We're (almost) homeowners!

We're under contract and, if all goes well, we'll be moving in at the end of next month!

The Beginning of Year Five

I've always told myself that I wanted to teach at least 5 years, which at times seemed SO far away, so it's weird to actually be starting my fifth year of teaching.  It's only the second day, and there's A LOT of changes this year, but so far so good.  I've definitely got some challenges and some crazy kids, but I'm starting to like them already, so that's a good sign.  And, I know that as the year goes on and I get to know them and learn who they are and what their lives are like, I'll fall even more in love with them.  Despite how they act, it happens every year.

And, this year, on the very first day of school I fell even more in love with Landon because of this:

He got up super early with me and came up to my classroom and set up this portable a/c unit, because the a/c at my school is going out and they can't fix it until the end of the year.  It's awesome--my room is actually cool and comfortable because of it!  Landon--you rock.  Thank you for being so thoughtful and finding this for me. :)

Back in the cooking zone...

With work starting up again, it's been over a week since I've cooked anything--barring helping Landon with my birthday dinner.  But, between some of my eggplants ripening and ready to be picked and the jalapenos we've been picking, and the cool pan that my mother in law bought me for my birthday, I'm definitely back in the mood to cook again, hopefully tonight! :)  Maybe I'll even try a new recipe...

C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E-!!

This month, because Landon and I's birthdays are a little over a week apart, and because the celebrating started the week before his birthday and ended this weekend, we got to celebrate for over 2 weeks--I LOVED it! And, it was a nice way to end the summer. :)

Landon and I started something new this year and celebrated each other's birthday weeks.  Each day leading up to the actual birthday we'd buy each other a little present and leave it laying somewhere around the house--nothing big or fancy, but it was a fun little surprise each day.  Then, when it was finally his actual birthday DAY, we went out to dinner at Churrascos and I gave him the bike computer he'd been wanting with--and spent the rest of the night playing with! :)

 

Then began my favorite week of the year--the only one where we are the same age, haha!  We started it off by going up to the DFW area to spend the weekend with Landon's brother and sister in law and niece.  We had so much fun, as always just hanging out---they were so sweet to invite us up and have an awesome triathlon birthday cake and everything! 

For my birthday week Landon was so sweet and would have this bag with a little something in it waiting for me every day when I got home.  I loved it. 

Then, the night before my birthday, when I got through working out, he had framed and hung 8 of our favorite pictures from Europe--something I'd been wanting to do but didn't want to spend the money on!  So, needless to say, I was surprised and so happy!

On my actual birthday, I found something waiting for me on the counter when I walked in that was almost as exciting as the framed pictures--a HUGE box filled with cupcakes from Sprinkles, a cupcake place kinda by our house.  And oh my gosh--they were amazing.  Seriously.  And I'm not even a huge cake person. They were awesome.  

Then, I got told to stay in the bedroom for a few minutes while he did something and when I came out he had out kitchen set up as "Landon's Once A Year Amazing Restaurant".  He had set out our china and made a menu.  He had me choose a drink, appetizer, entree and dessert.  Then, we made a grocery list, went to Central Market (so fun) to shop and came home and cooked it all.  I don't know why, but I love cooking with him and it doesn't happen often, so it was such a fun night!  And, if I do say so myself, the food was really good! :)  We made a Leek and Herb Tart, Lasagna Rolls and Rice Krispies--his specialty! :)   And the best part--the next day he did ALL the dishes and left the kitchen sparkling clean! 

Thanks for an awesome night, babe!

 

 Then, last night we went over to my family's house for our birthday dinner and found that my brothers had set up another sushi night--SO fun!  We had a fun night sitting around the table talking and laughing and catching up with each other.  There's a lot of changes going on with people right now, so it was good to have some time to just sit and talk and hear how things are going.  And, we ended the night with an awesome ice cream cake--it tasted like a frozen frappucnio with whipped cream and chocolate (YUM!!) -- and got some fun presents before we left too--I feel the need to go shopping now, haha!

j

And, to end an awesome couple of weeks, and an awesome weekend, Landon's parents took us out to lunch this afternoon at the Post Oak Grill.  It was DELICIOUS.  I had some black bean soup and a salad and would definitely order both again.   It felt like forever since we'd hung out with them so it was fun to have a nice, leisurely lunch and catch up there too.  And, since they found out it was out birthday's they brought Landon and I both out a huge slice of tres leches cake--it wasn't Churrasco's, but it was pretty darn good!

During times like this, when there are things to celebrate, we're always so glad to live by family--thanks again to both of our families for making us feel so loved. :)

 

And with that, followed by a swim and a run and a leisurely evening eating leftovers from Landon's Amazing Once A Year Restaurant, summer (and our birthday celebration) has officially come to a close.

It's time to hit the sack, because I've got a bunch of 8th graders headed to room 223 at 730 tomorrow morning!  It's been a fun summer, but I'm looking forward to all that this new year brings also!