Oh No its the BIG...3-0!!!

So I have reached a milestone in my life. This past Monday I turned 30!!! I was dreading this birthday, but as it turns out it isn't so bad being 30. I really don't feel any different than I did at 29. Except for the fact that I will be having my foot cut open and surgery at 30. But more about that at a later time.

So to start my birthday celebration I went to dinner on Thursday the 6th with some girl-friends, including my sister!! My dear friend Cathie made this divine Key Lime Mouse Pie. It was soooo goood!! This is Cathie and myself (ignore my sunburn we had been outside all day at school!!). Cathie is the reason on know my hubby!!

We ended the evening celebrating Gabe and Ashlee's engagement!!!

Friday we didn't have school and the girls had gone to stay with my parents so Cory and I slept in!! Then my hubby went and got me my favorite breakfast....Breakfast Burritos!!! Then I spent most of the day laying around feeling awful thanks to my sinus and allergies. We did go get some dinner at a local Mexican food restaurant followed by a Blizzard. Then we crawled and bed to watch a movie and I was asleep shortly after 9.

Saturday we met my family for lunch in Lubbock at a new place I have been dying to try it is called Rain Uptown. It was soooo good. During the day they have a very diverse menu anything from pancakes to pasta dishes. At night though it goes very grown up, table clothes, candle light and menu of nothing but Italian dishes. I can't wait to go back on a date with my hubby....(hint hint).

My brother was in town so he got to join us for lunch along with my sister, mom, dad and Grandma.

Rhealee loved the balloons!!!

Taryn getting some lovin' from her Doakie.

My "princess" ice cream cake. It was peanut butter and chocolate. It was cute and good.

Taryn and her Uncle Rusty...they both love taking their own pictures.

We celebrated Mother's Day in between my birthday celebrations. We spent the weekend with my mom and dad and enjoyed lunch with them. I fixed that divine pie that my friend Cathie had made and my family approved of it also, so I will be adding it to my recipe book.

Monday was my actual birthday and I treated myself to a burrito on the way to school along with a Sonic coke. The day was uneventful for the most part. My hubby did take me to dinner and it was a "surprise" party but one thing was missing...Cory forgot to invite any of our friends!!!

Here are all the empty seats that were supposed to contain my friends.Here's all the family that Cory was able to remember to invite. Hehe this is something he won't be living down anytime soon.

You see we got calls to interview at a different school and they could interview us both on Monday and when this all came about Cory got distracted and didn't follow through with calling and inviting friends to come join us for dinner. Then when I cancelled my interview and he changed his, it was too late for him to get people there for the Surprise Party. Like I said he owes me big time and I wont be letting him live this down anytime soon!!

McTeacher Night....

So in the past two weeks we have eaten at McDonald's twice! That is more than we there in a six month period. We did it all in good cause. Both the Middle School and Oak Grove teachers worked to raise money for their campus. I went and took the girls while Cory and his co-workers were working it at the McyDee's. I loved getting to sit and visit with people I don't normally get to visit with. It was so neat to see so many people from the community coming out to support the schools.

When it was Oak Grove night Cory and the girls came up and had supper then when I was finished with my shift we sat and hung out with friends. It was a really great time both nights and everyone involved had a blast!!!


Here I am working it behind the counter with Mr. Snyder! The smell of the food coming by me as I put the order on the tray was driving me nuts. I was starving by the time my shift was over!!
Ashlee and I rockin' our hats!!
Taryn Rhea enjoying her ice cream cone. This thing was bigger than she was. Needless to say most of it melted before she could eat it all!!
Coach Rubio, Mr. Hayes and Cory. Don't they look like they are having so much fun!!

Rhealee enjoyed her chocolate chip cookies. By the way I am in love with McDonald's Oatmeal Raisin cookies. They are yumm-o!!


Yes that is Cory mopping the floor. And yes I am the one who spilled the drink!!! Save this picture cause this sure doesn't happen very often!!

Ashlee's Getting Married!!!

I am so excited for some of my dearest friends, Ashlee and Gabe. Cory and I along with my aunt introduced these two crazy kids on New Years Eve 2009. I knew it would be the perfect match and I am becoming right.

Yesterday was Ashlee's birthday and Gabe had come up with a plan that involved dressing her classroom in t-shirts that said "Just Say Yes" on them. I got with our principal had her come take Ashlee to her office so we could get everything ready. We got her class dressed in their shirts and lined up in the hall. When she came around the corner they were holding letters over their shirt that spelled out "Happy Birthday" and they were singing to her. She still had no idea, until they dropped their sheets of paper and she read their shirts. Then Gabe came out of her classroom and got down on one knee. It was so romantic and sweet!!! Of course she said YES!!

I am so excited for them and can't wait to see them start their lives together. I wish them the best of luck even if it means she will moving away and I won't get to work with her everyday.

Here are some pictures from the exciting moments of the Great Proposal. Enjoy!! I'm off to plan a wedding now :).!!!


Here she comes with her flowers Gabe had delivered for her birthday. We are singing and she is really surprised.Here is Gabe coming out of Ashlee's room surprising her!Getting down on one knee! What will she say?I think she said Yes!!! Getting the ring (it's gorgeous!!)!Ahhh how sweet is this moment!!!The Happy Engaged Couple!! She said Yes!!!

Weekend Wrap-Up

So I am trying really hard to keep this blog more up to date and not waiting a month in between and then doing a dozen post. So here is our weekend wrap up.

Friday night was a lazy night around here. We had pizza that was left-over from the pizza party my class won!! My class was named "Outstanding Classroom" for the 5th Six Weeks!!

Cory had plans for taking Miss Taryn out on a little date to our local movie theater. I told Taryn that she needed to put on some nice clothes and fix her hair. So she picked out a dress and matching bow. Cory smiled and groaned all at the same time. You see he had planned on going to the movie in his typical "coaching" attire, wind suite pants and a t-shirt. He was very kind to change into jeans and a shirt. They were off to see "How to Tame Your Dragon" complete with popcorn and a sprite.

Rhealee and I stayed and held down the fort. I was really surprised when they came home early than I expected them. Apparently the movies sound was a little off at the beginning and it bothered Taryn. They stayed for about half of the movie before Cory asked if she was ok and she said she was scared, so they came home.

Here they are getting ready to leave for their date. Not the best picture but at least I remembered to get one.

Saturday we had plans of staying home, being lazy, working on laundry and cleaning house. I got up and fixed pancakes on Taryn's request. During the process of getting breakfast ready my mom called and said they were headed to Levelland for 4-H event. So we changed our pace and got dressed to head over for lunch with them. We had a yummy lunch and then headed to Wal-Mart to get our grocery shopping done for the week. I have to admit that my weekly budget does better when I don't have 3 extra sets of hands helping me! Oh well I still managed to stay pretty close to my budget. Including an unplanned pie.

A co-worker of Cory's made this pie for us after Rhealee was born last year and it has been a Golden family fave ever since.

I don't know if this pie has a real name, but we call it "The Divine" pie!! It is one of the easiest things you can make and very quick. We have tried many different varieties of this and they have all been great.

Here is everything you will need to make this pie.1 pie crust

1 pkg cream cheese

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup of lemon juice

1 tsp of vanilla

Carmel and Chocolate to drizzle

Oh and one of these:

Just the best kitchen helper a mom could ask for.

Ok back to the pie: Combine the sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese in your mixer and beat until well combined. Then add the lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

Just look at that sweet little hand helping me!!! What get's better than that?

Once combined, then pour half of the mixture into a graham cracker crust and drizzle with carmel and chocolate. Then pour the rest of the mixture into the pie and top with more carmel and chocolate.

Freeze for 1 hour before devouring and enjoying every bite!!!

Sunday wasn't very eventful in this house. We went to church, got some lunch, took naps, worked on laundry and got ready for the week.

I did have Cory complete one little project for me though. You see about a month ago the device I had holding all my necklaces up feel off the wall from all the weight. So today I bought a stronger hanger and had Cory put it in the closet for me!! Now all my necklaces are hanging nice and neat!!!

So that was our weekend. Nothing exciting, but that's ok. The coming week is a short week at school!!! YIPPIE!!! But it is a busy week, but it does include a girls night out!!! Hope you have a great week!!

Easter....Just A Little Late!!!!

We celebrated Easter this year with Cory's family. We rotate Easter and Mother's Day between his family and mine. It works out great for us!! So this year we were here in town.

We spent Saturday evening dying and stuffing our Easter Eggs. The stuffing of candy is my part and the dying is Cory's part. Taryn loves to help with both!!

Very intent on her job of dying the eggs!!

Cory and his girls hard at work. Yes Rhealee even tried to assist in the madness that was.

Sunday morning we attended services at our church before heading over to Cory's moms for lunch and egg hunting. I had prepared pulled pork, so we had pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and all sorts of sides. We finished off lunch with homemade ice cream and angel food cake. Divine I must say. My mother-in-law makes a pretty mean angel food cake!!

Here is my little family. I must say that we clean up nicely. Even Cory got dressed up for the occasion!!

This is my mother-in-law and all of her grandchildren. My poor nephew is so out-numbered!!!

I had a really hard time getting both of my girls to look a the camera at the same time. They were adorable in their matching dresses. Thanks to their Great-Grandma for buying these for Rhealee's birthday. I know I won't be able to dress them in matching clothes forever, so I am taking advantage of it right now while I still can.

After all the posed pictures it was time to do some egg hunting. Taryn and Megan were way too excited and the adults couldn't get the eggs hid fast enough. Rhealee on the other hand didn't really understand what was going on so she was picking up the eggs as fast as they could hide them.

Nobody was safe from confetti eggs this year!!! We had a blast trying to get each other. I ended up with confetti in places that there shouldn't be confetti.

Rhealee picking up eggs as fast as we were hiding them. Notice the chocolate on her shirt. She figured out how to open an egg and helped herself to some candy!!!

Rhealee still eating chocolate and playing on the slide. She is a little chocolate monster! What can I say they have learned from one of the best chocolate eaters!!

So paybacks hit the Golden house this year. About 5 years ago my hubby decided in his genius mind that it would be cute to get our nieces and nephews baby chicks for Easter. This was against much protest from me. You see I knew that we would someday be repaid for this gift!!!

Well it happened this year!!! We were given 3 small yellow chicks. Yes I was in a "told you so" sort of mood all day!! Uggg what were we going to do with chickens?

Rhealee wasn't really sure what to think at first. She tried to squeeze this poor guy to death. She thought they were toys. Ha!Taryn on the other hand was such a little mother to these chicks. She spent all afternoon in the back yard with her Cousin Megan playing and taking care of the chicks. In fact in this picture she is singing to the little guy.

We brought the chicks home and set up chicken farming in our garage. We named the 3 chicks: Hope, Peep and Chick. Taryn really enjoyed going out and playing with them the first week we had them, but the newness soon wore off and it was up to daddy to take care of the little guys. After about 2 weeks one of the chicks died. This was a little upsetting to Taryn but we got through the trauma of losing our first pet.

The 2 remaining chicks were doing well and growing very quickly. Cory was in the process of finding them a new home when tragedy struck us again. Taryn and I came home from school this past Monday and went to check on the chicks......they were dead!!! Oh this was bad, really bad. You see with the first one dying Taryn didn't actually see the chicken we just told her. Well Monday she was right beside me and saw them :( poor thing was really upset this time. We had to bury the chickens.

Poor chickens they weren't meant for garage living. Oh well we tried!! Thanks for the Easter gift Aunt Robin, sorry we weren't very good chicken farmers!!!

Ooops.....Been Busy and Haven't Updated!!!

I promise I am trying to get better at blogging. It seems I do well for a few weeks then forget. I am also trying to do better about digital scrapbooking also. Did great for a couple of months, then I haven't done anything there either. Just like poor Rhealee and her lack of framed pics at the house or at school. Man I tell ya, I am a true slacker!!!!

Ok so that being said let me catch you up. We visited Uncle Rusty in the Dallas area the weekend after Spring Break. It was a late start, due to Brownfield Relays, so we didn't leave town til about 5:30 and it was nearly 1 a.m. before we got to our hotel. But the girls traveled well, thanks to Aunt Kami and it was not a bad drive.

Rhealee kept us entertained with her dancing moves. I will soon figure out how to upload video so I can share our little "Dancing Queen!" Even in her sleep she was movin and groovin!!

We turned her seat around before we left so that she could see where we were going and she was very happy with this arrangement. Here she is sleeping so soundly as we fly down the Interstate!

Saturday morning, we slept in and had breakfast at the Hotel then we all got dressed and headed out for some shopping and fine dinning.

First we hit Sam Moon first *ahhhhh* did you hear the angles singing :) I "heart" that store, unfortunately my hubby does not feel the same way. I did score a new purse and some jewelry!!! Taryn made out like a little bandit herself with a new purse, hair clips and jewelry. She is her mommas girl.

After shopping we went to La Madeline (sp?). I had never been there, but it is my sister's favorite place to eat in the DFW area. I must say I was impressed and enjoyed it, I look forward to returning the next time we are in the area.

After lunch we hit IKEA. Unfortunately I didn't walk out with everything I would have liked to walk out with (new kitchen, new bathroom and new bedroom furniture)! Oh well, it gives me something to look forward too someday!! The only think I bought was a gift card for Rusty's birthday gift.

After IKEA we went back to nap at the hotel before heading out to Arlington to see Uncle Rusty's flag line perform late that night. We had plans for dinner at Pancho's, who doesn't just love raising that little flag? Those plans changed and we ended up eating at Boston's Pizza. Cory's fave place in the Metroplex. It was divine!! I had a loaded potatoes skin pizza, complete with sour cream and bacon bits. It was soooooo yumm-o!!!

After that we headed to watch Uncle Rusty's group perform. Rhealee really enjoyed watching the groups before perform. She was very interested in the dancing and flags. Taryn was also, I bet you wouldn't have guessed that though.

We were able to visit with Rusty for a bit before having to head back and get the girls to bed. It had been a long day and everyone was sleepy.

Here is Miss Taryn and her Uncle Rusty. She loves this guy and misses him dearly!!! There is no family resemblance here, is there?

Sunday morning we got dressed and ate a light breakfast. Nothing big cause we had plans for lunch at my favorite place The Cheesecake Factory!!!!! That is heaven on earth right there, people!!!!

I honestly don't remember what I ordered, maybe Navajo bread sandwiches and I don't have a clue what kind of cheesecake I ordered cause we taste tested everyone at the tables!! That's how you do Cheesecake Factory!

These are pics of the girls playing with their Uncle Rusty. He can make them both laugh!

After stuffing ourselves silly we loaded up and headed back to West Texas, where the pace is slower and the sky is bigger. On the way out of town Cory realized that Rhealee had broke his sunglasses so he wore Kami's for a bit until he could buy his own new pair. We had a good time with this!!! Hehe the best part was he kept singing "All the Single Ladies" what a goober!!

Ok this was a brief catch up!!! Look for another post tomorrow night covering Easter!!!!

Oh Spring Break Where Did You Go?

Man where did Spring Break go? It was a much needed break from school. My kids were getting tired of each other and me. And I have to admit I was getting a little tired of them!! Shhhh please don't tell. I was really looking forward to spending the week with my girls and Cory. We made no plans other than cleaning some things out around the house. That is exactly what we did!!!

The girls were asked to model in the Spring Fashion Show here in Brownfield. Taryn had done this when she was little and so she was excited to get to do it again. Rhealee modeled for the local pharmacy and Taryn was in the Easter Parade showing off her Easter clothes. It was a wam-bam ordeal for myself. I left school at 10:55, picked Taryn up from Thursday school at 11:15, arrived at the church for the style show in time to change both girls and get in line with Rhealee. Rhealee modeled at Noon as we came off the stage I dropped her off with Joyce and picked Taryn up from Joyce. Taryn was in the wrong outfit so we did a quick wardrobe change, lined up, she did her thing, then we changed outfit and she went again. As soon as she finished, I gathered their things and rushed back to school. I had to be back on campus by 12:55, I got there at 12:58. Not too bad, but still a crazy lunch hour.

Here are some pics of the girls in their outfits before modeling. I wasn't smooth enough to get a picture of them while they were modeling.

Taryn in her Easter dress. Grandma had bought this for her a while back and for that I was thankful. We found out Taryn was modeling the night before so I was glade to have this in the closet already!!!

Rhealee in her outfit from the pharmacy. It's not the best picture of the outfit, but it is really cute!

Taryn in her egg hunting outfit. This was a battle picking out what she would wear. I wanted one thing and she wanted this. You can see who won this battle!!!

Friday afternoon after school was out, we packed up and headed to Lockney for the weekend. We met up with Gramps in Lubbock to buy some things for Rhealee's birthday party. The girls went on to Lockney with Gramps while Cory and I stayed in Lubbock to get some other things done. By the time we got there the girls were wiped out and asleep!! That happens a bunch with grandparents.

This is Taryn asleep in "her" bed at Doakie and Gramps house. Notice the BIG green monkey in the bed with her, that is Rusty the Monkey. hehe not to be confused with Uncle Rusty!!

Taryn had a blast at Rhealee's party playing with all the balloons that we had blown up. She played and played with her cousin's!! What is it with balloons that will keep kids entertained for hours?

We came home from Lockney on Sunday and had plans of doing not much on Monday and that is exactly what we did. It rained and snowed most of the day so we did a little laundry and watched t.v. for most of the day. Taryn went over to Ganky's to play with Megan but the rest of us stayed home and did nothing! It was very relaxing!!!

On Tuesday Cory cleaned out one of the back storage sheds. He cleaned out the shed that we hadn't been in for several years and most of the stuff in there was junk, so he did a lot of throwing away. In the process of cleaning out the shed he disturbed the guest that were staying there, free of charge. Well one of those guest became dinner for a Hawk. Yes, I said Hawk. We had a very large Hawk in our backyard!!!!

Cory was kind/brave enough to go out in the backyard and take a picture for me. In the process of taking the picture the Hawk decided that Cory was apparently interested in his meal so he came at Cory and Cory took off running. It was rather amusing, I was waiting for him to squeal like a little girl.

This is a really good picture that Cory took. You can see this birds fine dinning in his claws. Taryn wanted to know what it was he was eating and I told her a big mouse!!! She said, "but I like mice!" Well, sorry kid but mommy doesn't and that bird is welcome to come back for dinner anytime he wants!! Free of charge, my treat!!!

We couldn't let St. Patrick's Day pass without celebrating!!! So in honor of Rusty's birthday, my NaNa (who always treated us to meals of green), and St. Paddy's day I created green pancakes!! At first Taryn didn't want to eat them, but after explaining to her that it was just food coloring she ate every bite!! As did Rhealee!! They are my girls, nothing is better for breakfast than pancakes if you ask me.

Wednesday was so pretty, Cory finished cleaning out the back storage sheds and then the garage. I spent the morning running errands while the girls played at Ganky's. Then I spent the early afternoon cleaning out cabinets in the hallway. Man was I in a purging mood and did a bunch of things get tossed!!! When we picked the girls up from Joyce's the day was too pretty to waste away inside so we spent it playing. Rhealee took her first spin in the wagon with Taryn and then Taryn decided she wanted to pull Rhealee so I spent the rest of the time watching Cory clean and the girls playing. It made me very excited for Summer to get here!!!

Taryn loves her wagon!!! She loved pulling Rhealee around even more!!

I love this picture of Rhealee. Her little arms up in the air express exactly what her face was saying. She loved being in the wagon and loved having Taryn pull her around, and around, and around!!! I can see how we will be spending many morning in the summer!!

We spent Thursday in Lubbock going and paying on our season tickets, eating lunch with Gramps and Aunt Kami, going to Rhealee's 1 year check-up, getting Cory's eyes checked, getting Cory his first pair of glasses, and looking for a new kitchen table. It was a very busy day and the only day we left town!!

Friday started out pretty so Cory and I headed to Sundown to play a few holes of golf. We met up with the golf coach and some of the kids on the team. We played 9 holes before we decided it was getting cold and we really wanted to finish some things around the house. Taryn spent the night with Megan at Ganky's house so Cory and I ordered a pizza and watched a movie.

Saturday we spent the day doing little things around the house and not much of anything else. We have no big plans for Sunday except relaxing and getting ready to start back into the daily routine of school and track.

We have plans to go to Dallas next weekend with my family to see Rusty. WE are excited about getting away for the weekend.

Hope everyone has had a relaxing week and has a great week coming up!!!