3-23-09

Ryan and I bought a jasmine plant when we first got together. It smelled so good and the blossoms were so pretty. It died really quick. Every year we would buy a plant. I was so thrilled this year to see that the jasmine plant started to grown and return after winter.

3-24-09

They enjoyed having the windows open. They are watching some birds.

3-25-09

The guest room is practically finished and open for visitors (not roommates LOL)

3-26-09

I maked cake pops for Faith’s birthday party. Man are they messy.

3-27-08

The kitchen got a fresh coat of paint too. It turned out so perfect. We love it.

3-28-09

Here is a picture of Miss Faith from her party. It was a hit! Her favorite part was beading necklaces. Jenn and I were so proud of our party and are thinking about starting a business.

3-29-09

My body has finally given up. I woke up with pink eye. I finally went to CVS minute clinic (which is awesome by the way). I had a double ear infection.

3-16-09

Here’s all the loot I got on my shopping spree with Jenn. I got such good deals.

3-17-09

Sprinkles made green velvet cupcakes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They were a must.

3-18-09

We went to Pappasito’s to celebrate Faith’s birthday early (it was half off fajitas night). She was so excited to have them sing to her. She kept singing their birthday song all during dinner. When they finally came over, she freaked out and dove onto my lap. She stood up when I said she could stand on me, but she still wasn’t happy about it. Afterwards she said it was the best birthday. Kids are so funny.

3-19-09

Aubree is getting so big. It seems like just a few days ago Denise was telling me that she was pregnant.

3-20-09

I practiced making cake pops for Faith’s upcoming tea party. They turned out pretty cute.

3-21-09

My seeds are finally planted, and I’m only about a month late. LOL

3-22-09

Nick gave me this balloon exactly one month ago for my birthday. It was still floating strong.

3-9-09

This really is a picture from yesterday, but I couldn’t decide between Garrett and Faith. Garrett is doing such a good job skating. He really enjoys playing hockey.

3-10-09

My kiddos started centers this week. I made this chart to help them know which center they were supposed to be at. Don’t you just love my teacher drawing? Charlie approves.

3-11-09

So much rain (and mud in my house)!

3-12-09

I got a new set of dishes for Christmas. This prompted me to decide to repaint my kitchen. I picked up tons of different colors because I also wanted to change the color in the office. One of the colors I had worked almost perfectly for the guest bedroom, so off to Home Depot I went.

3-13-09

This is better than when Santa comes. All of this new stuff for my classroom was purchased by the district (and not me!) My kids are going to be so excited when they get back from spring break.

3-14-09

Jenn and I saw this jug on sale (50% off) at Hobby Lobby. We could not resist. I can’t wait to see all the cool ways we used it.

3-15-09

Only a true friend would let you park something this ugly in front of your house for two days. Love you Jonathan, but I’m glad that it was gone soon after I took this photo!

3-2-09

I was caught snuggling with another  male. He’s such a cuddler.

3-3-09

Ryan got a job! It starts as a contract position, but his boss is already working on making it a permanent position. Go God! We  celebrated.

3-4-09

It must be Charlie week this week! He was waiting for me to get home.

3-5-09

Can this be considered commuting together? That’s Ryan’s silver Mazda.

3-6-09

Wait: Is this a dream? Are my kids actually sitting down doing what they are supposed to be doing?

3-7-09

Charlie got shots today.  He tried to talk me into getting  him a  Sonic burger because he behaved so well. Instead he settled for flirting with the lady in the next car.

3-8-09

What a sweetheart! I can’t believe that she is almost four years old. She was only 18 months old when I first met her. She sure is a ray of sunshine!

2-23-09

Hello there pretty flowers. I only wish they were a brighter yellow.

2-24-09

They have such a tough life, let me tell you.

2-25-09

I got this card in the mail from my mom today. It is the sweetest card I have ever gotten. I think I’m going to keep it up year round!

2-26-09

Wow. These things really are pink.  Not a great birthday present.

2-27-09

I got sick my first full week of school, so the kids had a sub on Friday. Wal-phed did not do the trick. My nose is still a little runny a week later.

2-28-09

I got Jenn these scented dry erase markers. I was trying to smell the chocolate mint through my stopped up nose. That did not work very well either. And I’m sure the crazed look on my face is just the cold meds talking.

3-1-09

This little boy is in our Sunday school class at church. I had never seen a kiddo put playdough on their finger to make a puppet. He’s too creative. He also is really sweet. I told him to be praying for me over the week because the kids in my kindergarten class do not always make good choices, and it makes me sad. He got the most serious face and said in the most serious tone, “Oh, I will pray for you every night Ms. Brooke.”

2-16-09

How does your garden grow? By bulbs that were planted by the previous house owner.

2-17-09

First day of teaching. I’m officially Mrs. O’Toole, Kindergarten Teacher

2-18-09

We’ll just call this the before picture.

2-19-09

I will never enjoy this part of my new job.

2-20-09

Dinner with the girls. It’s so great to have such an awesome support group! I feel so blessed to have them in my life.

2-21-09

Jonathan and I had a shared Wii bowling birthday party. It was tons of fun. I’ll post about it soon.

2-22-09

This was the sweetest present I have received. My mother in law went to US Toy with my nephew Daniel, who is in kindergarten. Together, they picked out a ton of toys to create a treasure box for my class. It is the best gift.

2-9-09

Did it snow? Nope that’s dog hair. The puppies are much cooler and stylish now.

2-10-09

I was hired today to teach kindergarten in Dallas ISD. What a day! We had to celebrate with our BFFs, Jenn and Jon, at the Cheesecake Factory.  Blessings abound!

2-11-09

Miss Aubree is one week old today. She is such a sweet baby. I’m a little sad that I’m not going to see her on a daily basis.

2-12-09

(picture not available yet due to a slacking friend, LOL)

Jenn was in a car accident. A Jeep hit her on the driver side. Everyone was okay, but the Toaster did not fair as well. The irony is that I had just dropped my car off at the dealership when she called. The window regulator went out (can’t believe that such a small part can cost $450 to replace).  We went to Cristina’s for dinner, and Jenn ordered a large margarita! She deserved it.

2-13-09

Do you think she might be part dalmation? We always forget about all of her spots until we shave her.

2-14-09

We had the most perfect day. Lunch with my grandparents, shopping for teacher stuff with Jenn, and a late dinner together at Love & War in Texas. Ryan and I also made these treats for out moms and Nick. They were yummy! I’ll share the recipe later.

2-15-09

Ryan and I teach four year olds at church every Sunday. We have brought in playdough for the kids to use. Someone had used our playdough since last Sunday and…… they mixed all the colors together. Who does that? One of the kids said, “They did not follow the rules.” These are some of the kids showing how sad they are about the playdough.

2-2-09

Leftovers never tasted so good!

2-3-09

I’m in love with this bush. So are the bees. Does anyone know what kind of plant this is?

2-4-09

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Baby Aubree was supposed to be born via c-section on Friday, but the doctor decided that her birthday would be today.  What a happy family!

2-5-09

Do not go to bed with wet hair.

2-6-09

I made this sweet boy cry today while teaching at Vega. He said shut up to one of the girls in the class. When I asked him about he said, “You’re not going to tell my dad, are you?” Then he started crying. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his head in my stomach and cried. He stayed like that for 10 minutes (even though I kept telling him that he was not in trouble).

2-7-09

Sleepover time! Faith started to run a fever, so she had to go home. Liz and Caitlyn made her some Valentine’s Day cookies.

2-8-09

Man this girl can eat! She had two whole chicken legs, fries, and mac-n-cheese.

1-26-09

She is just the sweetest dog ever. Her nickname is even Sweet Pea. She’s rocking out her new tag too!

1-27-09

The beginning icicles of a winter storm.

1-28-09

The aftermath

1-29-09

Ryan and I agree on the important things like how we want to raise our future kids, our faith, and how to communicate in our relationship. On the trivial things though, we are as different as can be. I love Cheddar Peppers from Sonic, and Ryan loves the Poppers from Arby’s. Our solution-just go to both places.

1-30-09

Brrr…we woke up to this. Luckily it wasn’t too expensive to fix.

1-31-09

An empty nest at last. Ryan and I have had people living with us since the summer of 2003, until today! Woohoo!

2-1-09

We celebrated with friends at Maggiano’s. It’s one of our favorite places.

1-19-09

Sometimes a shirt can really capture how you are feeling. The “f” shirt magically found its way back to Ryan this Christmas. I thought I had successfully gotten rid of it.

1-20-09

A day history was made.  I was subbing for Jenn at Vega.

1-21-09

Ryan got the flu. He was a very sick boy!

1-22-09

The daily grind. The desk in the middle belongs to my boss, the one one the left is mine, and the desk on the right is Sharon’s. It’s a tight fit.

1-23-09

She did this to her tag while it was on her. It’s kind of like a human trying to bite their own ear. She now has a princess pink tag.

1-24-09

Believe it or not, we actually embarrassed Jonathan at dinner tonight. This night will go down in infamy.

1-25-09

On the 23rd, my Papa turned 71. We celebrated over dinner at Outback.