Home is Where the Heart Is!

The day had finally come. Both Ray and I had taken off of work and awaited the call for us to meet at the title company to sign our life away or at least for the next 30 years... and officially become homeowners. Lunch time had quickly come and gone without a call. So the husband and I decided to run a few necessary errands and then enjoy a delicious lunch at On The Border. Luckily they had a great three course 2 for $15 deal. Awesome! After a filling lunch, we went home to relax. Within about thirty minutes we got our call. We made a stop at the bank for a cashier's check and made our way to the title company. Let the signing begin...



After about an hour, a great deal of signing, a pretty pink plant given by the seller's realtor, and two keys later... one being leopard print, we were officially owners of our first home!

Thank you all again for your prayers and blessings! We are so excited about this next step in our lives. We can't wait for Saturday's move in. Here are a few pictures of our fun tour from today!

Moving On Out!

It is true and as you've probably read a billion times over the past few months, but we are MOVING to our first home within the next few days!

Who would know in a small 650 square foot apartment that we would have so many pieces. The poor pups were so confused and have never been so lovey lately! I am sure they will be super excited when they see our new space and their very own yard! Happy Moving On Out!

Spring Break 2012 Recap!

As you may have read under my "Spring Break To Dos" that this was a very low key week for me. Sadly for many days of my week, I was a bit frustrated with our one car situation and I was honestly a little bored with the idea of studying all day... but realized it could be totally worse and I was thankful for the opportunity to get some much needed things done. Once I got over myself (ha!) I was super excited about having the opportunity to do several fun dinners with friends and relaxing time at home with our little fam. So I wanted to provide a little breakdown for me to remember my weekly activities.

Monday... Let Spring Break begin! My Monday afternoon was filled with two of my least favorite things including cleaning and studying for the PPR. I tried to keep myself busy as the real fun of Spring Break would begin that night where I would meet my old roommate Daniela for dinner at Blue Goose. I had such a blast with her. Sadly I didn't have my camera on me and was unable to record our ladies date night. But I am thankful for our time together as we always are able to pick up exactly where we left off.

Tuesday... Ray dropped me off bright and early at my team leader's house. We made a quick trip to Staples for some additional school supplies and then set off for our classrooms to spend a few hours to set up for the following week. Tuesday night, I spent the evening at home with Ray and the pups. It was nice to relax in bed and watch a few movies.

Wednesday... I met my girl Gellner for a morning Starbucks date. It was nice getting to catch up with her. For lunch, I met up with Ray at Buffalo Wild Wings. I was afraid this would be the beginning of March Madness, but it worked out that we were a day early. If it had been Thursday, the tables would be filled. After lunch, I went back for more daily studying.

Thursday: I spent my morning in, completing the usual tasks. By today I was over being at home without a car or companion. Thursday night, Jennifer, my old high school friend, picked me up for dinner at Christinas. I had so much fun with my girl. Jennifer and I were on high school dance team together and shared in so many funny, wild and crazy moments. Speaking of funny, on our after dinner trip to Kohls, I decided that I must try on some of these ridiculous heels. Enjoy a picture of our pumps.



Sadly the picture that was taken at dinner had a file error and the picture will not display:( This simply means that we'll have to get together soon to make more memories. :) Thanks Jennennenifer for a great ladies night out!

Friday: The last day of Spring Break, I layed low with the pups. I finished a few additional things for school as well as my internship program through Texas Teachers. For lunch, Ray picked me up to go get some soup and salad from the Olive Garden. Gosh I think I have eaten my weight in food this Spring Break. Wow, I feel another blog post coming. Ha! Friday night, Ray and I made dinner for our Duke friends. It was really exciting to visit with our sweet friends!

Update on Toby: This week the furbabes went to the vet to get checked out. It was Mattie's annual visit, but this time we wanted to ask a few questions about Toby's seizures. Basically unless the seizures are consistently a month or less apart then he is fine. At that point if they continue to worsen, then we can have a blood test done and put him on seizure medication. So currently we are just to watch him and we'll go from there. Here is a sweet picture of the sleepy boy after he came back from the vet.



Well that's about it. I'm thankful for lazy days, for the time with my husband and friends, and for extra study time. Happy Spring Break friends! I'm ready to get back to the usual grind. 10 more weeks of school before Summer!

St. Patty's Minute to Win It!

This St. Patty's Day we adorned our green and celebrated with the Fants for some Minute To Win It Fun!

The weather was so nice, we enjoyed some delicious patty's day treats outside while the ladies had fun conversation and the boys played ball and popped wheelies.

But what would any themed day be without a few photo opt pictures.

For dinner we tasted delicious green eggs and ham/bacon as well as yummy green pancakes.

After dinner, the games began! From M&M Flip cup, oreo fun, M&M racing games... St. Patty's Day Minute to Win It was a blast! Here are a few pictures of our night!

What a fun St. Patty's Day themed game night! To all of those we love, we wish you a wonderful day of love and LUCK!

St. Patty's Impromptu Picnic in the Park!

This morning after sleeping in until almost 9:30, the realization of not making it out to Greenville officially set in. But as we awoke the sun was beating through the blinds, and I knew that today was going to be an absolutely beautiful St. Patty's Day. So instead, the husband and I put together some of our favorite foods and gathered our basket and blanket as we were going to take the furbabes to enjoy a St. Patty's Impromptu Picnic in the Park.



While we adorned ourselves with some fabulous green options, I realized that it just wouldn't be right unless the pups were dressed in Irish themed clothing as well. I could not resist putting these two bandanas around their neck. They were so stinking cute! They also didn't seem to really mind the extra material. Usually my pups hate getting dressed up but I guess the extra treats helped persuade them.



Ray and I knew exactly where we were headed when we packed our family and picnic foods in the car. With less than two weeks standing between us, we headed out to the park next to our new home. We could not have been more excited. When we first arrived, we decided to take the pups on a nice walk around the park to get them acclimated to their new home. The path is about a half mile and figured they could get some of their energy out before we settled down for the picnic. They sure seemed to enjoy it. The weather had now changed to overcast and was pretty windy, but still a great morning.




After our walk, we found a great bench to sit on in between some trees next to the basketball court. While there was a lot of space to choose from the ground was filled with lots of twigs that wouldn't be too conducive for a typical picnic. So the bench was great. We enjoyed foods such as bread that we attempted to turn green. Ha! It kind of looked like moldy bread. But hey we were trying to get in the spirit. We also had strawberries, fruit snacks, and for dessert Andie's mints. YUM!



While we ate, Mattie our stray puppy found herself a comfortable spot on top of our blanket picnic. She likes to be center of attention and for a stray hates dirt. Ha while Toby was sniffing and enjoying his wide open spaces.

Regardless the day was a pretty perfect day. I am so thankful for our St. Patty's Picnic in the Park and for my lucky charms!

Plans for Patty's Day?

This St. Patty's Day, the husband and I are hoping to head to Greenville for some St. Patty's day cheer! A few years ago, we woke early, adorned our green, and ran a 5K with these fabulous people in the Dash Down Greenville.



This year we are hoping to enjoy another fabulous afternoon in Dallas in our festive St. Patty's attire... all while hoping the weather holds up.

What do you have planned for this year's St. Patty's Day?

Picture Mail: Lil' Cowgirl!

Look at this beautiful little cowgirl! I love receiving sweet picture mail from my family members as it is a wonderful way to keep in touch. Olivia I am so proud of what a beautiful little girl you've become. I love seeing pictures of your growth and all the fun activities that you have been up to. I love getting to watch you ride your bike, dress up like a big girl, play, and just become more of a little lady. I cannot believe that you will be a big kindergartener next year which melts this teacher's heart. I am so excited to see you and our family in only a few short months!

We love you sweet girl!

Love,
Aunt Alicia and Uncle Ray Ray

Spring Break To Do's!

Happy Spring Break!
Many of you may be wondering if my week will be filled with lots of R&R. And while I am so thankful to have this time off from school, I have realized that it will be a lot of hard work. This morning, I did have the opportunity to sleep in which I am extremely thankful for. But so far, my days are being filled up with lots of to do's. The hard part is doing it as a one-car family. Poor Ray's grey ghosty is taking a break as it has decided to stop working. We will have to see it's status shortly as our main focus is the house and all that comes with that.

Today I have finished my internship projects and of course have scheduled my PPR. These are my final to do's on my Texas Teacher's Checklist for my program. The plan is to spend the afternoon refreshing myself and study for the PPR. This morning I have been picking up around the apartment and planning for the upcoming week. I have created new language and math stations and am trying to better prepare my children and myself for the following week.

Here is a small list of my to do's. Again I am thankful to have this time to visit with friends, spend time with the husband, pack the apartment, and study for my program. While it is all a whirlwind, I am thankful for the break. It came at the perfect time.

1. Study PPR daily
2. Finish Internship Projects for Texas Teachers-DONE!
3. Go to school on Tuesday to set up stations
4. Meet with Daniela (old roommate from college) for dinner- Monday
5. Pack the apartment
6. Set up Dentist Appointment
7. Figure out how we will manage being a one car family as Ray's Car has broken down
8. Celebrate Ray's raise!
9. Meet with Jennifer for Dinner on Thursday at 6PM.
10. Wednesday/Friday Work out Sessions at 5:30
11. Coffee with Jessica on Wednesday at 9:30.
12. Lunch date with the husband a few times this week:)
13. laundry
14. Dishes... my not so favorite
15. Celebrate St. Patty's Day with amazing friends!
16. and then relaxing at home with my family!

Wishing you a wonderful Spring Break and the whirlwind week ahead!

Babysitting Bryson!

This Saturday, the husband and I had the opportunity to babysit this sweet two year old while his mommy and daddy went to see Cirque du Soleil. When we arrived, he was napping but soon after we enjoyed an afternoon full of exciting adventures with Bryson.

Gummies and Bubble Guppies with our friends Bert and Ernie

Cuddle time with Bryson

Puzzles with Ray

Tools and Blocks



and little man learning to drive!

I love spending time with these sweet boys! I can't wait to watch him grow and all the fun adventures we'll have along the way... OH BOY!

PS... many of you may be wondering what the "oh boy" meant. Throughout the night... Ray would mention.. "oh boy." Bryson would copy it. I loved his sweet little voice repeating Ray.

Our Safari Tour!

Today our rooms transformed into a Safari. Our students led their parents on a guided tour at our March Open House. The animals on their stop included...

Underwater Fish
Snakes
Lions
Crocodiles
Monkeys
Turtles|
and yes Penguins

Our children have been studying animals, habitats, as well as how they eat, move, protect, and other interesting facts. They have also researched an animal and created a research paper for their parents. A LOT of work went into the preparation for our big day... but it turned out PERFECT! The kids were absolutely adorable in their safari hats and loved giving tours to their loved ones. Our tour also included shape animals, a piranha pond, and an animal graph where each child chose their favorite animal at the zoo. Here are some of the pictures of the student's work and all that went into their SAFARI OPEN HOUSE!













Here's to 19 kiddos and all of their hard work!!! Happy last few days before Spring Break:)