And I Say To Myself... What a Wonderful Week!!

So, Nate's sister came home for a week with her family and we spent a lot of time playing and snuggling and laughing and cooing and I took a lot, a lot of pictures! We ate lots of yummy food, played at the park, and stayed up a little too late, but it was a great time! If you want to see more pics I posted some on my photo blog!

Southern Style Brinner

Yumm, Yumm, Yumm! My sister-in-law, Ollie, is from Arkansas. That's in the South. You know, in the South, where they cook like they were put here on the earth to fill our bellies with tasty goodness. In 2005, we took a family trip to Oregon where we stayed at a Beach House for a week - but that is not the point of my post. It was in August of 2005 that I first tasted Ollie's homemade biscuits and chocolate gravy? Yes, you heard me right, CHOCOLATE GRAVY. It tastes like a little piece of chocolate heaven. Well, last Wednesday, I was reminded of the goodness that is chocolate gravy when we decided to make some impromptu brinner (Scrubs lingo for eating breakfast for dinner). Ollie was willing, and, I dare say, excited to do some cooking (I'll never meet anyone who loves to cook as much as she does, or who is as good at it). We corralled the babies, pulled out the pans, and had a proper brinner complete with homemade biscuits and chocolate gravy, bacon (not cooked by myself, I've already learned my lesson with bacon), my hash brown & egg specialty, and Ollie's chocolate banana shakes! It was, I daresay, the best brinner that I have ever had! Good food, lots of laughing, full bellies and leftovers!! And, oh, that chocolate gravy! If you ever get a chanced to taste chocolate gravy made by someone in the South, TAKE IT, I beg of you. You will never look at biscuits and gravy the same again! (But stay away from Ollie, she's my personal chef! You must look for your own!)

Happy Mother's Day!

I have been blessed to know so many wonderful mothers in my life, and for those of you that I am still in contact with, I want to wish you a Happy Happy Mother's Day!! I have learned so much from each of you about the joys of having children and I have received so much support from you as well. To name a few: My mom - she raised 5 kids in a small home and ran a daycare as well, although there were times when I got frustrated in my growing up years, I never doubted that my mom loved me and that she only wanted what was best for me. I'm so grateful for her sacrifice and support and for all that she does and continues to do for her children. My sisters - it has been so interesting for me to watch my three older sisters raise their children and to see their similarities and their differences in motherhood. I have learned so much from them by simply observing over the last 10 years and they are wonderful mothers with beautiful children. My mother-in-law - from the moment I started dating Nate I have received nothing but love and friendship from Lynnette and I am so grateful for the relationship that we have formed throughout the last 12 years. My sisters-in-law - what wonderful mothers these two women have turned out to be. They were raised in completely different circumstances but the love that they have for their children is so evident, and I have learned so much from them as well! My friends - it has been so fun, and a little weird (to realize how old I really am) watching my friends have and raise children. Some live close, some live far away, but I know that they are all adorable and wonderful mothers and I am so blessed to be influenced by them. I also have many friends who are mothers without children, for many different reasons, who I have learned so much from and have grown close with over the years. Thank you all for the influence that you have made in my life. Happy Mother's Day!

Bargain Shopper or Ghetto Moment?

So, I was sitting at work on Friday and my friend told me about this awesome deal that was going on at the Down East Outfitters Outlet Store (which has recently become my favorite store), so I called Ollie (my sister in law) up and talked her into coming with me. The "deal" at the store was that when you walk in, they give you a bag, and you can fill it up for $15.00! Easy as pie? Not really! The Down East Outlet Store is the "reject" store, so you have to try really hard to find clothes that aren't defective in some type of way... we spent two hours looking hard to find clothes that we could wear, and at the end of our two hours, we were somewhat successful. I am proud and somewhat embarrassed to say that we filled a bag with clothes that we can wear out and clothes that we can exercise in! The highlight of the trip, however, was when they told me that I had to put my new pair of jeans in the freezer and remove the tag myself because they didn't have the tool at the store! We're still waiting to try it out, but I'll be sure to tell you if it's disastrous!!

And I'm Done!

It is 1:44 on Friday, May 2nd, (and I just realized that I forgot to wish my brother in law Happy Birthday yesterday - oops), and I am done with finals! Yay! I am hangin' out in the COM D building because I'm headed over to Edith Bowen to sign a little more with some 1st graders, but that's not really school related, so I can officially say, I'm done! I made it through a tough semester & I feel good about it! Thanks everyone for your support and letting me take out my stress & frustrations through blogging!!

Sweet Summer of Freedom

Has it really been 9 days since I have posted? Wow! I am somewhat proud of myself because for a while there, I thought I was addicted to blogging! Well, I have to say that after my last post, someone granted my wish and I have been sleeping successfully through this FINALS week of school, so I am extremely grateful! I took one final this morning and have two to go (luckily I have through Friday to study so that I can spread things out a bit), and then after that, Hello Sweet Freedom from school for a few months! I have quite the to do list for this summer which includes Sisters Weekend in Colorado, taking advantage of the warm weather, an extensive Movie List (see my new "Movie or Two of the Week" section), getting organized (cleaning & dejunking) and catching up on my scrapbooking (without the mess, I'm digital now!)! I'm looking forward to reading books that have nothing to do with school and re-learning my camera because it has been ages since I have used it and I feel a little guilty that I have neglected it for so long, so if anyone is looking for family pics, just give me a jingle, I'm always in need of willing subjects! So, I've got a lot to look forward to and a lot of things that I want to do - and not for a grade!! Anyway, speaking of grades, got some studying to do and then off to work for the rest of the afternoon, so I'll see ya lata!

Sleep like a Cat?!?

Sometimes I wish that I were a cat. I am looking at our cat, Rascal, right now, and she has such an enviable ability to sleep any time of day and on any surface that she deems fit. How would it be? I have been having trouble sleeping lately, just because of all the school stress, and find myself to be exhausted at the end of the day, and it is so frustrating to lay there awake when you are on the brink of collapsing... so, if I could be anything for a day the day after finals, I would be a cat! (More specifically, I would be my cat! I would be loved and spoiled and get to sit in the windowsill and sleep in the sun all day long!) So, if any of you can grant that wish - it's just for one day - just enough so that I can catch up on what I haven't gotten over the last couple of weeks, I'd be grateful!

Reminder to Self

So, after spending a good ten hours between school and work today, I was walking to my car (at about 7:00 tonight) from a semi frustrating meeting for a final project, listing everything that is on my plate in my head, and all of the sudden I looked to my left and saw beautiful daffodils coming up out of the ground and all of my frustration and stress temporarily melted. I will never cease to be amazed at the small and simple things that are sent to us in our time of need from our loving Heavenly Father. The fact that it is Spring and that beautifully colored flowers are starting to bloom were a much needed reminder to me that I will never be given more than I can handle and that I can find joy in the stress that comes with life.

Thursday Nights are Back Baby!

I remember, once upon a time in a time long, long ago, having freedom on my Thursday evenings. Those were much simpler times, full of high school drama, bad hair and ugh... braces... but, that all changed for me when I found a group of twenty something friends who were living the high life in NYC! I soon found myself opening up my Thursday evenings for laughter and every Thursday since then (excluding the last four months) have been set aside for our favorite characters and witty comedy! How can you not help but giggle at Michael's bum foot - that's why you don't keep kitchen appliances in your bedroom, or JD's random thoughts!?!
We have missed the well written laughter, but tonight, in approximately 47 minutes, they're back! We are setting aside our to do lists (because I am obviously working so hard on mine right now), and will succumb to the silliness that is Thursday night TV on NBC!

 

A Look Inside...

Prepare for a random blog! 

My mind is reeling with so many pieces of information 

and a large to do list that I have "put it on paper" 

so that I can focus on the thing that is most important right now at this time of night ...

 Sleep! 

So, without further adieu, here is a look into my brain!! 

*Meet tomorrow at 7:30 to prepare Practicum teaching

*Prepare section for Sign Presentation - be ready for run through on Thursday

*Study for Energy Test TOMORROW 

*Figure out lesson plan for MUSC 3260 - Due Wednesday

*Call Brynn to find out when I can visit her class

*Get ticket for CO

*Clean bathroom

*SLEEP

*Finish MUSC 1010 Lessons

*Fold laundry

*Visiting Teaching

*Down East with Ollie

*DI

*Wash Car

*Write paper on Ecological Footprint - due Thursday

*Write Interaction Paper

*Prepare ASL Poem

*Did I mention sleep?

*Exercise

*Pay Bills

*Work out summer schedule

*Check out FCHD PIP Program

*Remind myself that I will never be given more than I can handle although at times (tonight) it may feel differently

*Remind Nate that I am his wife and I do love him even though these next few weeks will turn me, quite possibly, into a crazy woman

*Visit G&G

*Thank You Cards

*Buy more Dr. Pepper to get me through the next few weeks

*Go to Work

*Play? Please? Can I play for just a few minutes?

*Set alarm clock for 6:15 - way too early for me but starting to get used to it

And I'm getting depressed but my brain feels a little more clear, so I'm going to stop at this point and remind myself that I LOVE going to school and I am GRATEFUL to be able to go to school and that I WILL BE A BETTER PERSON for going to school and that I CAN DO THIS! The next three weeks are just that... three weeks that are like every other three weeks I have ever had - they just need a little more attention than normal weeks!

As one of my teachers used to tell us before every test

"I am calm. I am confident. I can do this." 

Good night!

Good Food, Good Feelings... Not Village Inn!!

 

What is better than a Saturday with no agenda? A Saturday agenda filled with friends! The VZ's came up, down, over???... to the valley... for the weekend and as always, we ate good, we laughed good, and we felt good! We are so blessed to have the bestest friends ever and that we have grown so close with them over the years! We have truly been through a lot together and and are grateful for all that we have shared and will continue to share!!

Multicultural Messiah

So, those of you who know me well know that as of late, I have been... 

addicted (for lack of better word)... to American Sign Language!

 I think in ASL, I have been dreaming in ASL, and at times I find myself talking to myself in ASL. 

Well, every year for the past 7 years USU, in addition to other sponsors and performers

 have put on the Multicultural Messiah. 

Being in the field of Deaf Education I was excited to attend because,

 hopefully next year, I will be performing as an interpreter in the Multicultural Messiah. 

We were both very moved by the complete performance 

but I have to admit that I couldn't take my eyes off of the interpreters. 

They did a wonderful job in depicting the life of Christ and although we were at a public place 

that had nothing to do with Church, I was able to feel of God's love for His children. 

We are grateful that we were able to attend and can't wait to be a part of this wonderful event!

 If you want to learn more about the Multicultural Messiah or to see some video clips from the production, 

visit this link: www.multiculturalmessiah.org

Happy Easter

 

We hope that you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday and that you were able to spend it with the ones you love! We were fortunate to get to hang out with our cute nephews (and their parents) and some of our cute nephews friends! Throughout the day we got our sugar fill from caramel popcorn, rice krispie treats, jell-o jigglers, and of course, Easter Candy! We had a wonderful Hawaiian Haystack filled dinner that filled our tummies and a great day that filled our hearts. We are grateful for this time of year and for the Spirit that it brings!

Havin' A Little Fun

Saturdays with no agenda are my favorite! So far today I have played a little computer, downloaded a bunch of CD's, did quite a bit of homework and now I am catching up on my Ellen! I never thought that I'd be a person who "has" a talk show - but once again this shows how well I know myself! The Ellen show never fails to crack me and make me smile! I think that Ellen is witty and is a great entertainer and I can't wait for the evenings or weekends so that I can catch up on my Ellen! (I also have to give a shout out to our Tivo as well - for which without I wouldn't be able to catch up on my Ellen!) Anyway, there is really no reason for this blog - just that I am having a wonderful Saturday and that I love to laugh along with Ellen! May you all have a Saturday with no agenda and a little happiness - wherever you may find it!!

Spring Break

Doesn't this picture just make your heart swell with joy and warmth and lack of snow! I would love to say that I took it somewhere completely exotic on a big trip during spring break - but it was actually found online thanks to the National Geographic website! Nevertheless, my spring break was perfect and exactly what I needed! Sunday - Tuesday Nate & I tucked ourselves away at a hotel to celebrate Anniversary # 8 and the fact that we could actually spend a couple of weekdays together with no school or work! On Wednesday I got ahead on a little homework and watched my adorable nephews S & J for a few hours! S enlightened me about our Rascal when he told me that she was cleaning her "leg pit." Thursday & Friday I worked all day long to make up for my hours and to give my co-worker a little break as well! It was extremely restful and exactly what I needed to get me through my last few weeks of school!!!