Jennifer

New Blog

2011-01-01T19:26:00.002-06:00

Hello, all!

New year! Lots of stuff happening.

This month (this month!), Micah and I are getting married, thus beginning the Fullerton family.

We have a new blog and we (I) will be blogging it regularly. I am even putting it on my calendar. I have a new laptop, thanks to Micah, and I can't wait to use it all the time!

Please join us at www.thefullertonfam.blogspot.com

See you there!

Checklist

2010-06-26T12:41:00.003-05:00

Now I'm on Summer Break and let me tell you, it's beautiful. I enjoy it so much. So far this month that we've been off, I've gone to Destin (just before the oil got there-don't get me started on it, it's tragic, just tragic), booked a cake maker (our cakes are going to be delicious and beautiful!), visited with cousins (asked them to be the flower girl and greeters--Finn and Ty are going to be the best and Pearl will be the sweetest flower girl ever!), came down to see my honey (he's working nights, but it allowed me to get some wedding organizing done), and dealt with grown-up problems like my refridgerator breaking and losing all my food in there. That was horrible!

Next Tuesday, I meet with someone to talk about DJ-ing and the possibility of some uplighting, etc. I'm really excited about it. Micah and I are ready to have lots of fun at the reception and dance with all our guests. We decided on a first dance song and we've been practicing our dance moves. =)

We've begun our pre-martial classes that are required by my church. We meet for a total of 6 times and we take a FOCUS assessment. It's not a test, but rather a tool for us to see areas that we are really compatible and areas that we are not so compatible. Then, we spend that time talking with the deacon who will marry us and go over things so we see each other's views.

In a week, we go over invitations and catering. Yum!!!! Everyone knows that this girl is all about some food.

On another note, Save-the-Dates are going out next week, Micah and I had a wonderful date nght last Saturday, and I just adore my sweet, sweet Bonnie Blue. =)

Wedding Projects

2010-05-18T19:30:00.002-05:00

Okay, folks!!!! Here are some wedding project posts. I'm so excited about doing stuff like this. I totally get my creative from my Momma. I am so happy when I'm thinking about doing stuff and then actually seeing it come to fruition. One of the projects that I've been working on (and still working on) are these little packets of tissues that are called "Tears of Joy" packets. These are for the guests at the wedding and the tears that they shed in complete joy at the sight of these two people getting married and the obvious love they have each for other!!!! Well, maybe they won't be doing that, but it's a fun project for me to do. =)

I first saw these packets on Bee and Patrick's website, which you can find here. I also purchased a monogram design from Invitations by Emily and I knew that I wanted to use on anything I could. Soooooooooooooooooooo, I purchased some glassine envelopes, got my travel-size kleenexes, then figured out how I could use the monogram, and created the bad boys seen at the top of this post.

How cool are those 'Tears of Joy' packets?!?! The stickers on the top are one of the coolest that I thought of! I sized the monogram down to 30% and then arranged 12 of them on white cardstock, printed them off, ran them through the Xyron sticker maker (coolest thing ever!), and then cut them into neat squares, and then peeled them off and stuck them on. How's that for easy? Plus, they fit with our color scheme and it was a project that I could do right now.

Wedding Website

2010-05-12T11:48:00.003-05:00

For real?!? It's been almost a month since I last blogged. What's my deal?!? Obviously, I'm one of those people that forgets about things if they are not right in front of them, so I'm going to make some reminders to update this blog on a regular basis.

Right now we have a lot going on! Micah and I are working on wedding plans--finalizing guest lists, deciding decor, etc., I'm finishing up my 8th year of teaching (yikes!), I'm cleaning out/organizing/redecorating the house, and I'm also reorganizing/cleaning out/decorating my classrooms at school. Whew! Just typing that whole list makes me tired!

Micah and I decided in the last few weeks that when we get married, we are going to live in Conway. Those of you who know Micah, know that he lives in El Dorado, which is 2 1/2 hours south of Conway. Well, we had been going back and forth and weighing the pros and cons of moving to El Dorado or moving to Conway. Unbeknownst to me, Micah came up with a plan that will involve him commuting (is that possible so far away?) from El Dorado to Conway. We will live in my house that I've had for about 6 years and we will be based, as a family (I love being able to write that!), out of Conway. The way his schedule works allows him to be off for a few days and then back on. He came up with this plan and is wiling to try it out. I'm going to let him, even though my heart stops every time I think about him driving so much. So, out of my immense love for him, I'm cleaning out the house and redecorating it so we can 'move' into a new house. I am living there now (duh! It's my house!), but he is not going to be living there until January, so I'm doing what I can to make sure that it's a bit different, more special, and feels like 'us'. (I realize that the house will be totally special even if I didn't do anything to change it because Micah will be getting to spend everyday with me and my fabulousness that just is! =))

This summer I'm really working on my school classrooms so this next school is a breeze to plan! I know that I'm going to spazz out sometimes (all the time?!?) with work and wedding planning, but I know that if I'm proactive with deciding things and doing what I can ahead of time, it's all going to be good. Plus, in the end I'm really just happy about being Mrs. Micah Fullerton. That will be totally awesome! All the other stressful, not fun things will fade away and the most important thing we will have is our love for each other and the committment we make in front of our friends and family.

I'll be back soon (I really promise!) with some projects I've been working on and checking off my lists!

Wedding Date!!!!!!!

2010-04-13T21:54:00.002-05:00

I am pleased to announce that after 4 months of engagement, Micah and I have an official, in the books, honest-to-goodness wedding date!!!!!!!

It's so great to have it be official, but it's also a little scary! Now we have a countdown and it's 290 days away. It sounds so far, but I know that it is going to go by so quickly. I'm thankful for the summer break I have coming up and I hope to get a lot of things decided by then and I'll be totally thankful for Christmas break right before the wedding. That way I won't have to take off any days from work, except for the couple of days before the wedding! Yea!!!

The wonderful, great, amazing date is..........January 29, 2011. Mark it down!

Spring Break

2010-03-26T14:35:00.004-05:00

Me on top of Yellow Rock

I have lived for this week all school year and as soon as it is done, I'll live for the next one. Spring Break is something that one can never get tired of of. I love it! It's a great week to relax, have fun, and recharge your batteries as you hold on to your britches for the rest of the school year.

Micah gets a week of vacation from his job and he arranged it so it was the same weekend as my Spring Break! Is he smart or what? We took a trip up to Devil's Den State Park and spent 4 days up there, hanging out, building fires, and hiking. Yes, you read that correctly, I said hiking.

For those of you who know me, you know I am a girly girl. I may do some things that will surprise you, but for the most part, I'm a girly girl who doesn't camp or do outdoorsy stuff. Now, let me just say that we didn't camp out in the woods; we stayed in a cabin, which for me is camping. Some of you might say that that is not camping, but it was out in the woods, I didn't have everything from home, so for me that was camping. I would like to say that I have told Micah that I would consider an overnight camping trip. For me, that's huge!

We had a blast up there. We hiked four different trails and bought some hiking sticks. We are already planning our next hiking adventure. If you are considering visiting one of the State Parks, I highly recommend it. It is just a blast!

**I promise I'm going to add pictures of Micah and I, but blogger is not letting me add anymore. =(

Where has the time gone?

2010-03-05T23:07:00.002-06:00

I'm such a bad blogger!!!! So sorry!!!!

Since I've last blogged, a lot has been going on.

First off, we had 3 snow days! I know some of ya'll are thinking--"3 days---that's nothing!"---but, down here in the South, that's quite a bit. The funny thing was, no one was expecting it!!!! I woke up Monday, February 7, and turned on the T.V. (like I do every morning) and then heard the newscasters say something about checking for school cancellations. I was like, "School Cancellations?!? Jennifer's confused? Jennifer didn't know we had a chance of snow!" At this point Jennifer's Momma is hanging her head in shame that her very own daughter was not up-to-date on the latest weather happenings. (FYI---my Momma is the QUEEN of all things weather.) Totally kidding on the shame because NO ONE was prepared for this snow--even the forecasters! So, when I started hearing some of the school closings that were close to my school, I started thinking that maybe I would get a snow day this year. I started watching the closings at the bottom of the screen with an intensity that would have won an eye-staring contest. Then, I saw it!!! I actually screamed. I couldn't believe it! Then, I jumped out of bed and headed to the window and looked out. I saw the biggest snow that I have seen since I've lived in this town for the last 12 years! It was unbelievable. So, at that point I did what any normal, teacher person would do. I called my aunt, who is also a teacher, and talked with her about what she was going to do on this glorious snow day. Then, I called my fiance, who had just finished working graveyards. And then, (reference to one of my favorite movies!!) I ate some breakfast and promptly went back to bed. All of this happened before 6:15 a.m.

Well, that fantastically awesome snow day turned into TWO snow days. Then, a THIRD snow day!!!! That's right. THREE SNOW DAYS!!!! Crazniness. So crazy, that they took away our day off on President's Day so we don't have to go so long in the summer, which is great, but I would have loved that day off. =)

I also won not ONE, but TWO contests from different wedding blogs! I got some free stickers from Uprinting--contest hosted by Joy. Then I won some awesome postcards from Vistaprint----contest hosted by BP Wedding. We are going to use the stickers for various wedding projects and the postcards for our Save-the-Dates! SO EXCITED!!!!!

I picked up my wedding dress, fell in love with it all over again, and had a trial run of the trial hair run. Did that last part make sense? I went in to get my hair done by my fabulous friend, Shawna, and I was talking to her about how I wanted my hair done on my wedding day. When we got done, she fixed it so I could get an idea of how it would all look. It was so great and it wasn't anything that we really worked on. We were just kind of halfway going through it. The funny thing is that I had to go to karate afterwards, so I clipped it up and went through my 1 hour+ class. Then, after class, took the clip out and guess what....my hair still looked beautiful! Uhm, that hairstyle....definitely a keeper!

Last, but not least, I test for my BROWN BELT!!!!!! So exciting. This is a test that I should have done back in August. That's right. You read correctly. August. Of 2009. It's February. Of 2010. Somehow, when it came time for me to test, I just didn't. I totally freaked out. I became my worst critic and just did not think that it would work for me and I couldn't do it, so I didn't even try. So not the right thing to do! I mean, come on! I'm a teacher! I'm supposed to set the example.

Here's where I became the student and let my students help teach me something:

I can't let fear control me. I can't let the unknown terrify me. I have to trust my instructors, trust my friends, and most importantly, trust myself. For me, this was a HUGE test to past and belt to earn. It represented so much more than just another karate belt. It was a reminder to myself that I am strong and I can deal with any challenge that is presented to me. This is a great thing for me to think about as Micah and I head into this new and exciting chapter in our lives. There is so much ahead that is unknown for us. Unknown wedding date, unknown place of living, unknown, unknown, unknown.

BUT, this is known....Micah and I love each other. Apart we are the strong people our parents have raised us to be. However, together we make the unknown less scary because, despite the fact that it's unknown, we get to face it together. That's what I have to remember each and every day. And I do. I do.

A Whole New World

2010-02-04T11:52:00.006-06:00

I've discovered a whole new world out there. It's the world of wedding websites. I mean, seriously, you should google it and see how many sites you get of these things. It's crazy! Crazy, but I'm LOVING it!

So, here is a list of my some of my current web finds. I know there are tons more that I haven't found. If you have some great ones, leave a comment. I'm so new to all this still and sometimes get a bit overwhelmed by the wealth of information out there.

Must Love Weddings...One of my oldest friends, Kate, runs this with her Mom, sister, and several others. It's great! I loved looking through the old posts and seeing what other people have done, talking things over, posting up things I'm thinking about. Side note--I am trying not to be 'wedding talk' to everyone, everywhere, all the time. I love that whenever I want to think some choices out or narrow them down, I can go here and everyone loves to talk about it, all the time. That way, when Micah and I talk about it, I don't have to drive him nuts with 50,000 different choices. I've already done the crazy narrow down process and then we get to make the final decisions. Ps. I can't look at this in the evening. If I do, then I stay up half the night reading things and then getting new ideas. I have to give myself a cut-off time. However, most of the time I ignore it because I like this site so much. =)

Weddingbee...I found this site off of a Top Ten Wedding Websites article in the final issue of Modern Bride. I didn't know sites like this existed. It combines blogging (I love looking into other peoples lives and see what they are thinking about and doing), weddings, forums, and DIY projects. LOVE IT! I've gotten some decoration stuff off of the classified section and I've found some of the Bees (the bloggers) 'other' blogs. I did notice of the members that commented on some things that I liked and followed her profile to her blog. Yes, that's right, it's my next favorite site on this list.

Bee and Patrick...So, I first click on this and I'm like, oh yeah, she's a pretty girl with dark hair. I just love me some dark hair! =) Then, I start reading through her posts and I'm like, "Oh, I like that. Look at that. I've got to do that. That's a great idea. Etc. Etc. Etc." So, I totally read through every post to 'catch' up on everything. Then I study her projects. Yep, totally doing the "Tears of Joy" packets. Don't know how many people will actually use them, but I'm SO doing them. (Once they are done this weekend, I'll post pics up) She is also doing a great contest, so scoot on over there and check it out. It's for 100 (yes! 100!) free cards from VistaPrint. You could use them for invitations, save the dates, thank you's! So exciting. You have until February 13th, so get going and comment to enter! Check here.

Wedding Planning with Joy...This is Miss Poodle from Wedding Bee. Loved her giant letters that she is working on. Check them out. When I started reading the post, I thought, "Letters--I'm thinking about using that too. They ARE really cute. Wow! She is going to make her own." Then I saw the size and heard how she was doing it and I was like, "She is not playing around. She just leapt to another level of creativity!" I mean, for real, look at them! They are going to be so cool!
She is also doing an awesome contest for some rockin' stickers from Uprinting. 250 stickers, baby! Those of you who aren't planning weddings don't realize the need, the want, the desire to have stickers for some wedding project. But, there is that need, want, and desire. Check it out and enter here. You have until February 5th.

OnceWed...The person who recommend this site to me said that you can search for photos, projects, etc. based on colors or styles. I love it. Every wedding I've seen on here is very chic, yet personable, and to-die-for. LOVE IT. Seriously.

My Coin Purse...I found this one off of Weddingbee. I loved Mrs. Green Tea's stuff and just love that I found the other blog. I mean, really, it's all awesome stuff. Loved her wedding pics, the colors, everything.

DIY Bride...Okay, this one is a bit self-explanatory, but it speaks to me. If I had all the time in the world, I would do every DIY aspect I could. For real. I would make and create EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, this is the real world and that just won't happen. But, I can check out ideas, etc. here.

Paper Source...So, I know that this post isn't exactly wedding specific, but since I've been thinking about STD's (Save the Dates---I'm learning all the lingo), invitations, hostess gifts, rehearsal dinner, OOT bags (Out of Town bags) and more, I've found myself drawn to the beauty and abundance that is known as Paper Source. It's a good thing that I haven't found one in a 500 mile radius to me. It would be so hard to resist. There is one up in Kansas City, MI. Seriously, that's like the closest one to me. Whenever I go up with my family to go shopping there, I stop by at least once a day that we are there on our trip. Sometimes twice a day. So wonderful.

Let me know what your favorites are. I love new recommendations and it's something so easy to access and feed this growing addiction of wedding anything.

Spazz Out Time

2010-02-02T14:30:00.005-06:00

First, I'd like to acknowledge that my last post looks like I posted it on Wednesday, January 13 before my birthday and yet I talked about how 'last Friday was so awesome' (meaning my birthday). I'm sure you read it and thought, "that's was a bit weird" and it's what I get for not finishing the post when I originally start it. So, next time, when I start a post, I will finish it!

So, with that out of the way, onto the topic that is on my mind all the time. I've heard other brides say, "Once you get engaged, wedding is all you'll think and all you'll study until your wedding." I was like, sure you think that, you're stressed out, not me...I'll be fine. Uhm, they were right. Like, really right. Totally right.

Now don't get worried that I'm spazzing out (by the way, my new favorite phrase). I'm not really. Well, not all the time. Just kidding. But, seriously.

The thing that I've realized in my short time of planning (right now I've got 1 month under my belt) is that there is a lot of information. Tons of it. I've got a subscription to a Bridal magazine and I've realized that there is a lot of information that is just presented in several different ways. That's not a bad thing, it just means that you hear it many, many times. My very Momma has given me some of the best advice---once you find what you like or decide on something, stop looking at things that deal with it. (That's not verbatim, but the main gist of it--she definitely said it more eloquently) For instance, I've found my dress. It was the 2nd one I tried on. I was done. D-O-N-E, done. We ordered, purchased it, and now I'm waiting to go pick it up. (By the way, it came in a couple of months early and I get to make an appointment to pick it up---so very excited!!!!) So, I stopped looking at dresses. I haven't been to other dress stores, trying on other ones, etc. I didn't have to waste time or brain power worrying about it. (PS. I've realized this is like the 2nd time or 3rd time I've written about the dress, but it's awesome. A story worth telling. Again.)

So, right now I'm just thinking about the different stuff we need to decide about, but for the most part, things are already picked. I know the where the ceremony will happen, where the reception will be, what music will be played (that was so hard--just kidding!), and things like that. It's the little things that I mull about and waffle back and forth about. But, every time I start to spazz out, I hear my very Momma's voice in my head and I calm down and I realize it's not that hard. I already found the hardest part.

I've found my love.

The one that is for me.

The one that makes me smile when I think about him.

The one that gets me.

I found my Micah.

30 looks good

2010-01-13T14:48:00.006-06:00

2010 has turned about to be a great year so far! One of my most favorite days in the year occurred this last Friday. It was, of course, MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! It is a well celebrated event by almost everyone and it usually is celebrated for the whole month of January. And why not, I ask?!? It is in the middle, so it is only right to have a pre-celebration leading up to the blessed event and then you need the after-party to bring you back to your regular, everyday life......., so it is celebrated the whole month.

I had a great day on Friday. I have some the sweetest and most wonderful students EVER! I was givcn homemade cards, hugs, and homemade, chocolate chip, coconut cookies. TO DIE FOR!!!!! Micah Cabe came up here and we went to the homecoming game and then out to eat at Marketplace. We used a fabulous gift card that was given to us to celebrate our engagement by some of my dearest and longest friends. Thanks Jess, Mark, Charlie, Angela, and Gary!!!!! We loved it! Then, I got my fabulous birthday gifts from the wonderful Micah. It started with a sweet, sweet, sweet card. Then, I got UP on Blu-ray. I was super excited until I realized that it was a blu-ray disc and I was like, "Uhm, I can't watch it because I don't have a blu-ray player." Micah corrected me and showed me something inside my T.V. cabinent. Oh, yeah....it was a PS3!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it and then, he told me that I could also use it to play.........ROCKBAND 2!!!!!! Does he know me well or what?!? I've been bugging him for months and months to get Rockband or Guitar Hero, so I could play a game on his PS3 or Wii and he would tell me that it wasn't somethine we should get right now. Well, now I know why!

My Mom and Daddy got me a Cricut. It's one of those personal cutting machines for scrapbooking and cardmaking. It is fabulous! If you like to be crafty....I highly recommend you get it. I got the Cricut Create, which cuts letters or images up to 5 inches tall, but is so little and lightweight, you can take with you anywhere. It will be traveling with me up to Fayetteville this weekend so I can show my Momma all it's capabilities. My only regret is I haven't gotten one before now. Yes, I did just write that sentence....I'm a crafty-making dork and I like it! =)

Alex's gift was a Christmas/Birthday gift.... a beautiful Kate Spade bag. It debuted on my birthday and everyone loved it. Sissy treated me to fabulous treats at one of my favorite craft stores......Michael's. This weekend I get to see Mary Margaret and we will celebrate my birthday this weekend with her precious Miley. By the way, check out Mary Margaret's blog. It has the BEST post ever.

Onto other lifechanging things, I've been working and checking things off the to-do lists for the wedding. We haven't been able to set a date yet because we both have busy schedules and we have to figure out where we want to live as a family, but we are still trying to pick out things so that when we do finalize a date, BOOM, we have things decided and it's just a matter of getting invitations out, vendors finalized, etc.

One of the biggest things that we got done, was the fact that I found a dress!!!!! It is beautiful, to-die-for, everything I ever wanted dress. I went down to Low's in Brinkley with my Mom and Sissy. We had an appointment on Monday, December 28th. We went in and met with our consultant, Debbie. She was great. I told her right off the bat that I really liked her and that we were going to get along great.....and we did. We went into a room and just started looking at dresses. We pulled about 3 or 4 dresses to start out with. The first dress I tried on was a strapless dress. I had said that I didn't want a strapless because I don't look that great in strapless. Everything that I have tends to not stay in place in a strapless or reveals more than I wnat to reveal. Yet, here I was trying on a strapless dress. Well, we got it on and it only affirmed what I already felt. There are some girls who are gorgeous in strapless.....I was not one of them that day. So, I'm standing on the pedestal and we all agree that there are parts of this dress we like and parts we do not like. So, my Mom looks over to one of the dress racks in the room we are in and sees a dress. She points it out to me and I totally wanted to try it on. We go into the dressing room and I ignore the other dresses we had already pulled and tried this one on. So, it was too big, but the Debbie, our consultant, clipped it tighter and it was perfect! Mom and Sissy cried, I cried. It was great! We ended up picking out the veil and headpiece. We were down and walked out of there before the appointment time had official ended. We were totally awesome. =)

I've already found my shoes, so now I'm looking for something borrowed and something old. It's great to be able to check some things off the wedding checklists.

Sorry this was such a long post and I promise I'll do better at keeping things up-to-date on wedding plans and life!

2010

2009-12-30T18:26:00.003-06:00

The year 2009 is coming to close and I'm thinking back to what a year it has been.

Run down of 2009:
Got a new car
Bonnie and I had some fabulous birthdays
Became a Mary Kay Consultant
Family had a great year (Palm Springs trip, Florida, Dallas with Mary Margaret, etc)
Micah Fullerton proposed and I said yes!
Started my 8th year of teaching (Yikes!)
Micah and I attended some fine Razorback football games
Found my wedding dress (2nd one I tried on!)
Fell off the blogging bandwagon, but jumped right back on when I had news!
Micah, Bonnie, and I had a fabulous Christmas card (Thanks Victoria!)
And much, much more.....

Isn't it funny how the year seems to drag on and on and then when we think back on it, we have such a hard time remembering what all went on?

I'm looking forward to 2010. Not only do I turn 20-10 this year, Micah and I are planning our future together. My New Year's decisons for this upcoming year are just that...decisions, not resolutions. I am going to simplify, organize, and eliminate all the extras in my life. I know that I cannot plan a wedding, look to a new life, and be a good teacher/fiancee/daughter/person if I don't get a hold on everything. Being a teacher, I crave routine. I do not do well with change. When I begin to feel stressed out, I shut down physically, emotionaly, everything.

Mary Margaret pointed out that after my "Did you miss me?" post, I didn't blog about anything until the night that Micah and I got engaged. =) I promise to do better in the future. =)

We haven't set a date for our fwedding, but we have made some great progress in the whole wedding planning thing. I have decided (with Micah) our colors (black, silver, celadon--with accents of red), found the dress (2nd one I tried on--more on that story later), and started planning our future life--Micah and I are focused on having a great wedding, but more importantly having a life together. We don't want to spend everything that we have on the wedding and then spend the rest of our life eating ramen noodles on paper plates. =)

I'm going to work tonight on cleaning and taking down Christmas decorations. I usually leave them up until Epiphany, but I figured with cleaning, it will just be easier to take them down now. So, when start back to school on Monday, January 4th (yikes!), the house is clean and ready for the new year.

I'm engaged!!!!

2009-12-04T08:43:00.005-06:00

Last night/early this morning, Micah Cabe Fullerton asked me to be his wife. I, of course, said, "Yes!!!!!!".

When we figure out details, we will let everyone know. As of right now we are so, super excited! (As we totally should be) =)

Above is a picture of the ring. The one on my pinky finger is the wedding band that goes with the ring. I think he did a super fabulous, AMAZING job picking out the most beautiful ring!!!!!

Have you missed me?

2009-08-27T13:38:00.003-05:00

I know, I know! I've been a terrible blogger. I love to check other people's blogs and I always note how often it's been since they've updated. I don't know why it's any of my business, but I do. I often would think, "There's no way I would let myself get behind in my blogging." Never say never!!!! (Also, I should take my own advice in what I tell my kids--"Be concerned about your own business") =) I haven't updated all summer long! It's now the 2nd week of school and I'm just now getting back into the swing of things. I have left everything to the imagination of my readers (all 1 or 2 of them?--maybe no readers!). Well, no longer I say to you! I'm back into my routine, slowly but surely tackling everyday obstacles that come my way.

First off, I had a wonderful, crazy, busy, travel-filled summer! I loved it, however, I'm glad to be back in my routine of school. I try to pack so much into my summer that I'm exhausted by the end of it. I did cross off a lot of stuff on my to do list. I'm still working on my office (used to be known as the office/craft room, but now it's just going to be an office) and guest room. In actuality, I didn't even really tackling those at all. I just let them sit all summer. I did get the guest bathroom done. It looks so good! I will be posting pictures soon (this week) so ya'll can see it. I worked on lesson plans, but we changed our class schedule, so I'm glad I didn't finish my lessons for the year because if I did, then I would have to change them all over again. Whew! So, the things I did cross off were great. I'll also be doing a list of books that I read over the summer. So many great ones!

I did a ton of traveling this summer. I went to Florida, Missouri, Fayetteville, El Dorado, and Dallas. Everytime I saw my new principal at the Primary school I was telling him that I just got back from one place and I'm leaving the next day for another place. Crazy! It was great times and I got to hang out with family and certain sweet man from El Dorado that I just can't help but be crazy about!

I also become an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmestics! That's right! Mary Margaret and I are not only real sisters, but now we're Mary Kay Consultant sisters. We traveled down to Dallas, Texas for Seminar and boy, did we learn a lot! That's a whole other post just to talk about. Loved it! Love Mary Kay! You should check out my Mary Kay website: http://www.marykay.com/jhui .

After my crazy summer, regular life seems kind of boring. =) I'm sure this year holds all sorts of exciting things to come my way. As for right now, I'm glad to be back into the routine!

To Do List for the Summer

2009-06-01T23:19:00.003-05:00

At the beginning of the summer, I like to create a list of goals that I would like to accomplish by the time that summer is over. Some years I do really great and cross off everything, other years I don't do so well.

Well, today was my first official day of SUMMER BREAK, so here is my list of stuff that I would like to accomplish this summer. You will notice that there is a common theme.

(in no particular order)
1. Clean out/Vacuum/Get car back in order I am notorious for having a cluttered car, well, cluttered everything. I was doing really well with my new car--not having it get messy, etc. I live in my car because I am always going and doing something. So, the car got messy.
2.Organize Craft Room (the front bedroom of my house) If I want to get my business underway, then I need to have my room that I can shut the door on everything. Right now I cut things out on top of my bed, I sew at my kitchen table, and I draw/paint/etc. on my couch. I need a room to keep all my things in and a place where I do all my stuff.
3.Organzie Guest Room Luckily, I don't have too many people coming over and wanting to stay in my guest room. (Mainly for the fact that they couldn't sleep on the bed right now because it is covered with stuff.) However, by the end of the summer I'm going to have people knocking down my doors to come stay at my house. I've never really decided on a decorating scheme in that room in all the time that I've lived in my house and this summer I have decided that it is going to be it. It shall be done.
4.Paint and finish redecorating the Guest Bathroom I decorated the guest bathroom with pink, black, and white. Very cute, very girly. I felt bad for Micah everytime he used that bathroom because it is so very girly. By the end of summer, girly it shall be no more. It will be gender neutral, but very fashionable. I'm painting the walls a deep blue--not navy, not bright turquoise. The part I've done so far looks awesome. I am really expecting to do a lot when I return from the beach.
5. Organzie Garage Micah has pointed out to me that my garage is technically a TWO car garage, but right now there is a spot for just Jennifer's car. I plan to change that.
6.Keep track of the books I read this summer I love to read. Have been doing it for forever. I even joked with my Momma that I could have saved a ton of money had they not taught me to read. I wouldn't have had to buy a TON of books. My Momma pointed out that I really would be good for much of anything if I didn't know how to read. She was correct in that point. So, I plan to keep track of what I read this summer. I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised with the amazing amount of books I'll read. We will see.
7.DeClutter House I plan to just try to get rid of things that I'm not using anymore and give it to people that will find it useful. I just have too much stuff around me.
8.Lesson Plans for the Year I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have my lesson plans done for the year. I plan on working on them during the evenings at the beach. It would be wonderful to have them ready just to print off during the year. I may have to tweak them a little bit, but that's totally okay.
9.Calendars for the Year I like to let the parents know what is going on in our classes and calendars are a great way to do that. Problem is, the year gets so crazy that it's hard to create a calendar for each month and keep up with all the things you need to do just everyday. SO, I'm going to work on it now and have them ready. What's that you are thinking? I know, it's BRILLIANT!!!!
10.Spend time with Family and Micah During the school year, I can't leave during the week and weekends are filled with church, so that doesn't leave me much time to go spend with anyone else. Micah has to work throughout the summer, so I plan on going down there as much as I can. I also plan to spend time this summer up in Fayetteville with my family. I was lucky enough to go home over Memorial Day and my sister, Alex, was there. It was so good to see her. Out of all my sisters, I don't get to see her enough because she lives in Knoxville and it's just so hard to fly to Fayetteville or to drive there. So, I did get to see her some this summer and it was so good. My other sisters, Mary Margaret and Victoria, were there, but Mary lives in Fayetteville and Victoria is home from Tulsa for the summer, so I know I'll be able to see them easier than I will be able to see Alex.

This is what I have now. I may add more as the summer progresses. We will see.

I will keep you updated on this list as I go through the summer. Today, I am pleased to announce that I was able to cross off #1. I had my oil changed today and my car dealership washes the cars when they are done, so I knew that I wanted to get the car cleaned out and then after it was washed I could vacuum it. Well, I did clean out the stuff inside there, got the oil changed, vacuumed it, and wiped down the dashboards and stuff. It looks so good. I am very pleased that I was able to do something productive today!

Do you make summer goal lists? What are yours?

Summer Break!

2009-05-30T20:27:00.005-05:00

my view in exactly one week

Today was my first full day of the most wonderful thing a teacher can say......"Summer Break".

This morning I was in Hot Springs for a wedding of one my good college friend's younger sister. They are like family. After I was up and moving around, I went outside to leave and I felt like the starfish character in Finding Nemo when they have the dirty fish tank and then they wake up the next morning and the tank is clean. She says, "The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the tank is clean....". The 'tank is clean' part did not really apply to me, but as I walked outside in the beautiful sunshine and blue sky, I was like, "The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the sky is blue!". Micah was like, "Get in the car."

Just kidding!

He was just as happy about the weather as I was!

The wedding was held at the Anthony Chapel in Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was a beautiful chapel. Earlier in the afternoon we went to the National Park Aquarium. It was cool to see all sorts of fish, turtles, lizards, and insects. I enjoyed it and the whole time I kept telling Micah about how my sister, Mary Margaret, would LOVE it! Next time I go back to Hot Springs I want to go to the Gangster Museum that we passed on the way to the Aquarium. I love learning about Al Capone and the all that kind of stuff. I was thinking what downtown Hot Springs must have been like in that time period. I'm going to have to search for some books about it.

Now, I'm onto to preparing a summer goal list, packing for Destin, and pretty much just relaxing and splitting my time between Conway, El Dorado, and Fayetteville!

I'm also going to use this summer as a time to really get my business up and running. Remember to contact me at jennifer@jennifermaxine.com if you would like something or have an idea of something you would want for yourself or a gift item!

I would love to create it for you!

Blog Giveaway Opportunity

2009-05-27T11:30:00.002-05:00

There is a giveaway opportunity over at the blog for my new little endeavor! Go check it out here. I will list the place to find the master list of all the giveaways!!! There is so many awesome things to try and win! The master list is http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2.

The contests will be open until May 31st!!!!

Great Gift Ideas

2009-05-02T23:23:00.005-05:00

Small Pails--colors, names, quotes can all be personalized to your specifications
Burp Rags--functional and stylish! (Machine washable and dryer friendly)
Large Pail--colors, names, quotes can all be personalized to your specifications

Great gift ideas for baby showers, birthdays, graduation, "just cause", and more!

Check it out at http://www.jennifermaxine.com/.

Okay....here it is!

2009-04-30T12:48:00.000-05:00

I have been working on starting a little side business (like I don't do enough already). I am not at my home computer, so I can't really put any pictures up just yet, but they will be added.

I now have a little website with all sorts of goodies that anyone can buy for their loved ones. I truly enjoy creating each item and I hope it all takes off in a good way!You can find me at www.jennifermaxine.com. Take a moment to look around. I hope to have links up that you can buy directly from the website via paypal.

If you start looking and are super-duper excited about wanting something, just shoot me an email: jennifer@jennifermaxine.com. I will get started on it right away!

Crazy time!

2009-04-28T13:08:00.002-05:00

I swear I have been around for these last 3 weeks, but I have been super busy. I have to deal with Holy Week, Easter, standardized testing, the testing fairy, end-of-the-year countdown for school, taken my best friend's little boy to paint a mother's day gift, thrown a baby shower, and I'm starting a new side business that will be unveiled by the end of the week.
In between all that other stuff, I'm trying to find time to train for my Brown belt test, prepare for our Mother's Day Concert at church, reorganize/clean out my house, spend some special time with Micah, spend special time with my family, spend special time with my Bon-Bon, get ready for summer, hang out with friends, sew, create, sew, and maybe sleep--but that is usually knocked off the list by something else that is 'more important'.
This is the time of year that I love, but I also loathe with a passion. It seems that everything starts piling up on each other and I feel like I'm being pulled in 250 different directions. Part of it is my own fault because I'll admit--I do a lot of things. However, I also know that I can usually hang out for a week not really doing anything and by the end of the week, I'm bored out of my mind. I get that from my father. He has to constantly be doing something.
I don't really like change as much as I should or one would believe that I do. I like to be involved in a lot of activities, but I like to mentally prepare for things that are coming up. Sunday night I usually plan out what is going on that week in my head. I like to think about what I'm doing for the weekend. Usually it involves having to go to a meeting or something like that, but I like to be prepared for it. Change scares me and totally unnerves me. During college, I always called my momma bawling at this time of the year because I felt out of control. I was having to deal with finals, pack up my room, and then figure out what was going on in the summer. Not knowing what's on my agenda of things to do freaks me out. It's hard to convey that to other people because most people are 'normal' about things like this. For me, it's just how I am. I can't explain it.
I get frustrated because I have a million bajillion things I would like to do, but the day just isn't long enough and my body can only survive on a few hours of sleep for just a couple of days. However, I'm taking a deep breath and I am going to continue to climb up the steps in front of the building in Philadelphia and raise my arms in triumph because I can go the distance!

Lia Sophia

2009-04-02T21:24:00.006-05:00

Here are Casey and I after our 1st Half Marathon.

Tonight I had a jewelry party for Lia Sophia jewelry. My Lia Sophia jewelry advisor is my good friend Casey. She and I would get up at 5 a.m. and run back when I was into getting up at 5 a.m. and running. Now it doesn't happen as much as it did back then. Casey and I ran the St. Jude's Half Marathon and the Little Rock Half Marathon. I just adore her and her precious family. They are the best!

She came over tonight and showed me all her pretty goodies. I loved it. It's just like playing dress-up, only better because you can buy it and have it for life. You should check out her site and see what you like. This month there is a great customer special. You buy two pieces at regular price and you get up to 4, yes 4, pieces half off. And here's the kicker, they take your highest priced items as the ones for half off! How totally, completely, freakin', rockin' awesome is that business?!?! I am super excited about it. Check it out Here. Let me know if you like something or I think you can even order at that web address. If not, let me know and I'll get you in touch with Casey.

This week has been the week after Spring Break. It has been great to see the kids again, get back into a routine, and have the next countdown at school be the countdown to the end of the school year. As much fun as it has been getting back to school, I have had the hardest time getting enough sleep this entire week. I have just dragged all week long. I don't have too much planned for this weekend--hopefully there will be some blogging. I will post what I did over Spring Break, including pictures. Oh, and catch up on sleeping.

And one more thing.....I still love Micah Cabe. :)

Date Night

2009-03-24T22:26:00.002-05:00

Micah and I had a date night tonight. Nothing really big--lowkey, but the best, as far as I'm concerned. We went out to eat at Laredo Grill, then Baskin Robins, and then we stopped by our friend's Courtney and Josh's place to see them. They used to live on the other side of Micah's duplex, but since they have both moved to new apartments we don't get to see them very much. It was lots of fun.

Not much is going on this week. I'm on Spring Break and I'm loving it. I slept in very late this morning. I stayed up most of the night because Micah was working nights and I spent the whole evening cutting out burp clothes and blankets for upcoming baby gifts. I am going to sew them when I go up to Big Cedar with my Momma and Sissy.

Tomorrow, Micah and I are going to finish cleaning out his old duplex so he can turn in the key and then we will probably watch a movie. I watched Australia last night. I know it didn't do well at the box office, but I really liked it. Music plays an important part in the story line and I loved that.

Tonight, we also watched the results show of Dancing with the Stars. I love that show. It's good quality television and that's hard to find these days. If you don't watch the show, you should check it out. Right now Micah and I are watching the season finale of Bad Girls Club. We just found this show today and we cannot stop watching it. There was a marathon of this current season because the final was on tonight. If DWTS is quality television, this is the exact opposite. It's crazy, but you can't help but watch it.

Look what I did!

2009-03-16T22:17:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I did not inherit my Grandmom's green thumb at all, though in my heart, I would love to be a great gardener like she was. My Daddy is just as awesome in his ability to grow green things--like he doesn't have enough talents already. My Momma inherited the ability to plant flowers, etc. from my Grandmom and my Sissy is the person that I call whenever I have a question about some plant or tree. She soaked up all my Grandmom's knowledge on the subject of gardening.

Well, tonight I took the first step in landscaping. I've lived at my house for about 6 years now and I haven't once thought about or wanted landscaping. It didn't really bother me. However, I started thinking that it would look pretty and tried to think about what I would do. My Grandmom and Pop-Pop had a forsythia bush at their house and I always loved it. It is just so pretty and springy. I was at Lowe's on Wednesday and they had their forsythia bushes on sale. I bought two of them and planted them in my front yard. My friend, Jamie, helped me design a landscaping plan, but I'm going to have to save some money to complete everything. So, for right now, I have planted my bushes and I pray that they will flourish and do well!

Daffodils at Wye Mountain

2009-03-14T18:28:00.012-05:00

Bonnie Blue's favorite spot--between Micah and me on the couch.

Some daffodils at Wye Mountain

Today Micah and I went to Wye Mountain to the Daffodil Festival. This was my first time to go and I loved it. I adore daffodils. They are my favorite flower. You drive up to Wye Mountain an just when you think you are lost, there you are with a field of flowers. It is great and so beautiful!

We walked around and I took a lot of pictures. Then, Micah and I went to this pottery place called "Doodles for You". I painted a large platter with my signature phrase "whatever!". I had a lot of fun. Micah sat with me for a while, then he ran some errands, and then he came back to get me.

We fixed spaghetti and then had pudding with ice cream for dessert. It was a great day and it will be a quiet night with some of the people I love.

blog vacation

2009-03-04T11:52:00.002-06:00

Without meaning to, I have taken a mini-blogging vacation, a.k.a. I haven't posted in over two weeks. I've been really busy and haven't had that much to discuss. I spent the last weekend with Micah in El Dorado. He is moving to a new apartment, which is always fun to do. He is really excited and I liked it a lot. We went to his brother's house on Saturday and ate lunch with his brother, Reuben, and his dad, James. Just me and the Fullerton men. Reuben and I dominate the conversations. =) We then got out the musical instruments and played some songs. I sang, Reuben played the acoustic guitar, James played the bass guitar, and Micah rocked the drums. This was a talent that I knew he possessed, but I hadn't been allowed to see him play the drums until that day. He did a great job! I loved it. I ended up getting sleepy from our lunch, so I dozed on the couch while the boys continued to play.

The weekend before that Micah came up to Conway and I had testing for my 2nd degree Red belt. I passed my test and I'll test in August for my BROWN BELT AND BLACK GI!!!!! I am so excited about that test. Also, Grandmaster Han will be here for that testing, so he will get to tie my belt on me and I will get to have that honor. It will be so exciting I can't even talk about it. Micah and I went out on a date that Saturday night and saw Gran Turino. I really liked it. It was a deep movie and I was emotional throughout it, but I really thought the direction was great and all of the actors did a good job. We ate dinner at the New China restaurant--the 'Ryan's' of Chinese restaurants.

This weekend I am cleaning out junk and taking it to the flea market AND taking one of my favorite 2nd grader's out for her birthday. Piper is the daughter of my karate instructors and she is just an amazing person. For her birthday we are going out to lunch and then I am making her a reversible skirt. We will see how it all turns out. =)

Quick Trip

2009-02-17T14:30:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I did not have school due to the President's Day holiday. I went up to Fayetteville Sunday night after my 1st church service. I didn't have to sing at 5:30 Mass, so I took advantage of that and a day off and visted my Momma and Daddy. On Sunday, I drove from El Dorado that morning to Little Rock, then Little Rock clear up to Fayetteville. I was tired.

I got to have dinner with JUST my Momma and Daddy and it was delicious. It was a very 'Jennifer' meal and I was telling Micah about it and he was like, "Well, that's a very 'Micah' meal, too. Too bad you can't send some of that down here." I know, it was too bad because it was a great meal. My Momma made some Baked fudge for dessert. SOOOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!

Monday, I got up and Mary Margaret and I visted Angel (Charlie's Mimi) and Charlie. Charlie is my good friend Jessica's little boy. He is just so stinkin' cute. I swear I could eat him, he is so precious. Won't do it though! We played with him for a bit and then went to eat at Mellow Mushroom. Very good pizza. Then, Mary Margaret left us and my Momma and I went to Hancock's, Hobby Lobby, AT&T, and then out to West Fork to see how the little Bungalow is coming along. LOVED IT!

We got back home and then proceeded to move the Nordic Track to my car, so I could take it home with me to start working out more regularly. It was such a chore to get it in there, but we finally made it and then I drove back to Conway. My friend, Colton (from Karate), helped me move it out of my car and get it into the garage.

I'm cleaning out major amounts of stuff to be donated, etc. It is feeling so great to get this stuff out of my house. I'm so excited.

Valentine's Day--Part II

2009-02-14T20:36:00.002-06:00

Micah and I spent a very quiet Valentine's Day with each other. We went to see He's just not that into You. I volunteered to see a scary movie, even though I don't like them, since it was Valentine's Day and Micah LOVES scary movies. Micah insisted that he didn't mind seeing the other movie. I loved it. Totally will buy the DVD.

We went out to eat at Bayou Bistro. We went early because we wanted to avoid the rush. We stopped by Baskin Robbins so I could get some peanut butter and chocolate ice cream and then we went back to Micah's. He had rented The Secret Life of Bees for me. Wonderful movie! Just loved it.

Now, we are just hanging out in our comfy clothes--just a quiet, quiet evening with the two of us and Bonnie Blue.

I couldn't be happier. =)

Valentine's Day--Part 1

2009-02-13T13:25:00.005-06:00

Guess what I got at work today!
Aren't they beautiful?

I'm headed down to El Dorado for St. Valentine's Day weekend and then up to Home for President's day to spend time with the family.

Palm Springs, CA--complete with pictures!

2009-02-07T10:41:00.003-06:00

John giving a little speech at the dinner
Mary Margaret and Hank Azaria--she got the picture, but I was the first one to talk to him and smoothly introduced my mom to him. I also met his very sweet and pretty girlfriend, who is expecting their first baby. Yea for them!

The Hui girls at the Lemonade Stand

Me and Ty

Finn--he has a rockin' hairstyle

Our Bathroom

Our room--forgot to take a picture right after it was cleaned!

My Aunt Linda, Ling, Uncle F.T.

Ling and Pearl arriving at the Parker in their Rock Star bus! She was surprised!

The Lobby at the Parker At Breakfast

My delicious omelet!

One of the pathways around the Parker. Look at the mountains in the background.

It's been FOREVER since I have posted, but now I'm ready. The last couple of weeks have been super busy. This weekend is pretty relaxing, which is great because last weekend I was in PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA.

My cousin, Ling, turned 40 on January 27 and her wonderful husband, John, threw her a wonderful surprise weekend. He started planning back in November and contacted my Momma about getting us all over there to help celebrate. Well, of course, the Hui girls are all about the parties and being places, so we were definitely in. We made our plans and flew out on Friday, January 30. My flight from Little Rock was delayed, so I was moved to a later flight from Dallas to Palm Springs, which meant that I was on the flight from Dallas to Palm Springs. I got off the plane from Little Rock to Dallas just as Alex's flight was getting in from Knoxville. We met up and had breakfast--complete with mimosas because we were on VAY-CAY. Then, the rest of our crew made it into Dallas and they proceeded to eat lunch. We got on our flight and made it to Palm Springs. We were seated back behind the wing, so it was really bumpy and as we landed, I got sick. That has never happened to me before, so it was definitely an experience.

You come out of the airplane, leave the area, then you are in the sunshine, complete with palm trees. It is amazing. There are these huge mountains all around, but they look fake because they are so beautiful. We arrived at THE PARKER. That's right, we stayed at the THE PARKER AT PALM SPRINGS. It was amazing! You arrive and they open your door---all dressed in their pretty white shirts and pink pants. LOVED IT!!!!

We checked in and then Alex and I went to the Lemonade Stand where we had a little snack. Later on in the evening we went to dinner and found my Aunt Linda and Uncle F.T. checking in. We ate dinner with them at Mr. Parker. It was great to have time to catch up with them before everyone else arrived. Saturday we woke up and had breakfast at Norma's. I had this amazing omelet. It was soooooooo delicious. All the girls had Spa appointments and we were also checking when Ling would arrive with her entourage. John had arranged for her High School friends to come and spend the night with her at the Chateau Marmont. Then, they took a party bus from L.A. to Palm Springs. When they arrived, we were waiting for them at the door and she was shocked!

We spent the day at the pool and had a fabulous time playing with Finn, Ty, and Pearl--Ling and John's kids. Later that night we had a private party at Mr. Parker. John had made a couple of videos, one which you can watch right here. The entire evening was just beyond describing. It was filled with love, laughter, and dancing.

We woke up Sunday, ate at Norma's, said good-bye to everyone and flew back to the 'real world'.

This week I have started working on my closet. Pictures and a detailed description of the entire process will be posted later. Today, I'm going to work on St. Valentine's Day cards, etc.

Kate Rocks My World!!!!

2009-01-24T18:07:00.003-06:00

Kate informed that the link wasn't working in the previous post and that I could just copy it from the other blog and post it here. So, I did that and now Kate rocks my world once again!!!!!! She always has, but she rocks it even more!

When observing these pictures, please note that I hung all the hardware in this bathroom. By myself. With no men involved. I rock.

Finished project--doesn't it look lovely!
Before picture--note the messy counters and halfway painted part to inspire me to finish it. It didn't do that.

New car in garage. Note--garage is on list of de-clutter projects

Another picture of the counters--look at how clean they are A before picture! Messy, messy, messy!

Since my wreck, I had been driving a great rental car, an HHR from Chevy. This past Monday (January 19th) I got a new car. It's a RAV4. It is so precious. I absolutely love it!
This past weekend I went down to Micah's (I'm actually down again this weekend), came back to Conway and started to paint my bathroom, and got a new car. It was a busy, tiring weekend.
Here are pictures from my first de-cluttering project. I started with my master bathroom. I do realize that it is the smallest room and area that I could have possibly started with, but it's done and it looks great. I started with painting the bathroom the same color as my bedroom. When I moved in, like 6 years ago, I painted the bedroom before all the furniture was moved in it. I knew I wouldn't get it painted if I didn't do it then. I had every good intention of painting the bathroom at that same time, but never did. A couple of years go by and then I decide I'm going to paint a little bit in the bathroom, so I'll be inspired to finish it. A couple years later, here we are. I wanted to put up a shelf, but I knew I couldn't and really shouldn't put the shelf up unless I finished painting the whole bathroom. So, I decided Sunday that I was going to since we had Monday off from school. I didn't start painting until about 9 p.m. Real smart. I painted for several hours and then woke up Monday morning and painted some more. I needed an angled brush so I could cut in the edges at the walls and baseboards, so I had to go to Wal-Mart Monday afternoon and get that. In between painting on Monday, I picked up my new car, went out to lunch, and had several piano lessons with my students. THEN, I finally went back that evening and finished painting the entire bathroom. It was way past midnight when I was done, but totally worth it.
I didn't really finish cleaning out under the cabinet or decided where I wanted to put everything until Wednesday night after choir practice. I went by Starbucks with my Sissy, whom I was giving a ride in my new car. Then, I went back and got to work. I finally finished everything up on Thursday evening. I had to go to Lowe's and buy a new hand towel ring. I don't really like having a hand towel ring and I was really resistant to getting one, but I realized that I always have a hand towel in my bathroom. I might not like the rings, but I always have a hand towel that deserves to be placed in its correct area.
So, now that this project is completed, let me go over details:
1 can of sage green paint from Sherman Williams
1 new paint brush from Wal-Mart
1 bag of trash collected and thrown out
3 items that will be moved into the guest bathroom with a vast amount of cabinet room2 bags of things given to friends (1 bag-lip glosses, lotion, and perfume samples that kids adore, 1 bag-headbands, hair ties, ponytail holders, stretchy headbands)
1 new towel ring holder
Completely clear countertop
tray containing my "A" items--items that I use everyday and it makes sense that they are out in an 'easy' accessible place
my 'nice' towels placed out in everyday use because I deserve such luxuries. I shouldn't save them for other people. I deserve to use my 'nice' things.
My next project is my master closet. It's going to be major fun to organize in there!

Check it out.

2009-01-24T14:46:00.007-06:00

Car in garage--note: the garage will be a future de-cluttering project. Have no fear!
Before--check out the halfway done paint. That was supposed to inspire me. Note the messy counters and opened drawers.

Ahhh! The finished project! So nice! Note that all the fixtures were hung up by me! All by myself!

I did finish my first de-cluttering project. I will post a before and after picture here, but if you want more details, check out my other blog here. I messed up when I was writing it and didn't realize until the end that I was on the wrong blog. So, I'm going to be lazy and not rewrite it. Really you should go there and look at it because I wrote in detail about the project and it was really cool.

Oh, I also got my new car! It's a RAV4--super cool and I love it.

Jenn---tacular!

2009-01-17T14:31:00.003-06:00

Well, I do believe that my birthday was a spectacular Jenn-tacular celebration. I had a lot of fun and have some of the best friends and family.

I didn't add another update the evening of my birthday. I was at McAlister's, eating with friends, and when I came back to my house, I packed to come down to Micah's. Since the last update at lunchtime on January 15, I went to Price Cutter and got a birthday cake for my After-school choir kids. We had a mini-celebration and the kids loved it. Then, I had some piano lessons after school. I went home and checked my mail and found some birthday cards from my very Momma and Daddy. I had also received some more birthday texts, including one from Charlie and his Mimi, whom I call Angel. I know that Charlie is very smart, but I do have to admit that I was impressed with his texting skills at 9 months old! =) My very Momma sent me three birthday cards. One never fully conveys all the wishes that you would like to send to the birthday recipient. My very Momma had the cards marked in the order that she wanted me to open them. The first one was a very sweet one. Of course, I cried. Then, I opened the second card and it was about how a daughter grows up and even though she has to leave and start her own life, she is always your daughter and her home is always there with her Mom and Dad. You got it, MORE tears. Then, I opened the final card and it was super sweet. This card also contained my birthday present, which was totally awesome. Then, I called my momma and told her how I liked it all---the presentation, the chosen cards, the gift--and how it all made me cry. She almost started crying, but was super happy that I loved it all. I had my final piano lesson of the evening, got some new pink pajamas from those girls. I went to Starbucks and had a Caffe Mocha. I got a call from my Alex and talked to her a bit. Then, I went to McAlister's. The first people to arrive were Jamie and James Paul. Then Keri came with the homemade birthday cake that Shana made. It was super delicious. Carie and Will arrived and Shana came with Reilly and Piper. About halfway during the meal, Colton and Anthony made it in. They had to teach at Greenbrier, so that's why they were late. We ate and opened presents. I got a really cool soap dispenser from Jamie that has a peace sign on it. I loved it! Carie, Will, and Hannah (who was at dance) gave me a steering wheel cover to help me grip it better. Way awesome and totally will use in my new car! Shana, Tom, Keri, Reilly, and Piper all got me a pedicure. I love pedicures. Shana is a major non-clutter person and she knows of my desire to be more like her. She told me that she was going to help me in my process of de-cluttering my house by getting me a present that can be used on myself and did not add to the 'things at my house' pile that is my house.

Yesterday I drove down to El Dorado. I was really nervous and a bit scared to drive past the wreck site. The thing that upset me the most was seeing the two tire streaks on the road where I tried to slam on the brakes and avoid the other person. That was really scary and showed me how far away I was and how I did try to not hit into another car. I knew I had done that, but I got to see physical evidence of it. It was nerve-wracking, but I made it down here. Micah and I had a quiet evening at the house. We went out to lunch today with his dad. James (Micah's dad) had his birthday yesterday, January 16. Just one day off of the best day ever. We may stay in tonight or may go bowling. Who knows? We're wild and crazy people.

On a final note, I received official confirmation on my comps and I did pass everything and am awaiting that big diploma with my name and the letters, MEd after it. Totally awesome!

I pick up my new car on Monday. Pics will follow! Also, I'm tackling my first de-clutter project, my bathroom. It's not as cluttered as it's just not completely done. I need to finish painting the walls and redo some of the pictures in there. I plan on painting tomorrow evening and then finishing it all up on Monday. I will post before and after pictures.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

2009-01-15T08:17:00.004-06:00

Okay, I'm not really as self-centered as it appears when it comes to my birthday. I just LOVE my birthday. My children are either going to love this fact about me or it's going to drive them up a wall. I'm really thinking they are going to like it because I do birthdays up big, so it's a win-win situation for them.

ANYWAYS, I had plans to upload a birthday pic this morning, but I was running late. I'm going to update this post throughout the day to let everyone know what I'm doing this fabulous day.

The birthday festivities and celebrations started last weekend with a birthday gift from my SISSY. I know have completed my collection of the Friends DVD's thanks to her. I was lacking seasons 2,3, and 4, but no more!

Yesterday, I got a gift card to Amazon.com from my friend Patricia, which today, has already been used up by me getting books on my Kindle. I love that thing with a passion.

I also got some birthday cards in the mail. One was from Mary Margaret, whose card informed me that no matter what has changed with me throughout the years (hair, clothes, etc.) one thing has stayed the same. She will always be younger than me. Then, on the back of the card, it informs me that 'I'm no Spring chicken!'. That funny girl! Thanks for the card, Moe!

I also got a card from Victoria, which told me how fabulous I was and I'm on this list of fabulous women, which really just includes Victoria and me. It made me laugh. She also drew a picture of Bonnie and told her hi. Victoria--Bonnie was very touched that you thought of her and says hi back! =)

Then, I got a card from Micah that informed me that not only was I cute, I was hot. I wasn't just hot, I was sizzlin' hot. I'm not just sizzlin' hot, I'm smokin' hot!!! This last part was on the inside of the card and when you opened it up, it had the sound effect of a smoke alarm going off because let's face it, I'm smokin' hot! =) I loved this card!!!!! Thanks so much, Micah! Love you!

Onto today, the actual day of my joyous entry into this world. I got birthday texts from Tom and Shana super early because we all were up very late. Then my first birthday call was from the wonderful Micah Cabe. He had to be at work this morning at 6:30 a.m. Not fun! Then, I got a birthday call from my DADDY! He was on his way to Tumor Board. My Sissy called me next and sang to me. Then, my MOMMA called and sang me not one, not two, but THREE birthday songs!!! I got to sing back-up on them over the phone. Laura, the girl I take to school, and I went to McDonald's for breakfast this morning and it was yummy. I haven't been to McDonald's in over a month--which is huge for me because I just love that place. I know it's not great for you, but I do love it. For lunch I'm going to go to Chick-Fil-A because my great friend, Karen, got me a gift card there. I love Chick-Fil-A. It's going to be an awesome lunch.

I did get myself a birthday present this morning. I got a fabulous Kate Spade organizer. It can be viewed here. It will arrive sometime next week. I cannot wait. It's red and hot pink, which some people feel do not go together. They are totally mistaken.

signing off for now. (8:40 a.m.) More birthday updates to come.

UPDATE (11:35 a.m.) I just ate a fabulous lunch from Chick-fil-a. This afternoon, my 2/3 choir will get to feast on a birthday cake. It will be delicious. I failed to mention my facebook happy wishes earlier. Keri was the 1st person to wish me happies on facebook. Tom was first, but he also was texting, so we are not going to count him. Colton's was funny. He wished me a great birthday--hoping it will be Jenn-----tacular. Hahaha! I love it. I've also had two classes sing me the birthday song, complete with "Cha-cha's". Oh, and it's lightly snowing! How's that for a birthday present? I'm thinking it's from Grandmom and Pop-pop because it's pretty to look at, but it's not messing up the roads. They know that I do NOT like that!

More to come throughout the day.

Countdown

2009-01-14T13:01:00.001-06:00

It is exactly 10 hours and 58 minutes until my birthday. I cannot wait!

5 days and counting

2009-01-10T00:01:00.006-06:00

Picture from a Festivus party hosted by Tom, Shana, Reilly, and Piper

It's now 5 days until my birthday. I've been a bit subdued about the birthday celebration because I've been getting over the wreck and dealing with insurance stuff, etc. However, I'm starting to feel like myself again, which means 5 DAYS UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Getting back to work was lots of fun this week. I had a great time seeing all the kids. Tonight, I took Reilly and Piper out to the Homecoming game and we had a lot of fun. Reilly and Piper are the daughters of my Karate instructors, Tom and Shana, and they are just the best. The whole family is awesome. Totally great. The best people to hang out with. We had a lot of fun hanging out and good times were had by all.

Tomorrow I'm going to go meet with my knitting friends and catch up with them. I'm also going to start a new de-cluttering program thing. I have a problem with clutter. It's not all over my house, but certain rooms are more cluttered than others. It's a new thing I wanted to do this year--not necessarily a resolution, but a lifestyle change because I realized as I get older and start a family--they are going to need some of their own room to put there own stuff. This is going to be an ongoing project complete with before and after pictures. NOTE: I'm willing to bare my soul to all who read this fabulous narrative of my life. This is huge. Prepared to be dazzled by my de-cluttering skills. Project details coming soon.

Break

2009-01-04T22:48:00.002-06:00

Everyone is blogging about how it is time to get back to the old routine of everyday life. I am excited and sad about going to back to work. It is always so much fun to see the children after our long break and see how they have changed and what all has been going on with them. I'm a little sad because it means that I'm back to my old routine without a break.

This break was really a good break despite the whole wreck. Even that was really sort-of a good thing because it forced me to sit and relax for several days. I don't do that very well. Micah came up from El Dorado to take care of me and we got to have some really good, quality time together. I mostly napped on the couch or read some things on my Kindle while he watched the numerous bowl games on the television.

Bonnie is doing a bit better. She had me worried a couple of days after the wreck because she was being so quiet and would make a face when she was moving. I would ask Micah if he thought she was all right and he would say, "You know how you are feeling--she's probably feeling that 10x worse because she is so small." So, she has been very spoiled the last couple of days. I'll hold her all day and I've made her some special treats so that she will be excited to eat. It's totally been working.

It's now only 11 days until my birthday--almost 10 days. It's crazy to think that I will be 29 years old.

Countdown---T-minus 13 days

2009-01-02T16:08:00.001-06:00

It's officially time for the countdown to my birthday. It's only 13 days away. Can you stand the excitement? I can't!

2009

2008-12-31T19:55:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful year in 2009. I'm super excited about it.

I also want to wish a belated Happy 30th Anniversary to my Momma and Daddy! Yesterday, December 30, was their 30th wedding anniversary. I know it was so great to spend part of it worrying about me and my wreck. They are an amazing example of what a wonderful marriage should be like. I only wish that I can be so lucky in my marriage. You both are the best and I love you very much!!!!!

I'll be back later with pics of Micah and me chilling at the house since I can't really move around and do anything else. Also, I'm going to decide what I'm going to try to accomplish this year and think about what I accomplished in 2008.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Blessed

2008-12-30T21:14:00.003-06:00

As the year ends, people are looking back on 2008 and thinking what went well and what they are thankful for. Today I am thankful to be alive.

I was in a really bad car wreck this afternoon going down to El Dorado to spend New Year's with Micah. I got up this morning and cleaned out my car, which those of you who know me well, know that that was a HUGE undertaking. I washed my car, vacummed it, and was super excited about going down there. Well, God had other plans for me.

Anytime I get on the highway, I always say a little prayer that God will watch over me and protect me no matter what and to help me get to my destination safely. He did that in a way. I made it back to Conway safely this evening, had my faith restored in the kindness in strangers, and just am so thankful that he was protecting me.

I"m okay and the other person is okay. It happened on a stretch of highway where they are changing the two lane into four lanes and a wreck pretty much happens there daily. I saw the other person at the hospital later this afternoon and since he hit his head, they are going to keep him overnight for observation, but I think he will be all right. Say an extra prayer for him, also.

I was in East End, which is about 20 miles north of Sheridan. I didn't know anyone and if it were not for this angel named Jana, I don't know what I would have done. Both my airbags deployed, my front bumper was about halfway under my hood, my windshield cracked, everything in the back ended up in the front, and Bonnie, who rides up on my shoulder, had fallen down onto my chest. I know that that is not the safest place for her at all, but the vet that examined her told me that it probably saved her life because she would have been squashed or thrown in the car or her carrier would have be thrown. I am all right except for lots of bruises on my stomach and chest. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!!!! I have a bruise line where my seatbelt was and if I had not been wearing it, who knows what would have happened.

I did go to the hospital and got some chest x-rays, but they were all clear. I did not go until I knew my dog was all right, which is not very smart, but it's how I was thinking. This angel, Jana, stopped to check on me and stayed with me when she realized that everyone close to me was way out of town. She held Bonnie when I talked to the police, she found me a vet and drove me there, and then she drove me to Baptist to the E.R. She is also a teacher and was like, "We teachers have to take care of each other". Just a wonderful, wonderful saint. It really gives you hope for the world and reminds you what is important in life. I only hope that one day I can help someone else just as much as she helped. This little girl who was with Jana told my friend Jamie when she got to the hospital that Santa was really great to her this Christmas and Jesus was really great to her friend Jennifer (me) just now. She was so happy that they were there to be saviors for me. This lady will forever be on my Christmas card list and you can be darn sure that she is going to be getting a sweet thank-you and something special that I will make for her. It also goes to show how much strangers can teach each other and how that little girl learned that you can really touch someone's life. She loved Bonnie by the way and kept wanting to hold her.

All is well and remember that God is good, all the time! Say an extra prayer of thanks to your guardian angel tonight!

Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!

2008-12-29T16:59:00.004-06:00

Today is the 1 year anniversary of Micah's and my first date. I'm not really sure if I wrote that grammatically correct, so if I didn't--I'm soooo sorry!

Last year at this time, I was nervously getting ready to go to Mike's Place and meet up with Mr. Micah Cabe Fullerton. He was already in Conway, having driven up from El Dorado and already visited Conway's Best Buy. Best Buy is his favorite store. ever.

We met for dinner and had a great time. I, of course, talked a lot. Micah, of course, was a great listener. I had the gulf shrimp and I think that Micah ate the pork chops. This would be the point that my sisters would be rolling their eyes at the fact that I still remember this.

When we got done with dinner I was like, "Okay, lots of fun hanging out with you!" and Micah was all, "Well, we don't have to be done right now. We could hang out and do something else." I said, "Well, Conway doesn't really have a nightlife scene." He said, "We could see a movie". So, off we went to see I am Legend.

I didn't tell Micah that I already knew what happens in the movie because Victoria had told me. I was glad that I knew already because I was kind-of scared. We got done with the movie and then we left. Micah asked if I wanted to hang out again and I was like, "Totally! It was really awesome." He left thinking, "Totally? Does that mean she had a good time?" Ha-ha!

Turns out I did because here we are 1 year later!

Pictures

2008-12-28T21:54:00.008-06:00

Christmas Tree 2008

Micah with his "Yooooouk!" shirt

Micah opening his Old Navy pants

Me with some of my presents from Micah--not pictured Friends DVD and a blue scarf

I'm going to have to rely on other family members for pictures from the family Christmas because I did not think to take pictures at all. At least I'm getting some of these pictures uploaded now since Blogger is being semi-cooperative.

Christmas

2008-12-27T23:22:00.006-06:00

Close-up of ice from the ice storm
My Driveway and street

View of my house

I hope everyone had a wonderful, happy Christmas! I had the best Christmas ever!

I sang at 4 p.m. Mass and then had Midnight Mass. Micah came up in between the two masses and then we went to Midnight Mass together so I could sing. When we got back, we opened presents and then on Christmas morning we drove up to my Mom and Dad's house for Christmas festivities up there.

When we arrived we opened presents right away. I got a Kindle!!!!!!! Jeal-ous?!?! I'm super excited about it. It can store tons of books and it's really awesome and totally recommended by Oprah. For a big reader like me, it's an awesome gift. My sis Alex got me the Pride and Prejudice disc set. I'm soooooo excited about that! Me and Mr. Darcy! Yea! Mary Margaret got me some fabulous Mary Kay products. If you are in need of Mary Kay stuff--talk to MM--she will hook you up! Victoria got me a "J" koozie and some very pretty chopsticks.

Micah's presents were super awesome. I couldn't wait anymore to open them, so when we got back at 2 a.m. after Midnight Mass, we got to open presents. I got two gorgeous scarves, 2 fabulous big purses, some pretty earrings, and the first season of Friends DVD disc set. My sisters and I are obsessed with Friends and pretty much quote it all the time. I know have seasons 1, 5,6,7, 8, 9, and 10. I'm almost there to a full series. I love it. I got Micah a Razorback hoodie (I let him open it early, since I got the tickets to the Christmas Spectacular), a "Yoooouk! can do it shirt" (he is a big Boston Red Sox fan), 3 pairs of flannel Old Navy pants, and Fallout 3. He is super pumped about the pants and Fallout 3--I know he loved all his gifts though!

Micah and I came back to Conway on Saturday. Friday night we went out to Grub's to meet up with my old High School buddies. It was great to see everyone! Saturday we went shopping up at Pinnacle after the horrible storms moved through and we ate a bite at P.F. Chang's.

Blogger is being difficult, so I'm having trouble uploading some pics. I was able to post some from the ice storm we had a couple of weeks ago.

Baby it's cold outside!

2008-12-22T08:49:00.002-06:00

As I'm writing this it is 14 degrees outside! I know that it's much colder in other parts of the state and world, but that's pretty darn cold!

I cannot wait until Christmas. It's only 3 days away!!!!!! I'm excited about seeing my family and friends over the holiday, but I'm also really excited about opening my gifts. I've had 4 gifts from Micah under my Christmas tree since Thanksgiving and I have not been allowed to open any of the presents. I haven't even peeked! It's been driving me bananas not to open them, but I can be patient for 3 more days.

Part of my Christmas present came on Thursday when we went to go see the Christmas Spectacular presented by the Rockettes. It was FABULOUS!
Our seats were amazing and we had the best time. Seriously, I was grinning like a little kid the entire performance. I told Micah it was the best Christmas gift ever! He told me to wait before I made that distinction because I haven't opened my other gifts under the Christmas tree.

I also found my camera cord, so am now able to post pics from my camera. Hallelujah! I'm also going to post some pics from the ice day that we had last week. It made that last week of school totally awesome in that it didn't last very long. We came back Thursday--had Christmas parties, came back Friday--left at 1 p.m. I loved it!

Micah and I will be spending Christmas with my family up in Fayetteville. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Jeal-ous?!?

2008-12-16T20:02:00.000-06:00

I have another SNOW DAY.

Ode to a Snow Day

2008-12-15T18:24:00.002-06:00

This time of the year is wonderful because we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and it's a great time for families to get together. However, this time of the year also is wonderful because it means that there is a chance of the coolest thing ever. A SNOW DAY!!!!!!!

I realize that as a teacher, I am not really supposed to have this love of the SNOW DAY. Perhaps it is because the already crazy students will be even wilder when they come back, since they are shaken from their routine. Maybe it's because we will have to 'make-up' this day in May or June. Or it could be because I'm supposed to be an adult and not love things like a SNOW DAY.

Well.

I totally am excited because we have a SNOW DAY on December 16th!!!!!!!! I know that we get out for Christmas break this Friday at 1:00 p.m, but I really wanted a break for just one day. I'm going to sleep in and then lay around in my bed for a while. Then, I'm going to get up and organize things, wrap Christmas presents, and just relax. Also, they called school off at 6:00 p.m. tonight, so I don't have to stay up, watching for my school's name scrolling across the bottom of the t.v. screen, just for that tiny flare of joy at realizing that I don't have to go into school tomorrow.

A SNOW DAY. Utter and complete bliss.

Let me count my blessings!

2008-12-13T22:40:00.002-06:00

As we near towards Christmas, I'm tempted to count my blessings. I am always aware of my blessings, but Christmas is a totally appropriate time to count these blessings. I don't think it's fair to be this happy, but as this is a time that has brought some sad memories, I'll take being really happy this year. The last several years have been kind of hard at the holidays because we lost my wonderful Grandmom and Pop-Pop. I know that they are happy in heaven, but it's made the last couple of holidays kind of sad because we all miss them so much. This year it seems to be better for me. I'm sad, but I'm also excited about the holidays and all the glory that goes with it. Here are some of my blessings:

My family. I don't think you could ask for a better family. I love my Momma and Daddy sooooooooo much. They have taught me how to be me and they have done a rockin' job at it. My sisters are the absolute best. I don't think I could come up with words to describe how much they mean to me. My Sissy---who else would I want to spend every Sunday with?!? My family in general just completes rocks my world to no end.
Micah. He is just the most wonderful person in my life. We met right about this time last year and this past year has been beyond describing. He's so great and makes me so happy. P.S. I already got some of my Christmas present and it's two tickets to see the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes next Thursday. How totally completely wonderful and awesome is that? Plus, he laughed when I got the tickets and (jokingly!) said, "Wow! I wonder who I'll pick to take with me!" Of course, Micah and I are going. =)
My faith. I do spend every Sunday at two Masses and it does make my weekends kind of busy. However, if I didn't have that in my life, I imagine it would be hard to make it through the week. The weekends that I don't have two Masses don't really seem complete. I am just happy and blessed by my faith.
My friends. I have pretty awesome friends. I have ones that I've been friends with since Junior High and some that I've made from working. I also have some that my Mom pays them to be my friend. Just kidding! I do have awesome friends. It doesn't matter how often I talk to them or maybe not so often if they live out of state or even out of the country, we seem to just pick up right where we left off. My friends are awesome. P.S. I'll see some of you at Grubs on December 26th at 9 p.m.!
My job and students. I am truly happy at what I do. Even on the days that I'm tired and it's a bit difficult, I love it. My students rock. They are the best. Even at this time of the year when they are bouncing off the walls because they are sooooo excited. They always make me smile.
My pets. I have two cats, Serendipity and Bloomsbury, and a dog, Bonnie Blue. I love those animals so much. They are so funny. Bonnie is totally smaller than the cats, but she doesn't realize it and wrestles with them all the time.
Little things in life. It doesn't seem like much, but it can be that little thing that makes you smile. I always try to find something to be positive about every day. I was told last night that even my handwriting is happy. This person said that they felt like they should be happier just looking at it and they decided that they were. It may not be a big thing to most, but to me it made me smile.

I know there are more to list, but for right now, these come to mind. It's great time of year to be with your family and to do family traditions and make memories. I am going to try and make it through this last week of school before our holiday break and then we can all start preparing for one of the best days ever. January 15th. =)

Where, oh, where art thou, Camera cord?

2008-12-04T20:15:00.003-06:00

I can't upload pictures because I cannot find my camera cord. It's way upsetting. Maybe this weekend I can find it.

Right now, though, I'm not too bothered because I am watching The Santa Clause. I'm so loving holiday movies. I went to Target and got Elf and then a two disc set of It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas.

This weekend is all about holiday cooking, so if you are in the Conway area, stop by. I'll have holiday goodies to munch on.

Not much is happening in life right now. We are just trying to get through school to the holiday break. Students are bouncing off the walls and I am singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in my sleep.

I wouldn't trade it for the world though.

Thanksgiving Feast

2008-11-27T10:30:00.002-06:00

I'm up at my Mom and Dad's and we have a full house. All of my sisters and I are home for the holiday and my aunt is here also. Adding to that mix is Micah, Joe--Alex's friend, Jodie--Mary's friend (just coming for dinner), Dinah--Alex's cat, and my precious Bonnie Blue. We have been up since the early morning hours (9 a.m. for me) cooking and getting ready. We are also going to take our Christmas card picture at West Fork, then onto eating around 3 p.m. We are going to have a lot of great stuff. Most of us came in yesterday and my Momma cooked some great Ham soup. I made some bread and both loaves were inhaled by everyone. Today I made the chocolate pie and then I'm going to make some green bean bundles that my friend Jamie told me how to make them. They are going to be delicious. We are having turkey, ham, duck, oyster dressing, horseradish cranberry sauce, regular cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, green bean bundles, sweet potatoes, sourdough bread, rice, chocolate pie, pumpkin pie, hummingbird cake, chocolate pecan pie, and custard pie. I'll post pics later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Check it out

2008-11-22T21:42:00.002-06:00

Go check out Hui's Joys and see my cool turkey place card for the THANKSGIVING FEAST.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2008-11-22T09:53:00.003-06:00

I've started the wonderful process of decorating for Christmas by changing the background on my blog. I love the colors on this one and I like the "Ho, ho, ho!". One of my best friends, Jamie, has the sweetest little boy--James Paul. When James Paul was little, we tried to come up with a great little 'name' for me, since I would be major important in his life. (wink) Jamie calls me 'Jenni H' and we tried and tried to have James Paul say that. The only sound we could get him to make was "Ho". Thus, my name became "Ho-Ho". It was pretty funny when we went to Walgreen's right after this naming and James Paul yelled up and down the aisles for "Ho-Ho". Then, when I would appear, he would say, "Ho-Ho!" with a great, big smile. The name has stuck and James Paul even knows when his mom talks about her friend, Jennifer, that that is his "Ho-Ho". He is super smart. ;)

Next weekend, I'm going to decorate the house for Christmas. I am going to 'clean out' some of the decorations I don't use and either give them away or take them up to school and decorate with them there. I am going to take my huge tree and my white Christmas tree up to my rooms at school. Then, Micah is going to let me have his Christmas tree and so I'll decorate that! I'm going to find my camera cord, so I will take pics and then post them.

Sundays with Sissy

2008-11-16T20:08:00.004-06:00

Every Sunday I sing at Mass at 12:05 and 5:30 p.m. In between Masses, I hang out with my Sissy. My Sissy is my aunt, but she is also one of my BEST friends. She is my Mom's younger sister and I'm so glad that we live close to each other. Usually we hang out at her house, but today we went out to eat at Outback Steakhouse and then shopping for holiday crafts. Our plans were reversed because Outback does not open until 3 p.m. So, being the ever easy-going people we are, we went holiday shopping and then out to eat. We went to Michael's Arts and Crafts store, Hallmark, and then Tuesday Morning. We had a blast and worked up quite an appetite for our mid-day meal at Outback.

Here is a pic of all my booty that I scored today. Totally awesome!

Sorry for the poor pic quality--had to take with cell b/c I couldn't find my cord to transfer pics from the camera to the computer.

Deck the Halls with.........

2008-11-14T12:56:00.004-06:00

Okay. I have issues with people who like to push the holidays, namely the whole shopping industry. It was the Friday before HALLOWEEN and there were CHRISTMAS decorations up all around the stores. Before a holiday even arrives, it's already been cast aside for the next upcoming attraction. When I was heading to my house last night, I noticed a house in my neighborhood that had their Christmas lights turned on and their manger out front. It was a beautiful sight, however, Thanksgiving is not for another couple of weeks.

Well, despite all this griping, I think I'm going to join these early greeters of the Holidays and join in the Holiday fun. Is that bad? I plan to get my Christmas tree next week. Micah is letting me have his and we are going to decorate it at my house over Thanksgiving break. We are spending Thanksgiving with my parents, sisters, and Sissy, but once we get back to Conway--Christmas decorating will commence. I'm almost done with my shopping and I'm way excited about my gifts this year.

I will refrain from posting any pics of Christmas gifts, lest someone tries to see what Santa is bringing this year. However, most will be made by my own two hands! So, while the weather outside is not frightful and it's too hot to have a fire, know that the Christams spirit is stirring in my soul.

Tonight I have a date with wonderful Micah. Could life get any better?

Beat It

2008-11-11T18:50:00.003-06:00

I know we all have songs that we hear and we are taken back to the first time we heard that song, etc., etc. I had a total trip down memory lane the other night. I was driving along in my car and all of sudden "Beat It" came on. Well, if you are like me, then you immediately think back to the 2nd grade and start doing your France Stokes dance. I loved that routine. I have had several memory flashes with other songs--Mony, Mony, Hippy-Hippy Shake, Pumps and a Bump (remember that one Kate?), Wild, Wild West, the list goes on and on. I cannot wait until I have kids and I can put them in dance and then I can tell stories about when their Momma, all their aunts, and Momma-Momma were in dance and how we rocked it!

Whew!

2008-11-07T19:00:00.003-06:00

What a week! My second graders put on a play yesterday, "A Barnyard Moosical". It was a hit! They were the cutest grade and everyone raved and raved about it. I will let you know when we go on tour.

Tonight, I am vegging at my house. I am watching Sex and the City--the movie and am cleaning up various things from around the house. I have changed my Halloween decorations to pumpkins, turkeys, and pilgrims--oh my.

Not very exciting, but I'm still content for the moment. Later this evening, my Micah will call to check on me and see how my day was and then my whole day will be complete.

I love.....

2008-10-29T21:35:00.002-05:00

I haven't been doing a great job of updating because life is getting hectic. I seem to have something every night and every weekend. However, I did have a really funny story to share about one of my students. I have a student in my Kindergarten/First grade choir that wrote me a note. I asked him what the note said and he replied, "I love Mrs. Hui." I didn't feel it was right to correct a Kindergartener about the fact that I'm "Ms. Hui", not "Mrs. Hui", but what got me was what he actually wrote on the paper. When you look at it, it reads, "I love Mrs. Hoe".

P.S. I'm keeping it and framing it. Cracks me up everytime I look at it.
P.P.S. I love my Micah! =)

Sisters

2008-10-21T21:54:00.007-05:00

My sweet Mary Margaret! She is so precious! You can't believe a package this cute is so smart!
My favorite Victoria--she has such a pretty smile! Maybe she's smiling because she is very intelligent!

My beautiful and intelligent Alexandra!

I would like to take this time to thank all my sisters for being the best friends in the world. They will read this post (if they are checking it) and think, "That's sweet, Jenn, but really, really cheesy!".
My sisters are wonderful and are some of the most important people to me. I don't think my life would be the same if I didn't have them.

Thanks Mom and Dad for having all of them!

Tomorrow is Victoria's 18th birthday. I can't believe that my baby sister is 18 years old. She is so mature and I am very proud of her. I still remember the day that she was born and getting to hold her for the first time. I have special memories of all my sisters--I remember reading to Alex when we were little and I used to dance over Mary's cradle to wake her up so I could hold her and play with her. All of my sisters are special and they are the best in the world.

Happy Birthday, Victoria!!!!!!!

Game 6

2008-10-16T23:16:00.004-05:00

Okay.....I should be sleeping, but I'm watching the Red Sox stay alive for upcoming Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays. How crazy! If anyone would have predicted that I would be watching something like this and could actually follow along---well, I would have lost money on that bet.

Thanks to my Micah, I'm watching the Red Sox and am soooooo happy that they came back from 7-0 to win 7-8! How totally awesome is that? The answer is--WAY AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I'm glad that my Micah is super, duper happy now!

Jennifer and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad--well, maybe not so bad day

2008-10-16T13:05:00.004-05:00

This morning
Now

This morning I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. One of my preschoolers told me yesterday, when she arrived grumpy at my class, "I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of my mat!" It was very cloudy, slightly drizzling, and cooler. I don't mind the cooler temps--in fact, adore them, but the rest of the weather was not great. I woke up very early to do some cooking. We have a couple of potlucks coming up for school and so I was getting a head start on my cooking. I didn't sleep well the night before. My mind was racing, full of what-ifs and planning on the future of all sorts of things. It's very hard to sleep at night with full brain and lots of questions. I am the type of person that likes to know what to expect. It may not happen for "years and years", as my Pop-pop used to say, but I still like to be privy to any inside knowledge. However, I know that God is trying to tell me that I have to be patient for whatever treasures await for me in life. I'm the world's worst at spoiling a present or any surprise treat that I may have gotten for someone because I want them to know about it right away. That kind of defeats the purpose of a surprise. =)

So, all this was on my mind last night and I woke up kind of grumpy. Then, my mom wasn't feeling well and I never like that, so that just added to the day. But now it's 1:15 p.m. and the sun is shining. I have had some great classes today with wonderful students who have made me laughed. And now I think, I don't have to plan everything out. I can take things as they come--I can just roll with the flow. And now I think it's NOT a terrible, horrible, no good, very day!

Whew!

2008-10-13T21:51:00.003-05:00

Micah and I at the event

It's been a while since I last blogged, so here I am. I had a busy week, followed by a busier weekend, complicated by the fact that ragweed decided to do whatever it does in full force, therefore escalating my allergies.

Friday I took a personal day and went to see my dad model. That's right, model. He was one of the GENTLEMEN of DISTINCTION for the Hope fundraiser. It was so great. The cause is a wonderful one--Helping Oncology Patients Excel. My dad was the cutest one up there. The best moment was when he and the other model decided to dance at the end of the runway. My dad has a lot of talents, but dancing is not one of his bests. Well, he broke out some new moves Friday night and they were so great--almost M.C. Hammer worthy. (Not really, but the effort and energy were amazing!)

Micah and I came back to Conway on Saturday and watched football. I also did some routine chores around the house. I went out and celebrated Jamie's birthday. We had lots of fun. I had to bail out early due to allergy sickness, but we had a blast.

Sunday I cooked Sarah Lehren Greer's fabulous Chicken Dumpling recipe. Super Yummy! I sent the leftovers back with Micah since he loved them so much.

Tonight I made myself some chili. I wish it was a bit colder outside, but I was in the mood for chili. Bonnie was sneaky and licked my bowl a little when I was done, so now her mouth is stained a nice red color.

This weekend will be a busy one--my mom and I are going to have a sleepover this Saturday--and this week I'm working on some house projects. Hopefully, I can post some finished product pics later!

Cha-Cha Slide

2008-10-07T21:57:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday, Radio Disney stopped by our school to host two assemblies. One was for our Elementary students and the other was for our Primary students. Some might have grumbled at the fact that the teachers had to attend the assembly and participate. I was not one of those grumblers. I was right in the middle of the kids, doing all the dances. Surprisingly or sadly, I knew all of them and even received a couple of compliments from the Radio Disney people themselves. They are promoting their new thing of "5 different activities for 5 minutes and all 5 food groups" during the day. It made exercise fun for these kids and not scary at all.

When the assembly began, I sat in the back so I could keep an eye on everyone, however, that soon changed whenever they would have us dance. I ran up to the front and got in the middle of the students and we all had a blast. We did the Cha-Cha Slide, the Chicken Dance, the Step, and then we jammed to "Camp Rock". It was so cool. (wink) Honestly, I did have a lot of fun!

At the Primary, we did the Cha-Cha Slide and Chicken Dance. Then, we did some of the best dances! There was a silly dance and the kids loved it. I cannot wait until I have kids and we will dance around all the time. Those of you who have younger kids (or no kids) probably don't listen to Radio Disney all the time, but it is really fun for children to listen to. It's music that they like and you don't have to worry about it being inappropriate or vulgar. It's a great thing!

One thing I do marvel at, is the fact that some students cannot remember that 2 + 2 = 4, but put on a Jonas Brothers song or Hannah Montana and step back! They will blow you over by singing ALL of the lyrics perfectly! Amazing!

Baking

2008-10-03T00:44:00.005-05:00

More awesome homemade bread
Layered cake from scratch and homemade icing

Tonight, I baked a layered cake from scratch. I also made the icing from scratch. It looks delicious! I tasted some of the scraps and I can't wait for the whole thing. I made it in honor of REILLY. She won school secretary for our Student Council.

She and her family are involved with Karate and they are so dear to me. We are having a Congratulatory party for her tomorrow night.
I made some more bread and again, it is fabulous. My aunt gave me a wire rack and it totally rocks. I included pics, but they are not the best quality since I took them on my phone, but they will do.

I'm loving baking and being all homemaker-y. Not quite sure if that's a word, but I just used it. I'm going to make some mittens for the family that bought my scarf and hat at our Teacher Auction tonight. They paid a pretty penny for it and so I'm throwing in some hand-made mittens.
Totally awesome!

Tomorrow night I'm making a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for my friend Jamie. Her birthday is next Wednesday, so we are starting the festivities this weekend and will continue until the next weekend.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!

OCTOBER / ROTHTOBER

2008-09-30T22:06:00.003-05:00

I love Fall! I think it is the start to all things that are wonderful. It's leading up to the great holidays and then after all the holidays--my birthday, which we are dubbing "Jen-tacular" this year and each year after.

October is the time during the school year that the students have settled into the routine of school, football season has started, the weather changes, lots of birthdays are celebrated, and we begin to think about upcoming holidays.

My family is big on traditions and we are very close. October would not be October without an email from my Sissy wishing us a "Happy Rothtober" in honor of David Lee Roth. Then I get to prepare for the upcoming birthdays--my Sissy's, Jamie's, Victoria's. THEN, we get Halloween and the start of November with All Saints Day and the countdown to Thanksgiving begins.

I love that time of year because my family always gets together and it's so great. I cannot describe all the wonderful memories we have together.

October is also a bittersweet month because my Pop-Pop's birthday is in October. He was one of the coolest person I've ever known. He amazed me with the amount of knowledge that he possessed and he was the sweetest person ever. He loved the Three Stooges and Babe Ruth. I miss him every day.

This weekend we have our annual choir fundraiser "Spaghetti Serenade". If you are in the Little Rock area and want to have some good spaghetti and great entertainment, come by to the Cathedral of St. Andrew. It's on Saturday night, McDonald Hall, 5:30 p.m. You won't be disappointed. I'm doing a lovely little number from "Mamma Mia".

I'm free this weekend, so I will finish decorating for Autumn and post pics.

Weekend Fun

2008-09-27T20:52:00.004-05:00

2 loaves of homemade bread
new handmade hat in Razorback red
Micah and Bill--who I think is hilarious!
Me using my new mixer

This weekend I went and met some of Micah's longtime friends. We had a great time hanging out. Unfortunately, it was not a great time watching the football game. We hung out at Bill and Crystal's house and had a lots of fun. I got to hear great stories of when they were in high school and younger grades.

Last night I sang at a Mass for the Ladies of Charity. It is a group that was started by St. Vincent de Paul. It was really great and I'm excited about joining. Yesterday was the initiation Mass for those who have already decided to join. I'm still thinking and praying about it, but I am pretty sure I will join.

I'm also finishing up and begining new knitting projects. Christmas is coming up in several months and I need to start now if I'm knitting things. Plus, there are several projects and gifts I need to finish now. This hat that I knitted is a fast and easy knit and looks like something you would get at Anthropologie or something. I love it.

Homemade Bread

2008-09-26T11:51:00.002-05:00

Last night I was doing some chores around the house and getting ready for the weekend festivities. Micah and I are going to his friend Bill's house and we are going to watch the game with his family and some of Bill and Micah's friends. I made cupcakes in ice creams, circa 1988. That was THE dessert to have at your birthday party. I decided if I made the cupcakes now, then I could ice them on Saturday and they would be perfectly cooled. So, whilst I was making cupcakes (and totally using my new handheld mixer!), I decided I was going to try this bread recipe I found on the internet. Yes, I typed bread recipe. I made homemade bread from scratch. I did not use a bread maker. I mixed the yeast and let it get frothy and then added the flour and and set it to rise for about an hour. Then, I got to punch the dough and hear the air escape. That made me really happy because it meant that I did it right. I did a little happy dance in my kitchen. I know my Grandmom is super proud of me. Her mom, Granny Hall, would have declared that it was from her side of the family. I divided the dough into two bread pans and I made sure not to tear it when I divided it. I felt very talented. Then, I let the bread rise for another 30 minutes and then I watched it bake. I sat in the floor of my kitchen, with the oven light on, and watched this totally great bread rise and bake. When it was done, I cut a piece of the bread and it was delicious! I had some for breakfast this morning--covered with strawberry jam and butter. It's what we have for breakfast whenever my momma makes bread.

So, now I'm pretty pleased with my baking skills. They are improving daily by great leaps and bounds. Next thing you know, I'll start a garden. Wouldn't that be something!

How sweet it is!

2008-09-23T20:27:00.010-05:00

I realize that I've been missing pictures from my blog the last couple of times that I have posted a new entry. I do have some pictures for this post. But first, I need to sing the praises of someone really special.

I came in from a day of hard work shaping our future to find a special treat on my dining room table. It is a NEW hand-held mixer. I had one that I had gotten from my very momma, but sadly, it is no longer with us. Never mind that the mixer was about 40 years old. Well, I relayed this sad tale to Micah one night over the phone several weeks ago. Maybe even a month ago. Today, I come back to my house to find this great gift sitting on the table. I cannot wait to bake something with it. I will definitely post photos of treats that I will be making soon. So, a huge thank you to my sweet MICAH for making my heart so happy. Please note the pink bow on top of the mixer box.

On another note, I am posting a bulletin board that my talented first-graders made. We read "There was Old Lady who swallowed a fly". The students created a new item for the lady to swallow. I think the end result is totally awesome and soooooooo precious! That old lady is pretty darn cute!

I'm also including some pictures of the baby shower we did for my friend Mandy. Her baby is supposed to arrive this Friday! I cannot wait to meet Baby Keaton. I'll post pictures of him whenever he arrives.

Finally, my allergies are calming down a bit, thanks to my allergy shots and Benadryl. Gotta love it!

Allergies

2008-09-20T16:53:00.003-05:00

Today I was supposed to be watching some friends get their black belts in karate. I was all set and so excited about it. As I went to sleep last night, I had a sinus headache. I was thinking, "Take some medicine, you will be fine by morning." Oh no. That was not the case at all. When I woke up early this morning, I still had the headache and did not feel like riding in a car all day. I was also worried that the sinus headache would turn into a migraine like it did earlier this week. So, I texted people and told them I wasn't coming and went back to bed. I woke up around 11 a.m. and watched the Hogs put up a fight against Alabama. I'll be honest--I didn't really expect for us to win. I was happy that they made two touchdowns. That was good enough for me. So, I could have gotten up then and proceeded to be useful today.

I did not.

I stayed in bed and watched old Hallmark movies, "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and "Skylark". It's now almost 5 p.m. and I have decided to get up and do some chores around the house. Thankfully the headache has gone away. I am in the mood to clean and organize. I don't really get Spring Cleaning fever, but instead, mine hits in the fall. It's been an uneventful Saturday, but hopefully, I can make it worthwhile tonight.

I've missed my calling!

2008-09-16T21:20:00.004-05:00

I've totally missed my calling as a party planner. I'm planning a baby shower for one of my friends and it's going to be totally awesome. It's a jungle/safari theme and everyone at school is invited. It's my friend's fourth baby, but we are still having a shower. It's an "Everything But" party. She needs everything but clothes! They've scheduled her to be induced next Friday (September 26th), so I can't wait to meet Baby Keaton!

Also, I've read a new book that I think is completely awesome. I read it in one night. Those of you who know me, know I read at a sickening fast pace. It was the one thing about me that my mother was always shocked at. I was notorious for getting a book at the bookstore and halfway home proclaim, " That was the best book ever!". Drove my mom nuts. However, she is happy that she instilled a love of reading in me. =) I read Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand. It is a wonderful book, somewhat intense. I'm going to read her other books. They are all set on Nantucket. Now I want to go there. I'm also reading An American Shaolin and Knit Together. I know, I'm a dork. I read knitting books.

I'll post pictures of the shower later this week. Also, I'm going to post a bulletin board that my first graders did. It's hysterical.

Update

2008-09-13T19:17:00.003-05:00

I just heard about my Uncle and they made it through Hurricane Ike all right. They haven't stepped outside yet, but they haven't had any flooding in their house or stuff like that. Thank goodness for prayers.

Blogging, Football, and Lumping

2008-09-13T16:52:00.003-05:00

This weekend I am doing something that my father despises. I am lumping. I am doing nothing, but being a lump on a couch. I like to feel that this lumping is slightly productive because, as you can see, I have redone my blog background. I've been working on lesson plans and watching the progress of Hurricane Ike and subsequent weather issues from the storm. My father is not a fan of lumping unless he is really, really tired. I admit that I am a lot like my father in that I do not believe you have done a good day's work unless you have worked at least 20 hours in the 24 hour day. However, when a weekend of lumping is possible--I'm all for it.

I'm down in El Dorado. While some people might feel neglected or slighted by the fact that I am glued to my computer and thus occuppied, Micah does not. We have been watching various football games from Friday night and all day today. Some girls might feel neglected by the fact that their boyfriend is intently watching several games at once. However, I am not one of those girls. Nor is Micah one of those people who are upset with the fact that I'm sitting on the couch with my computer. I do LOVE college football and there have been some great games today. We are currently watching Georgia/South Carolina and Michigan/Notre Dame. We watched Maryland beat California. Last night, we watched South Florida beat Kansas in a great game. I was worried for that Freshman kicker. If he missed that field goal, his name was going to be mud. Lucky for him, he did not and now he is the man!

Weather watching has been going all right. Micah will switch over to the local weather channels for me during timeouts and commercial breaks. Those of you who know my momma, know that we watch the weather during any possibility of inclement weather. Jim Cantore and the Weather Channel have a direct line to our house to confirm weather outbreaks with my mom. Luckily, I think we are doing okay. I'm waiting to hear how my Uncle Brother, Aunt Vicki, and sweet, sweet Callie Marie faired during Hurricane Ike. They were gathering supplies and hunkering down. They live in Houston and during Hurricane Rita, they tried to evacuate, but traffic was a big problem. This time, they stayed home and were prepared for anything. We haven't seen any horrible weather yet in Arkansas, aside from some thunderstorms and high winds. Hopefully, the weather will not be too bad.

My sweet Bonnie Blue is also enjoying this weekend of lumping. She loves nothing more than laying in my lap or beside me, sleeping or chewing on a bone. Tomorrow, Bonnie Blue gets to spend the day with her Sissy, my aunt, while I have to sing at church. We will all meet for lunch and hang out in the afternoon, but while I'm singing at noon Mass and 5:30 Mass, Bon-Bon gets to play with Sissy. They have lots of fun--they play chase and Sissy spoils her completely.

This is probably the longest post I've ever posted. So, I think this means my lumping is highly productive and much needed today.

FYI-Name change

2008-09-05T11:44:00.003-05:00

I have been teaching Music to the 4 year old class at our school for the last two years. Yesterday, one of the preschoolers (Peyton with a P) kept calling me Ms. Joy, Ms. Joy! Soon, all the other kids were calling me that. So, now my name is not Ms. Hui, it's Ms. Joy--apparently.

Also, Peyton kept telling me she was Peyton with a "p" because there are two girls named Sydney--one spells it Cydney and the other is Sydney. So, I always specify Sydney with an "S" or Cydney with "C" and Peyton would always answer, "I'm Peyton with a "P". Kids are too funny!

1-0

2008-08-31T21:00:00.007-05:00

Mary Margaret and me
My mom!
Sissy and me
View from our seats
Happy faces at the end of the game!
Alex and I tailgating

Last night was the start of Razorback football season and it was so great to be back in the routine. Our weekend began with an early morning drive Saturday to Fayetteville. We arrived around 11:00 and made a quick stop to Wal-Mart for a small radio. (You have to keep up with the game while you are a watching it) Then, we went to my good friend Jessica's house. Jess and Mark were having a pre-game party. It was wonderful to see everyone again. At the pre-game party last year, Jess and Mark announced that they were expecting and this pre-game party we got to play with Charlie-man. The best time was when I would bring Charlie close to my sister Alex and she would say "Peek-a-boo" and Charlie would giggle. It was so precious!

We arrived at the game and tailgated a bit before going into the stadium. My parents have season tickets and we all got to go. Micah really enjoyed our seats. We were on the 2nd row of the Indoor club. The game was a nail-biter, but in the end, we pulled out a win. We had a big breakfast this morning-waffles, biscuits, eggs, bacon, and sausage. It was yummy. I'm pretty tired now, but it was a great weekend.

One week down.

2008-08-22T00:22:00.002-05:00

I have been in school a full week. It has been so wonderful to be back around the kids. A lot has happened since I last posted.

My youngest sister is now in college at Tulsa University. I just finished talking with her and she really enjoys it there. I tested and passed my 2nd blue belt test. The picture above is Grandmaster Han and myself. I also started back to school and have already had two parent orientations!

This weekend I have Karate Instructors course and next weekend I will be at the Razorback game. Most everyone will be in town for the game, so that is going to be a lot of fun.

Martial Arts

2008-08-10T22:49:00.004-05:00

For those of you who don't know, I've been involved with martial arts for almost a year. I train with Grandmaster Han Martial Arts. I love it! It's been something I've always wanted to do and I have been so happy since I started it. My belt level is First Blue and I am taking the instructors course right now. I'm really sore after our first weekend of 8 hours of training, but I love it. I can't say that enough. The first picture is with my mouth guard, right before I sparred. The next is with a pretty smile!

I train 3-4 times a week and soon I will have some classes on my own. It's going to be so awesome. If you have ever had an interest in Martial arts, then you need to try our organization. It will be one of the best decisions of your life!

The joys of plumbing problems

2008-08-08T16:27:00.003-05:00

When I got up this morning I didn't realize all the excitement that would be had today. I got up at 6:50 a.m. to be ready for the cable guy. I did get a DVR box (FINALLY), but the real excitement came when the shower in the guest bathroom would not turn off. Micah tried to fix it and I just wanted the water turned off so it would stop running. Micah told me I would need to get a plumber in to fix it and it was just too much to deal with. I started to cry because I just didn't plan for this kind of stress to occur today. Of course, no one would really want to plan for anything like this. So, I calmed down and called the lovely folks at Roto Rooter and they sent out Greg to fix it. I was also having some issues with the toilets, so I figured I might as well get it all fixed right now. Well, 3 hours later and several dollars lighter--all is well at Jennifer's house again. Many thanks to Micah, Greg, and Mom and Dad. Everything works like it's supposed to--showers turn off, toilets do not run constantly. I'm going to hang out and watch things I've recorded on my DVR. It's going to be a calm, stress-free evening.

Let's Go Red Sox

2008-08-07T22:50:00.004-05:00

I just got back from experiencing my 2nd MLB game. The first one is filled with great memories of hot dogs and that's about all. I was a lot younger. This one was a birthday present for Micah, since he is a big Red Sox fan. We watched the final game in their series with the Royals. All the baseball lingo and traditions are very new to me. Those who know me well know that I am not the sporty type. I do have my moments, but baseball is definitely not it. However, I really enjoyed the game last night. It was nice and cool up in Kansas City. We had great seats out off the 3rd baseline, in the outfield. We sat near some nice people from Indiana and of course, ate some great concession stand food. My favorite was the cotton candy.

The Red Sox won the game 8-2 and we even got to see a home run! That was hit by Jacoby Ellsbury. The funniest moment occurred after the game when a little girl, who was 9, asked me who my favorite player was. I looked at Micah and then honestly said, "I can't really pick a favorite. I like them all." I didn't really let her know that the reason they are all my favorite is because I don't really know the players that well. That is going to change since watching them and really enjoying the game. I know somewhere that there are Red Sox fans rejoicing. They now have another fan!

One week to go!

2008-08-03T23:18:00.004-05:00

This time next week I will (hopefully) be asleep anxiously awaiting the day I return back to work. I always enjoy summer, but I do crave the routine of my school days.

This summer has been one of my favorites. I've spent lots of time with family and friends. I have been all over the state of Arkansas-up to NWA to visit family and down south to El Dorado to visit my sweet boyfriend, Micah. I've been to the beach, saw Taylor Swift in concert, had a great time on the river at Fourth of July, and so much more. I got to spend quality time with all my sisters. My youngest sister will be going to college this fall and I will miss her terribly, as I do all my sisters.

Micah and I are headed up to watch the Red Sox (his favorite team) play the Kansas City Royals for his birthday on Wednesday. I'm excited because I actually know some more about baseball and I think I will be able to follow along. Sad, I know. His actual birthday was July 28th, but the Red Sox weren't playing anywhere close by then.

So, as we get older, the summers fly by faster and faster. Yet, somehow they are just as wonderful.

Where has the summer gone?

2008-07-22T08:13:00.005-05:00

It's officially less than a month until I go back to school. When I reach that point I'm mixed parts of feeling so happy and so sad. It's hard when you realize that summer is almost gone. Right now we are getting to the dog days of summer where it is 100+ degrees outside. I love sunshine, but I detest heat and humidity. I would much rather have the beautiful days of winter where it is sunny and blue skies, but chilly. I love that contrast. So, it is with a heavy heart that I realize I'm on the downward spiral back to a regular routine, but it's all good. I'm super excited about seeing all the regulars again. After all, it's a brand new school year!

Jumping on the Bandwagon!

2008-07-13T21:48:00.002-05:00

I am totally joining everyone in the world and starting a blog. I love, love, love reading about other people's lives and so now I'm letting people read about mine. It's also a wonderful way to stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. I will try to update as often as I can. Hope you enjoy!