Projects for 2010

In 2009, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish around the house. It was just in my project notebook. This year I am going to put it on my blog and then post pictures as I finish the projects or write about things I get done. This is not my NY resolution, that will be a different post all together.

1. Sand and paint telephone bench
2. Refinish kitchen cabinets
3. New curtain rods and curtains for several rooms
4. Paint bathroom cabinets
5. Put a closet organizer in the office/craft closet
6. Sand and paint the student desk
7. Sand and paint chest for bedroom
8. Paint front door
9. Backyard landscaping
10. Paint laundry room
11. Put trim around chalkboard
12. Put trim around mirror in master bath

I am sure there are more. I'll add to my list as I think of them. Some of them are very small projects, others will take a bit longer. I am going to get started this weekend with something small before I go back to work.

Christmas Getaway

Barry's parents planned a Christmas Getaway for our family this year. We all loaded up and went to Ridgedale, MO right outside of Branson. I rode up with his parents and grandpa because Barry couldn't leave as early as they could. My family was coming down and I didn't want to waste a minute with them. Unfortunately, the ice storm in Chicago prevented my mom, sister and nephew from making it. They had to turn around and head home.

We stayed in the most beautiful home on Table Rock Lake. There was plenty of room for us to enjoy ourselves and enjoy each other. We had an amazing time. It was a very special Christmas that we'll always remember.

Here are some pics...

We walked in the house to this kitchen! I could sure get used to this.

Lots of room

The family room downstairs

Here's our room. It was beautiful. We could walk right out onto the screened in porch...of course with the cold weather...we didn't.

Media room

We all loved this room, but I think the guys may have enjoyed it just a tad bit more than we did.

Barry with his video camera on Christmas morning.

Going for a walk into the woods.

Brothers wrestling

Making a snow angel.

The finished project!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I love this time of year!! It's truly my favorite time of year. Well, summer vacation is a close second. All the things that come with the Christmas season are what make it my favorite. Spending time with family is at the top of my list. Of course I know that Jesus is what this season is really about and we will celebrate him too. This year, Barry's parents have rented a six bedroom house in MO for all of us. Not only his family, but my mom, sis and nephew will also be there. How wonderful is that?!! We get to spend several days with all of us under one roof. That's 9 adults and 4 kids. I can't wait to have everyone together. All of us talking, laughing, playing games, eating, sleeping and waiting for Santa to visit. Spending time just being together! This year it truly is the MOST wonderful time of the year!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Here's a peak where we will be sleeping! This makes it even more wonderful! :)

Christmas Came Early

I have been wanting a KitchenAid Mixer for as long as I can remember. Well, at least since I've been an adult. I've spent time walking through the aisles of stores looking longingly at the KA mixers and just wishing I could have one. I cook a lot, but I don't bake as much because it's just not that easy. Well, that all changed today. Today I used my new KitchenAid Mixer to make cookies. My sweet husband has known how much I've wanted a mixer. He has watched me drool over them when we are in a store together. He's watched me look at them on the computer and research the type of mixer I wanted.

Last week when I was at Sam's, they were on sale so he told me to get one! An early Christmas present! So of course I did. I'd done my research and knew I wanted a 5qt mixer. This one is an exclusive to Sam's and Costco. It is a Professional HD 5qt mixer. With 475 watts, this baby can do everything I want it to and then some. I think there will be a lot more baking in my future. Of course I can use it for so many other things...not just baking.

Thank you so much sweetie! Enjoy those cookies!

Here she is!!!

The Pioneer Woman Book Signing

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love The Pioneer Woman. Ree Drummond has become an obsession! Well, maybe her website is my obsession. When her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl went on sale for pre-order, I ordered several. One for myself and some for birthday and Christmas gifts. It is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever seen. It isn't just a cookbook it is a beautiful representation of her life on their family ranch in Oklahoma. She has included beautiful pictures of her family, the ranch and of course her recipes. She dedicated the book to her husband, "Marlboro Man." That page is a must read. It is beautifully written and so sweet. Her love for her husband and children is one of the many reasons I am drawn to her site.

As soon as I heard The PW was coming to Dallas for a book signing, I entered it into the calendar on my phone. December 1st was a sacred day. I was going to Dallas to meet Ree and have her sign my stack of cookbooks. Barry thought I was insane...well, he still does. He teased me, but at the same time totally supported me attending. He was so fantastic that he went to Borders the morning of the signing to get my wristband. Do I have an amazing husband or what?? He was able to get two gold wristbands. One for me and one for our friend, Andy who is also a PW groupie!

December 1st arrived with rain and even some snow in the early morning hours. That didn't deter this fan. Barry agreed to chauffeur us to Dallas to the signing. He took his laptop so he could sit in another part of the store while we were in line waiting. We arrived about 6:15 and Ree was schedule to appear at 7:00. The store was PACKED already. I'm not sure how many people were in attendance, but it was more than I anticipated. I was so very thankful that Barry was able to get our wristbands earlier in the day. Boy, was I thankful!!! We got in line with the other gold band folks. Here was an entire store of men, women, children and babies who adore The PW as much as I do. Well, a few may have been forced to attend, but I doubt many. We chatted with some great people in line and discussed recipes we had tried. I soon realized I need to step up my cooking.

At just a bit after 7:00 Ree appeared. The store went crazy. We were at the back of the store in line so we couldn't see her. I went up closer to get a couple of shots a bit later and got a few, but nothing really great. We inched our way closer and as we got close enough to see her, I got nervous. What would I say to her? Would I sound like a babbling idiot? Most likely I would, but I decided that was ok. Many of our fellow groupies brought presents. Weren't they smart??!!! What had I been thinking? I should have brought something for her. Too late now!

It was finally my turn to walk up to her table. I can't even remember exactly what I said. Andy was right behind me and I am sure he said much better things than I did. I was a total dork, of that I am sure. But, it didn't matter. I got to meet this sweet woman who is just as gracious in person as I imagined her to be. She was charming and made me feel at ease. She signed all of the books I brought and made small talk. I'm sure that can't be easy for her considering there were hundreds of people there and she does this over and over again, week after week. BUT, she did it. I walked away from her table flushed and smiling like a fool. Her beautiful daughters were just to the right of the table handing our her beautiful shirts. She GAVE us all a free t-shirt. Made by the wonderful woman at Wild Olive Tees...if you haven't been to their site, you need to. They have some beautiful tees. I had each of the girls sign my book and went to find Barry. We had made it through the line at just a bit past 8:00. Not too Shabby. We headed out into the rain and made our trek back to Sherman. It was an amazing night full of fun, laughter, camaraderie and a realization that Ree is just what I imagined...and maybe more.

If still haven't checked out her website, you really MUST! I am positive you will love it just as much as I do.

The Golden Ticket

Doesn't Barry look thrilled?!

Here we are waiting in line...

Sneaking up front to take a picture. Don't you just LOVE those boots!?!?

The girls handing out the tees. They are just so beautiful and very sweet!

Eeeeeek!! How exciting. She is just so beautiful. Loved her jewelry!

I look so blah. It made me realize I have to get lose some weight! AND I think I hate my hair!

Andy, me and Ree

Sooooooo Excited!!

Tonight I am going to Dallas to The Pioneer Woman's cookbook signing!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am!! I have been reading her site forever. I pre-ordered 3 of her cookbooks the day they went on sale and went through mine cover to cover the day it arrived. I ♥ her!

I will have lots of pictures tomorrow of the book signing! If you haven't been to her website before, you must go check it out. She has amazing recipes, a cooking site, photography tips, homeschooling info and ranch life confessions. You won't be disappointed....I promise!

Now to wait until 7:00 tonight!!

No Luck

We did our first IUI on the 5th and it didn't work. The next cycle we will use a different medication and shot. I didn't really expect it to work the first time because they are finding out so many things at the same time. Even though I wasn't too optimistic, it is still hard to hear that it didn't work. Don't get me wrong...my doctor and his nurses are amazing! They are so delicate and sweet, but it is still difficult. You put all your effort and hope into something and then nothing. Hopefully, the next time I'll be more optimistic. But, right now I'm not feeling that way. After two years of trying and nothing happening, it gets frustrating.

I think part of the problem is that I am just soooooo tired. I have a really tough class this year. Well, I should say I have three very difficult students. I leave each day exhausted and unhappy about what I'm getting accomplished because all of my time is spent dealing with severe behavior problems. This on top of the fertility issues have made me feel tired all the time. Friday is the beginning of a week vacation for me. I am ready!

I going to OKC to spend the weekend with some girlfriends and then on Saturday we are going to Tulsa to Affair of the Heart. Apparently, it is a huge flea market/craft show. It will be fun to get away and have some girl time. Then we are going to spend Thanksgiving with Barry's family. I'm ready for some down time.

Do any of you have fun plans for Thanksgiving?

Sweet Hope

Sweet Hope is an organization dedicated to helping orphans worldwide. Sweet Hope began when Derek and Lisa were trying to raise money to adopt their son from Russia. They sold truffles to raise enough money to go to Russia to bring him home. After he was home with them, they continued to get requests for their delicious truffles. They continued with making them, but with a new focus to help not themselves, but orphans around the world. This year, all proceeds from the sales of their candy goes to help orphans in Khabarovsk, Russia.

Sales of Sweet Hope truffles and caramels will begin November 9, 2009 and continue through November 27. Sweet Hope candy makes fantastic Christmas gifts or just a little treat for yourself.

To learn more about this wonderful organization, go to Sweet Hope. While you're there, grab a button for your blog and vote for your favorite truffles. Sales begin November 9th. I for one am hoping for my favorites make the cut!

HOPE

After trying to get pregnant the "old fashioned" way for over a year, we decided we needed to get serious. Don't get me wrong, we were serious before. It's just that at this point we decided it was time to bring in an expert. I had talked to my GYN at my appointment in March and she did run some blood tests to check my hormones. Everything came back great and our next step was a SA for my sweet hubby! He had just started a new job and so we waited for things to be more convenient so he didn't have to leave work early. Fast forward to this fall.

We scheduled our first appointment with our RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist). We immediately loved him. He explained several possibilities or areas that could be a problem and scheduled further testing. I was worried that it could just be that I was getting too old. I'm only 38, but my uterus could feel older...thankfully she doesn't! The RE told us that even with my age, it shouldn't be this hard for us to get pregnant. That there is obviously something else going on. After our tests it was determined that the something else going on is lazy sperm. :) They look great, but they just don't want to get the job done.

In order to help these guys out, the Dr put me on Clomid. I take the Clomid for 5 days to help increase the number of eggs that are released. Then sometime next week we will go into the office and I'll have an IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). We are hoping this does the trick. I know the success rates aren't huge and we may have to pursue some other form of treatment. I want to be soooo positive, but I am also guarding my heart against another BFN (big fat negative) pregnancy test. I've had all too many of those over the last year and a half.

This baby journey is such a roller coaster ride. If you haven't been through it, it's really hard to understand. Believe me...I know! I used to be a woman who had friends with fertility issues and certainly felt bad for them, but also never understood their pain. I love kids...for crying out loud, I spend all day with them! I enjoy spending all day with them. I just honestly can't imagine my life without having children. At the same time I know God is good and He does have a perfect plan for us. Whether it works out this way, through another type of fertility treatment or through adoption someday; I truly don't care! ha! I want to be a mom and can't imagine that I will be denied that desire. So I hope....I hope this IUI works. I hope it happens the first time. I hope this brings me closer to my husband. I hope this journey allows me to help others as some friends who've went through this help me now. I hope!

New Fall Shows

I'm not a tv junkie, but I do have a few shows that I hate to miss. I DVR most of my shows and then watch them Friday night while Barry is out officiating football games. Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Brothers and Sisters were my favorite three. This year, I've added a couple new ones to my lineup. I really enjoy The Good Wife and then there's NCIS: Los Angeles.....Have you seen NCIS: LA??? Not only is it action packed, it's packed with a couple of great looking guys! Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J.

Need I say more???

Do you have any favorite shows?

Gratitude

During a discussion in our small group Sunday night, someone mentioned gratitude journals. A couple people said they have gratitude journals, others know people that have one. In the journal you list things each day you are thankful for, but not the same thing twice. I decided that I want to start a gratitude journal. I believe this will help me become more aware of the little things. Many times each day, I overlook the people or occurrences that God places in front of me because they might be insignificant to me. I realized I need to look at things more closely and really appreciate how blessed I am.

I spent a lot of time thinking this week, but didn't actually start my journal until today. I've been thinking about how many things I have to be grateful for. I want to make sure and focus on these things instead of worrying about the negative stuff. I have struggles, there are things I want to happen that don't happen in my time. But, I also know it's not my time that's important.... God's timing is what counts! That's something I pray about daily. :)
The bottom line is that I am blessed!!

I'm going to list some of the things I'm thankful for on my blog every now and then. Just so when I look back, I can remember that I do have so many blessings and am truly grateful...even for the little things.


"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."
~Denis Waitley

Things I Am Grateful for Today:

1. The fact that I have a student in my class that makes me laugh everyday after rest time when he says, "Wakey, wakey, eggs and bacey." He says it with such excitement that we can't all help but join in with him!

2. That my husband is a man that I am so proud of not just today, but every single day.

3. The sun came out for just a bit today after weeks of rain.


What are you grateful for today?

Paprika!!

I love Vera Bradley! I am in love with the new Paprika collection!

It is so fallish and will be great for all seasons. I just might have to order something. Hopefully at some point I can order this. Barry and I had our first appointment with our Reporduction Endocrinologist last week. We have a game plan and I am excited to be moving forward. Hopefully with the combination of Clomid and IUI good news will follow. I will post more on this soon.

I Miss This Guy!

I realize it's been 3 months since I've posted...lots going on and nothing going on. Does that make sense. Life seems to be flying by. I plan to start posting again on a regular basis soon. Until then I leave you with some pictures I took this summer of my nephew. He turned two while I was in Michigan...and to say he's all boy is the perfect description of him!

Watching the bubbles ...he's so serious

Love that smile!

He loved the sand...look at those curls! I love them!

Heading North

I can't believe it's already July! The 4th was a pretty low key day around here. We did some yard work in the morning, then Barry had to go in to work to send some guys out on a job, so I went with him. We were only there about an hour. On our way home, we made plans for dinner and a movie with friends that evening. I am not a big Johnny Depp fan, but Public Enemies was a good film. We all enjoyed it.

The next two weeks I'll spend visiting my family and friends in Michigan. It will be great to see everyone! Cooper has gotten so big since Christmas. We have talked a couple times on the phone lately...he doesn't say much...just "helllllooooo." He is also counting to five. I think that's pretty good for a guy who is not yet two. Speaking of two, we will celebrate our birthdays while I am there. I can't believe he'll be two. We are planning to do a little photo shoot on the beach for his 2 yr pictures. Probably somewhere like this...



I can't wait to see how they turn out! He's on the move constantly so it won't be easy, but I like those action shots better anyway. Unfortunately for Barry, he is staying here and working. He gets to take care of the pets. Lucky guy!

Does anyone else have any vacation plans for the summer?

Happiness

Things that make me happy...

1. Summer vacation
2. My amazingly wonderful husband
3. God's love
4. Family I love and who loves me no matter what happens
5. Friends that support me
6. Clean sheets
7. Candles burning
8. Children laughing
9. An clean and organized house
10. Fresh flowers
11. Sunshine
12. Grilling out
13. Dinner on the patio
14. Thunderstorms

What makes you happy?

Calling All Readers

Summer vacation is just around the corner and this teacher is ready!! 6.5 days left!!! I'm ready to sit by the pool and do some reading. I love to read just about anything from autobiographies to psychological thrillers. NPR has some good suggestions and I'm going to check those out. I'm also hoping some of you can suggest some good books or an author I haven't read before. Leave me a comment with your suggestions!
Thanks!

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY

I woke up this morning and went to let Sam outsie and the first thing that popped into my head was, "Not another rainy day!" It seems like it's been raining forever! OK...maybe only for just about three weeks. We've had a day or two of sunshine, but not many.

As a kindergarten teacher, this makes my job tough. My kids really enjoy their time outside for recess. They not only enjoy it, they NEED it!! Who am I kidding??? I NEED it!! It looks like we are going to have some sun and clouds tomorrow and then more storms through the end of the week. I have 19 days of school left and I'm hoping that I might have a couple days of outdoor recess and of course some time to work in my yard. Otherwise I might look something like this:

MIA

I haven't had much to blog about and at the same time I've had LOTS to blog about. I guess I just haven't felt much like blogging. Everything is good here, but haven't felt the need to blog. I've been busy with friends, church activities, teaching and even a visit from my mom and my best friend both from Michigan (at separate times). It's amazing what can happen in just under three months.

A friend at work got me hooked on the Twi1ight books. I was absolutely NOT going to read them! I am not a big fan of v@mpire books so I had no desire to read these. Tricia kept telling me I needed to try them so I brought the first one home and read it in a weekend. I am on book 3 right now and have totally LOVED them! What is it about these books that has a 37 year old hooked?

Barry has a new job that he really enjoys, except when it's driving him crazy. ha! I guess most jobs are like that at times. It keeps him busy and he gets to help others so that is a bonus! He has been spending his evenings with his seedlings and getting his garden ready to plant.

I am going to try and get back in the swing of blogging. I'll leave you with some pictures for today. These are in no particular order....just pics of what's been going on in my life lately.

I took some pictures for friends of their kids in the Bluebonnets. If you aren't from around here you won't get it. I know I had never heard of Bluebonnet pictures before moving to TX.

Here I am with my friend Nikki at our church ladies retreat. This is right before we did the zip line! Soooo fun!

These next several ones are from my Christmas Vacation trip to Michigan. I have soooo many pics from that time, but I just love these of Cooper in the snow. It was his first big experience with his snowsuit on. He had a hard time getting around so my sister cleared a path for him.

Not sure what these two goofs are looking at....Sam had to get in on the action though...he is sooooo nosey!

I found this picture again today. I absolutely love it. It is Barry's grandpa at the nephews football game. He had no idea I was taking his picture.

That's all for now!