Blog Browsin'

A little tagging fun y'all! This gave me something to do on this chilly NC Saturday!

The Rules:
1. You must post the rules.

2. Post eleven facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post,
and then create eleven new questions for the people you’ve tagged.

4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.

5. Let them know you’ve tagged them

Details about Me!
1. I LOVE celebrating birthdays. It's fun to party, hang out with family and friends but most importantly, it's such an awesome time to thank God for the daily bread that He provides to me. This year I will be celebrating my golden birthday, 25 on the 25th! Yay!

These are my cousins from a family birthday party two years ago! Wow, how time flies!

2. You will find me singing the shower, in the car, while cleaning, to my puppy, while on jogs, in my classroom, etc. I LOVE to sing. And in college, I was in the Christian a capella singing group. How I miss it!

3. I love living in Raleigh but I certainly miss the saltwater. I spent many Saturdays as a little girl playing the sound, on the boat, or heading to the beach to play along the shore. I pray that Grant and I can one day have a small cottage in Morehead where my family lives so we can bring our children to visit the grandparents/family and experience the beach like I did. For now, we are so gracious that my parents have us stay with them -- it's like having standing reservations at a b&b!

4. I don't go anywhere without sunglasses. Otherwise, I'll be that awkward girl who has tears in her eyes because the sun is so bright. I hate squinting! My wonderful husband always has an extra pair for me. He knows me well!

5. My family and I love celebrating our Scottish heritage -- Henderson Clan, hurrah!

Daddy and I at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Game -- July 2010

6. Like Kim, I can fit in odd, small places. The funny part, is that for some odd reason, I'm always curious to see about whether I can fit. And sadly, I'm claustrophobic so I usually don't learn my lesson and end up FREAKING out once I get slightly stuck. I know, I'm weird.

7. I could spend an hour blowing bubbles at babies and watching them chase them. Could do that with puppies too.

8. Not a bikini fan. 'Nough said!

But doesn't Cam look awesome in her two-piece?!

9. I have two wonderful grandmothers and I spent my entire childhood living less than fifteen minutes from both of them. What a blessing! I love their dedication to their church and faith.

10. Smiling is my favorite thing to do. Ever. I'll probably have crows feet before I'm 30...oh well! It's worth it!

11. I married a huge Tar Heel. I bleed Wolfpack Red. It makes for an interesting marriage. I had this picture done to show my "love" for my husband... hahaha!

Kim's Question's for Me!
1. What is your favorite game to play?
My favorite game to play is Apples to Apples -- I'm not very good at it but it's still fun!

2. What is something you do in your spare time just for yourself?
I LOVE painting my nails. My MIL just got me a Shellac kit for Christmas (she knows me well!). While living in our sorority house, my roommate and I did a lot of self-manicures...everyone joked that when you walked in our room (read: closet), you would smell either acetone or polish!

3. What is the most important trait to have in a marriage or relationship?
Patience. Grant, my husband, is the most patient man I know. I'm working on more patience...

4. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I'd have to say Australia -- that entire continent is fabulous.

5. What is your favorite meal?
Shrimp and Grits! Easy!

6. What is your favorite Bible verse?
James 1: 2-4 -- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

7. If you could visit one state/city in the USA what would it be?
The next place on my list is New York City -- I have been twice already and I can't wait to go back! Theater, shopping, fashion, Central Park, and the list goes on!

8. What is the best surprise you ever received?
My engagement ring! I was very ready to be engaged but Grant still surprised the heck out of me!

9. What is your favorite weekend activity?
Going on long walks with Grant and Sawyer, looking at beautiful homes and then grabbing coffee and a sweet treat before heading home.

10. What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid of being infertile. If that is God's plan, I know He will carry me through it.

11. What do you hope 2012 has in store?
Grant and I have started the process of joining a wonderful church in Raleigh -- I'd like to create stronger friendships within the community group. The friends we have made so far are solid, intentional Christians who love life. So great.

My Questions For Y'all
1. What is your favorite candy and why?
2. Who has influenced your faith the most?
3. Are you a shower at night person or shower in the morning?
4. What is your favorite meal to cook?
5. What do you like to do in your spare time?
6. What is the best gift that you've ever received?
7. If you could vacation with anyone, who would it be?
8. What's the best book you've ever read?
9. Where would your dream house be located?
10. Who was your favorite teacher?
11. What's your dream job?

Who wants to play?
Emily at Living our own fairytale
Caroline at Polka Dots and Protein Bars
Regina at Stately Lady
Hopsy at Monograms and Manicures
Katie at According to Katie
Sarah at the zesty baker
Kelley at The Eanes Family
Annie at Classic Annie
MJ at Teaching in Heels
Natalie at Sweet Carolina Girl
Jordan at Classy from North to South


Have fun everyone!

Christmas Vacation

So my wonderfully extended Christmas vacation was delightful...to put it mildly!

I shopped, wrapped presents, entertained, read (a LOT!), baked, played, lunched, brunched, gifted, crafted, and best of all, spent quality time with friends and family.My vacation comes to a close in less than 24 hours and I will greet my second graders with big smiles on Wednesday morning. I'm also excited to get back to school to see my good friends at work and get into a solid routine for 2012. So speaking of the new year, I think I've decided upon two goals. Here we go!

Resolution 1: make healthy choices (pretty open ended, right? but I really stink at sticking to a "resolution") -- I'm excited about a new ballet fitness class at the Y and Mom gave me a new headband to keep my ears warm so no excuses on those cold winter days for a good, long run! Grant and I have been staying away from processed foods, dairy, fat and sugar for several weeks now so I'd like to continue that. We'll see!

Resolution 2: be more patient while driving. I really need to just say Scripture out loud instead of raising my voice at the cars that can't hear me! They can't help it if they're ignorant to their left-lane-go-slow-obsession...right?

And since photo posts are more exciting and than just rambling, here are a few phone snapshots from our low-key holiday....

Sawyer on Christmas morning...I promise, we don't always mommick him in such ways. Just on special occasions!

On Christmas evening, Grant went to get some shots of the sunset with the AB bridge in the background. Sawyer had to join in on the fun! I captured this shot from the warm car with my phone. It was such a sweet moment.

Found some time to peruse the racks at Talbots before joining Grant for lunch last week. I had taken this photo in the dressing room (not a notable pastime for me...hah!) and he immediately convinced me to get this 70% off steal of a blazer! What do y'all think? I can't wait to layer with this during the cool/cold months in Raleigh.

On New Year's Eve, at Smith Mountain Lake. We loved spending time at the Linderman lake house! I think that sunset is taste of how beautiful heaven will be!

What are your resolutions for Twenty-Twelve?

Country Road

Grant and I ventured to West Virginia a few weekends ago with my nana and poppy. We had a GREAT time visiting with family friends at their cabin and enjoying God's gorgeous creation. The pastures, muddy trails, river, cool mornings, and stubborn cows made for a great long weekend. Here are some pictures of our weekend!









We did have to leave Sawyer at the kennel for the first time -- I have to admit, I shed a few tears when I had to say goodbye. Let me tell you...he was a HAPPY and tired puppy when we returned. See for yourself!

Celebration!

This is my 100th blogpost! When I started this blog, I had a LOT more free time and interest in writing. I would have predicted that I would hit my one hundredth post long before now! Between a new job, husband, new house, and new city, I'm good if I can sift through my Google Reader! Anyway, happy celebration -- two reasons to celebrate: pup's first birthday and my 100th post!

Here is a blogpost written by my students:
Mrs. Linderman got a new puppy in January and his name is Sawyer. He will turn one on April 23rd!

Here are our ideas for how Sawyer should celebrate his first birthday:

From Paxton, age 8 (almost 9!),
For Sawyer's 1st birthday, you should give him a treadmill and tie a bone to the handles so he will chase it and even, maybe, get a tv fro him to watch sports or something. That's how I would celebrate his birthday.

From Sarah Curtis, age 8,
For Sawyer's birthday, I would buy him a birthday hate, a huge bone, and dog cake. Then, put the birthday hat on him and give him a huge iece of dog cake and put the huge bone on top! That is how I would celebrate Sawyer's birthday!

From Anna, age 8,
You should get cookies for Sawyer's b-day but you have to get the type of cookies for dogs, or you can get a medium size bone. But for the party, invite just two dogs so it won't get too crazy!

From Tanner, age 8,
If I could attend Sawyer's first birthday, I would...
First, I would have to think of a theme...maybe Super Sawyer or Sir Sawyer the Great. Then, you woul dhave to buy all of the goodies for Super Sawyer like a cape, a piñata, or a sculpture or a Sawyer mobile! That is what I would do for Sawyer's birthday.

From Mrs. Linderman: We'll be celebrating at the beach; hopefully he'll get into the ocean this time! Maybe he can wear a birthday hat too... :)

My week...

Here's my week in numbers...ready?

10 - Number of times I wanted to have a Diet Coke today (I gave it up for Lent)

9 - Number of times I shouted at the referees during the UNC vs. Duke game. I still say GO Heels! PS -- I watched the games while wearing my NC State sweatshirt. I have a strong disdain for Duke and I'm married to a Tar Heel.

8 - Number of times I've thought about writing a blog post but got distracted by something more pressing :(

7 - Number of chicken wings I consumed during Grant's birthday party. SPICY!

6 - Number of days before Grant's official birthday...no gift purchased...yikes. Ideas anyone?

5 - Number of days before one of my most special friends get hitched to her sweetheart! I love you RLE!

4 - Number of prescription medicine bottles I've got in my purse right now...no fun!

3 - Number of times I've visited Urgent Care this week

2 - Number of times Sawyer has had an accident inside our house

1- Number of kidney stones I've passed. Thank God it was only one.

Our new obsession!

We've added a member to our family! (No, not a baby...)

Meet Sawyer!



He will be nine months old tomorrow! Sawyer is a yellow labrador mix -- he was rescued at twelve weeks by another family outside of Raleigh. We are so blessed to have found this pup who needed to be rehomed.



So far, he has been very well behaved! He loves his rope toys (which I have banned from our home because of all the strings he leaves behind after a chewing session!), tennis balls, and plastic Kongs filled with peanut butter.



He loves to lick but thankfully doesn't slobber much; he's a king at using his sniffer and always obeys to not follow me upstairs with his shedding yellow/white fur coat. Sawyer's a winner!