Yesterday at school we had an assembly called
Rachel's Challenge. Rachel was the first girl shot in the Columbine shooting. You can read more about her life and what this assembly was all about on the website. Anyway, the speaker challenged the kids to do 5 things. One of those things was to go home and tell the most important people in your life how much you care about them. The kids were really affected by this (most jr high kids are FASCINATED with death) and so when we went back to class, I talked with them a little bit about it. I asked if they were going to go home and talk with their families or whoever they thought of. Most of them responded yes. One of my girls asked if I was going to do the same thing. I said sure...then I didn't do it last night.
Well, today, some of the kids were talking about what they did and how they said it and the crying and drama that ensued. They loved it. Then they remembered that I was supposed to do it, too. They turned to me and asked if I had done what I said I was going to do... :( I said no. They were incredibly bitter and told me I was getting an F. haha But they were right- I should have done it. So- without further adieu- (and without being impersonal on a blog)
To my parents: Love my mom and padre. Always so patient and understanding. So willing to do anything I need and usually things I don't even realize I need. Thank you.
To Meg and her family: Love you so much- wish I could take a few months off school to be there with you right now. I would bring all my best hot cocoas and my good mugs and my mismatched socks. I would make my best new chip dip and we'd lick all the lime off before trying the dip. We'd watch movies and play Wii while the kids laugh at Aunt Amy. It would be a perfect day. Then we really would visit all those places I lied to dad about seeing this summer.
To Emi and her family: Thank you for always welcoming me into your home. I always just fit right in. I have my own room- that I loan out to others on occasion. DH is always more than willing to help me out with whatever I don't have my own DH for. Your kids- they are amazing. I love you for creating such a wonderful home filled with love and the spirit.
To Bebe Brother and his family: Miss my 7 year twin and his darling girls- all three of them. Can't wait for Thanksgiving when we can watch movies and eat and repeat the process. I love that you're living and making it happen how you want. I totally admire that. You are both such great examples and I can't wait to grow up just like you. :)
To D Joseph and Alisonmo: You are my kids :) You're part of my family and who I am. I miss you when you're not here, but I know you'll always be with me. You can fight over the house when I'm dead for but now, you both have your own rooms when you need them. I love you both.
To other friends I didn't specifically mention, thank you for being part of my life. I can now clear the F with my kids tomorrow during 3rd. :)
Meg's family :) Don't ask why Meg and Mr. Thornton aren't actually in the picture. They rarely make photo appearances. But look how well my cute niece's hair is coming back in! She's in the red- bottom left. Yay for bed head!
And Bebe Brother's family :) Aren't they just the cutest things? Its like Christmas card central at their house. My fun sister in law with her amazing camera- takin' pictures like a pro. Nice work!
Yep- Merry Christmas from Texas!
Christmas pj's!
Great Grandma "reading" to the kids. Great idea, Gram!
Some surprises for Emi!
And a big surprise for mom!
And when they're home, that means we get to eat at the Melting Pot. So tasty and such a good time. Thanks, cute kids.
HUGE thanks to my sweet sister, Meg! She lives... elsewhere... and was able to get tickets to see the choir broadcast for this morning. With all that was going on her life, she was unable to use them. So she offered them to me (at least, I was the first one to call her back). Three of my friends and I drove up and braved the snow and crowds and all the holiday traffic to experience the live broadcast and "mini concert" afterwards. 
Natalie Cole was the featured singer this season. She was lovely. After the broadcast was over and it was a little less formal, she was so gracious about her time here and how she was treated. She seemed genuinely impressed with the organization of the church and the choir. 
And this man- David McCullough. Wow. I have to say, I'm a little late joining in the hurrah's for what an amazing man he is, but when he walked on stage, I literally teared up. He told the tale of the Christmas song "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Just hearing him speak on that alone made me want to become a roadie of his. 
My 8 year old niece, Cinderella, presented me with two custom made ornaments tonight. She has fashioned them herself and was so excited to know they'd be on my tree. As you can see, one is a present. The other is a tennis ball, because she knows I love tennis. Thank you, Cinderella! My tree is now complete!
Yes- that IS a Mr. Potato Head face in her mouth haha
Oh bebe brother!
The girls and I- always thrilled for a picture, as you can see :)
She is a crack up! So practical and polite about everything.
This girl is all my side of the family! Oh my heck she is hilarious!
Yes- those really are turnips!
A lady I work with went up north and dug us up some turnips! They are obviously huge! And they smelled disgusting! But we tried frying some up for lunch one day- not too bad.
There's my team. :) We beat Chicago last night. In Chicago. On the road. For the Eastern Conference Cup. That's huge! And as usual, we went to the watch party at the stadium. After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, the match went to a penalty kick shootout. There was 90 minutes of regulation play; 30 minutes of overtime. Then each team gets 5 penalty kicks- one on one with the keeper. If you're still tied after that, then you alternate one shot each until someone wins. Now- see that guy in blue in just right of center in the picture? That's Nick Rimando- our keeper. He's the best PK keeper in the league. After the 5 penalty kicks, we were still tied 4-4. Chicago sent their best guy up there to go against Nick. He blocked the kick. We sent our guy up and he made his goal- we won! NEVER in all my sporting event days have I been in a room where it was total mania! I'm in love with soccer! What can I say? Thank you, Dave Checketts.
Some friends and I spent our Halloween night watching Thriller at Tuacahn. It was perfect weather! We had slept in, done a little TJ Maxxing, eaten well and finished the day with some great entertainment. Having never been to that theater, I was totally impressed with the setting. I plan on going back for more at some point. But here's a few glimpses of our evening!
Kassie, our bffl zombie, and Katie- who planned this great weekend! Thanks!
Kas got a new admirer- bet she still looks great upside down!
Amelia, bffl zombie and me :)
And there we are! Cute and semi-cold at intermission. Odyssey does a wonderful job of putting this on. I had never seen it before but was totally impressed. I'd see it every Halloween if my schedule permitted. And now.... onto Thanksgiving!
First- buy yourself some amazing salt and pepper corn. I only did a dozen ears, because there's only me. And I only have so much freezer space!
Then you have to shuck it. Get as much silk and husk off as possible. (hand shucked, of course.)
Then you want to blanche it in boiling water for 2 minutes. Make sure the water is boiling. Time it for 2 minutes, remove and place in a bowl until all the corn has been blanched.
Slice down the ear of corn with a knife, as though you're cutting it up for a small child or... someone without any teeth! ( I thought of my cute niece, Molly, when I was doing this haha)
Once all your corn is cut, simply measure it into freezer safe ziplock baggies and that's all there is to it! I ended up with 8 cups from the dozen ears I started with. Corn will only be around for another week or so! I recommend getting on that fast!
