Some Pictures from the holidays...

The holidays were really nice this year, a little different, but nice. Nick and I got stuck in the blizzard in Oklahoma on Christmas Eve. I haven't uploaded those pics to my computer yet. We finally made it home on Christmas day. Christmas with my family was great. My nieces and nephews are adorable, and they were all about Christmas this year. It was fun to watch them!!! Kylan loved her princess tiara...Kinzley loved her baby doll, and Shelton was excited about his rocking horse. He was trying to get the box opened with his teeth!!! I will try to post more pictures again soon. I am going to try to keep up with my blog!!! I have been terrible with it!!! Hope everyone had a nice holiday!!!

Summer...

is so very nice! My last day of school was on Thursday. I flew to Fort Worth on Friday morning and returned Monday night. So yesterday and today are the first couple of days I've actually had of my summer when I have been at home and just able to do as I please. I am posting a couple of pics from the weekend. It was a great time! We went to the Colonial Golf Tournament in Fort Worth. It was my first golf tournament experience, and it was really fun.

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone is having a good holiday weekend. We had a great day on Saturday. It's been rainy since then. But we have still managed to enjoy ourselves down here. I was home at the beginning of the month. These pictures are from that weekend. Kylan loves playing with Ellie...it's so cute. Kindra and I went out for yummy sushi in Norman. That is the middle pictures. The bottom one is Kylan and I hanging out. She loves to be in my room with me at my parent's house...Enjoy the rest of the holiday!!!

Hi...and yes, I'm alive...

and doing fantastic!!! I guess I should give an update. I am now divorced...finally, and that feels really good to me right now. But, as most of you know, I haven't been happy with teaching first graders. So I have a brand new, awesome job. Next year, I am teaching early childhood special education. That is 3,4, and 5 year olds. I am sooooooooooooo excited about it and about all the other things in my life that are going well. So, sorry for being a bad blogger. Just had a lot going on, and haven't had time to post lately...

Bethany's Book

So, I am finally getting Bethany's book posted on here. I made it for her sweet little baby, Audrey. It will be in the mail this week, Bethany:) Hope everyone has had a nice weekend., and that you have a good week. I'm going to try to be a better blogger. I've been so bad at it lately.

Hi There...

sorry for being such a terrible blogger lately. I have just been really, really, really busy lately. But today is a snow day...more like an ice day, so I'm taking time to catch up on some things...like my blog:) The dogs aren't enjoying this so much. It's so cold and icy out that I have to drag Ellie, or she won't go. I just want it to slow down. I do not want to be without power down here. Scary! School has already been called off for tomorrow. So we are definitely settled in here for a bit.

I hope that everyone had a nice holiday. I know I did. I was on the go most of the time...Oklahoma, Texas, then Kansas City. I feel like I am finally resettled at home. I did get to go be with Bethany when she had her little girl, Audrey. Our time at the hospital alone was so sweet. I love her and am so very happy for Jeff, Bethany, and now for little Audrey as well.

Hello...

from the lake...

I am having my first snow day, and really enjoying it:) Hope everyone else is having a good day too...

Welcome...

Miss Ellie:)

Ashley and Reese brought Ellie over yesterday afternoon. I am so happy to have her here. I think she and Harley are going to have lots of fun together and be great company for each other. She seems pretty happy so far....she's so tiny and cute:)

For those of you who aren't familiar with Ellie...here's the background. She belonged to my ex-sister-in-law. She and Harley are almost the same age, and have been together since they were puppies. They got Ellie about a year after we got Harley. Anytime either of us needed a dogsitter, we took on that job. Ellie and Harley were together for almost an entire summer two years ago. So lots of my friends and family know her. Ashley has remarried and had a baby, and two more dogs. She didn't feel like Ellie was happy or getting enough love. With three dogs, and the new baby, the dogs were just left in the basement most of the time. So a few weeks ago, she texted and asked if I would be interested in giving Ellie a home if they were to need it. Of course I said yes...and most of my friends/family have said, "if you don't take her, I will". The thought of two dogs did freak me out a little. One is a lot to take care of when you are by yourself. It's hard to find care for them when you leave, travel is tough, etc. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew I would take Ellie. Now Harley will have company during the day when I am at work. Last night one dog snuggled on side of me, and one on the other, and they kept me so warm:) She is just a really cute, tiny, and sweet personality. So welcome home Ellie!

Some Pictures...

from the past two weekends. This is Kindra and I at the OU/Texas Tech Game. We had a great time.

Shelton with the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.

Cute little Kinzley....the bow is nearly bigger than her head:)

Kylan and I....this is her cheese face. She does everytime you tell her to smile for the camera...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I, unfortunately, was somewhat sick for mine. I enjoyed it, but just didn't feel good. However, I got to see my wonderful family, my friend Kindra, and get lots of rest. I drove in Saturday night so that I could have a day at home to get some stuff done. Last weekend, I drove in for the OU/Texas Tech game, then left again on Wednesday. So I've been on the road quite a bit. I leave again on Friday to drive to Texas for Bethany's baby shower:) I am so happy for her and Jeff, and can't wait to see them. I am just hoping I get over this bug I have. I went to Urgent Care today. They said I had a severe sinus infection/borderline pneumonia. YIKES!!! I asked about work, and the doc said as long as I don't have a fever, I'm clear. So, I guess I'm gonna give it a go tomorrow. We will see. I get observed on Wednesday, so this really isn't the week to be absent for any reason at all. However, I do have to take care of myself, so I'm just going to take it as it comes. I can't believe it's really the holidays...where has the time gone?

Beauty...

is everywhere...especially right now. I must say I am overwhelmed with my surroundings these days. In the mornings, I am driving, and the sun peeks through the trees, and the fog is rising off the lake. It is at times breathtaking. This weekend the weather has been unbelievable. We spent the day yesterday at Big Cedar. For some strange reason, I left my camera on the boat. I missed lots of moments, but I enjoyed them all the same. On the way back, the sky was unbelievable. The trees are so colorful, and I just can't say how pretty and wonderful this weekend has been.

On a different note, I spent much of the morning at school working. I tore off the October page on my desktop calendar, and I was suddenly struck with the fact that holidays are soooooo close! I went to mark Thanksgiving vacation, then I turned to December and marked Christmas vacation. I suddenly realized that IT is here. Even though everything in my life is not where I had hoped it would be at this point, I am looking forward to time with people I love. I just can't believe it's actually so close. Does anyone else feel that way?

Beautiful...

Day! Today was gorgeous outside. It has been so cold the last couple of days, so today when I left work, I couldn't believe how nice it was. My car said it was sixty-eight degrees:) I wish we could pause the weather for a bit...the trees are so pretty and colorful, and I just don't know if I'm ready for the cold of weather. Oh well, I guess it comes and goes, so I should enjoy days like this when they happen, and remember them when it's freezing outside! I need to upload some pictures, but I keep finding other things to do. I did take some fall shots today because the leaves are falling so rapidly that I'm afraid there aren't many days left when the colors will show. Hope everyone else was able to enjoy a bit of the great outdoors this afternoon!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy..

is all I can say. This time of year is soooo hectic, especially this year for some reason. I have parent/teacher conferences this week....every afternoon until five, then Thursday until 6:00. Kids are there until noon on Friday, so I am certainly looking forward to that. It seems like I have so much to post, but life keeps getting in the way!

I have been finding myself being very negative lately, so I think it's time for a thankful post. So here goes:

Top Ten Things I'm Thankful For TODAY!
Harley
Family
Friends
Job
Laughter
Cell Phone...it means I can communicate with everyone who is far away.
Barkley...I saw him today and it made me smile...a lot:)
Forgiveness
Water...it brings peace to me for some reason.
A parent who told me how much she appreciated me and how much her daugher loves school...

It's always nice to remember the things that make you smile. In this season of change in my life, I find myself having to constantly remember how blessed I am and how very much I have to be thankful for:)

Remember The Little Things:)

I am posting this picture mostly because I needed to see it. It helps me breathe easier...and remember times of relaxation, enjoyment, and peace:) I hope everyone else experiences that when they see it too...Mostly, I hope you are having a good week. This is my Wednesday "pick-me-up". It reminds me to S-T-O-P!!! Life isn't about running, it's about stopping and enjoying the little things that make you feel good. For me, a sunset on the water is one of those little things.

Sorry...

for being such a bad blogger lately. I have been soooo incredibly busy. I wish I had some great stories about what I've been up to, but it's mostly just work. I'm still adjusting to my new job. As soon as I think I've got it together, something else comes up. My uncle passed away last week, so I went to Oklahoma on Thursday, and got back kind of late last night. Needless to say, that makes for a long Monday of playing catch up. I was already planning to go home for the OU game this past weekend, but then that happened, so I took off on Thursday and Friday.

On a lighter note, I had a great time at the game with my friend Carrol. I will post pics one of these days. My camera is still in my car. But we are now ranked #1:) Boomer Sooner!!!

I should have more to write, but I don't. I hope all is well with everyone. I need to check your blogs, and keep up with mine! Have a great week!

It's...

a new week. My Monday got off to a good start. Let's hope the rest of the week goes the same way. I've been feeling overwhelmed with a new job, and sometimes missing my "family" of people who I am used to working with. I guess that's something you take for granted. I miss you guys. I am doing good, but it's no fun being the new kid on the block, if you know what I mean. I am ready for things to regulate...both for me and for the kids. Hopefully, the rest of the week will go as well as today did:) Hope everyone has a great week!(((HUGS)))

No More Kitty...

thank goodness! The kitten was gone the next morning. Hopefully the mommy found it. What would I have done if it had hung around?

Today was the first day I have had at work when I left and felt okay. I usually leave...very late...and feel like I should still be there. It's like I can't keep my head above the water. Maybe I am starting to catch up, adjust, figure out first grade, etc. With that said, I am still very excited that tomorrow is Friday:) I even scrapbooked tonight. I have had pics of Kinzley sitting out for at least a month, even laid out to glue on the page. But every night I am so tired that I look at it and walk away. I don't know what happened today, but I finally did it! I even looked through more pics to scrap. Who knows how long that will take...but as long as it happens, I guess it's okay. I will post a pic of the page this weekend...I must say that it's one of my favorites. Who can resist a baby girl wearing zebra print with matching toes???

Did...

anyone else not want to go back to work today? Or was it just me??? No, really, I did not want to go. I wanted it to be summer again. Just keepin' it real. Now it is raining so hard. I have a kitten meowing outside, and I don't know what to do. I don't even have milk here...I don't like milk AT ALL!!! I only have it if it is necessary for a recipe. So I gave the poor thing some rice krispies. Don't ask why I have cereal with no milk, but Rach said of all the cereals I had, Rice Krispies would be the best bet...Thanks Rach! It won't stop meowing It is obviously hungry because it ate the cereal. I don't know what to do. I am terribly allergic to cats, so I can't have one. However, I couldn't handle having an animal outside whom I thought was starving, lost from its mommy...which I think is the case. Any advice out there???

Gotta love...

a long weekend. I just wish they didn't go so fast! I hope everyone had a safe holiday weekend and got to enjoy themselves a little bit. But mostly, that everyone got to have a little down time. I know that is what I needed more than anything. I have just been here at the lake. I haven't moved my car since Friday when I returned home from work. All my neighbors were down. We hung out and had a really nice time. I don't know what I would do without them. I also got to enjoy the first weekend of college football. That is something I always look forward to when the season starts to change. My Sooners won 50-2:) Boomer Sooner! Have a great week!

TIRED...

doesn't even begin to explain the way I am feeling right now. The beginning of the school year is always exhausting, but this is different. I guess it is a new school, not knowing all the in's and out's of the school, having first graders for the first time, etc...Plus, I hit my tailbone really hard on Monday. It is soooo sore. I have been taking Ibuprofen like it's going out of style. It hurts to sit down. It hurts to stand, because my feet and legs are exhausted.

But other than all that, I find myself smiling all the time while I am at work. Today was by far, the best day I have had. The kids were calmer, I was calmer, everything was just overall more smooth. I miss my friends in Rogersville, but not the drive I was making. That part is certainly a plus. Not to mention, the resources, which, as I have stated before, are unbelievable. I have a SmartBoard in my room, with subscriptions to anything and everything you could imagine. So, all in all, I think my new job will be good. I just have to toughen up. The kids do too:) They are still crying for their moms at times, falling asleep in the afternoons, don't know what to do with supplies, etc. I guess they are just really little. There is a huge difference between second graders at the end of the year, and first graders at the beginning. It has been quite a shock, but I am adjusting. And like I said, I find myself smiling all the time. That's when you know it is okay. I was walking to my car today, exhausted, but I realized I was smiling for no apparent reason. I hope other people are doing the same thing:):):):):):):):):):)

Wow...

tomorrow is the first day of school with the little ones, and I mean really little ones:) I am used to second graders, and now I am teaching first grade. These little guys are still officially Kindergarteners...Last night I had open house, and believe it or not, every single kid in my class came for open house. I am actually really looking forward to being with kids and not being in meetings:) I think I am going to like teaching in Branson. It is sooooooooooooo different than what I am used to. But sometimes, stepping outside of your comfort zone is all you need, right? Everything is so much more technological, and it is so much bigger. I am overwhelmed with resources, and with everything else that comes with the beginning of the year. Hope all is well with everyone else. I am especially needing to YAWN...right now.