30 Never Looked So Good

I can't help it, I have to brag...my boyfriend is super hot. He turned 30 on December 4th, but because he was really sick, we had to re-schedule his birthday party. We had a little get together on Friday at Dave and Buster's to celebrate. There was a wonderful mix of his family and our friends. Among those in attendance were: his parents, his younger brother and his wife, his sister and her husband, his cousin and a friend, a friend from work and his girlfriend and a friend, his first college roommate, another friend from college, and our good friends L-Mac and K-Mac. We all enjoyed a yummy dinner and lots of fun in the arcade. I've been meaning to post pictures to my blogs, but haven't been too good about it. As soon as I get some from this weekend downloaded, I'll put a few on here.

HBFB didn't seemed too phased by turning 30. Every now and then he would make a joke about it, but it actually just seems like another number to him. He had a great birthday, and was so excited about everyone who came out to celebrate with him. 30 is being very kind to him, in my opinion, he really does get better looking every day :) Unless he's just trying to make me feel better by playing it for hours on end every day, he loved his birthday/Christmas present from me: an XBox 360. I like to call it his other girlfriend.

We are both so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. We had a great time at his birthday, and the rest of the weekend just got better from there. I'm so excited for our 2 week vacation together!

Count Your Blessings

Yesterday, my Speech students had to write an impromptu speech about their dream Christmas. The only requirements were that it was at least 3 paragraphs long and that it include anything they could imagine for the best Christmas ever.

I heard everything from spending it with Megan Fox, to going to a tropical island, to getting a lifetime supply of candy. The kids are definitely funny, with big imaginations. One of my students, Billy, who is known for being tardy, getting into trouble, talking back, cussing, etc. rarely does his work. But yesterday, when I called on him, he walked up to the podium to read his speech. He said, "My dream Christmas would be to spend it with a family who loved me. I don't need no presents or nothing, I don't really care about the food either, just a family who doesn't yell." He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and said, "That's all I could think of to write."

With all the technology and games and clothes and silly stuff we don't need, all he wanted was a family to love him. It really made me stop and realize just how lucky I am.

Family Pictures

My family hasn't taken an actual family picture since I was in the 4th grade (thank you, Olan Mills and the IC Church directory). Unfortunately, that picture is a bit outdated as our family has grown and my permed bangs have gone out of style. So this Thanksgiving, we decided a picture was long over due, and since we had our entire family together, what better time?





I love family pictures, and I LOVE my family!!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I can't even tell you how much I love Christmas time. Yes, I get caught up in the commercialized holiday, and I realize that's one reason so many people don't like it, but I choose to look at it differently. I don't love Christmas because I get to send out a list and get every thing my little heart desires; it's actually quite the contrary. I can NEVER think of things I want, mainly because there isn't anything I need. Sure, I'd love a new car, a remote start on the one I have, a fancy camera...but those are all really expensive, silly things that I don't need to be happy.

I LOVE Christmas because I love spending time, thought and energy finding gifts for people I love. Nothing makes me happier than giving something to someone, knowing that they will absolutely love it. Is it something they need? Usually not, but that's ok with me! I get a sick thrill out of hunting for bargains, and the way I see it, the more I save, the more I can get for someone. I'm not one of those people who finds a present that looks super expensive and settles for that. I set a price limit, and see how many great things I can get for that amount...and then I usually go over a little just because I love making people happy.

Yes, I know this is still buying into the commercialized holiday (literally), but Christmas is about love. I LOVE making people happy. I buy things for people because I LOVE them. I LOVE the music and excitement and general sense of cheer. I LOVE the way it makes me feel. I get caught up in it all, and I LOVE it.

Brrrrrrr...

This morning I was missing my 1996 Toyota Camry. It wasn't anything extra special, but it had remote start. It's the only car I've owned with remote start. While I was making a pathetic attempt to clear off my frosted windshield with a 3 foot scraper, I realized it's crazy to live in Missouri and not have remote start. I won't be getting a different car for a long time, but rest assured, it WILL have remote start.