One Year of Marital Bliss

One year ago, today, I walked down the aisle to my beaming husband-to-be, and Steve and I became man and wife. It was a beautiful day...one that still seems so fresh in my mind, but like ages ago at the same time. In honor of our first anniversary, I put together some photo collages that are some of my favorite memories from our wedding day. Enjoy!

I love you, Steve. You are an incredible husband, and the day I married you was the best of my life! Here's to 99 more years together!

On July 18th, two years ago, Steve actually proposed. So, while we are enjoying a celebration of the day we actually got married, we must also remember the night that started it all. :)

Kindergarten Korner

One of my favorite parts of teaching kindergarten were the cutest, most outrageous things the kids said and their various viewpoints on the adult world. And, so I share with you, the first installment of "Kindergarten Korner." Enjoy - hope you get as big a smile out of these darlings as I did! :)

-On Career Day, while the police officer is taking questions from the kids: "Do you carry peppermint spray?"

-I had a mom email me one day asking if I was interested in a class pet...she had found a ferret in her living room! I declined the little critter, but put out an email to the school seeing if anyone else was interested. This was one of the responses I got from a co-teacher: "Oh, this is definitely a story for your book. I suggest the title, 'Is There a Class Pet in your Living Room?'"

-Kid: "One time, my mom and I were driving to my grandma's house. She lives in like a dump in the woods. And there is this pond, with aligators. And, I jumped in and wrestled one. And it was hard. And, then, it like bit me on the hand."

-Kid 1: "What's juevie?"
Kid 2: "Kid jail."

-According the students in my class, when you grow up, you have to pay bills, get married, "get" kids...and then after all of that, you get a house!

-On the 100th day of school, while talking about what we might look like when we are 100 years old, one student suggested you might need a cane. This conversation followed:
Kid 1: "What's a cane look like?"
Kid 2: "You know - it's a stick that looks like a candy cane."

-Kid 1: "Knock, knock."
Kid 2: "Who's there?"
Kid 1: "Banana."
Kid 2: "Banana who?"
Kid 1: "Aren't you glad I didn't say 'orange?'"

-When a child came out of the bathroom and found a silver binder ring on the floor in there, I heard: "Mrs. Libick - I found your earring in the bathroom!"

-Kid: "Look, Mrs. Libick - I have a thermometer in my lunchbox, and it's supposed to keep my lunch warm!"
Me: "No, that's called a thermos."

-Kid: "Mrs. Libick, I had a bubble in my throat and I popped it and now it hurts."

-You've heard of the man who helped lead the Civil Rights Movement, right? You know - Martin "Luten" King, Jr.

-While talking to my students about how their behavior the previous day made me cry that afternoon, a student so helpfully suggested that when I feel that way, I should just go: "Lord, help me!"

-Kid: "My dad's on a trip for work in Hoo-ston!"

-When I knocked over a box of binder rings one afternoon, I (sarcastically) said, "Sweet." A student heard me and replied: "Sweet nibbles!" I believe it was supposed to be: "Sweet nibblets," off of Hannah Montana.

-Kid: "Mrs. Libick - I've never had a nickname. I'm just going to give myself one. How about 'Sally?!'"

-Kid: "Mrs. Libick, you know that place where cops go? You know, when the cops go to jail? That's a dangerous place because there are lots of strangers."

-While reading a book about Thanksgiving, there is a picture of a turkey family hugging and kissing because the whole family is together...Kid: "Ewwwwww! I'm not getting married!"

-A debate about Santa Claus was going on in my class.
Kid 1: "No, Santa's not real, those presents just come from your mom and dad."
Kid 2: "Then, why do I hear his footsteps? Why are the cookies gone in the morning? Who do YOU see at the mall?"

-I got a director's chair with my name on it for my birthday, for my classroom. Here were two comments about it the next morning.
Kid 1: "Was that e-spensive?"
Kid 2: "That's an action chair. Where you sit and yell, 'Action!'"

-Me: "Did you do anything exciting this weekend?"
Kid: "I went to church."
Me: "Oh! What church do you go to?"
Kid: "Sunday School."

-Kid 1: "Oh - your parents are just like my parents! They never have any money."
Kid 2: "Yeah, my mom and dad have to wait until they get their allowance."
Kid 1: "My mom and dad owe me $1!"

-Kid: "When I'm a teenager, I'll be old enough to live in a hotel."

-Kid: "Mrs. Libick, my tooth is coming in cricket." (Meaning crooked.)

-A conversation I overheard one day: "If you're not going to be my friend in high school, then I'm not going to be your friend in college."

-I had a kid whose dad gave him a digital watch, so every 10 minutes he was coming up to me that morning going, "Mrs. Libick, I know what time it is! It's 9-4-1."

-A girl is moving to another town. She informed that her mom took their house to the market. (Put it on the market.)

-In the YMCA line, I hear this, at the end of the day: "Teacher! C just poked D in his b-o-t!" (Butt.)

More to come... :)

Proposal Story

Just like with 5 Question Friday, I do like some of the topics that other, more in depth bloggers offer up as blogging suggestions. I read one today about sharing your proposal story. I'm not sure I've ever shared the story, in depth on here before, so with that...let's go back to the summer of 2008.

After knowing each other for over 8 years, growing up together, and being high school sweethearts, Steve and I knew that we wanted to be together and had made our relationship last through so much, that we were meant to be together. We had spent the spring looking at engagement rings, talking about probable wedding dates for the year to come, and the other things that go with the potential of getting engaged. I had a feeling that the engagement would come sometime during the 2008 summer, and I had finally narrowed down my favorite rings to 2 or 3, leaving the final decision up to my fiance to be.

Steve had spent the summer working 40 hours a week and preparing for his checkride to become a certified flight instructor. He was scheduled to finish it up on Friday, July 18. The weekend before, my family and I (plus Steve) went to spend the weekend at my grandparents' lake house in east Texas. (Not) to my knowledge, Steve had asked my dad for my hand and his blessing on that Sunday morning, while they were out fishing together. We loaded up to head home on that Sunday afternoon. Steve had a busy week of work and final cramming for his flight instructor test (along with picking up the engagement ring and getting all proposal details worked out). The plan, all along, was for us to have a celebration dinner on Friday, the 18th, when he got home from the FAA. Early in the week, he got a call to finish his checkride a day early. So, on Thursday, the 17th - Steve became an official certified flight instructor, got home late that evening, and we made plans to go ahead and celebrate on the next day, Friday.

Steve showed up at my house Friday evening with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for "helping him study and being so patient with him with his flight instructing checkride." We headed out for dinner (where I was paying since we were celebrating his accomplishment. Never did I think I would be paying for dinner on the night we got engaged - all a part of his plan.)

Little did I know that Steve had the ring box in his pocket the entire time we were together that evening! Dinner was great, and afterwards, he suggested we go out to the state park at the lake to watch the sunset and just talk. (You have to know that both of our families are huge lake families, fishing is one of his passions, and going to walk by the lake is somet

hing we'd done before.) On our way there, I noticed a car pulled over to the side of the road. It was his sister, Sherri's car! I asked him why Sherri was headed out there (and wondered why she'd been pulled over). He said she was bringing his niece out to swim for awhile. I bought the story, and down the road we headed. Once we got to the lake, we walked around the trail and he picked a park bench, overlooking the lake at sunset - of course, so we could sit. Steve pulled a letter out of his pocket that he had written me. It talked about how much he loved me, how he wanted to be with me, and how he was proud of me for (trying) to be patient as the right time for our engagement came. I started to cry, just in time for him to tell me he had something else for me. He got up, pulled a ring box from his pocket, and got down on one knee. He said something to the effect of, "Heather - I love you. Will you marry me?" My first response? "ARE YOU FOR REAL?!" He just laughed, smiled, and nodded. I, of course, said, "YES!" *Enter hugging, kissing, and tears* My ring was beautiful - the one I'd hoped he would have chosen.

Lo and behold - Sherri had been coming out to take pictures and capture the entire proposal! We took some pictures, went home to break the news to family and friends, and simply enjoy and celebrate the moment. The very next day, after only being engaged for about 12 hours - I attended my first bridal show with Mom and my MOH by my side, and we all celebrated together a week later with a family engagement party.

July 18, 2009 was a possible wedding date that we had talked about (one that we were favoring), and Steve had purposely picked that day to propose. And, so - one year to the day that he asked me to be his wife, we said "I do." In fact, today we have been married for 11 months. Next month, we will celebrate 1 year of marriage. It has been the best year of my life! It's hard to believe it's been almost 2 years since he proposed. What a good way to remind myself of the way my husband loves me...by recounting this story and pictures.

And, the rest is history...

Happy Summer!

We are officially a whole week (plus a couple of days) into summer!!! So far my summer has consisted of staying up and sleeping in later than during the school year, lots of tv, lots of reading, soaking in some sunshine at Mom and Daddy's pool, a bit of shopping, and even a training session for school (already)! I think one of my favorite things about summer is the combination of not having to be somewhere, doing something at every minute of the day and being able to plan something for every minute of the day, if I so choose. :)

This summer will for sure be less chaotic than the last. Last summer was consumed with wedding planning, getting married, honey-mooning (which I so wouldn't be against doing again...haha), and job hunting. I, also, can rest assured this summer since I have gotten the official word that I'm staying in kindergarten at my school for this coming school year!

So, here's to you, summer! I'm sure it's going to be a good one! Here are some fun things that have already happened and that I'm looking forward to over the next couple of months!

June 4th: Little brother's high school graduation
June 5th: Little brother's high school graduation party
June 13th: Scentsy Party
June 15th: New language arts textbook training
June 18th: Toy Story 3
June 20th: Father's Day
June 25th: Thinking Maps training
June 30th: Eclipse
July 2nd: Leave for Virginia Beach
July 4th
July 6th: Happy Birthday, Mom
July 9th: Fly home from Virginia Beach
July 16th: Happy Birthday, Sherri
July 18th: Happy 1 Year Anniversary to me

I also plan on going to a Ranger's game, spending many days at the pool, going to the lake, more shopping, more reading, and just enjoying my time off!

Five Question Friday

A lot of bloggers out there are linking up to different sites with a "theme" entry for each day. While I like the entry ideas most of the time, I also don't want a million random people following my blog...not right now anyway. So, I will just copy and paste interesting blog entires instead of actually linking up. So, with that said - enjoy my five question Friday!

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?
Nope, probably not. While high school was a good experience for me and a much easier way of life (looking back), I love where I am in life right now - married to my high school sweetheart, working a job I love, living life. I definitely wouldn't want to go back to the drama and ways I used to think life was "complicated!"

2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying "More wishes.")
While I should be wishing for life-long health and happiness, right now - I'd probably be wishing for there to be a lot of kindergarteners to be registered for next school year and a house for hubby and me.

3. What kids show do you secretly like?
I think Disney channel and Nick have become quite lame since I was a kid, but I catch myself sneaking a peek at Hannah Montana every now and then. It's more so old kid shows that I enjoy, such as Saved by the Bell, Boy Meets World, Sister Sister...but, I sure love me a handful of kid movies and books! :)

4. What is your beverage of choice?
Diet Coke.

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?
Not stressing myself out and being a worry-wort. Man, if I could just make myself let things go, be laid back, and exhibit the faith I have...I'd be in good shape! (When you know how I can work on changing this, just let me know!)

Oh, (No) Baby...Clothes!

Steve and I discussed long before we even got engaged how long we wanted to wait before we had kids (awhile, trust me). We are enjoying married life right now - getting to be together, the opportunities that we're being presented with, and the prospect of all to come. Buuuuut, when you get married, you can't help but know in the back of your mind that a family will come one day. And, when you see things that future family members (i.e. babies) couldn't live without, you must pick them up when you see them! Right?! It's never too early to have some cute things...and these just fit perfectly into our lives. :)

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

"There's a peace I've come to know.
Though my heart and flesh may fail.
There's an anchor for my soul,
I can say 'It is well.'
Jesus has overcome,
And the grave is overwhelmed.
The victory is won;
He is risen from the dead.

And I will rise when He calls my name.
No more sorrow, no more pain.
I will rise on eagles' wings.
Before my God, fall on my knees and rise.
I will rise.

There's a day that's drawing near.
When this darkness breaks to light,
And the shadows disappear.
And my faith shall be my eyes.

Jesus has overcome,
And the grave is overwhelmed.
The victory is won;
He is risen from the dead.

And I will rise when He calls my name.
No more sorrow, no more pain.
I will rise on eagles' wings.
Before my God, fall on my knees and rise.
I will rise.

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, 'Worthy is the Lamb.'
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, 'Worthy is the Lamb.'

And I will rise when He calls my name.
No more sorrow, no more pain.
I will rise on eagles' wings.
Before my God, fall on my knees and rise.
I will rise."

--Chris Tomlin