Thinking about Natalie.

One of my dearest school-days friends, Natalie, is teaching in Uganda. When I think about that I am totally overwhelmed.

As long as I've known Natalie, she's know this is what she was meant to do. Africa is and always has been her calling. I just can't even imagine how fulfilled she is. Her stories are inspiring and amazing.

You can read her blog here. See more pictures here. And last year she let Dewey come visit her and she wrote an awesome post for him on my school blog.

Those children are so lucky to have her! And she is so blessed to have them! Nat is an inspiration to me, and I don't even think she knows it! When I think about my behavior "problem" kids testing my patience, or how stressful testing is, or how I just can't wait to move on to a more interesting unit, I remind myself of all the wonderful things that go along with my job. And then I read a little Natalie.

Love!

Valentine's Day is my MOST favorite holiday! (and not just because my sweet brother was born today!)
I even dressed up like a Valentine for Halloween one year. I should track that picture down!

I say "pish posh" to everyone who says its a Hallmark holiday.

I think it is an excellent day to remember all of the people, places, and things that enrich our lives.

For the past 8 years I've religiously sent out Valentine cards to the Loves in my life. My list grew to 45 people this year! I LOVE it! :o)

I panicked when I realized this past Tuesday that I didn't have the time, the materials, or the inspiration to make them this year. But I was determined to not break my tradition. I remembered that CostCo had an option in thier picture Christmas cards to upload your own whole design. Why not use it for Valentines?

The result! I used the blog header as inspiration and voila! My card for this year! I mailed them a little late but mailed nonetheless!

FMG cooked his heart out this weekend, too!

 He broke in the grill and made steak, veggie kebobs and mashed potatoes for dinner Saturday night.

We tried this cute little heart shaped cheese cake from HEB but were very dissapointed.

This morning he treated me to french toast (one of my favorite breakfasts!) and heart shaped eggs.

I'm so glad he's my Valentine!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Gage!!!

I can't believe you're 23 today.

You are an amazing little brother! You are a kind person and an awesome son.

Your confidence is inspiring and I'm envious of your chill attitude.

Your wit is sharp and your humor hilarious.

And I'm lucky to call you my friend!

Play Date

I had an awesome mental health day with my mom recently. I think everyone deserves a day every now and then where there is no work, no house cleaning, no errand running, no pressure to get something done. 

Mom and I indulged and did something old, something new, something favorite and something indulgent!

OLD: 

We ate at Zuzu - a family favorite from as far back as I can remember. Somethings have changed but most of their menu items are just as fabulous now as they were 10 years ago.


NEW:

We checked out Buffalo Exchange where my cousin works. It is a rockin resale shop and go figure - the only thing I bought was something brand new!


Favorite:
No picture... but the Pottery Barn outlet is one of my favorite places to wonder around!


Indulgent:

There is nothing more indulgent than a Vanilla Bean Frappachino from Starbucks. Especially in the middle of winter!


We both felt refreshed and I felt totally recharged! I love play dates!

Feeling Old...

Today I feel old. Actually, I didn't feel old until FMG said HE felt old. Then I started feeling old.

We started the day with a list. Grocery store. Home Depot. Super Bowl.

I was looking forward to Home Depot all morning (feeling old part 1).

We bought a grill! Our Valentine's day present for each other (feeling old part 2).

One our way home with the new grill we saw a tree trimmer guy. I got excited (feeling old part 3).

We asked the tree trimmer guy if he had time to take out two dead pine trees in our side yard. They've been wobbling pretty bad lately. He had time - I was exstatic (feeling old part 4).

Buying a grill and getting two trees cut down out of my backyard = an awesome weekend (seriously feeling old).

On the way home from watching the Super Bowl we were talking about how great of a weeked it was. We laughed. It's official. We're not old... but we sure are growing up!

And if I DO have to be old someday, I'm sure glad its with someone who gets just as excited about cutting down trees and buying grills as I do.

A Kinder Funny

Precious Kinder Kiddo: Miss Rico, is that chocolate cake on your desk?

Rico: Um, yes PKK, it sure is.

PKK: Why are you not eating it?

R (While doing a million other things): I just haven't yet.

PKK: Well are you watching your figger?

As you can see, Miss Rico DOES NOT need to "watch her figger".

Thanks for making my days entertaining, Worstie!