lately

I will try and post pictures from the past few weeks once I figure out how to do that without having to use the keyboard on our computer. Its a long story but basically, the mouse is the only way to navigate using our laptop. Here's what we've been up to lately...It has been a few weeks since I wrote, so I'm going to try and catch you up in one post. April has been such a busy month with work and traveling, so there hasn't been much time to read or post on blogger. I am looking forward to this weekend because we are IN TOWN and don't have anything to do!! Maybe I can finally clean my house since that has been put to the side since I've been out of town every weekend in April.

A few weekends ago, I headed to Houston for Laura's bridal shower on Sunday. I went down on Thursday night, so it was nice to spend the weekend with family and doing wedding stuff. I stayed a few nights with my in-laws, but also got to see my parents and grandparents. Anthony was in Orlando for a work retreat, so it was a good weekend to go home. The shower was a great success and it was fun to see lots of old friends from Bammel CofC.

This past weekend we actually got to hang out with friends! I feel like its been ages since we've been in Dallas on a weekend night to hang out with friends. We had Thai food then went to see the movie Baby Mama, which is quite funny! On Saturday, I drove to Abilene for another shower for Laura. I helped host her lingerie shower yesterday and it was fun too. Tina flew into Dallas Saturday and rode with me to Abilene. It was great to have company on the drive and of course, we had no problem chatting the entire way.

I have also been super busy with work lately, but I am still really enjoying what I'm doing. The new position is going great and I love my new group of kiddos. There have been some new challenges but I've managed to handle everything just fine and am now into a good routine. I did get to visit my old group of kids last week and that was GREAT!! They were so surprised to see me and it was definitely time to get my hugs from all of them. I'm actually spending the day with them tomorrow too :) I told my boss how sad I was to leave them and how much I cried that we worked out a few days that I get to visit them over the next month or so.

I can't believe we only have 1 month left of school. I'm looking forward to my summer schedule of only working part-time (my job working in the after school program isn't in session during the summer), but I'm definitely going to miss all the kids. I'm planning on using my free time to learn Spanish because it will be very beneficial to know in my job. I'm also looking forward to the trips we're taking over the summer--I do love vacations!! As of now, we don't have a trip planned to Chicago but I'm trying to get that one on the calendar. I'm not sure when we'll squeeze it in but hopefully we can find a free weekend...I know Anthony is dying to go back as much as I am so it shouldn't take much convincing :)

By the way, hasn't this spring weather been fabulous?? I just love it and I love sitting outside for dinner.

7 random things...

I was tagged by Kim to fill this out so here we go
1. I get a pedicure every 3 week, sometimes I go longer but I try not to; pedicures are my favorite thing to pamper myself
2. I still have several wedding gifts being stored at my parents house until we have a place big enough to get everything--they are still in their boxes and have never been used
3. I listen to NPR every morning on the way to work; for some reason I don't like listening to music that early in the morning
4. I have to have something sweet to eat after dinner...always!
5. I live by my to-do lists and love crossing things off of it; I think I get a little OCD about them sometimes
6. I've never stayed in the hospital other than the day I was born
7. watching Lifetime Movie Network is a guilty pleasure and it drives my hubby crazy :)

I tag: Tobin, Meredith and Claudia

pictures from the weekend

Saturday night was one of our big fund raisingevents for Junior Achievement. Anthony got to come and finally got to meet everyone I work with. It was a fun night but a long day--I had to get to the hotel at 2:00 in the afternoon to start getting things set up. Anthony and I were in charge of selling raffle tickets--too bad we weren't allowed to buy any--it was a trip to Paris for 2!!

all dressed up

On Sunday morning, I headed down to Waco to see my newest nephew, Peyton. It was great to see him, Kara and the rest of the family. I spent the whole day just holding him and playing with big sister, Elizabeth. I love that they are only an hour and a half away, and I'm already trying to plan my next trip down to visit them again. He's just precious!!

not sure what to think of that flash in his face

such a proud big sister

Peyton is only 5 days old and already had his first outing

so sweet

I love being an aunt :)

number 6

Well, I became an aunt today...for the 6th time! My sister, Kara, had baby Peyton this morning at 10:28. He weighs 9.1 pounds and is 22 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well and he is as healthy as can be. I'm planning on driving down to Waco on Sunday (believe me, I wish I could go sooner but work has a way of getting in the way of things) to hang out and get my hands on that little guy. I love being an aunt!! No pictures yet but I'll post some once I get them.

For those of you who don't know, every afternoon I tutor kids. These aren't just any kids though, they are such precious kids who are just trying to do well in school. All of the kids I tutor speak both English and Spanish (Spanish is their first language and their parents know very little English which is why they come to us for help). These kids are also very poor with parents that work 2-3 jobs just to put food on the table. I have always had a big heart for kids, especially kids who are at a disadvantage and just need some love/attention. After working with the same 18 kids for the past 7 months, I have gotten to know them better than I ever imagined. Today was actually my last day working with these kids (at least for this school year) because I've been moved to a different location to help it get back on its feet. I knew it would be hard to say goodbye to my kids but I never thought I would cry like a baby all day long! After working with these kids and investing so much time and energy, I have grown to love them and just want them to succeed in life. I have seen how far they've come just in the 7 months I've known them and I want them to stay in school and continue trying hard in school. They have been through so much in their short lives already (more than I've been through for sure!) and have to worry about things kids their age shouldn't even be aware of, yet they have such positive attitudes and a great outlook on life. I could go on and on about these kids because they have become a part of my life. Every day I come home with stories--Anthony knows them all by name because I talk about them so much!

I know my world is forever changed and so much better because I've known them and I like to think their world is a little brighter from knowing me. I thought we moved to Dallas for Anthony's job, but I'm convinced it was so I could work with these kids. I know the kids at the new site will be great too and I'll love working with them, but the kids on Umphress Road will always be my favorite. I'm planning on working for the Wilkinson Center again next year so hopefully I can go back to my old job and be back with these kids again next year. I would post pictures of these sweet faces, but I don't think its right to post their picture on the internet for all the world to see.

Tomorrow I start at the new site--it will be good once I get in there and get started. I'm anxious to meet the kids I'll be working with for the next 2 months.

Easter Sunday

For Easter this year we stayed in Dallas and Anthony's family drove up from Houston to spend it with us. They came on Saturday afternoon so we got to hang out and eat (of course) together that night. The girls talked about wedding plans while the guys watched golf. Saturday night we met the Barrow family for dinner at Hard Eight BBQ and it was quite tasty. They have a huge pit full of all sorts of meats and you just point to what you want. They put your food on a tray and you pay by the pound. I think I got a little carried away and ordered much more food than I was capable of eating. It all looked so good that I just couldn't decide. Anthony and I are still working on the leftovers! On Sunday morning, we drove over to N. Richland Hills to attend church with extended family (the Bankes') at Richland Hills CofC. It had been a long time since I had been to church there, it was good to see some old friends and the service was great. We went over to the Bankes' house for lunch and the rest of the afternoon. We did have an egg hunt for the little kids and us big kids. It had been a few years since I had hunted eggs--even though these eggs were empty, the competitive side came out in all of us and we still raced to see who would get the most. I actually won with 62 eggs! It was a fun weekend and great to be with family.

the shoemaker clan...Laura's fiance Jon isn't official yet but he will be in just 3 months my hubby is so handsome :)
the girls

help!

Okay fellow readers, I'm in need of some help/suggestions. I need to find a place to get something monogrammed--anyone in the Dallas area know of a good place to go? Since I'm still fairly new to the area and haven't ever needed to get anything monogrammed, I have no idea where to start.

Second, I am trying to find a place to order personalized note cards. I can either go to a store or order online, so please let me know if you've got a favorite place for this sort of thing. WEDDING and BABY season are upon us and I'm trying to get some gifts ordered.

Thanks for the help!