You might have noticed I've been a tad absent. Yesterday was our 6 month pre-anniversary. Between wedding planning (which there hasn't been much of, just dreaming!), every day happenings, and trying to prepare my students for all of the Christmas performances, there hasn't been a whole lot of time for ANYTHING. But, Jennifer over at She Nests, gifted me with the Happy 101 Award.

Ok- here's the award rules:

List 10 things that make you happy, try to do at least one of them today, and tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day. For those 10 bloggers who get the award, you then link back to my blog and create your makes you happy list.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. Giving gifts. More than receiving, I truly love giving people the best Christmas present I can come up with. I may be a Scrooge about spending money on myself, but I love to make other people happy!

2. Driving. Even though I'm tired of my 40 minute one way commute, I love to just DRIVE.

3. Singing. I love to sing - everything from Christmas carols to pop songs to little kids ditties.

4. Jager. My dog is very astute to what happens during my day, and always seems to know exactly what I need him to do.

5. Disney movies. Beauty and the BEast, Cinderella, Lion King - I love the old school cartoons.

6. David. (I should mention now that the list is in no particular order). I truly can't imagine my life without him!

7. My secretaries. Even on my worst day (like last week when I was sobbing hysterically) they hug me and love me, and do whatever they can to make my day better.

8. My principal and his daughters! Chad is THE BEST principal - he cares about the students AND staff, and does everything he can to make our lives easier. His daughters.... well, they are just two FABULOUS girls. Not many kids that I know would invite their teacher to go swimming - but we went multiple times over the summer. Even when it feels like my life is in turmoil, a smile from those two can make my day brighter.

9. Ice cream. I love ice cream. When I'm stressed, it becomes my meal for one or two meals a day. Healthy? No. Sanity saving? yes!

10. Xavier basketball. I don't watch it very often, but I bleed Muskie blue, no matter how their season goes.

Now here are 10 bloggers that brighten my day!

Carly at Being Carly

Natalie at The Bobby Pin

AmyJean at The Relentless Bride

Hannah at That [Officer's] Wife

Rae at There Is No Wealth But Life

Jessica at from marriage to motherhood

Meg at A Pratical Wedding

Modern Mom at How to Survive Life in the Suburbs (my newest follower - so new I don't know her real name yet!)

Vanessa at Designs by Vanessa

Jessica from The Budget Savvy Bride

Thankful

Dana, from Jumping the Broom and Sweeping Through Life, tagged me to mention the 5 things I am thankful for. I had been thinking about this anyway, so here goes nothing!

1.) David.

(photo by Sarah Cotherman)
As cliche as it may be, I am always grateful that he picked ME. I can't imagine my life without him, and I can't wait to be his wife! 6.5 months left to wait!

2.) My parents and little brother.
they've seen me at my best, they've seen me at my worst, and they still love and support me. I couldn't ask for a better family.

3.) The ability to read.

(source: amazon)
this is my escape and my comfort. I love to read, and always have at least one book going. Although many people thought of reading as a chore (and in fact, most of my students still do) I always loved being told that I needed to read. It was the best assignment anyone could give me. I think that's why I enjoy blogs so much!

4.) Music
Yes, music is life, for me anyway. I am lucky enough that I get to share it and live it every day - how many people TRULY get to spend their day sharing their passion? I count myself lucky to have realized while I was in high school just how important music was to me.

5.) My students

(personal photo: choir singing at the community Thanksgiving service)
I guess this could be 4B, but I am so grateful that I get to work with such amazing kids. My first year, my choir struggled to have 10 kids. I was so excited last year when I doubled to 20. Imagine my surprise when this year, my choir has exploded to 45 kids! This isn't as big as a public school, but is pretty amazing since they can only rehearse before school or during recess. The best part is, they ENJOY coming and singing with me. I'm grateful that I get to work with such a wonderful student body!

5 or 6, depending on how you are counting: my staff and principal
I am lucky to work with people who truly care. Everytime I think about leaving, it hurts, because they mean so much to me!

Snags and drags

I had planned on sharing this weekend, but then we found some snags. Or rather, they found us.

I missed a meeting after school on Friday because I was at an honor band. One of my teacher friends called to fill me in - our head priest is leaving! He also happens to be the one who is supposed to be performing our wedding! Cue hysterical tears and sentiments here.

I've been reassured by friends and other teachers (and my school secretary!) that he is allowed to come back. I have not yet had the opportunity to talk to him, but I am hoping he will be able to return. I really like and respect him, and have been looking forward to hearing his words bless our marriage.

As if that wasn't enough.... then my mom fills me in on MORE news. My hairdresser, who is my regular stylist, is pregnant..... due at the end of April. The good news: if she has the baby on or before her due date, she'll be back. If she's late, it's possible she won't be. So I'll be doing at least two trials - one with her and another stylist at the salon - just to make sure.

It's been a stress-filled week and weekend, I'm hoping these are the biggest snags we see!

I won!

so, you all know I love a good giveaway. AmyJean, over at The Relentless Bride, had a giveaway for a year's premium subscription to WeddingJoJo websites. It was my lucky weekend, as it's MINE! (And she said some really great and wonderful things, which I'm not entirely sure I deserve!) I can't believe I was the first to comment and actually got that lucky!

I'll share the link with you all when I get started on it - the internet is out at my house, so I am working from school... which severely limits what I can and can't do!

Thanks AmyJean!