Some pictures to satisfy your souls.

I don't have a lot to say today, so I thought I would give you some random shots from the last few months. Hope you enjoy the pictures as well as my lame commentary in which I try to be witty and hilarious but fail miserably. That was a terrible run-on sentence.

In current news, girlfriend still doesn't have a brother. Pray for Dana who is seven days past her due date. We are all praying that baby boy shows up tomorrow while Dana's favorite midwife (who also delivered Malia) is on call.

Brother came for a visit. It was such a delight and I loved every second of it. This was right before he left and I was about .6 seconds from bursting into tears. Love this boy who really isn't such a boy anymore. More like boy-man.

This was during Brother's visit. We went to Mongolian BBQ and I was so tickled that I thought to make a face out of my tortilla. I literally laughed for about a minute straight. Neither of the guys wanted to take a picture with my tortilla face... imagine that.

Lord, have mercy. This was the night that Libs and I decided to cook straight from PW's kitchen. We made Steak Bites, Potato Bundles, Caesar Salad, and Individual Raspberry Cobblers. Everything was to die for. SO good. I have made everything but the Steak Bites since and let me tell you, it only gets better. Especially the Potato Bundles. I could and would eat those everyday if my hips would let me. Hips, why do you hate me?

My sweet Wesley boy. His mom is one of my precious friends at school and this was on his first day of kindergarten. This boy has won my heart and holds it in his hands. He gives the best snuggles and love. Except I still might be bitter about the time when he looked me in the face and said, "I'm really sorry, Miss Rachel, but Mr. Tyler is my best friend-- not you." Thank you, precious. I love you too.

Is there anything like your best friends? These are some of mine. I went to high school and then college with these chicks and they are unbeatable. Love 'em to bits. Sara (far left) lives in Atlanta, Kristi (middle) lives back home in Detroit and Meg (far right) lives with her hubby in Traverse City, Michigan. They each have pieces of my heart and I loathe being away from them. They also make me laugh like no one else. I am so blessed to have these lifelong buddies by my side.

We were finally able to get all of us chicks together with our men for the first time and let me tell you, I don't think I could have come up with anything better myself. We are so lucky that our men get along with each other and are pals! I can honestly say that this night and the next morning that we were all together did my heart so much good. I was refreshed for days and days! I can't wait until the days when we are older and all married and going on vacations with our kids in tow (or at home!). I am so looking forward to that stage in our lives!

And finally, my two sweet flower girls, Mackenzi and Bailey. I have known Bailey since she was a newborn and Kenz since she was four and now they are in fourth grade. When did I become old? You might as well just call me Mamaw. I will embrace my age. I am off to each lunch, which will probably consist of soft foods and prune juice. That's what you're supposed to eat when you're old, right? We'll see.

Heard in Room 3: Episode 1

I think I am going to start a new series here on my blog and call it, "Heard in Room 3". There are so many hilarious things that happen in my classroom that I just have to share with the world. But don't worry, no actual names or personal information about these kids will ever be revealed. I may have a simple mind but I am smarter than that.

Okay. Episode 1.

We always pray before taking a test (I teach at a Christian school). Usually I pray, but today I asked for a volunteer. Enter "N". I love it when this kid prays. He is so genuine and prays in a sing-song voice and always thanks Jesus for our "fun day" so far. It is so precious.

N: Dear Lord, thank you that we have had such a fun day so far. Please help us to do well on our test and not rush through it but not be as slow as snails either. Amen!

Bless his heart. Third grade eloquence is so endearing.

That's all. I will just be giving you some awesome quotes from children because who doesn't love hearing the things kids say? And as a bonus, I thought I would include some pictures of my classroom from the beginning of the year. Hope you enjoy them!

Welcome to my classroom! (I have blurred some things for privacy.)

Outside of my room. I love apples but you won't catch me wearing an apple-embroidered jumper anytime soon. FYI, not a problem if you like to wear jumpers. I won't judge.

Yes, I have gerbils and no, I have never touched them.

Looking into my classroom, aka my second home-- not by choice.

My whiteboard which I rarely use anymore. Thank you, SMARTboard!

My magnificent SMARTboard. I love you.

The view from my desk.

Our little nook with the kid's cubbies.

Hope you enjoyed the tour! And just for the record, they were not "slow as snails" during their test. I'd say "fast like cheetahs" would be more accurate.

Go into labor, already!

By nature, I am not a patient person. I have gotten better over the years, but in general, I do not exude the spiritual gift of waiting patiently. I can wait for something, but I don't wait well.

Today, I am waiting. Dana is due with her second baby today. Sweet boy needs to hurry up and get himself out and into the world because RACHEL WANTS TO HOLD HIM. However, if history repeats itself, I will be waiting a while longer because her daughter Malia was five days late. Today, Malia turns 14 months.

Yes, you heard that right. Baby boy and Malia will be only 14 months apart. You can pray for Dana.

Luckily, Malia is the best baby on the planet and I know baby boy will be just as perfect. It also helps that Dana is one of the best mothers I have ever come in contact with, so she'll be fine. But you can still pray for her. She had Malia (all nine pounds of her) 100% naturally and she is going to have her darling boy the exact same way. She is my hero.

In the mean time, I will be getting my love and snuggles from this sweet girl until her brother shows up. We are the best of friends. Hopefully I'll be back to introduce you to the little man in just a few short days at most. If not, I'm gonna have to have words with Dana. Since she can control that, you know.

At my house this summer, Malia discovered my Mallow Cups. She would pick my favorite thing to hold onto for dear life.

This is what she looks like when she is happier than a clam. Those are peas (or broccoli?) in her mouth. Girlfriend loves. To. Eat.

She is just the happiest girl. I love that about her!

Just thinking about life.

She was really good about wearing her lifejacket, but that didn't mean she liked it.

No more lifejacket!

My Very First Deal!

I am a wannabe couponer. I have a great system and I buy newspapers, but often, I lack the time to cut them and organize them. Hopefully that will come with time. I was a lot better at it this summer, but then again, I wasn't working 345, 589 hours per week, so that might have something to do with it.

I am always jealous of the women who go out and get $358.59 worth of products for approximately 89 cents. It takes a lot of organization and planning, which are two of my favorite things, ironically enough. We live in a third floor apartment and we are limited in what we can store. That all will change as soon as we move into our new house. I am also lacking the time. Have I already said that?

But when I was alerted to a coupon deal at Meijer by a sweet friend, I couldn't pass it up. And so, ladies and gentleman (because who am I kidding, Ty is the only man who reads this blog), I give you my very first really super wonderful coupon deal.

There are some boxes that are hidden by my lovely display here, but if you were to count, you would see that there are 20 boxes of 100 Calorie Packs on my stove. Twen. Ty. But the quantity doesn't mean much without the price, so I would like to break down what I spent for you. (I am feeling very thrilled right now, as I have never done this before, so bear with me.)

Total Spent: $5.80

Total Saved: $50.00

I think Tyler was in shock last night. He got over it and gobbled up 200 calories worth of Golden Oreos. If you would like to score a similar deal, I will give you step by step instructions because that is what works for me. I have a simple mind and I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

Can you tell?

Anyway.

1. Print off as many of these Meijer Mealbox coupons as you'd like. I printed out 20 to start, hence my 20 boxes.

2. Go to Meijer. Wear a jacket because that place is the stinking Arctic Circle and you will freeze to death if you don't. I did and am now writing this from beyond the grave. It's very nice here.

3. Go find the 100 Calorie Packs, which are marked down to either $2.59 or $2.29 this week, depending on which ones you get. Choose as many as you want, but be sure to make it a multiple of 5.

4. Go and check out at U-Scan. Scan your first 5 boxes and then it will take off $5. Scan your Mealbox coupons (one for each box) and it will take off an additional dollar per box, making each box either 29 cents or 79 cents!

5. End your transaction and then do another. See why you need multiples of 5? You want to get the $5 off!

I did one transaction at one Meijer where the shelves were picked clean and then stopped by another one on my way home and scored 15 more boxes (3 more transactions). The checker at the first Meijer wasn't the nicest person to walk the planet, but the young man at the second Meijer was much more pleasant. I was nice to both and felt like I had scored big time.

And there you have it. Go get your 100 Calorie Packs. I think I'm going back for more today.

You can never have too many Golden Oreos.

Wow.

I am quite sure that I couldn't have said it better myself.

Oh yes, and this surely does not fix things.

Cleary this man hasn't an ounce of class. How sad.

But she is a total peach. Love her.

And as a side note, I think I need to take an entertainment fast. The truth is that many people who are famous have the same audacity as Kanye West but just don't choose to parade it in front of thousands of people. Same morals, more common sense. That doesn't make it better.

Welcome Home!

I would like to officially tell all of you out there that the Mister and I have purchased our first home! We are completely thrilled with it and are in shock and awe that the Lord picked out this exact house for us. Seriously, we were not planning on purchasing until next spring at the earliest, but this house fell into our laps. After much prayer, we put in an offer and it was accepted! Isn't she beautiful? I can't wait to move in and to "show you all around".

A huge plus of our new home is that we get to pick out all of our own appliances. We are on the hunt for some good ones and after talking to some seasoned people, we still are not a whole lot closer to making a decision-- and we need to be! So, dear friends, I need your help. I am counting on you to bombard me with information. I am going to make you a list so you can answer them by number, if you want. That is my compulsiveness shining right on through.

1. If you have a front loading washer, how have you enjoyed it? Ty had heard from a friend that they have to wipe theirs down on the inside after every wash to insure that it doesn't mold. That is not okay with me. What are the pros and cons to having a front loading both washer and dryer? (Our laundry room is on the first floor and there is a door that we can close when it is running.)

2. We are pretty well set on stainless steel Whirlpool appliances. If you have any Whirlpool appliances (stainless or not), again, what are the pros and cons? We are going to be purchasing a fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and stove. (It has to be an electric stove.)

3. I know that stainless steel shows fingerprints, but again, we are pretty well set. What do you use to clean your stainless steel? I use Method Stainless Steel cleaner for my sink here and I love it, but if you have any other opinions, I would love to hear! FYI, I love Method products. They are all natural and I use them (along with cleaners I make myself) in my house. You can buy them at Target and Biggs, along with some other places. I highly recommend them.

I think that's all for now, but then again, it is 10:42 pm and it is a proven fact that my brain shuts down at 9:36 pm every night. I think it's safe to say that Ty is the same way considering he is passed out on the loveseat. Bless his heart. It's time for bed.

Thanks in advance!

I love food and children... in that order.

Apparently I have no brain left because all I can possibly think to blog about is children and food. Lord, have mercy upon my child and cuisine obsessed soul. Amen.

A few nuggets to chew on (pun completely intended)...

1. Yesterday, I received a hand drawn picture from a student. Nothing brings a teacher of small children more joy than a beautiful picture presented to her of dead stick figures lying in a pile. The explanation? "Never jump on a trampoline with two landmines and a grenade." Okay, then. Boy children are the most hilarious children. Ever.

2. I am going to cook a scrumptious feast tonight because I can. No school tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day. Happy Labor Day weekend which I actually keep calling Memorial Day weekend because I have lost my mind to third grade children and food. On the menu for tonight...

Oven Roasted Ribs

Potato Bundles

Caesar Salad

Individual Raspberry Cobblers

All glory and honor goes to The Pioneer Woman for these amazing and life changing recipes (and photos!). If you don't follow her blog, do yourself a favor and start. It will make your world a better place.

Also, please stop salivating on your computer keyboard. It will ruin it. Trust me, I know. And if you've been invited over for dinner tonight, congratulations. I hope it lives up to your expectations. Ree's recipes usually always do.

Happy Memorial Labor Day!