Keepin' it Fabulous

Weekend Getaway

2012-01-23T21:22:00.000-06:00

Josh went up to New Jersey to visit the girls this past weekend. While I was extremely disappointed that I couldn't be there with him, I definitely made the most of my time with him gone! Following a girls' night in with a few friends from church, I woke up the next morning and headed down to Spring to see the Liardon bunch.

And how lucky was I to get to be there?

I cuddled, fed, and loved on the youngest!

I giggled, made faces, and laughed with the red-head!

I dreamed, smiled, and loved with the one in the middle!

I created, adored life, and explored nature with my goddaugher!

I joked, talked sports, and discussed the future with my first nephew!

I am a very blessed aunt to have so much love in the Liardons!

(And of course I had a blast with Katie and Jeremy, too, who are equally as cute, but I didn't get pictures!)

Keep it fabulous!

Game of Tag!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.001-06:00

Candice tagged me in a fun little "Getting to Know You" post, so I am passing it along!

Hope you enjoy!

First Things First, The Rules:

You must post the rules.

Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

Tag eleven people and link them on your post

Let them know you've tagged them!

Eleven Fun Facts About Me:

My name is pronounced "LAW-ren" and too often people mispronounce it. When I was younger it would really bother me, but the older I get, I don't really care. My husband, best friends, and family all say it correctly, so I guess that is what matters, right?
I have very little patience for bad table manners. I cannot stand slurping, chomping, finger-licking, fork-biting, or gulping. Mouth noises are only SOMEWHAT cute when babies make them. Other than that, I find them repulsive. I literally have to leave the room if someone is a loud eater because it grosses me out so much.
The very first Bible Study I did was when I was 19 years old. I learned so much and got a thirst for learning more! I love the Bible and I love Jesus!
Not a single day goes by that I do not talk to my best friend, Melanie. Whether by phone call, email, text message, or g-chat, we keep an on-going conversation!
The favorite thing I like to teach within my theatre classes is anything Shakespeare related.
I always am more productive the busier I am....yet I tend to procrastinate.
When I first started dating Josh, I felt direct signs from God that he was who I am supposed to be with. When I admitted it to Josh, he told me he felt the exact same way! I feel he has been and is such a blessing in my life.
I have always wanted to be the mother of twins.
I carry stress in my shoulders. Knots galore!
My favorite city I have visited is Chicago! I always have a fun time when I go! I have never been in the winter, though, so I may sing a different tune, if I had!
If I could live anywhere, I would live in the ATX!

Questions for me from Candice:

What is a book that you just couldn't put down? There are several, but most recently it was The Hunger Games trilogy.
If you have a day to yourself, what do you enjoy doing? If I had a day to myself, I would probably pack up a picnic, go to the Botanic Gardens, and read a book outdoors! If it was a rainy day, I would bake and read indoors!
What is a show that you always watch? Parenthood and Modern Family
Favorite Bible verse: That's a tough one because I love so many parts of the bible. I think the one I repeat to myself most often is Proverbs 21:23. It's good to remember to hold your tongue and to think before you speak.
Favorite family activity: My favorite family activity is going on new adventures with the girls and Josh.
Best childhood memory: Playing "Sis" with my sisters and cousin, Erin.
What is your favorite characteristic about yourself and your spouse/significant other? I'm assuming this question means what I like about the two of us as a couple, so my favorite thing about us is we are open, honest, and loving every day of our relationship! He's my best friend!
If you could have any job any job in the world, and not have to worry about the income it brough in, what would it be? I would open a children's theatre and do outreach to schools in my area, especially those of lower economic status. I would also love to have a touring theatre troupe to go around to schools and other theatres to present plays to children.
What is your favorite meal to eat/fix? I love making meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I don't make it too often, though, because we are always dieting!
What website do you visit most often? google/gmail
What is your ultimate vacation destination? I would LOVE to go to Rome and visit the Vatican!

My Questions

Who or what influences you most in your life?
What is your favorite vacation spot? What fond memory do you have of the place?
If you could go back in time and meet anyone, who would it be and why?
If you could take a class to learn something new, what would it be? What would you do with your new skill?
What is your best childhood memory?
What is your favorite sweet treat to bake?
What recent movie made you laugh outloud? Which made you cry?
What is a book you could read over and over and over again?
What is something on your bucket list that you want to do? What is something you already have done?
What is something you would NOT do for $1 million?
What is something you hope to pass on to your children?

Tag! You're it!

(I only tagged 10...sorry)

Keep it fabulous!

How do you play BUNCO?

2012-01-16T18:20:00.012-06:00

RULES OF THE GAME:

Take

1 night combining

2 Circles of Friends at 2 tables throwing

3 dice at each roll!

4 types of vegetables (to keep the night guilt-freee),

5 dollars to buy in, and

6 choices of Skinny-Girl drinks! (only three pictured here)

6 refills later there were

5 buncos thrown for

4 women tied for winner and loser after

3 rounds of the game.

2 Roll-offs ending the night with

1 winner and 1 circle of friends!

(And one REALLY cute dog named CC!)

And that's how you play BUNCO!

Thanks to Lauren and Amanda for hosting!

Keep it fabulous!

A-Camping We Will Go!

2012-01-09T11:25:00.001-06:00

I ditched the high heels and dresses, headed into the country with Josh, and went camping this past weekend! We drove to Cleburne, Texas, left the cell phones off and in the car, and spent 20 hours in nature!

We set up our tent...

...went for an hour hike...

...then came back to start our fire!

Josh made a delicious meal of t-bone steak, roasted corn, and baked potatoes! We topped it off with a few glasses of wine and roasted marshmallows! Mmmm!!!

Although it was REALLY cold, we were nice and warm in our tent for two!

It was a FABULOUS time, indeed!
(In spite of my HORRIBLE allergies)

Keep it fabulous!

One more post about 2011

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

I have decided that the past 2 weeks of vacation from work have been absolutely FABULOUS! I feel so blessed to have had a chance to see so many of my favorite people, relax, and truly enjoy every second of the break. (Of course we missed the girls, but that goes without saying!) Here is how the rest of the break shaped up:

I got to go out with...

...which is always a good time.

We went to...

...with...

...so you KNOW we had fun there!

We even got together with...

....for some laughs!

And then there was New Year's Eve when...

Yep! That's about it!

Except for that time we...

Keep it fabulous!

2011: A Year In Review

2012-01-01T22:47:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!
As we look forward to the start of a new year, Josh and I (and the girls) would like to reflect on our past year and count our many blessings!

~JANUARY~

~FEBRUARY~

~MARCH~

~APRIL~

~MAY~

~JUNE~

~JULY~

~TRIP TO FLORIDA~

~AUGUST~

~SEPTEMBER~

~OCTOBER~

~NOVEMBER~

~DECEMBER~

What a FABULOUS year!!!

Here's to another one in 2012!

Keep it fabulous!

Invitation-Making, Champagne-Sipping Party

2011-12-30T13:58:00.002-06:00

My best friend, Melanie, is getting married in 2012 and having a DIY/Paper wedding. To get her started, the bridesmaids and bride-to-be got together after Christmas to sip champagne and make invitations!

Matron of Honor and The Bride-to-Be:

My spread! (On the day of the party there were only 121 days left until her big day!)

About 30 minutes before the guests arrived, I thought it might be fun to play a drinking game while watching the movie Bridesmaids, went online, and sure enough....someone else had the same idea! I copied theirs, printed out the rules, and strung them across the mantle. While we didn't really play the game, it was a fun little addition to the party!

Here we all are:

Chanel, me, Melanie, Jessica, and Danny!

We all got along really well (and have actually all known each other, through Melanie, for a while now) that it makes me REALLY look forward to more planning....and the Bachelorette Party! ;)

Keep it fabulous!

Christmas with the Markhams

2011-12-29T13:53:00.001-06:00

We did an extremely laid-back Christmas with the Markhams this year! There were tamales, a gift exchange, and lots of fun had by all....but especially my niece Presley (as if you can't tell in the following pictures!)!

Presley LOVED her Justin Beiber perfume from Madi and Boston loved his Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt and Under Armor bag from Emma! All the cousins got GREAT loot!

I am so happy to be a part of the Markham family!

Keep it fabulously MERRY and BRIGHT!

Christmas Love

2011-12-28T11:59:00.001-06:00

At Christmas, not only to we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but we also celebrate LOVE! 'Tis the season to be jolly, spread cheer, and be LOVED!

~CHRISTMAS LOVE~
{Couple Love}

{Present Love}

{Beer Love}

{Baby Love}

{Sister Love}

{Cousin Love}

{Family Love}

{FABULOUS Love}

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

keep it fabulous!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-27T11:45:00.001-06:00

The Liardons came up to spend Christmas in the DFW this year, which was an extra special treat! On Christmas Eve we went to church as a family to the 4 o'clock service, which was especially for the children. There we all were on the pew: Katie, Jeremy, their children, the Bartnicki children, and me! You may ask, "Where were Melanie and Donald?" Well, being a nurse and police officer, their schedules are a little different than most, so they were at work. "But where was your lovely husband, Josh?" Well....my lovely husband ~~abandoned me to go with~~ went with his parents to a Cowboys game.
Three adults and eight children!
(My parents were glad they signed up to sing in the choir!)

The kids were angels during Mass, though, so it was all FABULOUS! We went home and put them in matching PJs, fed the little ones, and when Melanie and Josh joined us, enjoyed a delicious, adults-only dinner while the kids watched a Christmas movie.

(We missed Madi, Emma, and Donald, of course!)

Merry Christmas Eve from our home to yours!

Keep it fabulous!

You Can't Spell "Christmas Cheer" Without "CEC"

2011-12-26T11:10:00.002-06:00

'Twas the night before Christmas Eve,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse!
We left the house and joined the mouse for a night out with family at Chuck E. Cheese's:
Where a kid can be a kid...

...and an adult can be one, too!

Everybody had a great time!
Even these two cuties!
(And the babies, too!)

Keep it fabulous!

A Night Out With Jen

2011-12-23T11:04:00.000-06:00

Jen and Brian came in town, and we, of course, met up with them for a night out!

Sam came along, too, and it was great getting to catch up with her!

We laughed, we drank yummy beers, and we stayed up until late in the night/early in the morning!

I'm so blessed to have such an amazing friend in Jen!

JOLLY

ENTHUSIASTIC

NEVER-NEGATIVE

Just Jen!

Keep it fabulous!

"Christ Renews His Parish" Christmas Party

2011-12-17T23:19:00.003-06:00

I have attended four Christmas Parties already this year: a work party, a "Tacky Christmas Sweater" party, an ornament party, and a CRHP Women's Retreat #3 Party! (Sorry for you, lucky for me, I forgot my camera at all the parties, except for the CRHP one.)

I have mentioned in several blogs and spoken volumes about the family of women I made on my retreat this past January. We now get together once a month to continue our celebration of life together!

For the Christmas party we laughed, we prayed together, and we had a surprise baby shower for this little guy!

And what is a Christmas party without a few games? A little LCR action:

I love this time of year, as I have mentioned before, and what better way to spend it than surrounded by the ones you love!

Keep it FABULOUS!

Advent

2011-12-13T09:01:00.000-06:00

Holiday seasons are busy for everyone: the shopping, the partying, the worrying and hurrying. It feels as though I seldom have time to slow down between the rehearsals, performances, parties, concerts, field trips, and shopping, and I still have a full time job to work, too! So often people mention to not forget the "Reason for the Season" and to "Keep Christ in Christmas," but Christmas isn't here yet. Right now, the "reason for the season" is preparing our hearts for Christ's arrival.

Advent is the liturgical period before Christmas where Catholics (and some protestant Christians) ready their hearts for our Lord in form of prayer, fasting, and penitence. For me, advent is my favorite time of year! I love the anticipation of Christmas and its meaning! I love attending Mass each week and watching the family eagerly light the next candle in the wreath, and long for the day I can bring my family up to the alter to do the same! I love the song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and the way the chorus sounds so joyous telling us to "REJOICE, REJOICE!" I love Nativity scenes with the guests at the manger waiting in silent anticipation of Jesus. (I never put Jesus into the scene until Christmas Day....and technically shouldn't put the Wise Men in there, either, until later, but oh well!)

I also love Advent Chains! My sister, Katie, (and her friend, Susan) makes an advent chain with her family! Each day the children pull a link off the chain and participate in some sort of family activity that helps prepare their hearts for the Lord! If the girls lived closer or with us, this would be such a fun activity to do as a family! But why do you have to have children under your room to participate in a fun advent chain, you ask? YOU DON'T! This year, Josh and I created an advent chain. Each day has an activity that we can do together (even through distance) to prepare our hearts for the Lord.

Our chain rests on our tree and each day we pull another link off the chain. Some links call for prayer, some for walks to the park to see our city's Christmas Tree. Some links call for doing research on saints, some to remind us of others at this time of year. Mainly, though, the point of the advent chain, is to remind us each day, we are one day closer to the coming of Christ!

I hope you enjoy this short video by Jackie Francois (thank you, Lauren, for introducing her to me) all about ways to prepare your heart during the season of Advent!

I cannot wait until Christmas! This season fills me with so much hope and joy!
I hope you, too, are able to find the "reason for the season!"
Keep it fabulous!

Sunday Snippets

2011-12-11T10:49:00.001-06:00

Life lately has been filled with work, work, and more work! Josh is traveling a lot and I have been buried in school business in the after hours. Not to mention we are starting all the holiday parties, concerts, receptions, etc. I love our life together and feel so blessed to be invited to so many parties this holiday season! However, we have been a one-car family since November 4th. I am praying we get our car back Thursday, but no promises! (I'm completely re-thinking not taking the rent car for the past month! Ha!)

I finally cut my hair. I decided it had been long for too long. (Weird wording.) Although I miss my side pony tails, I love taking less time drying it in the mornings, and styling it is SO easy! Woohoo!

After much debate, I decided to only send a picture card for Christmas and not a poem. I figure, if people REALLY need to know what is going on in my life, they can check out my blog, right?

Last, I leave you with this: If you have not tried Dave Matthews' new wines, you should! They are VERY tasty and a great price! Josh picked me up a bottle of "Crush" recently and it got me thinking back to the very first time I met him. Standing in my sister's kitchen, we discussed independent films, art, and DMB. I mentioned my love of the song, "Crush," and he told me it was one of his favorites, too! The rest is history!

Keep it fabulous!

Alphabet Game

2011-12-10T12:25:00.002-06:00

I saw this on another blog, and decided to take a break from my regular posting to play the Alphabet game!

A. Age: 28

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore that you hate: Putting away laundry

D. Dogs: NONE! (Hallelujah!)

E. Essential start to your day: Prayer of thanksgiving!
F. Favorite color: Burnt Orange
G. Gold or Silver: Silver
H. Height: 5' 4"
I. Instruments you play: Piano, saxophone (probably not the second anymore)

J. Job title: Middle School Theatre Arts Teacher

K. Kids (bonus): Madison and Emma

L. Live: Texas
M. Mother’s name: Linda

N. Nick names: Lolo, Ren, Angelface

O. Overnight hospital stays: NEVER!!!

P. Pet peeves: Bad table manners, gum popping, close-talkers

Q. Quote from a movie: "Have fun storming the castle!"

"Do you think it will work?"

"It'll take a miracle!"

"BYE!"
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: Katie and Melanie

T. Truth or Dare: Truth
U. Ultimate Vacation: Europe!

V. Vegetable you hate: Broccoli

W. What makes you run late: Traffic

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth, Jaw

Y. Yummy food that you make: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes, Cupcakes, Nacho Cheese Potatoes, Fajitas, Meatloaf

Z. Zoo animal: Zebra

YOUR TURN!

Keep it fabulous!

JOY

2011-12-06T21:46:00.002-06:00

~JOY~

NOUN: intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness; the expression or manifestation of such feeling

VERB: to take great pleasure; rejoice

"Joy" is the theme of my Christmas decor this year!

With Christ in my heart, I have joy in everything I do!

Psalm 16:11

"You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of JOY."

Keep it fabulously JOYful!

"On the road again!"

2011-12-02T09:20:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it? I got paid to go to Austin!

I got to enjoy dinner with Jen!

And catch up with Erin!

AND....my training was on part of UT's campus!

It was a nice little mid-week break: seminar and all!

Keep it fabulous!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart (Week 5)

2011-11-30T09:08:00.000-06:00

Saturday, November 26, 2011

On this day I am thankful to be an American! What a great country we live in! One in which we have many freedoms and are able to express our creativity! Thank you to all the soldiers who fight for our freedom, so that everyday I am able to do what I love!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

On this day I show gratitude to all the "mom and pop" stores out there! I love a small-town feel of certain stores. I love their individuality! When I lived in Austin, I was not a frequent Starbucks-er becasue I enjoyed privately owned coffee shops! Although those stores are not as numurous in the DFW as they are in other areas, Josh and I still have our favorites and know the owners by first name!

Monday, November 28, 2011

On this day I give thanks for my health and great immune system. Working in a school has helped me build up my immunity to little sicknesses that go around! I am very thankful that I am able to stay healthy (for the most part) and not have to miss work because of an illness!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

On this day I give thanks for the laughter in my life! Josh and I laugh together everyday! My students crack me up! My sisters and mom get me laughing so hard I nearly cry! My best friends always know how to get me going! Being able to laugh, even in the "bad times," is truly a blessing! "I love to laugh....loud and long and clear!"

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Last but not least, on the last day of November, I give thanks for my husband! Everyday when I wake up, I say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for bringing another blessed day in my life! I always include how blessed I am to have Josh in my life, as well! He has truly been the best part of my life! I'm thankful to have found my soulmate and best friend!

I truly am thankful everyday for all of this and more! I try to live my life showing my thanks! I want to challenge myself to be thankful at ALL times of the year....not just November!

Until next year...

Keep it fabulous!

Thanksgiving Visit with the Girls

2011-11-27T20:12:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving was extra special this year because the girls came down from New Jersey! Josh picked them up on Wednesday and then the fun began! We met up with Josh's side of the family for a little Chuck-E-Cheese action! No matter your age, a kid can always be a kid there!

Thursday we enjoyed a delicious breakfast before watching the parade and then heading over to Jeff and Jill's house for a delicious meal. We enjoyed a Cowboys win and stayed through half of the UT/A&M game. We made it home for the second half and watched my team take the victory! I was VERY thankful for the win that day!

Friday we did a little shopping, a little decorating, then headed over to Nana and Podge's house for dinner, caroling, and presents? Yes! Presents! Because the girls will not be with us Christmas, my parents wanted to go ahead and give them their gifts! The girls enjoyed the whole evening! I don't know if playing with the Bartnicki kids, meeting Ben, singing carols, or opening gifts was more fun!

Saturday we celebrated Thanksmas with a delicious pancake breakfast made by "Daddy!" We opened gifts and loved on one another in the Christmas spirit. We met up with family one last time to see the muppet movie and enjoy cousin time before heading home to spend our last few hours together as a family for the holidays.

It's never easy to say good bye to their sweet faces, but as always we are thankful to God for the time we share and the memories we made with them on their visit.

Keep it fabulous!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart (Week 4)

2011-11-25T09:41:00.001-06:00

Saturday, November 19, 2011

On this day I am very thankful for my education from the University of Texas at Austin. I had some of the best years of my life there and wouldn't change it for the world! I remember working hard in high school to be in the top ten in my class, so that I would be guaranteed a spot into UT. I only applied to one school, and remember getting my acceptance letter on the Saturday my Christmas Break my senior year! I love being a Longhorn and I love the ATX!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I gave thanks today for Jen! She was one of my first work friends I met when I graduated and moved back up to the DFW. We have very similar backgrounds and were totally meant to be friends! She is someone I can always rely on and is a great listener! She was one of my bridesmaids in my wedding and ~~I threw my bouquet at her~~ caught the bouquet at our wedding! She is getting married next year and I will be in her wedding! Can't wait!

Monday, November 21, 2011

I am grateful for Coffee Shops on this day! I love meeting friends in a warm, cozy environment and drinking a hot cup of coffee, a latte, or some warm tea! I have spent many hours in coffee shops meeting friends, studying for tests, writing papers, grading worksheets, and simply getting away from "life!" I love coffee shops!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Today I give thanks for my faith! I am so proud to be Catholic! I was raised in this religionand would not change it for the world! My husband converted to Catholicism before we got married and we are now a huge part of our church community. We volunteer in different groups, belong to a few small faith communities within the church, and have met some of our best friends there! I am so blessed to always be surrounded by so many people of faith in my life! I couldn't imagine life without my faith!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

On this day, I am most grateful for my Bonus Daughters! It is such a humbling experience to become a "s'mom" (as they call me). It hasn't always been easy, but I have learned so much from them. I hear horror stories about bonus children behaving horribly for their stepmoms or hating them and calling them names. My bonus daughters are so accepting and loving of me and of my family, and I am one blessed woman!

Thursday, November 24, 2011 (THANKSGIVING)

Today I give thanks for family! I love the family I was born into (the Luckett- and Parr-side, alike), and am blessed to have loving, accepting in-laws, to boot! Not only of my blood family, but I am also thankful for the many friends who have become like family! I am thankful to share my life with you all!

Friday, November 25, 2011

I give thanks today for the "little things" that make me smile! Notes from my husband written in dry-erase markers on my mirror, pictures with sweet notes hung on my fridge given to me by my bonus daughters, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the feel of cool, soft grass beneath my bare feet! I love the little things in life that many times go un-noticed....and for them, I am thankful!

Keep it fabulous!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Markhams!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

We hope your day is filled with laughter, fun, family, and LOTS of love!

Keep it fabulously THANKFUL!

Oh, the ATX!

2011-11-23T23:02:00.000-06:00

I love the ATX!
I love the people and the restaurants!
I love that I went to college in the city limits!
I love the music, the night life, and the culture!
I love that my friends Jen, Caitlyn, and Meredith live there and are willing to, on short notice, meet me for pre-game drinks at Sam's Boat!
I love that Jen asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next year to Brian at Sam's Boat!

I love going to football games in the DKR Stadium with its huge HD Jumbo-Tron!
I love that Joanna and Molly were able to, again on short notice, drive up from San Antonio to attend the game with Josh and me!
I love that Josh LOVES UT football almost as much as he loves Baylor!

I love the excitement inside the stadium as the players take the field!

I love the halftime entertainment provided by the band!

I love my Longhorns....even when we lose!

I love Scholz's Garten for pre and post game entertainment!
I love staying in new places and trying new restaurants that I never discovered while in college!
I love North By Northwest and their fabulous menu and wonderful home-brewed beers!
I love that anytime I am missing that beautiful city, it is only a 3 hour car ride down and I always have somewhere to stay!

I love the ATX!
Keep it fabulously WEIRD, Austin!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart (Week 3)

2011-11-20T11:06:00.001-06:00

Saturday, November 12, 2011

On this day I am thankful for our "Couple" friends! When we were going through our pre-wedding retreats, counseling with our sponser couple, and the other requirements given to us from the Church, one of the first things we discussed was being more interactive with couple friends, as opposed to our single friends. Now that we are married, we have focused on surrounding ourselves with other couples who put Christ in the center of their marriage and love each other and raise each other up as often as possible. Lucky for us, we both, ALSO, have amazing parents who are still married and still in love as well!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

On this day I give thanks for fall weather in Texas. We had the hottest summer EVER, are experiencing a drought (thanks to La Nina), and are in need of nicer weather! Granted, the temperatures are still a little warmer than I would like....I am still able to enjoy the outdoors a lot more often thanks to the fall weather!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Today I am grateful for always having a roof over my head. My parents worked hard so that I would always have a place to call home. In turn, I established a good work ethic to ensure I would always have the money I need to have a safe place to live during and after college, and now as a married person! It's nice to be able to pay for a home for myself!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

I give thanks today for teaching theatre arts in BISD. This district is known for its Fine Arts and has some of the best band, art, choir, and theatre teachers in the state. I am so blessed to be able to work with such fine people. The theatre teachers in this district challenge me every day to be a better theatre arts teacher! I love that I got my degree in theatre education and am able to still work in the state of Texas doing what I love.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I am grateful for my parents! It is amazing how God hand-picks certain people to be the parents to certain children. Every one of us, as parents or bonus parents, have an impact on our children's lives. My parents have always been such a great support system for my sisters and me. They taught me values and my faith, encouraged me to learn, grow, and educate myself, loved me unconditionally (even when I was a pain in the you-know-what), supported me in every endeaver, and have truly become a great mentor couple for Josh and I to look up to! Not only that, but they have completely accepted Josh's children into their lives as their own grandchildren! We are so blessed to have such a healthy relationship with my parents!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

On this day, I give thanks to my wonderful sisters, Katie and Melanie! Being the youngest, I was given two FABULOUS sisters to look up to! They have been my role models growing up and even now! We have a very healthy relationship together, and barely a day goes by without communication with the two of them. We all have different relationships together, but we all love each other so much! (Plus, they have really awesome husbands who I love like brothers and ADORABLE children that I love like they are my own!)

Friday, November 18, 2011

To wrap up the week, I am thankful today for my cousin, Erin! Erin has always been like a little sister that I never had! We grew up together practically as sisters, too! We both attended the University of Texas at the same time, were in choir there together, and she was the Maid of Honor in my wedding! I love her to pieces and always look forward to holidays when we are in the same town together!

Keep it fabulous!

Celebrating Charlie and Lisa

2011-11-15T16:02:00.001-06:00

Last Saturday we celebrated the marriage vows of Charlie and Lisa, two of our dearest friends! They had a beautiful ceremony and a fabulously fun reception! There was definitely a good time had by all; all 300 of the guests in attendance!

For us, it was a fun time to get all dolled-up and enjoy a night out...

...and to see a lot of our friends from church!

We especially enjoyed getting to hang out with our Small Faith Group!

Charlie's daughter, Lexi, gave an AMAZING speech to the happy couple, expressing her love and gratitude to Lisa and Charlie. Lisa is blessed to be joining the ranks as "Bonus Mom," along with myself and another friend from church. Lexi is such an amazing girl, too!

To the happy couple:

Here's to many years of laughter, love, and living life to the fullest!

We love y'all!

Keep it fabulous!

Godparent

2011-11-13T12:04:00.002-06:00

god·par·ent

noun /ˈgädˌpe(ə)rənt/

godparents, plural

A person who presents a child at baptism and responds on the child's behalf, promising to take responsibility for the child's religious education

What a huge responsibility and honor it is to be a godparent! When you accept this responsibility in the Catholic religion, it is your job to ensure your Godchild will be raised in the Catholic faith, to assist his or her parents in teaching the faith, and to be there for all major sacraments! I'm blessed to be the Godmother of two of my nieces, and Josh and and I are the proud GodPARENTS of Baby Ben!

To My Godchildren

by Anonymous

You are a precious miracle and a dream come true.

It will be my honor to grow in faith with you.

I welcome this invitation, extended with love;

I will be your angel sharing promises from above.

As I gently hold you and look at your sweet face,
I say a little prayer that you be touched by grace.
So much of life ahead; I dream of all you'll be.
Times we'll spend together-just my Godchild and me.

I will hold your hand, and stand right by your side;

I will be your model, your teacher, and your guide.

I will give you time, with thoughts of you each day;

I will keep you in my prayers, as you find your way.

I look forward to the years ahead, and being a Godparent to you;

May our treasured bond grow strong, and in faith our hearts be true.

To Anna, Claire, and Ben:

I am honored and blessed and humbled to be your Godmother!
I promise my commitment is true and I will always be there, along with Josh, to support you in your Catholic faith!

I love y'all!

Keep it fabulous!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart (Week 2)

2011-11-11T18:44:00.001-06:00

Saturday, November 5, 2011

On this day, I am thankful for lazy Saturdays and College Football! I don't know what other people do with their time on Saturdays if they don't have a team to route for and love! I love my Longhorns and my mom's Ole Miss Rebels SOOOO much! (Almost to obsession!)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

On this day I give thanks for my 3 Godchildren (all of which are my sisters' kids), and ALL my nieces and nephews! I have 8 from my side and 7 from Josh's side, and I love each and every one of them so much!

Monday, November 7, 2011

On this day, I was most grateful for a job! I know how hard it has been for some of my friends to find teaching positions. I know what a struggle people are having with the economy. I thank God everyday for having a place to go everyday and work! I truly am thankful for my job!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

On this day, I am most thankful for my great friends at work. I can't imagine going into work every day and not having great friends! I am especially blessed to have met Gina Harston through my job! She has been such an inspiration to me throughout my time at RMS. We have a lot in common, are "next door neighbors," and love our jobs! So thankful!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

On this day I am most grateful for my church choir! I am so blessed to share my God-given talents with so many other talented people of the church. I look forward to every Wednesday and every Sunday morning to sing with such fun, amazing, and lovely people! Thank you, God, for blessing me with the ability to carry a tune and share this with my church community!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

On this day (or rather, night), I am thankful for "Girls' Nights Out!" I love that my husband understands the importance of "girl time" and that I, too, know the importance of "guy time!" I remember my father telling me to never settle for a man who doesn't have his own hobbies and friends! Lucky for me, my husband has an abundance of both! And also lucky for me, my husband allows me to go out with my friends!

Friday, November 11, 2011

And lastly, for this week, I am thankful today for my college degree. No one can ever take away your education. I value education very highly. I think it is the most important thing anyone can do for themselves! Without my college degree, I do not know where I would be today! I am VERY thankful for supportive parents who pushed me to succeed and excel. I am so blessed to have graduated from college!

(Yep! That's the tower lit up with '06 in it!)

Stay tuned for more "giving thanks" on this wonderful, blessed month of November!

Keep it fabulous!

"Heel, Toe, Dosey Doe...

2011-11-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

...come on baby, let's go boot scootin'!"

And that's just what we did!

Friday night we went out with the future Llewellyns (3 days until their wedding) to North Fort Worth for some tasty Tex-Mex and some two-steppin'!

Lis and I at Los Vaqueros before our boot scootin' officially started:

(Side note: Have you ever noticed that different types of people like different types of beers? College boys drink Bud Light or whatever is the cheapest at the time. Most girls drink light beers because they worry about caloric intake and getting bloated. You have your pale ale drinkers, your stouts, and your IPAs. And I promise you that you will never enter a Boot Scootin' dance hall where they do not serve the following beers!)

(Not that there's anything wrong with that!)

I digress!

Charlie and Lisa were so much fun to go out with, dance with, and people-watch with!

And for a couple who has not had a chance to dance together since our wedding, we weren't so bad at dancing ourselves!

"Cadillac, blackjack, baby meet me out back, we're gonna boogie!

Get down, turn around, go to town, boot scootin' boogie!"

And just think: the next time we have a double date, it will be with the OFFICIAL Llewellyns!

Keep it fabulous!

Let's Go Back a Few Weeks

2011-11-07T21:34:00.000-06:00

I didn't get a chance to blog about a very special event that occurred on my birthday this year. Not only did we visit the Hill Country Wineries, but we also visited with family in Spring, TX at the Liardon's house. It was a very sweet, adorable, and "handsome" boy's baptism weekend! (See his shirt, below?)

We got to Spring on Saturday in time for a delicious dinner and cream-filled cupcakes! It was so fun to catch up with all the family!

Sunday we enjoyed a delicious brunch, brought to us by Katie, then headed to church for the Baptism of Isaac.
Here a few shots of the kids:

During the Baptism:

God bless Isaac!

(He was VERY excited to be baptized....just a little nervous of the water at the time!)

We love you, Isaac!
Keep it fabulous!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart (Week 1)

2011-11-04T09:36:00.002-05:00

The month of November always brings about thanksgiving and love as the holiday seasons approach. Through several challenges from friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger, I have decided to join in with the thanks givers and the "good deed doers" out there! (Can anyone name the movie I just quoted?) Because not everyone follows my Twitter account where I have been posting my "Thanks" and "Good Deeds," I decided to post them once a week on my blog! (Thanks to Lauren for the idea!)

Week One

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

On this day I am thankful for my car and being a two-car household. Josh and I are both busy in separate ways, and it is so nice to have the ability to drive places without having to worry about getting him to the airport or his meetings, or me waiting on him to pick me up from school.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

On this day, I am especially thankful for my best friend Melanie S. She has been such an amazing friend to me and as we get older, our friendship continues to blossom. Not a day goes by that we aren't emailing, texting, or calling each other up. I am thrilled to be her Matron of Honor in her upcoming wedding, and love her to pieces!!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

On this day I am thankful for car insurance and the safety of my husband! He had a little accident in my car yesterday, and we are now back down to being a one-car family! (Funny how that works out, right?) I am just so thankful that he was not hurt, that the car is fixable, that no one else was involved, and that we have insurance to help us out! My good deed yesterday had nothing to do at all with my "thankful," though! Instead, I sent notes to the first year teachers to encourage and lift them up! I remember my first year, and it was not easy!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Today I am especially thankful for my Christ Renews His Parish sisters! We laugh together, cry together, pray together, and worship together! I have made some of my best friends through the retreats! We have been through the birth of babies, weddings, and now, sadly, a death. My good deed today is to offer my services and sing at one of my CRHP sister's grandson's funeral.

For what are you thankful?

Keep it fabulous!

Halloween Isn't Just For The Kids!

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Yep! You read that right! Halloween is for the adults, too!
To celebrate, we met up with the Maxwells, the Luters, and the future Llewellyns (can't wait until their wedding) for a night of fun and festivities at the church Halloween party!
There was a haunted house, Jack O' Lanterns, dancing, and LOTS of costumes!
(Josh and I even won a dance contest!)

After the party, we hung out with Captain Kirk and his robot for a bit more fun!

What a FABULOUS night it was, indeed!!!

Keep it fabulous!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T08:27:00.000-05:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

from the Markhams!

Who knew such beautiful girls could be so SPOOKY!

TRICK OR TREAT!

Keep it fabulous!

2 Days, 10 Wineries, No Problems (Part Two)

2011-10-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

To continue on with our Hill Country Wine Trip, we pick back up after a good night's sleep at the Sunday House Inn and a delicious breakfast at Fredericksburg Gourmet Coffee and Tea. Saturday morning we headed out to our last bit of wine tasting before heading to Spring, TX for the Baptism of my precious nephew, Isaac.

Day Two:

Saturday, October 22, 2011

First Stop:

Grape Creek Vineyards

Fredericksburg, TX

Second Stop:

Becker Vineyards
Stonewall, TX

Third Stop:
William Chris Vineyards
Hye, TX

Last Stop:

Texas Hills Vineyard
Johnson City, TX

We ended our "kick butt" wine trip with a "Kick Butt Cab" on the patio at Texas Hills Vineyard! It was truly a FABULOUS trip and I repeatedly told my company how it was one of the best trips I have ever experienced in all my 28 years on this earth!

Much thanks and love to my parents for making it happen, and to my husband for sharing the backseat with me through all 900 miles! ;)

Keep it Fabulous!

2 Days, 10 Wineries, No Problems (Part One)

2011-10-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

I love wine and I love being a Texan, so what better way to spend a birthday than with a weekend to the Hill Country Vineyards? (I definitely can't think of one!) We loaded up my parents' car on Thursday afternoon and headed on a Texas Winery Adventure; one for wine tasting, laughter, and lots of memories!

2 Days, 10 Wineries, No Problems

Here is what went down!
(Click on the vineyards and restaurant titles for more information!)

Day 0.5:

Fall Creek Vineyard
Tow, TX

We made it to Tow, Texas (pronounced "Toe") just in time to do a tasting before the winery closed for the day. It was a great start to our trip. We spent the night in Marble Falls, Texas after dinner at River City Grille and a Rangers win!

Official Day One:

We woke up and had breakfast at the Blue Bonnet Cafe before heading to five vineyards for the day.

First Stop:

Sister Creek Vineyards

Sisterdale, TX

Second Stop:

Singing Waters Vineyards

Comfort, TX

Third Stop:
Bending Branch Winery
Also in Comfort, TX

After a late lunch at the Alamo Springs Cafe on the outer edge of Fredericksburg, TX, we went on to more wineries!

Fourth Stop:
Rancho Ponte Vineyard
Fredericksburg, TX

Last Stop:
Torre di Pietra
Fredericksburg, TX

We tasted at some, had a glass of wine at some, and enjoyed the company of the people we met at the different wineries. We checked into our hotel in downtown Fredericksburg, then went to Navajo Grill for a birthday dinner! It was definitely a great start to our trip through Wine Country, TX! More to come soon! Until then...

...Keep it fabulous!

Turning 28: By The Numbers

2011-10-23T15:41:00.002-05:00

1.5 days off work

900 miles traveled, total

3 hotel rooms in

3 Texas cities

10 wineries visited

60 (+) wines tasted

18 bottles of wine purchased

2 Snobby Wineries

12 Vineyard cats and dogs

4 people in a Nissan Murano heading to

1 city in Texas to visit the Liardons

8 children

9 and under playing around the house

21 people under one roof

24 cream-filled cupcakes

2 star shaped candles for

2 birthday girls

1 special boy's baptism

28 blessed years on this earth!

As the first song from the musical Tommy suggests, "I have a feelin' 28 is gonna be a good year!"

Keep it fabulous!

Josh's Adventures in Jersey Land

2011-10-19T17:00:00.000-05:00

Josh's travels with work keep him mostly in the south right now, so when the opportunity presents itself for him to be in New Jersey, he jumps at the chance to fit a trip to see the girls in, as well! It isn't always easy because of his work schedule and the demands of his clients, but he, as usual, makes the most of his time and does the best he can to make the girls' experience with him a FABULOUS one! (For the North Texans out there: his recent trip was like staying in South Fort Worth, driving to Waco for a meeting, then turning around and driving back to Bedford to pick up the girls to stay with him in South Fort Worth, yet flying out of Love Field. Not ideal, but so worth it!)

So exactly how much is it worth, you might ask?

Round trip to Philadelphia (the cheaper airport): $780 plus 1500 bonus miles

Rental Car: $107

Hotel stay on the fourth floor: $375/night

(The above, obviously paid for by the company).

2 donuts and juice for breakfast: $5

Dinner out at The Olive Garden: $30

Dinner at the hotel: "Put it on the room!"

Giggles for the Trio: unmeasurable

Breakfast from the hotel, to go: "Put it on the room!"

(Thank you, Josh's company!)

2 drop-offs at school: 45 minutes of time

Hugs: innumerable

Halloween package for the girls: $30

Getting to see two adorable faces light up at the sight of their father:

PRICELESS!

Keep it fabulous!

I Forgot My Camera

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

I could have blogged about the engagement party,

We attended for our friends who will soon walk the aisle;

And told you about the awesome kegorater there,

And the drive that was way over 30 miles...

...but I forgot my camera.

I could have blogged about our weekend with the Birdwells,

And the adorableness of their daughters, McKinley and Kellen,

And told you about how hot the wings are from Pluckers,

And how the Rangers and World Series got us all a'yellin'...

...but I forgot my camera.

I could have blogged about family getting together,

For cowboys and burgers and sweet, baby Ben,

And how Brady played soccer and Claire played with dolls,

And how lucky I am to love my closest of kin!

...but I forgot my camera.

So don't worry yourselves, I will update again soon;
There are many fun times ahead!

With how busy we are, don't you worry at all;
yep there are definitely things to be said!

(And I promise not to forget my camera!)

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T12:52:00.000-05:00

Since I don't really have anything to blog about, I wanted to share with you what is consuming our lives right now!

Go Rangers!

Keep it Fabulous!

TX/OU Weekend

2011-10-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

I love being a Longhorn.
I love it so much, it hurts sometimes.
It especially hurt this past weekend.
I was hoping for no injuries and got it. I was hoping for Case McCoy to start and he did. I was hoping for a closer game....but didn't get it.
I don't even know what to say about the game, so I will just say this:

"The eyes of Texas are upon you...

...all the live long day.

The eyes of Texas are upon you...

...you cannot get away.

Do not think you can escape them...

...from night 'til early in the morn.

The eyes of Texas are upon you...

...'til Gabriel blows his horn."

Stay classy, Longhorns!

Keep it fabulous!

By the Numbers: Classroom Edition

2011-10-05T17:23:00.001-05:00

We are already in the second six weeks of school, and I am loving my classes! I have had a pretty busy year, so far, so I thought I would share with you what I have been up to at work!

MY CLASSROOM: BY THE NUMBERS:

15 - my room number at RMS

33 - days in school, so far

4 - days late changing my calendar at school....without even realizing it

7 - scripts read this year trying to find the perfect play for my students

57 - character projects turned in on 57 different books from 57 students in my reading classes

14- CHAMPs posters around my classroom

148 - students in and out of my classroom every day

41 - small posters to help my young actors and actresses

32 - posters representing my love for musical theatre

46-50 - hours I have been putting in per week to be sure I am the best teacher I can be every single day

7 (+) - representations of The Wizard of Oz in my classroom

1 - reminder that life is fabulous!

Concerts and Cowboys and Cuteness....

2011-10-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

...oh my!

Those three words pretty much sum up our past week! We went to see Incubus in concert...

to a Cowboys game (which they unfortunately lost)...

and saw a WHOLE lot of the cuteness, otherwise known as Ben!

(To see more pictures of this cuteness, check out his Mama's post!)

Life is good!

Keep it fabulous!

Gender Reveal Party

2011-09-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Our dear friends, the Maxwells, are expecting their FOURTH beautiful child! I went in with my friends Lisa and Sarah to throw them a "Gender Reveal" Party to announce the sex of the baby! The theme was circus and it definitely fit the atmosphere! (In a good way!)

(There is only so much you can do to the Great Hall at church to make it look good!)

It was especially fun catching up with all our great church friends!

I think the kids had the most fun, though!

We are so excited that Leslie and Ryan will be welcoming a little boy in November!
I can't wait to meet Elijah Richard.

Keep it fabulous!

Josh's Birthday Weekend

2011-09-26T20:08:00.000-05:00

We had great conversation, games, and lots of laughs.

We had wine, fabulous food, and delicious desserts.

We had a beautiful sunrise, fabulous weather, and a wonderful tour of the Nasher.

Museums have become "our thing" for our birthdays.

In 50 years, we will be back here looking like this:

We had fun, we made memories, but most importantly...

WE HAD EACH OTHER!

Keep it fabulous!

Happy Birthday, Josh!

2011-09-24T00:00:00.019-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO MY FABULOUS HUSBAND!!!

What makes a FABULOUS husband?

A FABULOUS husband is a best friend

there to always lend an ear.

A FABULOUS husband celebrates the good times

and always brings his wife cheer!

A FABULOUS husband takes his wife on trips

to visit brand new places.

A FABULOUS husband knows when he needs to be silly

and cheer his wife up with funny faces.

A FABULOUS husband lends a shoulder

when his wife is in need of a cry.

A FABULOUS husband lends his sturdy arms

when his wife slips on ice and wants to stay dry!

A FABULOUS husband is a fantastic juggler,

balancing faith, family, work, and fun.

A FABULOUS husband always makes his wife

KNOW she is number one!

Through good and bad and ups and downs

a FABULOUS husband will stay true.

A FABULOUS husband always knows the value,

and importance of "I love you."

Josh, you are an absolutely FABULOUS husband! Thank you for another year of memories! I love you and hope your birthday is memorable and happy!

Keep it FABULOUS!

Wordless Wednesday: The Cousin Edition

2011-09-21T16:21:00.000-05:00

(I miss this girl.)

Just Some Sentences

2011-09-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

The past week has been busy, but absolutely fabulous, of course! Thursday, Josh and I went to the Rangers game again, but this time WITH my parents! We ran into their friends who watched all the Play-Off games with us last year at the Man Cave, Jonah Hill threw out the first pitch, and we continued our winning streak to sweep the Indians at home!

Friday we met up with Candice and Scotty (and my parents again) at Grape Fest in Grapevine. Unfortunately it rained on us all night, so I didn't get a lot of pictures. We tasted some delicious foods, saw some amazing works of art, and even ran into some of our FAVORITE people in the world: The Duanes and The Roberts's!

Saturday I took 40 of my students on a theatre work shop at one of the high schools in the district. My students had an absolute blast! When the workshop was over, we all gathered in the auditorium, and the high school teacher asked for volunteers to show off what they had learned! I was VERY proud to have 15 of my students get up in front of the other 200 (+) students and perform a dance from their musical theatre class and a "fight scene" from the stage combat class! I was a proud Mama Hen, for sure!

Sunday was "Celebrate September Birthdays" with the Markhams! Josh, his mother, and one of his nieces all share the same birthweek! It was a fabulous day, indeed! (And it doesn't hurt that the Cowboys won in overtime!) Aunt Judy, Ma-Ma's sister was in town, as well, so I finally got to meet her and Jim. We presented Honey with a picture frame with different family pictures for her birthday. I'm pretty sure she love it!

I love Josh's family!

And there you have it....just some sentences!

Keep it fabulous!

Things I Love Thursday

2011-09-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I have done a "Things I Love" post, so I will try to do this about once a month to remind you all of the things I love!

I love college football. I love waking up on Saturdays and looking forward to ESPN's College Game Day. I love the stories of individual athlete's struggle to get where they are, and how they have overcome diversity. I love the anticipation of Lee's and Kirk's picks! I love the moment when they highlight the teams in the top 25 and show the strengths and weaknesses of them all. I especially love my Longhorns. Even when we aren't in the Top 25, you know I will be watching or listening to the game, cheering them on, crying when they lose, and loving EVERY one of the teammates and coaches! (Especially "McCoy and Shipley 2!")
I love my bonus daughters! I love when I get an email wishing me a happy first anniversary or a spontaneous text from one of them. I love that they have accepted me into their lives and love me in spite of my lack of "mom knowledge!" I love getting pictures of them on my phone telling me what they are up to for the day/week, and seeing their precious, smiling faces! Here they are on their first day of school:
I love this book! I have learned new and inventive ways to help my students memorize scenes, pick characterizations, and even to evaluate performances! This has definitely already added a lot of depth to my theatre arts classes and I am VERY grateful!
I love this man! I know I say it all the time, but I truly love him! I love how he helps me out around the house when I work long hours at work. I love how he keeps me on my toes by the vast knowledge he contains. I love to have long conversations and fun date nights with him. I love praying with him, deepening our faith together, and attending Mass with him. I LOVE that he loves the Dallas Cowboys. (And looks AWESOME in his fancy Jason Witten, Reebok, authentic, throwback jersey with his authentic, 2011-2012, Reebok hat....which are both OBVIOUSLY presents from yours truly!)

Keep it fabulous!!!

9/11 at the Ballpark

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

After church on Sunday, Josh and I headed to the Ballpark in Arlington to see the game! It was a very special day for our nation, so the Rangers put on a special tribute, as well. Outside the park at each of the entrances, there were military men showing men, women, and children different weapons and talking about what they specialize in at war. I even got to hold a gun! (It was REALLY heavy, in case you can't tell!) Josh thought it was funny that I have on a nice dress and am holding a HUGE weapon!

Unfortunately, the Bushes were not in attendance (they had MUCH more important places to be for the 9/11 memorial in New York), so you have to settle for a picture of Josh and me, instead!

Before the game, a quintet of firemen sang "The National Anthem" and it was absolutely beautiful. There were three first pitches thrown out: The first was a member of the National Guard. He had worked on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon on September 11th. After that, he joined the National Guard and has done two tours in Iraq and is about to head to Afghanistan. The second is a man who was the Arlington Police Department Chaplain, who quit his job after 9/11 to travel all over the United States to counsel men and women who were coping with a loss from the attack. The third was a young boy. His mother, standing with him, was in a building when they collapsed and was buried in rubble. His father was ALSO buried in rubble. Both parents survived and he was born two months later! It was such a moving start to the game!

"September 11, 2001. We shall never forget."

We will NOT forget!

Jeep People

2011-09-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Well....Josh and I are now Jeep People!

After many prayers and a LOT of research, we purchased our first car together! A 2011, 4-Door, 4X4, hard top, Sahara Sun, Jeep Wrangler Sport.

Josh got his dream car....but he lets me drive it! Sometimes....okay....ONCE! But it is a REALLY fun ride! And we even got our very first "jeep" wave! (We high-fived each other when it happened! We felt so accepted! Ha!)

With the bad luck we have been having with vehicles, we decided to bless this one with holy water....just in case!

May the Lord bless and keep us SAFE in our new Jeep!

Keep it fabulous!

Fabulous Friends

2011-09-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Josh and I have been so blessed to be a part of several groups at church, and have made some fabulous friends through those different ministries! The very first couple we met at church are Matt and Sarah, whom we met when Josh and Sarah were going through RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). We were very sad when they had to move to Flagstaff, Arizona about a year ago! However, we were very HAPPY when they came to visit over Labor Day weekend this past week, and we all got together with our Small Faith group for GAME NIGHT!

Game night quickly turned into a Dance Party, though, when Matt got control of the ipods! The men smoked cigars outside while the women stayed in and danced....until 4 in the morning! (Josh and I left at 3:00 because we had plans the next morning!)

It was an absolutely FABULOUS night!

We thank God for the blessing of FABULOUS FRIENDS!

Rangers vs. Angels

2011-09-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Josh and I were very fortunate to receive FREE Rangers tickets and a parking pass to go see the Rangers BEAT the Angels on August 28th! My parents have season tickets, and were not using them for this particular game, so we got to go! We started out in the Cuervo Club where it was nice and cool for the first two innings, catching up about the weekend (Josh had been on the Men's retreat at church, so I hadn't seen him since Friday) and enjoying each other's company before heading down to our FABULOUS seats!

My mom didn't tell me, but she is in the same section as Nolan and George! Of course I got a picture! (I also asked Josh if I could go down there and ask to get my picture taken WITH the guys, but he didn't think that was wise. I was planning on telling George that I went to UT with Jenna....which isn't a total lie because we were there at the same time....I just didn't know her!) I digress...

Our seats were SO good, in fact, I was able to zoom into the field and get some REALLY awesome shots of my favorite players!

Thanks to my parents for the use of your tickets! And for the FABULOUS, FREE date night with my husband!

Keep it fabulous!

Remembering the F-150 (And an update)

2011-09-03T08:51:00.002-05:00

Remember our truck? Our Black Ford F-150 that Josh and I bought together as our future family vehicle? The F-150 that was purchased by trading in two previously Markham-owned vehicles that were no longer in use? The F-150 that helped friends move, Josh move, and me move....twice? The F-150 that picked me up for dates, drove us on several road trips, and carried us away on our wedding night?

Remember the truck with the personalized license tags which were a special Christmas present for my honey? The one with the scratch all the way down one side from the lovely patron of the DMB concert who decided to key our car? The one with the dented bumper from the time I backed into an audi....and when Josh backed into a short pole that nobody could have seen?

Remember how our precious, memory-filled, favorite, black F-150 was taken out of valet from the Marriott parking lot in Jackson, Mississippi? Well, after months (okay....a month and a half) of dealing with insurance companies and the lovely people of Marriott (and they really were lovely and very helpful), we finally have closure, in the monetary sense, and enough money saved up to start looking for a new car! We have prayed that God give us the wisdom to pick the right vehicle to be the next family car for us! A car that will carry suitcases and secrets! A car that will carry precious cargo and giggles in the backseat! A car that will carry carseats and laughter and roadies and music and sunglasses and new memories!

Please continue to pray for us as we make a final decision on a car! God is TRULY great, y'all, and has completely taken care of us through this trial in our life!

Keep it fabulous!

How do you spell KALAMAZOO?

2011-08-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

K is for KIND; as in how LOVELY Michiganders are!

A is for A rehearsal; half in English, half in Spanish; fully in the sun!

L is for LIZ and Hugo's LOVE for one another!

A is for A boat tour at Chuck's place! (Liz's dad)

M is for MARRIAGE vows; half in English, half in Spanish; FULLY beautiful!

A is for AMOR; and LOTS of it!

Z is for ZESTY Salsa; as in the first dance! (I didn't get a picture of this, so you have to settle for the bridesmaids dancing, instead.)

O is for ON-GOING; as in the party never ending!

O is for OVER; as in leaving early Sunday to return to reality!

It was such a blessing to be a part of Liz's big day, see her family, meet Hugo's family, meet their friends, and see all the love surrounding them! It was truly a perfect and beautiful day!

Keep it fabulous!

A Brand New Year

2011-08-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Work is definitely keeping me busy right now! I have been selected to teach GT Reading, in addition to my Theatre Arts classes, so there have been a few changes in my classroom, mainly in the form of bookshelves and books!

We also have a new principal this year, with new expectations and a new game-plan! Things are changing and are feeling great! I'm ready for the new challenges this year will bring!

With God in my court, I know life will always be beautiful!

Keep it fabulous!

Short Trip to Spring

2011-08-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

Bright and early on August 8, 2011, my mom picked me up, packed up her car, and together we headed to Spring, Texas to be there for the birth of Liardon baby #5! We arrived at the hospital around 11:30 am and went straight to Katie's room. Isaac was NOT quite ready to make his appearance, so my mom and I went to lunch and then got back up to the hospital in time to hear some of his first cries from outside the door! Isaac is QUITE the cutie!

It was especially fun to get to see the different reactions from the older four children. Lucy took a while to warm up to the new little bundle of joy!

At night, I got some special bonding in with Thomas, Anna, Rose, and Lucy. We played "Just Dance 2," ate a yummy meal together, and played 4 variations of make-believe; one for each kid!

I packed back up to head home the very next day, but not before getting some more Isaac cuddles and kisses! He sure is a sweetie pie! I can't wait to see him again! Hope he remembers me! ;)

Keep it fabulous!

ONEderful ONE Year!

2011-08-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

It happened.

The day I dreaded happening finally came...

Josh and I are no longer labeled as "Newlyweds!"

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating our wedding day...and here we are! Already been married ONE year!

To celebrate one year, we went out to Fort Worth for a night on the town!

We even ate our Wedding Cake for "good luck!"

I don't think we really need it, though!

Happy anniversary to the most wonderful, most handsome, most amazing, most FABULOUS husband I could EVER had hoped for and prayed for!
I'm the luckiest!

Keep it fabulous!

Bad Blogger

2011-08-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

I have become a BAD blogger! So bad, I have not posted about any "happenings" in the month of August! Therefore I haven't had a chance to tell you about our ONEderful One Year Anniversary Celebration, my Christ Renews His Parish retreat weekend, our trip to Michigan, starting school with a new principal and a new subject to teach, my trip to Spring to meet Isaac William Liardon, OR our Rangers game date!

Do not fear....my week of ZERO after-school responsibilities is here!!!

Be ready for the blog posts!

Until then...

keep it fabulous!

Golden Birthday

2011-08-10T20:30:00.002-05:00

As July came to a close, a very special person celebrated her GOLDEN birthday! Melanie turned 31 on the 31st and we had a small get-together to celebrate her, as well as the girls' last day in Texas!

Laughter, presents, chocolate chip cookie cake...

...what more could a girl ask for!

Happy 31st, Melanie!

We love you!

Keep it fabulous!

Camp Fabulous!!

2011-08-08T14:35:00.000-05:00

When it is too hot to go outside, gear up for a CAMP IN!
Just build a fire,

then have a dance party to Selena Gomez,

enjoy arts and crafts,

microwave s'mores,

and face painting,

build a make-shift tent,

add two little girls,

and rainbow waffles...

AND ENJOY!!!

Keep it fabulous!

Onward to FLORIDA!

2011-08-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

With our rental car packed up, we left the Marriott Jackson heading onward to Florida. The clouds looked daunting....

...but it was nothing but beautiful skies at Navarre Beach, Florida!

We went straight to the beach after getting settled at Jeff and Wendy's house and enjoyed the waves, sand, and energy of the beach! It was a great way to escape from Vacation You-Know-Where with the stolen truck!

That night, Jeff and Wendy took us to McGuire's Pub and Grill to listen to live Irish music, drink Irish beer, and kiss an Irish Moose?

We had an absolute blast and even added a dollar to the restaurant wall!

Unfortunately that night while we were sleeping, someone threw a brick through the window of our rental car.

After a few phone calls and a duck tape job, we headed off to Alabama to Orange Beach to rent a pontoon boat to take onto the bay! We found a little "sand bar island," parked the boat, and enjoyed an hour playing in the water in the middle of the bay!

The girls, of course, absolutely LOVED Jeff and Wendy!

"That's my boat!"

We returned the boat at sunset and went to dinner at a charming barbecue place there in Orange Beach.

The last day we were in Florida, with ANOTHER new rental car, we headed to Pensacola Beach. We had lunch at "Crabs: We Got 'Em" and then went to make some memories on the beach!

We made the long 13 hour drive back to Texas on the 26th and were all exhausted! We are so thankful to Jeff and Wendy for their hospitality and loveliness while we were in town! We can't wait to get to see them again!!!

Keep it fabulous!

First Leg of the Trip

2011-08-04T17:42:00.002-05:00

We took off on our

MARKHAM FAMILY TRIP 2011

(AKA "Well....it could have been worse!")

on July 21st.

We packed up the car with computers and ipads and music to keep us entertained for hours.

We thought of EVERYTHING.

We mapped out our route, had our oil changed, tires rotated, and car checked out.

We checked our road side assistance coverage, packed a cooler with water, and even packed flashlights.

We thought about ALL the things that could have gone wrong...

We made it to Jackson, Mississippi in time for dinner that Thursday evening. Having two kids, 9 bags, and arms filled to the brim, we decided to valet our car to make things easier at check-in. We had dinner at the hotel bar while watching the Mississippi gubernatorial debate on tv, before heading upstairs to enjoy our evening relaxing in the hotel room.

We went to bed early to be completely rested for the second leg of our trip on to Milton, Florida.
At 3:40 AM we got a call from the hotel management:
"Mr. Markham? We think your truck is missing from valet!"
Well....that throws a wrench in our plans!
We ended up staying an extra day in Jackson waiting on our rental car and making the most of our situation. We went to Daily Mass, lunch at Chick-Fil-A, then went swimming at the hotel pool.

We got our rental later that evening (a Ford Edge), packed up our room, and were ready to head on to Milton early the next morning!

Road Trip: By the Numbers

2011-07-26T22:37:00.000-05:00

Most of you have been following my Twitter and Facebook account, so you know that we had quite the adventure when we set off to Florida for a trip to the beach with the girls. Since it has been a LONG few days, and since we just got back 2 hours ago, I decided to hold off on the official "Vacation" post, and give you all the story, by the numbers!

1642 total miles driven round trip

3 cars used on our journey

1 Ford F-150 stolen from valet at the Marriott in Jackson, MS

30,000(+) amount of worth stolen in our truck and belongings inside

2 Lucketts to visit with in Jackson

2 skinned knees from the park

1 Catholic Church right down the block from our hotel where we were able to attend Daily Mass and pray for whoever stole the truck

1 Ford Edge rental

4 smiles leaving Jackson, heading to Pensacola

2 Parrs to visit along with 2 adorable puppies

2 Bushwhackers on the way to the beach

3 kisses for the moose at McGuire's

1 smashed window of the rental car

1 boat to take around the bay all day

6 tired people home from a long day in the water

1 Ford Escape replacement rental loaded up to take out for another beach day with just the Markhams

4 smiles at the beach

1 Boogie Boarder and 1 Sand Castle Builder

13 hours in the car on the way home

6 total days away from home

4 exhausted Markhams heading to bed early

1001 lessons learned by us and taught to the girls

In spite of the "bumps in the road," so to speak, we really did have a FABULOUS vacation. We taught the value of human life and safety over material possessions to the girls, and they were completely calm about the whole "mishap!" I, once again, was shown God's grace in my life. My husband is truly my rock. He kept me completely calm and at peace with the whole situation with his demeaner and total trust in God. We discussed as a family that bad things happen, but good can come out of everything. I feel like the whole situation made us closer as a couple and as a family, and I am thankful that God was with us in the center of our entire trip!

More to come (with pictures) later, but for now....I must get to bed!

Keep it fabulous!

While You Were Out

2011-07-20T13:23:00.002-05:00

While I was in Chicago visiting friends, Josh and the girls were kept plenty busy on their own!

They read, played computer games, built smurfs at Build-A-Bear...

they visited grandparents, watched/played in a softball game, and had lunch playdates with their cousins...

they had friends over, grilled out, and even saw some fireworks!

I'd say they had as much fun as I did in Chicago!

What do you think?

Keep it fabulous!

Chicago (AKA: How Do You Spell 'Dork'?)

2011-07-19T12:28:00.002-05:00

It wasn't about the cooler temperatures, tourist attractions, or pictures of buildings I had recently seen blown up in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

It wasn't (completely) about being with three of my favorite people to enjoy one last movie night in their old apartment, helping them move into a new apartment, or laughing until all hours of the morning.

It wasn't even 100% about wedding planning, dress shopping, and other Matron of Honor duties being fulfilled. (Although we DID find THE dress!)

Nope.

My latest trip to Chicago, though I did ALL things listed above, was about the ending of a saga, and two HUGE dorks enjoying the last Harry Potter film together!

How do you spell DORK?: L-A-U-R-E-N and M-E-L-A-N-I-E!

(Notice the "Trust Snape" and "Voldemort is HOT!" shirts we are sporting, the freeze frame on the TV, and the overall DORK-iness of the situation above!)

What a fabulous and memorable way to end a saga!

Keep it fabulous!

Is the sun in your eyes?

2011-07-18T12:01:00.002-05:00

The sun has been in ours non-stop this summer! With temperatures in the triple digits every day since the girls have been in Texas, we are staying cool in the pool!

(We probably need to be enforcing sunglasses more often!)

Keep it FABULOUSLY sunny!

The NRH2O Limerick

2011-07-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

There once were two girls named Emma and Madi,
Who came to Texas to spend July with their Daddy,
Water park passes were bought,
So they wouldn't get too hot,
And their smom became somewhat of a swim caddy!

There was also a little girl from Spring named Anna,

Who came to Fort Worth to spend some time with Nana!

She wanted to go,

To NRH2O,

And with Brady, Claire, Emma, and Madi, she swam-a!

Nana, Melanie, and the smom hung out to the side,

And they watched as the kids slid down slides!

There was laughter and fun,

Had by EVERY single one!

Four of the five even built up courage to ride "big kid" rides!

At the end of the morning, no one wanted to go!

"Smom, we're having such a blast at NRH20!"

I promised we'd come back soon,

(For the smiles I'd give the moon!)

This smom is blessed more than anyone could know!

Keep it fabulous!

Summer Haiku

2011-07-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Summer time is here.

We like to splash in the pool.

Swimming is great fun!

Madi dives for sticks.

Emma floats on her monkey.

We're all having fun!

Keep it fabulous!

Hey...it's okay!

2011-07-11T00:00:00.002-05:00

Hey! It's okay to make new friends while in Texas!

It's okay to be shy and non-talkative when you first meet someone...then become his best friend by the end of the night!

It's okay to play freeze tag and "Duck, Duck, Goose" for four minutes before getting bored with the games and heading inside!

It's okay to be the "big kid" with privileges like an iPad and babysitting duties!

It's okay to have a mock-slumber party for kids inside, while the adults play games outside!

It's okay to eat 4 popsicles in one night!

It's okay to stay up until one in the morning playing with your new friends!

It's okay to hug your sister in ONE picture!

It's okay to sleep until 10 o'clock the next morning after a night of partying!

Hey....it's okay!

Keep it fabulous!

COUSINS

2011-07-10T10:28:00.000-05:00

Cute

One-of-a-kind

Undivided

Sisterly

Inseparable

Never arguing

Sweet

COUSINS
Keep it fabulous!

Thankful for Thursday (On a Friday)

2011-07-08T13:36:00.000-05:00

A less stressful summer! Last year I was planning a wedding, becoming a stepmom and wife, packing up to move in with Josh, etc. This summer has been SOOOOO much easier and I am SOOOOO thankful for that!
Fabulous in-laws! I have had the privilege to hang out with MOST of Josh's family all week, which is great for the girls, as well, to get time with their cousins. (Of course I WOULD forget my camera, though.)
Freedom! I'm very grateful and appreciate of all the soldiers who willingly go to work each day, so I can have the freedom to do the things I do!
These three people:

Keep it fabulous!

Pictures from Independence Day

2011-07-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

We had a pretty traditional Fourth of July! We saw a movie in the morning, went to the pool in the afternoon, then joined my family for a little cook out!

Pictures from my parents' house:

Josh and I with all the kids!

After dinner, Honey and Pops picked us up and took us to go see fireworks! Melanie and her kids came along, as well!

Waiting for fireworks:

Honey, Pops, and the girls!

We had a FABULOUS fourth!

Keep it fabulous!

Happy Fourth of July

2011-07-04T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's Independence Day!

A day to be with family...

...decorate some cupcakes...

...put some burgers on the grill, watch some fireworks...

...and CELEBRATE!

Happy Fourth from the Markhams!

Keep it FABULOUS!

Girls' Room on a Budget

2011-07-03T23:11:00.000-05:00

Since the girls come in town for the summer, they need a place where they can feel is all their own! With the merging of Josh's and my furniture once we got married, we had to get rid of their old bunk beds and brought in my old double bed for a guest room/girls' room! The girls are always changing, so I did my best to put their room together on a budget, which gives leeway to change things in the future! Here is a tour around their room:

Target Bed-in-a-Bag: $50 (on sale)

Lamp: $16

(Stuffed animals:free)

Make-shift valance: FREE (made from old bed sheet)

"M" and "E" signs: $2.99 a piece

Painting from a college project: FREE

Chair covers: Free (from old bed spreads)

Paintings to match chair covers: under $30 on supplies from Michael's

"Name" paintings: (See above)

Having a place where the girls can call "Home" while in Texas:

$$ PRICELESS $$

Keep it fabulous!

Sunday Snippets

2011-06-26T00:00:00.002-05:00

Summer weeks are just a-flying by! Pretty soon I will be unpacking my classroom and gearing up for the first day of school! Until then, Josh and I are truly enjoying the 2 months off to the fullest!

I had the privilege of going to hear Kitty Cleveland give witness and sing at my church on Monday. She is truly an angel! Her story and her trust in God at ALL times is an inspiration. And her voice! Oh, her voice! She is truly blessed and I love that she is able to share her story and songs to so many around the world! Check her out here: http://kittycleveland.com/

FIVE DAYS! Five days until a very cute ten year old and an equally cute seven year old come to Texas for an entire month to hang out with Josh and me! We have a lot of fun things planned for the girls while they are here, including NRH2O, a few shows at Artisan Theatre, and a trip to Florida to see my aunt and uncle! I am sooo excited!

Speaking of two cute girls, here are a few pictures Josh took of them when he last hung out with them in New Jersey!

Keep it fabulous!

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

Lather on the sunscreen, pour the poinsettias, and pull out the sun hats!

Load up the water guns, pull out the floats and rings, and jump in the pool!

Why? Because it is FATHER'S DAY!

A day to celebrate the fathers in your life!

I celebrated with my father (far right) who taught me to ride a bike, pulled out countless splinters, and bonded over Band of Brothers with me as an adult. He taught me to keep trying and keep pushing myself until I reached my goals, challenged me to do the best I can in everything I do, is the reason I sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables at my senior recital, and made sure my shaky legs didn't give out on me as I clung to him walking down the aisle on my wedding day!

I celebrated with my grandfather (second from left) who teaches me patience everytime I am with him, made an upstairs playroom in his barn just for his grandchildren, and is always quick to offer a delicious dessert....even when your parents didn't give you permission and you have to sneak it! Chocolate covered cherries, brown recliner armchairs, and little white pickup trucks are a few of the small things that will always remind me of him!

I celebrated with my uncle (second from right) who has been like a second father to me: sneaking $20 bills to me as he hugged me and left my apartment in college, put up with me giggling with his daughter until all hours of the night when we were kids, has taken me on vacations, to numerous musicals, and out to fancy dinners, and laughed along with us as Erin and I fought over Dr. Mario, Dirty Harry, and, YES....BATTLE TOADS on the original Nintendo!

I celebrated with my husband (left) who has blessed me with two bonus daughters, has the patience to teach all the children in my family and his a number of different lessons or concepts when others have given up, and who loves his daughters and misses them EVERY DAY he does not get to see them. I truly am blessed to get to see a preview of what a great father he will be with our future children because I get to see him with our current children, and I know he truly is a gem!

Happy Father's Day to Josh, Papa, Michael, and Daddy!

(And all other AMAZING fathers in my life that I didn't get to be with on Sunday!)

Thanks for all you do each and every day to teach the children in your lives!

Keep it fabulous!

Father's Day Gift for my Sweetheart

2011-06-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Josh always does such a great job of surprising me for birthdays and holidays, so I sometimes get stumped when it comes to gifts for him. This year for Father's Day, he asked for some sort of electronic, computer, geeky gadget! (You're shocked, I know!) (Sarcasm.) Anyway, I did not want to get him something that he could get himself. So instead, I took him on a weekend getaway to NYLO Las Colinas. (Great rooms, great rates, great fun!) He was completely shocked and loved getting to celebrate his weekend without having to lift a finger!

We enjoyed a room with a view, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, relaxing by the pool, and conversation with ~~strangers~~ new friends. It was hard packing up and heading back to reality on Sunday, but that's life!

I feel so blessed to be married to a man who is truly a great father! He does the best he can with the cards he has been dealt and never complains or focuses on the negatives! I am so proud of all he is and love him to the moon and back! I truly feel with him I can do ANYTHING, so I hope he was able to see how much he means to me through the weekend getaway!

I love you, Joshua S. Markham!

Keep it fabulous!

MAVS by the Numbers

2011-06-20T16:14:00.003-05:00

31-years in existence

11-years with Mark Cuban as the owner

3-years with Rick Carlisle as head coach

15-players on the team

5-players from a country other than the US

4-preseason games won

57-regular season games won

16-post season games won

2-teams in the championship

4-championship games won

1-championship win

4-number of sports tears shed by The Markhams

Keep it fabulous!

A Girls' Night Out Story

2011-06-16T15:12:00.001-05:00

A
BRIDE-TO-BE named Liz, traveled to

AUSTIN, TX to visit with
COLLEGE buddies for a weekend of fun! We started the night at

HULA HUT for some pre-dinner drinks, then headed out for a night of
ENDLESS fun! There were girls from
LONGHORN Singers and even Liz's

ORIGINAL roommates who came out for the fun! The college
REUNION had me laughing until tears ran down my face!

EVERYONE
TAKING part dressed in black and the bride-to-be dressed in white! The night ended with everyone
TOASTING

ELIZABETH on her upcoming nuptials!

To sum the night up in three words:

LAUGHING

IDYLLIC

ZINGER

(You try coming up with a fun Z-word!)

Keep it fabulous!

Gong Karaoke Limerick

2011-06-15T12:48:00.001-05:00

Upon meeting good friends from my past,

I knew my husband would surely have a blast!

To the ATX we went,

For a Bachelorette event,

Where he found us Longhorn girls are full of class!

First he met Liz, my college roommate and friend,
Whose wedding, in August, we will attend!
Then came Caitlyn and Mere,
And once Darcy got there,
It was time for "Gong Karaoke" to commence!

(Caitlyn, Liz, me, and Meredith)

Gong Karaoke is karaoke with a twist!

The crowd picks who stays and who goes, is the gist.

You must get through your song,

Without hearing the gong,

And the audience holds up "Yes/NO" signs to assist!

(Meredith, Caitlyn, and Darcy)

Darcy brought down the house with some Adele,

Liz and Caitlyn sang some B52's just as well!

On my turn around,

Threw "Son of a Preacher Man" down!

We all made it through our songs without a gong of the bell!

Even Josh got to join in on the joy!

He tore it up with a song by The Beastie Boys!

Unfortunately for him,

The gong did him in,

The commemorative prize made up for his annoys!

(Couldn't come up with another word, but you catch the drift!)

Keep it fabulous!

Honor

2011-06-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

My best friend was in town this weekend to start the wedding planing! She asked me to come along with her as she looked at the Botanic and Japanese Garden venues for weddings. As we walked along the Japanese Gardens where we have spent so much time together in the past, she stopped me, dropped down on one knee (in white pants, no less), and asked me to be her Maid of Honor. Of course I said, "Yes!" and I could not be more thrilled!

As we left the gardens she admitted to me that she didn't even want to get married there, but she knew that she wanted to ask me to be in her wedding....and I admitted to her that I already knew I was going to be in her wedding because she told me last time she was here....over wine! We giggled and left it at that!

Melanie was a great Maid of Honor (along with my lovely cousin, Erin) when I got married, so I have some BIG shoes to fill! And believe you me....I am already plotting out the greatness of her wedding and celebrating MELANIE!

What an HONOR it is to be a part of her nuptials!

Keep it fabulous!

Splash Day

2011-06-10T00:00:00.007-05:00

How do you create the perfect splash day?

A sprinkler...

...a water slide...

...a blow up pool...

...and four cute kids!

Just

add

water!

(Video: Lucy being a ham!)

(And chaperones are good to have, too! You know....just in case!)

Keep it fabulous!

Hangin' with the Liardons

2011-06-08T00:00:00.012-05:00

My mom and I headed down to Spring to spend a few smiled-filled days with the Liardons. Because Thomas and Anna were still in school, we got a lot of time with Liardon Children Numbers 3 and 4! It was fun playing My Little Pony and "Shoe Fashion Show" with Rose and Lucy, and enjoying time with Katie and my mom, as well!

When Anna got home from school, I got my own, private violin concert!

No matter how long the trip, it always feels too short when I'm with the Liardons. I love being with all of them! I was sad to leave, but look forward to going back soon to make more memories! (And I can't wait to meet Baby Isaac, either!)

Keep it FABULOUS!

Summer is Here!

2011-06-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

To celebrate the start of summer, we headed down to the ATX to visit with Erin and Brad, and to get a chance to show Brad the city! Here are the highlights:

Dinner at Trudy's started out the weekend!

There was dancing...

...an elementary/middle/high school reunion...

...and a college reunion, too!

There was a late brunch on South Congress, drinks and darts at Flying Saucer, and a perfect bulls eye!

We even stopped by Josh's old stomping grounds for lunch!

And that's about all I have to say about our first Summer Fling!

For as my dad always says, "What happens in Austin....stays in Austin!"

Keep it fabulous!

The One About My Job

2011-05-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

I tend to keep pretty quiet about my job on my blog. Sure, I will say things about looking forward to Spring Break or Summer time or time off, but that may be a little deceiving to the reader. The truth of the matter is this: I LOVE MY JOB! In fact, I might go as far as to say I have the best job in the entire world!

I love that I am responsible for teaching children different aspects of fine arts and stirring up a love for theatre that will last a lifetime!

I love that I am able to challenge children to think outside the box, be opinionated, and stand up for their beliefs!

I love that at the end of each year I feel so much pride when I see the eighth graders I have had for three years move onto high school and do great things!

I love that I can challenge the smartest honors students to think harder and work harder for an A, and that I can make the more challenged student feel like an honors student when I push him to achieve more...and he reaches his goals!

I love that I can dash the "I can'ts" and replace them with "Oh my gosh! I did its!"

I love when the students come to me for help in Algebra, Science, Social Studies, and English....and they are shocked that I know more than "just theatre!"

I love that I get the privilege to love them, help them, encourage them, push them, and watch them grow into beautiful young adults.

I love when a student trusts me enough to open up to me about a situation at home, can cry with me, ask my advice, and when that student leaves, I am able to get down on my knees and pray for her and know that tomorrow will be a better day, and that she WILL be the one that breaks the mold!

I love that my class builds confidence, teaches pride, and creates skills the students will use for the rest of their lives.

Those of you who know me well know that my job is not always easy. I have had a lot of heartache over the years watching 7th grade girls drop out due to pregnancy, 8th grade boys with tattoos on their arms and necks drop out and listed as "runaways", and star students fall due to problems at home. However, with each new semester and each new year I have gained much more experience to know what it takes to start the year out giving each child a chance, a clean slate, a place where they feel accepted. I have learned so much over the past five years from my students and look at each new day as a learning experience.

Everytime I think I have it tough, I remember that these students all have their very own story. One student has a single mom who works three jobs to support four children because her ex husband is in jail. One student never got to know her parents because they are drug addicts and no one knows where they are. Instead, her grandmother takes care of her, but only has enough to afford two outfits which are rotated out every other day. Another student came to our school without a home, living in the basement of a hotel where her mother works as a maid. These are their stories. These are their lives. And sometimes, when they have forgotten their homework or didn't bring supplies to school that day, I have to remember that those are their realities.

Today I was given an end-of-the-year gift. It is a simple candle holder. It's a yellow tin with 10 stars around the edges. It is filled up halfway with sand, and a half burned candle sits in the center. The student also gave me a card. It reads:

"Dear Mrs. Markham.

I want to say thank you. You have been there for me, cared about me, and have given me the opportunity to become a star. I chose the yellow tin with 10 stars because you are always so happy, like yellow, and because you let the 10 One Act students be stars!

Love,

I may not give life-changing lectures or write best selling novels. I may forget to input my attendance or lose my patience with a class. I may never win an award or go down in a hall of fame. In fact, I may not have reached all of my students this year to touch their lives for the better. But I know one thing....they have definitely changed my life.

As the final semester closes out and the pencils and binders and notebooks are locked away for summer, I take a step back and assess my year. And each year I am reminded of a very simple fact: these students may not necessarily need me.....I am the one who needs them.

Keep it fabulous!

(And Happy Summer!)

Sunday Snippets

2011-05-22T22:05:00.000-05:00

Josh and I hosted a private movie marathon at our place this weekend! Just Josh, me, and 8 movies! It was nice to spend time hanging out and doing nothing! We NEVER do NOTHING! I think to celebrate, we will head to Austin next weekend for a little getaway! ;)
This weekend I also got a taste of "in sickness and in health!" Josh was a bit under the weather (hence the movie marathon), so I was taking care of him all weekend! I will say this: I probably got on HIS nerves more than he got on mine! In fact, he didn't get on my nerves at all. But after so much time watching movies, not leaving the place, etc....I got a little stir crazy. In fact, he GLADLY ~~forced me~~ agreed to allow me to leave the house to attend the Women's Club May Luncheon and Fashion Show. (Well....as long as I would bring him breakfast first!)
This week will mark the last week in my fifth year teaching! I cannot believe I have been out of college for five years now! That means I have been out of high school for nine years! Time sure does fly when you're having fun! (Have I told you how excited I am for summer? I haven't! Well, I assure you....I am!)
In spite of staying in all weekend, I didn't get near as much reading done as I would have liked. I'm reading two books right now (it's the A.D.D. in me to have to read several at once) and bought a third one today (Heaven is for Real). I figure these will keep me busy in my first few weeks of summer! 5 days! Woohoo!

Keep it fabulous!

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

Melanie's Josh feels for the Bulls....what my Josh feels for the Mavs!

(Could get interesting if we end up playing each other!)

Keep it fabulous!

Monday Musings

2011-05-16T16:23:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had an AMAZING weekend, but didn't take a single picture to document it? I just had one of those weekends (with the exception of Sunday night)! I was in complete bliss! As it says in Psalm 23:5, "My cup overflows!"

Thursday I picked my BFF up from the airport and got to spend the evening with her. I hadn't seen her since December, so it was great to get to catch up in person. (Key words: "in person!" We are in constant contact with each other every day, but it is much more fun to get to see her in person!) It was especially exciting because I got asked to be the Matron of Honor in her wedding! Such an honor! (No pun intended! Ha ha!)

Friday night, Josh and I had a date! I know it may SEEM that we go out a lot, but we really don't! We went to see Thor at the movie grill (great movie, by the way), then sat at their bar until close to midnight talking! I love sitting and talking to him. It's a good thing we got married because we never run out of things to talk about, and I look forward to talking with him well into our 80s! (Maybe longer if God is willing!)

Saturday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! There was not a cloud in the sky. We met up with Scotty and Candice, and walked around Southlake Town Center! Can you believe it? I didn't spend a DIME! (And you know I just ADORE Francesca's!) We closed out the evening in the Man Cave with my parents, laughing and carrying on! I even graced the group with my mad dance skills from the 3rd Grade Sock Hop at my elementary school when we did a lip sync to "My Boyfriend's Back!" (Yes, I really do remember all the moves!)

Sunday we did our usual of church and Bacon's, then grocery shopping. Melanie and her Josh came over to watch the Bulls game and stay the night before heading back to Chicago. It was so nice outside, we had the windows open, and the door to the patio open. I love getting to spend time with them and I love that Josh gets along so well with them. (And as Melanie has said before, "I love that we both ended up with Joshes!") We stayed up way too late, but it was SO incredibly worth it! (Watching Josh vs. Josh at Mario Kart was QUITE entertaining!)

I was a little sad coming into work this morning! I think it is a Parr Girl thing, but when I have that much fun with people I love so much, I get a bit "verklempt" and weepy when they leave! (Don't pretend you don't do the same, Katie and Melanie!)

Keep it fabulous!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day 2011 started out like any regular Sunday: we got up, went to Mass, then headed to Bacon's for breakfast. However, on On THIS particular Sunday, we were celebrating Mother's and Smother's Day! (We dont' like the word "step," so Josh came up with S-mom or Smom, instead!) On THIS particular Sunday, we had beautiful company! Josh's parents (Cherie and Big Ed, AKA Honey and Pops), Ma-ma, and the Rodgers family joined us to celebrate the day! It was great fun talking, laughing, and being with the special women in our life who helped sculpt the man I love so dearly! (And because of their hard-work, he turned out WONDERFULLY, I might add!)

Cherie was ESPECIALLY happy to be joining the 21st century with her new iPhone from her four children (and their FABULOUS spouses)!

Later we headed over to my parents' house for some more celebration!

I feel very blessed to have such an amazing mother who is also a fabulous Nana, as well!

On Mother's Day, I am especially thankful for my mother, my grandmothers, my aunts, my sisters, my cousins, and my friends who are wonderful, beautiful mothers, and who have taught me so much! I am blessed to have such amazing role models for one day when I, myself, officially become a mother!

Keep it fabulous!

Happy Birthday, Emma!

2011-05-12T00:00:00.005-05:00

Happy 7th Birthday

to our little blessing who...

...loves her sister...

...and her daddy!

She is a lover of chicken nuggets...

...and of life!

She is courageous, fun, energetic, and silly!

She is funny, smart, easy-going, and FABULOUS!

Emma brings joy and sunshine to everyone who meets her! I have watched her go from barely sitting on the steps in a pool to swimming all over in a life vest. I have seen her learn to read, write, and even how to take medicine! She is truly a miracle child and we love her so much! I feel so blessed to have a bonus daughter like her!

We love you, Emma!

Happy 7th!

Keep it fabulous!

Prayer Garden

2011-05-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Outside of Our Lady of the Mount Roman Catholic Church in Warren, New Jersey sits a prayer garden.

A peaceful prayer garden where a small stream flows, flowers grow, and God is ever present.

The stepping stones bring peace to all who enter the garden, as do the statues, benches, and plaques which all hold phrases reminding us that God is with us.

"Be still and know that I am God."

-Psalm 46:10

And that is just what we did with the girls in the garden.

Keep it fabulous!

An Early Birthday Celebration for Tiny E

2011-05-06T00:00:00.003-05:00

Sunday we celebrated Emma's birthday (a little early). She was so excited to get to open the stack of presents that lurked in the corner at her all morning. After brunch she got to tear into those suckers!

After singing a silly-rendition of "Happy Birthday," Madi helped her little sister open her presents from Nana and Podge; Josh, Madi, and me!

After Mass, we headed to Chuck E Cheese (Emma's restaurant of choice) and had a celebration! While I didn't beat Josh at basketball, I did score big at ski ball!

I can honestly say the weekend in New Jersey and New York was one of the best in my life. I was so sad to have to leave these two precious girls! I feel like God has blessed me beyond measure by bringing Josh and his girls in my life! I feel like my life is so much richer by having the three of them in it!

Keep it fabulous!

Start Spreadin' the News....

2011-05-04T23:10:00.000-05:00

We visited the girls this weekend for Tiny E's birthday,

We decided to go into the city to spend our Saturday.

We ate lunch in Times Square, people watched, and got to sight see,

Just my family: Josh, Madi, Emma, and me.

What is a trip to NYC without seeing a show?

We got a great deal on tickets, and decided to go

To The Lion King! (It's one of my favorites, you know?

And perfect for our two little girls who were in tow!)

We walked around Disney Store and Toys R Us for some time!

(And we got in and out of both, without spending a dime!)

We closed out our night at the Hard Rock Cafe,

And talked about all the memories we had made!

Josh was so content; I cried in bliss (I'm a dork!);

And for the day, the girls got to be the Princesses of New York!

Keep it fabulous!

Easter Twinkies

2011-04-30T21:20:00.000-05:00

Josh and I celebrated our first MARRIED Easter together this year. We went to Mass, then enjoyed brunch at Italianni's before heading over to his grandmother's house to drop off a gift, and then went over to my great aunt's house for dinner. I feel so blessed to have a great church where I sing in the choir and enjoy the Message, a great husband who treats me to delicious food and entertaining conversation at lunch, a wonderful grandmother-in-law who is sweeter than pie, and a FABULOUS family with which to spend the evening conversing, laughing, and catching up. I was enjoying my day so thoroughly, that I only stopped to take a few pictures. My pictures are of the Easter Twinkies!

Podge and Brady (and Claire) in matching Polos:

Nana and Claire in matching textured shirts:

I hope you enjoyed many blessings in this Easter Season!

He is risen!

Alleluia!

Keep it fabulous!

Nearly-Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T14:38:00.000-05:00

This may be the last year I volunteer to make deviled eggs.

It took 3 candles to get the smell out....I'm just sayin'!

Keep it fabulous!

Pictures from Madi

2011-04-22T00:00:00.001-05:00

The best thing about having a "bonus daughter" with a smart phone is getting ADORABLE pictures sent to my email account! The girls' mom took them on a trip to Florida for their Spring Break, and these are the pictures we got from their trip! Sure looks like they had a lot of fun!

Little girls will always draw hearts in the sand....even when they become big girls!

Madi has GREAT taste in literature! She LOVES the Harry Potter series! I can't wait to take her to see the last movie this summer when she is in town!

You can't take a trip to the coast without stopping at Bubba Gumps!

My all-time favorite picture they sent!

How beautiful are my bonus daughters!?!!??

I'm a VERY blessed stepmother!

Keep it fabulous!

Main Street Art Festival

2011-04-21T00:00:00.002-05:00

On Sunday, Josh and I headed down to Fort Worth for a day of art and music! We had a blast walking around and looking at the different art mediums, listening to the different types of music...and watching the VERY eclectic groups of people! While there, we reminisced about 2 years ago at the same festival. We went downtown with Jen, and had to leave by 5 for dinner with my parents! It was the first time Josh met the 'rents, so now the Art Festival has special meaning to us each year!

Us at the main stage.

My longhorn!

We stopped to have a corn dog and listen to some music, looked up, and there were Charlie and Lisa! We posed for a few photos with them, then continued on our way!

We closed out the night with dinner on the patio at Mi Cocina!

It was a lovely day and evening! The weather was perfect, the people entertaining, and we saw some really great and creative art! It was a FABULOUS way to close a WONDERFUL weekend!

Keep it fabulous!