Miss Magpie is One!

Maggie turned 1 this August, and she is now talking and walking up a storm! She's my little lovebug! She's Adorable! She's going to be a lamb for Halloween!

Few and Far Between

I realize my posts are few and far between, I apologize! I've been busy busy, it's almost parent teacher conferences, I'm so nervous! I absolutely love my job- the kids are great. I have pictures uploaded to my computer now so I'll show you a few of Colby and I' s little house.

This is our Retro Kitchen. I love it!






This is our living room. One good way to describe how big our house is, is to tell you that we can vacuum all of our bedrooms/living room from one electric outlet..... :)

Yesterday

Ahh the weekends... Yesterday I woke up early to greet my parents in the lawn of our new house. It was the first time my dad had seen it, and I think he really liked it. Mom and I went downtown , where they happened to be projecting "Latin music" over our quaint little square. We danced around to each shop and stopped into the sweet shop, an old fashioned ice cream parlor. After taking the parents to the in-laws I had the bright idea to go to the wine cellar in town and do a wine tasting..... BIG, H U G E .... Mistake

Long story short- Later on that evening my husband was driving us home while my mom was hanging out the back window dry heaving... Ahh the weekends..

Update!!

Dear Readers,

I've been getting little comments and I'm excited that you all are still interested in my small life! I've been such a busy girl since getting married, and starting my career. This is the fourth day of school and I feel like I'm already buried under stacks of paper. My class seems to be pretty well behaved, but I think we're still in the honeymoon stage. This weekend Colby and I might go for a 40 mile bike ride on a trail here in Missouri. 40 miles one way....I wonder if they make those seats that small kids ride behind their parents in- in a larger size? Colby wouldn't mind.

Colby and I are doing fantastic he's starting to look into Grad schools to apply to this December. Some of the places include: Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Chicago, IL, and a few others.

I hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for sticking with me.

Hello again! It has been awhile since I've updated. Colby and I just moved into our first home and it is so cute. I'll eventually post pictures of it, and more pictures of the wedding. I'm exhausted it's been 100 degrees and SO humid, but most of the heavy lifting out in the heat is finished. This is short, but it's nice to have updates.

Until then.....

Love,

Char-Marie

I'm still here.

So it's been a long time, I'm well aware. I've been crazy busy, until now. Up until the wedding I was running around chasing my shadow- I had school and graduation, bachelorette party, rehearsal, WEDDING, then off to sunny Florida for our honeymoon, which was amazing. As soon as we got back from the honeymoon I started teaching summer school. Since summer school has been over, I've been sitting around trying to figure out what to do with my time.

Soon we'll be able to start moving in to our house, and in August I'll be able to get into my classroom and start moving everything around. Exciting stuff. When Colby and I get our house and have the Internet, I'll be able to write more often. I'll leave with this picture of Colby and I at the wedding. I'll add more pictures later on, the wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!

Not a Pill Popper...

So about three months ago I really hurt my hip and have been having problems with every day routines like bending over to tie my shoes. I did go to the doctor and received a steroid shot and some anti-inflammatory medicine. I quit taking the medicine even though I wasn't supposed to, because it was inconvenient. The pills were way too big and I can barely watch someone take pills! I was splitting them in half with a spoon or some other tool that was handy at the time, but I would forget to bring the spoon and forget to take the medicine. Tonight I was reading on the computer trying to do a self diagnosis when Colby walked in the room. He stood there reading over my shoulder and then he said, "See Char-Marie it says: It is important to know that the anti-inflammatory medication is not for pain relief, but to reduce the inflammation in the joint. Do not stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to do so or it will (basically) NOT WORK." I looked at him and told him that the pills were just too big and blah blah blah..

He came back 5 minutes later with most of the pills (and there are A LOT!) from the bottle split into perfect halves. "Now there is no excuse not to get better." Everyone needs that person in their life that will chop their pills in half. I'm a lucky girl...

Life

Life is way too short. One of the kindergarten students at my school was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Her mother found a lump on her abdomen and took her to urgent care, a couple hours later they were on a helicopter to St. Judes. The cancer is in her liver, and her lungs. My heart is broken for her and her family. Please pray for them!

It really makes you want to sit and evaluate your life, are you living it to the fullest? I take for granted so many things in my life, I can't imagine someone being fine one day and having stage 4 cancer the next. The doctors think she has probably had it since she was three, but she's never really been sick. They say it went through a growth spurt within the past 2 months. I don't even know what to say.

Wish List

The other day I walked into the IPA Educational Supply Store.....*Cue the singing from above...* It was amazing. I'm definitely starting to feel like a real teacher. Seriously, for instance the other day when the toilet paper ran out I thought to myself: Could I use this roll for something? I think about that with everything now.

Tonight for an entire hour I made a wish list of all the things that I want for my classroom off of the IPA website. Just for fun I thought I'd link it to my blog.... : )

Feel free to scroll through!

http://catalog.ipaeducational.com/find_wish_list.php?email=ldybug02@gmail.com


Have fun!

Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

Alright I know I've been away for awhile, but give me a break! Since I've last blogged I have accepted a job teaching 5th grade near Kansas City, MO. I'm super excited, but a little nervous. I haven't stepped foot in a fifth grade class since I was in fifth grade! The only thing I can remember about fifth grade was that our class pet was a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

I'm going to make it, but may not make it out with any hair. I've already started buying things to get my room ready. I thought in the beginning that I would have a kindergarten class, but it turns out fifth grade was in my future. So I'm stuck with Dr. Seuss, I hope fifth grade likes the theme....because I have lots of cute-sy stuff. Ehh.. So if you find something you'd just LOVE to contribute to my room I'd be delighted! I'm so extremely excited, nervous, and anxious all in the same breath. Wish me LUCK...I'll need it.

YeeHaw

I know it's been a long time since I posted, but I have been so busy with school stuff and wedding stuff! The girls have been fitted for their dresses and now we're basically just waiting for the day! I am extremely excited about getting everything started.

I have received a few e-mails asking me how kindergarten is going now that I'm in charge- it's going fantastic! I love being at school it doesn't feel like just another job. One little boy at recess today grabbed my hand as we were walking outside and said, "Miss can we talk?" I said of course we can. He said, "OK, what do you want to talk about?" I replied: anything you want. He was holding my hand looking at my ring and talking about what a pretty ring I had. He wanted to talk about everything under the sun. We played I spy, and he told me about his business he was going to open up called FAMILY FUN. I told him that was awesome and could he please hire me someday? He said, "Sure Miss, but if you die before it opens then you can't work there." To which I replied, "I'll try not to do that!"

Today I was offered my very first teaching position- 2nd grade. I'm giving it a few days and making sure that's what I want. EXCITING!!!!!

Oy!

This week was my spring break, and I've really done nothing, but work on lesson plans, papers, resume, etc... I'm getting very stressed out because Tuesday is career day at Missouri State, and I will be able to interview with lots of school districts. I'm afraid I'll sit down to interview and completely blank... 5 years of college, huh?

I'm completely excited about the wedding, everything is coming together so nicely! I have the best family in the world. My parents are helping me out tremendously! I couldn't be more happy. I'm doing dress fittings Tuesday with the girls, and we're sending out invitations this week! Colby's birthday is on Wednesday, and my teacher's last day is Wednesday too. I'll be taking over the kindergarten class all by my lonesome starting Thursday! Wish me luck!

This was a very random post.... I realize.

Now I'm Crying My Heart Out Over You...

My intention tonight was to tell this funny story about one of my students, but sometimes life gets in the way and I'm not in the story telling mood any longer. Instead I'll tell you about my day. It started off fine, I went to school, did the routine and everything was fine. I decided that I would go and visit my mom and dad after school, because I'm leaving to see my sister in Tennessee this weekend for spring break. We sat outside by the fish pond, and drank sweet tea and I told them my funny story about my students, we had dinner, and I helped my dad with computer issues.

last As I was getting ready to leave my dad handed me two CDs and told me that he thought I might like them. My mom had picked me flowers from the front yard before I left and I had them sitting with me as I drove. Immediately popped the cd into the player in my car. The very first thing I hear is my Uncle Daddy's voice- I lost it. I miss so much hearing his voice, and seeing his face. The whole time I was thinking about growing up with the music, Saturdays were not complete around our house without the usual jam session. I replayed those memories in my head while I was driving listening to his voice, I would not be the way I am today without the music. I surround myself with things that remind me of those times, when I'd mingle around with my friends who were always invited. I never once stopped to think that this could be thetime I heard it. Sometimes it sucks to get older, everything eventually becomes the past and that is at times- so hard to swallow.

Weddings are Exhausting.

This will have to suffice for now. I have a funny story to post tomorrow! I'm too tired now to sit and write it all out. I had to entertain myself while I was shopping for wedding stuff today, I just happened to have a camera.

I am Weary....Let me rest

So I'm still not doing fantastic with the picture thing, but who's counting? I have been battling a horrible hip problem for the last month or so and it's pretty much becoming unbearable. I went to the chiropractor thinking that would be a quick fix, but nothing has worked. Muscle relaxers... Not working. It seems that I have a problem with my SI joint. Here's the deal, every time I am sitting I want to cry. I feel like there is a pair of scissors stabbing my lower back/hip area. If I'm sitting and I stretch out my leg, my toes go numb. Standing and stooping with tiny people all day isn't helping the matter. It's time to go to the bone doctor.... Wish me luck.

Kiss Me I'm Irish!

Ok ok so I skipped a couple of days.... Maybe this portrait thing will be every other day or when I have time. Anyways, here's my newest picture. Happy St. Patricks Day!!! I forgot to take my camera to the bar with me, but that's alright because I probably wouldn't have known how to work it. It was a good night...

Picture 2

Just another day.

#1 as promised...

Alright here is the first of many daily portraits. This was after a long day with the kiddos. It's 7:00 right now and I've already had dinner, taken my shower, and am in my pajamas. Ahh the life I lead.

The Couch Can Make You Smarter...

So today I was sick. I have been battling something this whole weekend, and today decided I couldn't hang out with the kindergartners. Instead I made a nice indention in the couch for more than half the day. It's surprising the things you can learn while on the couch by yourself!

I learned...

1. the sexiest two things about a women in the eyes of a man is her touch and her breasts... Thank you Greg Behrendt.
   
2. that milk probably isn't the best think to drink when you can't breathe.
   
3. the neighbor next door loves to listen to Metallica early in the morning while running up and down the stairs.
   
4. someones missing some quarters. Finders keepers!
5. watching Tyra makes your I.Q. drop a few points.
6. that you'll never fall asleep and forget the pizza in the oven again. The smell stays with you forever.
7. that if you like licorice travel to China, they have a tree that produces a seed that tastes the same. Don't thank me, thank Martha Stewart for that one. I can't take credit.
   

Project 365

OK, I've decided that I'm going to do a little project. Mainly just for fun I'm going to take one photo a day- a portrait- if you will... I'm going to apply one a day to my blog just for the shits and grins. I will start this project tomorrow to let my camera charge and then we'll see how long I can keep this going. Could be fun. Today I'll just post a picture that I have on my computer.



This picture is shortly after Colby proposed. Everybody now: Awwwww!

Da Dumm Da Dummm

This weekend we went to Butler to have our engagement party. I had a blast! We all had so much fun! Colby's mom, Mary Beth, had a Hawaiian themed party and everyone dressed up and had a great time. I am finally getting the finishing touches on the wedding details.

Things done:

1. The wedding will be held at Garden of Dreams.
2. I have a lady helping us with the catering.
3. I picked out the tuxes on Saturday, they're Ralph Lauren....and they're hot!
4. The DJ is scheduled and ready.
5. Invitations were set to print today and will be finished by the 21st of this month.
6. I picked out the flowers for the bouquets today!
7. Cake is ordered.

Now I need to get the girls together to pick out bridesmaids patterns/ or dresses...and we're ready for this wedding!

An Update for my Biggest Fan

So this weekend is almost gone, and I'm finishing up the last loads of laundry as I get ready to tuck myself into bed. The weekends pass by so quickly! Colby and I went downtown today and he took photographs of me- if they turn out well I'll post some of them. It was just for fun, we walked all over downtown and it was FREEZING! They were all shot with black and white film, so hopefully my cold red nose won't show up.

I've decided that for spring break this year I'll be headed to Clarksville, TN to visit Miss Moo, my sister, and my brother-in-law. Stori and I are going to go to Nashville shopping for the wedding. Stori is just going to buy her dress rather than have one made so we'll be doing lots of shopping. I'm excited about having a break, the kids are fantastic, but I am SO tired! It's 10 now so I'm going to get the pajamas on and go to bed.... I feel so old. ;)

Introducing: Miss Maggly Gigglebutt

This is Maggly Gigglebutt. Every day she becomes more and more like her mother: drooling, making funny noises, cries when she hears the vacuum. Every day she looks more and more like her Auntie- Beautiful, so sweet, has the 'family thighs'.

I love my family!

An Endless Sea of Questions

Once again, I'm sick. I feel terrible, like I have two big bowling balls in my chest! Now this would be fantastic if they were in the forms of boobs, but it's not even like that. I have a chest cold and in return it has cost me my voice. Tomorrow I have to teach the kindergartners all by my lonesome, and they're definitely going to take advantage of this fine opportunity.

Sometimes I feel so claustrophobic in the middle of all of them, they swarm you and overwhelm you with a million questions that have absolutely nothing to do with the task at hand. "Whens snack? Do you like diamonds? I got new bunk beds this weekend. Want to come and see? Psst here's my phone number".... And I replied, "Am I supposed to call you?" She said, "Yeah, you know to talk and stuff."

I'm tired.

That's My Name, Don't Wear It Out!

Two days ago I had recess duty and I was standing out in the blistering cold looking around at all the kindergarten kids, when one small boy walked up to me, and this conversation ensued:

Kid: Who are you?
Me: Miss *****.
Kid: Oh, I think you're pretty...
Me: Huh?
Kid: I said I think you're pretty! I mean, well, actually I think you're HOT!
Me: What?!
Kid: Every time I see you I'm going to call you Miss Hottie! Miss Hot that's your name.
Me: Go play.

Not one minute later he comes back with his kindergarten gang.

Kid: (pointing at me) See that's the one, the one I call hot. I think you're hot, Miss Hottie!
Me: You're SIX- GO PLAY. My name is Miss ****!

This kid was a kindergartner! What is this world coming to?

Who Needs America's Next Top Model?

Where else could you feel this fantastic? I absolutely love my kindergarten classroom. I walk in to pick up the kids around 8:30 from the gym and all I hear is, "Miss *****! You look so pretty today! Yes, you look beautiful. I love you." I feel like a supermodel every time I come into school. They all want to hold your hand, carry your things, do anything in the world to please you.

The teacher I'm working with right now has breast cancer, and she is a HUGE inspiration to me. She has two young daughters, and is a fantastic teacher! She is all about the students, even though she should be staying home so she doesn't catch anything. Soon she'll be done with chemotherapy and have to have surgery, if anyone is reading this please send your thoughts and prayers to her and her family.

Sleep Deprived

I am finally done with Wal-Mart...for the time being. I now can focus my time on the wedding and my kindergartners. Yes, I have kindergarten-again. I was supposed to be placed in a fifth grade classroom, but that didn't work out either. I LOVE the school I'm in now, the staff is fantastic, and everyone is so nice. Plus I am able to be around a lot of student teachers and see how everything is going for them as well.

On a different note: I took my sister back to Kentucky Friday. I am absolutely exhausted- I had a great time while I was there, but the drive completely wore me out. I miss my Miss Moo SO MUCH! I have some new pictures to post of her and I will very shortly. She's a love.

Yeah...

Student teaching. Student teaching. Student teaching....This week I started student teaching with a first grade class. Upon entering the building I knew it wasn't going to be very good. The first day not one single person spoke to me. At lunch I felt like the kid who got picked last for dodge ball, I sat there all alone looking around and no one introduced themselves or even smiled at me. The teacher I was helping informed me that she was a perfectionist, and I realized then this is my hell. Things went on and now I'm no longer in that room. I'll now be transferred to a fifth grade classroom. There is much more to this story, but its not worth going into right now because I'm getting ready to eat and I'm watching House.

It's the small things that make my blood boil.

The most annoying sound quite possibly could be the sound of a muffled crunching of a 300lb man stuffing popcorn into his mouth. It's a horrible sound!All you can hear is the crunch and a nasally whistle he creates because he cannot take his hand from his mouth long enough to breathe. I was graced with this sound tonight... Yes ladies and gentlemen, I was at the movie theater watching a fantastic movie, that was ruined by six teenage girls who need their mouths washed out with bleach and a brillo pad, and the man who had the never ending tub o' popcorn. I think i'll start watching movies on dvds.

Wedding Woes

Last night I stayed up because I couldn't sleep, I kept thinking about wedding details... I'm terrified that we'll end up putting the planning off so long we'll be getting married in someones apartment-probably mine.

There are SO many things to consider when planning a wedding. I've looked at so many places to possibly have the wedding: Parks, Hotels, Chapels, Churches, Fields... Then you have to think about well, Is it going to rain? Then you need tents-$800 tents. If its outside you need tables, chairs, linens...dance floors, air conditioning...

If it's inside-is there enough room? Do we have to drive forever from the wedding site to the reception site. How much will it cost to just get married? $900 for 3 hours...

This is so stressful... Every place has the goods....but most have the bad as well... Only time will tell.

Lindsay Call Me! I'm drowning in wedding plans, and I may not make my way out of this one!

Bald is Beautiful

Enough Said.

Shit Storm

Wow! We were really hit hard! Yesterday I called in to wal-mart so I could go and help my parents, who's power could possibly be out for two weeks. I brought the guys with me and we used the chainsaw to get rid of all the branches and trees blocking the house. It was really difficult to even get to my parents house. Every road had down power lines, so we took a major detour. IT was absolutely freezing at home, they eventually got a generator so the blower on the fireplace can warm the house a little. The toilet seat was FREEZING!

Right now on t.v we're watching a "special report" that interrupted Bob Barker! Apparently we're under a boil order, and there have been a ton of people breaking in to different shops and stealing things... People are terrible.

Walking in a Winter.....Death Trap.

Alright, from those of you who do not live in
or around Missouri, I'm sure you've heard of
our hellacious ice storm that hit us this weekend.
Colby and I went walking around and here are some
of the photos I've taken. The rest of the photos can
be accessed by clicking on the sidebar flickr pictures.

Updates

Towards the bottom of the page I've added photos, I've been meaning to post those for a long time, but didn't really get around to it. I'm just sprucing the blog. It's definitely not as fantastic as some, but I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to Html, and CSS.

This will have to do for now. Thanks for sticking around.

All Work and No Play...

I've decided to give Wal-Mart the finger. Well, not entirely...I'm going on leave of absence for student teaching. I'll start said leave of absence on February 2nd. I'm very excited because although I'll still be in working at student teaching, I'll not really be working.

I'm very excited, this semester is going to fly by with teaching, planning the wedding, engagement parties, wedding showers, the wedding, actually getting married, the honeymoon, and moving to actually start our lives.

So yeah, I'm giving wal-mart the finger...

Boom!

Lets take a journey into the past shall we? Close your eyes and imagine a very awkward 10 year old girl. This girl wore pants with the elastic band that went around the bottom of the foot, I believe they're called stirrup pants, her hair was short and she usually looked as though she went through a shit storm before school everyday. During her free time she would get together with her best pal, who also wore stirrup pants...Sorry Linz. They concocted great things together.

Shampoo that we assured was not tested on animals, rather my little sister, Stori. We made a volcano and blew it up in third grade, and experimented with a bottle warmer in fourth grade.

Lets jump back to the present. A few mornings ago I was so thirsty the first thing that came out of my mouth when Colby got out of bed was, "I need a drink. Juice, the cranberry-grape kind. Please." Like a wicked cool fiance he ran downstairs and came back with a glass of juice. I drank some and finally got out of bed, the juice held close to me like a squirrel holds his last nut. I took the juice to the computer room and proceeded getting ready for work. The next day I went about the same routine, but the nice glass of juice I had left on my desk was no longer nice. A large mushroom cap of mold had begun to grow.

Now, we all know that it takes at least a week before your juice begins to grow legs and walk, so I thought: If this happened in one day, what could happen in one week... The little girl in me laughed because she knew Linz would be proud.

One week to the day I decided it has started to get out of hand and added water to it with the intention to pour it down the bathroom sink. As soon as the water hit it started to smoke. My 'OH SHIT' sensor went off and my first instinct was to dump it down the toilet, close the lid, and flush. Immediately afterward I heard this huge explosion and remembered what the teachers had said about- Tuck and roll...or was that someone else? Anyhow I screamed for Colby and he came running up the stairs unaware that I had just about blew away the top floor of our townhouse.

I stood outside the door only peeking around the corner every now and again. Colby was very confused to the situation. I'm definitely going to try it again.

Goody Goody Gumdrops...and stuff.

Yes it is! As I was walking the mall humming, "War, huh yeah, what is it good for? Absolutely Nothing...yeahhhhhhh WAR...." I don't know why it was in my head, just go with it.

I noticed Starbucks and thought man wouldn't it be.....Then I saw it. A huge chalkboard that said It's BACK! The Cinnamon Dolce Latte! I made a U-turn right into Starbucks. I wasn't even thirsty, but that's what it does to me. They said would you like to try it with the sugar free syrup and I was disgusted they would even suggest such a thing...

I WOULD LIKE A TALL CINNAMON DOLCE LATTE WITH SUGAR....LOTS AND LOTS PLEASE!

I even carried on a conversation with the coffee barrista about how excited and thankful I was that they had it back. He told me they had boxes and boxes of it and I thought I might just have a seizure right there in line I was so happy!

So who wants to hold up Starbucks with me?

Sorry Dad.

So I ventured to the mall today and picked up some much needed accessories. I think accessories really make the outfit. I bought two necklaces, one pair of red hoops, and some head bands, ohh and a really cute wide black belt to go on the outside of this white button down shirt that I bought.

I've said it many many times, and I'll say it again- I hate going to the mall. Especially by myself. I left this morning to run errands for my wicked cool fiance, and go shopping and I just didn't feel like getting 'ready' I didn't look the part to go shopping. I had an old t-shirt with my college logo, and my MOST FAVORITE PAIR OF JEANS the ones with the holes in each knee. These jeans were not bought with holes, they have evolved into what are now my most favorite, comfy pair of jeans. If my dad were reading this he'd cringe.

Growing up if I had a shirt or jeans with a hole, even if it were a very small hole, somehow he'd manage to hook it with this finger and proceed to rip it as we walked by him. He always said that his girls would not walk out of the house with holes in their clothes-"You look like a rag doll" he would say.

Ironic?`

Last night I was really hungry so I made a frozen pizza and had some french fries.... ITS HORRIBLE, but I did it. Then I walked over to the magazines and picked up beauty and fitness, a bridal magazine. It didn't even occur to me what I was doing until I was flipping through the pages and found the 'diet' portion of the magazine.

I sometimes feel like I'm waiting for my motivation, even though I feel like that should have been...Hey fat ass, you're getting married!

I'm going shopping.

Little Black Dress

There are times in our lives when we'll wear little black dresses right? I recently bought a "little black dress" It is SO cute, its a satin type of material, with a v-neck, and drops down low in the back. I was going to wear it for new years, but chickened out. I'm always doing that, I feel like since I'm already a freakish six foot tall, why add heals and a "little black dress"? I think I'm going to take it right back to the mall and exchange it for some student teaching clothes....Growing up sucks.

Updates

So a new year has finally arrived. We brought it in with a bang. I won't go into details, I'll only tell you that Colby hugged a trashcan on the couch all night. :) Today is my last day to work this week, I have Wednesday-Friday off. During this time I'll be racking my brain trying to figure out where we'll get married...etc.

It would be so much easier if you could go online and look at all the different locations with all the different prices all lined up so you could compare. BLEH!

For my bridesmaids...we'll really need to get your sizes soon so I can have my lady start making your dresses...we really need to go shopping for fabric.

I got my student teaching calendar today... I start officially student teaching on the 17th of January. Exciting.

Christmas was fantastic, I got to enjoy two days with my family which was very nice. I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and a fantastic New Year!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY PARENTS! Their anniversary was new years eve.