~~ 10 Years Too Long ~~

Once every 10 years or so circumstances allow me the chance to visit with my old friend, Jena. I really don't remember the last time we saw each other, we tried to figure it out at breakfast, but it was early and I wasn't doing the math right. My guess was mid-1998. I know she came to visit, here, when Sierra was a baby (97?)and I made a quick weekend trip (another, long story) to Nashville to visit her (98?). I know that it was before Feb 1999 when Alyssa was born.

Point is, it had been way too long since we have seen each other. We had breakfast before we headed home. Email is great, but there is nothing better than sitting down, having a cup of coffee or soda and talking with one another. I love that after so many years we can sit down and talk like no time has passed.

Thank you Jena for getting up early and meeting me for breakfast. I had a super time catching up and laughing!!

~~ Michella ~~

Today my cousin Michella said, "I DO!"

I can hardly believe that she is old enough to get married. It seems like just yesterday she was just a baby. I found this picture of her and her mom and me and well, I guess we have all changed, just a little, over the past 20 years.

Here she is dancing with me at my wedding reception in 2000.

And here she is nine years later at her wedding reception dancing with my uncle.

I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of me and her together or even a good picture of her and her new husband-the ones from the church are blurry and the ones from the reception, well it was busy. This is one of the best pictures I snapped of the happy couple.

I am so happy that my family and I were there to celebrate and share her special day with her--she was an absolutely beautiful bride.

~~ Rainforest Cafe ~~

For the second weekend in a row we were out of town-seems like we are starting 2010 going, going, going. I haven't forgotten about the slow down part of my resolution.

Instead I'm focusing on the enjoying my family and friends part, which means heading out of town now and then.

So we headed to Dallas for my cousins wedding. Her wedding was at 12:30 Saturday afternoon and initially we were going to try to leave that morning, but we decided that was pushing it and we would be stressed and rushed. Since Phillip was able to take Friday off we went as soon as Jesse got out of school. Leaving a day early made the drive up a lot less stressful and we were able to check in to the hotel, go have a nice dinner and relax a little.

We thought it would be cool to take the boys somewhere fun to eat, so for dinner we drove to the Rainforest Cafe at the Grapevine Mills Mall. Phillip and I had eaten at the Rainforest Cafe years ago with the girls in Florida, so we knew the boys would enjoy it. And they did, we all did. The food was great, our waitress was great and the atmosphere was, well, great!

The boys and Cha Cha

Cha Cha souvenir cups

~~ What's For Lunch? And Dinner? ~~

I started today off running late--I woke up at 7:36 and Jesse is suppose to be at school at 7:45. I forgot to set my alarm, probably because I was depending on one of the boys waking up before 7:00-like they usually do. OH WELL. He made it to school before 8:00.

I took my time getting myself and Michael ready and it was probably 9:30 when I dropped him off. So nice not having to rush to get him to school before the bell rings.

I didn't have any big plans for the rest of the day, so I decided I'd surprise Jesse at lunch with some Taco Bell. He was surprised and he was SO excited! Just look at that smile!

Then I came home and started cooking. I've been wanting to try a couple of new recipes and since it is freezing cold, I thought I'd try some cold weather recipes.

First I made this:

Ghostly White Chili from HEB Showtime Magazine

1 1/2 lb ground turkey
1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp italian seasoning

2 tbsp flour

1 carton chicken broth

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 can (15oz) white beans

Brown turkey. Stir in garlic, seasoning, and flour until nicely browned. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, and beans, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, uncovered.

Then I made this:

Banana Bread (my Grandmother & Great Grandmother's recipe)

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp soda

3 bananas mashed

Bake 1 1/2 hr at 300

Then I made this:

Potato Soup-recipe is my sweet friend's at No Onions

It was a lot of food and it was all SO good.
The chili was good, but I think it was too soupy, so next time I hold back on the chicken broth and maybe add some more or different kinds of beans.

There is nothing like a warm slice of banana bread fresh from the oven.

The potato soup was a huge hit with everyone, a new favorite at our house. I have to admit I wasn't sure about the bacon grease, but oh boy it was yummy!

~~ Hook 'Em ~~

My boys all smiles wearing their orange and white at the beginning of the BCS National Championship game-Texas vs. Alabama before Colt got hurt and the Horns struggled to stay in the game.
Although they didn't win, they came within 3 points before it went south, we are still proud Longhorn fans. Hook 'Em Horns, Baby!!

~~ Big Decision ~~

The decision made today was that I will start spending M/W/F 's with this handsome little devil:

I realize it has not even been a month since I graduated, but I knew that my chances of finding a teaching job mid-year would be, as my supervisor said, slim and none. It has also only been 2 days since students returned to school after the Christmas break. I am in the system to be called to sub when/if I am needed. However, there are probably 30+ recent graduates also "on call." Student teaching was NOT a paid semester and the cost of child care is outrageous.
SO.....a compromise of sorts.....He stays home with me 3 days a week and I will practice everything I learned the last 2 years teaching him. He goes to school 2 days a week and I am available to sub and practice (if I get called) everything I learned the last 2 years in the classroom.
It is win/win.
Bonus savings: I get to pick Jesse up from school everyday, so no after school care!
It just didn't make any sense paying to send him to school everyday when I am home all day not making any money. I'm excited to have some one on one time with my littlest man.

~~ 39 ~~

Yup, I turned 39 today.

the last of my 30's,

the end of my 4th decade,

the year befor the BIG 4-0.

Michael asked me if he could come to my party, it was so cute. I tried to explain to him that my birthday isn't like his birthday, there is no party. I haven't had a party in years.
It was seriously a GREAT day filled with lots of phone calls, emails, texts, and wall posts on facebook. I have amazing friends and family, I wish I could see all of them and celebrate with them.
Who knows, maybe next year I will have a birthday party at the roller rink and invite all my friends just like when I was, um, younger.