MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM JEREMIAH, SUSAN, & OLIVER

My great friend Kristy took these for us for our Christmas cards---I guess I should have participated in the Christmas Card Carousel posts that happened last week, but I'm a little behind! Trying to get a very excited Boston Terrier to pose was NOT easy! But Kristy was very patient--unlike Mommy here!

Hallelujah!!!!!!!

No school for 17 days! Whoop whoop!!!!!!!!!

Check...check...check...

My list for the month of December has been a mile long it seems, but I think we are winding things down now (well, sort of).........

1. Elementary Christmas musical-CHECK

2. McPherson Christmas Ball--biggest party of the season-CHECK

3. High school band/choir concert-CHECK

4. "Imagine Christmas" play--4 performances-CHECK

5. High school choir/band Christmas parties-CHECK

6. Christmas shopping completed-CHECK

7. Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree-CHECK

8. Home remodel--turn garage into room/recording studio for hubby-CHECK AS OF THIS WEDNESDAY

All of this=1 tired chicky!

What's left?

1. Ornament party tonight

2. Best friend's daughters' select choir performance tonight after ornament party

3. Spare bedroom remodel

4. Christmas parties Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday

5. Meeting Krysta and Kaden in Fort Smith next Wednesday

6. Mother-in-law's birthday brunch on Christmas Eve

7. Christmas!!!!

8. Our band, Muzzleloader playing at a 3 day youth rally

9. Our 11-year anniversary

First party of the season....

Last night was the annual McPherson Christmas Ball. Our close friends throw a huge party the first Friday night of December. This was our 4th year to attend the ball. Lots of friends attend...I think they counted around 80 last night. Wow! Here is us with the McPherson's:

Jeremy & Mika:

Jer's brother Dan and his wife Jennifer (and Ellie--niece #5 for us will be making her debut in January 2010!)

Just relaxin':

A great time was had by all--lots of great food, great friends, great dancing, and lots of laughs!

I have a cold today--I've been sneezing a lot the past couple days and it hit me hard today. Yuck. Maybe it will be over with by Monday--I have my high school concert Tuesday night, and then the community/church Christmas program Friday-Sunday.

Oh, and one more thing--last Sunday Kristy took our Christmas card pics...go here to check them out! Trying to get a 9 month old Boston Terrier to cooperate was not easy! Thanks Kristy! You're awesome!

I'm thankful....

I have realized through this season of my life, I haven't been too thankful. I struggle with complaining and being negative sometimes--in a lot of areas, not just my infertility. Reading all your posts about thankfulness has really helped open my eyes. I am so blessed and want that to be my focus! My sis-in-law, Jennifer, has a sign in her house that says, "Want What You Have". I love that. It is so true.

So here is my thankful list (a day late--sorry, I was too busy stuffing my mouth yesterday!):

1. My Lord and Savior who loves me day in and day out--no matter my mood!
2. My sweet husband who loves me unconditionally and who makes me laugh.
3. Our baby for the time being---Oliver the Boston Terrier. He is the best snuggler!
4. Our family--we are all such good friends and I love spending time with them.
5. Our sweet nieces and nephews who have an abundance of hugs and kisses for us.
6. Our jobs---Jeremiah and I both enjoy going to our jobs every day and that is so important! I have 7 performances coming up in the next two weeks between my school and the community Christmas play! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I choose to be thankful!
7. Our new room addition--it's almost done!
8. Our future child.
9. My teacher friends at school, Kristy, Kim, and Holli-you make the day fun! (It's almost Bunco time again ladies!)
10. My very close friend Krysta--you are such a blessing to me!
11. A 5 day weekend! Yay for sleeping in!
12. A new season in 2010!

My hubby and I went to see "New Moon"....great movie! All the girls squealing everytime they saw Edward or Jacob was funny at first, then started to get on my nerves!!!!!!! This one lady in front of us kept squealing and making very loud comments at really quiet parts of the movie. Oh brother! My husband liked the movie so much he went and bought the soundtrack!

Time to go to my mother-in-laws and eat some leftovers! Yum!

Birthday Recap

Wednesday was my 31st birthday and an overall great day! I awoke to a super sweet card hidden in my purse from my hubby. I had my big Veteran's Program that day at school. It went well and my choir led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday" to me--it was a surprise and I turned very red! A couple of my elementary students mom's had gifts for me at school, which was very special! And tonight I got some of the best coffee in the world, Gloria Jean's Caramel Nut, in the mail from Krysta! Whoo hoo!


I got my hair done after school on Wednesday--I was going for dark brown, my natural color, but it looks almost black to me. It's ok though--hopefully it will lighten up. I like it. My superintendent asked me today if I was going goth! ha ha!




Wednesday evening we ate out for my birthday with Jer's family and had a great time--it's always a little wild with 6 kiddos!


Tonight my friend Jennifer is having a birthday dinner for me and Mika. Looking forward to some yum food!


Our house remodel begins Monday AND I'm out of school for deer season! That's a national holiday in these parts!


Big garage sale with my sis in law Jennifer tomorrow!


Enjoy your weekend!

Birthday weekend

This weekend Jeremiah and I celebrated my 31st birthday! (Holy cow--I can't believe I'm that old--where did my 20's go?) My birthday is not until this Wednesday, Veteran's Day, but we celebrated early!

We spent yesterday shopping in Hot Springs, then watching tons of college football in the hotel room. Go Hogs! We bought Oliver a Razorback collar in honor of their win yesterday! He can't have it until Christmas though!

Last night we ate at The Butcher Shop in Little Rock, then went to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to hear Beethoven's 5th. It was wonderful! We both enjoyed it thoroughly! We hadn't been to the symphony since I was in college and Jer came to hear me sing in Beethoven's 9th.

I got to pick out my presents while shopping yesterday--I got a new Houndstooth Razorback shirt (thanks for getting me hooked on those Kara), a sweater from American Eagle (my favorite store), and this:

We have needed a new comforter for a while--Oliver accidentally tore a hole in our old one with his nails. And speakin of him--there's his hind end in the picture--just now noticed that! Ha ha! Anyways, I found this comforter at JcPenney online, but you can never tell about colors online, so I went to the store and although I had picked out 3 more, I ended up going with my first choice. I was worried about it looking a little "granny-ish". What do you think? Honestly. The problem is I needed a comforter that would go with my olive green walls cuz I DON'T want to paint again. I didn't like it when I first put it on today, but once I got new pillows and curtains, I think it is growing on me! My favorite color is red, so I think it will work!

I have a big Veteran's Day program on Wednesday at school---pretty much all my groups perform--high school band, choir, and then every elementary grade does a song. It will be an exhausting day! As long as I don't think of my age, I should make it without passing out!

Gotta go--Christmas musical choir practice! I'm in charge and it's at our house, so I best be getting ready!

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Halloween!

Oliver dressed up like a cow for Halloween---we had friends kids trick-or-treat last night. I ordered Oliver a medium costume and it is so tight on him that he couldn't move and Daddy made me take it off. :( I can't believe I got the wrong size. Oh well. As you can tell by the look on his face, he is not liking Mommy playing dress-up!



So happy I don't have a choir competition this Saturday. I had one last Saturday and I had 5 junior high students make All-Region. Now I get a few Saturdays to myself! I was so excited to get to sleep in and wouldn't you know it, we were up at 7:45 today! Dang! I've already got my car lubed at Wal-Mart and in a little while we are taking our nieces, Sophie and Gracie, to a new hot dog restaurant in town that has a big play area and kid games. Fun! We haven't got to spend time with them in too long! Sophie told her daddy the other day that she was missing Aunt Suzy and Muncle Baby (what she calls Jer). Such a sweetheart!

So thankful for the sunshine! All that rain was so depressing!

Christmas is on the brain! I've started buying things and stocking up! I am trying to cut back a little this year---not sure if my husband will cooperate with that though! I ordered Oliver 3 gifts for Christmas the other day and told my husband they were for Christmas. Well, they came in and Jer gave two of them to him--he couldn't stand waiting! He said we'd buy him more! So much for cutting back! Ha!

The addition on our house begins in 2 weeks! I'm so looking forward to it! We are turning our garage into a recording studio. Yay--all Jer's gear can get out of my house! He has guitar/recording gear in EVERY room in the house except my bathroom! Seriously--even kitchen and bathroom cabinets! It's crazy! Now we'll have our spare bedroom back and hopefully put a baby in there in the future! That's the plan at least!

Jer and I are going to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra next weekend for my birthday! I can't wait!

Happy Halloween!

Night out!

Last night we went to Hot Springs with some of our closest friends to celebrate Jeremy and Mika's 10th Anniversary. We ate at Belle Arti Italian Restaurant and then went dancing at the Arlington Hotel. It was lots of fun.

Here is the anniversary couple:

Jerod and Jennifer:

Nevada and Jewelie:

Jer and I (don't know why his face was so red):

When we left we saw the biggest pumpkin ever and the girls and Jeremy had to pose with it:

Yesterday Jeremy and Mika left for Hot Springs early, so I got to take their son, Gaven to his soccer game. He did so good! I love all our friend's kids so much. Jeremy and Mika have 2 little girls also. Gaven was adopted when he was almost 3 and fits in with their family perfectly!

Proud!

I left on a bus at 5:00 a.m. with 10 senior high students yesterday. We went to All-Region Choir Auditions. I am so excited to report that 9 out of my 10 students made the choir! Around 600 students auditioned from schools of all sizes. My school is one of the smallest that compete and my students hung in there and did just as well as the big schools! I am so proud! In the 9 years I've been teaching, I've never had that many make it (last year I had 7 plus an alternate who moved up). My one student that didn't make it is an alternate, so hopefully she'll get to be in the choir anyway, which would make it 10 out of 10! We got home at 9:00 p.m. last night! Long day, but definitely worth it!

Icky, achy, yucky

So when I was typing my last post I didn't feel good, but thought it was just allergies. Nope--Wednesday evening I just started feeling worse and worse and aching in spots I didn't know could ache. Went to the walk-in med clinic Thursday morning barely holding my head up. I didn't even mind them sticking that flu stick up my nose. I had every sign of the flu (even fever which I NEVER run), but my test was negative. The dr came in with a face mask on and didn't get near me and Germ-X'd her hands twice in about 3 minutes. She said she was almost positive I had the flu and thinks I caught it so early it didn't register on the flu test. Got Tami-flu at the pharmacy and went to bed. Tamiflu did not agree with me and made me dry heave for about 3 hours, but once I finally got to sleep, it kicked in and I slowly started feeling better. I still feel worn out and yucky, but it is functionable. My husband is taking Tamiflu now because he doesn't want to get sick--he had the flu last year and I slept on the couch 7 nights! Not fun! He tried to sleep on the couch Wednesday night, but gave in and came to bed! :)

Funny story from the clinic Thursday morn---my (step)father-in-law came in to the clinic with chest congestion while I was sitting there. He is such a cheerful, talkative man and he comes in smiling and talking and all of us sicky people are just staring at him. Mom had told him I was there with the flu. (When I got there that morning, a student I teach was there with her mom. I walked in the door and the mother says to her daughter, "Don't let her breathe on you". uh...thanks...wasn't planning on it. I probably GOT this sickness at SCHOOL anyway!) So I sat down in a single chair away from everyone else knowing that I might be contagious. After Papa checks in, he says real loud, "I'm just gonna pull a chair up and sit next to my daughter!!!" He sits right up next to me and I can't help but giggle a little. He is just like a big teddy bear and wanted to take care of me! By the time he was done talking to me, everyone in the waiting room knew what I had, what he had, that I was his daughter-in-law, and that he loved me! So sweet.

Hoping I'll be able to sing/play tomorrow night with our band. I'm skipping practice tonight.

My dog and my husband's car have contributed to the icky/yucky this week too. Oliver got neutered and had his hernia sewn up over a week ago. Some of the hernia started tearing open this week and he was bleeding, etc. He had to get a shot at the vet and is on antibiotics once again! I swear it is never-ending with that dog! Then my husband's Camry is undriveable--not sure what is wrong--his dad is working on it. It was the first car we bought and has been in our family 10 years! It has 270,000 miles on it. I feel like it is on its last leg, but I don't want a car payment! There are other things a lot more important to pay/save for! We are wanting to add on to our house very soon and a car payment would prevent that i think! Yikes!

Cool thing happened at school Wednesday--Wal-Mart managers/associates visited with a big cake and prizes to do a "Teacher Appreciation" assembly. They drew 10 teachers names and I was one of them---I won a $100 Wal-Mart gift card! Whoo hoo!

Hope you all have a sick-free weekend!

AND......Go Hogs! Beat Texas A & M!

Bunco

Bunco was at my house Monday night and boy was it fun! We hadn't played since June so we were long overdue! Here are some pics!

This is our group (we had 2 missing):

These were the winners for the evening (go Brin--she was kissing her scarecrow):

Here are us teacher buds (Kim, me, Kristy, Holli):

And me--I rolled 4, yes, my favorite number---4 Buncos! I was so proud--I didn't win, but didn't care. I'm just proud of my 4! hee hee!

Gotta go. I'm ready for bed. I'm exhausted and my voice is almost gone--being a music teacher is wonderful, but wears on my voice so much--and our band has a gig on Saturday so I NEED my voice! Gonna get in the clean sheets, curl up with my sick puppy (that's for a later post), my hubby, and Prison Break, Season 2.

Let the sun shine!

Praise the Lord for the sunshine! I have missed it greatly this week! My car just got a nice bath and looks so much better! Now if I could just get our lawn guy to come....I can barely find Oliver in the grass!

Rock the River was good last weekend. I didn't feel good at all, but we had a good time. Our band plays this week at the youth-wide "Saw You At The Pole" Rally. It is the evening of See You At The Pole (duh).

This next weekend starts the month of Saturday choir competitions. My next 3 out of 5 Saturdays are booked with taking kids to all-region competitions. I love to see my students compete and do well, but it just wears me out. I think I'm ready to just teach all elementary music or all high school choir, but not both. After doing it for 9 years, I'm tired!!!!!!!! And OLD!!!

Bunco is next week at my house! Pictures to come!

Not much else exciting going on here....just taking it one day at a time. Sorry for the boring blog updates. Can't think of much else to write about. Time for a nap!

Why does this always happen?

We leave in 2 hours for Rock the River in Fort Smith. Our band, Muzzleloader, plays at 3:30 today. I've been looking forward to this for months and we've practiced a lot this past week. BUT, I am sick. I've been sneezing a lot, but it hadn't turned in to anything. It hit about halftime of the junior high football game we were at on Thursday night. We left the game and I went home and sacked out. Yesterday I felt horrible all day at school. I took Aleve Cold & Sinus, Zyrtec, ZiCam allergy nose spray, drank Vitamin C immunity builder stuff, and took ZiCam tablets. Woke up this morning to a sneeze that I thought would blow my face off. I've never seen so much snot!!!!!!!! (yes, graphic---sorry)

Anytime in the fall when I have something important on the calendar, I get sick. Two years ago our band was playing at a 4 day rally and I got strep throat and could only sing the last night. Last year I got a massive sinus infection right before a huge day-long choir competition I had to take students to. This year we have this concert today and I am sick. Thankfully I only have to play keys---I do sing on one song, but I think I can make it. This REALLY frustrates me, but I don't know how to fix it!!!!!!! If you read this, would you say a prayer for me today about this? I would really appreciate it.

In other news, my dog did this to our carpet this week:

My husband has been feeling bad leaving Oliver in his cage when he goes to work during the day so he bought a $100 iron dog gate that he bolted to the frame between the kitchen and living room. Then on the other side of the kitchen we put up a baby gate. This picture is of the carpet in the hallway---the baby gate was right past this spot. Oliver was left alone for 1 hour and accomplished this. I was so frustrated when I got home. I've been wanting new carpet, but don't have the money for it now! (the current carpet is 5 years old)

So now we have a dog who obviously HAS to stay in his cage when we're gone, a $100 gate that is of no use to us now, and a torn up carpet. And Bunco is at my house in 2 weeks. Guess I'll be investing in a nice little rug to go there. (sigh)

Gotta go get ready! At least I'll get my Peppermint Mocha from Starbuck's when we get to Ft. Smith! Maybe that'll help me feel better.

Have a great weekend!

Story of the week

I've got another cute kindergarten story---they really say the funniest things that just make me laugh! There is a hispanic girl in one of the classes who speaks NO English! NONE! I've been trying to speak Spanish to her a little (I remember some from high school), but she is really shy. In music class she just sits and stares--no participation whatsoever. So this week I remembered I have a song that says the months of the year in Spanish and I told the class we were going to sing a song for her so she could participate. This cute little boy says so seriously, "I can't do Spanish. I'm not Spanish. I'm country folk." I cracked up!

Oliver went back to the vet this week. He has another bacterial infection--this time in his ears. That makes the 3rd bacterial infection in 4 months. He is on 2 antibiotics once again. The vet said he has a very weak immune system. So what the heck am I supposed to do about that? I'm wondering if my hubby and I are just being too overprotective and thinking he is more human than dog. We don't want him to be sick though. AAHHH!!!!

Tomorrow for 30 minutes at school we are having DEAR--Drop Everything And Read. I'm kinda excited about this. The high school kids are reading like crazy right now and so we are going to have DEAR a couple times a week, but the teachers have to participate too. I am going to try to get going in "The Shack". This book really helped my husband after our chemical pregnancy last year, but I am worried my emotions will get out of hand at school. Hopefully not.

My husband and the lead singer of our band are going to be on Spirit FM 106.3 out of Fort Smith tomorrow morning at 8:05. They are going to talk about our band, Muzzleloader, and hopefully play a song or two off our album. A lot of the bands are going to be on live tomorrow since Rock the River is next week. Very exciting!

Three day weekend coming up! Hallelujah!

Tuckered out!

Oliver, hubby, & I have been taking walks each night around our neighborhood. The weather has been wonderful & it is so relaxing to take a walk out in the fresh air! Here is what Oliver does as soon as we get back home:


It cracks me up how he lays like this! He doesn't even get a drink first--he just sprawls out on the floor so he can cool his belly off!


We've had a great weekend! Hubby & I have ate out, watched movies, & rested! I couldn't seem to wake up on Saturday. I got up at 8:30, but was back asleep on the couch by 9:30 & didn't get up until 12:30. I feel like I'm in school routine again, but still can't seem to get caught up on my sleep! Of course, some of it could be that my legs & feet are so tired & sore by the end of the week! (yes, I'm still frustrated about not wearing my dang flip-flops) My principal at high school asked me on Thursday if it was 'casual Thursday'--I had on cuffed khaki capri's, an American Eagle striped polo shirt, & white Skechers. I guess he was talking about my shoes--I told him my feet were killing me & he needed to come see how much I dance/jump/move at elementary doing music! I also said I'd been wearing cutesy flats & if I couldn't wear flip-flops, I at least had to wear tennis shoes one day so my feet don't fall off my legs! He laughed & then said he was just teasing me. So why did he bring it up then? Whatever.

Gotta go! We're taking Oliver up on the mountain to the state park to walk & explore! The temp is 78--gorgeous day!

Have a great week!

Kindergarten cuties

So today I had one of the kindergarten classes for music for the first time. I love the first day with them because they just stare at me wide-eyed! I really ham it up and try to keep every bit of their attention for 40 minutes!

Today I was going around the room meeting each student and I would SING "My name is Mrs. B, what is your name?" They would have to respond by singing, "My name is .......". I love to hear their angel-like voices at this age! I got to a cute little blonde boy and sang my line and then waited. Nothing. So I sang it again and waited. Nothing. I said, "What's wrong? Why won't you sing your name to me?" He responded with a shy face, "I don't know how to sing". OH MY! Melted my heart! I said, "Well, that's why you're here!" Then I encouraged him one more time and in the sweetest little voice he sang, "My name is Curtis". I gave him a big hug! It made my day!

Weekend Recap

It was a good weekend, but went by too fast. Friday night we ate out and then rented movies. I was asleep by 10:30--30 minutes in to the 1st movie. I just can't keep my eyes open on Friday nights! Good thing football season is starting--surely I won't fall asleep in the bleachers!

Saturday afternoon our band had a photo shoot. I spent a lot of time asking, "Smile or don't smile?" We have to try and look cool, you know? :)

Saturday evening we went to a friends house for a get-together. There were 8 other couples there--all close friends. We took Oliver--kinda felt a little silly at first sitting around the table and us having our dog in our lap. (Every couple there has children.) But then I realized that I just need to accept my life where I am right now and not worry about being the "odd one out". NONE of my friends make me feel like that at all and I'm so thankful for the love and care they give. (and they all seem to love Oliver!) Someone shared how we put ice and bottled water in Oliver's water bowl and everyone was laughing (yes, our dog is quite spoiled)! I said, "Now you know how well our kids will be treated when we finally have some!" I am thankful we have Oliver at this point in our lives. It's amazing how much a DOG can help fill a void. He is our baby and we love him so much! Jeremiah said the other night, "Oliver is one of the best things that has ever happened to us". I agree!

Gotta go! Off to a friends house for pizza and some Wii fun!

My feet need air

I.AM.EXHAUSTED.

And my feet/toes are dying because they can't breath in these cutesy flats i've been wearing to school. I NEED my Nike flip-flops on my feet at school because they are oh so comfortable, but not 'professional' (and we're not allowed to wear them this year). I had blisters yesterday and so today during senior high choir, I pulled those bless-ed Nike flippers out of my purse and put them on and I swear my feet were screaming HALLELUJAH!

Just call me a rebel!

(I took them off before I left my room again though!)

Praise the Lord tomorrow is Friday!

Classroom tour!

Here is my brand new elementary classroom! I'm quite proud of it. It is 40 x 40--I've never had that much room and I'm lovin' it! I teach music at the elementary school the 2nd half of the day and I teach at the high school in the morning--I'm not posting a pic of my high school classroom! It is not real pretty---rather old---I am getting a new high school room in 1-2 years. Anyways, here is the music room!

This is the hallway outside my room---I had this banner made at a sign shop in my town because I didn't think I'd have time to cut out all those letters (I just got to move in on Monday):

This is the view of my room from my door. In my old room my rug looked so big and now it seems so small! It's my favorite thing in my room though!

Here is a view of the front of the room (that's the door I was standing in for the previous picture):

This is another corner:

Here is my bookshelf:

And I couldn't forget my favorite bulletin board---I saw the idea online somewhere--maybe at http://www.musicbulletinboards.net/. I love it and it's super easy, which is a must for me!

Go over to Lisa's blog and check out her kindergarten classroom and then show us YOUR room!

Schooltime!

HOW AM I GOING TO BE IN BED TONIGHT BY 10:00? C.R.A.P. I haven't been in bed that early since last school year! AND, I have before school bus duty! Lovely. The kids will get a Mrs. B with makeup and hair done tomorrow, and maybe for the rest of the week, but after that, no more! ha!

My classroom at elementary is ready and I'll post pics tomorrow! Thanks Lisa and Lianna for getting us going on that! Not posting pics of my high school classroom! Sorry--not the prettiest room!

I got behind my father-in-law in line at the grocery store the other day and he asked me if I was ready for school. I said, "not really". The teeny-bopper checker girl says, "You're a teacher? I thought all teachers loved going to school and were always ready to go back???" I responded, "Well, not the teachers I'm friends with!" Ha ha! I don't know what she was thinking! I'm very thankful for my job and look forward to seeing and hugging all my kiddos, but going back to work after a summer of relaxing and doing my own thing (and getting paid for it) is tough!

Our band is playing at a Back-To-School Bash tomorrow in Searcy but I don't get to go! Bummer! I didn't think I should ask off half a day on the first day of school!

Hand-washed my car today in the blazing hot sun and 2 hours later it stormed. Dang!

Off to Wal-Mart--I feel like making Hello Dolly's (Myrtle Zyrtles) to take to school tomorrow. (I really just wanna lick the remains out of the Eagle Brand can!)

Have a great first day back to school!

These are a few of my favorite things.....

Now that school is about to start, I'd thought I'd post a list of my favorite things this summer:

• Pedicures
• Kettlecorn (never liked it until this summer)
• Mario Kart (I love this game--I play once a day usually)
• reading blogs
• city pool (or any pool for that matter)
• road trips with Oliver and Jeremiah (we didn't go anywhere without the dog)
• late night movies in bed with the above two
• hot dogs (I have ate WAY too many of these)
• Heart (the band--listening to their greatest hits cd's--so good)
• Nike flip-flops (much more comfy than Old Navy)
• hanging out with Mika, Jeremy, and the kiddos
• grape Propel
• texting (I always love this, but don't do it near as much during the school year)
• Victoria's Secret Pink Fresh & Clean lotion
• The Prichett Series by Kathryn Springer
• Little Italy restaurant

School starts Wednesday! AAAHHHH!!!!!! Lisa and I want to do a "show pics of your classroom" post so all you teachers get geared up and let us see what your classroom looks like! (and yes Kristy, you have to take pics of the gym)

Hope

I got this in the mail today from a great blog friend, Sarah. I love it! It says: "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long".




That word hope has been my 'theme' word for this infertility journey we're on. A lot of days I really struggle with having hope still after all these years, but then I know in my heart that I don't have anything else to cling to. I'm going to wear this to all future dr.'s appts.

I'm so thankful to have a blog where I can be encouraged and lifted up and where I can do the same for others. Sarah and I are big text buddies and care so much about each other's life.

"Thank You Sarah, for being a caring friend. I'm not happy we're going through this, but am glad we can walk this lonely and confusing road together."

Classroom and cookies

Drove 22 miles one way twice today to go work in my elementary classroom. I got my bulletin boards done this morning, then drove to high school to use the laminator because elementary laminator was out of film, then drove home to go to the pool for a few hours (I'm really gonna miss the pool once school starts). Hubby went to friend's house tonight for "guy night" and so Oliver and I went back to school to work again. I was all by myself and got spooked when I heard firecrackers (or gunshots???) outside by the playground. So Oliver and I jetted. I'm such a scaredy cat. I never saw anyone, but decided I didn't need to be down there by myself at 8:30 at night anyway.

Now on to something I love--COOKIES!

I was looking and salivating in the cookie aisle at Wal-Mart on Saturday and found these:



Mother's Frosted Circus Animals! Yum yum! These were popular when I was a kid, but I don't remember where I used to eat them (my mom NEVER bought store cookies---too expensive and she always made homemade).

I love these! The bag is over half gone and my hubby hasn't touched them and we all know Oliver isn't eating them! But the way I see it, the sooner I finish off the bag, the sooner I won't have to struggle with wanting them at 10:15 at night! Right????

Today

Wonderful day today! I can check everything off our list but the movie. Couldn't find anything to watch and we wanted to get back home to our dog! Pathetic, huh? Oh, and we got pulled over on the shortcut, Dayton Road, but thankfully didn't get a ticket! My husband was only going 48 in a 35, which is pretty dang slow considering how fast he normally goes on that shortcut! Totally nice police officer. Thank you Lord!

So I had a certain amount to spend today (in my organized brain) on clothes and I went WAY over. I just kept finding cute things and I have to have new clothes for the first week of school so my high school students won't say, "Mrs. B, you wore that last year (and the year before and the year before)". So I ended up buying 3 shirts, a dress, a pair of jeans, a pair of slacks, and some cute silver flats. I got them at my three favorite clothing stores--American Eagle, Buckle, and Old Navy. Yay!

But why is it when I go to shop and have lots of money to spend, I can't find anything, but then when I go shopping on a budget, I find everything that I think I need? Does that happen to anyone else?

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first time Jer and I are getting to go out of town WITHOUT A DOG all summer! Last summer every Friday we went to Fort Smith to eat and see a movie. Well, we just can't bear to leave little Oliver at home so we've taken him everytime we've gone out of town this summer. That means no movie and no nice restaurant--just ChickFila. So tomorrow is our day, dogless!

Here is tomorrow's itinerary for hubby and I:

1. Oliver to the vet to be boarded for the day.
2. Drive to Fort Smith--go immediately to Starbuck's for a peppermint mocha for me and a caramel frap for Jer.
3. Mall: American Eagle, The Buckle, Bath & Body Works, Trade Secret, GameStop (for hubby)
4. Lunch at Cheddar's
5. Old Navy & Target (if hubby is still in a good mood after already shopping for a while!)
6. Petco--new toy for Oliver since he had to be boarded all day!
6. Sam's Club (for work)
7. Malco Theater to see a movie if we can find one. The only thing that looks remotely good to me right now is Ice Age 3. I like action, drama, and mystery movies--NO chick flicks!

I hope hope hope we get to do all this--we'll see. I would cut out the movie if I could shop a little more! Probably not gonna happen though! My husband took a group of teenagers to the mall today (he is a children's case worker) and he can only take so much shopping!

Here's to my last Friday of freedom!

oh my

SCHOOL STARTS 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY! Holy crap!

I have not got to do anything with my elementary classroom yet--I'm waiting on a call back from my principal to see if the building is ready yet. They added a new addition and I get one of the new rooms! I'm so excited and have been planning everything in my head! I am NOT a procrastinator, so it is driving me crazy not being able to set up!

So this morning I sneezed a couple times and then blew my nose. I walked out to the living room and sniffed and OUCH!!!! I pulled something in my back---just from sniffing! No joke. I can't turn my head to the left and am in pain. I feel pretty stupid though. My hubby tried to massage it out, but that didn't work. I can't take a deep breath and couldn't even cry although I wanted to and tried to. Jer said I should go to the chiropractor, but one of my friend's saw me this morning, felt sorry for me and just bought me a massage. I hope that does the trick--I go in 30 minutes.

More coffee and band pics

Here is the picture my super-sweet father-in-law picked out for me at Kirkland's yesterday.

So I love love love my kitchen now! One more question though--what do I put on my table as a centerpiece? That's the only thing that isn't complete, but I have no idea what to put there.

Here are pics from the band I am in, Muzzleloader, playing last week. Not the greatest pics, but pics none the less.

This first one is while we were waiting to do a sound check. (The guy in shorts is not in the band--he was the road manager for Seventh Day Slumber.)

This is the only one that has my husband in it--he's on the right--he plays lead guitar. I felt bad for him because it was so hot up there.

This is one of me at the keys (sorry for the side view)

Coffee time!

As I said before, I LOVE me some good coffee! I'm drinking my Starbuck's now as I type this. I've been really excited about redecorating my kitchen with coffee stuff.

Last week I went to choir teacher's convention and visited my favorite home store--Kirkland's! I hit the jackpot on coffee decor! Whoo hoo! I got 6 pictures for less than $80! I was so excited! Of course, my choir teacher buddy kept finding more stuff and bringing it to me and saying, "Come on, it's only $15!"

I took pictures of the pictures. So here we go. I (obviously) didn't take a picture of everything in my kitchen that is coffee decorated....don't want to overload you. Here are the new things I got:

This is my favorite and my 'splurge':

Sorry for the lighting--I can't take pictures worth a darn:

This one says: Perfect coffee every time

The bottom picture was the one I got at Hobby Lobby, and then my B/F Mika got me the top picture--perfect!

One more pic to come--my father-in-law bought me another picture at Hobby Lobby last night. Sweet!

Wake-up call

Our wake-up call this morning was our 3 1/2 yr old niece, Sophie. She loves to come play at our house and hasn't been over in a while. She decided last night when we saw her at a friend's pool party that she needed to come play with Oliver. Here she is doing her favorite Cars puzzle (I love her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth in determination):



At one point Sophie looked at me today and out of the blue just said, "Suzy, I'm so glad you're my aunt!" I, of course, teared up, and replied back, "Sophie, I'm so happy you're our niece!" I love that little munchkin so much! She's the apple of my eye!

We watched Napoleon Dynamite after doing the puzzle. It's amazing how much a 3 1/2 yr old can like that movie! Her other favorite at our house is Nacho Libre--she sat on my husband's lap when she was 2 and watched that entire movie!

Here is one more pic of Soph posing on our coach! Such a cutie patootie!




When Sophie got the toy box out today, Oliver found the stuffed football, which is his new favorite toy! Guess he's ready for some Arkansas Razorback football!



We just got back from Little Italy restaurant with our B/F's Jeremy & Mika. It was so yummy! I had low-fat fettucine pasta with grilled chicken and then tiramisu for dessert! Had to balance out that low-fat with something!

Pics to come of my new coffee decorated kitchen! Stay tuned!

rockstar??

So last night our band opened for the popular Christian rock band "Seventh Day Slumber". It was a great evening. I was exhausted though--I got up at 5:30 a.m. to drive to the state choir teacher's convention and then had to rush home to get to the concert and soundcheck/set-up. We had between 300-400 in attendance though and it was a lot of fun. If you want to hear our music, go to http://www.muzzleloadermusic.com/

While we were setting up right before we played, a lot of the kids/teenagers were standing around the stage and some of my students were there. They were all waving at me and then one of my 6th graders screamed up at me, "Hey Mrs. B--You're a ROCKSTAR!!!" I looked down at him, laughed, and said, "No, I'm a teacher and I'm YOUR teacher!" I so do not consider myself a rockstar! Oh, out of the mouths of babes........

Pictures to come!

Redecorating time!

My day begins with a cup of coffee---every day of my life! I hated coffee growing up and now absolutely love it. Not just any coffee---GOOD coffee. That means NO McDonald's or gas stations or teacher's lounge coffee. Nasty!!! As my mom-in-law would say, "I am a coffee snob!" I will drink 2 kinds--Starbucks and the best in the world--Gloria Jean's. My sis-in-law Jennifer got me hooked on Gloria Jeans. I order it online or have someone pick it up for me if they are near a GJ store. My fav is Caramel Nut. If you're a coffee fan and you've never tried GJ, you need to! It is scrumptious and that is precisely why I can't drink anything else (except SB).

So since I am such a coffee freak, I decided it's time to decorate my kitchen after my love for the drink. I have had sunflower decor in my kitchen for the 10.5 years we've been married. I love it, but it is time for a change--it's so hard though because I have a lot of it now and I started removing the sunflower stuff today and my kitchen looked bare. So I decided to leave it up until I get more coffee stuff. I got 2 little pictures the other day at Hobby Lobby, but it seems like coffee isn't that popular anymore. WHAT IN THE WORLD? How can coffee not be in style? I just kept finding rooster decor. Any suggestions where I can buy coffee stuff? I am gonna try Kirkland's and TJ Maxx next week when I go to state choir teacher's convention. Here are the 2 pictures I bought:

It's a start! My super creative friend Kristy said she would paint me a sign that says, "Life is too short for cheap coffee". That is my favorite saying when it comes to this addiction I have. I have looked for signs that say this, but all I can find are pillows. ??? Sorry, no sleeping in my kitchen...no need for a pillow!?!

I'm having trouble parting with my favorite sunflower picture. What do you think? Would it go with coffee? (I do not have a decorating bone in my body BTW--I can clean though!!!)

Here it is!

Here's my new hairdo--thanks for your suggestions--I went bold (well, bold for me). I love red--it's my fav color. My hair wasn't supposed to be that short, but it'll work--as long as I can put it in a ponytail! I may not look younger, but I feel it! ha!

Chef Susan

I cooked dinner tonight...can somebody say "Amen"!?! Yes, friends that know me know my husband and I NEVER eat at home...but tonight I cooked......MEATLOAF! I thought my husband was gonna die when I told him what I was making. I am a meatloaf fan and he is definitely not. (I did not post a picture because all meatloaf looks disgusting.) My mom made it a lot for Sunday lunch growing up and for some reason, that's what I wanted for dinner tonight. I've never made it in 10 1/2 years of marriage. I called my mom in a panic needing to know exactly how to do it. For some reason, she spent the first 3 minutes of our phone conversation laughing. Thanks Mom!

Here is how it went when I set it down in front of Jeremiah:

Bubby: Ok. Here goes......uh.....think I'll eat my mashed potatoes first.

Me: Come on, just taste it.

Bubby: (takes bite) Wow, it's not too bad.

Me: Really???!!!

Bubby: But...it's not too good!

Me: (sad, pouty face)

Bubby: Just kidding! It's actually not as bad as I thought!


Well, thank you very much! It's not near as good as my mama's! Maybe I should just stick to chocolate chip cookies! I've mastered those!

Curriculum mapping workshop tomorrow and Wednesday--fun.

Getting hair done on Wednesday. Our band opens up for Seventh Day Slumber (christian rock band for those of you who are wondering) next week in concert and I'm thinking I might need to go a little bolder with my hair. I love to get highlights and while I am 30 and want to act it, in some ways I want to LOOK younger so the youth at the concert don't call me grandma. Any suggestions? :)

Got it all together?????

So today at church one of my friends turned to me and said, "Wow, you just always have it all together". ummmm....what???????????? I've been turning this over in my head all day wondering, "What in the world is she talking about?" That is the last thing I think about myself. I am a woman that struggles with so many fears/insecurities on a daily basis. Part of me thinks I have grown so much in my honesty with people and life in general because of having a chemical pregnancy with our IVF cycle last year. It was so painful/hurtful and I still struggle with it so much even 14 months later and admit that and don't try to hide it. But I've never thought about my new attitude as being a positive one, although my husband thinks it is (he's more blunt and honest than me). I have gone through feelings of "I just don't care what anyone thinks of me anymore" to crying after church today because someone didn't speak to me. What is wrong with me? Let me back up.....

I am a preacher's kid, raised in church, speaks to and loves everyone, always the center of attention pk. I moved a lot growing up and went to 3 high schools my junior year. I had to learn how to make friends and do it quickly. That has always been easy for me. My heart goes out to all the new kids at the school where I teach and I go out of my way to make them feel comfortable in my choir and to make sure they get adjusted/hooked up with the right kids.

Today after church I was standing outside talking to a friend and a family walked by who I know somewhat. I turned my body towards them and said, "Hi, how are ya'll today?" The husband responded "fine" and the wife completely ignored me like I was invisible. I don't know why but it tore me up. I went home and cried. Why? What does it matter? On another day I might have just said, "Who cares." But not today. It really hurt me. I feel like I go out of my way to be kind and friendly and sometimes it just bites me in the face and I end up feeling stupid and insecure. Today was obviously not the first time I've struggled with something like this.

The point for me in this post is not "why did that woman snub me", but why did it bother me and how do I change that? Does it have to do with how I grew up? How do I get past the point of letting something this small make me cry and feel shunned? And since I'm being honest, let me just be even more so....my first thought is when women snub me, maybe it is because I'm not a mommy and they are, so we obviously don't have anything in common. I know I shouldn't think that---all but one of my close friends/family members have 1-4 children, but that is where my mind goes since I've struggled with infertility so long.

Tomorrow is a new day. I pray God would show me how to be more kind and to love like He does.

Cleaning day

I love to clean.
I love to organize.
I love to get rid of stuff.
I appreciate my things more when they are clean.

I spent the day cleaning my house and my car. Lately I've really been wanting a bigger house and a new car. Sometimes when I get depressed, I think about spending money to buy something that would make me happy, although I know I can't buy happiness. And goodness knows I won't be happy when I'm making a car payment (haven't had one in 3 years) or a larger house payment. So I just go through and de-clutter some more, scrub everything down with Windex with vinegar and run my 'ol Honda through the fancy car wash, and I feel better. sorta. :) Why is it we always dream about the things we don't have? My sis-in-law Jennifer has a sign in her house that says, "Want what you have". So true, but I don't think I've learned it yet!

Sonic time with my hubby! Enjoy your weekend!

New blog friend!

So today I got to meet another blogger! Jennifer and her beautiful baby, Caroline, from meetthemcfamily! She came down to hang out with Kristy, one of my teacher buds and Kristy invited me over. It is so neat to meet people whose blogs you read....it's such a small world!

Here is a picture with me and Kinley, Kristy's 2 year old. She is oh so cute and says the funniest things. Today she looked at her mommy and said, "Mommy, Keira said stupid". Keira is her 4 year old sister-I always crack up when siblings tell on each other and repeat the word they are telling on the other one for.

When I left today, Kinley waved at me and said, "Bye Aunt Susan". Keira started calling me that out of the blue and OF COURSE I don't mind! I have 10 nieces and nephews (and one on the way) and lots of friends kids that are just like my nieces/nephews. What a blessing they all are in my life! Hopefully someday soon I can give them a cousin/niece/nephew. My patience is sure not increasing. Waiting to be a parent is so difficult and tiring. I pray God will fill the desire of my heart and show us the path we need to go to become parents, whether it be IVF again or adoption.

Answered prayer

About a year or so ago I met Krysta through blogging and her and I quickly became good friends. We have a whole lot in common and she has been such an encouragment to me! We have both dealt greatly with infertility and I have cried on her shoulder many times. Having someone who knows what it feels like and can understand my feelings/emotions has been so needed in my life. So many times I don't even know how to explain how I feel, but she understands. I know Krysta and I will be forever friends. We did get to meet back in March and it was as if we had known each other for a long time. Here is us:

Krysta's dream came true this week--her and her husband got their new baby on Tuesday night. It took less than 2 months total with this adoption agency and less than 2 weeks from completion of their lifebook. That is a MIRACLE FROM GOD! I was in such shock and awe when I talked to her Wednesday morning. I am so thankful for this baby and for his new life with Krysta and Mitch. His name is Kaden and he is a month old and absolutely gorgeous! What an answered prayer and a dream come true! Congratulations Krysta! I can't wait to meet Kaden and watch him grow up!

I'll end this post with my new dog prodigy, Oliver. We've been working on him playing piano, and last night he did! It is so cute! We just say, "Oliver, go play the piano." He goes over to the piano, puts his paws up there and starts hitting keys!