Years goals: 2013

2013

In true Bonnie fashion here's a list of goals I have currently.  They change as frequently as life does.  I love the ever evolving nature of life. 

-So I totally blew the exercising and healthy goals in 2012.  I'm coming back for redemption during 2013.  I'm armed with a 2 year 24 hour fitness pass from my parents for Christmas - best gift ever!  I'm also arming myself with setting monthly or weekly goals (whatever works) for the amount of time spent in the gym or exercising.  Plus I've got the motivation I need:  MY wedding :)
-I'm going to continue my challenge for daily balance.  I'm hoping to calm many of the over thinking moments I had in 2012 and live a bit more in the moment.   
-Going to learn to cook more vegetables.  We are striving to eat twice as many vegetables as anything in the new year. 
-Financially, I'm not where I could be, so I'll strive to get there.  I'd like to put most of what John gives me for house expenses and such into savings.  We've started discussing  some lifestyle changes that could help us get there and help both of us spend less. 
-I need to take more pictures of the people in life - including myself.
-Career wise - just keep learning and start getting the curriculum I've been writing in my head on paper.  Goal is to create a teaching machine and focus more on life than work.
-I'm going to be more conscious - which I've already started - about the electronics in our lives.  If I'm physically with you, I don't need my phone out.  I've been good about it, and I certainly don't have a problem with it - but I watch others that do, and I don't want to be them.  I want to be an example of living right now and being with and there for those you are physically with. 
-there are a few things like knitting and sewing I've been wanting to learn, maybe I will get that in during 2013.

That's what's been on my mind for the moment.  Cheers to the new year! 

2012 review

Here's my Goals for 2012-and my review of how it went.



I'm a very goal oriented person - if I have unlimited amounts of time to get the goal accomplished. If there's a deadline - forgeddaboudit. That's why I love new years resolutions. I love making statements that could someday be true - and if they never become true, it's totally okay, or if it takes me several years - that's okay too. So here's my list for this year:

-Exercise. I love to do this, and don't take time to do it or allow myself to be lazy. No more excuses. There were tons of excuses.  No motivation, full on lazy, fat and happy.  Also, unhealthy and unhappy at times with my appearance.  This year...motivation, a 24 hour fitness pass from my parents at Christmas, and it's go time.  Gotta look good in a dress.
-Get Organized. Every year I get better, and stumble upon a better system for myself. I'm specifically going to organize my cleaning schedule and find a home for everything in my house. I'm also going to continue my weekly/monthly declutting and trip to Savers to donate it.  Check!  John moved in and I got rid of half my crap.  The place cleans up easy as long as we put things away. 
-I'd like to run a 3k all the way through. This involves training, which will hopefully help with the first goal. I'm looking at purchasing a treadmill this year, which will also help.  See the first goal. 
-Becoming a more serious biker. I need to get my road bike fixed. I would like to do 2, 50 miles next summer and overall just log more miles.  did not do this, again...see first goal.
-Walk everyday. Are you seeing a pattern here? I'm really setting myself up for exercise success! This summer I walked Maggie almost everyday and loved it. John joined me this winter during our vacation (because the weather is insane awesome) and I remembered how much I loved it. arghhh
-Financial betterment. I get better every year. I'm hoping this time next year I have some savings - that's my goal for this year, to actually save money to the end of the year. I'm going to be doing some bill getting rid of, and that will help incredibly (-cable, -massage envy, -bank loan).  CHECK!  and I have money in the savings for 2013.  whoo hooo!
-Because it's 2012, and the world might end, I'd like to live everyday to the fullest and try to keep the energy around me positive. I want to think twice before complaining, or getting angry (is it worth the energy spent?). I want to be able to put my best person out there, and if the world ends - I'll go out on a high note.....ha!  Check!  For most parts of life that I was focusing on, I've kept the energy around me positive.  Love it!  It's a lesson I will continue to teach and reinforce in my life and all around me.



Cheers to the new year! I hope everyone enjoys their chance to start over and be the person they want to be. I wish for everyone good health, and great wealth.

Somedays

I'm working on a lot. On myself, my relationship, the science curriculum, health & fitness. I always have goals. I always live into them and realize I need to make more. I love the constant challenge to be the best person I can possibly be in this life. Each year I begin to look back and I'm always amazed at how much life and living I accomplish.
My newest goals, especially the work ones will be awesome to live into. The ideas I have for my science curriculum have been cultivating for a year. They are really starting to solidify and I've already been writing. I can't wait for next year and a new start. That is what I love most about teaching-the new starts.
I love and always knew I would love having a partner to support me and give the support. It has to be balanced, and we do work hard to keep a balance. It's a lovely experience. I thank the universe, heavens, almighty god and baby Jesus everyday that this man picked me.

Living together

It's a beautiful thing when you find someone that is willing to love you enough to put up with your most intimate self.  We began talking about moving in back late fall/beginning of winter last year.   As with most things for John and I, it began with a conversation. The conversation continued up until the summer and we made the final decision.  I began readying my place, making room for John's physical items.  It was a process that would teach me  more about myself than I ever bargined for.  I was opening my life, my most intimate life and making room for his.  I was very concerned for John's transition.  It was right at the beginning of school, I was very concerned that we wouldn't get everything put away and in place to start school.  That was majorly important to me.  So I started making room and readying my house.  I got new carpet in the bedrooms.  I got rid of excess.  I moved things around.  I cleaned out the shed.  I got rid of more exceess.  There was a lot of excess.  I had no idea how much crap I had in my house -  how much I didn't need.  How much money I had spent on things that weren't usable.   Clothes that I wore once.  Furniture that didn't have a place.  Stuff I didn't use.  It all (almost) went.  I made enough room for John's physical things.  It was a smooth transition, we got things together, put up new book shelves, shelves and redid the bathroom.  We got along.  We laughed, worked together and worked alone all as a team.  It took John a while to adjust, as I think it would take anyone time to adjust to a new situation.  We were sharing our intimate selves.  That's new.  It's not as new now, it's just now starting to feel comfortable.  But our relationship has shown it's colors and they are beautiful.  Our  ability to work for eachother and with each other makes me incredibly excited for the future.  I have found the one, the one that accepts me for who I am, even intimately.  It's really all I wanted out of a relationship, I'm lucky enough to have that and more.  There's never a day I wake up and do not cherish what we have.  We will continue to grow and I have confidence our relationship will grow with it.  I'm so happy for this, for us.  Everyday is a blessing.

I have every intent to do a movie with John introducing our place - maybe for the holidays....with all the christmas decs. 

A New Year

12 Randoms about the beginning of School Year 2012-2013 

(Thanks as always, Kodi for the inspiration)

1. I didn't have much summer, a few weeks off - I enjoyed those weeks off though.  It was spent in preparation of John moving in.  Some of the best cleaning out I've ever done in my life.  It really helped focus and get my mind set in a good organized place for this school year - very thankful.  (more on john moving in later)

2.  I no longer DREAD going to work.  I do worry about not having a curriculum and having to rewrite a curriculum.  But I keep it under control, AND I got a beautiful, talented and amazing co-worker to work with this year that will be very valuable in this area.  As always, when I need something, there it is.

3.  I love teaching Science, I love that I'm still learning as the kids are learning.  They think I'm a scientist, little do they know...I'm just a student like them with a mastery of classroom management.

4.  My classroom is bold, colorful, beautiful and fun to teach in.  I love that it is that way.  I want to improve upon that every year.  I smile when I walk in.

5.  Volleyball has started, and while working 10 hour days is hard and long, it's going to be an awesome year.  I also feel that it will go by extremely fast.

6.  I'm taking a day by day teaching perspective this year.  I'm really thinking about the steps I want to teach them, how I want to teach them and what I want my students to get out of it.  It's been interesting to force myself to slow down and not plan ahead.  I'm really watching how the students process the information I am giving them.  I really feel like doing this is ultimately going to lead me to writing the best curriculum for my students (which is the point).

7.  I'm getting up about 15-30 minutes earlier this year and it is making all the difference, in my appearance and  being able to drink coffee, eat a little breakfast and be really ready for the day.  I like it, but I'm definitely in bed by 10. 

8.  Thinking back about my sped days, and the feelings that came with the last few years, I really appreciate my new found love for my job.  It really makes and has made an overall difference in my life as a whole.  Once I had the opportunity to change my position everything in my life seemed to switch to hopeful feelings and all has fallen into place.  It's a lovely memory and thought.  I'm very very thankful.

9.  When I think about the future, I think about how easy it will be to take what I finally put together as a curriculum and adapt it year by year as the classes change.  It will be so nice to go in and know already what I'm going to do rather than continually creating.  I'll be able to just modify and create around my students. 

10.  I love my school.  We are truly the best urban district in MO.  We won't ever meet AYP, but we've met everything that the state has expected us to with high standards.  It feels good knowing that my hard work is paying off for my students - having watched my school atmosphere change over the last 6 years has been all the progress I need to see.  And it truly and continues to be progressive.

11.  I am no longer afraid of phones or technology in the classroom.   In fact, I will be embracing it.

12.  I think I'm out of thoughts for the night.  I'll be putting together a blog to post next weekend about my newest chapter in life....my love, who is just a few rooms over watching tv.  :)

humility and mercy

Caring Bridge is a great resource.  I love that we can follow our loved ones and see how their treatments are going.  I love that there is a place for those that have to use it to share and air their feelings.  It's also a place where you can leave messages for the blogger or family of the Caring Bridge. 
That said, it's also taking up most of my link bar, you know the one under your address bar at the top.  I'm not sure of the technical name for it.  But I do know it's filled up with caring bridges.  It makes me sad that so many people I know are on caring bridge.  That means they are dealing with a disease, trauma, or other type of tragic situation.  Everyday I am faced with the humility of how great my life is at the moment.  As well as how all that could change in the next moment.  And maybe now that I have a love, a human to intimately experience life with, I care.  I care about that life and those experiences.  I also appreciate the life and experiences I am having now.  I appreciate them with a great depth and love.  Humility seems to be all around me these days - on my computer, on facebook, at work, stories of loved ones - anywhere I look and seek out humility finds me.  It could be the Caring Bridge, the sad stories of neglected kids (work), unexpected death, or even just everyday problems.  I am humbled and gracious for the life I am leading.  I am able to see the brightness and happiness that I have.  I am able to experience the moment and not look back or ahead. 
Lately I've been wondering why all the messages coming my way about humility.  And then Jacque's Caring Bridge answered it all.  She wrote about mercy, which is the name of one of her new and cute little kittens.  But she didn't just write about her kitten she wrote about God's mercies and how He saves us from danger or problems everyday that we just don't even know about.  Humility gives me the 'it could be worse' aspect, where mercy steps in and gives me the grace to see how good life is. 

So Jacque's blog was able to show me that what I was really seeking, or why humility was coming my way was so that I could see the graces and mercies given to me.  Be thankful, appreciative and don't take anything for granted.  Live a good life.   

Favorite Things at this moment.

This is entirely overdue - so you are getting my Favorite things at this moment version.  I'm going to limit it to just 'things'.  I'm not going to include John (my favorite man) or my favorite family moments, or any of that important stuff.  I'm going to copy and paste and show you the stuff I'd rather not live without.  :)

My Tervis cup - It's got a beautiful B on it that my mom gave me for my birthday.  Without fail, I use it everyday - usually with water in it.  They are awesome cups and the water tastes good out of them (have I mentioned my weird thing with water....).

Nivea lotion - makes the list again this year.  I love it.  I love the way it smells and it's not so greasy as some lotions can be.  It's been really nice to my sunburnt skin (everglades).

TJ's is a must - I'm so thankful that we got one.  I love it.  But what I love most about it right now is the 79 cent Sparkling water.  I drink it with crushed up fresh fruit and it makes me smile.  I like it just as much as any alcoholic beverage right now.

My Merrell sandals - which are not these exactly, but close.  I bought them at the beginning of summer for summer school and they have done my feet well!  I love them and will continue to wear them until they fall apart and go to shoe heaven.

I had no idea what a drybag was until I went to the Everglades.  They are the coolest bags.  And some of them cute.  Raccoons can still get in them, but water stays out!  I use mine for the pool now, and I used a small one for a recent run I did (I could just clip it to my sports bra on the back and not worry about having to hold anything). 

  Another repeat - but I love the stuff.  Thanks to my cousin Maure for showing me the beauty that is Indigo Wild.  It's a local company that makes soaps, oils, room sprays, all kinds of useful smelly goodness.  It's a must try for anyone.  www.indigowild.com  They ship!

For now, that's all I can do.  I'll try to put a few more out more frequently.  It would be nice to remember the stuff I love at this point in life.  Music too - except I'm totally into NPR right now.

Success story

http://success.match.com/story.aspx?ownerid=27783&EmailID=b70cddb3-566e-43b0-8d6f-51905ed50d81 They changed up my wording a bit, but pretty cute and fun to have it published.

procrastination

I don't want to pack for Florida - heading to the Everglades in the morning.  It's tedious and I'm afraid that I'm not going to pack the right stuff.  I keep wanting other things - but don't have the money really to go get them.  Oh well...so I got on blogger, which I hardly ever do anymore and checked out Kodi's blog.  This was her last entry - I thought I'd steal it and do it instead of packing.

I was...wondering today what obstacle is really keeping me from being healthy and losing the weight I want to lose.  I can't figure out the barrier.  I don't know what keeps me from just getting up and going on a walk.  Or joining a gym.  Or working out on the Wii.  Maybe it's fear, or feeling the lack of time, or not wanting to make it a priority.  It might be overwhelming.  I just know I have to get past it and get on it.  The time is now, I KNOW it.  I know it in my body, my soul, my mind. 

I am...heading to the Everglades tomorrow.  So excited for this trip, and so nervous.  We are being filmed by a film crew for a PBS special or something.  I don't know if I could be an actor.  So much pressure.  I have just been talking to myself saying that it doesn't matter what I look like, or how many pounds the camera adds, I need to go and have the experience.  That's what I'm there for.

I think...this will take more time than I was prepared for.  I have a lot of things to accomplish and I'm moving at a snails pace. 

I wonder...what kind of animals we will be able to see on the trip.  I also wonder what my boyfriend is doing in Illinois.  I miss him.

I wish...for nothing.  Everything eventually falls in place. 

I save...beer bottles...actually, John saves beer bottles.  I will have to figure something out with them, I think there will be a lot around the house.

I always...take a time out.  Everyday.  I have several time outs - resting times.  Usually right after school.  They are great moments in my day.  I meditate, read facebook, look at my email - it's just recharging. 

I can't imagine...still teaching special education.  My life has changed so much since I made the move to regular ed.  All for the happier.  Things fall into place.

I believe...in sunsets, waking up when the sun does, riding my bike on cold spring mornings, sweating til I stink, enjoying my friends and family, letting my feelings out, saying yes, seeing good in people, and I believe in living life.

I promise...to get it all packed up and ready to go before I get to bed tonight.

I love...my family (which includes my chosen family) because they believe, love and support me.  I'm very blessed.  I definitely don't take my gift for granted, even if I may not show it all the time.

Chicago Vacay!

From May 24th to May 30, John and I vacationed.  It was absolutely perfect.  We stopped in Decatur, IL on our way to Chicago, IL and then drove back the whole way.  The weather was great.  The driving was easy.  It was what we needed - a great time away.  I'm embedding a slideshow for you to see our adventures.  The pictures have labels (hopefully they show up) so you can see what we were doing/where.  Enjoy.

One year

A year ago today...
It was a saturday night
I met John at 9pm at McCoys
He was the best looking man at the bar
After 15 minutes I knew I needed to talk to him longer
At the end of the night, before we left I already was anxious to see him again
When I got home, I stood on my patio and talked with several friends about how awesome a first date/match meeting I had just had.

What an awesome year! So thankful and so blessed.

35 things I have learned in 35 years

-live your life
-be who you want to be
-think before you say anything
-somethings don't need to be said
-it's ok to let things go
-road rage isn't worth the energy
-don't be made for too long
-allow only awesome people in your life.
-realize that sometimes its time for those awesome people to leave your life and be ok with it
-do a job that gives and provides service to other humans
-be nice
-there's hardly need to yell in a negative manner
-get your feelings out, don't hold them in
-do what's necessary for yourself, and listen when others are letting you know what's necessary
-have a good group of family and friends to rely on
-listen more than you talk
-dance even if you think you look dumb
-action does speak louder than words
-don't put too much on Facebook
-try to be the best you can be in the moment
-do stuff, have experiences, say yes
-be healthy physically and mentally
-question everything, look for the answers
-realize you will always end up with more questions
-give of yourself but take some too
-karma is a smart but revengeful bitch
-don't be miserable
-make goals and achieve them, only to make new goals etc.
-find the good things in people
-don't complain too much, but do get it out when it's necessary
-don't be afraid to be the first to leave, or the last
-always be open to meeting new people
-like your body no matter what condition you are in
-if you don't like something, change

Tan Tar A

This is my first Tan Tar A conference experience (if you don't count playing in north west wind symphony here for mmea). I'm at the Science and Math interface conference. It has been awesome.
I am still living as a Special Ed. Teacher even though I teach 6th grade science. I think it will take a while to make the switch. If I was at a sped conference there would be a lot of hand outs and a lot of powerpoints. At this conference, I have stomped on plates, identified producers, consumers and decomposes. I have done a blind contour. I have done a modified contour. I played in a nature box. I have done a full experiment with color and had to change the independent variable. That's not all, and it's just 2 workshops.
I am forever thankful for the experiences I am getting as well as the opportunity to teach science. I'm excited for the time to become a science teacher with great knowledge in differentiation and making all the students feel special.

Valentine's Day!

This would be my first Valentine's Day where I had a serious boyfriend and someone that wanted to share in this hallmark holiday with me. To be honest, I don't think that either John or I really love this holiday, but what we do love is finding any reason to go out and celebrate. I am so happy to have found someone who likes to celebrate as much as I do. So the night before, we went shopping and John bought me 2 dresses, because i wanted them both. Then on our valentines he brought me Christopher Elbow coffee and hot chocolate and some of their valentine artisanal chocolates. I had the coffee this morning, it's amazing! Then we went to dinner at Mestizo-Aaron Sanchez's restaurant in KC. He's a judge on chopped. It was awesome food and amazing service. We will go back when it gets warmer to the patio! It was a Valentines celebration that I won't forget!

Where'd the thankfulness go...

I was thinking recently about all I was thankful for and I realized that facebook and blogs were so nice around the holidays.  Everyone writes about things they are thankful for, and happy about.  But then a bit into January - holidays are over and it's full speed complaining.  I'm not just talking about everyone else, I'm thinking of myself as well.  I'm the only person I can account for anyway.  So I thought - before I do my favorite things blog, I should also do a Thankfull blog.  Maybe try to get one in a month or so (missed January).  They are easy to do, and it's nice to remember and put it all down.

Today I'm thank-full for:

My parents, really they do so much for me and have done so much for me.  I would not be the person I am without their support.
Every valentines day I spent without a partner.  It's really going to make this one special.
Not having any money, which makes me get really creative with the ingredients I have in my kitchen, which makes me a better cook.
humility - without this I would not be a good teacher, or person.
face cream - it makes my face feel awesome (will be featured in my favorite things)
days off - I had one yesterday and I'm very thankful for it.  Not sure if I'll take anymore this year, but it was nice.
John - even though it hurts he reminds me to be thankful and keeps me grounded emotionally which is more than I could ever ask from any one person.  And he supports me.
income taxes - I'm getting a good amount this year which will hopefully allow me to really get to a spot that I want to be at this year financially.
pinterest - it really has opened my crafty side, I love it.
fingernail polish - I love this act, it makes me stop and spend time doing something that I feel makes me look more together - it usually motivates me to do other things (pluck eyebrows) that make me look more together and professional.
christmas presents - I am still reveling in many of my christmas gifts.  I love how organized my room has become because of the armoir my parents got me, I put on my beautiful butterfly ring everyday and just become speechless because I still can't believe John gave me that, I am thankful for the bag Mary gave me - I put all my fingernail polish in it, while it didn't save me any money - it's nice to have a roku box and other options to watch than my basic cable channels.
pictures and my printer - I've been able to adorn my house with pictures of John and I which makes me happy
choices - i've been feeling a little overwhelmed with all my to do's lately, and it's nice to carve out time to do them, or not do them and not feel guilty or bad because in the end it was the choice I made and I am the one living it.

Happy Birthday John

February 7 is John's birthday. To celebrate we went to Cafe Des Amis in Parkville, MO. It was a wonderful experience. I love celebrating birthdays with good food and drink, we certainly got both. We had escargot to start, John had bouillabaisse for his entree and I had duck. Then we had chocolate soufflé and creme broulee. We shared a beautiful bottle of Cotes Du Rhone. Just an awesome time celebrating an awesome man. He'll be 34 by the way.
Happy Birthday John!!

For my friends on New Years

It's that time of year again...

I'm a very goal oriented person - if I have unlimited amounts of time to get the goal accomplished.  If there's a deadline - forgeddaboudit.  That's why I love new years resolutions.  I love making statements that could someday be true - and if they never become true, it's totally okay, or if it takes me several years - that's okay too.  So here's my list for this year:

-Exercise.  I love to do this, and don't take time to do it or allow myself to be lazy.  No more excuses.
-Get Organized.  Every year I get better, and stumble upon a better system for myself.  I'm specifically going to organize my cleaning schedule and find a home for everything in my house.  I'm also going to continue my weekly/monthly declutting and trip to Savers to donate it. 
-I'd like to run a 3k all the way through.  This involves training, which will hopefully help with the first goal.  I'm looking at purchasing a treadmill this year, which will also help.
-Becoming a more serious biker.  I need to get my road bike fixed.  I would like to do 2, 50 miles next summer and overall just log more miles.
-Walk everyday.  Are you seeing a pattern here?  I'm really setting myself up for exercise success!  This summer I walked Maggie almost everyday and loved it.  John joined me this winter during our vacation (because the weather is insane awesome) and I remembered how much I loved it. 
-Financial betterment.  I get better every year.  I'm hoping this time next year I have some savings - that's my goal for this year, to actually save money to the end of the year.  I'm going to be doing some bill getting rid of, and that will help incredibly (-cable, -massage envy, -bank loan).
-Because it's 2012, and the world might end, I'd like to live everyday to the fullest and try to keep the energy around me positive.  I want to think twice before complaining, or getting angry (is it worth the energy spent?).  I want to be able to put my best person out there, and if the world ends - I'll go out on a high note.....ha!



Cheers to the new year!  I hope everyone enjoys their chance to start over and be the person they want to be.  I wish for everyone good health, and great wealth. 

New Years Resolutions - Review of 2011

Here are my resolutions for 2011, let's see how I did.

1. more game nights. Played a new game called Quelf (yes, I know, that's the real name of it). I am excited to play it again. Plus I also found out you can play 8 people on Just dance 2.  I did not attempt as many as I wanted, maybe something to continue trying, I would definitely like to have others over more often
2. I want to bike twice as much as last year. I want a road bike. I want to bike a 50 mile stretch. I want to join a biking group that meets weekly.  check, check, and check - although didn't join a bike group
3. Continue on my path of an active life style - I definitely think it's the path I'm supposed to be on. Fell of the wagon when volleyball ended, gotta get back on it.
4. Continue changing my diet. More veggies. I want to create a list of go to recipes for myself in 2011. I want to try and plan more meals and cook more for myself -I was doing it, but got out of the practice of it because it can be hard to cook for one (mentally, emotionally hard).  still continuing - although looking at balance and portion control
5. Make the 'struggle' less existent. I am tired of struggling lately with decisions, thoughts, midwestern values, the parts of my life I can't control. I need to let the control factor go and just live. The struggle has gotten quite difficult to handle lately and that has to change.  ecstatic to say the struggle I was speaking of here is over
6. Go ghost hunting. It has been insanely hard to find a group here in KC. But I really want to go. I have this interest, which is surprising to myself and everyone else, and I need to feed it. I feel like I can say check here
7. Travel, however this will be dependent on.... check
8. Continue to work towards being debt free. this will be on my list until....I'm debt free...or the world ends
9. Run 3 miles without stopping.  must continue to try this
10. Get a new position at work, or a new job, or sell everything...take my retirement..and travel until it runs out.   got a new position!! 
11. hire a handyman to do all the repairs that I am not willing to learn how to do check
12. change my car insurance - it should be cheaper.   check
13. Start saving money.  been better about this but currently don't have money saved
14. Treat myself with more respect, so when I meet men, they also treat me with respect.  check
15. Continue to loose weight. I do have a goal, but not sure if I will ever make it there.  must continue
16. Go to church.....I'd like to have a church family - or go to church with my friends. There's always opportunities at a church, that's what I'm looking for...I've already found God, and he's not just in a church so it's really the opportunities I'm looking for...no church family yet.


Not too shabby if I say so myself.  I will post my new resolutions after the new year.  For now, celebrate 2011 like the Mayans would. 

First Christmas

It's been John and I's first Christmas, and we have really done it right.

Prior to our school break we:
-had a photo session (I was the photographer) on the Plaza
-heard holiday tunes at Plaza III featuring Lonnie MacFadden
-went to each other's holiday concerts
-attended Olathe Community band's holiday concert (featuring a bell choir, singers and a jazz band)

Dec. 21: School break officially started for both of us
-we celebrated Christmas and gave each other fantastic-way-to-expensive gifts

Dec. 23: John performed in The Messiah, it was amazing.

Dec. 24: Steen family Christmas

Dec. 25: drove to Danville, IL and celebrated Christmas and met John's family

Dec. 26: I got the University of Illinois tour (in Champaign/Urbana Illinois), we went back to Danville and spent more time with John's family, then I got the Danville tour. After this we drove to Decatur, Illinois and stayed with John's friends Meg & Mike. Then we met up with the Decatur Choral crew (which I met at Mike & Meg's wedding). I got to experience SLB and the Winery.

Dec. 27: I got the Millikan tour. We had lunch with some of John's closest friends. We headed home, with a short tour of Lincoln's tomb in Springfield, Illinois.

And now we are just enjoying the vacation from work - catching up on stuff (like my blog) and cleaning (by my own choosing).

We plan to spend NYE at Julian's a restaurant in Brookside owned/head chef Celine Tio. I'm excited for this time and to ring in the new year with my best friend and love! It's been a great first Christmas, and everything just keeps getting better and better!