Friday, January 15, 2010

Vroom, Vroom!

And behind door number three... a BRAND, NEW CAR!!! Or at least new to me! Take a look at my beautiful new vehicle - a 2007 Kia Sportage. I absolutely love it! Hello SUV gas-guzzler...





Isn't she be-A-U-tiful! I think she looks like a Petunia, but Clint thinks that is a ridiculous name for a car. But, I say it's my car and I can name her whatever I want! What do you think? Petunia? Bubbles? Something cute...

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Babies, babies, and Gyros...

Wow! What a fun weekend it has been! Yesterday was Ashleigh's (a good friend from our small group Bible study) baby shower. My, my, my was that a beautiful shower - every little detail was thought of. We even played a fun little game called B-A-B-Y-O (kind of like Bingo) where you fill in all the boxes with things you think the new mommy is going to get... things like diapers, baby monitors, onesies, blankets, etc. Then, as she is opening the presents, you place markers (our markers were hershey kisses -- YUM!) and get prizes as you make a BABYO! A very cute idea to keep guests engaged in the present-opening.

Then, today was Beth's (a friend from the "old" small group) baby shower. Her's was a little more intimate but still a lot of fun! She had a great idea to have all the guests draw a number from 1 to 12 and then write Baby Audrey a birthday card for that respective birthday year (i.e. 4 for the 4th birthday). This is such a cute idea that I will definitely keep in mind for down the road... No mom, that is NOT a hint! :)

And then, here is an easy recipe to tempt your tastebuds:

Cake Balls:

INGREDIENTS:
box cake mix (plus any ingredients listed on the box)
meltable chocolate (white and milk)
can of frosting (any flavor)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. make the cake mix according to the instructions on the box. cook in a 9x13 very well-greased pan. cool completely.
2. turn entire cake out onto wax paper and cut in half.
3. take half of the cake and mix with half the can of frosting in a large bowl until the dough can be formed into balls. repeat with the other half of cake and frosting.
4. place each ball in a spoon. use another spoon to coat ball with melted chocolate. use a third spoon to push the ball onto a piece of wax paper. allow chocolate to cool and harden and then drizzle with other melted chocolate (i.e. milk chocolate over white chocolate or white chocolate over milk chocolate)

Such a great recipe for showers where cute little yummies are the items of choice - kind of like petit fours.

On another note, the 101 in 1001 list is under way (I will be updating totals as soon as I finish this entry) but I have tried a new recipe (chorizo and cornbread stuffing in cornish hens baked and braised in white wine, butter, and olive oil - by no means healthy but delicious!) and a new recipe (yay for authentic Greek gyros! - you know it's good when the entire Greek family is stuffed inside a little 4x5 stand (babies and all) and they all talk with a thick accent!!!). Also the health choices are well underway and the graduate school is in the "figure out what I am doing" phase.

Stay tuned!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Graduate School

I think word has gotten around and most everyone knows... but I have been accepted into Lamar University's Master Program. In a short 18 months I will be walking across the stage as a Principal-to-be!!! This is such a fabulous opportunity and I am so excited to be taking part in this.

Now, I have to study for the GRE, take the GRE, and make it through my classes. Whew! It's back to school for me - I haven't been a student in 3 years! Time surely flies...

101 in 1001 item number 93 is underway. Many of my other challenges are also underway or in the planning stage - life is good; Thank you Jesus!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Day Zero and the List

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010

End Date:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Completed tasks will be changed to the color green. :) Why green? Because it's my list and I like the color green, that's why...

Health & Fitness
1. Run a half marathon... working on it! Just ran a 5k!!! Got another 5k in the works for April
2. Give up diet coke for a week... planned for February 22-28
3. Floss every day for 30 days (0/30)
4. Get down to 135lbs - lost 17 1/2 so far!!!
5. Complete a 40 week running/walking/biking training program (0/40)
6. Get a stride analysis for running shoes
7. Give up chocolate for a week... planned for February 22-28, sorry, didn't happen this week...
8. Drink nothing but water for a week ... planned for February 22-28, didn't happen either...
9. Do 100 crunches straight - up to 20... pitiful, I know...
10. Go a month without ice cream
11. Take a yoga class - video or in person
12. Read "What to Expect Before You're Expecting"
13. Buy a bike helmet - at a garage sale for 25c no less!
14. Run 10+ miles total a week for a year (0/52)
15. Try vegetarianism for one week... planned for February 22-28 - operation Eat Veggies complete!
16. Go snorkeling
17. Bike to the store for groceries
18. Give up fast food for a week... planned for February 22-28
19. Take vitamins every day for 30 days (30/30)
20. Go snuba-ing - scheduled for July 2010!
21. Run a sub 10-minute mile... at a 13:38 minute mile and working on it.
22. Learn to drive a dune buggy - scheduled for July 2010!
23. Run in the Cowtown Marathon

Home
24. Vacuum once a week for 10 weeks (2/10)
25. Install granite countertops in kitchen
26. Host a dinner party - Clint's cousin and his fiancee
27. Host a family holiday meal
28. Bathe dog once a week for a month (2/4)
29. Double savings
30. Pay off student loan debt
31. Give Penny vitamins once a day for a week (7/7)
32. Create a living will
33. Bake a pie - a quiche counts! it's a breakfast pie!!!
34. Take a cake decorating class - scheduled for each Monday in April
35. Use reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping
36. Go to a farmer's market
37. Shop at Central Market once a month for a year (2/12)
38. Put up all new curtains in every room (4/10)
39. Give up TV for a week
40. Try 50 new recipes (11/50)
* chorizo and cornbread stuffing in a cornish hen braised in white wine, olive oil, and butter
* Tom Kha soup (coconut soup) - a little too sweet; need to try with more spice
* Massaman curry - a little overcooked to the point of caramelizing; too sweet
* Belgium Waffles - very tasty and really not too hard to make from scratch
* Home-made almond whipped cream - super yummy!

* Carrot and Onion Quiche
* Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas
* Chilled Avocado Soup
* Mushroom Strudel - nasty, don't EVER try it
* Black Bean Burgers - surprisingly tasty
* Cake Truffles - originally called Cake Balls, but since I was taking them to work, we had to think of a more appropriate name...
* Vegetable Stir-fry - yummy with fresh veggies from a vegetable stand in Weatherford

41. Make dinner in the crock pot once a month for a year (0/12)
42. Make limeade from scratch
43. Make soup from scratch
44. Bake a cake from scratch (frosting included)

Social/Entertainment
45. Host a game night - Clint's cousin and fiancee - go Dutch Blitz!!!
46. Attend a concert
47. Give blood
48. Get a Concealed Handgun License - scheduled for April 18
49. See 10 movies in the theater (3/10)
* Sherlock Holmes
* Leap Day

* Dear John

50. Try 15 new restaurants (5/15)
* Greek Gyros
* Mary's Cafe in Strawn, Texas

* Spiral Bakery and Diner
* Baker's Ribs in Weatherford
* Golden Moon in Weatherford
* The Pyramid in Dallas - highly recommend!

51. Join a book club
52. Go to a comedy show
53. Read a Jane Austen book
54. Go to the Gaylord and see the ice sculptures at Christmas
55. Listen to the DaVinci Code on audio
56. Camp near the Grand Canyon
57. Go see a play
58. Read 50 books (2/50)
**1. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
**2. The Pregnant Father... don't ask, it looked interesting

59. See an IMAX movie
60. Go to a college football game
61. Go to the Fort Worth Science Museum - March 9
62. Vote in an election
63. Watch every season of "Charmed" (4/8)

Marriage
64. Go on a cruise - scheduled for July 2010
65. Surprise husband with a vacation
66. Have a candlelit dinner
67. Tour the Stockyards and get lost in the maze
68. Randomly write my husband a love letter
69. Watch the sunset with my husband
70. Watch the sunrise with my husband
71. Join a library
72. Make baby plans
73. Have a dinner date with my husband once a month (4/32)
74. Make out with my husband in an elevator

Travel
75. Go to NYC
76. Go tandem Sky-Diving - tentatively scheduled for Summer 2011 (post-graduation)
77. Go on a weekend getaway to Houston
78. Visit another country - Puerto Rico among others scheduled for July 2010
79. Go to a Disneyland/world - scheduled for July 2010 - we even have reservations to stay in a Disney resort!!!
80. Go to the zoo
81. Go deep sea fishing - scheduled for July 2010

For Myself
82. Take Trash the Dress photos
83. Read the Bible Chronologically in a year (57/365)
84. Paint a picture
85. Give up my iPhone for 24 hours
86. Ride a roller coaster three times in a row
87. Treat myself once a day for a month (0/30)
88. Learn to play chess
89. Memorize a book of the Bible
90. Update my blog once a week (7/30)
91. Identify 100 things that make me happy (29/100)
**1. my husband
**2. Penny
**3. my mom
**4. my dad
**5. my sister
**6. my brother
**7. my other brother
**8. chocolate
**9. thunderstorms
**10. the color green
**11. finishing a project
**12. snow
**13. sunshine
**14. Xena: Warrior Princess
**15. reality shows - it's nice that other people have bigger problems than me! Sadistic, I know...
**16. sleeping in on Saturday mornings
**17. breakfast in bed
**18. snuggling
**19. hot cocoa
**20. cooking (as long as the recipe turns out...)
**21. new clothes
**22. new purses in cute colors
**23. pretty dresses
**24. new organization or office supplies (bring on the sharpies and fun shaped post-it notes!)
**25. cold nights with 17 layers of blankets!
**26. cooking
**27. sharpies
**28. my new car
**29. the Bachelor/ Bachelorette

**30. avocado
**31. pulled pork
**32. chorizo
**33. trying new recipes
**34. planting a garden (now the real test... will it grow!)
**35. going to school (not that I "go", but I do have classwork!)

92. Identify 25 things I like about myself (12/25)
**1. my drive and determination
**2. my ability to love
**3. my ability to see someone else's point of view
**4. my eyes
**5. my ability to see potential
**6. my love for life
**7. my taste in men - love you hubby!
**8. my cooking style
**9. my shopping restraint
**10. my teaching style
**11. my flair for organization
**12. my desire to do more

**13. my innate realtor and travel agent abilities

93. Finish graduate school
94. Memorize Jeremiah 29: 11-13
95. Use my camera once a month (0/30)
96. Get a facial
97. List one thing I am grateful for, every day for a year (30/365)
**1. my salvation
**2. my Savior, Jesus Christ
**3. my husband
**4. my family
**5. my puppy
**6. my church home - Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas - a great place for anyone looking to build their relationship with Christ.
**7. my beautiful home
**8. my awesome, but challenging and sometimes exhausting, job
**9. technology
**10. my sweet tooth
**11. my graduate program
**12. my students
**13. good food
**14. air to breathe
**15. fun music
**16. my new car
**17. my safety
**18. my cell phone
**19. Canton Flea Market
**20. ice cream
**21. energy to run
**22. Mexican food
**23. the gym (it's more of a love/hate thing)
**24. discount shopping stores (otherwise I would get in trouble more often)\
**25. my sewing room
**26. flowers
**27. butterflies
**28. chocolate
**29. fun tv shows
**30. the Bachelor/ Bachelorette


98. Learn "Merry Christmas" in 5 different languages (3/5)
1. Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
2. Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
3. Froliche Wienachten (German) - dad, did I spell that right???


99. Feed ducks

List-Related
100. Donate $5 for every task I don’t complete to Christ Chapel Bible Church
101. Put $5 into savings for every completed task

A New Year and a Fresh Start

Ok. So, of course, I am a little late getting to actually listing my new year's resolutions (I think I resolved to be more on top of things - I guess that's out the window!), but here I go...

* I resolve to fully rely on God. And, no, I'm not talking F.R.O.G. I am talking about the real, genuine, my-world's-falling-apart-yet-I'm-still-keeping-calm kind of trusting on God. I have really been shown yet again how powerful our God is and want to acknowledge that by making Him my first and most important resolution.

* I resolve to read the Bible chronologically in one year ending with my last Scripture reading at midnight on New Year's Eve 2011.

* I resolve to once and for all lose the 50 pounds I've put on since the wedding so that I can do a Trash-The-Dress photo shoot in my wedding gown. I'm thinking about going down to the coast or somewhere with a lot of water... Any ideas?

* I resolve to work out by walking, running, and biking in an effort to prepare myself for a Half-Marathon in September. Clint and I are doing this as a joint effort - we will start with a 1K walk, 5K walk, 5K run, 10K run, and finish with a Half-Marathon! I am so excited!!!

* I resolve (ok, Clint and I resolve - I guess I can't take all the credit) to continue our accelerated debt repayment plan in an effort to be debt free! Target date: July 2022. Just 12.5 years to go and that will take care of all student loans and the house loan without any new loans (car, etc.).

* I resolve to start every day with a renewed sense of purpose. (I know that is vague, but it felt right to put it in there!)

* AND FINALLY... I will start the 101 in 1001 list. This will be a list of 101 items that I have to complete in 1001 days... Wish me luck!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

April 2009

Happy Easter!!! Thank you Jesus for everything you have done for us - thank you especially for caring for my family in a way that I couldn't have ever imagined. You are truly amazing.

For an update... We are a mere 36 days away from closing on the most beautiful house we could have ever imagined. We are looking at furniture and have even purchased a little set for a sitting area in our bedroom. What do you think?



Of course, we are busy looking at other pieces of furniture too, but nothing else has been purchased.





Thursday, March 19, 2009

Contract on our house

So, about a week and a half ago, Clint and I were just laying in bed on a lazy Saturday morning, talking and dreaming about the future. We had been talking for some time about wanting to buy a house and had even been looking online at different house listings. As we were talking, we decided to call up a couple of realtors and get a feel for what we wanted.

Fast forward to today... In just a week and a half we have done the house hunting thing, settled on a lender, put in an offer, counter-offered, and now have a contract on the most amazing house we could have ever dreamed of! What do you think?












It is truly our dream house and we cannot wait to make it ours. We close on May 18!!!