Giving Thanks!

We had a great Thanksgiving break! It was nice just to spend time with B. He was out of town for three weeks straight before Thanksgiving with HSU soccer. It was nice to have him home. The puppies and I missed him! We had tons of fun with family and friends this past week! Here are some highlights!!!!
Seeing Miss Camden (and Ally and Jay)
Sleeping in with the puppies in our bed!
Seeing my brothers! (and their girlfriends)
Going to Gatti's with our two nephews!
Christmas Shopping!
Scatagories and Skip Bo with the Camp Crew!
Scrapbooking (for me) and Fishing (for B)!
Decorating for Christmas!
No papers to grade (even though I should have!)
Pool Tournaments at my parents between B, my dad, grandfather, and brothers!
Cooking and Eating!!!
Hope you all had a fun, festive holiday! Only three and a half more weeks of school!!!

All the pics won't load, but enjoy this one!

Can you tell he is a Camp????

Home Sweet Home

It is so good to be back in good ole' Abilene! Last week I was in Junction with my fifth graders. All the fifth graders at Fannin had the opportunity to go to an outdoor school that Texas Tech has in Junction. It was a wonderful experience for the kids and for the teachers. The Texas Tech Junction campus is the campus where the movie "The Junction Boys" was filmed. The old barracks are still there where the movie took place. It was alot of fun to see! I slept in a bunkhouse with the girls.....all 32 of them! Let me tell you, fifth grade girls get giggly at night! It was so much fun bonding with them in a setting that a teacher normally doesn't get to. The lessons (the tech teachers teach) are amazing! I learned alot! We were able to swim in the river after catching macroinvertebrae with our fishing nets. We went on scavenger hunts with compasses and went on a geological dig! I walked more than I have ever walked in a weeks time. My feet and legs were numb when we arrived back in Abilene on Friday. By Saturday morning I missed my kids so much that I was ready for Monday to be here, so I could see them again! This group will forever be special to me because of the unforgettable memories we made in Junction.
You can look at all the pics from our trip at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/OLC/AbileneISDPhotos.htm Then click on Fannin.

Nice Surprise

We had a nice surprise Friday night. We got a call from Bryan and Lisa saying they were in town and were going to stop by. For those of you that don't know, they live in Keller...(down the street from where we used to live)... and we didn't know they were going to be in town! So it was definitly a surprise that they were in town.... and when they showed up they had pink balloons that said "It's a GIRL!!!!!!" They are expecting in Feb. and found out Friday the sex of the baby. So they drove in to surprise all of us that IT IS A GIRL!!!!! We are all so excited to have a little girl in the family! Brent and I have two nephews....and don't get me wrong they are so much fun....but a little girl will be a very sweet addition!!!
Before we found out the big news on Friday, we went with Grayson to get a haircut, his first hiarcut! Before the haircut, he had the most precious curls. Everywhere we went people would compliment on how cute his hair was! However, sometimes the curls made him look a little girly, so unfortunately, the curls were cut off on Friday! Thanks to the taxi and a Baby Einstein movie, he was very good during the process. However, when they removed him from the little car, he screamed! His haircut makes him look so much older. He doesn't look like a little baby anymore, which makes me sad....but he is still so cute!



Before (with curls)










After

Playing Games with Uncle Brent

Well, I guess since there is a strike forming I will update..... It is just that now I am so far behind I don't know where to start!
So I will just start by posting these precious pictures of this beautiful baby girl!!! I can't imagine how you feel with your own child, because I am consumed with this baby girl, and I am 250 miles away from her! She is so petite and delicate. Every time I have been around her she is so quiet and peaceful. I am so glad I was able to be there when this precious angel came into the world. It was fun getting to see the fam, and catching up with everyone. Seeing all those grandparents, uncles, and aunts swoon over her was very special! Watching Ally become a mommy has been amazing! Along with Jay, they have jumped into parenthood, and never looked back! I am so proud of them, and excited for the new change their life has brought them! Camden Jaye is very blessed to have two parents that love her unconditionally. So for now, here are some pics! I can't wait until I see that beautiful baby girl again!









Sorry, I am computer impaired....I couldn't get them to rotate! Isn't she precious!

The Story of My Life

PACKING!!!! I have learned to HATE it! We have packed so many times in our short married life that I feel like I should be pretty good at it, but I still dread it! I am moving classrooms......so I am having to pack up!!!!!! I am very excited about going to fifth grade....however not excited about packing! The good thing is we (the other teacher and I) have some wonderful men moving it for us! The husbands that is! My principal's husband, some of his buddies, my teacher friend's husband, and Brent are going to take off Monday and actually move my stuff and another teacher's stuff for us! How wonderful is that!!!

Not much else is going on in my exciting life. Brent's cousin is getting married this weekend in OK City. We are taking Friday off, so we can go ahead and get there for all the festivities. I am looking forward to a weekend away from packing and remodeling! Then, when we get back, only 4 more days!!!!! As we say in Mrs. Camp's class......"Hip Hip Hooray"

Well, that is all for now....I figured I better update before the nazi got ahold of me!

REMODELING!!!!

Brent and I could be considered professional remodelers. I feel like we haven't had a break lately! On the weekends and at nights we work harder than we do at school. We have been redoing the cabin at the lake, and helping Brent's parents redo their new house, and my parents are redoing their kitchen......and we are EXHAUSTED! All the "projects" are coming along! The lake house is almost finished. It is so small that it really hasn't taken much. We put in a new countertop, painted, new sinks, new shower, and of coarse the fun part....decorating! We are going to wait and redo the floors this summer. Brent's parent's house on the other hand is going to take all summer! I don't see the light at the end of the tunnell, although they do, which is good! Right now we are in the process of scraping off many layers of wall paper (some of it has been there since the 20's) It is fun because there is usually so many of us over there working together. I know that this house will look absoluetly incredible when they are finished with it. My parents are aiming to have their kitchen done by the end of school. Brent is doing the tile backsplash. Dad is doing the painting and borders. And the rest is being done professionally. Mom and I are just decorating, which is the fun part! Brent and I enjoy doing these "projects" but I am looking forward to this summer when I can try and fit in some scrapbook time! Only ten more days!!!! I'll post pics of all the renovating soon!

Traumatic Experience

For those of you who have not met Adi and Ele....here they are! Obviously this is at Christmas....I don't have any recent pictures since my camera is broken!!! Aren't they sweet?

The trip to the vet was not a good experience yesterday. We had to go get our yearly shots and since we are new to Abilene we had to visit a new vet. Our vet in Plainview was the first vet that both girls went to. He was wonderful! Then in Keller, we had a bad experience with a vet. Ele hurt her tail and had to have emergency surgery(very expensive!) It was not a good experience for her, or for me! I wasn't able to stay in the room with her when they did her IV and I could hear her! It was awful! Well, our recent visit to the vet wasn't that bad, but it wasn't the best. Our first mistake was taking both girls at the same time. We have never done that before....and will NEVER do it again! The vet was great! We knew he would be, he was highly reccommended by my whole family (and we go to church with his daughter). He was very calm and wanted to know all of the girls' history! This meant alot to Brent and I because these girls are our babies!!!

So Adi went first and was ok during the shots and blood test, but then when he got the trimmers out to clip her toenails....she went crazy! She is our calm one. Brent had to help hold her down! The vet decided to not traumatize her (or me) any more and said we could do her toenails next time and give her a sedative before she came in! Then it was Ele's turn! She is our anxiety child! She gets hives when she is anxious. We had to put her on antidepressants once. We told him he would need to muzzle her because she tried to bite our vet in Keller. (although I don't blame her) We really didn't think there would be a problem since she was muzzled, but as soon as Brent got her up on the table she went crazy!!!! It was so hard to watch! Meanwhile I had a hold of Adi and she was going crazy because Ele was going crazy! They were both jumping around, trying to get loose, whining, growling!!!! It was awful....and very embarrassing!!! When the nurse came back in after it was all over, I asked her if all dogs act this crazy......and she said no and smiled!!! But then she said they had had worse situations! I think she was saying that to make me feel better! The vet told us we could give them both a "doggy downer" next time. So all in all, it was a very traumatic experience for both girls....and for me! I told my mother that night that it was embarrassing having children that misbehaved!!!

Sorry about the long post that is ONLY about my babies! I can't imagine what it will be like when I actually have children!!!

I Love Thursdays Because.....

....we have Taco Salad in the cafeteria. I love them! They are so good, and I don't really know what it is about them, but they are different and I love them! I really do look forward to Thursday, because I know that I will get to eat a Taco Salad. How sad is that?

Brent is in Ft. Worth for the day. He still has to go once a month for his certification. He missed a couple during soccer season, so he is making one up today. I wanted to go with him, and just shop for the day, but it is more work to prepare for a sub, and I am really trying to save up my days!

My arm and back are so sore today!!! We painted all weekend and then last night I scraped wallpaper for two hours. Brent's parents bought an old home and are gutting it! There is like seven layers of wallpaper, atleast, and in the two hours I scraped I probably scraped a four foot area! Trying to get wallpaper off that is 90 years old is NOT easy! I am feeling it today!

No other news except.....Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!

Not Much To Say

Brent and I really enjoyed our 3-day weekend! It was kind of a tease for summer. My kiddos have kind of been asleep this week, which has been nice! Maybe they will stay like this for the rest of the year! There is a chance I could be packing up my classroom for the fourth time. I might be moving to fifth grade. I have mixed feelings about it! On one hand I am really excited, on the other, it would be nice to stay in the same place for more than a year. My principal asked and I couldn't tell her no. I am a little excited, although if I don't go, I can have everything totally prepared and ready to go for my second year in second grade. Not that teaching fifth grade would be new (since I have two years exp. in 5th) ...that has been the hard thing about this year, all my stuff is for fifth grade. Either way I know I will be happy. I have learned in my four years of teaching....each year teaching a different grade... that I love whatever grade I am in. So I guess that is why it really doesn't matter what grade I teach next year, I know I will enjoy it! I'll keep ya posted!

Yeah For Friday!!!!!

I am so glad Friday is here! Yesterday we were in Lockdown all day, and still are partially in Lockdown today! Can't give any details online...but needless to say yesterday was very stressful and chaotic! The good thing about yesterday was that it was Mom's B-day! We took her to Copper Creek! First time we had been to the new restaurant in town! I highly recomend it! Very Good Food!! And of coarse very well decorated ~ my dad and brother enjoyed looking at all of the wildlife hanging on the walls! Granddad and Marj went with us. They have been traveling so much lately that we haven't had a chance to see them. They leave again today for Holland and Belgium, so it was fun getting to visit with them. Drew and Lana were supposed to come in town, but the class he thought was getting canceled today didn't get canceled. So they are still going to go ahead and come in town today...One of Drew's friends has an engagment party. Isn't it crazy that all my brother's friends are getting married! That would make us OLD!

Yeah, for the fact that we get a three-day weekend!I don't really know why we are getting Monday off...I guess a weather day, doesn't matter what it is for...I will take it!! Not really any big plans this weekend; tomorrow morning our class at church is going to the food bank to volunteer, tomorrow night Leigh Ann and Jason will be in town and we get to see the "Newlyweds", the rest of the time will be spent painting and working out at the lake!

YEAH FOR FRIDAY!!!!!

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, but that every child should be given the wish to learn. ~John Lubbock

There are some days I wonder why I chose to be a teacher, and then there are all the other days that I am so thankful that the Lord gave me the gift of teaching. I love my job, even though some days are tiring, or make me crazy! Each year I think I won't be able to love the next group of kids as much as I love the current class, but every year I fall in love with all of them. The end of the year gets a little crazy, with field trips, programs, and special activities, and it tends to make a teacher ready for summer! I have enjoyed this special class of children and will never forget their smiling faces and all the memorable moments! I thought I would share my precious 2nd graders with you!!! We had a Cowboy program... don't they look cute all decked out Texas style!!! These next ones are the days when 3:15 can't come soon enough!!!

Great Weekend!

We had a fun weekend, long weekends are always fun! We went to Austin for the State Soccer Tournament. We watched a bunch of really good games. I never knew watching soccer could be so much fun, and I love watching it with Brent cause I learn so much. I will have to admit, soccer is one of the few sports I know much about - I grew up with a basketball/baseball family. It was nice just getting to relax at the hotel, shop, eat, eat, eat, and work on my tan while watching some games.

Then Saturday night we got home early enough that we were able to hang out with some friends that were in town for Easter. Sarah, Brad, (Sarah needed a date since Ryan is in Iraq) Molly, Peter, Brent, and I all went to Bueno (our Bueno) and then to Starbucks! It was so much fun talking and hanging out! I am so thankful for those special friendships that you know you will have the rest of your life!

Sunday was filled with family time. First church, then just hanging out at the house. Drew was in town, so it was good to spend some time with him! T.J. and Chandra came over to my parents for lunch. Dad cooked a brisket and the guys played pool. I don't know what they would do without that pool table!!! It is nice that they boys have something to keep them occupied while all of us girls talk! I love that we have other girls in the family....not that Lana and Chandra are actually a part of the family yet, but they have been around so long they pretty much are!

So that was our Easter weekend in a nutshell! Lots of Friends and Family! Wish I had pics but we haven't bought a new camera yet???? Any suggestions??? We had a small digital and then my big one! I loved the big one and Brent liked the small digital one, so it worked out really well because there were pics with each of us in them.... But they are both broken and unrepairable, so we are in the market for a new one!!! Open for suggestions....

I'm Owning up!!!

Molly says I need to own up to my "blog responsibilities." I told you I am not very good with keeping up with this! Here is a quick update!

Wow!!! I know field trips are supposed to be fun, but they are so TIRING! Who in their right mind would take 19 7 year olds to Western Heritage Day?! Yes, that would be me!!! They did have fun, but I didn't know if I was going to make it through the day! Luckily I did make it, and now we only have 1 hour left, and I don't have to come back until Monday! We get tomorrow off and Brent and I are heading out to Austin today for the state soccer tournament. I wouldn't really call a soccer tourny vacation, but you have no idea how much I am looking forward to just getting away, and taking a break! Hopefully, I can find some malls, and a spa! Other than that we are just planning on eating nice and RELAXING!!! I can't wait! Hope y'all have a great Easter weekend!

Why are weekends so fast?

We had a fast, full weekend! I wish the weekends and the weekdays were switched, and we worked two days and played five! Wouldn't that be fun?

On Friday we headed down to the Metroplex and of course our first stop was Cabellas.....but I was a good wife and was very patient while Brent shopped and shopped. It is always so hard for me to do that, and yet he is so good at being patient while I shop ~ that is something I need to work on.

Then we went to my grandparents for dinner and dominoes. We had a blast with them. My grandmother is very entertaining!!! Then after a wonderful breakfast that my "Maime" fixed on Sat. morning we were off! We headed over to see Bryan, Lisa, and Little G. We didn't get to stay long, but it was a nice, short visit. And we got to play around with Griffin for a bit! Next, we headed out to Dallas for the shower. (which was our whole reason for going) It was a couples shower. Brent has never been to a couples shower, except the one that was given for us, so he wasn't so sure about it....but it wasn't that bad. We got to see and catch up with Izzy (one of his old teammates.) We hadn't seen him since we lived up there, so it was fun! Will and Amanda got lots of cute stuff! It was a fun shower since B and I could go together. Then after the shower we headed over to my aunt's house to deliver some birthday presents. My new baby cousin, that my aunt and uncle adopted last summer, turned 1 last week. He is so precious. He is walking and into everything! He would look at Brent and give him the biggest, cheesiest smile ever. So then after a long day and a half of socializing we left the metroplex and returned to A-town. As soon as we got back on Sat. night we changed for the HSU soccer banquet and rushed over just in time for it to start!!!! It was lots of fun! Brent is very excited about helping coach the Cowgirls next season!

After church on Sunday we went out to the lake cabin and began to work on remodeling it! What a job....I am beginning to think maybe we are in over our heads. We worked all day yesterday and we both feel like we didn't accomplish anything! There is just so much to do that the little stuff we spent all day doing yesterday makes it seem like we didn't do anything at all! Very frustrating!!!! But I know we will enjoy it after we have put in all the work! Have a great week!

Not Much to Say

Well, I don't know much! Our life has slowed down, but somehow we have filled the time, because we sure don't have any extra time. Although, I will say I did get to scrapbook one night this week! It has been over three weeks since I have done anything scrapbook wise because of this finger! But I went back to the dr. yesterday for my second check-up and he released me! I am still on antibiotic for another week, but no more huge bandage, so I can actually use my hand again! AND I can finally wear my wedding ring!

This weekend we are taking a short trip to the metroplex for a couples shower for Will and Amanda. We are going to go down Friday night and go to Cabellas and then spend the night with my grandparents. Then Sat. we are going to go visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins. My baby cousin just turned one, so we are going to take him his gift!! Then the shower is at 12:30 and as soon as it is over we have to head back to Abilene for the HSU soccer banquet Sat. night! It will be a fast and furious weekend, but I am ready....this week seems like it has been draggin on forever!

So there is the update....not very exciting, that is why I hadn't posted in a while! Hope y'all have a good weekend! I gotta go to recess!

WHEW!

WHEW!!!!! What a LONG two weeks! Spring Break was good! Not much relaxing....but is that really what spring break is for? We had fun visiting friends and family up in the metroplex. We stayed one night with Ally and Jay! Ally, Randi, and I watched Friends DVDs, and Brent and Jay played golf. We also spent one night with Brent's brother. We got to see our old house since they live two doors down. It was fun spending time with Griffin. He is such a 3 year old, and makes me tired just being around him!!!! How do they have so much energy???? We just love him to death, though!!! And it is always so hard leaving cause he wants to come with us, and then he will say "when are you coming back to my house?" Then I spent Sat. doing all the fun bridesmaid's events, while Brent played golf again (this time with Will)!! And then we had the rehearsal and the wedding on Sat. It was absolutely beautiful! Leigh Ann looked gorgeous! It was so special being a part of her big day!!! Everything was so unique and perfect!

Now that this week is almost over, Spring Break seems like a month ago. I wasn't looking forward to coming back, but it is always so refreshing seeing my babies. I don't realize how much I miss them, until I see them again. This week has been a hard week, a very tiring week! Brent's grandmother passed away Sunday, and the funeral was yesterday! This was Brent's last grandparent. I have only had one grandparent pass away, and I know how hard that was. So, please keep him and his family in your prayers as they go through this hard time!

Sorry about the downer!!!! We are looking forward to the weekend, since this week has been one thing on top of another....and soccer is over!!! I don't know if we will know what to do with ourselves. Brent's extended family is all still in town, so we will be spending time with family. Hope you have a great weekend!!! I will post pics of spring break soon....but DEAR timeis over so gotta run!

FINALLY!!!!!

Well, it is finally here! I feel like this week has been going on forever!!! I told Brent this morning (after a full night of dreaming about my class and my students for the third night in a row) that I can't even get away for eight hours. So needless to say this break is much needed!!!!

We aren't going to do anything special! The first part of our break is full of soccer....a team breakfast, Sat. afternoon game, then another team lunch, then another game, all before Tuesday! Brent is working the HSU Soccer Camp until Thursday. Luckily, it is only in the mornings. I actually think he is looking forward to it! (He is the goalkeeper coach for the girls team at HSU.) Then the last part of the break we are headed to the metroplex. It will be a fast and furious trip because there are so many people to see in such little time. The main reason for going is Leigh Ann's wedding. All the festivities will start Saturday morning, so we want to go a little early, like maybe Thursday, so that we can visit with friends and family.

Drew and Lana came in last night. They have already started their spring break (I guess Tech canceled Friday classes) Drew brought an extra load with him. (His dog had puppies and he brought the ones he hasn't sold home with him.) They are so cute!!! Here is one of them!!! They all have puppy breath...and I LOVE puppy breath!

I am really looking forward to just relaxing and doing my scrapbook. I am sure we will be spending some time out at the lake. For those of you who don't know, we bought a small cabin out there last fall....so Brent will fish, and I will scrapbook....it is a nice getaway.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

"A true champion gets back up after they have fallen." - Unknown

We knew this season would be a hard one coming into this year! But I don't know if you can ever be totally prepared to "rebuild" a program. I have to brag on my hubby and the Lady Eagles!!! Their record and the scoreboards sure don't show a winning team, but they REALLY are becoming one!!! They are finally putting it all together and playing as a team! A GOOD TEAM!!!!

Last night was the second game against Cooper. The outcome didn't turn out the way we would've liked for it too, but the girls played their hearts out!!!! We out shot them 22 - 3. We dominated the WHOLE game, and went into a shoot out and lost!!! After being a goalkeeper's girlfriend all through college....I HATE SHOOTOUTS!!!! They are never fun! And it was especially hard to loose last night in a shootout to Cooper after our girls played such a hard, good game!!!

I am so proud of Brent and the coach he is and the coach he is still becoming. The girls have improved 100%, and I know they are only going to get better! He has two seniors and two juniors, and the rest are all freshman and sophmores.....so his team is young!!!!! They have a long road ahead of them....but I know that in time they will show everyone the true champions that they are!!! They are all winners in my heart!!!!

The Bride To Be

I had a great weekend with my wonderful friend Leigh Ann! I went down Saturday morning (B had a soccer game in San Angelo) for her lingerie shower that afternoon! She got tons of great stuff...and some shady stuff...which I will not mention!!! I have to say that her future husband is one of the most creative men I know! His gift to her was a classic!!! Then after the shower we went out to eat at Chuey's and had some fun for her bachlerette party!!! I enjoyed getting to see some ACU girls I hadn't seen in a while!! All of us married girls chimed in bits and pieces of advice. (the little bit we have) Leigh Ann seemed to have LOTS of fun!!!

Sunday morning I got up and stopped at my grandparents for brunch on the way back to Abilene. They were so sweet to skip church so they could cook for me. It always makes me feel so good to see them and spend time with them! If any of you know my grandmother..... you know she is a MESS!!! You never know what she is going to say or do!

Even though it was a quick trip, I enjoyed every minute! Then when I got home yesterday, Brent and I took a nap, walked our puppies, and had a picnic at the park!!! It was so much fun to just relax and do whatever we wanted! That is a rare for us....especially during soccer season! I had a great weekend and I can't wait until next weekend....because it is SPRING BREAK!!!!

Yeah for Thursday!!!

I guess it is the HOT weather, but the past two days in my classroom have been awful. I have a student that has been to the office twice in two days! This isn't typical of my class. They are usually VERY well behaved and such sweethearts! But it is like they have forgot all the rules, and anything they have ever been taught!!! The past two days, at some point, I have been so mad I was shaking! I honestly don't think I have ever been like that with my students...in all my four years of teaching! We sat down yesterday and had a long talk about the way second graders should act!!! I am hoping today will be a much better day!

This afternoon I am helping throw a baby shower for a teacher friend of mine! She is having a girl....and pink stuff is so cute!!! I hope I have a girl one day! There are five people pregnant here at school! I hope it isn't in the water! Then tonight Brent and I are babysitting our precious nephew, Grayson!!! He is at an age right now that is so bloomin cute! Although as all nephews are, he is great birth control!!!

Well, as we say here at Fannin...."Hope you have a cheetahlicious Thursday!"