Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

YAY! It is officially snowing. I.LOVE.SNOW. Let me clarify. I love watching it snow, while staying warm and cozy in my apartment. :)

I was working with small groups today when I noticed the first "heavy" snowfall. The kid in me wanted to jump up and down and shout for joy. Don't worry- it didn't happen. I calmly told everyone to stop what they were doing and look out the window. This resulted in them stopping what they were doing and running towards the window, shouting and jumping for joy! They make my heart happy!

Back to snow. I think part of me secretly wants a snow day! I shouldn't want any snow days, because with every snow day we have to go later into the summer and HELLO someone is getting married in June! Don't get me wrong, if my principal would happen to call me one day this week and tell me to stay in my pajamas it wouldn't hurt my feelings. I've had a plaque outside my apartment door that says "Please Snow I'm a Teacher" all year long. :)

Alrighty, back to "watching" the snow!

Giving Thanks

It is hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving! Where had the year gone?

I am thankful for so many wonderful people, things, and upcoming events. I thought I'd devote this blog to everything and everyone that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for Brian. In less than a year (seven months to be exact) I'll finally get to marry him. I cannot wait! Planning is underway and I'm looking forward to wedding dress shopping this Saturday. Sorry to my blog readers, but I can't post pictures because Brian reads my blog! HA!

I am thankful for my family- especially for my parents. They have been a big help to me throughout my entire life. I am lucky to have them in my life and that they are always willing to help me out. THey are the best! I also have the best brother and sister-in-law. I am so thankful that they were married this past June. I just wish we all lived closer to each other.

I am thankful for Brian's family. I am excited to join the Higgins family and officially be able to call the boys my nephews. WHOA! From the moment I met them, I already felt like they were my family. So in just a few more months it will be official! I love spending time with my future inlaws, and am looking forward to calling Pam and Jackie my sisters too! I always wanted a sister, and soon I'll have three! (Tiffany, Pam, and Jackie) WOOHOO!!! I'm also excited to have two more brothers too!!! (Whew didn't want to leave them out and hurt their feelings!)

I am thankful for my friends. I am fortunate to have so many amazing friendships from various stages of my life. I have close childhood friends who have remained friends into adulthood (HA!). I have amazing college friends, some who are also getting married this upcoming year. I have friends from St. Paul who I adore and am so grateful for. They have been like "moms" to me throughout these past six years!

I am thankful for my health. I know I've had some issues in 2010, but I am thankful for an overall healthy life. I just hope and pray that this will continue into the new year.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the reasons you are thankful. What are you thankful for?

Blog Confession

I have a confession to make. I am a blog stalker. Some say it is a problem, but I say woohoo! I first discovered the wonderful world of blogging from one of my dearest and bestest friends Beth (yeah I know my grammar was awful just now). She started a family blog to keep us informed and up to date about the boys. I. LOVED. IT. So I started reading her blog every day (sad side note- my school somehow put a firewall and her blog was one that was denied. I need to get them to unblock it asap).

Well, one day I started searching other blogs through her blog. I came across her sister's blog. I read some of her cousins blogs...and then started reading and searching random blogs. I now faithfully read seven or so blogs on a regular basis. There are mommy blogs, teacher blogs, wedding blogs- the best part they are all total strangers...but I feel like I know them!

:)

A Post about Brian...

I thought I'd take a few minutes and post about my wonderful husband-to-be. :)

*He is a great boyfriend/husband-to-be.
*He makes me laugh.
*He loves his family.
*He can dance almost as good as me.
*He lets me drink diet pepsi.
*He is devoted to his job and studying (which I am glad that is over).
*He is a very faithful man.

There are so many other wonderful things about him that I will share one day. But for now, I just wanted to share a little bit about him.

Don't get mad or think I'm cheesy....


He's just a great guy and I love him. :)

Wedding Weekend Recap

One of my college best friends got married this past weekend. YAY! I am so happy for Jill and Greg. It was a beautiful ceremony (despite the cold weather) and the reception was so much fun!!!

Brian came up on Friday and we had Pizza Hut pizza and just hung out. It sure is nice getting to spend so much time with my future husband...so much better than him studying all the time. My friend Brenda and her boyfriend Derrick came early Saturday and the four of us headed to the Chicago area. I think the four of us got along great and had lots of laughs together.

We met up with Kelly and Marc at the hotel and we grabbed a "quick" bite to eat at the local Wendy's before heading to the church. Yeah when I say "quick" I really mean SLOW! They were swamped and totally messed up our order. We weren't late for the wedding so all is well!

We danced the night away at the reception, we were the rowdy Table 13!!!

Let the OPA weddings begin...Jill and Greg- November 13...Kristen and Patrick- March 26 in Vegas...Brian and me- June 25 in Macomb....Anna and Jim- October 8 in Carlinville...WOOHOO!!! Four weddings in less than a year!

PICTURES!!! YAY

Logan with Joyce


DOGPILE



Joyce, Pam, Tyson, and Me (after an afternoon of partying!)


Brian is 30!

Happy Birthday Jackie (this was a delicious cookie cake!)

Brian, Greg, and Jacob...not sure what they were doing to the poor guy

Pam laughed at us for all the "self" poses...secretly she wanted to be in one too!!!!

We're engaged! YAY

No More Diet Coke/Diet Pepsi After 5

Here I am again...up late after drinking a diet pop. WHAT AM I THINKING!!! I told my teacher friend Laura that I'd be okay....it's 10:15 and I'm not really tired. Oh well...at least I can work on wedding plans. One of these days I'll learn my lesson.

Brian hasn't been feeling very well this week. Sinus infection or something like that. Poor guy came home early yesterday and stayed home today. I already told him he needed to get better...at least I was able to celebrate his birthday on his actual birthday this year.

We are in the midst of wedding planning. Church- booked. Reception hall- booked. Photographer- almost booked. DJ- almost booked.

THIS IS SO MUCH FUN! I am loving looking at all sorts of ideas.

Speaking of good ideas, my Future SIL Jackie mentioned a website called www.swagbucks.com. It is a pretty cool search engine website where you earn "swagbucks" that are redeemable for fun things. Check it out. In one day I've earned close to 70.

Okay Okay I'm going to try to upload pictures tomorrow. I'm sure you've been sad not to see them.

Weekend Recap

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Brian! Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

Brian celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday with the entire family. It was so much fun! I got into town on Friday and Brian and I headed to his parents. We got there and had some dinner with his Mom while we waited for the Pam, Jason, and the boys to arrive. They got there an hour or so later and we ended up hanging out in the upstairs living room area telling "scary stories" to Jared. Brian's was the best, something very similiar to the Wizard of Oz, which scared Jared.

Pam and I ended up driving into town to see Grandma Higgins. It was nice getting to see her and I think it made her happy. We drove back out to Joyce and Glenn's and were greeted by Greg, Jackie, and the boys! The rest of the crew got back soon after and we had a very nice meal.

It was fun getting to see all four of the boys interact with each other. Jared and Logan played together and the babies (who are both getting close to turning 1) were adorable to watch!

Brian and I made it official and asked Pam, Jason, Jackie, and Greg to stand up with us in June. I was so nervous to ask, so I made Brian begin the conversation....then I butted in and instantly started tearing up. HA! They all said YES! The four little guys will also have a part in our very special day.

Speaking of...not sure if I've made it official on my blog, but we have set our date for June 25th!

I'll get back to posting pictures soon!

:)

Pictureless Post

What a fun weekend! I finally got to spend some quality time with Brian! :) He took his huge test on Friday and let me just tell you....I am so glad it is over...we have to wait two months for the results, so say some prayers that he passed it with flying colors!

I went down in the afternoon after my parent teacher conferences and met Joyce at the house. We ended up going to Applebees for dinner. It was a lot of fun getting to spend some quality time with her. We chatted quite a bit about the wedding.

Brian got to his parents at the same time that Greg and Logan arrived. Everyone was pretty tired, but we all managed to stay up for a while. Logan is so much fun!

Saturday morning everyone went their separate ways...and Brian and I got to spend some time with Logan. We had quite the day together...we played, the boys went outside while I got ready, we took Logan on a road trip and bought him a giant green ball (did that make it home or is it still at Grandma's?), and we even got him to take a nap...wait a minute...when I say "we" I actually mean "me". Brian tried to get him to sleep, but it was the magic touch from me that actually got him to nap.

Brian and I spent a huge chunk of Sunday looking at houses...we even went to an open house...so much fun!!!!

We are now in the midst of wedding plans and house hunting. So much to do! I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my future sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and parents-in-law (HAHA that sounds funny). Brian turns 30 this Saturday!!! WHOA! :)

I'll start back with pictures one of these days!