It's a.....

CAR!!!!!!!! My new baby is 2 weeks old (well, two weeks old to me). Now you all know it has taken me awhile to put these up here. I was hoping to get better pictures that my mom took the next day in my driveway, but I haven't been able to get those yet, so I'm settling for these. Not to mention, Jason (Matt's brother) believes I have commitment issues for not putting the pictures up sooner because I said I would keep everyone updated, so now I have to put these up to show that I am still a woman of my word!

Anyway, my new car is a lot of fun. She drives fabulously! She made the trip home to Gazelle with no problems this past weekend. I love that it has so much leg room and a huge trunk. Perfect for planning for a busy life to come!!!

Teachers Rock!

This past Saturday we went out to The Cheesecake Factory to wish good-bye to our dear friend Carolyn Morrison who moved back home recently. Many of us who were there are all members of the teaching program at Saint Mary's. Our waiter was so sweet that when he brought out our desserts he wrote "Teachers Rock!" on them. It's really makes you feel special when people take the time to thank you for what you do!

Signs You're a Teacher!

I'm nervous to see who is going to comment on this one. :)

How Do You Know You Are a Teacher?

1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.

2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.

3. You walk into a store and hear the words 'It's Ms/Mr. _________' and know you have been spotted.

4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.

5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.

6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and conference period.

7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.

8. You believe chocolate is a food group.

9. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.

10. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says 'Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.

11. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.

12. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

13. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.

14.You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!

15. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a 'good choice or a bad choice.

16. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.

17. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.

The Road to Arco

This past Saturday I made the trip over to Elk Grove near Sacramento. I originally planned on going so I could attend a job fair in Roseville. I got even more fun when I found out my cousin Stacey's daughter Katelyn and her basketball team made it to their section championships which was in Arco Arena where the Sacramento Kings play. Not only did we get to sit close to the floor and go up in a sky box, but I got to spend it with my family. My sister came down, along with my aunt Jeanie and uncle Bob. In the pictures you see Janice and me with Katelyn. You also can see my beautiful aunt and cousin. I love these two ladies! They are both such wonderful, strong, determined women who have been inspirations to me throughout my entire life. I'm lucky I get to see them so often. Hopefully, if some of my leads pan out from the job fair, I may just be moving closer to them and the rest of my family. Keep your fingers crossed!

Happy Birthday!

February was a busy month! Both Matt and I celebrated our 23rd birthdays together. Since my birthday is on the 19th and his is on the 25th we had a nearly week long celebration - six days to be exact. Every time one of us wished the other happy birthday the other one would turn right back around and wish it to them.

Crazy facts in the Siemer's family:
Matt's parents, Roger and Carolyn, are both born in March and have the same middle name Lee.

Matt's sister and brother-in-law, Ty and Tammy, are both born in July and their first names start with the same letter.

Matt's brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Jessica (a.k.a. Rachel), are both born in October and their first names start with the same letter.

Now I'm not the first to make this next observation mind you; therefore, it could mean nothing. I just felt like sharing it for those of you haven't noticed by now. Matt and I are both born in February and I have the same name as his mom (which by the way is a real honor because when I think of Matt's mom Carolyn I automatically think of all these adjectives I hope I'll earn the privilege to have others associate with my name someday). Anyway, all of this is rather interesting....hmmmm....interesting, very interesting.

Test-Drive

Want to take your relationship for a test-drive? Test-drive a car. You learn a lot about your significant other.

So I'm in the market for a new car. I did not buy this car. We only test drove it (and LOVED it by the way) along with others. Purchasing a car should all be happening with in the next couple of months. I'll keep you posted when I actually buy one.

In order to know what I want I needed to test-drive different vehicles I was interested in. Matt came with me. We had so much fun! Together we decided on a Honda Accord. Got to love those Accords! This will be my third one. Don't worry, that doesn't mean I totaled my previous ones. My first two were much older models, but they ran forever. Now that I'm moving into the work world I need something that will fit my needs for the next ten or so years.

Anyway, Matt and I worked fabulously together. Our communication was excellent during the whole thing! I don't mean to brag. I'm just offering my advice - literally take your date on a test-drive if you really want to know if it will work :)

February 7th is Valentine's Day

What? You don't believe me? I am sorry to inform you all but the rest of you were a week late for Valentine's Day this year.

Ever since the new year started things have been really crazy in my life. Don't worry nothing life-threatening, just crazy important matters to take care of: teaching assessments, student teaching in a new class, writing a thesis, applying for jobs, getting my own health insurance, and preparing to buy a new car. I could go on, but I'll stop. It's better I don't think about it too much - it gets me kind of anxious. Just ask Matt. Which is why he has been so awesome to make special trips down to come see me. One such trip was pretty special.

On the day that the world commonly recognizes as Valentine's Day, February 14th, I had to be in class. Not only was it on Valentine's Day, it was on a Saturday :( Not a problem though, Matt and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day on it's new official date, February 7th and it couldn't have been any better! Oh what was that? You want details? Sorry. Some events are just too special that attempting to recreate them wouldn't do them justice. Because what is special is not the worrying about the type of activity you plan or what gifts you'll give to each other on events like this. What is special is the time and love you share with each other no matter where you are or what you are doing. Our first Valentine's Day together was exactly that and for that I recognize how blessed I am.