Mama Duckee & Baby Jacob's Shower

... and makes three!

This afternoon, a sweet baby shower was held for one of my best friend's Stephanie... or Duckee as she has been called since college. This baby shower was a very special shower as baby Jacob had unexpectedly decided to join us on January 30th at almost 31 weeks. He is doing absolutely amazing and we couldn't be more excited!

It was such a wonderful time getting to celebrate this new little family. Enjoy some pictures from the shower. It was a super cute woodland creature theme thrown by her ladies at work. They did a fantastic job from cute blue and green themed decor, to woodland creature diaper cakes, cupcakes, fruit and veggie trays, and sushi appetizers. All was absolutely perfect for this sweet little mama duckee and her new precious miracle baby!

The sweet woodland creature theme invitation

Baby Shower Decor and Treats

Kristin and I with the Mama!

Stephanie and her shower gifts!
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What a special time with sweet friends for such a fun moment in their lives. Congrats to the new mama and daddy and to celebrating you precious new addition!

February Updates!

We are in a brand new month in our brand new year. So far this has been a very "eventful" month as I'm sure you've read with this ice storm that has kept us from school/work for four days now. While I am loving the time with my husband and our puppies... I will honestly say that it is time for this storm to end. I have loved to officially get to play in this snow as it is so much fun and so beautiful; however, the ice thing I can do without. It has kept us from a few outings now with sweet friends. So hopefully there will be an end to being couped up and we can brave the streets again to go on with our daily activities.

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So here is my random list of monthly updates that I hope we will get to attend/participate in:)

1. Lunch date with the Zoutendams... rescheduled... 2/4

2. Stephanie's Baby Shower for baby Jacob on Saturday... 2/5

3. Lunch with the Zoutendams after church; Super Bowl Sunday with the Dukes... 2/6;

4. Dinner with Daniela... 2/7 rescheduled

5. Dinner & Painting with a Twist... 2/10

6. ELC Ladies Movie Night... 2/11

7. Afternoon hang out with my Gathing girls (including baby Harley:); Date night with the hubs... 2/12

8. Valentine's Day... 2/14

9. Spec Ed Content Exam... 2/28

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More updates to come! Any fun updates for you?

Fun Friday & Play Date in the Snow!

At 4Am in the morning, my husband woke me during his night shift to show me the beautiful white snow that fell the night before. I absolutely couldn't wait for our opportunity to go outside and enjoy a fun play date in the snow. Here are a few pictures of our outing. Wishing you all a very happy Friday and snow day to all of North Dallas!



At 8AM in the morning, the hubs and I took out the pups to enjoy a very short time in the snow. While both puppies seemed to enjoy it... there were times that poor Mattie was completely covered. After a few minutes we sent the furbabes back inside and the hubs and I stayed out for a very cold play date in the snow.




We took a walk around the apartment. Absolutely everything had been covered by gorgeous white powder... including that solid ice I spoke of a few days ago which easily lead to a faceplant and slip straight to the ground. After the hubs took a picture he then was a gentleman and helped me up. But boy was it cold. I had literally said moments before... I hate ice because it's so slippery. I guess it proved me right:) Ha!



Over the past few days during this crazy four day ice and snow storm, Ray and I have made some pretty tasty snacks/meals including ministrone soup, cheesy enchiladas, cookies, hot chocolate, and waffles for our snow morning breakfast.



Now we are enjoying our time at home... virtually unable to leave at this point as we watched countless cars try to make it up the hill as most were unsuccessful. So as of now we are relaxing, I am blogging with a side of studying, watching some tv while Ray rests... then more relaxing! You know I could get used to this:) ... just as long as we could get out of the apartment every now and then.

ICE DAY X4

Today marks day three of being iced over here in North Dallas and a text from my team leader indicated day four will be the same. I honestly am having a love/hate relationship with what should be called the first ice storm of 2011 or as one teacher friend put it... "winter break." As of tomorrow we will basically be celebrating a six day weekend! I honestly couldn't be more excited to enjoy time with my husband and pups as we have all been able to spend this time together. The only dislike I have is that we have been couped up in our apartment for way too long. As Ray put it, "cabin fever does not apply as we would probably have more room in a cabin." Ha! Sad but true. Also it would be different if we were able to go outside and enjoy the beautiful white snow but sadly this is solid ice. Tomorrow however does call for that beautiful white powder so I am sure a happier version of this post will be uploaded tomorrow with more positive things about this storm. So to all those facing this crazy weather... I hope you are enjoying a wonderful time with those you love and are staying safe and warm... and of course without cabin fever:)

Toby Turns FOUR!

Happy fourth birthday to our sweet little boy!

Sir Toby the Red

Four years ago, Ray and I picked up this enthusiastic puppy and brought him home. He has been such a wonderful addition to our family and today we get to celebrate him! Happy birthday sweet boy:)

Coldplay... Warm Heart!

At 6AM this morning, I received numerous texts in regards to this... School Closings!

As most schools within the DFW area, Plano ISD was also closed due to ice and winter mix. I was so excited to have another wonderful day with my little fam and what a fun time to have a snow day! All I wanted to do was enjoy my time relaxing in my pjs and cuddling with these sweet faces.


I am so thankful that Ray will be working nights these next two weeks as it gave me a wonderful chance to spend more time with him on my day off. Around noon after some breakfast and an early afternoon play time with the pups, we determined that we had to enjoy some time outside in the snow of course...

This is our beautiful view from our balcony

The Hubs and I then got ready and put on our "snow gear." Basically I put on anything that would keep me warm. And as you can tell matching wasn't something that I really paid too much attention to:) ha!

As we made our way outside, we then realized that beautiful white powder was not what laid at our feet but solid ice. To be honest, I am not a fan and with temperatures at around 17 degrees this was not something that I wanted to just slide around in. So we took the pups outside for a quick stroll around the apartment and would quickly return as soon as possible.

Once outside... we slid everywhere. Mattie as you can see did not like her feet getting wet and quickly opted for mama to carry her. Look at the parking space... it was solid ice!

Zellner's Frozen Facies!

Even the hubs was freezing! It was definitely time to return inside!

Back inside Ray and I decided to warm ourselves up by making hot chocolate with lots of marshmellows and some sweet cookie treats.

As we baked, we enjoyed a little Coldplay on the radio.

Coldplay... warm heart!

We definitely enjoyed our unexpected snow day at home. Hours later I received word that schools would be closed for an additional day! Snow Day Continued until tomorrow! What fun activities will tomorrow bring I wonder? How did you enjoy your snow day at home?

Sweet Baby Boy Jacob!

I think Adam said it best about his sweet son, Jacob, born on Sunday at 12:26PM...

"God and Jacob had other plans for our Sunday. Born at 12:26, 3 lbs 3 oz, 15.9 inches ... Baby and mom are both fine."

I have never seen something that was thought to be so small to have such a huge spirit and love for life. As God's timing is always perfect so is this little bundle of joy... and for three pounds he looked so big and beautiful. To the new mama and daddy we are so proud, excited, and anxious about your new addition. As unexpected as it may be, little Jacob was ready to greet his family and friends as we are all so excited for your new adventures together as a family of three.