Scrapbooking Retreat

Day 1 of my retreat:

After teaching all day and looking forward to going on vacation, Judy and I left at 4:15 or so to drive to Fayetteville. It was a crazy drive, which ended in waiting in line for 2 life-lite helicopters and staying in stand-still traffic for at least 30-40 minutes (10 miles from our destination). We are staying at Las Brisas Farms, which is FANTASTIC! After dinner I was able to walk around, and almost started crying because it is soooo relaxing here, I almost didn't know what to do with myself! I am really glad that I decided to go on this trip because I needed some rejuvination, let me tell ya!


After eating an amazing dinner with homeade apple pie and ice cream for dessert, we started scrapbooking...and these ladies are serious! It's now 2:30am and they are still going strong! I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!

On one more note before I head to bed, I have been working on some pictures to upload online, and watching some video of Evan. I promise you, I could smell him as I watched those videos! It was a strange feeling...watching him and missing him...and then actually being able to smell him! I must miss him more than I thought (if that's possible?!)!

Day 2:

Day 2 was such a relaxing day! I didn't think that I was going to like sleeping in the same room that we were all scrapping in, but it wasn't too bad at all. It was actually kind of nice to just wake up in the mornings and walk over to my unclean table and just start working on cards in my pajamas! Some girls didn't even get dressed all day long! Overall, I got a lot of cards made, including Evan's 1st birthday invitation, as well learned a lot of new and cool techniques. Oh, and I NEED a cricut diecut machine! Haha, all those Dave Ramsey fans out there are laughing at me. It was really cool to use, though.

The food was even more amazing today than yesterday. First we had a delicious quiche for breakfast with big chunks of sausage in it, and lots of fresh fruit. Lunch was kind of snacking on our own, and dinner was great with a huge cheesecake for dessert!

(there were 2 wonderful dogs named June & July)

Day 3:

Today was interesting because nobody wanted to pack up all their stuff and leave, but we had to because there was to be a wedding held later that evening and they needed to clean up the place. As most of you know, I am still "trying" to breastfeed Evan. So I needed to pump every now and then. Right as I was headed to go do my thang so that we could leave right after, the power goes out! All of the lights, fans, etc just click off. So I was stuck. It all turned out well, though, because one of the houses at the B&B still had power and I was able to go there before hitting the road.

Overall it was such a nice and relaxing weekend. I could see myself doing that at least once a year in the future! I did miss my family, but it was also nice to get away from the drama of work and the need to stay awake 24 hours a day with no nap sometimes, etc, and just do something that I enjoy. Thank you, Chris, for allowing me to go spend some time with the girls, and for being such an amazing husband and daddy! You Rock, and I love you with all my heart!

(my friend Judy thought this was the prettiest tree she'd ever seen!)

TMEA 2009

As always, Chris and I have been looking forward to TMEA since the first day of school. It comes at the perfect time in the school year when there is a shortage of school holidays. We love the fact that we get to miss 2-3 days of school when everyone has to wait for Spring Break as the next holiday!
This year we also got to look forward to visiting with Alia's parents, Bud & Joy, because Alia's choir & percussion group performed at TMEA! We were able to watch them perform in the Lila Cockrell Theatre, and it was PACKED! There were so many people there that we had to hide out by the doors just to get a seat. It was great! We also had a really great time visiting with her parents, who flew down from Salt Lake City, Utah for the event.
It was not all fine and dandy, though (at least for me). Chris and I didn't get much sleep Wednesday night after driving to San Antonio, so I didn't feel great the next day. I'm sure I had a fever, and also the chills. I ended up going back to the hotel for a nap, which really helped me feel better. I felt almost back to normal the next day, which was great because I didn't want to miss hearing Alia's group. That night, Friday, we went out to eat with the Haude Choir, and I have to say it was the worst Mexican food that I've ever tasted. Everyone enjoyed the margaritas and daiquiris, but the food was terrible! I am not sure what it was, but by the time we got back to the hotel, I felt horrible.
At 10:15 that night, I was in the restroom, and that was just the beginning. I slept no more than 2 hours that night (which went in 5 minute or less increments), and lost 5 pounds...I repeat, 5 pounds, as well as some other ailments that I will not mention here. Just know that it was NOT a pleasant experience. I hope that NEVER happens to me again!

Overall, it was nice just to get away from all of the stress of teaching. I did REALLY REALLY REALLY miss my baby, Evan. It was easier not having him there since I was sick, and Grammy got to spend some fun time spoiling him, but that didn't make it any easier to be without him. And I must write about a heart-wrenching experience...When we got home, all I wanted to do was hold my baby. I held him...and he wanted GRAMMY! It broke my heart! I know that he was with her for 4 days without me, but can he forget me that quickly??!!!!! I went from him wanting me all the time, to wanting someone else before me! That is hard to deal with. I know he still loves me, but it's really hard watching him become independent.

Overall everyone had a blast. We enjoyed visiting, eating, sleeping, performing, and just having a great time. Can't wait for next year!

9 Months Old

Evan,

Can you believe that you are already 9 months old?! It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were bringing you home from the hospital! You are now 9 months old, weigh 16 pounds (you're tiny, but give lots of love!), and are 27 inches long.
It has been fun to watch your personality develop, and it seems that you are doing something new everyday. Just today your held your own bottle in the car on the way to the doctor! I was amazed at how independent you seemed! You can also wave bye-bye (only if you feel like it!), and pick up cheerios with your long handsome fingers all by yourself.
You love to laugh. You think it's funny to roll over while Mommy and Daddy are trying to change your diaper, and to watch us scramble to roll you back over and get the diaper back on before there is another mess to clean up! You love books, and right now your favorite book is the Very Hungry Caterpillar, I think because of all the colors. (But Mommy just bought more books for us to try, so get ready!).
I think that you have 2 teeth coming in on the bottom, but you are doing so well I hardly notice that you aren't feeling well all the time. You are going to look so different with teeth; so grown up. You have also just had your first ear infections, one in each ear. You are such a content baby, that the only reason I knew you had them was because you didn't sleep as well, and had a small fever. I'm glad that you are happy and content and know that we are here to take care of you, as we always will.
Thank you for being such a blessing in our lives, and we thank God for you every day. We can't wait to see what amazing things you learn how to do! Before you know it, you will be 1, independent, and exploring this world even more than before! My, we need to start planning your first birthday party...not sure I'm ready for that! Just know that you are the best thing in our lives, and we can't wait to see what other blessings you will add to our lives!

We love you so much,
Mom & Dad

(for more 9 month pictures, please visit Chris & Kim's Pictures Link)

Cake in a Mug

My sister has shown me a very cool and easy way to make dessert. If you are the kind of person who either doesn't fare well in the kitchen, or just doesn't have the time, then this recipe is for you!

Hot Cocoa Chocolate Cake

• 9 Tbsp. hot chocolate powder mix
  • look for sugar-free, calcium fortified mix for a healthier cake
• 4 Tbsp. flour
  • use whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp. oil
  • for a healthier recipe, use canola oil, and replace half the oil with apple sauce
• 3 Tbsp. water
• Pinch of salt

Honeybun coffee cake

• 1/3 cup (75g) yellow cake mix
• 1 egg white
• 2 Tsp. vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp. water
• topping mix (optional)
  • 2 Tsp. brown sugar
  • 1 Tsp. finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 Tsp. cinnamon

Perfect if you just feel like a quick dessert, or if you are entertaining friends and need a fun and quirky dessert. Enjoy!

Thanks for posting this awesome list, April! It is always fun to look and see what cool things other people have done or want to do! Ok, here's my list:

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.