Happy New Year...

It's been a great day for me. It seems like the first time in forever that I woke up without a migraine, and I haven't had a headache all day, woohoo! I had been having more and more debilitating migraines this past year, and I was absolutely ready to throw in the towel. Thankfully, a new doctor and some new tests found what we figured was probably causing the problem. I have degenerative discs in my neck and spine-and not just kinda-but very much so...My physician thought I might benefit from steroid injections in my neck, not exactly something I wanted to do, but I was willing to try almost anything because the pain has been so great. Migraines and middle school students are not a good mix, so I needed to do something. So, fast forward to yesterday-hubby took me in to have the pain management physician give me the injections. After we got home I started feeling a headache creeping in...I was so disappointed, but thought maybe I was dehydrated since I couldn't drink my usual glass of water when I got up that morning. I decided to take a nap to see if that would help. In a couple of hours I woke up with a horrible migraine, so I had to take meds and lay around the rest of the evening. I didn't even get to enjoy my yearly glass of champagne to celebrate the new year...I did manage to stay up until midnight, though. The doctor told us it could take 2-3 days, or even up to 10 days to see if the injections offered any relief. I've decided I'm going to take today as a great sign-a sign that I will have fewer migraines this year. And, I loved getting to spend  New Year's Day without a headache, able to do some of the things I really enjoy, especially when we are out of school and I have extra time at home.

 

I was so excited to try out my new mixer and pasta cutter that I spent the day in the kitchen baking apple cake and fresh pasta. I'm happy to report that they were both a big success.

 

 

I think I need to invest in a drying rack for my pasta--I didn't have anywhere else to put it!

 

I also got my first layout of the new year completed today...from pictures I took of the ice a couple of weeks ago. It felt so good to have some creative time today. I hope I get to do the same thing tomorrow. I'm thinking it would smell really good to have some fresh bread baking in the oven...

          I want to wish everyone a joyous and happy New Year!

...still celebrating

Here are a few more pics of the birthday "weekend" for sweet little M....he adores Spider-Man, so of course we didn't want to disappoint this cute little fellow...This next picture really cracks me up, it shows his reaction to mommy and daddy's big present for him as they came around the corner with it...he was beyond excitement!

...Happy Boy! He couldn't wait to get his hands on it. It's the cutest Fire House Station you've ever seen, complete with a workout room and potty:)

It's as close to a doll house as Jamie is going to get...but, seriously it was the coolest thing, full of furniture, exercise equipment, emergency vehicles, ect. They will play with it for hours.

I think the entire family will have fun...

Daddy even helped arrange some of the furniture:)

His favorite piece out of the entire set up was this cute little dalmation puppy! He started carrying it everywhere with him. He opened so many gifts I'm not sure where we're going to put all of the Christmas presents! I'll finish up in a couple of days with more pics from the gymnatics party!

...summer, here I come!

For me, summer seems to start on the last day of school. I get so excited knowing that I have several weeks at a time to relax without stressing over deadlines, preparing lesson plans, grading papers, standing in the wind and cold temperatures on morning bus duty, and eating a cold sandwich (usually peanut butter) while walking around the cafeteria asking students to "please sit down", or "lower your voice level"----I could go on and on, you get the idea. I just love not having to wake up to an alarm clock and rush around to get ready to go somewhere. Not that I do anything spectacular or special during my time off, really just the opposite. I revel in the slower pace, enjoy having the days to do exactly as I wish, even if it includes taking a 2 hour nap! This year has been a bit different, or maybe I should say a bit delayed. While attending a 2-week curriculum workshop 2 days after school was out, my "last day of school" excitement had been put on hold. But, finally the day has come---school is out! workshop is over! my summer can officially begin! I get so excited with so much free time in front of me---I struggle with knowing what to do first. For example, since I woke up this morning I find myself multi-tasking, something I tend to do during the school year because I'm always in a hurry and want to get a lot accomplished. There are so many things I like to spend extra time on in the summertime, and I don't want to leave anything out. Since getting up this morning I have eaten my breakfast on the porch with Marley relaxing at my feet, finished reading a book, checked my email, done 4 loads of laundry, made a cake, started another book, written out a new "to-do" list, checked my fb account, and started a new scrapbook page. I need to keep telling myself over and over, s-l-o-w---d-o-w-n!!!! I have another quilt top started, I've ordered and received 2 new quilting books and new yummy fabric, a crochet project is started, and several knitting projects are in the works. I'm still working on, s-l-o-w---d-o-w-n! It may take a few days...
Another project in the works will be painting a wall in my classroom to brighten things up a bit. I'll post pics after it's all finished.

I'm happy to have more time to enjoy the outdoors and time to prepare fresh fruit smoothies in the morning!

I'm sure my family will appreciate more home cooked meals. I love to cook, but so often don't have the time or energy for it during the school year.

And, Marley is crazy about me being home all day! She keeps her toys all over the place, ready to play at a moment's notice. So, here's to a laid back, s-l-o-w, relaxing summer!!! I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.....In closing, here are some pics of the beautiful flowers my kiddos sent me on Mother's Day.

I LOVE fresh flowers!!!

And, I LOVE my kids!!!!

...a December Birthday

We celebrated Morgan's 2nd birthday last weekend in Carrollton. Grayson helped decorate with some of the "40" balloons Jamie ordered. I have to admit, they were very festive!
The party theme was centered around the children's movie "UP". In the movie the character's house is lifted up and carried away by hundreds of balloons. Since Morgan already had a huge cardboard house (an earlier birthday present), the only thing needed were lots of balloons!!!

Doesn't Grayson make a cute balloon man?

There were balloons everywhere!

When Morgan woke up from his nap he was surprised to see all of the balloons in the house. He couldn't wait for the party to begin, balloons are just so much fun!

We tied party treats to the balloons so they wouldn't float up and away!

The kids made cute door signs to take home and hang on their bedroom doors.

The cake was so fun. Daddy Joel put the foam house together for the top of the cake (isn't he talented!) and we tied balloons to the chimney. It fit the party theme perfectly.

When we sang "Happy Birthday" to Morgan he looked so cute looking around the room at everyone. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, I don't think.

He sure is eyeing that cake, though! He's been to enough birthday parties to know that he does like icing!

He's getting pretty excited now, I think he knows what is coming next.

A big grin, two candles, and one big wish...

...waiting for mommy to cut the cake.

Finally, a piece of birthday cake, or rather, a big glob of icing!

Happy Birthday, Morgan. We love you!

YUM!!!

things I want to remember.....(part 2)

Christmas Day

Morgan and Grayson in their matching p.j.s

(notice they are BOTH looking at the camera, good job guys!!!)

Caleb
(looking through his stocking:)

Jamie
(helping with Morgan's stocking)

sissy Jen
(trying on her newly knit scarf from mom)

Kelsey
(pretty in pink)

Roger
(he looks pretty serious, doesn't he?)

Me

(a self portrait, because I'm always behind the camera)

Joel & Grayson
(playing with Handy Manny Tool Set)

The Mess

(evidence of fun times!)

Morgan with his new green dragon from Santa

(just look at those cute cheeks!!!)

"Hey, wait! I want on, too!"

"I said, hold on please!"

"O.K., now I'm ready!"

"Let's go!!!"

We usually have a huge breakfast on Christmas morning after opening all of our gifts. This year was a little different since we were traveling back home on Christmas day. Thank goodness I already had chili ready for the crock pot! We decided to switch up our traditions a bit and had chili for dinner after opening the presents. We saved our Christmas breakfast for the morning after---when we were more rested and energized!!!

We had so much fun watching the boys open up their gifts. I'm very grateful that our family is able to spend so much time together during the holidays, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I'm already looking forward to next year!!!

....inspiration

I received some fun mail yesterday when I arrived home after work. Since most scrapbooking stores don't stock them anymore, I had ordered a new scrapbook idea book online. I had been reading about the new book, "52 More Scrapbooking Challenges" from a blog I enjoy reading, Elizabeth Kartchner's. She is the main contributor/designer. Just look at how creative she got wrapping up the book before sending to me. How cute is that tag?

And the book is so fun to look at, colorful and full of inspiration. Right down my alley.

She even took the time to autograph it inside.

I guess the inspiration worked. I woke up this morning thinking about creating tags for our Christmas packages this year. So, I started digging out scraps, and worked (played:) away! Just look at my mess---but it was so much fun! I have about 30 made so far, I plan on making a few more. It's a great way to use up those scraps. And, the idea would work for any holiday. I plan on putting a few together to have handy for birthday presents, as well.

These are all in progress, I'll post a picture later, when they are all complete!

Happy Scrappin'. I'm off to make chili!!!