These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Recently, my dear friend Lauren bought an Erin Condren Life Planner for my birthday. The one I ordered included on the cover page, a list of my favorite things. This prompted me to go back and read a blog entry I wrote years ago! 60 Facts. I am going to do it again. However, I am only going to do 30 - let's get real here, I am fighting time too....

1. I love my hats, both physically and metaphorically. I have a handful of hats (some fun and silly for "Crazy Hat Day" at school, some that are worn to Kentucky Derby parties) that sit in the top of my closet - waiting for the perfect occasion. I also love the metaphorical hats I wear: Wife, Mother, Teacher, Friend.  Homemaker, Maid, Community Servant, Christian, Mentor, Daughter, Sister, Boss, Errand Runner. 
2. I married my husband on September 15, 2007. He makes me smile every day. 
3. Speaking of marriage, I welcomed my son to our family on May 12th, 2010. He is the light of my every day.
4. I live life according to my agenda. 
5. My agenda is color-coded. The color codes have not changed for years. It helps me glance at my week and see what is going on quickly. 
6. My favorite writing utensil is .5 mm lead mechanical pencil OR a contour pen, just like this one. I hoard them.
7. I prefer salt/savory to sweet tasting anything. I can resist a fresh baked pan of brownies all day long. Put Ritz crackers or Pringles chips out...I.am.done. I literally will eat them until they are gone, regardless of how full I am.
8. I buy school supplies in bulk. Even if there is no reason for them, I will buy them and keep them for later use. 
9. I have a bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Services, with minors in Addictions AND Social Work from The University of North Texas. I have a Master's of Education degree from The University of Texas at Austin. For the record, my loyalties are to UNT - forever. 
10. I dislike the color purple, unless I am using it to write. If that is the case, I find that I write with it, a lot.
11. As an incoming freshman, I joined the sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. (Beside Cullen, it was the best collegiate decision I made.)
12. I love dogs. All dogs. One day, I would like to have a sanctuary for abused dogs to come live and rehabilitate - and learn that all humans are not bad. 
13. I want three children. Cullen wants two. 
14. Water is my MOST favorite beverage. There is not one single situation where I would choose something else over water, if given a choice. 
15. I hate, let me reiterate, I HATE, lizards. All shapes. All sizes. I hate them all. I hate all animals even remotely related to lizards. I hate lizards. 
16. Noah. I love my chubby, perfect, bald, little Noah. While I could make a list of 60 facts that I love just about him, I wont. I will only list a few: I love the sound of Noah laughing. You know those deep down belly laughs?? His are my favorite. I love his smiles and ever-changing attitude. His undying affection for his family is admirable. I hope it is a continued quality he possesses. I anticipated what his voice would sound like when he was a tiny infant. I smile from ear to ear when I hear him talk. I vividly remember when he chained two words together, "Bye Mom." I melted. From head to toe. I melted.
17. I consider myself extremely lucky and know that I fall into a rare category that I have both sets of parents, mine and Cullen's who are in loving, successful marriages. Cullen and I have FAITHful, devoted role models to model our lives after. 
18. I have a Bill Miller BBQ 32 oz. mug that I refill multiple times a day with ice cold water. I love drinking water. I never feel filled up enough to stop drinking. 
19. I love trashy TV. My current TV lineup includes such horrible shows as: Drop Dead Diva, Secret Life, Switched at Birth, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, The Food Network, etc....nothing I am proud of. 
20. Speaking of The Food Network, I love cooking. I love baking. I am not great. But, I am always willing and wanting to find something new to cook/bake. I appreciate that my hubby will try anything I cook/bake. AND, he manages to eat his plate, even if it is terrible. Bless his heart. 
21. I am a movie critic. Unfortunately, I only really see comedies and romantic comedies. However, I will gladly sit through any movie falling into the above categories and tirelessly critique it until there is nothing left to critique. 
22. I love my long hair. I long to have a short, cute, bobbing haircut. BUT, when I go to get a haircut, I only allow the minimal amount to be taken off. In the long run, I would rather have long, half-up/half-down hair than a styled look that actually takes patience to accomplish. 
23. I have two Boston Terriers, Brodie (6) and Millie (5). Brodie and Millie joined our family while Cullen and I were dating and in college. They make us laugh on a regular basis. Sadly, they have become secondary since Noah joined our family. But, we still love them so much. They are the dumbest smart dogs I know. 
24. My parents live in Austin. I like that I love close enough that I can see them whenever I want. Even if our meetings are brief, I love to meet them for dinner in Georgetown just to say hi, and for Noah to hug is Nana and Papa. 
25. I love dressing up...I mean really dressing up. Like ballgown and big jewelry dress up. Give me a reason to dress up and it is done. 
27. Let's dissect the last statement. I love being outside. 
28. I love natural light. I would far rather have no lights on in the house with all the windows open and natural light beaming into my home. 
29. I love the smell of fall and everything that is incorporated into the fall season. (Don't let Cullen read this too close BUT, I love football season, hot chocolate warming my hands bundled up with good friends at a UNT football game.) 
30. Thanksgiving is hands-down my favorite holiday followed closely by Christmas and birthday celebrations. 

Try it. It was fun. I realized once I got to 30, I could easily keep going. See how far you can go. I would love to read YOUR lists. 

It's Over.

I can't believe this night came so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was telling students "good-bye" for the summer. Tonight is my last night before I start back up full time. As of tomorrow at 7:30, I start two weeks of school related activities. Three Mondays from now, I have students greeting me with smiling faces, anticipating sharing their summer stories. This is bittersweet. 

This summer has been such a joy. I shared it with my babe. I made so many memories. I watched Noah go from a silly little crawler to a bouncing, talking, little toddler. We traveled to and from more than we should have. Nothing held us down! 

But, back to the grind tomorrow. Noah goes back to Mrs. Brenda full time. I go back to Mt. View full time. Bring on the beginning of school, small children and routine!  

 

 

Photos courtesy of April Skinner at Almost Impatient Productions.

My Affair Is Going Public...

I am starting to realize I may have an unhealthy desire to use my muffin pan for all meals. Next week, all of our dinners are going to be made in a muffin pan. Here is our menu:

Monday: Muffin Pan Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday: Muffin Pan Tacos
Wednesday: Lasagna Cupcakes
Thursday: Crabcake Cupcakes ...yumm. I am especially looking forward to this!
Friday: Grilled Chicken with Broccoli Cheddar Biscuit Bites.

That's it folks. That is dinner next week. I am super excited about this challenge. We will see how it goes.... hope it goes better than the crock-pot recipe week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEST FRIEND!

Today is my best friend's birthday!! She is 27 today...officially in her LATE 20's...yikes!! Practically over.the.hill.
As a tribute to her, below is a few youtube clips of things that make me A) think of Kelly, and B) laugh or sing LOUDLY!

Wilson Phillips' Hold On
GWH: Bar Scene
GWH: Don't Forget the Coffee
GWH: Therapists - Kel, this one makes me laugh the loudest, but...
This one makes me think of you the most: GWH: Double Burger!
Salt-N-Pepa: Shoop
Warren G (feat. Nate Dogg): Regulators
The Blonde
THIS movie
Oops. Here are a few more:
You Know What He did?
We're Doin' Business Here
Karate


I really could go on forever. I LOVE YOU Kelly Jean. I hope your birthday is as spectacular as you are!

The Muffin Tin -

Recently, I have found that I cook a TON of food in my muffin tin. A muffin tin, you ask? YES. And, often, it is not muffins that I am cooking! So, I challenge you to look at the following recipes and try to cook dinner in a muffin tin.

Brisket Biscuits: Okay, I can't find this recipe online....maybe it was passed to me. Here you go.
Ingredients: Grands Biscuits (any kind but the flaky biscuits), leftover chopped beef from a BBQ, cheddar cheese. THAT'S ALL!
Directions: press one biscuit into the bottom of each of your muffin tins, scoop chopped beef until level with the top of the muffin tin, top with cheddar cheese. Bake according to directions on the biscuits. Serve with chips or baked beans!! Enjoy!

Mac n' Cheese Muffins: SO.GOOD. http://happyhomefairy.com/2011/07/26/recipe-mac-and-cheese-muffins/. You will not be disappointed. I DO NOT care much for dijon mustard, but it adds just a touch of pizazz!

Mini Lasagna Cups: These will CHANGE.YOUR.MIND. on how you eat lasagna! http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/mini-lasagna-cups.html

Jiffy Blueberry Muffins....but these are just as they sound. Open the box, follow the recipe!

Mini Meatloaf Cups: How annoying is it to make a whole meatloaf and have to throw half out because your family hardly ever eats left overs?? Problem solved. I add mashed potatoes with this... http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/marvelous-mini-meatloaves-75574.aspx

** All of the above recipes I have personally cooked and eating. I give them the stamp of delicious approval!

Also: while I cannot vouch for any of these personally, I did find this website, and plan on making many! Do you know the Muffin Tin?

ENJOY!

My sister and her professional partner run a photography/salon/wedding business. Recently, April, owner of Salon Keriz'ma and Almost Impatient Productions asked if I would help her bring a picture to fruition. So, after much delay (because Noah was sick), we had a photoshoot and here are my two favorite:
While I was slightly nervous about being {mostly} naked, I think these pictures turned out amazing.
I so much enjoyed being a "model" for April and my sister. I can't wait to have these framed!!

Mushy, Mushy, Mushy

This post is picture free, and relatively free of baby-mush.

Guess what? Today is exactly one year since we bought and {almost didn't} close on our home. Remember this post? It has all come true. This home has blessed us with so many incredible memories. I have spent the last year making our house a home...and although we are far from finished with final touches, we love our home. It is the keeper of our memories. It is where we have watched our lump of nothing baby turn into a joyful, bouncing toddler. I have watched our backyard go from dirt to a yard full of grass and trees (each of which, Cullen has planted).

This house has made me one of the happiest women alive. It isn't for the actual shell of our home - it is for what it represents, what it already holds and what it will be in the future. I love this home.

Congratulations, Cullen. We have come so far. You know what the greatest part?? The best is yet to come. I love you.

I Have A Sick Sugar

Well, guess what? I have a sick little grumpy bear at home. Tuesday, we met my parents for dinner and Wednesday, we met friends for dinner...both nights, Noah was NOT willing to sit at the table. He was easily agitated, grumpy, really uncooperative - which isn't him. He had a runny nose, but I chalked it up to allergies.

When we woke up this morning, He was SUPER HOT, red cheeked, and shaking. He was extremely unsteady on his feet and was so very clingy. SO, off to the doctor we went. As it turns out, he is honest to goodness, sick. He has throat ulsers and they are super contagious to children. We are bunkering down and staying home till he is better.

AND, since we are at home, and not able to eat solids, since he is sick AND his teeth hurt, he thought he could borrow Millie's bone to gnaw on. Gross. Millie was not pleased.

Wash Your Belly

Recently, Noah has become a HUGE helper. He helps rub in his lotion after bath time. He grabs diapers out of his diaper drawer. He now has taken to helping bathe himself in the bath. We were able to capture it perfectly.

He makes bath time so much fun. I love my little stinker.

A Visit From The Cousins...

This weekend, The Smalley cousins came to visit! Originally, we were headed their way for the weekend, and it so happened that we reversed the order. Dustin and Ashley, who are two of my favorite people, have a sweet little angel named Aubrey. Oh.My.Goodness. She is sweet. She is funny, and loving. It is hard to not want to beg Cullen for a little girl after playing with her. BUT, since you cannot guarantee the gender of your child, we will live vicariously through her and Noah's BFF, Kylie!! There is no reason to press our luck quite yet.

Here are some sweet little pictures from this weekend. AND, if you need more of a little fill, visit Ashley's Blog for more!





After a fun-filled Saturday, Dustin and Noah woke up Sunday morning, and Dustin showed Noah how Cullen and Dustin used to wrestle... in the living room. Here is a sequence of pictures.


HOW SWEET. It was such a fun weekend.

Bittersweet today - Noah went back to daycare. I can't lie, it is MUCH harder than expected.