Birthday Wishes

What a great day I had!

It all started last night. I went over to my parents house to see my brother. He broke his collar bone playing hockey. :( He is in a sling but seems to be doing just fine. My parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Now, I know this may seem childish, but I REALLY want a bike. We have a bike trail in our neighborhood and one at the park near my school. I didn't realize how expensive bikes are! We are talking $300 to $600!! There are so many choices! My mom asked me what kind I wanted and I said, "uh, a purple one."

I had no idea all that goes in to picking a bike. My rents and I went over the local bike shop (that I didn't know existed) and I got a lesson on all things bike. I think I need a 10 speed... ANYWAY... when I got home Kevin had a card and a gift waiting for me. He was so excited he couldn't wait until my actual bday, today. After I opened the card he took me to Bed Bath and Beyond to get the expensive bath mats I have been wanting since we moved in back in June! I'll post pictures soon, they look great!

Then today, my actual bday, I was serenaded every class period by my students. They stopped by in the halls to give me a hug and tell me happy birthday. Some made me cards and one of my students made me a bracelet. (pictured above) I have the best students!

I had messages all day long from friends and family... like I said, what a great day.

Kev and I just got back from the Keg Steakhouse in the Highlands. I am stuffed! AAAAnnnnnddddd we just booked our flight to Hawaii this summer for our 5 year wedding anniversary!!!! YAY!

Kev is throwing me a bday party tomorrow night that he was planning to be a surprise but worried that he wouldn't invite everyone that I wanted so he told me about it. :) Dinner with my parents on Saturday night and his mom on Sunday... I am going to be birthdayed out! Like that could happen!

Hope you guys are having a great day and thanks again for all the birthday wishes. They really made my day!!

Movie Tavern

On Monday we had a day off from school, so to celebrate MLK day, I met up with Jenn & Kate to go see a movie. We met at Jenn & Chris' apartment in fort worth. I LOVE her taste in home decor. She just has the best style. I want her to come redo my entire house!

We went to the new Movie Tavern in Downtown Fort Worth to see Up in the Air. The theater is soooo nice! It is about 40 minutes from my house, but totally worth the drive. They have leather seats, huge arm rests and individual TV trays that moves. The food is wonderful! Oh, and the matinee was only $5. I highly recommend this place.

I thought the movie was really good. The white haired lady in front of us really made the movie though. Every funny line she's hit the man next to her and laugh. The ones that were really funny she would repeat them loudly as well. But, even if she isn't at your theater, I still think it's worth seeing. :)

I really want to see Dear John. I love Channing Tatum! It comes out February 5th, can't wait!!!!

Twenty Ten

So, as my lovely friend Jessi reminded me today, I have dubbed 2010.... THE YEAR OF ALYSSA. This year will be all things great and wonderful because that is what Alyssa is. I have heard that positive self talk is good for you and doesn't AT ALL make you sound conceited. That said... I am determined that this year is going to be AWESOME. Well, how is it going so far you ask?

I had a great 7th grade basketball tournament that first weekend back and we placed 2nd. Losing to the ONLY team that we just can not seem to beat... but the heater was broken in the gym. It was about as cold inside as out... talking below freezing.

Saturday night I took my Gma out for a night on the town. We went to her favorite restaurant, Del Frisco's and we had a ball! We drank champagne and clinked our glasses to 2010 (the year of Alyssa). After dinner Grandma ordered the "Del Special" a drink she and Grandpa would always use to finish their meal...

I think my flash blinded her...

After our fabulous dinner we went back to her house and watched the tivoed Cowboy game. Well, the first quarter and then the last 5 minutes... it was really late after all. BUT way to go Cowboys, let's see if you can do it again! I had the best night hanging out with my Gma!

Then on Sunday I started to get a scratchy throat. GREAT! Monday I went to school but by Monday night I started to feel horrible. The kids had finals this week and I really needed to be there to help them out... but the Bronchitis knocked me on my bohiney! I feel horrible still and I sound like a man. blah. But I went into work on Thursday and Friday and I was there for them to take their exams. And they all passed with flying colors! I have a smart group of kiddos!

So.. the year of Alyssa.... will get better. Oh and in case you are wondering, I am totally open to sharing my year with anyone else.... :) Make it your year too.

Outside My Window…

Everybody has those moments when you feel like you can’t make it. That your plate is too full… You are juggling too many balls in the air and if you slow down for even a second they will all come crashing to the floor. I have felt that way this entire semester with coaching. I have tried my hardest to look competent and knowledgeable. But that is TIRING!! I have had to take all this one day at a time. I am always telling myself, I can do anything for one day, because if I let my self look at the next week or even the next day, I get overwhelmed.

Last year, I was able to retreat into my bubble when things got tough. I could see the big picture and had faith that everything was happening for a reason. Everything would work itself out if I would just let it… I am having trouble letting go this year. My bubble seems to have become nonexistent and the thing that I was able to let roll last year are sticking to me this year…

Maybe that comes with being a 2^nd year teacher. The newness is gone… But I have found some inspiration.

I am always looking for anthems for my life. Songs that make me feel good or say what I am thinking, and I recently heard the song “Outside my window” and have fallen in love. I get so excited when it comes on the radio! It isn’t available as a single on Itunes yet, but I was able to purchase the video. If you haven’t heard it yet, check it out…

What’s outside your window?

Outside My Window Lyrics –Sarah Buxton
Outside my window

I see a red bird singin’ sittin’ on a wire
Wish I knew what he’s thinkin’

outside my window
I see a couple kissin’ huggin’ and a-lovin’
Man, that’s just what I’ve been missin’
These days when everythin’ is crazy
Some things are never ever changin’
chorus:
(You) still need stars when you’re wishin’ at night
A best friend to set you right, a good laugh, a warm bath
And a beautiful song you can sing along to
Good news that’ll make you cry
All the little things that money cant buy
No wars, no more, just a big rainbow outside my window
La la la la la la (outside my window)
Outside my window I see the bluest ocean
Sails in the sunlight rockin’ in the sweetest motion
Outside my window I hear a church bell ringin’
Nobody fightin’ over what hymn they’re singin’
I know I’m dreamin’ like a child
But some things just don’t go out of style like
(chorus)
Outside my window I see a flag that’s wavin’
Hands joined together, everybody’s celebrating, yeah
La la la la la la, outside my window
La la la la la la, everybody’s lookin’ outside my window

(chorus)

Winter Wonderland

For those of you who live under a rock, it SNOWED in TEXAS on CHRISTMAS EVE!!! :)

 

Kevin scraping the snow off his windows at his Mom’s house.

The Lawthers in the snow!

Murphy making snow angels….

Our House on Christmas Morning… see the nice doggie snow angel in the middle of our yard? Murph did that as I was walking from the front door to where I stood to take this picture… little stinker!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Last Day of Florida

Kevin and I had such a great time in Florida. But the time definitely flew by and before we knew it, it was time to head to home.

Jack got a tent with tunnel entrance from his grandparents (Jordan’s mom & dad) for Christmas. He was using the tube to store all his little goodies.

 

Jordan & I took the little boat out. It started raining the second we left the dock & stopped the moment we returned. BUT it was so fun to see the Bay from their boat and I think Jordan & I will totally be taking the boat out over spring break. :)

Jordan & me all bundled up, it was cold on the water!

The Boys untying the boat for us…

I love that the expression on the boy’s faces as we drove away…. :)

My driver!!!

Thank you guys so much for an AWESOME time! We miss you already and can’t wait for March! We already booked our flight! 3/12 (evening) –3/17!!!!

And finally, I leave you with a 3 minute video of a very uncooperative Jack. :) He knows all his body parts and we spent about 5 minutes where he showed me everything from his head to his feet…. so I decided to get out the camera to get it on film. Well, that’s about the time he became interested in doing ANYTHING but showing me all his knowledge. All that said, he’s so adorable in this video.

AHS program picture

Back in August, Kevin and I had our picture taken by Southern Flair Photography for the AHS football program. AHS does a few pages on the coaches and their families. The owners of Southern Flair went to Arlington High so they totally hooked us up with prints for Chirstmas at a major discount.

I think the picture turned out really cute:

PS. I have posts ready to be written, including snow pictures from Xmas eve & our last day in Florida... hopefully I will get that taken care of tomorrow. I can't believe our vacation time is coming to an end. It FLEW BY! But at least we have the weekend!