Wordless Wednesday

Epileptics Need Not Attend

First of all...I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas!! I know we did...even if the husband was at work and the kiddos were away...we made up for it the day before and the day after! I spent actual Christmas day at my sister's house with my mom, nephew, dad, stepmom, and brother in law. It was low key and delightful!

One of my presents from my husband was tickets to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra yesterday!! Wow, what an amazing show. I am completely blown away by the talent these musicians have. We had amazing floor seats...just wish I was about 2 inches taller so I could see over grandma's hair in front of me! TSO puts on the most brillant light show while they play...which is where my title of this post stems from. When it first started hubs and I both said..."I hope there arent any people with epilepsy here!" The lights are enough to send anyone into a nice seizure. =) But it was so much fun. They played for three hours straight. I look forward to seeing them again next year!! Enjoy the video below!

Prayers Please!

Hey guys...this will be short and sweet. One of my wonderful, helpful, loving, and oh so caring friends, Erin...is in need of some serious prayers! Her mom and dad are on vacation in Ohio right and her dad became really sick last night. They initially thought it was a stroke. He's currently in the hospital in Ohio and waiting on test results. Please please take a moment to say a prayer for this man...he's an awesome guy and works so very hard for his family. Erin is still in Texas so you can only imagine how she feels at this point...trust me..I've been in her exact shoes when my mom was so sick. It's very hard. Please pray for her strength as well!! Also her lovely Mom!!! I know she's tired...I called her at 7am today! Sorry Lynn!! Erin, I love your family and you and if there's ANYTHING you need just let me know!!

Milk, Juice, AND Water

I need to give you all a little history before I go on with my blog today...Our oldest daughter is a PICKY PICKY eater...like so picky the kid doesn't like ketchup! Our youngest will eat just about anything you put in front of her...including raw onions. Every morning our oldest looks at the lunch menu for school and decides if she wants her lunch packed or not...the school uses PayPAMS, if you aren't familiar with it...we put money into an account set up online and when the girls go through the lunch line they tell the cashier their number and the money is debited out of their lunch acct. Anyhow...We put $100 in their account not even a month ago...Monday our youngest comes home and says "The lunch lady said to tell you that I need money in my account." What?! We JUST put a $100 in there! So the hubs pulls up their account online and we view "purchases." Ok...SO they have been spending $4 a DAY. Hi, we have two kids...that equals $40 a WEEK. (see i can DO math) We see the kids are buying breakfast EVERY morning...problem is...they eat at home before school...and the other problem is...there is NO WAY ON THIS EARTH our oldest is eating anything they serve for breakfast!! We see they are buying lunch, bottle water, juice, snacks, and fruit cups...umm hello? When did schools start selling SNACKS? I thought they were all about providing children when a well balanced nutritional lunch? While we aren't mad they are buying food...we are upset that they are wasting food. We know darn well the oldest isn't eating anything on that breakfast tray...and we know darn well they don't have enough time to drink a milk, a bottle of water, and a juice..and the fact that we know our kids dont drink that much! My problem is the cafeteria allowing a 1st grader to purchase that many drinks! And come to find out...breakfast is just social time...their friends eat breakfast so the girls are going with them and the teacher's that have cafeteria duty are making anyone that goes in the cafeteria buy breakfast! Grrr!! So we sit the girls down and explain to them that IF they are still hungry after they eat the breakfast we serve them they need to tell us so we can give them more, explain that just because they aren't giving the cashier money that their lunch still cost money, that it's not OK to purchase 3 drinks...especially when you have a water bottle in your backpack. We tell them that they need to get whatever is on the lunch menu and that's it, no extras because they are being wasted. Ok...enough of my griping...the funny part is...yesterday our oldest goes to buy lunch and chooses enchiladas as her lunch choice and the lady tells her "ok, what sides do you want?" and our daughter procedes to tell her "my mom and dad said i can't get anything else." OMG! So she eats ONE enchilada and drinks milk for lunch *sigh* I can ONLY imagine what the lunch lady thinks of us now....

Snow...in TeXas!!

I can't believe it actually snowed in TEXAS!! The last time it snowed here was several years ago. These pictures were taken earlier in the night...it continued snowing for several hours afterwards. It was at least 3 inches in our backyard!



(Our backyard)

(Me in the snow)

Wordless Wednesday

(the two most important women in my life...my mom & sister)

Looking for a change?

Check THIS site out!

Oh Christmas Tree(s)

So these are by no means great...or even good...pictures of our christmas tree! These were taken with my cell phone...so ignore the bad quality and enjoy the pictures, okay? =)


This is my tree on my desk at work...since I spend the majority of my time here!


This is our tree at home...I'll post better pictures later!


Our tree at work! It has lights but we have to get an extension cord!



Is your tree up yet?!

Happy...

30th Birthday to the most wonderful person in my life...my husband!!

2 loads in 1?

Have you ever been so tired...yet had loads and loads of laundry staring you in the face? And children who NEED jeans for school tomorrow? A husband who NEEDS jeans tomorrow? And...you...the mom...could really care less if your jeans have been worn once before because you're just too tired to care (and too busy with finals week at school)...so you fill the washing machine to full capacity plus 2 more pairs of jeans just so you don't have to do two loads of laundry...and you stand there and make sure it doesn't make any funny noises or bounce around because it's too full before walking away thinking "i really hope that load doesn't break the washing machine"...i mean...do people REALLY do that? Hmm, just curious....because you know I'd NEVER do that. *grin*

Not Me! Monday

Wow, it's Monday...again! Go check MckMama's page and see what everyone else "didn't" do last week!

I most certainly did not vomit all over myself at the dentist this morning...while one nitrous oxide...and not a soul in sight...and begin gagging and choking because i was laying flat on my back. That would be super embarrassing...and gross!

I also did not have to make the 30 minute drive home just to shower before I could go on to work because I was covered in vomit...then drive the 30 minutes BACK to work.

I have not been having terrible headaches for the past few weeks.

I did not get off the hook from having to decorate the Christmas tree last night...because I mean after all...who doesn't want to decorate? We're saving it for daddy's birthday this week!

I do not despise writing lesson plans for school...and I would NEVER pay someone to write them for me. =)

That's it for this week guys...my head is pounding, my tooth is throbbing from where I got my crown...and I'm slammed at work. I'll be posting some pics from Thanksgiving soon...as I made ALL the food! =) Almost!

Wordless Wednesday (Kind of)

Not Me! Monday

Hop over to MckMama's page and see what she DIDN'T do this week!

Let's see what I haven't done this week...

I did NOT wake my children at 630am, feed them breakfast, and get them ready for school...just to find out that there is NO school this week when my honey walked in the door from work at 7am. I knew this...I just forgot!

I did NOT watch the entire AMA's last night...I'd never sit on the couch for three hours when I have a ton of homework.

I have NOT been completely frustrated with my current situation at work...I've been here almost 7 years...I should be used to this.

I was NOT totally disappointed when my hubby bought himself the exact same thing I was going to buy him for his birthday...there goes my grand idea!!

And last but certainly not least...I'm NOT totally bummed that I won't be with either of my parents for Thanksgiving this year.

So, tell me...what did you NOT do this week?

Before 8am...

All before 8am today I had....

Taken a shower
Dressed & put on make-up
Washed breakfast dishes
Vacuumed the dirt the cat kicked out of the flower pot
Fed the dog & cat
Made the bed
Took the dog to the vet and dropped her off for her comprehensive exam (fancy stuff huh?)

And this was ALL before 8am. I need a break.

Wordless Wednesday

Not Me! Monday

Yes darlings....you know what time it is....It's Not Me! Monday, again!

In the last week I did NOT eat like a maniac...because I never eat that way and wouldn't start doing so now! (And NO I'm NOT pregnant ERIN!)

I have NOT listened to my new P!NK cd on repeat since I got to work today...nope, that would be super annoying.

I was NOT slightly envious yesterday when my husband purchased himself a brand new Playstation 3...because he deserves it...he works really hard for our family...but I REAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLY want THIS Coach purse.

I did NOT freak out when the school nurse called last week to say our youngest daughter had a fever of 101 and needed to be picked up and I had to teach in a few hours and my husband was at work! Once again the wonderful husband came through and left work to get her so I could teach.

I also did NOT freak out when the above mentioned daughter went to the doctor and was told she had strep throat...which BTW did NOT (seriously) slow her down a bit!

That will only be $955

Ok...one of my many pet peeves is when you go to the dentist and they want to talk to you while they are working on your teeth?! Hello?! In case you didn't notice...my mouth is currently being pried open and there are instruments hanging out of it...I can't exactly respond to your question!! Ugh! I can't STAND going to the dentist. I go faithfully every 6 months because I've (my parents and husband too!) literally spent thousands and thousands of dollars on my teeth. I've had braces twice, root canal, emergency wisdom tooth removal while I was fully awake, severed nerve from remaining 3 wisdom teeth removal, few cavaties filled...so now I take my teeth serious! Since I have the above mentioned nerve injury on the lower right side of my mouth my teeth, gums, and right side of my tongue are extremely sensitive...so sensitive it hurts to brush that side...but I DO! So when I get my teeth cleaned I always remind them...please be careful...so today what's the first thing they do? POKE MY GUMS WITH A SHARP INSTRUMENT ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE! The best way I can describe the way it feels is...it's like I'm being shocked...with a very high voltage! Ugh so that set the mood for my routine teeth cleaning appt...and before I left I found out I need a crown...and it's "ONLY" $955!! There's goes my Coach purse that I so badly wanted for Christmas....stupid dentist.

Wordless Wednesday

Not Me!

Stellan's mama is playing again! Go check her out...and of course check out those adorable pics of Stellan.

Well I can start off with I am most certainly NOT doing HOMEwork at work today...nope, not me! I do HOMEwork at HOME.

I also was NOT excited to come to work today because we moved into a new building and I have my very own corner office...with a view of this very "lovely" trailer park...I would never be excited to come to work especially after how much I (don't) complain about it.

I'm totally NOT feeling crunch time as this semester is wrapping up...very quickly...because I'm always on top of my school work!


Oh and I most certainly did not smile really big when MckMama emailed me to tell me Stellan received his Someone In Texas Loves Stellan onesies I had shipped to him...because that would be just silly of me.

Letting Go

I'm going to let go of the things I cannot change...I have other things I need to give my time to...such as my family, my job, and my education.

"I may not have won your vote, but I hear your cries for help, and I am your president."

-Barack Obama

A sad day in history

(MY vote!)

All I can say is we definitely need to be praying for our country more than ever!! I feel as though a lot of uneducated voters cast their first vote ever yesterday...and by them doing so it has put our country at stake for some serious issues. I'm in tears as I type this because of the issues our country will now have to face. Just remember...when you want to complain about our new "president"...YOU voted for him.

Gasoline and Babies...

No...not together of course! Just wanted to take a second to brag...gas at the Wal-Mart by our house is $1.97!! Wow...now if ONLY it would stay this way!!

And...Baby Stellan was born...and as of right now the NICU team hasn't found one single thing wrong with him...God is SO amazing!!!

Also...yesterday went very well with my "little" 5th graders...even if they were almost all taller than me! hahaha

Ok that's all...just wanted to brag for a second about the gas and baby Stellan.

What's the gas prices in your neighborhood?

Stellan!

Hey guys!! MckMama is having baby Stellan AS I TYPE THIS!! This is a miracle in itself as she was told several months ago baby Stellan had an irreversible heart condition. Please join me in praying for this amazing family today!!

25 5th Graders

I'm teaching my very first lesson plan EVER today! It's a language arts lesson over comparing and contrasting Pilgrim children to present day children. Sounds exciting huh?! =) I know it isn't really a big deal...but it is kinda a big deal because I've NEVER taught a lesson to a class...muchless a classroom full of 25 5th graders! I'm nervous...which I think is normal...and I'm sure I'll make some mistakes but hopefully I teach a successful lesson. So wish me luck...and I'll let yall know if I make it out alive...

Nope, Not Me!

MckMama is having her baby WEDNESDAY!! So c'mon...play along!

I did NOT grumble the WHOLE way into the school this morning because it's COLD and WINDY out...because I grumble when it's hot and humid so I should be happy it's cold and windy.

I did NOT pay $3.25 for a cup of coffee this morning because I was desperate for caffeine...I'm way too money conscious for that.

I did NOT get sunburned Saturday at Fire Fest...because it's October and it's not supposed to be hot enough to get sunburned!

I did NOT witness a lady trying to steal shoes from Rack Room Shoes this weekend...luckily the sales clerk caught her!!!!

And last but not least...I am NOT totally terrified to teach my first lesson EVER to my 5th grade class...because I'm totally prepared...

Laundry & Children

So...I went from being single and doing laundry for one person to doing laundry for 4 people...2 of which are children and 1 who is my wonderful husband that wears no less than 2 outfits a day...so imagine the laundry I have. Ok, you imagined right?? My normal routine is I do ALL the laundry on Saturday...and then I do it again on Wednesday because by this time someone is bound to be running low on something or another...well a few weeks ago I just did not feel like doing laundry on Wednesday and I knew I would pay for it come the weekend because technically the Saturday before I hadn't quite done all the laundry but I was willing to take my chances...Thursday night rolls around and I hear our youngest daughter yelling "I only have ONE pair of panties left!" My wonderful husband looks at me like "How?!" and I just look back like "IDK!" because I don't think he had noticed I hadn't done laundry in awhile...UNTIL then...and all the while I'm thinking "WHY do kids always call you out?!" I love how kids do that...I mean of course when they do it to someone ELSE not me...but still...their innocence...they have no idea they are calling you out.

And on another note...I'm sure the pro mom's already know this...but I have recently learned that while I'm folding laundry if I place the articles of clothing that need to be hung up on hangers while I'm folding instead of just laying them flat on the bed and then when I'm finished with everything else going back hanging those items on hangers and then putting them away it saves me A LOT of time...who knew something so small could save me time?

P.S. I'm teaching my first lesson EVER to a 5th grade class on Tuesday the 28th sooo if you'd like...just send a little prayer up for me so my nerves will be calm and I can teach a smooth lesson!!

Just another Not Me Monday

MckMama is having a baby, SOON! So let's play with her before she's too busy!

I most certainly did NOT reason with myself this morning that there was no need to wash my hair for work since I washed it less than 24 hours ago...because that's gross, right?

I am NOT drinking a large Cherry Coke from Sonic for breakfast...that would just be so unhealthy.

I most certainly have NOT been texting my friend Tiffany every half hour saying "Only 1 hour left!" "Only 30 minutes left!" until she finds out what her baby's sex is...how annoying that would be.

I did NOT bribe my youngest daughter with a brownie if she ate a piece of bell pepper...parents don't bribe their children with food!

And once again...I most certainly did NOT act like I didn't hear the alarm clock this morning so my wonderful husband would get the kiddos up...how RUDE. ;)

I'm a Hip Hopper!

Well no, not me...but evidently our youngest daughter thinks she is! Let me rewind and tell you the story...

As the girls were getting ready for bed the other night I told them to brush their teeth good...30 seconds later they both ran out of the bathroom and I quickly stated that they simply did NOT spend enough time on their teeth...and like any other mother...i told them what would happen if they didn't brush right...it went something like this...

Me: "You will get cavaties...your teeth will rot and turn BLACK...it will ruin your beautiful smile...blah blah blah"

Youngest Daughter: "My teeth will be black?"

Me: "Yes...and you will have to get silver caps on your teeth!" (i was threatening, i wouldn't really let them have silver caps in the front!)

YD: "Really? Like the silver shiny ones hip hoppers have?"

Me: (holding in my laughter as much as possbile while Manny is around the corner laughing so hard) "Well, kind of."

YD: "Oh...well I am a hip hopper!!!"

Me & Manny in unison: "NO you're NOT!"

YD: "Uh huh, yes I am."

Manny: "Really?! Do you even know what a hip hopper is?"

YD: "YES! They dance on the floor on their heads and spin around and I know how to do it."

Manny: "Really?? Show me!"

Me: "No, don't show us...I don't want any broken necks in this house tonight."

So yeah...our youngest thinks she's a hip hopper...I have no idea where she even learned the phrase "hip hopper." I can only assume school because we don't talk about that stuff at home. Man, gotta love public schools...

Rockin the Hawk!

Just one of the MANY reasons I love my dad....



He fixed his hair in a mohawk because that's how my nephew loves to wear his hair!

Not Me...MONDAY!!

Once again...I will play along with MckMama!!

I did NOT act like I didn't hear the alarm this morning so my wonderful husband would wake up and get in the shower first....nope, that would be mean because he had to work on the ambulance today.

I was NOT irritated this morning when I got to work and our internet was down and I couldn't post my Not Me Monday blog!

I did NOT eat just Jalapeno Cheetos for lunch today...and last Friday and last Wednesday. That's disgusting and unhealthy.

I did NOT get the baby aches when we were at the store the other day...that's CRAZY because 2 kids are enough for us.

I was NOT extremely sad Sunday afternoon on our way home from our "honeymoon." It all flew by so fast.

And most importantly...I did NOT fail my first math test...because that would be really bad...and I'm a better student than that!! (just on my own behalf...the test was 2 days before our wedding!! I was busy!!)