Holiday Season has begun...

Yesterday I had the worst headache all day. I was miserable and had a terrible case of the Monday's. Well I left school a little early (by early I mean 3:20 instead of 3:30) because my head was killing me. I pulled into the driveway to see the cutest husband on a ladder hanging Christmas lights!! Oh how it filled me with joy!! I had told him I wanted the bulb lights lining the roof but he couldnt find them anywhere so I told him not to worry about it but J being J was determined- after going all over town he found them at Ace! Our house looks wonderful and I am so proud of my little hubby who worked so hard yesterday afternoon getting them all hung up. After the lights were up outside, we put together the Christmas tree. Decorating it is on our list for tonight though : )

The Weekend

Friday morning the boys got up in the freezing rain and went to play golf. They said they were miserable the first 9 holes but once the sun came up it was really pretty. They played and enjoyed time with each other. It was neat because all the brothers went- so cute (Roy & Justin, Sam & Jonathan)

While they played golf Jessica & I helped mom transition the house from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We pulled out all the boxes and began changing wreaths, putting up Santas, stockings and nativity scenes. It totally put me in the Christmas mood.

When the men got home, they showered and we all ate lunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent just being together and hanging out before we went back over to the Parkers for gumbo. Grandma always makes gumbo after big meals. We ate gumbo and hung out again...ya know...eating, football, eating, coffee, pie, cake, etc.

Saturday we slept in until 9:30- when we got up Mom made us breakfast and we all hung out until lunch when we met up with Roy, Jess & Dad who had been at the mall. We all had lunch together- the 6 of us before Dad & Roy left to go to the Katy game and Justin left to go home to hunt. The rest of the day was spent finishing Grandpa's book(more on that later), going to Hobby Lobby, printing baby shower invitations and just being together. Mom was sick, Jessica was doing homework for her masters and Grandma was watching TV. A real eventful Saturday : )

Sunday morning we got up and went to church. It was a really neat sermon. Instead of preaching they had a big table set up on stage and five families shared their stories of why they are thankful this year.

The first man was thankful for his family, church, Sunday school class, etc. The second lady just lost her husband and was thankful for her church family that had been there for her through this tough time.

The third lady has a tumor that is causing her to go deaf in her ear. She took radiation last Thanksgiving and they are hoping it will kill the tumor. She is currently still living with the tumor in her ear. She is a single mom to a 14 year old boy. She said she is thankful for a God who has seen her through the fight and is continuing to fight her battle for her.

The fourth was a man. His story- unbelievable. His mother had been sick and he had been driving back and forth between Kingwood & Dallas area. Well the end of October he was driving back and he looked to his right and a tornado was coming at him. Before he knew it- he was in the tornado. When he came too afterward he looked around- every seat in his car was crushed- except his. He crawled out of the window to see an 18-wheeler and dump truck on top of his car. The 18-wheeler had been carrying the dump truck. He showed us pictures- the driver seat was the only place not completely smashed. He said the first thing he did was thank the Lord his family was not with him. He was bleeding from a few glass shards but nothing serious. He went to the doctor and the doctor told him that God must have big plans for him and that he is not finished with him yet. I love that. He had a lot to be thankful for this year.

The last story was a husband and wife who had gone through the battle to adopt. They had done everything they could. A 15-18month adventure turned into 5 years.- They call it the "paper pregnancy." They fought with it and at times were at their breaking point- but God kept them strong. After long years passed, they signed up for a adoption program for children with special needs. He said one Saturday morning, they called and said they had a 18 month little girl with a clef lip and palette and would they be interested in moving forward? He said could he call them back- their response was if they hung up the phone they would have to go call the next person on the list. So of course he said yes!! They moved forward and a few months later they went to China to adopt their little girl. They were waiting in the hotel room for them to bring her to them. When they came to the door- he told his wife- go get our daughter. When she opened the door the little girl looked up and said "Mamma." The husband said he had such a desire to be called Daddy but even more he wanted his wife to be mommy. I love how God works in everything and takes care of his own. Maybe not the way or timing they thought- but he took care of his own.

After church we went to Luby's for lunch and then I got on the road to get back home! : )

Sorry I know this was a long post with no pictures. : ) If you got this far, I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving- A Little Late

Thursday morning was here before we knew it. I got up and finished up Grandma's birthday present for turning 90 (90 Reasons We Love Grandma for her 90th Birthday). After Grandmas book was finished, Justin arrived and we all ate breakfast and helped mom finish up the cooking for lunch. Around 1:15, we drove over to the Parkers. This Thanksgiving was the "big" Thanksgiving which means everyone was there. The Parkers and all the spouses and the Hardys and all their spouses and of course Grandma. So we had A.Joan, U.Ed, Erin, Jonathan, Kaylee, Annabelle, Elissa, Sam, Emily, Mom, Dad, Jessica, Roy, Me & Justin. And all the dogs. : ) All we were missing was the Calhouns. Here are some family photos that we did: (It was my first time to use the tripod-oh I love that thing!) Tried out making a collage on PSCS5- its alright- they will get better as I practice...
This one was me trying to figure out the timer- therefore funny pose : ) We all ate and ate and then celebrated Grandma's 90th. They decorated the table so cute! I got the privilege of reading the 90 reasons to Grandma- granted there was a lot more than 90 and I wasn't going to sit and read them all so I choose a few from each granddaughter and her kids. I cried, She cried, Mom cried, A.Joan cried, Dad cried....pretty much we all cried. After I read her 90 reasons, Grandma started telling us stories from when she was little kid. It had been around 30 minutes and she had only gotten to the 1930's- we still had a long way to go...so we listened some more and then Grandma got upset which got us all upset. She was crying telling us about how happy she is that Grandpa & her had three kids who all married and raised christian children who all married christian spouses and how glorious it is that we will all be around the throne of the Lord together one day. At that point, everyone was crying so we transitioned into her present. Each one of the family got a charm for a Pandora bracelet we got her. Each family got a different charm to represent their family. It was so sweet and neat to watch as her empty bracelet filled with love. After eating and celebrating Grandma's birthday we took some more photos, hung out, played with Kaylee & Annabelle, watched football, ate some more and then headed home to watch the Aggie football game. WHOOP!! We all sat around and watched the game. YIPPIE!! GO AGGIES!! When the game was over, we all headed to bed because the guys were getting up early to go play golf on Friday morning.

Soup, Soup, Soup

Wednesday morning I got up and went and got my hair done before coming home and helping mom get ready for company. That night all the family arrived in Kingwood to begin our celebration of the holiday season. We made three soups (Cheese Broccoili, Chicken Tortilla, & Potato) YUMMY!! Everyone came over to our house and hung out and caught up. Before long it was already getting late and everyone left to prepare for the feast the next day. : )

Jessica & RoyThe Newlyweds- Lissa & SamMom & DadSweet Kaylee

My Newest Neice

Yesterday after school, Justin and I drove down to Houston to meet Kinley. She is ADORABLE. I forget how little they are. She is full pound bigger than her sister was and she still seemed sooooo little. We met Taylor & Ella at the house and all of us just held her and oooo-ed and ahhh over her. ADORABLE!!Jusitn hasn't had a lot of sleep lately and so when Justin held Kinley- it wasn't long before he was just like her and sound asleep. Ella & Avery were yelling at him to wake up and he was passed out, yet if Kinley moved he would pop awake real quick. : )
Ragan & Brad- She is beautiful. You have been blessed with a beautiful family and I am thankful to be a part of it! Love you guys!!

Happy 6th Birthday Grayson!!

Sunday morning I got up and saw Lauren & Ty off before getting ready for my nephews 6th birthday. Really it was the 20th but Sunday we all drove to the Renaissance Festival for the day to help him celebrate. It was a lot of fun and I am so glad I was able to go. I wish Justin would have been home and able to go as well but I still had fun without him. :( the birthday boy was protecting me with his sword & shield : ) my knight for the day since mine was away I guess he coulda been my Knight as well...(haha- he was very inappropriate but what do you expect at the Ren Festival?)
Sisters before we got started

Ella & Aunt Lauren- love little girls

We were gone all day but it was so fun. I hadn't been to the festival since I was kid and it was fun to be able to go back and see everything again. Such a crazy place! I got home Sunday night, gave Pip a bath, I took a bath, watched the AMA's, uploaded photos to facebook and passed out for the night with the dreams and excitement that I only had a 2 day week this week! YIPPIE!! So Excited!!

How About Them Aggies?

So Friday my friends arrived again and the whirlwind of my weekend began again. It was perfect. We went and ate at Chilli's for dinner before heading back to Kimberly's apartment to play Jeopardy on the Wii. Surprisingly, I was pretty good. I shocked everyone, including myself. :) We left around 10ish to go home. We have become such old ladies. We were tired and wanted to go to bed so we could be fun for Saturday.

Saturday we got up and hung out. Lauren & Ty went shopping and I took a nap at the house. LAME, I know. But I ate three donuts and went into shock and passed out. :) After awhile Megan called me and told me they were heading up to tailgate. I got up real quick and drove over to her sisters house (the girls old house) and loaded up the car and drove up to campus. It was great. Her parents have a big RV tailgate so we drove right up with the pass and didn't have to walk at all! *unheard of for an Aggie football game* The food was amazing- ribs, wings, sausage, turkey, cheese ball, crackers, chips, cake, etc. OMG- no wonder my pants don't fit me today. :) We ate and ate and all just hung out around the RV for quite some time. Around 5:30 we walked over to Spence park and joined everyone else at Kimberly's tailgate for her grad school. Once there we ate some more and just hung out until the game started. At this point, EVERYONE went into the game minus me. HMPH! Thankfully, Kason & Carla had come up so I met up with them and we drove home and watched the game at the house. Kason grilled some hot dogs for us while we watched the Aggies win over Nebraska!! WHOOP! Before long, Kason & Carla headed home and the rest of us went to bed for the night.

And how could I forget this beauty...this is Shiloh. She was the local "bear." She is Lauren's dog and lives with her in Dallas so we rarely get to see her. She is a Great Pyrenees. She is the most gentle loving ENORMOUS dog ever. I love her.

Happy Visit

So at school, on Fridays, the principal comes around and announces "Happy Visits" in front of the whole class. Its like a total big deal for the kids. All Friday morning they ask, Am I going to get a happy visit today!? A "Happy Visit" is when your teacher thinks you are doing a good job and wants to brag on you to the principal and he comes and announces your name and you get to go see the assistant principal and get a ribbon that says "I Had a Happy Visit Today", your picture taken for the "Happy Visit" wall and two things out of the treasure box.

Well this morning, I was getting some information together for an ARD for one of my kids. I was sitting on my computer in my little closet and I hear Mr. Martindale start giving out Happy Visits and he is standing right in front of my door...well he starts talking and says...

"This person deserves a Happy Visit for doing an awesome job with our second graders. She's ALWAYS available to help out the teachers as well. She's a great asset to our team! Mrs. Knight gets the first happy visit of the day!"

OMG! I didn't know what to do! It was totally unexpected I didn't know teachers could get a Happy Visit. All the kiddos had come out of their rooms to see who the happy visit was for and were all smiling at me. It was so cute. So I went and got my ribbon and now all the kids are like, "YOU got a happy visit?" HAHA! It started my Friday morning off just wonderfully.

After that I pulled some kids and we played some games with place value and money before I went and hung out with one of my teacher friends who teaches second grade. Pulling my kids on Friday is always difficult because everyone's schedule is all different with motor lab, library, different switching schedule, etc. Her class was working on cards for thanksgiving so I made one as well to add to my "Thanksgiving Folder"- they were so cute. Here is mine:So cute right? All it is is a cut out of my hand, pasted on a yellow card- and glued sequences on the fingers. Also, it could be done with paint or glitter. We opted for the easiest route with 45 second graders. : )

11-17-10

Yesterday a little girl joined our family. Oh it is so exciting to watch as our family grows and will continue to grow....

introducing... Kinley Rae

Mommy with her girls

Piglet

AHHHH I am so excited. My new niece/nephew is in route. Ragan's water has broke and won't be long now before we know if its a boy or a girl!! I can't wait, I am so excited. Last night I was dancing around the house singing Ragan's having a baby tomorrow!!! : ) I am sure she will do great and thankfully Brad is right there by her side!! Love you both!!! Can't wait to meet the little one.

boy...girl...boy....girl....boy....girl...

not to mention the name!?! AHHHH crazy to think how much all our lives will change today...esp. for Ragan, Brad & Avery!!!

At last

So since summer every single weekend we have either had company, been gone, doing something, etc- this weekend was the first weekend since summer where we have just been together. It has been glorious!!! Friday we did nothing but hang out and watch August Rush. The first time we have sat down together and watched a movie in forever!! I had never seen August Rush before. It was good. After the movie we watched some tv before going to bed. It sounds so uneventful but for us it was so wonderful to finally be able to do just that.

Saturday morning I got up and went to take some newborn photos. He will turn one month on the 14th. He was precious! SO Little!! Here are two of my favorites:

After I took the photos I came home and J was playing his game (he got a new one). After a while Justin hung our tv in our bedroom. Now every tv in our house is hanging on the wall. Ridiculous! : ) Even our future nursery has a flat screen on the wall (granted its my photography room right now). After that Justin went to Lowes to get some "grass winterizer" so that our grass wont get weedy during the winter. I put a load of wash in and took Pip on a two mile walk. The weather was beautiful, almost chilly and I put my ipod on loud and had a little pep in my step. When I got home, I did some more laundry and Justin and I again just hung out. It was perfect.

Today we were so bad. I had my alarm set and everything to go to church and we didn't get up until 11:45!!!! We have never never never- in the whole time of us being married slept that late. Apparently, we were tired. Since getting up, I have finished the laundry, put all my tank tops away, and hung all my winter sweaters up. Currently, Justin is in the kitchen making us something yummy for lunch. He wont tell me what he is making but the onions smell good cooking...this is the first time since we got married he is making lunch/dinner all by himself. Normally, we either do it together or I do it before he gets home. : ) Gotta love him! The rest of the day will probably be some more of just hanging out.

I'll leave you with our fur baby. It is cold here and since he shakes when he is cold...I put his winter sweater on him...yeah its a dog snuggie : )

My Favorite 4 Legged Friend

I'm currently taking a photography class on editing and have been practing on my favorite subject... PIP!! : )

Reunited

This past weekend was so much fun. I love pretending to still be in college and have all my friends in the same house as me. : ) Friday school got out and I rushed home and began cleaning. Since I am married and have a home I felt like I should have holiday decor and cookies baking. : ) I ran to Walmart got some food, etc before they got here. Chelsea, Jordan & Austin were driving in from Houston because that is where Jordan & Austin flew into. They picked me up and we headed to Cheddars for dinner where we met up with Kimberly, Elise and her friend.

Chelsea, Me, Kimberly & Jordan waiting for our table

We sat around and had two appetizers at the bar while waiting for our table. We finally got seated and chowed down. After dinner, we headed to The Corner (a bar on Northgate) where we would all finally be reunited. NANNNY-together at last.

Jordan, Me, Kimberly, Lauren, Megan & Chelsea- we couldn't be happier

Chelsea and I are old women and stayed for maybe 45 minutes before we left to go home. They stayed an hour longer than us before coming back to my house for the night as well.

Saturday morning we all got up and everyone hung out just like old times- all of us still in our pj's laying around on the couch discussing our plans for the day. Jordan & Austin left to go to see her Grandma, Chelsea took Megan & Rine to get Rine's car from her sisters house and I got in the shower. Once Austin & Jordan were back they finished getting ready while we waited for Chelsea, Megan & Rine to return. I was sitting on the computer waiting and someone comes to the door...could it be?? IT IS!! My hubby home just for the day!! Oh I WAS SOOOO EXCITED! Once again, I cried. We finally left around 12:30 to go eat lunch at Rudy's, check out the boutique owned by one of our sorority sisters, merge and finally head up to campus. J stayed home and took a nap and met us later at the tailgate (he had been working nights so he was EXHAUSTED-story of his life). We all hung out and walked over to step off for the out of town folks (Austin & Rine- they had never seen it) Everyone got all excited. It was weird being the old kids to come back over to the quad and watch step off even though we knew no one. (even weirder to think J and I met on the quad at a step off) Austin thought it was amazing and videoed the whole thing. (Here is a video of the Aggie band stepping off from 2009) There is something about being an Aggie and being with your best friends and watching the band step off. There is such pride.

My Hubby & Me at the Tailgate

After step off we headed back to Spence park where we continued tailgating for awhile until the game started.

Roomies- Chelsea & Me

Once the game started we left. We all went and ate at The Tap (sports bar) and watched the Aggies win over Oklahoma! After the game we all headed home and everyone got back on the road. Austin & Jordan's plane left early Sunday morning and Megan & Rine had dental school labs and stuff they needed to get done so they left as well. It was such a whirlwind.

Sunday morning J got up and left to go back to work for the week and I cleaned up the house, did some laundry and then did my favorite thing of all...a maternity photo shoot! Here is one of my favorites- being able to work the camera and adjust the lighting and ISO makes it so much more real. Check me out on Facebook: Lauren Knight Photography

And the best news of all..Jordan, Megan and Chelsea are all coming back next weekend!! YIPPIE! 5 out of the 6 will be together again!!

Is That Your Dad?

So this summer when we went on our cruise a guy helping us zip line thought J was my dad. J didn't think it was funny. I thought it was hilarious. Well this morning, I was pulling my kiddos and one was looking at the wall not really paying attention to me. On my wall is the newspaper clipping from when J and I got engaged. She looks at me dead serious and says, "Is that your dad?" HAHAHAHAHAHA J has got to hate it but I think its hilarious!!

Daddy's Poem

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter
home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in
back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who
told her to go on..

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he
loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride
my bike.
He surprised me with
pink roses,
and taught me to fly
a kite.

We used to share
fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"

With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere there in the crowd
of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was a right.

And when she dropped her hand back
down, staring straight into the crowd..
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is an American Soldier
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb
hit his convoy and taught Americans
to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for
a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.


They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.


Take the time...to live and love.

Until eternity..

God Bless

There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country Free.

Catch Up!!

Day 27: Pets!

Oh the love of my life. Pip. Pip is my baby and my first born. He is spoiled rotten and loves it. He is at Chihuahua, Shitzshu, Terrier mix. ADORABLE! I have never seen another dog like him. Other than his siblings- but even then he is the only who is spotted. Pip is who makes a bad day good and when Justin is gone keeps me company and keeps me safe. What would I do without my little baby?Growing up, I had my best friend, Austin. My first love. It was he who introduced me to my love of puppies. Austin was a full bred cocker spaniel and would stand like a champion when you brushed him. Adorable. We were his life and he lived to make us happy. He lived to be 17 years old. You can read about him here. or here (funny thing- this post was from 2009 and it was titled 1st love) and lastly here. He was such a good dog. We all STILL cry when we talk about him. 17 years is a long time for a dog to live and he was loved and considered part of our family.

I love animals. If Justin would let me I would have 3 or 4 dogs. I L-O-V-E- THEM!! My sister is so anti-dog. She is "allergic" hmph. Its so weird to me when people don't share my love of puppies!! However, I don't like cats, so I understand.

Day 28: Something That Stresses You Out

Hmmm...I would say photography. Its totally ustress. I get so nervous and excited before a photo shoot. I get all jittery and nervous and hope that I can perform and meet their expectations. My wedding photographer whom I work with sometimes told me the day you are no longer nervous before a shoot- its the day you should stop photography. SO TRUE! It is such a rush and I always have so much fun but I get so stressed before a shoot. But its the best kind of stress.

Also, family. (not always, just sometimes) They stress me when everyone wants to make decisions for everyone else. No one can just make a decision and go with it- everyone has to run it by everyone else and make the decisions for everyone else when they can't even make their own decisions. CRAZINESS- totally stresses me out!

Day 29: 3 wishes

1. I wish we could win the lottery. I mean who doesn't!?
2. I wish more than anything Justin wouldn't have to be gone all the time for work.
3. I wish I was a good cook. : )

Picture of Our Family

My family consists of Mom, Dad, Jessica & Roy, Justin & Me.
Justins family consists of his mom, dad, Taylor, Eric, Cannon, Gunnar, Grayson, Ella, Cambrey, Joe, Adam, Zachary, Ragan, Brad, Avery, "Piglet", Kason & Carla. Justin has 4 siblings, all which are married and 3 out of the four have kids...more than one. : ) The picture I can find of the majority of us is from our wedding, but its without the kiddos!And of course our new family...Justin, Me & Our Fur Baby, Pip. This picture is from last Easter, but its the only one I could find with Pip included. : )

IPod Shuffle

So my ipod is currently in Houston with Chelsea but she is bring it back to me this weekend so I just did a shuffle on my itunes.

I recently uploaded a lot of current songs so my shuffle is pretty current.

1. Mammas Song- Carrie Underwood
2. Hope Now- Addison Road
3. Revelation Song- Kari Jobe
4. Dj Got Us Falling In Love- Usher
5. What do I know of Holy- Addison Road
6. If We Ever Needed You- Casting Crowns
7. Just A Dream- Nelly
8. Smile- Uncle Cracker
9. Justin Bieber- Baby
10. Alright- Darius Rucker

I want to go home and download some more songs this afternoon after looking at all of yalls list! Don't forget to link up with Katie!

Package!!

So today I get home from work and see a big white box at the door....SCHOLASTIC!!!!!!!!

I ordered some Halloween/Fall books because they were on sale and they arrived today!! Yippie!!!

I got...
Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween

The Littlest Pumpkin

The Best Thanksgiving Ever

There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!

Fancy Nancy & The Late, LATE Night

Let it Fall!

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus

Spooky Hayride

I got home, opened the box and read all of them. I love it! Made my day!! Justin thinks I'm insane because I have like 1000 books in the attic from my classroom but you always need some new books : )

Something I've Learned

So I was looking back at my blog archives and realized I have never blogged as much as I did the month of October- 34 posts!!! The whole reason I blog is to leave a footprint behind. What I do is make my blog into a hardback book. Yes it takes FOREVER. I use a program called Blurb and copy and paste each blog individual, and then add each picture individually but it is totally worth it. It is amazing the results- I just like to go back and read it and I know one day my kids and maybe even my kids kids will look back on this book and be like WHAT!? What was she wearing? What is that hairdo? Look how skinny she was, what happened!? Plus I was totally that kid who would search through my grandparents attic and basement and hope to find some sort of journal/pictures of the past. So in hopes I will have a child like myself, I will leave them some journals to read. haha! Anyways, it is totally awesome and I totally recommend it. I have currently had my 2009 blog printed and am in the process of making the 2007 & 2008 (they will be one book since I only blogged like 5 times in 07) and then I will begin 2010. I am determined to be caught up by December. On Saturday, I worked for 3 hours and got one month of 2008 done. It takes FOREVER-but WORTH IT!

Anyways, today for the challenge is something I've learned. Oh I can't even think to write down things I have learned. Ya know we could go basic and say I've learned 2+2=4 or 5x4=20 or how to brush my teeth, get dressed, etc. but to go deeper....

I have learned we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I think every day how lucky I am and how different it could have been. I have learned to stop planning for the future and live each day like its your last. I have learned to tell everyone you love them every time you see them, it may be the last. I have learned to live your life for the one made you. I have learned that sometimes its okay to cry. I have learned that sometimes its okay to get in car, roll down the windows and scream. *it really does make you feel better

On a less serious note, I have learned if you make your husband pay for the monthly gym membership you better go. : ) I have learned that eating candy every day when you get home from school makes your clothes not fit. (hence the gym membership) I have learned that having a comfy bed makes you want to sleep more than if you have a rock of a bed.

Lastly, I have learned/am learning to love. (The Love Dare- amazing book.devotional)

And just like Katie said in her post this really could be a continually thing. We are learning new things and changing everyday.

Big Cats

I got this in a email and look how cute these cats are. I never thought about what happens to the leftover pumpkins or how much fun a bunch of huge cats could have with these pumpkins!! *I wonder if Sophie or Pip would have as much fun?*

Favorite Vaca

Today at Katie's 30 Day Challenge is your favorite vacation. I could go with a lot of them. Any vacation I get to go on is one of my favorites!! like our yearly trip to Virginia to see my mom's side of the family, our yearly trips to the beach, my honeymoon, our cruise, etc. but a trip that I know I will never be able to reproduce and was so much fun was the summer before my senior year of college.

My 5 best friends and I had thrown parties for our 21st but Jordan was the last one to turn 21 so we figured we better go big. And when I mean go big, we did just that. All 5 of us (my friend Lauren couldn't come) headed to Florida to spend a week at Disney World! All expenses paid! Her dad said when we got back he would NEVER do that again. We had the time of our lives. During the day we went to the different parks and at night we would dress up and go out to eat. One night we went to Cirque Du Soleil. Friday we went to the magic kingdom. Saturday & Sunday we moved hotels and hung out together. Monday we went to Universal and Isle of Adventures, Tuesday we went to Epcot and Wednesday we came back home. It was so much fun. It was my first vacation without my parents and with my best friends none the less.

Before we left we all came over to my parents house and we had gotten a cookie cake that said Happy Birthday Princess Jasmine (we were all the different princess- I was Snow White because the 7 dwarfs and all the animals were my students, Megan was Beauty, Jordan was Jasmine, Chelsea was Little Mermaid, Kimberly was Cinderella and Lauren was Sleeping Beauty- we deemed Jordan's dad the genie since he was making our dreams come true)Me making my wish at the Magic Kingdom All 5 of us after eating a wonderful dinner at Blue Zoo one night. For Jordan's actually birthday, we spent the day at Epcot exploring the countries- this is a picture of me and the birthday girl!

It truly was a vacation I will never be able to recreate. I love my best friends. I can't wait until this weekend when we will all be reunited again for some Aggie football!! We are all over the place now so all 6 of us together is rare! Yippie!! (Me and Kimberly in College Station, Lauren and Megan in Dallas at dental school, Chelsea in Houston and Jordan in Florida!)