makin' a list

As it is that time of year...I'm having the hardest time coming up with things I want for Christmas. How sad...this must be what it's like when you're a full-fledged adult. Yes? No?

As I'm surrounded by 26 six and seven year olds five days a week and being that it is Christmas according to them, I find myself thinking about my wish list. I made my kiddos write their letters to Santa, and surprisingly, they actually listened for this assignment. I explained that when we write a letter, we're actually having a conversation with someone. So, no, they could not just write a list of things they wanted but they needed to "talk" to Santa about what they wanted and why, and maybe even throw a question or two in there for him. Nonetheless, they managed to get in a few of their high-ticket items. And this brings me back to my point. Ask any kid what they want for Christmas, and no matter what time of the year it is, they can spout off about a million things. Whereas, I the 25 year old that I am can't think of more than two or three things that I would like to have under my tree this year. Now my husband has been gleefully letting me know for the past month that he knows what he's getting me for Christmas and I have no idea what those things would be. Believe me, I've racked my brain... many times but to no avail I come up empty handed. And surprisingly my husband has a list a mile long...well maybe not a mile long but he NEVER has a list...EVER! So, shopping for him has been relatively easy this year.

This is the only thing that I really, REALLY want.


Yes, I know they're Uggs and I yes, I know I live in Southern Arizona but nonetheless, I have always wanted a pair of Uggs. Not so I can wear them with cut-off shorts ala all the celebrities but so I can just wear them over my skinny jeans or just because my feet are always cold. This is the exact pair I want in this color as well...chestnut. Is anyone else picking up on the *hint, hint.

Guess we'll have to see if I've been a good girl or not this year. =)

double trouble

So I come home from today having had a really good day. I'm excited to eat the turkey soup that's been cooking in the crock pot all day and I'm even more excited to get started on the huge Christmas project my kiddos will be doing in the coming weeks. Anyway, I open the front door to see a black bucket laying in the Arizona room. Now this is not alarming or unusual as our two dogs tend to get into things when they're left outside during the day. Now, I should've known it wasn't going to be that simple as today was the first super cold and windy day we've had so far. And when I think about it our lovely four-legged creatures tend to get into all kinds of trouble because they stay in the Arizona room for the most part during these kinds of days. Nonetheless, I open the back door to find that that black bucket is actually a paint can with the label ripped off. And yes, to answer your question it still had unused paint inside from when we painted our living room. On further inspection of this paint can you could see the teeth marks from either one or both of our lovelies where they tried in vane to open the can with no success...on that one.

As I turn to my left I see this lovely image....

Yes folks that's right...a gallon of paint spilled all over the floor of the Arizona room. As I'm yelling "OH MY GOD" along comes my good friend Apollo who decides to explore with mommy and steps in it. Well, the paint is still wet and he slips scaring himself and flinging paint on my pants, shoes and himself as he tries to get out of it. Somehow, I managed to grab him before he ran into the house and all over the carpet. Here he is with paint on his paws. Doesn't he look happy?

Anyway, so the hubs comes home and needless to say 30 minutes later the floor is cleaned to the best it's going to be and these two trouble makers got what they deserved.

Would anyone like a 2 year old boxer and 3 year old pit bull? I promise you'll never be bored!

deck the halls

I absolutely love this time of year. I really don't care about Halloween and I only enjoy Thanksgiving because it means super good food and lots of it but Christmas...I love Christmas. Actually, it's probably more accurate to say I love this time of year. I love seeing all the lights go up on houses. I love going to the stores and looking at their Christmas displays but only after Thanksgiving. I love lighting my cinnamon candles when I get home from work. I love listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies, especially White Christmas with my mom. I love seeing the kids faces at the mall when they're in line waiting for Santa. I also love that I have a fireplace because it means lots of warm and toasty nights! I just think it's a magical time of year! I only wish we lived somewhere it snowed during this time of year...then it would be perfect!

Today my hubby pulled out our Christmas stuff and I got busy! I got our tree up and decorated. Got my collection of snowmen out, although I think I was very careful and selective in my choices and my hubby is currently working on getting up our lights and lawn decorations. Pictures of that will come later...he's currently muttering to himself and trying to fix the reindeer that won't light up. Did I mention, that this is the time of year that I know my hubby really loves me because he hangs up all of our lights within a day or two of Thanksgiving and the past two years he's even bought the lawn decor just because he knows how much I love this time of year.

Here's my house!

Don't you just love a fireplace at Christmas? The hubs likes nutcrackers and I'm obsessed with snowmen. I think I mixed them well this year!

The tree. Luckily, both of our moms saved us ornaments throughout the years.

My mother-in-law buys me a shoe ornament each year and this is the perfect place to hang them. Since shoes have their own space in my closet and a special place in my heart, it's only fitting that they have their own tree! My parents gave me the the ballet slippers on the bottom when I was 7.

The divider between the living room and kitchen.

The view from the couch. The four snowglobish things my mom found at Hallmark. She loves that store and always finds cute things there. When you push one of the buttons on the one of the figurines they all dance to a Christmas song.

Our nativity scene. We found it 2 years ago in one of the Catholic stores my dad frequents in Tucson. The hubs and I really liked it because we've never seen one quite like it. The figures are unique and the hubs built the shelter. The only thing left is our advent wreath.

Now that the inside of my house is done and the outside is being worked on all that's left is my classroom. That'll be done Tuesday after school. Ooo...I guess there's another reason why I love this time of year...I get to decorate two different places...my home and my classroom. =)

moving around

I can't believe my week is over. Yes, I know it's only Tuesday but in teacher speak...the week of Thanksgiving is crazy especially when you decide to do a program with 50 1st graders and a feast. I'm so glad the district decided to give us a "Fall Break" tomorrow I know I'm sleeping in!

The program went really well and the kiddos definitely loved Mrs. Faust dressed as a Pilgrim. I didn't get any pictures of it but you can imagine...long black dress, white apron, white neck thingy and white hat. I was so proud of my kiddos though. We've been working very hard for the past two week to learn our songs to include sign language for What a Wonderful World, and a small skit. I also had a colleague decide she wanted to do it too. So coordinating 50 1st graders was definitely a feat in its own right but nonetheless, after a rough dress rehearsal yesterday they pulled it together and did a great job today! Our feast also went pretty well. This is the 2nd year I've decided to do it and I stressed the day before last year and yesterday as well. Cooking...well preparing food with 26 1st graders is not easy plus lugging it all home to cook sucks! I worried that I wouldn't have enough food for the parents but turns out there was nothing to worry about. I swore last year I wasn't going to do a big feast again and this I'm swearing that I won't do it again next year but it's fun despite the amount of work and stress that is involved. It's also totally worth it when you're kiddos tell you it's been the best day of their lives.

But in even more exciting news...I think I felt the baby move! It happened on Sunday at my parents house. I was half laying and half sitting in their recliner and I felt this kicking sensation on the right side of my stomach twice. I wasn't sure at first but when I telling Robbie in the car on the way home, he asked if I'd ever felt it before and no I haven't...so yay there is a person in there. =) I keep hoping it'll happen again but no so luck as of yet.

28 ain't bad

This smokin' guy is 28 today. Now if you ask him...he'll cry and complain about how it's "just another day" but I beg to differ. It's the day he came to be on this earth and had that not occurred I wouldn't be his wife. So in honor of the good lookin' man's birthday here are 28 reasons why I love him. =)

1. He makes me laugh uncontrollably...a lot. Sometimes to the point where it's one of the embarrassing laughs where you can't breathe but yet you laugh so loud people stare.

2. He's totally got a bad boy look with his tattoos

3. The way he texts me faithfully everyday at 4:30 to see if I'm on my way home or not.

4. His giggle that only happens around me.

5. The way seeing him play with other people's kids makes me melt.

6. How excited he gets when I make potato salad.

7. Because he's a sucker for the look I give him when I want something...Lord help him if we have a girl.

8. Because he'll tell you how it is without apologies.

9. When he puts his "smell good" on...it makes me want to kiss him for long periods of time.

10. Because he lets me be DJ (for the most part) when we drive places.

11. Because he likes it when I talk to him when he's in the shower.

12. Because even though I act annoyed...the way he's all over me.

13. He listens to me when I tell him "I'm dying" and then tells me I'm ridiculous.

14. He ALWAYS gets up the with dogs when they come in at 6:30 on Saturdays.

15. Because he'd do anything for me...no matter what.

16. Because he executes my visions for our house renovations.

17. When he's bumming in sweats and a t-shirt and his hair is a mess...it pretty much makes my teeth sweat.

18. How he acts around the old ladies at church...so polite and charming.

19. Even though it drives me nuts...the way he small talks with people in stores.

20. He's a really good kisser.

21. The way he's ready to make up after 5 minutes when we fight and won't leave me alone until I forgive him.

22. Because I know how hard he works and how he secretly takes pride in all of his work.

23. The way he looks when he's got his bike jacket on in the morning before he leaves.

24. Because I know he's going to be a great dad.

25. Because he's super protective of me.

26. Because he supports my career and only complains every now and then when I "need" to buy something else for my classroom.

27. How mad he gets when I don't ask for his help with my classroom.

28. Because he's the only person I want to be on this journey with.

There's about a million more reasons why I love him but for now those will do!

Happy Birthday Robbie!

guilty

These two...there really are no words to describe them. Alone they'd probably be okay but together they are trouble. The one on the right, Lady, is the ring leader. She's the one who breaks into my garden and destroys my plants in the attempt to get a squirrel that taunts and teases her. The one the left, Apollo, is the lunk head who goes along with Lady's schemes and likes to dig his way to China and kick all of his tennis balls underneath furniture just to watch you rescue them only to turn around and do it again.

In this picture, Lady looks like she's saying, "Aww, come on mom, please let us stay on the bed. We promise to be good. You won't even know we're here". And Apollo appears to be saying, "Do you mind...I was having a good dream".

the size of an onion

Apparently at 17 weeks the baby is the size of an onion.

Today we had our 3rd baby appointment. I'm 17 weeks and things are good. We got to hear the heartbeat again...well I did. It was the first time Robert got to hear it. I got to hear it twice. I got to the appointment first and didn't have to wait very long at all...the last two times it was about a 30-45 minute wait. This time I got there peed in a cup and waited about 5 minutes. Anyway...the nurse listened to the heartbeat first thing and I asked her if she could do it again when Robert came and she did. During the 1st one the baby was kicking. I have no idea...it sounded like scratches to me. Thank goodness these nurses know what they're doing. Then the 2nd time it took her a minute to find the heartbeat again but then it got louder and louder. Such a good baby already. Then the doctor came in and talked to me about the test they do to see how at risk the baby is for having Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida or chromosomal abnormalities. It freaks me out beyond belief, but I think I'll get it done..tomorrow since it has to be done in a 24 hour period. And he also measured my belly.

On December 15th we get to find out what this baby is. I'm bummed because I thought we'd be able to find out like next week or the week after. The nurse said we'd be able to find out a lot sooner than 4 weeks later but whatev. Robert said it's better because the baby will be bigger and they'll definitely be able to tell what it is. We'll see.

Anyway...I guess it's time I started documenting this especially since I've got a bump now. So here you go...here I am at 17 weeks and 1 day.