10/11/09

Today, Adam and I were watching Sunday Morning (an old man news station where the guy wears a bow tie) and I was down about it being Sunday and the weekend coming to an end. Adam walked out and went into the kitchen. I thought he was getting water, but nope! He walked back into the family room and asked me to marry him!!!! He got me THE MOST beautiful diamond ring!! I was so stinking surprised! He came over early on Friday and asked my dad, which I didn't know either!! I hate not knowing things!! So, when he asked me, it was so surreal, I thought it was a joke, or a trick, or something!! Anyways, I said yes and now, we are engaged :-)

Here are some of the photos we have ... thus far:

Baiji Class 2009-2010

Aren't they cute?! This is my first class :-) It was very exciting having Open House all day on Tuesday and a full day of school today. The students are all so cute and eager to learn (I hope!!!) Their personalities are all so different, it makes a great blend =) Looking forward to a great year!!!

It Is ALL Mine Now

So... Mom got this adorable Vera Bradley lunch bag that we both loved!! I begged her all summer to have it and she always said "No" :-( I caught her in a weak moment and she said, "If you get a job this year, you can have it." I honestly wasn't putting too much 'hope' into getting my Hope Garden VB lunch bag, but I sure was wishing!

Well, guess who has to use their old lunch bag this year?!

Clue: Not me!!


Thanks Mom :-)

Stuck

Dad took Bella up to his room and put her in their basket. At first, she was curious about her location (top left) then... she became curious (top right) followed by a look of "HELP PLEASE" (bottom left) and then... "I'm Free - - - so I will eat this!!"

She is getting her big girl teeth in and is so funny about eating ANYTHING and EVERYTHING :-)

Love her

Bella the Ballerina

Last week, I went and visited Adam at his new apartment. We made a wonderful batch of Chex Mix - - - so, I had to bring some home! Bella rang the bell to go potty and instead of giving her one of her treats, I gave her a piece of Chex Mix!! You would have thought I gave her a Porterhouse steak!

That is Bella doing her "Sit up pretty / Dance" move to get her treat - - - isn't she sweet?!

Adam Moves!

Adam moved from his apartment in East Lansing to his new apartment in Okemos on Friday! His dad and mom drove the Penske truck and we drove the car - - - the whole 3 mile drive. Bella found a nice box with a blanket in it and made that her home for the day of moving. She snuggled up with her bear and ball and slept the day away. He has a cute little kitchen table with a runner and lamp and then his family room is right there with 2 love seats and a chair (with his new slip covers and decorative pillows)! He is so excited about them!! He has a lovely kitchen with decorative towels on his oven that he will not let anyone use!! He has other matching ones for use! His bedroom is his favorite room - - -The GREAT DIVIDE! Michigan State by his bead, Michigan by his desk! It is very cool, actually! He is so proud of his new home. . . he ought to be. . . it is very cute! It's his home sweet home :-)

Baby's 1st Haircut

Little Baby Bella had her 1st haircut today! She was getting so shaggy and so knotted, but did NOT enjoy her new experience!! She barked and cried the whole time. . . she does look cute though! She was soooo sleepy after, she came home, went potty, and slept!!

Too bad the groomer thought Bella liked red... not pink!!

Ovariohysterectomy

Poor little Bella Baby had her ovariohysterectomy yesterday morning... she has 4 little stitches on her baby belly and is just taking it easy. She is laying and resting on her new pillow and being oh so sweet! She is such a good girl and is such a blessing!!

SURPIRSE!!

This boy is amazing! He surprised me with tickets to see Brad Paisley at DTE with Dierks and Jimmy Wayne!! It was such a blast - - - it was my first concert since I saw N'Sync on my 11th birthday!! That is embarrassing! We went with another couple and just had a great time listening to great music - - - what a great surprise!! =D

4th of July

For the 4th of July, Adam, Bella, and I went to East Tawas with his family. We left on Wednesday morning and just had a few days of relaxing and enjoying the beautiful lake.

Happy Independence Day!!

Hands Down

She is HANDS DOWN the cutest thing ever!! Look at her sweet face! I love how when you say her name, she cocks her head and looks up. She is trying so hard to be a good girl (she just turned 3 months old) - - - I can't get enough of her!

This is Bella getting ready to support Adam on 'Game Days' - - - he is already looking forward to football season, going to all the Michigan games (although he goes to MSU). We decided Bella MIGHT grow into this by the time the season starts - - - dont you LOVE her bow?

And again, but this time pink bow and ruffle dress! She honestly could not have an ounce more cuteness in her! She loves her dress and is being such a good girl!

TIGERS

A few weeks ago, Adam and I decided to drive to Detroit and watch the Tigers! I think we picked the most uneventful game to attend - - - NOTHING happened until the 9th inning! We had a blast though!!

We had REALLY good seats, right in left field . . . but we were looking DIRECTLY into the sun. We were thrilled when it set under the stadium walls :-)

This is us (sideways) in front of the famous tiger!! (Moms request)

Chicago

This is how Bella spent most of her time in Chicago! She was SO good in the bag!! She never had an accident in there! We would let her out periodically and she would do her business, but NEVER while we held her or while she was in the bag!! Isn't she a good girl?! (Let's just say she doesn't have a problem going inside our house though!)

Adam and I enjoying and celebrating together! I was so glad he was able to come and take a break from his studies to celebrate! We will always remember this weekend :-)

Bella loved playing and rolling in the grass at the Millenium Park! She is becoming quite a funny puppy!!Our WHOLE family together in the beautiful "Windy City" enjoying each others company!

My soon to be Sister - In - Law and my puppy!! We had a great time together, making lifetime memories!

College Graduate

Friday, May 8th it all began! I had a half day of school and as soon as I was out, we packed our things (including Bella) and heading to the great university of Olivet Nazarene!! We got there just in time for Baccalaureate service. We left Bella alone in the hotel that did NOT allow dogs, but how much damage can a 7 1/2 week adorable puppy do? Adam, Jonathan, and Sarah arrived a little later and rescued our sweet puppy. Mom, dad, and I got back from the service and enjoyed the company of our family!
Saturday morning, we all got up and around. We headed to Olivet to get seats and for me to line up. It was (and still is) so surreal to me! It was a cold, windy, and cloudy day . . . all the graduates and family had coats and layers . . . except me, who was wearing a spaghetti strap dress!! Of course they did it in alphabetical order, so I was just about last and all the way in the back! It was still fun to see everyone and ONU again!

Adam and I, with my graduation gift right after I was handed that VERY expensive piece of paper! Adam, Jonathan, and Dad all brought the SAME color shirt to wear with slightly different colored pants! It was a hoot!

Isn't she the most precious graduate!? I thought she should have walked across the stage instead of me!! While mom was trying to take my picture IN FRONT OF EVERYONE...a large gust of wind came and swooped my cap right off my head! I had to walk 23 rows back trying and stumbling to get my cap back on! Embarrassing!! :-)

Bella did such a great job in the car and all weekend! She is growing so fast and gaining such a personality... a bossy one at that!! Love her!!

Introducing . . .

BELLA

Isn't she the cutest thing you have EVER seen?! I got her for a graduation gift on Tuesday - - - the day she turned 7 weeks! She was born on St. Patty's Day and was the runt of her litter. She is PERFECT :-) She weighs, currently, less than 1 pound and is about 1/2 the length of my forearm.

She loves to cuddle and even gets rocked to sleep! Mom wasn't totally in favor of this idea for a gift, but as soon as she laid eyes on Bella, she was sold! Adam came over as soon as I told him we got her!!

We went to the Pet Store and got her ALL sorts of PRINCESS things!! A pink cage, pink bows, pink rhinestone collar, pink leash, pink princess food and water bowls, etc!! She is totally spoiled!!

For being so small, she sure is fun!! Her legs are about the length of a blade of grass. When we go outside, she chases us but sometimes she bottoms out! Her belly gets caught in the grass and she ends up on her back. If you rub her belly, she goes nuts!! It must really tickle her. She brings her front and back paws up to your hand and just plays away! Potty training her is interesting!! She is actually REALLY good about it! Yesterday, she had 2 accidents ALL day and today, only 1! She can do no wrong and . . .

SHE IS PERFECT

892 Miles Later . . .

My last day of student teaching was Friday, April 10th!! Wow did time fly by! It was sad saying goodbye to 21 of the most adorable 5th graders, but I was excited to come back to America's High Five. I left balling girls and sad guys, but I was going to pick Adam up from the Airport, so it made everything okay! Adam was supposed to be in at 3:02 pm, but his flight from Flint to WI left late and so he missed his connecting flight. So, I picked Adam up at 8:00 pm instead! We went out to eat and then came back to FAK's house to finish packing! We woke up early Saturday morning and got on the road! 892 miles later . . . we arrived in the great state of MICHIGAN! Sunday was Easter and then Friday, I had an interview for a long term 2nd grade subbing position! I start that May 6th, unless the baby comes early!! :-) Adam and I took advantage of the warm nights and we went outside and watched the stars. We had church on Sunday and then Tuesday, I had another interview! Let me tell you . . . interviews are absolutely the scariest thing ever! Its so nice to be home! :-)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wednesday was my Big 2-1 Birthday! On Tuesday, my adorable class threw a Surprise Birthday Party for me! Aren't they adorable?! We had a musical performance (Happy Birthday) by Jocilyn and Antonio, brownies and punch, and games galore! I brought in candy bars for the students and they brought in lovely 'teacher pins', 'necklaces', etc! My teacher got me a lovely Polo t-shirt and a bag of teacher goodies! We played Heads Up 5 Up and had an extra recess and everything! What a sweet class I have - - - they have been so much fun!


After school, FAK, FUD, Jord and I all went out to eat at Panzons. It was delicious! Jord had the house decorated when I got home from school which was cute! My mom sent a birthday gift to open the day of my birthday and it was a BEAUTIFUL Pandora bracelet! I was SO excited!! It had a dangle heart charm, a present charm and a charm with tiny hearts all around. I LOVE it!! FAK got me an adorable cross dangle charm! It is SO cute!!

What a fantastic birthday I had!! I am glad its only one day a year though!! :-)

Conjunctivitis and Pink Eye

Last Thursday, I had a sweet little girl in my class, Mallory, come to school with the highly contagious pink eye. She was so sad that she had to go home, and I am sure she was embarrassed . . . was fighting back the tears with her chin whimpering, so I gave her a hug, got her work, and sent her out. I then cleaned her desk and chair and everything she touched. She wasn't at school on Friday becuase it hadn't been 24 hours since her antibiotic. I picked Adam up from the airport after school - - - he is out here on his spring break!! We have had so much fun this past weekend . . . enjoying each others company! Saturday was beautiful, so we went to the mall and got some things then to the outdoor mall to enjoy the weather. We had a lovely time outside in shorts and t-shirts :-) On Sunday, we went to Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, KS and then to shop some more! After shopping, we both felt a little sick in our belly. I went to school Monday and Adam went around town with Uncle Dean. He picked me up from school and then we enjoyed the evening together. At night, we noticed my eye was discharging a little bit of yellow puss (gross, I know) and we put eye drops in it to make it feel better and wash it out. I woke up in the middle of the night (actually, I have no idea what time it was) and my eyes were crusted shut. I laid there for a long time (I wish I could tell you how long, but I couldn't look at a clock!) trying to force them open. Finally, my alarm went off and I felt my way into Adam's room. I opened the door and said, "Adam, wake up, I need your help." He asked with what. . . I replied, "I can't open my eyes!!" What a dummy I sound like!! Anyways, there was about 1/4 of an inch of crust closing my eyes together . .. yep, it hurt really bad when Adam pulled them apart!! So my right eye looks like I went through 13 rounds of a boxing match and my left eye is just red and with lots of puss! I called my teacher and told her I would be there after I went to the doc, if I could. I stopped into my school to tell/show them and then off to WalGreens to the 'Take Care Clinic' (very convienient). I was diagnosed with Conjunctivitis and Pink Eye. At least I have the day off and can enjoy Adam!! Isn't that a good look for me?!

Trip to Kansas

This past weekend, Adam flew out to visit me in KS!! He flew in about 10 pm on Friday night and stayed until Tuesday morning. It was absolutely fabulous having him here and seeing him again - - - it was a long 30 days without him! We had such a wonderful time shopping, eating, and relaxing! I cant wait to see him next!! :-D

Finally...

So, this break, I decided I wanted a nice jewelry box to store all my pretties!! I was looking at Kohls and found a few that I really liked, but each one had a flaw... like a chip, or missing handle!! I tell you... we went to EVERY Kohls, Macy's, any store that MAY have a jewelry box! Part of the reason it was so hard is becuase I knew EXACTLY what I wanted and I wasn't going to settle! It was a joke all break that Adam and I couldnt win in Euchre or Hand in Foot becuase my mind was looking and wishing for a jewelry box... Well, one day, G-Dog comes home with a 3 foot tall, beautiful wood, hand carved, gorgeous jewelry box!! That night - - - Adam and I won!!! Isn't G-Dog the best?! Merry Christmas to me!

G-Dog gave Adam a job to fill it!!! I dont think this 'jewelry walk in closet' will ever be full!! Doesnt hurt to try :-)

Miss Vargo

Well, I absolutely hated saying goodbye to my family, especially Adam, but it is time that I do my student teaching in Lenexa, Kansas. I am sad to be away from home and my family (and Adam, of course), but I am looking forward to my 4 months of teaching these sweet little 5th graders! I am now called 'Miss Vargo' 100000000 times a day as their eager arms stretch to be called on. I have such a sweet class, so adorable and smart!! Teaching them is showing to be such a joy!!

What A Trip

Oh boy... what a trip!! Adam and I started our fun journey to Kansas the day after Christmas at 5:30 in the morning. We had the car packed, but woke up, got ready, and headed out. As soon as we got to East Lansing (an hour into the 12 hour trip), it started to rain... and freeze. We drove on a road completely covered with (literally) 2 inches thick of ice the until 1 hour past Chicago. We realized the roads were so horrible when we were in a stand still and Adam opened the door and put his foot outside and slipped! We absolutely could not believe it! During that 9 hours, our maximum speed was 34 mph. <-- That little trip from Lansing to Chicago is supposed to take 4 hours max! We saw over 100 cars in the ditch, 15 semi-trucks in the ditch, 4 rollovers, and 3 semi trucks that were jack knifed. We stopped at McDonalds for breakfast and a break from our ice and could barely walk to get inside the ice was so thick! I don't know how Adam kept us on the road, but he did a fantastic job! We were SO glad to be out of that horrific driving condition. As soon as we sped up and starting going a normal rate of speed, Adam and I were SO excited, it felt so fast and thrilling!! We drove about 1/2 hour in ideal driving conditions... with our luck, that was short lived. We started driving in the worst and thickest fog. We could not see out of our car 10 feet. There we were, slowing down again! We drove through fog for another 4 hours and FINALLY got into Missouri. The last 4 hours of our trip were good! We didn't want to stop because we finally were going the speed limit! Needless to say, we were pretty thrilled to make our 12 hour trip in 17 hours, alive, in one piece! What a trip!

Tis the Season

I got home from school on Tuesday, December 16th and was so excited about seeing Adam and Christmas!! Adam and I decided that we thought we should have our Christmas right that second, so there we were!! Only 9 days early! I got the most beautiful pair of diamond earrings from Adam that sparkle so pretty! I got Adam an IPod, some jeans, a button up, a sweater, and two belts becuase he needed ones that fit!! Doesn't he look cute?! Then, on Friday, Adam and I were the coat people for mom and dad's small group Christmas party. Sunday, Adams parents had a fancy brunch that we went to, which was delicious. Monday we had our family Christmas and celebrated with Jonathan and Sarah. We were all spoiled rotten!! We had a fabulous meal and enjoyed each others company!! The rest of the week was just going from house to house, party to party celebrating the season! What a wonderful break. . . I am sad it had to come to an end :-(