that includes all families!

Officially...

2010-07-29T07:26:00.001-07:00

Will have a longer post later - but Javier and I are officially ENGAGED :) Wedding date is December 18th of this year... yes I know that means I have TONS to do in a very short time! Yay fun ;-D

Garden update

2010-05-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here is an update of our garden :-D

We are having tomato stealing squirrels! but these were how pretty they were before those little butts stole them... There are our Jalapenos - we had one already and it was HOTTT...

Banana Peppers... Cucumbers - oh how there are so many cucumbers!! I picked this one today and it still was not ripe enough (my patience isn't strong when it comes to cucumbers)

This is my favorite thing - a WATERMELON!!!!!!!!

WOOOAAHH

2010-05-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

I took up a little book from one of my kids today - passing it around during testing wasn't too smart! I read it (of course)! I found some interesting things... one of my best most respectful students wrote in it about their LA teacher "man pinche maestra es una prostituta like nos movio y estamos muy enojadas. still estamos borachas y drogadas see ya'll next year" -- well, not knowing much spanish, I google translated the passage to find her calling my coworker an F***ing prostitute and she makes them angry and want to do drugs...

I was a little upset by it - knowing my class period was next in "the book" I was a little nervous to see what they said about me...

"In Ms. Haines classroom its fun she is my favorite teacher because i fight with her and its so funny but I learn a lot of stuff whit her (ILY) no homo miss! :P" It makes my heart melt to hear things from kids - even when they don't know I'm going to see them! The spelling and lack of punctuation shows this child obviously doesn't pay attention in ELA class, but nonetheless is sweet! Also found it humorous that ILY is followed by "no homo miss" HA HA - in 6th grade they are worried about being homos :)

there was a lot of other things in this book that worries me about some of my kiddos - the fact that summer is approaching and they will most likely be let unattended more now than in the past to get into trouble... My PRE-AP kid drawing pictures of smoking pot and others drinking. One of a girl on a pole with 5 "men" watching saying "baila Odalis Baila" (which according to google translate means dance) another picture of a girl drinking beer by a pole with "men" holding dollar bills out toward her... how about a girl at a stop sign with a guy in a car by it holding money out...

I'm appalled at which kids have created this book... RG - my sweetest kid in 2nd period, OA - one of the brightest minds in pre-ap...LL sweetheart in 2nd... EV - well, she's a toot, but I never imagined these things would come out of her!

D.J. Graduates!!

2010-04-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

My little brother graduated from TLU this past weekend!! And what a weekend it was! They got first place in their division for baseball, so the Conference tournament was held at TLU (if they had lost one more game it would have been in Abilene). The tournament started on Friday. Dj's team lost 8-7 in 11 innings! so that meant they had to play 11:00 on Saturday (graduation day). They beat that team in 3.5 hours (long for a baseball game) and put all the other games back time... but set them up to play in the 4:00 game. Graduation start time was 7pm. They did not start the 4:00 game until 5:00 and it was a great game! They were very close the whole time. At 6:30, we told all the people who were coming to watch him graduate to just come to the baseball field because they were only in the 6th inning. 8th inning ended tied 6-6, and they were home team... top of the 9th, the other team scored 2 runs (on errors) and scared us all a little. Bottom of the 9th DJ's team tied up the game! This was 8:00... The umpires called the game due to lights (there weren't any at the field and it was getting dark) This meant we could all RUN to graduation. They had golf carts lined up ready to take the seniors to graduation...
off they went! Then they came and got he families who were all running across campus to get to see the graduation. When I ran up, all the boys were lined up and I heard someone with the last name starting with z cross the stage! They made it!!
We were so proud of him! (and I was EXTREMELY JEALOUS that he got to graduate in his uniform!)
Mom was so funny... once he got done with the ceremony - you knwo when everyone else is taking off their cap and gown - she made him put his on!
the picture is blurry, but she said "I paid for this cap and gown, you are wearing it!!" ha ha

Here is a bad one of us, but remember I was at the ball field all day too! They had to resume play on Sunday morning, and lost after 2 more innings! Still very proud of the little guy! He has applied everywhere and hopes to hear back from some sort of job soon... his degree is business management - which i i ugess is not the best time to find a job dealing with that, but he's great! (if anyone knows of any jobs he would be good for... let me know :-D)

Suki is not going to be Suciu much longer

2010-04-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I had to make a special blog today about my best friend - Suki! She has met a wonderful man who has worked hard to earn her love and adoration. His hard work paid off because he asked her a pretty important question on Thursday and she said YES!!

I don't have any pictures of the two of them, sadly I've only met him once... but that will change because we are soon to be family!

Suki - well, I guess I should start using her first name Natalie - has been a good friend of mine since 2000. We stayed in touch through my TLU years and grew very close near the end of college. We lived together for a while, and helped each other through some hard times (and some freaking hilarious times too) She then went to TLU played softball too and is now their assistant coach. I would have never picked anything better for my best friend. I have seen her grow up so much since the scrawny freshman I met at softball practice my senior year of high school. Who would have known that the choice to give a young pair of twins a ride home (since they literally live on the same street as my folks did) would turn into the best friendship a girl could ever ask for...

So here is to my only sister - and the best friend a girl can ask for! Yay Natalie... umm... Komara - JP - welcome to the family!

April Showers bring May Veggies!!!

2010-04-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

Javier has been Mr. Green Thumb for the last month or two - and I'm loving it! First he took me to Home Depot and told me to pick out whatever flowers I wanted for our garden by the window... This is a picture of it before I added the layer of bricks with more marigolds in that back corner

Then he randomly showed up at the house with 12 railroad ties and said "We are building a vegetable garden" OOK ... that process was great! He had a plan of a good rectangle garden... that was until he left me alone while he was at work, and this is the plan I came up with.

So he agreed it would be ok -- never anything easy for me :) So we worked and worked and got the box finished

Notice the tree-shade that is over our garden here... I did not like that tree-shade, so while Javier was in the shower, i cut it down :-D (well, started it and then he had to come help me because it was a bigger branch than i thought)

Then his parents brought up some manure and we laid it and the top soil ready for planting!

See the shade is gone!!! No tree :-D

Then we made another trip to the big HD and went VEGGIE CRAZY -- we planted what we could and have tons more seeds to plant another day?

Going from left to right we have... Tomatoes - onions - bell peppers, jalapenos and Cucumbers - rosemary, thyme and basil, Carrots are against the diagonal wall - then corn along the back wall and watermelon and cantaloupe. We still have peas, habaneros, green beans and sweet snap peas to plant somewhere :-D Guess we'll have to build another box!!!

I know the shade is back in this picture, but it was near the end of the day and you can't stop house shade :-/

Javier did some figuring and we should have cucumbers and tomatoes by the end of May :-D YAHOO!!

Love... 4

2010-02-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

Javier bought me a flower today!!! (a beautiful orchid of some sorts) I love that he surprises me with random gifts! The heffalump from yesterday was the first of his MANY random, I love you presents. One was a BEAUTIFUL necklace from Tiffany's - just because I'm Tiffany. One was a ring, just to replace the one I lost (it meant a whole lot). Below is a picture of the day he came to my softball tournament (I was coaching) and surprised me, but we had lost the last game and were leaving as he pulled in. But that is not why I love him today!

Today - I love Javier because he makes me want to be a better person - and he makes me be better. I had homework tonight that I need to get done. I played a little RockBand with him and said at 6:30 I would work on homework. He stopped playing at 6:30 so I would work. I took a break at 8:22 to play another round and said I'll play for ten minutes. At 8:32, he stopped the game and said "don't you have homework to finish." He wont let me complain about anything without helping me find a solution. He wants me to be the best I can be, and I love that!

He taught me how to shoot his gun. He was a great teacher, let me play a little, but made sure I focused and tried to hit the middle!

Love... 3

2010-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

I love that Javier refuses to yell at Dixie because he does not want JoJo to get mad. I love that no matter how much I suck at Rock Band - he still wants to play with me. I love that he'll make fun of me for sleeping all day, but never wake me up. Others always say he's inconsiderate, but no one ever really sees what he does for others. He is always thinking of others - even if he doesn't show it. I love that!

Added in... Tonight, Dixie was on my lap on the couch - driving me nuts! She is a very loving and demanding puppy - and I was not feeling good and did not want anyone to be near me. I kicked her off and Javier said "come here Dixie" and let her lay with him... now that would be an AMAZING ending to the story - but it turns out that Dixie was not "loving" me, she was telling me that because I was sick I forgot to let her outside ALL day, and she had to go. When Javier moved her to be right in his lap, she lost control and peed all over him. He did not yell, he just said "OK she just peed" and i let her out and she went for 2 more minuets -- poor girl really had to go. The Love part is that he did not get mad, he did not yell at her, he just stood up, went to the restroom and took a shower. He then, showing me his soaked wallet said "I guess I might need a new wallet" and then finished cleaning up. I felt like the worst puppy-mom in the whole world, and even more of a worse girlfriend. My dog ate our comforter last night and peed on him today... He had a horrible day off! It is my goal for his next day off to be wonderful!!

This picture is when we first started dating -- wow look how young he looks! He surprised me with a "heffalump" at my old apartment! Just to make me smile!

Love... 2

2010-02-08T06:50:00.001-08:00

Reason #2
I love how much he LOVES our dogs -- even Dixie (though he pretends to not). I love how his face lights up when JoJo enters the room, and how wonderful of a dad he will be one day!

Love...

2010-02-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is 1 week away. Javier and I are not the lovey dovey couple that does flowers and chocolates for this Hallmark holiday, however, I know that I do not say or show him - or the world - how lucky I am to have him. So (after stealing the idea from a friend) I am going to post every day this week about something I love about Javier.

Today was the Super Bowl, and unlike most men who get with friends and drink beer, my honey stayed home and watched it with me. He is not the biggest football fan in the world - but gets so excited at a good game. I love that we both agreed how horrible the commercials were today.

This is my absolute favorite picture of the two of us - mostly of him! I love how he'll wear a sweater and his cowboy hat!

Reason #1 that I love this man - He makes me smile more than any other person on the planet!

life..

2010-01-22T16:10:00.000-08:00

I went to high school with the parents of this child. Well, they were 2 years older than me - Micheal's little sister and I were great friends from 7th grade until I moved after 10th grade.

I did not know this was even going on - I had heard they got married (they two were seriously best friends ever since I have known them) and had a family, but I never imagined someone I actually Knew would have this happen. It always seems like its the parents who are way older than I am that have to deal with this type of test from God. I wanted to share their story (which I just found today) and ask for your prayers for Michael, Amy, Becky, and Mr. and Mrs. Jost!

Makes all the things I was going to talk about today in my blog feel so insignificant! Who cares if my kids were crazy all week... who cares if they did not behave for a sub... they are all here, healthy, and living strong... I am very thankful for my life.

http://www.jostfamily.blogspot.com/

That is the link... Prayers...

New Years Resolutions...

2009-12-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

OK, I have not ever stuck with the resolution thing, but with everything I need to accomplish this year, I NEED to make some great changes!

Work * This year I will follow my planning calendar directly so I can stay 2 weeks ahead of planning and 1 week ahead of copies.

School * I will have all presentations and papers done 4 days before they are due. I will also do at least half of the required readings - can not say I will do it all, that would be unreliable

Home * I will not watch TV if there are dishes to be done. I will not watch TV if there is a full load of laundry to do. I will finish every load of laundry I start - the day I start it!

Health * I will prepare myself for the Warrior Dash. I will write down everything I eat in Spark people and I will burn at least 200 calories every day.

Love * I will not doubt the love I have nor the love I receive. I will be patient and understanding and I will be strong and do all things in my life for my family

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

This holiday season started off horribly. Neiko - the Choc. Lab I got Javier our first Christmas together - was shot by a neighboring rancher. This devastated him and his parents. Once that was out, we tried to move forward with the joys of the holiday. My mother wanted new pictures of DJ and I for Christmas, so I decided we were going to give her pictures of all of us, me, Javier, DJ & Christine. I got my mom a scrapbook calendar and wanted to take tons of pictures of all the places DJ and I used to frequent as kids, but our time was limited . We just went to Sea World and used their backgrounds to take some pictures.

Christmas eve was at my parent's and grandparents house. My parents got us an outstanding decorative star thing that says Free Beer Tomorrow!! It's going to look great at our place. They also got us these really neat picture frames! Oh and did I mention my new GPS TomTom 360 :-D and a fabulous new jacket! Javier got a new PS3 game (great a new one to take his attention) @ grandma's Javier got his traditional horse - I like this one a lot! He really likes the fact that my grandparents are buying him a collection of things... He says they think he'll be around a while - I say Duh. I got a cute phone purse and tons of scarfs - that grandma made!

Christmas day was at his parents place. Javier gave me GOLF CLUBS!!! I'm so excited! I got everything to go with them too! Including a sweet rolling cart! I gave him a ship in a bottle kit and a Sherlock Holmes book!

We found the next car that we want! Did not buy it, but it is my new years resolution to save money so we can put down a good chunk of change!

There were tons more pictures, but these are a few of the better ones.

Birthdays...

2009-11-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

I must say this was a great birthday!

Thursday, i had class... SUCK - but came home to a wonderful cake and soothing bed bath and beyond basket & a wii Sports Resort!!! While at work - my best friend AMY WOODALL sent me an edible arrangement!! It rocked!

Friday, we had a bar-b-que at the house :-D Guests included: Jessica, Nick, Dobby, Michelle, Candice, Laura, BJ, Dawn, Dietrich, Sam, Gloria, Aron!, Natalyn, Jordan, & James.. if I missed anyone, sorry - but Javier and I had a blast!

Saturday we rested most of the day and went dancing that night --TONS OF FUN!!

Sunday, Clifton and Sheryl came in for lunch, and so did Brandi, Dustin & Dane! It was perfect. Jess stayed till almost 9 chatting and hanging out - it was a blast!!!

I can't believe I'm already old - late twenties... I know its not old old, but woah! I feel 22 still - where did these last 5 years go? Oh yeah... Javier stole them :-D

Here's to a great year!

Work for your stuff... Don't steal mine!!!

2009-10-18T19:45:00.001-07:00

So, most of you know that Javier's truck got broken into this weekend while he was visiting his friend in San Antonio. No he wasn't down town, now he wasn't on the South Side, and no he wasn't even in a neighborhood or anywhere he shouldn't have been! He was at the BRAND NEW SHERATON HOTEL @ THE SHOPS OF LA CANTERA!!! AUGH!!!

I do blame him for leaving his stuff in the car, but I can't stay that I wouldn't have either, a brand new hotel $300 a night - you think that it would have some security!

Anyway... Thankfully they didn't break the window, just the lock. Stole the radio, zune, camera (that I gave him last year for Christmas) some random things in his console, and his cowboy hats... including the one George Strait gave him...

I am really struggling with this and my own feelings of mankind. I work hard, very very hard to get the things I have and have given to Javier. I do not understand how people can just take other people's things. I can not even throw a straw wrapper out of my window because of my guilt... I can't take more than 2 mints at Chic-fil-a because I think that would be stealing...

I think of my kids at work... I see some of my 8th graders (well my former students I guess) and see how they disregard everyone around them and do and take what they want... it scares me. I think of my 6th graders and how sweet and innocent they are, but can already see them changing... I see them looking around them, at the other kids, at tv, music videos, professional athletes, actors, older brothers and sisters, parents, and community members... I see them look at them and want to be like them... lazy, mean, selfish, insensitive to anyone else around them...

I think of our future kids... what kind of world will they be growing up in? There are things that my students see/deal with that I never imagined... what will develop for my own babies that I can't imagine?

I think about the poor boy in Florida torched over a $40 video game and bike... burned from head to toe... 13 years old that if he lives, will have a horrible hard painful future ahead. I think of the 4 teenagers who threw the alcohol on him and lit the match that they threw on him... How can you be so hateful at such a young age... how?

I think about the Teacher in San Antonio, who's kids constantly stole her drink off her desk. Day in day out she told them to stop, and they didn't... they kept drinking from it. So last week she put tabasco sauce in the cup instead of Dr. Pepper, the kids took bug gulps and got sick. She has been suspended for her actions... The Teacher has gotten in trouble for the KIDS stealing her stuff!

I'm scared that my students watch SouthPark - and think that it is ok for an 8 year old to be a pimp... I'm scared that they think it is ok for men to solicit prostitutes in college... TV these days is ridiculous. I just saw a cartoon character fart sperm into an evidence bag. "a pimp that respects his hoes. Yeah, he treats his bitches right..." ON TV!!

I'm disgusted right now with my country... Is this what Jefferson wanted when he and the other founding fathers wanted by fighting for freedom? Freedom to excel in life or freedom to screw up everyone else's lives? Freedom to work hard and earn a better living than your father, or freedom to steal someone else's belongings. Freedom to fall in love with any person no matter race, religion, or economic standing.... or Freedom to call girls bitches and hoes and sleep with whoever you want. If I hear from a kid again that has been given a direction "its a free country" I will lose it... I don't know how to make it better, I do not know how to fix it... I don't know how much more I can watch...

I sure hope this week brings me joy and hope. I am down. I am very very down - lost, scared, worried, unsure, mad, sad, angry and just royally pissed off. I apologize for some of the language in this post... sadly its not something you wont hear on Nick @ Night or Disney Channel these days...

so far this October...

2009-10-11T20:57:00.001-07:00

We all went to The Hall Saturday night -- FUN NIGHT!

Not the cutest picture of me but I love Javier's smile in it!

Me and Dobby -- So glad she lives here now!!

Javier is really happy to have Nick in town too!! (me too)

Other un pictured events were Laura and BJ coming over for the Aggie game - and the boys beating each other with practice swords! Visits from my parents and his parents. Michelle and Candice stopped by yesterday - great to hear Michelle's having a great first year teaching!
We also went to the museum, NASA, saw 2 great movies - The Brothers Bloom is outstanding, and Year One is funny! Dominos with D&D a few nights and are looking forward to Javier's friend Keith coming home from England, More Aggie Football, and the cooler weather.

Have a great Columbus Day

Museum & Nasa

2009-10-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

Javier and I decided to make a date day of my sick day last Tuesday. I was feeling bad, all day long, but not bad enough to not go out and infect others :-D

The natural history museum has the Terracotta Warriors on exhibit right now, and Javier really wanted to see them. The whole museum was amazing - 4 floors of fun!

We finished up at the museum kind of early so we decided to drive to NASA since neither of us had been since we were kids! I LOVED NASA. We got to do all of the activities, including a tram ride through the working buildings!

Here are some of the better pictures - we really didn't take too many. And my video trying to be a Spanish Weather Girl -- I have a real audition next week :-) HAHA

Enjoy!

The Shuttle was HUGE

Our "Boarding Pass" LOL

He did not know the flash would let us see his facial expression! LOVE IT

Terracotta Warriors

Spanish Weather Girl

I'd like to add that it takes F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to publish a video on Blogger!!!

5 years...

2009-09-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today, September 24, marks 5 years since Elisa has passed away.

This day is one I will never forget. It is funny that today at work we talked about Rachel's Challenge and how that young girl affected many lives in a positive way, and how she prevented several people from attempting suicide. This time of year I am always somber in deep thoughts of Elisa and Buck. I am certain that if Buck had met and got to know Elisa, she would be here still.

I can't believe it has been 5 years since they both died. That was the worst year ever... Joanie in March, Scrappy (yeah I know its a dog, but I had him for 14 years - my first dog ever!) died in June, A friend's mom lost the cancer battle in July, Buck died in August, and Elisa died in September (7 days after Buck's would have been 21st birthday and 9 days before her 20th birthday) Though that year was barley bearable, I made it through. Closer to some, it pulled me further from other friends.

I wish I would have gotten up this morning and ran, I wish I would have had a great eating day, I wish I would have done more with the life I've been granted to show that her death wasn't forgotten. Elisa motivated me to always push forward hard toward the next small achievable gaol. She taught me that I could run any distance if I truly wanted and thought I could. She taught me that no matter how tired I am, how much I want to quit, I should push on and then help everyone around me.

Yesterday at school we talked about Rachel's Challenge... Rachel died 5 years before Elisa did, and I'm fairly positive Elisa never heard of her, but their impact on people's lives is identical. So I am starting my very own Elisa Challenge. I WILL push someone every day to be more. I will think every day of how I can better my own life - and do it.

A friend of mine lost a very close cousin - a father to be - this week... I want to hug her, i want to tell her it'll be ok, I want to weep for a family I don't even know. For a mother who is now alone, for a baby who will never meet its father... It makes me think of Elisa and how much of her life she did not get to live.

Rachel's father wrote a poem about the space between the dates. (by the way if a country singer could get a hold of that poem and turn it into a song it would totally rock) but it made me question everything i have done with my space between the dates... is it enough, if I died tomorrow would it be enough?

Elisa and I talked one day about "how we would die" it was a complete joke of a conversation led by me saying it would be the day I hit my first homerun and that as I crossed home plate I'd have a heart attack and that would be it - I'd die completely happy then. She followed by saying she was going to be running - so she would be completely happy... for those who don't know, she was hit by a truck on a misty day while on a 30 minute run.

I know this is probably one of the most random post, and makes little to know sense, but either does the way I feel today. I'm happy for my memories... I'm sad for the feelings I remember this day and tomorrow... I'm perplexed by the thought of who'd she be today... I'm disappointed that I told her parents I would take care of her at TLU and I didn't... I'm so bitterly angry at the man who hit her and drove off, and claimed he thought she was a dog... I'm confused as to how bad Buck felt that she needed to take her life... I'm questioning why I didn't feel it was ok to reach out to her - just because I didn't want to look like I was trying to help... I fear that my students, my family, my friends, my future kids might one day have to go through any of the feelings that 2004 brought me and pray that they dont

Im off to bed, very thankful for each breath I get to take.

August Flew By!!

2009-09-08T04:31:00.000-07:00

Its already September!!

August was filled with unpacking, preparing for school to start, welcoming 2 old friends to the BCS world, and taking Dixie to the vet... every week!

Dixie is done with vet visits for now, and only shows 2 large scars as battle wounds. She had 27 staples across her back, and 19 down her leg also had a drainage tube through the top one. It was GROSSSSS!! She now just has one little spot of bleeding that looks to be healing ok.

The house is fully lived in now! no more boxes!!

I started grad classes up again this past week.. Thursday night from 4:30 - 10:15... yuck!! But the classes seem fun.

Now I'm off to work... have a great day

picture post

2009-08-03T13:09:00.001-07:00

Finally put pictures on my computer today (while procrastinating all the important stuff I had to do) so here are some of my favorites :-D

Javier and Anna at the Chicken

My two favorite boys

DD - they're cute!!

The boys at the Chicken

Us at the Chicken :)

Me, Jess, Nat and Brandi

They always play on the pole

Don't mess with us

Suki Graduated from TLU -- Yay

Our family - Me, Suki, EJ, and Javier

Trip to the Aquarium - Omar and Javier outside

He looks dorky

LOOOK BEHIND YOU!!!

AAHHH it got us!

The Shepard Clan

Omar and Samantha

Javier on a boat :)

Chris and Missy and us

Cutting the cake

Stavena and I

Dobbie, Kaycee and Missy (coach)

so it has been 2 weeks!!

2009-07-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

and no progress for Dixie!!!

Her lumps are growing, and the vet is so CONFUSED!! They have sent off cultures and said we'll know by Wednesday... between now and then they've got her on strong antibiotics and shaved a few spots on her neck.

Lets all hope she gets better soon!

We are all moved in to our new duplex!! I love the way it is coming along! We are very glad we chose to paint the entire house, it looks great! I'm stoked about the kitchen... i'll attach pictures.

Here's one of the kitchen... the cabinets used to be all white, and there was nasty wall paper everywhere else!

Here is a picture of the back yard... please excuse Dixie... she's being a big girl going potty outside :-D

The grass is green now with fresh seed, and I have tons more pictures that I can't get to work right now!

This is all for now... lets all hope that Dixie gets better soon so she can go back to enjoying that big back yard!

I am never taking the kids to get shots...

2009-07-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

That'll have to be Javier's job.

Dixie woke up 2 nights ago yelping in pain, there were a couple lumps on her upper back/neck/armpit area developing on Friday night-ish, but being the cheapo parents we are, we didn't want to pay emergency vet costs... so I was going to wait until today.. pay day.. but Dixie had other plans. So Monday morning bright and early I call the vet set up an appointment. She was miserable! She YELPED when I put her in the car, and yelped even more when the Vet was prodding the lumps. I cried like a baby! (for those who don't know, we adopted a puppy 2 years ago at Christmas who had distemper and died 3 days after we adopted him... all I could think about was Cheif and how horribly sad I was after 3 days... imagine 4 months!) The vet said she hasn't ever seen anything quite like it (which makes both of my dogs now have stumped vets! What the heck!) So they kept her overnight, drugged her up and called the next morning. Said she should be fine, the lumps are hardening which is suposed to be good, and to keep her away from JOJO for a week and bring her back. They think she digested rat poison! How horrible for my poor little girl!!! So she's on meds, still in some pain, and the lumps are still there! I hope this clears up soon, I'm dying to play with her!! And JoDee has no idea what is going on, but is confused as can be!

Still haven't moved that kitchen in yet! Have to be out in 8 days... we can do it!

All but a kitchen

2009-07-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

we have officially moved to a new duplex!! it is a 2 bed 1 bath (so yes, it is smaller than before) but it has a HUGE back yard, Deck, tile and wood floors and lots of windows!!

The girls love it! They could run and run forever outside! We have moved the living room - which has a funky fire place that takes up a lot of space, but the furniture looks ok how it is. The bedroom feels great (well, it will as soon as all the clothes are put away) . The office is crammed in, but it is actually very efficient! The bathroom is cute! and the kitchen... well, the table is here now, but nothing else regarding the kitchen. We painted all the walls in the duplex, but need to finish the cabinets. And since I am not personally in the mood to look at another paint brush, It's going to wait until next week :-D

So, tonight we are having our first Domino's night at our house!!! YA-HOO

Back...

2009-06-27T13:24:00.001-07:00

I just got back from an AMAZING conference in Dallas for AVID! I can't wait to incorporate this excitement into the class room!

And now I'm back and we're packing up all of our stuff to move to the new duplex! Yahoo

GOOD STUFF

2009-06-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.e-rard.com/Squirrel_Revival.htm

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT LINK!! If I work with you, I sent it to most of you :-D Leave comments on what you think!

Today felt like summer!

2009-06-07T18:57:00.001-07:00

For the first time since I was 17, I have a full summer break!!! I am not teaching summer school (except for a few sub days) I am not taking summer school, I am not working at all!!! Oh the joys of being a teacher!!

Today we found out we got the duplex we wanted!!! BACKYARD BBQ'S HERE WE COME!!

Our lease starts July 1st, so we have a month to move out of here :-D Im going to start by painting the kitchen -- it is currently purple I think... not working. Then probably repaint the bathroom, but other than that it's perfect! Tile and wood floors, huge deck in the GINORMOUS back yard... Living area is small, but we are hoping that we will be spending more time outside than in, so it doesn't matter!!

I am, however, having a moment of biological ticking... Javier is in SA for the week, and there are tons of mommy movies on tv.. one day, I know... but it'd be nice soon :-D (and by that i mean, after i get married in 100 years)

I'm going to post pictures from this weekend when Javier sends them to me... and I hope to get some great Jojo and Dixie pictures this week too!

Driving and Shopping Carts

2009-06-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Last night after dinner, Javier and I passed a booth with a sign reading "Stop the red light cameras! Sign Petition" So I asked Javier what he thought about the cameras.. his response amazed me :) (I am going to try to summarize in my own words what he said, but use first person so it makes more sense)

"I think that if our country was morally sound, there would be no need for traffic cameras or hidden radars, however since people seem to have thrown morals out the window, I think it is necessary. You shouldn't follow the rules only when someone is watching. I feel my most moral when I'm driving, I go the speed limit, I use my turn signals, I don't tailgate, in hopes that no one else will do that to me. I don't go 7 miles over the limit because a cop wont stop me so I can. You have to draw the line somewhere. I think it was when I started working in education that I started thinking this way. The line for success is set at 70% That is our line to work toward or we do not pass.. but now days, it seems that people are ok with a 68 - just because it is close. We have to draw the line somewhere. I can't control what others do, and I know I have not lived my life the most morally, however, driving I can say, I am moral. And it is like when we go to Kroger's, We never leave a cart in the lot. It may be raining, it may be hot, it may be freezing cold, but we always put the cart where it goes... morals... if everyone would take those little steps toward doing the right thing - not for a prize, not because someone is watching, but just because you are doing what is right -- our country would be good again"

I love that he feels that way -- It amazes me how he still surprises me after so long... I laughed because I have a few things that I am proud that I always do... nerd alert... I always say bless you when someone sneezes (do I think that I must so the devil doesn't come out of their nose? no, but it is polite, and it really makes me smile when someone else takes the time to say "bless you" when I sneeze) And I ALWAYS say excuse me when I burp -- now I know I like to burp and will upon request, but I always say excuse me... and I always notice when people don't... It isn't hard, it is just polite.

I read a blog today of a woman I don't know, but have become addicted to, and it went along these lines. Why don't we do things every day, just to make sure someone else might have a little better of a day? She said she leaves drinks for the trash men... and orders pizza for the cable guy... why don't we do that? Those people are working hard so we can live in our own little happy place.

I have spent much of the last month and a half on me. I have started working out again, eating right, living healthier, for me. I have been rewarded by reaching my goals regarding weight loss... Its time I reward others.. My goal (no numbers involved) is to make a stranger smile every day and tell one person I know, just how special they are and why. Lets see how it goes:)

Here's to cleaning and packing!

Dixie Dixie Dixie

2009-06-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

So, Monday we took the dogs to the vet for what turned out to be one expensive trip! Dixie turned 5 months old on Monday, and I figured we have waited long enough to get her fixed.. so we did! And it was her last round of puppy shots, rabies thing and her county tags - check.. heart worm and flea control, check.. Now for JoJo... we thought she caught some of Dixie's mess from when we got her, and then we knew she got into ants.. turns out GREAT NEWS, no dixie mess... bad news, allergic as can be to the aunts - or fleas... whatever was biting her, so she was chewing off her skin/hair... which then got infected... augh... poop joJo... now she's got meds, doing better, all yearly shotted up, and a fresh supply of heartworm and flea preventative! THANKS MOM FOR FUNDING THAT TRIP!!!

Because Dixie still has stitches, we have to watch her every move... seh does not like to not move! The first day was ok, she was still groggy... Day 2 - not bad, kept her in her cage, and JoJo away... Since then, she only wants to play, nothing else! It is brutal putting her away because she looks so pitiful!

I took her for a walk this morning, her and jojo are playing right now, but she is starting to look tired. Ok I lied, she just attacked my ear! I love this dog!

Javier and I have really gotten into Disc Golf... we went today, yesterday, and Tuesday! He kicked my butt today - guess I need A LOT of practice!!

Frisbee Golf

2009-05-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

Javier and I had a great time today playing disc golf with Aron! It was Aron and I against Javier... Javier won :-( I made the last shot though that was outstanding!!!

We're still looking for a place to live... it sucks! We looked at a place today, not bad, but 50 bucks more a month and not so much living room space... we'll figure it out I guess, we'll figure it out.

Puking Puppy

2009-05-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

So, JoJo absolutely loves riding in the car! She will jump in every open door - even the neighbor's :( Dixie on the other hand hates car rides. She runs from an open door, and looks so SAD when we put her in. She gets car sick every time we take off somewhere. Its weird, she will puke 2 times on the way to any place (any distance) but never has puked on the way home. I think she is nervous and not exhausted when we leave, so she gets sick, but when we are heading home, she is more comfortable or more worn out from what ever activity we did. This weekend we went to Javier's folk's and my parent's houses. My family had a bbq on Saturday and we moved a cut down tree on Sunday at the Lopez House. We had a GREAT weekend!!

Today we bought a Wii Fit and Javier beat the heck out of me at hula hoop! but I out Yoga'd his butt!

10 reason's this is a great day!

2009-05-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

In light of my love's 28th (yes he's old) birthday, I thought I'd do a Top ten reasons I am thankful for him...

1. He cooks... oh can he cook! I know I talk about it all the time, and if you read "my journey" you know that his cooking could be the reason I fail, but I know this talent of his will be our survival in a few years, and it will be amazing to share with him!
2. His smile.. its rare that we all get to see it, he tends to smirk or just stay straight faced on a daily basis, but his smile makes me melt...
3. His ability to make me smile... all he has to do is look at me, or try to tickle me.. no one makes me smile like he does (yes I know I smile a lot) but I love that I can think of him and not stop smiling
4. His brain... He is so smart - and a smart A** - but I haven't ever known someone like him... he is so intelligent, I love asking and listening to his advice, I love talking about the world with someone that has a clue... I am in love with his brain!
5. His family... He has great parents, I am lucky to know them. His mom has a huge heart, and his dad is a wealth of knowledge - even dealing with education! I can have great discussions at his house!
6. His Singing... he has a great voice - but more than the way it sounds, it is how excited he gets by singing a song. He loves music, and its nice to know that if there isn't a radio around, I can still hear my favorite songs!
7. His desire to learn new things.. he isn't satisfied with his current knowledge - always working to learn more things and skills - he's getting good at the guitar
8. His boots -- i love a man in boots, who wouldn't, but one of my favorite memories is of him being a little inebriated and i had to take off his boots -- he said that was how he knew I loved him, I took off his boots -- ha ha.. I complained the whole time, but still he appreciated it
9. His love of sitting at home... he is very happy just sitting at home with me. Not always talking or doing anything, he just really likes for us to be home together - its cute!
10. Mostly I love that he was willing to drop every ounce of security we held in San Antonio, just to move here to get a degree (slowly but surely) just so my parents would approve of us. It takes a strong person to go back to school, especially when you have a great job... Without that, I would not be here... I would not be me.

I know I usually say he's a pain and laugh when people talk about him, but I am really lucky to have him in my life, and can't wait to see what every day holds for us.

So thanks Martha and Rudy for having him -- you made my life worth it!

camera dump...

2009-05-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Here is our latest picture.. we were at an Aggie Softball Game...

Clifton and Sheryl - why we went to the game.. I LOVE THEM

Javier and his grandpa roping... it was amazing to see those two connect

I know you are all jealous of my family!

and last, but not least... Dixie Rose - she loves to lay on the guitar case as well as the top of their kennel... i think she likes the cool feeling. She's a rag doll when she's asleep.. way cute!

Happy Birthday Javier :)

2009-05-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

NO words would do justice to the fun we had Friday and Saturday night! Thanks to everyone who helped Javier have a great birthday :)

Javier's Birthday celebration

2009-05-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the first of many "happy birthday Javier" days. He doesn't know his gift from me yet, but HE'S GOING TO LOVE IT!!

My hopes for those in attendance: Randy, Kerin, Nick, Jake, EJ!!!, Adam & Kristen, Tommy, Aron, Mary, Jessica, and hopefully Adam and Adrianne!!! It is going to be fun!

I'll take and post tons of pictures... Promise :)

"and we're worried about saving GM"

2009-04-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

I read this in a blog today talking about the loss of one of our student's. The blog, I read & cried through, is from a family who's child died at age 7 from the same disease Erin died of - Neuroblastoma.

It made me think... if all this money "we" just gave to GM, AIG, and all the other trillion dollar companies was put into cancer research, how many children's lives could we save? The world looses outstanding individuals every day because "we" think its more important that society has American made cars to drive. Why not - instead of laying off all those people - educate them and put them to work researching and finding ways to make our society safer, healthier, happier... It does more than give them a job, it would give them a purpose and help our society get better. Pay them to go sit in schools and tutor kids, pay them to help the elderly feel worthy of life, pay them to mentor troubled teens and be the positive person some of those kids need. Why not spend that money on our entire community instead of our big business. Why not spend that money saving lives - all lives.

I know this probably doesn't make sense, but either does letting great kids die every day...

Easter Weekend!

2009-04-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

We headed to San Antonio early Friday morning to visit my folks.

We got there before they got off work, so we went to lunch with Nick and Jake (2 of Javier's oldest friends) I love those guys! Then we went back to my parent's house to introduce the dogs to my mom's newly adopted 4 kittens. DJ rescued them from Sea World, so their names are Clyde, Seymore, Schmedly and Dolly. I did not get any cute pictures of the kittens -- sad! By the way - they are all up for adoption, each has been bottle fed and now eating hard food :) 3 boys and 1 girl 2 boys and a girl are tiger striped and one little gray boy. They are very cute!! == Friday night we went to Jake's apartment again and played Poker with EJ, Mike and Jake! I kicked butt!! Here are a few pictures of those crazy guys! The girl is Melissa - Mike's Wife - she showed up after a party and Nick came at the end. The story to this group is fun - I'll share another day (or some with each picture)

Yes - Javier is a fairy!

Javier, Mike, EJ, and Jake

After poker - talking about old times! Melissa wanted to share her burger

Saturday: We got up and talked a bit with mom and dad then headed to Dunkin' Donuts!! Javier has been craving those for a while so we got them! Then we went to Alamo Music Store - that place was fun. Javier got new guitar strings (I will video him playing his guitar once he gets it back) We also found the electric guitar he wants to buy! We went back to my folks house for some more chatting then headed out to his parent's house. Too bad they weren't there yet, so we took the dogs out back and let them play!

The dogs love to run!

We want to take some good photos for our house decor

She so just sat there while I was trying to take the other picture -- I love this one!

JV's dad got a new horse -- JoDee wasn't sure about her!

Isn't she cute!

Pretty JoJo

Once his parents got back - we practiced lasso'ing! his grandpa was a champion in the Charriara (don't know how to spell - but it is Mexican Rodeo) It was fun!! I'll add pictures of that as soon as I get them uploaded :)

Sunday we got up and went out to see what Easter sales we could find. Didn't do much in the morning, but we cut more fire wood when we got back! I love cutting fire wood! Then i practiced more of the lasso - and hooked Javier 2 times in a row! woohoo!

All in all it was an outstanding weekend!

Spring Break...

2009-03-22T16:45:00.001-07:00

Oh how I love Spring Break, especially when it is as BEAUTIFUL as it was this week. The greatness started last Thursday, it rained and pored = no softball Thursday. Friday, it rained and pored = no softball Friday or Saturday! So Spring Break actually got to start on time for me!

Friday: Javier and I went to the Chicken with Aron then met up with his girlfriend Rain.
We met up with some friends of mine accidentally and wound up having a long fun night!

Saturday - Amy Woodall came into town! We always have fun! I went to bed early on Saturday - a great cold wet day that let me recover from the last 2 hectic months. Sunday it warmed up a little bit, and Amy had lunch with her family, so I went to Seguin for the TLU softball games! Brandi came with me - which was awesome to hang out with her for a full day! It stinks though because it makes me miss her more now. At the game, well it was awesome, Suki hit a triple! It was almost full alumni day, CC (my shortstop when I played) Crystal (centerfield) Dobbie (pitcher) Dorothy (3rd base) Amy (2nd/DH - my 3 hitter) Holly (right field) Jayme (2nd base) and Clifton and Sheryl (the 2 best supporters of all time) It was such an awesome day, I really miss all of the girls. CC Crystal and I used to be attached at the hip, and we've lost touch - had fun catching up! Too bad I forgot my camera! augh but here's a picture of Dane and Brandi :)

This is an old picture that has all of the players my senior year in it.. aww St. Louis!!

Monday Amy, Javier and I took JoJo and Dixie to Research Park for some fetch and swimming in the wonderful 80 degree weather!

These Turtles were there before JoJo and Dixie got there... they were gone quickly after the leashes came off :)

The turtles were just to the right of them

JoJo loves her softball!

Dixie's first swim - not on purpose :)

Tuesday - Javier decided to learn how to bake bread! So we spent the day researching and baking! Here is just the first loafs he made - out of about 400 total rolls...
and yes, it was as good as it looks!

Also on Tuesday, Hobson's baby momma had her beautiful son Stephen Turner! I wont post pictures, but I was anxiously awaiting his arrival!!

Wednesday, my friend Natalie called - from San Antonio - and was in town with her new baby weenie dog! So we met up with her 2 dogs and our 2 dogs at a local open field and let them run off some energy! Dixie got along great, well other than trying to herd the baby, it was her first experience with other dogs than JoJo. These pictures are in backwards order...

Dixie got tired at the end and would find "shade" anywhere she could... if we would move, so would she -- The weenie dog was Frankie... He was trying to wake her up to play

Dixie liked having dogs her size! The little one is Riley.

JoJo took that stick from Dixie -- but they play well as long as JoDee gets what she wants.

Javier running with the dogs - this is how we always start the park trips :)

Days like Wednesday make it hard to go to work, it was awesome spending time as a family!

Thursday - it was 80 degrees again, not a cloud in the sky and I had a softball game!! The silver team went to Valley Mills for one game. We lost 4-3 but it was a great game. Losing is never fun, but we are a JV team and VM was varsity... so its OK :)

Friday - it was 78 degrees, not a cloud in the sky and I had another softball game!! Silver played again, Temple this time - we won 24-1!! Varsity lost 2-0, but one of my JV girls had 2 great pinch hits!! AND GUESS WHAT Suki came to town - late on Friday!!

Saturday was our JV White softball tournament! Suki came with me for the morning game and brought Dixie. She was so well behaved! (Dixie and Suki) haha We won our first game! One of the girls watched Dixie while Suki and I went for lunch with Javier - then I came back for our 2nd win of the day - which Javier and Suki got to see! Dixie slept the whole game. By winning 2 in a row we went to the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! Dixie got a little overheated and didn't feel well, so she slept some more, and I worried! We played Consol for the championship game and lost 9-1, but still took 2nd place! I was so proud of the girls!! That night, I was pretty fried, but Suki and I went and found her a new outfit! I Really miss Suki!

Today Javier got up early to smoke some wild hog that Buck gave us. He's never cooked wild game before, so we decided to only have over 2 people to eat. Suki and I baked some rolls before she left for home.
Too bad they didn't turn out great :( Jordan and Mary came over and we skittishly ate a few pieces of hog.
I don't think smoked hog is how it should be done. Good thing we have a lot more to try a better cooking method! We all filled up on bread and cookies :) Now Javier is baking Choc. Chip cookies and I'm supposed to be working on a project for school...

Spring Break was great, I hope next week at work isn't bad! This is my first break period where I didn't miss my kiddo's... makes me sad kind of :( But now thinking about it, I am excited a little :)

Here are a few pictures I promised of Dixie's arrival :) we found the connector for the camera, can you tell -- ha ha

Dixie Rose Deluxe's Honkey Tonk Feed Store Gun Shop Used Car Beer Bait Bar-B-Que Barbershop Laundermat

2009-03-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

For short, Dixie... that would be our new puppy! She's a Border Collie that I stupidly purchased on a whim at the puppy store in the mall... I know I know, there are tons of puppies that need homes from shelters that cost tons less, but If you saw her face, you would have bought her too :)

The Joys... She is so smart - as with the breed - she already knows sit! She also has figured out that the puppy gate blocking the kitchen, where her water is, can be by passed if she sits at the door to go outside, then runs around the house to the back door, knowing I'll let her in there, going straight to the water bowl. I don't deny her water, that sounded bad, but after 10:00 pm we don't give her any water so we don't have to wake up every 10 minutes through the night. She has sweet puppy breath! Her and JOJO play wonderfully together!

The "what the heck was I thinking" ... She HATES her kennel. JoDee never had any issues with being in a kennel, she loves it actually... not Dixie. As I type she is barking hysterically in her kennel, when just 5 minutes ago she was - barely able to keep her head up - tired. She is not so great at potty training, since she was able to go whenever and where ever she wanted in her cage. She hasn't gone in her cage, but she's number oned everywhere else in our house! She is however getting much better : ) Scratching.. so the million dollar puppy store obviously doesn't care about fleas, she she was infested with them when we got her home. Because of that, she has scratched herself red. She has no more fleas, but still is irritated at her skin, causing us to buy some soothing lotion for her. It works ok, but she's in the habit of scratching now, so we have to break it. OOOOHHH, SIDE NOTE - she stopped barking! I bought a SpraySense Anti-Bark collar for her today. I have already had to refill it once, and was about to mark it down as a BIG FAT WASTE OF MONEY, but she is settling down. It will take time I guess.

I don't have any pictures of her at this moment, because we can't find the connector cord from the camera to the computer. But she is white with black freckles on her nose and legs. She has one black mark on her back and both eyes are black. One mark goes up to the ear, the other is freckled too :) This is the closest online picture I could find. Its not really that close though :(

Any anti-barking advice is welcomed greatly! Javier is about to "give her to (my) mother" I will get pictures up of her ASAP -- I have some really cute ones of her and JOJO playing together!

BTW -- my girls won the consolation prize at the Schulenburg Varsity tournament - mine are JV! yay!

Missing in Action

2009-02-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

A month ago... was my last post, all about JoJo's nose... great news is it is totally better with no scar and you can not tell that she had any issues at all!

Basketball ended... we did not win, but we did play ok - I am so glad that the season is over!

Track started... oh track season... we have 7 8th graders on the track team, and are those 7 8th graders the fast ones??? nope! The 7th grade numbers are better, but still... what is the term the kids use... embarrassed! Our first track meet is today - yay... (delayed post... we had 1 first place, 1 second place, and tons of 4th places... my thrower got 4th and 5th in shot and disc, and my high jumper got 3rd! It was not nearly as bad as I expected and I am looking forward to the next meet)

Grad School... I love grad school. I completely love going to A&M for graduate school, I have learned so much and discovered so much about myself and my views on my job and current location. I had to drop one course because of softball, but that is allowing me to really focus on this one amazing class. We are really digging deep into race and the different views on what I have spent so many years believing to be normal. It is rough at times to have to re-evaluate life and my views on it, but I know now I will be a better teacher, coach, mother and wife because of it --(the latter 2 will be way later in life)

Softball!!! I absolutely LOVE coaching softball. I'm doing the JV white and JV silver team -- Silver is what I call the real JV and white is the "Bryan ISD doesn't cut, so you can play on this team" team. It is so refreshing to have athletes that really do want to be there! You tell them something that will help them... and they do it, no arguing! It rocks!!!! My white team is 1-0-1 but made an impressive comeback to get the tie! My silver team is 0-2 but both losses are against varsity teams, so I am really excited to see them perform in district!

TAKS TEST is coming fast! I am not ready, my kids are not ready, and It is completely wearing me out! AAAHHH

Fat Tuesday -- Mardi Gras :-D Javier and I went to New Orleans this past weekend. I had a softball tournament on Thursday, so I was off all day, and we left at 5:30 on Friday for Waller to drop off JoJo with my dad for the weekend, then to Sarah Perez-Croy's house! We picked up Jonathan - Sarah's husband - and were off to LA. We got to mile marker 4 in Louisiana when we saw a car do 2 360's and run into a passenger bus. Everyone was ok, and we avoided any contact, but it was scary! We rolled into our hotel fairly early on Friday and caught a parade! It was a good time! Saturday we went to the French Quarter and to the aquarium, just Javier and I - it was awesome!!! Then we went to Harrah's Casino - Javier kicked butt at Roulette, so we went back and bought 3 jazz paintings from a guy at the French Quarter! Then we went back to the hotel and met some crazy people at their restaurant. Sunday Javier and I spend the day in the room sleeping... Sounds boring I know, but we've been so busy that it was absolutely amazing! I had another softball game on Monday night, so we left at 6:30 on Monday morning and waved goodbye to New Orleans!

Though the weekend was fun, I payed for it this week. Monday's games lasted forever, so we did not get back to the school until 11. Tuesday we had morning track practice, then I had to scout for softball - in Killeen... needless to say, I got home at around 11 again. Wednesday was track practice in the morning again, but followed by a gang awareness faculty meeting and grad class - with 2 presentations - that night. Wednesday was the early day, I was home at 9:00! Thursday track practice then track meet left me out until nearly midnight! Friday was good because we had no track and nothing after school. I left work at 4:45 and went to Terrazzos to have Sangrea with DOBBY!!!!

Today Dob's and I went to Lick Creek Park for a good hour and a half hike. JoDee had a blast! HOPEFULLY, tonight we will grill it up and have a great time with terrific friends! yay!

JoJo's Nose

2009-01-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

JoDee Got into something! The vet said the tissue on the top of her nose is burnt, as if by a chemical. We probably wont ever know what caused it, but it was either by insulation (apparently the fiber glass inside it will burn their skin), a spider (which the vet said was in a very odd spot for a spider bite), or a scorpion could do the same thing too. Either way, she is going to be just fine. She's got some medicine to take for 8 days and hopefully the scar wont be too bad. Not that it would matter, she's so pretty - no one would ever notice :)

New years was way better this year than last - I got to stay home and fall asleep way before midnight!

This was the first week back to work... and was it a doosie!! I have a student teacher this semester - who is awesome! We have about 12 new kids in my classes, which caused some confusion about procedures, but everyone needed a good review anyway... We beat Davila in basketball on Thursday!!!! My first win of the year! Then had a tournament in Huntsville Friday and Saturday... Friday was horrible - the girls played like 3 year olds and had attitude from who knows where. Then we get back to school and my student teacher's Jeep got broken into! Only her face plate of her stereo was taken, thankfully. Saturday did much better - we didn't win, but played better and had way better attitude! Brandi came up and watched and brought Dane -- he's so big!!

pictures to come... have a great week!

Some Pictures from Christmas

2008-12-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

We spent the holidays in San Antonio, splitting time with the two families. It was a great holiday! I'll put pictures up of our shooting adventures and some wii fun later, but these are some of my favorite Christmas Eve and Day pictures :)

This is Javier's parent's ranch, pretty cows :-)

My honey and his guitar :)

My Grandma and Grandpa

The back tank at his mom and dad's

Honey and his puppies

My pretty puppy

Us on Christmas - Suki's behind us, and look at Grandpa in the corner :)

Javier is helping Grandpa with his new camera

Grandpa is hilarious!

DJ and his girlfriend Christine

Christmas night -- we were out!

A Herd of Buffalo

2008-12-29T19:05:00.000-08:00

'Well you see, Norm, it's like this . . A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the heard is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.'

Cheers :)

snow, finals, work, guitars and holidays

2008-12-16T19:43:00.001-08:00

snow -- it was great! I wish I had more pictures to take honestly, but Javier wasn't as excited as I was, and he was in charge of the camera :( But here are a few...

This tree had one side of snow and the other not - it was by the bonfire memorial

Our snow man, my honey, and our little girl

Snow on Sully - these nice people took it for us

Pooty head by his grill :) -- the real reason I love him

Finals -- Grad school is over, sort of. I have to finish one class (which reminds me I should be doing that now instead of this, but its been a long time) I learned a lot and can't wait to go back!

Work - School has definitely challenged me recently, but in an exciting way. I feel like I've learned a lot this semester, and am really looking forward to next semester. the kids are coming around - I hardly have any kids failing this six weeks - they're turning in their work!!! Basketball is very frustrating, we've got so much natural talent, but no desire. That is killing me - I don't know how to do that, it wasn't me, I never had the talent, but had too much desire - if you know how to get kids to really want to try, want to be good, be better, want to work to improve -- please let me know!!

Guitar - Javier is learning how to play his guitar, he's doing so great! He's so talented - unlike me - but I love it because right now he's sitting here going through all the sweet songs he put on my picture frame thing and trying to play them for me : ) every day he surprises me with another reason to fall in love with him!

Holidays - are coming way faster than I'm ready for. But, I am looking forward to seeing everyone! This year will be Christmas at my grandma's house! yay

side note: So I've been having very strange dreams lately. Not strange like an elephant is in my car or anything, but there have been a ton of dreams about those who I've lost, but not in a sad way at all. I've dream-conversed with grandma and grandpa several times this week... not about my life per say, but just great conversations (which is the thing I miss most about them) I dreamed about basketball practice in high school with Elisa... random nights, but all great memories. The holidays will always be hard since it is 2 years now since the day grandma died (wow, that would be today...) I guess that could explain my dreams, but I am definitely missing them, but not mourning them. I can't wait to get to go to church again this weekend. We've missed 2 weeks - I never thought about the commitment it takes to go to church - we've never been church goers, but I really felt at home where we went, and am looking forward to continuing. I have something missing in my life right now, and I've been searching for the filling... I hope I've found it.

3 days left :) YAY WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK!!!

Tis the Season

2008-12-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

'Tis the Tag Season

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire post and paste into a new post. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. 'Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I LOVE wrapping presents - and decorating them - with my Christmas Ears on :

2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree? Traditionally the day after Thanksgiving, but I think we'll do it this weekend her at home

4. When do you take the tree down? day after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? no

6. Favorite gift received as a child? MOON SHOES!! -- but so far my all time favorite gift has been my Ted Williams Jersey - Jav knows me well

7. Do you have a nativity scene? nope

8. Hardest person to buy for? My brother

9. Easiest person to buy for? Mom

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? never any bad ones - all of them came from someone important - thats all that matters anyway :)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The one with the lady from that Angel movie and Will from will and grace where he pays Roma Downy (might be her name) and her daughter to be his "family" to show off to a business guy - its a life time movie - great

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Depends on the funds :)

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yep -- if I got something that i thought that someone else would love, i give it to them -- not usually as a Christmas gift, but a gift... and the Fruit cake that has been going around my family/friends for 4 years now :)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Santa's Cookies ;)

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear... they're BEAUTIFUL -- i like colored though too :)

17. Favorite Christmas song? Fun song is the Chipmunks 12 days of Christmas -- but other type is Silver Bells, or that one from the Grinch by Faith Hill - oh and Christmas Shoes-- holy crap that is a sad but AWESOME song

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet Cupid Donner, Blitzen, and Rudoplh of course. -Thanks to Tibby for helping

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? stuffed horse :)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas day usually -- but Javier and I aren't good at keeping presents so we usually tear into them early :)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? just trying to make everyone happy and spend enough time with everyone

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I am totally loving our cowboy theme!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham, potatoes -- anything grandma cooks :)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? just for it to go smoothly - I really can't think of anything I want = oh a robe would be nice

26. Who are you going to tag for this Christmas questionnaire?? UMM.. lets do Drager, Deanne (if she'd ever do the last one I tagged her for) Edwards and I think Dawn needs to make one and do it too! (or email it to me) and everyone else - I LOVE READING ABOUT CHRISTMAS STUFF

In Phoenix

2008-11-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

Just a little update of thanksgiving travel! My mom, dad, dj, Christine, Jan and I just made it to Phoenix! Next stop LAS VEGAS! I'm super sad Javier is not with us, but we're going to try to have fun... if my mom mentions again that Javier would make this trip so much more fun, i'm going to kick her :) I know he would, but he's with his family - which is good too I guess :(

I'll take some pictures and update on the way back!

Oh Javier

2008-11-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

So Rachel tagged me - I found it interesting that I know everything about Rachel's husband, but she knows nothing about Javier -- so why not! Here it goes -- all about Javier :)

1. Where did you meet? we met at his house in his front yard :)

2. How long did you date? well, we've been dating now for a little over 3 years :)

3. How long have you been married? people say we act like we've been married for 50 years, but not married yet!

4. What does he say that surprises you? It always surprises me when he knows everything - he is so smart

5. What is your favorite feature of his? He has amazing eyes

6. What is your favorite quality of his? he is brutally honest :)

7. Does he have a nickname for you? stink butt

8. What is his favorite color? Blue-- but he Bleeds Maroon

9. What is his favorite food? steak and potatoes

10. What is his favorite sport? bull riding

11. When and where did you first kiss? leaning on the bed of his truck in his front yard the night I "met" him

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? play with JoJo, have people over, go to Target

13. Do you have any children? Nope. Just JoJo.

14. Does he have a hidden talent? so many!

15. How old is he? 27 - old man

16. Who said "I love you" first? He did...

17. What is his favorite type of music? Country

18. What do you most admire about him? That he is a family man--I can't wait to see him around kids -- I agree with Rachel, Javier's going to be the best dad ever... but I love his passion for things... once he's started on something, he doesn't give up

19. Do you think he will read this? highly doubtful :)

Okay now I need to tag a few of you loyal blog readers to write about your husband/fiancee/boyfriend.I tag Tibby :) - Deanne DeBaker (I guess thats not your name any more, but I really want to know how you became Dugie) Drager would be fun... lets go with Chupp -- I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to know your story :)

A great day!

2008-11-14T16:04:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was my birthday - yay! 26- yeah that's old... I started my day as usual: alarm goes off at 4:45... time to get up - with JoJo on my face, I got up and did my morning ritual... off to work, it is 5:20...To my surprise my mom called bright and early to wish me a happy birthday (a first in my life that she's called my in the morning to tell me :) then not 3 minutes after I hang up with her, my Dad called (it would have been sweeter if he did not say "mom said I had to call, so I called" but it was the thought - i guess). Practice was great! The girls worked really hard and had fun. The school day came -- I tried some new things I learned from my training on Tuesday (I figure if they thought that guy was important enough to keep me out of my classroom for the whole day, I better use something) So I decided to try the whole "love everyone" plan... it was nice having the kids compliment each other -- Today is now Friday, and some of that "love" has dwindled away, but they're still trying -- Lunch was provided by our A&M students - not for my birthday - but just because (even though I'll always claim it was my party) Still haven't heard a peep from Javier... I was getting a little frustrated... While at work I had to hurry and finish a paper that was due in class that night, and I got enough done to not get in trouble.. Class was fun, we played a game with the clicker things that keeps track of who got what percent right - yeah I was first (and the prof even played) sweet! So I was excited on my way home about that but still mad, had I heard a word from Javier? NO! I came through the door, and JoJo welcomed me - he was upstairs. He came down and asked if I felt old - i smirked with annoyance... he then asked if I wanted my gift now or later (and no it was not a ring... I told someone the story and they were disappointed in the end result because they were aiming a little too high, so stop thinking that and pay attention) I said whatever/whenever so we went upstairs to put JoJo away before we left for dinner - and he told me to sit down and close my eyes (I knew it wasn't a ring - so no that was never a thought) all of a sudden our song was playing - I wont share which song, because it will be our wedding song one day and I don't want anyone to steal it ;) - I opened my eyes and he got one of those digital picture frames that plays music and created a slide show of all pictures of us... there were some pictures I hadn't ever seen before, others that I haven't seen in years, and of course all of my favorites! Javier's not a romantic guy -- but this was perfect! I sure did tear up a bit (he fixed the moment with "stop being a girl and lets go eat") But it was awesome. All of the songs on it are beautiful and I never expected anything like it! He did a great job! so we went to dinner (Italian - one of the 3 days a year I get it) at this place called Luigi's - it was so pretty inside and the food was great!

The night was wonderful, and I wanted to stay up longer to spend time with him, but I had to be at work at 5:45 again the next day, so he laid in bed with me until I fell asleep - it was perfect!

So today I was talking to my mom (of course I told her about the frame and everything that next morning) and she told me that she was mad at Javier - again... I really didn't know why this time... apparently she told my aunt and my dad that she wanted to get me a digital picture frame for Christmas this year and already picked out the one she wanted to get! I felt bad a little - but still told her I would take another one to even out the room :) she didn't think that was a good idea... But she is starting to joke more with and about Javier - life is coming together perfectly :)

Ok, well I'm sleepy and we've got people coming over, but thanks to all for the birthday wishes and have a great one!

work and school, work and school...

2008-11-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

Work:
Volleyball season ended - on a rough note, but the girls played GREAT! End of volleyball means....BASKETBALL season has started!!! We had our first week of 6am practices and they were AMAZING! The girls have totally surpassed all of my expectations! I can't wait to see how they grow. I was nervous about coaching alone, especially at 6 in the morning... so I emailed a professor (a random professor) and asked if any A&M students would be interested in volunteering - expecting maybe one or two would agree... I had 7 students show up on Friday to the initial meeting - 7 it was awesome!! Because there were so many, I had the 2 men in the group meet with our boys coach, and they are going to help him! I am so excited to have this help - and I know it will be GREAT for our girls too! The math part of my job is very random right now. We're doing so many tests and other pull out things that its becoming overwhelming. My kids aren't doing homework, they're not trying hard in class, and I'm sinking under papers to grade and tutoring to do - that I don't have time to do! But, a few of my students have flipped attitudes and have been doing great! Those are the kids I think of every time someone asks why I'm teaching! Hobs is trying to get me to coach PE next year, and don't get me wrong every day for at least a few minutes I really really think about it :) Even yesterday I found out about a position in the Inquire (GT) that has unfortunately become available.. I thought "hey, that would probably be less emotionally stressful, lets give it a try maybe" too bad my schedule decided that choice before I even had ten minutes to think about it. And, I know I couldn't leave my kiddo's -- they're toooo funny (although a few of them could use a good hard kick in the... never mind). This is the end of the second six weeks, which means grades are due Tuesday! AHHH
Class
In my law class, my professor said that I have a great future in academia and am doing great in his class and would have a solid A --- if --- that operative horrible word -- if I didn't miss a day and was not late another day... too bad I miss and was late because of work... made me mad a bit, but excited at the same time! The people in that class are awesome! I have learned so much... too much for my own good right now. He also said that I need to not stress about things that are happening until I am an in position to make change - that if I continue to question everything at my school, my job might be in jeopardy. I told him thanks for that advice, and I can see where he's coming from, but I told him that this is probably the only time in my life I will be comfortable saying things that knowingly put me in the hot seat.. I have no real commitment, no one depending on my salary, its the only time that I can say "fire me, I can do something else" Don't get me wrong, I love my job and really really don't want to lose it, but I see so many things wrong with how we do things, and how we cover up so much trying to make it "look good" when we could just really try to fix the problem and be great in a few years... I'm that dumb, optimistic pain in the butt that is never happy, I know :) but life's short - why be bored? My Wednesday class is getting hectic... our Literature Review is due on Wednesday -- yeah that is right, Case Brief due Monday, Grades due Tuesday, Lit review due Wednesday... so much for a relaxing birthday week... That class is great though, we have some amazing discussions! I was so nervous starting grad school, but I am not excited to go to class every week! Like, something will happen at work, and I can't wait to get to class to talk about it. Or I'll think of some dumb question that I can't wait to run by the other students! I'm such a nerd!

Halloween -- just since its been forever since I've posted, I got to go to San Antonio for Halloween with Javier! (the last few times each of us has gone to SA we've gone separate - or have gone together but separated while there to get all of our "must sees" out of the way) This time was different, Friday we left BCS early and got to my Mom's house in enough time to take Chris and Lucian Trick-or-treating! It was blast!!! Javier spent a lot of time sitting chatting with the family and neighbors - it felt so great! Saturday, we got up early and went to his dad's place to help his cousin with some math problems... it was funny, then we went back to my parent's house and headed to Sea World! It was a perfect day! That night we met up with Randy and Dobbie at his house and... lets just say I think I had a GREAT TIME. The next day, Javier let me sleep in while he went downstairs, talked with my folks for a while and picked up Anna! After I got up -- slowly and with a headache -- we went to breakfast with everyone again. Javier drove both there and back so I could work on my papers... it was just a GREAT trip! The best one ever I feel! His mom was upset though that we didn't see her, but we see them more than my parents ten fold, so I don't care :)

well, I've wasted enough time on this, and my paper is sitting there looking at me... so have a great couple of weeks -- and let us all hope Thanksgiving comes quickly.

Falling...

2008-10-25T16:27:00.001-07:00

... that word has so many meanings.

Falling...
... last night I went to hang out with a couple of friends of ours, had a blast! We did nothing really, but it was tons of fun - oh and the laughing, my abs are sore because of all the laughing. I was leaving their house, stepped don the stairs, and fell... I mean busted my butt, on my face - FELL. I scraped my knee, and tore off half of my big toe nail - I thought my toe was broken!!! It's not, don't worry, but wow does it hurt! Falling - on my face as a grown woman... in the words of my students "embarrassed"

Falling...
... If you have ever lost someone/thing close to you , you know that gut wrenching falling of our stomach. at 8:00 this morning, my mom called - mind you my mom has only called me that early in the morning 3 times before... Joanie died, Scrappy died, and when Grandma died, my stomach fell... All I could think is who died, no one was dying - all the previous deaths were expected... Grandma? Grandpa? did DJ get in a wreck? Did Jan do something? What could be wrong? What came next was very unexpected (and I'm sure if you don't have a pet, you wont understand what a big deal this is) My parents have a German Shepherd named Paje - she's 10, but really healthy... well, we thought she was really healthy. Paje died, my stomach fell again, tears in my eyes, and all I could do was listen to my heart falling through the floor - she was the BEST dog ever, Mom said when Dad found out, he punched a wall, Dj fell to the ground, and she just stood there in disbelief. She had gone to the vet yesterday - vet said she had a kidney infection, gave her some medicine and said she would be swollen and foam at the mouth... it would be nothing... 5 hours later, my family had to take her to the emergency vet place, and she died of some intestinal thinggy that they say couldn't have been predicted... my heart -- falling

Falling...
...Javier and I have been in a bit of a disagreement over the holidays, and it has been stressful, but last night while at our friends' house, he was just so hilarious, so wonderful... Falling... every time he giggles or plays with JoJo, i feel myself falling for him even more... I know that it will be an exciting life, and so filled with joy -- corny as it is... falling

Hair

2008-10-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

well, I permed my hair today -- yeah I know! woah!!! Not sure if I like it yet, Javier HATES it -as he hates anything that is not straight -- and really hates anything different. But I needed something different I think. I haven't felt like doing much, my dark hair is drab and I hope this makes me do it more often and actually wear it down on occasion... Here is a picture of during and now... it is dark in my house so It doesn't look great, but here ya go...

the lady ran out of rods and had to use 3 doses of the perm stuff... I have tons of hair :(

I missed the Junior High night today at Bryan High, but Hobs and Blake took care of it!

Have a good day

update on a busy week

2008-10-18T10:46:00.001-07:00

My best friend/little sister came into town last weekend on Thursday night! We had a blast, we spent Thursday at home, Javier grilled up some pork, Aron and Mary came over and we played a few fun games that night! Friday, I took off of work to go to the doctor about my foot that has been bugging me for a while - turns out my arch is falling because I have bad-cheap shoes. We talked about my weight and how I'm trying (the operative word) to loose -- and how I gained. I really did gain my weight when softball ended and I started drinking beer -- the combination turned out to be fun but not great. SO as I'm leaving the office, he says - verbatim "lay off the beer, take up smoking pot - no calories" Yeah I was a bit appalled ed, but it was humorous. So Suki and I left the doctor - laughed a lot - and went and bought me some good shoes :)
Friday night, we were all exhausted, so we made it a pizza/movie night which was super fun, except Aron picked the movies - he's a nerd!

Saturday Suki and I went to the Renaissance Festival with my mom, dad and aunt Jan. We had a blast -- Suki got hit on by this girl at one of the costume shops. Then her and I were walking down the path and this old guy yelled out "I'm tired of all these women with no men... where are your men ladies?" She turned and said that I had one but she was single, and I replied she's looking though - HA HA -- He then grabbed her had and heeree heeree'd and called out for all available young men to auction off Suki!! He started the bidding at 1 chicken... it was hilarious! There were 2 men and a lady all dressed in leather watching the whole thing, when this dude from a shop yelled out "I'll bid two cows!" it was awesome, the leather guy said I'll bid 3 cows, but my exes might not like where you live -- it was so funny! Then the announcer said that there were no men, so he opened up the bidding to the ladies -- the leather lady jumped out grabbed Suki and said "I'll take her" Oh man was it funny!
Then this little hobbit asked suki to marry him after he jumped up and scared her! OMG that was so funny
We had a great time, here are some more pictures. I am going to try to make a slide show, so if it works, yay, if not let me know and I will try to fix it.

8...

2008-10-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

8 Things About Me

8 things I am passionate about:

Teaching
Love
Family
Sports
Learning
Math
Children
The weekend!

8 words or phrases that I say often:

I love you
Good morning
What are you doing?
Hold the ball! (volleyball practice...everyday)
Take one and pass it back.
Excuse Me
JoJo go potty
Seriously?

8 things I want to do before I die:

Visit all 50 states
Change children's lives for the better
Have a fancy shmancy party
write a book
Start a family of my own
Be a grandmother
Visit every ball park :)
Help an African child

8 things I have learned from my past:

Exercise means you can eat
Heelers really bite your heels
Enjoy in the journey...so many memories are made everyday
People Die, have fun every day because they do die eventually.
Dogs act more like cats than any cat I've ever had
Laughter is really contagious
Hard work is the only way to succeed
Always brush your teeth in the morning!

8 Places I would love to go or see:

Alaska
South Dakota.
North Dakota
Oregon
Washington
Wisconsin
Nebraska
Wyoming

8 things I currently need or want:

More time with Javier
Sleep (contradicts #3)
A desire to wake up early to go and run
2 more hours in the day
a wedding and kids
My parents to move closer :)
All of my friends to find happiness
new shoes?

8 people I tag:
Any 8 friends who want to do this one. Its a good time for reflection!

tick, tick, tick...

2008-10-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

It seems that nearly everyone I know is pregnant or recent mommies. And if they are not pregnant, they are trying... each day as I get closer to these people, and as I see pictures, read blogs, hear stories my biological clock ticks faster and faster... I have been hitting the snooze button for about 2 years now knowing that I don't want to have kids while we're not married and that I have a lot going on right now and its easier to not have kids for this grad/undergrad part of our lives. Then I get a bit sad, I would love to have cool baby stories or pregnancy stories, I see how much I love my dog - yes I know I just compared my future children to JoJo, but she does cool things and i feel this amazing love for her, that I can't wait to know that feeling for a baby. I have a good friend who is pregnant right now - and I am so jealous of all of the neat things she gets to do... It seemed perfect around me that everyone is just everyone (including my own)'s lives are perfect...then I heard that someone I know (I am not close, I would not consider it a personal friend - but enough to care) lost their baby today. She was about 5 months along and found out the heart stopped beating today - by her self... she then had to deliver the still born baby... I can't even imagine their pain. My friend, who is also about 5 months along, today was devastated., we were trying to think of what we could do, and ironically enough we both said send a casserole :) but then on a serious note, we talked about possibly babysitting their daughter for an evening or two to give them alone time, or then possibly taking them out to an adult night of fun... but nothing we could think made us think that in any way it would help them through this... Then I looked at the calendar.. October 3rd... Elisa's birthday... She'd be 23 today.. My 23rd birthday was the first time I ever told Javier I loved him, it really was the day, well the day after, that I realized my life was moving to the right place, and with the right person.. She never got that, She never got 21, she never got 22, she doesn't have 23. I feel that the more often I think of Elisa, the more I want a family of my own... I want a daughter to carry on her name, for her mom to be able to see and love... for me to feel as if I have done something for Elisa... I think this is an odd blog, but Javier left today for San Antonio - he'll be gone for until Wednesday, its Elisa's birthday, The baby loss... I'm being a girl.. i know :-D

Little Brother, pants, and JoJo

2008-09-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

This blog will have a few random things :)

1st - today is DJ's 21st birthday!! I feel very old now. His girlfriend took him sky diving for the big event -I think she has taken out a life insurance policy on him or something because for their anniversary they went bungee jumping and on their cruise they went on a zip line... yeah she's trying to kill him. D and I have an interesting relationship - like the rest of our family, we make fun of each other a lot, however I am quite protective of the little pain in the butt. He's no longer my little brother I guess, he's about 6'2" 180-190 --yeah tall, dark, thin, and handsome... I don't think we really share any genes, but mom and dad swear he wasn't adopted.

2nd - by request I am going to share a story with the blogger world... so Edwards read and enjoy... Saturday was the A&M vs Army game, and yes i was working concessions. many of those who know me know I don't like to throw clothes away. and if they are baggy - i love them! Well, i was wearing a pair of khaki Capri's that are a little loose, a point will follow. Another side note, there were no men working the game, so it pretty much left me to do the majority of the lifting... soda bibs, water crates, ice bags... lets just say I spent a lot of time lifting and bending on Saturday (yay free calories) So about half way through the game, I was asked to refill the soda machines with ice, so I go get the 40 pound bag and start pouring in into the bin... and before I can even notice that they were slipping, my baggie Capri's dropped to my ankles. I mean all the way down, no bumps in the road and there I was holding a big bag of ice, in front of all of the customers with my pants around my feet! Deborah - one of the teachers working - was gracious enough to grab the bag from me and not laugh too hard as I pulled my pants up.. then the running joke was that if you come to our stand you get a show with your soda... yeah so I really thought it would be just a thing between those of us there - especially since the only 2 people that actually saw the incident were Parker and Mrs. Degelman (a mom of one of my former students)... I thought I was clear to come back to work today (after a sick day)... I was wrong, as soon as I saw Rebecca she started laughing - I knew the secret was out... apparently Degleman has a big mouth!!! Anyhoo it was pretty funny, so I don't mind.. I just am a little embarrassed because 24 out of 25 days I wear cute pretty colored underwear... not Saturday, i was totally wearing tighty whiteys... yep I know even more humiliating == oh well :)

Our family has decided to spend this Thanksgiving in Las Vegas! mostly for DJ's birthday, but also as a good way to spend time together - too bad Javier doesn't want to go, so I'll be stag out there :( -- but I will have fun with my family!! I am disappointed a bit because my dad normally creates a monstrous Turkey day Feast -- yeah I know its not good to be sad about not getting to eat a meal that is 2 months away, but... if you ever had it... yeah its good :) So Vegas here I come!!!

JoJo is doing so awesome! She sits, stays, high five's and can totally catch almost everything you throw at her! Javier said he took her in the back of his truck today (knowing I would not be happy with that decision) but she did great! She loves to be outside and loves the wind. I guess it'll be hard now to get her inside the car for trips.

Jodee's love for outdoors brings me to my next - and final - blurb... a new place to live with a back yard... Javier and I like where we are, the size is nice, rent is right... but there is no back yard. I think we're better puparents because there is no yard and we are required to get JoJo all of her exercise, but We really want to have a bbq, have the dog outside with us, and actually entertain people in our yard. My parents have always had a big porch and that is where most of our time at home is spent, so be on the lookout for a reasonably priced 2 -3 bedroom place with a great back yard for us! I think that is the only thing missing from our house that would make it a home!

Thats all for now, I need to read and actually enjoy the little bit of time I have to spend with Javier and JoJo.

Bus School, Testing, and TBL

2008-09-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

Bus Driving School
- short and sweet sucks! we watched a movie yesterday about what a bus does in slow motion when it hits a pole... "at .3 seconds the steering when breaks and the driver goes toward the dash... at .7 seconds the seat will break off its bolts and slam forward, but the driver won't mind, he's already dead" Seriously it said that almost verbatim! AND I am not looking forward to this bus driving thing -- i might kill a kid (or a cone) scary stuff!!

Benchmark Testing
- I know how important it is to test early and know that it is imperative to the learning environment to have a starting point to compare to, however I HATE SPENDING 4 DAYS LOCKED UP IN THE SAME ROOM WITH THE SAME KIDS IN SILENCE!! You know how hard it is to keep 7th graders quiet for 7 hours... even worse, do you know how hard it is to keep ME quiet for 7 hours... But my group this year rocks, and they work hard on their tests and do stay very quiet - I am lucky!

The Biggest Loser
- I have a funny feeling that this might be the topic of my posts for a while... THEY PICKED THE BIGGEST BUNCH OF LOSERS THEY COULD FIND and not in a good way! The wimps are talking about quitting on the FIRST DAY!! Please, Jillian, come to Bryan, interrupt my class, pick me up and we'll drop by and get Tryphena down the hall and we will never quit! I would NEVER give up and start crying because you told me to do a wall sit! Oh my goodness ridiculous! I would sure beat all of these pansy's... and the ones they kicked off were the only 2 people that didn't complain once! augh

That's all for now -- wish me luck on our game tomorrow :-D 4:30 & 5:30 @ Jane Long

Elisa, Chris, and Javier

2008-09-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

So this weekend I went home for a few different events. The first of which was Elisa's memorial run... I haven't been to Marshall in years, in fact, the last Marshall event I went to was her last basketball game - in which I convinced her to go to TLU. I haven't run around the loops since high school - with her. I haven't gone into the small gym and not been next to Elisa... ever almost! I was good most of the morning, I was able to listen to the national anthem, her mom speak, Coach Rivera talk about the scholarship and what kind of person it is intended to go to, I made it past the starting line and I was just fine. Then came the first turn... Suciu was there, and I thank her tremendously for being there for me, and I tried so hard to not think about making that turn always at the end of a hard hard run, and just seeing the end, and hearing her tell me to keep going. I cried... I stopped and was good, until the next turn. The "first turn" I went back... to 8 years ago... summer vacation we met up at school to work out and play some basketball... to go on a run. She had already run a mile and a half, and came to run with me. The first turn around Marshall's small loop is up hill, long and the point where you decide to run the mile or not... that first run, I was ready to quit, she told me to look at the stop sign and make it that far... I did, look at the mail box (and as I was telling Suki the story, each land mark came into sight) make it that far... the stop sign... the track... the field... the stop sign... the final turn--- I have been doing good lately, I don't think of her, buck, grandma, grandpa, Joanie... every day, I smile every day because I know I'm loved and happy with life, but days like Saturday, looking at her mom, telling her all about teaching and coaching...and Javier... made me question life and the way things happen.. She should have just graduated... there are already at least 90 kids that have lost something amazing... and they'll never know it, they wont have the privilege to get to know someone who would have been one hell of a coach... they didn't get that choice... There is a man out there who didn't get to meet his Mrs. Right, because she is gone... There are kids never born because some old man couldn't drive on the road, he had to swerve, he had to keep going, he had to hit her... and there are tons of us that just get to wonder what she'd be doing now... Then it was 10:00 Saturday morning...

So driving home, I think I even said that I had way too much emotional stress so early on a weekend... But more was to come... My aunt moved in with my mom, which meant that her family would be back in our lives... I couldn't be happier - Saturday was my cousin Morgan's daughter's first birthday... I hadn't ever met this one, but the excitement came knowing that the birthday girls big brother would be there... at 2:30! Jan and I got things ready and I went to find tons of stuff for Chris, I missed him so much, I didn't know what he would be like, it had been 2 years... he was 9 now, what if he didn't want hugs and kisses like he used to, what if he forgot bear hugs... what if he forgot me... more emotional stress!!! Around 2:15 we thought about leaving to get a baby pool for JoJo and the kids... so we called Morgan to see where they were, Sea World... we didn't leave because that meant that Chris was only 5 minutes away! It seemed like hours ... but it was only 4 minutes - apparently he was rushing his grandpa driving too:) He got out of the car - he hadn't seen his grandma in weeks (the longest they've ever gone) but still ran straight to me... he was so tall! And he gave me the biggest bear hug ever - he even growled! I cried... again... but just a little bit! We had such an awesome day... My mom was happy, my aunt was happy... most of all Chris and I were both happy... He was so well versed, and smart, and polite... he told me "I still chew with my mouth shut, and I'm trying to get my brother to do it too, but he needs you to teach him" He is still my world! We played with water balloons, pin the tail on the donkey, Frisbee... all sorts of games. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, filling up water balloons, watching everyone. It hit me kind of hard I think. I am ready for that part of life - I want a family, I can't wait to see our kids running around the yard with Grandpa and Grandma -- my mom would shoot me if she knew I typed that referring to her -- I want to help my baby girl open her first birthday presents... I want to see my 4 year old learn how to throw a Frisbee... I want a family. I know the time isn't right, Javier will ask me to marry him on his own terms, I know I need to be patient and just enjoy this part of life, I know I will miss it one day, but I see so many people starting that part of life, I clinch every time I see a baby... I want that love, I want to lay in bed with Javier and our child... just like mom and dad did with me... I want Chris to be a big uncle -- he's going to be so great at it! The family left at 8, and we all went to sleep... then the phone rang... 11:30

Javier - well it was Aron's number, but Javier was on the other end of the line... honey are you up... no... ok, don't be mad... lol you know nothing good ever comes from this greeting. Especially when it is followed by "you can't call me tomorrow, I'll be home all day, but you can't call me... don't be mad" What happened... long story short - he grilled up his phone, burnt to a crisp! Do we do the 7 buck insurance? nope! so the goofball had to get a new phone today... but I will saw the brisket was amazing! not a $300 brisket, but still good :) I love going home to see my mom and dad, but it is so amazing coming home... to my home... to our home. The weekend was full of emotions, I don't deal with those well, and I love that I can walk in, and Jav and I will lay on the couch in silence knowing that this is where we both belong... I thank God daily that we moved here... I know it is the best thing for us...

I'll leave this extra-ordinarily long post by saying how nice it was to see some old friends, some old family, and some great people this weekend... yay for another great week at work to come!

First Game

2008-09-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight was our first volley ball game... we played College Station MS - yeah, in the words of my kids, "those tall girls been playing a while huh?" They were pretty good, however our girls did a great job! I was really proud of all of them! Our A team actually won one game!! I mean it didn't count, but they did well, and pulled off some things we didn't expect.

Grad school is in week 2 -- tons of work, but I LOVE our discussions and all of the cool things we've been learning about. It makes me re-think my teaching, and how would I look at me as an administrator... its pretty interesting -- definitely want to teach/coach for a long long time.

We were walking into our game tonight, and my girls were so polite! They said hi to a young lady and her mom who were by the door, and obviously smiled judging by the reaction of the kid. She seemed pleased with herself for saying high to our kids. Then as soon as our last girl walked by the mom said "don't talk to Jane Long kids, they'll beat you up" This was absurd! I was so mad that I nearly said something - but I figured my girls did such a great job - that continued throughout the game - in representing Jane Long, that I had better follow my own advice. It really hit me though - I mean, I have heard the JL horror stories, I get looks (and discounts) because I work here, and last year I would have been like yeah - you're right.. but I have seen a great improvement of our campus attitude and especially the attitude of the athletes. They are amazing, and I just hope our society isn't to chauvinistic to see the improvement!

I am going to SA this weekend for Elisa's Memorial run... It is going to be really hard, but I am looking forward to dealing a bit with this constant sadness... It has been weighing heavily on my mind - well since she died - mainly for the last few months... thinking that she'd be starting a job now, coaching somewhere, knowing somewhere there is an entire group of kids out there that could have had an amazing coach! Thinking about how people are criticizing her parents for suing for 15 million dollars, but then thinking that if I could pay 15million dollars to get her back, i would find a way to do it... I guess I just do need this little bit of closure this weekend possibly holds.

Saturday is also going to be an amazing day for me. I get to see Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really want to put exclamation points for paragraph to get across how happy I am! Mom said he's been asking for me, and that she didn't tell him I was coming! He is going to be so excited! I really am thinking of kidnapping him and bringing him back, I miss him so much! I can't wait! Mom invited the whole family to come to the house for a birthday party.. I don't care about anything other than Chris... Javier is glad I get to see Chris too, that way I can at least stop crying about not seeing him for 2 years :) well.. not an interesting blog -sorry, but I am pretty exhausted. I knew that I was taking on a bit, but I am for sure missing out on sleep. night!

I'm not that busy!

2008-08-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

HI! well, school has started - both teaching and grad school. I'll give a little tid bit on both :)

Life at Jane Long:
This year has started out so much better than last year (in my opinion) I've got girls athletics first - yeah they are so polite and well mannered! I LOVE IT - and its not even just the GT kids, its the normal ones that are impressing me. Tomorrow I start the real stuff - first day with math!! I am teaching 2 regular 7th grade math classes and one 8th grade pre-ap... I was nervous about the 8th grade, but I'm a little excited to actually know the kids and get a bit of a head start with them! Since it is the first time I've returned to a school, I haven't gotten to see how much kids really grow in the summer. Most of my favorites from last year are back at Long, and most of my not so much favorites aren't -- its going to be a great year!
Volleyball started yesterday... it is so much fun coaching!!! I can't wait to start basketball and softball (oh and I guess track too). On day one, 10 girls puked - and we did not make them run that much! So today (day 2) we took it easy on them - not my choice, we all know my thoughts were "run 'em some more, lets go for 12 pukers!" oh well, I never get my way! Wish me luck tomorrow!

GRAD SCHOOL
I'm taking and Ed. Law class and an Ed. Foundation and Philosophy course this fall... its been a little frustrating already. First, it was supposed to be a Bryan ISD Cohort, and we were supposed to meet from 6-9 in the BISD board room. Yeah - it is now 5-8 at TAMU... problems are: 1. I get out of school at 4:15, it takes 15 minutes to get to the parking garage, and 25 minutes to get to my building... meaning don't leave work late... ever. 2. My classes are Monday and Wednesdays... faculty meetings are on Wednesdays... great I'll lose money if I miss those! 3. A&M is way too big -- lol, I miss my little TLU 4. I tried to ask to get it pushed back to at the earliest 5:30 (so I can breathe after work a little bit) and the only 2 people in the room that are not classroom teachers said no so they could be home earlier - they have to work at 7:30 and don't want to miss any sleep... 7:30 (pretend that is in capital numbers - they don't have it but I want major emphasis on that time) I wake up at 4 to be at the gym by 5 to be at practice by 6:15 then... yeah don't tell me about 7:30.
The Good Stuff:
I really like both of my classes though - Law I think will answer tons of my "why" questions and the foundations will get me to think deeper on my own styles and philosophies! I'm looking forward to both of them!!!

Javier - has started classes too, he's doing one more semester online so he can work more hours at the gallery, but he's excited about them! He has been putting in 50+hour weeks... nuts I tell you NUTS! He's been very helpful around the house and with JOJO and just being wonderful... ok mushy-ness gone :)

My mom's problem with the aunt is going great! She had a clean pee test, she's finding herself again, and mom says she's acting like the old Jan! Also Chris - my little man who was in SPED for his Emotionally Disturbed diagnosis, in an Alternative Behavior Unit and had to ride the small bus to get to school because no driver would let him on their bus - is in regular ed everything and has been on the big bus for almost 2 years!!! He's in 4th grade and Jan says he's great! (I get to see him next time I go home too)

Going home on Sept. 6... I wasn't going to - its Elisa's Memorial Run... her trial started this week, and her parents are suing TLU for 15million bucks - and Coach Holamon is being prosecuted too.. Elisa was my good friend who was hit by a truck during a self run i college... She loved to run, and had actually joked from time to time that she wanted to die while running... she did, she's not in any more pain... Her parents can't let go and want tons of money - I want to tell them that the money won't bring her back and that she would be so disappointed in them for the crap their bringing everyone through. Poor Poor Jenny - the girl that was next to her when she was hit, the girl who held her in her arms when she took her last breath - has to re-live that dreadful day over and over again because of this trial - her life finally is getting back on track, this isn't good for her - it isn't good for any of us. I am apprehensive about seeing her mom at the run, not because of the law suit, but I still feel so responsible for her death. If I wouldn't have told her mom it was safe, I promised to watch out for her and take care of her... I wasn't even in town that dreadful day... to add insult to injury - I am the reason she even joined cross country in high school... who knew me not wanting to run alone would eventually lead to the end of such a wonderful life. Those who knew her, loved her - and as sappy as it is, it is 100% true, I never met anyone that didn't... even before she died. Well.. Saturday we'll see how it goes - I have Zeig-Fest this weekend to think of!! Randy, Dobby, Kerin... yeah its going to kick major butt!!!

Now its off to bed to read to JOJO and fall asleep... she likes to hear me read my books, she actually grumbles when I stop reading and roll over to sleep... she's so cute! Till another day!

"not so discouraged"

2008-08-19T02:53:00.000-07:00

i smiled this morning - because it is true, if you work out you can eat not great things -- even though I ate not great last night, the scale shows a much smaller number... off to battle the rain!

"augh"

2008-08-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

well, tonight we had our family night - and I worked out pretty hard this morning (well, i did an hour of cardio - not as hard as I could, but more than I've done in a while) and ate carrots and fruit in the morning - feeling good, I went ahead and ate the baked potato for lunch... too bad the burger and desserts were for dinner! I didn't use any will power - I am a little dissappointed in myself... but not enough to get automatically discouraged... I am going to meet my date in the morning :) (his name is GOLDS)

For another topic... the picnic was fun.. I wish Javier could have made it, too bad I beat him home from work. My mom has taken on something that I don't so much agree with, but I would have done the same thing (don't want to really get into it - you know revealing all of the problems in one's family doesn't always look good) but I will say that my cousin's son Chris - my little man - is almost 9. Most of my newer friends don't know about him, but he was my world while my grandparents were still alive... the day Grandma died was the last day I saw Chris. Its horrible because it feels like I lost my 2 favorite people in that one day. His mom doesn't like me much, and hated the fact that her son liked me more than her - but she didn't do her job well... anyway... My aunt (Chris's Grandma) is now back at my mom's house, so I really hope that I will get to see my little man soon. Mom said she talked to him yesterday and the first thing he said was where's Tiffany... when she told me that - and as I'm typing now - my heart ripped out of my chest. I have let him down - I could have tried harder to stay in touch with him, I could have pushed and had him move here with Javier and I so he could have the life he deserves.. I should have done more... Is it too late? should I try now - or would it be brutal to him to move him from everything he knows and is comfortable with? My aunt is back at my mom's because of drug use (which we know she used to get from her daughter - his mom) So much for not sharing too much, but I don't know if my cousin is still using... She swore she was clean when grandpa and grandma died, she had a clean healthy baby about a year ago I think...is she doing a good job with my little guy? is it my place to decide if she is doing a good enough job or isn't it? This feeling of uncertainty is always tough on me, but this is a million times worse because I really feel like I could have done more... my heart hasn't hurt this much in a long time... its been a year and a half - but it feels like a life time since I"ve seen him, since I got a great big hug -- a bear hug... I need to play with jojo, I need to get this out of my head so I can stay focused on what I need to do... I will find him - I will see if his life is acceptable... this is one aspect of my life that I would appreciate comments and advice... those who know Chris - and my relationship with him - what should I do? those who don't - what should I do... i need help... Javier and I talked, and he supports any decision I make, but doesn't want me to cry any more - lol - till the morning

"To exercise the body is to release the soul"

2008-08-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

That is the fortune cookie I got today... Ironically (and I know everyone always says this) I was planning on starting back to the gym tomorrow - but I guess I need too :)

I have decided that because TBL probably didn't happen, that I will not be eligible next season to compete - I don't need a TV show, I can do whatever I need to on my own... With this I'm going to announce that I am going to try my best to drop the weight once and for all - however I will put a stipulation on you - the reader - I am posting just for me, for me to be able put down in words the feelings and emotions involved in this struggle, therefor if you choose to read about what I'm doing - know that I do not want anyone talking to me directly about it, ever... if I make it and do well, you can't tell me... if I don't make it and fail... again... don't mention it - If I'm eating a candy bar - don't look at me like you are disappointed... If I eat a salad, don't look at me proud... Most people do not understand the struggle of weight gain/loss, and no one can ever say they understand your own personal struggle because every woman is different. So if you choose to read past this point, you have agreed to the terms :)

an introduction to my size
I was always big - but never huge... In college, i found my niche and lost weight and was at my smallest - 184 lbs. I was a size 14 (even one 13) and felt great - but still wasn't happy. My best friend Brandi (who you will hear a lot about) also struggled with her weight - and lost weight with me back then. I credit her for my loss, she needed help - and I gave it to her, so I had to do it to help her lose. We both gained back more weight than we had lost after graduation. She however proved me wrong... she lost it all - and is now at an ideal weight - and with out any help... just on her own. To make it better for her - she had a baby and gained a lot of weight with the pregnancy, but has completely lost all of her baby weight now too! She is my motivation (don't tell her - she'll get a big head) She is stronger than I ever could have been... until now. I've sat back for a few years now thinking - well if I lived closer to Brandi, i could lose the weight... If I had lived closer to her - I fear she never would have been so successful, and I know this is true - she is a stronger person without me near by. Last year, I looked to the staff at JL to "need motivation" and for me to help... that didn't work. I looked to a fellow coworker for that person... it didn't happen. Its time for it to be just me. Javier hasn't ever known me thin... by time I met him I had gained all the weight I lost in college back. I was much thinner than I am now when we met, but never thin. He's never known me as the obsessed gym rat that I once was. He's never known me to order a salad - and love it! I am a goal oriented person, and with all the tasks I've taken on this year, I need to stay on task and organized... So here are my goals for the start of this year.
I will: go to the gym 5 mornings a week, I will stay on a cardio machine for an hour a day, I will eat 4-5 meals a day, I will drink 4 cups of water before each meal. I want to lose 30 pounds before the new year -- which gives me a little less than 2lbs a week (they say that is the healthiest way) I will start a weekly post with loss to date... 0 today!
I don't want to go nuts, and lose BL numbers, I just want to be healthy. I want to run with my basketball team come November - without needing oxygen.

I took a 4 hour nap today (from 5-9) and it is now 11 and i need to be up in 5 hours, so I should go to bed... I am going to post as often as I feel, with my struggles and my joys - remember the agreement, so any post that's title is in "quotations" is off discussion limits :) To sleep - then to start!

Cleaning... Reflections... Life

2008-08-13T19:27:00.001-07:00

I think that with signing a contract with a school district, they should provide us with house cleaners... It is just not possible to get everything I want to get done for school done and keep my house presentable (and I don't even mean clean - I just mean not so disgusting that I would actually open the door for the pizza guy instead of waiting outside about 28 minutes after I placed my order so there was no way he'd see my disaster)

side note, my dog thinks she's a cat -- she's mad at me because i haven't spent tons of time with her these last few days (she got spoiled in July because her and I did everything together) - so after her attempts to get me to let her out (and I know she doesn't need out b/c its a different whine) and after she's brought every toy she owns (including every small bit of paper, socks, or water bottles) and set them on my lap... she has now climbed up to the back of the couch and put her head on my shoulder and is watching me as I type... She's a hoot!

anyway back to cleaning... I don't have kids, I just have Javier - and he's not tooo messy... and I can't seem to want to spend the time needed to clean. There are about 12 other things I can think to do when i get home that don't include dusting or starting laundry...

One of those things yesterday was actually reading a very old blog... I was such a weirdo :) and yes I said was -- that scares some of you that didn't know me back then because I was way more odd... but I had some questions at the time - and they have been on my mind all day...

* if you are in hell, and someone makes you mad, where do you tell them to go?

* do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

* if knowledge is power and power corrupts, does that mean that knowledge corrupts?

* since wool shrinks in the wash, how come sheep don't shrink in the rain?

* if a word in the dictionary was misspelled, how would we know?

* do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults seem to enjoy adultery?

* do you know who invented the word bump?

* what about the word assassination?

ha ha -- ok I know I'm dumb...

So while reading old blogs I ran across a few events -which at the time I thought were MAJOR life events -- mostly about different guys (well it really only dealt with 2-3) but being this close to my anniversary with Javier - it just makes me laugh at how I was so certain that I knew what should have been - but at the same time I was skeptical about allowing it to happen... I must have known there was more... **... back to the point - I also forgot how much I used to pray - no one really knew about it, but I did every day... I read all of my posts in order - and I found the one with my last prayer in it - and I think i really did stop praying after 2004/2005 those two years, though, I think i put enough requests in for a life time - I think I prayed wrong... I prayed for things to unchange, I prayed for things that were inevitable, I prayed for love... Of course nothing came of that (however I am not humming Garth's UnAnswered Prayers Song) Life happens, things have to change - you have to let friends move forward so you can go on and meet new ones... you have to let them be who they want (no matter right or wrong) because it is their life... you have to drop your safety net of comfort and find yourself - and so do the people around you... people die - no matter how hard I wished it wasn't a fact, it is... you can't blame the old man that hit her, you can't blame her for pulling the trigger, you can't blame God for cancer... you can't change death no matter the age... its inevitable that you will lose grandparents - they're old, its inevitable that you will lose your last game - there is only one team ever that doesn't... and love... you can not control when you will meet the right one - and its so true what they say - it jumps at you when you don't expect it... I had just let go of false hopes- I had just accepted that life will bring me love when I was ready (and in my mind that was not going to happen for many many years) then there he was...

At one point I remember about 3-4 years ago, I actually stated that I would not be back in Texas until 2011... and that would be when I would start "life" The plan was 2 years in South Dakota w/Teach for America... then 37 months in Africa with the Peace Corps... Then I'd complete dyslexia training and become a diagnostician and an activist for literacy... I actually at one point was ok with never teaching math... I was ok with never coaching... WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING!

I'm so happy that I have started life so much earlier - I'm so blessed to have found life when I did...

** side note update, she has now moved from behind me to laying directly across my chest - making it hard for me to type anything... ok moved her :) she's so stinking adorable its awesome!

Javier and I have been quazi looking for a church - which I should tell those who don't know me that well that I have only attended church 2 times in my life... (not including funerals and weddings) it wasn't something my family did... we were at the fields Sunday mornings because no one else was there to get in the way of our practices... I've always believed in God, and my mom taught me that I needed to find my own beliefs and my own relationship with God. If you've known me for a while - you're probably thinking - wow T's lost her mind... but I am finally at the point that I am not mad at Him any more and I can actually look at the last 4 years and smile... so if you know of one - I don't like lots of singing - and I love to hear a good story teller - that might fit us, let me know.

Phelps is up, I am going to take the monkey out one more time and watch the Olympics - I know this is ridiculously long, but it got me out of doing more laundry :) Have a good night and a great day tomorrow!

3 years down -- forever to go

2008-08-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

So right around this time 3 years ago, Javier - so cute and nerdy - asked me to be his girlfriend :) It was so adorable, he walked me up to my door step, said he wasn't sure if I was seeing anyone else, but if I was he wanted me to stop so we could date exclusively -- I kissed him and said of course... I didn't know that he had been dating a few other people, and he picked me :) I went out that night with the girls - and we all cheered and behaved like little giddy school girls at the bar... we all knew that night that it was it!

3 years -- it feels like a lifetime and yet seems like only a week has gone by... so much has changed since that night - I graduated from TLU, I moved back home, I got my first 2 teaching jobs - we moved in together (with suciu and EJ). Lost loved ones - Javier was there for me through the loss of my grandfather and grandmother. we shared tons of firsts, a few lasts, then we took on a huge journey to College Station... I told Suciu that if we made it through that first year here, we'd make it through anything.. I was right - the year brought many changes, many struggles, many goodbyes, but it brought more smiles, laughs, memories and hello's. We got a puppy, we lost a puppy - we then got another puppy (who is amazing) we had 2 baby bunnies - we now have given all 4 away... I have started grad school (well, I will in 2 weeks) and get to coach! Javier has discovered what he wants to do in life -- and it is something we share!

My family is changing - they're moving closer :0) his family bought their dream! Everyone we know is moving forward in life and everything has gone great! We've found some amazing new friends (Aron and Mary - to name a couple) We've seen some old ones get married - Missy and Chris, Stephen and Mandy... We've seen births - Art and Dominica, Crystal and Joe... We've dealt with a huge split (that changed our future slightly)

School is about to start - and I am looking forward to a great year! I love that we started our love in August - it is the month of new beginnings (for all teachers that is) it will always be a way for us to "restart" our life together... Each year will bring new beginnings... This doesn't flow right, it doesn't make sense - i teach math not writing :) but this is how my brain works on days like today... I was mad at him all day - then he walked in with flowers (the first bouquet of flowers he's ever bought me) Beautiful flowers, and a card... the first card he's ever given me for an anniversary... Then he gave me a rock... a small rock - that says love... just when I think I've got him figured out - he surprises me again.

So I am now off... so little time left before we start up the new year! Have a great one!

What a week!

2008-07-29T16:41:00.001-07:00

So it is official - summer is almost over... my first "work related" event is Thursday! AHHH I've gone up to my room, unpacked all of my boxes, got some things ready - but does that mean its close to being done? NOT AT ALL...

Second update - we've gotten word to make another video for TBL... Tryphena and I - so that is on the agenda for the rest of the weekend, it needs to be in their hands by next Tuesday... So Mary and Mandy came over today and helped me make our shirts :-D yeah they're cute... I can't post any information containing pictures about TBL until I know for sure I'm not going to make it (so it mid September I'll post all the stuff we made)

Matt just called and told me that him and Kirby (his brand new wife) bought a G6! yay its like we're family now - LOL

This weekend I am going to Christina's wedding!! Which means a probable super fun TLU reunion!! I know for sure Missy, Amy, Suki, Smalls... yes!!! I'm so excited!!

I also get to go see S... I'd like to see her, get to talk to her, to see how she is... I love that lady!

Here is a cute pic of JOJO - and I'll say have a great night!

busy rest of the summer

2008-07-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

A little update - I didn't get a call back - so my attempt to get on the show is probably over - but we had so much fun with the whole experience! After the casting call on Saturday we played laser tag and went bowling with the family - then had dinner with Erin! Thanks for all the support - I've got tons of stuff going on in the next few weeks. I can't believe it is already July 21st - the summer has flown by!