Valentino Bunko!

We had a good little bunko here tonight- I hosted and had a little too much fun with the preparations! haha! Here are a few pics from the night!
Me with the my little spread!

Cupids Arrows

Chocolate covered strawberries

Grilled Cheese Hearts

Sweet Heart cookies

Valentine Wreath

The Table!

We also had Rosemary Brie bruschetta, onion dip, and artichoke dip- I just wanted to put up pics of the valentiney things!
Here are the lovely ladies that attended!

It's not all about you!

My dear friend Nicole did this on her blog today and featured ME of all people- thank you so much Nicole- you are too sweet- click here to see here post.
I think it is a great idea- so I will join in on the fun!!!
Well, we'll tell you what it is NOT... It's Not About YOU. It's about SOMEONE ELSE. It's our chance, each of us, to shine our light on someone else, much the same as we have tried to do with MISSION: Monday.
Huh? Whaddya mean?We each spend a lot of time talking about ourselves and our lives, but we are also fairly GIVING people too...Tuesday's Tribute is a chance to talk about OTHER people, OTHER blogs, OTHER lives.
Still lost...what would I write about??How about...A blog/blogger/business whose work you love that you want to help promote to your readers? (example)A friend or a loved one who you respect? (example)One of your kids who just accomplished something great?A cause you feel strongly about? A Fundraiser?

Nicole came into my life at a place and time where we both needed each other tremendously. Nicole has a heart of gold and a desire to always help others. She is an amazing teacher- she makes the most out of everything that she does- click HERE to see her blog about her Kindergarten class- you can see that she does everything whole-heartedly and with a desire to please the Lord. She is an amazing mommy. I hope I can be as dedicated and pour my life into my child as she does. I thank God that Nicole came into my life when she did- I'm glad that we were able to spend those years teaching together and I look foward to many more memories in the future!

Click HERE to see Nicole's family blog.

HE never let go!

Listen to music with video- refresh video if it starts after reading post----The Lord has done great things for us and is still doing great things. If you know us- you know the amazing meaning behind this video and the song accompanying it- He is truly amazing and I will forever thank Him for my prince charming- although my "prince charming" is not "perfect"- I would never expect him to be---- but HE is perfect- the One Who brought us together- please note that as we grow- there are pictures that match each other of similar events in our lives- Happy early Valentines my sweetheart-You are the most amazing blessing in my life...I thank the Lord above everyday for you.You are by best friend and my LOVE- thank you for always believing in me! HE never let go!
I can see a light at the end of the tunnel---for a heart that holds on! I will fear no evil--- for our GOD is with US! and if our GOD is with us then whom shall we fear???

Harper

If you haven't been following the blog- Kelly's Corner - you need to start now! I just had to put a little post about her today! Her baby Harper was born with a ton of very severe conditions that were threatening her life- Harper went home yesterday and I just cried reading the post this morning. They have the most amazing story- from their meeting to the birth of their child- their faith is such a testimony.

CRAZY hair!!!

OK- so I thought I would try something new this morning and "wave" my hair- and with the weather so cold- it turned out to be more of a frizball than anything else...haha- Hope you get as big a laugh out of this as I did this morning- this was my reaction when I looked in the mirror-

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

My Favorite Things about Teaching!

I love about a million and one things about my job... so I just thought that I would take some time to point out some of the things that I love the most! I will be constantly updating this post as the week goes on... I"ll start with one tonight:

Here are some of my favorite things!
1. I could listen to them read ALL day long!!!

2. My classroom!!!

3. My drawers- that a teacher definitely designed!

4. Their sweet handwriting!

5. Sweet little hands!

6. Sweet little eyes!

7. bumps and bruises that always need kisses!

8. Pretty little drawings!

9. Inquisitive little eyes!

10. They SING to me...yes she is singing to me... "Oh Come all ye Faithful!"

11. Missing Teeth- it has to be the cutest thing ever!

I'll keep adding to this post all week....

What's Cookin'?

Brown Sugar Glazed Pork

3 fresh garlic cloves

2 Tbs light brown sugar

2 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning

1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb.)

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1/4 cup red wine

1. Crush garlic, using garlic press, into medium bowl. Use knife to remove garlic from bottom of press. Stir in brown sugar and montreal steak seasoning until well blended

2. Preheat saute' pan on medium heat 2-3 minutes. Cut strip of pork diagonally into about eight 1-inch thick slices. Place pork slices in bowl and press into mixture

3. Place 1 tablespoon of the butter in pan; swirl to coat. Add pork; cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until well browned and internal temp is 160 degrees.

4. Remove pork from pan. Stire in wine and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter; simmer 1 minute, stirring continually. Serve wine sauce over pork.

6. I made mashed sweet potatoes and steamed brocoli to serve with the pork.

There was an awesome picture of what the finished meal looked like on the plate- but I accidentally deleted it from my camera- ugh! Oh well- it was a yummy and really quick meal!