I ♥ Pretty Things

Have I Ever Told You. . .

2011-12-05T21:51:00.001-06:00

How much I want just one more little miracle.

That's my Christmas wish.

I have a million. . . . .

2011-11-26T12:05:00.005-06:00

Pictures to post from our trip to the beach

Papers to grade before Monday

Ornaments to hang on my tree

Boxes to pack before my hubby heads back to Houston.

Here's to a Jolly Holiday Season.

It's here!!!

Let the countdown begin!

2011-11-10T21:57:00.003-06:00

Nothing Better Than. . .

2011-11-01T11:32:00.001-05:00

A Sunday Nap

Halloween {2011}

2011-10-31T23:19:00.001-05:00

Week In Review {10/24}

2011-10-30T09:22:00.003-05:00

Doesn't he just melt your heart.

I can't say enough how much I ♥ this little guy.

This week was full of fun and a few tears.

1. Dylan leaving Sunday afternoon to start his new job in Houston. Surprisingly the week ran rather smoothly and we loved our evening updates and scripture study with him on the phone. I have a feeling the next 7 months are going to fly by. He loves his new job and is enjoying learning the ropes and taking on new responsibilities. He is so grateful for this opportunity.

2. Claire and her kitty, kickin' it Hollywood style.

3. Claire "pretending" to be a diva (doesn't take much there) for Hollywood day at school. I love how its Red Ribbon week the week before Halloween. All the dressing up each day really gets me in the Halloween Spirit.

4. Scout was stripped of his manhood this week. We all hate seeing him with his cone and we spent the better part of Saturday trying to keep it on him. No matter how we put it on, he would find a way to get it off. This is the part of being a pet owner that I have always dreaded. :(

Dylan did get to come home this weekend. We spent Saturday taking care of business around the house. Cleaning, moving furniture, re-caulking the shower, changing filters, finishing up projects that he had to get done for other people. We won't see him until the weekend before Thanksgiving, when we meet up in Corpus to spend the weekend. It will be a long three weeks, but hopefully the time will fly.

Back to Blogging. . . and some {NEWS}

2011-10-15T12:25:00.006-05:00

My favorite picture right now.

It is officially time for me to get back in the saddle with blogging. Big changes are and will be happening around here and I'm going to need an outlet during the whirlwind.

It has been just a little over 5 years since we arrived in Dallas. From the moment we arrived we knew this is where we belonged. It just felt right. During that 5 years that feeling has been confirmed over and over again. We knew we were supposed to be here, despite the weekly phone calls from family pleading for our return to Idaho. Texas is the place for us right now.

Last February we got the moving itch and started looking at houses. We found a few in our area that we loved and we got a little excited. After talking to our realtor and discussing our future plans we decided to put things on hold. Selling a house in a saturated market is no fun and not really worth it, unless you absolutely have to do it. That was our mutual consensus.

BUT, the moving itch didn't go away. It kept nagging.

Then, Dylan got bit by the "I don't LOVE my job" bug. Bless his heart, he has been doing some nasty stuff for the last year and a half, and he felt like it was worth it because he could move up and make a name for himself. But the moving up opportunities just weren't appearing. So, he casually started looking elsewhere.

All the while, these feelings of needing to move just keep pestering us.

A week and a half ago Claire and I were on our way to support my 8th Grade boys playing football and I got a life changing phone call from Dylan.

He said, "well are you ready for our lives to get even more complicated?" My remark was, "what now? do I need to come bail you out of jail cause you've gotten one speeding ticket too many?" --- If you only knew ---

"No, I just got off the phone with Steve (his boss' boss) and they are offering me a regional manager position over all of the East coast and they want us to relocate immediately."

I immediately thought, "oh, heck yes I have always wanted to live on the East coast."

"It is a mandatory move to HOUSTON." :( EXTRA LARGE frowny face for me.

The LAST place on Earth I have EVER wanted to live.

A week and a half later, and lots of fasting, praying, temple attending, phone calls, flights to Houston, and more fasting and praying-- it just feels right.

There was no resounding YES or NO but {CALM}

Surprisingly calm, which is amazing because I am the queen of freak out. I've even been blessed with glimpses of why things have happened in the past to prepare us for this. Even more I have been blessed with {PEACE}.

I'm still figuring out how Claire and I will attempt to face the remainder of the school year here, seeing Dylan only a few times a month, and packing up all of our {CRAP}.

Or, how we will sell our house, when there are 3 houses for sale on our street already, and our house is a total mess that has been neglected while I have worked full time for the last 2 1/2 years.

Or, how will we ever find a place as great as our little slice of heaven here in Dallas.

Despite these fears, I continue to know that it will all work out and this is what is in store for us.

Our adventure continues and I am totally excited to see where it takes us.

Psssst! Anyone still out there???

2011-08-21T21:44:00.001-05:00

I'm still alive. Hope to get back into a routine and start blogging again. We shall see.

{1st} Grade Rumble In The Jungle

2011-04-25T06:07:00.001-05:00

Last Thursday, we enjoyed a sweet little program put on by the first graders at Claire's school. Claire had a small speaking part and she did a great job!!

The program was short and sweet--- it was cute and fun and we enjoyed it.

So sad Claire is growing up so quick :(

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T20:00:00.004-05:00

April {12 of 12}

2011-04-13T22:01:00.005-05:00

On my way to work. Running behind. . .AGAIN!

Waiting at the light. Oh, how I ♥ rush hour.

The field that makes me smile on my way to work every morning.

Finishing up the Civil War and Reconstruction this week.

Where I spend most of my day.

My pen cup. I like to keep it FULL!!! I'm kinda OCD about it.

To do list for the day.

Sunset at Claire's school.

Claire, exhausted on the way home.

We came home to find our Iris had bloomed

While taking the pic of the Iris (with my work clothes still on) I managed to step in an invisible mud hole. :(

The Dahlia's I planted last week. Spring flowers make me happy.

I ♥ Spring in TEXAS!!!!

My Little Cheerleader!!!

2011-03-27T14:37:00.000-05:00

{12of12} MARCH

2011-03-13T19:14:00.003-05:00

I was so happy that my {12of12} landed on a Saturday again, SPRING BREAK SATURDAY!!!!

I kicked off the beginning of my spring break SLEEPING IN :0)
Claire and I cuddled and played in my bed for almost an hour-- DIVINE!!!!!
BREAKFAST
Playing with squinkies
My crazy girl getting ready to head out for our Saturday errands
The lucky leprechaun that danced out the back window during our errands-- made me smile all day
Coming home from errands and my amazing hubby had got home before me and cleaned up. . . love that guy!!!
Dylan's MONSTER BURRITO via FREEBIRDS
Claire playing dead while we finished eating
MMMMMM! If you haven't had a burrito dipped in BBQ sauce, you are missing bliss.
Cute sweet shop
Sweetly ending the PERFECT day.

Enjoy your spring break!!!!! We will be here :0)

{Birthday Cake}

2011-02-14T21:54:00.003-06:00

Found this

{CAKE}

idea a few months back

and this

{CAKESTAND}

a few weeks ago.

So glad I got to try it out

on a friend from work.

Happy Birthday Tamara!

Feb {12 of 12}

2011-02-12T20:43:00.005-06:00

{click to enlarge}

1. I love waking up to that happy face.
2. Finishing up my valentines
3. Claire singing in the back seat with her shoes off and feet on top of the passengers seat.
4. More singing. The only way I can get her to happily run errands with me is to give her control of my ipod.
5. Big chested dragon/lion Claire thought was funny.
6. My Saturday chore that takes up sooooooo much time. Planning meals, making a list, shopping, cleaning out the old and putting away the new. Ugh!
7. Claire riding to the neighbor's house with just enough daylight to play for an hour.
8. Sun setting on my porch. So glad to have weather in the 60's today!!!
9. My dad (the devil) texted me for the 1st time EVER today!!!!
10. Self Portrait
11. Amazing sunset on the way to get Claire from the neighbors
12. Muddy shoes, every mother's perfect ending to a day :0)

{F.H.E.} Moment

2011-02-08T20:30:00.004-06:00

Family Home Evening

last night was on the

Plan of Salvation

This picture was part of the lesson

The man at the front of the picture is supposed to be Satan

Claire seemed to think that it looks just like

her Papa Dale

(Sorry Dad)

Dylan and I were struggling to stifle the laughter.

So, if you ever wondered what Satan looks like

well, he looks like my dad. :0)

{4 Days & 4 Crafts}

2011-02-05T09:15:00.005-06:00

Never in a million years

did I think I would have

four days off of school

due to weather

When I finally came to the realization

that I wouldn't be leaving the house

I decided to get my craft on.

Day One: {Valentine's} For Claire

Day Two: {Happy Birthday Garland}

Day Three: {Red Envelopes}

for Chinese New Year

I ♥ this tradtion.

Day Four: {Valentine Garland}

{Chinese New Year}

2011-02-04T09:26:00.003-06:00

My brother was back from Taiwan

just in time for

{CHINESE NEW YEAR}

It was great to spend time

with his family.

Too bad he has to go back.

Dylan is having major Nate withdrawals.

Ooooooooh poor baby,

he has no one to go to R rated movies with

or spend hours glued to the XBOX.

Like I said we were all happy

to spend time with my brother and his family.

YUMMY FOOD AND FUN WITH FAMILY!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

What I Did. . .

2011-02-02T11:19:00.007-06:00

My two, no make that THREE days off of school.
Sunday night I got a sub for a Mental Health Day on Wednesday.
Monday night we were preparing and hoping for just a delayed start Tuesday.
Tuesday school was cancelled due to the ICE STORM.
I cancelled my sub for Wednesday, because I got to have Tuesday off.
Tuesday night, we find out there is no school on Wednesday. :(
Most people are happy for the time off.
Yesterday I was happy, today I was bummed, tomorrow makes me worry these days might cut into my trip to Idaho for my little sisters wedding in June.
All of our bad weather days are all used up-- days that teachers long for during the crazy days of spring. When twitterpated hormonal teenagers are driving you bonkers. :0)
I know you know what I am talking about.
We have made the most of our time off.

Since the whole family was home Tuesday we had a whole family cleaning party :D
A closet clean out and bags filled for GOODWILL
Claire and I made her Valentines, I packaged them all up without a pic, but here is the picture from the website and a link just in case you want to make your own.

Photo from Shabby Blogs

I graded papers, and more papers

I made homemade chicken and noodle soup-- with homemade noodles. Thanks for the suggestion Becca.

I had some {ALONE} time at home with my hubby while Claire was at a friends house. I can't remember the last time we were home {ALONE} together.

Claire and I played with my new camera
I made a Birthday Banner for a friend at work.

10. We played lots of games

11. Made homemade Chili

12. A couple sessions of Yoga

I am sure that there will be much more to add-- I am hoping this does not extend into Friday. Say your prayers and cross your fingers everyone.

fUnKy FrUiT {F.H.E.}

2011-02-02T10:47:00.004-06:00

At work I am participating in a {A.M.P.} it up challenge.

Teams have been formed, money pooled and LBS have been lost :D

Each week we participate in little challenges to earn more points.

This week for our challenge we were to try

4 {NEW} fruits or vegetables.

I told Dylan and Claire about

this weeks challenge

Monday evening during dinner

and we decided for our

FAMILY HOME EVENING

activity we would venture to KROGER

and each pick a fruit or vegetable

that we had not eaten before.

You can see what we came up with. Claire kept an account of what she found with each fruit.

Notice {KUMQUAT} is not on her paper.

A few of them we had to GOOGLE the proper way to eat.

When she watched the video on how to eat a {KUMQUAT}

she literally ran from the room screaming,

"I AM NOT GOING TO TRY THAT"

She did try everything else

pretty good for a picky six year old.

My take on the FuNkY FrUiTs:

Asian Pear/Apple- crunchy like a crisp apple and very grainy like a pear.

Sweet and bitter at the same time.

Papaya- Sweet with a hint of a piney taste.

Guava- A little bitter and a little sweet, very different from Guava sno cone flavoring :D

Kumquat- you pop the whole thing in your mouth and no swallowing until you have chewed the whole thing up completely. It tastes like eating an orange rind. I don't know why people rave about these. Not my thing.

I ♥ Warm Sunny Days In January

2011-01-28T17:48:00.002-06:00

71 degrees and its

{FRIDAY}

HAPPY WEEKEND

History Teacher Rant. . .

2011-01-27T21:33:00.006-06:00

This week I taught

George Washington's Presidency.

The precedents he set and the challenges he faced as

the FIRST PRESIDENT.

When it came time to teach his

{Farewell Address}

I was struck by how far we have strayed by his advice.

Take a look,

click to enlarge

Is it just me,

or would we be better off

if we had followed his advice?

I'm just sayin'

Wow!

2011-01-22T21:41:00.001-06:00

Thanks to my inspiring cousin for the award.

I totally do not deserve it.

She definitely does, check her out here

January {12 of 12}

2011-01-13T22:42:00.003-06:00

1. The amazing Texas sunset on my drive home

2. It was a cold night and so nice to have a fire.

3. Dylan was having scouts at our house and I was banished to my bedroom with laundry to fold.

4. Claire practicing for her spelling test. (I try everything possible to keep it fun.)

5. My favorite piece of furniture right now. I have the most amazing husband.

6. My artwork in the pantry.

7. Fruit #3 for the day.

8. Claire and I finishing her book before bed.

9. Fruit #4 for the day

10. Claire playing with our white elephant handcuffs

11. I ♥ my ipod. I know its old-- I had a student remind me of this today :D

12. The reading that I am now subjected to. Whatever it takes to get this kid to want to read on her own. She loves being read to but lies about reading by herself. AHHHHH!

I completed my first 12 of 12. See you February 12th!!!!

For more info on 12 of 12 see here

I'm A Winner!!!!

2011-01-11T17:23:00.005-06:00

If you hang around my blog much

You know that I ♥

{SHABBY BLOGS}

I love to change my blog background

almost as much as I like to change my underwear.

Seriously People!!!

When I heard that Megan from

{SHABBY BLOGS}

Designed the Nie Nie calendar

it was like hearing my best friend

baked me a

chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

Are you following me?

Anyhoo, I ordered one up as a Christmas gift

and had a really hard time giving it.

So glad I did,

because I found out I won one of my very own today.

Wooo Hooo!!!!!!!

If you haven't checked out

{SHABBY BLOGS}

Do it!!!

They are awesome

and

she is always giving away freebies

and

nothings better than free

am I right or am I right?

:D Happy Day, Happy Day