Birthday Bash

This was probably the funnest birthday of my post-20-year-old birthdays. Friday my coworker (and roomie in my portable) threw a little party for me with some of our students.

She had the place all decorated and a huge chocolate cake. The students were all asking me questions like, "how old are you miss?" When I told them that I was turning 26, they either said, "I'm almost your age" or "Ya that's old." Real cute.

They also asked, "what's your boyfriend got planned miss?" Then I tell them I am married and they are super surprised and want to know if Dave is black or white.

Anyway, back to my birthday. Here are some photos:

My classroom

My portable-mate Teresa and me

Later on Friday night, we headed over to Julie's for a party with friends:

The Party Planning Committee Lauren and Julie. :) Thanks girls!!

We had burgers, fried pickles, pina colada smoothies, cookie cake, and cheesecake bites!

We played the Newlywed game! (Dave and I won by 10 points...we were also some of the least newly WEDS there, but still the important part is that we obviously love each other the most right?)

"26" baby!

My friend Lauren is a baker and when she asked me what kind of cake I wanted, the answer was easy...COOKIE CAKE. I seriously love this stuff. She also made me cheesecake bites because she knows how much I love those too.

Then on Saturday, my sweet husband took me out to eat at Macaroni Grill and surprised me with an overnight stay at the San Gabriel House Bed and Breakfast in Georgetown. It was such a cute place. The house was over 100 years old!



So ya, it was a wonderful weekend.

Straight from Heaven...Nephew #3!

Welcome baby Nathan Samuel!

I am now an aunt 3 times over! My brother Brandon and sister in law Amber had a baby boy on January 20 (my dad's birthday). They named him Nathan Samuel, he was 7 pounds 11 ounces. He is coming into this world the youngest of 3 boys (which means he will have to be tough).

Wish I could be there to see him...I am feeling a road trip to Oklahoma coming on...

The first time Alex and Isaac get to meet Nathan

Devoted

I teach at an alternative high school in Round Rock called Success. I teach Child Development, Nutrition, and Family Relationships to kids who have dropped out of traditional high schools for whatever reason but want to come back and get a high school diploma. Usually my students are older - 18, 19...I have 2 that are 20.

After having taught here for 2 months now, I am completely immersed in the lives of these students. They tend to be a little more open about their lives than students at a traditional high school. These kids have been through some seriously tough stuff and have gotten in major trouble.

Last night, as I was sitting on my comfy couch with Dave, eating spaghetti and watching TV...I couldn't get the hardships of my students out of my mind. I have 1 that is completely homeless. She is 17, has a 4 month old son, and they travel from shelter to shelter each night. The father is abusive and the baby has been sick since the day he was born. That's just 1 of my students.

Having said these things (and thank you for listening) I decided this week that I am devoted to this job. These kids might not have anyone that cares for them (or shows it). If I can be a smiling face for them, then I need to be there. Doing that. And that is what's important right now.