Happy Bloggerversary To Me

This blogging adventure all started 1 year ago today and 134 posts later...I couldn’t be happier about the decision to start a family blog in the first place. I have recorded some of my fondest memories, met many new friends and have thoroughly enjoyed reading other blogs as well. I guess you could say it’s an "outlet" for me. I never could get into or finish an actual scrapbook, not to mention the boo-koos of money it can cost to get all the supplies. With this blog I just sign on, sign in and start typing. I hope those who know us well and want to be informed about our lives and our quick growing little dumpling have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed doing it. I took a stroll down memory lane today and I cannot believe how much has changed in just one short year. Jolea's growth and appearance have grown in leaps and bounds. She started out as my tiny baby girl and has changed into a sweet pigtailed, stubborn and opinionated 2 year old....that I adore. We have changed homes, jobs, cars and so much more in such a short amount of time. I guess what they always say is true..."Time Flies When You're Having Fun"

Then:  February 28, 2009

Now: February 28, 2010

FAMILY SNOW DAY...

What a blessing this winter has been. I have lived in Abilene Texas all my life and I rarely ever remember a winter as beautiful as this one. What’s even better is today...NO SCHOOL...for me or for Andy...so that means...FAMILY SNOW DAY! We have had a great day together just lounging in our sweat pants and doing a whole lot of nothing. We played in the snow once already...and might make it out again before it’s all said and done. Jolea Dru just loves the snow! Anytime she see's it she calls it "ho ho ho!" I guess she remembers all the snow scenes from the many Christmas movies we watched over the holidays and she just puts snow and Santa Claus in the same category! Cute huh? We tried our luck at building a Texas snowman, but the ice just wouldn’t pack. With Andy’s crazy softball schedule and my student teaching load, this little break couldn’t have come at a better time! God is so Good!

Our Family of 3...

Even Macy got in on the FUN...

~Stay Warm and Cozy Today Ya'll~

Ahh...Sweet

Look what my Hubby did...

he had a high school student bring these to my classroom on Friday!!! Sweet, white and simple...just my style!!! What is it about getting flowers that makes someone feel so special? I cant place my finger on it really...but when someone brings you flowers...for that split second in time...you feel so very special and so very loved. What a sweet thing to do honey...THANK YOU!

Jolea loved them too...

Belated Birthday Wishes...to My Mama

For so many people, February 14th is a special day, filled with romance and love, flowers and chocolate. Andy and I have never gone “overboard” for Valentine’s Day. In fact we usually don’t do much. This year was a little different! Cupid brought me this…Mademoiselle

a delicious fragrance by CoCo Chanel that I have been admiring for years. A good perfume is always such a nice gift…but the good stuff is always so pricey. I was thrilled when I opened up the bag and found this precious little box of goodness…and it makes it even better that Andy actually likes it and comments on how good I smell all the time! Thanks Honey!

Cupid brought Andy a nice “goody” basket filled with all his favorite things too. (Oops forgot to take pictures!) He got a ton of his favorite candies and energy drinks, a t-shirt that says I heart football, an hour full body massage and a new book. I would say that we celebrated this holiday in style.

For me, the MOST important thing to celebrate on February 14th is my Mama’s birthday. She is my BEST friend. She stands out among all my other friends because she has never left my side…EVER…no matter what. She is one of the greatest people I have ever known. She brought me into this world and she has taught me everything I know about being a good, trustworthy, dependable and hard working person. She leads by example and I am so Thankful that God picked her to be my Mom. She turned 50 years old on Valentine’s Day…and I think she looks younger and younger with each passing year. I love you Mom…and I hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration.

Jolea and Grammy exchanging Birthday/Valentine goodies

Mom and Dad at Red Lobster...her choice :)

Andy and I...

A very special "Thanks" to Johanna, CJ and baby girl Jillian for keeping our little Princess. We actually took slow bites and tasted what we were putting in our mouths and we left without wearing anything that was on our plates. My-o-my how things change with a 2 year old.

Blogger Back-Up...

Whoa...my blogging skills have gotten really really poor lately! I just realized how behind I am and I am bound and determined to catch up. So with all that said...here are 2 of the latest birthday parties we went to with our little dumpling. The only little problem is...she thinks anytime she sees a present...then it must be for her! Does anyone else have a 2 year old with this same syndrome? She has a hard time watching the "party girl" or "party boy" open their gifts without wanting to be right in the middle of all the action. I know she is a toddler and she is totally acting her age...but she gets real bent outta shape when Mama says "NO!"

Landrye...our friend from church had her party at the Gymnastic Sports Center! Jolea had a BLAST! Andy and I are considering putting her in a Mom/Tot class there this summer. She is young...but it would be such great exercise for her...and a great way for her to expend the bundles of endless energy that she seems to have these days.

The Famous "Cheese" face...

Action shot with Daddy...jumping into the pit...

I thought she would FREAK out when we strapped her into the trampoline-flippy thing...but she LOVED it...

Patiently waiting for the best part of the party...the CAKE

Sweet Jillian is our friend from MDO...she has become one Jolea's most adored friends...and she had her 2nd Birthday party at The Grace Museum! The kids had a BLAST...and I was really impressed with the freedom that the museum gave up for those who were having a party. The kids ran around on the childrens floor...getting into EVERYTHING and having a blast.

Birthday Girl Jillian...so precious...

 

The Abby-Caddabby cake...Johanna...Jillian's mom made this cake...and boy-o-boy was there a funny story behind this little adventure!!! But look how cute she turned out :)

Yummy Cupcakes...

Abby from MDO...and Cheese face Jolea

These girls are so sweet...and watching them all play together just melts my heart (well when they arent fighting about who is going to get the babydoll, or the kitchen mixer...or something silly like that) We have had so much fun getting to know these little angels...and we are EXCITED about spending lots of time together this summer. Speaking of this summer...it will be the first summer I have had without summer school in what seems like forever! We plan on having some serious family time!

After Jillian's birthday party...the adults decided it would be fun to go out on the town (well as "out" as you can get for Abilene...right?) We met at the Cypress Street Station downtown, and we sampled their selection of beers at the micro-brewery...some of them were okay...some of them were terrible...so I just stuck to a nice glass of White Riesling instead...Ahh...refreshing. We were accompanied by one of Johanna's dearest friends and some of her and CJ's family since they had come to the birthday party. Low and behold...we ended up singing Dancing Queen at karaoke night...so I would say we had a good time!

From left...Johanna...Amber...and ME

Andy and CJ (these two are REAL trouble)

The Girls...(from left) Amber...Amy a.k.a Chicago, Johanna, Johanna's Sis and Muah

Me and the Hubs...closeup...yikes!

It's always fun to put on your swanky party clothes...go out with friends and make a million memories! Im glad we got to!

FRUSTRATED....

Does anyone know how I can get my header image to be the center of the page instead of off to the right? It's driving me NUTS! Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Hip Hip Hooray...

2 Bits - 4 Bits - 6 Bits - A Dollar - Terah -Past - Her - Teaching Exams - And - She - Wants - To - Holler

I am so happy that I took my exams, passed them both and they are out of the way. I still have one more to take, but it’s for my ESL endorsement which is a lot less stressful. Now it’s time to start putting a resume together and looking for my first teaching job...that I have been dreaming about for the past 2 and a half years...and my first paycheck which is even more exciting!

My student teaching experience has been such a BLESSING to me. I am teaching under Mrs. Stokes a 3rd grade math teacher in Hawley. Now at first, my stomach was churning because I was the WORST math student growing up and I was thinking to myself "How am I going to teach what I was Terrible at?" BUT...I am having a blast. My cooperating teacher is so helpful and encouraging to me. I could not be happier about being in her classroom. My students are a great bunch of kids...some of the funniest kids I have ever met and for the most part they are a real joy to have in class. I get showered in hugs from the time I walk into the classroom till the last dismissal bell rings...it’s GREAT.

My second placement is in the 2nd grade and I will start there after Spring Break. 2nd grade is going to be a whole new ballgame...but I am sure I will LOVE it to pieces!