Those of you who have me on Facebook or are apart of mine or Josh's immediate families probably already know the news, but I thought I'd spread it a little more...we're going to VEGAS! We're going over Easter Break so April 21st-24th, and staying at the Flamingo on the strip. I've never been to Vegas, and neither has Josh, and to be honest we've never really been on any vacations. We go to the Ozarks with friends over the 4th of July weekend, and we've been to the Mall of America and stayed in Omaha one summer and went to the zoo (aside from all the times we go to visit my family). I've also been to Chicago, Georgia, and Florida, but I'm super excited to go to the bright lights of Vegas! I've never really been on a "adult" vacation (meaning, without family, and actually planning most of it on our own - not just going to visit friends.) So I'm pretty (okay VERY) excited! Josh is excited in his own way, but I think there will be so much to do and see we really won't get to see all of it in the three days we're there. We got a really good deal on our hotel, and I can't stop looking at pictures of it online. And this is the pool that goes with it!: I think the weather will be fairly nice towards the end of April in Vegas, so I'm hoping to bring out the flip-flops, sundresses, sunglasses, and get a suntan! :) Only 83 days left!
Other than that nothing new to report. School seems to be flying by, January is almost over and it seems like it's the longest month ever (aside from March). We have tomorrow off from the kids, but will be working on professional development all day, which I don't mind at all because I love my co-workers and spending time with them all day beats creating lesson plans any day of the week. :) Then February comes and it's a short month, plus we have ITBS testing and conferences in there, with an extra day off on the 18th. March will be here before we know it, and we have a day off then too, also some field trips planned and track starts! I'll be coaching track from March-May 7th, and I couldn't be more excited. I love track, and not having to do basketball and drive the bus this winter has been amazing!
We haven't been up to much. We went to an ISU Men's basketball game the other night (they beat Baylor!), we're going to a hockey game tomorrow night with some friends, and other than that we've just been working, working out, and hanging out. We like to stay at home more often now (does that mean we're getting old?!) and I actually like it a lot, it makes for a relaxing weekend, not one where I'm nursing a hangover for a day or two and then having to work all week, so no complaints there.
Hopefully I'll be able to update more as the Vegas trip gets closer and the school year winds down. Yay!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Welcome 2011! We welcomed in the new year by celebrating at Bryce and Jill's before heading uptown. We had fun and it was nice to spend time with all of our friends, too. School started again for me last week and wouldn't you know it, we haven't had one snow day yet this year! (As opposed to last year when we had about 7!) So, I'm (im)patiently waiting for it to snow right now, hoping to maybe get one tomorrow (or maybe even a 2hr delay??).
Other than that I don't really have much to report. Tomorrow is our 5 year anniversary on 1/11/11. Pretty cool, huh? Can't believe we've been together for 5 years! Seems like it hasn't been that long...and I mean that honestly! I can definitely tell how much more our relationship has grown and matured over the past 5 years, (the most over the past 2) and he's really turned into my best friend. I've really enjoyed this past year with him and can't wait to enjoy hopefully many more! I've always been a sucker for scrapbooks, I love looking through them and I do really like making them, but they take so much time to do (and can be costly) and I really don't have that much time to spare during the school year. So, I hopped on my favorite site mixbook.com and created a scrapbook for the 2010 year! I can't wait to see it - I hope it really turns out great! :) You can check it out below!
Well, Christmas came and went. It's always so bittersweet when I wake up on the 26th. Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE Christmas, and I start looking forward to it around October. On Christmas Eve, I just wish I could slow down the next two days and soak up the amazing time I have with my families. Josh often finds himself rolling his eyes at my child-like excitement when it comes to Christmas (which he refers to as "just another day"), but this year when I told everyone that I wanted to take turns and watch everyone open their presents (we've always done this at my house), at first he was like, "What!?" But I feel like too often we get so consumed with just ripping open our own presents that we don't get to really thank people for the nice gifts, and we don't even get to see other people open the gifts we give! I put a lot of thought into the gifts I give, and I really like to see others' faces when they open my presents, as well as see the goodies they recieved. And he agreed, I think he even said he liked this way better because it feels like we are able to eat and then leisurely open gifts and spend more time together before we have to leave. It may take a little longer, but you really get to spend time with family and not feel so rushed. I love it! <3
Friday night we went to Josh's mom's, Saturday morning we went to my parent's, Saturday night we went to Josh's dad's, and then Sunday we went to Josh's Grandma's. We'll be heading to Omaha to my grandparent's Jan. 8th so we have a little bit of a break. This year was a little more special because we had Kayden and it was her first Christmas! She obviously didn't fully undersand Christmas, but she did like pulling the wrapping paper off some of her presents. She got one of those fun door jumper things, so that was fun to play in as well!
We all had a really nice time. I got everything I asked for and then some! Josh and I always say we make out like bandits once all is said and done, and we are very blessed to have families that love us and are able to provide for us all the things we want. Josh's big gifts included a recumbent bike and he was really surprised and excited to unwrap the autographed Tesla poster I got for him. He really liked it. :) He also got a bucket from my mom with his name on it, so we couldn't help putting Kayden in it haha.
I recieved a new pair of Ugg boots, some nice scarves, Christmas movies (AH! Can't wait to watch them all next year!), a headboard, and some diamond earrings from Josh. So like I said, it was a great Christmas had by all!
We don't yet have any plans for NYE on Friday night...but I am very excited to see what 2011 has in store for us! Hope everyone has a great end to their 2010!
(The trees were so pretty :))
Sorry for such the stretch of time between posts. Seems like when I actually get a second to sit down the last thing I want to do is blog. With Christmas almost here (15 days left!) as well as getting ready to wrap up the first semester of school (can it be?!) things have been hectic. Not to mention throwing Scentsy into there - I've been busy! Scentsy has been great - made some extra money this month and already more for next month so that will be nice! It has been overwhelming, but great at the same time.
We went and got family pictures done a few weeks ago in Davenport with Josh's side so I'll post a few sneak peaks: Baby K <3 Everyone: I don't have many pictures to post, I should take a few pictures of the tree and our new stockings, so that might be my next post. With the family photos done I finally got my Christmas cards ordered so they should be sent out Monday for everyone - enjoy!
Nothing really new to post or going on. We were reminded this week to count all of our blessings with the tragic passing of a 17-year-old from the community. My heart hurts for his family, not to mention my brother who is upset, as well as all of his other friends. Tell everyone you love that you love them, everyday. So I've made a point to think of all the positive things in my life and say an extra little prayer at the end of each day.
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas season so far - now if only it would SNOW and give me a white Christmas, I'd be so happy! :)
WOW. Where does the time go? Looking back over the last post, it seems like that day was just yesterday, let alone almost a month ago. I've been pretty bad about updating, I know, but I'm here to catch up again (hopefully) and stay caught up. It's been a pretty busy month trying to catch up with the kids as well as keeping up with life. So...let's start from the beginning, about a month ago.
Andy and Laura came down for Halloween and we all went uptown Friday night. I wasn't going to dress up, but Andy came decked out as Bret Michaels, and Laura dressed up as Andy so I figured I might as well get in on the fun. I dressed up as Josh, so Laura and I went as the Meckley boys. Pretty creative, haha. I must say though...I feel like I'm a much prettier Josh than he is ;) Kayden dressed up as a little strawberry, but trick-or-treat wasn't until Saturday night and Andy and Laura ended up going to see a movie so we stayed and greeted the trick-or-treaters by ourselves. We ended up going to see Paranormal Activity 2 that night - SCARY! I wasn't as freaked out as I was after seeing the first one, but it was still pretty scary!
Other than that we haven't really been up to much. My Scentsy business has really been fun and I've done a pretty good job so far selling it! I went to a few craft shows with Steph and that was nice, but my basket parties have been really great. I just recieved the order I closed with Lisa and she sold over $600.00 so I should have a nice commission next month to spend on Christmas prezzies. :) So I'm pretty excited about that!
Kayden is getting SO big! She rolled over a bit while we were there this last weekend getting some family photos (I'll post them as soon as the photographer gets them back to us!) so it was really neat to see her do that, but I guess she officially got all the way over just last night. She's a very happy/smiley baby, so that's always fun. Josh and I were reading to her the other day when we were there. His grandma had gotten her "Big Joe's Truck" as a present, and it was a book both Josh and Andy loved when they were babies, so Josh really seemed to enjoy it almost as much as she did :) She's 4 months old this month!
So other than that, that's what we've been doing. I cannot believe as I'm typing this I only have to finish the rest of today and then a half day tomorrow (with my classes ending at lunch - the rest of the day is a movie day!) And then CHRISTMAS! I just hope it snows...even just enough to cover the ground for a White Christmas. <3 Hope everyone has a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
What a busy week it was! Everyday I thought about the blog challenge, but was so busy I didn't actually have time to update. I really don't even have time now, but I thought I'd post anyway - especially because I promised some pictures of the house. :)
Well this week coming up is conferences week, so I've been pretty busy trying to get everything graded and grades turned in for the quarter. It's a lot harder than it sounds, but it won't be so bad. I just have to make it through the 4-8 P.M. nights Tuesday and Thursday and then HELLO three day weekend! Not to mention November starts and then we'll be on the road to Christmas! CAN'T. WAIT.
On another note, I started selling Scentsy. (http://rachelkauer.scentsy.us <-- check it out and let me know if you'd like to order anything!) I absolutely love Scentsy, and Laura does such a great job, I knew she'd be a good sponsor. While I don't anticipate on making an extreme amount of cash (not enough to quit my day job anyway - HA), I am hoping to make a little side cash in time for Christmas, as well as just getting a ton of free Scentsy and having it around my house. I LOVE this stuff! So that's been pretty exciting for me so far! I also got all my orders in from my basket party this past week and it was like Christmas for me: So I know I'll just love selling it. Can't wait to get my starter kit and get started! Andy, Laura, and Baby K are coming down this weekend - I'm super excited because A) I feel like I haven't seen Baby K in forever B) I think we may all head uptown for a while and listen to some Loose Neutral and C) Laura and I are going to be working on Scentsy! YIPEEE!! Looking forward to the weekend!
I haven't really been keeping up with the blog challenge, so I may just give up for now. I am doing the "Where you live" post because I'm posting pictures of our house! My grandma hasn't seen the house in a few years and we've done so much to the inside. So here are some updated pics just for you Grandma! :) The view when you walk in from the backdoor (which is used most often): The kitchen: The dining room: Living room: Another view of the living room (You can see my Scentsy Jack O'Lantern on! & Jersey Shore was on T.V. haha) The computer room/spare bedroom. We put the bed down there after Andy and Laura had Kayden because we figured when they came to stay they wouldn't want to stay upstairs where it is either really hot in the summer or really cold in the winter, plus there's a little T.V. and the computer. The hall-way going upstairs with the "family" wall. I want to get a picture from www.letter-photo.com for Christmas that says FAMILY so I can hang it above all the pictures. We've got pictures of everyone in the family there - on both sides! :) The bathroom. While I'm not actually posting a picture of the bathroom (it's tiny and looks like...a bathroom haha). I had Laura make me these cute little vinyl letters and then hung pictures of the dogs getting a bath. I thought it was funny!
Basically the only things left are our bedroom, the now empty spare room upstairs that used to have the bed, and Josh's bathroom. None of which are that neat! Haha.
So, there are some updated pictures of our house and all the work we've put into it. We are going to re-do the bathrooms this Spring, and hopefully finish off the new windows downstairs. I really love our little house, it's very homey and just somewhere I really love to be. Sending lots of prayers and love out to my grandma this week - I'll be thinking about you and I love you!
Just thought I'd end with this picture of our neighbor's tree. It's been changing a lot lately, and the colors are just beautiful: Even the dogs love it :)
Well that's enough for now...hope everyone has had a great weekend!
