Update

It appears it's been a while since I blogged, so here's what's been going on:

*  My Rangers won three games in the World Series which is 2 more than last year.  Third time's the charm!

*  I still love my job!  There's nothing like seeing the look on a kids face when they are singing!

*  Reese is now living as a free dog while I'm at work.  So far he has eaten a lunchbox, the box that holds remote controls, a tupperware dish, his shock collar and apparently the windowsill tastes good too.....
Believe it or not he does less damage out of the crate....I just have to make sure to hide anything valuable out of his reach.  I think she could help but Honey doesn't do anything to help keep Reese occupied....

*  My three nephews are getting cuter every day!  I saw new pictures of Gabirle the other day and he's growing like a weed.  Aiden has 10 or so teeth now and is starting to look like a big boy instead of a baby.  Carson smiled at me last weekend.....life is good!

*  I have free movie channels for 3 months.  While they're free I'm taping every movie that sounds even remotely good!

*  My Great Aunt Laura gave me a set of bamboo sheets.  H.E.A.V.E.N!!!  You should try them!

*  Coca-cola products were on sale the other day and just out of curiosity I bought Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Diet Coke with splenda just to see which one I really like the most.  Turns out I really DON'T like Diet Coke with splenda!

*  Pumpkin Cream Cheese is awesome.

*  Reese sleeps on the furniture when I'm not home....and sometimes when he gets in the chair when I'm home I let him stay.  Does this make me a bad dog mom?


*  I've been watching Sister Wives.  It's very interesting to watch something that you don't understand.....

*  Waiting for the roommates (yes, I still call them that) to come over.  I'm making fajitas and homemade guacamole for supper.

I guess that's all for now! 

New Job

I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a new job. I am the new music teacher at Crockett Elementary, and I LOVE it!  Here's my schedule:

7:30 Cafeteria Duty (ok, not the highlight of my day)
8:15 5th grade
9:00 6th grade
9:45 2nd grade
10:30 1st grade
11:30 more cafeteria duty...
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Conference
1:15 Kindergarten
2:00 4th grade
2:45 3rd grade

The upside of having cafeteria duty is that I can leave when the kids do....not that I've managed to do that yet.

As you can see, it's a packed day, but I'm loving every minute.  The planning is taking quite a bit longer than I'm used to, but it's worth it.  Kids have started asking, "Do I get to have music today?", and that makes my heart so happy! 

I know that every job has it's challenges, but I'm prepared to take those in stride.  I'm exhausted at the end of the day, but it's a great feeling to get to teach kids to love music like I do every day!

Carson Allen Minniear

On August 17th we helped my step-brother Shane and sister-in-law Katie welcome precious Carson to the world.  I'm lucky to have such a beautiful new nephew!

Whittenberg Family Reunion

The Whittenberg family began having annual family reunions decades ago....this year we had it at the Coyote Ranch Resort here in Wichita Falls.  Here are the family pictures:

Gabriel's Birthday

August 6th was my oldest nephew Gabriel's first birthday!  We all journeyed to Houston to celebrate.  Despite the heat, we all had a great time!

Update

It's been crazy around here lately!  Here's a recap:

* Apparently unlimited data means "once you get to a certain point we slow you down even though there is no charge"

*It's hot.

* If  you leave Reese unattended in the house he will empty your trashcan all over the house.

*Speaking of Reese, he's finally settling into the new house and routine, but he keeps barking at his reflection in the front window....it's beginning to be a little annoying.

*Since we moved, Honey has really started playing with Reese.  I love that even though she's an old woman dog she still likes to play.

* If your car is almost out of gas and you park on an incline, it may not start.  Not fun.

*I may break down today and get cable and/or internet.  I made it 7 weeks without.....

*Did I mention that it's hot?

*My great buddies Andrea and Amanda turned 30!  Welcome to the club girls.


*School started....new job is awesome.  More in a separate post.

*My oldest nephew Gabriel had his first birthday....this will also be worthy of it's own post!

* We had a family reunion with Mom's family.....guess what....separate post.

*Most importantly:  Nephew #3 was born!  The post about Mr. Carson Allen Minniear will probably be long, so prepare yourself!

All settled in....I think.

I've been without internet since I moved until today.  I figured out how to tether my cell phone wireless to my computer.....viola, free, 4G internet!  I'm pretty impressed with myself.  But, I digress...

Things I've learned since moving:

*  It sure is quiet when you live alone....it took me a while to get used to this again!
*  There are lots of leftovers to eat!  I've only cooked a few times but each time I get to eat the same thing for four meals...
*  When the dog barks in the middle of the night it's a little spooky.
* I apparently cannot watch scary movies alone after dark. 
*  Nobody cares if I leave clothes in the dryer.
*  It takes dogs just as long to adjust as it does people.

I'm sure I'll learn much more....

I'm Moving!

I'm happy to announce that I will soon be moving.  My new address (Aunt Kim, are you writing this down?) is:

1619 Bert Drive
Wichita Falls, TX 76302

And, just so you know:

1.  Things are great between me and my current roommates.  That's not why I'm moving...

2.  I will have extra bedrooms at my new house, and I expect lots of company!

3.  I have awesome friends and family who have been GREAT in offering furniture to fill my new home!

I hope to be settled in by the end of the month, so come see me!

My Sweet Honey Dog

She may be 18 years old (not a typo), but she still knows how to show the boy dogs who's boss!

Adventures at the Dog Park

Wichita Falls has a new dog park.  Last week I decided to take Reese to try it out.  The first day was a big disappointment because we were the only ones there (but it was during the day). 

BUT, we went back that evening with Reese and Tucker and they LOVED it!  Reese has behaved so well since we started going that we've gone almost every day. Sometimes Zeke gets to go too....Honey doesn't.  I figure at 18 years old she's probably past her dog park days.

Here are a couple of pictures from the park:

Reese and his bassett hound friend named George.

Zeke after chasing a stranger's ball for a while...he was TIRED!

Tucker and his friend Bailey with MY friend Susan (who doesn't have a dog but came today to check it out).

We had a blast this morning when my friend Susan came with us to check out the park, and I even managed to get there with a camera with a charged battery.... 

Here's Susan giving everyone some more water.  I think she got more than she bargained for...

Reese found a pretty girl to play with.  They had a blast!

Bouncing Baby

If anyone can tell me how to get these to show up NOT sideways that would be great....

Isn't he adorable?!

How to chop potatoes....by Craig McKee

Again....it's sideways....

In case you were wondering how an engineer chops potatoes, here you go:

Memorial Day Camping

I went camping for Memorial Day with Dad, Chris, Kelli, Craig, Anna, Dylan and Aiden. 

I'm sure it's no surprise that most of the pictures are of Aiden....it's a shame nobody likes the poor kid.  Here are the highlights: