Declaration

I declare this the official first day of summer 2009.

Let me tell you why.

I don't count the weekends.

and I don't count youth camp.

That means today is the first official day of summer 2009!

My last day of work was June 5th, and since I don't count weekends we skip ahead to June 8th. Well, on June 8th I was drug out of bed by my beloved husband and shipped away to youth camp as a counselor to some pretty crazy 10th grade girls (that I really love a lot by the way!). Anyway, I was at youth camp in Trinity Pines, TX 'til Friday, June 12th. And again, since I don't count weekends we skip ahead to TODAY!

TODAY is the official first day of summer 2009.

Here is what I've done today--my first day of summer--my first day off until I start back on August 17th.

I woke up at 730 and got ready...put on my workout shorts, t-shirt, and tennis shoes--that's right! On my very first day of summer I worked out first thing in the morning. If you know me at all, then you know that is QUITE the feat. Mom came over about 750 and we each had a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries (my favorite cereal), then we headed off to 24 Hour. We did the 1 hour step class at 830. REALLY hard to keep up with the crazy girl who lead it...she was very intense. I was drenched with sweat by the time we were done at 930.

Since we were already drenched with sweat, we decided it would be a good time to jet ski! So, we headed over to Mom's new house and changed clothes, got the jet ski key, and headed down to the marina (in case I haven't updated about this, Momma has a boat and 2 jet skiis that are parked in the marina in front of her house, it's pretty awesome!). We had quite the adventure riding the jet ski. First of all, the lake was so choppy it was like being on the ocean. I am not exagerrating when I tell you that there were REAL waves. We drove a far way, but stayed near the shore because it was a little bit smoother. When we came back to the boat slip to park, Momma thought it would be a good idea to basically jump from the jet ski onto the boat dock. She put one leg on the dock and one arm around the pole, and pushed with her other leg from the jet ski. When she did this, she sent me flying on the jet ski away from her. She apparently didn't give herself enough of a push and basically hung from the pole in the water screaming at me "Lauren, honey, I'm afraid a snake's going to get me!" (water moccassins have been seen in the boat slips from time to time). I know she was wanting me to help her, but I was laughing hysterically at the whole scene so it took me a while to get back to her and boost her up. I wish I had it on video.

After jet skiing we ran an errand to the bank and then set off to Buffalo Creek to set up some golf lessons for us this summer! I'm sure the person stuck teaching us has their work cut out for them! Ha ha!

Next we stopped for gas and then ate lunch at Johnny Carino's! They have a great new deal! Pick 2 for 9.99. You get an appetizer plus an entree for $10. That's a really good deal for them because most of their entrees are already about 9.99 alone! We had plenty of leftovers, and I'm fairly sure that Casey will eat mine for dinner. 5 Meat Pasta. I already told him about it, and he licked his lips. He loves meat. Crazy boy.

After lunch we went to Rue 21. I had a coupon for "buy $20 worth and get $10 off or buy $40 worth and get $20 off." Well, together, we ended up buying 5 shirts, 2 pairs of earrings, and a scarf for only $42. I'm just going to go ahead and say that that is an amazing deal. Seriously, people, 5 SHIRTS, 2 EARRINGS, AND 1 SCARF FOR $42?? Unheard of. That breaks down to about $5 an item. Craziness.

I know, I got a little excited about the shopping. It's just been a LONG while since I had some productive shopping. Lately things haven't been fitting right, not looking right, or just too darn expensive.

So, that's my first day of summer. Pretty fun, huh? I bet some of you 9-to-5ers are pretty jealous right now. You can look at it this way....I might get Christmas vacation, spring break, and summers off, but you're probably going to make more money, right? :)

One Down Thirty-Seven More To Go....

Well, my first year of teaching is officially over! My mom keeps telling me, "one down, only 29 more to go!" Technically I would have to work 37 more if I wanted to retire as a teacher (and if I never took a year off). My last official day was Friday, and I left the building some time around 1:30pm. As I was putting my stuff in the car I had a bit of a sentimental moment...Okay, that's not really the truth. I think I almost had a meltdown.

First, I started thinking about when I graduated high school...I remember coming out of the auditorium and into the courtyard outside and hugging everyone. When I hugged my mom I said to her, "This is the best day of my life." I knew how silly it sounded, but at the time I really remember feeling that way. I remember that she kind of laughed when I said that. I'm sure she thought that there would be many more days that would be better :)

Also, in the parking lot at school I thought about my last class at A&M. It was a Wednesday night, and I got out of class around the time the sun was starting to set. It was in November, but it was still pretty warm outside. I walked around for almost 2 hours before I went back to my dorm (yes, I lived in the dorm as a senior...but I never lived there any other time. I did it backwards :)). I walked through the MSC, around Kyle Field (had to say goodbye to Rev's graves, haha), under the Century Tree, around the Academic building, and through the quad. I sat on a bench and shed a couple of tears. Geez...I miss that place an insane amount.

Then, I thought about how I've just finished my first year of teaching. It started out kind of rough, I'll admit, but got tons better. I actually MISS my students. But the main thing that got me all choked up on Friday is the fact that life feels like it is flashing before my eyes in a big blur. I can't believe that I am 23, married, and already done with my first year of teaching.

If life had a pause button I would've pushed it years ago.

Congrats to the Class of 2009!

Well, it is graduation season in Texas. Casey went to one graduation this morning and we're going to another graduation tomorrow. We're already missing Reunion Arena because all of the graduations are spread around the metroplex and on different days due to it being torn down. We use to be able to go on Saturday and watch 5 graduations in a row, haha.

Anyway, this year Casey was asked to speak at North Mesquite's Baccalaureate. It was a couple of Sunday's ago and he did a great job! He graduated from North Mesquite in 2001 and got to speak there 8 years later. He had some funny things to say as an alumni of the school.

Here is a picture of us in front of North Mesquite after the ceremony

Last Sunday was another big week! It was "Graduate Day" at our church and Casey was the speaker in all 3 services! Again, he did a great job! You can listen to his talk on our church's website www.clifec.com.

Here is a picture after one of the services of Casey with all of our seniors from the youth group! I love that they wore their robes so we could see all of the different high schools represented!

Congratulations Class of 2009!

We recently got Maddie a kiddie pool for the backyard. We filled it up one hot day and she absolutely loves it!! She was splashing around and trying to drink from the water hose. We cleaned it out and filled it up again today and the same thing happen. Pure doggy joy :)

Here she is with Casey splashin' around in her very own pool of fun :)

This picture gets me laughing really hard. Great action shot!

Having fun!

How can you not love that super sweet face?

At one point Casey and I got in the pool with her and played. This was my attempt at getting a shot of all 3 of us in the pool :)

Summer is here, and we are loving every minute. I have only 4 kiddo days left at school (5 total when you include the workday on the last day), and Casey has only 1 week until youth camp. Be praying as we take around 150 students to Trinity, TX for youth camp from June 8-12. It will be tiring for us, but loads of fun as well!

Happy summer everyone!! :)

I am married to the cutest little boy!

Don't freak out, I am talking about Casey. I was just looking at some of our old pictures, and I just think he is so darn cute! Look at this little boy! When we have our own boy I really hope that he looks just like Casey! :)

Check out these super cute pictures...

I think the last picture is such a cute little gentelman type picture :)

San Fran Here We Come!

We just booked our trip to SAN FRANCISCO! We are going for 5 nights in June. June 18-23, to be exact. We got a really great deal on a really nice, 4-star hotel! We LOVE staying in nice hotels, and we don't get to do that very often. On our last vacation we started off at something very similar to a Motel 6. I'm not hating on Motel 6, but I do LOVE when I get to stay at a real HOTEL :) Here are some pictures of some of the things we'll be seeing and doing once we're there!

The Golden Gate Bridge!

Fun Trolly Cars

They call these the Painted Ladies--reminds me of Full House :)

We will be going to see Alcatraz of course!

This is the super awesome hotel we are going to be staying in. The Westin St. Francis. It was built in 1904, and is IN Union Square...I think it is neat that it is actually IN the square, not a block from it! The trolly cars come right up to the front door :)
Yay San Francisco! It's going to be fun!

WHY???

Why is that when you want to go to sleep you can't go to sleep, and when you can't go to sleep you want to go to sleep.

For example...right now I want to go to sleep, but can't seem to fall asleep, but at about 12:45, right after lunch at school, when I obviously can't go to sleep (because that would cause serious chaos in my classroom), I want to go to sleep....

Someone please give me the answer to this riddle.

???

Rockin' the TAKS

Several weeks ago we had ROCK THE TAKS day! It was the Friday before our big week of TAKS. It was super fun. Everyone--teachers and students alike--dressed up like rock stars.

Here is a picture of my 6th grade partner, Kristi. She was seriously rockin' it!

Here's a picture of our Pre-K aide, Kyla. She was hard core :)

Here's a picture of me with 3 of my 6th grade girls...notice my rocker tattoos :)

Jocelyn (5th grade reading teacher) and myself rockin out! :)

And here is one of the funniest things I did for my students. They are ALL Twilight fans...I already had on a Twilight shirt, so I thought I'd go all out for Edward ;) The kids sure got a kick out of it!

We got our TAKS scores back today.....all day we knew the principals knew, but they wouldn't tell us....they put on some pretty hardcore facades and I was getting pretty scared not knowing. Around noon, our principal came over on the intercom and told us that we were having an 'emergency staff meeting' after school. A little scary! Little did we know, they were plotting a party.

Cake,

punch,

party favors.

and....

Now for my good news.....

I got 95% passing in reading with 49% commended!!!!

And while I'm really excited about that, I'm even more excited because we got exemplary as a school!!!!!!! Now, for the lowest SES school in Forney, and also a newly named Title I school, we're pretty stoked! Our principal actually started crying when she told us. She's always worked at pretty 'rough' schools, and this is the first time a school that she has been principal at has gotten exemplary!! We were all so excited.

Now, the very best of it all, is that I realized I only had 2 students fail...then, I thought...I have 7 students that have never passed reading on their first try. That means I had 5 pass on the first try for the first time in their lives! That was perhaps the most exciting news of all! One girl in particular passed both math & reading and she's NEVER passed reading before. I cannot WAIT to tell her. I'm pretty sure I'm going to cry when I get to tell her. I will be so excited....this is going to do incredible things for her self-esteem. Yay!!

So, now that TAKS is over, I've got my scores, and there's only 12 days left of school, I'm loving my job! :) Ha ha!