2010 in Pictures

It took me a while, but I'm finally through.  Enjoy! 

This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

A Whirlwind Weekend

My weekend was full of things like......

lots of this a little of this

one of these

a smidge of this

a view of this

the sight of that

but most of all missing this!!!!

The past 365 days

It's hard to believe that the Lord has already given Michael and me a year together. It has honestly been the best year of my life. There's nothing like the peace of knowing that you waited on the one that God would have you marry. We enjoyed a nice weekend away together. I'll post about that later when I have more time. This week I'll be driving to Athens everyday for preshool training. It's going to be a busy week.


The past year has been filled with
· Breath-taking views of Niagara falls
· walking around Canada
· Butterfly observatory
· Board patrol yelling at us (Michael, I’d hate to say it but I told you so)
· Hugs-n-kisses
· nightly prayer and devotions (one word…Apostable)
· a new job
· boat rides
· Styrofoam cutting
· walks down our road
· driving by possible houses
· touring possible houses
· church services
· laughing days
· sobbing nights
· death of a loved one
· illness of another loved one
· warnings for expired tags
· warnings for not paying parking fee
· a new niece
· a new tractor
· 18 tomato plants
· first meal at home: Pancake breakfast
· Many ruined meals….(whoops)
· Walks at the park
· tennis matches
· sleeping in Saturdays
· Dollywood at Christmas
· Fireworks on the fourth
· Adventure on the Ocoee
· Graduated Sister
· Ruined cell phones (who would have thought…2 in one week.)
· Barking at dogs
· Crowing at roosters
· Rooster catching neighbors
· Lawn-mower riding kids
· Craig’s list browsing
· Police at school
· Being mistaken for a “young driver”
· Car- reposing (not our's)
· Totally bombing a newly wed game
· singing in the choir
· singing in the car
· Hosting a Christmas party
· A companion to listen
· many MANY bowls of popcorn
· sweet texts
· changing tires (in the rain)


It has been good.

I'm enjoying a quiet Christmas Eve at home. I'm a little sad because Michael has to work but hopefully he'll be home soon. I've been sitting here reminiscing last Christmas. As a newly engaged gal, I spent Christmas overseas with Dad and Bryan. Although I missed Michael, Kosovo, Italy, and Switzerland were awesome. Think I'll make a smilebox to share some pictures.

Last night we went to my moms and exchanged gifts. For those of you who will see mom, check out the big rock on her finger....you'll be jealous!
Tomorrow we are gonna have a full day between going to his parents and mine. I'm excited. Which reminds me, I need to run to Kroger's and Walgreen's to get a few last minute baking ingredients and a gift bag. If I don't see you today or tomorrow.....

Merry Christmas!!!!!

(hope to see you soon Dad!)

Make a Smilebox greeting

Ten Reasons Why I Heart Christmas

I love, love Christmas. I’m almost a fanatic about it. Here is why…..

#1—The Music. There is something about the beat and excitement in it. The day after Thanksgiving I start listening to Christmas music nonstop. …in the house, in my classroom, in the car….everywhere! Last year at a conference in Gatlinburg I won the “name that Christmas tune game”. It was great!

#2—The Food. I like food, and it tastes especially good at Christmas.

#3—Giving gifts. Seriously! I know a lot of ways Christmas is over- commercialized but you can give gifts without going overboard. We set a per person budget, and only bought for close family. We don’t get to do much for the people we love throughout the year so at Christmas its extra special picking out things I think they’ll like.

#4—Getting Gifts. I’d be lying if I tried being all modest and say it’s just about giving. Michael went shopping last night and I’m dying to shake my gifts under the tree. But I made a solemn oath that I wouldn’t so much as touch them (plus I think he has them booby-trapped).

#5—Christmas Break. Two weeks without my 20 lovely students….Need I say more?

#6—Memories. All the Christmas memories I have from growing up at home. From getting up at the crack of dawn to look at my gifts and then going back to bed before anyone else got up to the year we made sugar cookies complete with icing.

#7--Making new memories with my Hubby. Being married is great! I'll not soon forget our first Christmas together. Also it was around last Christmas when he proposed to me.

#8—Making Christmas Ornaments with my friend Carly. This is a new thing we started this year but plan to keep doing. Don’t make fun, we made around $180.

#9—Spending time with my family, (even the flakes).

#10--The lights. Oh my word! I could stare at Christmas lights for hours!!!!

Why do you love Christmas?

Christmas Party

Saturday we had our Sunday School class over for a Christmas Party. It was a hoot! We got to see a side of some that they usually don't show! We are definitely gonna make this an annual tradition!

Here's a group picture:









We played a game where each team was competing to make the best reindeer antlers. It was super funny.

I'm still in shock that Jen had pantyhose on her head. She's a real trooper!

Billy wore the antlers for his group.

Rudolph (aka: Jeremy)

I've already spotted the best buck in this picture...

We also had a $5.00 gift exchange with a few interesting gifts....

I'm tickled with how the party went. The Lord has blessed us with an awesome group of friends. Thanks for coming, guys!