Procrastinator!

For those of you who don't know, I am currently in graduate school getting my Specialist of Education degree in School Counseling. I already have my masters in professional counseling--but this year, I went into the school system and haven't looked back since. I truly enjoy my job, and love all of my co-workers, kids, and parents that I get to work with on a daily basis. So...here I am on Friday night, staring at my computer screen trying to finish a paper that is due in the morning. Now, I am a procrastinator, but I prefer to call myself an "effective" procrastinator. This means that I do my best work at the last minute. I remember trying to write lit. papers at Lipscomb, and the one time I worked a week in advance, I made my worst grade for the whole semester! Who else had Kimberly Reed with me, Lindsay, that was you, right? In the world of procrastination, I have also noticed that my blog stays jam-packed, and my house is the cleanest it has ever been. It is as if I never noticed my house was cluttered until I have a paper due in a couple of days, and then I clean every nook and cranny I can get to! I hate it while I'm doing it, but I cannot help it! Until it bites me in the butt, I guess I will not change. I take that back, it has nipped me in the butt a few times, but never actual taken off a big chunk! Well, I'd better go work on my paper now, but if anyone wants to call me, feel free, I'd love to talk:)!

To Breed or not to Breed...

That is the question. Now that Fetus Fever has hit the majority of people I know that are my age, I find myself contemplating children. Not wanting, mind you, but contemplating. For those of you I have had this conversation with, you may now disregard the rest of this post if you choose. I am so ecstatic for all of you who are having babies and have babies. And goodness knows, I love to cuddle up with the Johns twins, chase Campbell Sciortino, and keep up with all the other babies/toddlers I don't get to see that often! But, is motherhood for me? I am usually a follower of those around me. Trendy jeans, fabulous shoes, divine sundresses, painting a room in my house red...are examples of things that I might have seen on someone else and then done myself. But children are a completely different story. I love to think about names that Andy and I might name our children, but if I take 10 seconds actually thinking about having a real one, I don't feel ready. Now, I know I have only been married a little over a year and a half, and know that I don't want a child this instant, but I am beginning to think I may never want to have children. I know that everyone that has children 110% agrees that they are the greatest thing that could have ever happened in ones life--but is raising kids for everyone? For some reason, I am feeling like Carrie Bradshaw right now. Don't get me wrong, I am 85% sure that I want to have kids one of these days, but what if I never get that "maternal instinct" telling me to preheat my oven for one of those buns? Well, I must be off, I'm supposed to be cleaning my house right now, and I get to thinking a little too hard. Just some food for thought!

The Newest Fetus

Okay, don't freak out, it's not my fetus--it's Becky & Nate's! Congratulations to the newest members of the "Knocked Up" Club, as I have chosen to call it! The way I figure it, of the Lipscomb crew, there are 3 new ones on the way, Baby Boy Hazlewood, Sex Unknown Miller, and "Bebe" Kelley--congratulations everyone, Andy & I appreciate you all keeping us off the hook. I am putting up 2 pictures I stole from Becky's blog. One is of a few of us (and there is no hint of baby bump, I might add, so don't even try to find it) and the other is of Becky & Kelee (just because I miss them so!) Love to all. Keep the crackers by the bedside, Becky! Love you!

Title Unknown

Well, I made it through an entire week of being back at work with only a few bumps and bruises! Throughout the day, I think of lots of things to post in this blog, and then by the time I sit down by the computer, they are gone out of my head. So, this blog should be very random! First of all, congratulations to the Hazlewoods (Kate & Ben) on producing the next heir to the family. Does anyone else think that men must feel so masculine when they can "knock up" their wife? Have we discussed this, Chris Anne?
Now, for a quick soapbox rant and rave. Next week in the Hall County School system, the kids are taking the CRCT test, which 3rd and 5th graders must pass to go on to the next grade. This past week, everyone was going out of their ever-living minds over this test. Now, I shouldn't brag, but it is the truth--the school where I work usually has some of the highest scores in the county (out of 17 elementary schools)--so alot of times everyone fixates on the kids who won't pass (which is very few). Maybe it is because I am new to the school system, or maybe it is because I can keep my head on straight, but I understand that some kids can pass the test, but there are some kids, that no matter how well they are taught, and no matter how wonderful their teachers are (and all teachers are great, I think)--they are not going to pass a standardized test. It is no one's fault, it is just how it is. Don't lose any sleep over it! Geez! Okay, enough of that. I will close with a recipe for the easiest cookies I have ever made (and they are yummy, too!) Enjoy!

Easy Cookies
1 box of cake mix (any kind you choose--I used chocolate)
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chocolate chips
chopped nuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together, bake on 350 for 8-10 minutes (I had to bake them alot longer, because I put them on my Pampered Chef pans)--but they stay soft and yummy! Bon appetit!

Back to School and Moody

I had to head back to work today after a most fabulous Spring Break. We spent yesterday at Andy's grandmother's for Easter afternoon. Only a small, frostbitten egghunt was had since most of his little cousins were sick. Then, of course, it was home to finish watching The Masters. Yay for Zach Johnson--he beat everyone! I, of course, was going for him because he has a three-month old baby boy! It was nice to see Tiger Woods actually not come all the way from behind to win it all. Way to be only semi-miraculous, Tiger!

After waking up at 8 am for the past week, today it was back to getting up at 6 am to be at school by 7:15. My school starts at 7:48 (yes, 7:48, not 7:45--it doesn't make much sense). By 12 noon, I was ready for a nap with the kindergarteners--but, unfortunately, they don't take naps anymore! When I got home, I was moody. For no good reason, just moody. I had had a good day, no crises had to be averted, no fights (friendship or other)--everything was peachy! I am not even PMSing--so can someone please help me understand why I am feeling so moody?! I felt better once I went to Target to pick up a "few things"--basically spent $50. Shopping therapy works everytime.

Here are some random shots. One is of The Masters winner (just for kicks!) My brother and his girlfriend, Jordan (who is a Pi Delta girl, by the way!) went to Disneyworld over Spring Break (Eli and I were deprived as children, we never went--so this was his first time!). They sent me a few pictures, so I thought I would share them with you all--I just love Jordan, she is a great girlfriend-in-law!

Here are lots of shots of Eli & Jordan at Disneyworld. In the picture to the left, they are dancing in the street like the little kids do at the parades!

My brother is too funny for words!!!!Go Zach, it's your birthday, go Zach!

The End of Spring Break!

Well, the end is near (of Spring Break). I am truly sad, but I also realize that I only have 7 weeks of school left once I return on Monday, and I do kind of miss the sweet kids' faces, and them yelling out my name across the school hallways, "Mrs. Nix!"--I've gotta admit it, I love it! Tonight we had Andy's family over (minus the youngest in-laws, Charlie and Rachel, we missed you guys!) to celebrate Andy's dad's birthday. I cooked for everyone, and my friend, Amanda, brought her two children over, Daisy and Grant. Daisy helped me cook dessert. Actually, she made a yummy salad made up of leftover lettuce, egg whites, and eggshells for the guys to enjoy! Here are a few pictures of our night, some of them are quite fuzzy due to my camera being on a funky setting. And Daisy's outfit is my version of a small apron, since I didn't have one available! I hope everything has a fabulous Easter. Down here, it looks like we are going to have to bust out our finest Easter snowsuits to wear since this is the coldest first weekend in April since 1886--seriously, this is ridiculous! Here are some pictures of our night! Happy Birthday, Chris!

Here is "Poppy Chris" and Grant, the newest addition to the Strine family!

Me and Daisy posing in our aprons! Smile, Daisy!

Daisy on her newest pony.

Wouldn't you love to eat this salad?"Nana Sandra" and Grant--they really want some grandkids from some of us--Andy and I got married last, so the pressure is on the other brothers' first!

Spanx!

No, this is not a dirty S&M blog, and I am not saying thanks like we did way back when, I wanted to let you all know of my newest purchase, that I have decided was a gift from above! It is pantyhose that have no feet--a.k.a. Spanx! I was completely under the impression that control top pantyhose were for old women and for those who were, let's say, a little fluffy! But, I was oh-so-wrong! While at Whitney's wedding this weekend, some bridesmaids (who will remain nameless) who are much smaller than me, were wearing their Spanx, or wishing that they had not forgotten theirs at home! And these are trendy girls--so I thought, "What the heck! " I was tired of sucking in my stomach, and many of my honeymoon dresses were fitting a little (okay, I'll admit it, ALOT) too tight for my liking! So today I was at my newest favorite store, Nordstrom Rack (those of you in Nashville do not have the pleasure of this store--it is like Off 5th--but for Nordstrom!) and I saw the huge rack of discounted Spanx--they usually sell for $30, but these were only $9.97! I felt a little silly, but took the plunge and brought them home! I immediately ran into my bedroom, with Callie right behind me, and pulled these little pieces of heaven on! I pulled out the dresses that were a little too tight, and Voila! no more sucking in--Spanx does the sucking in for you! Let's just say that I am no longer a critic, but a true believer in them--thank you Sara Blakely (the inventor) for changing my wardrobe. Now, if I can just get Andy to think they are sexy....

Callie is one and other random pictures!

Callie turned one at the end of March, and she received a birthday haircut! She has been a great addition to our family, and is beginning to convince me that perhaps I can love another (besides
Andy) more than myself:)! And maybe I can even have a child one day--except you can't leave your children down in the basement all day while you're gone to work, can you? I also downloaded pics from Whitney's big day, but somehow lost all but one--so here is one from her bridesmaids' luncheon on Friday! Hope all is well--it is a beautiful day!

Here are Whitney's bridesmaids:

Front row: Erin, Kristy, Whitney, me, and Alyson

Back Row: Robin, Kelee, Amanda, Kingsley, Ashley and Claire

Sweet Callie Nix on her one year birthday!

Spring Break!

Ahh, the beauty of being in the school system...Spring Break! Mine began early when I went to Nashville for a long weekend to be by Whitney for her big day! We had a great weekend, beginning with the bridesmaids luncheon (0thers began the night before at the lingerie shower/bachelorette party) and ending with dance party at the reception. I had to miss Thursday's festivities since I am still in graduate school (will it ever end?). My camera batteries are dead, so I will have to get new ones so I can download my pictures into my computer! I got to see many friends this weekend, but what a blessing to be a part of Whitney and Michael Cantrell's big day! Whitney walked down the aisle by herself, not because she was starting a brand new tradition, but because she got so excited, she forgot her dad! She realized 3/4 of the way down that she was alone! It was classic, and broke the tension of everyone balling their eyes out! I have to get pictures from everyone that took more pictures than me! Whitney was a beautiful bride, and I know she is having a blast in Mexico with her new hubby! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell!
When Andy and I returned home, he found out that he got tickets to The Masters practice round. He left this morning at about 4 am, and followed Tiger around all morning. I am so pumped for him--he has always wanted to go, and finally got to! Pictures to follow so all of you golfers can be tremendously jealous:)! Yay for you, honey! Happy Spring Break!