Quote

I found this under the pile of papers at my desk this afternoon and had evidently forgotten about it. I saw it, and wanted to post it. I thought that it summed me up pretty well. So many days later..here it is.

"I will challenge my students to reach just beyond that point where they are comfortable, so they will discover that their own perceptions of their potential are not their true limits."
-Barbara H. Wagner

Random

This will be a completely random post. Just lots of random things that have been running around my mind/happening in my life lately.

1. our kindergarten Thanksgiving feast was a success today. I'm dead beat though..much better than last year though!
2. my bulletin board/wall looks like Thanksgiving threw up on it (pics to come at a later date)
3. why is it so strenuous to post pictures and not many people do it, but everybody wants to see them?
4. new songs I'm obsessed with are "Butterflies and Anybody out There" by Rissi Palmer. She's amazing..check her out. I'm also obsessed with "Love Like This" by Natasha Bedingfield and "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston.
5. two of my students made the front page of the Rockwall newspaper from our 50's day. I'm seriously a proud mama!
6. There's normally a day or a moment when I realize that I've fallen in love with my class, or a certain student. Today was one of those days. You know you love him when most days he makes you want to pull out your hair (like today)...but then when he randomly comes up to you, wraps his arms around your neck and kisses you on the cheek, you completely melt and you forgive everything bad he did that day
7. I got two "Thanksgiving" presents today from two students. I've never received a Thanksgiving present before so I was excited! I received a restaurant gift card that I can use at Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, etc and a sweet card. I was muy excited! I also received a precious card that said "You're such a blessing...you're truly an angel-thank you for loving our little boy!" With that card, I received this adorable silver, angel photo frame. Precious.
8. Carrie Underwood's new c.d that Jason and Jacque bought me hasn't come out of my c.d player in about two weeks. Yes, it's that good.
9. I miss Jason and Jacque.
10. I miss the Wader I used to know.
11. I'm going to a "hoe down" on Saturday with my singles ABF. I'm excited about meeting new people and having a good time, but scared because I don't really know anyone, and don't want to feel alone and awkward.
12. Am I being judgemental when I now automatically assume that all the guys in my ABF have kids? Maybe I just feel that way because most of the guys in my class do have kids..I just want to meet one guy that doesn't have kids or an ex-wife. Maybe that makes me a bad person.
13. I am excited that Thanksgiving is next week! I'm ready for the break, but more than that, I'm ready to be with all my immediate and extended family. I'm ready to stuff my face full of my grandma's pumpkin pie, watch some football, and laugh with my sisters and cousins.
14. I hate that I had to go to McAlister's Deli last week without Kyrbie. I miss you.
15. I love Christmas more than any normal person, and I especially love Christmas music! However, although I might sneak a listen to a Christmas song before Christmas, I feel like I'm cheating if I listen to it before Thanksgiving is over. When a Christmas song comes on the radio, I deliberately change it, as fast as I can.
16. Decorating my Christmas tree this year is something I think is going to be very sad for me. I love it when I get to decorate my tree in my classroom with my students (they love it so much!) but when it comes to my own at home, it's a different story.
17. December 3rd can't come fast enough.
18. I get this almost uncontrollable rage at certain people who can't see what's right and wrong..especially when it's RIGHT in front of their face..and especially when they've been raised to know the difference.
19. my CORE class on Monday night was one of the best nights that I've had in a while. I don't think I've ever laughed that hard in my life.
20. I realized that laughter is best when it's shared by many.
21. We found out that Clint's face turns beet red when he's embarrassed.
22. I can't get babies out of my brain. I want one so badly.
23. I'm so tired that it's 8:50 and I'm going to bed.
24. I want nothing short of butterflies.

"Just a Dream"

This song makes me bawl EVERY TIME! I've been wanting to put up this song, but I just now finally found it. It's not the actual video, but the music is really good. This c.d is amazing, so if you don't have it yet, go get it!

*Cass...you might not want to listen/watch if you haven't heard it yet! I'm just warning you!




" Just a Dream" Carrie Underwood

It was two weeks after the day she turned 18
all dressed in white
going to the church that night
She had his box of letters in the passenger seat
A six pence in her shoe
Something borrowed, something blue
And when the church door opened up wide
She put her veil down trying to hide the tears
Oh she just couldn't believe it
She heard the trumpets from the military band
And the flowers fell out of her hands

Baby why'd you leave me
Why'd you have to go
I was counting on forever
Now I'll never know
I can't even breathe
It's like I'm looking from a distance
Standing in the background
Everybody's saying he's not coming home now
This can't be happening to me
This is just a dream

The preacher man said "Let us bow our heads and pray"
"Lord please lift his soul and heal this hurt"
Then the congregation all stood up and sang
The saddest song that she ever heard
Then they handed her a folded up flag
And she held on to all she had left of him
oh and what could've been
Then the guns rang one last shot
And it felt like a bullet in her heart

Baby why'd you leave me
Why'd you have to go
I was counting on forever
Now I'll never know
I can't even breathe
It's like I'm looking from a distance
Standing in the background
Everybody's saying he's not coming home now
This can't be happening to me
This is just a dream

Baby why'd you leave me
Why'd you have to go
I was counting on forever
Now I'll never know
oh I'll never know
It's like I'm looking from a distance
Standing in the background
Everybody's saying he's not coming home now
This can't be happening to me
This is just a dream
Oh this is just a dream
Just a dream
Yeah
Yeah

Blood, sweat, and tears

This weekend I played hooky from school and went to Lorena to watch my brothers play their last football games of the season. Chandler's on the freshman team and plays on Thursday nights, so I've never gotten to go to one of his games, and he's always bugging me about coming to watch him~and even though I've been to Chase's varsity games, I haven't been to a home game this season. So in honor of the last games, I took off all day on Friday and arranged to leave early on Thursday.

I drove down on Thursday to go to Chandler's game at Robinson. They were said to be pretty good, so I was excited to see this game. I went with my mom and Chalen and the game turned out really good! Chandler had an awesome game~he's quarterback, but pretty much plays everything! He had the only touchdown of the night, got the sneak for the 2 points, and intercepted the ball with 7 seconds left on the board (and Robinson was fixing to score)! They won 8-6 :0)

My mom later told me that the other day Chandler was talking to my mom and he said, "Mom, I can't wait until Chelsey gets married and has kids. Then they get to call me Uncle Chandler!" I thought that was so precious~believe me Chandler..you and me both! That's just ONE of the many reasons that I love that boy!

On Friday morning, I woke up and went to my hair appointment with the wonderful Lita, at Cutting Up. They just moved to their new salon and it was BEAUTIFUL! I loved it, and of course Lita did a wonderful job on my hair. I L-O-V-E going to the salon. There's just something about getting your hair done that makes you feel like a million bucks! After my haircut, I went and met my friend Michael for lunch at our favorite restaurant, non other than McAlister's Deli! We both worked at that restaurant together (actually that's how we first met) so it was fun remembering all the good 'ole times! After lunch I went and got a much needed oil change on my car. I seriously drive back to Lorena to get my oil changed, because it's so much cheaper than getting it done in the Dallas area! After that, I went back home, hung out, and then got ready for Chase's game.

I wish that I could say that Chase's game went as well as Chandlers' did..but alas, it did not. We were basically obliterated...48-6. It was NOT pretty! I felt bad for the seniors, being it their last game. I couldn't believe that 5 years ago, on that Friday night I was there-having my last senior game, doing the senior walk, finding the piece of banner with my name on it. I can't believe that so much time has passed! I loved every moment of my high school career, but I'm happy with where I'm at now!

After the game was over, I went and gave my dad the traditional "after game hug". I then went to find Chase. He was standing over watching the seniors do their senior walk. As I went towards him, I noticed that he (unlike some of the other players) was drenched in sweat. His elbow was torn and bleeding and he looked so defeated. I went up and touched him on his arm, and he turned around and looked at me. He then wrapped his arms around me, laid his head down on my shoulder and cried. We must have been standing like that for only 10 minutes, but to me it seemed like forever..and I loved it. It didn't matter that I was getting completely soaked in his sweat and tears. I loved that fact that my brother didn't try and act like the man he's trying to be. He didn't hide his feelings or emotions. I loved that fact that he felt like he could be himself and not care what other people thought..but most of all, I loved that he was like that with ME!

You see, my brothers love me, and I love them. However, we don't really talk a lot, don't call each other on the phone or e-mail, they don't tell me about the girls or girlfriends in their lives, what they did last weekend, etc. We don't have a relationship that other brothers and sisters might have. However, these are the things that I know.

I know that even though we don't say it all the time, my brothers and I love each other more than life. I know that they would protect me from boys they think aren't good enough for me, and if it came down to it, they would lay down their lives for me, as I would for them. It's hard for me to imagine them as anything other than my babies. However, I know that they are growing each day and I pray that they grow to become godly men,like David a man after God's own heart. I do wish that we were closer, but I still wouldn't change how things are.

Most of all, I know that I wouldn't trade the blood, sweat, or tears for anything.

50's Day

This past Tuesday was the 50th day of school. In kindergarten, we make a really big deal out of the "100th day of school" and this year we wanted to do something for the 50th day. So this year we decided to have a "50's day" at school.

It was so much fun to get dressed up and see the girls with their poodle skirts and the boys with their hair slicked back. They were SO CUTE!! I made a c.d of 50's music, so we danced the day away in my classroom to, "Johnny B. Goode", "Shake, Rattle, and Roll", "Tutti Frutti", "Rock Around the Clock" and many more. It was such a blast! Have I mentioned how much I love swing dancing and this kind of music? Man, now I want to go out and dance!

We also had several newspapers come out and take some pictures of our kids. They also did a story over our 50's day that you can read here. Overall, it was a really great day! Here's a picture of my amazing kindergarten team! Watch out..we're pretty hot ;0) (l-r Danielle, Amy, me, Becky, Barbara and Eliza)

You've Gotta Watch This!

This is for all you current moms, future moms, and teachers who feel like moms (and probably tell your students a lot of this daily)!

Enjoy! I did! :0)

A funny one

I just told my students that they could go and get their afternoon snack. One of my little girls brought her snack to me so I could open it. On her way to me, she tripped and fell~I did not laugh (even though I wanted to) but asked her if she was ok. She laughed and goes, "Yeah..that silly thing!" I said, "What? What did you trip on? " and she replies, "THE CARPET!"

Then...I laughed. I just couldn't help it. She was just so cute, and I was all looking on the floor for whatever she tripped on~ then it turns out she tripped on absolutely nothing! HAHAHAH :0)

Tech Terminates the Bears 38-7

A short little blurb I read from the Waco Trib:

"Missouri and Colorado made Graham Harrell look almost human.

But against a helpless Baylor defense, the Texas Tech quarterback looked more like a Heisman favorite Saturday afternoon at Floyd Casey Stadium.

Harrell threw for 433 yards and three touchdowns and barely got his jersey dirty as the Red Raiders continued their biennial tradition of raining on Baylor’s homecoming parade with a 38-7 rout of the Bears before a crowd of 39,015.

“What it comes down to is players have to make plays, and we didn’t make enough of those today,” said sophomore linebacker Joe Pawelek, who had seven tackles and a fourth-quarter fumble recovery that was the Bears’ only turnover of the day. “It’s never just offense or just defense or special teams. Top to bottom, Baylor just didn’t get it done.”

And Tech did."

Did I mention that my family has been friends with the Harrell family for a long time? Yeah, I totally feel special because I know Graham Harrell, Texas Tech's quarterback ;0) (Nobody bust my bubble please :0)

GO RAIDERS!!!

Why I love my boss :0)

I love my boss for many reasons, but the reason today was that he let us wear our "Halloween" outfits AND jeans! Believe me...most of you take this for granted, but any day teachers get to wear jeans, it's like a national holiday! I will seriously have the best day ever if I get to wear jeans at school. Such as today! I was very excited this morning, so I decided to take some pictures of me being so happy :0) Plus there's also a picture of my cute, Halloween painted toes, in honor of today! Yes..I know..I don't have a life. SO WHAT!! ;0)

The post you've all been waiting for!!

I DID IT! I've finally finished watching all seasons of Grey's Anatomy and am totally caught up! I feel so cool now..like I'm officially "one of the guys". Hey, tomorrow night I can actually watch the new episode just like everyone else, when everyone else does! So, now I give you my permission to post your little hearts out about whatever you want to dealing with Grey's Anatomy. Man this feels good! :0)

Boot scootin' back home..

Well I can definitely say that my weekend was a success! I am definitely glad to be back home though :0) Jacque and I left and arrived at the airport early Friday morning on time and made our flight to San Angelo without any hassles (this is a definite PLUS for us ;0) When we arrived, our good friend we stayed with, Ashley, picked us up from the airport (which surprisingly Cassandra, is now finished with all the work they were doing on it. It looks like an actual airport now! Very nice!) When went back to her apartment, and then went out to eat at my all time favorite restaurant, McAlister's Deli. After that we went shopping at Hobby Lobby and checked out all the fall sales and the new Christmas stuff. Major fun! Then we went shopping at the mall, which some of it has also been redone..nice. Then we went back and got ready for the Phi Lamb barn dance.

The dance was a total success and so much fun! Jacque did an amazing job speaking. I was so proud of her! Probably mine and Jacque's favorite highlight of the night was getting to see SHYANNE!!!!!!! You probably would have thought we were weirdos if you'd have seen us. When we saw her, we started screaming her name and ran up and attacked her with hugs :0) We had so much fun recapping on our lives that night. *Shy..we talked later and said how great you looked and how much we missed your personality..and just you! :0)

Other highlights of the night were: getting to know and mingle with the Phi Lamb girls, dancing the Cotton Eyed Joe, doing the line dances (even though we weren't sure they were right), posing with John Wayne ;0) and just being with friends! It was a great evening!

The only NON highlight of my evening was when we got back to Ashley's apt, and I evidently got some bug, and spent the rest of the night hugging the toilet! NOT FUN! I still wasn't feeling good the next afternoon, but I finally felt better on Sunday. I don't know what it was?! Anyways, we said our goodbyes and made it back safely on Sunday morning.

Overall, even with my date with the toilet, it was a great weekend and I wouldn't have traded anything. I told Amanda that I missed college...I missed my friends, the fellowship, and Phi Lamb. I'd honestly forgot how much FUN college was. I wouldn't change my life now and I'm happy where I'm at...but honestly..I miss it! So that's the recap on my weekend! Enjoy a few pics from the weekend :0) me, Shyanne, and Jacque
me with the love of my life...John

Jacque doing her best John Wayne pose!

Phi Lamb girls with the alumni!
Phi Lamb loves the Rams!

I'm back!

Ok, so don't be mad at me, but I don't have time to do a long post and update you on my weekend..as great/interesting as it was. However, I do promise that in the next couple of days I will be posting and putting up pictures :0) I have grad school class tomorrow night, so I don't know if I'll get it done tomorrow, but we'll see. I hope everyone is doing great, and had a good weekend! Love ya'll!

San Angelo bound!

To all of my dear San Angelo friends, Jacque and I are going to be flying in for the weekend tomorrow! Whoo hoo! We, being on the ASU Phi Lamb Alumni Board, get to take a trip out to see the girls. We're really excited! Our plans are: Friday night is Phi Lamb's Open Party at the ASU pavilion from 7-9. The theme is a "barn dance", so we'll be dancing the night away. If any of my fellow SA bloggers would like to see me/us, you can come out to open party. It's open to everyone (you don't have to be in the sorority to come) and gonna be alot of fun. Even if you wanted to just drop by and say hi, that would be awesome! We're flying in tomorrow morning, and will leave Sunday morning. Hope to see some of you soon!

"Walking Her Home"

If this one doesn't make you cry, or at least tear up..there is something seriously WRONG with you!

"He Will Carry Me" Mark Shultz

I call, You hear me
I've lost it all
And it's more than I can bear
I feel so empty

You're strong
I'm weary
I'm holdin' on
But I feel like givin' in
But still You're with me

And even though I'm walkin' through
The valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Whose love will comfort me
And when all hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will
Ever need
He will carry me

I know I'm broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
You're always with me

And even though I feel so lonely
Like I've never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said you'd see me through the storm