Let's try this again!

So I'm going to attempt to blog again. Who knows if my crazy life or schedule will allow me to keep up with it. For now, I think it's best to just post pictures and let people catch up!!! Miss Lilly just turned two and we are having a blast playing with all her new toys furniture and gadgets. We are also potty training right now, but it has been going quite succesfully! We are enjoying our little family and our crazy schedule. Cheerleading has started up again and we are in full swing. My JV team won 1st place last weekend at their first competition at Apalachee High School in Winder! GO SOUTH!!! Hope everyone is doing as great as me. I love my family, job, and my life! Couldn't ask for more!

Non-Wordless Wednesday

Well I hate to say that I have been a horrible blogger the last few weeks. I was pretty fired up there in the beginning about keeping up with it, but then I fizzled out. Sometimes life just happens, right! Just because I haven't been blogging, doesn't mean nothing has been going on in my life. I have actually had quite a bit to do and keep me busy lately. I figure the best way to explain things is through pictures. They say pictures tell a thousand words, right?

I'm getting ready for Valentine's Weekend. We have Lilly this weekend, and I have already prepared for her and I to make Valentine's cards together and make cookies and cupcakes. I've got the supplies ready and I'm just waiting on my sweet darling to get here so we can get to it! I have a special small whisk with a heart in it that she uses to help me make cookies when she is here. It can be a little messy, but it's worth it.

Did I mention that I spoil Lilly rotten? I'm pretty sure that anyone who knows me knows that having a little girl meant lots of PINK in my household. I love getting her all kinds of stuff, not to spoil her with stuff, but things that we can play with together. And I just love dressing her up and putting bows in her hair, she is just the cutest thing ever!!

Back to the spoiling, for Valentine's Day we got her a Disney Princess playhut. I searched all of Atlanta and got this for 20% off the original price. It was a great deal, and it replaced her ball pit that was deflating quickly. Also she is getting Minnie's Bowtique that came out yesterday. I'm so excited to watch this one with her!!!

My latest obsession these last couple of weeks has been Cheeto Puffs! I can't get enough of them. Tommy thinks it's so weird, and before you think it, no I'm not preggers. I just saw them in the store one day, and said to myself "those look amazing!" So I bought a small bag, and then a big bag. Hopefully the obsession will end soon, I know these cannot be healthy!!

And last by not least, I am currently reading a variety of books. I discovered our local library, which is complete with a full cafe (food, coffee, smoothies, desserts, frozen coffee drinks, and more!!!) as well as an amazing reading room! I love it, and already started checking out books. I'm currently reading Freakonomics, which is to be expected since I teach Economics. And I already know what you are going to say Dad- "Read Atlas Shrugged", I know, I know. It's on my to-do list. Also, on the side I have been reading Tom Brokaw's-Boom! It's a history book with personal stories from people who lived during the 60s. Man, do they have some stories to tell. Also, we cannot forget to add in a little girlyness so I've got my Cosmo magazine thrown in as well. I now have a year's subscription, all for free, thanks to my Coke Rewards points. My Diet Coke obsession is finally paying off!

I finally got the office back in working order so here's hoping that I can keep up the blog a little better!!

P.S. I got to go to Katie's wedding this past weekend, and I miss my friends. I have one wonderful friend up here- April. She is totally amazing, and I love spending time with her. But I would love to find some other ladies to hang out with as well and maybe get involved in the community. I hope we find a church we love soon that's close by or that I can get involved in a community organization to meet some ladies.

P.S.S.- Katie and Rachel, you should both just move up here. I would volunteer to come back there, but I'm kinda stuck with my husband and needing to be close to Lilly. Haha!! JK, I love Tommy and Lilly more than anything else in the world!!

Spread the Love!!

Thank God for Lunch

Well it's official, I have some sort of bug. I have been so sick since last Thursday. I literally did nothing all weekend except lay on my couch and bed and watch T.V. or movies. By Monday morning I was feeling better, but ever since then I have been going back downhill. Trying to teach today was horrible. I practically lost my voice before the end of the day. Thankfully my students were cooperative and knew that I was under the weather. They were very funny and picked up the slack for me when I felt like I couldn't talk anymore. Even my face is raw and broken out from so many wipes of the Kleenex. Hopefully, I can catch up on all my grading and get over this crud soon!!

So now onto the highlight of my day thus far: lunchtime!!! I made the easiest and most wonderful jambalaya bake the other night and remembered to bring the leftovers for lunch today. I'm not a spicy foods kinda gal but this recipe adds just enough kick to be flavorful and help you breath when you are sick. My hubby also loved the recipe, which is another plus.

Here's the Recipe:

1 can (14 oz) chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes with onion and peppers (undrained)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken (cut into 1 inch cubes)

8 0z. hot New Orleans style sausage links (cut into 1-inch pieces)

1/2 can of black beans

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1 box Zataran's Jambalaya mix

You mix everything together and place in a 2 qt. casserole dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 80 minutes at 350 degrees.

I'm sure you could always spice it up with more seasoning or spices depending on your liking. It was YUMMM-O!!!! I'm sure tonight's menu will not be as appealing, probably just eating leftovers or going out. I'm in serious need of getting my nails done, seeing that they have not been done since the wedding. Speaking of wedding, today is our one month anniversary. I cannot believe one month has already flown by. My mom told me the other night that marriage really "suits me." This made me feel great, because I would definitely have to agree. I feel like all the stress and weight of the last year has been lifted. We are enjoying the married life and spending time with our little Lilly. Here are some of my favorite pictures of her recently.

She looks so tiny compared to Tommy but she is actually getting so big and tall. I can't wait until we have her more and get on a normal schedule. God has definitely answered prayers in that area and we are looking forward to building our little family. We have some exciting plans with the little one this year. My favorite thing she does of late is showing you where her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, feet, hair, and belly button are. The funniest thing is to have her show you all the same things on her Minnie Mouse. But when we get to Minnie Mouse's belly button, she lifts up her dress and gets so confused as to where Minnie Mouse's belly button is. It is too cute. She is obsessed with Minnie at our house and has several of them. Her current favorite words are Minnie, football, and DaDa. In the middle of the wedding ceremony, the preacher said Tommy's name and Lilly yelled out "DaDa"!! It was so precious. We practice our learning flash cards on Saturday mornings. They have different objects and pictures on them, we show Lilly the card and I say the name in English, then Tommy says it in Spanish. We are also teaching her to say "Goooo Dawgs"!! She has gotten very good at it lately.

Well I hope tonight brings more success than the last few evenings and hopefully I will get rid of this crud soon!!!

Wash My Cares Away

One word to describe today- RAIN!!! I think about so many songs that relate to rain on days like this- "Bring on the Rain", "Praise You In This Storm", "Rainy Night in Georgia", and "Grace Like Rain." Rain can mean good things like peaceful sleep, which is something I definitely need. Evidently, my husband is a snorer. Let's just say that the last few nights have been "sleepless" for me. On top of that, I feel sick and yucky. My students are testing today and I'm bored. I have researched Economics sites and completed some planning. I just keep looking outside at the rain and wish that I was napping. Maybe a questionnaire will keep me occupied until the time passes:

Use only one word to answer the questions:

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your Hair? brown
3. Your Mother? amazing
4. Your Father? working
5. Your favorite food? pizza
6. Your dream last night? school
7. Your favorite drink? DietCoke (Yes I'm making it one word)
8. Your dream/goal? family
9. What room are you in? 363
10. Your hobby? decorating
11. Your fear? lizards
12. Where do you want to be in six years? motherhood
13. Where were you last night? In-laws
14. Something you aren't? pushover
15. Favorite Muffin? chocolate-chip
16. Wish List Item? twins
17. Where did you grow up? Mableton
18. Last thing you did? Teaching
19. What are you wearing? dressy
20. Your TV? recording
21. Your Pets? miss
22. Friends? hilarious
23. Your Life? sparkles
24. Your Mood? tired
25. Missing Someone? PYBs
26. Vehicle? Parking-Lot
27. Something your not wearing? lipstick
28. Your favorite store? Swoozies
29. Your favorite color? PINK
30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? BlindSide
32. Your best friend(s)? Caring
33. One place I could go over and over? Disneyworld
34. Favorite place to eat? El Sombrero

If this rain keeps up I will need to invest in some good rainboots and a good umbrella.

The GOP Victory

Yay for Scott Brown!! Thank you to the people of Massachusetts for finally stepping up and showing Congress who really runs the government- THE PEOPLE!! Our nation was founded on the principle of popular sovereignty. This concept means that people are the source of government's power. It is difficult for me to explain to my students in my American Government classes that people our the source of government's power and then watch lawmakers in Congress try to deny the people their voice and power. May this be a stepping stone for Congress to listen to the people's wishes!! Filibuster proof, Democrats? Whatcha gonna do now?? YAY!!!!

I'm a Blogger

Well it's official, I have created my first blog. I have thought about doing this for a long time, and even created one during grad school to have students complete a project. Recently, after getting married I thought it would be a great idea to document and keep up with all the crazy events of my life. I have so many friends who have wonderful blogs and I love reading each and every one of them. I'm not really sure what took me so long to start my own, but better late than never, right?

This week has been very refreshing and I feel like I'm off to great start for the new year. I have cooked every meal for the last couple of weeks, done all the laundry, cleaned my house, reorganized the kitchen, and even found time to play video games with my husband. I do not really like to make New Year's Resolutions, but there are many things I can't wait to do in 2010!!

I recently got married on December 26, 2009 to the most amazing man on earth- Thomas Jason Hewitt. He has a daughter named Lilly, and we have the most amazing little family. Married life was the best move I ever made, and I enjoy it more everyday. I knew God had great plans for me, but I never could have imagined it would be this great. I feel like as soon as I took the plunge, everything aligned into perfect order. I just know that this is going to be a great start to a lifetime of wonderful memories.

I want to keep a record of what I cook so that I can remember all the great meals I plan to make throughout my marriage. Tonight, it was cube steak, twice-baked potatoes, and sauteed green beans and zucchini. Maybe one day I will be as good as Paula Deen!


I should probably enjoy the last part of the evening with my wonderful husband, so it's off to see what the DVR has recorded and what juicy TV show I can dive into tonight!