Sleep is for the Week (351-357)

This post is brought to you by faulty air mattresses and special dog howls only women can hear.

Day 351



Before going to Aaron's grandparents house for Christmas, our church had its Candlelight Service. I was in charge of sound and lights, although I'm not sure if I will be asked to to that again thanks to my series of mistakes, including turning all the lights out too early, and too rapidly.

Day 352



Aaron and all the boy cousins played football and keep-away while we were waiting for everyone to arrive for Christmas.

Day 353



After losing the battle to an air mattress the night before, Aaron and I took over the first un-occupied bed and made up for the sleep that was taken away from the glorified catapult.

Day 354



Friday we went to the in-laws, stopping at a restaurant called "Casablanca." No, they do not have a lovable piano player named "Sam" but they did have the best taco salad I ever had.

Day 355



Does Lucy look tired? She should. This is technically a picture taken on Sunday, but because Lucy spent Saturday night howling at a decibel that doesn't wake Aaron at all but keeps me up the whole night, I figured this picture could count for Saturday.

Day 356



We had our ministerial alliance today where different churches around Seagraves lead worship through different forms.

Day 357



I cleaned out my fridge to start the new year with a diet that hopefully lasts longer than a month.

(344-350) 100th blog!

Day 344



The third grade presented their Christmas program. They did such a good job!

Day 345



At school, we had an ornament exchange in which we held the ornament we brought and pass it to the right or left, depending on the directions. We had to change how we did it because half of the participants weren't there for one reason or another. We put the ornaments on a rug and moved ourselves right or left. I am sure it was quite a sight seeing a bunch of heads together moving around a rug.

We also had our Christmas meal at church. The hosting committee had the room decorated beautifully and, like always, the food was amazing.

Day 346



Aaron and I went to a band concert put on by the middle school and high school. The high school finished the concert with Charlie Brown Christmas music and yes, I started crying. I loved everything related to Charlie Brown as a kid and anything that could possibly be nostalgic, I cry over.

When we got home, I made a ton of sugar cookies for the fifth grade's Christmas party.
Day 347



We threw a Christmas party for our kids and yes, I drew that Santa. I swear we had every spicy chip under the sun. I thought I had a high tolerance for spicy foods, but I have nothing on my kids.

My in-laws picked Aaron and I up in the afternoon to spend the night in Lubbock and go shopping. We also drove around Tech to view their lights, very beautiful.

Day 348



I had a very successful shopping trip, getting everyone on my list and no scratches!

Day 349



I played the bells in church today. I always enjoyed hearing the bell choir at FBC Round Rock.

Day 350



Lucy helped me clean the house by making a mud trail through the just-mopped floors and decorating the floors of the bathroom with toilet paper.

Sweater Weather (337-343)

Day 337


I have had this dark cloud over me called 'UIL' since the beginning of the school year. Today was the big day and it was such a psychological relief to put all of my materials in a brown envelope and put it on the shelf for next year.

Day 338



Having the desire to bake but no butter/ butter substitute, I made brownie-in-a-mugs. This is the kind of baking we had to do when we lived in Arlington. You get creative with no oven.

Day 339



We went to see a parade in Denver City that one of my students was in.

Day 340



We went to an Ugly Sweater Christmas party complete with a White Elephant and delicious food.

Day 341



My mother-in-law graduated with her Masters today. Busy does not begin to describe the past couple of years for her and she is finally done. We are so proud of her!

Day 342



Our church went on a hay-ride around Seagraves and caroled to various houses of elderly church members.

Day 343



Our amazing music teacher is teaching the students how to play the guitar and one of my students wanted to show me what she learned.

Shotgun Christmas Tree(330-336)

Day 330

Day 331



After church, our choir had an extra rehearsal with the kids' choir for our cantata on Sunday.

Day 332



We were learning about procedural texts this week so I had my students find recipes, either from their parents or they had to look it up in class. One of my students was so excited they decided to go ahead and make their recipe and brought me their result; a homemade tortilla. YUM!



I made a copy of another students' recipe because it was too tempting to resist and I just had to make it myself. The recipe called for a mini-muffin pan, which I didn't have, so I just made peanut butter cookies and stuck Reese's cups on them.

Day 333



We had a late start for school today. I had a time convincing my brain to join me at school, it was skating on the sidewalks outside.

Day 334



We had planned on going to a Christmas tree farm so we could get a live tree. That has always been a tradition of my families and I was so excited Aaron was sold on the idea. Unfortunately, the roads were still icy so we couldn't travel to Midland to borrow a truck from my in-laws. We drove to Seminole and bought our Christmas outfits and a few decorations. We looked everywhere to see if any stores were selling live trees but our search came up empty. Remembering that we saw a gas station in Brownfield was selling trees, we decided to go after church on Sunday. I was just thinking that it would be so nice if a place in Seagraves would sell trees when we noticed our local grocery store had just put out trees! We were going to put it on our roof but had the crazy idea to just put the seat down in the front and stuff it on in there.

Later that night we had our dress rehearsal for the choir program and a dinner afterward.

Day 335



We had our program today and it went great! I was so excited for Aaron as this was the first musical he directed.

Day 336



After months of preparation, UIL has finally arrived. Tomorrow is the big day! I stayed late after school to prepare for a sub and to get caught up on grades. I got home from school with the full intention of not moving from the couch for a couple of hours when I realized I completely forgot that I needed to make a side to contribute to the lunch we are providing for the other schools. Aaron and I ran to our grocery store and bought the easiest thing I could make--stuffing in a box. My mom would be so proud.

The Monday Evening Post (323-329)

Day 323



I left school as soon as the kids did to pick up my parents from the airport. They were kind enough to fly up to Lubbock to spend the week with us.

Day 324



My dad and I enjoyed watching the ducks fly. I also thought the ducks crossing was sign appropriately placed.

Day 325



My family was kind enough to pose for this picture. It is supposed to look like a Norman Rockwell painting:



I had fun being a sous-chef for my mom and the food turned out delicious.

Day 326



Aaron and I were so happy mom was here so we made her take pictures of us for our Christmas card. They turned out great! Don't forget to let us know if you would like one.

Day 327



We took my parents into Hobbs, New Mexico where my mom had fun shopping in an antique mall. I wanted to go to Hobby Lobby but my dad was shopped out (I think I got my hatred for shopping from him) so we went to see "The Hunger Games." SO. GOOD.

Day 328



My sweet parents helped as my church decorated for Christmas. It turned out so beautiful.

Day 329



I introduced Procedural texts to my students by having them follow my directions, step by step, to make a picture.