From the View of 1336

The Big 30 :)

2010-02-14T08:23:00.001-08:00

Sisters!

Yummy Birthday Cake!

Delicious Meal at Gordon Biersch Brewery

Happy 2nd Birthday to My Fun Niece, Ryland!

2010-01-10T07:13:00.001-08:00

I am amazed and thankful for this adorable child in my life! :)

Happy Birthday, Ryland! Love~ Aunt Tal

A Night to Dress Up!

2009-12-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

Work Holiday Gala at the Tower Club in Downtown Dallas

3rd Grade Team

Suzy, Jody, Angela, and Talitha

Almost 3 Months!

2009-11-20T20:34:00.000-08:00

More Pics that Make Me Smile!

2009-11-15T15:55:00.000-08:00

Look at my crazy hair, Aunt Tal!

Ryland being a monkey by hanging on my washer. Silly Girl!

Brenley enjoying her Mom!

Ryland and Jarrett sharing crayons at Steak and Shake. :) They love eachother and are great friends!

Look Who Came Over For Dinner!

2009-11-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

Trunk or Treat at The Village

2009-11-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

My Trunk

Miss Ryland as a Park Ranger.

My Car

Tis The Season for Pumpkins!

2009-10-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

Math Beauty Queen

2009-09-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Another precious moment to remind me why I am a teacher:

Here is a poem that one of my sweet students pulled out of her pocket at the end of the day and gave it to me...I am typing exactly how she wrote it...

everytime I see a blasom tree it will always remind me of my teacher Ms. Basom.

Your beauty is better than what you fill my heart with.

and when your cheaks are red I know that smile of yours will fill our hearts with joy.

and you smell like an everyday spring flower.

and all of my sight can only be seen on you.

and you are only be seen by me as a math beauty queen.

Welcome Brenley Grey!

2009-09-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

My niece, Brenley Grey was born on August 27, 2009! She was 8lb 12oz 20 inches long. Such a cute little girl! I treasure her!

My New Classroom

2009-08-07T18:55:00.001-07:00

I am almost finished getting my classroom set up for the new year!

Aunt Tal played with Ryland today!

2009-08-06T19:27:00.001-07:00

Dallas Cowboy's Stadium

2009-07-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

At the end of June, my family and I went on a tour of the new Dallas Cowboy's Stadium. I was impressed. The tour was over an hour long and we were able to go on the field, in the Cowboy's locker room, club areas, sit in expensive stadium seats etc...

Some NM Pictures

2009-07-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Riding the Rail Runner to Santa Fe

Shidoni Sculpture Garden

Tesuque, NM

Harry's Roadhouse in Santa Fe...Delicious Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes!

Just Cute!

2009-07-07T15:26:00.001-07:00

Ok so I just adore my niece. She has been so social these days and I wanted to share some clear statements that I have heard...

"What happened?"
"What's that noise?"
"There you are." (Referring to a doll in my room)
"Hi Teddy Bear!" She says hi to a lot of things. :)
"So cute!"
"Excuse me."
"Come on..."
"Plane. Plane." As she points to the sky.

More Pics...

2009-07-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

Love the Converse Shoes!

Her friend, the Polar Bear.

Ryland loves banging on my washer. Silly Girl!

Black Beans Please!

2009-07-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

Ryland loved the black beans tonight at my place! She also had chicken, raisins, and grated carrots.

My Mom's Lemon Lush Pie

2009-06-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

1 stick of butter

1 cup flour

1/2 cup pecan pieces(these are optional and don't have to be included)

1 large package(8 ounces) cream cheese

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1 cup Cool Whip from a 12 oz carton...save the rest for the topping

2 small packages of lemon instant pudding

2 cups milk

First, melt the butter and add flour and the pecans. Press into a 9x13 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15-20 minutes or use a pie plate (25 min), until lightly brown. Cool before adding the next layer.Soften cream cheese and add the confectioners sugar and 1 cup of Cool Whip. Mix these and spread carefully over the cool crust, trying not to crumble the crust.

Next, mix the pudding with the milk until a firm pudding consistency and pour this over the cream cheese layer. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set up a bit.

Then top with the remaining Cool Whip. Garnish if you like with pecan chips or leave plain.Cover the pie and place in the refrigerator until cold. :) Enjoy!!! ~ Talitha

Last Day...

2009-06-04T19:42:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is my last day of work for the 2008/2009 school year. Another year down for teaching! :) Next year I will be going into my 8th year of teaching....Crazy! Hopefully during the summer I can keep up my writing on this blogspot.

Cool Girl!

2009-05-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ryland eating dinner at Aunt Tal's. :)

Greg and Shana's Shower

2009-05-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

The delicious cake at the couple's shower.

The Ladies eating dinner at Maggianos at Northpark.

Ladies night out for Shana. :)

Chillin on my couch before the shower...

My cousin Will, cousin Michael, cousin Robert, Shana's fiance Greg, and my cousin Shana.

My cousin, Shana, is marrying the sweetest guy. :) This weekend we went to her beautiful shower in Dallas. So much fun!!!

Great Team

2009-05-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

(Tal, Diane, Elizabeth...having a boy any day now...D'Andrea, and Kaye)

This is the 3rd Grade team I work with. It has a been a great year! :)

I Love My Mom!

2009-05-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

1980

1987

My Mom is simply beautiful and the best Mom ever! She raised my sister and I to be Godly ladies. She taught me how to respect, love, and cherish others. She encouraged me to become a teacher. She is a wonderful wife who loves my Dad. :) Thank you Mom for being a hero to me.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

~I love you, Tal

Sweetness

2009-04-30T14:58:00.001-07:00

I sure do love this little girl!

Chicken Sopa

2009-04-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my favorite dishes. I just made it for my cousin's tonight. :)

Chicken Sopa

Shredded chicken (baked or rotisserie)
3 small cans of evaporated milk
2 cans of cream of chicken
2 cans of chopped green chile (Hatch or Old El Paso)
10 or more corn tortillas (I usually make thick tortilla strips or triangles.)
1/2 of an onion
Grated cheese
Pepper

Preheat the oven to 375. Mix the evaporated milk, cream of chicken, green chile, onion, and cooked chicken together. Then in a casserole dish start layering the tortillas, cheese, and chicken mixture. The last layer is cheese. Sprinkle some pepper on top and cook for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Mommy Madness Kicks Off April 20th!

2009-04-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends~

Make sure you visit http://www.mommymadnessdfw.com/ on April 20th! My beautiful, outgoing sister has been selected as a Mommy Blogger for the Dallas area. She will be driving the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse for 8 weeks and blogging about her experience. You can read about her adventure at http://www.savvyandsimple.blogspot.com/. Have fun reading and voting!!!!

SAVVY and SIMPLE

2009-04-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is my sister's new site:

http://www.savvyandsimple.blogspot.com/

A View of My Spring Break

2009-03-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

I wish I could lounge everyday like this monkey. :)

It was so fun entertaining Ryland on the plane. I'm so happy I was able to travel with my sister too!

My parents and Ryland at the top of Sandia.

ABQ Aquarium

I "I'm ready for a walk Aunt Tal. "

Albuquerque Here I Come!

2009-03-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

I am packing this morning and then Sherah, Ryland, and I are flying to ABQ this evening! I am so excited and so ready for vacation. I know I have been slacking on blogging, so hopefully when I get back I will have lots of pictures and updates. :) I also apologize if I don't get to see everyone on this trip. I will be back this summer for sure.

Let It Fade

2009-03-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

It has been a lovely Monday and I am so thankful that I can find rest in my Savior. Below are the lyrics to a favorite song of mine. I am happy to know that I can find rest in someone who treasures me, loves me, and gave up His life for me. I find it sad on the days that I don't see this love or recognize Him. My attitude falls apart, I am scared, lonely, and just a girl who thinks about herself. I pray that if I answer yes to any of these questions in this song, that I may see how I need Him and desire Him even more. May you see my Savior today too!

Let It Fade by Jeremy Camp

Have you been walking on a surface that's uncertain?
Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty?
yeah!You can't live this way too long.
There's more than this, more than this.
Have you been standing on your own feet too long?
Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

You can rest, you will find rest.
You can rest, you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.
Let this new life offer be your saving grace.
Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.

Have you been holding on to what this world has offered?
Have you been giving in to all these masquerades?

It will be gone, forever gone.It will be gone, it will be gone
Let this old life crumble, let it fade.
Let this new life offer be your saving grace.
Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.
Let it fade.

Are you carrying the weight too much?, are you running from the call?
Let it fade, Oh yeah.You can rest, you will find rest.
You can rest you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.
Let this new life offered be your saving grace. Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.
Let this old life crumble, let it fade.
Have you been standing on your own feet too long?
Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

Just Hanging Out

2009-02-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

Kyle, Sherah, and Keisha came over to my apt. to chill last night . Ryland is quite the verbal one. I am amazed at all the words she is saying. Such a sweetheart!!!

Savoring 29!

2009-02-08T07:48:00.000-08:00

On Friday night, the Krause Girls had a Birthday party for Lauren, Mandy, and I. Thanks to everyone who came. :) The food was delicious and the company was fantastic! Today is my actual birthday and I am headed over to Kyle, Sherah, and Ryland's home for a yummy meal and to hangout.

4:44

2009-01-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

This time, 4:44, has come up in my life for years now. Seriously it is so weird. For example, today my sister texted me at 4:44. I downloaded a song today that was 4:44 minutes long. Almost everyday I happen to look either at my clock in the car, computer, or in my house and for some reason it always happens to be 4:44. There are many days where I don't notice, but then there are days when I notice it a lot. I don't even try to look for this number. It just randomly appears almost daily in my life. What does it mean? I have no idea. It just kind of drives me nuts sometimes.

No School

2009-01-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

It is always a nice surprise to get a phone call at 5:15am to say that school will be closed for the day. :)

myspace,facebook,blogger...oh my!

2009-01-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

Ok the last few days I have been in awe of my new facebook account. Yep I finally got one and yes it is true...it is addicting....I find it quite funny that I now have a myspace account, a facebook account, and a blogspot. Wow! It is about time...What was I thinking? I wonder, do my friends look at all three accounts? Right now I have just about the same pics and updates on all three. So weird, but fun!!! Hope everyone is doing great! Tomorrow is Friday!!!!

Ryland...Get Ready!

2009-01-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

"Ryland....Happy Birthday....and your gift is..... A new Baby Sister or Brother....in 8 months or so...."

Oh the joys of life....hearing that your sister and brother-in-law are pregnant. I am thrilled that I get to be an Aunt again.

So Amazing!!!!

Congrats Kyle, Sherah, and Ryland!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Ryland!!!

2009-01-10T06:33:00.001-08:00

Ugly Birds and One Beauty

2009-01-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Beauty at White Rock Lake

( I don't blame this bird for being alone. The other birds that surround him are so creepy. Wait a a minute...does this bird have only one leg? Poor thing.)

Ugly Birds at White Rock Lake

These trees are turning white due to the poop from these birds. It is so gross.

Goofy Sisters in Action

2009-01-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

Bring on the sugar for the New Year!

Shawn and Gus

2009-01-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

~Perfect for a Saturday Night~

Happy 2009 from the State Capital of Texas!

2009-01-02T10:10:00.000-08:00

I traveled to Austin, Texas with my friend Lindsay for the New Year!

Dallas Arboretum with My Family

2009-01-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

San Antonio Christmas Present

2008-12-31T12:08:00.000-08:00

My parents were so generous this year! They know I love to travel so they surprised me with a trip to San Antonio the Monday before Christmas. It was quite cold there, but the riverwalk was beautiful! :) Thanks Dad and Mom!!!!

~I will try to post more pics and write an update soon. I am headed to Austin for a New Year's Party.

12:59 am

2008-12-20T22:59:00.001-08:00

Well I am up way late because I can. :) I'm on CHRISTMAS BREAK and loving every minutue of it. I just got back from a fabulous Christmas party with my cousins and friends over in Haltom City, TX. So far I have been to more than 5 Christmas parties and it is not even Christmas yet! Crazy!!! I will eventually post pictures. I just have not been in the mood to blog. So maybe over the break I can come up with some interesting posts. We shall see.....

In the meantime, tell me one favorite Christmas tradition your family has. My Mom buys matching pjs for the girls! So fun!!!!

Have a Merry Christmas!!!!

I Am Second

2008-12-13T09:54:00.001-08:00

This website contains some powerful testimonies as to why mankind is second to our Lord. Some people that are interviewed: Jason Castro, Josh Hamilton, Stephen Baldwin, and the list continues.

www.iamsecond.com

Very well done!

A Baby Changes Everything by Faith Hill

2008-12-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

A Baby Changes Everything by Faith Hill
Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what’s to come
A baby changes everything
Not a ring
On her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything (x2)
The man she loves she’s never touched
How will she
Keep his trust
A baby changes everything (x2)
And she cries, oh she cries
She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can’t stay
A baby changes everything
She can feel it’s coming soon
There’s no place, there’s no room
A baby changes everything (x2)
And she cries and she cries O she cries
Shepherds all gather round up
Up above stars shines down…
Choir of Angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything (x2) everything, everything, every day
Hallelujah x4
My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I’m found
A baby changes everything (x2)

Tonight I heard this song for the first time on the radio. Wow!!! Faith Hill has an amazing voice. A baby does change everything and I am so thankful to serve a Wonderful Savior! Jesus Christ came to die on the cross and raise from the dead!!!

Praise the Lord! Merry Christmas!
" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..."Luke 1:46-47

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

2008-12-05T21:53:00.000-08:00

I just love this picture of you Dad. :)

You are an amazing Dad and I love you!!!

Adventures in Babysitting

2008-11-19T19:23:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday afternoon, I went over to Kyle and Sherah's to babysit my adorable niece, Ryland. Boy(Girl) did we have fun! One of the many joys of being an aunt is smiling at how silly Ryland is and watching a sweet little girl play.

Look who came over last night...

2008-11-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

Past and Present Thursday

2008-11-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Past

Puppy Toby that I bought for Kyle and Sherah.

Present
Bigger Toby Puppy...

Ford Times

2008-11-13T19:32:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in a Ford Tractor as little girl.

Now I drive a Ford Mustang as a big girl.

I think I like Ford.

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"

2008-11-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

I wished Dallas looked like this, but today was a high of 75 degrees. It will be awhile and maybe never. Oh well.

(I took this picture back in 2006 in ABQ.)

One Word...(or more)

2008-11-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

Really random questions because it is Thursday evening and I'm wide awake and don't know what to blog.....

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk
2.Your significant other? Not, but in Love with the Lord
3. Your hair? Annoying
4. Your mother? Gorgeous
5. Your father? Splendid
6. What I enjoy doing? traveling
7. Your dream last night? something about my cousins
8. Your favorite drink? Hot Chocolate
9. Your dream/goal? To live my life for Christ
10. The room you're in? Bedroom
11. Your fear? Wasps
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Home
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? perfect
15. Muffins/donuts? Donuts
16 One of your wish list items? Finding a man of God that I can marry
17. Where you grew up? Mountains
18. The last thing you did? Listened to music on www.M88.org
19. What are you wearing? Express Shirt, Express Pants
20. Your TV? Vizio

Thankful

2008-11-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to know that the Lord is in control!

VOTE 2008

2008-11-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

I took this picture from a friend's blog.

Go Vote Today!!!

From the View of Aunt Tal

2008-11-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

Fun on the Kitchen Floor

Picnic at White Rock Lake

Cheap Entertainment: Carseat Box

~Pumpkins at the Dallas Arboretum~

2008-11-02T18:03:00.001-08:00

This past Friday we took the whole 3rd Grade on a field trip to the Dallas Arboretum! It was a blast and simply gorgeous!

Froth Shaped Heart

2008-10-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

If anyone has known me for a long time, you will know that for some reason I am either placed in awkward situations or just 'out of the blue' things tend to happen to me. Once again tonight was one of those nights. Tonight after church ,I headed over to a place called Sneaky Pete's that is next to Lake Lewisville. At this random 'bar, restaurant, volleyball courts, on the lake kind of place' I was supposed to meet up with other home group leaders to get to know them from The Village. It was one of those 'single mingle' functions that always turn out to be so awkward to me. Well I ran into some people I knew, but the leaders I was supposed to meet never showed up. So the rest of the time spent at Petes was all small talk and well just sort of a bummer. I mean it was great meeting some new faces, but honestly it was not what I expected. So after we all left I decided on the way home to stop by a favorite coffee shop (Dunn Brothers Coffee) by my apartment to indulge in drinking a yummy pumpkin spice latte. At this point I was sort of laughing on the inside because once again I realized that I am not in control of anything...so I walk into Dunn Brothers and low and behold a man in his, I would guess 70s, was playing a saxaphone right as you walk in, an older lady has the tamborine in hand, a lady singing her heart out while playing on guitar, and the whole coffee shop is filled with people that were probably in their 60s and 70s rockin' out on a Saturday night. Really? I had never seen Dunns Brothers like this....It was pretty cool, but I was the youngest one besides the guy behind the counter...all alone....and it was awkward. So I just went up to the counter, ordered my latte to go and as the ever so kind guy handed me my latte with the lid off, I looked down and saw that he made a froth shaped heart in my latte. I smiled, he smiled, and I left. Such a random Saturday night.

Blue-Eyed Cutie!

2008-10-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

I just love Ryland's big blue eyes. :)

Support a Mom of Four Kidos! :)

2008-10-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Kari Nevins, is now selling her designs on www.Etsy.com. You have to checkout the adorable clothing for kids. :) Go to: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6222757 She is so talented! Kari you are an amazing Mom!!! I miss you!

U2

2008-10-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well tonight I feel like I have been to a U2 Concert. I really had never listened and understood some of the lyrics of U2 until tonight. The discussion and watching several music videos was interesting and gave me an appreciation for deep lyrics. I am not sure if I totally understand, but I enjoyed digging into culture and theology.

DTS professor will focus on U2's music, Theology (Interview from www.thevillagechurch.net)
If Dr. Glenn Kreider breaks out in praising God in the middle of one of the U2 songs that he'll be speaking about, you need to understand that he's only seen his favorite band live once, and the experience ranked pretty high for the professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.
"It was a life-changing experience for me," said Dr. Kreider of the concert. "It was one of the top five experiences in my lifetime. To be in the midst of a group of people who were appreciating the music and to join in and sing the way we were singing, to be singing words that speak of caring for people, of respecting one another, of love. That's the kind of worship experience I would love to have regularly."
Dr. Kreider will be leading a discussion of "The Music and Theology of U2" at The Village's Culture and Theology program at the Highland Village Campus on Friday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.
"And then," he said of the concert, "they ended with the song 'Yahweh.' It was unbelievable."
Dr. Kreider's fascination with the Irish band dates back a few years when he found himself detached from the culture of his teenage daughter. "She was in high school," he said, "and I discovered I didn't understand her world and the culture to a great extent."
Thus began his journey of reconnecting with culture, and in that journey, Dr. Kreider found something very interesting. "My position, now that I have a more robust understanding of culture, is that we don't understand and study culture to understand the world. We study culture to better understand God. If God is revealed in trees and most Christians affirm Romans 1 that teaches that creation reveals God, then we study culture to better understand the Creator.
"In U2, we're talking about people who are Christians who are engaging today's culture in a Christian way," he said. "They're really kind of easy. I try to see how God is revealed in Coldplay and other artists who are not trying to reveal God intentionally in their music."
Dr. Kreider finds that many Christians disconnect from culture much like he had. "What happens is that as we spend more and more time with other Christians, we recognize more of the perversity of the world around us, and we try and establish little worlds of safety. And when we do engage with those around us, we engage with people with an agenda. The agenda is not to know them or understand them but the agenda is to get to them to the gospel."
U2 has long been a topic of debate among Christians. Dr. Kreider sees a few reasons for those discussions. "Conservative evangelicals, in particular," he said, "are not connected to the culture and believe we should stay away from the world as much as possible so that we won't be corrupted by it. The second issue with the band is that they are not Americans and as several of my Irish students have told me, music functions differently in Irish Christianity than in America. American Christian music answers questions. Irish Christian music raises questions.
"They don't have the social obligations and their mores are different. The American Christian who smokes a cigarette is somehow really worldly. The language is different. F-bombs mean something different; at least that's what the students tell me. And, I think there's a view of the gospel that's radically different for people who grow up in the midst of religious conflict and suffering and persecution as opposed to growing up in prosperity."
To prepare for the Oct. 17 program, Dr. Kreider suggests listening to as many U2 songs as possible, but there's one song, "Where the Streets Have No Name," that you can count on hearing that evening. "If I had to pick one, I'd say that most days, that's my favorite song," he said. The song's lyrics speak of a day when Christ restores all things and life won't hurt anymore.

Home Group

2008-10-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend this book, Christian Beliefs, by Wayne Grudem. I am reading the Bible and this book with my mentor and with the ladies that come to the home group that the Lord has me leading on Thursday evenings. This book is a basic, yet in deepth guide to Christian beliefs. Wayne asks questions like, What is the Bible? and What is God like?. I believe it is vital as a Christian to be reminded of what we believe. We are only on Chapter 2 and Wow! I am so thankful for the God I serve! Here are some words that Wayne Grudem points out to describe God: Eternal, Knowable, Unchangeable, Freedom, Wise, Love, Holy, Perfect, Righteous, Just, Unity, Beautiful, Jealous, He Exists....and the words continue.....

Cultural Weekend

2008-10-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

My weekend has been full of fun and exciting cultural activities. Friday night, I spent playing cards and eating yummy foods with Kyle and Sherah's home group that they attend. On Saturday morning, I woke up super early to go to the King Tut Exhibit at the Dallas Arts Museum with my friend Jackie. She had an extra ticket!!! It was amazing to see all the gold nad learn about the Egyptians. Then I went over to Sherah's house to spend time with her and Ryland. As always, I love to hang with them!!! After that, I went over to Bethany's apartment. Bethany and I went to downtown Dallas to catch a shuttle to The Texas State Fair. After walking around the Cotton Bowl and seeing Big Tex, we went and saw The Color Purple musical at Music Hall. Fabulous Music!!!! I would say the story line had a weird and sad twist, but over all I enjoyed it. We had free tickets thanks to one of the parents at school. :) Today, I am headed to Armenia Fest with Sherah to eat some yummy greek food and watch one of the third graders at our school perform some folk dances. Tonight I am going over to another friend's home to eat and fellowship!!!

I love these kind of weekends!!!!!!

A Calming Treat of Dallas: White Rock Lake

2008-10-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Dad dreaming about a house on the lake someday.

Quick Update

2008-09-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight I wish you could have been a fly on the wall watching me at my Zumba and HipHop Class. Quite a funny sight! Yes I have tried to go to the Tuesday night class on a regular basis. I dance/workout for about an hour and 15 minutes. However, I am struggling going to the other two workout sessions on Monday and Wednesday due to meetings or just pure laziness. Oh well Tuesday is great right now.

So this is what I have been up to:
Church
Teaching
Leading a Home Group
Grading Papers
Cleaning
Hanging out with family
Hanging out with the few friends I have
Dancing
Sleeping
Watching the News , TLC, and HGTV when I have time

Pretty busy, but doing great! I will try to post some fun pics soon.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-09-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

Mom you are the best! Thank you Mom and Dad for coming to Dallas for the weekend! I love you so much! Mom you are a wonderful Mom, friend, wife to my terrific Dad, Grammy to my fabulous niece, Ryland and the list continues... :)

Hi

2008-09-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

"I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say, "Hi." They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word." ~Augusten Burroughs

This quote made me smile today because sometimes I do feel alone, yet when you just say hi it sometimes makes a world of difference. :)

Weekends!

2008-09-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

I am so happy I was able to sleep in today. This week seemed very long at work and I have been so busy with meetings, teaching, hanging out with friends etc. I just love weekends. I have not done a whole today. I have enjoyed watching it rain almost all day. This evening a good friend of mine from high school is going to come over. I think everyone should have a weekend to chill. :)

IKE

2008-09-13T14:27:00.001-07:00

The rains from Hurricane IKE have reached the Dallas area. These are two pictures from my apartment.

1952

2008-09-02T21:05:00.001-07:00

I just laughed and laughed when I saw that my pastor's wife, Lauren had a pic of herself back in the day. I had to try it myself. So funny!!!

Somedays are like this....

2008-08-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken a month ago, but today was just one of those days that I felt feelings of being crazy, silly, frustration, and having hair that is hard to manage.

~Enter Into the World of 3rd Grade~

2008-08-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

The bell rang at 7:50 am and my classroom was filled with 17 excited, nervous, shy, eager 3rd Graders and one anxious, happy teacher. Today was the first day of school. My students this year are so precious. We got a lot accoplished today and it seemed like time flew by! I have high hopes for these little ones and so far the first impression of them was awesome! We shall see about tomorrow. :) Tonight I am worn out for sure.

Two New Activities for Me: Zumba and Shadow Box

2008-08-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well I have offically completed one class on Everlast Shadow Box and one class of Zumba. On Tuesday I worked out for an hour and 15 minutes. Crazy! Today I worked out again for an hour and 15 minutes. Let's just say I am beat! The Zumba class was a lot of fun on Tuesday. Zumba is a workout that combines high energy and motivating music with synchronized dance movements designed for any fitness level. The routines feature aerobic fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. Basically I learned really fun dance moves. Shadow Box on Wednesday is a total body conditioning class that incorporates punches as well as athletic drills designed to get you ready for the ring. Umm let's just say I almost died. :)

Thanks to my cousin Brim and Aylin for getting me motivated to workout. I think these classes will be a great stress relief after a day at work and plus I hope to be in shape. Check back in a few weeks to see if I hang with this new routine in my life. :)

34 YEARS

2008-08-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom!!!!

Quick Update

2008-08-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of what I have been up to:

Watching the Olympics,
Watching the Olympics,
and
Watching the Olympics!

I am also housesitting this weekend for Kyle and Sherah. Tomorrow is the day I have to report back to work. I have meetings this next week and then students start school on Aug. 25th. It has been a fabulous summer.

~My Sister, My Hero~

2008-08-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

Checkout the TV in this pic. :)

Love the boots!

Happy Birthday Sherah!!!!!

Craving....

2008-08-07T21:01:00.001-07:00

Gorditas from JJs Mexican Restaurant in El Paso ,TX.

Happy Birthday Kyle!

2008-08-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks for being a great Brother-in-Law!

At last, turned away....

2008-08-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

Wow! Today was the first day in my life I could not go into church. Crazy, I know! Why you might ask....well the service was full of people hungry for the Lord and due to firecode they could let anyone else in. Kyle, Sherah, Ryland, and I even got a parking space, but yet when we got up to the doors, we could see people were squeezed in and there was no room. The Village Church already has 6 services because of this very problem. We have a small building, but thankfully the church has purchased the Albertsons to renovate. :)

Our Savior's Love

2008-08-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

Last week, beloved Pastor Skip Heitzig of Calvary of ABQ, asked for prayer for his best friend, Greg Laurie and family. The Laurie Family lost their 33 year-old son, Christopher, in an automobile accident in CA last Thursday morning. Christopher left behind a beautiful wife, Brittany, a cute daughter, Stella, and a baby girl to be born in November. From what I have heard and read, the Laurie family believe strongly in Jesus Christ as their Savior. I am in awe of their love and passion to spread the Word. The Lord has really pressed upon my heart to pray for this family, especially Brittany and her girls. I ask that you please pray for them too. Tears filled my eyes and a smile stretched across my face as I watched the memorial service today. The Gospel was preached and I know my Savior is in full control. Christopher did not die, He is Alive with Jesus!
Below are two websites that I encourage you to visit. May you be encouraged and please keep the Laurie Family in your prayers.

Memorial Webcast: http://www.harvest.org/church/
Greg Laurie's blog: http://blog.greglaurie.com/

Pics from my trip to Santa Fe and Tesuque

2008-07-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Artwork at Shidoni

Favorite Glass Studio

Downtown Santa Fe

Another View

Santa Fe, NM

If you ever travel to Santa Fe, NM make sure you take a small road trip up North to Tesuque, NM. :)

Ryland Time in ABQ

2008-07-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Ryland and Paparino

Ryland and Natalie

Can I please have a cookie?

Ryland and Grammy

Pool Anyone?

2008-07-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

Ryland at my parent's house in ABQ

Manzano High School 10 Year Reunion

2008-07-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and I

I had blast at my reunion. I am going back to the Big D today, so I will post more pictures and give an update too when I get back.

A Girl Can Only Dream

2008-07-09T18:29:00.002-07:00

(Shidoni in Tesuque, NM)

On Vacation

2008-07-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

I will have to post pictures and updates later, but just to let you know I am in Albuquerque right now. :) I have been here for awhile enjoying family and friends...and Green Chile!!!!

Just Can't Stop Taking Pictures

2008-06-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

~My Sweet Niece, Ryland~

My sister put a whole lot more pics on her website. :)

MHS

2008-06-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

Here is the invitation for the Class of '98! Click on the picture so you can read all the details. :)

Porch Time Anyone?

2008-06-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about the question my Dad likes to ask, "Porch Time Anyone?"

Somedays I wish I had this porch to sit on....

(A pic I took at the Carnton Plantation in TN)This is my view from my porch in TX...

( I hardly ever go on my balcony due to the bugs and humidity now.)

and this is my parent's view from their porch in Albuquerque.

(Oh the joys of winter.)This next week I will probably have lots of porch time when I travel to NM. My parents have this incredible front porch and they love to sit on it almost every night. We have seen lots of things happen from this porch view.

Happy Anniversary Kyle and Sherah!!!

2008-06-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

Kyle and Sherah have been married 5 Years!!!

I Love You Two!!!

Something I Desire

2008-06-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

" You and I want God to be able to look on us amid our overindulged, self-absorbed culture, then glance to His right and say, ' She has an extraordinary spirit, doesn't she, Son?' Perhaps Christ will nod His head and, while thinking the thoughts of an anxious bridegroom, lean over and say, 'And isn't she beautiful?' " ~Beth Moore

I am captivated by the love the Lord has for us. In response, we can either choose to serve Him or walk away. We can either choose to die for His Name's Sake or walk away. We can either choose to dig deep into the Word daily or walk away. We can either choose to Glorify Him or walk away. We can either choose to climb into His lap or walk away. We can either choose do the best in everything that has been put before us or walk away.

My desire is to live an extrodinary life for Christ because this life is His life I am living. Why walk away?

Jenn Alison

2008-06-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

Tiffany's Sister, Jenn has a new website. Checkout her music. :)

CROOKED TREE COFFEEHOUSE

2008-06-11T19:01:00.001-07:00

Ryland chillin' at the Coffeehouse

If you just want to relax, chill, and have a delicious iced mocha I suggest you go to the Crooked Tree Coffeehouse in Uptown Dallas. Visit: www.crookedtreecoffeehouse.com for more info. They serve Fair Trade Coffee!!!

Nashville/Brentwood/Franklin, Tennessee Visit

2008-06-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

Tiffany and I at the Nanchez Trace Parkway

Downtown Nashville, TN

Tiffany with the lead singer from Rush of Fools

Tiffany and I at Jeremy and Adie's House

I had a blast on my trip. I totally want to go back because there is so much to do. I will try to create a photo album to capture my experience. It was so much fun seeing Tiffany and what she does.

Here is a list of almost everything I was able to visit and see:

1.Tiffany's Apartment

2.Downtown Franklin

3.The Factory of Franklin

4.Where Toby Mac Records

5.Music Row

6.Patton House Entertainment

7.Dinner and Bible Study at Jeremy Camp's house

8.Church at Calvary Chapel of Brentwood

9.Cheekwood Arts and Gardens

10. Carnton Plantation/ Nation's Largest Private Confederate Cemetary

11.Downtown Nashville

12.Shopping

13. Concert: Rush of Fools

And a whole lot more...

Done With Work and Traveling to Tennessee!!!!

2008-06-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

Tiffany at her new job. :)

Another school year is over and I am starting off my summer with a trip to see one of my best friends, Tiffany. She is living her dream serving the Lord in TN. I am so excited! She has lots of cool things lined up for the weekend. I will post pics when I get back.

It's Getting Out of Hand!!!

2008-06-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

I am freaked out by these nasty things that have been invading my balcony and front door. Almost every single day for the past two weeks I have had to kill these wasps. They are larger than the 'normal' wasp I have seen and they keep coming back. Do you have any ideas on how to get rid of them? Sick....

A Place to Serve...

2008-06-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

The Village Church will be going into local schools in the Dallas area this summer to Glorify the Lord. If you are free on June 14th, July 12th, or August 2nd, I highly recommend you participate. Visit this link to register today:

http://thevillagechurch.net/adults/missions/transform.html

This Past Week Has Been Crazy!!!

2008-05-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

Dad and Mom came to visit! :)

Chillin' With Ryland

Survival in the Classroom

(3rd Grade Camping Week)

I only have four more days with students, five days of work, and then I am on summer break. Today, was the 20th Annual Math Competition for our district. My 3rd Grade Problem Solving Team came in 4th place and overall my school did quite well. This past week I have enjoyed seeing my parents and seeing family! Love it!!! I am drained though.

Winding Down Another School Year!

2008-05-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

I will have to write more later, but I only have 6 more days with my students! :) There is so much to do at the end of the school year. I have been stressed, but thankful because my parents have been in town since Friday! That has been awesome!!! So I have been having fun with them, trying to get all my grades in by Friday, cleaning my classroom, and to top it all off this week is Camping Week in my classroom. Crazy I know! Tomorrow is Field/Water Day. We are having 5 waterslides at school. Simply Great! I will post new pics soon. One more thing, I am going to TN in less than 2 weeks to see my lovely friend, Tiffany!!!

Cardinal Creations

2008-05-17T15:09:00.001-07:00

A small glimpse into a happy moment in teaching....

The students made the center pieces too. :)

The students decorated the cafeteria.

The assembly line to make sandwiches was a blast!

The 3rd Grade students each made a sign to coordinate with the job they had in the assembly line.

I am excited that the school year is winding down and my summer break is around the corner. I really like teaching 3rd grade at the end of the year because we have a unit about assembly lines. This year, our students made sandwiches for their parents and read them poetry. It was a crazy week getting to Friday. The kids designed the packaging, decorations, poetry books, visors, buttons, and basically learned how to run a business. It was tiring and fun. We had 100% participation which meant that about 200 people filled the cafeteria.