So BIG!!

My friends have mentioned several times lately that they are learning things they never knew about me. Really important things...like the way I like to eat a cupcake, the fact that I love Saltine Crackers and American Cheese, my love for frozen oreos dunked in milk, my appreciation for a brainless task like folding sheets or vacuuming. I guess they're mostly food related quirks but I realized tonight that there is something I absolutely love that probably nobody in my life knows about...the sky at night!

I think I've even forgotten how much I enjoy a cool, clear night! It seems like we've been living under nothing but clouds for months. I stepped outside just a little while ago and caught my breath as I looked up at the moon. There's just something about the massiveness of the sky that makes me in awe of God's creativity, power, and sovereignty. To know that the God who created the whole Earth and everything in it sits above it all and sees me, is absolutely crazy! Not only does He see me, He knows me, He knows how many hairs are on my head (fewer everyday), He knows my every thought. And then to know that He sees all of us and knows all of us that well makes it that much crazier.

I guess I was in need of a reminder of just how big God is, and yet, how very involved He is with me.

Another one bites the dust!

This week I turned another year older! I really haven't been ok with getting older since about 25, but this year was different for some reason.

The fun began on Sunday with a little family party. My Mom cooked one of my favorite meals and we had a really good time. A for sure highlight was my sister's gift to me. She's been working on a quilt for the last couple months that turned out amazingly well. I didn't even know she could quilt, although there's not much she can't do! I was also super excited to get some of my favorite green paper.

Then, on Monday I was able to work in a little birthday Chipotle trip with my good friend Kristy. She was also kind enough to bring me lunch at school on my birthday. The Rothenbergers took very good care of me as well with a little Pappasito's and some way too generous gifts. I finished off the day with one of the best parts of my week...watching the Biggest Loser! :)

The real point of this post is to not only thank all of the amazing people in my life who went out of their way to make my birthday a happy day but to ponder out loud how incredibly blessed I am. The people God has given me to journey through life with show me on a daily basis what it looks like to follow Jesus. They are real, authentic, caring, always anticipating the needs of others. I can't imagine doing life without them and have absolutely no idea where I would be without their influence.

Is this what I thought my life would look like at 28?? Well, no. Is it better than what I thought my life would look like at 28? Absolutely! And that's exactly how God works!

S'more fun!!

I have been very lucky to be classroom buddies with Deneise's class the last two years. That girl is an amazing teacher and always comes up with the coolest things to do with her class and then she's kind enough to share with my class too! Last Friday she used a story about S'mores to have her kids practice their reading strategies and then they made S'mores. It was so fun and the kids loved it!! We may have enjoyed it a little bit ourselves. :)

Baylor Basketball

For the first time in a really long time, the Baylor Men's Basketball team has been consistently winning big games! We've been ranked in the top 25 for several weeks in a row. It's no secret that I'm hoping one of my little kid friends ends up attending Baylor one day so in an attempt to work on that goal, Luke and I went to the Baylor vs. Kansas State game a couple weeks ago.

We left right after school and didn't return home until late, but it was probably the best Baylor sporting event I've ever attended. And, I've attended A LOT of Baylor sporting events. We ended up losing but it was still a great game and we had a super fun time! I'm really hoping Baylor makes it to the NCAA tournament and perhaps come away with some big wins!

Snow Day!!!

I woke up this morning with my fingers crossed that there would be snow on the ground and we'd have a delayed start at school. Well, the snow part was right, but the school part didn't happen. After a little outside play time (Note to self: don't take your class outside first thing...they have a little trouble calming back down) we received word that we would get to dismiss early today and we don't have to go to school all day tomorrow!! Woo hoo! Normally I'm a little bummed that we have to make up snow days later on, but I'm thrilled to not have to work tomorrow! And, we've gotten nearly 8 inches of snow today, that's just crazy!

Today was one of the most fun snow days ever! I had Reagan and Payton to play in the snow with...it's just not the same by yourself. :) Payton had the great idea to sled down the hill in the backyard so I went to the garage and found us something flat and plastic. After a few failed attempts I decided I'd try going head first. And that my friends did the trick! I sailed down the hill and didn't come to a stop until I slid over a green metal thing and crashed through a couple bushes. I couldn't see anything but I could hear Reagan and Payton laughing hysterically so I knew it must have been quite the sight! I've got a pretty good bruise on my left knee and small gash on my right leg, but it didn't stop me from heading down a couple more times. Here's a couple pictures from our fun...

When Aggies move in...

...crazy things happen!! Just kidding! I'm having a blast with the Rothenbergers. Apparently, I'm never home, but when we are home at the same time it's been pretty fun.

I was caught completely off guard the other night when I was about to go to bed and I found a little treat under my pillow:


I know it's strange but catching a glimpse of something under my pillow that wasn't supposed to be there totally freaked me out. Then I realized what it was and all I could do was laugh! It was a reaction even my good friend Kristy could appreciate!! :)

The following morning I got up and took a shower and apparently forgot to turn on the fan in the bathroom. When I was finished the mirror was fogged up and revealed a special message:


If you can't tell it says aTm and Reagan really big. Again, it cracked me up!

A huge bonus has been Shane's handyman skills. He's re-attached the smoke detector to the ceiling (apparently you just open the drawer to replace the battery and don't have to remove the whole thing. :)), switched the way the dryer door opens, and replaced the broken doorbell.

As far as I can tell, it's been a win-win situation for all! :)

All grown up!

Sorry Meagan, I still don't have much news to report! :)

I've been watching a lot of basketball and attempting to do the Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. I say attempting because I'd be lying if I said I can get all the way through that darn 20 minutes without taking a break! It's a whippin' for sure. I'm not even sure how many days I've done, but I'm pretty sure it's been more like the every-couple-of-days Shred. Surely that won't interfere with all my progress!

Anyway, back to the point of this post...look who's all grown up now:


I love this picture of Baylor, she looks like she's smiling!