And we still aren't done...

Well our first Christmas celebration was a week before Christmas. Levi's parents came through San Antonio on their way to Florida and we got to enjoy an evening with them. Our second Christmas celebration was the 23rd in San Angelo. We went to dinner with my dad and step mom and sister, niece and nephew. After some yummy mexican food L and I went with J, S and T to look at the lights on the river. Our 3rd celebration came about 20 minutes after we got back to my mom's house. The 24th we got to hang out with J, S, and T again and go to lunch with my mom and step dad. We hit the road around 3 and made it back to San Antonio in time to go to HEB before they closed. That's where our good luck ended.

We set out for Red Lobster for our Christmas Eve tradition only to find that they closed 15 minutes before we got there (at 8:00). So we tried a different sea food place called Crabby Jacks. It was the strangest place we had ever been to and the people were well crabby so we left. Next we tried Outback only to find that it had closed about 2 minutes before we got there. So we settled for Salt Grass. I was pretty darn good....not bad for having to settle ;)

Thursday morning we got up and had our own little Christmas with just the two of us...my favorite kind. This was our 4th Christmas. Then we went to see Marley and Me. If you haven't seen it....GO....NOW! The rest of the day we just hung out at home spending time together.

Friday morning we slept in and just puttered around. I got ready to head back to San Angelo and Levi went in search of Guitar Hero World Tour. I headed out around 2 and got to Angelo in time for dinner. Melynda, Eric, and Jordan got there in time for dinner so we spent the evening visiting and playing.

Saturday (my 5th Christmas) was our official Christmas at my mom and Kerry's house. All of us kids and the grandkids (except Royce, Randy, Samm and Levi) were there for breakfast, presents and lunch. After a quick trip to my dad's house I was on the road again by about 4:30 to come back home.

It was been a long week and a half but it was fun and I wouldn't have traded any of it for anything (except Levi being able to be in Angelo more). I have really enjoyed this holiday season. The decorating the apartment, doing some shopping, actually doing some cooking and baking, and of course my favorite getting Christmas cards in the mail.

And after all of that....we still have an unopened present under the tree!

Just Us

Levi and I had our pictures taken by a friend of my sister back in October. We used them as Christmas gifts so I didn't want to post the slideshow until after Christmas. Well it's after Christmas now so here they are. Thanks SO much Jenny, you did an amazing job getting such great pictures from two such un-photogenic people!

And now....the apartment...

view from the front door

another view from the front door...the door behind the tree is the bathroom and the unobstructed door is our bedroom

view from the office

view from the dining room, that's the office over in the corner

looking at the kitchen from our bedroom door

our porch....it's actually really big but there is a sprinkler in the landscaping right there that drenches the whole patio

Stepping back in time...

Levi and I went on a search for a bowling alley in our area the other day. We found two things...one was that bowling clubs exist. And we're not talking people gather for leagues, we're talking you have to be a member to get in the building. What? The other thing we found was well....a bowling alley....straight out of the late seventies early eighties. I can probably tell you know that no amount of descriptive words would be able to convey what it was really like. We walk in to the sound of a very old and quiet vacuum cleaner. The first thing I saw was a man around the age of 55 or 60 vacuuming the floor around a small Christmas tree sitting on a table. The owner stopped vacuuming long enough to get us a lane. While Levi was paying I walked over to the side to pick out a ball only to walk past the windows to a room where 5 or 6 grey headed women we having a meeting of some sort. As we walked to our lane and put on our shoes we realized what was about to happen. Levi would throw his 16 pound ball down the lane and hit some (probably most of) pins....and this would be the ONLY sound in the whole place. There were no other bowlers and the vacuuming hadn't started up again yet. Well we bowled, one of the meeting ladies opened the restaurant and the owner vacuumed. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures....

notice the wood paneling and what you really can't see is that there is a telephone at every set of lanes....so the babysitter can get a hold of you on league night I'm sure...

Candy coated Whoville

Levi's brother is working in San Antonio right now and we went to see him at his hotel the other day. This what we saw in the lobby....

(sign reads: What it takes to bring Whoville to the Hill Country: 8 days of hard work, 1 pastry chef, 10 pastry cooks, 2,000 pounds of sugar, 750 pieces of candy -gumdrops, licorice, lollipops etc-, 750 pounds of royal icing, 40 dozen cookies, and 8 gallons of molasses)

Bullet train

Well I was planning on my next post being pictures of my nice, clean, everything-has-a-home, apartment but.....nope. Instead, I jump on the bullet train.

• I, along with the rest of Texas, am COLD! L and I went bowling this afternoon and when we got home the car said 81 degrees. We went to dinner with some friends and it was 55 and windy. We came out of dinner and it was 38 degrees and raining...and L was still wearing shorts and a polo shirt.
• Speaking of Levi, he has a flight tonight (tomorrow morning) at 3:30am. YIKES!
• He's in bed and I'm wide awake after having 3 glasses of Dr. Pepper at dinner....I might still be up when he gets up to go to work.
• I still don't have a job. Lots of applications send out but no job. I'll try some more tomorrow.
• I miss the kids and teachers at TWCA.
• I'm ready to start getting Christmas cards in the mail.....even though most of ours are going out by e-mail this year...it's cheaper.
• Anyone want to buy a house in Houston? I know I great one that just so happens to be for sale....or rent.
• I think I can hear the sleet outside.
• I finished reading Twilight 3 days after I got it and really want to read the next one. Tried to get a library card today so I could check it out but didn't have any proof of my new address so I couldn't get one.
• I need/want to make some more jewelry. I'm waiting for my ring sizer to come in so I can start making rings.
• Maybe I'll take pics of the apartment tomorrow. And maybe I'll just go buy the book tomorrow.

TTFN!

So here I sit in my new living room of my new apartment in my new city. We got (most) everything packed up in the biggest moving truck we could rent on Thursday with the help of Levi’s parents and a good friend who happened to show up at just the right time to load the heavy stuff. Levi and I got up early Friday morning to finish up packing and leave to be in San Antonio by 11am. We ended up getting here at about 11:45 to sign the lease on the apartment. Another good friend came over to help unload what we had in our cars and then we grabbed some lunch and got a storage space while we waited for L’s parents to get here with the moving truck. We got everything unloaded and here is what we ended up with:




We unpacked a few things while we were waiting for L’s brother (who happens to be in SA for business) to get off and over to the apartment and then we went to dinner. By the time we were done my parents were here so we were able to visit awhile. Friday morning we got busy unloading everything and really got a lot accomplished. We worked pretty much all day on that with people running various errands of course. Now, Sunday afternoon is it starting look like someone actually lives here. I promise to post “after” pics later.
We are going back to basics as far as internet goes….we don’t have it. The complex has wireless at the pool and clubhouse so we will be walking over that way once or twice a day to use the internet. Therefore, I won’t be too often (not that I really did anyway). L and I both still have the same phone numbers and anyone who wants the new address, just let me know I’d be happy to give it to you. Hope everyone is doing well and has a very blessed Thanksgiving. I, myself, will be making a Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever but I’m sure that will be a blog in itself as I am certain more than one thing will go wrong. :)

Lost it

It's official...I've completely lost it. I just checked the mail and when I opened it to see it empty I remembered....I already got the mail today!

Ready or Not

Well....we're moving to the San Antonio area.....in about a month. Levi got a job with an air ambulance company that also does some charter work. He will be on call 5 days a week and off 2 days. And best of all....not NEAR as many nights away from home. So now all we have to do is sell the house, find an apartment, i have to find a job and get everything packed and moved in 4 weeks. YIKES!

3rd graders....God bless 'em

I've been subbing all week in a 3rd grade class. Today at lunch I was standing by the trash can repeating myself over and over telling the kids to take their trays and line up when one boy did just exactly what I was asking. Only problem was that when he dumped his tray in the trashcan, his milk went all over the floor.....and all down by pant leg and shoe. Lovely. All I can say is thank goodness I was wearing boots so milk didn't go IN my shoe and maybe all the rain water my pants soaked up today will help to dilute the milk and hence, keep the sour milk smell at bay. Wonder what will happen tomorrow?

42!?

So a kid at school today thought I was 42 years old! His next guess? 36. Little punk.

I guess I'll blog later

So I came upstairs to the computer specifically to blog about our first hurricane experience. See I've been keeping a journal of sorts while I didn't have electricity. But I got up here and sat down and now all I want to do is go sit on the couch and read. So....I guess I'll blog later.

New Jewelry Post!

I've posted some new designs on the jewelry blog, which by the way has a new name! Since all my designs are named after women, some I know and some I don't, I decided on Leading Lady Designs as the name for my little business venture. Anyway, take a look and remember to tell your friends!

Still Mobile....for now

Well it's two days down and I already have 4 hot glue gun burns on my hands. Also in these two days I have finished 3 1/2 mums and 2 garters. Yep, that's 12 hours of work. Not to mention the fact that the mums I start with have already been started and had about 4 hours of work put into them. What I get to do is put on all the custom pieces that customers want. They can add extra ribbons, "toys and trinkets" (toys being key chains and such and trinkets being little plastic emblems). Then in the flower area they can also add a teddy bear, garland in the shape of hearts, really anything they can think of. They pick everything out and put it in a bag then the bag come back to the back where I am (along with 2 other girls). We get the bag and start hot gluing....and gluing....and gluing. Honestly, it really is a lot of fun and the other girls are both really cool so the day flies by. I feet and legs hurt from standing and my arms hurt from them being stretched out in front of me all day but I'm still mobile so I guess I'm doing ok. Today was an incredibly long day: work 12-6, make dinner, then I made some bread. I was given a starter mix for some Amish Friendship bread and today was the day I was supposed to be baked. Tomorrow is going to be insanely long as well because I am crazy and agreed to sub (for 4 -year-olds) in the morning before going to the mum job. So even though I am still mobile today; tomorrow could quite possibly be a different story. We plan to take pictures of the mums soon so I'll post some....stay tuned.

Mum's the Word

So tomorrow I start a month long temp job at a homecoming store. I will be on my feet for 6 hours making homecoming mums. Should be interesting. I'll let ya know.

New Blog on Blogspot

I've a new blog set up for my jewelry! Check it out....http://danascreations.blogspot.com

Ah...the rain...

So here I sit doing something I have always loved doing. I'm sitting on my porch watching the rain and listening to the thunder (and no Mom and J, it doesn't smell NEAR as good as the last rain I smelled.) Although I'm getting a little paranoid about the laptop getting wet 'cause it's getting a bit windy. Perhaps I'll go get a book.

I need your input...

Ok, so I need some suggestions. In our search for a little extra cash, I've decided to start making and selling beaded jewelry. This is not something I ever thought I would do or would even actually like to do but.... I LOVE IT! It all started when I was given a necklace that belonged to Levi's Aunt Kay who just recently passed away. It was a silver pendant on a long silver chain. I loved the pendant but wanted a different chain so I thought that I could make a couple different beaded necklaces in such a way that I could switch out the pendant. I've only gotten one necklace made but here is what I came up with...

When I got finished making this one I thought "hey that looks pretty good!" and then it hit me...YOU COULD SELL THESE! I've already had the opportunity to make some ID badge holders for my sister's teaching team and that only got me more excited about starting this new little venture. Here are a few of those pictures...

Now, what I need suggestions on are a name for this little "business" and an idea on price. Now that you have seen some of it, what do you think I should charge? I know it's kind of a strange request but really I have no idea. I've seen some on the Internet for anywhere from $15.00 to $60.00. Anyway, I'd really appreciate any one's input and I'll be sure to keep you all posted!

I'm off to clean the house so I can make some more necklaces without feeling guilty that the house is a mess!

One Word Answers

One Word Answers
1. Where is your cell phone? there
2. Your significant other? HOME!
3. Your hair? needy
4. Your Skin? sunburn
5. Your mother? friend
6. Your Favorite Thing? food
7. Your dream last night? friends
8. Your favorite drink? tea
9. Your dream/goal? job
10. The room you’re in? living
11. Your ex? friend
12. Your fear? the unknown
13. where do you want to be in six years? family
14. Where were you last night? car
15. What you’re not? tidy
16. Muffins? butter
17. One of your wish list items? lots
18. Where you grew up? Texas
19. The last thing you did? created
20. What are you wearing? favorites
21. Your TV? on
22. Your pet(s)? nope
23. Your computer? Levi's
24. Your life? chocolates
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing someone? family
27. Your car? sad
29. Favorite Store? Target
30. Your summer? HOT
31. Like someone? sure
32. Your favorite color? red
33. When is the last time you laughed? before
34. Last time you cried? weeks
35. Who will/would re-post this? Andrea
36. Whose Answers are you anxious to see? anyone

Just for funzies

I found this on a friend's blog and left a comment for her, so I have to do one for myself...

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one (or 2 or 3...) memories that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.
If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

4 and 5 tied? Seriously?

I was watching Family Feud today and was kind of struck at something I heard. It was the fast money round (where 2 players answer five questions in 20 seconds) and the question was "Out of every 10 marriages how many are for life?" BOTH players said 2! Of course the second one had to change his answer. Come to find out 4 and 5 tied for the number 1 answer. I mean I knew the divorce rate was around 50% or so but TWO!? Sad, sad, sad...

And don't get me started on the news story of a 2 year old who was shot to death when his father took the child with him to do a drive by! What is wrong with these people! I am SO sick of hearing about parents who intentionally harm their children or just do stupid stuff with them when there are so many deserving people in this world who have either lost precious babies or couldn't have them to begin with. It is incredibly not fair! Oh my goodness it makes me angry.

Well I guess I did get started....sorry. I'm done now. Until tomorrow when I watch the news.

Prime Napping Time

I got up with Levi at 5:00 this morning. I'm very tired now. But I have to keep myself busy during prime napping time so that I will be able to sleep tonight..... I had 3 loads of laundry to fold and hang up...that only took about 30 minutes out of my prime napping time. I need to put clean sheets on the guest room bed for my in-laws who are coming in late tomorrow night. That should take what...10 minutes if I seriously take my time. Oy, this is going to be a long afternoon...especially because in my head I'm saying "you have all day tomorrow to do this stuff, just take a nap now...as long as it gets done right?"

Hehe...

J, stop checking blogs...I'm probably the only one who has updated. :D

Yikes...

I've been on the computer for almost 2 hours reading blogs...blogs of people I barely know, some of people I don't know at all. Is that bad? I mean, it's out there for the world to see right? It has been interesting to see what a small world it is and how many friends of a friend of a friends are out there. Anyway, I should really go to bed. If you know of anyone I might know who has a blog let me know....apparently 2 hours hasn't fulfilled my need for noseiness.

One day when it's my turn...

Being the youngest of 6 brothers and sisters I have had the opportunity to see a variety of parenting methods. It is amazing how out of the four families who have kids they all have different styles and yet they (collectively) have 7 amazing well behaved and lovable kids.

I've learned things from every set of parents. From one set I've learned that a little organization goes a long way. From another I've learned that sometimes the best way to love is to rough house and act goofy. From yet another set of parents I've learned that if all your kids wants to eat is fruit snacks then well, at least he's eating something. One set has taught me to read, read, read, to kids, talk to them and tell them things. I've even learned from a non-parent that a little hip-hop is not going to hurt anyone, who knows they might even like it!

So one day (VERY far down the road) when it's my turn to be a parent, be prepared because I might be calling you for help. If I can get all the best parts from these wonderful people I just might end up with a perfect kid!

Our 4th of July

Well, we should have just stayed home. Instead, we decided to go up to The Woodlands and brave the crowds to see the fireworks. The fireworks were to start at 9:15. We thought we would leave the house around 4 and see what we could find once we got there. What we found was that NOTHING was going on until 6:00. So we grabbed something to eat and then went to the mall (that was closing). After the mall we figured it would be a good time to find a spot to set our chairs to watch the fireworks. We found a nice spot that wasn't too crowded but was still in the main area (There was a stage with live music and food vendors etc.) So we sit and people watch as the area around us is filling in with families and couples. All the kids around were getting tired of waiting for the fireworks and the excitement was building. And alas, they start! But wait! We can only see HALF of the display! The rest is behind a building! Yeah, we were very disappointed! We had heard some people earlier in the day say that the display was going to be in a different spot this year; well hopefully it's in a different spot NEXT year. We stayed for the whole show and spent an hour in the car coming home. Once we got home we sat out on the porch and watched all the neighbors set off their own fireworks...some of which were better than the ones we saw anyway. Had we gotten on the roof like we had though of before we certainly would have been able to see the whole neighborhoods fireworks. So...we should have just stayed home and sat on the roof. Now we know. I will post some pictures when I get them loaded on the computer.

It's been a while

I feel like I should post only because it's been a while. But really there is not much to say. Just when we thought things were slowing down from all the traveling we have been doing, I look at Levi's July work schedule and realize that it too is crazy and all over the place. It's nice because he won't be gone as many nights at a time but still it's strange. He only has one and two days off at a time. Yes, I realize that most people only have one or two days off at a time but we are not used to that. Levi doesn't get normal weekends. Anyway, we'll get used to it just in time to get August's schedule and we'll start all over again. Hopefully by then I will also have a set schedule...as opposed to have really no schedule at all (which is not all it's cracked up to be).

As for today, the forth of July.....we have no plans. I think we decided to sit on our roof and see whatever fireworks we can see. Or if we get adventurous, we may go up to The Woodlands and fight the crowds to see their fireworks display...we'll see.

And we're off.....again

Well now that weddings, birthday parties, and family gatherings are done with its vacation time. Levi and I are leaving for Elkhart, KS (by way of San Angelo) tomorrow. We'll spend a couple of days in San Angelo and then drive up to Elkhart where Levi's grandmother lives. We'll stay there a few more days, though we aren't sure how many. Levi will be helping some family friends farm and I will hopefully be able to help them move into a new house. Then we will come back through San Angelo on the way home. That still leaves us with another weekend of "vacay" that we feel we must fill up but we don't know what yet. Should be fun!

So...

I have been super organized the past 3 days. I made myself a detailed schedule of my days down to the half hour. I managed to do a tiny bit of shopping (2 shirts for $11), go grocery shopping, clean my house top to bottom (although some of the bottom was done last week), continue my quest to rid my flower beds of clover (lucky, my bum!) and even had time to do a little sewing. I made some uber (that's for you Mom) cute Bermuda shorts from some pants that I never wore. This all may not sound like much to you but for me it has been quite an accomplishment. Usually when Levi is on a trip I have no motivation to do anything. To be quite honest, I usually sit around and read or watch TV. Maybe one of those days I will plan to clean the entire house but by the time I've done a small part of it I'm ready to quit....so I do. But not this time! I split it up into different days and scheduled breaks. By this afternoon, my whole list was finished. Well, except for the clover. My allergies only allow me to stay out digging in the dirt for about an hour (which is how the clover got so bad in the first place). Maybe I'll work on that some in the morning when it's only 85 degrees instead of 95 with lots of humidity and no wind. Anyway, I love the feeling of a productive weekend....and a clean house. And to make things even better, Levi called and said that he doesn't have to fly his last turn tomorrow so he will be home early! I feel a long overdue "date night" coming on. Hope you all have a blessed week!

Not done yet...

Well the month is almost over and we're not done yet. We are still going, going, going. One or both of us have been out of town EVERY weekend this month not to mention almost a full week in Atlanta and working during the others (more so for Levi than me though). Levi has been home 4 nights this entire month. It seems like as soon as he gets home from a trip I've packed us up to go somewhere else and off we go. We've been to a 3 year old birthday party (well actually that one was just me, Levi had to work) and an 80 year old birthday party, one wedding in Arkansas and one coming up this weekend in Oklahoma. Then I think we will be done for a while....until the last half of June when Levi has vacation. TWCA's school year is over and I have about 6 days left of possible Conroe ISD sub jobs. As busy as we have been it hasn't been all bad though. We have gotten to see some family a couple of times in one month that normally we might see once or twice a year. It has been really nice to be able to visit with everyone. I've got a couple more posts swirling around in my head but I think they will have to wait. Until then....Happy Wednesday! (assuming that today is, in fact, Wednesday as all of my days are seriously running together this month!)

Have I mentioned how much I love Houston?

It's 6:45 in the morning and already 75 dregrees and 92% humidity outside......ugh!

Nothing very new...

Well we are home with not much to report. We got to Atlanta late Monday evening. Tuesday's service was really good. There was no doubt that Aunt Kay was a VERY loved woman. After the service we had the privilege to just sit and visit with family for the next day and a half. The hotel that we all stayed in had a porch with a bench and some rocking chairs so we just sat and talked for hours. As far as the investigation goes, we don't know a whole lot. There are about 20-25 cops and detectives working very diligently on the case. They may have found some leads but if so we don't know what they are. I will continue to update what I can. We really appreciate all the prayers; please don't stop.

The Facts

I've been putting this blog off since Thursday night. Why? Well I just really didn't know how to write it or how soon was too soon. But here are the facts:

• Levi's dad called at about 1:00am Friday morning to tell us that Levi's Aunt Kay passed away, this is Pam's sister. He didn't know any details. Well Levi and I, being the "must have answers now" people that we are got up and started searching the internet for accident reports, news stories, anything. (Besides, how do you just go back to sleep after that?) We didn't find anything.
• I got up Friday morning for a sub job that I was already committed to. Went to school, and thought all day in the back of my mind what could have caused such a sudden and unexpected death. (Aunt Kay had just turned 60 but was in great health.) I had called Mom on the way to school to tell her about it and through talking with her I was pretty convinced it was a heart attack. I was wrong.
• I talked to Levi a couple times during the day when the kids were out of the classroom but he never had any new information. When I got home from school Levi had an answer but one that raised even more questions. Aunt Kay was murdered in her own home. But that was all we knew.
• I was speechless.
• As the evening progressed and we talked to Levi's brother and sister we found out some details but nothing really pertaining to what or how it happened.
• So where does it all stand now? Well, Pam and Earl have been there (Atlanta) since Friday afternoon helping Uncle Hal. Jr. "happened", though I don't believe in coincidence, to be there for business and just stayed there. Barbara, Levi's sister should be getting there today along with Pam's brother and family, dad and step mom, and maybe her mom and step dad. We will be heading out tomorrow (Levi had to work yesterday, today and tomorrow). The service will be Tuesday at 11:00am. And then we will just take it from there.

Well, those are most of the fact, minus a few personal details. All I can ask of any of you is to just PRAY PRAY PRAY. Pray for the family and friends of Kay and Hal. Pray that justice will be served. Pray that we will be accepting of the fact that we may never know why or who. Pray for some of the spin-off effects of the situation- Pam's mother is 80 years old and from what I hear she is not handling this well as well as some other things. Just pray. Please. I am still having trouble getting the fact that this all happened, to our family. I'm sure it will hit me when we have to go to the house and I know it will hit me at the funeral. Thank you for your prayers and I'll try to keep you all updated though it's hard for me to know where the line is between updates and sharing personal information that the family may not want to be shared yet or if at all.

Who doesn't take MasterCard?!

Dollar Tree.
The only take Discover!
WHAT?!

For the Sake of Posting...

I really don't have much to say but I've not written in a while and I'm not quite ready to go to bed. I worked every day last week (which hasn't happened since maybe October.) Sure Monday and Thursday were just half days but still it's better than nothing at all I suppose. Today however, I didn't work. Tomorrow I will work for 4 hours; again, better than nothing. I went to the Eye Doctor today for a "regular" check up. Although I'm not sure how "regular" it is if you haven't been in over a year and a half. Anyway, she came to the conclusion that my current contact prescription is TOO STRONG for me.....yeah I thought it was weird too. But, I've got six months of contacts left and I don't want to waste them (or have to buy new ones) so I'll just have to deal with it...not that it even bothers me. Well I guess that's it for now. I plan on being in a creative mood tomorrow when I get home from work so I can scrapbook; perhaps an interesting blog will come along too... :o)

We're back!

Well it's official, Levi and I have been married for over a year! I still can't believe it and not sure I ever will. We had an amazing time in DC. We got to our hotel around 3:00 in the afternoon on Monday; went upstairs to our room to change our shoes and off we went. Our major mode of transportation was the Metro system, which we got pretty good at using. We ended up going to the National Archives museum and out for our anniversary dinner. At the museum we got to see (among other things) the Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation (which was still very legible) and the "Two if by Sea" letter. (I now have seen the letter and the bell they rang in Boston.) Below is the Declaration of Independence. Tuesday we got up early to hop on the Metro to get to Union Station for our bus tour. I am SO glad we decided to go on this particular 9.5 hour long bus tour. It enabled us to see so many things that we probably wouldn't have on our own. We went to Mt. Vernon, Lincoln Monument, Korean and Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorials, Arlington Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and Changing of the Guard and the Kennedy gravesites. From the bus we got to see lots of buildings that we normally wouldn't have. We saw the boyhood home of Robert E. Lee, the church George Washington would frequently attend and some other interesting houses in Old Town Alexandria. We drove right by The Pentagon, The Capitol, and The White House. Also, when we stopped at the Lincoln Memorial, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time to see the Presidential Motorcade drive by. We are pretty sure it was escorting The Pope back to the White House. Below is Levi and I with Abe, The White House and Levi touching the top of The Capitol.

When our tour was over we got had the chance to see The Mall area at sunset. It was SO pretty (and the weather was GREAT all weekend.) We walked down to the Washington Monument and then over to the WWII memorial. I took WAY too many pictures of the Washington Monument in 3 days but you can see it every time you turn around and for some reason I just find it visually interesting. Here is my favorite...Thursday was Museum day. We ended up going to the Bureau of Engraving, The Holocaust Museum, The Air and Space Museum and The Museum of Natural History. (No, we didn't make it to the Spy Museum for two reasons...one, it wasn't free, and two, after four other museums we were pooped!) We were both disappointed in The Holocaust Museum but the others were great! Below is Levi standing by 1 million dollars in $10 bills, The Hope Diamond, and me getting eaten by a bazillion year old dinosaur.

We missed the Cherry Blossoms by about a week. We saw a few but most of them were dead, or on their way to death. Although, as you see in the first picture below, they still look pretty on their death beds. Even though we missed the cherry blossoms, there was no shortage of other flowers, especially tulips. They were everywhere! We found one very interesting one...the second picture down....it was EXACTLY half red and half yellow. I even touched it to make sure it was real. And the last picture was taken at Mt. Vernon. I just really like it.

So, if you are actually still reading, thanks for coming along on my trip down memory lane. Love you all!!!

Spy Museum

Well, we're headed out tomorrow morning for D.C. We'll be back on Thursday. I got bummed out a few days ago when I found out that the Smithsonian that houses all the stuff I really wanted to see (Kermit the Frog, Dorothy's ruby red slippers, Abe Lincoln's hat etc.) is closed for renovations. Then I got my hopes up again when I found out that the most popular items from that museum were on display in another museum. Then I bummed again when I found out that that exhibit will be closing the day before we get there (today). But now I am excited again because I went to the library and got a travel book on D.C. and found lots of other cool things; like the Spy Museum! Anyway, I know we are going to have a blast. I'll eventually post some pics!

Lights Out!

I have been reminded today of how much we rely on electricity. No lights, TV, Internet, refrigerator, AC. Levi took a shower in the dark as we have no windows in our bathroom. Luckily we have a gas water heater. I got dressed with the bedroom windows open but hiding behind the closet door. Our neighbor tried to ring our doorbell (without thinking that it wouldn't work) and had to stand on our porch for a few minutes. We got really bored.....and the power was only off for an hour!

One Week Until a Year!

I'm glad to report that I am FINALLY feeling better. Actually Sunday I started to feel better but not 100% and I'm still pretty much sittin' at about 90%.

Today starts Levi's stretch of 19 days off in a row! We are planning our first family vacation (since our delayed honeymoon). We plan on going to Washington DC next week for our anniversary. Yep, next Monday it will be a YEAR since we got married! We were talking last night about how crazy that is....where did the time go? Wherever it went, I don't want it back! I have LOVED being married! Although, it doesn't seem too different than when we were dating except that we live together (and all that goes with it). People always asked me after we got married if I had discovered any little things that he does that drives me crazy and I always said no. I still don't think I've found any. There may be a few that I already knew about but no new ones...hehe. I told someone the other day that if Levi and I had known how much fun being married was we would have done it a long time ago! (Or maybe I wrote that in a previous blog...I don't remember) I can't imagine the past year (well, almost 10 now) without him!

It hurts to think...

So I started writing a blog about our trip this weekend to San Angelo but then I deleted it because it wasn't really making sense. My brain is not really functioning at it's highest level today. Why you ask? Well I'll tell ya.... Levi and I went ALL winter without getting sick. Even with (basically) our entire family sick with one thing or the other at Christmas. But this weekend my luck ended. I'm sick...coughing, sneezing, runny nose. I'm hoping its just allergies but who knows. Hopefully I'll be able to work tomorrow 'cause today, not so much.

For all the Teachers....

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TEACHER?by Jeff Foxworthy
1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words 'It's Ms/Mr.' _________' and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and prep period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You believe the teachers' lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
9. You want to slap the next person who says 'Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off.'
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says 'Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.'
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!
18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a 'good choice or a bad choice.'
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer and finally,
21. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.
Please add your own!-->
22. You find yourself randomly correcting your friends for leaning back in their chair, blowing bubbles with their gum, etc. (Autumn Rivera)
23. You unconsciously used an attention-getting signal on a group of friends. (Walter De Gunya)24. After you've explained something to a peer, you accidentally say, "Are there any questions before we move on?" and wait seven seconds. (Whitney Turk)
25. You find yourself cringing and then correcting your friends' bad grammar. (i.e. where are you at?) (Nicole Gillian)
26. You go to enter your phone number into the machine at Safeway and end up entering your copy machine code instead. (Autumn Rivera)
27. You find yourself "shhh-ing" others when you are about to talk. (Emily Ertz)

As promised....

Here are some pictures of our new TV/wall unit. From start to finish it took about a month for us to build (with A LOT of help from some very patient friends!) I designed it; Levi and Ross built it, and Amanda, Levi and I stained it. All in all it was a lot of fun and very much a learning process....not to mention all the Guitar Hero Amanda and I got in while the boys were building...hehe. Anyway, it's not decorated exactly as I planned yet but it soon will be.

Oh, and ladies, or gentlemen I suppose, if you have any ideas of what to do with my curtains let me know......all I can think of (that seems to work) is to hem them to have a big square out to the corner!

Not so Happy Easter

Today was the first Easter ever that I didn't go to church....and I'm not sure how I feel about it. We've been to FBC of The Woodlands (FBCTW) quite a few times now but never have I gone without Levi. For those of you who don't really know me, I don't do well in social situations by myself; I get very anxious. Well Levi had to work today and our usual church buddies, The Gefferts, were out of town. Could I still have gone by myself...of course! But did I, no. My question is then Why does it bother me so much? Is it the fact that it was Easter? Well why is Easter any different than any other Sunday for going to church? Don't get me wrong I completely understand and respect the significance of this day but shouldn't we celebrate that every Sunday (every day really). Or is this whole day upset by the fact that I feel like I can't do things by myself with out freaking out. I hate change, going new places, having new experiences -- IF, I'm alone. If Levi's with me I feel like I can do anything. I have a huge fear of the unknown. If I do something new or go somewhere new I want to know EXACTLY what is going to happen and how. Hmmmm......as I sit here I'm thinking that "getting this all out" is not really helping, but making myself feel worse so I'll stop. This us a yucky post....sorry.

AT LAST!!

The TV/wall unit that we made is finished!!!! Pictures to come....

"I probably just wanted to cuddle"

Oh the joys of having a husband who is 6'5'' and not exactly a bean pole (but not fat either). I woke up this morning a little before 6:00 with this weight on the left side of my body. It was Levi leaning on me. It was as if he had tried to roll onto his back and something (me) was in the way so he just laid on top of it. Sometimes when I move around he will roll over but today, not so much. So I slid out from underneath him and all he did was continue rolling leaving me just enough room to lay straight as a board on my back. I thought I can sleep like this (I have before) but apparently I couldn't. As I laid there awake (a little annoyed) "rough-drafting" this blog in my head I realized something. I would much rather, and prefer even, for Levi to be taking up the whole bed than for him to be in some other bed in some hotel in a whole other state, which is what I get about 3 nights out of the week. So here's to husbands with legs a million miles long taking up the whole bed, consequently getting me out of bed at 6:30 on a Spring Break morning......Ah, La Dolce Vita!

*as I was writing, Levi came into the office looking for me since I was out of bed. When I told him I got up because I couldn't sleep because he was laying on me he said (in his sweetest little boy voice) "Well I probably just wanted to cuddle."

Does it really ever go away?

If I could ask the cleaning gods one question it would "What is the point of dusting?" All you are doing is moving the dust from the surface to the air so it can land on the surface again in a couple of hours! Granted, what little actually DOES fall to the floor can be vacuumed and what MIGHT actually stick to the rag can be washed but does it really ever go away? I'm thinking no.

And so it begins....

Well, I've leaped into the world of blogging. I am still very much a novice at all of this so please be patient. I'm sure (and sincerely hope) there will be many changes to the site in the near future, but for now here is my blog. Enjoy!