14 weeks

How far along? 14 Weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: -1 lb

Maternity clothes?  I've decided although regular clothes fit okay, they make me look fat.  Maternity clothes give me the pregnant look, plus they are so much more comfortable to teach in.

Stretch marks? Let's hope those stay away.

Sleep: I toss and turn all the time, but I'm still getting 8 - 9 hours a night plus naps.

Best moment this week: Hearing our little bundles heart beat and knowing that it will be perfectly safe for me to go to the chiropractor.

Miss Anything?  A glass of wine, cupcake moscato to be exact.  This hasn't changed.

Movement: Not for a while.

Food cravings: Not yet.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Pretty much queasy all day everyday. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes.

Gender: January 2nd!

Labor Signs:  Nope and they should stay away for a LONG time.

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off?  Thankfully I'll be pregnant most of winter so they should be staying on.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  I would say about 50/50.  Alex would probably say moody, I say I'm just exhausted.

Size of Baby: Size of a lemon - measuring 3.5 inches and weighing 1.5 ounces.

Looking forward to: Christmas with my husband for the first time and finding out the baby's gender in January.

10 weeks

How far along? 10 Weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: -2 lbs due to lack of appetite

Maternity clothes?  Although I've lost weight, I'm a bit bloated so I have a couple of stretchy pants that I wear.

Stretch marks? Let's hope those stay away.

Sleep: I toss and turn all the time, but I'm still getting 8 - 9 hours a night plus naps.

Best moment this week: Having students ask if I'm pregnant and just playing it off by asking if I'm getting fat :)

Miss Anything?  A glass of wine, cupcake moscato to be exact.

Movement: Not for a while.

Food cravings: Nothing really, although Alex would say I had a glass of grape juice and that was weird for him since I don't typically drink juice of any kind.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Pretty much queasy all day everyday. 

Have you started to show yet: I don't think so.

Gender: We won't know until after Christmas.

Labor Signs:  Nope and they should stay away for a LONG time.  Like 27 weeks. 

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off?  Thankfully I'll be pregnant most of winter so they should be staying on.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  I would say about 50/50.  Alex would probably say moody, I say I'm just exhausted.

Size of Baby: Size of a kumquat - a little over an inch and weighs in at less than a quarter of an ounce.

Looking forward to: our 10 week appointment tomorrow.  Hoping to hear little bits heart beat again!

Pinterest = BFF

I love Pinterest and I would think most people, especially the ladies, would agree with me.  I, guiltily, admit I spend entire too much time surfing around Pinterest, finding craft ideas and recipes!  I haven't spent much time completing any crafts, but I have tried my hand at quite a few recipes and I thought I would share the results.

Easy Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake

Source

I made this one afternoon before Alex went to work.  Each member of his squad usually brings something for a dish, this week it was sloppy joes, and he was supposed to bring cheese.  I thought it would be nice if he also brought a dessert.  Plus, I had seen this recipe and I actually had all the ingredients on hand, very rare for most Pinterest recipes I find.

Ingredients needed

- One box of vanilla/yellow cake mix (I used white)

- One cup of plain yogurt (I used vanilla greek yogurt)

- One cup of fresh blueberries (I used frozen, thawed of course)

- 1/2 cup of water

- Zest and juice of a lemon (I didn't have this, but I used lemon instant pudding)

- One teaspoon of turmeric, optional (did not use)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to temp according to box for a bundt pan.

2. Grease and flour your bundt pan.

3.  Add blueberries and water to a small saucepan to simmer for 5 mins, or until thawed (if using frozen) then allow to cool.

4.  Mix all cake mix ingredients according to directions (I also put my instant lemon pudding in at this point), folding in the yogurt, lemon/zest (if using), and optional turmeric.

5. Puree your blueberries using a hand blender or food processor.

6. Pour puree into your cake batter, but do not stir (Make sure you do not have any excess water in your blueberry mixture).

7. Pour batter into bundt pan and bake according to box instructions.  (Mine took about 10 minutes longer).

8. Remove after baking and allow to cool before inverting and removing.

9. Glaze with powdered sugar!

This turned out amazing.  I thought it was delicious and Alex's coworkers did not complain!

Slow Cooker Herbed Drumsticks

Source

I have been using my Crockpot a lot more lately.  It's an easy way to have dinner ready for when Alex gets off work.  It also helps keep the house cool since I'm not running the oven for 45 minutes to an hour.

This recipe was a great find.  It was super easy to prepare and the crockpot did all the work. The added bonus is they look just like the picture when they were finished!

Ingredients needed

- 2 tbls olive oil

- 1.5 tsp paprika

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp seasoned salt

- 1/2 tsp ground thyme

- 1 tsp dried basil

- 1 tsp ground black pepper

- 1 tsp browning sauce (Kitchen Bouquet)

- 8 fresh chicken legs (drumsticks)

- 1 cup chicken broth

Directions

1.  In large mixing bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients ( I didn't have thyme or browning sauce so I used a dash of Worcerstershire sauce instead).
2. Toss chicken legs in the mixture and place in a 5-7 qt slow cooker.
3.  Pour the chicken broth in the slow cooker (I used 1 can).
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 - 5 hours, until tender (My drumsticks were frozen, so I cooked mine for 6 hours).

This recipe turned out amazing.  The meat literally fell off the bone.  In place of creating a rub, you could easily use a premade mixture of herbs/spices.  I didn't cook potatoes in the cooker, I fixed mashed potatoes and creamed corn instead.

CrockPot Zesty Italian Chicken Pasta

Source

I'm finding out anything I make in the CrockPot is super easy and this was no exception.

Ingredients Needed

- 4 chicken breast

- 1 packet of Zesty Italian dressing seasoning

- 1 8 oz cream cheese (softened)

- 2 cans cream of chicken soup

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in CrockPot.

2. Cook on low for 4 hours.

3. Serve over your favorite pasta.

I think you could probably use actual italian dressing instead of the packet and I would probably only use 1 can of the soup.  This was so delicious and will definitely make it into the rotation this fall when I start back school.

Crescent Cinnamon Rolls

Source

I pinned these a few weeks ago and have been dying to make them.  Since Alex finished off all the cereal before he went to work this morning, I figured it'd be the perfect time to fix them.  Even though I had to make the filling and the glaze, these took me a total of 15 minutes, including bake time, to fix.

Ingredients needed:

- 1 tube of Crescent Rolls (I used the Food Lion brand)

Filling

- 6 tbls butter, softened

- 1/4 cup white sugar

- 2.5 tsp cinnamon

Glaze

- 2 tbls butter, melted

- 1/4 cup + 2 tbls powdered Sugar

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Place the unrolled and separate crescent rolls on an un greased cookie sheet.

Filling

3. In a small bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, and cinnamon

4. Evenly spread the cinnamon butter mixture over the crescent rolls and roll up.

5. Place tip side down on the cookie sheet.

6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes

Glaze

7. While baking, mix together the melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

8. Place in a zip lock bag and snip a tiny corner off. (I didn't use this step, I just used my spoon to drizzle the glaze over the baked cinnamon rolls).

9. Drizzle the glaze over the cinnamon rolls.

Mine definitely didn't look like the picture from the recipe, but they sure were delicious.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these recipes.  They all were hits and I will definitely be making them all again.  I also enjoyed doing quick reviews and shares of these recipes, so I will definitely try to do this more often with some new recipes.  What are some Pinterest projects you have tried?

Run to the Sun

This past weekend was amazing.  I knew as soon as my dad told me that him and Mom were going to a classic car show in Myrtle Beach that I wanted to go.  The only problem was Alex had to work that weekend and I didn't want to go by myself.  Insert Jill.  I knew she would go with me and went she did.  We left right after school Friday afternoon and we were on our way by 3:30.  We arrived in MB at the hotel where my parents were staying (we didn't stay on the beach)  around 7:45.  We unloaded the cars and met with my parents in their room.  My parents had already eaten but they decided to ride along with Jill and me to grab a bite.  After dinner it was an early bedtime since morning would come too soon.

Saturday morning we were up by 7:30 and ready to go by 8:30.  We had every intention to run, but after talking with my parents and hearing how busy the car show was we decided to head there first thing.  Mom called us on our way (8:45) and said the parking lot was already full and we would have to take the shuttle.  I had never seen so many cars.  There were over 2900 cars at the Run to the Sun show. We walked around and stayed there until about 12.  We then went to Tanger and shopped some.  The evening was spent hanging out with my parents for dinner.  Saturday was St. Patrick's Day which is Dad's birthday.  It was the first time in a few years that I actually got to see my dad on his birthday and meant so much to me to be with him and mom.

Sunday we ate breakfast and shopped a bit more before heading back to real life.  It was a great weekend away and it was great to be able to spend such a special time with my family and a great friend.  Now, without further ado, pictures!

View of the Intracoastal Waterway from our room. 

Just a small view of the 2900 cars

Dad's license tag he had made

Dad's 1940 Ford Coupe

NCSU Bronco! Go Pack!

Had to get a pic of the beach!

Got to ride in the Coupe!

Dad and I riding!

Jill got to ride as well!

My mahi from The Cheasepeake House

5K Training Week 2

This was a slack week in training.  My gym membership is no longer active and the weather was not cooperative for 5K training.  Excuses, excuses I know.  I only managed to run twice this week. 

March 12: 2.12 miles: 26 minutes 02 seconds (followed by a 2 mile hike with hubs and the pups)
March 14: 1.50 miles: 20 minutes 45 seconds (cut short by rain)

This weekend did not include any running, although I had every intention to run while in Myrtle Beach!  A post to come later this week (with pictures hopefully!) about my weekend trip to MB!

5K training Week 1

Well it has been one week since I've started training for the 5K on March 31st.  I've ran 3 days this week and I wish I could say I was already running 3.1 miles, but I'm not quite there.  So here's my week one recap courtesy of my RunKeeper App.

March 1: 1.51 miles; 21 minutes 07 seconds
March 7: 3.00 miles; 42 minutes 12 seconds
March 8: 1.51 miles; 20 minutes 30 seconds
March 10: 1.05 miles; 13 minutes 53 seconds

I didn't make it very far at all today, but at least I made it.  I'm experiencing a lot of tingling in my feet and I think that is coming from parts of my feet aren't use to much pressure because I pronate when I walk or run.  I'm also experiencing a lot of cramping in my side.  After research and talking to some more experienced runners I have to focus on my breathing.  The cramping is coming from shallow breathing (breathing from my chest) and not breathing from my diaphragm.   Week 2 will be spent focusing on my breathing and better nutrition to work my mileage up to at least 2 miles each run.

Edit: I also want to say that although my body is sore I do feel pretty good about myself.  I'm also excited to after this 5K to begin training for a 60K on my bike.

Loving My Job

It is weeks like this week that remind me why I love teaching.  I've been teaching for two years now and I am definitely learning more each semester, which is probably why this week has been so great.  This is the fifth semester teaching Algebra 1.  I really am starting to feel like a pro at the subject.  I taught a big topic this week: graphing and writing linear equations.  For anyone that knows anything about the current NC Education System, you know Algebra 1 is the only state tested math exam.  How students perform in Algebra 1 gives the state critical data about our school.  No pressure, right?  Anyway, back to linear equations.  Don't worry, I'm not going to bore you with an algebra lesson.  I tweaked the way I taught the unit this semester and rearranged some stuff and even with a full moon this week, my kids were on their A game.  They were taking notes, doing problems, correctly doing their homework.  They knew their stuff, and let me tell you, I am one PROUD momma.  My students aggravate the puddin' out of my 90% of the time, but I love them.  They bring so much joy to my life.  They trust me to help them, they bring me food, we have inside jokes, we laugh together, and I hope they know that I care for them. 

Pi Day couldn't come at a better time.  What? You don't know what Pi Day is.  Pi Day is officially March 14 (3.14, get it?).  My kids are expecting their Linear Equations Unit Test, but since they've been rocking in class lately, we are going to pause to celebrate.  I'm thinking of decorating my classroom, doing some baking, bringing some food, and just celebrating.  How often do you get to celebrate in Math?  Any math teachers out there, be sure to leave a comment with some Pi Day activities!

My FleetFeet Experience

What a beautiful weekend it has been here in Lexington!  I know most enjoy the snow and everything else cold that winter brings, but I LOVE this warm winter we have been having!

A week ago, Alex and I were having dinner with Chris and Anna and they told us about The Human Race.  A 5K walk or run put on by The Greensboro Volunteer Center.  The Human Race is all about helping local non-profits and Triad Ladder of Hope is participating.  The cool thing is that when you register for the 5K, you choose which non-profit you want any money you raise to go to.  Needless to say, I signed myself and my friend Jill up.  That's right, this non-running girl is running her first 5K on March 31st, only giving us right at 30 days to train.

I'm sure all my runner friends out there probably thing that I, someone who hasn't ran a mile since 8th grade, is crazy to sign up for a 5K with such a short training window, you are correct.  I am crazy, but I am excited about the opportunity to raise some funds to help end Human Trafficking.  Please consider donating $5, $10, or whatever you can to help Triad Ladder of Hope.  You can find my donation page here.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't do anything halfway.  Running a 5K meant time to get some new gear and where else to go other than FleetFeet.  Don't know what FleetFeet is, well let me explain.   FleetFeet is as their website says "so much more than a running store" and that they are.  Yesterday morning Jill and I headed to Huntersville so I could get fitted for my very first pair of running shoes.  The process begins by taking off your shoes and socks and a fitter looks at your feet.  Right away based on the location of calluses on my feet, Mark was able to tell me that I am a pronator, and right he was.  Pronating is when your feet roll to the inside when you walk.  He then watched me walk about 20 feet and finally measured my foot.  There is a 1/2 size difference between my left and right foot.  After getting the measurements he was off to the stock room to pull me different shoes to try out.  The first pair I tried was a pair of New Balances (not sure what style), they fit well, but my foot felt like it was slipping out when I walked/ran.  Mark then told me because my foot was so narrow that I needed to be tying my shoes using the bunny ear method.  Who would have thought I was tying my shoes wrong all these years.  This bunny ear method isn't with tying, but just how your shoestrings are looped through each other before tying, securing your foot in the shoe.  After trying the New Balances, I  tried a pair of Sauconys.  I didn't even bother trying to run in those, they didn't fit my narrow foot well.  Lastly I tried a pair of Aesics.  They fit like a glove, they were snuck around my arch as well as my toes.  I went for a short run in them, but my foot was still pronating, so we tried out some insoles.  Now, I know there are people out there who have the thought process "If you buy a good pair of shoes, you shouldn't need insoles" which is great if you have a neutral foot, but I'm a pronator.  My foot wiggles around in shoes trying to overcompensate for its rolling.  We put in an insole to hold my heel in place and the shoe was now perfect.  I went for a run and my foot no longer rolled inward.


**Disclaimer: the next section is about being fitted for a sports bra, I will not be offended if you choose to skip ahead :) **

Now that I had my shoes, insoles, and I picked up some wicking socks, I was almost ready to leave until I was told they would fit me for a sports bra.  I was very excited about this, because being larger chested has always been a set back from running.  It's painful and when I already have a back that is in pain 95% of the time, I didn't need or want the added stress.  Did you know that when running the breast naturally move in a figure eight pattern?  I had been a fool buying sports bras before, I thought the best kind were the kind that sucked you in just a compression sports bra, you know the tighter to your chest the better off you are.  So not true.  Compression sports bras are only ideal for B cups and smaller, and for someone quite larger than a B cup, this is just not acceptable.  Just like a regular bra, the support from a sports bra should come from the band, not the pressure or the shoulders.  I tried on an Enell brand and it really fit perfectly.  It would take some getting use to the tightness, but it did fit well.  However, it was not fashionable at all.  It had about 20 clasps in the front and a full back, but after years of searching for "cute" bras, there really isn't much offered for us over a C cup.  I wish I could say I purchased the bra, but at $65, I couldn't quite get it after my other purchases, but I do know what to be looking for today when I go shopping for a new one!

**End of Disclaimer**

After all was said and done, here were my purchases:

Aesics 2170s

Superfeet Berry Insoles

Balega DrynamiX socks

SweatyBand - not in this pattern though

I am super excited about my purchases and about running for such a good cause.  Please consider visiting my donation page and helping out Triad Ladder of Hope.  Any proceeds raised go directly to them, no covers or percentages are given to the Human Race.  

And for those of you wondering what my time goals are for the 5K, I don't have one.  I just want to finish.  With only a a month to train, I doubt I will be able to run the whole way either.  I want to finish and not feel like death.  Two weeks after the Human Race, I will be running another 5K in Lexington, and I will have a better idea of what my goals will be.  Check back to read how my training is going!

Currently

I saw this on a blog I like and thought I would indulge myself. 

 Current Book:

After recently finishing Safe Haven and The Vow, both were excellent.  The Vow was nothing like the movie, seeing as how it was a true account of how Kim and Krickett Carpenter truly depended on God to fall in love after a horrible accident.  I recommend both.  I am just now starting Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman.  I think it is going to be very challenging and worthwhile.  Here is a website that was built around the book.

Current Playlist: 

Alex and I have both been going through old mix CDs from high school and I'll have to admit my current guilty pleasure is Nelly's Country Grammar album.  

Current Food: 

I just finished eating leftover pizza from dinner last night.

Current Favorite Color:

Red, of course.

Current Favorite Show(s):

Sadly, I have way too many.  Take a breath:
Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, Switched at Birth, Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Big Bang Theory.
My newest favorite: Are You There, Chelsea.  It really is hilarious.

Current Needs:

A new pair of running shoes.  I currently have a pair of Brooks Cascadias and I love them, but they are more designed for trail running.  Since I am running my first 5K at the end of the month it is time for something more suitable!

Current Bane Of My Existence:

Students who insist on talking even after you have asked them, nicely, 15 times, to stop.

Current Celebrity Crush:

Due to seeing The Vow, it is back to Mr. Tatum.

Current Indulgence:

Weathervane's Blue Norther a complete blueberry wine that is AMAZING.

Current Outfit:

Dress pants and a light sweater.

Current Excitement:

Pedicures after work with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Current Mood:

Content and excited today is Friday.

Current Favorite Verse or Quote:

Colossians 3: 12 - 17.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Current Favorite App:

Police Scanner +; it allows me to listen in when Alex is working.  I never thought I would want a scanner because I wouldn't want to worry while Alex was on the job, but now that I have this, I love it.  I love being able to hear Alex's voice, especially when he works nights, and if he goes on a dangerous call, I can send up a specific prayer for his safety.  I also listen about an hour before he clocks off so I can see if he gets an important call that would put him getting home later.

February Already?

As I was just reading through my goals for this year, I realized I missed the whole blog at least a couple of times a month.  It's amazing how after a long day at school I just don't feel the need to come home and blog.

Here is a quick update from January.  January is one of the best months out of the year.  Why you ask?  It's my birthday month.  There wasn't too much excitement this year.  Most of the month was spent preparing students for exams and EOCs and then jump starting the new semester at my new school.  Things at South are going well.  This semester has been going smoothly due to a fresh start and some new students.  I really am enjoying getting to know these kids.  The last weekend in January was spent celebrating my birthday.  My parents came up on a Thursday evening and I cooked for them.  I fixed a poppyseed chicken casserole (compliments of Alison Ingersoll) and we pretty much devoured it, as we always do.  Alex and I were off on Friday and we all spent the day in Charlotte.  My dad has been looking for a classic car to be able to take to car shows and we checked out some places while there.  It was really interesting being able to see all the cars and experience that with my dad.  Then Saturday we went to Lazy5Ranch.  It was a drive through zoo with over 200 species of animals.  The animals would walk straight up to your car and stick their heads in your windows.  It was more fun than what I thought it would be.  I honestly can't wait to go back when it warms up.  (I'll post pics when they are updated to my computer from my iPhone).

February consists of Valentine's Day (as well as my parent's 30th anniversary) and Alex's 25th birthday. This year I planned a surprise party for Alex's 25th.  Nothing big, just some friends and family getting together to celebrate his life :)  He keeps telling me he really was surprised so I hope he was.  The party was last weekend as well as the Greer annual trip to the circus in Greensboro.  This year was definitely not a disappointment, they even had a great dane come out with miniature ponies.  I am so blessed to call Alex my husband.  He is so supportive and loving and caring.  I am blessed beyond words.

Well I'm currently having issues getting my computer updated with pictures from my iPhone so I will try to update with some pics later this weekend!

Happy New Year

It is so hard to believe that 2011 is over and we have moved in to 2012.  Since I've been a horrible blogger, I'll recap you on 2011.

Early in the year, Alex and I went to Black Mountain to celebrate our birthdays.  We spent the day shopping around downtown Black Mountain and Asheville.  It was a great get-a-way to just spend time together and focus on each other.

February marked a year from our engagement and a year that we bought out house.  We were fortunate enough to qualify for the first time home buyers tax credit.  The kicker was we applied for the credit in April of 2010 and had been waiting for the credit since then.  Like clockwork, we received a letter from the IRS stating that they were reviewing our case and we would hear from them in 30 days.  Finally, Alex called and found out they had made an error while processing us and that we would be receiving the credit and would be hearing from them "soon".  Our plan was to take the credit and put it directly on our house to take a good chunk out of our mortgage.  Come April, we still hadn't received anything.

Spring brought a broken ankle for Alex on Good Friday.  I was at a photo shoot and Alex was mountain biking with Chris.  I got a call that he was in the ER waiting for xrays on his ankle.  I left my shoot and met him and Chris at the ER.  He had a hairline fracture in his ankle and had to be put on light duty at work for 6 weeks.  The Lord was so sovereign to us during this time.  Alex's job was able to flexible with his hours so I could take him in before work and pick him up in the afternoon.  He didn't have to have a cast, just an air pump cast that he could remove in the evenings.  Soon enough, the bills started coming in and we did not have enough in our accounts to cover the costs.   The biggest shock was right after the bills started coming in (and I was freaking out about how we were going to pay said bills) was our tax credit came in.  We had totally put it in the back of our minds, we had forgotten about it.  I just opened it and started crying.  Had we received that money any other time it would have gone straight into our mortgage, but the timing was so perfect.  We were able to pay off all of the doctor bills with no worries about how we were going to pay the other bills.  We truly were blessed during this time and I was shown to really lean on the Lord during our time of need.

June finished out my first year of teaching.  I learned so much during my first year.  I made some amazing friends and I wouldn't have changed anything from my first year.

July was spent driving back and forth to my hometown for our friends Chris and Anna's wedding.  The girls spent a weekend at the beach for Anna's bachelorette while the boys did a weekend at Kill Devil Hills for Chris' bachelor party weekend.  Once the wedding was past, Alex and I got to focus on our one-year anniversary.  God really blessed us in our first year of marriage.  We spent a weekend in Charleston, SC.  It was filled with the final Harry Potter movie with my project roomie, Mindy, good food, shopping, and being tourists :).  We really enjoyed spending time with Mindy and James, but were not huge fans of Charleston.  I think we would enjoy it more in the off season.

August started back another school year at LSHS.  I had some great kids and an awesome team with the other freshman math teachers.  In November I heard about an opening at another school.  I didn't really want to leave during the middle of the school year.  I didn't want to do that to my coworkers or to my students.  I began to pray about the position and the Lord led to me call about the position.  I called and they set up an interview for that afternoon.  I wasn't exactly sure about all of this, but I gave it over to the Lord.  After 2 weeks, I found out I received the job.  I was so sad to leave LSHS.  I loved my kids and coworkers, but I knew I had to move on to where there Lord was leading me.  I accepted the position and started at South Davidson High School the Monday after Thanksgiving.  It was definitely a difficult transition.  I was used to things at LSHS.  I knew just about everyone, we were a family.  I was now the new person again and coming in half way through the year with students who have had 3 teachers was not easy at all.  I didn't know any of the policies or procedures, I didn't know the students, I didn't have keys to the building or my room (and 2 months later, I still don't), it was all different and new.  Now that I've been there a while, I'm really starting to enjoy it.  I love starting the day earlier and being done at 3.  Since there is a remedial period built in to the schedule, there isn't much need for staying after school for tutoring, so most days I am home by 3:30.

November started travel time again for Alex and I.  My brother's wedding shower was the week before Thanksgiving so we went home for that special occasion.  We went home for Thanksgiving, since Alex was off.  The first week of December was spent in Marathon, Florida (in the Fl Keys) for my brother's wedding.  It was such a special time to spend together with our family and getting to know Kris' family.  The week after coming home, we went back east to celebrate Christmas with my parents and brother.  It was the only time the 6 of us would be able to celebrate Christmas together.  Dad fried a turkey and we just enjoyed spending time together.  Back home to work the last few days before Christmas break.  Alex had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year (again) so I went back to my parents so I can see my grandparents and aunts and uncles for the holidays.  (Thankfully, next year Alex has Christmas Eve and Christmas day off.)  Christmas day, I left my Mama's around 3 to head back to Lexington to celebrate Christmas with Alex's family.  Although I hate the travel, I feel very fortunate to be able to celebrate Christmas with both my family and Alex's.

New Years Eve we got to hang out with the Smiths.  Chris and Anna have made the big move to High Point, NC (just 25 minutes from us) and his family came up to visit this weekend.  We met them at Hanging Rock near Winston to do some hiking, followed by dinner at Mellow Mushroom.  It's so awesome having great friends so close to us that enjoy doing some of the same things we do.

This year was definitely a year of celebration.  We had numerous friends get married this year.  Jenny and Bridgman were married in March, Lauren and Jim in May, Chris and Anna in July, Brooke and Marvin in December.  Alex and I (as well as other friends) celebrated our first anniversary together.  I was so excited to find out Alex and Mary Beth are FINALLY engaged after what seems like an eternity.  We are so excited about what the Lord is going to do in their lives.  Enjoy this time of engagement, it is so sweet and enjoyable and passes by so quickly.  Marriage will definitely look good on you two!  I am also very excited to become Aunt Gigi in August (no, not my brother).  One of my best friends from college is expecting her first child.  I was so excited when she called and told me her and Jim were expecting.  I am looking forward to getting to photograph the growth of this child.  Lauren and Jim, y'all are going to be great parents and your child is so lucky to be yours.

I have really enjoyed my time off for Christmas.  I have had the chance to really get my house cleaned some and just relax.  Alex and I have both spent a lot of our break playing XBox 360 Kinnect (an awesome gift from Mom and Dad), eating dinner with friends and family, and just relaxing.  I know the dogs have really enjoyed their free time since I've been home every day.

I thought (after this ridiculously long post) I would post some goals for 2012.

First and foremost, I want to spend more time in prayer and the scriptures. We also really want to get more involved in our church.
Blog more, at least a couple of times a month.
Paint the following: kitchen cabinets, entryway to house, dining room, finish painting master bath, guest bath, and trim work
Declutter and organize and get rid of our extra junk, clothes, etc.
Continue to be crafty due to Pinterest :)
Take more pictures of Alex and I (this always gets pushed aside due to my photography) and post said pictures.
Decorate my house and make it more homey
Work more on my photography

I also hope to post monthly goals (hoping that this will help with the whole blogging more) to help us keep up with things in our lives.

Well, I think I'm going to hit the kitchen to get our dinner going in the crock pot.  Hopefully you'll be reading from me soon!

Happy 2012!