Unthinkable...

The absolute unthinkable happened at a Connecticut elementary school. When I found out about what happened yesterday at school, I was devastated and bawled like it personally happened to me. Now, I don't have children of my own, but I do have 19 precious 5 year olds. I am with those babies every day and for most of them I spend more time with than their own parents do. I feel as if I am their mother. I can't imagine being in those teachers' shoes yesterday. Those teachers made the ultimate sacrifices putting their lives in jeopardy to keep their babies safe. I have heard people say that teachers have an innate trait to protect their students and I firmly believe that. When I feel like my babies are in danger, I act just like their mother and I try to shield them from anything that can change their childhood. They are my whole world.  I still can't wrap my brain around the whole thing. I mean HOW could someone harm them.... they are God's precious babies.

I feel as if this event was a wake up call to us. We need to realize that gun control laws do NOT have anything to do with this, but that we need God's help in our world and in our schools.

Sparkles, our classroom elf!!

On Monday, my precious Kinders had a surprise waiting on them in the classroom, an elf. Now this elf is very different from any other elf on the shelf. He actually came with a note. Everyday Sparkles has been moving around in different spots in our classroom. I love watching the kids excitement everyday when they come in the room. They are really convinced that he is watching him all the time. Every now and then I hear them say oh he moved or or I think I saw him blink. :) I just love these kids. I love watching them learn and grow! I can't imagine a life without teaching.:)

Busyyy Weekend!

This past weekend was WONDERFUL! I got to see my sister, her hubby, my nieces, and my mom. They arrived in Lubbock on Friday night and our weekend began! :) As soon as they got here, we went straight to our new house. They all ranted and raved about how wonderful it is. (SIDE NOTE...we finally heard back from our house people..we will be in the house the first week of December. YIPPEE!) I think Ali and Emma loved the house the most. They decided that they wanted to come  stay with Pipey and JoJo this summer. Ha ha! We will see about that one! :) After the house, I took everyone up to the football equipment room where JoJo showed everyone around the building. Actually, when we arrived Texas's football boys were leaving their locker room. Mom got to meet Mack Brown (she was almost shunned by us). After we left the facility, we went to eat at the BEST burger place in town Blue Sky. It was crazy, because of the MV boys were there eating too. I guess MVers think alike! :)

On Saturday, we got up early and went to the Raider Walk. Raider Walk is where the football boys, the band, and the cheerleaders all walk to the locker room. People line the streets to cheer on the Red Raiders. Michael Crabtree flew in for the game and he actually lead the players through Raider Walk. We were up and close to the action. :) After Raider Walk, we went to eat lunch, however I guess I didn't really plan very well because every WHERE was crowded!! I forget how CRAZY Lubbock gets when Texas is in town.

We had a blast at the game. Well, I guess I should say Kerri, Eric, and Emma did! :) I was too stressed to enjoy myself. :) We played good, but we had some really bad calls. I am still proud of the boys and I know they are the BEST around. We are still in for a bowl game..it could be in San Antonio, Tempe Arizona, or San Diego. Who knows!!

Kerri, Eric, Mom, Emma, and Ali left this morning. I hate when I have to say good-bye to them it really makes sad, however I do get to see them a few weeks so I gotta keep my head up! :)

HAPPY thoughts! :)

Life as we know it!

Once again, I am falling down on my job as a blogger!! Life has just been too busy these days between grad school and work I have NO time.

Things that have been going on lately:

*On October 6, I went to FW to Shae's housewarming and gender reveal party. We all had been waiting for this day for quite some time. :)) I thought the whole time she was having a boy. I am not sure why I thought that, but I just did. When it came time to cut the cake, we soon realized that the inside was PINK. We couldn't believe it. I'm so excited for little Ryleigh to be here! She is already so loved!

 *On the way home, I got a phone call from one of besties (we will remain nameless bc I'm not sure she wants everyone to know) to let me know that she and her hubby were expecting! I'm absolutely thrilled for them. I love that everyone around me is having BABIES! I can now spoil their babies! I love being an AUNT!

*On a negative note, my dad called me last week to tell me my granny Betty had a stroke. She was taken to Tyler and is now in rehab in Mt. Pleasant. She is doing much better than anyone thought. Thank God! Now both of my Grannies are sick and it is breaking my heart. I have learned that it is just hard to see your grandparents get old. It really makes you appreciate your time with them.

*Our house is coming along nicely. We have all of our cabinets in now. We are still planning on moving in the last week of November. :))

Our mantle...the stone and brick are not done yet. 

 

One side of the closet. We each have our own closet. They look awesome!

 

The kitchen (before any of the stains)!

 

 

*School is still going great. I L-O-V-E my kiddos and L-O-V-E kindergarten! We learned about chickens last week. We wrote about them and made chicks. I love how they turned out!

*Tech is officially bowl eligible as of this weekend’s victory against TCU.YIIPPEE! I have a love/hate relationship with football. I love to watch it and cheer teams on, but I hate that I don't have a Hubby during the season. Oh well, life goes on!

PS- In FOUR days, I will be in MV with the family. YIIPPEE! Rachele is going to the chapel and she's going to get married. :) On Sat, she will finally get to marry the love of her life. ....

So True!

We have WALLS!!!!

 

We have walls in our new house! It changes the look of the whole house and  truly makes it feel like a real house. :))

Check out this quick little video (as Mark said the virtual tour). It is kind of hard to tell what everything is in the house, but hopefully you will be able to tell some of the stuff. :)

 

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCz_7YT7VKM&feature=youtu.be

Ps--Did you spot my little puppy? :)

FINALLY!

Okay..I know I have been BAD at blogging, but I am finally all caught up on grad school and kinder school. :)

Since I have been gone:

I started back to school with my precious 18 five year olds. Last year was challenging, but this year I am LOVE. Don't get me wrong I still have a couple of stinkers, but I absolutely love teaching kindergarten this year.

I celebrated my 26th bday and my mom's ?? birthday at Pete's Piano Bar in FW. It was a GREAT weekend. I got to go see Shae and Ryan's house!  The house is fabulous and just perfect for them. Not only did I get to see their house, I got to "the baby bump." I loved it.:) He/She already knows their Aunt Piper's voice. HEHE! :) The party went really well in FW and mom had a blast seeing friends that she hadn't seen in a while. It was a nice get away!

ALSO...Football season has started!!! YIPPPEE...I love football season, except for that means I don't have a husband during this time. BOOHOO!

 

Our house is coming right along. It is completely bricked now! It is beginning to feel so real now. :) Also, if you look at the pictures below, you will see that J and I were able to write on the frame of the house. It was a neat experience! :)

Most recent pictures....the front and back of the house :)

 

 

 

the new place!

Look what they did today.....this makes my heart happy!

The juices are FLOWING! :)

If you know me at all, you that I am not very creative at ALL! However, when I had my bachlorette party back April Shae made me this rocking 80s wreath for our hotel door. Needless to say, I decided to keep the wreath in hopes that I could really use it. Well the creative juices began to flow...

From this.....

To this.....

They are HERE! :)

yahhhh..my super cute bags finally came in today! I'm sooo excited! :) 

 http://www.myinitials-inc.com/14571/

My 1st bag with my new initials on it! :)

Get a Grip bag...Awesome for organizing!

 Resort Tote..It is HUGE!! Great for weekend trips!

Travel Tote...I added a cute pink flower to middle pocket (not shown)

Squared Away ....love it for storage!

Lunch box!

I am having ONE of these days!!

Grad school is kicking my boooottyyy today! All I want to do is relax and listen to the rain outside, but no I'm stuck writing a comprehensive developmental counseling guide. Sounds fun..right?! :)

All I have to do is think.....

I am in L-O-V-E!

At the beginning of summer, my sister introduced me to Initials bags. At first, I was just like oh no another product to buy, but then after I got to see the actually bags and the catalogs I realized how precious they really are!! I decided that, in order to make a little extra $$, and to benefit me :) I would start selling these bags. The best part about these bags is that they are personalized (if you want that) and it is absolutely FREE! :)) check out some pictures below!

If you want to see the full catalog or order some bags ;) check out the following link http://www.myinitials-inc.com/14571/

Below: Precious Casserole dish cover and other big bags to hold a ton of stuff!

For all  my campers out there..personalized totes, picnic blankets, and coolers!

 SUPER cute luggage (in the fall book it is on rollers)

Check out the bottom right corner...e-reader covers (fits Kindles and IPads) and lunchboxes

Personally, I really love all the organization totes! They are great for storing cleaning supplies or arts and crafts!

PERFECT idea for DE-cluttering those kitchen counters!

Expecting a new baby or know anyone that is ....check out the precious diaper bag!

Oh Pinterest I heart you!

This week, we made two recipes off pinterest!!

First we made Wong Tong tacos....basically just tacos in a Wong tong shell. We had to go to the Chinese market to get the Wong tong paper! That was an experience in itself! Lol

Second, we made skittles vodka! We thought we would "share the rainbow" with our friends on the 4th!! Hahha   To our surprised it turned out awesome and looked cool!

Sorting out the colors!

Letting the skittles soak in the vodka!

This was after we filtered it...leave in the freezer until use! :)

Loving waking up to..

I woke to to this surprise! I love him more every day!

*ps I know he used the wrong 'your'

Yahhh!!!!!!

Our house building has begun!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it!

Honeymoon

Our honeymoon was a bigggg success! We had such a blast in Punta Cana! We stayed at the Hard Rock Resort and it was all inclusive. I feel like all we did was eat, drink, and sun!:) I would recommend this resort to everyone. Here are just a few pictures!

My cover up that I made!!

On our private dinner...it was delicious!! 

My hair was uncontrollable at the beach! :))

Night out!

and again...

The Hard Rock was amazing!!

Our hands in the sand!

breathtaking...I could stare at this everyday! :)