15 Before 28

Since I just had another birthday, that means it's time for my annual to-do list. :) If I were to continue the format from years past, I would be creating "27 Things To Do Before 28." Let me go ahead and tell you - there is NO WAY I can/want/will come up with a list of 27 things. However, I do have "a couple, two, three things" I want to do this year, so without further ado, here's my list:

1. Take a snowboarding lesson. (Yes, it's still on my list! Don't judge me. LOL.)
2. Create a scrapbook for my first five years as a teacher. (See parentheses above.)
3. Blog weekly, even if it is just a "week-in-review" type post.
4. Lose 15 pounds by July 1st, 2011.
5. Serve on the Guatemala 2 short-term mission trip.
6. Install new countertops in my kitchen.
7. Replace my laptop.
8. Visit Eileen.
9. Visit Amy B.
10. Visit Bess & Nick.
11. Save $10,000. (Not sure how I will do this because of #6-10!)
12. Finish the guest bathroom makeover.
13. Downsize by donating/recycling/throwing away at least 5 bags/boxes of "stuff."
14. Go roller skating again. :)
15. Become a Little Village volunteer.

Wow! This list might actually be doable. Wish me luck. ;)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Before the month of March is over, I figured I needed to write a post about my birthday which was on the 1st. It was AWESOME. :)

Well, having to proctor the English TAKS test (our standardized state test, for you non-Texans) wasn't exactly awesome, but the rest of the day sure was! Megan started the day off right by giving me a McDonald's gift card to buy my birthday breakfast. How fun is that?! Then I went to school and stared at the walls, out the window, over my students' heads, etc. until about 2:15. Boo. (One of my sweet PACE kids did bring me brownies, though. Thanks, Sergio!)

After school I went home and took a nap because some of my fun friends were coming over at 5:00. Daniella was on pizza patrol, and I just mingled with people and ate my Totino's pizza. I am still totally on a Totino's kick, by the way. For dessert, the roomies presented me with a super fun cookie cake with - wait for it - a big roller skate on the top! That's right, people. My 27th birthday had a roller skating theme. Don't be jealous.

Once we had a sufficient sugar high from the chocolate chip and M&M cookie cake, most of the party crowd headed to the local skating rink. I was fairly concerned that we would be the only people over the age of 12, but thankfully, I was wrong. Oh, I skated my heart out! It was such a fun party. I am so thankful I have great friends who will put on skates and act like a bunch of ten-year-old hoodlums for me!

When the roomies, Melissa, and I got home from the skating rink, I was finally allowed to open my gifts. EVERYTHING was great, and I loved it all! I received way more than I deserve, but I am truly thankful. This was one of my best birthdays ever!