Six Snow Days and Kupcakz

After I got off work tonight, Lee and I received an invitation from my friend Kristin to go to dinner with her, her husband Brett, and their beautiful 8 month old daughter. It was so fun to spend time with our friends. They are a strong, funny, Godly couple and we love to hang out with them. They were kind enough to treat us to dinner. At first my pride protested, but God gently reminded me to get out of His way so that they could be blessed by blessing us. Who am I to deny them a chance to be obedient? Even though Lee has no job, we are so lucky to barely have noticed it so far.

We came home and I sat on the couch waiting to find out if school is cancelled for tomorrow. I must have refreshed the school cloaings internet page a hindred times And big surprise, It Is for the seventh consecutive day. Supposedly we are getting around six more inches tonight. I am getting tired of this. Plus, I am eating everything in sight. At work a few of my co-workers and I ran a couple of errands. While we were out I remembered I had a Groupon to Kupcakz, a yummy cupcake bakery. So of course we had to stop and get some.




A few of them got smashed as we smuggled them in to work. We didn't have enough to share, so we sneaking shoved them in my co- teacher's giant purse.

Now the honey and I are relaxing and reading. It has been refreshing to spend the last two nights immersed in literature and not television. You all know I lovey trashy, drama laden tv, but sometimes I need silence and intelligence.

























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Makeupless Monday

This is me without makeup. I think it's important to see ourselves and other women without makeup. Don't worry, I'm not about to get on a soap box (I'll save that for another day and another topic. Haha.) I love being creative with makeup and the self expression it brings. But I know that I shy away from being photographed without makeup on. I shouldn't. I am beautiful this way. And so are you.

Snowpocalypse is still leaving its mark here. Many towns in our area have been closed for five snow days already with a sixth to follow tomorrow, and the weatherman is predicting a fresh new batch of the fluffy whiteness tomorrow night. Because the weather has been so insane, most of the grocery stores around are very low on supplies.









Hope you didn't want meat!

The food shortages bring me to deep thoughts about what the world can be like. Again, not getting on a soap box, but as Americans we are beyond blessed. I often forget how lucky I am. Despite the fact that my husband has been unemployed since December, we haven't known true hunger. There have been nights of leftovers and of cooking random stuff from ingredients long forgotten in the depths of the pantry or freezer, but still we are blessed.

I just finished The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The books were amazing. The first one moved a little slowly, but the second two had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The author's talent is evident as she weaves such a complex, riveting story. I think they are categorized as "teen" books, but I didn't feel that they were gimmicky or immature. Quite the opposite. I highly recommend these books. If you have already read them and want to discuss them, let me know!





I'll leave you with a shot of the playground from the back door at work. Stay warm and safe!

Snowmageddon Continues

Everything was closed again today.  Lucky for us Lee has four-wheel drive and we were able to get out and about.  It's funny that going to Walmart can be so exciting.  (Side note: Were you aware that they unhyphenated the name?  Go here to read more.)  We spent most of the day at his parents, watching Top Chef and discussing wedding details.  Lee's sister is getting married in May and I am her matron of honor.  I am seriously excited.  I am about to jumpstart planning her personal shower/ bachelorette party, so if you have any suggestions, please send them my way.  Lee is supposed to be a groomsman, but at this point it's up in the air whether or not he will be there.  He will be done at bootcamp but have a week or so before technical school starts.  His wedding attendance is dependent on the higher-ups in his officers, and we are praying in faith that he can be there.

I got this hat in Alaska a few years ago.  I love the bright colors.

Taking care of the birds.

Somehow we ended up without any soda in the house.  I had been cutting it down to 12 ounces or less a day...but as you can tell, I jumped right back on the caffeine cab and loved every second of it.

The view of our house from the main road.

The pasture by our house.  I think it is for sale.

The concrete company.  I bet it looks extra spooky at night with all the snow.

Handsome man.

My job is closed again tomorrow.  It will be our final paid snow day.  If we are closed more this season, they take the time out of our annual leave... which I say "Boo" to.  I am trying to save my vacation time up to visit Lee when he is in San Angelo for techinical school this summer.  Supposedly if I can make it in to the center I could work, even if the school is technically closed.  Which I guess doesn't sound so terrible really.  It would give me a chance to catch up on miles of paperwork stacked up and waiting for me.  And I could deep clean and sanitize the room and the toys.

I didn't work out today.  Maybe I will do some squats and push ups or something, but I didn't even attempt to do a workout.  I am lazy today!  And cold.  I will run tomorrow like a good girl.

What do you guys do to pass the time?  I'm not too bored yet.  Mostly just enjoying being still and not rushing from one place to another.  I have cleaning and homework and organizing and scrapbooking and correspondence to do.  But I kind of think I should capitalize on this chance and either do something really fun or do nothing.  Hmmm. 

Running Tuesday

Today is Running Tuesday!!

As much as I would have liked to run outside today, my plans had to change it up a little because of this--

My city got hit by "Snowmageddon" last night.  Last I heard we were at about a foot of snow.  Everything is closed.  EVERYTHING. 

Lee and I got to spend a fun day home alone.  The snow is deep enough that Lee couldn't get out in his truck, even though it is a 4x4 and he is super tough.  

Here is a view of our street.  What street, you ask?  Exactly.  Our street is gone.  One of the disadvantages of not living in a neighborhood is not having traffic on your road.  Though at this time the news is telling everyone to stay in and off the roads since the weather is so bad.

Since I was bored and watching way too much tv, it took me awhile before I got motivated to run.  I have a new addition to the family- a treadmill!  Lee got his grandma's old treadmill last week, and I am happy to say that she has a new home in our game room.  I hate the treadmill (like seriously hate it), but it turned out to be really handy for our snow-in.  I popped in season 9 of Friends and made it through a few slow miles.

After my shower I played with makeup and hairstyles for awhile.  I have several eyeshadow palettes I don't use on a regular basis, and it was fun to use the shades in a new way.

Lee and I have watched a bunch of tv and eaten a ton of food.  Currently we are watching NCIS.  He is making queso and I am eating mini-corndogs.  Yeah, we are totally gourmet here.

Here are my January Stats:

Miles- 53
Cross Training Workouts- 13

Fake showers

I love going to bootcamp in the mornings. Having an organized class to get to motivates me to get up in the mornings. Knowing my sister will be there helps a lo too (as do her texts while we are both still in bed). I feel energized and peaceful when I'm done. We did yoga today. It was so hard and rewarding and fun and now I am sore already.






The only downfall is that bootcamp gets over at 7:00, and I have to be at work at 7:15. My church is only two miles from my job, so I rush over there. I have a package of baby wipes in my gym bag that I "shower" with. I wash my face and use dry shampoo on my hair, which usually gets pulled back into a ponytail again. I manage to put a few drops of makeup on and call it good (the babies don't care about makeup anyway). I really don't like not feeling clean after a workout, but I haven't figured out a better solution yet. Any thoughts?

Also, my hair is usually in a ponytail 6 days a week. I need some style ideas for how I can wear it after a workout. A braid is the only option I have thought of. This messy bun thing is my usual go-to work an workout hairstyle.






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Due date thoughts

Today would have been my due date. Six months ago I found out that I had suffered a missed miscarriage and that my baby Nora had gone to Heaven.

I don't know that I will ever have a reason for why this happened. I have confidence in a great God who knew that this would happen and allowed it to happen in order that it bring Him glory. It is easy to blame myself for the loss and to plague myself with "If onlys". The truth is that I did everything in my power to protect and live my child. I ate organic and used organic and natural toiletries. I cut out caffeine. I took my prenatal vitamins. I exercised and rested. I read all the books and went to all the doctor's visits. I have to make the choice to stop blaming myself.

I choose to remember the miracle that is my first child. I was overjoyed to be a mom, and for the 13 weeks that I was pregnant, I felt like a nauseous superhero. God gave me that baby to love, and even though she left this Earth too early, I had a miracle inside of me. Because of her, I will be a better parent. Because of her, I am a better wife. Because of her, I have more love for the children and families I work with. Because of her, I am better.


Today was a sad day. I don't have a wrinkled baby in my arms. I don't have a decorated nursery or baby stuff around the house. And that's sad. I will always be sad. She will always be in my heart.

Thank you to all of you who have loved me throughout this. My family and friends have been so supportive and kind. I am truly blessed.

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Snow Days

I love being a teacher! We had two snow days this week, making for a four day weekend. It was so nice to be home with my husband and lazily watch tv and do nothing. It was extra nice because my mom and sisters both teach, so they were home, and my dad doesn't work. Lee's brother and sister's college classes were cancelled, his dad had only a few short jobs, and his mom's office closed. So we got to see everyone!!!!























































Tonight Lee and I made store bought hash browns for our Lifegroup's breakfast for dinner. I wouldn't really recommend this kind.
























I posted this picture to show how much I love cleaning up a non-stick pan. Toxins and all. :)


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