Much Needed Break

As of yesterday at 3:30 (it would have been 3:00 if one of my students had gotten on the bus), I am officially off work for 2 weeks!

This is a GREAT perk to being a teacher!

Em is finishing up today (she's done by now) and will be joining me in pure bliss until January 2nd!

Imagine. 14 full days free of this...

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kids. But if you had 25 kids needing your undivided attention for 7 hours a day, you'd like a break too!

Retail Therapy

Overall, my day was pretty tough yesterday. I was very frustrated with some stuff going on and I was in the need of some retail therapy.

Jen, Em, and I went shopping. We went to find some trinkets at Jo-Ann's and Deals for our classrooms (minus Jen) and then, stupidly, went to the mall.

We all loathe the mall on Saturdays because of the out-of-county shoppers that invade the mall (granted I know I live in Scott Co., but I'm a Fayette Co. native originally).

This is basically what the trip entailed: Us avoiding those incessant kiosk sellers, doing a small amount of browsing, standing in line FOREVER for food, Em on the verge of roundhousing everyone in a 10 yard vicinty of her, me venting my frustration about a man next to me in line only to see that he was sitting at the table next to me and heard the whole thing (lesson learned), and running into Scott and Lea Morgan on the way out (as well as their friend who was on the interviewing committee of a job I didn't get...twice. Awkward!)

We spent the rest of night becoming frustrated with the Bengals, watching the same episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8, watching a marathon of ANTM, and introducing The Sweetest Thing to Jen.

I love my girls and the day would have been much more difficult (and uneventful) without them.

Christmas Revenge

Every year, Mark's family has a Christmas party with a gift exchange. This is just supposed to be a $10 gift. Now, it's not supposed to white elephant. Every year, I spend all of this time agonizing over the perfect gift to bring that I think anyone would enjoy/appreciate. Every year, no one really likes my gift and I go home with something that I don't enjoy/want. So....this year, I brought this as a gift...

That's right, the Ultimate Origami Set complete with an illustrated book and 200 pieces of paper for all of your folding needs. This can be purchased at Waldenbooks for the low, low price of $9.99.

What a steal!

This year, I got....

....a fondue pot!

I actually wanted this. I was so glad no one else wanted it. But we have parties all the time and I thought it would be perfect for the After Christmas Party this year. Ticean and Amy brought the fondue pot because they already had one and it was a gift at one of their showers. I was happy to receive it.

I actually came away pleased this year.

The Second Annual Crossroads Christmas Party was a success!

I have been both years and enjoyed myself both times. I went with my parents last year (I have no idea where Mark was) and we had a great time. This year, they left town early to head up to Indiana before the snow came so they were unable to attend, BUT Em, Jen, and Mark all came this year and it made the evening delightful!

There were desserts, hot chocolate, Christmas carols, a ton of Christmas trees and great company. I had a wonderful time.

Shout Out to Kerry Tuttle

I just found out that Kerry Tuttle reads my blog. This is very exciting and gives me a new purpose in blog writing!

She sits at her desk every day and I can only imagine has been highly disappointed with my recent lack of blogging. So, to her I apologize as well as anyone else who reads my blog on a regular basis (which consists of Em, Jen, my mom, and my Grandma)....big fan base, I know.

Kerry, I tried to find a picture of the small group from the days of old thinking it might be funny, then I realized that the picture is just as incriminating of me as it is you. I refrained.

You're welcome.

Holiday Joy

I did this last year and enjoyed it way too much! This year you can do a whole group of people.

I have included a link to my latest creation.

Click here to see what the Crossroads Christmas Party will entail...

Jesus Hates the Steelers

Source

This shirt is kinda amazing!

I hate the Steelers. I really hope we beat them tonight. If we can beat the Steelers and the Browns, the rest of the season doesn't matter to me.

Tune in and cheer on the black and orange at 8:15 pm

1st Snow

I saw my first snowfall yesterday in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. We went to visit my Grandma and it started coming down.

Then it turned to sleet. Then freezing rain. Then there were slick roads.

Ok, I like snow....not ice. Here comes winter!

Guess what I did????

I roasted my very first chicken today!!!

I know, that's not a big deal, but it's the very first time I've done it on my own, in my own kitchen, with no one helping me. I must say...it was great! It was incredibly juicy and tastes wonderful. I made it because I'm making a giant pot of chicken 'n' dumplings.

Yum!

Thanksgivings 3 & 4

The rest of my Thanksgivings went great! We spent Saturday with Mark's family and Sunday with my family. Coincidentally, both days were also spent watching football, Cats and Bengals, respectively. Both days were also a ton of fun and spend with the people I love.

As I have seen others do, I have pondered and come up with some things I have to be thankful for this, herebeit, a week late:

1. A marriage to a wonderful man with whom supports me, nurtures me, and loves me everyday for years now.

2. A growing family who I love and feel truly comfortable with. I have 3 great sets of parents and lots of brothers and sisters.

3. Friends who know me and love me just the same.

4. 25 kids who drive me crazy and make me fall in love with them. They test my patience, but I feel myself growing....hopefully.

5. My Grandpa's cancer being in remission and my Grandma's strength and courage to fight.

6. A warm home to come home to each day.

7. My many blessings (car, food, clothes) that I tend to take for granted WAY too much.

8. And finally, but most importantly, a relationship with a God who loves me more than I can understand. A relationship that keeps growing despite all of my shortcomings and the ability for an amazing God to love a selfish, spoiled, often ungrateful girl like me.