Hello Out There!!!!

I have completely lost my ability to blog.

I think.

I am so out of practice.

My husband has told me 2 different times lately that he misses me blogging.

There's not much I won't do for that man,

so here's my attempt to become a full time blogger again.

Hold on for what's going on lately.

* My camera died.

Again.

I have gone through so many cameras.

I like to keep them in my purse,

and the boys like to occasionally take pictures with them.

When am I going to learn that little boys break cameras?

I just did.

For real this time.

* I sadly finished up my long term stint in the art room.

Soon I will start 2 more long term positions to finish out the school year.

I will be in a pre-k classroom all of March

followed by a 3rd grade classroom until school is out.

Hiring season for next school year is just around the corner,

so I am praying I get the job as the art teacher at the new school.

* Speaking of teaching,

want to know one of my favorite parts of my job?

The kids.

At what other job do you receive things like this?

Who cares if he spelled my name wrong?

Not me.

I love that he even drew me with my red glasses that I wear every day.

* Let's talk hair.

Trysten is obsessed with wanting to have long hair

like his best friend, Jacob, and because, according to T,

"The ladies love it."

Ryan is not a fan.

He prefers T without hair in his eyes.

The funny thing is,

when he was Trysten's age, he had the same haircut.

And his dad hated it.

Proof:

This is Ryan and his dad circa 1980 something.

* Carter's right front tooth has been dangling

from his mouth for about 3 weeks now.

We called it his hillbilly tooth

because, well, that's what he looked like.

Look at my sweet boy now:

(The big boy tooth is already pushing its way in.)

* Next topic:

The Bachelor

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the show.

I haven't watched it in years.

Until now.

See, we're having this contest at work,

and every Monday night that the girl you chose after the first episode stays,

you get to wear jeans the next day.

Teachers will do anything for jeans passes.

Like watch The Bachelor.

I do have to admit Ben is growing on me.

He's sweet,

gentlemanly...as much as he can be while making out with multiple women every day...,

intelligent, a bit nerdy and he owns a winery.

Sold.

I also like that he can play David Gray's

This Year's Love

on the piano which I walked down the aisle to at Ryan's and my wedding.

I saw him in concert in Los Angeles years ago and fell in love with his music.

Enjoy:

Annnnnnnnnnnnnd back.

Now, the women.

I don't think I can take another week of Courtney.

She's evil, and I'll leave it that.

* And what would a good, long post be without a few funnies?

I know, right.

Have a fantastic week, friends!!

It's About Time!

Here is my official Christmas/New Year's post.

It's about time, right?

Let's get started.

One of the many perks of being a teacher

is having 2 whole weeks off work to spend with my family during Christmas.

Prior to the big day,

most of our time was spent buying last minute gifts, sleeping late,

doing a craft or two

and hanging out.

My kind of winter break.

Ryan and I didn't have our boys for Christmas Eve this year,

so we spent the evening with Carol at one of our all time favorite places to eat with Ed and Carol.

Definitely a great time but would been perfect if Ed could have been with us.

Ryan and I got up the next morning and opened presents together in front of the fire.

Don't gag, but it was really romantic

and helped with the sting of our children not being with us.

Next, we picked up my boys and Carol

and drove out to my parents to celebrate Christmas with my whole family.

There are always tons of gifts!

And my mother always has their house decked beyond greatness.

She is so incredibly talented.

The cousins always have such a great time together!

Can you tell my boys love having their picture taken?

It gets a little crazy when the kids start opening up their presents.

I managed to sneak a quick pic with my hubby.

Now, getting one with the whole family is another story

because I don't think they stayed still longer than 5 seconds.

Melts my heart watching Ryan with our nieces.

They love Uncle Ryan. =)

Next on the list was Christmas at home with my boys.

Carter is the only one left, for the most part, that still believes, so watching him is still so much fun.

He was so excited about getting a fishtank for his betta he named, Eddie.

So excited!

Carter and his Razorback pillow pet.

That thing was a beating to wrap.

Preston asked for a PS3 and a Kindle Fire this year.

His father and I split the list, so he could have both.

He's already reading Hunger Games on the Kindle.

Makes a mama proud.

Yes, Austin was present on Christmas day but isn't much on letting me take his picture these days.

Teenagers.

On to the day after Christmas.

Trysten arrives, and we celebrate with our whole little crew together.

It's finally T's turn!

 Later that evening,

we went over to Carol's to hang out and let the boys open their gifts

from Grandma, and we can't forget

The Soladay Family Scavenger Hunt.

Ryan and I helped Carol put it together this year.

It wasn't the same without Pop...

The boys read their clues

 And searched high and low, until they found the surprise.

A 22 inch touch screen computer!

I think I'm enjoying it as much as they are!

Thanks, Grandma!

 We love you!

Last, but certainly not least, New Year's Eve!

My parents graciously hosted a grand kids sleepover on New Year's Eve!!!

The kids were ecstatic and can't wait to do it again next year!

 The grandkids brought their stuff:

My mother, again, had the house ready to go!

The snack bar:

Some games:

(Not pictured....the countless number of Nerf guns and bullets)

The table:

(Complete with blowers which my parents let the kids blow, scream and go wild with at midnight!)

They had an absolute blast,

as did Ryan and I on our kid-free New Year's Eve.

We arrived at my parents around 1:00 PM the next day

to find a house full of crazy kids and 2 VERY tired grandparents!

Everyone came together for lunch, complete with black eyed peas....of course!

Trysten with my neices.

Makes me smile.

 Alexis loves my grandmother's cane.

Go figure.

She scouts it out every time.

My brother made some bloody marys

Great way to start the year!

Thanks for a wonderful New Year's, Mimi and Grandaddy!

We love you!!!!

To round out the Christmas break,

Ryan made steamed lobster and grilled some steaks

for the whole fam the night before the boys went back to school.

Yum.

Now, that's what I call 2 weeks of fun.

Glad it only took me a month to put this post together.

Have a great, my friends!!

A Simple Resolution for 2012

Hello, friends!

I haven't even done our Christmas or New Year post

because I haven't downloaded the pics yet.

I vow to do that this weekend.

As for now,

I'm documenting my resolution for 2012.

It's always nice to make a fresh start and fix what's broken or needs a tune up.

*My personal resolution for this year is pretty simple.

I am permanently removing myself from all drama and negativity around me.

There is little of it in my life...on purpose, but what there is, I am done with.

Let's face it, life's too short to dwell on what we can't control.

I've been working on this for awhile,

but I've finally realized I'm wasting my time.

It feels like a huge burden lifted off my shoulders,
and I can't believe it took me so long to get here.

There is too much good in my life.

Now.....on to enjoy that good stuff. =)

Have a wonderful rest of your week!