Toot My Own Horn!

      So I'm sort of tooting my own horn here! First off... when you are saying toot your own horn do you spell it "toot"? That makes me giggle. (See same immaturity as my students. That's why we get along. I still giggle any time anyone at school discusses what "duty" we are on.) Anyways... before I get to "tooting" I'd have to preface my "toot." (I'm really cracking myself up here.) But I have to preface it with, I know my views on this are a little bit different. Tons of people live together before marriage, and I have absolutely nothing against people that do. Most people I know that are married that are around my age lived together before. It is just something I haven't wanted to do. When Dustin and I first started dating, he at one time brought up living together just through casual conversation. Never really for me and him to live together, but just sort of what my views were. From the start I told him I didn't believe it. To me, what was the point in getting married if you were already living like a married couple. I always said if one of us moved to a different city and the other followed I could see living together then, but not when my parents live in the same city and I have the option to live with them. Throughout the past three years, Dustin and I have almost lived like a long distance couple. When he was living in Dallas, I would drive out from my parents in Coppell on Fridays, come back Saturday, and occasionally drive back out on Saturday night. When he was in Fort Worth and I was living with Jamie in Lewisville, I would spend the weekends at his apartment and occasionally I would see him on his way home from work during the week. Since moving in with my parents in August, we are strictly on a weekend basis. With coaching, teaching, wedding planning, and everything else, it seems like it is hard to fit in even seeing each other for the whole weekend. Weekdays I'm so exhausted by the time I get home, work out, and prepare for the next day I crash. I can't wait to FINALLY live with Dustin and go through all the "newly wed" stuff. I know it will be super hard. I know going from the weekend to 24/7 will be a huge change, but I'm ready for it. I'm ready to come home to him, and to even argue about our different living styles coming together. It is funny how lately we drop hints on how we like things done. A few weeks ago Dustin dropped a hint on clutter and picking it all up when it starts to get on his nerves, I dropped one on how I like to get laundry done all in one day instead of having a never ending process. Yes, I know I won't be able to keep up that one once we have kids.

       Lately though, it has been so hard. I am, of course, not living with him still before the wedding. Dustin is moving into our apartment next Friday. All of my stuff is going in then, but I'm not technically moving in until after we get back from the honeymoon. It is so hard though. To know all my stuff with be there, that he will be there in our home, and I'll still be at my parents. Not that living at my parents is bad, but I live a different lifestyle than my brothers, I'm busting at the seems in my old childhood room with all my stuff, and most of all I'm 25 it is just time! I'm at the point with the wedding planning that I'm just ready for the wedding to be here. I'm so ready to finally live with Dustin, call him my husband, and start our lives together. Only 52 more days until we get to live together!

     So back to the tooting (hehe) I'm just proud that after 3 years of dating and being engaged for 9 months that we haven't lived together. I'm excited that we waited to start that part of our lives after we were married!

      My that was quite the rant wasn't it? I don't even know if it makes sense. I think I might even avoid editing because it will just hurt my head. My apologies if it made no sense!

TOOT! (sorry had to do it one more time!)

6 days of school left!

Latest Happenings!

       Things have been super busy lately, but at the same time I couldn't really tell you what I've been up to. Dustin and I got an apartment out in The Colony that we are super excited about. Neither of us have ever lived with someone we dated, so we are waiting for this new adventure. Right now we pretty much only see each other on the weekends, so it will be quite the transition going to 24/7. Dustin is moving in in 2 weeks while I'm at my bachelorette party. (I lucked out don't ya think?) I'll move in once after the wedding. I think I'll probably take over nearly everything from my parents house and just live with a few clothes or come and go as I need. We are at 56 days until the wedding. I cannot wait to be married to my very best friend. I'm so anxiously waiting for the day to be here, and it can't happen quick enough. Although when I look at my "To Do" list I can't believe we only have 56 days left to do it.

    We are getting two weekends in a row in Fort Worth. Dustin used to live out near Fort Worth and we loved the lifestyle. Work wise it makes more sense to live in the mid-cities area. We definitely miss the life we had out there. Last weekend Dustin's parents came into town and we hung out at his sister and brother-in-law's house. We had a great day just cooking out and playing that bean bag game. I have no idea what it is called. Throw the beanbags into the hole? That night Dustin's parents babysat while we got to go out. Today, we are having our engagement pictures taken in downtown Fort Worth and the Stockyards. I'm super excited for it! I wanted to wait until it was warmer so we didn't look like we were freezing in our pictures. Tonight we are going to go out with our friend Katie and Alex hopefully.

Half marathon training is going great! I ran 6 miles last week and took off 9 minutes. Was supposed to 8 today, but couldn't get up and it was super humid so hopefully I'll get to it tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Appreciate Your Teachers!

     It is Teacher Appreciation Day, Week whatever you want to say. Personally, I think we should be appreciated every week, but that is just my opinion. Just kidding! Since starting this blog, I have become a 100% blog stalker! I have loved getting decorating and cooking ideas and catching up on peoples lives. One of the blogs I follow is The Crafting Chicks. It is a group of women who come together to pass around their crafting ideas. They had these Mini Oreo Apple Pops on their blog yesterday. I decided that I would appreciate the people that I teach with every day and make them the same thing. Mine of course don't look at professional, and I was going completely off memory when I was at the store today. This was more of a trial run, so I was pleased with the way they turned out for the first time.

Ingredients:
Oreos - The Crafting Chicks used mini oreos. I got normal ones (oops!). If you go this way I would do the double stuff and stick a popsicle stick in them The toothpick wasn't strong enough to hold the entire oreo up.
Pretzel Sticks - I just took normal pretzels and broke them because I completely forgot to buy them.
Green Air Heads - It took me four places to find a place that sold them by the flavor. Everything else was a variety pack.  I finally went to a gas station.
Red Candy - I went to JoAnns in the candy area and they have tons of flavors that you can melt.

This was after breaking the pretzels and cutting the Air Heads. I used a steak knife to cut the candy and it was really hard. I'd recommend heating them up or using scissors like The Crafting Chicks said to do.

The melted candy. The stuff I got was super easy! I just put it in the microwave for 2 minutes and it was ready to go.

So mine don't look near as good as theirs did, but hey I feel like it was a good first try! I learned to not put the pretzels and Air Heads in the oreo because it will break them and use the candy more like glue. Also, having something to dip them into the melted candy would be easier. When the toothpicks didn't work, we tried popsicle sticks, but since they weren't double filled it was hard to not break the cookie. We eventually just glopped it on with a spoon. Oh, the we include my brother Josh. He was a great helper once he realized we could eat as we made them!

If you're one of my teacher friends come find me tomorrow! I made 30 and I'm bringing them to say how much I appreciate you!

A Weekend of Firsts!

      I had a super relaxing weekend and it was much needed. I've been going and going so much lately that it seems like I can't catch a break. Friday night Jasmijn and I went and saw Water for Elephants. Ok so I have to explain once again how much of a total freak I am! I had started reading the book Water for Elephants the weekend before. Jasmijn and I had talked about going to see it, but I was so exhausted from TAKS testing that I completely forgot to really keep up with reading. Then Friday came, and I was on page 114 out of 330. Total freak out. Now I know most people probably would have said forget it and just went to see the movie. I can't. It literally pains me if I haven't finished the book yet. I know, pains me? I'm a freak I told you. A book freak especially. One of the greatest things for me is to read a book and then go and totally hate the movie.Why do I do this to myself? For the hope that maybe, just maybe, this one time they actually stayed closed to the book. Sometimes I am pleased. I know that it won't be the exact same. They have to hype up the story a bit for Hollywood and put some things on screen that are harder to get through with the books and vise versa. Most of the time I'm furious throughout the whole movie. Other times I'm amazed. A Time Travelers Wife... absolutely loved! It was of course a little different, but I thought pretty close. I loved Last Song (minus all the acting done by Miley Cyrus) this could be because Nicholas Sparks actually wrote the movie as well though. Other books I loved the movies for... A Walk to Remember, The Twilight movies, Harry Potter, Most Jodi Picoult movies, Little Women, and I'm sure there are a few more that I can't remember. Ones that I absolutely hate more than anything... Dear John, P.S I Love You (probably hate this one the most.... completely ruined the story in the movie) , My Sister's Keeper (were they serious with that ending?) The Lightening Thief, The Tale of Despereaux. I am sure I can think of a few others once I really get going.
       Anyways, back to the point of this.  I was bound and determined to get the book finished. I read and read every chance I could at school and even came home to lock myself in my room and finish. A few years ago Annie and I went to see the 6th Harry Potter movie. About a week before I hadn't read any of the books and got started right away. I couldn't finish, and was even still reading during the previews. Still didn't finish though. I wish you could have seen my shock when Dumbledore died at the end and I had no idea it was going to happen! So I have vowed to never do that again. I loved the book Water for Elephants. I thought it was intriguing. It was the same love story we have seen a thousand times, but was so much more interesting when you add the element of the circus in it. I thought it was enchanting and addicting. The movie was too. It was a little slow moving, and of course had parts that were changed, but I LOVED it!
        So why the "Firsts" title for this post? Saturday I actually got up and ran 6 miles! It totally motivated me for this whole half marathon thing. I felt so amazing and relieved during the run and after. I felt like I could do it. It was such a great feeling running. I also had my first bridal shower. My Aunt Rose and cousins Jocelyn and Celine threw it. It was a close group of friends, and I think went great. We had so much fun, playing games and the food was amazing. We got some really good stuff and I was so excited to finally get to see my dishes! Also, Dustin and I finally got an apartment! I am so excited. I had to give my first sacrifice though. Well, I say sacrifice, Dustin says compromise. The first apartment we looked at had a really small living area and kitchen. The bedrooms and bathrooms were big, and the closets.... the closet space was magical. It was everything I could have dreamed about. Two walk in closets and one closet that took up a whole wall. I was truly in love. The second apartment had a huge kitchen, living area, and a separate dining room area. Oh and a huge patio. The bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets were smaller. (significantly in the closet area) Dustin and I talked and I realized most of our time we are on the couch watching TV. So sadly, I gave up my beautiful closet space. I think I'm happier that I did though. The closet I get is still decent sized, and the apartment is on the corner and has a pretty good view with lots of windows. I cannot wait to actually live with Dustin and be with him all the time. I have not been able to sleep because I keep thinking of ways to decorate! Dustin moves both of our stuff in June 3rd (I'll be out of town.), but I won't move in until the wedding.

Wow... long post or what?  I don't have the pictures from the shower, but here is a cute one of my niece Morgan at the shower.

The Great Outdoors

       Over Easter we restarted an old family tradition. When I was younger, mainly before high school, my family would go camping with the Bittners and Cobbs every Halloween and Easter. Both of these families we know from our days at the private school the boys and I went to when we were younger. Mackenzie is part of the Cobb family and we have known each other since we were 18 months old.  Our moms met at daycare. It was good to see her, because the last time I saw her was because I ran into her at the OU Theta house when I stopped to see the restroom. See Thetas help their sisters everywhere. Unfortunately, she didn't get to stay for long though! Lauren is from the Bittner family. Growing up Lauren and I always stayed super close. After we moved to Coppell, we would still spend many weekends together, and starting in seventh grade we went to summer camps together all the way through high school. Lauren was always a person I could turn to and a friendship I always have cherished. When we got to college, her going to OU, we sort of lost touch a little bit. We kept up through facebook and occasional catching up conversations, but never got that quality time like we used to. I think about three years ago we went to lunch. My mom and I gave Lauren a bridal shower last year, and we attended her wedding this past June. Spending time with her this weekend was the best part. It is so nice to have a friend that you can go years without spending a lot of time together, yet you can pick up right where you left off. It was like Lauren and I hadn't skipped a beat. I loved getting time to hangout with her, and getting to know her husband Blake.

      We got to Lake Murray on Friday night, and made sandwiches and played catch phrase. Because of all the fires, we couldn't have a camp fire. So we resulted to making s'mores on the grill. It just wasn't the same! The storms completely threatened us all night, but we never got more than some mist. Saturday we hung out and took the dogs down to the lake. Ferguson got experience his first swimming experience, and HATED it! Since the rain seemed to be put off, we took a boat tour around the lake. What happens when we get on the water? COMPLETE DOWN POUR! I'm talking cats and dogs. Huge ones. We found it hilarious though, and it was just added to our pile of memories that our families have had together. We spent the rest of the night completely exhausted and trying to cram all 16 of us into a 4 person cabin for some quality time! Overall it was a great weekend. Ferguson got to play with Lauren's dogs and was completely worn out by the time he got home. I didn't get too many pictures, but at least got a few!

Ferg having a blast! We eventually put him on his leash because he was having a little too much fun in the streets!

Jared trying to catch fish with his bare hands! How manly of him.

The down pour on the boat.



I Think I Can! I Think I Can!

I've decided to run a half marathon! A few coaches from school and I decided to run the Wounded Warrior Project Half on June 12th. I'm super excited! My training is coming slow... very slow, but as long as I finish that is all I care about. I'm asking that you guys keep my old lady legs in your thoughts. Ever since I was little I was unfortunately cursed with the "Roden legs." Basically, my knees, ankles, big toe, and hips hurt and ache ALL the time! I've finally reached 4 miles (Yes, I'm aware that I have 9.1 left to go), but I can do it! Just remind me every once in awhile that I can? A half is something that I have ALWAYS wanted to do. I figured what better way to get ready for the wedding. Dustin got me a Garmin GPS running watch that I am absolutely obsessed with. It tells me where I am, my distance, my pace, and my time.

Running is always something that I have loved. I ran in high school (still have a record for the 3200m relay thank you!) and it was something that I was completely dedicated to. When I got to college, I let the partying and the busy-ness get the best of me. Then the lbs started packing on and I've had a hard time getting back into it. I've always tried to start running for other people or to look good for something. I feel like this time it is about how it makes me feel. I enjoy running now. I have to admit I'm still competitive. I still like to "catch" people as I'm running even though they don't seem to know we are racing. This is the first time I'm just in it for how it makes me feel. I want to run and complete the entire half, but part of me thinks if I feel good with however I finish then that's ok. If I lose weight from this, awesome, but if I don't I'll be ok as long as I feel good. I've been a person that has dealt with depression and ever mounting exhaustion and self made stress all my life. I either get too depressed or too stressed to the point I don't sleep and just stay up and think about everything. Running has taken a lot of that away from me. I'm sleeping better, and I just feel happier and less stressful when I'm done.

I'll keep you updated on how the half goes and all the encouragement I could get would be much appreciated. These old lady legs can only do so much!

Welcome to the Blog World!

    
      
      I'm officially welcoming myself to the blog world. I'm not quite sure if I have anything interesting enough to say that people will read, but ready or not here I am. I'm such a planner that this is a decision I've been thinking about for a long time. I didn't want to do something I couldn't commit to. Worried about committing to a blog? I've got issues. Especially if it became a decision that took me for forever.

      Wedding planning is officially almost over! At least with the big stuff which is a HUGE relief. I can't say that I am the best bride. I am so excited to be married to Dustin, live with him, call him my husband, spend my life with him, and just have my best friend around at all times. However, the whole planning everything was a little more difficult then I thought it would be. I'm such a planner that I thought that this would totally be my thing. I carry my planner around everywhere and keep it color coordinated. (Not so much recently since I'm having to add dates to it every 2 seconds) Normally though, I carry around my little markers in their separate pouch so that the color coordination is never messed up. You never know when you'll need the blue appointment color! Do I sound like a freak yet? Anyways, I was so pumped for wedding planning until I saw all it entailed! It has been more fun then it started out to be, but I'll be relieved with the day is here. With teaching, coaching, and keepin up with life it was just a little too much of added stress for me. Thankfully, I'm at the fun part where we do showers, engagement pictures, bridal portraits, bachelorette party, and seeing the RSVPs in the next couple months to see who can make it!I think the hardest part is that I'm just not a very good decision maker. I can always tell you what I definitely don't want, but not always what exactly I want. When I have to think that is something I'm sharing with my family and friends, plus, will be in pictures for the rest of my life, well just throw decision making out the window. I sound like a complete complainer. I'm super excited about it all though and can't wait for our special day to be here. Calling Dustin my husband is something that makes me smile. He is such an incredible man, and I'm so completely excited to spend my life with him. I'm even excited about the craziness that will come with it too. Combining our stuff, having those first moments when we realize I don't have a "home" to go to when we get in an argument, putting our different life styles together, becoming a part of each other's family just sounds like fun too.

     I'd also like to welcome Morgan Marie to the world! On Friday night Dustin's sister, Mendy, went into labor. This was something we had been expecting. Her original due date had been May 11, but Morgan was bound and determined to make her entrance into the world a little early. We were originally going to Abilene this weekend, but decided we would be too scared that we would get there and have to turn around. Turns out we were right! We headed out to Fort Worth at about 11:30pm Friday night. Well, Morgan was determined to have an entrance that would have everyone on pins and needles. After getting a few hours of sleep in the waiting room, we finally went to the truck where I slept in the passenger seat and Dustin in the drivers. I somehow fell asleep right away, but Dustin was up all night afraid someone would break into the truck. (My knight and shining armor watching over me <3) Finally, after a 7-11 breakfast stop, we went back into the waiting room and waited for Morgan to grace us with her presence that morning. She is absolutely adorable and I can't believe she is here! Even though I'm not officially her aunt until July 16th, I'm calling her my niece anyways! Dustin and I will be her only aunt and uncle. Brent is an only child and it is just Dustin and Mendy. I feel like this puts on so much pressure. I just want to be everything to her that all my aunts and uncles have been to me. I keep wondering what she'll call us. The "yl" and "Dust" can be sort of hard for a little kid to say. I wonder how she'll say it or if she'll turn to a nickname. I wonder what funny things she'll say and the cute faces she'll make. I just can't believe she is here. This whole weekend has just made me realize how excited I am to be a part of the Hotchkiss family. I have been so lucky with my soon to be in-laws.

Morgan was Dustin's very first baby to hold. Doesn't he look like a natural? Well, I guess that is enough rambling for now.