A Very Merry Maryland Christmas

I'm leaving tomorrow for Utah. :(

While here, I spent a good amount of time going through the attic trying to re-organize and get rid of things. Some things I believed were valuable as a teenager no longer are so we had quite a bit to get rid of. A few treasures included:

My "Online Guy File"-Oh yes folks, before Noah and I were married I had somewhat of any online relationship with a boy and well I kept everything he sent me. Noah was thoroughly amused by the whole thing, but insisted that mailing everything back would not be appropriate.

Stinks Bugs-Ew, ew, and ew. I hate you stink bugs, you have ruined the smell of my childhood memories.

Glowy and Blankie-They have weathered a lot through the years, but I finally have them back with me.

Books-Oh my gosh my books. I can't take them all home with me and this made me very sad. They will have to continue to sit in the stink bug infested attic. Sad day.

Lists-I made a list of 1,000 things that made me happy. It brought a really big smile to my face.

Also, we did a little shopping while here and because I enjoy lists so much here's what I bought:

2 long sleeve shirts
1 cardigan
1 sweatshirt
1 pair of very warm running pants
A stretchy running shirt for Noah and a new pair of cheap running shoes to break in the Vibrams (see below)

And another list of all the fabulous gifts we got:

Noah:
1 pair of drunken reindeer pj's
1 pair of snowman pj's
2 shirts
1 massage
1 pr. Vibrams
2 Threadless tees
1 Old Navy gift card
1 nifty socket wrench
1 crate full of Obi's

Becky:
1 beautiful turquoise necklace and matching earrings that I've waited for since July
1 set of Tahitian pearls (Black)
Lots of soap (I wonder if my family thinks I'm dirty)
1 rotary cutter
1 self healing mat
1 iPod shuffle
1 Black Ann Taylor Dress

And we've both got a few extra pounds around the middle with inspiration from Eat, Pray, Love.

I love vacation.

Flying High

By this time tomorrow I will be in the air homeward bound. I feel good about that.

I was in somewhat of a cranky mood for the last 30 minutes so I decided to make a list of things I'm grateful for:

1. Noah. He has to be on the top of the list right? Really though, he puts up with a lot and I cannot imagine life with a better person. I don't regret marrying him.

2. Friends. There have been a lot of people in my life who travel in and out, but I've had some constants. I appreciate that they put up with my craziness and sometimes even come over and do Pilates with me.

3. Being Mormon. I don't know what it's like to be anything else, but I will tell you that from my point of view nothing beats it.

4. My body. It hasn't been my best friend these last five years, but it's mine and I'm grateful that I have one that on most occasions works.

5. My Job. It's tough and I spend, oh I'd say 12 hours a day or more doing it, but I'm doing something useful and I like it.

6. My calling. I spent the first couple of months of being in my new married ward having a really tough time adjusting and feeling needed. Getting a calling that made me feel useful and needed helped a lot, plus I got to know a lot of really amazing people.

7. Our down comforter. Our apartment is really cold. Enough said.

8. The temple. It's the most peaceful place on this earth. I always feel like I can go there to rest.

9. Weight Watchers. It's my support system (plus Noah) and it's turned my husband into the sexiest man alive. He held this title before his weight loss and I didn't think it was possible, but he's even sexier.

10. Wishes coming true. Sunday night I told Noah I wanted a blizzard. I got one and it's beautiful!

Oh Dear Martha

So I've mentioned I don't have a whole lot of time to do artsy fartsy things like I'd like to do, but here are a few snippets of things I've done recently (as in the last 5 months):

This one was originally done for the Farmer's Market. We stretched IKEA remnants over cork board.
These fabrics combined with...
this drawing, may equal one quilt (someday).

I've been exploring and experimenting with watercolors. A lot of what I'm doing involves pockets and sewing on watercolor paper.


The idea really came from my gallbladder and my recent love for sewing. I have some plans for this and when I finally have time this summer I might just go about working out the ideas.


This beauty was a recent acquisition that turned into this:



Just another thing for Noah to hang I guess. :)

I know, I'm Blogging Twice

Ok I couldn't resist. I wanted to share two things (or more) of good news:

1. I rearranged my classroom AND I LOVE IT!

2. I lost another pound even after being -20 points this week I have OFFICIALLY lost 5% of my body weight! YES!

3. Noah invented a chocolate pumpkin smoothie:

1/2 c. nonfat Greek yogurt
1 c. fat-free milk
1/2 can (15 oz.) of pumpkin
1 package of Weight Watchers Creamy Chocolate smoothie Mix
2 tbsp brown sugar
Pumpkin Spice as desired
Ice

Blend it all and split it with your spouse. It's only 3 points and it's FILLING! I personally enjoy drinking it out of a straw. Makes me feel exotic.

4. 5 days until I'm in MARYLAND!

5. My in-laws bought me a beautiful new dress and when I opened it I didn't take it off for a good 30 min. until we had to go somewhere. I LOVE IT!

The Christmas Break Race

We're on the home stretch! I just need to make it until Tuesday!

By the way, I have recently discovered a love for Yoga. Noah and I were both very happy people after doing my Yoga video (purchased from Ross for like $2.) I'm going to incorporate this more in to my life. Also, if you do 30 min of Yoga you get 2 activity points. That's more than what you get for walking for 30 min. I find this absolutely worth it.

Day Treinta

What is your favorite song?

I thought this was a lame ending to the 30 day challenge, but I thought about it for a moment and decided on a pretty good song and way to end. My favorite song is How Firm a Foundation. When Noah and I were really struggling financially and emotionally back in April we were on our way to the temple and I heard this song on the radio (yay for living in Utah). I was singing along until they got to the third verse:

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

I felt the spirit so strongly right at that moment, telling me that everything would be OK and that no matter what trials may come my way that I am supported by a loving Heavenly Father. That song goes on and is so comforting and inspiring:

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

...

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

What a powerful ending. I repeat that very last line with my own testimony, "I'll never, no never, no never forsake." The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is another testament that Christ lives.

Day Veintinueve

In the past month, what have you learned?

1. Writing in this blog has taken way too much of the time I should have used to plan lessons.
2. I need to be more organized. I thought I was, but more organization is required for this job.
3. I can lose 6 lbs. :) That's right, I did lose 6 lbs. I'm hoping with the new Weight Watcher's program I'll lose even more. I stepped on the scale this morning and I've already lost 3 lbs. Let's hope I can hold on for dear life this week.
4. Christmas Vacation + School= CHAOS!
5. I'm stronger than I think I am.

Day Veintiocho

A picture of you a year ago and a picture now. How have you changed?

A year ago:
Now:
Well, I gained 30 lbs. Thank you first year of marriage and sucky gallbladder. I also cut my bangs. Something I've wanted to do for a long time, but never had the guts to do it. Also, I love my husband more. I wasn't even married in the first picture. I live in a new place and I'm a TEACHER! My life has changed a lot. Some I would say for the better and others for the worse, but overall I think the change has been good.

Day Veintisiete

Why am I do this 30 day challenge?

Mostly because it looked fun. It's a lot of work, but it's still fun. I saw it on Alisha and Gillian's blogs and decided to go for it.

Day Veintiseis

What do you think about your friends?

What an odd question. I think they're fabulous. That's why I'm friends with them. I have lots of friends in all different places. I like that. I like being familiar with people everywhere I go.

Day Veinticinco

What you would find in my bag:

Chapstick
Several Pens
Sticky Notes
Weight Watchers Book and coupons
Gum wrappers
Bobby Pins
Waterbottle
Sanitary Items
Cellphone
Wallet
Keys
Gloves
Sunglasses
Ibuprofen (or as Esther calls it "Vitamin I")
Loose Coins

My purse is pretty boring and normal. I wish I could say my secret spy identity card, which I will not reveal on this blog because then it would give away my cover. Perhaps even diamond earrings, my spare just in case. Or like in Mary Poppins or Harry Potter you might just find the entire contents of my bedroom or house.

Day Veinticuatro

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am the successful person I am today because you helped me believe I could succeed. I know that I wasn't the most wonderful child to raise. I still remember my attempts to run away or my pigheadedness, but I love and appreciate you.

You're so far away right now, but I want you to know that even with the distance I don't doubt your love for me. I have a testimony of the gospel today because of your choice to be sealed together in the temple. I think about that and how special it is that I've been sealed twice now in the D.C. temple. I appreciate your faith and your dedication to do hard things.

I know that right now things aren't going so well, but they'll get better. It's not the end of the world, you always told me that when I was being overly dramatic, and it's true. Things do get better. You have no idea how much I wish I could be there to make things better. It's hard for me to be so far away and hear about all your struggles and know I can't take care of you like you took care of me.

Mostly, I just want to say I love you. It almost isn't enough just saying that sometimes, but I mean it. I can't wait to see you at Christmas. I feel like my students, I'm just counting down the days until I can get home.

Love,

Me

Day Veintitres

Something you crave a lot...

What don't I crave? However, the thing I crave the most is ice cream and cookies. Not necessarily together, but I crave them constantly. I freaking love both of them. It's not just sugar because I don't really crave candy. I like sweet things (a lot) as you can see by my beautiful curves and voluptuous figure, but if the world were to end and there were no cookies and ice cream I'd have some issues.

Day Veintidos

What makes you different than everyone else?

The real questions here for me is what doesn't make me different. It's a much shorter list. However, I will attempt to name a few:

Every night, before I can sleep I have to pull the covers up over my ears. I cannot sleep unless the covers are over my ears.

Also, I can spread my toes out like fingers. I can also intertwine my toes. Don't believe me, here is proof.

I love the taste of raw hot dogs.

I think that's enough personal information to hold you off for awhile.

Day Veintiuno

A picture of something that makes you happy:

Wikki Stix are amazing. I have the kids spelling words with them and THEY LOVE THEM! The program Headsprout and Wikki Stix have saved my life. When they finish their spelling words they can make pictures with them. It brings so much joy.

Day Veinte

Today is kind of a lame 30 day challenge. It's who you see yourself marrying or being with in the future and since I married Noah for eternity I think this one goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. I'm going to be with Noah for the rest of my life here on earth and the rest of my existence because of this place. I love that thought. I know that because we both made covenants to remain faithful to one another that I will never be without Noah even we get cranky at each other. You might think I'm crazy because who wants to be with a cranky person, but it's less Noah and more me who is cranky so it's reassuring that he'll stick around.

Day Diecinueve

Nicknames you have and why you have them...

They're very simple and similar to my name in every way:

Becky-Had it since birth.

Beck-The "y" on the end gets difficult for people to say. :)

Beckster-Very endearing.

Becca-Only my sister and a select few people are authorized to call me this. I hate being called Becca.

B-Whip-My dear roommate M-Dub and I were gangsta' one summer.

Becky Shmecky-Esther always wanted me to marry someone with that last name. Almost had Noah convinced he should change his last name (not really). She felt it would make me more Jewish.

Day Dieciocho

Plans, dreams, or goals you have...

1. Buy a house in the next 10 years.
2. Get a masters in education and public administration. Then consider a doctorate.
3. Have 5 absolutely astonishingly beautiful children.
4. Lose 40 lbs.

Day Diecisiete

Someone you would want to change lives with for a day and why...

I'd switch lives with Noah because I'm his sugar mama. It must be nice. :P

Day Dieciseis

Another picture of yourself is today's post. I hope you really enjoy this one. :)

Day Quince

Yay! We're at the halfway mark!

Put your iPod on shuffle and write the first 10 songs that play:

1. Imogen Heap-The Walk
2. Jack Johnson-Talk of the Town
3. Joey McNeely-The Score-Uptown Girls
4. Lonestar-My Front Porch Looking In
5. Enya-If I Could Be Where You Are
6. Brother Iz-Track 04
7. India Arie-Video
8. Bare Naked Ladies-Off the Hook
9. Small Sins-Stay(A random song I got from an iTunes sampler)
10. Enya-It's in the Rain

Day Catorce

A picture of you and your family...

Well here we all are at the weddin'. This is both sides.

And no picture of my family is complete without a picture of all of us girls...

And of course, my new family. Gosh, I freaking love him.

Day Trece

Write a letter to someone who has offended you recently:

Dear Body,

Why oh why do you burn when I squat, when I sit, when I walk? Muscles are meant to help me move and now they torture me. Body, you had better not hurt me again or I'm going to kick some trash. I promise I'll punish you by running harder.

Love, Becky

Noah also suggested I write to the asphalt...

Dear Asphalt,

You suck. Literally, you suck my knees down to greet you and it hurts. Thanks to you my knees are bruised and scarred. I hate you.

Love, Becky

Day Doce

How you found out about Blogger and why you have one...

My cousin Naomi told me about blogger and said, "get one so that everyone could keep up with what you're doing." I wrote once and then didn't write again for awhile. Now, Noah's entire family blogs. Shout out to the family! So I blog to keep up with them. Also, I'm hilarious, what better reason is there to blog than to keep you smiling?

Day Once

Another picture of you and your friends:

I attempted a picture at Harry Potter, but because of technical difficulties you'll have to settle for VERY old. Here we all are at the sand dunes in Idaho. I have other friends, these people just happen to be the people I spend the most time with. Also, I tried to find one of Katie, Brandon, Wally, and A. Such a picture does not exist. This should be remedied.

Day Diez

Songs I listen to:

Sad: Snow(Hey oh)-Red Hot Chili Peppers

Happy: Meet me Halfway-Black-Eyed Peas or I'm Alive-Celine Dion

Bored: Bach Cello Suites

Mad: Anything Regatton

Hyped: Isn't this the same as happy really? I put down two answers there.

Day Nueve

Something you're proud of in the last few days...

I took the plunge and finally cut my bangs straight across. They haven't been this way since 2nd grade when I rebelled against my mother and agreed to wear headbands until my bangs had grown out.

Day Ocho

Short Term Goals for this Month:

1. Lose 5% of my body weight. That's 9 lbs.
How: Follow weight watchers and exercise everyday. On Sundays I enjoy leisurely walks.

2. Read my scriptures every day for at least 10 min.
How: Pure will power.

3. Plan lessons for the entire month of December.
How: Make better use of my planning time.

Day Siete

A picture of someone or something that has had the biggest impact on you...

This is really a loaded question. However, I find that the best answer to this is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I would have never been married to my husband for eternity, which is the second thing that has had the most impact on me. The teachings of the church center on Jesus Christ and his atonement. I know you'll probably read a bajillion blogs about him, but it only goes to show his impact. My testimony is simple. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know that God lives. I know that he atoned for our sins. I know that God has watched over me every step of my life and that he will never abandon me. I know that I will see God again. I know the Book of Mormon is a true record and that it is another testament of Jesus Christ.

Day Seis

My Favorite Superhero

My favorite superhero, hands down, is Batman. My interest peaked when my roommate Esther had a somewhat unhealthy obsession with all things Batman. At one point, Batman guarded our door. I however, like Batman because he's a real human being.

Batman doesn't have any fancy super powers that he got because he's an alien. I think this fact alone makes him a more believable hero. I give credit to the other guys with the fancy super powers, they're cool to see and I like to imagine what it would be like to have powers like that. However, I personally connect with the guy who dresses up in the thing he fears most and saves ordinary people's lives through the use of plausible technology.

Another reason I think makes him awesome is Batman teaches us bravery. He learns to conquer the things he fears most and turn them in to strengths. I know that I could be a bit braver and be more like Batman when it comes to spiders. Also, I could be a good person and capture bad guys.

Really, we could all be a bit more like Batman and make the world a more livable place. Batman is just like you and me, one day at a time he makes his city safer. Thanks to Batman Gotham is a better city. Thanks to his example we all strive to be better people.

Day Cinco

A place I've been:
Last year we went to Washington for our friends' wedding. That's about as exciting as it's been for awhile. I will tell you where I want to go though...

Sigh.

Day Cuatro

Credits for the image go to http://www.onlyinphiladelphia.com/2010/04/road-rage-reality/

Wellllll, I don't really want to admit this, but I get really cranky at other drivers. For example, the other day at the gas station I was waiting in line and someone drove up and butted. I hate people who cut in line, especially at gas stations. So I start being really angry, but while I don't act out at them I still think cranky thoughts about them and say unkind things about them behind the glass of my car. I have a very difficult time with discourteous drivers. I sometimes feel that I'm like a little kid shouting, "That's not fair!" Something to really work on, eh?

Day Tres

There is no way on this earth that I could post pictures of all my friends. That would be a ridiculous task and you would get bored. However, I will show you pictures of some of my closest friends that I've kept in contact with.

So these are the girls I grew up with (Can you tell that I took this picture with Photo Booth instead of scanning it in?).I'm not sure how much they're going to hurt me for this, but here is just an example of the fun times we had...


And now here we are all grown up last year on my birthday!

The other people I love and adore are my old roommates. Noah is included in this because he is my husband and was going to be bored without me. However, technically he is now my roommate.

Day Dos

"From the Middle to the End"

I was trying to figure out what to name my blog and I figured, well, this isn't the beginning of my life. So, it's from the middle to the end. Very creative, I know. I thought it sounded artsy, especially when I added "Inquire Within." It's a little invitation for you to read!

Yes, I drew that picture on a post it and then took a picture of it.

Day Uno

15 interesting facts about me...

1. I teach Special Ed.
2. My favorite meal is homemade Macaroni & Cheese.
3. I graduated from college at 21.
4. I've never really traveled outside of the U.S. (Although Noah has now promised to take me to Italy or on a Mediterranean cruise, he didn't promise the last one, but I'd rather have that--or both).
5. My husband believes I have gravity wells in my knees. If you want, I'll show you my sweet scars.
6. I want to write a book. A good book.
7. I'm obsessed with Anthropologie and don't own a single item from their store.
8. One of my biggest pet peeves is being talked down to or using my age as an excuse for something. i.e. "But you're so young, you can't understand." Yeah, hate that.
9. I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to read, but I hate non-fiction.
10. As a child I used to play by myself and imagine all the other characters, pretending they were actually there. One of my favorite characters to play was a shepherdess. I used to tie a pink sheet around my neck and frolic around my backyard.
11. I played with Barbies well into middle school, maybe even high school. My memory is fuzzy.
12. I love to bake. I feel like I'm inventing something new every time.
13. I'm going to run a 5k in March. I told myself I never would and now I am. Day 1 of training was yesterday and I wanted to die!
14. I feel tough when I fix something and am proud to own a staple gun. Noah did not buy it, I did.
15. I had to convince my husband to go out with me the first time.

30 Day Challenge

I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I've been reading Gillian and Alisha's blogs and can't help myself...


Day 1-Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 2-The meaning behind your Blog name

Day 3-A picture of you and your friends

Day 4-A habit that you wish you didn't have

Day 5-A picture of somewhere you've been to

Day 6-Favorite super hero and why

Day 7-A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 8-Short term goals for this month and when you'll accomplish them

Day 9-Something you're proud of in the past few days

Day 10-Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, hyped

Day 11-Another picture of you and your friends

Day 12-How you found out about blogger and why you have one

Day 13-A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Day 14-A picture of you and your family

Day 15-Put your iPod or shuffle on-first 10 songs that play

Day 16-Another picture of yourself

Day 17-Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Day 18-Plans/dreams/goals you have

Day 19-Nicknames you have and why you have them

Day 20-Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future

Day 21-A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 22-What makes you different from everyone else

Day 23-Something you crave for a lot

Day 24-A letter to your parents

Day 25-What I would find in your bag

Day 26-What do you think about your friends

Day 27-Why you are doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28-A picture of you from last year and now-how have you changed?

Day 29-In this past month, what have you learned?

Day 30-Your favorite song

Party City

On Wednesday I finished 26 progress reports for work and still held everything together to have a housewarming (It was truly a miracle, but I will say on Friday I couldn't hold everything together and finally broke down. We all have weak days (haha weekdays...get it?) right?).

Overall, the housewarming was a success. We're sad some people couldn't make it, but we hope they know they are appreciated. We could have never have survived the flood without them.



(P.S. Almost everything that night was WW friendly AND delicious!)

Saturday proved to be another busy day this week. I got up early to go to my WW meeting (which I lost 2.4 lbs. at!) and start working on the following delectable treats with the help of Crystal and Krista:

We had quite the spread...

I can't take credit for the following, because Crystal made this BEAUTIFUL diaper cake and the sweet decorations that are not sitting on my coffee table still. I would hate for them to go to waste...


Eventually it was time to open gifts and Jessica was thrilled. I love her happy grin in this one.







It was a lovely afternoon to celebrate Jessica and her baby(Yay Jess!). After those festivities I headed off to my third party of the day up in Pleasant Grove. No babies at that shower...at least not yet! Congratulations to Katie who is getting married in 20 days!

It was a long week, but I'm happy to begin this next week with a nice relaxing Sunday with the following:
I couldn't resist posting it again.

Parent Teacher Conferences

6 hours of parent teacher conferences the night before makes one teacher unable to function the following day...

P.S. That teacher is me.

Happy Halloween

Halloween started off Friday for me at school. I went as "Sleeping Beauty." I wore my pj's.


Today we finally carved pumpkins in between relief society meetings.

What a cheeser.

Noah said his mom would never let him do this...so I guess now that he's an adult he's defying his mother...
I went for the classic pirate however.

Happy Halloween from the Coleman's!