White Elephant/Tacky Sweater Fun

Last night we had a white elephant party for our friends at church. We also welcomed cute or tacky Christmas sweaters to add to the fun! It was a great party with lots of gift stealing, good food and tons of fun!! From a Blades of Glory movie poster to a can of relish from last year that has been open for a couple of years tons of goofy gifts were brought and exchanged. Juli even ended up with a Mili Vanilli cassette tape! Although it was hard to get everything organized after our anniversary weekend it was a lot of fun & something we will have to do again! I wanted to post a few pictures of our guests in their Christmas sweaters! We did have prizes for the most Christmas Spirit! HAHA!

The Perfect Anniversary!

Wow, Wow, Wow and Wow again is all I can say about the day Brian planned to celebrate our anniversary! I have always known what a special man he is & realized how lucky I am, but he really made me feel like the most special person in the world for our 5th anniversary! It was a day filled with love, laughter, tears & wonderful memories to last a life time. It started out at 7:30 because our dog Linzy started barking. Our Anniversary shares the same day as her birthday so we are convinced that she must have known it was her big day. I wanted to give Brian his gift from me so I ran and got the book I had made for him on Shutterfly! I was so excited about giving him this because it was the story of us! It had pictures of the 5 wonderful years we spent together and it was a really cool little gift. He loved it! We got out of bed although we had planned to sleep late and took Linz on a walk. We came back, got ready and went to lunch at Ellen's in Old Town Spring. It was fun to eat there and walk around for a little bit because that is where we spent our 3rd anniversary. We then got Linzy some doggie treats and came back to spend a few minutes with her. I knew Brian had something planned, but I had no idea what! He made me get back in the car and handed me a card. We pulled out of our neighborhood and into a Spa that is right across the street. I opened the card and there was a gift card to the spa to pay for what I was having done & cash to tip. He pulled flip flops out from under the seat and then sent me on my way. I had no idea what was going on. He just told me to go inside and they would take care of me. I went inside and they knew exactly who I was. They all were telling me Happy Anniversary and what a special man I was married to. I was escorted back to get a pedicure, then a one hour massage and was topped off with a manicure! I was there for three hours getting pampered while he was working on the last minute details for the rest of the evening. I was convinced that this was my gift until I got a text telling me to match my nail polish to wear a red sweater. Weird, I thought, maybe we are going to dinner. Needless to say, I was in for a HUGE SURPRISE! He picked me up and gave me a new card. It said, get comfortable while we take a little ride. We started driving and I just started asking questions, where are we going, what are we doing, is it ok that I'm wearing flip flops? HAHA! He drove downtown and I was still SO confused. Then... we pulled in to my favorite hotel, The Magnolia! I was SUPER excited, but still confused. Are we staying here I asked? What about Linzy? Is she taken care of? Do I have clothes? He just laughed! The valet guys came to take the car and opened the back, he had suitcases and presents galore. I helped gather the things and then we went to check in. I had mentioned on the way that I'd love to stop for a snack but when we got to the hotel that was the last thing on my mind. We checked in and went upstairs. I opened the door and there were rose pedals leading to the bed. There was also I love you spelled out on the bed in pedals and then chocolate covered strawberries, & chocolate chip cookies. YEA!!! I couldn't have been happier! I felt like such a princess. If we had done nothing else that day it would have been perfect, but there was more! Brian handed me a package and asked me to open it. I did and the most beautiful dress appeared! He had picked out the most stunning outfit for me to wear and had packed shoes, jewelry & everything I needed to look like a princess! He also had bought a matching tie & shirt for himself. He told me that we had about an hour before we were going to dinner so that I needed to get ready! I enjoyed the strawberries while putting the dress on and fixing my hair. We then went downstairs and got in a escalade to take us to..... there was another card with only the address. 1201 Fannin. Where were we going? The car dropped us off at McCormic & Schmick! YUM! We got out & walked inside. We were greeted with Happy Anniversary & menus that were personalized! The dinner was amazing. We had stuffed shrimp, complementary champagne & dessert, a steak & lobster tail & fried shrimp. We were so full!! Then Brian handed me another card. It said, "You didn't think I'd get you all dressed up with no where to go right?" This time the card had tickets to A Christmas Carol! WOW! I was so excited & couldn't believe the day that had been planned for me! It was perfect & so thought out! Brian is amazing, I'm a VERY lucky woman! The day couldn't have been better! I truly felt like I was in a fairy tale & will never forget the wonderful day from my sweet husband!

Busted Lip

I jinxed myself!I was sure yesterday was going to be amazing but it ended up being a very rough day! My car battery died and I had to get it replaced, which led to us being late to Brian's Christmas party. Since we were late getting there we were late leaving, so I was late getting started on the 6 dozen sugar cookies I need to make for my kiddos for our party on Friday. I was laying on the floor waiting for Brian to finish putting up clean dishes feeling sick, exhausted and 100% ready for bed when Linzy decided it was time to play. She ran over to greet me with full force and hit me in the lip with that thick skull of hers. It hurt so bad! 60lbs. of power right in the face. My lip started gushing blood, swelling up and I started balling. Poor Brian, I couldn't seem to pull it together after that. I was in pain, couldn't breathe, mad that my lip will be purple on my 5th anniversary and just sick of the day. I woke up this morning and had to laugh, my lip is swollen, but not black, THANK GOD! I'm sure my kids think I got punched, but such is life. I love my bulldog, but man, I wish she would understand when to just be calm and lay down. If you get lucky I might just post a picture later so you can laugh. I've got a game tonight and a cookie exchange at Jessica's so I'll be going looking like I got in a fight. :( At least today is a new day! Please be praying that I get to feeling better. This chest congestion is killing me. I've been feeling bad for almost a week and don't want to be sick this weekend. I was going to go to the doctor Tuesday, & then Wednesday, but due to the car battery I didn't make it. Needless to say, I'm thankful for mucinex!!

The kids are crazy!!

This time of year is so much fun in every aspect of life other than teaching Junior High. The kids are absolutely crazy with the thought of Christmas break being so close. If I could video tape my classroom and let you hear the questions you would laugh for hours. It's all we can do to contain them and try to force some sort of instruction on them. This week I had Texas Revolution projects due and we are watching the movie The Alamo in class. We have numerous parties & fun things planned for them, but they have their minds set that all 40 hours of school time this week should be spent playing. Needless to say, we have 2 more days and then we let the crazies loose to be wild at home for a week! I'm hoping to make it.

This week has been fun despite being REALLY sick with chest congestion. I went to see the nutcracker ballet with mom on Saturday, went to Ashtyn's 1st birthday party on Sunday, made fudge & cookies for Jessica's cookie exchange on Thursday, watched Christmas movies, & enjoyed time with my sweet husband. It's been a great week. Tonight we have Brian's holiday party for work and that will be fun too! I love this time of year. I love all the parties, time with friends & family, the music, the cold weather, the lights & the goofy Christmas sweaters. It's just exciting. Growing up in a family that made a big deal out of every holiday has made it even more special. Each tradition, moment spent with friends & family, dessert made and light hung all make life that much more exciting & I love it! Well, I better go get to work! Kids are coming soon!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, as always life is really busy! Last week we were blessed with some snow in Houston so Brian's tournament last weekend that he was supposed to host got cancelled. That gave me some time to see him, and him some time to watch football. :) That was nice. The snow was beautiful! My principal took most of the fun out of the snow by keeping us locked inside all day, but it was still pretty to watch. This weekend Brian got to watch the Texas/Nebraska game and of course had a blast. The longhorns are off to the Rose Bowl and Brian couldn't be happier. Sunday we were blessed to finally get almost all of the members of our supper club group at church together and then last night I had my Christmas party for my cheer squad. That was a lot of fun! While I was there I got a text from Caleb that Sandra is being induced this morning so I will have a sweet god daughter later this afternoon! YEA!! My cheerleaders adopted a foster home and a second family from our school and we are donating almost $4,000 worth of stuff! I'm so excited that my girls get to give back and really help other people! It's encouraging. We started the adoption tradition last year and I hope that even after I am no longer coaching it will continue. We also had amazing food, played white elephant and Jessica came to make bottle cap necklaces with the girls. Thanks Jess!! It was a lot of fun and I am lucky to coach the girls that I do. This week we have a pep rally and that might just be the last one for the year. It's a little bittersweet. My girls are wonderful and I hate to see them move on to 9th grade, but this year has been stressful and if we plan to have a baby it would be nice to maybe step down from that role next year. Other than that, tonight I may attend my first WOCC bunko night. I'd need to refresh my memory on how to play, but I'd really like to be able to play next year. I need some fun with the girls every now and then. Brian has another tournament this weekend and then I'm going to see the Nutcracker ballet with my mom on Saturday. That should be fun! It's hard to believe that December is flying by! It's fun and exciting, but I wish my favorite time of year would slow down. It's hard to believe that in a week and a half I will have been married to my sweet husband for 5 years! That's crazy! Life is great with him and although we are SO busy, life is fun & I wouldn't trade it for the world. Well, I better hop in the shower so I'm not late to work. I've got a meeting this morning.

Thanksgiving Fun!

This Thanksgiving break has been absolutely wonderful! It was a much needed break from work and great time with family! I can now go back to work for 15 more days re-energized! Tuesday night when I got off work I got to meet up with my mom and do a little shopping. Since we live so close you would think we do this often, but we really don't get to since life is so busy. It was nice to have some girl time. After we finished we ate at LaMadeline & then came home to make some banana bread before heading to the airport to pick up Wade. Wednesday Brain and I had a great day just being lazy and getting the house ready for the big day. Since we had Thanksgiving at our house this year with Brian's family and my extended family we had a lot to do. Brian's parents came over on Wednesday night and for the first time in a while we just got to hang out, eat and play games. It was really nice. Wednesday evening Brian and his dad stayed up all night and smoked a turkey for Thursday. I really don't know how they did it! They ate candy and slept thirty minutes here and there. Needless to say they were both ready for a nap after lunch on Thursday. We ended up having 4 turkeys for 16 people on Thursday. It was a little crazy but everyone got what they wanted. :) Smoked, Fried, Oven Baked & Organic.....Lunch was amazing! So many great things to eat, good times with family and football! We really enjoyed having everyone over to our place for Thanksgiving! We are so thankful to have the family that we do and enjoy the times we have together. Other than the big turkey day we have rested, shopped and almost finished Christmas shopping, put up the Christmas tree & just hung out! It's been nice to have some time together before 3 weeks of craziness. Brian has tournaments the next couple of weekends so our next real day off together will be the 19th which just so happens to be our 5 year anniversary! :) I'm lucky to be married to such a great man & continue to enjoy this crazy, fun & special life we have together. Well, speaking of that special man, he's hungry so I better go cook some dinner.

So Excited!!!

We have made it to the Saturday before Thanksgiving! I'm so excited because next week at this time I will have had an amazing Thanksgiving with family at our new house, eaten TONS of yummy food, spent time with my brother that lives in California & enjoyed 3 wonderful days off!! Plus, my Christmas decorations will be up in full swing! I'm so excited! This time of year is my absolute favorite. Last night we went to a wedding and then slept in today. I'm working on cleaning the casa because tomorrow we are going to have a visitors/new members lunch with people from church. That should be fun! There are so many young couples and families visiting WOCC that we just don't get to meet them all or talk to them just at church. Today we are going to finish cleaning the house, go eat at our favorite all you can eat sushi place, watch a Christmas movie and just hang out. Brian's got some yard work to do and I think I could bake all day! The best part of the holidays is just about to begin & I'm already loving it! I feel so blessed to have such an amazing family and group of friends. I couldn't be more thankful for my life and the blessings God has given us this year. Off to clean...