Christmas Baking

I LOVE Christmas Baking!!! This year is the first year that I did it alone, but I still had so much fun! I got up at 8:30 that day, started baking at 9:00 and didn't finish cleaning up until 9:00pm!! This is with an about 1 hour break to run to wal-mart! The day just seemed to go by sooo fast! Here is all that I made... along with Fudge & Sugar Cookies! :)













Goodie Bags ready to take to school!!!



Our Christmas Tree!!! I love it sooo much!




House Shopping

Landan and I also having something else exciting going on in our life right now! We have been looking at houses!! We started looking this summer, but really just started getting serious the last couple of months! It's really the perfect time, with the really low interest rates! It will also work out for us because we're just paying rent month by month, so we can be very flexible! Anyways, we put an offer on a house last week!! It was very exciting, but at the same time, we're trying not to get too excited because it could be a very long process. The house is a 'Short Sale.' This doesn't at all mean that it will be quick! It actually takes longer! A short sale means that the house has been taken over by the bank that holds the loan, but it is not a foreclosure. The house has been taken away because of unfortunate events that have forced the owner to no longer be able to pay. Our Realtor has sent the offer to the bank that own it, but it could take up to 45 days for us to get an offer.. So, we're just doing our best to wait patiently :)

2nd Grade

One Monday toward the end of October, I was sleeping in, because I was only subbing in Hartford that afternoon. The principal at Carlisle Elementary texted me as asked if I would be interested in a long term sub job. Of course I was!! So, she asked if I could come in that morning before I headed to Hartford.

We talked and I met the 2nd Grade that I would teach for. She was due with her baby in the end of November. We set it up so that I could shadow her the next day. I did, and it went well!

The next day I was not scheduled to sub, so of course I had my list of things I was planning on doing! Well... 5:45 I got a phone call! Mandy (who i would be subbing for) had gone into the hospital early that morning to have her baby! Crazy timing on this!! So, I ended up starting teaching the day after I shadowed her! Perfect timing!

Anyways, i've been teaching 2nd grade at Carlisle Elementary ever since! I love it! I have a really good class and the teachers on the 2nd grade team are great! They've been soooo helpful and fun! I've learned so much and it has been a very busy time for me! But I wouldn't trade this time for regular subbing any day!! It will be hard to go back to that! I will be in this classroom until the end of January!

It just turns out that Abby, the teacher across the hall, is pregnant with twins!!! A few weeks ago, she asked me if I could also take her long term subbing job!! Of course I am! They will take her babies April 15th if she hasn't already had them, so I will start this second job in March/April!! It will most likely take me through the end of the year! This class has a couple of kids that will be a challenge for me, but it will also give me more great experience with different situations!

Yesterday was our Winter Party... and our last day before Winter Break! It was a crazy day, but went well! I'm definetly ready for the break tho! Below are some reindeer cookies we make yesterday morning :)

Love Fall!!

Oh how I LOVE Fall!! I think it is my favorite season.. right behind summer :)

I love:

*Pumpkin Spice Lattes

*Cool (but not cold) Weather

*Pumpkin & Apple & Cinnamon Scented Candles

*Jean's & Long Sleeves

*Pumpkins

*Having the window's open and being snuggled under a blanket

*Pumpkin Pie Chex Mix

*Pumpkin Pancakes

*Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Pretty leaves

*Being outside! // Fresh Air!

There is one thing that I don't like about Fall.... the beginning of hunting season....

Just Kidding. I'm happy that my husband has a hobby that he loves!! I do get lonely sometimes, but I also enjoy having my own alone time. He has been good about not going out every night, so it has been tolerable :)

I wish we could only have 2 seasons.. summer & FALL! <3

Fall Snack Mix

MMMM.. I've discovered a really yummy new snack mix for fall!! Here's the recipe!

Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch

1/4 c. Brown Sugar

1 T Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 c. Butter

2 T Vanilla

2 c. Cinnamon Chex

2 c. Wheat Chex

2 c. Honey Nut Chex

8 oz Pecans

1. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar & pumpkin pie spice; set aside. In small microwavable dish, microwave butter on high about 30 sec or until melted. Stir in Vanilla. In large microwavable bowl, mix all 3 cereals and pecans. Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly distributed. Add sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated.

2. Microwave uncovered 5 minutes or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute. Spread on wax paper or a cookie sheet to cool.

Pizza Casserole Recipe

I made the Pizza Casserole Recipe last night and it is really good!! So, I thought I would share it :)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups uncooked spiral pasta
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cans (8 ounces each) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch
• oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer
• pink; drain. Stir in the mushrooms, tomato sauce, pizza sauce,
• tomato paste, sugar and seasonings. Drain pasta; stir into meat
• sauce.
• 
  
• Divide half of the mixture between two greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking
• dishes; sprinkle each with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers.
• Top each with pepperoni and Parmesan cheese.
• 
  
• Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15
  • minutes longer or until heated through.
  • Yield: 2 casseroles (8 servings each).

The fact that it makes 2 casseroles... I didn't catch until I was already making it. So, we'll see how it is frozen! :) Ha

Summer Coming to an End...

This summer has seemed to come and in the blink of an eye!!

We have been so busy, but also have had a lot of fun! We've been going to lots of weddings and on other trips! Last weekend was our friends, Brian & Aimee's Wedding in Dubuque. It was a long, expensive weekend away from home, but was also a lot of fun.

This weekend, Landan, me, Lane, Angela & Troy, are heading to Wisconsin to visit Lane & Landan's Aunt Karen & Denise! We are looking forward to the trip!!

My babysitting is also coming to an end. This is my last week, other than a few random hours next week. We're definetly had good time and bad this summer, but overall had a good time together! Here are a couple of pictures from our Zoo trip a couple of weeks ago.

I've also started another new journey! I'm now selling Premier Designs Jewelry! My sister-in-law, Angela, started selling it, which is what got me interested! I love all of my new Jewelry and i'm really excited to start my shows and earning some extra money!! Get in contact with me if you're interested in having a show or ordering some new jewelry!!

I'll upload some more pictures from our summer later when I get them onto my computer!

4th of July Weekend

I had a great 4th of July weekend!! Mostly because my best friend, Makenzie, came to stay with me!! She arrived on Friday night and we talked until like 1am! Then Saturday we rode horses and did the farm thing! Saturday night was our good friend, Allison's wedding! It was sooo good to see everyone!! Here are some pictures from the wedding.

Makenzie and I leaving for the wedding!

A nice little hole in the wall we stopped at before the Reception.

The Bride, Allison, and I!

My Friends :)

Makenzie, Me, Anna, Lindsay, Lindsey, Reilly, Stacy.

Summer Babysitting

My Summer Babysitting is going well. This is Kendall. She just turned 6 and will be in 1st Grade next year. She's kinda like a little me. Ha. We have a lot of fun together, and she follows me around most of the day. Landan has always said that I ask a lot of questions.. well i've met my match with Kendall. She asks SO many questions! Sometime I just laugh because they are so unanswerable! :) It's kinda funny how much we're alike.

This is how Kendall woke up and walked downstairs to me on Monday!!! Her mom had said before she left that Kendall had gotten a bug bite above her eye and that it was kinda swollen and to let her know if it seemed worse. I texted her this picture, and we took Kendall to the doctor that afternoon. It's much better now!

Kendall also has a brother, Nathan. He is 8 and will be in 3rd Grade next year. We don't get along quite so well, because he hates to read.. and we read everyday! His mom really wants him to be reading and improving this summer and he's not a fan of it! I'm the one to gets to be whined and cried at about it everyday! We're working on making it more fun :) I don't have a picture of Nathan.

Interviews

So, yesterday morning at 8:30 I had my very first teaching interview! It was for a 4th Grade position at Carlisle. I was a little nervous but felt at peace and confident going into it. First, I talked to a group of 4th Grade teacher (many of Angela's friends). I felt that like went well. We got done like 15 minutes early, so just talked and stuff for the rest of the time. Then I went in a talked with the two Principals. They were very nice and relaxed and I felt that I was able to answer their questions well. Next I sat down with the Human Relations Director and she told me about Salary and Benefits and also gave me a tour of the building. I was done by 10:00. I felt good after the interview, I didn't feel that there was anything I could have done better.

At 3:30 yesterday afternoon, the Principal called me back already!!! He sounded very tired and like it had been a long day. He thanked me for coming in for the interview and said he had a very good time chatting with me but that they had an excellent pool of candidates that day. He said they they had offered the job to someone else, but if he could have he would have hired 5 out of the 6 they had interviewed.

BUT, he next told me that they would really like me to come in next Tuesday for the 1st Grade Interviews. He asked if I would like to do that and of course I said I did!! So, I now have interview #2 next Tuesday morning at 9:30 am.

I feel like God is really working in this situation, because in all reality, 1st grade would be my dream job! They grade I have always wanted to teach! I'm really looking forward to Tuesday and praying that this is where he will want me to be!

SUMMER!!! :)

I got an interview!!!!!!

A week and a half ago, I applied for a 4^th grade position at Carlisle (20 min away). My sister-in-law, Angela, just quit teaching 4^th grade at Carlisle after this year to be a stay at home mom. So, I pretty much applied for her job! She was awesome, and put in a good word for me, and I was able to talk with the principal for a few minutes when I turned in my application. The principal told one of my references that I was the only one that brought my application in and met him and that he was impressed with that! J Landan of course thinks it’s a no-brainer that I should get the job.. why wouldn’t they hire me, they wouldn’t have to change the name! Ha. Of course he would say that! My interview is next Tuesday the 15^th at 8:30am. Pray for me!!

Summer is by far my favorite time of year!! I’m so glad it’s here!! Last night I headed to Bondurant to my summer babysitting family, The Anderson’s house for dinner and to talk about the summer. Nathan is going into 3^rd grade and Kendall is going into 1^st grade. They’re a very active family and want me to take the kids places and just go whatever! They’re also a little concerned with Nathan’s reading and want me to work with him and do school work with them both daily. Kendall is just starting to read, so it will be a lot of fun to work with her too. Nathan is very negative about having to read each day, so I’m going to work hard at trying to get him excited about reading! I’m really looking forward to this summer!! I start Thursday. J

Landan also has a friend that has a boat! I looove boating!! We went out last Monday, on Memorial Day and it was a lot of fun! Landan was flipping and getting all the way around so he was back on top of the tub! His arms were sore for several days after that J.

Another big event that has happened lately is that Katie Graduated… and WON State Golf!! She graduated from High School and was very excited to be finished! Then the next week competed in the State Golf Meet! She was down 2 strokes with an 82 after day one. Day 2, she played with the 3 other players in the lead. They all played really well and were really close all the way! She ended up winning by 1 stroke!! 2 of the other girls tied for 2^nd, 1 stroke down for her! It was a battle all day, but she was friends with one of the girls and they all had fun together! We’re so proud of her!! J

Here are some other pictures from this summer so far.

This is Kash. I've babysat him, his twin brother Brody & sister Gracee a couple times lately. They're the sweetest kids!

We had a little bon fire night! :)

Easter

Easter Bunnies I made :)

Well, Easter was Awesome!! I think everyone had an amazing time!! My family, Landan's family, and my sister-in-law, Angela's family all got together out at the farm!! Most of our families had met, but hadn't had a chance to spend much time together. Everyone got along so well!

It was fun having it at the farm, because there was lots to do! There was a lot of shooting, 4-wheel driving, and just talking!

It was also neat, because my sister Kendra and Angela's brother Brian went to Haiti together!! I That was really neat for them to be able to be together after the trip to talk and they also were able to share their experience with all of us! :)

Of course, Troy was also a big attraction of the day :)

I've also been staying really busy subbing lately! I'm subbing every day this week!! So that is very exciting!! :)

March 31

So, it's been awhile since i've written, but not a lot happens in my life :).

Spring Break was good! Angela and I had a lot of fun in Minnesota! We took off on Wednesday morning and went straight to her friend Kristin's house. Kristin just had a baby boy the week before. Then we went and picked Crystal up for dinner. It was fun to see her again and her college and everything. Next we headed to our hotel. It was a Hilton and so nice! Thursday morning we went to Caribou Coffee for breakfast and coffee. Then headed to the Mall of America! We shopped until about 1:30 then headed home. On our way home, we stopped at the Outlet mall in Owatonna. That was a good stop :) Troy did really good on our trip and it was a lot of fun!

Since then I have just been subbing, usually around 3 days a week. I also had an interview last week for a summer job at Camp Fire USA. I was excited about the interview, and it went well. As i left, i just didn't have a good feeling about it. It's a day camp program in Des Moines, but it is really focused on environmental activities. I thought about it a lot and just decided that i wouldn't be very happy working there all summer. I did get a job for summer though! I'm going to be babysitting Nathan and Kendyl Anderson in Bondurant all day! They're fun kids, and i'm excited!

Friday i get to babysit Troy, so i'm excited about that! I haven't gotten a chance to babysit him yet, so we'll have a lot of fun! Then Saturday is a Thayer get together at the farm :) And we'll be out there again for Easter on sunday! I'm hoping that my family will be able to come! They might have to go to some other relatives.

Today i have the day off and it is supposed to be sooo nice out!! 76 degrees! I'm have a lot of things i want to get done, like a run, and cleaning my car out! I was very happy for no sub call today! :)

Spring Break!

I'm glad this week is Spring Break, because i love time off, but i have to say that i have had plenty of that lately! Just last week i was wondering, what in the heck am i going to do all week?? Then, my sister-in-law Angela called! We're now going to Minnesota!

I am so excited! One of her friends had a baby, so we're going to visit her, have dinner with another friend, and do some shopping :). I'm really excited to spend more time with my new sister and to have something fun to do on spring break! We're going Wednesday and Thursday and we got a really good deal on a great hotel in Minneapolis!

My dad is also coming over for dinner on Tuesday night! :)

New Blogger!

I know people who have blogs and i love to check them and catch up on their lives! I've had sometime a lot of free time lately, so i thought i would begin my own blog :) I'm not sure how good i'll be on updating it, but i'm going to try!

Life has changed a lot for me in the past month! Landan and I got married on February 20, about three weeks ago. We love our Condo and living together! Landan also quit his night job right before the wedding. He is still getting used to having free evening and getting a full night of sleep! But, he is loving it.

Our wedding was perfect! I have no complaints! Everything was so beautiful, thanks to so many people!! The reception was so much fun! We had a great night! On Monday, we left for Jamaica! We had an amazing time there! It was so great to just be able to relax together and have no time schedule! We did a lot of relaxing in the sun and just spending time together!

Right now, i am just substitute teaching. I have really good weeks where i get 4 days in the week (like last week) and i have weeks like this one, where i only have two days. I like that it is flexible and i have some days off, but i wish i could be more busy also. I just applied this week at Martensdale, so i'm hoping that will help me get more jobs! Next week is spring break and i'm not sure what i'm going to do with myself then! Things are not looking very good for a job next year. There are a lot of teachers retiring, but the school district has said they will not be hiring. I guess all i can do is pray for the best!