The Latest Happenings

I have gotten to a point where I don't really have exciting things happening on a weekly basis. I thought about trying to do short little inserts each week, but it would get very redundant in the sense that you would hear about me going to work, watching basketball, and sleeping.  A very uneventful time. So the longer the wait, the longer the blog. I promise I will try to keep it short and simple!

Since my last post, life has mainly just been basketball. (Pictures to follow) The main event, however, was my parents being able to visit us here in Monroe this last weekend. We had so much fun being able to take them around and enjoy the different happenings. They arrived late Thursday and headed out yesterday afternoon. We started the trip off on Friday to Vicksburg, MS. We took them around the Vicksburg Battlefield and then on to the casino. No, we didn't really gamble, or lose any money, more just sight seeing and people watching.

Saturday we were able to watch one of Keith's basketball games and then enjoy the Monroe Mardi Gras parade. I tried warning the parents about what was about to come, and even though it is not near as wild as New Orleans, you still are able to see plenty of craziness in the Monroe streets. Sunday we took dad and mom to one of our favorite restaurants on the water and enjoyed a beautiful day.  Throughout the weekend, there were lots of cards played, with a score tab for the entire weekend. Unfortunately, I was on the losing side of things, and Dad pulled out the win again for the weekend. We had to start pulling cards for teams, because we wanted to "mix" it up, but I think it was more so they didn't leave me out of getting picked last. I am so glad they were able to come down and enjoy some time in the warmer weather!

Here are a couple pictures from the last few weeks! Enjoy.

Mike and I after a Warhawk win in Lafayette

 

Keith and I at the Pink Game!

 

 

 

6 month old Mardi Gras Princess

 

 

 

How do you get beads?!?!

 

Erik and Sheila enjoying the parade with us!

A New Year and Another Year Older

This year started off with a bang. I returned from Christmas break with no delays and ready to bring in the New Year. This year is not far along, but it has already been a great year!

I started with a New Year’s celebration here in Monroe. I feel that this holiday is always one that I get so excited for and have all these ideas of what I want to do to bring in the New Year and I always end up enjoying it with friends and having a great night right where we hang out any other night. A perfect way to start 2014.
 

 

The best part about January is that it is my birthday month. Although some people do not agree with celebrating all month, I take full advantage of it and love every minute of it. I started my birthday early, by having a visitor fly into town to celebrate with me. Andrea was able to take off work and head this way. We started in Shreveport, doing all the sight seeing we could before the rain began. Throughout the weekend we were able to have pedicures, basketball games, food, drive thru daiquiris, Duck Dynasty, and lots of laughs and memories. It was so nice to get to see her and enjoy some girl time during my birthday week. After a busy weekend, I enjoyed a nice laid back actual birthday, watching my favorite movies and enjoying my favorite supper!

 

                                          

            

                          

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                          

 The most exciting part of this new year is a decision I have been planning for awhile and it finally has come true. I decided and was accepted into the Graduate Program at ULM. I am looking forward to this opportunity and hope that within two years I will be graduating with my Master’s degree. I never thought this was something I would want to do, but being a part of the college atmosphere has got me back on track and ready to do this!

 

I have already have had such a great year and cannot wait for what is to come!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Break

Since college, this has been the longest and most relaxing break I have ever had. Now that I work at ULM, we get a holiday break that can't be beat!

Before we left Monroe, we welcomed Keith's parent's and one of their friends to watch Keith's home tournament. Besides watching basketball, there were so many activities we were able to do and lots of sight seeing. I had so much fun taking them around Monroe and showing them all the "hot spots". I am so glad they could come down and spend a couple days since Keith's break isn't as long over the holidays.

Shortly after they had left, Keith headed to Vegas with his basketball team and I headed North, for the holidays! Our family celebrated Christmas early, so everyone could be there, as well as, make their other sides of the family also. Our weekend started loud, and pretty much just got louder. With 9-10 adults in the house, plus four kids all under the age of 4, what do you expect. After getting used to it, we had a blast! There was lots of laughter, games, SNOW, and gifts. It was so much fun to have everyone together and just spend time with each other.  The kids love being together and it is so much fun to watch them all grow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On actual Christmas, it was down to dad, mom, and I. We did nothing! It was so much fun to lay around and watch Christmas movies all day. We actually ended up doing that for the next two days and watched almost every Hallmark movie there was. The next couple days included meeting up with friends, spending time with the family that was left, playing cards, and going to the new Hunger Games movie, "Catching Fire".

I had such a great time being able to spend it with my family.  I am so blessed and realize, again how lucky I really am to have such amazing family and friends in my life. I am excited to start this new year and see what life has to bring!!