~{ a work in progress}~

2010-05-31T16:22:00.005-06:00

WOW! Really, over 6 months have past! But, here I am and ready to go again! Its summer break and I am going to get my life back in order and this is something that will not suffer again! My brain is refreshed, I am rested, my house is clean, and it feels good! Hats off to all moms that work year round AND keep everything organized! You deserve a metal for what you do!

So we have already had a 1st birthda y at our house! Baren turned 1 on May 7th and he had a great party with family and friends! At his 1 year shots he weighed in at 31 pounds and is 34 inches tall! He is just a little guy! :)

Just a few of my favorite pictures from the last bit of time of my boy! He is just the best guy around! He does a GREAT job of keeping me on my toes! Baren {loves} his sisters! He is a quick little guy! And the most recent picture of my monter! This was last night in the bath. He is such a sweet boy!

6 months old

2009-11-08T22:07:00.004-07:00

Well at 6 months Baren is so busy! He is rolling all over the place and quickly letting me know how not baby friendly our house it! But, I am working on it!

Of course we TRIED a photo session in the leaves but he was not a big fan of them! I got a few, what else could I ask for?!
And who wakes up this happy? Not me and I am not sure where he gets it from! These were taken today after this afternoon nap! What a smiley boy!

And he LOVES to play!

5 months old

2009-10-18T16:38:00.001-06:00

Almost 4 months!

2009-08-30T10:47:00.002-06:00

My happy, happy boy! He is just so great! I hate to leave him to go to work, but I know he is in good hands! We have been enjoying a lazy weekend together and I had to get some pictures to share with his Nana, Papa, and auntie Nauna....they have only asked for updated ones about 100 times this week! :)

And we eat rice now! He LOVES it, most of the time! He is just growing so much I can not believe it!

2009-08-11T22:21:00.002-06:00

Lots of new pictures to share!
With Josh gone so much we decided to get webcams to make it easier on all of us. Yesterday I was busy and was not able to sit down at the computer when he was able to, so I set Baren up and they "talked". It was the cutest thing! They carried on a conversation for over 10 minutes! Josh said that he was telling him that I do not feed him enough....looks that way, right?!

And then some others that I love! He is just the best baby and I HATE to think about leaving him in less than two weeks! It does not seem possible that I have been home with him for almost 4 months!

Love these!

2009-07-17T20:53:00.003-06:00

We did our first set of pictures today and they turned out AMAZING, just look! I might have spent a small fortune ordering pictures today!

I cannot wait to get them back and decorate and scrapbook them!

I LOVE my little family! :)

SMILE!

2009-07-14T15:28:00.001-06:00

I finally got my smiley guy on camera! I can not wait to scrap these! Josh will be home tonight and I get a couple days to do nothing but scrap! :)

Smiling....?

2009-07-04T12:09:00.003-06:00

Here is my attempt to get a picture of him smiling! I am just too fast or too slow! The last picture is the end of a REALLY big smile, he is not crying! :) Happy 4th to everyone!

8 weeks old!

2009-07-03T22:23:00.003-06:00

Honestly, where does time go? I cannot believe that I have been home since May 1st and have to start thinking about school already! We had a two day training on Monday and Tuesday and it was hard to get into that again! Josh was home so he had Baren all day both days....the first day was great but the second was a little bit harder. Our little guy is fighting naps because he thinks he is going to miss something....makes for one crabby boy! We are working on it! :)

Baren is now 8 weeks old! I am still in owe of him and how great he is! He is smiling now, but I am just not fast enough to get one on camera! But it sure is cute! :)

We spent last week at my parents' house and of course had a great time. He traveled WONDERFULLY, so we might do it again?! His auntie Nauna even got up with him one more morning so Josh and I could sleep in.....they were all so excited to see him and love on him!

I had to get some pictures of him in this cute outfit! He only wears it when Josh is not here....

5 weeks +

2009-06-13T11:29:00.004-06:00

Baren is already over 5 weeks old....and weighing in at 13 pounds and is 23.5 inches long! He is a BIG baby! But, gosh I love him and think he is the best thing around! We are sure getting to spend some quality time together since Josh is gone for his two weeks. I do have three good friends that have been helping keep us company and give me some adult time! Ester and I have been taking Baren for a nightly walk which has been so nice! Jennifer and I actually got a little bit of scrapbook time in yesterday......so nice! And Sheila is always here to visit and help out! Thank you so much ladies! We love you more than you know!
So here are some of the latest pictures of the little guy. Of course I have about a million more. :)

Could this outfit be any cuter? And anymore TRUE! Honestly, that is when he is not so much fun to be around! But, I guess you do not get to be that big so young without eating like he does! :)

So I did not take the best pictures to show off this outfit, but I sure LOVE it! And even if he cannot say it yet, I know he does love me too!

June

2009-06-01T09:56:00.003-06:00

A new month and I am so ready for it! As a teacher it seems to me that June is the official start of summer....because school is out! Now, I know I have been lucky this year because my summer started May 1st, but I just love the first of June! Today is going to start a fresh beginning and the start of some changes....like a better routine for Baren! :) We did have our first full night of sleep on Saturday, but no rerun of that last night! But we are working on it!

My family and BFF, Renae, were here last week and we had such a good time! They were here to do nothing but take care of us and spoil us! It was so nice, relaxing, and FUN! They did laundry, cleaned the house, shampooed the carpets, took us shopping, and my favorite.....Renae took some family pictures with her new fancy camera! Here are a few of the shots, because I have plenty of favorites. I have more fun pictures to share and I cannot wait to start scrapping them! Josh leave again on Wednesday so I am hoping to get some time in for that this time around....crossing fingers!

NO we did not plan on all wearing green, it just worked out that way! :)

We get to go to my parents house in less than a month and I cannot wait to see them again! And I know that they can not wait to see Baren again! He was a Papa' s boy, and he LOVED that! We are planning on taking the majority of Josh's two weeks off and just doing what we want for a vacation. He is looking of a different driving route so we will see where it leads us! I just know I am excited! :)

3weeks!

2009-05-28T23:30:00.003-06:00

Baren is already 3 weeks old today! I cannot believe it, nor can I believe what a great baby he is! Josh and I have been working hard to get a schedule down with him and it has been working so well! He is just the sweetest little....but big 10.9 lbs as of last week!.....boy around. We are so in love with him! I have so many more pictures to share as my BFF and family was in town for a week. It was wonderful and perfect timing for the help because I ended up ripping some stitches inside from the c-section was not able to do much. They did everything, including cleaning the carpets! We were SUPER spoiled and I am so sad that they are leaving tomorrow! :(

2009-05-17T13:44:00.002-06:00

He is a little over a week old and I cannot believe the changes that have already happened! He is such a good baby and I am loving every minute that I am with him! Don't you just want to pinch those checks? :)

2009-05-12T08:44:00.002-06:00

Here are a few from yesterday. We can not get enough of this little guy! Even the dogs are in love with "their" baby! :)

He is FINALLY here!

2009-05-11T17:25:00.008-06:00

Baren John Vadapalli

10 lbs. 22.5 inches long

5/7/2009

11:02 pm

Many, many, many more pictures to come! :) We are all home and getting used to everything. It is amazing to FINALLY have him here!

Tuesday, Wednesday, THURSDAY

2009-05-04T22:15:00.002-06:00

So I now know that I will not have this baby until Thursday. As much as everyone says, even the doctor, says "I just know it will be today", I know it will not. We have tried everything! I am okay with waiting to be induced...... I guess. I just hate not being able to meet him! We have been looking forward to this for so long!

We have been getting everything ready for him, and for all of the company we will have in May. Josh is painting the upstairs living room as I type this, the new furniture will be delivered Friday, and I am taking care of the cleaning. I started my leave this morning so I have plenty of time to do that. It is nice to not work, but feels so weird! I am organizing my scrapbooking stuff, AGAIN, because my scrapbooking room was the new living room. As much as I hate to lose my room I am so excited for this! We have some pretty good stuff planned. I will get pictures as soon as it is all done......and Baren will be in it by then! :)

10 things

2009-04-12T14:24:00.003-06:00

Since I started my Close to my Heart business I have been "taking" their courses online on how to make my experience better....I do love it, and one of the HUGE recommendations is to use our blog to help your business. So that is my goal. I will finish up the three pages I have started and some cards and then get pictures taken and uploaded on to here this week. I might have to make that a Sunday project, or something like that so it gets done each week. Anyways, I read about creating an album about your "Top 10". I have decided to turn it into a blog post and am challenging everyone to do the same! Do your Top 10 whatever and leave me a comment and let me know when you have done it!

My TOP 10 daily needs

1. Computer....I have no idea what I would do without it!

2. ICE COLD water.

3. Diet Dr. Pepper, gotta have some caffeine

4. My puppies, they are the BEST!

5. My new Raspberry body soap from The Body Shop.....so YUMMY!

6. Friends, without my family here they are the next best thing.

7. TV - Sad, I know, but I have become a TOTAL reality junky!

8. My bed. It is just so comfortable

9. Telephone, communication is key!

10. If I could, Cold Stone ice cream! I do not do this everyday, but I should! :)

Happy Easter to all!

What do you have against me?

2009-04-11T13:13:00.003-06:00

I am not perfect. I am not perfect in anything that I do and have never and will never claim to be! I have so much to learn about everything that I do, and I love to learn. I think that this is one part that makes me a good teacher. I did say GOOD teacher, not perfect, not wonderful, nothing like that. I do want to get to that point and with hard work I know I can, again not perfect, but a great and wonderful teacher. But there are so many people that HATE teachers that it makes it so hard!

I had a "situation" this week with a mother of one of my little girls. This little girl has some learning disabilities and can be a challenge, but nothing that I would even put on my TOP 25 list of difficult students thus far. We were going on a field trip and this little girl did not have her paper work filled out that would allow her to go without it. To make a long story short, mom would not come in to take of this, nor would she call me after I sent home three notes that informed them that they needed to. When the little girl could not go she had to stay at the school because school district policy forbids a teacher to take a student off the property without permission....and I am not even going to push that button. I tried to call home and another teacher called home to see if we could reach mom at the last minute to come in with no luck. Finally, after lunch mom called to see what the messages were all about. She was informed of what was going on and BLOW UP! She came and got her daughter and left a message for me to call her.

Now I knew that this phone call was going to be ugly. Of course she was mad that her daughter did not get to go with us, but I also knew that I had to stay strong and let her know my points and the reasoning and be done. I am not always calm on the phone and so I asked another teacher to be in the room, in case I needed to be reminded to stay calm....also as a witness. I was so calm and nice, it was almost sickening! And this woman let me have it, she called me everything but a white woman and told me of all of faults. After about 20 minutes of this complete attack I decided that I could not handle it nor was I going to get anything accomplished and asked if she would like to be transferred to the principal. Of course she jumped at that chance. Once I calmed myself down a bit and got some Kleenex (NO, she did not hear me cry!) I went down to listen to the remainder of the conversation.

Mom told the principal a great amount of lies and false accusation about me and told her that she was calling the superintendent and school board to have me fired. WOW! Who would ever want to hear that about themselves? I was about to loose it again when my principal let her have it! She told her that she would not talk to her like that and most definitely would not talk to me like that! The mom ended up hanging up on her. Not the best ending or an ending that I would have ever wanted.

Thought it was over, oh no! Mom DID call the district office and we are set for a meeting on Monday at 4pm! I have all of my grounds covered and I know that I am not in the wrong, but that is a pretty deep cut! I have spent numerous hours getting all of the student's work together, all my documentation together and everything else I might need for this meeting. What a weekend! I have ran every possible outcome through me head about 100 times now and I know I am making it way worse than is even possible because I did nothing wrong. One great thing about the state of Idaho, I could press charges of harassment for talking/yelling at me like that on the phone. Not going to do that, but makes me feel better knowing it! :)

One of my favorite parts, the little girl came up to me on Thursday, this all took place on Wednesday, and said "My mom said that me, her, and dad are going to have a meeting with you, the Principal and her boss on Monday. I am so excited!" and tried to hug me......I did the lovely side hug, because it is not her fault, but WOW! So excited?!

My principal, all other teacher, and the superintendent all know this mother, because it is not the first time she has done this and have let me know a number of times that she will more than likely not even show, but still! I hate this waiting, I just want it over! I have been told that I do not even have to go if I do not want because they know that I am not wrong, but I do not think I can sit and wonder what she is saying knowing that I could be there hearing it for myself.

So now I wonder what kind of parent I am going to be. I know the type of teacher I am and as much as I change that everyday, I know I am still very set with my goals and how I am going to get there. This is not something that I want to change because I know that my students are successful and that makes me successful in my job. I love my job, I love my students, and I love where I work. I know this is just a bump in the road of life/ work, but its a pretty big bump that I would like to do without! If it were only that easy, huh?

2009-03-21T16:09:00.002-06:00

It is Spring break here, and I could not be happier about it, or more ready! The weather has been great the last two days and I am a happy camper! I FINALLY charged the batteries in my camera and got around to taking some pictures of the gifts we received at the baby shower to send to Josh. The thing I cannot get over is the closet! And that is just the Newborn to 6 month side....yes, I have it all sorted by size! :) Also, the picture does not come close to doing it justice either, there is so much and it is all SUPER CUTE! I am just overwhelmed at how kind everyone was!

While I was waiting for the computer to get going Maggi sat at the end of the bed and started to watch TV. There was some animal on there and she HATES other animals on TV! Here she is showing them how tough she is.....it was followed by barking and jumping at the TV. :)

I have a few other cute ones I wanted to add in. They are from when we went to Lewiston for Josh's rugby tournament. I wish I would have gotten a better picture of his eye, but of course that is when the batteries died. So these were right after is happened, notice he is still loving up on the puppy!

No much planned for the break. I am going to of course spend time at the school and some scrapbooking. My first quarter of Close to my Heart is about to end and I beat my goal! Its nothing that I have to meet or beat, but something I set for myself and I passed it! And did not even have to spend my own money to do it! :)

We are heading to Montana on Thursday. We planned the trip to get our taxes done, the man there is AMAZING, to see the family there, and to just get out of here. But then my parents called last night and said that they wanted to meet us there too! I am so excited to see them!! I did just see them at Christmas and they will come when Baren is born (we are down to 43 days!), but its so excited to know I will see them this weekend too. I HATE being so far from them! Crossing my fingers that Johnna's schedule works out and she gets to come too!

A month already gone?

2009-03-11T21:52:00.004-06:00

WOW! I have no idea where the time has gone. I really think that months are going by and I am not even noticing until it is gone....and I am that much farther behind! We have started the count down until Baren, and are sitting at 52 days! Cannot believe that! I cannot wait to see him, hold him, love on him, just for it all! My students at school are so excited and kindly tell me that I am "getting bigger"! Love to hear that.....I was not thinking the other day and tried to get between a table and the wall, that is normally not a problem, and was not and quick. One little guy said, "Its not you, its the baby getting in the way!"

Last weekend we went to Lewiston, ID for Josh's rugby tournament and had a great time. Minus the fact that Josh took a finger to the eye early in the 2nd second game it was pretty uneventful too. He did end up with a pretty good black eye, but he is okay. It was funny because after the whole thing he said, "I am not in as good of shape and I thought!" I laughed and told him he was turning into an old man.

Thursday was my baby shower from the teachers at school. What an amazing time! I cannot believe all of the gifts that we got! I was so excited about it all I had to put everything away that night and it looked like so much more with it all in its place! I then got a HUGE package from my mom and sister yesterday. Lets just say that if he is going to wear all of these clothes he is going to have to bathe in them as well! I know babies go through a lot of outfits in a day, but this is crazy! And they are all so cute! I just cannot wait to see him in them all! My batteries are dead but I have a few favs that I will take pictures of later.

So today I am home alone finishing up some cleaning and then relaxing with some movies. We joined Netflix and I have some chick flicks to get through before Josh gets back. Its so nice to relax all afternoon and evening.....before Big Love that is! Only 2 more episodes left for this season. Josh and I have a phone date to watch it together......but that does mean I have to wait until the repeat at nine so we will be back in his room. I might have to sneak a peek at the first showing! :)

Nursey NIGHTMARE!

2009-02-14T12:05:00.002-07:00

With less than 13 weeks to go until Baren is due we figured it was time to get going on the nursery. We have the perfect bedding picked out and we think the most wonderful colors. BUT, of course there is a but, we have to get rid of the HORRIBLE paint job that is in his room now.

I understand love of a team, I am a HUGE Denver Broncos fan, which also happen to be the same colors of the Boise State Broncos, and therefore the colors that his room was painted, but COME ON! This is horrible! Not only was it horrible to look at, it was one of the worst paint jobs I have ever seen! So here is the before of the nursery and a little of the during. Notice that after TWO coats of primer you can still see through the lovely green, blue, and orange underneath! Josh did get two walls painted and will finish it when he gets back next time. I am so excited to see it and I will post pictures for you to see then! The crib is also set up and it feels so great to know he could actually come home and we would be okay! We can not wait to meet him!

Happy Valentines Day!

Josh Gracin Day

2009-02-08T10:47:00.002-07:00

I teach at a pretty amazing school. I am not just saying that today because of what they accomplished because I have felt that since I started there. I LOVE the kids that attend our school. I love the teach them and know that it is helping them more than most and I love what great and caring people there are already. Over 92% of the students at our school are on free or reduced lunch. Not because their parents are bad people they are trying hard, so hard for many of them.

Anyways, there was a contest on one of the local radio stations, KISN 93.1 (I think) to help raise money for the "Coats for Kids" campaign. The winner would be the school that donated the most money and would get country singer Josh Gracin to come perform a live concert for the whole school! AND WE WON! Yes, we have a penny drive and donated more money than any other school in the Treasure Valley! It was so amazing! These are the kids that need to be getting coats from a fund like that, and THEY raised the most money for it. It still tears to my eyes as I type this!

So Wednesday was the big day. Josh Gracin Day at Van Buren! We all sported our Van Buren Bobcat T-shirts and had a great time! He brought the band and performed for all 565 students and 30 plus some staff. It is was great. So many of the kids had never even been to a concert....it was just AMAZING!

They then gave the teachers free tickets to the night concert that Josh Gracin was putting on at the bar in Boise. So about ten of us, and my mother-in-law, went out for that as well. It was a good time! And I can tell you that my new tunes for the car and my ipod are Josh Gracin! What a great guy for doing that for us!

And my hubby is home again! I love to have him here, but hate to think that it means he will be leaving again. You would think it would get easier for me! Well he will be gone for Valentines day so we did that all day yesterday. We went to Cabela's because he "needed" some warm gear. WOW, was I bored in there! I did however find a clearances pair of sandals that I will be sporting this summer!

And with me needing to scrapbook more with all of my fun new Close To My Heart supplies, I needed pictures....and here you go! (Not so crazy about how big the belly is looking in that shot, it must be the sweater! :))

Today we, okay Josh is and I will watch, painting Baren's room! I will take before and after shots because you would think I was lying if I told you what it looks like now! SCARY! I am so excited to see it all come together! We have the crib, stroller, car seats, pack and play, rocking chair, and lots of other misc. stuff. Talk about an expensive kid! :)

Close to MY Heart

2009-01-31T20:46:00.002-07:00

I am so excited! So excited to start something new.....and something that it so perfect for me right now! After thinking, and debating, and talking, and making lists, and all that fun stuff I have decided to start selling Close to My Heart scrapbooking supplies. The product is great and I am hoping to be able to make some more friends through this. I am waiting patiently for my "goody box" to get here and get started.
It took me so long to decide because I was not sure with a baby one the way if this was the right time for me, but my final decision was made because I will now have something that will make me get out of the house and be an adult once in a while! Cannot believe it took me so long to realize that I would need help with that!

So anyone that is interested or has questions let me know! I am more than willing to help or find out answers that I may not know already. Remember, you can earn yourself FREE product and a HUGE discount by booking an open house or a book party! :)

Welcome back to me!

2009-01-16T15:38:00.007-07:00

I am welcoming myself back. Back to the living and normal peoples way of life. After what might have been one of the worst weeks for me I am finally feeling human again. Between a HORRIBLE case of the flu and thinking I am going crazy I am rested and relaxed and doing good again. Today is a work day at school and I am getting so much accomplished! That is such a good feeling.....one that I needed!

Things with little Baren are going great! I went to the doctor on Monday and had another ultrasound. It was scheduled because he was not working with us and the lady was not able to see his complete spine until then. Everything looked great and he is growing like he is suppose too. He is moving around like crazy, but it is a such a great feeling! :) He is grabbing his toes in the picture, I am still so amazed! The doctor and I talked about an induction date so that my schedule with school would be easier to work with. I was given May 6th as the date, but I think I will still have one HUGE test with my kids left so I still have to wait and see. Not that I want it over yet, but I love the idea of knowing what and when!

I think I have gotten a creative spot going again and I am going to jump on it! I have plans to scrap all day Sunday and then it is the season 3 premier of Big Love on HBO. My friend Jennifer is going to come over and watch it with me, because I got her complete addicted to it as well. A huge pan of tater tot casserole and Big Love, what else could a girl want?

And of course I have to add some pictures of my babies! They are not the easiest subject to work with on picture taking but this is what I got today. I wish you could see their new collars better. Josh's brother brought one for each of them....a Denver Broncos one and a Seattle Seahawks one. They are too cute!

And my new best friend! I am loving me some Tums with all the heart burn I have been having lately! Oh the joys! :)

2009-01-08T18:08:00.003-07:00

Sometimes I need a little reminder that I am actually thankful for some things, and today is one of those days....its one of those weeks! So I am making this when I need to stop and think, and remember....

I have a WONDERFUL family that loves me uncontrollably and nonstop.
I have a healthy, fabulous little boy growing inside of me that I cannot wait to meet and love on!
I have a terrific job with amazing students.
I have a supporting principal that believes in me and my abilities.
I have to of the best dogs in the world that are excited to see me EVERYTIME I go home.
I have a bed to sleep in and food to eat daily.
I have a good head on my shoulders and a strong heart.
I have great songs on my IPOD for all those late nights at school.

I know I have other things to be happy about but I just needed a few down to get me through now.....

Update......long post!

2008-12-29T19:57:00.007-07:00

WOW! What a wonderful, but crazy last couple of days! I was able to go to my parent's house for Christmas. It was great and I loved it, but I HATE driving! Josh was of course working so it was me and the dogs....on the 16 hour trip. The roads going there were fine, but coming back were HORRIBLE! The trip took me over 26 hours! There were times I was going 15 mph and praying I just stayed on the road! My dogs are the best travelers around. They curled up on their pillow on the passenger seat and slept 98% of the time. It was so nice to have them with.

Going home is so nice. My parents are wonderful and I love that feeling of no responsiblity, no cares, nothing. I had to take tons of pictures, and I am sharing lots right now....lots to scrap before I start on baby things. :)

Every Christmas Eve we do the Santa thing. Dad does a FABULOUS job and we have such a good time with it. We were running late so I did not get as many pictures of that as I would have liked.

And my new "brother" Ralphie. He is so cute I can not even stand it! The dogs had a good time together. Mostly because mine do not know that they are small and he does not know that he is big (he is always trying to get into laps!). Lilli would chase him around, steal his toys, and not let him by his food bowl and he just loved it! My dad is so funny now that he has a puppy again. He already has Ralphie going to work with him everyday and people know him and have treats for him where every they go.....and people think my dogs are spoiled!

My poor babies were blocked from going down the hallway at my parents house. They could both jump it, but here they are sad looking at everything they are missing! :) The cats were down there and needed a little bit of safetly from the monsters!

I am just enjoying the last week of break and finishing getting the house unpacked and organized. I hate the process but I am loving the out come!

Big day

2008-12-17T14:50:00.005-07:00

Well today was the big day!! We went to the doctor and found out that we are having!! It is so exciting, and its a.........BOY!! Baren John Vadapalli

is the name we have picked out and could not be happier about it! He was so busy moving today that the lady could not get good pictures of his spine, which she said is normal, so we get to do another ultrasound in 4 weeks! Like I was going to complain about that! It is so amazing what they can see on the ultrasounds! It makes everything so real to us!

He is healthy, weighing in at a whole 11 ounces and is about 10 inches long. As for me, I am proud to say that I have NOT even gained a pound yet!! Watch out the last 4 months! When the lady told me that I called her a liar....the changes me body is doing is crazy and you can tell big time!!

Anyways, I need to get back to getting ready for Christmas! :)

2008-12-07T20:04:00.005-07:00

I have some pictures I want to share. We were trying to take a few good ones for our Christmas cards and I could not stop! I love how some of them turned out!

2008-11-30T15:34:00.002-07:00

17 days until we find out if this is a boy or girl, can you tell I am so excited? It really does not matter to us either way, but I just want to know!! I can start shopping for a certain color and that is so much more fun! :)

I am at the tail end of 5 days off of school. I would love to say that I completed loads of projects and that my Christmas shopping is done, but I can't. I did however watch the complete first season of the TV show Big Love AND rent the first two discs of season 2. Not quite sure what it is about it, but I am so into it and it is ridiculous! The puppies have not minded one bit having to lay around all weekend!

Josh comes home late Wednesday or early Thursday sometime and it is so time! You would think that it would get easier for him to be away from home but I think it is getting harder for me. I know that it is a great job and all of that but so wish he could be here every night.....and if he were I would probably be wishing he was not! :)

Here's to a great and BUSY week! Only 26 days until Chirstmas and only 22 days until I get to go home and see my family!! There is nothing better than going home!

Here you go.....

2008-11-23T13:14:00.006-07:00

Today is catch up day for me! And it is much needed! I did enjoying laying in bed and reading for about two hours this morning before I started the day. I am reading 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult and it is wonderful....all of her books are! Something to really check out if you are a reader. My favorite book of hers is My Sister's Keeper.

Anyways, I have pictures to share of my trip to NYC. The pictures really do not do it any justice because it is so big, beautiful, busy, overwhelming, and exciting! As many great things we saw I was bummed that I did not take more pictures. It was all just happening so fast....anyways here are a few that I took.
And here is my student teacher's puppy Lila Jo. She is also a long hair mini dachshund and I love to babysit her! She is so funny because she loves to EAT! I had to do a few thing in the other room and when I came back she had eaten so much so had to lay down to keep eating! Look at that belly!

Speaking of puppies you have to check out this web site:

http://cdn1.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.45.swf?cid=317016

Its a live feed of 6 puppies. It is the cutest thing ever because it shows them all day and night. I am addicted to them! There is no way we are getting another dog, but I am in love with the one with the yellow collar on! She is a never ending player! I am sure one day soon they will have a sign up that says the puppies are for sale, but I don't care, they are so fun to watch!

We go to the doctor again on December 17 and will get to find out what the baby is! I cannot wait to find out if it is a boy or girl growing inside of me! And we are excited that it is right before Christmas! We have names picked out so we will waiting to see what we have before we say anything.

And now for my puppies! We took pictures of them in their Halloween costumes a while ago and I just think that they are so cute! Lilli was a lobster and Maggi was a skunk. They did better with the costumes than I thought they would and my students at school thought that they were the cutest things ever!

Well I have off to get the rest of my "to-do" list done. We only have school Monday and Tuesday this week, so I am looking forward to a mini vacation! Have a fabulous week!

I am back!

2008-11-17T21:22:00.003-07:00

I am back!! After a LONG two weeks of packing, moving, cleaning, and everything else going on in life I am ready to relax! We are offically out of the old house and into the new. Josh did 80% of the move and clean up by himself, his sister, Lori and her kids did the other 19% and I was left with a mere 1% to deal with. Even without the work it is still stressful! As we were moving one day the little kids would even yell at me if they thought I was carrying something that might be too heavy....and I was not even going for close to heavy things! :)......By no means are we unpacked, but that will come with time......I hope! Something to do when Josh is gone next time.

I got back from New York last night at about 1 am. My luggage however did not come back with me. I was really cute today at work without anything, I mean not even a blow dryer for my hair, or make up today. When I got there another teacher asked me if I was okay, I said that nothing made it back with me, and they kindly said they thought I was sick because my nose is plugged....I had not even talked yet when they asked! :)

Tomorrow is a huge day for our school with school wide evaluations. I know that I am doing a good job, but they still make me so nervous!! So I am heading to bed. I need to be well rested for my freak out day! :) And as of tomorrow we are 16 weeks along and going to the doctor tomorrow after school! That is so exciting for us......Josh is full of questions again. :)

Pictures of my trip to come soon!

2008-10-25T17:56:00.003-06:00

I cannot believe that it is almost November! Where does the time go? And I have a CRAZY busy next couple of weeks. We have parent/teacher conferences coming up, and well, getting ready for those is a HARD, LONG process.

We are moving that same weekend......yes, we got a PERFECT house that is HUGE and close to the location that the new Van Buren (the school I teach at) is being built.

Then I am going to New York for 5 wonderful days for school! Rough, huh? The school district could not get a direct flight for us into Albany where the conference is and so we are going a day early and flying into NYC! I have never been there and have always wanted to visit. We will have a full day of sight seeing time while we are there before we have to drive to Albany. For four days at a WONDERFUL resort for the conference.

Today was a fairly lazy day. I worked on Halloween cards, packed some of the little things, packing and moving is Josh's department NOT mine!

Oh....and check out this fabulous offer from Shimmerz. They are at it again! I can not wait to see the new colors they have coming :)

http://www.shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com/

2+2+1+1= Our family!

2008-10-19T14:53:00.003-06:00

2( Josh and I)+2( the puppies, Lilli and Maggi)+1 (the cat Graci)+1 (the little baby on the way!)= OUR FAMILY!! This is all so exciting, scary, happy, crazy and everything else all in one! We finally were able to go to the doctor on Thursday and given the "okay" and given the due date of May 12, 2009.

As we were finishing up with the doctor Josh asked him if we would get to hear the heart beat....too much reading in "What to Expect When Your Expecting" for him.....and the doctor said not this time. He said at 10 weeks he does not like to do it because sometimes you can not hear it and it freaks some people out, that would be me!

Anyways, as he was finishing his sentence the lady that does the ultrasounds knocked and said that she did not have an appointment until the end of the day and if we wanted we could go back there and take a look. Of course we ran down the hallway. She was amazing and took so many pictures for us and then we even got to hear the heart beat.....pretty neat.

So that is where we are. Lots of time to go, but we have so many things to do. Get everything that a baby needs, get a bigger house.....the list goes on. But we could not be more excited and happy about the changes that are coming our way. I feel great but I am ready to be awake after 8pm on a daily basis!

Funky funk

2008-10-03T17:54:00.006-06:00

And my funk goes on.....and on and on...... I have nothing to complain about, but I just cannot get out of this funk. I simply just do not want to do anything....anything but watch TV, lay around, and that is it! We had today off and I had plans to get so much done. What I did get done was lots of computer play, texting, and a trip to Target, that almost did not happen because I had to shower to go there.

I did get the dogs their Halloween costumes while I was there. My mom and sister had picked them out in August, but the sizes were an issue, so I went today and got them!We will have a bubble bee and a skunk ! They are so cute on them! They are less than impressed with them, but I love it! The kids love when they come to school for our Halloween party all dressed up too!:) Pictures of them actually wearing the to come when I have help taking them...

I even got a big box of scrapbooking supplies in the mail today, some stuff I had ordered a while back, and I still do not have the desire to create.....this must end soon!

I am putting the next two pictures on here because they are cute, not because it shows what a neat and tidy pantry I keep.....because that is so not the case, look at the pictures for proof. But I did find Graci in there today hidding out and thought it was pretty funny. She would have stayed there all day had I let her!

Have a great weekend and I hope someone gets something done, because chances are it will not be me! :)

Things I love

2008-09-27T14:52:00.002-06:00

I am in such a good mood today, its Saturday.....that's why.....and I have been thinking of the little things that I love.

Sleeping in
Leaving the window open at night and the room being FREEZING when you wake up, an even better reason to stay in bed.
My puppies
My husband's phone calls at night
Diet Dr. Pepper
Sex and the City Moive
Red Box
The smell of fresh laundry
Getting my People magazine in the mail
Wal-Greens 1 hour photo
Pedi-Egg
Texting.....might be new to it, but I LOVE it!
All the windows being open in the house and the fresh air.
Internet
Old Navy.com
Not having to cook dinner tonight....leftovers for this girl! :)
I get to sleep in again tomorrow!
NO school on Friday!
Being caught up on paying bills
Denver Broncos

So my list is simple, but it works for me!

Catching up

2008-09-24T17:45:00.006-06:00

I cannot believe how fast time is going! The last time I looked it was August and now September is almost over! I have been so busy at school and we were able to take a nice little vacation for Josh's birthday to Seattle. He is a hardcore Seahawks fan and has never been able to see them play at home. I was a great time and talk about a nice field! I am Denver Broncos all the way, but that field is so nice and so full of crazy fans that it could make a person like the Seahawks.....

While we were there we had the chance to meet up with some great friends of mine. They have been huge parts of my life since I was in 6th grade (only a few years ago!) and moved from Sidney when I was a sophomore is college and we have then not seen each other in almost 8 years! The twins were 6 months when I meet them and babysat/ lived with them for 6 years after that. To see them so grown up is exciting but so crazy to me! Joyce, their mom, was an amazing lady to grow up around. Talk about a sweet, caring, giving person..... They are great people and I am so glad that I know them and we had the chance to meet up.

I decided that we were going to take a cruise sometime soon while we were there. There happened to be three HUGE cruise ships docked while we were there and I was fascinated by them! I am not sure what kind of cruise I want to take, but I am sure Josh already has it planned out and dates set!
And then we did TONS of sight seeing..... I always love to go check things out is new areas. Josh is so good with finding new things that I would like and so we were busy going the whole time. We stayed in one DIVE of a motel....a guy got his car stolen WHILE he was checking in right in front of us...... and then one really cute old hotel downtown. We then walked all over there. We found a cute old restaurant, Dicks, and we got milkshakes, hamburgers, and homemade fries with a grand total of $7.00! Talk about a deal!

Other than that I have been working like CRAZY and sleeping! I was in Denver for school the two days before we left for Seattle so I am SUPER tired! Still trying to get caught up. I did get the house back, for two weeks, so I will be cleaning my little heart out this weekend.....while watching Sex in the City the movie all weekend! I LOVE that movie! Nothing creative but maybe this weekend.....now that I have all of these fun to photos to work with!

A little here

2008-09-06T13:54:00.001-06:00

Not much, but it's something creative! I have been so drained when I get home, after 6, that I want to do knowing....but sit in the chair and read or watch TV. It is now the weekend and I am trying to get everything done that I should have done during the week! You know clean the house, take out the garbage, laundry, all the not fun stuff. Makes for a great Saturday! :)

I am going to dinner at a friend's house tonight. Another teacher at the school and her fiance are having me over. I have never met him so I am excited! And to do something with adults! I might have to hit up Achievers while I am in Boise, I need to get some albums.

Josh and I have been working together over the phone and Internet to get a trip to Seattle planned. We knew we wanted to go and when we wanted to go and then my little school trip to Denver happened to fall that same weekend. Turns out I will get back at around 4:30 on Saturday so we got trips to fly out at 7:30 that night and then stay through Monday night. Josh is a huge Seahawks fan and they are playing at home, on his birthday.....we just couldn't pass that up! :) We did get our tickets on a huge sale and they were $100 round trip each! I am getting excited!

Over and done!

2008-08-28T17:07:00.003-06:00

We just finished the first week.....okay, 2 days with the kids and it was FABULOUS!My first day with the kids was the BEST first day I have ever had....almost too good, I keep waiting for the bomb to go off and I have to get everyone back together again! (My sister said it is the calm before the storm....cross your fingers for us that that is not true!) My students are WONDERFUL! I almost feel like my student teacher would be better someone else because this is not normal. I mean, not even talking to their neighbors! I am so excited for the year because these kids are going to be so awesome to work with and teach! Makes my job so much fun!

I love how my room is set up and how well the kids are doing with it! They are so good that they earned the letters for cupcakes that I baked last night and we enjoyed today....some were better than others as I found the butter for the second batch in the microwave this morning! No one even said a negative word about them! The kids were also great with their manners! That is HUGE!! Most kids know their manners but I find it very rare for a kid to use them with things like this. I am so impressed with them!

I got my e-ticket today for a short trip to Denver the school district is sending me to. The week of school and I am taking time off....what is with that?

And now for 3 days off. Nothing planned and that is how I like it! Just some rest and relaxing! I now I cannot complain about my easy summer but it was hard to get back into the swing of things and I am tired!

LoTsA pictures....

2008-08-24T10:26:00.008-06:00

Yes, lotsa is a word meaning, lots of.... maybe not but I still like it. (And this from a teacher!) But that is what I have is lotsa pictures! Josh has been working so hard on his pond in the backyard and it looks great. Yesterday he hit up the clearance sales at Zamzoes and got these water plants. I think they look so nice!

For something creative, which I have not been doing very much lately....even with my fancy new Cricut. I have not even turned it on. These layouts were from last weekend and a little bit this weekend I did not get a chance to post them.....sad, huh?

I saw this on someone else's blog....I cannot remember who....but I cannot believe how many layouts that I need to get into albums! I am not having a contest on guessing how many, and I did not even count them, but that is out of control! I need to get some albums, but I just can't find one I like anymore....

And my sweet babies! I was gone most of yesterday running errands, getting my hair done, all that fun stuff and when I finally got home Lilli was glued to me! It must be rough! We have been watching the Olympics and I am sad that they are ending tonight! This was me laying on the couch and her resting. And Maggi waiting so patiently as I take my pictures outside this morning.

Back to work

2008-08-22T18:42:00.002-06:00

Today was my first official day of work. It was not bad, but I am going to have a hard time not getting to sleep in anymore! I am excited to get the year started and work with these kids! My student teacher is working out great and I think she is going to have a great experience as well!

I came home today, after slaving at school for over 9 hours, to my carpets in the house cleaned.....yes, Josh did it all by himself....and a new Cricut!! My mom saw it on TV, ordered for me, and it was delivered today! Just in time for the weekend! As a package it came with tons of extra tools and gadgets so I will get lots of playing done! And then hopefully a good amount of creative fun!

Little things

2008-08-20T11:14:00.004-06:00

It has been great having Josh home! I cannot believe that in less than one week he leaves again! I start school tomorrow though, so I will keep very busy! We went to Lori's house on Sunday night for dinner and that is were these pictures are from. Look at Maggi sound asleep in Josh's arms. She was so tired......from getting out of the yard and running over to the neighbors house! She came over to let us know that "the little guys" were crossing the street to see her and her dog! Monsters! And no, I do not mean the cute picture of the nieces and nephew. They are so sweet!

Nothing creative going on here. I did spend my lunch hours at Craft's Warehouse one day and the next at Paper Cottage so I have new fun stuff to work with! I just need the energy to do it! After 80+ hours of Math I am drained!

Anyways, I am off to enjoy my last day off. I think we are going to go to the fair in Boise tonight.

Oh.....we wen to the Sprint store yesterday and updates our plans and I will be able to text on the 4th of September so watch out!

Wii fun

2008-08-17T09:08:00.003-06:00

Well Josh FINALLY got his WII! We have wanted one for a long time.....even before the wedding....and yesterday we decided that it was time. We went to Best Buy, Target, Fred Meyers, and then Wal-Mart. Everyone was out, we did not know that these were still that hot! But the kid working at Wal-Mart told us that they had 13 that would go on sale at 8am the next day, today which is Sunday. He then went on to tell us about the line that there would be because it was advertised and that if we wanted one that we should be there early......he even said "I would hope that if you were here BY 8 that you would still get one..."

To Josh that meant, "we need to be there before 7am"! We had went to the Caldwell Night Rodeo last night (GREAT time!) so we did not get to bed until almost 1am! The alarm went off at 7 and I kindly hit snooze....twice, until Josh realized what time it was and serious jumped out of bed. He was running all around trying to get ready, telling me to get ready.....pure madness! I asked if I could take a quick shower and you would have thought I told him I was going to kill his best friend. Anyways, the whole time we were getting ready he was talking about the fastest way to get there....the whole 5 miles that the trip is.....and decided on one that made no sense to me. The drive was WAY longer, but I was quiet. He pulled up outside the front door and told me to park the car. I did, getting the front, first spot because there really is no one in Wal-Mart at 8am on a Sunday. So I am guessing he ran to the electronics department, and when I got there he was standing there, by himself....no line, no other customers, and not even a worker! It was so dead in there that we had to get a worker over there to get it out for us! So much for the line! :)

Anyways I talked him out of getting all of the games today....maybe some other time.....and it is already up and running. I am not so good at it but he is good (of course) and has not stopped yet.

So here we are, Wii owners, and very sleepy!

Ending is in sight

2008-08-13T19:00:00.003-06:00

I think my long creative spell is ending....I did get these two layouts finished and then fought with my computer for 4 1/2 hours trying to upload ONE layout to a website. I have a Masters degree in Technology and there was no way it was going to happen. I tried everything I could think of, even got my friend Tammy on the phone....who also has a Masters degree in Technology and we could not figure it out.....then by some odd way....and it truly makes NO sense I got it!

Don't worry Tammy, I will work on some pages for you this weekend! :)

LATE night

2008-08-13T12:35:00.003-06:00

Last night was a LATE one for me. I started working at about 9ish and could not stop until after 2am! I love doing that stuff, but it is so sad that it is one of that last nights I can do that before school starts......and lets just say that I can NOT do that during school.....for the kids sake! :)

I found this blog with some pretty cool challenges. You can do them to win prizes, and I did that for a few, but I really liked some of the older challenges as well. I know my picture taking skills need some serious improvement, but again, you get the picture!

These are two pictures of our nephew, Curtis, that I just "found"and had to use last night! I loved the way it turned out and used one of my "new" favorite techniques.....painting the sides. And I have one of EVERY color of paint thanks to Michael's recent 2 for $1 sale! The challenge was to use orange and green.The challenge for this layout was to use circles.....sounds pretty easy. And I really had the majority of this stuff still on my table from a layout I did earlier in the week.

I got this challenge off of Lori Renn's blog. It was one of those feel good things to do. The challenge was to think about a time that your grass was not greener. I did that, but decided that that was not something that I wanted to use and so I wrote about NOW and how my grass is pretty darn green! I am a pretty lucky girl I think!

And then I have two layouts that I did for fun! I LOVE that picture of my Graci and was just playing with stuff and came up with this. I don't think she will mind! :) And one of our self portraits from our 1st anniversary. Again, I used the painting technique!

Josh gets to come home tonight! I am so excited! He was going to stay until Sunday but they do not need anyone for overtime.....works for me! He will get home LATE tonight/ tomorrow morning and I start class again tomorrow. We are going to hit up the Caldwell Night Rodeo because a good friend from high school is riding. He is sitting 7th in the nation right now and trying for a spot in the Finals in Vegas! Pretty exciting!

Randoms

2008-08-12T19:09:00.002-06:00

So I am a complete dork.....and I know it! This is the shelf in my laundry room and I am loving it! I was at Target today to finish up my "back to school shopping" and happened to go down the clearance/bundle isle. And wouldn't you know it.....I had coupons for almost everything! I of course had to load up. I am a laundry freak and this is about the best I could get that shelf looking!

I have been talking about how I want to get more into stamping and in my blog stalking to find ideas I found this really neat contest. Katharina is waiting to get to her 100,000 hit and because of that she is having a wonderful RAK. And if I win she will host a give away on my blog! Make sure to check it out:

http://katharina1704.blogspot.com/

And of course I have to add a picture of my baby, Graci. She is seriously the funniest cat ever! Now, this proves that we cannot have kids for a long time.....who would love my animals this much?

Scrappy things

2008-08-10T16:00:00.004-06:00

The ideas are flowing in my mind and I am LOVING it!

These are not the best pictures, but they get the point across. Of course they are of my babies....I have nothing else to scrap! No that is not true, but these were pictures that I was wanting to work with for a while! The "V" is for my desk at school. I thought it turned out pretty cute.....I love the stamped swirls....thank you for the set, Lori!

I am just diggin' lime green right now.

And another one of our engagement pictures. I know, I know.....work on the wedding pictures instead but I really like the engagement pictures! I will run out of them sometime soon! The beautiful BBQ grill in the background does not do the paper justice...but again you get the picture! :)

Bed hogs

2008-08-10T13:15:00.005-06:00

We got this in the mail a while back. It is actually an ad for a decorative plate club. We did not get the plate, but saved the ad because it was too cute AND that is exactly how our bed is at night.....BUT with two of them! (Notice the picture on the wall) It was just the two of them and me in the king size bed last night and I was fighting for room. Lilli started to growl at me when I tried to move her.....she does that to Josh when he tries to get her to lay by him instead of me....and when I would move Maggi she would just go right back to her spot. I do not think that there are two dogs that are as spoiled! I am starting to get my creative flow back and I am loving it! It was a long week and the farthest thing from my mind was anything creative! I have done some sewing this morning and have started to scrap! I took a few pictures of my table runners.....they are a work in progress. That means I know they have lots of work still ahead, but I think they are just so neat and I am excited to see the out come! I have a neat idea for one of the walls in my bedroom so I have been going through all of my paper. I have a serious paper addiction so this is a LONG process.
Of course when I had my camera out I had to snap a few shots of the babies. How funny is that picture of Graci? She was yawning, but looks hilarious I think! I printed that one right away! And then there is my pretty Lilli girl!

Update: it is true! I can love any plant back to life! Take a look at the poor little plant that WAS almost dead! I just gave it some love from my green thumb and a little over a week later here it is! There are still some "sad" spots that I am working on, but it is almost there. And no, I am not giving it back to its owner......only because she said she does not want it. I might take it to school, but I do not need that room taken over by plants as well!

No thank you on summer break ending

2008-08-08T21:26:00.003-06:00

Seriously....where did summer break go? The last I remember it was just starting and I was slowly working on get my classroom together, and the next thing I know....BAM! I only have 4 more official days off! Granted, I do have 4 weekend days in there too but I normally have them off so that does not count. I am so NOT ready to be back in a schedule with full days and all. Nope, not doing it.

This last week I had class from 8-4 in Boise M-F, so there is added drive time involved. It was some hard core Math stuff so I was totally wiped out when I got home. There was even one night I did not even turn on the computer.....and that from the girl who lives on the computer! I then have meetings Monday and Tuesday and then class again Th, F, M, Tu! Can you tell I want someone else to feel my pain....come on Tammy!

The one good thing about all of these classes I have to take is I have received 16 college credits for them. That means that I was a full time student for 1 semester AND a full time teacher.....plus morning school teacher AND after school teacher.......That is good for many reasons, including a move across the pay scale. I now sit at MA +15......makes it better for a few minutes.

Here is two pictures from my photo shoot with my Maggi. She always stays close to me. Especially when I am on the computer and the comfy bed is next to it. What a pretty girl she is!

Catching up

2008-08-03T11:23:00.007-06:00

This is Graci...she thinks she is the queen of the house. My animals have taken over my life!

What a weekend! I spent Friday at school, preparing for the start.....seriously, how is it possible that it is starting so soon? But, I do feel so good about where my classroom is and really where I am in starting the year! That is a good feeling! My student teacher spend the majority of the time with us and she is going to be so awesome to work with this year.

I then had a few people over for margaritas on Friday night. Lots of fun, but no pictures! What is wrong with me? It was the unofficial "I have lived in Idaho for 1 year party".

Saturday I went into Boise with Lori and she took me downtown to the Saturday street market...not the official name but you get the picture.....it was so neat! There were so many incredible booths to look at. I did fall in love with a "Top Gun", yes the movie, bag. I didn't get it and I am kicking myself over it today. And no, I cannot go get it next week because she said she was just passing through......

Anyways, we had a great lunch out on the patio and then some more looking around. So many good things to look at. Of course I cannot remember the name of this store (I seriously need to start writing things down.....) but I found the most funky, creative, just the BEST table runners I have ever seen! They were about a million dollars and my husband would have killed me.......so I decided to try to make my own! I know, I am going CRAZY!

I have always wanted to get into that "quilting/sewing" thing, and I know you think I am crazy Tammy, but I am and going with it! We went to a fabric store.....insert name here when I remember........and they had their fabric for $3 a yard! Lori and I looked and picked 6 different ones that I think will look fabulous together. (And got one extra just because I liked it.....this is where the problem is going to be with this habit, that and the money! )

I am going to Wyoming to visit Josh this weekend so I am going to take it with me to work because he will be gone all day long working.....I am the best wife ever to drive down there. Whole other story I guess..... Anyways, I did start to cut and play with some of the fabric, but I am so excited.....and now everyone knows what they are getting for Christmas! :) I am making myself stay home and not go buy more fabric while it is on sale!

Anyways, I made this 6 x12 page at Lori's house after our outside playing and I think it will be so cute in my scrapping / now sewing area! I love that! I have to admit though, I stole the idea from Lori Renn. When she showed me her AMAZING room she had one in her room that I loved and so here you go!

I have a busy week with classes at BSU from 8-5 Monday through Friday. No idea how I am going to make it. I need to sleep in! :)

Oh my!

2008-07-31T18:37:00.003-06:00

Here is my Graci....she is a great kitty, but so weird! I have been working on this one for a little bit and really liked how it turned out. I love the colors! Nothing special, but it works for me! Love the new Heidi Swapp circle mirror that I played with! I ordered a package of all of them. :)

Normally I am very good with plants and I have tons of them in my house.....but I was left in charge of one plant at the library this summer and it is not doing so well. I decided to bring it home to see if I can love it back to life before the librarian comes back to school! :)

Going, going, gone

2008-07-29T20:32:00.005-06:00

So my hunny is at work again. Before he left I made sure to load up on pictures that I could scrap in my loneliness....something to look forward to!

I have been at training for the past 2 days and it was BEST training that I have ever been to! I have NEVER ran out of time and wanted more! Kim Clark, from Caldwell, was the BEST presenter we could have had! I am keeping my fingers crossed that there is a way we can teach together soon! (I am always thinking!) And the ball is rolling for school to start. I have most of my school shopping done, of course I always watch Staples and Target for good sales so I cannot say I am done. The 4th grade team is meeting Friday to get the schedule finalized and I am so excited! As a school we made AYP last year, and we are going to rock it again this year, our kids are on fire! :)

Here are some pictures we took while Josh was here! I love them! :)

So many ideas going on in my mind!

1 year

2008-07-28T20:50:00.003-06:00

1 year ago today we were married! Josh took me for dinner and it was very sweet. I am very lucky to have such a great guy to put up with me.....but mostly it is me putting up with him! :)

Random things

2008-07-25T10:46:00.008-06:00

Last night Lori, Bella, and I took a class at the fabulous Lori Renn's house! She is wonderful! We made a page and two super cute cards. She is working on things for another class and I am so excited!! She took me into your "palace of creating" and I could have looked around for hours! Truly a neat lady!

Because I am a blog stalker I found this neat idea to post 101 random things about yourself. I thought it looked fun, and so give it a try! I am excited to see what people put down for themselves!

1. I am 27 years old
2. I was born in Dickinson, ND
3. the same hospital as my mom
4. I have one younger sister, Johnna
5. she is about the best sister and friend I could ask for
6. My dad is my hero!
7. We will be married for 1 year on Monday, July 28
8. We moved to Idaho 2 days after the wedding
9. It took until about April for me to not hate it here
10. and my husband for moving me here! :)
11. I graduated HS in Sidney, MT
12. there were 99 in my class
13. and the year was 1999
14. yes, our prom song was "Party Like its 1999" by Prince
15. and we did! :)
16. I went to college at Dickinson State University in ND
17. took my 4 1/2 years, but I got my degree in Elementary Education
18. to say I had a BLAST is an understatement!
19. I then moved to Deer Lodge, MT to teach
20. hands down the HARDEST thing I ever had to do
21. I was ALL BY MYSELF.....
22. Still brings tears to my eyes
23. I was there for 1 year when I met my now husband, Josh
24. He moved into my apartment shortly after that
25. We were engaged 10 months later
26. and married a year and a half later
27. it only took that long because I was working and going to school full time
28. I earned my Masters degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University
29. I am about to start my 5th year of teaching
30. I teach 4th grade now
31. I have a student teacher working with me this fall
32. I am downloading the Sex and the City soundtrack on itunes as I do this
33. I LOVE Sex and the City and have every season on DVD
34. same with Friends
35. I would have all of ER's but I have only found seasons 1-4
36. and I do watch them!
37. I LOVE to scrapbook!
38. I have decided I am not the best, but I love doing it!
39. I do not even wait to think about the money I have spent on scrapbooking!
40. I have three babies
41. two are long hair mini dachshunds
42. and one kitty
43. Lilli is black and tan and 14 months old
44. Maggi is choc. and tan and 11 months old
45. Graci is gray and they think about 5 months old
46. She just had her front claws removed
47. and did not even miss a beat.....still beating up the dogs!
48. They are the CUTEST animals around!
49. We spoil them like they are our kids!
50. And talk to them like they are!
51. I almost have more scrapbooked pages of them than anything else!
52. I am a huge Denver Broncos fan and have been since I was 5
53. all because my dad is a Raiders fan.....they hate each other!
54. My dad took me to my first game along with 2 other friends
55. Monday Night Football in Denver vs. Raiders....so much fun!
56. Josh & I went to Denver for a game last year
57. I have went to Sex and the City movie three times in the theater
58. and cannot wait for it to be out on DVD
59. I do more laundry than most people
60. only because I wash EVERYTHING
61. my husband teases me to remember that the animals can not go in the washer
62. I am not girly, but I try to be
63. and my sister tries even harder to make me.....
64. because she is so girly! But she gets me loads of goodies for it!
65. I drink at least a pot of coffee a day
66. and then diet coke and diet dr. pepper in the afternoon and evening
67. I think the creamer is my favorite part of the coffee
68. Thanks to Sonic, I drink even more pop!
69. I change my favorite song almost daily.
70. One day I want to have "real" kids
71. three boys....no girls for me! :)
72.We have already talked about names....and agree!
73. My favorite food is Mexican
74. the "not real" stuff and the "real"
75. But I LOVE Tammy's hash brown casserole
76. and a good steak!
77. I am completely computer addicted...
78. blogs, email, bill pay, I NEED it all! :)
79. I LOVE Las Vegas!
80. I have been there 3 times, and would go back any day!
81. Must be the gambler in me!
82. I have also been to Europe
83. Our HS French group went
84. I took two years of French but do not remember very much of it!
85. We went to Paris and London for a total of 18 days
86. London was much more exciting.....
87. and I was so disappointed because of all the talk about wonderful Paris!
88. We were there for my 17th birthday
89. and the drinking age was 16....
90. Need I say more?
91. I want to visit Italy one day
92. I work best under pressure
93. Actually I do not know for sure, but that is the only way I work! :)
94. My favorite color is purple
95. But I always find everything in other colors and like that more
96. I am not good at making friends
97. Trying to work on that......just not sure why it is.
98. I trust way too much in people
99. Not sure if this is a strength or weakness
100. I get my feelings hurt A LOT because of it!
101. I really like who I am.....now!

Putting up with me! :)

2008-07-23T17:35:00.003-06:00

Josh came home from the grocery store last night and said that he needed these to put up with me! The non-alcohol sparkling apple cider that comes in the cute wine bottle, for the kids to feel special when they drink it!

Well it now comes in "6-packs" and he could not resist!

Don't worry.....he is not allowed to go to the store by himself very often! :)

Cross your fingers

2008-07-23T17:21:00.003-06:00

So I take a lot, I mean A LOT of pictures of my dogs....they are my babies! I am just practicing my picture taking skills so when we do have real babies I will know what I am doing! :) Today's whole picture taking time starting because Josh left the fridge open as he did something across the kitchen, and turned around to find Lilli helping herself to anything and everything in there!

Then there is us (and me with my summer look - NO makeup and NO doing my hair!).....almost married for 1 whole year!! Now, I know that this is not a huge amount of time, but I can not get over how fast it went!

Keep your fingers crossed for us.....we found the most PERFECT house......it is what we want, and it is in our price range!! A few things have to fall into place correctly first and we will sign an offer for it on Monday.....so exciting, but so scary!! The realtor told us that because it is a "short sale"- whatever that is, it could take 2 weeks to a month to hear back from the bank......seriously, I do not do well with waiting!! Just keep those fingers crossed for us!

His hair just fell out!

2008-07-21T16:27:00.005-06:00

So this is our nephew, Curtis. We meet them yesterday at the water park, and had a blast! When we first saw each other I noticed the "balding" spot on Curtis' head and asked him if he cut his hair......and he replied, "No, it just fell out!" How funny is that!
Then there is Graci....poor thing goes to have her front claws removed tomorrow morning. She has to stay over night, just to make sure that everything is okay with her. So sad! Here she is relaxing on the couch.....after she terrorized the dogs for over 2 hours!

Sunday excitement

2008-07-20T12:29:00.004-06:00

Not to much going on here.....just getting caught up on all the little things. We did go to the Snake River Stampede last night, it was pretty fun too! I have a friend that I graduated high school with that was in it.....he is sitting 5th in the nation right now, so that was very exciting to watch him! My sister is going to go with his wife to Vegas for the finals in December, now that would be a good time! :)

Here are two layouts that I finished. I had started the family one a long time ago and for some reason had put it away.....found it yesterday and finished it up! Now that was a good feeling, about 10 minutes for a compete layout! :)

We are going to Roaring Spring today with Josh's sister, Lori and her family. Josh is so excited, just like a little kid! He is already talking about which slides I have to go down with him! I am not so excited.....I HATE wearing a swimming suit! I just got a new one, but I still HATE it! I wish I could just find the perfect one that would make me look 100 pound lighter, tan, all of that good stuff! It is just so depressing......but I am sure we will have fun!

And the pond......we are renting (and looking at houses to buy!) so Josh cannot dig up the backyard. Sounds simple, you just do not have a pond then. WRONG! He put one in that is above ground.......I don't even know how to explain it. But he loves it! It is nice to sit outside at night and look at it, and the sound is so peaceful! Here is my "trying" to take a picture of it.

Anyone else notice that summer is more than half over?

Hello! I am NOT ready to go back to work yet!

Something red

2008-07-19T13:35:00.003-06:00

Here is my something red.....right out the backdoor is my favorite chair for sitting outside and relaxing.....and my baby, Lilli, already in it!

Shimmerz paint......

2008-07-15T18:55:00.008-06:00

So exciting! I got my new Shimmerz in the mail today! They are so fun to work with, check out their blog at:

http://www.shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com/

I had to make something with them right away, and so I made a card for my dear husband, Josh. Out 1st anniversary is on the 28th and I love to make him cards instead of buying them. I think they mean so much more.

Besides, I love how he tells me that I am "so good" at it! :)

So this card was not made with any exciting new paper or ribbon, just scraps that I had saved for something special. I used these colors because they were the colors from our wedding.

As for the Shimmerz I used Mint and Lilac. I painted the chipboard letters and then stamped the hearts, from Close to My Heart's All My Love set, and painted over them with the Shimmerz. I did use the ink colors "Twilight" and "Amethyst", waited for them to dry and painted right over top of them! I LOVE the shimmer and color they add!

I pretty much started to paint anything that I could get my hands on.....I have some flowers that I stamped and then "Shimmerz" up! I will have to get working on them ASAP!

I am entering this card into a little contest that they are having.......so I am taking a few pictures with different views of.

Its a rough life.....

2008-07-14T18:04:00.006-06:00

In my newly formed "single life" I have many things I need to do in just one short day......sleep in, drink a pot of coffee while reading the paper, watch TV (I am totally becoming a soap junkie) and program it for the shows I want to watch throughout the day, play on the computer (I am becoming a blog stalker), drink more coffee while scrapbooking, play with the animals, call my husband, who is working, and tell him I am bored, pretend to clean the house.....

The most stress I had today was taking the garbage to the curb. In my defense there is a hornet nest under the handle I so I had to maneuver it in a pretty funky way...but its there!

It is a rough life.....I know this! I am not sure how I will get back into the swing of the whole school thing.....and it is coming up.

Some new creations that I finished today. I also cleaned my area! I love having a nice, clean area to work in!

Have a GREAT rest of the day, and week!

Late night work

2008-07-13T22:59:00.004-06:00

So this is what I have been up to lately.

I love to stay up late and work.....seems that is when I find my best ideas! I stayed up last night with my sister-in-law, Lori, and we worked and talked, it was so nice! I never know what to take with me when I go somewhere else to work so I did not finish a page but I was able to get four pages going.....I needed to sew, stamp, all that fun stuff when I got home. But that is way the lighting on these pictures is not so great.....I was getting to frustrated but wanted to get the pictures taken tonight! :)

I made the hanging board for my classroom and I love it! I am going to make one with the dogs and the kitty. I love to have pictures up at school, but I need to use the minimal amount of space and this is PERFECT!

And know Lilli has gone into heat, gotta love that! She is 15 months old and this is her first time, they are suppose to go into it every 6 months. She is such a brat that she wanted to do it on her own schedule! Put they look so cute in their "panties" that I had to get a picture!

Have a GREAT week!

Nothing....really, nothing!

2008-07-11T17:48:00.003-06:00

I was at the school most of the day. It feels so good to have things so organized already, and to be helping our new team member! I would never have guessed I would be like this! Makes me want to start school! Last year at this time I was still stressing over the wedding, the move, a new job, teaching summer school, and finishing my Masters! Crazy to think that was almost a whole year ago!

I have been in a scrappin' slump.....not feeling too creative......but I did finish these three last night. I have had loads of time with Josh gone, but just not feeling it.

Have a great weekend! I am going to a BBQ at my sister-in-law's, Lori, and I am excited! I need to see someones wonderful work, and of course the kids! (The plan is to get a few minutes of work time in....)

Queenie

2008-07-10T15:15:00.003-06:00

Today is Thursday and I have been having a good day! I went to work, turns out they were testing the fire alarm system all day long so I had to send the kids home. Darn! :) I came home and decided I was not going to waste the day off (that I was getting paid for!)......I have cleaned the bathroom, kitchen, living room, laundry room, and even got a few more things ready for a garage sale I am having next week.

I love how my house looks when it is clean! I just feel better. I am now working to get things back together in my scrappin' area. This is usually the one area in my life that IS organized so I go crazy when it is not!

I have the one wall covered with things that make me feel good, it makes the area somewhere I WANT to be! I got a calendar from my sister-in-law, Lori, that I am so excited to get working on. To make this happen faster, I hung it up blank. I figure this will drive me crazy faster, and something nice will come out of it! (yes, I have to trick myself!)

And my beloved "QUEEN" sign. My dad has called me "queenie" for as long as I can remember.....stands for "the queen b*t@h!" No idea where that would come from......but my mom bought that for me at Christmas and I love it! I added a few things to make it sparkle! :)

Then of course I got pictures of my babies......

Home Sweet Home

2008-07-08T09:41:00.007-06:00

There is just something about home, MY home, that I LOVE. I had a GREAT time on my trip, and Tammy was ever so kind to put up with me and my dogs....thanks for the dancing Tammy :)........ but it feels so good to be home. I love to sleep in my own bed, I love to take a shower in my shower, I love the smell of my candles burning, I love making a pot of coffee in the morning, I love the dogs chasing the poor cat around, I love the phone ringing and knowing its going to be for me....... I just love being home!! I still hate to get the mail because I know those bills are for me.......

I am so glad that I went to Deer Lodge.......I don't know how to put it into words.......but I needed that trip to know and figure things out. Since we left there last year (11 months ago, and I cannot believe that!) I have missed it everyday, every single day I thought about it. I would try to figure out what I would be doing if I was there and who I would be with.

Now I do not know what I missed so much anymore. I thought I had so many friends there, and so many great things happened there.....I don't know what I thought........ But this time I saw that it is not the same, and it never will be again. It made me not miss it anymore, and as scary as it is to say, Deer Lodge is not home anymore. (Now that is something I NEVER thought was going to come so easliy to say for me! )

I will always miss a few people there......and that is still so hard, but of course their lives have changed to. I know that these changes needed to happen, but it is hard to work with it when you are not there for the whole big move. I am so glad that Tammy and I were able to spend so much quality time together! I miss that sooooo much!

And Teegan......that will always get me.....that little guy is the cutest thing in world and so special to me for so many different reasons! I was there with him almost everyday for 3 years! I saw the potty training, and the learning to talk (and making up his own language....moo max were fruit snacks!), the first day of preschool, and really just growing....and I hate to miss that. We carried on a conservation this weekend, granted it was about my dogs (who ARE his cousins) trying on his clothes while he was with his dad. He was worried that they were too big and the dogs would trip and fall......one of the single cutest things I have ever heard/seen/done.

Okay, enough is enough already! I am not even making sense! Of course I have some pictures to share from my trip......cannot wait to get creative with them! (Please notice in the picture of the three of us girls out I am the only one without a drink in front of me! I am guessing I had already drank mine and was having another made.......)

2008-07-05T23:05:00.002-06:00

Leave it to me to not need sleep on my little vacation! I mean NO sleep. Tammy is crashed in bed and the dogs and I are sitting in the computer room.....We (my wonderful mother-in-law, myself and the 3 daogs) got here at about midnight on Thursday and went straight for some drinks! We did not go to bed until after 3 am, and were up by 8. The weather is PERFECT here....no warmer than 75 yet! Sure beats the 107 when I left home.....and so I want to send as much time outside as I can!
Anyways, I have seen some people that I have been missing and that is a GREAT feeling! I cannot believe how much my nephew has grown.....I HATE not seeing him all the time like before. It will be time to go when that time is here.......things change when you do not even see it coming......
The dogs and I are going to stay at the motel tomorrow night to let Tammy have her house back and get some much needed rest. She starts teaching summer school bright and early Monday morning.
We are headed back Monday and I have pictures to share.
Have a great rest of the weekend! :)

Catching up

2008-06-30T16:28:00.002-06:00

I am leaving for Montana on Thursday and I could not be more excited! I need to get away and out of here for a little bit! Josh leaves tomorrow for 16 days of work.....what am I going to do with myself? We have never been apart for that long!

He is excited to be making some money again.....if you can believe it selling cars was not the best income a person could have right now. He was among 9 that quit from his dealership. So this is what he will do for now. 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off......that is a long time. Plus he is working an extra day at the beginning and end to make it 16 days. (As if 14 were not enough!) He really wants to go to Seattle for a Seahawks game this fall and I told him that he had to pay for it.....and he said "WE ARE GOING!" Like I am going to argue about that! Turns out that there is a good game (not against my Denver Broncos though!) in Seattle on his birthday so that is what it looks like we will be doing. We have free airline tickets that are burning a hole in his pocket so we will not even have to drive! I LOVE that idea!

What are some good movies I could rent during my LONG stay alone?

Have a GREAT 4th of July!

Latest....

2008-06-24T18:38:00.001-06:00

I was finally able to go to a scrapbook store yesterday! That is always my favorite time to work, with loads of new fun stuff. I did not want to quit last night but knew I would be crabby today with the kids and did not want that! More in store for me tonight!
Have a great night! :)

Busy day

2008-06-23T12:51:00.003-06:00

I have a busy day planned, that of course does not start until after 1pm.....it is the summer, I need to sleep in and relax! :) I have listed a ton of stuff on ebay to sell, and I think I will go shopping with the profit I have yet to make......If you have not sold anything on ebay yet IT IS SUPER EASY!

I have to go to the eye doctor later this afternoon as well......I do not have to go, but this is my first time going with eye insurance, how great is that? I get an eye exam, a pair of glasses, and 6 pairs of contacts a year.....FREE! I might even give contacts a try since they are free and all!

Josh took me on a date last night, it was so nice! We went to a Japanese restaurant in Boise, Kyotos. Such good food there! We had taken the after school kids for a field trip this year and I kept telling Josh how wonderful it was......he even said "You were right! This is good!" We then went to Boondocks to play around.....and I did not have camera batteries charged! We rode the go carts, and some virtual roller coaster.... it made me sick so no ice cream after that! It was a great time though. I love nights like that. I have to plan a date night for next week....

I have done some stuff around the house and wanted to share. Most of the stuff I got at "Real Deals" in Boise, fabulous store! We rent for now and our walls are that color...not really sure how to describe it. But it is getting old REALLY fast!

Have a great Monday!

More messing

2008-06-21T17:47:00.003-06:00

So I am in love with what I am figuring out about my computer! FINALLY I am putting that expensive Masters degree in technology to good work! :) Oh, my mom would be so proud! Now she just has to learn to turn on their computer so she can take a look!

I have been busy planning a little trip to Deer Lodge for the 4th and I am so excited about it! I have so many things I want to do while I am there, so many people to see, and so many places I want to eat at. Why is it that its the food that we remember? I now have access to almost every restaurant under the sun and I want three from back there. Maybe because that's all there was there? :)

I called to see if my mother-in-law wanted to go with so I am waiting to see if I have a traveling partner.......that is besides the dogs! Of course they will be going with me. There is NO way I would put them in a kennel for 4 days and Josh will be out of town working so they HAVE to go with me!

I am adding a few pages that I did last night......I HAD to have some pictures of Johnna and I in those HOT pink dresses while they were here. Our Grandma Ann ALWAYS bought us matching dresses (and Johnna got to wear them twice due to hand-me-downs that she loved so much!) I loved the 80's paper and stickers and was so excited to make this one!

And then there is Graci. She was resting as I worked last night. Must be rough.....

Look at me now!

2008-06-20T14:37:00.000-06:00

WOW! I am messing with my computer and different things with it and had to try out this feature! Loving it so far! Oh, the things I can do now..... I am sure there will be SO much more to come! :)

Could it get any better than this?

2008-06-20T13:40:00.000-06:00

Josh just called me with what he called "GREAT NEWS for me!" He was on his way to work, stopped at the gas station down the street and saw them putting in a new Red Box (it has DVD rentals for $1!).......he said he thought of me.......continued down the road to find out that the new building coming in is a SONIC!! I was totally joking the other day and said "how wonderful would that be if it were a Sonic?! WOW!! Two of the things that I need almost daily! He said now if they could only get a one hour photo printer I would never have to leave my two mile block! :) Good thing I have a picture printer! :) Sure made me laugh!

Nothing big going on today, I have 2 of my 3 goals completed for the day, but I have cheated and already starting scrappin'.......I will finish tomorrow?! Famous last words for me.....I had to add what I think are "fun" pictures from my computer.....

Official lists

2008-06-19T12:08:00.000-06:00

So it is official, summer break has started. Being a teacher I am very lucky to have my summers off.....if you will call it that due to the trainings and classes that we have to take, cleaning and resetting up the classrooms, etc.......but I do have a few days to rest and relax.
I have NEVER had a summer off, and this was my 4th year of teaching, so I decided to take it easy this summer. Mind you I am working at the summer reading program through my school, but it is only 3 days a week.
I decided that I needed goals for the summer since I would have so much time on my hands. :) I have lists all over the place about the goals for that day, my goals for the week, and so on. I have decided that I will do 3 things a day in 3 the categories (which are school, house and reading). I really think I have this down to an art! I am making lists of the things that need to be done (cleaned) at home.....now this was HORRIBLE to look at to start with, but knowing that I only have to do three a day makes it almost nice to look at......if that is possible?
I am also MAKING myself get COMPLETELY organized at school. I have a student teacher this year, and I NEED to make sure she has the best experience possible. I know that I do what I am doing my job, and doing it well, but I am not sure that anyone else would be able to "find" anything in my mess......which I can ALWAYS find the things I need in! So I have made lists there too. Working at the school for the library is kind of making me go to my classroom to complete the goals. And I must say that I already feel better about the start of the year because of my progress thus far.....wait until mid August for the freak out blog!) :)
As for reading, I LOVE to do it, but I can not find the time during the school year. I always start books, but forget about it and by the time I can read again I have to start over because I have forgotten everything I have already read. So this was a must for my goals! I have found some great educational books that I have wanted to read as well as some new ones from Jodi Picoult that I have been dieing to read (she is the BEST if you have not read any of her books yet!) So I am making myself read chapters of each to make sure I get both done......if not I would only read the "good" books and not the educational ones. Funny how that works?
And now to the important stuff......scrapbooking! I have been kicking butt on getting things done! This is something that I will not make goals for, but it is my reward when I am good! :) I finished a bunch of wedding pages, some of when my family was here, and I am working on some pages for Renae, and some stuff for a gift someone special! I just love being here and being able to go to scrapbooking stores, and good ones at that, when I want to! Something that I know I take advantage of now that I have it! (I am not rubbing it in or anything Tammy!)
Well I am going to go read in the sun.....gosh my life sounds pretty fabulous doesn't it? :)

Today is a sad day......

2008-06-14T18:53:00.000-06:00

Today I am sad.......with my family gone things are so quiet and calm. I normally like that, but it is just too sad for me today. I knew I would go through this with them leaving, and I knew it would be hard, but I hate it. I lost it on the dogs today because they chased Graci, the cat, and I know that is how things are, but I lost it........I cried and screamed and it was ugly. I am hoping the neighboors were not home or inside with their windows closed........I did let the gods know that I was sorry, and that this might go on for a few days........I think they understood. :)

I am just so lonely here......I have no friends, no family, and I am feeling sorry for myself so today is worse that normal. I know I do not what to move back to Deer Lodge, or Sidney with my parents, (gosh NO) but after a year here I am ready for some friends or a change in something. How and where do you meet people? I will take any and all advice! I need something to get me out of this sad story stage!

What a week!

2008-06-13T10:50:00.001-06:00

My lovely family was in town visiting for the last 5 days and we had so much fun! I cannot believe that 5 days have come and gone already. It was so hard to say good-bye this morning for all of us.......but I am going to fly home sometime in August so that made things a little bit better. Mom was crying before Josh and I even came out and that got Johnna going. I had to start as soon as I saw them......poor Josh has still not gotten used to our bawl baby acts!

We had such a great time! We went t

o the zoo, went shopping, ate so much good food, hung out, and just had a good time all around. Some much needed family fun for me....it is so hard to be away from them some times.

Johnna being the girly-girl that she is HAD to go to Sephira in the Boise Mall. Me, being NOT the girly-girl, LOVED it! I could not believe all the make up in that store. Of course I wanted to buy three of everything, but stopped and realized that I would never ever wear all that make up. She of course stocked up for what looked like the next sixty years. And then on to the MAC counter(another make up store). As a birthday present Johnna had them do a make over on me, she even told them to go light and natural, and then bought me all that make up! I love it!I cannot believe the difference in the foundation from my cheap Cover Girl stuff. I think that I might be sold......until I have to go buy it myself! :) She then got herself make up, for the next twenty years in case she runs out, and a birthday present for another friend of hers. She could have bought a small country with the money she spent on make up, but she loved it all! I only wish I made money like her to not care! :)

And I got my hair done! As much as I love having a sister that does hair fabulously I hate it. I am cursed with bad hair cuts by anyone else, and especially bad color jobs! I am so spoiled by saying "Johnna do some

fun blonde and red highlight" and loving

the out come. Might have something to do with the fact that she knows me that well, but still. The last time I got my hair colored I said "Fun red highlight with NO fire engine red!" (Stressing NO) and came out bleach blonde with fire engine red.....anyways Johnna to the rescue! And I love it! It was almost scary to how much more we looked alike when she was done..... Mom even called Johnna by my name and was so confused when we both turned around. We both had the same shirt, but different colors so we had to do a "twins" picture. I cannot wait to scrap all of them!

Mom helped my bathe the dogs the other day and she said, "I have always dreamed of giving my grand babies baths, but I never pictured them being

so hairy!" She is killing me with the grand baby talk! Every time she sees sometime cute so a baby she says "When I have grand babies I will buy them this....." I told her to talk to Johnna if she wants babies in the near future! Johnna just laughed! Poor mom!

I am trying to remember everywhere we ate. We did Mexican at Fiesta one night, Cheesecake Factory (twice), Tony Roma, Macaroni Grill, Panda Express (twice for Johnna), Sonic drinks everyday, and Josh made tacos for us one night. So much good food! I swear I REALLY need to start walking now!

Yesterday we were driving to Target when Johnna heard and ad on the radio for a store in Boise called "Real Deals". The ad said they were only open until 3, and it was 1 so we headed out. Thanks to Ester and Map Quest we were able to get their easily.....and is that store wonderful! For anyone in the area you need to go there! They are only open two days a week

(Thursday and Saturday 10-3)but the stuff in awesome and cheap! I guess it is a chain like store, but locally owned. I do not know too much about it but everyone there was super good to us and we got stuff to redecorate my living room. It looks so good and I did it all for under $90! REALLY! It all looks too good! I will have to take pictures when the retouching of the paint dries.

So now I am going to start picking up from a week of 5 people, 2 dogs, and a cat running

crazy in my house. Josh is at work and the only noise I hear is the washer and dryer running and a few birds outside.....I love the quiet and I rarely hear it! The dogs of course and napping comfortably in THEIR bed, which my parents had while they were here and we were in the spare bed. It was so funny to watch Lilli and

Maggi get into bed and realize that it was not Josh and I in there! I love my babies! And I love my family! I am so glad that I have all these pictures to look at over and over for the next few days and then get busy and scrap them!

And school is out for summer! I go in Monday because we are interviewing for a new 4th grade teacher! I am excited to meet who we will be working with, but so glad to there to make the people feel better because I know what it is like to interview.....I did 4 last summer before I got my wonderful job at Van Buren! I hate to interview.....

And the count down begins!!

2008-05-31T16:06:00.000-06:00

4 more school days.....

4 more days to finish report cards and cum folders.....

5 more work days.....

10 days until my summer job starts....

8 days until my parents and sister are here......

8 more days to get my carpets cleaned.....

4 more days until my birthday.....

I cannot wait for it all!!
I did get to go to "Sex and the City" movie last night and LOVED it! Josh went with me, by force, and liked it too! He always teases me that the show is rotting my brain, so he said that after movie we would be so dumb we could not even walk out. But we did and talked about it the whole time during dinner and the drive home. How cute is that? I am dieing for Ester to get home so I can go again with her! :)

Looks like it might storm so I need to get the yard cleaned up and the puppies in the house....I cleaned the kitchen floors and would be angry if there were muddy prints on it! :) Adding a cute picture of Graci crashed on the bed as I type this!

Crazy........who me?

2008-05-26T20:01:00.000-06:00

So maybe I am crazy.....but in my defense it is all my husband's fault! I came home last week from what was the WORST day of my year, and Josh did not know this yet, to the latest member of our little family, Graci! She is the cutest and most playful little kitty that I have ever seen! Josh said that when he saw her there was NO way that he could leave her, and I am so glad! Of course I am adding pictures of our new little princess....see what I mean, there is no way I could be mad about her!

However, one kitty and two puppies do not equal peace and quiet! I spent most of my long weekend doing "Puppy Training 101". We have made some improvements.......but still have a LONG way to go. I did capture the one second that they all fell asleep next to eachother. Mind you Lilli just passed out from pure exhaustion....it has to be hard chasing a kitty around all day! :)

I really think that Josh got me Graci because way back when before we were married I told him that he could get a boat AFTER I had a dog and a cat.....get my drift? There has not been a mention of a boat yet, but I have a pretty good idea it will be in my near future. I will not tell him yet, but I think a boat would be so much fun! I love the water and getting a nice tan!

As for my horrible day, I need some help! I am so prone to getting my feelings hurt and I need to know how to build that wall that protects you. I had a person, who I DID respect very much, say some pretty hurtful things to me. These things had nothing to do with me personally, to start with, but a friend of mine who they thought did something rotten. Turned ugly towards me because I am friends with this other person....... Make sense? Needless to say, I started to cry, and I am water works queen....do not get me started, because I will NOT stop! I am sure I looked like a butt because I was crying, but what was I suppose to do? I hate to defend myself, or my friends, when being attacked.....and that it EXACTLY what it felt like, because I cannot think straight. Anyways, I am over it now......I just want to be prepared for the next time something like that happens, because I am sure it will.

Thank you to Jann, I loved your comments, you are too sweet! I love the idea of getting together to scrap! I am always up for a good time! Let me know when! Besides, I have this sweet new kitty to scrap! :)

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

2008-05-11T18:25:00.000-06:00

I love Sundays! I really do! I seem to get so much done, and always nothing really gets done. Josh and I went to eat this morning/afternoon for Mother's Day. I love pretending that I am a mother because of my dogs and getting treated well for it! :) Rotten I know, but he can do it for Father's day! Anyways, we then ended to Joann's for some thread and I made a quick stop at the pet store.....who knew they would have a cute female mini dauschand! I named her Sage before Josh even got to the back of the store. I loved her, but HE said NO! And on Mother's day! I know, that would be crazy to have three dogs, but she was so cute!
By the way, I hate pet stores! The poor animals always seem so sad and locked up. Sage was trying to drink but there was no water for her in the container. I let the lady at the front counter know, and stood there until she actually got her water because she had no intentions of doing it. I just hate to see animals mistreated. I know that not all pet stores are like that, but I just hate the thought of it!
Then for some scrapbooking! I finally have some pictures of Hudson, my BFF Renae's new little one, and I had to scrap him. I made an album for Easton her other little one, so I HAVE to make one for Hudson! :) In case I need an excuse!
Josh is almost done with the pond in the backyard......it looks good, and is getting better everyday. I will get pictures when my camera batteries are charged. Right now he is putting the river rock around the outside. I am still kinda iffy about it!
Well, Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there! I thank heaven everyday for mine! (Maybe I will be a real mommy some day?)

What in the world...

2008-05-10T14:41:00.000-06:00

What have I been doing and where have I been? I really want to try to be a good blogger, but it is harder than it looks! As I am laying down in bed I think of all the great things I want to blog about.....and then just do not get to the computer to get those thoughts down, I will try harder!
So we (the 4th grade teachers and a great load of parent volunteers) took 70 4th graders to Craters of the Moon for an overnight field trip! I KNOW! We are crazy! But it was a great time and the kids had the time of their lives! So many of our students do not even get out of Caldwell and so this was a great opportunity for them. I was iffy about it, but now that we are back I know it was all worth it. There are a GREAT bunch of kids and did so well with it all.
So here is my heart wrencher for the year.....I have one little guy who I have worked so hard with this year to end up profiecent for our ISAT Math test. He worked so hard and passed, with points to spare! We both were so excited and I said to him that we needed a reward for all the hard work. I was thinking he would say a Frostie at Wendy's.....instead he hugged me, smelled my clothes, and as he did it he said "Mrs. V. you always smell so good, would you please take my coat home and wash it for me?" WOW! (I still get tears as I type this!) Talk about a kick in the heart! I thought this kid was going to want something bought for him and instead he wanted something as simple as his coat washed! Of course I did it, and it took everything for me not to strip him down and take everything home to wash it. He was so grateful when I bought it back the next day and just sat with it, smelling it, all day.
My BFF, Renae, and I were talking about this last night and we both agreed that we would have been so mad at his age if our teacher had said that she was going to wash our coat as a reward. Where and why is it like this? If nothing else I learned that I am where I need to be. These kids need me and I NEED THEM! I had thought about applying at some different districts, with better pay, but this is where I will stay. Granted a better paycheck would be nice, but the feeling I get from my students is better than money. I could go on and on about them and the great things they do, but I will save that for a different day. I just know that I am blessed by them and hope that they get as much from me as I am getting from them!
As for my weekend I am staying close to home. I cleaned the fridge today.....I hated doing it, but I love to look at it now! Love a clean fridge! My good friend Ester and I are going scrapbook shopping today and then have a date to scrap all day tomorrow! She is the best and I love that we can just pop in a movie (tomorrow is 27 Dresses, again!) and scrap away! I can not wait! I will miss my mommy tomorrow, but I know they will be here to visit soon, and I CANNOT WAIT! I miss my family!!
Okay, I hope the weekend is wonderful for everyone!

Clean Sheets

2008-04-26T19:03:00.000-06:00

I love the smell and feel of clean sheets! I do wash ours quite often but I had to today due to muddy puppy prints if you know what I mean! :) Today was the first day that we had the sprinklers on and they went crazy running through them. But right as I was about to put the load in the dryer I heard it......a loud, scared scream followed by horrible scratching. I looked around for my dogs, of course they were right behind me. I listened for a bit longer and heard it again. I called Josh at work to see what the heck was going on and he told me that he was sure a squirrel was caught in the dryer vent but did not tell me this morning because he thought I would freak out- he was right! I was freaking out! He tried to tell me how to get it out.....

Instead I called my dad, yes he is in Montana, to see what I should do. My dad used to tell me that he could fix anything from the crack of dawn to a broken heart and I guess sometimes I really think that! Plus I wanted a different answer besides me having to open the vent. For some reason I could picture this big, angry squirrel jumping out to attack me. However, dad told me the same thing, I hate that! So I tried....I played (okay, looked and poked at the vent) for about five minutes when up the driveway came Jesus, our neighbor boy.
What a super hero he looked like! Of course he was just here to ask me if I wanted him to mow the lawn, but I gave him an extra job this time....GET THE ANIMAL OUT OF MY WALLS! He said he did, I did not see it, but I do not hear it anymore. I guess I will know if I smell something in a few days....
So now my sheets are in the dryer, another load in the wash, a Redbox DVD to watch, some new pictures Josh picked up for me before he left, and a big pop from Sonic to enjoy! Yes, this is the life! Josh is at the fights tonight with some buddies from work so I might head to a scrapbook store for a look (yesterday was payday!) but I haven't decided yet. It is so nice to have a chance to choose what to do now!

The fun of blogging

2008-04-21T22:26:00.000-06:00

Oh the fun of blogging.....my dear friend Tammy, who also has a blog, recently wrote a funny blog about a speeding ticket that she almost recieved this last weekend. Everyone knows that speeding is not a joke, including Tammy, but she wrote a blog about it in a humorous manner. It was funny and a good laugh for those who know and understand Tammy (and her dad, there is a very funny story about her dad and a ticket as well)......however there is some person that keeps leaving rude, unwanted comments on her blog. (This person has also been told that they are unwanted comments, but just keeps going and going!)
I do understand that blogs are out there for one and all to read being on the internet, but who really goes out looking for someone who is unknown to them and starts making comments like that? I know that we both created our blogs to keep friends and family connected with our happenings, NOT to start problems. I wish that I had the time to take part in things like that....oh the things I would do! A list for some other day I suppose.....
I guess it really does just go to show that there are people out there that will find a way to ruin everything! Some people are really just so unhappy with themselves that they need to bring others down to feel better. I guess I just feel sorry for them....

Sad day

2008-04-20T10:45:00.000-06:00

Not going to lie about it, but it does not look like I am the best blogger out there. I am trying to get my life orgainized so I will just have to find a way to fit this in there too! I just wish that getting organized was as easy as being organized! I do know that is true because there are a few small things that are organized in my life, my scrapbooking things, some of my books at school, my coupons, you know the things that count! :)

I returned yesterday from four days in Sun Valley. It was a great experience for me and I will never pass that up! It is always nice to get out, but I was exhausted and therefore did not take full advantage of my time off. Josh did come up after work on Thursday for the night. It was nice to have him there, after dinner with another couple he slept on the couch as I read my book (19 Minutes and it is very good so far!) Just like being at home!

On Saturday morning we had our final session and yet another key note speaker.....but WOW! This guy was AMAZING! Michael Percher? (spelling is a little off and my stuff is at the school I will get back to you on this one!) He is what I needed to revive me and my energy in the teaching field. With all the BS that takes place with No Child Left Behind, ISATS, Istars, parents, and other teachers I was starting to think that this was not for me.......until him. He had me laughing and crying in the same sentence and it all had so much meaning to it! He said that it all starts with the heart and I could not have said it better myself..... funny how it sounds on here but if you could hear him said it with the added extras you would get it! I am going to stop at nothing to get him to speak in Caldwell. My principal in wonderful and I think I can talk her into it, and if not there is a teacher from another school that is talking to her principal!

The drive to and from Sun Valley was beauiful! It reminded me of driving in good ol' MT! I miss it there sometimes, especially now. My parents called yesterday and my "brother" died while I was gone. They decided not to tell me until I was home with my babies, and for once I am so glad they waited! Cletus was the BEST dog I have ever seen, even better than my two now. He was so kind and gentle......and my dad's best friend.

Every morning Dad and Cletus would start their day by going to the garage, where they each had a recliner to sit in, then head to coffee with the guys, head to work with dad in the drivers seat and Cletus as the passenger. They would go to location to location with dad doing his thing and Cletus chasing rabbits or whatever other animal that was there. Everyone knew and loved Cletus! There was even an article about dad and Cletty in the Sidney Hearld a few years back about that!

I remember the first time I took Josh home with me......we went out to the garage to "meet" Cletus and he was no where to be found! Dad said to look in the pick-up and sure enough..... Turns out dad had went to the store earlier without Cletus and so he jumped in as soon as dad got out in case there was going to be another ride, it was not going to miss it!

It is so sad to lose an animal, who is a member of your family, and has been for 14 years! Dad said that he is nowing chasing all the rabbits in heaven without pain. Sounds corny, but it does help knowing that!

Friends make the world go round

2008-04-13T21:39:00.000-06:00

Well second post in just one short Sunday! I cannot believe the day is over, or at least I should be in bed and the day be over! It was a great day though, 81 degrees here....can't beat that! I had the doors and windows open all day and we had BBQ again for dinner! Love that! I made my famous cabbage dish, I will give out the recipe if you want, and it is so good! We cooked together, I got dinner ready to go in the over for tommorow night.... a Monday night and we both have to work all day, what is better than having dinner ready? And we watched the season finale to our favorite show "Rock of Love 2". Crazy dumb show but we loved it! It was so nice to just be together and relaxed.....although Josh did stress a little bit when he could not get the proane tank opened! Hard to open those dang things when you have already opened it! I got a good laugh out of it at least! :)

I also got to talk to a very good friend of mine that I have not talked to in a long time. I miss knowing the little things that are going on in my friends' lives. They all mean so much to me and I hate that it is so easy to just not talk.......and then it turns into a longer time, and longer. I did it though, I called her and we were able to talk and it was so nice! I am so mad that I can not be closer to see her and her little girl Ella grow! I have seen some recent pictures and she is beautiful like her momma!

I also talked to my best friend in the world, Renae. I have no idea what I would do without this girl! She is the BEST friend I could ask for.....and she will let me know if I forget! She was a bridemaid at our wedding last July and so I am including pictures of her. She has a little guy Easton that I am in love with and is getting ready to have her second one on Thursday! Second baby, I am still thinking about how many years until the first one!

She was so funny after she had Easton.......I was in Montana and she went to the hospital. We talked a couple of times throughout the day and the last time we talked I told her to call as soon as she had the baby...... so I got the call and she told me she had just had a little boy 20 minutes ago! I was crying with excitement and laughing at her for literally calling as soon as she had the baby! That is just how we are though......it is the BEST feeling knowing that someone out there is there for you no matter what! I just wish we were closer so I could more a part of their lives! She does offer daily for me to live with her and her husband.....and we always change the plan and move him out so it can be us, Easton, and our four dogs! One day......

Well morning is going to come early so I need to quit for now. Have a GREAT Monday, or at least as good as a Monday can be! :)

Sun Valley here I come!

2008-04-13T12:09:00.000-06:00

So I am heading to Sun Valley, ID this week for a four day conference that work is sending me to... watch out Demi and Ashton I am NOT afraid to come talk to you! :) It is a great honor that the school is allowing me to, that they want me to help guide the school through changes we need to make, and lets face it..... again, I am going to Sun Valley for four days! But.....of course there is a but....I always get so nervous when I have to go to these things alone! I know I will meet people there, and I know that there will be others that are in my same boat, and I know all of this! But it is so hard until I met one of those people or someone and I have the chance to talk! Most of the time I am so shy (believe me, it does happen!) that I miss the first chance at a friend and have to make myself talk to someone later on. I have no idea why I am like this, but I wish I knew how to stop it!

The school even told me that I was SUPPOSE to bring Josh with me! We are staying in "townhouse" and they said they hated to see it go to waste! Of course he has to work, but he is trying to work out something with a coworker so he can come for one day and night. The first thing I did was call to see if the dogs were allowed....and they are! There is NO way we could leave them home alone that long, so this makes things so much easier, and maybe a chance for some stress free, relaxing time!

Now for some more of my favorite pictures..... I added ones of our nephew Teegan Bullrider with each of the puppies, as he would say "his cousins". One was the day we moved from Deer Lodge and then the other was when he was visiting at Thanksgiving time. I snapped a few of the puppies and their hard morning while I was on the computer....so rough. My mom always says that when she dies she wants to come back as a pet with either my dad or me! Hard to see why, huh?

Here is something new to me.....Maggi is having a "Fake Pregnancy?" What the heck is that? She was in heat last month, for those of you who have not had to deal with that you are so lucky! But since she has been out of heat her milk jugs, as Josh calls them, have been getting bigger and bigger. Of course she could actually be pregnant.....some dog could have gotten into the yard, done his job to Maggi, and then left all in the 10 minutes she is outside unwatched a day, but the chances of this happening without Lilli going crazy because someone else was in her yard in slim to non!..... but everything that I have read says that it is just fake?! She is not acting different or gaining weight....its just the milk jog thing!

Well I promise that I do have other things going on besides my dogs......I just have to get it all out now so I can get to the good stuff..... that sounds good, now I just have to find some good stuff! :)

So now I have to go.....I am so over due on some phone calls to some very dear friends, and it is ALL MY FAULT, and I am completely out of diet coke so I need to make a quick run to Sonic! I love that place ! Who knew that Dt. Coke or Dt. Dr. Pepper could be so good with some added flavors? And happy hour, love that, even without the liquor! :)

Where have I been?

2008-04-12T20:17:00.000-06:00

Where have I been? I really have no answer for this question..... I am ready to move on though..... ready for a new start, ready to think, ready to forgive, ready to move on, and ready to do this! It seems so funny to me that while I was setting up this account I had hundreds of things running through my mind of what to write and now that I am typing I am drawing a complete blank!

I am finally okay with living in Caldwell. The move was not as hard as I thought it was going to be, thank gosh I have Josh, but there is no way I would say it was easy! I have been burned a couple of times though, and that hurts. I am always too quick to trust people and therefore I get my feelings hurt- ALOT. For a girl that already has super sensitive feelings, this is hard! I do have friends and I would not change things now.....now being the key word there. I am excited to grow in and with these friendships and see what comes from them! :)

Oh.......I have to add some pictures to my blog....Without pictures things are just too boring and I am always surrounded by them. Of course I have to have pictures of our babies, Lilli and Maggi Mae. They are long haired mini dauschands and I am not afraid to say that they

ARE the CUTEST things around! I have no idea what we will be like when we have kids because we are so crazy about these two! And then there is a picture of our little family at Christmas time!

I am so lucky because I have been able to scrapbook as much I have wanted to since we have lived in Caldwell. I will post pictures soon of that! I am really proud of myself for the things I have been creating! It does help that there are wonderful scrapbooking stores here, my husband completely supports my habbit, and I have a great friend who whats to scrap all the time with me!

Well, I can smell the BBQ so I better head outside to watch my husband cook :)....the weather was 75 degress today! I LOVE IT!