Reason #6,294 I Love Being a Teacher

I absolutely adore my job and feel so incredibly lucky to have been blessed with amazing students. My students remind me how fortunate I am every day in big and small ways. Yesterday, it was a big way.

My 4th Hour Drama class threw me an engagement party. They'll use pretty much any excuse to have food in class, but I still loved it. They brought in chip and dip, brownies, lil' smokies, Rotel dip, firecrackers, pickles, and chocolate covered strawberries. The student who made the strawberries made a special one for me and it was the size of a small apple!

My favorite part, though, was the posters 3 of my girls made. They hung them up in my room, in the hallway and on their lockers. I can't lie, it's nice to know I'll be missed...and that they think I'm worth $1 Gazillion Bazillion :)

I love being a teacher!!!

Zoey Margaret

Zoey Margaret was born at 1:35 this afternoon! She is 6 pounds, 14 ounces. I haven't met her, or even seen a picture, but I'm already in love!!!

Oh, Baby!

I have a new niece or nephew on the way right now!!! My sister called last night to tell us her water broke and she was on the way to the hospital. She went to the doctor yesterday, and the doctor told her it would be fine to have the baby any time now, even though she's only a little over 35 weeks. I'm so excited! Maxwell made his appearance in much the same fashion. Right at 35 weeks, Al's water broke, and about 24 hours later, Maxwell made his debut!

I was way too excited to sleep last night. I did manage to get a little rest, but had the same dream 3 times. Each time, I dreamt that Al had a baby boy. The first time his name was Walter, the second time it was Stanley, and the last was Daniel. Based on Al's response to my dreams, I'm guessing they're not planning on any of those names should it be a boy. I still have a feeling it's a girl, though!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! :)

I think we have finally decided on a wedding photographer: Trotter Photo of St. Louis. I found them because my sister and her husband used them for their wedding in 2004. I consulted with quite a few friends to find out the good and the bad of wedding photographers in the area. After a lot of researching online, Trotter was the best in our book.

While they are very affordable compared to their competitors, I still can't believe how much pictures cost! I know they're important, and I won't regret getting a fabulous photographer, but still...

The package we're looking at includes an engagement session, all the images on a CD, with release (I've found this is pretty standard across the board), unlimited locations, 5 hours (hopefully we can add at least 1 more), 24 prints and a PHOTO BOOTH! I can't explain how excited I am about this! It will be a super fun way to catch all our guests at their finest!

Hopefully we'll get a contract going this week!

Deep Breath and Count to 10...

Does anyone have any suggestions for healthy ways to deal with wedding stress?

Hurry Up and Wait

I'm so ready to get everything under way for the wedding, but we're waiting to hear back from the church about the date we want. The pastor called me today, but since I don't get cell phone service at school, I missed the call. He said he'd try me again later, hopefully that means after 3:30. Until we have the church reserved, we really can't do much else.

We do have the reception location picked out, and they are temporarily holding 2 dates for us. They can hold both dates until this coming weekend, so I'm hoping we get everything straightened out with the church before then.

I've looked a little at bridesmaid dresses online, but it's kind of hard to tell what they look like. I have found a few I like, so at least I can go to the store with a plan. I don't know when I'll actually go look, but it's fun to think about in the mean time. I have found a few photographers and hopefully photo booths, but it's kind of pointless to make any calls until I know the date.

My fab friend, K-Mo, is going to make the wedding cake, and I can't wait to get together with her to look at options and talk about all things wedding. She and her husband, D-Fab, are amazing. They are young, but already such a wonderful example of a healthy, loving, fun relationship. I'm so excited that I'll be living in the same city as her this summer!

Other than the church and reception location, the only other thing we have decided on is colors: black bridesmaid dresses with hot pink flowers, with just a smidgen of lime green. It's going to be gorgeous!!!

I'm Engaged!!!

WOW! For quite a long time, I never thought this day would come. The wait was worth it though, as I'm now engaged to the most wonderful man in the world. When HBFB (whose name has now been changed to HFB) and I first met in college, I knew I wanted to marry him. I even called my sister and told her that I met the man I was going to marry. Obviously the timing wasn't right for us then, but it is now! I have a feeling all things wedding will take over my blog for the next year or so, and what better way to share it with everyone, as well as keep a record for myself.

Today, we'll start with the story of the proposal.

Saturday morning (April 10), Ben wanted to go to Forest Park (which is pretty standard weekend activity for us). My parents were in STL watching my nephew while my sister and brother-in-law looked for houses, so we were going to meet my parents for lunch after our trip to the park. When we got to the park, we walked towards Art Hill (our fave place). We knew it was under construction because we had been there the week before, but Ben kept making me look at the hill and was asking if I thought it was done yet. Later I found out that we were walking past my parents' car and that was his attempt to distract me. When we got down to Emerson Basin (the pretty fountains in front of the art museum), he started saying really sweet things. All of the sudden, he got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. He said a lot more and asked me to marry him. There were a few people standing near by and they started clapping and cheering. He had the ring in the box for what seemed like 20 minutes, but it was probably more like 20 seconds, and I couldn't wait any longer, so I took it out and put it on my finger : ) When we were done hugging and kissing and crying, he pointed across the fountains where I could see people far away waving, and it was our parents. He had arranged with his parents and mine to meet us there. They got to watch everything, but we still had our privacy. His mom brought her camera and was able to take pictures while he was down on one knee! We ran over to them, took more pictures, and then all went to lunch at the Boat House at Forest Park. It was such a wonderful day, I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect!

We are looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together, and right now we're really excited to plan our big day!!!

Reason #730 that I'm an Indoor Girl

I have poison ivy. I have never had poison ivy before, and I thought I was not allergic to it because of that. Apparently, I'm not immune, I have just been smart enough in the past to stay indoors! I don't know when I got exactly, but I do know that it's miserable.

I have it on my legs and the side of my stomach. It's now at the lovely point where it itches so bad it hurts. I went to see the school nurse this morning, and she said to go to the doctor as soon as I can. She told me it would clear up on its own, but there was no sense in suffering any longer than I have to. I agreed. To Urgent Care I go!!!

Eeeeeeeeeee!!!

I am so excited that I can finally tell everyone that

I HAVE A JOB IN ST. LOUIS!!!

I found out last Thursday that I had the job, but I had to talk to my principal before I could really tell anyone. I've been bursting at the seams, just waiting to shout it to the world.

It seems like everything in my life is trying really hard to fall into place, now I just need to let it. I will start teaching in the fall at a small high school in South County. HBFB and I are looking at an adorable little house to rent that is close to most everything we love about St. Louis. It looks like my life is headed in a wonderful and exciting direction. Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive of me during some trying times. I love you all!

Little Things Make Me Happy

One of my students went to Gulf Shores with her family for vacation. She's a sweet and silly freshman girl that I've grown close to this year. Today was her first day back at school after being gone over a week. She walked up to me this morning and put something in my hand, it was a little dolphin that is made of sand and painted. She said, "I brought this back for you. I was shopping for my friends, buying little presents, and I was like, 'I have to get something for Ms. V!'" She was so excited about it. I told her that her thoughtfulness completely made my day, and it really did. I really do have the best job in the world.

A Little Light, Way at the End of the Tunnel

Life has been overwhelming recently, but I feel like things have at least been a little better lately. My stress level right now is unreal. My shoulders and neck are so sore (apparently that's where the majority of my stress likes to reside) and my eyelid twitch has returned with a vengeance.

On the bright side, I've been feeling a bit more hopeful, which is definitely a huge plus. There have been little glimmers of hope of lately, and that's been encouraging. I feel like I am getting to reconnect with a lot of the people that I really need in my life, and that alone makes a big difference. Thanks to all of you who love and care so much, you have no idea what it means to me.

Lost

It's so frustrating knowing exactly what I want, but having little to no control over it. There are very few openings for teaching jobs in St. Louis right now, but I have been applying for every one I'm qualified for. I know it's still early, and I'm trying to stay positive, but it's really difficult when everything we've been planning on completely depends on my ability to find a job.

I feel totally disconnected from my friends and family right now. I feel like I've lost a part of myself. I live with my parents, and I still feel distant from them. My friends are so important to me, but I haven't seen or even talked to most of them in months.

I feel completely and utterly lost right now.

I got nothing...

I was going to write a re-cap of the weekend, but after 4 paragraphs in, I realized it really wasn't that interesting, just involved. So, I'll make things short and sweet.

Thursday - HBFB was bitten on the eyebrow by a student and then broke his foot trying to restrain another.

Friday - I went to STL to keep HBFB from having to drive in such a state. We had a nice dinner with his parents and went to bed early.

Saturday - I was feeling sick, so I slept until noon. I pushed HBFB around Wal-Mart in a wheelchair (so he could have a break from the crutches) looking for a birthday present. We went to a fun birthday party for HBFB's niece at the bowling alley with his fabulous family.

Sunday - We ate lunch at The King and I (our favorite) and then waited 2 hours at Urgent Care for my sinus infection. We hit up Walgreens for my prescription, then had another nice dinner with his parents.

Monday - Enough said.

Even the abbreviated version is painfully uninteresting. HBFB and I were a mess this weekend, but together and happy nonetheless. Oh Life, you're really something else.

Riding The Wave

I've been pretty good at staying on track with Weight Watchers, but I have NOT been good about working out. I had a membership at the YMCA, which is probably a mile from my house, but I never went. I got back on the Weight Watchers Wagon at the beginning of January, and I really tried to make working out a habit, but it did not go so well. I would go every once in a while, but I was so intimidated by anything other than the treadmill, that I would only walk a few miles. Obviously this is better than no exercise, but it got so boring that I just couldn't force myself to go.

So, I canceled my membership ($36/month) and invested in The Wave by The Firm, an at home workout program. I'm not one to buy into "As Seen on TV" type of merchandise, but a dear friend, Kerry, used the previous model of this product and had phenomenal results. She raves about it and tries to promote it to everyone she knows. I am nervous, but very excited about it. It was $57, hardly more than one month at the Y, so I feel like it was a good investment. I'm starting it today after school, and I'm pretty pumped!

I'm down 19 pounds since January, and 88 pounds from my highest. I have a good attitude today, about life in general, but specifically my ability to keep getting healthier. I'll let you know how things go!

A Thank You Note to the IRS

Dear IRS,
Thank you for taking my money each month, keeping it safe, and returning it to me in a timely manner. I sincerely appreciate your help in my financial matters.
Love always,
Nem

I don't fully understand taxes, but I do understand that I like getting money! Sometimes it seems annoying that money is taken out of my paycheck, but when I really think about it, it's actually kind of helpful in the long run. It's like a tiny little mandatory savings account.

First of all, I'd rather have them take too much out than find out that I owe more money come tax time. Second of all, while it's not a huge refund, it still adds up over time. If I got that money each month, I'd more than likely blow it on something that I don't need. But, getting a chunk back at once is A) fun and B) helpful. Sure I'd love to take that check and by a new camera, hit up the GAP and Old Navy, and maybe even save a little. But instead of those tempting options, I put it towards my credit card debt. Combined with what I normally pay each month, my tax refund helped me pay off HALF of my remaining balance! I am so close to being debt free, I can hardly wait. Just three more payments, and I'm a free woman!

It's Official

Yes, I said it. It's official. I have a cold. I've been in denial for a while now. "It's a tiny cough," or, "I'm sure it's just sinuses." But I am here to state for the record that it's a full-blown, head-exploding, ear-ringing, fever-spiking, nose-running, mouth-breathing, cough-inducing, punch-me-in-the-face cold. DayQuil was helping for a few days, but now it seems like just a cruel trick. I have to swallow these horse pills and they hardly make a dent in my symptoms. NyQuil is my current best friend, but they frown upon using it while driving and teaching.

And you know what makes it even better? At least one student in every class and about 4 teachers have made a comment comparable to, "Wow...you look awful today." Really? Thanks, because I feel like a million bucks.

Today, in my 3rd hour class, my nose would not stop running. But it wasn't just a regular runny nose, it's the kind where your nose is stuffy, too, so you can't even sniffle. I was trying to read my class a quiz, but I had to stop so often to wipe my nose or blow it, that I resorted to stuffing kleenex in my nose (which I sort of predicted with my FB status today). I warned my kids that it was coming, they were fully supportive and only slightly mocking.

I have already declared tomorrow a sick day. I turned in my leave slip, I'm going to go home, hit up my old friend NyQuil and then I'm sleeping 'til Thursday.

Sweet Dreams

Although I haven't been sleeping well lately, I've been dreaming like crazy! This weekend, I had a dream that HBFB knelt down in the middle of Killabrew's to propose. He said all these sweet things with all our friends around, then realized that he had put only the ring in his pocket (not in the box, or something else that might keep it safe), and he had lost it during the evening. I then proceeded to cry...a lot. Then last night I had a dream that HBFB proposed on the bridge at WWU at Alumni Weekend because he thought that was where we first met (even though in reality we both know it isn't). Don't get me wrong, I'd take the ring anywhere, but it would be kind of sweet to propose at the place that brought us together :)

Speaking of Alumni Weekend, I can not even attempt to express in words how EXCITED I am!!! I feel so lucky to have the most amazing friends in the world, and this weekend is something I look forward to every year. I am counting down to another reunion of legends!!! I love you guys!

Sleepy McSleeperson

My sleep schedule has been so off for the last 6 months, and frankly, I don't know how much longer I can take it! Unfortunately, there's not a lot I can do about though. I go to sleep just fine, I've never really had a hard time with that. The problem comes around 3:00 AM. I wake up on average 10-15 times between then and when my alarm goes off at 6:00 AM. I don't stay up for too long, I wake up, look at the clock and usually go back to sleep. But having that many disturbances really doesn't let me get good sleep.

When my alarm goes off, I can barely get out of bed. I'm not kidding when I say that I brush my teeth and take a shower with my eyes closed. I usually blow dry my hair with my eyes closed, too. If I weren't standing or sitting up, I know I would fall asleep. If I didn't get to talk to HBFB every morning on the way to work, I'd be worried I'd fall asleep then, too.

I did make a switch on my anxiety medication, and my doctor and I are hopeful this will help my sleeping, or should I say lack of sleeping, problem. It takes a while for it to build up, so I'm trying to be patient.

Yawn.

Le sigh

I've written and erased and re-written this entry about 10 times now, but things just aren't coming out right. Have you ever had one of those days (or weeks, or months)?

I set 3 goals for myself and my students at the beginning of the school year:

1. Be positive.
2. Be patient.
3. Be productive.

Let's just say I haven't been achieving those goals lately. I'm not giving up on them, just reminding myself how much better my life is when I work towards them.

And I repeat, le sigh.

Looking on the bright side of things...

So, living 2 hours from HBFB right now pretty much sucks. But, on the bright side, I never take my time with him for granted. Also, I get so excited all week long as Friday gets a little bit closer. We frequently talk about how we'll always be grateful once we're living in the same place, more so than if we never had to deal with long distance.

Just a little positivity for the day... :)

History in the Making

HBFB and I just celebrated our 1 year anniversary. I can't believe an entire year has gone by so fast! We were lucky to get a 3 day weekend to spend together, and we had a great time. We decided on homemade gifts, which turned out to be a great idea! He made me an awesome framed picture collage. He painted the mat with understated heart designs in red and pink, wrote a special love note, and included 3 of our favorite pictures. I LOVE it! I'll have to take a picture and post it, or you'll have to visit me :)

The weekend was filled with laughter, love, family, great food, funny occurrences, shopping, reading, naps, a movie, long car rides, great talks, and so much more. I am the luckiest girl alive :)

The Year in Review

2009 proved to be a year of wonderful things. Sure, there were tough times, sad times and sucky situations, but over all, it's been the best year of my life so far. I'm going to attempt to make a list of all the good things that happened in each month of 2009. I'm not ignoring the negative, but choosing to focus on the positive. I'm also not intentionally making this list overwhelmingly about HBFB, but I can't lie, he has played a huge part in making this year so great. I'm going to do my best to remember everything, but if I leave something out that you feel is worthy of making the list, by all means, please tell me so I can remember to be grateful for one more thing! Cara - do you remember when the "reunion of legends" took place???

January
- Rang in the New Year with my beautiful friends
- Went on my 1st date with HBFB (technically a double with BFF and Def Leppard)

February
- Was nominated and honored by a senior girl at our school's "You Made a Difference" night
- Spent Valentine's day with HBFB
- Had a big 1st in my life (if you really know me, you know what it is)
- Went to Mardi Gras with TT, K-Dawg and a few more friends
- Celebrated my dad's 60th birthday!

March
- Went to the wedding of MStock and Food Twin with HBFB
- Went to K-Mac and L-Mac's couples' shower...as part of a couple :)
- Became Facebook official with HBFB
- Went to the Zoo and spent many days on Art Hill in Forest Park with HBFB

April
- Attended a freaking fabulous Alumni Weekend with my beautiful sorority sisters, and so many other wonderful friends and past acquaintances
- Spent many days with HBFB on Art Hill in Forest Park

May
- Spent many days with HBFB on Art Hill in Forest Park
- Started my summer vacation that would consist of much QT with HBFB

June
- Went on Family Vacation with HBFB (this is huge for SO many reasons :)
- Attended the beautiful wedding of K-Mac and L-Mac with HBFB
- Went to Toledo for the last time!!!! to visit my sissy and her family
- Started this blog

July
- Spent 4th of July with MStock and Food Twin with HBFB
- Said those 3 little words for the first time

August
- Attended the wedding of Toe and Tyler with HBFB
- Started a great school year

September
- Attended a baby shower for a sorority sister
- Remembered just how strong I am with a little help from my friends

October
- Celebrated a NEW HOME with BFF and Def Leppard!!!
- Went to the pumpkin patch with HBFB and carved pumpkins
- Went to my first professional football game with HBFB and his parents
- Had 1st Annual Wine-o-Ween with MStock, Food Twin and HBFB
- Went to a Bruce Springsteen concert with my parents and HBFB

November
- Was honored by a former student as her "Most Influential Teacher" at Missouri Academy
- Went to K-Mac and L-Mac's 1st Annual Turkeytizer party with HBFB
- Visited JVG3 for the first time in their new, gorgeous home with HBFB
- Spent Thanksgiving with HBFB and my ENTIRE family at JVG3's
- Took family pictures for the first time in years!
- Celebrated my mom's 60th birthday!

December
- Celebrated HBFB's 30th birthday numerous times (a couple family celebrations and a party at D&B's)
- Celebrated Christmas with HBFB and his ENTIRE family
- Celebrated my 28th birthday with my parents, BFF, JVG3 and HBFB
- Became a registered organ donor
- Had my first ever New Year's kiss with the love of my life (technically January 2010, but just barely :)

Thanks to all of you for helping to make 2009 so great!