The most exciting, scary, amazing, and confusing news of my life!

So, the day Jay and I got back from our cruise in July, I discovered I was pregnant! I really didn't know what to think and I was a little worried considering I decided to ride the Aqua Twister speed boat in Cozumel. (Which was one of the most fun things I've ever got to do!)I was in a little shock, but 3 tests later, I was pretty sure! Jay was on cloud nine and it's been a surreal ride ever since. We decided not to find out what we're having...just because I love surprises and we're both old fashioned like that! We've gotta wait all 9 months! I just started showing a little bit and have tried real hard to be as healthy as possible. It's kind of weird that you spend all this time losing weight and trying to stay in shape, but are excited to start growing a belly! Jay and I just can't wait to see our beautiful baby! I know this is going to be the most life changing chapter of our love story!

My life since April!!!

So, I haven't blogged in a long time, but there are so many things that went on this summer! Cruises, renovations, and babies! So exciting, but extremely busy!Can't wait to start blogging again! Here is goes!

Green Thumb, not mine!

Look at the most beautiful country garden. My parents have made such a beautiful garden, I wanted to share! Since I have a black thumb, I have to live through my parent's garden. The lettuce was delicious and I can't wait for more!

I am Spartacus!

Meet Spartacus. He's our pet possum. Yes, I said pet possum. He's itsy bitsy and has been hanging out around our house. Everyone says to shoot him, but I just can't stand the thought of that. He's so cute. I haven't resorted to feeding him, but he must have found something to eat because he loves our yard. I just find him so adorable! I guess it's the Ellie Mae in me, I've always liked wild stuff.....after all, I married JAY! lol! Anyways, any thoughts on what I should do with him? (Other than kill him!)

Salva Vida!

Jay and I in beautiful Honduras enjoying the local beer. Honduras is the most beautiful place I've ever been and I can't wait to go back! The scenery, beaches, and people are just amazing! I also got to talk with some local school children and their school is right on the beach! So jealous!

I "heart" old people

I really love old people. I know some are crabby and not very nice. I know they drive slow, take forever in the check out line, and can't follow simple instructions on a voting machine. Despite this, I really have a calling for old people. I love their stories, memories, and just being in their prescence. So many of them are witty and full of useful knowledge. Why as a society do we just assume because their bodies give out, that their brain does? I have a point to all this. I saw on the news the other day that you can "adopt" a veteran. Basically, a veteran who is ill with no family can come live in your home, just like adopting a child. I thought it was the most amazing and rewarding program. What a way to give back! I like the thought of taking care of someone who fought for our country. I also can't stand the thought of a person not having a loving family, and since mine is big and there are plenty of us to go around, why not? What a way to glorify God! I'm still toying with the idea, even though at my house, I'm alone with my affinity for old people. I guess I like them because my grandparents died when I was young and I never really got to have that part of life. Just a thought. What do you think?

The joys of teaching

I seriously have considered writing a book about all the "joys" of being a teacher. Despite the fact that I really do LOVE it, sometimes I really don't get kids. I think sometimes we forget they're little people still maturing and learning everyday. Occasionally, I get reminded of this fact. Recently, my students and I have started talking about TAKS and what it is. Since I teach 3rd this is really the first time they've ever taken a test like this. The kids all seemed to understand how important it was and they all were pumped and ready to do their best on our first practice. I have this one little red-headed boy in my class who has extreme trouble with focus and paying attention. His teacher last year compared him to a spider monkey. I hope this paints a visual. The teachers feel me. They've all seen it. Loud, active, fidgety, and...immature. I love him, but geez he wears me out! I can only figure God made him red-headed as some ironic joke or worse....a taste of what's to come in my household. Anyways, he did great on the first part of the practice, but then.......A kid threw up. It totally distracted him and he missed the last 20 questions. As if that wasn't enough, I discovered he'd actually made a very clever dot-to-dot with his scantron. There is was- a giant "K" (his initial). I rewarded him for his creativity, then I made him fix it. I had to laugh even though I wanted to cry. The next day we took a practice math, and again, his attention bit the dust within 15 minutes. This time, no dot-to-dot, but instead a smiley face at the bottom where all the bubbles are for scanning codes. It was right there in the spot that says "for office use only" Oh, I love being a teacher. It was a great laugh for the day, but that question entered my mind again.
"Should we REALLY be testing 8 year olds?" 35+ questions? I wonder what dot-to-dot he'll make on the REAL test? =)

Valentine's Visitor

I expected a surprise for Valentine's Day, but I never dreamed the particular thing I awoke to this morning. The fireplace is one of my most favorite things in our home and we have a fire going almost everynight. Last night was no exception. We usually just go to bed and let the fire go out on it's own and as a result we leave the chimney open....or we used to. I awoke this morning to Jay's girl like screams to get up, so of course I rushed to the living room to discover a DUCK flying around. Yes, I said a duck. No, I'm not making this up. Well, as later discovered it was a Teal to be more specific. Our fearless cats ran in all directions to hide and Lester's tail fluffed out like a raccoon. I put Lester away in the bathroom and Cash was nowhere to be found. The duck flew around behind the end table and camped out. Meanwhile, Jay and I deliberated a plan of attack. In my head I could just see this duck flying around breaking my grandmother's beautiful dishes all beautifully displayed on my china cabinet. I envisioned lamps breaking, pictures falling, etc. We decided to open the door, I would "shoo" it out from behind the end table and Jay would net it. It did work without a hitch, but the whole scene did look as ridiculous as it seems. The poor little duck definitely took a wrong turn, but flew away gracefully. Luckily, nothing in our house was broken, the cats eventually recovered, and we made it to church on time. Lesson learned. Close your chimney at night. More than birds will fly down. I am looking on the brightside. At least it wasn't a bat! It's always something in the country.

technical clarification

It seems that my previous post has offended some "authentic cajuns." Turtle Sauce Pecan is actually spelled "Sauce Piquante". (Even though they say PECAN) Once again, crazy cajuns. Is it French? Is it English? Make up your minds!

sauce pecan- Meaux style cajun education

Most folks who know me, know my husband is an AMAZING cook! (even though I'm better) Needless to say, cooking in our house is a bit of a competition. Since I'm now a SETexan, I have been attempting to harness my inner "cajun". This is despite the fact I'm about as cajun as Chef Boyardee and roux is a word used to describe a person with verbal diarrhea. You know, roux-d. Anyways, I've put up with lots of the crazy cajun concotions and have even learned to make a little gumbo. I was really starting to feel at home in cajun country. All that changed this weekend when we attended the Meaux super bowl extravaganza complete with "sauce pecan." What is it you ask? Well, the name is especially deceiving. It's not a sauce, nor does it have pecans inside it. The name sounds harmless, but it's actually a steaming pot of TURTLE soup! Apprehensive at first, I eventually tried it. (You've got to live a little) It wasn't bad.....it wasn't good....it was TURTLE!!! I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites just because of the thought of it. Who wants to eat Michaelangelo? (Those of you who are confused, it's a throwback to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) Not to mention, the pieces in the pot were not easily identified, which got me to thinking. How do you clean a turtle? I mean, which pieces do you eat? The feet? The whole thought is just weird. Crazy cajuns. A minor set back to this new SETexan. Moral here. Steer clear of foods with unidentifiable parts with cajun names, and turtles are food only in the event you are part of Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls. (Which is a complete moron, just FYI)Bring on the chicken fried steak!

Angel J's cookies

I love to cook! I would rather cook than do anything in the world. Luckily, I have a husband who loves to eat. It makes it nice because then I don't have to eat it all. Sugar cookies are one of my most favorite things to make. I think it's something about how beautifully simple they are. They somehow remind me of my childhood and of a simpler time when moms had afternoon snack ready for the kids after school. I miss that time (even though I never really lived it)and the sugary smell of the cookies somehow take me back, if even for a minute. I've been searching for the perfect sugar cookie since Jay and I got married as he likes super light, crunchy cookies. I FINALLY have stumbled upon the perfect sugar cookie. It's light, crumbly, flaky, and just plain good. In Jay's words...."oh honey, oh God, this is the best cookie I've ever had. It melts in your mouth!" I love making my husband have that kind of reaction. One of these days maybe I'll start a restaurant, so all my cooking can be put to good use. I'm sharing the recipe for any others out there in search of the perfect sugar cookie, courtesy of the Pioneer Woman. Happy eating!

Angel Sugar Cookies
2 large eggs
1 C canola oil
2 sticks butter, softened
1 C powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 Cups plus 2 T. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream eggs, oil, butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hr. Using a ice cream scoop, drop the balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Smear a dab of butter on the bottom of a glass, then dip it in granulated sugar. Use the glass to flatten the balls of dough, dipping again into the sugar each time. Repeat until all are flattened. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the cookies are just barely turning brown around the edges. They are very flaky and wonderful! Enjoy!

We have music!

Well after weeks of trying and tutorials, I have finally managed to get music onto my blog!!! (Please clap) It is in the form of a playlist, and you have to click it to make it play, but it's there. I kind of like it this way because I can just add songs when I want. Praise me please....and listen to Jason Mraz. Laters!