Weekend Celebrations

What a weekend! First, I turned 27 Saturday...I keep getting closer and closer to 30 which is weird. Anyways, I was able to spend my morning with my beloved co-workers. We ate lunch at Beef O' Brady's then headed to the Scholastic Book Warehouse here in Maumelle. While there, we were able to fill a box with as many books as possible and only pay $25 for the whole box!!! Needless to say, I got 2 plus some. After shopping, I went home to be greeted by Mike's parents who came down for about an hour. It was good to see them since I hadn't in a while. Then, Mike and I went out to eat to celebrate by birthday and I got to open my gifts from my wonderful hubby! He surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of red roses...

the Eclipse DVD!!!!!!!!!! Now I just need to have a Twilight marathon :-).....

and the Black Swan DVD....I highly recommend this movie! Thanks Mike for my gifts!

My mom and dad got me 4 place settings of some colorful outdoor dining pieces that I love! I can't wait to use them!!!

Now on to Mother's Day. This year, we took my mom to Mt. Magazine for their Mother's Day brunch/lunch. My parents have been there before and always talk about how pretty and relaxing it is, so we decided to try it out. These pictures don't even do the view justice - it was beautiful! Mike and I are planning on booking a cabin one weekend soon!

Mike enjoying the view right in front of the dining room of the lodge. Did I mention that the food was DELICIOUS!!! This is when we met a man who actually lives down in the valley Mike is looking at...pretty cool!

I love Mike! Can't wait to go back!

Happy Mother's Day to a wonderful momma! I love you and truly appreciate all that you have done and will do for me.

I love my family!

This is the take-off location for hang-gliders. I don't plan on doing that any time soon. You can see some buzzards flying around in the distance - we were definitely high up!

And finally - my baby, Bella. I did have a few friends wish me a Happy Mother's Day since I'm a mom to my puppy...haha! I took this picture Saturday and think it's hilarious. Bella's favorite toy is her soccer ball and she can't stand it when it goes under our bed. Here she is waiting, with tail wagging, for Mike to get it. This happens on a regular basis in our home.

Lately...

I have had a busy couple of weeks, but they have been wonderful! First, my coworkers and I went to Hot Springs for a relaxing weekend. We stayed at an amazing house in a gated community with a shower that had 9 shower heads! I was definitely spoiled with that shower - I want one now! We spent Saturday at the races - the weather was perfect! At breakfast we met a guy that said he would take our picture to put on the big screen, but we weren't sure what he was talking about. Turns out, we were able to go on the race track after the 6th race to take a picture with the winning horse and jockey! It was such a neat experience, especially since I've been going to the races since I was little. I must say that I am a lucky girl to be able to work with the people I do. They are the best coworkers ever!

The group at the best breakfast joint ever and where we met the guy who took us on the track. I love these girls!

Not 10 minutes after I got home from Hot Springs, we got the call that Mike's sister, Christin, was in labor! So, we got a few things situated at home and then headed to Conway. Once we got to the hospital, Christin had just gotten her epidural, so her mom and I went back to visit with she and Chris. We were all anxious to meet baby Rippy and, especially, to finally hear what her name was going to be.....

After 3 hours of waiting at the hospital, Chris came out with this sign to announce that Allison 'Alli' Marie Rippy was here!

Here she is, my precious niece, Allison Marie!

Uncle Mike holding Alli for the first time! They now say she looks like him! We'll see if that holds true because I know she's changing everyday.

Aunt Lindsay holding Alli for the first time! She is just so cute!

The Rippy's - a family of 3! We're going to visit them today and love on Alli!

The following week was spent giving the Benchmark test to my 4th graders. It was a long week, but I'm so proud of my kiddos! I can't wait to get their scores!!!! That weekend I went with some coworkers to the Beth Moore Conference, AMAZING!!! I am a huge fan of Beth Moore because she is totally real and doesn't hide anything. She is such a woman of God and a true inspiration. I loved being able to worship with my coworker sisters and growing closer to them and growing more in my faith.

We are Living Proof! I am so blessed to have these coworkers! We are planning on doing a Beth Moore study this summer - can't wait!

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter - He is Risen!!!

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

National Boards

For the last 5 months I have been working on earning my National Boards for teaching. I have spent long hours at school and on my laptop getting everything prepared for the 4 portfolio entries that are due March 31st. After typing close to 50 pages, going through 3 editions to each paper, videoing 4 classroom lessons, and watching 7 1/2 seasons of Friends I finally finished everything and shipped it off (a week early) to San Antonio!!! I was able to actually relax and enjoy the rest of Spring Break! I even enjoyed getting a mani/pedi and a day of shopping with my mom...which I hadn't done in so long! The pictures below are just for documentation of what I accomplished :-)

Where I've spent the last 5 months....almost every weekend....typing on the computer while watching Friends

Mike has been so supportive! He's made dinner several times over the last several months and rubbed my back after long days of sitting at my desk. Here he is helping tape my box before shipping it. I love him!

At the FedEx store about to ship it off. I won't find out until December if I passed, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I still have the computer-based test to take on May 16th, so I'm not completely finished. But, what I shipped in "The Box" was the most time consuming, so I feel so free and relaxed....not to mention we're in the 4th nine weeks of school, so we're on the downhill stretch! Now I'm just counting down the days until summer - vacation with Mike, hopefully going to Colorado to visit Laura, and getting things done around the house - can't wait!

Sunday Surprise

After enjoying a surprise snow day on Friday, Mike and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend with family. We spent time with my family Saturday night at my dad's retirement party. We had so much fun getting to chat with my parents friends that we hadn't seen in a while. I think dad had a great time, and really enjoyed the 3D telephone cake....along with all the other guys :-) Then, we spent time with Mike's family Sunday night for the Super Bowl. We had a relaxing evening eating dinner and catching up. It was during this time that I started having pain in the lower right part of my back. I convince Mike to take me home during the 3rd quarter...he wasn't too excited because his Packers were barely winning at this point. But, being a wonderful husband, he took me home.

By the time we went to bed, the pain was a little bit stronger, but bearable. Around 1:30 am, I woke up to severe pain in the same spot. I tried to be strong and find a comfortable position, but couldn't. I finally woke Mike up, telling him that I thought I had a kidney stone (I've felt this pain before). We called his dad and decided to go to Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. We left our house around 2:30 am in the pouring rain to head to the ER. By the time we got to the hospital, I was in even more pain. Once I got to the check-in counter, the pain was starting to make me feel nauseous. And, of course, I got the trainee at the check-in counter. He had to be walked through EVERY SINGLE STEP. Meanwhile, I'm sweating and about to pass out from the pain. NOT COOL!

After checking in, we went straight back to a private room. It was once I laid down, that the nausea took over...again, NOT COOL! I had my blood drawn, and a talk with the doctor about my symptoms. About 30 minutes later, I was getting a CT Scan done to confirm what was causing my pain. At this point, I still have NOT gotten any pain meds. After the scan, it was another 45 minutes before the doctor came in with the results. By this time, the pain was pretty much gone...luckily, I was also able to get some sleep. The doctor confirmed that the pain I was experiencing was from passing kidney stone. Then, he informed me that I still have 1 kidney stone in EACH kidney that could pass now, in 20 years, or never. Something to look forward to in the future. It was at this time I finally got a shot for the pain....even though I had gone through the majority of it with no meds.

We left the hospital around 6:30 (4 hours later) with snow pouring down. Mike and I both took off work and slept as much as we could. We were both still exhausted today, so we're excited about work already being canceled tomorrow! Everyone at work mentioned how passing a kidney stone is similar to child birth. Their friends who have experienced both, say the kidney stone is worse. If this is the case....I'm ready....bring it! Mike said he was impressed with how I handled the pain. However, I'm pretty sure child birth will be much more painful! Needless to say, Mike and I had an eventful start to our week. Let's hope these other 2 don't decide to pass any time soon.

On the bright side, we made it to community group Monday night. We started our new study by John Piper...Don't Waste Your Life. It sounds like it will be truly eye-opening and a great way to strengthen my walk with Christ. I'm super excited! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week and fun in the snow!!!

Mike vs Food

Mike and I love watching Man vs Food with Adam Richman on the Travel Channel. Because of this, Mike created a map featuring all of the restaurants where Adam has visited on his show. Our goal is to visit 1 or 2 of these restaurants on our vacations. Our first stop was to Cotham's in Scott, Ar. Adam visited Cotham's to try their famous Hubcap Burger. Adam attempted (and won) the triple or quadruple Hubcap, but Mike, my dad, and granddad went with the single, 1 pound while celebrating my dad's 60th birthday! These pictures document Mike's first go at Mike vs Food...

This is the infamous Hubcap Burger. Again, Adam ate either a triple or quadruple stack!

Mike's first bite. This burger was huge!

Granddad ready to dig in :-)

The birthday boy ready to take on the challenge!

Ready to take the last bite...

Challenge complete - apart from taking down the fries!

Feeling the Hubcap in the aftermath...hahaha!

Dad was able to take down the burger AND his fries!

Up next for Mike vs Food - we are planning to visit Memphis in a few weeks, and will go to the Arcade to try Elvis' sandwich and to the famous Rendezvous. Will update on Mike's quest!

3 Years!

January 12, 2011 - Mike and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary! I can't believe it's already been 3 years....time goes by so fast, right? To celebrate, Mike brought home a beautiful bouquet of red roses and took me to eat at Wok-a Wok-a (very delish)! We're going to a fancy restaurant this weekend and plan to spend a weekend in Memphis in a few weeks...can't wait! Here are a few pictures from our Big Day 3 years ago...

Mr. and Mrs. Fleisher on the Ar Queen Riverboat for the reception.

One of my faves :-)

Lena, Katie, me, and Laura
my bffs and I getting ready to walk down the aisle

dancing to "Unforgettable" with my daddy - we danced to it when I was in the 3rd grade for a father/daughter dance, so I always knew that would be the song he and I would dance to.

Laura, Lauren (sister), Katie, Christin (sis-in-law/college bff), & Lena
my BEAUTIFUL bridesmaids....yes it was January....yes it was cold (esp on the boat)....yes I still chose a sleeveless dress for them

the handsome groomsmen - Justin, Jon, Jim (bro-in-law), Chris (bro-in-law), & Kyle

I can't wait to continue our journey as a married couple, and to see what new adventures will befall us this year and in the future.

Let it SNOW!

I LOVE snow! It is so pure and beautiful. What fun to watch as close to 5 inches of snow covered the ground in Maumelle! Mike and I spent the snow day playing with Bella in the backyard, and will get the chance to do the same tomorrow. Here are a few pics from Bella's first snow day...

I love that her ears flop like this when she's running around the yard...hahaha!

She loves playing with her frisbee. After about a 5 minute search through the snow, she finally found it and was one happy pup! We also found a toy belonging to her bff, Maizy, from next door.

This is the hop Bella does when she is waiting for Mike to throw the frisbee....very bunny-like!!!

Mike almost done with his snowman...it was hilarious watching him roll the biggest one around the yard. It was so heavy!

The finished product.

Bella notice that we used her frisbee as a hat...

Bella trying to get the snowman's "hat".

What a fun snow day! Now it's time to relax on the couch with a bowl of chili and a fire in the fireplace....ah, how I love winter!