Wonderfulness

Can I just tell you the wonderfulness of this day. This week has been insane. I have not sat for a long period of time. I have not checked emails. I have not responded to any electronic communication (excluding phones). Today has been lovely because of the following happenings...

Girl's breakfast with friends...delish!
Stopped by Home Goods...found a HALF OFF leather chair to buy with Christmas money I have been saving, pictures to come
Stopped by Achievers...I was overcome by the prettiness of the paper there. I wish I had something to use the paper for.
Currently watching my 4th Gilmore Girls episode, season 7.
Went through my 61 new, unread messages, and responded as needed
Responded to comments on Facebook
Graded papers
Ate cereal and diet coke
Planned meals
Made a grocery list (this is actually really fun to me)
Talked to my mom
Sat with my sweet kitties
Signed up for Marriage Matters Now Conference (You should too!)

And now I'm going to look for a good place to vacation with the Coopers and yummy but healthy recipes to cook. Lovely afternoon!

Happy Birthday Carlos!

This month is Carlos's birthday. We got him in in March of last year from CAP when he was 3 or 4 months old so he is now a year old!! And yes, Carlos is my cat. Give me a break...I don't have kids yet :) so I'm allowed to post about my pets.

So hmmm Carlos has gotten to be a big cat. I'm not sure how much he weighs, but he's just big. He loves to play fetch with hair twisties or little foam balls. He likes to snuggle but only when he wants to and he's very active - runs around the house all the time. Happy Birthday Carlos!!!

Historically, the first birthday of my cats has been celebrated. When I was in fourth grade and my white cat Little Kitty (I was so creative with her name) turned one, we actually gave her a birthday party. And not just any party... a swim party and I'm sure she loved it. I invited all my little friends and we swam and then sang happy birthday to the cat while she was sitting on a stool at the table with a can of food and a candle in front of her. My mom was so sweet! Oh how I wish I had the picture to post!

Baby Carlos (March 09) after he had just stepped in hot wax

Carlos Today...such a sweet face!

Need help!

Ok, I need your help with something. Our couch cushions (yes our brand new one) from Bassett (sigh) are tearing at the seams and I promise we don't do anything like jump or run on it. It hurts me to look at it and know we paid for it and its less than a year old and now its coming apart. AND we bought it on clearance so there is no warranty on it.

Anyways....the tears. Some might say, just sew it back but it is a woven material and I don't think that will work. We need to find an upholstery repair place. I found two places in Katy. One had a review that said "It would be better to take it to a toddler", so that ones out and the other had no reviews which makes me a bit nervous. That brings me to my need. Do you know of a good, reliable upholstery repair place that is not too expensive and possibly on the more west side side of Houston? Or if you have any other suggestions I would love them. Thanks!!

Up

Just wanted to say that I loved this movie! Ben and I went to RedBox on Friday night and rented this. I was skeptical because its computer animated but it was adorable and also deep, especially for a kids movie. I honestly think that adults would understand it and identify with it much more than kids. Anyways...its clean, insightful, and funny. I recommend it!

Goodbye 2009, hello 2010!

I intended to write this post yesterday when it still was 2009 but alas, the day flew by and I never got around to it. So instead of a "What happened this year" post, it will be a "big events from last year" post. Ok...so here are some big things from the last year with pictures to accompany...

Family trip to DC in January

We bought a house and moved in February 28th!We adopted Carlos beginning of March (he's HUGE now!).

After realizing Carlos was in desperate need of a buddy, we adopted Polly, thumbs and all :).

I finished my 3rd year of teaching. (I have lots of pictures of those sweet kids but I can't post them...you'll just have to imagine that one).

I took calligraphy lessons and learned how to write in Calligraphy.

We took a mini-vacation to San Antonio (this photo is actually at the Gristmill in Gruene).

We led Houston Project. We had an awesome team and it went great!

We bought a new Toyota Tacoma Truck for Ben with a little help from Obama and Cash for Clunkers.

Started my 4th year of teaching!

It was a great year and I am so excited about what 2010 will hold!