Recent Happenings

Much has happened lately and we have been very very busy. But of course nothing could ever be bad if these ladies are around. We always have a great time together and I'm glad I got to spend my 25th birthday with each and every one of them.

 We spent the day at Sneaky Pete's enjoying the outdoors and then had a cookout at Jenny & Claude's where I enjoyed meat for the first time in over 10 months. It was delish. ;)

After dinner the storms kept us from venturing to Fort Worth to celebrate a friends birthday so we stayed in and Erin Tobin, Daniel & I decided to play Wineopoly. Never again will we play regular Monopoly, who wouldn't love to play a came that has you "cheers" as you pass go. It's definitely our new favorite game.

 Princess turned one on the 26th of April and sadly this is the only photo I have from the party. :( I wanted more pictures of her in her tutu I made her but it's hard to get a one year old to sit still and plus cupcakes and presents are much more fun than cameras. She got spoiled of course, and I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

 At the request of Erin, I made Kinley's birthday cupcakes. We thought they came out pretty cute and watched the color scheme perfectly. :)

 If you've known me over the past 10 years you've seen this bad boy. Yep, after 10 years with the red wagon, we have parted ways. It was a bittersweet moment but we sold it to a dear dear friend and will still get to see it regularly, so I really can't complain. Especially when we got this last week.....

We got a new Cruze last Wednesday and have been ridiculously impressed by the gas mileage. We've gotten it up to 44 mpg even those it's been averaging over 35 most of the time. This is a huge difference from our trucks with their 17 to 18 mpg. Yeh, you could say we're totally stoked!

And lastly, we are searching for our new home at this very minute. Classes are officially over today, for good. Daniel will still be taking classes through the summer but online. With him working in Dallas and me interviewing for jobs in Dallas, it's no secret where we will be heading. We are looking to be in a new place hopefully by the first of June but no later than the middle of June. We are loving the Lakewood/White Rock Lake area and have concentrated our search there. Please pray for us that all these new changes go smoothly. Finding a new home and the entire moving process is never fun, but the end result is. So I look forward to getting past this next month and having a new home!

In wedding news, Save the Dates are out! The dress came in! Invites are ordered! Showers are being planned! Registry's are done! And there are officially 108 days until "We do!" :)

Greatness in the Form of my 24th!

Much has been going on in my lovely little life since I last checked in on the day of my 24th.

And where better to begin than where I left off....

So as I had mentioned, this lady came in to see me for my birthday. Yeah, she's still phenomenal.

She got in Friday night from Austin and the great Claude and Jenny were kind enough to let us partake in their hamburgers at their casa.

We sat outside and caught up for a long time until Claude hastled us. He very casually (wink*wink) reminded us about our fishing excursion that would be taking place the following morning and the truck would be pulling out promptly at 6 A.M. So much for extended happy hour (it was 12 A.M. ;)

So like we had planned me and Little Tobin woke up at 5 in the morning for our way too early trip. We made it to Claude and Jenny's on time (6:05, you get a 5 min grace period) only to wait on this guy. Gees.



Erin and I climbed in the back seat and off we all went, minus Jenny who decided to be way UN-cool and sleep, BOOO!!!!! ;)

Anyway, we didn't make it far before we needed to get gas and a big glass of milk (cough cough..beer). The girls were much more concerned/disappointed when we found out you can't buy beer in Denton until 7 A.M., or is that everywhere? This obviously proves we aren't true alcoholics, although we felt like one when we asked about beer purchases before the sun had even come up.

Anyway, no beer.

In the truck and off we went.

But wait....the lake is about 30 minutes away perhaps there's still a chance.

We arrive at the second convenient store at approximentally 6:48 A.M. As I stood in line for what seemed like eternity with one of my bestest and a case of Tecate I almost felt embarrassed until I thought, 'Hey, it's my 24th birthday and I can do what I want!'

At 7:15 (give or take a few minutes) that first beer was cracked open, there was a fishing pole in my hand, good friends on the boat and life was officially sweet. :)





The adventure turned out cold and windy so we headed back early after only catchin' a few.

Erin and I worked diligently on the best spiked lemonade ever for the bbq later than evening before heading to my casa for a few lazy hours of catching up by the pool with one old friend in particular. Erin enjoyed an ice cold Budlight while I enjoyed some ole Tecate.




As our alarm went off for the nap we were supposed to take we decided to say screw it, no nap. More beverages.

We headed to Jenny and Claude's for the bbq where I was so excited to get some of my closest friends from different places all together. And they meshed so well. It couldn't have gone better.

One special little lady was there and I have to admit she stole the show for a bit but she's so stinkin' adorable I didn't even get upset. ;)





So with great company, outrageously delicious food and a little flip cup and beer pong later in the night I felt like a pretty lucky lady that I have such great friends to help celebrate my 24th year. Here are a few priceless pics from the occasion.
























My 25th birthday doesn't stand a chance. 24 was fabulous!

And Another Year Bites The Dust ;)

Hmm. 24 years ago my Momma endured way to many hours of labor for little ole me. She must really love me because every year I hear from her at 2:22 P.M. (the exact time I was brought into this world) and she says something like this, "24 years ago I was in a hospital room giving birth to you and it's the best thing I ever did." It seriously moves me to tears every year.

I also hear from my dear sweet Daddy every year about how he couldn't imagine not having me as his daughter and in his sweet speech HE is normally moved to tears.

Despite all the crying I swear it's a happy day. ;)

I'm not sure how big families are (being an only child) but I know in my small little family we're awfully grateful for each other and birthday's seem to bring it out in us a just little more.

Growing up I always had a huge birthday party and looking back maybe a little over the top with too many gifts.




As I've gotten older I'd be lying if I said I didn't like my birthday to be made into a huge deal still.

The surprise 18th birthday party at Speed Zone.


I'm sure we all remember the Tea Party Extravaganza with the two tier birthday cake for me and Mitzi. (my 21st and her 23rd)


A winery tour and renting a room at the Magnolia in downtown Dallas and having too much fun in Uptown for my 22nd..


And last year's week long celebration. Nights out on the town, Rangers game, and a BBQ with great friends.


My birthday this year kind of snuck up on me and with so many things going on with others I didn't have much time to think about my special day.

But we've decided on some fishin' and a BBQ full of friends, food and beer on the 24th. And let me tell you I'm pretty flippin' excited.

Reason number 1 why I'm excited: In true 'Tori' fashion I've decided to have my bbq a cute spring/summer theme.

Reason number 2 why I'm excited: The Erin Tobin is coming to Denton to see little ole me, I seriously adore this lady. I just laugh til I cry or almost pee my pants when she's around. I'm hoping she and I can fit in a little 'pool and tecate' for old times sake. Maybe show them how a little Three Man is done.

Reason number 3 why I'm excited: I have a brand new fishin' pole and fully stocked caboodle (tacklebox) that's itchin' to catch some fish.

Reason number 4 why I'm excited: I could use a good lawn chair, a coorslight in hand and good conversation with good friends. :)

I'm so truly blessed by such wonderful family and friends that always make my special day (or in some cases week) absolutely wonderful. :)

What a wonderful weekend I had :)

After a rough week some of the CCPS girls decided to have a girls night in at Ms. Lyndsie's house on Friday. We had a great time enjoying some wine and appetizer's and getting to talk grown up talk instead of 'boo boo bags' and 'walking feet'.

Having our girls time made me realize how much I really love the girls that I work with. I'm pretty blessed to get to spend time with them each day.

We had a little too much to catch up on because I didn't make it home until 3 in the morning. Eek! But like I said, great time!

On Saturday my community was having a garage sale so I got up early and hit up about 10 of the 25 to 30 garage sales within walking distance. I bought quite a bit of little stuff and total spent $4 I think. I kept telling people I felt like I was stealing from them when they'd say something like, "That'll be a nickel."

After garage saling I made my way to my least favorite place in the entire world, (besides the eye doctor with his little air puff) yep, I went to Wal-Mart. Eww. I somehow always end up leaving there without anything (because it gets left due to lack of cashiers and my lack of patience) or complaining about how I almost got ran over at least twice in the parking lot. All in all, it stresses me out.

With that said, Spring has sprung and I needed flowers, potting soil and paint for a project I was planning to work on. And we all know I'm cheap, cheap, cheap. So I knew I was going to have to make the journey down to my real life hell. ;)

Somehow I lived through it and didn't get maimed by anyone in the parking lot. Erin and Kinley stopped by when I got home. While she sorted through baby clothes for the wee one in her belly I got to work on a project.

I bought this little dresser at Goodwill a while back. I had absolutely no use for it but it was $5 and sometimes I just can't turn down a bargain. As I was in the check out line purchasing it the man behind me tried to make a deal with me by offering me double. I declined.




As my sewing excursions have taken on a life of their own I recently decided I needed something cute to put my fabrics and such in. And it turns out that I already had something, it just needed to be revamped.

After stripping the dresser I threw on a few coats of the paint color I had picked at 'hell' and then put on my knobs that I had bought a few months ago for $5.

The end product.....




And because it was looking a little bare I topped it off with a little color. By the way, I purchased two bouquets of these flowers while buying groceries yesterday, they were on manager's special for $2. Out of the bouquets I was able to make five different vases of flowers to go around the house to brighten things up and feel a little more Spring-ish around here. Plus, they smell yum. :)

Speaking of flowers, that was another thing I bought at Wal-Mart along with a tomato plant to pot.



My Mimi had given my some fresh cilantro, oregano and mint when I went home for Easter so I spent Saturday evening putting everything in their own little pots. I really have enjoyed going out and picking a few little sprigs of cilantro this week when I cooking dinner. And soon (well about 48 days) I can go pick tomatoes for dinner too.

My good friend Jenny and her fiance have just purchased their first home. How exciting! And I'm getting to help with all the priming, painting, decorating AND gardening!!!! Jenny and I are planting a garden at her new home in the next week or two when they are all settled in. This really does make me ecstatic. Afterall, I dream of owning an old farm out in the country, watching my future husband in his too tight wranglers driving his tractor, being a stay at home mom, picking fruits and veggies, canning and making jams all while drinking a big glass of sweet tea in my big floppy straw hat. My dreams may not seem like much, but they're mine. :) And Ms. Jenny is helping me get a little bit closer to them by letting me help with the garden. Even if I do have to imagine that I'm on a farm in the middle of nowhere I still love growing and picking all your own veggies.

So stay tuned for Gardening Excursions I'm sure they'll be quite interesting.


I've been so behind on blogging I forgot to share my last sewing excursion.

I have been wanting to make a cute Spring/Summer dress so I got started by making this cute little flower to inspire me



I had some hot pink fabric so I decided that was going to be what I used.

So I cut. I pinned. I sewed. I got this.





I'm pretty sure this won't be the last one I make.


And because you might be needing a laugh I'll leave you with a funny from my kids (for other kid funnies, click here.)

Marriage has been a hot topic around our three year old table for about the last month. I'm not sure how it happened but it turned up one day and has refused to leave.

While eating snack on Wednesday afternoon my children began the marriage discussion once again.

'J' proclaimed her want to marry 'E'.

But he said, "No, I'm not getting married anymore."

After a short argument back and forth with her saying, "Yes, you are!" and him saying, "No, I'm not!"

She gave up. She said, "I'm marrying my brother."

That's when another little girl chimed in and said she was going to marry her sister.

And a little boy said he was definitely going to marry his sister too.

I then said, "I don't know if you can do that."

I got lots of "why not's?"

I said, "Well, you can't do that in Texas."

That's when 'K' said, very seriously, "Yeah, you have to go to Hokohoma to do that."

Ha ha. I loved it. They really do keep me laughing.


With just a week until my birthday I'm still trying to figure out birthday plans. This is so unlike me, I normally have something massive planned a month in advance. Looks like I'll be going low-key this year. Is that what happens when you get old? ;)

Me on my first birthday which happened to be on Easter :)