Finishing January

M2B =) days 706 - 716.  Saturday, January 21st - Tuesday, January 31st happiness.

It's a long one, so here goes..........

Saturday, January 21st happiness:  Brian and I had what he likes to call "a day".  We were out and about, seeing and doing.  We went to lunch, we did some shopping, and we looked at some model homes.  Then we got coldstone and came home and watched some of our shows together on the couch.  It was a good day.

Sunday, January 22nd happiness:  Sunday nap!

Monday, January 23rd happiness:  I won't lie.  Today was kind of a lousy day.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I didn't feel well this morning.  I was told at the last minute that I had to teach today, and Monday's are the worst day for teaching because there are NO specials.  Which means I don't get to leave the room to pee or do anything else at all for 4 solid hours.  Yikes.  Finally It is 3:15 and I get to go home.  I go outside and the weather is PERFECT!  my kind of day!

I drove home with the windows down.  This weather was sent for me today, to cheer me up!

Tonight I was driving to my parents house to wish my dad a happy birthday and to give him a present, and I got to see this:
I know, I really shouldn't take photos while I am driving, but it was so beautiful.  I rolled down the window and took a quick shot.

I also got this one:
Arizona really does have the best sunsets.

Tuesday, January 24th happiness:  I had mutual tonight.  I didn't want to go.  But, I did anyway, and it really turned out to be a lot of fun.  I'm glad I didn't let my bad mood spoil it.  It was all the priests and laurels in the stake, and they played a bunch of "minute to win it" games.  I'm glad I went.

Wednesday, January 25th happiness:  It was pajama day at school today.  How can you NOT be happy getting to wear your pajamas all day?  It was awesome.

Tonight Brian and I watched a new show.
I wasn't really that interested in watching it.  I think we already have too many shows that we don't have time to watch, but he really wanted to watch it, so we did.

It was pretty fantastic.  So, unfortunately, we will have to add another show to our list.  Thank goodness for DVR.  We have all these shows taped, with no time to watch.  I'm sure we will catch up this summer when nothing new tapes.

Thursday, January 26th happiness:  I had a terrible dizzy spell at 1:00 a.m. this morning.  It woke me from a dead sleep.  I woke up to the room spinning and spinning.  This was the worst I've had in a while.  I literally felt like the room was moving.  I spent the next few hours, barfing and lying down.  It was awful.  I took my dizzy pill and Brian gave me a blessing, and thankfully, it finally stopped, but I was in bed all day long.  

Today I am happy to have Brian.  He did EVERYTHING today.  He got Joe up and ready for school, he picked him up from school, made him dinner and just made sure everything got done so I didn't have to worry.  Because honestly, I was too dizzy to do anything anyway.

A little more happiness today:  Joe's science project got picked for HISEF ( Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair).  The teacher only picked 2 projects from his class to represent, and his was one of them.  Woo hoo!  (Thanks again Uncle David for your help!)

Friday, January 27th happiness:  Today, was a day, let me tell you.  I was home from school today, still feeling rather dizzy, although the room did finally stop spinning.  Brian came home from work today feeling super sick, so much that I had to drive him to urgent care.  With him barfing, and me being super dizzy, I am surprised we made it!  

I am happy today for family that will step in and help when needed.  I just dropped Joe off at my mom's and trusted that he would be fine.  Stacy and the Gonzo's took him to dinner with them, and then he hung out for a while until we were done.  I love my family.

Tonight, as I was at CVS filling Brian's prescriptions I saw these:
I was excited because I thought that the cherry m & m's were only a Christmas thing.  I have never seen them any other time of the year.  

I guess this year they made some for valentines day too.  Happy Day!

Guess what I did when I got home?

Saturday, January 28th happiness:  Finally feeling a little better today!  I went to a friends baby shower.  It was fun.  I also went to Barnes and Noble.  That ALWAYS makes me happy.

Tonight, Joe had the boys over for pizza and games.  I played scrabble with Alex, Michael and Joe.  I forgot how much I like this game.  It was fun.
Sunday, January 29th happiness:  Sheri dropped off salsa and Peanut Butter cookies today!  What an awesome sister I have.  These cookies make me super happy.

Monday, January 30th happiness:  Brian and I have been watching Friday Night Lights.  This season was season 5.  The last one.  We have had it DVR'd forever and have been dragging out the watching of it, because we don't want it to be actually over.  So, even though the series ended a few months back.  We just watched the final episode tonight.

This is probably one of my favorite shows ever.  And no, it's not just because of Riggins.  Who would have thought that I would love a t.v. show about football?  Not me.

Tuesday, January 31st happiness:  I know I've said it before, but there is nothing that sets the mood for the day better, than hearing an awesome song on the radio on the way to work.
I roll the windows down, turn the music up, and sing on my way to work.  It makes me happy and puts me in a good mood for the day.  I love music!

Happy Day!

family photo shoot

M2B =) days 695 - 705.  Tuesday, January 10th - Friday, January 20th happiness.

Wow, I am far behind.  I am going to try to catch up a little this week, so here goes:

Tuesday, January 10th happiness:  What made me happy today?  Taking a nap after school.  I love it when I can do that.

Wednesday, January 11th happiness:  Family photo shoot.  I got to hang out with my nieces and nephews and take lots of photos.  It was fun.

Ok, so this isn't everyone, but you get the idea.  Also, I am starting to notice that a lot of the photos I have of Joe are with his guitar.  

Thursday, January 12th happiness:  The teacher I work with at school is a HUGE Michigan State fan.  Seriously.  I mean, every day, the kids face the American flag and say the pledge of allegiance and then she has them turn around and face the Michigan State flag and they sing the Michigan State Fight Song before the head off to math class.  

As it turns out, Michigan State had a pretty great season.  And, she kept telling the kids that if they made it to a bowl game, then we would have a tailgate party.  Well, they made it!  They didn't win, but it was a good game.  

So, this afternoon, we cooked hot dogs and had chips and soda, and we sang the fight song one last time, and watched the end of the Michigan State game.  The kids loved it.  And I love working with a teacher who is so fun!

Also, today was a cloudy gorgeous day.  Loved it!

Friday, January 13th happiness:  Ok, so I often have insomnia.  It's ok to have it for a night or two, but any more than that in a row, and I just get SOOOOO tired.  Well, I haven't slept well at all this week, so I knew that if I was going to make it through school today, I would need a little help.

I stopped off at CVS before school this morning to get a 5 hour energy, and I got carded.  First of all, I didn't know you had to be 18 to buy it.  Second of all Jon who works at CVS is now one of my favorite people ever for thinking I was 18, and for being totally surprised when I told him I was more than twice that.  Thanks Jon!  I needed that today.
Saturday, January 14th happiness:  Joe decided (on his own) that he would like a hair cut today.  While I prefer his hair short, I don't hassle him about how he chooses to wear it.  It is HIS hair after all.  So, I was pretty excited when he announced today that he would like to get a haircut.  I didn't hesitate.  I drove him there before he could change his mind.  I like it so much better, and I think he does too.

Sunday, January 15th happiness:  We got to go and see Michael get the priesthood today!   Also today was a gorgeous day to be outside, so Joe and I decided to do a photo shoot with the new hair.  His guitar had to come along, of course.  
I think this was MY favorite shot of the day.
Later there was time for hanging out with the cousins a little bit.
Monday, January 16th happiness:  NO SCHOOL!  I got some much needed cleaning done.

Tuesday, January 17th happiness:  When you wake up in the early morning and you realize that you still have like 3 hours left to sleep.

Wednesday, January 18th happiness:  3:45 p.m.  It is my favorite time of day.  The work day is over, I have picked up Joe, and we are home.  I change into my cozy clothes and take a few minutes to just sit on the couch and do nothing.  I Love it.

Thursday, January 19th happiness:  I got in the car this morning to go to work, and The Cure, "Just like Heaven" is on the radio.  I get to hear it all the way through.  Hearing an awesome song on the radio on the way to work, just sets the mood for the day.  

Friday, January 20th happiness:  Today was a nap after school kind of day.  I felt dizzy all afternoon, so I had to take one of my dizzy pills and go to bed.  I am happy that when that happens, Brian takes care of everything else that needs to be done.  He took Joe out to dinner tonight to Red Lobster so I could rest.  He is awesome.

Happy Day!

family, food and friends

M2B =) days 690 - 694.  Thursday, January 5th - Monday, January 9th happiness:

Thursday, January 5th happiness:  Tonight we went out to the Keg with Steve, Elise, Chris and Merilee while they were still in town.  Sheri, and Marcy also came!  I had never been to the Keg before.  It was great.

We sat out on the patio next to the fireplace.  Nice.  It was a fun evening, hanging with friends.  Steve introduced me to "W" bands and eating dessert first.

The food was delicious.  We started with the Santa Fe Chicken Dip.  It was SO yum!  I had steak for dinner - mmmmm.  Good friends, good food, makes for a happy day.

Friday, January 6th happiness:  Brian and I went to see We Bought A Zoo.  LOVED IT!
It was one of the best movies I have seen in a while.  I laughed, I cried.  It was all good.

Saturday, January 7th happiness:  Today we "had a day", as Brian likes to call it.  Thanks to Sheri's generous birthday present, Joe, Brian and I went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory.

And, thanks to Steve's advice, we ordered dessert first.  Dutch Apple Caramel Streusel Cheesecake.  
Joe didn't take one bite.  He has pretty much quit eating sugar.  He started in early December.  Who quits eating sugar in December?  Anyway, I didn't think it would last, but it has.  I am so proud of him.  I wish I could do the same, but alas, I am weak.

After lunch, Brian and I went out and about and did some shopping.  It was fun.

Sunday, January 8th happiness:  Family Home Evening!  I don't get to see these kiddos nearly as much as I used to before I started working, so I LOVE family home evening.  I get to see (almost) all of my family all at once.

Alex, Dallin, Michael and Joe helped my mom with the lesson.
This cutie was showing off her new guitar.
My favorite photos of the night:

Love it!

Monday, January 9th happiness:  Left over Christmas candy.  I honestly can't believe that the bells lasted this long.  I love them SO much.  It's probably because Brian bought me several bags.
I bring them to school and leave them in my desk.  That way, when I take Max and Ben home, I can share.  They love the bells almost as much as I do.

Happy Day!

Dan the snow man....fireworks....and, shooting the moon

M2B =) days 685 - 689.  Saturday, December 31st - Wednesday, January 4th happiness:

Saturday, December 31st:  WARNING - This next photo is for mature audiences only! =)

So, Michael and Joe finished their snowman today.  Apparently they thought he should be an anatomically correct snowman.  For, if he truly IS a man, he SHOULD have man parts.  

Introducing Dan, the anatomically correct snowman (sorry mom!):

I didn't ask who's idea it was, or who had the honor of doing the sculpting.  I really didn't want to know.  

What can I say?  Boys will be boys.....and it kept them busy outside for a good long time.  And, Sheri's family had someone to welcome them when they made it in today.

Later, when the Trezise boys were there too, they all went out to play in the snow.  I love how this picture of Michael turned out.

Brian went out to see how things were going......and of course, they all ganged up on him.  Love it!
I was happy because I got to spend the afternoon with my sister....hanging out and doing a puzzle.

Later that night we had fireworks, of course. 

Some of the Trezise boys had fallen asleep, but not Max.  He had fun playing with the sparklers.
I love how in this one, he managed to make a perfect circle.  Cool!

Sunday, January 1st happiness:  Sadly the Trezise family left us this afternoon.  I think they would have stayed longer, but Evan was having a rough time.  He would go outside, and get freezing cold, then he would come inside and sit by the heater, and be too hot, so he would go outside and get too cold again.  You get the idea.  I don't think he was having as much fun as the others, so they decided to head home a little early.  I was sad to see them go, but was glad that they got to come up for a little while at least.

Tonight, Brian, Joe, Michael and I played hearts.  I LOVE to play hearts, but I am not always good at it, and I am NEVER gutsy and try to shoot the moon.  

Tonight was different.  I was dealt the greatest running hand EVER, and I HAD to go for it.  I did, and I ended up, not only shooting the moon, but winning the entire game.  Woo hoo!

Afterwards I had a brilliant idea that I would take a photo of my running hand, with Joe, Michael and Brian looking sad in the background.

The problem is, they would make the most ridiculous looking sad faces, and then bust up giggling.  This is what I got instead:

Oh, well.  I think it is hilarious.  One of my favorite photos ever.  Also, get a look at those cards.  A running had for sure.

Good Times.

Monday, January 2nd happiness:  All good things must come to an end, and so we said goodbye to the cabin.
And, as always, the best part of coming home is getting to see Bob and Tiger.  I missed those kitties. 

Tuesday, January 3rd happiness:  Back to school today.  I got to see all my kiddo's today.  I love that when I go to get them off of the playground in the morning, they all run to see me and give me hugs.  

Tonight, Brian and I had a little date night.  In the middle of the week- I KNOW!  we are crazy like that.  We just went to the mall for a bit and then had dinner at Paradise Bakery.

I am loving Paradise Bakery right now.  They have a delicious Turkey salad with pears and dried cherries.  I am also LOVING the turkey and bacon panini:

Yummy!

Wednesday, January 4th happiness:  Tonight's happiness was sitting on the couch with my sweetie, and watching our shows.  Usually, my favorite part of the day, is after all the craziness of work, and homework, and housework and errands and dinner is all done...I get to sit on the couch and relax with Brian and just hang out.  A perfect ending to the day.

Happy Day!

Boxing Day and Cabin Trip

M2B =) days 680 - 684.  Monday, December 26th - Friday, December 30th happiness:

Monday, December 26th happiness:  Today was the first time I have ever celebrated Boxing Day!  

Sheri, Evan and I went to Teresa and Stuart's house to hang out and eat yummy food.  It was a lot of fun!   Stuart is Canadian and so I asked him what exactly Boxing Day was.  He said that in his family growing up, Christmas Day was for immediate family celebration, and Boxing Day was the day you opened up your home to friends and visitors.  People would come and go and eat and hang out and just enjoy each other.  ( I really hope I got that right!)

So, we hung out and had a good time!  Teresa and Stuart always throw a great party.

It was so much fun that I didn't take any photos except for a couple of Evan in the play room.  I am kicking myself because I really wanted to get a photo of Kevin, Alena and Sofia together!  

After celebrating Boxing Day, Sheri and I went to see Sherlock Homes.  I may love Robert Downey Jr. a little bit (or a lot).  Fantastic movie!  I think it was my favorite movie of the year.

Tuesday, December 27th happiness:  Today's happiness was nothing.  As in I had absolutely nothing I HAD to do today!  It was wonderful.  December is always busy.  And I feel like I have just been going and going.  It was nice to have a day to sit home and do nothing.

Wednesday, December 28th happiness:  More going today - errands to run, shopping and packing and cleaning to do.  A nothing day is good, but so is a busy productive day.  Got things done so I can leave for the cabin tomorrow.  woo hoo!

Thursday, December 29th happiness:  Cabin Day!  Not much is happier than that!  We were a little disappointed when we checked the weather for the cabin this week because it is going to be warm.  We were worried there would be no snow.

No worries.  They must have had a ton of snow up there before, because even with it being so warm and some of it melting away, there was still a ton of snow!
So much, that we almost didn't make it in.  Chloe (our car) rides low to the ground.  I though we would get stuck for sure.  We were slipping and sliding all over that road, but she made it!

It is so gorgeous and peaceful here.

Friday, December 30th happiness:  It really is quite warm up here for December.  The boys went for a walk to Chocolate River and came back complaining about how hot it was outside.  They left with coats and mittens and hats and returned like this:

They spent the afternoon working on a snowman (more on that later).
I spent the afternoon working on a puzzle.
We had a fun evening of Rock Band.
It was pretty close to a perfect day!

Happy Day!

Christmas Day

M2B =) day 679.  Sunday, December 25th happiness:

Happy Christmas.

I still love to see Joe's face as he peeks around the corner waiting to come in and see tree and presents.

His dad surprised him with a new guitar.
We spent the morning opening our gifts.
Some of us played with bubble wrap.
My two favorite guys.
Later we went to my mom and dad's house for lunch.  We got to deliver their present to them.
I am going to miss having those chairs around.  They have been in my house for a few weeks and I have seriously enjoyed them!  I look forward to sitting in them on the back porch of the cabin.

We got to hang with this guy:

And eat some yummy food.

Then we went home and were lazy all afternoon/evening.  

I love Christmas.

Happy Day!