The Wilcox Blog

The Countdown begins...

2012-02-12T17:37:00.000-08:00

Wow, we are so truly blessed....God is so good....especially to our framily. Friday Dave and I met after work to pick out ouur pavers for the patio. We then met friends out at a resturant. Saturday Paige and Will came over to spend the night. (Christa and Brad had a few events). Dave took William to run errands and I took Paige to Katy Mills mall. I picked up a c

ouple of last minute things for our trip. I can't believe we are leaving to Park City Thursday morning. I spent all weekend trying to organize things to make it easier for our moms. Saturday we were at Target and purchased outdoor furniture...it was on sale and it was exactly what we were looking for. A rectangular table, 4 chairs and then a wicker loveseat, chair, side table and coffee table...Saturday night our friends Brandon and Melissa came over with their 10 year old and baby for hamburgers. We had a great time. Sunday was a lazy day cleaning, resting, cleaning, resting. Sophia can count from 1 to 3. She keeps finding markers and drawing all over her body. Poor thing bit her lip. Both girls are so excited about their grandmas coming:)

Life is good...

2012-02-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Life is good...even when teenagers turn on you...Christa had a kid tell her to shut up...I had one walk out on me today. Just a normal day teaching high school seniors.....ever day is INTERESTING!!!! Christa and I are just doing the best we can. Today was good...got lots of stuff done. Christa had a girl tell her to shut up. I saw a girl hit a boy hard...I told her she can't do that...she got mad and stormed out....so is the life in my life....I can't even imagine little Isabella or Sophia treating a teacher like that....

Stiff neck...

2012-02-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning with a stiff neck...haven't had one of those in a long time. Dave has been waking up every morning, working out, I get the girls and myself ready just as he is coming home to take a shower and drop the girls off at school. This morning he was super late..6:30...I called to see where he was...his reply "Corrin, remember I told you I had to go

to the terminal". He was on his way to Louisiana. I ran out of the house, dropped the girls off, and prayed I would not be late...(I made it about 2 minutes late)..Today was so nice...4 of my classes were testing...which means lots of lesson plans prepared and papers graded. Dave picked the girls up so I could get my hair done...My friend Tara recommended a new girl to me...she was half the price I usually pay...and I was very happy....Tomorrow should be calm, Thursday the patio guy comes out, Friday we are having dinner with friends, watching Paige and Will on Saturday, and them the moms come in Wed....and we leave at the crack of dawn Thursday to go to Utah!!!!

Monday, Monday....

2012-02-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

Today was great....The patio guy was supposed to come this evening but he got very sick...he sounded terrible on the phone. He is coming on Thursday....Last night the four of us made Valentines Day boxes for the girls party at school. They both had fun. I am not sure if I have written this before, but Sophia is hilarious in the bath tub. Every day she won't get ou

t. I get Isabella out and then Sophia turn around and just floats on her back...she doesn't want to get out...it is soooo cute. Christa and I are training for a race so both she and Dave guilt me into running after work...I hate every minute of it...Dave and I switched and he has been working out in the morning. It is so hard because I am a morning person and don't mind working out in the morning. I was driving to pick the girls up at school (at 5pm) and was thinking #1 I hate them being at school for so many hours, and #2 if I pick them up at 5, they go to bed at 8....I have about 4 hours with them a day....such little time!!!!This weekend I was so proud of my husband....One of the girls threw a steel "mini" spoon in the sink...it got stuck in the garbage disposal. Dave tried EVERYTHING he could to get it out...ultimately we had to buy a new garbage disposal...Dave put it in perfectly! Thank goodness for our "unplanned expenses" budget. He is awesome. Friday we met Christa and Tara's family at Rajun Cajun for dinner...The three girls are so tight:) Saturday we went to Christa's for a bbq. Brad's parents were there. We all ended up spending the night and had fun. Sunday we took it easy....Life is good, God is good...we are so blessed:)One more thing...Molly...we love her...she is awesome...the only problem..she is a hoarder...she take things like the girls shoe and brings them outside...I just went outside and collected a pair of sunglasses, a play high heal, and a toy....silly dog!

Go Giants:) Go Saints:)

2012-02-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today was the Super Bowl...Giants vs Patriots...same matchup as 4 yrs ago...same outcome...Giants on top..I was going for Giants because our friends Jason and Elana are from New York and were for the Giants...plus you had Eli Manning as QB....son of Archie Manning, (ahhh..Saints player)...so the Giants prevailed....such a good game...This has beem an uneventful w

eekend...Friday we met with Christa, Brad and kids, and Tara, Lance and kids at Rajun Cajun...we are 2 weeks until the ski trip....counting the days.....was takenSaturday we exercised and then went to Christa's for a bbq...Brad's parents came over to spend the night...the ribs were awesome...all the kids were there loving on Isabella and Sophia..Christa even got into the hottub with all the kids...we ended up staying the night...too much wine and cigars... We all went to bed and apparently Sophia was taken (Tim, Brad's dad, took her and rocked her to sleep....and then he didn't know what to do with her)...thankfully Abby took her back upstairs....I just want to say that I will NEVER forget that Tim(Brad's dad) is Isabella's guardian angel...she saved her from drowning...I will never, ever in my life forget that...until the day I die...Brad's parents are awesome...I told Dave they are like family....Anyway, today was relaxing...Dave had to replace our garbage disposal...one of the girls threw a kid spoon in the disposal and broke it....had to replace it...I ran 3 miles, chilled out and then did some grocery shopping...(not so smart on Super Bowl Sunday)...HEB was packed....all is good...The girls and I decorated Valentines day boxes....life is good....10 days till ski trip...I am super excited about tomorrow about tommorow...a super respected, awesome guy is coming to give us a quote for a patio....life is good .....we shall see!!!

happy hump day

2012-02-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know my title is lame...I am just too tired to think of anything original. It is 4 and I am still at work waiting for a kid to finish organizing his notebook for my class. This week so far has been great. The girls are getting so big. They both still adore Molly. Sophia sneaks and moves Molly's crate by my mirror and climbs up on it. I also just figu

red out Molly can jump on the top as well. Sophia loves putting socks on her hands...she does it all the time. Isabella gets mad when the straw I give her doesn't match her cup...Just a couple of cute things I can think of at this moment.Dave and I have started looking at backyard solutions. We have a guy coming out to give us an estimate for a porch. It has been almost 3 years and we still don't have a good backyard. The girls love going out there, but we rarely go because it is just grass. I told Dave as much as we entertain and have friends over, it will be worth it. Plus we will get all the money back if we ever sell the house. I also am aruging to buy the kids a swing set. The girls would love it and us it all the time. We shall see...Other than that, nothing too exciting going on...14 days until Utah!!!!

Super Lazy Sunday

2012-01-29T17:47:00.000-08:00

Today was such a lazy day. We had such a fun night last night. We went to Brenner's for the first time last night. It was sooo good...expensive, but good. We then went to the Yard House for a few drinks. Today we watched lots of movies and then went to the grocery store. The girls were too cute today at nap time. I let them stay in my bed for their nap, bu

t they had to close their eyes and sleep....of course they spent about 30 playing around. I said, "shut your eyes and go to sleep, or pretend to go to sleep"...they both closed their eyes and then all of a sudden Sophia starts to fake snore. It was too funny...she has such the little personality...she does have a lazy streak...she just won't help clean up messes...her messes...I think because she is so little we let her get away with it. 17 days until our ski trip...am sooo ready!!!!!

Exercise, Shopping, and Date Night

2012-01-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today so far has been great...both Dave and I worked out...he took the girls to the Y, and I ran 3 miles....the weather is PERFECT!!!! Later we packed up and headed for Katy Mills Mall to buy the girls each a new pair of shoes. Isabella is now an 8 and Sophia a 5....crazy!!! As we were walking into the mall, I suggested we rent one of those carts the kids ride in

. When we found one, Dave was like, nope...not going to pay 5.00....I said, come on, it is worth it because we will be here awhile and don't want to carry them. He finally relented and I swiped my card...the problem was that I didn't realize the credit card machine for the double one was different and at the other end...I rented a 1 person cart. Dave was soo mad! He said, fine, they will just take turns riding in it...guess how long that lasted...they kept crying and fighting, so he relented and we went to rent the double one so that only one of us had to push...the double one was 8.00...crazy...It was expensive, but worth it. They only fought for a second to decide who got to ride on top. We found shoes at stride right on sale for 20.00 each...Isabella got her sparkly ones she has been asking for. We are both exhausted but looking forward to meeting friends at a nice resturant. We even hired a babysitter. These are good friends that we try and meet up every few months...

Wow....God is good...that is all I can say...

2012-01-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

This has been an especially blessed week...We are so lucky for everything....Sophia's lab liver test (last test) came back normal, Dave and I have jobs in this economy, and we are just really blessed...This weekend should be pretty low key. We are meeting friends out for dinner tomorrow night. We even hired a babysitter...yea for date nights!!! Isabella and Soph

ia have had a great week. Sophia was excited today because she learned how to zip and unzip her jacket...she is such a big girl. Isabella has show and tell on Friday...they are supposed to bring something related to the letter they are studying...she brought her baby when they studied B...as we were pulling up, I remembered....the letter for this week is F...I looked everywhere in my car for something that started with F...trunk and all....Ultimately I told her to show the class her finger....because finger starts with f....how lame is that...Today Molly and Lilly got spayed. I never realized that female dogs actually have a operation where they go under and are basically having a hysterectomy. Dave dropped them off and I picked them up. They are doing pretty well considering. All we had to pay was 10.00 for the medicine (pain medicine and antibotics)...we love Molly and really were blessed...her adoption fee was 150...but that included: the cutest and sweetest dog ever, 3 rounds of shots, and spaying...(I saw the bill for the spaying to the animal rescue was 70.00...I figure the West University vet gives a discount to the rescue people)...we love Molly so much...She has stiches all down her little belly.Tonight the girls had Kentucky Fried Chicken for the first time. Isabella loved the bisquits and Sophia LOVED the mac and cheese...I was good and had a small piece of grilled chicken and a little mashed potatoes....oh sooo good!!!

I fail....but life is still good...

2012-01-25T18:41:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to go running 3 miles with my neighbor at 7pm like we did on Monday...ultimately I just can't...I can't wake up at 5 am, get myself and the girls ready, work all day, pick them up, come home and cook dinner, etc..and then exercise at 7...I want to put my jammies on at 5pm...Dave has taken over my spot of working out in the morning (which I would love

to regain)...I will be a good sport and will work out right after work...the later it is, the less likely I am to work out....Today was a great day..Texas got their money out of me...lots of hard work and good lessons....I am doing the same on Friday...Christa and Brad are on pins and needles about their house...they were supposed to get an offer on their house today, but a new house came on the market today and the people wanted to take a look...fingers crossed they hate the new house...Today was a blessed day...Dave's company gives out bonuses and we were truley blessed...life is good, God is great...especially in this rough economy...we both appreciate our lives....I think God continues to bless us because we both are very hard workers....we work so hard....we are both grateful our parents taught us work ethic!!!On a funny note, this past weekend when Dave and I had our date, Dave said he thought maybe a spray tan would look good...guess he wants me to look more barbiesh....haha...I won't ever do the beds again, but from what I understand the spray tan is safe...long story short, I go get one yesterday...my seniors jokingly made fun of me all day...I just went along and made fun of myself....it is all good...On a sad note, I need prayers for a good friend...her family is in crisis...they have gone through so much....they are such wonderful people...My mom thinks I feed the kids garbage every night...which I don't...I bought a frozen chicken dinner and docterd it up with another chicken bresast, veggies, a sweet potatoe, and fat free creme of mushroom sauce...the girls loved it!!!!

Life is good!!!! Please eat your food!

2012-01-24T19:15:00.000-08:00

I took Sophia for blood work...final in all of the issues...they called to say her liver enzymes were perfect...she is normal, small, but normal. Today was good....My good friend neea lora od pEywea...lidw ia goos...I m tired!!!

DATE NIGHT!!!!!

2012-01-22T19:34:00.000-08:00

I want to preface this with the fact that Dave and I have very active social lives...the problem is we socialize with all of our friends and never have "our time"..so Dave's co-workers invited us to Pete's Piano bar for Sat night. Christa and Brad had all of their crew and were so kind to take the girls...which they loved...I told Dave we should just get a hotel d

owntown so we can have a nice date and not worry about driving...I pricelined a room and we got the 4 star Hilton for 60 a night...(the back of the door said the highest they can charge for that room is over 500 dollars...it was nice....very nice....The girls and Molly got dropped off and were treated like queens..They took all the kids too putt, putt...Isabella said aunt Christa made a nice dinner....they stayed up until midnight and then all went to church...Brad said they were awesome...I love that they are in town and we don't have to feel guilty... We checked into our very nice hotel, chilled, got ready and then headed out...Dave's co-workers invited us to dinner as well, but Dave told them we wanted a date night dinner since he was gone for so long...so we had pre-drinks at a tappas bar, dinner at McCormick and Schmidts...(love the tuna tar tar)....then to Petes...so much fun....woke up happy, picked up the girls and then recovered all day from a busy weekend....life is good...we are blessed!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is a big day for Christa and Brad...can't go into details, but fingers crossed things go well!!! They are such good people!!!

Yes he's back!!!

2012-01-22T19:26:00.000-08:00

Dave was out of town all week on a business trip...what a crazy experience...I just have to say that I really, really respect single moms (and dads) and all they do...it is hard...It is still hard with two parents, but having to be responsible for everyting is hard....We did have a great week though. The girls were awesome...they are getting so big. Dave's trip wa

s to Bartlesville, OK. It was so cute how Isabella would tell everyone her daddy was in Oklahoma. Dave wanted to bring us all presents home...He bought Sophia the cutest book about pottying...it is very detailed!!! Isabella got a very cool artsy book...I told Dave, no offense, but next time, get them both "fun artsy books"...Sophia liked the book, but the other thing was way cooler...He said he wanted to buy me something and he looked at a Vera Bradley store because he knows I like it...He thought spending 45.00 on a small handbag was waaaay too expensive...on the phone I agreed....I did not let him know that Christa and I actually ordered extra large vera bradley totes that were super cheap online...it was like 50 for a huge bag I will use forever...when he saw it he got what a great deal I got! And, I can actually say that I am not a huge spender...I am not saying I don't shop, but I really don't spend a ton of money on myself...I spend it on the girls and when it comes to me, I will buy something here and there...Anyway, we were all happy. Friday we met Christa and her entire crew and Tara and Lance and their kids at Willies for dinner...it is right down the road and has a huge sandbox....We haven't spent time with Lance and Tara for a long time. Saturday we took it easy, hung out with the girls and then had "date night"

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2012-01-18T19:09:00.001-08:00

Wednesday

2012-01-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

What can I say...it has been an interesting week....ups and down...today was a good day...girls were very sweet...had pretty good lessons....love facetime with family. My mother in law and mom are watching the girls while we are skiing in Feb...my mom is going to do some decorating...which I am excited about!!! Life is good...life is great...one crazy story in t

he news...an Italian cruiseline sunk a few days ago because the captain was showing off, went too close to shore and scraped the bottom...tragic...about 20 fatalities..many in their life jackets...of course he was one of the first off the ship...the coast guard was yelling at him to get his ass back on the ship..he refused...now he is saying he was in the life boat because he fell in it....what a joke..he has been arrested for manslaugther....I hope they throw the book at that idiot.....

zoo

2012-01-18T19:03:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-16T18:09:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-16T18:07:00.001-08:00

my girls...

2012-01-16T17:48:00.000-08:00

Today I took Sophia to her 2 year check up..(I am about a month late)...Everything looks good and is the same...she is still really little...weighs 20 lbs even...she grew but her head is the same size as last. The next appointment usually is at 3, but the dr and I decided 2 1/2 year appointment would be good. Her liver levels were a bit high a while ago so I am goin

g to have another test done. Today was a great day...we were off for Martin Luther King Jr Day. After the dr appointment, I took the girls to the zoo, picked up Molly from Christa's house (she took both dogs for their 2nd round of shots), went grocery shopping, and the came home and cooked a nice meal. This weekend we chilled Friday (sushi delivery and wine), Sat, watched the Saints lose, and then went to a friend's 50th bday party at the country club by our house...it was a blast!!!! Sunday watched the Texans lose. We still had a great weekend. Next weekend we are meeting Dave's co-workers at a Piano bar downtown. The girls are spending the night at Christa's and we are staying at the Hilton Americas because we bid on priceline and got it for 60.00 much cheaper than a cab ride to and from downtown...and it will be nice to have a little alone time...we are going to go on a mini date beforehand.The princessess....Isabella...3 going on 13- loves to tattle tale-tries to sneak in our bed everynight...peed from the staircase to our room when we wouldn't let her in.- has the cutest personality- she and her best frend are two peas in a pod...her best friend teaches her the lyrics to Low (she hit the floor) everyday- she loves wearing dresses- she still lives for arts and crafts projects- still a picky eater- loves her sister- loves fighting with her sisterSophia- cute as a button- drama queen like her sister, but in a different way- loves to pull Isabella's hair- loves yoga- doesn't eat enough- loves when I put her hair in piggy tails- every day when giving her a bath...she doesn't want to get out...she lays her body out so we won't pick her up-can't open doors- tries to sneak in our bed now that she is in her big girl bed- loves her sister-loves fighting with her sister- starting to make sentences (most we can't understand)Molly Jane- loves her new family- is doing well with the electric doggy door- has had very few accidents lately (knock on wood)- sleeps alot- cuddles- wants to be in our bed so bad, but Dave won't let her...I sneak her in when he is not near and then Isabella tells on me.

Wonderful friend and neighbor

2012-01-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

My friend who lives down the street and just sold her house to build a mini mc mansion :) gave me her wreaths....they are awesome and I really appreciated it!!! They are adorable and took her a million hours to make. She decided to give them to me because her new house has 2 front doors and she doesn't feel like making a matching one for each one...but as crafty as

she is, I am sure her new doors will not be bare:) We will miss them since they live so close....

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2012-01-10T20:07:00.001-08:00

Give me a bone...

2012-01-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

My prayer every night when I am trying to feed the girls...I made a really nice salmon and vegetable dish...both girls ate and really liked it...Here is how I made it...stuck salmon in broiler for 5 minutes and then made the topping... 1 tablespoon of awesome honey my mom bought me for dinner, soy sauce, and mustard...took salmon out, spread sauce and broiled for 15

more minutes....it was sooooo good!!!!Today was good...normal day..up at 5...going to gym...working but off until 4...leaving work, picking girls up, making dinner, feeding them, baths, outfits for tomorrow, cleaning, etc, etc, etc...life is still good....we need to slow down and just enjoy life...I am starting the ski trip count down ...36 days till park city...soooo excited....will have soo much fun...adult ski trip...we work hard, but play hard, and have an awesome supportive family!!!!!Molly (new member of family has taken well to our family...she loves us...we love her...she is cute...

Literacy and wonderful inlaws...

2012-01-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

Dave and I love magazines...It used to drive him crazy when we first met that I would just buy them off the rack because it was so much cheaper to get a subscription...We are now reading a book called "Free"....highly reccommend...that explains magazine pricing...and it makes sense...anyway, It has been hard for me to find time to read magazines, but I jumped on

the bandwagon when my awesome father in law asked if we wanted any subscriptions for Christmas...He gave me a years Readers Digest (love it)...Dave got the Economist (love this one as well bc it is expensive and I can use it in my class!!!)...My father in law (and mother in law) also thought about the girls...they got subscriptions to Disney Family Fun and kids National Geographic...and kids National Geographic...they were super expensive (over 60.00)...the girls will love it...we really appreciate it....

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2012-01-09T18:57:00.001-08:00

Please eat your food.....

2012-01-09T18:16:00.001-08:00

That is the theme in this house. I really try and make a well balanced meal every night (or most nights). Tonight I made spinach (from last night), pasta, salad, and blue berries...Sophia ate more, but not that much...Last week I had a revelation in the check out line..Almost everything I had on the conveyer belt was processed food...all my low calorie lean cuis

ines, the girls breakfast, etc...and I knew that was bad...I have been thinking about it all week...So today I made sure to grocery shop only on the outside...mostly fruits and vegetables, salmon, chicken breast, etc...and I am determined to prepare nice breakfast, luches, and dinners...It took a while but I think it will be worth it...the kids were super cute when I picked them up from school. Sophia and Isabella both learned a new yoga pose-- Sophia- the star pose (whatever that is)...and Isabella decided to show me hers- the nothing pose:) Life is good....great actually...we had bad weather in Houston, but luckily we are all safe. My friend that lives in the neighborhood across is starting a petition because they want to rezone us where the girls would not attend the elementary school that is .2 miles from our house...I am not sure what it is all about, but I appreciate her fighting for us:)

Christmas in January

2012-01-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had a nice time in Austin spending it with Dave's family to celebrate a belated Christmas. We had a great time. On Saturday we got to watch the Texans and Saints win the first play off games. We exchanged gifts and of course everyone was wonderful. I was especially happy with the pillow my very talented sister in law embroidered for me.

I also loved the "Androgynous" Home Depot tool kit that the girls were given. My mother in law wants to make sure they are well rounded....which I am great with...

Escape artist

2012-01-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

Molly is an escape artist...we have no idea how she gets out of the baby gate...I told my dad she was GT....today was great...long but great...I picked the girls up from school to take Isabella to dance. They gave us a note that they are about to expand the building and build a gymnasium...I am thinking tuition will probably go up...and we are already sucked in

because we LOVE the school. Isabella keeps signing this song "she hit the floor, yo, yo, yo)...it is a popular rap song...I was shocked the she knew the song...apparently her friend Samantha taught it to her...that is what she said..I joked about it with the teacher and she is mortified...she says she keeps telling the little girl to stop teaching it because she doesn't want the parents to think they were teaching it...haha..too funny...I told Isabella I was taking her to dance. she pulled the same thing she always does..cries, says she doesn't want to go...I made her go, and she had a blast....I put Sophia in the daycare to play and got called to get her about 5 minutes later...she had a major blow out and of course being the great mom I am, had zero diapers and wipes....note to any parent with a small child...always have backups in your car...you will need them...I snuck out with Sophia, went to WalGreens and fixed the problem...Got home and got everything ready for our Austin trip...yes, Molly met us at the door...uhh..but she is sooo cute. Life is good...Dave is traveling soon for almost a week...I am trying to talk my mom into coming in for a couple of days to keep me company....I was thinking she could help me surprise Dave with a new project in our house...haha...my mom got an I phone and I pad for Christmas...she is Loving the facetime....we are blessed...I bave been good about going to the gym in the morning...even though I hate going..I made myself go and did weights and the treadmill...I figure I just need to get in the habbit...

Back to reality

2012-01-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

Today was that day...we all went back to work and school. Luckily our district gives us an inservice day so that we can ease back into it. Our inservice was awesome!!!! Learned so much...it basically taught us several techiques for checking for understanding. Today was Molly's first day at home alone. We kept her in the kitchen and she did fine....until we cam

e home...she was soooo happy to see us....then she snuck upstairs and peed and pooped....uh...we are working on it...she is such a sweet dog. The girls had great days at school. Dave forgot to pack jackets for them, but luckily there teachers found borrowed ones so they could play outside. They seemed to really be happy to be back at school with their friends. We told Sophia's teachers she is working on potty training at home. They said they would work with her at school. Tomorrow is hump day, I meet my new students...should be fun...then we are off to Austin this weekend to celebrate the Holidays with Dave's family.

Thankful

2012-01-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today's blog is dedicated to all the things I am thankful for (in no particular order)...I included 2 random pictures because blogs with picts are way better than ones without picts:)1. God2. Family3. Family4. Family5. New member of our family- Molly...she is so sweet...the free super electronic doggie door is sooo cool...Molly wears a little collar that a

ctives it...the problem is that the girls keep changing the settings...for example, one of them set it to where she could go out, but not get back in...Dave and I said we have to check it everyday to make sure it is ok..we put up the kiddie gate to give her half the kitchen plus doggie door when we are at work..fingers crossed...6. I am back on my exercise/diet wagon7. I have the most amazing husband...he cleaned out the garage today...8. Sophia has started potty training9. I have a job10. I work everday with my twin sister...literally next door!11. For awesome friends...new and old....12. Ski trip in Feb!!!13. camping trips14. that Dave and I still have all of our parents15. That my husband wants to have another child with me (not anytime soon!!!)16. my 2 beautiful daughters have such big, cute personalities17. I love my in-laws...18. we live in a beautiful area, house, neighborhood19. we live in a free country...land of opportunity...20. I am starting the process to fill out paperwork to start my doctorate at University of Houston in the summer or fall....fingers crossed..

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Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012!!!! Can't believe it is a new year. The girls are getting so big. Sophia has started teeteeing on the potty sometimes...it is a start. We decided to have a family friendly small New Years Eve gathering...the theme was campout and we did it indoor and outdoor. Christa came up with lots of fun activities for the kids. Brad was so awesome and helped Dave install a high tech doggy do

or. One of Brad's coworkers randomly had one she wanted to give away. It is electronic...very cool. Molly is such a good dog. She has been doing well with the potty training...maybe she and Sophia are neck and neck...haha...Today after cleaning for a few hours we are taking it very easy...same for tomorrow....we all go back to school/work Tuesday. Here are my New Years Resolutions:- lose weight in time for ski trip to Park City- go to mass more with family- get more organized and donate/throw away stuff we don't need or use- get ready for the Texas Relay (a long run)- do more for others- appreciate every day we have with our family members!!!

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2011-12-30T12:43:00.001-08:00

Camping and Prison Museums....

2011-12-30T12:40:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a interesting couple of days....we had a blast...there were good times and a few bad times (mainly coldness in middle of night)...I have been talking forever about wanting to go camping...Michelle's boyfriend Tyler lent us his huge tent and Dave semi committed to having us go. Christa asked if we would watch the girls Thursday to Friday afternoon so they c

ould attend the San Antonio Bowl with Baylor (who won!)...Anway, I looked up the weather and Thursday seemed the perfect time to go camping at Huntsville State Park about an hour from our house....so we packe up the car, the babies, and the dog and went to pick up Abby, Allison, Paige, and Lily (Christa's dog)...we were on our way....excited...Our first stop, the Texas State Prison Museum. Huntsville is known for their huge state prison. The museum was interesting. And the girls got to put on prison striped and get their pictures taken in an actual cell. I didn't realize prisoners weren't allowed to smoke in Texas.Next we were off to find the perfect lunch...something that was unique..I looked at trip advisor and the number one choice was a bbq joint in the middle of a bad part of town...so off we go...to find it was closed. So we went to reccomendation #2 Farmhouse Cafe...it was really good!!! We then headed off to wal-mart to pick up a few supplies and then finally made it to the campsite. It was awesome..the weather was chilly, but not too bad. Dave took the girls for a short hike and I stayed back with Sophia. Later we made chili cheese hot dogs and smores...yummy!!!Then is was time for bed...it was colder, but not too bad. Dave set up his ipad for the kids to watch a movie. I feel asleep and then woke up around 3 am FREEZING my tale off...it was in the 20s....the weather report said high of 68 lows of 50s....so where did this 20 and 30s come from??? I tossed and turned...we were all freezing...it didn't matter we brought a million blankets...ultimately the lesson we learned that next time if we go in the cold we will all have our own warm sleeping bags. We woke up early and decided to head out...the problem was the girls remembered we said we might got to IHop in the morning...we were all looking bad...real bad...but, I told the girls if we could put ourselves together a little we could go...they had a blast....we finally got home and were all pooped....soooo tired but had a blast!!!

merry Christmas

2011-12-25T20:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, happy Chanakkah, and happy holidays!!!! We've been blessed...have spent it with our loved ones...I just want to say i am appreciative for my family and Dave's family...I can't stop thinking about families who have lost a child...specifically a former co-worker who lost her Beautiful adult daughter to a drunk driver...may God be with ll of these families of people who are missing loved ones....Merry Christmas. Happy new year.

Molly

2011-12-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

I kind of blame Christa for this story...but in a good way...Here is the story...I have been saying forever I wanted to get a puppy (small lap dog) for the girls and I...We always had a dog growing up. Everytime the girls are around Lucy (Christa's maltese) they LOVE her. My idea was a small little Lucy...Everytime I brought up the subject, Dave would say "nope

!"...I knew he wasn't 100% against the idea because we went to a few shelters together. Fast foward to yesterday. I was woke up from a nap on Christa's couch (my mom just came into town and she was going to watch the girls so we could go out with Brad, Christa, Tom and his new girlfriend)...Christa showed me a picture of twin Maltipoos (maltese/ poodles)...they were adorable and up for adoption. She called the lady to see if we could go look at them. An hour later Christa and I were in the hood looking at these sweet dogs that we could not leave behind. We were waiting for the lady to arrive and 2 men across the street were staring at us while doing what I call "prison pushups"... Christa let me have the smaller cuter one and she had the one that was more motherly, loving. She let Christa just hold her like a cat. The puppies were in a house in a bad neighborhood that a woman owned for the sole purpose of keeping cats and dogs for adoption. When she let them out they were all so cute, but they were pooping and peeing everywhere. It was pretty bad. We knew we had to get them. The lady let us adopt them, take them, and we stopped at Pet Smart to pick up 2 crates, dog food, and pee pads... So my plan was to tell Dave after he had a few beers at the Yard House. I was surprised how well he took it....I think it was because of how cute they were. He said that Isabella could name her...so she named her Molly and Christa's kids finally came up with Lilly. I have been good about bringing Molly out to use the restroom. Brad will help us in a few days install a doggie door. Fingers crossed potty training goes well...haha...Between potty training a puppy and a 2 year old, I should win a prize...

Cuties

2011-12-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

The girls are their normal cutie pies. They are loving elf on the shelf. We are having a great time just relaxing and spending time together. Tonight we celebrated Hanukkah. Sophia kept trying to blow out the candles. Sophia keeps playing little pranks. She pretends to cry and when we call her out, she starts laughing. On the potty training report, she is s

o not interested...at all... Isabella is ms spunky...you never know will come out of her mouth. She started dressing herself in skirts, leggings, purses, boots...She loves to be different. Sophia is still obsessed with shoes. Sophia is actually putting a few sentences together. Isabella is still obsessed with Justin Bieber. She told Will that she was going to marry him when she was in kindergarten. He said, no you can't, you are too young...she then kicked him 3 times...thankfully Christa put her in time out. (she was watching the girls so I could try and do some shopping).Dave was supposed to have this week off with us, but poor thing as had to work most of the time. Tomorrow my entire family (except April) will start the holiday off at Christa's. We will pack up all of our stuff and spend the next few nights at her house. Good thing they have lots of beds!!!

Vacation Day #1

2011-12-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

Today was great...relaxing...Dave was supposed to be off, but ended up having to work the entire day. I took the girls to the gym, chick filet, and then we went home to clean and take naps. In the evening Dave and I took the girls to Katy Mills Mall to eat at Rainforest Cafe and to do a little Christmas shopping...I admit I have been bad about shopping this year.

..I just don't feel like going to malls or stores....but, ultimately I will get it done. Life is good, we are blessed!

Breaux Bridge

2011-12-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

Dave picked me up after school on Friday and we headed to Breux Bridge for the weekend. It usually takes 3 1/2 hours but because of traffic it took us more like 7 hours...We then went to my parent's friends Christmas party. They had the best band ever. Saturday we took it easy, went and had lunch at Cafe Des Amis, did a little shopping, and then watched the Rajun

Cajuns win their first bowl game in decades. They won in the last few seconds. We also got to meet Morgan's girlfriend Taylor who was very sweet. Sunday Michelle and her family came over. One of my mom's friends' daugthers had a botique in Breux Bridge that she shut down because the landlord wanted to raise the rent. So she sold all the cute clothes and accessories for cheap...and my mom bought lots of things for Christa, Michelle and I...It was funny how we distributed it...we laid all the clothes out and then drew numbers to see who would go first. We each took a turn and chose an item. We all got everything we wanted!!!! Thanks mom!!! We are finally back home...Life is good...we are blessed!

Jack and Michael

2011-12-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

That is the name of our elves on the shelves...the girls love the game...they both scream when they find them. It is really cute. One is bigger than the other...of course Isabella takes the bigger one, but Sophia is ok with the little one:)

more dance picts

2011-12-15T17:34:00.001-08:00

Parent's Dance Watch

2011-12-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

Today was Isabella's Christmas parent's dance watch. They danced for the parents and then had a party. We wanted to go out to eat afterwards but decided the girls would not be easy...so we ordered sushi....love it...and it really is cheap...sushi delivery dinner for entire family for 23.00....can't beat that. Isabella did so well dancing. Sophia danced by us...sh

e can't wait to be like her big sister!!!Tomorrow is the last day of school before the holidays!!!!! Sooo excited...we are driving to Breaux Bridge right after and staying until Monday...then we are taking it easy, celebrating Christmas in Houston, and spending time with our babies:)

more party picts...

2011-12-15T17:20:00.001-08:00

Company Christmas Party

2011-12-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

Last night we had Dave's company's Christmas party. It was on a Wednesday from 5-8. Christa and Brad watched the girls so we could have a date night...which we really appreciated. I got down town around 4ish so we started at Fyling Saucer for a couple of beers...I had the beer sampler...We then went to the party. It was nice as always...They had lots of fancy food

, drinks, entertainment...they even had caricatures. I couldn't get over how fancey the office is....from the restroom to Dave's office...to the Christmas tree!...The girls were super cute and were sleeping when we picked them up and brought them home...Life is good!

Meatballs...its whats for dinner...

2011-12-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

The original plan was to make spaghetti sauce and meatballs...I soon figured out we didn't have any pasta sauce...so I improvised and made more of a stroganoff....it was good and the girls ate and ate it...so did Dave. Tomorrow is Dave's Christmas party at his office downtown...Christa and Brad are watching the girls. They usually do it up really nice...fancy food,

music, and drinks...as fancy as you can get on a Wednseday night. Bed update...both girls are still trying to get into our bed everynight...poor Dave just keeps bringing them back upstairs all night long.

Review, review, and more review

2011-12-12T17:10:00.000-08:00

This week is the last week before the holidays...piece of cake...Finals start tomorrow...Dave has to leave early a few days to I agreed to get the girls ready all week and drop them off at school. Today was great. Just played review games with all my classes. Christa got some interesting news that I might share later...It made me think about things and maybe I wil

l have some new directions soon...we shall see. I have avoided Christmas shopping in the store thus far (online for me)...but today relented before I picked the girls up. Isabella loves these floor puzzles they sell in the Land of Nod store. They also sell the same ones at Home Goods...so I picked Isabella up 3 which she will love. I also looked for apple ornaments for her teachers but couldn't find them...guess I will take the girls to hobby lobby tomorrow. This week is way less hectic. I picked the girls up and was so relieved the cleaning lady came...she upped her rate 10.00 for my friend, so I went ahead and did the same...Dave wanted me to wait until she asked, but I felt cheesy...I know for a fact she stays 5-6 hours cleaning our house...and she does a VERY good job...The girls and I then hung up some red lights to go around our 2 small trees (better something than nothing)...I cooked the girls a dream dinner we have had forever (stopped doing dream dinners because I don't have time to go across town). Thursday is Isabell'a parent watch and Friday we drive to Breaux Bridge. We come back on Sunday and then Christa hosts Christmas at her house the following Sunday...life is good...we are SOOOO blessed. The girls love their 2 Elf on the shelves...Michael and Jack...they try to hide them, but we find them so that we can place them in interesting spots....they are currently in the fridge:)

Punke Brewster

2011-12-10T16:17:00.001-08:00

picts

2011-12-10T16:15:00.001-08:00

more picts

2011-12-10T16:11:00.001-08:00

Sophia's big day...

2011-12-10T15:58:00.001-08:00

Friday Sophia had a big day...It was all about her and her birthday. We arranged to have pizza delivered to her class for lunch (this seems to be typical for their school) and brought cupcakes. When I picked her up the teachers said she LOVED being the center of attention all day. We then went home and waited for Dave to come home from work. We wanted to take Sop

hia somewhere special for her bday dinner. Unfortunately Dave got stuck in a meeting and did not get home until 6:30...We got in the car not having an idea where to go...Dave asked if I thought the girls could make it to Sugarland town center...they seemed to be awake...long story short, by the time we got their, the girls were cranky...we stayed for a few miutes and then drove back to Katy, stopped at Ooolaala to buy 2 giant cupcakes and then ordered pizza. We sang to Sophia and let her open her gifts (a speak and say and a dress up chef outfit)Today I woke up early and drove to work to tutor kids for 4 hours for the finals next week...we then went and watched Will play his first basketball game (Brad is the coach)...then went to have a beer and wings at Buffalo Wild wings while someone looked at Christa's house....Tonight the plan is to take it easy..I am going to try and put together a Christmas card. Life is good:)On a side note...when we got home Isabella asked to change...she picked out her outfit and looked like punky brewster....too cute!

Cookie exchange

2011-12-10T15:43:00.001-08:00

I have been looking foward to this cookie exchange all year. I knew Thursday would be crazy. I thought (and was wrong) that Isabella had her dance watch and see and party...So poor Dave rushed to the Y only to find out I was wrong...I was very embarassed...anyway, Christa and I had a blast at the cookie echange. There were 30 women. The food was awesome, the cooki

es were soo cute. I ended up making chocolate covered peanut nutter butter bars. (1 pack crushed nutter butter bars, 4 oz creme cheese, 1/2 cup peanut butter...mix together and form into a small ball...then dip in meleted chocolate.

Elf on the Shelf

2011-12-06T20:03:00.001-08:00

I have never heard of elf on the shelf until about a week ago...it is a cute idea- you get an elf, the kids name him, he watches them to report back to santa everynight and then he reappears somewhere different where the kids have to find them...I decided to order one from amazon. He (Michael...what the girls named him) arrived today....of course they fought over him

...I had my holiday bunko tonight...I was pretty pleased that I brought one of the cutest ornaments to echange...Dave watched the girls. Everything is great...we are blessed! One more cute thing...Sophia found some pink boots that April passed down to us..she wanted to wear them to school so I let her...(I packed her tennis shoes in case she needed them)...she didn't...she wore her boots proudly all day!

Meatballs and unplanned expenses....

2011-12-05T18:56:00.001-08:00

Wow...where do I even start....today has been crazy. Today I was driving to the gym at 5:45 am when I noticed my check engine light on...great...a few weeks ago my car didn't start...the next day it did start, but in the back of my mind I knew I needed to take it to be checked out. So I called Christa to ask her to pick me up at the auto shop by my school. I w

orked out (it was crazy rainy weather) and then dropped the car off. Crazy day at school after taking Friday off (my sister in-law and I helped throw my mother in law a 60th bday party in Austin). I walked into my class to find my desk covered in ants....the rest of the day went well. The mechanic called to say my thermometer was broken ....Anyway, I had to call Dave and ask him to pick up the girls. Christa agreed to let me tag along with her until my car was ready (6pm)...I picked up my car and then had to go to grocery store and finally made it home at 7...Dave had dinner waiting...delicious meatball subs...the funny thing is that I bought 2 huge packs of meatballs for my mother in laws bday, but forgot to bring them to Austin...so we have LOTS of them...since we have had crazy expenses, we have decided to be creative with them...tonight was meatball subs, tomorrow Dave is using them on pizza, the following night is spagehetti and meatballs...good times:)This week is probably going to be the busiest week I have...besides the craziness of today, tomorrow I have work, dr apt at 3:30, bunko at 6:30...Wed have work and then a hair appointment...Thursday I have work, Isabella's parent watch ballet/Christmas party and then a very cool cookie exchange with 34 other women, and then Friday work and then taking Sophia to a fun dinner for her 2nd bday!!! Oh, and I have to order 3 pizzas to be sent to Sophia's school on Friday for her bday celebration and buy a couple dozen cupcakes....All in all we are blessed...we have each other...the girls are amazing...Sophia's memorable moment of the day was pulling her pants up by herself. Sophia's report said they learned about different holidays-Christmas, Hanaukah, etc..each kid said which one they celebrate...I am pretty sure Sophia doesn't know. I asked Isabella what she wanted to give her teachers for Christmas...she thought about it for a second and said "how about an ornament...then she said, how about an apple ornament"...how cool is that...I told her that would be our craft for this weekend. We would give her teachers apple ornaments and maybe a giftcard (to Starbucks)..she had the biggest grin on her face:)one more thing...Sophia is totally into wearing my shoes and clothes...I put my shirts on her backwards and she loves it!!! She is such a girlie girl!

Yea for today!

2011-12-01T18:21:00.001-08:00

Today was interesting....very good...another very productive. We are getting 2 ipads and 2 netbooks in January for every classroom. The district has actually had these for us, but have been holding back until we get trained. So they came up with a 11 steps training we have to go through online. Each step has you learn about lots of different tools to use in y

our classsroom....basically several hours worth of work...and the good news is that today I finished my tools!!!! Very few teachers at our schoool have even started...and we are supposed to be done in the next 2 weeks...so that is a huge relief. Today I picked the girls up from school and took them to the Y for Isabella's dance class. I forgot to pack her tights...but she was ok. Next week is another parent watch...I have to buy her red tights. Isabella is such a little busy body...we were standing in the staircase waiting to go into the classroom...Isabella says "look mommy, she is sitting on the bars" (a little girl was sitting on the rails....I didn't know what to say...very awkard...thankfully Isabella made it even more awkard after I said we need to mind our own business...she said, mommy, that is dangerous...everyone started laughing but it was weird.Sophia is in a "what is that phase"...she points and asks "what is that"...

My boyfriend is on tv (Justin Bieber)

2011-11-30T18:09:00.001-08:00

Isabella keeps saying this...I don't know where she got it, but she thinks it is cute and ruffles our feathers. I am typing this while Sophia is clearly pooping in her diaper...I told her I knew what she was doing and she shushed me...she is almost ready...she gets it. We got a note home from Sophia's class saying an upper respiratory infection was going around in

her classroom...fingers crossed she doesn't get it. We have one more school day this week and then we are off to Austin.My parents called from the East Coast. They are going to the LSU game in Atlanta this weekend. They went ahead a few days and are staying in Hilton Head and another cool place. After I got off the phone with my mom, I just thought how I really appreciate inheriting the travel bug from both of my parents...maybe my mom more than my dad...I am obsessed with traveling the world. Today was the BEST DAY EVER!!!! 9-11th graders were testing. Our school decided to rewaqrd the passing kids who have applied to college with a free day off. The only seniors that had to come today were seniors who were failing our classes. I had about 11 out of 15 kids show up...they were given make up work they misses, etc...I got SOOO much work done...I literally sat at my computer all day long working on final exams, grading, and lesson plans...I told Dave "I sat down on a chair all day long"...this never happens. It dawned on me today that 90% of my job is standing up, walking around, teaching. On one hand I envy the teachers who sit all day, but really I don't...you can't teach that way...good teachers are at their desk to take roll and do some work if the kids are taking a test.

Guest Blog

2011-11-28T17:02:00.001-08:00

Tonight the girls are guest blogging for me. I am going to ask them questions and write their answers.1. What is your favorite food?Isabella "I like eating bananas and pop tarts"...Sophia "I like ogurt (yogurt)..2. What is your favorite color?Isabella "I like purple and pink"Sophia "pink"3. What is your friends name?Isabella "Well, my friend

's name is Paige and my friend is named Dalton, and my other friend's name is Collum (sp?)Sophia " night night"4. Who loves you?Sophia "daddy"Isabella "mommy, Sophia, and daddy"5. Do you tattle tell?Isabella "no"Sophia "no"6. If we were to buy a puppy, what would be the name?Isabella "mom, I want to name him Max and Ruby"Sophia "noise...hooohooohoo"Isabella "Sophia, do you want to name him Max and Ruby?"Sophia "whooohoooo"7. If your happy and you know it clap your handsIsabella "mommy, do a question"- side note....Sophia just pulled a chunk of Isabellaa's hair...for no reason..she has been doing this a lot8. What do you like most about your school?Isabella "I like playing play dough"Sophia "refuses to answer"...Just a few side notes...today was a good day...we are all back to our schedules (for a few weeks a least). We are about to watch the Saints game on Monday night football( Who Dat)...I knew today would be good because 1. I worked out, 2. my students are working on computer projects this week 3. I knew the cleaning lady was coming 4. I put a crock pot recipe on (chicken breast, rotel, corn, beans, and creme cheese)...serve over rice, 5. my Christmas is up. Life is good and blessed...I did have another instance of Isabella telling on me...it was kind of an embarassing bath room moement (I will spare the details)..All I know is when Dave came home, she snuck to whisper something to him...all I heard was him telling Isabella it was not nice to talk about people when they weren't around...too funny...little tattle tale..The other funmuy story was that both girls were super cute (as always) when I picked them up from school. Sophia and her friends were in the middle of dress up. She was wearing a pink tutu and a Uncle Sam patrotic hat....When we were in the car driving home she started pretending she was sleeping...she got real serious and quiet....and then slowly shut her eyes...I was like "Sophia are you sleeping"...a few minutes later she yells out "haha"...she is such a little entertainer."On a money note...this weekend was expensive...between the 500 plumber bill and Sophia losing my wedding band...ouch! Good thing she lost my wedding band and not my engagement ring:)

Been a While...

2011-11-27T16:08:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted so I'll pick today. The posting will probably get more frequent when I get my new iPhone (picture taking will be more frequent)...

Anyway, we had quite an interesting Thanksgiving Weekend. My folks, Danny, and Ashlee came into town. Thursday morning I got up around 5 AM to start thawing the turkey we were making in water. Around 7 AM,we awoke to a torrent of water draining out of the ceiling in the bathroom. Turns out we had a broken pipe. While we waited for the plumber, we tried to continue on prepping Thanksgiving Dinner. It all worked out even though we had to pay the plumber a premium.

Other than that we watched the Horns beat the Aggies, went to Dewberry Farms on Friday, ,watched some movies, and hung out. On Sunday, we put up Christmas decorations.

It's Beggining to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

2011-11-27T15:17:00.001-08:00

Today we took out our Christmas tree and decorations. The girls had a blast helping us put them up. I love our pre-lit tree...It is so easy to put up and take down. Tomorrow is back to reality for all of us. The girls, Dave and I have a 4 day work week. We are taking Friday off to go to Austin and help get my mother in law's 60 bday party organized. Thursday th

e girls have their first dentist appointment (Dave is taking them)...I took a few weeks off from working out...I was super stressed and wanted to sleep in...but, post Turkey day I am back at the gym...so is Dave.

picts

2011-11-27T15:16:00.001-08:00

picts

2011-11-27T15:13:00.001-08:00

weekend picts

2011-11-27T15:10:00.001-08:00

picts

2011-11-25T13:25:00.001-08:00

picts

2011-11-25T13:17:00.001-08:00

Dewberry Farms

2011-11-25T13:06:00.001-08:00

We took the girls to Dewberry Farms today. They had a blast.

picts

2011-11-25T13:05:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Plummer

2011-11-25T12:54:00.001-08:00

We woke up Thursday morning to a loud splattering sound. We were SO appreciative that we decided to host Thanksgiving at our house. Otherwise we would have come home to the biggest mess. A pipe burst (connected to dishwasher) and it leaked from the second floor through our bathroom vent. We were lucky to find a plummer(500 dollars later) to come and fix the leak.

Thanksgiving then progressed wonderfully. Dave's family came in and we cooked a turkey for the first time. It was delicious!!!!

Tuesday....our Friday...

2011-11-22T18:01:00.001-08:00

Today was our Friday...Dave and I are both off until Monday...we are super excited about spending quality time with the girls and our family. Dave made dinner tonight (chicken enchiladas...it was sooo good!!!!)..Tomorrow the plan is to clean the house and cook some of our Thanksgiving items beforehand. Sophia slept in her big girl bed all night...sweet girl. I

want to take her crib down tomorrow...Dave wants to wait...we shall see:)

Don't touch the turkey...

2011-11-21T18:50:00.001-08:00

Great day...It is a 2 day work week for Dave and I...I gave test all day (teachers love test day...we can get caught up on grading , etc)..tomorrow I am showing an interesting show about self made millionaires. I plan on getting lots more done. I picked up the girls and then headed home to make beef stroganoff and carotts. Last night Dave bought a 25 pound turkey

and put it in the fridge to defrost. We kept it in the wrapper and netting from the store. The girls wanted to touch the turkey when Dave brought it home, but he made a huge deal about turkey and raw meat. Fast foward to tonight...I opened the fridge and Sophia touched the (wrapped) turkey for 2 seconds...Isabella saw and started screaming that I needed to wash Sophia's hands...I was distracted and told Isabella Sophia was fine because it was a second and she was touching plastic netting...Fast foward a couple of hours...I am playing with Sophia, Dave gets home...About 10 minutes later she goes up to Dave and whispers...she is telling on me about the turkey....too funny...my 3 year old tells on me...Tonight when we went to put the girls to bed Dave says he thinks Sophia is ready for the big girl bed...So I go downstairs and pull out the camera...Isabella keeps insisting that Sophia sleeep in her crib...(mind you Isabella has been in the big girl bed since she was one...Sophia will be 2 in a few weeks)...too funny...Fingers crossed she does well and we don't have 2 little girls banging on our room to get in every night...I am super excited about pulling out Christmas after Thanksgiving. Christa bought the girls a small pink tree from Garden Ridge (it was 80% off after Christmas)...Isabella insisted we put it out...we put the homemade ornaments on it...

picts

2011-11-20T10:21:00.001-08:00

The plan...to ditch the plan...

2011-11-20T10:16:00.001-08:00

This weekend the plan was to take the girls to Dewberry Farm on Saturday and Renaissance Festival on Sunday. We had a great low key Friday night. Saturday morning I went online and saw that Dewberry Farm was closed...so we went to home depot and bought mulch for our front yard. Mulching is like painting- fast satisfaction. Later on Christa and her crew came over

for crafts, pizza, and football. Our friends Lori and Derin and their kids came over later. The kids had a blast making ornaments. Today we decided to postpone the Renaissance Festival and have a VERY LAZY day. This is the first weekend since school has started that I have not thought or done anything school related.Monday and Tuesday I have work and then am off for rest of the week. Later today we have to go buy a turkey so we can start defrosting it. I am super excited about making one!

Thanksgiving feast....

2011-11-17T17:46:00.001-08:00

Today was great...Our PTA made lunch for us...we have the best PTA ever...just a few parents that do everything...they are always doing nice things for us...After school I picked the girls up and took Isabella to ballet..she always say she doesn't want to go, but she has a blast...I keep saying, do you want to quit...she says no, so we go and she has fun. We then ca

me home, got ready and went with Dave back to their school for a Thanksgiving dinner. It was nice talking with some of the parents. This should be a good weekend. I only have to teach 2 days next week. That means I won't spend all day Sunday doing lesson plans...I am taking it easy. We are taking the girls to Dewberry Farms Saturday...Christa and her kids are coming over Saturday evening for a night of football and crafts for the kids...Sunday we plan on going to the Renaissance Festival. Life is good!!!

I need a do over....or maybe not....

2011-11-16T16:47:00.001-08:00

Today was one of those days....when eveything goes the opposite way you want it to....I was at work at 6 am again...Trying to get things done. The 11th grade principal (who is my appraiser) said he was coming in to observe me sometime this week...so I just wanted to make sure I had everything ready...It all started with the calf...Generally when I need computers, I

check out the COW (compurte on wheels...basically a big cart with 20 laptops)...My librarian complained that we had this cart that had a bunch of I-touches that could be checked out, but nobody ever uses it...so I had the bright idea that I would teach absolute and comparative advantage (trade...just because you can produce it, doesn't mean you should)...kind of a dry topic...so after I explained it, they answered some questions, they would go back to cia.gov and look up countries they had recently reseached...I wanted them to find out what they import, export and who has trade surpluses and trade defecits...I went to check out the i-touches and she told me there were 19...she counted them in front of me...she then said she needed to scan them, to come back in about 20 minutes...I came back and got the cart (calf)..Well, this morning before the bell rang, I tried to open the cart (it had a number lock...and I had the number)..the only reason I went to check it out was that I forgot to charge my I-phone and realized I could use an I touch charger...well, the lock would not work...Christa tried the lock...my co-teacher tried the lock...I had to get the librarian to come over and open it...apparently you had to push up...who knew...So the bell rings to start the day and of course my appraiser comes in. I keep teaching. It wasn't the best lesson or most exciting, but it was better than average. I checked for understanding by using random notecard numbers. They worked in groups and my principal helped out one of the groups. I guess he taught economics when he was a teacher. He stayed about 25 minutes and then left...When it came time for the I-touches, many of them did not work (network thing)...About 5 minutes before, I told them to turn them in...I went to count and their were 18...I said, "please look and see if you have the extra one"...everyone just looked at me..I didn't know what to do...one was missing...I quickly called the AP and he said he would be up...he then told the kids, "ok, we adults will walk outside and if it magically turns up, all we be fine...otherwise, he will search them and if it is found, that person will be arrested." Meanwhile, a girl that I talked to during class outside about being bad when I was out Monday, was not there...she had suddenly asked to go to nurse the last few minutes of class...I wondered if she had it...We came back into the class and I counted...for some reason the number 9 was in my head..I counted 9 on each side and said I have it...the kids were in shock because they said, nobody put anything in...they left and my 12th grade principal had to send a school wide email to not count my kids tardy...he left...all was good...I then realized I only had 18...just like I counted originally....one was stolen...I freaked out...I was so scared of the librarian...I took the cart back and said I was done with it..I told her one was stolen...she was sooo nice...told me Please to not get upset...she would scan them in and figure out which one was gone and then write up a report. I then had to go email my 12th grade principal that it was stolen...then she called me a few minutes later to say that it wasn't stolen...she had only checked out 18 for me...REALLY....uh...so I had to email my principal AGAIN and tell him it wasn't stolen...When I saw him at lunch I tried to pretend to hide...he started laughing...he said, "it was stolen, then not stolen, and then stolen and then not stolen"...crazy...I learned a good lesson today.When I picked Isabella up, her teache was very impressed with her flower pictue...she was the only one who did hers sideways and she did not fill in the middle...very creative...

cutie:)

2011-11-15T17:29:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, oh how I wish you were Friday:)

2011-11-15T17:19:00.001-08:00

Isabella woke me up at 2 am Monday mornig...she was burning up with a fever...so I immediately called my school absentee system and called in...poor thing had fever, runny nose, and bad cough...She and I were both home all day Monday. I debated about keeping Sophia home, but the cleaning lady was there until one and we were pretty much trapped in my bedroom. Sophia

started getting antsy, so I took her to school around 9am...I couldn't believe all the kids that were being dropped off at the same time by moms and dads...what kinds of jobs do these people have:) Dave worked from home today so that the cable and bug people could stop by. He seems to have gotten a lot accomplished. I ended up getting to work at 6am and left around 4:30...am working way too hard:) Christa had a procedure today where she had a camera stuck down her throat to take pictures of her stomach...she has been in a lot of pain...they didnt' find anything...she thinks she may have had an ulcer (but has taken medicine the last 4 days)...today she actually woke up feeling better....we shall see:)Dave is on a pizza kick...pizza and homemade bread..he makes bread almost everyday...I wonder how long this "food craving" will last...Sophia was too cute tonight...she stuck her frog in the corner:)

Weekend rap up

2011-11-13T17:14:00.001-08:00

What a great weekend....so nice to have a good weekend after a VERY STRESSFUL week!!!! Friday night we stayed in, watched a great movie with Steve Carrell (romantic comedy)...I ordered sushi delivery (for less than $20.00 they delivered a ton of food for the girls and I)...I am addicted to the tuna tartar. Saturday I took the girls to a friends daughters 2nd bday p

arty. We then went to our friends Lance and Tara's house for football and ribs...Today Dave and I cleaned out our upstairs bedroom that we have been using as storage. It was a nice, productive day with the girls. Just one more full week, then two days, then Thanksgiving. Dave's family is coming to our house this year. We have never hosted Thanksgiving before, so I am super excited. I have never made a turkey before...this is going to be a big deal.On a positive note, Dave now has 5 weeks vacation a year. He asked HR why he didn't get 5 weeks (standard at his company for 10 years experience)...they apologized and added an extra week for this year....Life is good..God is good. We are blessed!!! I am blessed because Christa has really helped me out with my lesson plans. Our school is pushing checking for understanding. They want us to be creative. It takes a lot more time planning, but makes for a first class lesson. This week I am teaching international trade. Should be a fun topic!!!

funny morning

2011-11-10T17:36:00.001-08:00

Isabella came downstairs around 5 am when we were waking up...she got in our bed to wait for us to get her ready...the lights were off but I had the morning news on...she kept asking for milk and she was kind of whiny...I kept putting her off so I could finish getting ready...I finally said to her, "ok...so what do you want..." her answer..."I want it all....milk,

breakfast, and tv"...it was so cute. Today we were able to wear jeans and our college shirts...the funny thing was that it was mentioned in an email that most people don't read...you could tell who really reads their email:) My day was good...I decided my 2nd period (academic) was awesome...they are pretty much 100% present every day...and they are all hard workers and team players....just nice kids...since I finally realized this, I decided to do something nice for them..I think I am going to stop and get donuts or candy or something....they need to be rewarded:)Isabella had an off day today...When I picked her up she was crying...her shoe wasn't going on right...I guess she just woke up from her nap...her teacher told me she is always cranky after nap time...they go outside and then she is ok....she was really whiny/crying when I took her to dance...I think she just was tired...Sophia on the other hand was in a great mood...Her teacher said it was super cute when she saw her friend had a runny nose, she went to the cleanex (which is low for them to be able to use), grabbed one, and then wiped his nose...my little "mommy"....We are super glad tomorrow is Friday...I have fun activities planned all day...and tomorrow is my last day of my 2 week morning duty stretch...will not have it for a while...We seem to have a pretty busy weekend planned...Saturday we have a friends' daughter's 2nd b-day party (Isabella asked if we could buy her a kity cat) in the afternoon...Sat night we are going to friends' for dinner...Sunday we wanted to take the girls to Dewberry Farms...I am not sure if that will happend because sometime this weekend I also wanted to mulch the front yard, fix the garden in the backyard, and clean out the bedroom upstairs....and somewhere I need to find a couple of hours to grade a test, and plan awesome lessons because my appraiser is probably coming through next week....Life is good...we are blessed:)

Homework

2011-11-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

Isabella's report said they had homework tonight....they had to bring something to school tomorrow that was "nature related"...Dave took Isabella to our garden (yes, it is still alive...barely)...and she picked rosemarry to put in a plastic bag. Today they also sat in circle time and discussed their feelings...too funny.Today was normal day. Dave asked if I

would get the girls ready and take them to school so he could have a stress free- get to work and not have worries day. I always worry about being late because once you hit 6:30 on I-10 it adds 30 minutes to the commute....I made it on time and Dave got to work so early he didn't know what to do with himself:) On the way home, Dave said he was craving pizza...he wanted homemade pizza...I talked him out of it and said I could find something at home (I didn't feel like going to grocery store)...but then after I picked the girls up, I decided we should surprise him with homemade pizza, wine for me and beer for him. He was so happy. Today Sophia's class learned how to get tissues by themselves if they needed them. She came in from outside (with a runny nose) and got herself a tissue:)

Did you dess yourself Isabella?

2011-11-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

That was what I asked her when I picked her up from school...Her dress was on backwards and she had a mismatched red bow....too cute...I really appreicate Dave....he is too funny trying to even accesorise the girls. Today Dave stayed at home because he did not feel well. I wish I had something funny or interesting to add to tonight's blog...but I am beat....I am sorry I keep saying that...all is great...we are all good...we are blessed!

Been Awhile...

2011-11-07T18:56:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted so I'll add a couple tonight.

Isabella helped me make bread. The bread was pretty tasty. Of course, the making of the bread was easier than it could have been because of our awesome bread maker. Basically, we just dumped the ingredients in the baking pan and pushed the button. Gotta love technology...

The girls being cute...

I was past time to was the covers for the girls' car seats. Well, we washed them, put them back on, and let the girls test them... Cute as always...

Day Light Savings

2011-11-07T17:20:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we gained an hour...it is weird having it get light early and dark early...the extra hour is nice...Today I decided to get back on the wagon...I was at the gym by 5:30...last week was too hectic to workout....I canceled my bunko tomorrow because I am so overwhelmed with things going on and work. The good news is both Christa and I were one of a

few people who got staff members of the week....for helping put on Tiger Fest....It will make a nice resume addition:)I am teaching about taxes and am struggling...I am trying to make it fun, exciting....but come on, taxes...how fun can they be...today I had the kids think about what career they wanted to be....think about an estimated salary and then we figured out Medicare (1.45%), Social Security (7.65%) and Federal Income Tax ( much more complicated)...I have been stressing because this week or next week is my window for my 45 minute observation...I just want eveything to be perfect...but being "on" 100% of the time is hard....anyway, I am developing a lesson for Wed/Thursday where the students learn about Federal/State/Local Expenditures and Revenue. They will have 6 stations to go through and 10 minutes at each station. I am excited about the lesson, but it has taken me hours to put it together. The Federal Revenue Station they will have to review the 9/9/9 Cain Plan, 20% Perry Flat Tax Plan, and then our traditional plan...and decide which they prefer. I checked out a Mac Book, I Pad, and I- Touch to have a few stations with technology. The local revenue one they have to read about our school district bond that was passed and decide whether they feel they have received the benefits:) should be interesting.The girls were supe cute when I picked them up. Tomorrow is one of Isabella's teacher's birthdays..(Isabella LOVES her and vice versa)...so Dave was nice enough to pick up a 15.00 starbucks card on the way home...he is awesome.....Oh, and the girls school picture proofs came in:)

picts

2011-11-06T18:37:00.001-08:00

picts

2011-11-06T18:35:00.001-08:00

Tired

2011-11-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a few days....The only thing I can think is that I am tired....Starting with last Monday (Halloween) we have gone non-stop....we had a great time in Lafayette....ULL won, UT won, LSU won, and the Saints won today....

Crazy week....crazy week.

2011-11-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

that is all I can think....Monday was Haloween....Tuesday I stayed at work until 5 and then picked my mom up at the airport at 6:30 and we got home at 7:30...She originally told me she was flying in to Intercontential on Continental at 1:30 pm...the day of I found out it was Frontier at 6:15 at Hobby....airport on other side of Intercontinental...Wednsesday was Tiger

Fest....Festival after Homecoming parade that senior women is in charge of..i.e...Christa and myself....I was at school from 6 am to 7:30 pm...got home at 8....Today was crazy...Dave and I dropped girls off at school at 6:30 am...I dropped him off at the park and ride (so my mom could have my car)...I then raced to school to make it in time for morning duty...Left work, picked Isabella up (and Sophia) and took her to dance (they are learning a santa dance)...left, picked Dave up at the park and ride and made it home for a nice dinner cooked by my mom....2 nights in a row....Tomorrow after work we leave for Lafayette.....should be fun...and crazy...Here is the update on Sophia...Pediatric Endo...called...her thryoid was still pefect...tsh was a little high, but the lowest so far...liver enzymes were a little elevated....ultimately we just need to have Sophia gain weight...she is back on the chart for height (3%)...We will redo the liver test in 4 weeks...and if it comes back higher again (which it probably won't)...we will be refered to a pediatric gastro dr...both my pediatrician and the endo... seem to think she is ok, she is little, she just needs to gain weight...so that is our goal for the next month....One more update...Christa had a colonoscopy....the tests came back non-cancerous...she had 3 polops.....life is good.

picts

2011-10-31T19:42:00.001-07:00

picts

2011-10-31T19:41:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!

2011-10-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

Today was great....girls had party at school.....this evening our good friends Lance and Tara went trick or treating with us in our neighborhood...Tara lost her grandmother last night....please keep them in your prayers....her kids were cute, our kids were cute...got lots of goodies....our girls even got a "I am a sinner card"...I was like ...really....when I saw it

tonight....Today was interesting....Christa had a colonoscopy...they found 2 polops...one tney think is pre-cancerous...which means I will probably go and get myself checked...good time...I am just grateful she found it at 33 and not 53....life is good:)Sophia made a ghost mobile...so cute!

Nope...I'm not going to apologize....

2011-10-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

Sophia is in a hitting stage...she keeps hitting all of us....Today she hit Isabella...we told her to go to the corner...she cried and went...about a minute later we told her she could come out if she apologized, she said nope and put herself back in the corner....

Treasure Box

2011-10-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

Today was good....Yesterday before we left for the festival, my car wouldn't start....we thought we would have to deal with that this morning....we woke up this morning and after a few tries, the car started....fingers crossed it will be good this week...this week of all weeks shall be crazy....We went to my friend Diana's house to watch the Texans game....the Saints

lost to a team that had not won a single time...boo dat! Anyway, Diana was so sweet and made the girls Halloween baskets. This evening Dave made bread (I think he is back on the bread kick)...and Isabella wanted to do a craft...I couldn't figure out anything, and then went into the garage and found a box....we decided to decorate it and call it a treasure box...the girls had a blast!I am super sad that a good friend of mine lost her grandmother tonight...she was very close...please keep her in your prayers...they are good people....Here is why my week will be crazy-Monday- HalloweenTuesday- mom flies inWednesday- Tiger Fest-- in charge of ...will be at school until probably 8 pmThrusday- DanceFriday- drive to Breaux BridgeSaturday- tail gate/ go to ULL gameSunday- drive homeMonday- start it over again......

Zigenbach Festival

2011-10-30T18:04:00.001-07:00

Saturday my niece Paige and her friend watched the girls so that Dave, Christa, Brad, Tom, and I could go to the festival....16 bands were featured....we had a great time...the weather was AWESOME!!!!! The girls gave Paige and Elizabeth make-overs:)

picts

2011-10-28T18:18:00.001-07:00

pumpkin time

2011-10-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

At the end of our eventful day, we carved a pumpkin for Halloween. The girls had a great time. Dave drew the picture, I carved, and the girls with the help of Dave pulled out the seeds...Dave then took the seeds and is roasting them:) He also made brea with the girls!

dr visit

2011-10-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today was the big day...Sophia's doctor's visit....We both ended up taking off of work and keeping both girls with us. The visit went really well...The doctor was so nice. She measured Sopia and the good news is she is back on the height chart (3rd percentile)....Her main concern is Sophia's weight...She said we really need to give her as many calories as possible.

She went ahead and ran a few more tests, but ultimately it is the weight....We will see her again in 6 months...After the doctor visit, we took the girls to Steak and Shake for Lunch....this was my first time....I was not all that impressed....it was really cheap but the food was ok...we then took the girls to see the new movie Puss and Boots....Dave and Isabellla loved it... (Sophia and I fell asleep during most of it)....We are going to take it easy for the rest of the day....carve a pumpkin with the girls....save our energy for the mustic festival tomorrow!!!! It has gotten sooo cold!!!

Dance class

2011-10-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Today was a pretty good day...I have had a cold the last few days but am kind of stating to feel better....my throat hurts...anyway, I was supposed to take half the day off tomorrow to take Sophia to the the endocrinologist tomorrow at 1....they called me on my way home from work and said I needed to come earlier (I guess they had some type of scheduling conflict)...so now I am taking the full day off. Today was the first time parents got to watch the girls dance...Isabella was super cute and did a great job....She was the smallest out of all of them...she even said that on her own when we were watching the video. We got information about the recital...It is May 26 and all of the costs (costume, building, etc) is 140.00.....of course we are going to pay for her to be in it....she will be a doll!!! She did a great job, but did not know every move...I am wondering if her missing one class made a huge difference or if she is just like her mom and not very coordinated.....either way she looked cute and had a ball.