Spring Break '09 (considering making it a tattoo)

This past week has been my spring break, and as it winds down I want to reflect on the highlights of my wonderful week. Ashley and I are going to Europe this summer so we decided to stay in Fort Worth for the week to save money. Not sure how much of THAT I accomplished, but I had a lot of fun! Here's what the week looked like...

The first night of the break was just a preview of the good things to come. My friend Ryan had a "White Trash" party to celebrate his birthday. It took place IN PUBLIC at a bar in the Stockyards. Ashley and I came up with an amazing idea just minutes before. Pretty hilarious, ask to see the pictures sometime.

Another highlight has been the discovery of WII fit. Ash got it for Valentine's day and we have been putting it to good use. We have been making all of our friends come over and create their MI. We now have quite the lineup in the Wii Fit Plaza and we have been provided with many entertaining moments throughout the week, particularly the hula hooping game. Action shot of Danny skiing (sadly hulahooping was discovered later)...




Saturday morning Ashley and I ran in a St. Patty's day 5k race. It as a little chilly but went well for both of us. We both got a PR and fun times were had.

The highlight of Sunday was softball practice. For those readers who do not know, my friends and I have created a coed softball team called Afternoon Delight. We practice on Sunday afternoons and this particular Sunday we traveled out to the batting cages to hit some balls. The first game is next Friday so we shall see if our practice has worked at all. Here's a pic of those on the team who could make it this week..





As for the rest of week, I was able to go to Lili's (my favorite little lunch bistro on Magnolia) twice with wonderful friends. Got my haircut. Got to go to two morning workout classes (a favorite summer activity) before injuring my hamstring even further (originally hurting from running, another story in and of itself) and having to stop. Had Sprinkles cupcakes TWICE. Got to try new flavors at Sprinkles (Baileys Irish Cream for St. Patricks, Lemon Coconut, Flourless Chocolate, and Lemon). Did LOTS of shopping, including a day at Adult Disneyland (Northpark Mall). Spent time at Starbucks downtown people watching. Discovered Yummy's donuts (it is exactly what the name says) and Orange Cup (exactly like my favorite yogurt place, Pinkberry, in NYC but a lot closer since it's in Dallas). Attended a Stars game and a TCU baseball game. Ate some dinner with Ashley's sassy grandma Honey, always fun! Enjoyed some GORGEOUS weather. And maybe the most exciting....GOT MY TICKET TO EUROPE for this summer!!!

I still have two more days before I have to go back to my 23 crazy kiddos and I intend to enjoy every minute before starting the downhill to summer, which I want to be here even more now. Only 49 days, but who's counting...

Lessons in Creation (by Kindergartners)

I have a student this year that is a once in a lifetime type student. She is definitely the highlight of most days and when she is absent my day just isn't as enjoyable. The child does not stop talking. EVER. So anyway, she walks in my room and starts talking (this is how we begin every day) about how she missed school last week and was with her aunt. Apparently her aunt gave her a lesson in creation during this time...here's how it goes in case you weren't aware.

Hey Miss Jakus, you know the people who were first on the earth? I heard a story about those people. We are all made from them. God made them. It’s not easy to make people. You have to make them from blood. You have to make the bones and the skin. He closes the skin and then puts a vacuum in the people’s mouth and puts the blood in until their bodies are full.

Good to know.

Try to not be too jealous that your day cannot start this way as well.

100 Random Things About Me

So everyone on facebook is creating lists that contain 25 random bits of information about themselves. I jumped on that band wagon and came up with 25. My roommate then challenged me to write 100 since she had done a list for her own blog. Here is what I came up with (warning - this does not fit into my attempt to be brief):

1. I have an irrational fear of choking. It’s so bad that I’m sometimes afraid to eat alone at home because if I start choking there will be nobody to do the Heimlich maneuver on me.
2. Whenever I run my first marathon, I am really hoping that I fall in love with it so that I can become a “marathoner” and run in them all over the place.
3. I sometimes wish I had left Texas after graduating and gone and lived in a city like DC, Boston or New York for a little while (I know every girls says this but it is true).
4. My years after college have been the best of my life.
5. Prior to that college really was the time of my life, just like people said it would be. I’m blessed.
6. I think that if I weren’t a Texas girl I would be an East Coast girl hands down.
7. I can’t stand the feeling of anything on my feet (dirt, mud, dust, etc.)
8. I have a scar on my chin that my sixth grade best friend gave me when she jumped on my back and scratched me with her fingernail. She is still one of my best friends.
9. I have taught 85 kids in less than three years. I am glad that every single one of them was one of my students. Seriously.
10. Recently I have been making a concerted effort to remember the funny things my kids say to me better. Also to remember how funny they are.
11. I’m probably the most uncoordinated person I know. Some people say this and it isn’t true, for me it is. If you have played sports with me you have witnessed this.
12. I always check who is online via facebook chat, but I never pay attention to the names of people who are idle.
13. I love to see how things feel. I will walk through stores and touch things (specifically clothes) just to see what their texture is. I think this is a quest to find the softest thing possible.
14. I have an unhealthy obsession with coats.
15. The best Stars game I have ever been to was when they won the Conference Semifinals in game 6 of 2008 during the 5th overtime. My mom and I were literally 1 minute from leaving to go home.
16. Lemon is my favorite seasoning. I probably have consumed at least 10,000 lemons in my lifetime. I don’t think that’s an exaggeration.
17. When I run next to someone on the treadmill at the gym I want to try and outlast them, even if I’m almost done with my workout. I have added miles on before to achieve this.
18. I like to say I’m not competitive, but I think I have a touch of it.
19. I became really great friends with my dad when I left for college through long phone conversations we would have. For some reason you get him on the phone and he won’t stop talking. We still do this still and I cherish that.
20. If I could do one thing for all my students it would be to make them love reading, simply because I love it so, so much. I think books and the stories they tell are amazing.
21. I’ve been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in the snow. On that note, I think Paris is absolutely everything it’s cracked up to be and don’t understand people who say otherwise.
22. I love Luby’s. I hate when I get a wet tray there though.
23. When I was little I wanted to put on a neighborhood production of Grease. I had it all planned out but failed on the execution.
24. I love boating and all things about being on a lake. Water skiing is one of the few things I am coordinated at.
25. I love the beach but hate going in the water because I’m afraid of what might get me while I’m in there. This developed as an adult, you couldn’t get me out of the water as a child.
26. I DID NOT like The Office the first time I saw it. Now I think it is amazing and possibly the most hilarious show ever.
27. I love cooking and discovering new recipes, this has become a new hobby since my roommate and I instated weekly dinners at our apartment.
28. My dream is to run the NYC Marathon.
29. Flying Fish Fridays are one of my favorite things about my life.
30. I enjoy finding cute handmade products on the internet.
31. I like to think of NorthPark mall as adult Disneyland. Anthroplogie would be my favorite park (in this analogy).
32. I’m extremely long winded. (See my first blog)
33. I’ve never broken a bone.
34. I didn’t get a ticket until I was a senior in college.
35. I hyperventilate when I get tickets. I literally can’t drive away or breathe.
36. I clearly worry way too much about silly things.
37. Starbucks iced coffee makes any day better particularly if it’s enjoyed outside on a pretty day.
38. I never realized how much better running is when you have a friend with you until the last few months.
39. I LOVE that so many of my friends have gotten into running.
40. Talking about running is one of my favorite things but I feel bad boring people when I do it.
41. Browsing the magazine racks at Barnes & Noble is a fun way to spend an evening for me.
42. I wish I was crafty because I think it’s fun to make crafts, but I am not.
43. I am a horrible artist, ask my kids. Seriously can’t even draw a dog (my pony is probably my most incredible piece of work to date)
44. I love pictures but don’t take enough.
45. My roommate is fabulous about taking pictures of our lives so I don’t have to worry about it.
46. Living downtown was one of the best decisions I ever made.
47. I lived in Plano for 18 years.
48. I’ve lived in Fort Worth for 7 & ½ years (minus the 7 weeks I student taught in Europe) and think it’s where I belong.
49. I’m so thankful to be blessed with a church home that I adore.
50. I like things that are new but I don’t like change.
51. I get extremely excited when it’s time for new running shoes.
52. Finding new music is one of my favorite activities.
53. I ran cross country in high school but was horrible. My best friend and I would walk to the bagel store for a daily run.
54. I enjoy decorating and wish I was better at it. Or had the money to do so anyway!
55. I used to think I wanted to move to Colorado, that was before I realized how much I hate the cold.
56. Despite this, I love skiing and it’s one of the only other things I am coordinated at.
57. I skied for the first time at age 3 and then at least once a year after that until I was in high school.
58. I watch entirely too many shows on tv. Good thing I’ve found a roommate who does too.
59. Pedicures make me happy.
60. Someone playing with my hair does too.
61. I have tried to watch Ellen’s comedy special at least 3 times and have never made it to the end because I fall asleep. Not because it's bad, because I can't stay up through much of anything late at night. What I have seen is amazing.
62. Saying that made me think of Rachel’s line in friends when Ross tells her he fell asleep reading her letter…”You fell asleeeep?”
63. I can turn almost anything into a Friends reference.
64. I just got hooked on the Twilight series. It’s amazing.
65. I think laughter is wonderful and everyone should laugh daily.
66. I enjoy making people laugh but am not all that funny.
67. This is one of the reasons I love living with Ashley, she laughs with me all the time.
68. I love ice cream, donuts, cupcakes and cookies with sprinkles. Really anything with sprinkles makes me happy.
69. I will and have gone to Dallas just to eat Sprinkles cupcakes.
70. Summer lunches with my mom were one of my favorite things to do growing up.
71. I named our Polaris (thing that cleans the pool) after my preschool friend Ashley. Ironic that I now live with an Ashley.
72. I am an only child (might be why I had to name the Polaris).
73. I wish that I had siblings. Badly.
74. I love wearing dresses.
75. I love wearing flip flops, particularly my Rainbows.
76. I used to HATE coffee and diet coke.
77. I now consume one or both of these drinks on a daily basis. I blame my roommate.
78. I have an amazing connection with my roommate Ashley that only we really understand even though we can’t explain it.
79. I can say the first couple words of a sentence and she knows the rest of it 99% of the time.
80. I haven’t seen most classic movies, including The Sound of Music (that seems to be the big one for most people).
81. I love Broadway musicals.
82. My top 5 are: Wicked, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Grease, and Lion King. Crybaby gets honorable mention, but since its no longer a musical I will leave it out.
83. Baths are one of my favorite ways to relax. This is how I ended up in my room in our apartment, it was the one with the bathtub.
84. My dad and I go to the Season Opener of the Stars every year.
85. We’ve only missed once in 10 years b/c I had to go to a teacher conference.
86. I love teaching Kindergarten.
87. My dream is to teach second grade.
88. I don’t like texting because I think it’s impersonal but I do it anyway.
89. I have a goal to try and make as many people as possible stop texting while driving. An article in People inspired this.
90. I love People magazine and check their website daily.
91. I’m a Mac person even though I never thought I would be.
92. I am extremely sentimental.
93. I have several boxes of things I save just because they remind me of a special event, person, accomplishment, etc.
94. I love swinging on swings. Ash and I go to the park and do this often.
95. I make to do lists to keep myself from getting overwhelmed and love crossing things off those lists.
96. Ical is one of my favorite Mac features because it helps me stay organized.
97. I love cleaning and organization, really. My pillows on my bed go a particular way. I think I have a touch of OCD
98. I really want to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.
99. I’m a TCU football season ticket holder. Go Frogs!
100. As cliché as it sounds, I live a blessed life that I just love. The Lord is good to me. I’m thankful for all aspects of it.

Tacky Christmas Part 3 (and 5)

So apparently soon in my world can mean a month later. Sorry, but the holidays are simply pure chaos every year. Pure joy, but pure chaos at the same time. I'm hoping to fill everyone in on the other things that have been going on in my world these past few weeks, but I promised tacky Christmas in my last blog, so I must deliver.

Besides decorating the apartment, one of my absolute favorite parts of the Christmas season is Tacky Christmas. This year marked my third time to host Tacky Christmas, but since it was Ashley's 5th time to throw this amazing party it was technically the "5th Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party". For those of you unaware of what a tacky christmas sweater party is, just imagine the typical teacher holiday sweater and you get the basic idea. If you are above the age of 50 and reading this blog, please don't be offended or worry about wearing your favorite Christmas sweater, it's all in good fun. But, if you are still crimping your hair or wearing troll earrings, such as Ashley and myself in these pictures, we might need to talk. Overall, the party was a success. Lots of yummy food, great friends, and some amazing outfits. I hope that everyone was able to go to at least one holiday party that was as fun as this one was. Looking forward to 6th Annual Tacky Christmas!


Getting ready for the party!


We called for reinforcements from those who have helped host Tacky Christmas in past years.



Small Group girls at Tacky Christmas.


The hosts of Tacky Christmas for the past two years (Ashley, Ryan, and me)

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Sweaters that have the back of a Christmas symbol on the back are especially amazing. Extra points to Sam for wearing a sweater he actually wore in the 80's.


Not very centered, but a picture of some of the boys who went all out (Adam, Sam, and Danny)


Some of my favorite girlies! (Lauren, Ash, me, Blythe)


Me and Ashley with our display of food.


Love these people! They make my life wonderful and special!

Thanks again to all of my wonderful friends who got into the spirit and made this another fun Tacky Christmas!

Baby Jesus is Born

One of my favorite traditions at 431 is decorating the Christmas tree. Ashley (I've given up on code names, but Laughs a Lot would probably be fitting for her) and I put on Christmas tunes (this year it was Garth Brooks Christmas - AMAZING), and get to work. Normally we have to set timers on our cameras to capture the event, but this year we hired a photographer. I will let the pictures show you how the evening went.




Fluffing the Tree




Excited to have found our extension cord!



Halfway There!



Hanging Ornaments



Prom Pose 1



Prom Pose 2



The Finished Product!



Merry Christmas From the Family!

PS - Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Christmas? Look for a Tacky Christmas post to come soon.

When I Count All My Blessings, I Get a Smile on my Face - 1st Addition

In honor of the holiday season, it seems like a good time to reflect on the things I am “thankful” for. As cliché as it might be, whenever I stop to think for a few seconds about how incredibly blessed I am, I get a little overwhelmed. Since I am trying to keep to my promise of writing BLOGS rather than novels, I will pick what I think to be my 3 biggest blessings, even though it is by no means the end of the list.


1. My Savior. Lately I am learning so much more about forgiveness and God’s grace. For a good part of my life those were honestly more just words to me than something that I really felt. When I think about this aspect of God though, it is overwhelming and wonderful. I’m thankful that the Lord loves me so much, no matter how little I might deserve it.
2. My Family. I don’t have a large family like many, but those that are in it have blessed my life tremendously. I have parents who are an example to me of how parenting should look. Their love and support is endless. They are my advice givers, people who would drop anything and everything for my needs, and they are two of my best friends. So many people are not blessed is this area and I realize the Lord’s love even more for me because of their presence in my life. I am also thankful for my extended family. For my cousins (and their little ones) who bring so much love and laughter into my life. Specifically, for my cousin who shares in my faith, encourages me in my walk, and is constantly reminding me that he loves me. For my aunts and uncles who’s relationships with my parents and me make me wish that I wasn’t an only child. And, for my grandmothers (my grandfathers both died before I was born) who had such a large hand in making my family an amazing one.
3. My Friends. I have had a theory for a while now, that since I don’t have any brothers and sisters, God has blessed me tremendously in the area of friends. All the friends in my life support me and encourage me in different ways. They bring so much joy to my life…those I’ve known since I was 11 and those I’ve known just a few months. Specifically (in no particular order), I am thankful for my friend who will drop anything to come help me move classrooms on a Friday night in a time where my life was turned upside down. I am thankful for my lifelong friend who has known me longer than any other, has had a tremendous impact on my spiritual life, and who will forever be a sister. I am thankful for my friend who is giving me constant hugs, calls me out on the things I need to be called out on, and doesn’t mind a midnight phone call for advice. I am thankful for my friend who I have so many happy memories with, specifically European travels, and our friendship that has remained unchanged despite distance and busy lives. I am thankful for my friend who reads my mind in a way I don’t really get and is willing to work to try and understand me better. I am thankful for my friend who shares most of my college memories and who is part of the new tradition of annual mother daughter trips. I am thankful for my friend (and his wife) who leads my church group, is a tremendous example of leadership, and also understands my running obsession. I am thankful for my friend who knows that donuts with sprinkles is the best distraction on a rough day, who can make me laugh more than any other friend, and can finish my sentences because she connects with me on a level that is hard to explain. I am thankful for the rest of my friends who I could continue to list and give specific reasons as to why I am thankful for them but then I would probably be bordering on a novel, which is against the rules (although I think I’ve already done that)

So clearly I can go on and on about my blessings. Good thing I just picked three. Happy Thanksgiving (a day late) and get ready for CHRISTMAS!!!!

Run, Drive, Sleep? Repeat.

A few weeks ago I was able to take part in something that I would consider a once in a lifetime experience.  In fact, it's part of the reason I started this blog.  I just HAD to share this weekend in my life with others.  I am talking about a race that I took part in called the Ragnar Relay. Back sometime in June I was asked by my life stage pastor at church if I was interested in running in a relay race that his brother was setting up.  The way this race works is that a team of 12 people run from San Antonio to Austin.  Each runner takes on three different legs that differ in mileage depending on what number runner you are.  I agreed without really thinking about it (I had just been "rejected" -also known as not getting in on the lottery system- from my dream of the NYC marathon so I figured I needed something to keep my running on track) and went on my merry way.

Then came the first team meeting.  This is where I found out that I would be running in a race that was 24 hours straight.  That's right, through the night, no sleep.  What the heck?  I can't live without my sleep.  Also, there were hills.  I love me a good run, don't get me wrong.  But I don't do hills, I'm kind of a baby like that.  So I begin to panic a little, but I can't be that girl who backs out at this point, so I suck it up, continue with my training, and wonder if I will actually ever be able to survive this thing.

Flash forward to race weekend.  We began in San Antonio at 11am.  I was runner #2 so I was able to do my first run (6.8 miles) shortly after this.  I wish that I could say all my training and the adrenaline that comes from running a race made this run super easy.  Instead, I have to confess that it was harder than the half marathon I ran last year, harder in fact than any run I can remember since I have become a "runner".  The hills and the heat KILLED me.  However, being the girl who didn't want to let the team down, I refused to let myself walk.  As I continued on my difficult run I began to notice the neatest thing.  Something that is a rare thing to see these days.  Humanity at its best.  Sadly, not often do we get to see kindness and encouragement from total strangers, but this race showed me just that.  The way the whole thing works is that you have 6 runners in a van.  While 1 of the runners is running the rest of the runners ride along, stopping every mile or so to give water to their runner, provide encouragement etc.  As selfish as we all are, you would think that people would encourage their runner and go on.  Not so.  I found that every single van of runners that passed me on the road would honk and cheer.  Those standing on the roadside waiting for their runners were equally enthusiastic.  It was this kindness and goodness that kept me going.  Kept me going so much that I was able to set a personal record during each of my runs!  God is so good in the way that He provides us that encouragement just when we need it.

In the end, we all did really well.  My next two runs (5.1 miles and 4.7 miles) went better than the first and I was able to pick up my pace with each run.  Totally God, not me, I promise!  Our team did SO well that we ended up finishing in a little over 25 hours, crossing the finish line in Austin around 12:30 on Saturday.  We finished 7th out of 38 teams (and I have to say that 5 of the teams in front of us were mens teams, where as we were a mens/womens mixed team). Praise the Lord for giving each of us the ability to run and for keeping us all healthy (minus a bunch of blisters, one dead toenail -mine- and one possibly broken leg -not mine-) and in high sprits.  I know that I must be crazy when I say that I would love to do this race again, but I would in a heartbeat.  We'll just have to see what next year holds!