Updated blog (for YOU Krissy!)

I have had quite a few requests for an update on my blog! Krissy even told me that I better change my blog or else! I am sorry people! I have been terrible at keeping things fresh here... boo to me! We have been SOOOOO incredibly busy... I cannot even keep up with what has happened since I last blogged!

This time of year is my absolute favorite time of the year for so many reasons! One of those reasons are all the fantastic things there are to do in good ole' T-town. Summer is way too hot for much else besides the pool, so when the weather starts cooling down, Tucson gets hopping!

Needless to say we have been quite busy! Not to mention we have our 1st house together and a billio teeny tiny (and a few bigger) projects that we are trying to accomplish! Oh and then there is that little thing called 'Our Wedding' that we are planning for in about 4 months time! AGGGHHH!! I am NOT complaining though! I am sitting here typing, listening to Phil Collins, thinking about our future with a dry wall-less kitchen and excited! I am excited for so many things! There are the obvious things... wedding, holidays, winter break (actually thats a huge one!) But its the little things I am excited about mostly... baking, families coming together and being happy, relationships growing, sipping wine and champagne, hosting my 1st holiday for our growing family, accomplishing projects! All these little things and more that are contributing to our blossoming life together! Oh and I can't forget good music! Abba is playing now...(such a shameless fan!)

Anyways... as for the wedding updates! We are working on it- a LOT of it!

We are making favors, getting close to ordering invitations, thinking about readings and songs, wrapping up the Church paperwork (yes there is paperwork!), starting to make a dent in all the small things, working on attendant gifts etc.

There is a lot that we haven't started doing yet (thinking about- yes, doing- no)... tuxedos, scheduling the marriage encounter, picking out bridesmaids shoes, marriage counseling, veil, transportation, slideshow, flower princess ensemble.

And then there are the things that we have crossed off our list, which is MY favorite part! Church and venue booked, dress, shoes and jewelry purchased, bridesmaids dresses ordered, DJ booked, menu set (except for appetizers), favors purchased, florist booked, photographer booked, engagement shots taken (and proofs to be here soon... in like a week!)

The good thing about all of this though is ALL the help that I have gotten from Troy and our mama's. I'm not worried about getting anything done because I know I have them to help... I am worried that I might not remember everything I need to do!!! It seems like there is a lot that I am forgetting... oh well if I forgot anything, please comment me a reminder!!!

I am going to leave you with a few pictures of what we have been up to these days!

Being silly to keep warm on Mt. Lemmon!
Troy, Jess and I



Angel Charity Poker Tourney... stealing pumpkins and being fabulous!





Shelley's Bachelorette Party in VEGAS!


Troy and I at Shelley and Clark's wedding...


T-town girls... Whitney, Shelley and I


Pumpkin patching with the Bernsteins
Try to find Katie and I!




Katy's Bachelorette party in Phoenix!
Jessica, Katy and I


And as always Bearing Down for the Wildcats!!!

Thankful Thursday

I stole this idea from a blog that I absolutely enjoy reading!
I think its a fantastic idea to remember the little things that we are blessed to have!
So here is my list for today!

*I am thankful to have Troy. He really does try each day to make my life easier! He also is very patient with me when I get worked up or stressed out. He just gets me and that is so nice!

*I am thankful for every single person who is involved in trying to make our wedding a dream come true. My parents, Troys parents, Jessica, Troy and all of my friends who ask me how planning is going, offer advice or ideas, bring me things that they think I might like or be interested in! I am so excited to be getting married to Troy and I am excited to see all these plans coming together, too. It is nice to have so many people who are excited for us!

*I am thankful to be a new part of Troy's family. Cindy and Warner are beyond supportive and loving! I am also happy to finally have a sister to call my own... and one that I enjoy at that! Troy's family is so similar to my own, it just feels right to be apart of them!

*I am thankful to have fabulous lady friends that I work with.

*I am thankful to have found pilates and bicycling... 2 activities that I enjoy doing. They make me strong and I never feel bored with doing them!

*I am thankful to have coffee, sugar free vanilla soy lattes and coke zero... I love caffeine!!!

*I am thankful for date nights. I think a lot of people assume that because Troy and I live together and because we are always with each other, that we get a lot of alone time together. But we actually don't! By time we get done with work and working out, we have a few hours to eat and watch tv, check email etc. Its hard to spend quality time with someone when you are exhausted from the day! This is why date nights are my fave! I think we are doing Mt Lemmon picnic night tomorrow!!! woo hoo!

*I am thankful for cute outfits and accessories... just love them!

*I am thankful for having lost almost 25 pounds since summer 2009. I am thankful that I did it through good ole fashioned exercise and diet and I am thankful that I did it just to be healthier and without any ulterior motive (like wedding dress etc.) I hope to continue to lose about 5 to 10 pounds more, but I am really feeling pretty good right now!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far! Friday is almost here!!
xoxo

Today I wish...

It's not Wednesday yet, but its close enough for me to NOT feel like I am cheating!

Today I wish I was a stay-at-home fiance. I would make homemade chocolate chip chunk cookies and get them out of the oven at just the right moment, so that they were still hot and melty in my mouth. I would eat them in some super soft jammies while watching an all day marathon of my favorite movies and shows (all while not gaining a single pound, either)! Of course I would be doing this all in my extra comfy king sized bed that had permanently cold sheets... no need for moving around to get out of the 'hot zone'. The windows would be open and the crisp 70 degree-ish breeze would be wafting in. Troy would be with me too, but he wouldn't complain about the movie selection at all... just giggle and cry right there along side me.

Doesn't that sound so delightful?

Top 2 favorite hair products!

Oh Lordy am I am expert in this department! I sure do enjoy my products!!!
Here are my top two faves for the time being... it tends to change depending on my hair mood!


Framesi Sparkling Mousse

This mousse is FAN-tastic! It is strong enough to hold styles of ALL kinds, but light enough to not make you look like you are sporting an 80's doo! I am a big fan of body too... you know the bigger the hair (within reason), the happier I am!

I also absolutely loooooove Pureology!
I am a particular fan of the Hydrate line.
It is pretty expensive, so I am not always actually using this product! But I do enjoy getting it as a present (just thought I would throw it out there!) ha ha ha


Can't wait to see everyone's favorite products!!!
xoxo

Wildcat Frenzy

This weekend was a blast!

Friday didn't quite work out the way I had planned... I really dislike plans falling through (boo) I did end up helping my cousin put together her wedding invites and that was a blast!

Saturday was all about the...


Troy and I had an AHHHHH... mazing time cheering on our alma mater! We popped around from tailgate to tailgate, trying to keep cool. It was so super duper hot outside that Troy and I had to sneak into McKale center to cool off a bit!



Being semi-sneaky...

Boygle and Brother Bear at the Wildcat Walk...

And this is why we won people... because Sunshine touched my hand! (if you look really close you can see my manicured fingers gracing his palm)

It was a great day to be a Wildcat! Unexpected win, but much deserved! Bear Down Arizona!

Happy blogging friends!!!
xoxo

weekend plans

Sooo I am super excited for my weekend plans!

After a week like this one (parent teacher conferences), I really need some fun!
Since I was at school for almost 12 hours yesterday, I get to leave by noon today! Each morning when I was waking up at the crack of dawn, I was chanting to myself, 'half day Friday, half day Friday'.
Anywho, as soon as I say adios to this place, I am off to La Encantada shopping complex to get some face wash! Not a big whoop de doo, but I have been needing it ALL week and haven't had ANY time to get some! So I am excited to finally get a brand new crisp bottle of my Bliss Face Wash. Easily excitable here! I am also going to walk through Crate and Barrel and mind register for our wedding. No real registry yet, but I can pretend! Then I am going to meet my friend Kristen for some birthday drinks and appetizers! I am happy to see her. We are both so busy that we only get to see each other about once a month, and I look forward to our friend time so much! Love you Kristen! After that I am heading over to my cousins house to assemble her wedding invites! Some bonding time and giggles are ahead!

Saturday, Troygle and I are going on a bike ride! Maybe not the most thrilling of things, but I enjoy spending time with him in whatever capacity I can! Then we will chillax (and I hope to take a nap!) Later in the day its tailgate city time! UofA vs Iowa, baby! Its gonna be a good one and we must start it off right with an awesome tailgate!

Sunday is our baby cousin's Christening (we are almost married so I think I can start saying 'our' and 'we' when referring to the fam's). I hope to get a ride in before that too! This week has been so jam-packed I have felt like major loser on the exercise front. Plus I had chicken fingers Wednesday night and I might have succumbed to my obsession with Whoppers last night (whoops)!

I also am making a promise to be better about posting (and taking) pictures! So my next post will have some awesome shots... hopefully!

Happy Weekend friends!

Time's ticking away...

Hello all!
I have been an absentee blogger and I have heard a little flak from some of my followers... some of the 4 (boo). I have this secret desire to have more than just 4 followers... it is sad!
Anywho, I am typing this lil ole post up in a moment of semi-frustration! Not knock down, drag out frustration, just mild life frustration!

I wish I had more time!!!!

I know everyone can relate to this sentiment! I just think if I had an extra 4 hours in the day, I could be soooo much more... well... everything!

Here is my theory on how having more time would help me:
If I had more time...
I could be so much more svelte, because I would be able to squeeze the bike rides and pilates lessons in more frequently!
I could be such a better friend! Here is my confession... I think about all of my friends and how they are doing while I am getting ready for work in the early morning. If I had extra time I could actually call them in the evening and see how they are! (ps... if you are a morning person and wouldn't mind getting a call from me, let me know!)
I would definitely be a better fiance. I would cook gourmet meals, make homemade cards and think of super thoughtful things to do each day for my boygle!
I think I would be a pretty amazing teacher, because I would have more time to research fun, exciting new things to do with my class!
I would for sure be less tired!

That's all... just a little rant and rave about not having enough time to be the fabulous person I really think I could be! For now, I guess "better than mediocre" will have to do!

Hope everyone is doing well in blog-land!
I am excited for my weekend plans... cocktails with my Kristen, wedding invitation assembly with my cousin, UofA vs. Iowa with my loves and family dinner!
I hope to actually get some pics up here soon... now that I think of it, I do have a pretty fun life!!!
Talk about a crazy lady!!!

Lemme 'splain something

I am a teacher because I love being a teacher. I truly, truly, truly cannot imagine doing anything else with my professional life. Will I always feel this way, I am not 100% sure, but right now this is exactly where I want to be in life.

So why, United States of America, do you continue to attempt to strip away my intrinsic motivation?

Every year, multiple times a year we are given new demands and expectations often disguised as 'goals'. I sit through every meeting, every committee and I listen and I pump myself up to accomplish said goal. I mean at the heart of it all we are ALL working towards bettering our students education and lives. And I do believe in that, wholeheartedly. (period)

Sometimes however something so completely bananas gets thrown our way that is completely hard to swallow. Like expecting ALL special education students to meet or exceed the standards! *This may or may not be something that is a big deal to anyone else, or maybe you do have strong opinions about what should or should not be done. I don't care if anyone disagrees with me or agrees with me. I am just griping AND considering that this is my blog and you are reading of your own free will, I guess I can do that.*

I believe that all students are learners, whether they come to me in pieces or perfectly put together in a nice neat little package. Sure the perfect package scenario is simple, maybe even ideal, but the reality is that most kids are not coming into the classroom this way. Do I care... hell no! I believe in all children and their UNIQUE ability to learn. Realisticaly speaking a child who suffers with a learning disability might not ever be able to do the same things to the same degree as a child without. Do I no longer believe in them? Absolutely not! Should their success be measured against a student who does not suffer from the learning disability? No, I do not believe so. People can be successful in so many ways and should be celebrated and encouraged for their successes. Growth is success. Happiness is success. Maintaining the desire to learn, regardless of the fact that learning new things may perpetually be difficult, is tremendous growth and strength.

Why is this not measured? Why is this not a part of accountability?

I am frustrated. I am frustrated because I care about children. I care about ALL children.

Top Two Simple Pleasures

Today's topic is Top Two Simple Pleasures! I am all about the little things that make our lives so much happier! So here are just 2 of the things that enrich MY life...

1. Exercising with Troy...

This might sound a little bananas, but Troy-boy and I enjoy getting our fitness on outside! We prefer to hike or ride our bikes! Whatever we are doing, we talk and chat and encourage each other PLUS we burn calrories! It is really just a simple thing, but I love it!

2. Clean house...

maybe another lame-o pleasure, but my heart melts whenever I come home from work or a long day and the house is spic and span! I am a major softie for cleanliness and order, so of course a clean house appeals to my neurosis!

Some other ones that didn't make the list (but are equally fab!)*handmade pictures from my students
*a glass of vino to take the edge off
*the smell of clean laundry

*cloudy, rainy days

*looking through old family pictures, listening to family stories

*being with good friends and family

*snuggles and movies with Troy

Alright, truth be told I could go on FOREVER, but I will stop now. I bet as soon as I post this I will have thought of at least 10 more! Head over to Taylor's blog and post you favorite Top 2!

Top Two Tuesdays are sooo much fun... I can't wait until Tuesday!

Top 2 Favorite Colognes and Perfumes
I am such a creature of habit! I always try out new perfumes and could spend hours at Sephora, but no matter what... these are my ALL time faves!

Burberry Brit
I have been wearing this for the last 6 years! Wow... that makes me sound boring! I just looooove the yummy smell of this perfume... I think it makes me smell like a special cookie :)



Viva la Juicy
Troy bought this for me as a Christmas gift and I have already used all of it up!!! I am obsessed with spraying it on me. I do not care if people think of me as the girl who wears way too much perfume... I am fine with that as long as it is Viva la Juicy!



AND for the guys... I love love love

Aqua Di Gio
Yum, yum, yum... that's all I've got to say! And yes... my Troy Boy wears this for me all the time!!!


Happy Week Friends!

Wedding Plans (yippee)

Got the boy...

Got the ring (loooove)...


Got the Church...


Got the Westward Look for the Reception...

Got the dress... but I cannot show you that! Well not yet, at least!

I cannot believe how everything is coming together! We are sending out our Save the Dates at the end of the week! AND we are 'officially' celebrating our engagement with our immediate family in a few weeks! I am so excited!!

I am wondering if any of you wonderful gals can give me some creative ideas for attendant gifts???

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Tuesday! xoxo

Its been awhile...

Sorry friends! I have been absent from the blogging scene for waaaaay too long!

I think I have a pretty valid excuse...
I'm engaged!
Yep, TB popped the question and I just couldn't resist!
Since then life has been a little hectic. We want to get married in March and considering that is 9 months away we had some important details to set right away.

Now that we have the date, the church, the venue and the save the dates pretty much ready to mail, we can we relax and enjoy being engaged!

Whew... its pretty amazing to have found the man I am going to marry!
In the words of the wise Carrie Bradshaw, 'if you can find someone to love the you, you love, well, that's just fabulous.'

My Brother

I love my brothers. In fact, I wish there was a better more fitting word than love, because sometimes it just doesn't seem to fully explain how I feel about my brothers. My oldest brother is Jonathan (left) and my youngest brother is Joshua (right).

Jonathan is a lawyer in Phoenix and Josh... he will be Vegas' new addition in about 2 weeks. (I apologize ahead of time Jon, this post is about Joshie... I owe one to you later!)
To say that I am proud of my little brothers accomplishment is an understatement. He received a promotion which is what will be bringing him to Vegas. I am excited for his new challenge and for him to spread his wings and all that fun stuff that goes along with transitioning into a new phase in your life... etc.
Unfortunately its also incredibly hard for me to keep it together right now. I wish I could separate out the emotional part of it and just be 150% pumped for you. I know about the excitement of Vegas and I know how fun of a place it is for a 23 year old man to be. I know how thrilling it is to get your very own place without 'roomies' and to start a new job, meet new people and try new things. I know all these things and the instant that I bring your moving up to ANYone, they remind me of all these things.

But I have so much emotion attached to this, that I just wish someone would take it away. I was 5 years old when Josh magically appeared into my world. I was definitely old enough to know and remember what was going on. Josh was like my very own real life baby doll! I loved to help do things for him and even though EVERYone knew Oshie was spoiled, it didn't matter to me (after a while and realizing that him being spoiled was NOT going to change. I think about him moving and I cant help but think about how little brother Josh. I remember he would absolutely NOT take a shower unless I sat in the bathroom talking to him. I dont even remember what we talked about at 3 years old, I just remember sitting on the toilet bowl listening to him gab away. I remember him screaming and crying and being so nervous when he fell backwards into the jumping cactus in our front yard, and I can remember how swollen his little body was once we finally got all the little stickers out. I can remember watching him ride his bicycle like a raving lunatic, pumping his little legs over and over and his little dardevil sunkissed face smiling the whole time!


Its very hard for me not to see my little Joshie, when I look at my brother.
Most people know Josh for the incredibly fun loving person that he is, but I know him for so much more than just that.
I so wish that I could just push it aside, better than I have been doing and just be there and be genuinely, without worry, excited for him. I wish that I could take my mom's worry away. Actually I just wish that I could give him the dream job he deserves, a little bit closer to home. I know he will be successful and just fabulous in Vegas... my brother can do anything!
I am just going to miss him so very much. He really just holds the most precious place in my heart.

Happy Birthday Troy!

Today is my loves most special day! His Birthday!?! I am very thankful to have him in my life! He always makes me laugh...

We always make time for silliness in our lives...



and smooches too!


What cannot be caught in pictures are all the other wonderful things that Troy does every. single. day.
He knows exactly what to say to calm me down when I have spun myself into a nervous or frustrated ball of energy. He knows exactly when I need encouragement or a boost to keep myself going when work or life gets a little sticky. He knows exactly how to love me best! I am very thankful to have him and his wonderful family as a part of my life!
Speaking of family, I need to thank Cindy and Warner and everybody in Troys family who has helped to make him the most perfect creature for me!
Happy Birthday TPB!!!!

Updates Baby, Updates!

Well it has been quite a while everyone! I have been up to quite a bit but I am going to limit the words and share PICTURES!!!
Here goes...
Much needed Happy Hour with the gals...

and with the guys!

Lots of silly times and laughs...




This weekend we celebrated my Troy Boys Birthday with a fun Luau!! The weather was absolutely perfect!!! Jess and I had a lot of fun planning and prepping for the big event! It was fun to have all of our families and friends meet and spend time together... all to celebrate Troy :)
The Birthday Babers!

The best friend AND best helper!

Some of the partiers!

Cake Time!!

Let's cut it!!!

The Girls After Party

Some dancin and cocktails...



So that is what we have been up to recently! Some fun, exciting things. Tomorrow is Troys actual birthday and we are going to go to a nice yummy dinner, can't say where just yet! Only 3 more weeks until the end of school... it is going to be a very busy, exciting and bittersweet time! And then there will be summer! I have to say I am really looking forward to the summer!!! Yippee... have a great week everybody!