Dream Come True

So, back in college, my BFF Becca and I always talked about how when we graduated we would live down the street from each other and work at the same school, me teaching and her the pe coach (and us still able to share a closet). After college, Becca got married and moved to Houston since her hubby Garet already had a job there.  I moved to Dallas and got a job close to where Aaron lived.  Obviously, our plans didn't come to fruition. 
Last week however, I found out that we are taking a step in the right direction :)  Garet interviewed and got a job here in Dallas!!!  So that means that my bestie and her precious family are moving here....and not just here, but really close to where we live!   I am beyond excited and can't wait for them to officially be here!  Now all we have to do is convice our other BFF Kala to move up here and be our school nurse :)  Just like old times!

FunTastic

This past weekend was so. much. fun. 
My good friend Marissa got married in Houston so I hitched a ride down with two of my favs, Stormey and Gerad.  They were going to Houston for a bachelor/bachelorette party so I just tagged along.  It was so much fun getting to visit with them down and back. 
They dropped me off with Becca so I got to spend the weekend with her and her wonderful family :)  I love the Blacks!!!  Kala came in on Saturday morning so we rushed to get lunch and get ready before the wedding festivities.  The wedding was beautiful and the reception was a blast...but who would have expected differently with the Wichkoski/Shults bunch?!  I always enjoy seeing old friends and there were a ton of other HSU alumni there to celebrate.  It always makes me miss college when I get to hang out with all my old friends and reminice on fun times.  However, coming home to my amazing hubby and cute puppy remind me that life isn't too bad now either :)
Overall, super FunTastic weekend!

Currently...

Currently, I am exhausted from working with little kiddos (4 year olds to be exact) at Vacation Bible School this week.  It has been super fun and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  They are so funny and say the cutest things ever.  After singing a song about how Jesus loves us, one of the little girls shouted out, "I get to go to Heaven!" with so much enthusiasm.  I couldn't help but laugh.  It has been a good reminder all week that we are lucky to serve a good who loves us and that someday, we will get to meet him :)
Currently, I am loving some new items around our apartment.  I found a papasan at Pier 1 that I just had to have.

It's a rocking papasan...how cool is that?!  I was a little nervous that Aaron might not like it so I didn't off the wrapping until he got home and said that he liked it too!  It is super comfortable and I know I will have many comfortable naps in it!
The next thing is not something that I love, but Aaron loves it very much.  In fact, I feel like I have been fighting it for attention the last few nights.

He has been wanting a Mac for awhile, he finally got it on Monday evening.  He's a happy boy :)
And lastly, in a previous post I mentioned putting fresh mint into my lemonade.  I found a really cute pot at Hobby Lobby so I got it and last night I went to WalMart and bought a Mint plant.  I put my green thumb to work and planted it in the pot.

Since I have never had a plant before, I had to look up on the internet how to care for a mint plant.  Lucky me, it doesn't need too much care just some water now and then.  Hopefully I can manage that and will have fresh mint year round for my lemonade and mojitos!!!

Homemade

So far this summer I have kept myself busy reading, watching tv, and cooking.  I don't know why I've been in the mood to cook, maybe its to show Aaron what I great housewife I would make if I didn't have to work...haha I can dream, right :)
I have amazed myself (and Aaron) with some of the things I have made.  Last week, I cooked the most delicious pork chops using a packet of Ranch dressing. With it, we had fresh green beans, steamed then sauteed in garlic and oil, mashed potatoes and a yummy dessert of cherry crunch.  Makes me hungry just thinking about it. 
A few days later, I made homemade lemonade!  My favorite!  I found Paula Deen's recipie and immediately went and bought fresh lemons and lemon juice.  For fun, I also bought some fresh mint to add to it.  Let me just tell you that it was amazing!  I drank several glasses that night.  I even brought out my pretty crystal pitcher that was still in the box from our wedding!  Here is a pic of how it came out :)

Matchmaker

A few months ago, it suddenly hit my that two of our friends were PERFECT for eachother.  Since then, I have been unsuccessfully trying to arrange for them to meet.  Tonight, it is finally happening.  I am so excited and can't wait to see the sparks fly :)
If it works out, maybe I will reveal who they are...otherwise, my matchmaking days may be over.

Estate Sale

When I think of an estate sale, I think of a house where they are selling everything because the owner has either passed away or is moving to a retirement home.  This was the case yesterday...kind of.  I went with Julie and we met Aunt Cindy and Katie at a home in Highland Park to shop at an Estate Sale.  The owner was simply downsizing though and moving to a much smaller 2 bedroom home.  This person must have been the biggest packrat ever though.  We went on the 2nd day of the sale and there was still TONS of stuff.  And this was only things that had been in two sheds in the sprawling backyard.  We all managed to find a few little treasures there.  Julie got some pots to start her own little garden on her balcony, Cindy got some beautiful Christmas ornaments and some chicken feeders for decor around her house.  I found something pretty awesome.  I think it is fair to say that Aaron was actually excited about me spending money this time :)

Although we don't have anywhere for it right now, it is being kept safe at his parents house until we have a house of our own with a backyard of our own to proudly display this.....
Who knew you could actually buy and own a fire hydrant?!

Summer Reading

This is normally what my reading looks like.

I love to read.  I do it year round, however during the school year, I don't get to do much reading for myself...but I plan on doing A LOT of reading this summer.  I have actually already started some. 
I am beginning with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  So far, it has been a bit of tough reading getting through all of the charachter development.  I am just getting to the "action" and it seems like it will be very interesting.  When I finish, I am planning on reading the next 2 books in the series...The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest and The Girl Who Played With Fire.
Once I am finished with those, I plan on reading the Sex and the City series.  All of the books written by Candace Bushnell sound really good so I might get stuck on those for a while.
I also want to read the Hunger Games series.  I have loved the Twilight series and it seems like everyone who read that has really enjoyed Hunger Games as well.
If you have any other suggestions, please let me know :)

Operation Mar

This weekend I went to Austin for a bachelorette party.  It was for one of my awesome soccer frinds from HSU, Marissa.  It was sooooo good to see so many of my college friends.  It is ALWAYS a good time when we get together.  Although I missed Friday nights festivities, I had a great time with everyone on Saturday.  Here are some pics :)

enjoying the lake

octobong

the girls before going out

My BEST FRIENDS :)

Overall, it was a fabulous weekend and I look forward to another one in 3 weeks for the wedding!  I am also looking forward to another fun bachelorette party because when I got home yesterday, I got a text from another soccer friend, Whitney, of her GORGEOUS engagement ring :)  Yay!

Sweet Summertime

Ahhhhhh.  I am so happy.  This school year is OVER!  To celebrate, we had a couple of friends over to watch the Mavs game.  I made chili dogs and queso.  I also painted my nails a pretty shade of purple tonight.  It made me smile.
Yesterday at school was crazy.  I had to take care of report cards and help set up for a couples shower we were throwing after school was out...all the while being a little emotional about seeing my babies finish kindergarten.  I am so impressed at how far this group of kids came over the course of the year.  I had some that didn't know their letters on the first day and left reading on level.  So Proud.
The couples shower was for a teammate of mine, Matt and his fiance Brandi, who I taught with at Sheffield before we were both transferred to Freeman.  They are both big Texas Rangers fan so that was the theme for the shower.  I was in charge of decorations and I was really happy with how everything came out.  It was a lot of fun and a very good turnout.

Brandi enjoying the yummy food

The cupcake cake and presents

table decor :)

Game props

Mary serving hotdogs

me with the couple!

Well, today is my last day of work for about 2 months.  I've already started my summer reading and worked on my tan :)  Saturday I am heading down to Austin for my friend Marissa's bachelorette party.  I will definitely enjoy helping her celebrate her upcoming marriage as well as my summer!