Charlie Brown

Well, we finally got our tree up! After realizing time is running out and that we weren't getting anymore of it....no matter how much I wished. Reality set in and I went to the local hardware store and bought a Christmas. It is the Charlie Brown-"iest" tree you have EVER seen! But after a little bit of love it actually is pretty darn cute. I haven't taken a picture of it yet, so stay tuned for pics. Many to follow. :-)

It is really beginning to LOOK and feel alot like CHRISTmas!

I am so ready for Christmas Vacation, days off and just hanging out with the family. I hope we have lots of snow, so we can play outside.

Here is a Christmas Story for you today:

True Christmas Spirit

Author Unknown

It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head.

My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't buy them anything. Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun. Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines.

I picked the shortest line but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait. In front of me were two small children - a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers.

As the Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key
but happily. When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said. The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back, " he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow." With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes, " she cried. "Well, we'll go home and work some more.

Don't cry. We'll come back," he said. Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came
around me and a small voice said, "Thank you, lady." "What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked. The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus." The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?" My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes" I answered, "I am sure she will."

Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving.

Long Live Cowboys

This past weekend Dave and I, along with another couple friend went to Vegas. We left very early Thursday morning and got to Vegas around noon! Perfect time to hit Vegas! Nothing happens in Vegas much before evening time. That city never sleeps, it is so true.

Thursday we tooddled around the BIG city. I had my first Hooters restaurant experience, actually, gotta admit the food wasn't that bad. The waitresses were awful but the food.....not too bad!

Then we went out the South Pointe and checked all that out.

Friday we took in Cowboy Christmas at Vegas Convention Center......needless to say it was awesome and we got some great autographs. Went to Flint's Outside the Barrel show. It was a riot! Bill Engvall even showed up. I was star-struck. Need I say more?
Friday night rodeo and then Downtown Vegas.

Saturday we took in Cowboy Marketplace, more Cowboy Celebrities and shopping. I made some sweet purchases on Saturday (I am spoiled)! Saturday night rodeo and then it was the stripe and our last night there!

The weekend went way too fast....I wasn't ready to go home.
Home greeted us with freezing temps oh and that thing called REALITY.

Vegas was great and I hope we can do it again, in about 5 years. Dave and I went about 5 years ago to the NFR and had such a blast I was glad we had the opportunity to go again.

Needless to say, I am completely star-struck by all the Cowboy Celebrities that we got to meet, greet and have autograph pictures for our children! :-)

Here are a few pics from the weekend.
Enjoy! I know I will.

Vegas BaBy!

We are going to Las Vegas tomorrow morning, flight leaves at 7:30am......yikes! That is going to be an early morning. But it will be well worth it right?

Earlier this fall our friends won the bid on some tickets to the NFR and they invited us to go along! How could we pass that up? We really have NO business going to Vegas right know but sometimes you just gotta Do IT!!!

It will be a fun little trip, will be fast but weekend get-aways are always worth it!

I'll post pictures of our trip when we return.

Until then, stay warm.
And enjoy the beginnings of your holidays season!
Just in case you were wondering 23 days until Christmas.....................YIKES!

Some Random Pics I found on google images

first day.....

64 oz. of water = check
5 fruits and/or veggies = check
multivitamin = check
35 mins of exercise = check
not eating after 8pm = check
NO sweets = check (yah! for me)

Today I started a new fitness challenge. It is called Fit For February.
Everyday you get points for drinking water, eating fruits, veggies, not eating after 8pm, exercising 1/2 hour/day (at least), having a multi-vitamin, and no sweets. You get 1 free day (for sweets and no exercise)....yahoo! :-0

So far today, I've gotten all the points possible. I'm hoping to lose inches from my hips and waist. I would love to lose a few lbs too....but I'm more concerned about inches at this point!

Wish me luck and here's to being Fit for February!

If I was at all brave...I would take a picture of my stomach.....but I'm not but it's NoT at toned as I would like it, so we'll just leave it at that! :-)

I can hardly.......

Contain myself, I am so excited. For what?

Two-day work week!

Thanksgiving on Thursday

No School/Work, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday!

I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself!

I want to start decorating for Christmas right now! But I keep telling myself I should wait until after Thanksgiving. I might just have to start busting out a few decorations on Wednesday!

And to top off all of my excitement my mom and max are coming for a visit this week! Yahoo, should be a great week......I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

A few things I'm lovin' for the holidays!

Marth Stewart Christmas - I wish my front door looked like this! I love it!

Marth Stewart Christmas Tree - I wish my tree looked like this! I love this!

Just some fun image in found on Google - Marth Stewart Christmas. I love it!


Here is a Christmas Poem I found:
It's Christmas Time Again
(by Bob Lazzar-Atwood)

Put your problems on probation
Run your troubles off the track,
Throw your worries out the window
Get the monkeys off your back.
Silence all your inner critics
With your conscience make amends,
And allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Call a truce with those who bother you
Let all the fighting cease,
Give your differences a breather
And declare a time of peace,
Don't let angry feelings taint
The precious time you have to spend,
And allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Like some cool refreshing water
Or a gentle summer breeze,
Like a fresh bouquet of flowers
Or the smell of autumn leaves,
It's a banquet for the spirit
Filled with family, food and friends,
So allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Tag - your it!

So, I have been having the blogging blah's this week.......and wouldn't you know it, I read sweet little Lindsay's blog today and she has been having the blogging blah's!
She got the idea from another blog, so I'm stealing it (well really she tagged those that read it)...so really I'm not stealing it right? And really who cares about creativity at this point.

The Tag:

Your Hair:
Really needs a trim, i got it trimmed (on my birthday last month) and i'm loving it and am even thinking about going a little shorter on the do...next time. I even called for an appointment and am getting a trim the end of the month. I think I think about my hair alot....is that vain or what? I like being so blonde these days, helps cover up my grey....can you believe I'm grey! I am WAY too young for that!!!

Where is your cell phone:
right beside me on my desk at school/work.

Your mother:

A wonderful woman! Great, Grande, Wonderful...the older I get and the more miles apart...the more I miss her and want her to live near. But I am so glad she is relatively close, 5 hours....that's NOT that far...right? She taught me many things growing up.....I'm thankful that she taught me to be such a hard worker, to be honest, and the importance of eduation....she supported us (all by herself) for many many years! I love that she sews and makes homemade things....and gives them to me and my kids. It truly is such a treat...my kids love it!

Your father:
I miss him everyday.

Your favorite food:
I love food but my favorite (I think) is Italian!

Your dream from last night:
I dream everynight (I know I do) and lately I have been having some really doosies but I don't remember my dream from last night.

Your favorite drink:
I love drinks......the more the merrier.. I always have a water bottle with me! I love GBread Latte's from Starbucks. I bought some mint hotchocolate for the house....so tasty. I love a good hot drink in the morning and sometimes before I go to bed, just depends. I am total pop drinker, I sometimes wish I wasn't but I do love a good diet pop! I love me daquiri's....especially strawberry ones!

Your dream/goal:
I have many dreams/goals. I want my kids to grow-up and be happy successful adults that love who they are, where the came from and what the future has to hold for them. I dream of someday having my own classroom, decorating it in Mary Engelbreit decorations! I dream of someday having a big ranch...so that Dave, his dad and Tenny can all ranch together! I dream of being a dancer (a ballerina), I dream of playing the violin!
Right now, I just dream of getting done with my student teaching, surviving it all, and getting a real teaching job!

What room are you in:
Room 17 at Granville Stuart Elementary.

What is your hobby:
I have many hobbies. I am becoming a runner, I like to garden, I love to travel (is that a hobby), I like to read, and I love to ride horses.

What is your fear:
Right now my fear is making it through student teaching and not working for 5 months! Fears evolve, right?

Where were you last night:
E's volleyball game and home.

Something you are not:
Tall, crafty, creative or naturally smart. (I really have to work on getting good grades.....smarts don't come natural for this girl).
Muffins:
I love me a good blueberry bran muffin! YUM YUM YUM!

Where did you grow up:
Good ole' Ray-town Alberta Canada.......is there anywhere else?

The last thing you did:
I'm at work....so should I say work. I'm doing many things right know, besides blogging. Ate lunch, saw some kids, working (you know) and making labels....too!

What are you wearing:
Brown cords, orange turtle neck sweater, and a brown vest.

Your TV:
DVR is all I have to say!!! I watch Biggest Loser (religiously), Grey's Anatomy....what else is there? Sunday Football....and anything on TLC!

Your pet:
Horses, dog, cat and few cows! I love having PETS!

Your friends:
I love my friends...it is funny how you go through life and each stage of life brings you new friends. I have Dusty and Becky Jo whom will be my dearest friends for life! I have friends from my school days that I adore and thanks to facebook and blogging have reconnected with...it is so fun, I love it! I have new friends from D.L. that I love and can't imagine life without. My bestest friend Cassi has been a rock for me lately. Love ya girl!

Your life:
I have to say it is pretty darn good right know. I love life and I especially love mine. My kids are healthy and happy. Dave and I are in a good place.....we just kind of live life day by day. We have a crazy/busy life but I wouldn't have it any other way. WE are involved, probably, in way too many things from church, to 4-H to jobs to other committees but that is just who we are.....active and involved!

Your mood:
Anxious and pretty happy today....T has a game and i get to leave early today! I'll throw a little content in there too!

Missing someone:
Always! I miss my dad everyday, I miss being right down the street from my family and old-time friends!

Vehicle:
My old reliable white dodge intrepid...bit the dust a while back and we aren't going to get it fixed....not right know....anyways. So I'm drivin' the sweet sweet dodge pick-up! What can I complain about! I'm a truck kind-a girl. :-)

Your favorite store:
I love stores and I love to shop! I love Target right know!

Your favorite color:
I love RED and GREEN!

When's the last time you laughed:
I would have to think I haven't laughed yet today, I try to laugh everyday! E had a volleyball game last night, I'm sure I laughed at that! My kids always make me laugh, we all got into a big wrestling match last night...T, E & Me.....we laughed and laughed and laughed and then it was bed-time! Oh sweet bed-time!

Your best friend:
Cassi and my wonderful husband!

NOT the best pic, the wind was blowing and I look FAT!

One place you go over and over:
The bathroom, work, the store, the gym, church......many places.....my life is a never ending cycle of running here and there!

One person who e-mails your regularly:
Cassi and Dave probably send me the most messages.

Favorite place to eat:
I love to eat out! Ferraro's in Bozeman

Where do you want to be in six years:
In six years I will be 41....T will be in college, E will be in 9th grade. I wanna be right where I am at......with a few minor changes. Hopefully I'll have a full-time teaching job, we'll be out of debt and just livin' the 40 something life!

TAG You're IT!

Thanks Lindsay, this was so much fun. (I copied and put pics in too....so much funner with pics).
I loved doing it. Come on, if you read it...you have to do it too!

W.F.D....

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

You might be asking....WFD? It stands for Whats For Dinner! Tennyson said to me yesterday afternoon, "WFD Mom?" I was like what?! "Mom, is stands for, Whats for dinner?"
Kids are so funny!

I am dedicating this post to being a mom and to the kids we mother!

One of my bestest friends from grade school/high school is 3 months pregnant. This might not seem like that big of news but they have been trying to get pregnant for 5 YEARS! I am so excited for her and her husband! This is a life lesson, in hope! Hope is never wasted. She is so excited and I am so excited for her. Can you imagine waiting and hoping for 5 years....wondering if it will ever come to be! I can't, I'm sure I would have given up long ago! But maybe that is easy for me to say because I have two healthy, happy children.

You've gotta have hope. Without hope life is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less. ~Author Unknown

So here it is for all you mothers - enjoy your children, you are lucky to have them. Some people wait years to get pregnant and I'm sure the 9 month wait is pure agony. I always figured God gave us 9 months to prepare ourselves but maybe that was just me that needed the 9 months to prepare emotionally and physically for motherhood.

I love being a mom and am so excited for my friend to enter the world of motherhood. I think I love motherhood so much, especially right now, because my children are 12 and 8. They don't require diaper changes, they can feed and clothe themselves, they can talk (and back-talk). I have loved all of the stages along the way but if any of you have children that are as old as mine are.....this is just simply a fun age. They are getting to be so independent and I do long for the days when I could cuddle, rock them to sleep and hold them without them wanting to escape my every move but I do still get my hugs and kisses!

Hugs your kids today and be thankful for parenthood and children!

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum