Graduation

My sister graduated last weekend from Kansas State. It was such a fun and exciting day, and I was a proud big sister. I am definitely getting sentimental and much more emotional in my "older" years. Yes, I even shed a few tears. I think no matter how old my sister gets, I will always be protective, see her as my baby sister, and act like her second mother bossing her around. Seriously, when we're 87 and 82, I will still be telling her what to do. Don't worry, she loves all my wonderful advice.;)

The day started off with a quick drive West with my mom, dad, and papa (who had flown in from Texas) to the Little Apple. My sister and three of her four roommates were graduating, so they had a little party going on with all kinds of food and drinks for all their family and friends.

 The grads

 Pretty roomies - these girls are seriously the sweetest ever

Sisters!

 My family minus my hubby

My dad and sister - he looks so proud :)

After a quick bite to eat, my grandparents and aunt and uncle showed up and we were off to Bramlage for the ceremony. To be honest, it was a long and boring ceremony. My sister and I were texting back and forth and laughing that we were both even on Facebook at one point, lol. But once my sister's name was called, I was suddenly choking back the tears. 

 Bag pipes to start the ceremony

 Walking in

 There's me taking her picture - I love that my dad captured this moment of the two of us

 She did it!

 After the ceremony with Grandma Greenough, Mom, Brett & Jo Spear (good family friends who came out too), and Papa

 Bill Snyder Stadium behind us

 My sister's good friend Karen - they have been friends since elementary school :)

After the ceremony, we took the typical K-State sign pictures and then went to dinner at the Little Apple Brewery. Yum!!

 This was extra special for me because I never got to do this for my graduation due to an ice storm that prevented me from going to my graduation ceremony. I love that we got to do this together. :)

 Family dinner celebration - we are all so proud!

I am so happy for my sister and wish her the best of luck as she begins grad school in just a few weeks. She is going to be a marriage and family therapist, and I know she will be amazing and love this job; she's also very good at giving her big sister good advice. I love you sissy and good luck!

My sister-in-law also graduated from grad school last weekend which is why my hubby is absent in the photos; he and my brother-in-law drove to Chicago to support her and help her move to her new downtown apartment. Kati, I am so proud of you too and wish you the best of luck as you prepare for med school! Love ya sis!

 Kati and my MIL Donna - you both look beautiful!

 Owens kiddos and their mama :)

Lastly, I wanted to share a little about my school's graduation ceremony that was held last night. We had the biggest turn out of students and parents that I have ever seen. We asked if anyone would like to say anything, and we had 15 plus students step up to speak. Most speeches consisted of saying thank you to the staff, and many said that without us they wouldn't have graduated. We didn't know if anyone would even come up, and at one point three students were "fighting" over the mic. It was so special and definitely brought us all to tears. Again, I'm getting so emotional in my old age.;) It was such a great reminder of why I do what I do. With all the stress teachers often experience, and especially after a fairly challenging year for me, I found myself thinking it was all worth it for this moment. I'm so proud and wish the class of 2012 the best of luck in their future!

Take me out to the ball game

 take me out to with the crowd

 buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks

 i don't care if i never get back

 for let's root, root, root for the home team

 if they don't win it's a shame

 for it's one, two, three strikes you're out

 at the old ball game

play ball!

The Adventures of Giddy and Gertie - Possum Hunting

Last night at 11:30 PM we had a little adventure. Gertie needed to go outside and after about two minutes she started barking. This is normal. She's a Beagle, and Beagles bark. A lot and very loudly. I poked my head out the door to shush her and see who she was barking at; we have dogs on every side of our fence and they all frequently bark at one another. The strange thing was that Gertie was staying back about six or so feet from our right fence. Weird. While attempting to quiet Gertie, I was having to shove her sister back because heaven forbid her sister and pack-mate be barking and having an adventure without her. As I got out their can food to lure Gertie in, Giddy slipped through my legs and was out the door. As this happened I also finally saw what it was that was bothering the loud mouth, now loud mouths. A possum. An ugly, disgusting, alien-looking possum.

At this moment, all hell broke loose. I started screaming for the hubby to come help me while the hunters began screaming at this intruder in their yard. Their barking was incessant and the usually food crazed pups could care less that I had their can food out. With no help from the hubby, who was watching the last few minutes of a basketball game in his office and thought I was just yelling at the dogs or being dramatic (me?!), I went out on the deck to see what I could do. There was no way I was going anywhere near that wretched creature, so I did the next best thing. I threw our plastic watering can near, not at, the dogs. It spooked them to say the least, and Gertie finally turned to see the can food in my hand. Now Gertie likes to eat and may or may not have a weight issue because of food. But praise the Lord, that dog loves food because she came running over to me. I managed to get her inside and then scream bloody murder at the hubby who finally came upstairs as I very calmly and quietly (ha!) explained that the dogs had cornered a possum and that Giddy was still out there and that I was freaking out!!

How did he get Giddy in? He went outside, picked her up, and brought her in like it was just that easy. Please. Then I got a flashlight and we could definitely see that there really was a huge possum just sitting there with it's nasty night-vision eyes staring back at us. I may or may not have started hyperventilating then. As I was or was not calming myself down and refraining from screaming at those damn hunting dogs, my hubby stated that Giddy smelled like...shoo shoo. Poop. Nastiness. We are pretty sure they found a nest, killed a baby possum (or several of them) and then of course rolled on them. They even do this even with bugs. Someone please explain to me why dogs insist on rubbing their scent on dead things. I mean they sleep in my bed. Why? Why! 

The next thing that occurred was an all out shower and several applications of dog/baby shampoo. The hubby was forced volunteered to hop in there with them to hose them down. While I went to get some towels, I heard him mutter something like "I know you don't like this, but this is what you get for rolling in death!". 

 Naughty pup #1 (after her scrub down)

 Naughty pup #2 (after her soaking) 

It is always, always an adventure with these two. The good thing is that life is never dull with them. And no matter how naughty they are, we can never stay mad at them for long.

Spring Break

Spring Break is almost over (boooo) and it has been absolutely amazing. I don't want it to end. The hubby had to work which meant it was a staycation for me. The weather has been beautiful, and I have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in, spending time with my girls, doing stuff around the house, and getting to spend some extra time with friends and family. Here are some pictures to recap this great week:

 Spending time with this cutie Jonah

 Freshly painted toes and new sandals

 Lounging on the deck - easily my favorite picture of the week

 Well, I got a little too bored and made an emergency fire kit (old, ugly, slip resistant shoes from when I worked at Chili's, socks, and two collar/leash combos for the pups)...

 ...and a tornado kit - water, whistles, flashlights, blankets, leashes, collars with old dog tags, first aid kit, and some food (I need more though). At least we are somewhat prepared should the worst happen. Let's hope we never have to use it though. OK? Thanks.

 Doggy playdate with the cousins - the "puppies"

 The whole crew - Gertie, Moose, Harriet, and Giddy

 AC in March? AC in March! This is unheard of, and I love it!!

 Heads out the window with flapping ears

 Tongues hanging out. I swear she's smiling. :)

 A little decorating for our downstairs fireplace - Before

 After - I love the new additions!

 This is probably my favorite picture in the whole wide world, and I love this new frame!

 Lots and lots of sleeping

 and more sleeping

 NCAA basketball, including a Missouri upset. My hubby made me take this picture. He is a KU freak and claims this is one of the happiest days of his life. Oh babe...

Tomorrow is St. Patty's Day, and we all get to pretend we're Irish. Well, I won't really be pretending. With a maiden name of Greenough, you can't argue with me. Ha! Here's to a wonderful, green weekend and a very quick 4th quarter. I'm ready for summer! ;)

Happy Birthday

On Monday my furry babies turned four. Four?! Where did the time go? I now have a better understanding of when parents (with real babies) ask this. I still remember the day we got them and how little they were. Our families thought we were crazy for getting two Beagles, and well, we were! They were so little and cried as soon as we got home because they were exhausted from meeting their new family (furry cousins included). It seems like just yesterday they were this...

Now they are all grown up and can sleep through the night - ha! But they still need their mama (and daddy), and they love being babied.

Oh the life of a dog...

Gertie - my sweet, independent, mothering girl who is often my little shadow

 Giddy - my affectionate, funny, "loud-mouth" girl who is a cuddle bug

Birthday treats were given, and of course, the girls loved them

Notice the blurry heads? That's because they were busy eating. Probably what they do best...other than sleeping of course. 

I'm so thankful for all the love and joy they bring into our lives. They make us laugh and love more and smile daily.
<3