{Day 22}

Thankful for crisp, cooler weather.

Granted, I'm still wearing short sleeves, but I'm not sweating! Bryan and a neighbor's son (he's trying to make some pocket money, so we paid him to help Bryan) hung our Christmas lights outside. They look wonderful! But they were both in short sleeves, shorts, and still pouring sweat by the time they were done - even the Christmas music I played couldn't REALLY make up for the heat :)

Hopefully we'll get to put on sweatshirts and scarves by Thanksgiving!!
We've got the pumpkin goodies baking, the Christmas tree decorated, and the stockings hung. I need to maybe just wear mittens ONCE to make it feel really real :)

{Day 21}

Thankful for holiday breaks!!

Monday we had a half day at school, which consisted of me picking up donut holes & orange juice for my first period class while we made turkey hands & watched Hercules :) Yes, 10th graders still enjoy classes spent like that! I couldn't believe how enthusiastically they made the turkeys & they all did the maze I brought along too. Love those kids. Then the high schoolers helped pass out programs and greet the grandparents as they started arriving for the Grandparent's Day program being put on by the whole school. All of the kiddos did a WONDERFUL job singing their songs, presenting their projects, etc. I was, naturally, especially proud of the 9th and 10th graders as they presented the dramatization of the Tower of Babel :) They made it funny and entertaining, while also making sure the message was true.

What did I do once our half day was over?
I took a nap!! Exercised, played with the puppies/walked them, and reread all of Harry Potter 5: The Order of the Phoenix.

Yes, I do love holidays :)

{Day 20}

Thankful for an AWESOME HUSBAND!!!

I realize I'm thankful for Bryan absolutely everyday, but sometimes I have a moment where he's so incredibly special to me I just HAVE to share it :)



He is a loyal friend, loving spouse, and will make a fun and adorable daddy.
Love you, Dude!! Forever, always, and a few more too.

{Day 19}

Thankful for Fightin' Texas Aggie Football!!

A&M 61, KU 7

A real post coming with pictures when it's not 7:30pm and I'm already half asleep :) These days I barely make it past 8:30 most of the time, so maybe tomorrow morning. And the wedding one too. Ooops.

{Day 18}

Thankful for good neighbors.

You read about them so often you've got to be wondering if we're serious, but again last night we got together, sat around the fire pit, we made cookies* & brought them out, the men played poker, the ladies talked, and the kids ran around doing what kids do until their bedtimes. It sounds so simple, but we feel very blessed to be able to run to so many people located so close to us if something's wrong, if we're stranded in town and need a ride, if we need half a cup of flour, if we need someone to talk to, and we love to be able to be that last minute babysitter, or pick up their kids from school, or make the goodies they need in an hour, forgot to make & aren't home to do it. It's WONDERFUL.

*About the cookies, it was Janie's recipe - non-dairy (technically vegan actually) - for Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles. What it really tastes like is a spicy molasses cookie - yumm. It was a toss up, though, for liked them and who didn't. (More like who LOVED them and could eat 6, and who could take a few bites and not finish.) It was about half and half with our neighbors. The thing is - you have to like the cookie itself, and you have to enjoy a little spice with it. I thought they were super yummy, and so did Bryan, so if you're interested in Janie's recipe, I can get it to you.

{Day 17}

I am thankful for the gym & feeling well enough to get back into personal training again!!

This week I kicked butt, and it feels so good to be lifting weights, hustling in cardio, and basically just doing more than walking the dogs again :) There were 3 weeks where that was about all I could do without getting sick, and all this week I've been back in the game. Hopefully it's here to stay!

{Day 16}

I forgot about making my thankful post while thinking about 12 weeks :) so maybe yesterday should just be thankful for 12 weeks!

Or possibly thankful for Sonic BLENDED rootbeer floats, because I was actually having a bit of a crummy day at school, and that's been my go-to happy place for the last few weeks or so. I know, I know, I should substitute carrots or spinach or something for the float, but really if it keeps me from rolling my eyes and screaming at someone at work, shouldn't I just stick with the sweet treat? Most definitely.

12 weeks

Sweet Baby,

Guess what? You and I have officially made it to 12 weeks together! You are now about 2.5 inches long, and weigh about half an ounce. So tiny, but it's such a huge amount of growth in such a short amount of time. I can't tell you how in love your Daddy and I are with you - and we haven't even met you yet. I can't imagine how we will feel in about 6 months when you're really here! Daddy has even been checking in with you at night :) You never respond, but he seems satisfied just to say hello.

The big things that have happened recently: you "attended" your first wedding this past weekend (cousin Caleb & Krystal), you've probably felt some stress as your Dad and I have watched the A&M games recently (maybe next year?), and we're still living through a huge drought. However, we did get a major downpour for about an hour, which I'm sure the trees, grass, and bushes loved.

Mommy was feeling very yucky the past month or so with heartburn, nausea, tummy troubles, sinuses and backaches, but some of that is really starting to feel better, so thank you! Next week we'll settle into second trimester together and I'll just enjoy carrying you without all the other stuff.

I think I've figured out what your nursery will look like, and goodness is it hard for me to just be patient and wait!! Next week I have our end of first trimester appointment and then I'm giving myself a green light to start getting ready for you!

Love you little one!!
Mommy

{Day 15}

Thankful for RAIN!!!!

I don't know where all the rain fell, but we managed to get a solid hour + of a steady downpour. Before and after there was some sprinkling, but the real rain helps so much. We need more for sure, and some areas still didn't get any, but we were thankful for what we had!!

{Day 14}

Thankful for my first day of NO NAUSEA!!!!!!
Can I get a whoop?

I don't think this one really requires any more explanation :)
Baby is healthy, Mommy is healthy, and 2nd tri is almost here!

Also, I've not gained any weight at all, some days the scale even says I've lost weight ... but half of my pants are. not. buttoning. Yikes! Going to have to use a pony tail holder to get them to close. Apparently even without weight gain my waist is going to thicken, which is exactly what's supposed to happen I hear :) Sticking with the treadmill though, walking the dogs, and light weight lifting. It will be much easier now if the nausea stays at bay. Praying it stays this way!

{Day 13}

Thankful for long walks with Bryan & the puppy dogs :)

Especially in this wonderful 50-to-70 degree weather. Stay here for a while, Texas!

{Day 12}

Today, I am so thankful for sleep.

Last night we went to sleep around 9, and I slept until 8. It truly was heavenly. I've been so exhausted, and fatigued (I'm sure this won't change once baby's on the outside :), and this helped tremendously.

Sleep in! It feels FABULOUS.

(Your dogs (and kiddos) will hopefully understand if you get a later start on your walk/day than normal. :)

{Day 11}

Thankful for helping hands.

I seems like I so often benefit from helping hands, but on Friday I felt very gifted to be helping someone out myself.

I was able to help a coworker get caught up on her grading (I know how that goes), I was able to help students out with a touchy problem, and I was able to make the puppy chow for a neighbor's son's birthday party. She has her hands full, and I really loved being able to help her out. These seem so very minor (and they are), but when lots of people pitch in for each other at the same time it becomes a major deal.

Thank you for everything you do for each other, for strangers, and for me!

{Day 10}

Thankful for beautifying :)

Sometimes all a girl needs is a little spiffing up :) I realize I'm behind, but it's been an incredible busy couple of days (thinks progress report grades due, eek).

On Thursday (hence the side note about being behind) I got my hair cut to the length I prefer it at, got all those weird layers out, and now I can put some product in it and leave it curly or blow dry it straight-er. (My hair does not really do completely straight for very long - especially in Houston). --- you know you need a haircut when your normally nonvocal husband suggests one. Oops.

And THEN I bought some petite length sweatpants (whoop!) which is a miracle for two reasons - I really only had shorts for nightly walks in 39 degree weather (a little chilly) AND my jeans are getting snug in the waist even though I haven't gained any weight yet?? I guess everything is just moving around as the baby moves around from my pelvis to my tummy where it'll live for the next 6 months or so. Weird.

And THEN Mom, Grandma, and I got pedicures :) Caleb & Krystal's wedding is on Saturday (which is technically today now), and the 3 of us have made it a habit of doing this together before any big family weddings. I have a bad problem with ingrown toe-nails on my big toes (To much information???) and so there was some grimacing and blood involved as the dude got the one I had out, but such relief once it's gone. Of course, 2 days later and I'm now pretty convinced he CAUSED one in my other big toe, but that wouldn't make me sound thankful, so I'll stop there. I do love pretty nails, and I rarely get them done, so it's always fun.

I really do feel better about myself. Thanks Mom for the suggestion & the pedicure!!

7,000 views!

This isn't a "thankful" post - but it's still really awesome!

This blog since it's beginnings (a year and a few months ago), has had over 7,000 views. I LOVE that when I write, there are folks actually reading :)

I realize this is nothing compared to professional blogs or one that have an area of expertise, but it means family & friends read it!

Thank you!! I appreciate it!!

{Day 9}

Thankful for Harry Potter :)

(Note: this isn't the same as being thankful for ALL books, or at least I'm claiming a difference :)

I ADORE the Harry Potter books, and enjoy the movies enough to watch them and appreciate them for their adaptations, while respecting that they can't do justice to such involved and delightful stories. (Note: I am, of course, referring especially to movies 3 & 4 which were, in my humble opinion, disastrously off the mark, yet still entertaining enough to watch, as long as I try to close my brain off to what I've read.)

Here's an interesting article that I enjoyed about the comparisons between the books and the movies up to book 6: "A look back at the Harry Potter movies." Sometimes I agree completely, and a few places I disagree, but I like the way the author approached the discussion.



When we bought our MacBook late this past summer, Apple included a 10% discount off of the price of the computer and a $100 iTunes gift card because I'm an educator. (Sweet!) I just put about half of that gift card to good use last night with Bryan when we purchased movies 1-6 on *SALE* for $6.99 a piece :) HOORAY! I didn't even have to twist Bryan's arm. We've been listening to the books on tape when we go on long car rides so that Bryan can hear the book version as well as see the films. I think we will be putting these to excellent use during our 18 hour ride to Denver in December. (We may even have to add the Hobbit & Lord of the Rings book to our stash next :)

{Day 8}

Thankful for 50% off Christmas!!!

I really enjoyed today :) Took the pups to do the dog park thing for an hour and a half, exercised, and then spent the afternoon with Marissa.

We may have spent quite a bit of time in Hobby Lobby before enjoying lunch at Olive Garden :)
And all of their Christmas decorations were still 50% off! Hooray!

I was there recently and made some candle wreaths out of the supplies I found (I'll do a how-to post for that later), and today I got some tinsel with lights to wrap around our stair railing, and two little stockings to hang for Maverick & Goose.

I'm also thankful for a husband that lets me decorate starting in the second week of November :)

{Day 7}

Thankful for time spent with family.



Today not only did I get to have dinner with Bryan,

but also my parents!!

AND Grady & Marissa!!

Grady is in town for another class, Marissa got to come along, and they get to spend the week in Houston! It's really perfect timing because Marissa's sister and her husband just bought a house and G&M can see it and help move them in, and it's also our cousin, Caleb's, wedding weekend next weekend! They'll get to see lots of family during their week long trip in town.

I have been blessed with such great parents, a wonderful brother, a very sweet new sister-in-law, and one heckuva husband. (2 lovable puppies as well, although they weren't at dinner for obvious reasons :)

We can sit around a dinner table and just laugh, share, and laugh some more.
I love my family, and I especially love some quality time with them.
Thank you!

{Day 6}

Thankful for a CLEAN HOUSE!! :)



Today Bryan left me unsupervised while he slept in .... which means he couldn't intervene soon enough to stop me from going on a huge clean-the-entire house kick (which of course he was able to participate in once he was up :) AND a pull-out-all-of-the-Christmas-decorations kick (for which we have surprisingly little of - ohhh chances to Christmas shop :)

{Day 5}

So thankful for my education.







And thankful for some of the most wonderful people I know that graduated with me!



If you've been following A&M football recently, it has probably hurts you to watch like it's hurt me, BUT our diploma's respect isn't reflected by the scoreboard, thank goodness :)

{Day 4}

Thankful for BOOKS!!

Last year my parents gave me a Kindle for Christmas, and that delightful piece of technology mixed with all my other delightful paper and hard back books make my world go 'round. Also, the community library knows me by name ... and by the monster bag I take with me every time :)



I don't know everything, so I borrow ideas from others.
Reading is good for the mind!! And it's HAPPY!

{Day 3}

Thankful for tears.

Happy tears.



Proud tears.



Hopeful tears.



Scared and excited tears at the same time.



Even hormone induced tears :)

So thankful for this way of expressing so many emotions, sometimes all at once.

{Day 1+2}

It's November, the 30 official days of thanksgiving!

I was going to create 30 thankful posts, but I sort of blew it with the rant about how miserable I feel yesterday (oops).

Too back up, and fix my error:

November 1st: I am thankful for pregnancy symptoms indicating that everything is perfect with our baby! I'm also thankful for hitting 10 weeks today. (1st trimester and I only have 3 more weeks before parting ways :)



November 2nd: I am thankful for moments of brilliance when I'm teaching. They are few and far between, but I love it when:

(1) I'm actually wise enough to take a normal, every day moment and turn it into a life learning moment for a student.

(2) I'm patient enough to LISTEN when it counts.

(3) I finally explain a concept the way it makes sense after explaining it 20 times before without success.

(4) I think of a new way of teaching that involves 100% student engagement, and it works!

(5) My students prove (for the thousandth time) how special, unique, gifted and wonderful each one truly is.

Aw, shoot

It's been about an hour and I'm already feeling guilty about my previous post. It helps that I'm feeling better :)

Please don't judge me for being grumpy about feeling crummy.

I am excited about this tiny person!!!

TMI & Rant - think twice before reading

The most common question now that we're completely out of the closet about our pregnancy is: "How are you feeling?"

I'll give the benefit of the doubt to about 20% of the people asking that they actually do want to know and are okay with honesty, but I'm assuming the rest are hoping for a quick and simple "Great - I love being pregnant!" or perhaps will even accept the more truthful, "It's going okay."

If you are a part of the 80% who really don't want to know, I encourage you to stop reading now, and I promise to not take offense. This will be a lot of personal information.

I realize that ALL symptoms are a blessing, because I know the baby is doing great. Plus, they say the more symptoms you have, the healthier your baby is. Well our baby must be in the absolute pink of health!!

Otherwise, here's honesty for you .... 1st trimester is miserable!

Ouch. OUCH. Ow. OuChIe. oUCH. OUCH. oW. Owchie.
Everything hurts. Except my feet. They'll probably be next?

I'm rocking a sinus infection that I can't treat, which means constant headaches. Neck pain & back pain. My breasts hurt like crazy. My stomach is upset about 75% of the time - either nausea, or what I ate to get rid of the nausea didn't agree with me, and the latest & greatest: ACID REFLUX. Oh my gosh, it's horrible. I actually had to go to the doctor for the heartburn, and (thank you Lord!) received some prescriptions which are giving at least a very small amount of relief. No more chili or spicy shrimp for me!!

I am not normally a baby or a wuss. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, and am rarely whiny, even when sick. I'm taking this moment to whine & enjoy it! Especially since the guilt of griping will probably catch up with me in the next few hours.... :)

Billions of women have been pregnant, and I'm sure most of them have been miserable too. But bunches of people get the flu every year, and they are still allowed to complain, so I'm reserving the right as well.

I'm not scared of labor a bit, but I'm terrified of the next 3 1/2 weeks - Second Trimester come quickly!! And bring some relief with you, please!!!