Wednesday, December 29, 2010

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.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

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!

Friday, December 17, 2010

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. :)


Thursday, December 16, 2010

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.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

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.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

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.

Monday, December 6, 2010

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.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

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.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

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

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

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.