This one's for you....

AMANDA!!

I know you're feeling sad lately about our friendship but don't worry. You are stuck with me forever. And ever!

I am enjoying writing the maid of honor speech. It has really made me reflect on our friendship over the years. Remember when we first met? (Thank you, Jill Hildwine!!). Our first time hanging out....the movies, dinners, tv time. New Year's Eve in your apartment! The infamous cruise. Disneyland. You always being a text or phone call away. Makes me love you!

P.S. My mom loves your buffalo chicken dip and wanted me to tell you that :)

Lent

In case you didn't know it is the season of Lent! Typically we all try to give up something. Why? To show we can have sacrifices. I decided to go for something positive this year since-let's face it-I never make it through without cheating! Candy, chocolate, mountain dew have all been prior lenten sacrifices, but this year I went a different route. I wanted to do something good for someone else, each day. ( I really wanted it to be: do something good for someone else, each day, without getting any recognition...but this wasn't really working!! People like to say THANK YOU too much-such a problem, right??).

With the help of my dad, I was able to complete a MASSIVE good deed for our dear friend, Alice. She is such a sweet woman who has seemed to go through so many challenges these past few years. While driving by to check on her house, I noticed how overgrown it was. Enter the thought: I should pull weeds and clean it up for her. I soon realized I couldn't do it on my own. My dad was kind enough to help!!! (Seriously, he did help! No sarcasm in this one!!).

Hours later....it's done. And I have to say, it looks amazing!!

Happy heart day!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day full of love! I had such a great day with my students (and no, that's not sarcasm). They truly spoiled me! What an amazing bunch of kids.

My highlight of the day? The phone call I got a little while ago, my dad on the other line....asking me to be his valentine. Sweetest gesture I have ever heard from him, and I am so happy. Whoever my future "Mr" is will have a lot to live up to!!!

Organizing

I had wondered what I could blog about, and today it was pointed out (thanks, Meg!) that I can write about how much I love to organize. Love, love, love. Right now, I am really loving organizing the information I have into binders for school. We have adopted the new PLC way, and with it comes a lot of data, new information, and yes-an excuse to organize.

Nothing makes me happier after a day at work than taking a file of random papers and putting them in nice sheet covers, with tabs, and making a cover for the binder. I now have a nice stack of nicely organized binders--and it makes me happy :). I have even started making binders for my teammates! One of them mentioned that I could get a side job organizing offices, or use it as a back-up career....so, if anyone is in need of an office organizer, I am your gal! Just let me know!

This weekend I will tackle organizing my computer desk/office area. I believe that's the last room in the house I haven't fully gotten to...but I will this weekend! Should I post before and after pictures of the next binder I put together???

Hope everyone has a great night!

Ketchup time!

I haven't dedicated the time to write a blog post about the New Year (we are a whole day in, you know)....so why not do this now?

I love everything low-key. Not dressing up for things, relaxing, sleeping. So New Year's has been this for me for a very long time. In the past I've gone to an early dinner and movie, home and asleep before 10 am. I actually prefer this over the crazy, chaotic, every body's drunk and I lost who I was riding with major party. :) Go figure, right?

This year we were invited over to Joe's house, for a low key night. I loved it....around 10pm everyone was ready to go. We did stay til midnight so we could sip the champagne and hug each other, but soon after we were all on our way home!

Looking back at this past year, I am so happy. Major things happened, but nothing too terrible we couldn't handle. I am excited for what the new year will bring. I like the promise of good things to come, the optimism of life ahead. As I do this, I am reminded of what tomorrow will bring. Be prepared, the following is for me to express and get the sadness out.

I will never forget the day I found my grandpa, lifeless, sitting in his chair. It haunts me sometimes, and I have dreams of him coming back to life and living with me. Maybe this is a hope that he is doing well in his after-life, maybe it's a fear that I am not living up to his expectations. Either way, it's a recurring dream. And I hope it ends soon!

I prefer to remember the happy times; Papa teasing me about the dumb thing I said, Mama giving me a big hug and kiss and always being so loving. I guess it's holidays that do this to people, but tomorrow being a bad day for our family, it just brings it to the surface. I am so lucky to have had the memories and wonderful experiences with my family. I know there are many people out there that aren't as lucky.

To you and your family: enjoy the moments. The little ones. The ones that make you laugh, smile, melt your heart. Take time to be with family. Enjoy it!

This Holiday SeAsOn....

Here is a random post, as my brain tries to slow down from the chaos of this week....

Christmas was held at my sister and her families casa again this year. Good thing they have a big house to hold us all! It was great food, as always, and even better for the memories made this year. I was glad to have Pete and Fran here to enjoy the day with us, and have them stay with me during the holidays!

We also were lucky to have Aunt Michelle and her family join us. Can't believe it's 4 generations already on her side! Also, Tracy and her crew joined us. What great kids she has--so kind, caring, and genuine. It was nice to have everyone together.

Spent the afternoon todaydoing report cards and cleaning up at school, after my double dose of allergy shots. Fun, fun. Glad they're done, but that means school will be approaching again soon. Well, on January 5th :) Lissy will be here tomorrow for a week of fun....or something like that! :) We are heading to Parker to visit her grandparents (Pete and Fran) this weekend, and then back before New Year's Eve...have I ever mentioned that I am not a big fan of NYE? I would so much rather sleep....maybe this year something magical will change my mind. Haha.

Doggies are not fighting anymore...but I haven't given them much chance to be together and go at it. But, they're both safe and nursing them back to health is just not fun. I enjoy spending time with them, though. We have been on walks almost every day and they are both such amazing pups!

Looking forward to next week-hair appointment. There's nothing like a little pampering time to feel good about yourself! Hope everyone has a safe New Year's Eve. Don't be stupid-get a cab if you need it! Or call me to pick you up :)

Here they are!!!

The time has finally arrived...to unveil our fabulous family pics from this year (<---SINCE this stupid blog is being slow, check them out on my facebook page. If you can't view them, let me know).

BIG thanks to Erin Roberts (http://www.photosbyerinleigh.com/) for the amazing pictures. You made us look great. The family was very pleased when they opened up their Christmas gifts and finally got to see them! I think I can say this will continue to be a family tradition each year. Looking back at last years pictures--it's amazing to see how big Abby and Kayla have grown! They are growing like weeds....and get even more adorable as they grow up!

I love the picture of all of our faces really close together. It was a big weird when taking the picture, but I think it turned out really great! I am also beyond thankful that Erin was able to catch a wonderful, and genuine, picture of my dad smiling. He looks so happy and like himself in that picture!