Spring Break!

So this past week was Spring Break for me. It was much needed! Thankfully this week has left me recuperated and mentally ready for more teaching.

My fun week off started last Saturday. I met up with one of my best friends, Evelyn. We went to college together and we are both teachers.

We met up Saturday and headed to an event my town was having at the fair grounds. It's the first time they have ever had the event. It was called JUNK Hippy! I saw a flyer for it on Facebook and messaged Evelyn about it. We love to go thrifting/junking/(cheap) antiquing. So this was perfect!

We headed to the fair grounds and went in. The first booth we stopped at, we both spent money! The booth was full of vintage goodies at a really good price.

It was SO much fun! We both wished the event would happen more often, but then decided we'd be poor if it did!

Afterwards we went to Chili's for some food and talk time. Girl time. It was really nice! :)
My only regret is we didn't take a picture together!

Here is what I came home with:

This picture doesn't do it justice!

- Beaded necklace and earrings $9

My new favorite accessory!

- Yellow framed rocking chair $2

I added it to my trio of small frames in the hallway. 

It's the perfect punch of color!

I was just going to get the one on the left, but thankfully Evelyn convinced me to get the yellow one too!

This pair is going to go in the formal dining room :)

- $2 each

These are beautifully, embroidered linens

-$1 each

- Blue candy dish- $9

I couldn't make up my mind on the candy dish, even though I'd been looking for one for a while. 

Before I could decide, Evelyn grabbed it and was walking to the cashier. 

She got it for me! 

I am so thankful she did! 

It is so beautiful and I would have regretted not getting it.

Evelyn found this ornate tin, which had some damage.

At a later booth she found one just like it, with no damage.

She didn't want both, so I offered to buy the damaged one from her.

She just gave it to me instead :)

That was just Saturday!

The rest of the week I pretty much stayed home. Did much needed laundry (almost have an empty hamper...first time in a long time). I forgot how much clothes I do have!

Went around Tuesday and got things to make cupcakes. New pan from Marshall's, icing spatula and cupcake liners from Michael's. I really like their liners! $1.99 for 75!

I graded papers and added them into the gradebook since report cards are going out this coming Friday. I did all the comments on the report cards (2 straight hours) so I didn't have to worry about it later.

Yesterday Joey took the day off! Oh it was SO nice to have him home! We had a lazy morning. Then we made these!!

Final Fantasy Moogle and Chocobo cupcakes!!

Joey did the batter and filled the liners. We tried the trick with putting the batter in a ziplock baggie and cutting a corner. Makes it much easier to pour!

(We saw how to make these on Nerdy Nummies !)

I made the yellow frosting (vanilla buttercream) and decorated them!

I am so happy with how they turned out! :)

It was a fun, relaxing week. Now onto the weekend!

Have a great one!

Projects

Wow! So 2013 has been a year of projects so far!!

One of the first projects we did was add accent lighting to our kitchen. It may sound silly, but the only major lighting we have in our kitchen is a florescent ceiling light, a stove/vent light, and the one above the sink.

Joey had been talking about getting LED strips to go above the cabinets for a while. I always thought it would be that super bright blue-ish light so I said no. Then he showed me pictures and how I could get under the cabinet lighting. Once he said that I agreed! I've never had lighting that lit up the counter tops, but I have always thought that would be nice to have! We installed this in a night.

Before with florescent lighting

(Everyday mess included in picture)

After

Love it!!

I think it's one of the best projects so far! We got the tiny LED stripes from Fry's. They are just thin light stripes with heavy duty adhesive on the back. 

One thing I love is it changes to any color and their brightness can be changed. 

It comes with a remote with all the color choices, anything from red to violet. 

There are also many white settings. One more blue, one more yellow, etc. 

Defiantly money well spent!

One of the major projects we did this year was get us a shed!

We got a Lowe's gift card from my dad and step-mom so that went towards getting us a shed. 

Over Christmas we decided we wanted to eventually put the litter boxes out in the garage. 

However, we had all this carpet and lawn stuff in there.

We had carpet/flooring stuff from when we had wood laminate put in our house. 

Like 2 years ago!

So we hauled the carpet off and got to cleaning. 

We needed a shed so that each time we needed to mow, we wouldn't terrify the kitties by opening the garage door. 

It holds all our lawn stuff and we still have room!

Joey, my father-in-law, and I did that one weekend.

After that, the next weekend, we got the cat door. 

It was pretty easy to install.

 Joey cut. 

I supervised. 

;)

We have a major draft when it gets windy outside and it used to blow open the door out to the garage. Which always seemed happen when I was watching something like Supernatural or CSI!

The picture above was on a windy day, and the flap blows in. The cats were all fascinated by it! 

After we installed it, we moved the smaller of the two litter boxes out there. 

To help train them, we used treats and called them until the came through the door. 

It took about a week. Then I put the 2nd litter box in the garage. 

Now our house is litter box free!!!

YAY!

This past month I installed a dimmer switch in our formal dinning room. We bought it with a gift card right after Christmas. I was a little intimidated to do it, but decided that weekend I'd get it done. Everything went well! The hardest part was re-bending the wiring inside our walls to go around the screws on the new switch.  I love the effect it gives! Cheap and easy to do! 

This last thing isn't a project, but something fun Joey and I ran across at Academy. 

A little blurry, but I love how Lucius is looking right at the camera!

Rollerblades!!

They had a good sale on them, so Joey and I got a pair each!

I haven't roller-bladed since my pre-teen days and I am so happy we got some!

We got them a few weeks ago and have only been able to go twice.

The weather has been really windy or icky lately.

However, I am so excited to get to do that more when Spring comes!

That's all so far! I love how productive we are being! It feels so good to get projects done!

Have a nice night!

School Happenings!

Happy March!

I can't believe it is already March!

I've been staying busy with substitute teaching all this year so far. In January, I started in a fourth grade classroom teaching math and science. It was a vacancy, I applied and didn't get it. I'm okay with that now! :) God had better plans for me!

For a month now, I've been subbing in a first grade classroom. I LOVE it! It is crazy and hectic on some days, but the excitement the kids show when learning is something I love seeing!

So far in the classroom I have implemented:
- the tattle monster (tissue box dressed up to be a monster similar to the one I linked to)
        - The students write their non-emergency, not as serious tattles down and feed it to the monster
        - I have a poem next to it to remind them. Found here.

- the desk fairy

- Drops in the jar (classroom management- behavior management)
     - When they do great, the add a marble (the clear cheap vase filler from Dollar Tree)
     - When the whole class does well, we add a larger marble
     - These can be added or taken away.

- Mystery walker- love this one!
     - Choose a name at random. Don't tell them who it is. That way each child will think it's them.
     - Watch that child to see if they walk nicely/correctly in the hall
     - When they do, they get dragon dollars(a school-wide incentive) and they get to put a marble in our jar.
     - I announce the mystery walker if he/she did well and do not if they mess up. That way they are not  called out.

- Kindness cards
    - I found those at Michael's, they were $1.
    - If a student gets those they keep the card and receive a Mardi Gras necklace (I have a ton, since my father-in-law lives in Galveston, where they have a parade).
    - Getting a necklace means they are my special helper. They help with different things during the day. Lunch basket, cafeteria duties, any special notes I need sent to another teacher, etc.
    - They get to keep the beads. Again, I have a bunch, so I can afford to get rid of them.
   

Almost all  of those ideas have come from Pinterest!! I've linked the ones that are.

Yep, school has been keeping me busy! I love it though! I am at the same school, very near Joey's work so we are still carpooling! Such a blessing! We have saved a bunch on fuel costs! :)

Next week is Public School Week and Open House on Thursday. Then after that Spring Break!

The week before last, during writing, I had the students create their own super hero. Being a comic nerd, I thought this would be such a fun topic to write about. The students really enjoyed it. I told them they can create their own, with whatever powers. Nothing violent though. I told them not to copy super heroes out there, if they did choose one, they had to change something about them. (Batman but with laser eyes...Spider- Man with flying powers).

It was fun! I've learned I have a student who likes Deadpool. A first grader probably shouldn't know who that is, but he/she does! Lol! Also had 2 students ask me if I knew what World of Warcraft is. They were fascinated to know that I did and that I have played it. (They both have family members who play.)

It's an interesting journey that God has taken me on so far with teaching. I've questioned Him many times, but I am so happy that I am where He has put me. Even if it's not a permanent position. I know that there is a place for me, and I am waiting as patiently as I can! I am happy that I get to teach and impact lives while I wait. It's pretty awesome!

YAY!!!

Just a quick post...


OWEN GOT ADOPTED TODAY!! Yay!!!


The story about Owen here.

It was a really nice couple that adopted him! Not only that, but they adopted a kitten that is just a little younger than Max!

I am so so excited and happy for Owen and his new parents!

We miss him, but we are so happy he found his forever home!

Through this I learned even more that it's okay to get attached, love even if somethings not going to be in your life forever or be permanent.

Honestly I was worried/scared for a while that I would grow so attached, that when the adoption day came, that I'd be so sad to see him go or not be able to give him up.

I am a little sad to see him go, but my happiness, joy and excitement defiantly outweighs any sadness!

So that's been my day!

I helped the nice couple pick out their new kitty essentials, since they asked for my help. As they were about to leave with their new critters, they both thanked me and the wife hugged me and told me "We'll take care of your baby" :)

It's been a good day! Hope your's is going great too!

2012

I seriously can't believe that 2012 is over! It's so weird how fast time goes by!!

Let's have a recap of 2012!


January-

• I took a long term substitute position job at the school that I student taught in. That job lasted until May!!
• It was a special education job listing, I had no idea at the time I took it, but I am so glad I did!
• I got to see my best friend get married! :)
• We added Lucius to our family! He has been such a blessing! Such a sweet boy!

March- 

• I got a new car! My first ever, brand new car! It's a Honda Civic! My gas millage in my Ford Explorer was less than good and with me working 30 minutes away at the time...we decided to get a car! I am SO happy with it! It's safe, 4 door (my Explorer was 2) and the gas usage is awesome! 32 MPG...We've seen 40MPG

• Joey's cousin got married! It was a beautiful outdoor wedding in Georgetown, Tx

May-

• I got hooked on comic books! We went to see The Avengers twice, and then that Saturday was Free Comic Book Day! I was hooked!

June-

• I turned 24! It's weird since I don't feel that old!
• For my birthday, I just wanted to have a relaxing night. We ordered Vietnamese food and watched The Guild
• We had my dad and my step-mom over to celebrate my birthday. It's always great having them! Lots of laughs! :)

July-

•  Joey's birthday! 
•  Camp 360- We are on staff and do this every year! It's always a blessing to be able to do that and especially when the other staff members are like family!

August-

• I took another "vacancy" position at a school near Joey's work. That ended up lasting until December!! Such a BIG blessing!
• It ended up being for Special Education, this time 3rd-5th grade resource room.
• This ultimately is what made me decide to pursue my Special Education certification. I felt like there was a reason why I kept being put in Special Education classrooms. 

October-

• We adopted Max! He was so little( he's growing so fast)! He is such a snuggle baby!
• We found Owen, almost exactly a week later! Instead of taking him to a shelter, we decided to foster him until we can get him adopted to a good home! He was/is defiantly a surprise visitor, but I know God is using this opportunity to teach me something!

December- 

• Joey and I celebrated 10 years of being together!!!! :D
• Oh my gosh, does he spoil me! That day, I felt like a princess!
• It started after I got off work...he made a video for me, using photos from the past 10 years and songs from our wedding! The first song always makes me tear up, because I walked down the aisle to it! The second was when was played when we walked back down, as husband and wife!
• Here is what he wrote on Facebook (I post this so I'll always have it):

Today, Rachel and I celebrate ten years together. Ten years ago, we were both shy high school kids who went from not knowing each other at all to best friends to boyfriend/girlfriend in the span of 6 months. I had been invited to work with Matt, Phil and Rachel's dad as a sound engineer for their band. Through that awesome experience, I met Rachel when I cut myself at her house one day and she was the one who helped me. Being the shy person she was, Rachel only said, "All I have are Winnie-the-Pooh band-aids." Likewise, being the shy person I was, I said "That's ok, thanks!" took the band-aid and rushed out the door. We would later get to know each other more in school and realized our backgrounds were very similar. We hung out as much as possible at school to the point where our friends would ask us weekly if we were dating yet.

Finally, on December 11, 2002, I asked Rachel out. I was so shy I couldn't even say it. I drew the question with my finger and she drew her response. Neither of us expected the relationship to last very long. However, as the days turned into months and months into years we became even more inseparable. Through the greatest times in our lives and worst, we've been there for each other. To say that I am humbled by the gift God has given me in her would be the understatement of my life. I am beyond blessed.

We usually are not so public about the details of our relationship, but I felt that this occasion warrants a little publicity. I made the video posted below as a gift to Rachel and to remind us of some of the amazing memories we've had over the years. To all that we've had the pleasure and honor of knowing the past 10 years (and longer), thank you for your friendship and support.

• Here's the link to the video he posted with it (I tried to embedd it...didn't work): https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Pd_VykyO4BU
• Oh my gosh! I cried, a so joyful and happy cry!
• That night just got better and better! I can't believe how much I have been blessed with having Joey as my husband!

• I took my Special Education test on the 15th. It took me 2.5 hours to take it. I took my time so that I would do the best I could do on it!
• That next Tuesday, Joey found out my scores for me, since I was working. I PASSED!!!
• Joey figured out that I only missed 17 questions out of the 132. 
• Wow!! I can not believe it still! God is good! I felt like I was being led that way, figured if I wasn't meant to be in Special Education, I would not pass or do well. I think this is God's way of letting me know where he wants me!

• My best friend called me one night (the same one who got married in Jan.) and told me that she and her husband are expecting!!!! I am so so happy for them! She's due in June. They are keeping the gender a secret, so I am super excited to see if it's a boy or girl!

• We celebrated Christmas with our families. All 4 of them! Joey's mom first, then my mom, then Joey's dad in Austin, and this Saturday is with my dad! 

2012 was an amazing year! 

I honestly had trouble remembering what went on this year, it seems like all I did was work! However, I am so thankful to have had  substitute jobs all the way through the year! I had 2 sub jobs that lasted 4 months each! 

2012 was a year of working for me, however it was also a year of remembering and seeing what God has done in our lives!

God really has blessed us with so much and I am so thankful! 

I give Him all the glory!

To Do:

Lately, I have been really slacking. Slacking in cooking, housework and blogging!

I've been so busy with my long-term substitute job and when that ended the other sub jobs I took.

I've also been studying for the Special Education certification exam.

Since, today I have no sub job and I have already taken my exam(last Saturday). I have a free day!!

Oh and by the way...I PASSED MY EXAM!!

Out of the possible 300 points, I made a 273!

What a tremendous blessing!

So all that needs to be done is the paperwork to go through officially and I'll be Special Education Early Childhood-12th grade certified!

YAY!

I'm using today and possibly tomorrow, to get things done around the house.

Why am I posting it here...to get me motivated and keep me accountable!


To Do: 

Cleaning:

-Wash clothes
-Wash towels
-Wash rug

- Vacuum rugs and couches
- Sweep living room floor
- Vacuum kitchen
- Possibly steam clean it
- Pick up ornaments off of floor (thanks kitties!) and put up
- Sweep bedroom

- Clean master bath: shower, tub, toilet, counter
- Clean toilet in guest bath

- Organize and put away things

Fun:
- Make apple pie- for Saturday
- Make brownie bites (got a cool new brownie maker from my grandma)
- Wrap presents- for Saturday
- Put together gingerbread house
- Play with kitties with their beloved feather stick - kinda hectic with 4 jumping at it, but they love it!

Necessary:
- Take Max to the vet, for his neutering
- Get the few gifts I have left to buy for Christmas


That's it! That's enough on my plate for today and tomorrow! Of course catching up on some TV is thrown in there too!

Have a great Thursday!

Max and Owen

A lot of critter happenings have been going on at our house since I wrote last.


It all started one afternoon when Joey went to Petco to get turtle supplies. He had dropped me off at Target to get a few groceries. When he picked me up, he told me that they were having adoption days and there was a really cute kitten there!

Once he told me that the kitty reminded him of Burney, I had to go see it.

I was nervous that adding a new kitty would mess up the great, peacefulness we had in our house since we got rid of Daisy. (She went to live with my in-laws.) Nemo and Lucius were finally able to relax without having the diva/grumpy girl cat around.

We got to Petco and he was so little! We stayed about an hour and after holding him, I decided that he was too adorable and he had to come with us.

We adopted Max on October 13th! :)

On the car ride home

Nemo and Lucius meeting their little brother! 

We didn't have my mom's nice crate, so we improvised!

Nemo hissed at him for a few days. I guess he didn't know any different since when he (Nemo) came to our house, Daisy hissed at him. Lucius loved Max right away! Nemo got over being scared of Max and they now wrestle and snuggle!

Max is a snuggle bug! Sometimes a little too much, but he's a perfect addition to our family. 

Right now, his favorite thing to do is to wake us up early in the morning with snuggles and kisses to our face.

His personality is like Nemo's and how Yao was. He's very curious, adventurous and out-going.  

Our kitty count went up to 3. A perfect trio! :)

Then a week passed...

October 20th

As I was going to the store one day, I noticed a young cat walking near our house. It was by a house with two young boys. I called Joey and told him to check and see if the cat was still out in 10 minutes...to make sure it wasn't that family's cat. 

Well...10 minutes later he calls me. "I have the cat, now what?" Me: "Um....well...I figured it belonged to that family." Nope. 

We decided to keep him in our guest bathroom and put up "Lost Cat" signs to see if anyone called. 

No one. One lady, but her cat was older and calico. 

Joey and I decided to try to find this little guy a home. I didn't want to have him for too long, since I was afraid I would get attached to him and want to keep him. We can not have 4 cats. That's too much work. 

We posted on Facebook and looked into local shelters. I found one, by God's will, one random afternoon. I went into Petco and there was SPOT. They are all about finding strays homes. Perfect! I contacted them, and they have so nicely allowed us to foster this kitty.

We named him Owen since he is also the carbon copy of Nemo. Except his eyes are amber and Owen has short hair. We wanted to name him Omen, but I figured a cat with that name wouldn't get adopted. So Owen it was! :)

So each Saturday (for 2 weeks now) we take little Owen to our local Petco (which is a few minutes away) in hopes that he'll get his forever home. I am so very grateful that SPOT is allowing us to take him. They are so awesome, they have a cage, litter box and toys all ready for him when we get there. Owen's first adoption event he was very timid. It was some place new, with dogs barking and strange people. He sat in his clean litter box and slept. The second time was better. 

I am so glad we decided to foster him, I didn't want to just take him to a shelter to wait to have a home. We are able to foster, and he can be with friends and be comfortable.  However, our ultimate goal is to get Owen his forever home :)

After his neutering surgery. 

He looked so handsome in the scarf!

The sunlight made his eye color really pop in this picture.

We found out that he is between 6-8 months old, between Nemo and Max's age. 

Owen is such a sweetie. His personality is like Lucius' and how Burney was - quiet, calm and laid back. He does like to play with Max a lot. I think he's a little intimidated by Nemo, since Nemo looks big due to his fluffy fur. It took him a couple of days to warm up to us, but now he comes and snuggles with us and the other kitties. 

There you have it. 4 kitties in our house! It's a little crazy at times. Like meal time. The horde of cats come to meet me at the laundry room, where their food is. Lol! I believe God has brought Owen into our life for a reason. I trust Him that we'll find him a home!

Front to back: 

Nemo, Lucius, Owen, Max

Have a great weekend!