Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Top Ten Tuesday

Top ten reasons I'm ready for summer vacation!

1.  My students are making me insane!  With 90 degree weather, they think it's June and it's SO not!  
2.  I miss my kid.  She rocks my socks off and she's just getting more awesome by the day.  I can't stand how much I'm missing and I want to savor every single moment I get with her! 
3.  I need a vacation.  We have nothing really planned, other than our trip to see family in Texas in August, which I'm super excited about!  Also, there is still a possible Wyoming trip at the end of June for just me and Andrew, but nothing is set in stone yet!  Oh how we need that time away just the two of us.  It would definitely do us some good. 
4.  I desperately want to go to the pool.  I love our neighborhood pools, especially on weekdays in the summer, because they are usually empty, except for the lifeguard.  Bliss! 
5.  I can't wait to sleep in!  I'm used to getting up at 6am every day, but it will be so nice to put Caroline to bed later and sleep in until at least 8:00!  (You know you're old when sleeping in is 8:00!) 
6.  More trips to see the parents!  I need a few good long weekends in Roanoke.  We haven't been there since Christmas!  That's TOO long!
7.  My mom, Aunt Donna, and Erika's trip up here in July to see The Color Purple!  YAY!  
8.  Plenty of time to read.  I have SO many books I want to read and I can hardly stand how little time I have to devote to them.  
9.  Going to DC to have lunch with the hubby.  Caroline is bigger now, so it will be even more fun! She loves going to see Daddy at work!  
10.  Getting a paycheck for doing whatever I want!  That's definitely the best part about my job!  haha  Okay okay... I shouldn't say that... I love my students, but summer vacation is nothing to complain about!  


Sunday, April 26, 2009

Caroline sings ABC

For people who read my blog and don't have facebook, here's the video of Caroline singing her ABC's.  SO CUTE!  (and so smart!) :-)  Enjoy!



Saturday, April 25, 2009

Caroline's First Pony Ride!


We went to Leesburg Animal Park this morning and Caroline had her very first pony ride!  She wasn't too thrilled about the idea, until she saw two other little girls have a turn before her.  After she saw that they could do it, she was very excited!  I thought I was going to have to walk with her, but she held on like a big girl!  She was very serious during the ride, but when she got off the horse, she was so proud!  Just adorable!  


Monday, April 20, 2009

A great weekend and a decent Monday

There's something about Spring that makes me feel so rejuvenated.  I know I already talked about this in a previous post, but the warm weather (even the rain) just makes me feel like anything is possible.  It reminds me of how God gives us different seasons of our lives and even when we feel tired or run down, He will pick us up and move us forward into new opportunities and challenges.  Awesome!  

This weekend I was able to clean up our patio and plant some new Azalia bushes and I also planted some herbs for the first time... basil, rosemary, thyme, cilantro and mint.  I'm so excited about those herbs, because we all know how much I love to cook and using fresh herbs is my absolute favorite!  Now I don't have to spend money to buy them at the store and I can just go out my back door and pick my own! yay!  I considered growing some vegetables, but I really don't have too much room and I need to start slowly.  Maybe one day when I have a real yard, I'll grow some yummy veggies for summer!  Oh the possibilities!  :-) 


This weekend we also spent time celebrating our dear friend Rhyan's 30th birthday on Saturday night!  Here's Rhyan modeling his awesome Snuggie gift from his brother Brandon and sister-in-law Meghan.  HOT!

We went to Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant in DC and it was a great time! We even decided to take Caroline and she was AWESOME! 
 
Mainly because her boyfriend Evan was there.  She loves Evan and it cracks us up!  Here's proof of how much they love each other.  haha  Adorable! 

I was proud to get lots of compliments about how cool and laid back she was.  She definitely impressed everyone, even me!  We didn't end up getting home until after 10, which is SO past her bedtime.  She loved all of the attention and especially the food.  (Please excuse how sweaty we are in this picture! It was SO hot in that party room!)

Sunday we spent plenty of time just hanging out.  We also got to enjoy another good weather day at the park with the cousins just playing and running around.  Caroline had her first crack at the wiffle ball and Andrew was so proud! haha  I took pictures on my sister-in-law's camera, but I have not yet gotten those pics from her.  I'll be sure to post them when I do.  They were all super cute playing! 

P.S. - I have finally started the summer countdown... 39 school days left!  woo hoo 


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Top Ten Tuesday... Favorite places to pig out!

1.  Richard's -  (No website available.) Favorite BBQ place in Salisbury, NC.  If you're ever driving down 85, you should stop into Salisbury and give it a try!  I love it so so much!  Not only is the food amazing, but the staff there loved my Poppy, who went there every day for many many years.  When he died, they closed the restaurant so that they could all come to his funeral.  The place just makes me me happy!  Favorite bbq sandwich, favorite slaw, favorite hushpuppies, favorite cheeseburgers!  YUM!
2.  Yamazato's -  (No website available.) Fast food Japanese restaurant in Lynchburg, Va.  It's amazing!  I ate it at least twice a week during college and maybe more while I was student teaching.  It's comfort food to the max!
3. Chipotle - Gigantic made-to-order burritos that make my belly oh so happy!  Having one close to my house is definitely a requirement for our next abode.  HA!  I have such high standards.  
4.  Dixie Bones - Woodbridge, VA BBQ... the only decent bbq restaurant I've found in Northern VA.  They have a Sunday buffet that will make your heart skip a beat!  oh man!  BBQ (all different kinds... pork, beef, chicken...) and mac-n-cheese, and collard greens, and cornbread!  YUM!
5.  Five Guys - Burgers.  Fries.  Heaven.  
6.  Biscuitville - Mostly southern, fast food breakfast chain... my favorite!  Especially the country ham biscuit and sausage gravy biscuit!  drool.  
7.  The Melting Pot - Fondu!  mmmm  It's not only fun, but it's delicious!  Especially the desert fondu!  
8.  Geno's - Cheesesteak!  Trips to Philly have taken place just for these sandwiches.  We have found a place here that have good cheesesteaks too... Philly Connection.  Very close and definitely fulfills the fix when a two hour drive is not doable.  
9.  Krispy Kream - HOT NOW!  As my Andrew says, "It's like the bat signal!" That glowing red sign is hard to pass up!  
10. Ledo Pizza  - Thin crust rectangle pizza cut into cute little squares... the bacon is my absolute favorite!  SO good! 

For more Top Ten Tuesday check out ohamanda.com

Sunday, April 12, 2009

What Is Easter?



I was looking for a book to explain the true meaning of Easter to Caroline and I found this book by the same author of our favorite Christmas book, What is Christmas? both written by Michelle Medlock Adams.  What is Easter? just spoke to my heart, and though it is much easier for a preschooler/toddler to understand the meaning of Christmas than it is to understand the meaning of Easter, I love that this one doesn't skirt around the truth.  It lets children know that it's fun to buy new clothes, have candy and hunt eggs, but that the true meaning of Easter is Jesus.  Exactly what I want my little girl to have instilled in her heart... the earlier the better!  

"The little bunny hops, hops, hops. 
Is this what Easter means? 
Is it about the Easter eggs
All filled with jellybeans?

Is Easter about hunting eggs? 
I do that every year. 
Does it mean eating chocolate stuff? 
I ate my bunny's ear. 

Is it about the baby chicks? 
They're fuzzy, and they're fun!
I saw some Easter chicks for sale. 
I really wanted one. 

Is it about the Easter toys? 
They're really fun, I think. 
One time a bunny came to me. 
His little nose was pink. 

Is it about my brand-new dress? 
And my new Easter hat? 
Does it mean wearing shiny shoes? 
I really do love that! 

Is it about a big parade
With lots of pretty floats? 
Is it about the Easter choir? 
They sing the highest notes!

No! That's not what Easter means.

Easter means much more than that. 
It's all about God's son. 
See, God sent Jesus down to earth 
To die for everyone. 

He had to die upon a tree
To save us from our sin. 
But he was only dead three days, 
And then he rose again. 

Now, that's what Easter really means! 
It's quite a special day. 
Jesus our Savior rose again. 
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! 

Today, he sits right next to God
In Heaven up above.
He wants to live inside you too
And fill you up with love! 

Okay, now I get it. 
The Easter Bunny is okay,
And Easter eggs are fun. 
But Easter's not about that stuff...

It's all about God's son."  

Isn't that just great?  If you like that one, you must check out What is Christmas? as well.  

Here is me and my beautiful family on our Easter day 2009!  :-) 

 
Praise be to God!  He is RISEN!!!  Hope everyone had a blessed day!  

Friday, April 10, 2009

North Carolina Love

Can I share how much I love North Carolina?!  Please?  Pretty please?  What they hey, it's my blog, I can do what I want.  :-)  We went to Salisbury last Saturday and came home Wednesday, which was entirely too short of a trip, but it was such a joy to my heart to be there and surrounded by people I love so much!

Caroline made herself right at home. :-)
 
My beautiful mother and darling daughter!
My parents just built their retirement house in Salisbury, only two doors down from my mom's BFF, Crystal.  
Here she is loving on C! 

The parent's new house. Beautiful!
It makes me so excited!  The house is beautiful!  They won't be living there for another few years, but the timing was just right for them and it couldn't make me happier.  

Caroline with her Poppy!

Saturday, when we got there, two of my BFF's, Kim and Sara, came into Salisbury to see us! 

 It was so wonderful to see them and have them there!  We all hung out for a while and then went to dinner.  It was a big ol' party!  Sadly, they had to leave Saturday evening, but it was still a blast to see them!  Love you girls!!! 
Also, my beautiful cousin Erika was there and we spent as many moments as possible together.  She's the sister I've never had and I love her with all my heart!  (And so does Caroline!)
Sunday was a day with the family.  We went down to see my Granny in her new assisted living home and she was doing great!  Looking as beautiful as ever! :-)  

We took her out to my Aunt DeDe's house and hung out with them and the kids for a while.  
We ate fried chicken and drank sweet tea and just played outside until it was time to go back to Salisbury for C's nap.  It was a beautiful day!  

Back at my parent's house we had more family over for dinner.

And my sweet Erika painted both my toes and Caroline's toes.  :-)  
Monday and Tuesday we went around to Concord and Charlotte to look around at possible living/working areas of interest, but it wasn't all about us... we also went to the park on Tuesday to let Caroline run around for a while.  

It was so cold, considering we'd been loving the 70's, but we still had fun and so did C!  

On our way back Andrew and I got to talking about me going back to school... I still have UNC Chapel Hill in my mind as a huge possibility for Grad School and I can't let it go... their school counseling program is just over a year long and you must go full time.  I just feel like that would be the best thing for me, especially if I could do it right away and then just be done.  We all know I'd like to be a SAHM, but if that possibility is not in the future for me, I feel like I really need to find something to do that I truly love and care about and school counseling is without a doubt where I should be.  I wouldn't even be able to go until next Fall, but I think it's just something to really consider.  We'll see what happens and what God has in store.  As of right now, I'm just thinking and dreaming.  Nothing is really reality quite yet.  

All I can say though, is that I love North Carolina so much!  I can't wait to move there and be closer to the people I love!  It just feels so right.  :-)  Soon I hope.  

One more taste of North Caroline beauty with this gorgeous tree down the street from my parent's new house.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Freedom!

I have been wanting to post all week, but who really has the time?  Definitely not me!  But today.... oh, this glorious day... I AM FREE for an entire beautiful week of Spring Break and I could not be more elated!  YES!!!  I feel like a kid!  :-)  

To update on my cakepops that I made last weekend for the baby shower at work on Wednesday... they were a huge hit!  I got so many complements, it definitely made the hours of work worth it!  I got suggestions from coworkers to sell my pops at craft shows and even a possible interest for my pops to be made for a special event!  How cool!  So, I think I may check around and see if there are any local craft shows coming up at schools or churches in the area and get to selling.  Yay!  :-)  

Tomorrow we leave for a trip down to North Carolina!  So many friends and family to see!  My heart is overflowing with excitement and anticipation!   

And... Spring is alive here in Virginia.  Finally.  The cherry blossoms are all in bloom along with tons of other beautiful flowers!  I love it!  Pictures to come!