Happy Halloween!
We had a festivity filled weekend:
Friday night I chaperoned a school costume dance my student council put on. As you can imagine, the middle schoolers had some amazing costumes...
Amazingly funny.
Amazingly boring.
Amazingly inappropriate.
That's all I'll say about that. But, speaking of inappropriate, I did take the opportunity to get away with calling my students nerds. No costume immediately got you an, "Oh, I love your nerd outfit."
I create my own fun!
Saturday, we went out to Dallas to hang out at Clay and Heidi's house. Our other friends Brandon and Janelle were in town from Houston, so we all had a wonderful time catching up and carving pumpkins.
On Sunday, Miles carved another pumpkin, while I watched, and he roasted the seeds.
Tonight we passed out candy. The only complaint I have is that most kids don't even say trick or treat anymore. I mean, I should at least have the option.
So, all in all, I would say we were pretty festive over here! Hope you all had a fun Halloween, too.
10.31.2011
Happy Halloween
10.23.2011
The Order of Events
Here is a story for you. All pictures are at the end. You have to read through the order of events, as it occurred for me, to understand my mindset and hear about what has happened to me from my point of view! Sorry, this is a long post.
It happened like this.
Sarina calls me on a Wednesday night at 6:30.
"Michelle, will you come over here?" she asks panically.
Because of the tone, no question for me, "Yes, what's going on!?"
"Just please come, now."
So I went, truly having NO idea what I was in for because Sarina never asks for anything. I was just hoping she wasn't implicating me in anything she would then want me to keep from Miles. (Turns out I did have to try to lie to Miles about what occurred once I arrived at their house, but only for a few hours and without success, really.)
When I walked in, Sarina is shaking and almost crying. She has a manic smile on her face, and is holding a stick out to me. It's a pregnancy test - a positive pregnancy test.
Well, the rest of the events of that evening include me realizing why I know this before Matt (he had just left for a Ranger game and would be potentially gone for hours), driving Sarina to buy a ridiculous amount of more pregnancy tests (that each in turn came up positive, as well), and laughing at Sarina and trying to convince her that she was pregnant (she thought she definitely had eaten too much chicken or had cancer).
The next day, I went with her to get a blood test (you know she still didn't believe it, even with the doctor telling her) and, of course, by Buy Buy Baby.
This day was a day that I was full of advice about pregnancy and babies and full of scorn at her worries and fears. I was full of excitement for Matt and Sarina and their new lives that were beginning. I was full of joy for a new life, a new niece or nephew.
Fast forward to three weeks later. Matt and Sarina have just shared their news with their parents. Miles is still adjusting to the idea of his brother becoming a Dad. I am still full of all sorts of knowledge, of course!
I am still full of advice and excitement, and I know oh so much about this baby stuff...
until the night I make a panicky call, from my bathroom, to Miles in the living room.
To his credit, he was ready. He had a shoe in his hand in case it was a roach or a spider, and a paper towel to scoop up one of those baby geckos, if that was the case. He was ready!
However, I had a different need this time. I needed to tell him that I had just taken a pregnancy test to ease my conscious, but that it had come up positive!
All of that knowledge, and stuff I was certain of, flew out the window. I had been full of it - literally and figuratively, I now realized. Now, I was full of worries and fears. I was full of uncertainty.
Miles helped me calm down, and I slowly came to terms with all of the sudden knowing nothing. I mean it - that was the immediate feeling for me. I knew nothing, and it scared me to death.
Being on the other side of a positive pregnancy test was exciting and full of joy and knowledge. That is what I was used to. That side. This side was scary, shocking, and daunting.
Fast forward, eight more weeks.
I am thirteen weeks pregnant this week. We have experienced so much joy in the discovery of this baby, in the sharing of our news, in the excitement of what's to come.
We are beyond ecstatic to be sharing this time and experience with Matt and Sarina. We love that our babies will be the same age.
I've had two great doctor's appointments, with everything looking good. This past week, I had the best experience yet, in hearing the heartbeat. It's beginning to feel real and normal to be pregnant.
Miles and I are truly overjoyed about the baby and feeling what first-time expectant parents can probably all relate to at this time in the pregnancy.
But, guess what I still know, now!? I know nothing!!
Here are some pictures from the past 13 weeks.
It took me the course of a week and five tests to believe I was pregnant. Yes, I have apologized to Sarina for making fun of her disbelief.

The night we told our parents (6 weeks pregnant).

Sarina shocked and excited at the doctor. She is about two and half weeks ahead of me!


The cutest moccasins ever and the only thing we've bought for the baby, haha! (bought on our Manitou Springs vacation)

Getting kind of fat...can't stop eating! It's not really the baby, yet, but I will blame the baby for being voraciously hungry. I was about 10 weeks pregnant here.

It happened like this.
Sarina calls me on a Wednesday night at 6:30.
"Michelle, will you come over here?" she asks panically.
Because of the tone, no question for me, "Yes, what's going on!?"
"Just please come, now."
So I went, truly having NO idea what I was in for because Sarina never asks for anything. I was just hoping she wasn't implicating me in anything she would then want me to keep from Miles. (Turns out I did have to try to lie to Miles about what occurred once I arrived at their house, but only for a few hours and without success, really.)
When I walked in, Sarina is shaking and almost crying. She has a manic smile on her face, and is holding a stick out to me. It's a pregnancy test - a positive pregnancy test.
Well, the rest of the events of that evening include me realizing why I know this before Matt (he had just left for a Ranger game and would be potentially gone for hours), driving Sarina to buy a ridiculous amount of more pregnancy tests (that each in turn came up positive, as well), and laughing at Sarina and trying to convince her that she was pregnant (she thought she definitely had eaten too much chicken or had cancer).
The next day, I went with her to get a blood test (you know she still didn't believe it, even with the doctor telling her) and, of course, by Buy Buy Baby.
This day was a day that I was full of advice about pregnancy and babies and full of scorn at her worries and fears. I was full of excitement for Matt and Sarina and their new lives that were beginning. I was full of joy for a new life, a new niece or nephew.
Fast forward to three weeks later. Matt and Sarina have just shared their news with their parents. Miles is still adjusting to the idea of his brother becoming a Dad. I am still full of all sorts of knowledge, of course!
I am still full of advice and excitement, and I know oh so much about this baby stuff...
until the night I make a panicky call, from my bathroom, to Miles in the living room.
To his credit, he was ready. He had a shoe in his hand in case it was a roach or a spider, and a paper towel to scoop up one of those baby geckos, if that was the case. He was ready!
However, I had a different need this time. I needed to tell him that I had just taken a pregnancy test to ease my conscious, but that it had come up positive!
All of that knowledge, and stuff I was certain of, flew out the window. I had been full of it - literally and figuratively, I now realized. Now, I was full of worries and fears. I was full of uncertainty.
Miles helped me calm down, and I slowly came to terms with all of the sudden knowing nothing. I mean it - that was the immediate feeling for me. I knew nothing, and it scared me to death.
Being on the other side of a positive pregnancy test was exciting and full of joy and knowledge. That is what I was used to. That side. This side was scary, shocking, and daunting.
Fast forward, eight more weeks.
I am thirteen weeks pregnant this week. We have experienced so much joy in the discovery of this baby, in the sharing of our news, in the excitement of what's to come.
We are beyond ecstatic to be sharing this time and experience with Matt and Sarina. We love that our babies will be the same age.
I've had two great doctor's appointments, with everything looking good. This past week, I had the best experience yet, in hearing the heartbeat. It's beginning to feel real and normal to be pregnant.
Miles and I are truly overjoyed about the baby and feeling what first-time expectant parents can probably all relate to at this time in the pregnancy.
But, guess what I still know, now!? I know nothing!!
Here are some pictures from the past 13 weeks.
It took me the course of a week and five tests to believe I was pregnant. Yes, I have apologized to Sarina for making fun of her disbelief.

The night we told our parents (6 weeks pregnant).

Sarina shocked and excited at the doctor. She is about two and half weeks ahead of me!


The cutest moccasins ever and the only thing we've bought for the baby, haha! (bought on our Manitou Springs vacation)

Getting kind of fat...can't stop eating! It's not really the baby, yet, but I will blame the baby for being voraciously hungry. I was about 10 weeks pregnant here.

10.08.2011
Manitou Springs - The End
It's time to wrap up the blog posts about Manitou Springs.
On the last morning there, we had breakfast at this little European cafe, and it was fantastic. I don't have any pictures of the food, but it was served with fresh fruit and delicious bacon. I got the best French toast I've probably ever had in my life. Miles had an omelette that was perfect, too. I have no pictures, but had to detail our picks. I'm sure you appreciate that.
As I mentioned in my first post, our pictures from the second Garden of Gods visit were much better because of the time of day. This was our last stop before heading to the airport, and it truly is a heavenly experience.
Kissing Camels (can you see them?)

Can you spot the rock climbers here?

This plaque describes how it was the wish of Charles Perkins for this park to always remain free to the public.

A bit of perspective - this is me beside one of the smallest formations. I'm 5'4" and not skinny. These were massive rocks.

They have beautiful trails throughout the park.

I don't have anything appropriate to say...

Majestic!

The popular Balanced Rock.

A pretty view of Pikes Peak.

And, that was the end of our vacation. See you next time, Colorado!

On the last morning there, we had breakfast at this little European cafe, and it was fantastic. I don't have any pictures of the food, but it was served with fresh fruit and delicious bacon. I got the best French toast I've probably ever had in my life. Miles had an omelette that was perfect, too. I have no pictures, but had to detail our picks. I'm sure you appreciate that.
As I mentioned in my first post, our pictures from the second Garden of Gods visit were much better because of the time of day. This was our last stop before heading to the airport, and it truly is a heavenly experience.
Kissing Camels (can you see them?)

Can you spot the rock climbers here?

This plaque describes how it was the wish of Charles Perkins for this park to always remain free to the public.

A bit of perspective - this is me beside one of the smallest formations. I'm 5'4" and not skinny. These were massive rocks.

They have beautiful trails throughout the park.

I don't have anything appropriate to say...

Majestic!

The popular Balanced Rock.

A pretty view of Pikes Peak.

And, that was the end of our vacation. See you next time, Colorado!

10.05.2011
Manitou Springs 2
Well, it's been a long couple of days underneath this rock.

I'm still feeling good, though, so here is what else we got into on our mini vacation...
Manitou Springs is the kind of small town where you might just stumble upon a parade in the afternoon. That's what happened to us on Friday afternoon - what a fun surprise! Who doesn't love a parade!?



After the parade we headed to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Multiple families lived here in the 1100s.

I wonder how much this view has changed. I bet it was beautiful, even if crowded!

The next morning was all about getting some fishing in! We drove up to 11 Mile Canyon, and it was a gorgeous drive because the aspens were changing. Remember my post about a lack of Autumn here in Texas?
We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the trees change color. It was a cool experience, that Autumn experience. I didn't get the best pictures of it occurring, however.



I won't mention the hour detour we took because of one 100-yard mistake, either, because the drive was so pretty. :)
11 Mile Canyon proved to be scenic (good for me) and the fish were biting (good for Miles)!




We were chased out of the canyon by the storm rolling over the mountains.

We drove through the mountain.

We watched the Rangers roll over the Devil Rays, and that was great, too. Just look at that smile...


I'm still feeling good, though, so here is what else we got into on our mini vacation...
Manitou Springs is the kind of small town where you might just stumble upon a parade in the afternoon. That's what happened to us on Friday afternoon - what a fun surprise! Who doesn't love a parade!?



After the parade we headed to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Multiple families lived here in the 1100s.

I wonder how much this view has changed. I bet it was beautiful, even if crowded!

The next morning was all about getting some fishing in! We drove up to 11 Mile Canyon, and it was a gorgeous drive because the aspens were changing. Remember my post about a lack of Autumn here in Texas?
We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the trees change color. It was a cool experience, that Autumn experience. I didn't get the best pictures of it occurring, however.



I won't mention the hour detour we took because of one 100-yard mistake, either, because the drive was so pretty. :)
11 Mile Canyon proved to be scenic (good for me) and the fish were biting (good for Miles)!




We were chased out of the canyon by the storm rolling over the mountains.

We drove through the mountain.

We watched the Rangers roll over the Devil Rays, and that was great, too. Just look at that smile...

10.03.2011
Manitou Springs 1
Over this past weekend Miles and I went to Manitou Springs, Co. It was an unexpected trip, originally scheduled to attend Jordan and Kellie's wedding. They had to postpone for medical reasons, and we went ahead with our trip because of time off of work and just wanting to get away.
We ended up having an amazing time, though, with just the two of us! Manitou Springs has an amazing amount of things to do in close proximity to the quaint and cool downtown area. It was perfect for our short trip.
To prevent information overload, I'll break our trip into parts throughout the week!
We arrived Thursday, late afternoon, and went over to Garden of the Gods. Immediately, we were blown away by the amazing rock structures and beautiful views. I'll post more pictures from our second trip to this public park later because the light was WAY better. These are from the first evening we were there.



Friday morning we went to Seven Falls. We hiked up the 224 staircase that goes right up the side of the falls. It was steep and the altitude made me feel even more out of shape than I am! Not cool, altitude. Once at the top, though, we did the easy hike up to another waterfall, Midnight Falls. Seven Falls was one of the highlights of our trip - we loved this!


This pic, with all seven falls, is actually from the observation deck, which was up a different 184 step staircase. We took the elevator (it was after our other hike). The elevator was cool, too - carved into the mountain.

Halfway up the 224 steps beside the falls, there was a platform...and a bench. :)


We encountered a 450 year old pine tree on the hike. Yes, I counted the rings. Really.

Okay, there were informational signs.
Midnight Falls was not very picturesque...and we set it on a crooked post to self-timer capture ourselves!

I held up the mountain, a classic Brier pose.

I'll just be here until the next post...
We ended up having an amazing time, though, with just the two of us! Manitou Springs has an amazing amount of things to do in close proximity to the quaint and cool downtown area. It was perfect for our short trip.
To prevent information overload, I'll break our trip into parts throughout the week!
We arrived Thursday, late afternoon, and went over to Garden of the Gods. Immediately, we were blown away by the amazing rock structures and beautiful views. I'll post more pictures from our second trip to this public park later because the light was WAY better. These are from the first evening we were there.



Friday morning we went to Seven Falls. We hiked up the 224 staircase that goes right up the side of the falls. It was steep and the altitude made me feel even more out of shape than I am! Not cool, altitude. Once at the top, though, we did the easy hike up to another waterfall, Midnight Falls. Seven Falls was one of the highlights of our trip - we loved this!


This pic, with all seven falls, is actually from the observation deck, which was up a different 184 step staircase. We took the elevator (it was after our other hike). The elevator was cool, too - carved into the mountain.

Halfway up the 224 steps beside the falls, there was a platform...and a bench. :)


We encountered a 450 year old pine tree on the hike. Yes, I counted the rings. Really.

Okay, there were informational signs.
Midnight Falls was not very picturesque...and we set it on a crooked post to self-timer capture ourselves!

I held up the mountain, a classic Brier pose.

I'll just be here until the next post...
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