why my bf is better than yours...

Yesterday, one of our secretaries came into my classroom with this beautiful bouquet of flowers. I was confused and trying to figure out who would be sending me something like this. I mean, I love my husband dearly, but he doesn't send flowers randomly (I wouldn't mind it though...hint, hint). I pulled out the card and realized that my best friend was the one who so generously sent this gift. Her note read that she was proud of me for finishing up my master's degree. As someone who already has their master's degree, Laura understands the magnitude of this feat. She sent me the flowers as a congratulations. Isn't that just the sweetest thing ever? I love my BF...even though she moved to NY!

Thanks so much dear friend! I love you and miss you too!

ta-da...

Here's baby Gavin Michael. He was born around 4:15 pm yesterday (January 27, 2009). Since Gavin was rather happy inside in mommy, he came into this world via c-section. Both he and Kelli are doing well! Little Gavin weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces. (Side note: We all made predictions as to his weight before Kelli left the room for surgery...I guessed this exactly. I'm such a good auntie!) He is 20 inches long and absolutely perfect!

I wish I had a better photo...I only had my phone. I'll be heading back the hospital today...maybe I'll get a few more shots. :)

baby gavin...

...is on his way! I'm leaving work as soon as they (the miracle workers in our front office) can get a sub! Kelli and Bobby are on their way to the hospital and things are quickly progressing. Hooray! I can't wait to meet him!

cutest picture ever...

...not of me, but Evie! How sweet is this? I'm not playing favorites (since there's no photo of Ella, I wanted to make that clear). We didn't bring our camera with us this weekend. Don and Suzy took this shot and emailed it to me. I couldn't resist. Next time I'll be sure to get a picture with Ella. We have to be fair. :)

light bulb moment...

Just now, one of my students said (to a group of friends seated around her…and loud enough for everyone to hear), “Hey, isn't it crazy that Christ's birthday and Christmas are both celebrated on the same day?” The other kids sitting there looked at her and started laughing. They thought she was joking. Then someone asked her if she knew why Christmas was originally celebrated. She didn’t know.

I love listening in on their little conversations. They’re learning so much at this age…even if it has nothing to do with what we’re studying.

life is good...

I'm updating the blog for Robin today. She needs something other than my Kleenex-stuffed nose to look at. :) Now I'm challenging her to UPDATE!

I'm excited to post today because life is good...God is good!

• Ben is done with school...hooray! He finished up in December, but all of the paperwork is official now. He's working full time at the same place he did all through college. The job is great, the company is supportive, and the pay isn't bad either. :) (It's amazing how much life can change when you've got two full-time incomes...we're feeling a bit more "grown-up" these days.)
• I'm done with my Master's classes and I couldn't be happier. It's about time! I'm ready to retire my role as a student - at least for a while. Sure, I'll continue to absorb everything I can, but I don't care to write another paper for quite some time. Maybe next fall I'll look at pursuing my National Board Certification?!?!
• My brother and sister-in-law haven't had their baby yet, but I'm predicting Gavin will make his appearance this weekend. We'll see. Of course, I'll be sure to post pictures.
• Ben finally has his X-Box Live up and working. (I'll post a picture this weekend.) Although this is a little annoying at times - listening to him talk to people through a drive-thru-like headset - I know it brings him so much joy! The last couple of years, he's taken a break from video games (at our place). It was a nice break. However, I know he's happy to have a new system. It keeps him connected to some of his closest friends - Chris, Dusty, and Andy. So cute!
• Over the last two weeks, I've been blessed to be a part of a great Bible Study. We haven't even started the actual study yet, but God is already doing incredible things. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet some of these incredible women. It's also thrilling to know that what awaits us is sure to be amazing...and life-changing!

• There are so many fun things to watch on television these days. That's just a fun, little side note. :)
• We get to see our nieces this weekend! I'm excited to hold Evie and Ella...and take lots of pictures. The last time we were altogether, I had to share the girls with the entire Simmons family. Not cool. I like to hog them! :)
• Ben is leading worship for our church's youth group. He's really enjoying this new role and it's something he's wanted to do for a while now. With school over and done with, his schedule has finally opened up enough to commit to this ministry opportunity. I'm so proud of him!
• Things at work have slowed down a bit and I'm about to start working with an after-school program. Should be fun!

heavily medicated...

...can you tell?
I was attempting to fold laundry today. Since my nose wouldn't stop running (and who wants snot on their clean clothes), I had to improvise. This was my solution. Don't knock it until you've tried it! :)

Thankfully, Ben came to my rescue and helped me with the challenge. Can you see him in the background?

The sickness that was once in my throat has now moved north...my nose, forehead, sinuses, and ears are all plugged and/or stuffed. Good times.

life right now...

...is good!

Although I've been sick for the last few days, I must say that life is good. Now that the holidays are behind us, life has slowed down and we're back to our "normal routine" around here (whatever that means).

Lately, I've been big into saving money! I clip coupons like a mad-woman, check some frugal blogs on a regular basis (look for links down on the lower left), use the Grocery Game (Last week my total was $78 before coupons and deals. I left paying less than $38) and repeatedly revisit our budget, giving, savings, spending, and overall situation. I know this money we have is not ours...it belongs to God. He's put it on my heart to be sure I'm using His money wisely. It's important to be a good steward! Funny how this has been placed on my heart and yet I'm totally enjoying it. No one ever said that following God's prompts had to be painful. :)

I also think it's funny that the Lord opened my eyes to all of this just as Ben was promoted. For so long, we've been the "struggling college kids." Now that Ben's done with school and my master's program is over, we've got more coming in than ever before. We are by no means rolling in the money, but we are doing our best to be wise with what God has blessed us with. Besides, someday (not anytime soon) there will be a baby Simmons and it would be wonderful to have enough funds to stay at home!

If possible, I would love to know how others are saving money. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas.

While you're pondering what to share, please enjoy the following pictures. Since we don't have kids of our own to display, I'll be using some other cute faces that we've recently seen (hope that's okay)...

How cute is Case? He shopped with us like a champ. Here he is relaxing on a couch at Crate & Barrel.

This is what Kara will look like in the near future! LOVE IT!

Here are the girls all decked out in their Christmas outfits! Evie (left) & Ella (right) are getting bigger all the time. I sat here with both of them and had a new-found respect for Emily (and Ryan too). I don't know how she does it with two...even if they are so well behaved! :)

And I leave you with this sweet face. I heart him...