Tagged Again...

My friend Maggie tagged me again to do this blog. It was just for fun, but seeing that today is my birthday, it might be fun to do as I embark on my 27th year of existence. Or as some of my friends and I say it... one score and seven years!

8 T.V. Shows I watch:

1. How I Met your Mother
2. The Office
3. Psych
4. Monk
5. Two and a Half Men
6. Big Bang Theory
7. Eli Stone
8. Hannah Montana

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Chipotle
2. Outback
3. Chili's
4. Cracker Barrel
5. Pat & Oscar's (in California)
6. In n' Out Burger
7. Johnny Carino's
8. Any good, So Cal Mexican food

8 Things that Happened Today:

1. Took my brother's dogs for a walk and Lolli pooped 5 times on the Tennis Court.
2. Both dogs jumped in the 50 degree waters of the pool as if it were July
3. I looked endlessly for the missing piece to our 1000 piece puzzle and came up empty
4. I went to 2 antique shops with my parents and bought a set of pearls and a broach!
5. We ate lunch at Applebee's and it took forever
6. I realized that there is a BIG difference between Pepsi and Coke and that I prefer the latter.
7. I have gotten 15 Facebook messages, 6 text messages, and 2 phone calls from friends wishing me a Happy Birthday!
8. The parents and I are out the door to see The Tale of Desperaux at the movie theater!

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Getting back to Waco and seeing my niece and nephew and my amazing friends.
2. My brother's Wedding on February 7th.
3. Rejoining my Sunday School class, and my small group.
4. Picking out my new prescription sunglasses (my birthday present from my parents).
5. The upcoming Baylor softball season.
6. Getting my apartment organized and set, finally.
7. Harry Potter on July 17, 2009!
8. Seeing what the Lord has in store for me in 2009!

8 Things I wish for:

1. A safe and healthy 2009.
2. A Wii!
3. A man that will love me and care for me.
4. A house with a yard so I can have a puppy.
5. A family of my own, someday.
6. A wonderful husband and health, happy children.
7. My student loans to be paid off.
8. For the Lord's Will to be complete in my life.

People I tag:

1. Jennifer
2. Janice
3. Tara
4. Brooke

Christmas Cards

I have been extremely busy this holiday season, and the thought of making cards, even filling them out was the farthest thing down on my to do list. SO, my good friend Jennifer took this picture of me, so I thought I would send the infamous "picture card" this year. I know these cards only are done with families and cute little kids, but for this year it will have to do... So, with no further-ado, here it is...
I know the picture isn't the best, but the thing I like most about this card is that I made the background! With the help of a really great friend (Jennifer, again) of course. It was my first time really playing around and learning the ropes of Photoshop!

Look for your card in the mail!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Christmas Ficus???

Not exactly... My decorations originally extended this far, but my Christmas cheer soon turned into this:

It's only 3 feet tall, but for $10 at Target I couldn't beat it. I have had the stocking for a while, and while I do possess a fireplace in my apartment, I do however, lack a mantle to hang it on. The bookcase will have to do for now.

Adding to the Christmas decor...something else that I have wanted for sometime now and really never saw it as a necessity...one of my students made this fabulous wreath for me. Isn't it neat?!? Mrs. Robinson got a purple one to match...

I hope the Christmas festivities are continuing on where ever you are! I am currently on the countdown... just a few more days of school and then I am off to Sunny California. I can't wait!!!

Christmas Continues

I spent last weekend enjoying a wonderful Sunday afternoon with my 2 best friends, my favorite niece, and my favorite nephew. I can't tell you how much I love all of them. Jennifer bought the kids these Christmas pajamas at the OshKosh After-Thanksgiving sale. Aren't they adorable?!?

Hannah is going in for the kill...

I think Caleb's face means he enjoyed it!

Off to take care of some Christmas shopping. I'll post more later...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This year, "Christmas on 5th Street" that is held at Baylor University every year kicked off Christmas for me! I had faithfully gotten out my decorations when I returned from Thanksgiving, but have not had the energy or desire to start putting them up. I am pleased to say that I have started decorating today because of the fun and Christmas excitement that I experienced this past Thursday.

My small group from church usually meets Thursday nights but we decided this time to meet at Chili's and spend some time fellowshiping together on 5th Street. It was so much fun!!!! We ate a wonderful dinner, held a bible study in Chili's, and then walked over in the frigid cold. There was great music, a live nativity, and Steven Curtis Chapman rocking out for close to 2 hours! Not to mention, the beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wonderful friends surrounding me. It was a fabulous time!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving always seems to be a memorable time for me. Over the past few years I have been able to experience some crazy, neat, and exciting things. This Thanksgiving proved to provide the same experiences of those from Thanksgivings past. One of my best friends, Jennifer Whitlark, was so kind to invite me to her Dad's house somewhere 2.5 hours north of Waco in Texas. The fact that it was in the Middle-of-Nowhere, Texas made it all the better. I was able to enjoy this gorgeous house and playing/exploring some of his 200 acres of land. Not to mention I spent the holiday with at least 5 little youngsters running around, including my favorite niece, Hannah! This was the BEST trip. This year, I am so thankful for such wonderful friends like Jennifer and her amazingly awesome, and Godly family.

Isn't this house beautiful?!?

All 4 stories had everything you could ever imagine!!!

I got to spend some special time with my niece in the country.

Yes, that was a hay bale we were sitting on. It was taken right after I did this:

It was a FABULOUS break! Hope you had a great one as well!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I've Been Tagged!

Okay, I've been tagged by my friend, Maggie.

Here's what I have to do....

1. choose the 4th picture folder on my computer.
2. choose the 4th picture.
3. explain the picture.
4. tag 4 people to do the same.

So, here goes!!!

This is a picture of a float at the Baylor Homecoming Parade. I took it because the toy blocks just happened to be arranged to show my initials. It's kind of ironic that this folder was picked because this was the last time I saw my wonderful friend Maggie, the one who tagged me.

Here are my four:

1. Jennifer

2. Janice

3. Brooke

4. Shelley

Happy Halloween!

I have taken a leave of absence from posting, but not from staying busy... This week especially has been very busy. We have had Fall and Halloween Festivities at school and church. Thursday night my Sunday School class and I dressed up to work the Harvest Hoedown at church. Friday we had crazy sock and crazy hat day at school in lieu of dressing up. Here are a few fun photos that captured the moments!

Hermione Granger - Harry Potter

Crazy Socks and Hats - Go Gators! Even in Texas!!

Habitat for Humanity

Today our Sunday School class volunteered about 4 hours and worked on a Habitat for Humanity house here in Waco. As you can see from the picture the weather was great and we all had a really good time. I hope we can do this again soon.

HALLOWEEN

The teacher in me has emerged. I thought I would change things up now that it is October!

I have been very active here in Texas. I am at school all day from 7:00 to usually 4:30 or 5:00. I keep myself busy almost everyday of the week as well.

Mondays: nothing!
Tuesdays: Hitting Lessons from 6-9:00
Wednesdays: Hitting Lessons from 6-8:30
Thursdays: Small Group at 7:00
Fridays: Rock Climbing and sometimes a run with a friend
Saturdays: Chores, sports (golfing usually), and football games
Sundays: Sunday School, Church, Lunch, and Grading Papers

Of course there are a million other things I try to cram in to those spare moments as well. I actually like staying busy, but it can often make life pretty stressful.

On a side note...I've been doing some really neat stuff with my Sunday School class. What a neat bunch of people! I will post some more pictures soon. We are actually building a Habitat for Humanity House tomorrow and I'm hoping to bring my camera!

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods...

Check under your bed for monsters before you go to bed tonight! After all, it is October!

Saturday

The weather in Texas right now is GORGEOUS! It has been refreshingly cool in the morning and heats up in the afternoon, but not even to a point that would have me complaining.

Well, today I was able to enjoy this weather to its fullest. I started off the morning helping a friend, but it was a blessing for me as I was able to spend some quality time with a great friend and my "niece". After driving around town, we were killing some time at McDonald's. It was the first time in years that I was crawling through the tunnels in the playscape.

After dropping them off, I went to the Baylor softball game. It was good to see the Bears play a fall scrimmage, but it was an even better time mingling amongst so many friends there as well. I saw some wonderful people like Janice and the kids, the Gettermans, and an old teammate who is due with a daughter any day now. I was even reluctant enough to run into some of my ex-students.

I then grabbed some lunch at a newly remodeled McAlister's Deli in town and then went to the YMCA to watch some Pop Warner football. One of my students asked me to come to the game... it turns out I new almost all of the team and half of the cheerleaders. Their parents were so happy to see me there, and I really enjoy seeing my kids doing things they love.

I continued my mingling, by heading to the Waco Cultural Arts Festival that is in town this weekend. Our school put together a Children's Choir that sang in the Festival. (They did a fabulous job!) More students, ex-students, and parents. Whew! Besides all of that, I was able to spend a gorgeous afternoon with The Whitlark's.

To top it all off, I was able to drive with my sunroof open to a friend's house (again the Whitlark's, WOW!, that's three times today.) :) to watch the LSU vs. Auburn game. Believe it or not, I hate LSU and actually rooted for Auburn tonight, but I didn't bring too much luck as they lost by 5.

As busy of a day as it was, this was perhaps one of the BEST Saturday's I've experienced in a while. I wouldn't have traded it for anything! I hope your Saturday was as lovely as mine and I hope that you are enjoying such beautiful weather wherever you are!

New Car

Most of you already know that I got a new car when I came back to Waco at the end of July. It still feels wonderful to know that this is my car! I've already got my license plates for it, and they are Texas plates. I've even got a Texas driver's license. It's crazy! Anyways, I love this car!! Here are some pictures so you can see it for yourself...or you can come visit me in Texas and I'll give you a ride! :)

From this:

To this:

It's really what is inside that is so impressive. This is a 2005 Honda Accord, and the previous owner took remarkable care of this car. Not to mention it has leather seats, seat warmers, sunroof, dual air controls, XM radio, V6 engine, and so much more! The best thing about this car is how safe it feels to be on the road and not have to worry if I am going to break down, and to be able to drive anywhere I need to safely. God is so good and I am so blessed!

Mr. President

First of all, how sharp do these Ralph Lauren outfits look?!? Now, how incredibly cool is this!?!?!! Brandon was able to meet President Bush and Former President Bush at the Opening Ceremonies. You can see part of his face in the back row on the right...

At Opening Ceremonies, President Bush asked what time the team practiced the next day. Sure enough, he showed up at practice! His motorcade of at least 30 cars can rushing in at least 60 mph.

Laura Berg, the prankster of the USA softball team, lived up to her name, even with the Leader of the Free World. As he came in, she greeted him with a hug that left a lasting impression! Her left hand was dipped in chalk, that left a hand print on the back of the president.

Besides the jokes, President Bush was also able to greet and address the team, watch batting practice, and even take a few swings himself even wearing a USA batting helmet!

So far, Brandon is having a great time. He said the village is really nice, equipped with decent food. That is a big change from the last time he was able to visit China! He also mentioned that the team is able to use the weight facilities and batting cages at Beijing Normal University. He was also pleased to tell me of the 4 star restaurant that is at the University they are able to eat at, which gives them a change from the village.

I haven't heard from him again yet, and still no more pictures, but as soon as I hear anything I will post more. The team does have their first game on Tuesday vs. Venezuela. He said, "We are ready to go!!"

Go Team USA!!!

Olympic Experience

As most of you know, Brandon is currently in Beijing. I always get excited about watching the Olympics, but to know that he is over there, makes it all the more interesting. I hope you were all able to watch the Opening Ceremonies Friday night. What an amazing show!! Unforgettable. It was all culminated with a "Brandon spotting", as it has become known here in Waco. I spotted him in the parade of nations right behind Jennie Finch. He commented in an email he sent me as, "A great time" and "By far one of the best experiences of his life!" Here are some of the pictures that he has sent me. I will post more as he sends more...

View of the "Bird's Nest" and Opening Ceremonies from the infield as an American delegate.

The Stanford guys. John Rittman, Jessica Mendoza, Lauren Lappin, and Brandon.

Brandon also mentioned that the weather was so HOT that night, even as they stayed until 1:00 in the morning. The Ralph Lauren ensembles, while stylish, must have been very HOT! Before the walk into the stadium he was able to meet President Bush and former President Bush. I have a picture (that I found on nbcolympics.com under the Bush in Beijing photo collection) of the softball team(and Brandon) and President Bush, but I am unable to save it. You'll have to check it out for yourself. http://www.nbcolympics.com/photos/galleryid=186714.html

More news later...

Rapoport Academy Talent Show

On April 11th we had a school-wide talent show. It was put on my the high school as a fundraiser and as you can imagine with high schoolers they thought they were "all that". It was decided by those students putting on the performance that they didn't want to give out awards because it wouldn't be fair to the little kids at the elementary who are performing. (They didn't want to hurt their feelings!)

This fired my kids up. So, Mrs. Robinson and myself put together a dance for our 3rd and 4th graders who wanted to perform. They practiced in the afernoons for about 5 weeks. This is only half of the performance because unfortunately there wasn't a video of the whole thing. The beginning of our show was amazing, but you can get a good idea of how well they did with this last half... Standing ovations!

We are putting together an end of the year performance and these kids were asked to perform again. (Shhh! Not to mention we are putting another performance together as well!) I will make sure this time we will have video of the whole thing!

Race to the Alter

Recently my younger brother propsed to his girlfriend, Ronna. I am so excited for the 2 of them! As today marks one year since Brandon and I have been engaged, the Levesque family is now preparing for 2 upcoming weddings... both of which no date has yet to be set, still.

My cousin Matt was there to capture the moment on film. He is an amazing photographer (who will hopefully capture my wedding) and was able to take some really cute shots of the two of them and he has posted them on his blog. Check them out at:

http://www.matthew-morgan.blogspot.com/

You can also view his website at:

http://www.matthew-morgan.com/

Congrats Steven and Ronna!