Clarity.

Besides my husband being stuck in Dallas studying for an upcoming test, the weekend was close to perfect.

Friday night when I got into Athens my mom and I got to go eat dinner and catch up. We had a tough time deciding where to eat with all the options in town. Applebee's or Ochoa's? Since my mom had gone with friends to Ochoa's for lunch, Applebee's it was. We walked in and while waiting for a table I listened and watched everyone as they passed by. Everyone knows everyone in our town and that's pretty clear at the local Applebee's. ;)

On Saturday morning I got up early to head to Newton (where my Daddy lives). When I showed up he was outside welding/building fence. I've never known this man to sit still. I've also never known him to not do something on his own. That is one of the biggest things I admire about my Dad, he's a hard worker. That's something that I also admire in my husband. They may be different as night and day in some ways, but working hard isn't one of them.

My stepmom and I spent all day outside cheering my Dad on and occasionally helping when he'd let us. So we grabbed some lawn chairs under a shade tree, sipped on some sweet tea and ate watermelon. Perfect Saturday I think.

It's been such an amazing experience getting to see my Dad turn a piece of land into a home. When he bought this 100 acres about two years ago it was nothing but trees. Now it's cleared off, has a house, roads, he's building a lake, and as you can see above, the fence is coming along. That may not sound like a lot in two years but when you do the majority of it yourself with a little help from family and friends it really is a lot in a short period of time. I'm proud of him. And I can tell how happy it makes him to have this place to call home.

On Saturday evening I took a walk on the land and snapped a quick picture of the sunset. Not because it was the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen but because I found myself really appreciating that moment.

As I looked around me surrounded by everything God made I felt overwhelmingly joyful. As Daniel and I like to say, I got a 'heart jump'. That moment when something makes you so happy your heart does a flip. And at the very same time I found myself wanting to cry because I don't feel like this more often where we live. If I needed anymore clarity that I was not made for the city life, this was it. 

We are still working on our next move and waiting on answers about jobs but everyday is a day closer to getting those answers and we are thankful for all the prayers that have been given.

Happy Friday!

I listen to a lot of music! In the car, at work, working out, cooking dinner. And my choice stations are about 99.9% country. It's not surprising when it's what you grew up on.

I enjoy listening to the older country I grew up on but occasionally a song or two comes out in new country that I find myself loving. 

So here are my two favorite songs below that I can't stop listening to right now! They make me happy!

Speaking of country I'm heading home to Athens after work today to spend tonight with the mom and then set out early in the morning to head to the farm to see my Daddy. I honestly feel giddy with excitement to get out of this town and see the ones I love. Daniel has to stay in Dallas to study for a test. I'd say I wouldn't rub it in that I get to enjoy a little farm & family time but that's just silly. ;)

 Happy Friday!

As Promised...

So as I had mentioned, my life has been very busy lately.

I had also promised to finally fill you all in. So this is going to be kind of a potluck post.

I will start with this last Friday....

My kiddos had their Christmas program at school and they were just the cutest little things I've ever seen.

They made me and Ms. Lyndsie so proud with their adorable singing antics.

Their playlist included Jingle Bell Rock and Away in a Manger.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that I'm not allowed to post pictures of them outside of school I can not let you partake in adoring their cuteness.

As they sang, it was so hard to believe that these little children were babies when I began my job two years ago. I was so happy I wanted to cry. I immediately began to realize this has to be how a parent feels when their child is growing up. Except I'm sure it's 100 times worse.

And once again I realized I'm not ready for children. I would never be able to let mine out of sight for even a second.

I hope I'm not, but probably will be the parent that tells you some lame excuse like, "I'm sorry you can't hold him because he's an anthropophobian (afraid of people)." or maybe something along the lines of, "She's allergic to everyone but me, doctor's orders."

I don't even like to leave my children at school with a sub because I'm afraid they won't take care of them like I do.

I guess I should work on having faith in others a little more.

Anyway, the children really warmed my heart Friday evening and helped me remember the importance or Christmas. They brought such youth, innocence and cheer to all of us there.

I truly did feel blessed to be a part of it all. I have to say my kiddos parents are very lucky to have such wonderful children. :)

Saturday seemed to be a whirlwind of events that left me completely exhausted come Sunday morning. Who am I kidding, I'm still exhausted now.

As I've mentioned before one of my best friends in the entire world is getting married. Yes, Ms. Princess Mitzi. She's taking the plunge with one of the sweetest guys around, Danny.

Saturday was their engagement party and I had the best time seeing old friends and catching up about old times and making new memories.

Mitzi was my roommate for three years and quickly became my best friend and long lost sister. I have to say she is by far the funnest (not a word) person that I know!

I'm so completely happy for her and I know that her and Danny will truly have a happily ever after like they deserve.

All the bridesmaids. Erica, Alexis, Shellie, Me, Jen, Mitzi (bride), Katie, Ashley and Kristen

I didn't get pictures of the wonderful main course but here are the scrumptious cupcakes and cookies.

Mitzi and Danny opening their gift from all the bridesmaids.

Me and the Bride to be, Princess Mitzi

Our cute gift from Mitzi and Danny for throwing the shower for them. Monogrammed umbrellas.

Thank you Mitz, for being one of the best friends a girl could have. I love and cherish our friendship more than you will ever know.

After the Mitzi/Danny extravaganza I attended Ms. Lacee Lou's Christmas party. Sadly, there are no pictures since I was exhausted from the moment I got there.

It was good however to hang out with old friends and catch up. I also enjoyed seeing people in ridiculously funny Christmas attire.

I slept in Sunday to try to recover from lack of sleep. But was awoke by a phone call. I didn't mind. It was another one of my favorite people in the entire world, Ms. Jenanabelle (Jenna).

She was in Denton visiting the boy so we met up for a lunch date and discussed how wonderful we are. ;)

Then it was off to the grocery store to buy more baking stuff than one should ever buy to make Christmas cookies for the world (30 people).

I began my baking marathon at 4:30 P.M.

Seven hours and 243 cookies later they were packaged, labeled and now sit ready to be handed out to some very lucky people.

I was told that they better be good cookies for all the hours it took. (They are.)

But even if they weren't, they were made with heaping spoonfuls of love. :)

I guess I could have purchased cookies or made one huge pan of cupcakes, but we all know that's not my style.

Martha has taught me better than that.

And I would be utterly embarrassed to send out store bought goods to ANYONE, even the homeless at Christmas.

It makes me a little sick to my stomach when I see store bought cookies wrapped up individually like they are homemade, such fakes...such wannabe's.

Yes, I know.... I'm an absolute food snob.

Anyway, the small trinkets of goodness are shown below......

These are just some of the cookies....there were of course many many more.

Chocolate peppermint cookies

So this about catches everyone up.

I'm currently in the middle of finals so it's another big week.

But when it's all over I get to see the number one greatest person in my life, my Daddy!!! (Mom, don't worry you're tied)

I can't wait for that last final Friday morning!

For now though I will leave you with a few photographs, enjoy.

Me and Santa, 1991
I'm gonna have to say about 1988

I hope everyone has a great week!

M. I. A.

Has it really been almost a month since I've posted anything?

Look at me being a neglectful blogger.

Santa should just go ahead and throw some coal in my stocking.

In my defense, this time of year is very busy.

I'm too busy trying to have fun and make new memories like the ones below.....

First Christmas in College Station with my roomies.

Two years ago, Christmas party with Lacee Lou.

And then below with my ITB friend as reindeer's. :)

I can't wait to spend time with family and friends again when I head home next Friday.

I love Denton but it's lacking a few things..... family, my best friends and home :)

I love going home and feeling like I'm 16 again.

This weekend has a lot going on so I will have a lot to post about come Monday. Maybe I shouldn't commit to blogging Monday.... Finals are Mon- Fri of next week.

I do promise you will hear lots of fun stories soon.

Between my kids at work's Christmas program, my best friends engagement shower and another friends Christmas party there will be lots to chat about.

Until then let me leave you with something sweet one of my kiddos said to me today.....

Little boy: (Crying) "I want that toy!" (The toy that another little boy is playing with)
Me: "Well, maybe you can ask and he'll share with you."
Little boy: (Stares at me crying.....)
Other little boy: "Here you go, you can have it."
Me: "Oh how sweet of you to share your toy! You know, that's what makes you so special, you're such a sweet friend to share!"
Other little boy: "Ms. Tori, I just share because it makes me happy." :)

I almost cried. How sweet and unselfish he is. This is not the first time this little boy has said such sweet things but today I realized how much they are growing, growing, growing everyday. And I'm so delighted to get to be a part of it.

Weekend With Daddy :)

So this past weekend was spent with one of my favorite people in the world, my Daddy.

I always enjoy our time together.

The rain put a slight damper on our weekend but we didn't let it keep us down.

I took off work Friday so we could spend the day together. (Thanks for working for me Jenny :)

We went to the bookstore to pick up my school books (I really haven't needed them the past two weeks, but it's now getting to the point that I do.) and Daddy decided to pick up a few Plato books of his own.

We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening looking around in Grapevine and then back to Denton for dinner and then to Best Buy where I picked up a few CD's. One of which is now my new favorite, Matt Nathanson.

Saturday brought much rain, but we didn't complain. We decided to head back to Grapevine where we had noticed the day before that there was a big BBQ cookoff at Bass Pro.

But of course had only brought an umbrella and no rain gear which was indeed in need.

Lucky for me Bass Pro carries a wide range of rain gear.

Of course the cheap stuff was sold out because everyone seemed to have the same idea.

So after spending $86 on rain gear I was then ready to hit the cookout.

Some very good BBQ was sampled and we saw some very unique pits. Including an 18 wheeler and Mickey Mouse.

My Daddy used to make BBQ pits for fun when I was growing up and we used to have this huge pit in our yard that looked exactly like an old tractor it had wheels and even a seat. We decided that we definitely would have had one of the coolest BBQ pits there if we'd have entered the contest. I'm not sure about our BBQ though.

After a couple of hours at the cookout we'd had all the BBQ we could handle and made our way to downtown Fort Worth.

I have never been down to the stockyards and my Daddy hasn't been since the '90's.

It poured on us the entire time we were there. But somehow I didn't even notice. This is where I decided the $86 investment in rain gear was definitely well worth it.

We looked around for a while and enjoyed all the history the town has to offer before heading back to Denton, ordering a pizza and relaxing at the house.

All in all I had a great weekend and I'm thankful for our time together. :)

50 & Fabulous!

Can you believe this beautiful women is 50?

I can't.

Just last night I told her she easily passes for 40, so don't worry. ;)

I'm very blessed to have such a great women in my life.

Whether it's the big things like teaching me how to tie my shoes and stand up for myself or the little things like sending me sweet "have a great day" texts each afternoon before I head to work, she's always there.

I hope that you have the greatest 5oth birthday Momma, you deserve it!

I can't wait to see you on Friday and spend a few days chatting about everything and nothing.

I love you more and more each day.

Happy Birthday Momma!

He's Wonderful :)

I was visiting Athens just last week and got to see my wonderful family.

I love seeing them because I'm always learning something when we're together talking about everything and nothing.

I spent Thursday with my Daddy and had a Daddy/Daughter day. I love these days, they are some of the best days of my life....because I'm a true blue Daddy's girl.

So on Thursday we did plenty of fun stuff. Well, actually to anyone else it wouldn't be too fun. We sat around and talked, went to buy four wheeler parts and visited old friends. These are all things I love doing with my parents though because you get to learn from them. I learn from what they say and I learn from what I see. Even at 23, I believe my parents have so much wisdom to send my way.

So we went out to ole Cross Roads to visit some old friends of my Daddy's.

Friends that I remember my Dad catching hell for when I was younger for being their friend.

These friends of his don't have much. There's no beautiful house, no nice clothes or nice cars.

But they were always there for him when he needed a friend.

So we went to pay them a visit and to just catch up on old times.

And as I sat there watching my Daddy talking to them telling them how nice their yard was looking, how much he missed them and how he was just so glad that they were doing well... I started to smile.

I looked at him and it made me so proud to be his daughter.

To be the daughter of a man who doesn't care what you have or don't have.

To be the daughter of a man who has set such a good example as I grew up showing me that money doesn't have much importance if you don't have great friends and family around.

To be the daughter of a man who gives everything he has to other people. Whether it's money, clothes, time or anything else, he's got a giving heart.

He truly makes my heart happy.

I look up to this man.

I respect this man.

I trust this man.

I'm sometimes in awe of this man.

I cherish every moment that I'm with him.

I still get excited when I see him.

I love him with all my heart.

And I thank him for giving me all the lessons and love that a man should give his child.

I'm one lucky girl! :)

I'm An Aunt!

It's official, I'm an aunt. He's an adorable little puppy named Oliver (Ollie) Sierra Tsukahara.

I was so excited to meet him this past Saturday when I went to go visit Princess Mitzi.

He's the absolute sweetest thing you can imagine. I think I want one. I got bit by the 'puppy-bug'.

I'm so proud of the new edition to this little family :)

Congrats Mommy Mitzi and Daddy Danny! :)