Anniversary Update -

Our Anniversary was perfect!! PERFECT! Cullen has yet again set the bar high for himself for next year. When I got home from work Tuesday, I as greeted by a clean house (yes, he came home at lunch time to pick up the house!!!) and plant in a planter box. The box had picture frames built into it for wedding photos. He also got me a gift certificate to Hobby Lobby so I can buy some decorations for our house!! Hooray! THEN, we went to dinner at a hibachi grill (which was FABULOUS), followed by ice cream at TCBY. Yes, Cullen was pampered was too. I got him a ring from James Avery.

Now, a life update:
Life is great. I am teaching a self-contained Autism class this year at Clifton Park Elementary. I have a TON of stories from class; however for privacy reasons I can not share them. I love being a teacher - I think God really is using this time in my life as a test in will and patience. :)

Cullen is loving his job. I see that he is truly happy; that he sees his job as a career, not just a job. He has yet to come to complain about not enjoying his job... it is just a safe feeling.

Puppies are doing good. Nothing new to report...unless you need to know that they are the best dogs ever.

I promise to be a better blogger. I promise quicker updates!!

Is Shock A Normal Side Effect

...so, is it normal to be in total disbelief/shock about really being pregnant?? I have take 4 pregnancy tests, (all of which confirmed - Pregnant) and I still kinda don't believe it. We are planning how to tell everyone; I want to really surprise our parents. It will be grandbaby number 3 for my parents, and grandbaby number ONE for Carol and Billy. I am so excited to share our big news with our family and friends.

Dear Peanut -
Mommy and Daddy love you very much. I ask God to watch over you, and protect you while I carry you over the next 8 months.
Love you more than you will know,
Mommy and Daddy

...And, So It Begins!

It happened. We're pregnant. I am no longer me. I am now a "we". The Mills are not a party of two. We are a party of two plus a peanut. It happened. We're pregnant.

Around mid August, Cullen and I decided we are going to throw all precaution to the wind and leave it up to God. God is a funny man, because it took us six weeks from the time we decided to throw all precautions to the wind until I found out I was "with child".

Cullen and I celebrated our two year anniversary tonight and I gave him a James Avery ring for his gift. Along with his ring, I gave him an "I love Daddy" onesie, "What to Expect When You're Expecting (for Dad's), and an invitation to join me at the hospital around May 24th!

Peanut, even though you are only the size of a poppy seed, I love you bigger than the world is big. I have prayed for you for a very long time, and I am already excited to meet you. Peanut, me and your will think about you every day until we meet you.

Happy Anniversary

Dear Cullen -

Two years ago today, I became the happiest woman in the whole world. Two years ago today, I became Mrs. Erin MILLS. Two years ago today, you became my better half; and every day since September 15, 2007 you have made me shine brighter, want to be better, want to be stronger, and support me in doing things I never thought I could do.

This day last year, you made our one year anniversary the best anniversary. I thought there was no topping it. You went out of your way to make me feel so very special. I am going to do my very best to make this anniversary even more special... but since I can't give all my secrets away early, I will leave you with this:

In our two years together, we have come so far. I have learned that if you do not manage to put the toothpaste lid on all the way, the world will not stop (although I believed that.) You have learned to deal with the idea that I live in a toaster and I try to hard to see that you do not just pop out of bed. I hate/love that I can never be truly mad at you. I hate that you make me smile so big when I try to be mad at you. You and I became financially stable - and we bought a home. You and I decided it was time to make the big move; so we sold the house, and moved to Killeen.

I am so proud of the man you are today. God has truly blessed me more than I could ever imagine. Thank you for being my husband for these last two years, and countless years ahead.

I love you with all my heart and soul.

Erin

I've been out-rutted.

For Jillian - Can I even put into words how much I miss STARRY?? With every scratch, every bite, every tantrum (the kids, not me), I miss STARRY so much more than the day before. I miss you all. terribly.

BUT, you know what starts TONIGHT? Biggest Loser. AND....Dave is back. Can't wait. so excited.

For Julie - I am embarrassed to say - I can not think of any *appropriate* marriage stories to share. I have plenty of inappropriate stories....but, we can not share those here. However, marriage is great.... and speaking of great marriage, Please see the above blog entry!

Blog rut

HELP. I am in a blog rut. I need creative go-go juice!! Any ideas??

No Labor on Labor Day

This weekend was outstanding! Friday night, Cullen and I met Cullen's parents for dinner in Belton. We ate at this cute little steak restaurant called The Beef Barn. Saturday, after Cullen got off work, we headed to Austin to see the family, and...... meet TJ's new girlfriend. ( I love her. already.) Sunday we headed to Fredericksburg to see the extended family.

So, wanna know the best part of the weekend (besides seeing my family...) WE BOUGHT NEW LIVING ROOM FURNITURE. I am soooooo excited. Chocolate leather love seat (both seats of the loveseat are recliners/rocking chairs. HOORAY.

We get them in two weeks and I can't wait to get rid of these couches we have now. Man, they were great when we got them but, we have WORN THEM OUT.

HOORAY FOR NEW COUCHES.

U...N...T.... EAGLES!

UNT Eagles FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Tonight is the season opener for the UNT Eagles. Bless his heart, Cullen has been counting down the months, weeks....days until UNT kicks off the 2009-2010 football season.

Want the best news.... the game is on TV. We get to watch it in Killeen. I don't know of any news I could deliver that would make his day any better!!

GO EAGLES!

Cougar Tails

I am officially closer to the weekend than the beginning of the week, and oh boy, do I need a drink! (A quick side note - to all the teachers I had growing up and to all my teacher friends - WOW. I do not know how you did/do it so gracefully.) I am already ready for a stiff drink! However, finding a routine, getting to know my kids better will make all the difference.

This is the first week of school. I love my campus, I love both my Assistant Principal and Principal. Both truly are PrinciPALS. I have a total of 2 children on my roster. However, I share a set of classrooms with another teacher in the CASD (Classroom for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders) program. Her and I have a total of 9 kids. Although 9 children seem manageable.... think again my friend!

Often, I rate my days by answering this question: Do I want to wake up and do it all over again?

• Monday night's answer: This is in the bag. I can do this. No injuries, no curse words, done. I can do this.
• Tuesday night's answer: Yeah right. I might as well tell the Principal to start finding a replacement. (Let me insert: Two physical outbursts, of which I was bit and punched square in the face.)
• Wednesday's answer (starting weary from Tuesday): while I did get kicked in the shoulder, and took a foot to the abs (my fault), I want to come back tomorrow. I want to do it all again. I know I am making a difference in these children's life; and they are FOR SURE making a difference in mine.

I love my job. While it is difficult at times, and I know I am only on day three, God put me here for a reason. He knows where I need to be, why I need to be here, and how I can make a difference. I love this gift He gave me, and I will use it to my every ability.

Let's see if me, the eternal optimist can stay optimistic. For now, I say, Yes, I want to wake up and do it all again!

It's Wicked.

This weekend was amazing - In fact, one of my favorite in quite some time. It started with dinner and a movie. We saw Inglorious Basterds. (a side note: If you like bloody, violence filled Quentin Tarantino films, JACKPOT. If you HATE violence, are lightheaded at the first sight of blood...choose something else. The movie itself was great. The dialogue was superb. However - wow.)

Saturday, I attended the JSL Grand Opening of the Long Branch Spray Park in Killeen, shopped till I dropped, napped (from all the shopping), then went to a unbelievable dinner at Flemings (side note #2: If you remember, I gave Flemings TWO HUGE THUMBS UP the last time I went for dinner.) followed by an excellent show of Wicked. Today, Cullen and I spent the whole day cleaning and really moving into our house. Finally. Phew.

Tomorrow, school starts. Just like riding a bike, I feel right back into the "night before school" routine. My lunch is packed, bags are packed, took a shower tonight instead of in the morning...and I am one alarm clock and a bowl of cereal away from my first day of school...again.