Channeling Martha Stewart

I'm fairly sure (in contrast to my most recent post) that I am so not the most domesticated woman. In fact, I will most likely abuse my seasoning privileges every time I cook. I wish I was the type of girl that said things like, "I'll just whip up some Lobster Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce with Shrimp," or "You've got to try my new humus recipe." But seeing as those words will most likely never leave my lips, I have made an effort to be okay with things like, "How much lemon pepper do you want on your chicken," or "Do you prefer reduced-fat crescent rolls or butter-flake?"

I even took a cooking class when I lived in Italy. My entire family was all, "Umm, so what amazing dish are you going to prepare us now that you're back," and I was all, "Yeah, about that-apparently you have to use specific cooking utensils that they don't even provide in the U.S. (sheepish face)." Five years later and I have yet to cook my family anything. I realize part of my dilemma could be remedied by actually getting in the kitchen to experiment, but I have this fear tof failure. So, I stick to my favorite dishes: taco soup, stuffed crescent rolls, king ranch casserole and anything involving chicken.

But seeing as my sweet husband is most likely tired of saying, “You make the best taco soup.”every Monday night and, quite frankly, deserves more than four dishes to choose from for the rest of his life, my new ambition is to branch out of my ‘comfort zone’ and take on at least one new dish every two weeks. (Because I am crazy like that). So, wish me luck and pray for a minor miracle. I’ll let you know how it goes, be it a masterpiece or disaster.

Happy Cooking!

Domestic Diva!

Yes, they're boxed cupcakes. But check out that icing job. I gave Sprinkles a run for their money! (and the best part is that I'm humble about it).

Happiness is....

Coming home to sweet nothings from my husband...

Teacher of the year...

Today, I taught standing on a desk. In heels. I rule.

Truth be told, it was more of a desperate attempt to get 120 fourteen year olds to pay attention. Snow in Texas happens once in a blue moon, and it's not easy for a teacher to compete with that- especially when there are two enormous windows in my classroom. So, I did what any normal teacher would do. I stopped the lesson, grabbed a desk, pulled it to the front of the room, and climbed (in heels) up on top of it.

You should have seen their faces. They thought I had lost my mind. And maybe I did have a momentary lapse of judgement. But I'll tell you one thing...I had their full attention.

I win.

A Year of Firsts...

The holidays have come and gone,and we have entered a new and exciting year-  a fresh start if you will.  But as I sit here taking down all of my beautiful Christmas decorations  *tear*  I can't help but feel a little wistful. 

I will never experience another "1st white Christmas" with my husband, or ring in our "1st New Years" as husband and wife.  We will never go shopping for our first tree again, or get excited when our very first and much anticipated, embroidered stockings arrive, and furthermore, we will never experience that special moment when they are hanging up, and for the first time, we feel like a complete family (Okay...maybe the stocking thing was just me).  There are so many beautiful firsts that will be cherished forever, but never again repeated.

And although I am full of nostalgia at the present moment, I take comfort in all of the exciting and wondrous things that are slowly replacing the 'newness' of our marriage.  In five months, we have already started creating memories that we will talk about for years to come.  We have fought and made up.  We have disagreed on what size rugs to order or how bills should be paid.  I have learned that my husband verges to the edge of insanity when I have to dig for my keys every time we need them, and my husband has learned that, for a split second, I consider disowning him when he leaves his dirty dishes in our sink.  We have learned the deal breakers and the so called "money makers"  (what REALLY makes the other person smile). We are learning, just like all of the other newlyweds, and with all of the tough lessons comes a much greater reward.  We have shared dreams, passions, tears, frustrations, and most of all, a love that, I am positive, will endure the most difficult of times.  God has blessed me with a husband who, raised by a father and two brothers, still thinks to bring me medicine and soup when I'm sick.  A husband, whose forehead kisses are worth far more than a million Anthropologie shopping sprees in my book.  A husband who daily works harder than anyone I know to support our family, yet still finds the time to listen all about my day when I get home.  A husband, that despite my extreme ''dorky'' behavior and "forgetfulness" at times, still laughs at me and loves me, and somehow finds me attractive.  A husband who I truly feel, no matter what I do, will never go away.  But most importantly, I am blessed with a husband who, at the end of any disagreement, setback or celebration of success, reminds me Who is in control of our marriage.  And that ,I believe, counts for something.

So, although we will never again send out our first Christmas card together, I will tuck it away in our scrapbook, knowing our future holds something even better.  And one day, we will look back and remember all of our firsts...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BLESSINGS IN 2010!!!!

Wreck League...

Recently, Erik and I were asked to join a recreational softball league.  I was excited because I used to play select softball, and although my skills are long gone, I figured it would be fun if nothing else.   Always the optimist! 

 

So far, a girl on our team has been nailed by a fast ball in the tailbone, an opposing pitcher broke his shoulder, another guy from our team dislocated his shoulder, and I pulled a muscle and stopped a line drive with my shin.  It is truly as painful as it sounds ( I managed to act tough when it happened, although my husband saw right through my clenched smile...maybe it was the tense shoulders that gave it away) .

 

 Now, I'm not competitive by nature.  Let's be honest. I'd rather be doing a cheer on the sideline or creating witty/cute posters and t-shirts with frilly funk.  And barring all it's ridiculousness, I actually do understand how easy it is to become emotionally invested *cough* pushing thirty *cough* in these games.   But it's becoming pretty apparent that we are not as young as we used to be.  When are we going to realize it's not worth risking a broken bone to make a game winning catch?  Every week, I come home with new bruises or strains, and I have no idea where they came from.  And I'm even more confused because I don't actually do anything to accrue these injuries (well, other than my shin stop). But don't you worry- because we are undefeated, and according to my husband, that's worth a couple injuries..... or ten.  Oh to be young and resilient again. :)

NYC Here I come!

"Hi, I'm not here, but my shoes are.  Leave them a message."

I'm headed to the Big Apple!  My mom surprised my sisters and I with a trip to NYC!   I've always wanted to go during Christmas time.  Shopping, Rockefeller Center, Broadway shows, Tavern on the Green...  December 5th can't get here fast enough!