reminder :)

don't forget to find us over here!

fresh start

so, i started a new blog, hoping to be reinspired! sorry for the change. hope you will still follow along! :)

find us over at the kemps!

Snow Day!!!

So sorry for the MIA status of this blog! School and basketball season have taken over our lives. But I do have lots of FUN stuff to share... eventually when I get my act together!

As for today, it's a SNOW DAY here in Abilene! So you will have to settle for my excitement about the snow! I am like a little kid! I have only been in the snow a handful of times, and it was the Texas kind of snow that either doesn't stick or barely sticks. But up here in Abilene- yes, I know, still Texas- the snow is beautiful! And also, the fact that I am on David's work computer means I only have some phone pictures to share. (College coaches don't seem to get 'snow days.')

First off, last night McMurry had an AWESOME win against Hardin-Simmons. McM and HSU were tied for first and are in the same town, so it was a big rivalry game with big rewards to the winner! Not only did McM win, but they dominated! It was such a fun game!After the game, David and I didnt leave the gym until after 11. It was sleeting and very icy, so I was crossing my fingers that school would be cancelled. I have to drive 40 minutes to work every day on highway, so I was very nervous to have to get on the roads. At 5:30 this morning, I read online and got 2 phone calls confirming that school was indeed cancelled! I turned off the alarm and snuggled back up with my hubby! Happy girl, for sure!

The snow was falling and SO pretty when we woke up this morning!

I was so excited to go out and play in it with the pups! David got the call that he was going to have to head up to the gym for practice, so I got bundled up and took the dogs out while he scraped and started the truck. Mickey was not a fan, while Nova was in heaven! He stood very still, shaking like a leaf, while she bounced around and dug her nose into the snow. Nova didn't even want to come inside! They were both so cute in it! And the snow was so pretty! It was probably about 2 inches deep in the backyard!

Thankfully, we made it to the gym without too much slipping on the icy roads. David is with the guys practicing, and I am just enjoying a day off from work and the SNOW! :)

It's our first snow together!

Stay warm everyone!

basketball season is here.

Well, I guess technically basketball season was here over a month ago. But game days have now arrived, and I am SO excited for this season.

The first game of the season (actually an exhibition) was in Houston a couple weeks ago. How perfect, right? I was not only able to be at David's first game as an assistant coach,

but I got to see my family!

My parents, sisters, brother, Mimi and Pappa, cousin, and I all headed to HBU

for McMurry's first appearance of the season.

It was a PACKED gym since it was HBU's homecoming.

And the game was awesome!!!

McMurry is a division 3 school- no scholarships- and HBU is a division 1 school- scholarships.

Well, McMurry WON!

It was so much fun!!!

McMurry had their first official game of the season this past Monday against Barclay College and won! I have lots of pictures from that game also, but blogger gave me enough trouble uploading these pictures. So you're just going to have to take my word for it- McMurry dominated! The final score was McMurry 82 Barclay 25.

The team is in North Carolina for a tournament this weekend, and I REALLY wish I was there. But I will settle for watching the games online.

Happy Thursday! (almost Friday!!!)

Chosen: (Half) Marathon for Adoption

We did it!!! Last weekend my sisters, mom, and friend (Calley) all finished the half marathon that we started training for back in August! Kimberly finished her's too- I'm super proud of her doing it all by herself all the way in Virginia! She's a rock star!

Unfortunately my mom-in-law couldn't join us, but she will be there for the next one! :)

My sisters both ran the whole thing- so proud of them! My momma walked her little tail off and finished with an awesome time! As for me, it definitely wasn't my best half marathon showing, but I crossed the finish line and it was a GREAT weekend.

The whole experience was a lot of fun to share. We are seriously discussing doing another one at the end of May. Want to join us???

Family Fun in Iowa

Last weekend David and I flew into Dallas and met my family! We all went to Iowa to celebrate Dane and Desiree's wedding. (Dane works with my dad, and Desiree is in my mom's rodeo group.) They are a sweet, sweet couple, and it was so nice of them to include us in their special weekend.

There were 8 of us, plus our luggage, so we rented a 12 passenger van to take us around for the weekend. It was quite the scene.

On Friday, we drove around the state of Iowa a bit, ate some sushi, and went to the rehearsal dinner at the bride's BEAUTIFUL home.

Saturday was the wedding, so we all piled into the van in the chilly weather.

The wedding was so sweet. Of course brought tears to my eyes! They gave every one these cool ribbon wands to wave around. At the reception, when ribbons were waved, the bride and groom had to kiss.

The gang.

Best parents EVER.

All the kiddos.

And the girls.

The reception was SO much fun! It was so great to hang out with my family and of course to dance the night away!

Our flight on Sunday wasn't until the evening so we decided to go bowling! There were lots of gutter balls, some spares, and even some strikes!

It was such a great weekend! I absolutely love my family. Doing anything with them is so much fun. Thank you Dane and Desiree for including us and giving us an excuse for an October family vacation!

Back with 100

Hello! It's been a while.. It's what happens to me when the school year starts. I become slightly MIA, but I am working on balance. I really do want to keep up with this blog- for my family and friends but also for David and I to look back at.

So here are 100 random things. I read Meredith's and thought it would be a good way to enter back into the blog world.

1. I absolutely love being married to my best friend.

2. It is so great that we live in the same city as his family.

3. I went to dinner with them last night!

4. I HATE that we live so far away from my family.

5. I am thinking about changing the name of the blog. I know I haven't been blogging very long, but I am just not feeling it any more.

6. I teach Kindergarten in Sweetwater, TX.

7. I LOVE my job.

8. My husband is out of town right now, but I have ESPN on because that's what we do on Saturdays.

9. I really dislike having to go to bed when David is out of town.

10. He loves his job, and I wouldn't change a thing about it.

11. I have big plans to clean the house today.

12. We still cannot park in the garage. :/

13. We have two sweet pups- Mickey (chihuahua) and Nova (black lab).

14. I love them to pieces. But could really do without their constant shedding hair.

15. David and I met at UT our sophomore year. At a fraternity party.

16. It was the first time I had been to one, and he wasn't in the fraternity yet.

17. I love taking pictures.

18. But I have been terrible at taking pictures since the wedding. :(

19. When my sisters and I get together, we more often than not share teacher stories.

20. I dream of the day that all 3 of us can teach together.

21. I wish Kimberly, Kevin, and Khloe lived closer. Like in the state!

22. I love Longhorn football.

23. I was a cheerleader for 10 years.

24. We went to Iowa with my family last weekend.

25. God has blessed my life far beyond my understanding.

26. I love school supplies.

27. I miss playing volleyball.

28. I want to know the Bible better.

29. I cannot wait to be a mom.

30. When we lived in Kingsville last year, I went to my Mimi and Pappa's after school at least once a week.

31. I really miss that.

32. I want to go shopping. But really don't need to.

33. David is 11 months younger than me.

34. There is a little boy in my class that gives me several funny stories a day.

35. I really dislike folding/putting away laundry.

36. We just recently bought a new truck.

37. I spend too many hours in my classroom every day. I need to work on that.

38. I wish the Longhorns had a game today.

39. I have a HUGE sweet tooth.

40. I enjoy cooking and baking. When I make the time.

41. I broke the rear tire rod in my car yesterday morning. Not the best morning.

42. Skinny vanilla latte is my Starbucks drink of choice.

43. My little brother is a junior in high school.

44. I love going to the beach.

45. David gets to go back to the Bahamas with his basketball team, but I have to work.

46. The first game of McMurry's basketball season is in Houston!

47. I can pass many, many hours reading teaching blogs.

48. I strive to be as good as my mentor teacher.

49. David and I like to go to Chili's on Friday nights.

50. Our bedroom is gray and orange.

51. I love Apple products.

52. I am running my 3rd half marathon in a couple weeks.

53. I haven't had a voice since school started.

54. David coaches college basketball.

55. Mexican food is wonderful.

56. My ring was David's grandmother's. It is beautiful.

57. Our wedding weekend was perfect.

58. I can't wait for my husband to get home tonight.

59. I have the most wonderful parents anyone could ask for.

60. I have taught for 3 years in 3 different grades in 3 different cities.

61. Each year has honestly been wonderful.

62. I am slightly blog obsessed.

63. I have brownies in my kitchen, ready to be baked.

64. I really want to go running, but haven't been able to muster up the energy with school and this cold/sinus infection.

65. I want 2 or 3 kiddos.

66. Pedicures make me feel so pampered.

67. The fall weather here in Abilene is beautiful.

68. I miss my friends in Austin.

69. We have 3 beautiful nieces!

70. I think Modern Family is so funny.

71. I am a terrible procrastinator.

72. I am the oldest child. David is the youngest.

73. I love being organized. But am definitely not always. Working on that.

74. My Mimi is one of the best cooks I know.

75. She sends me recipes in the mail. So sweet.

76. I love fruit and vegetables. But I also love any type of bread.

77. I think it is so cool to hear my students call me Mrs. Kemp.

78. I want a new camera lens.

79. Mickey and Nova are very funny when they play together.

80. I am 5'7" and my sisters are 5'2".

81. I had 2 maids of honor and David had 2 best men.

82. It is possible I think about school too much.

83. Sometimes I have to be reminded to "turn off my teacher talk."

84. I took pictures for the McMurry basketball team for their media guide.

85. I can't wait to get the CDs of all of our wedding pictures.

86. Our wedding video should be in our mailbox this week!!!

87. I love sushi.

88. I am so grateful for the family I have and the family I married into.

89. I love chocolate chip cookies.

90. Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Diet Dr. Pepper have all come back into my life, and I am trying to get away again.

91. I love the Target Dollar Spot.

92. I love Target. Period.

93. I love my parents so much.

94. I think my hands look prettier with acrylic nails.

95. I want to go back to the Caymans.

96. I have never been snow skiing.

97. I am not a fan of cold weather and am slightly nervous about winter in Abilene.

98. I am so excited for the holidays with David. And for decorating the house!

99. I really want to send a Christmas card this year.

100. I can't wait for all the memories David and I will make in our life together.

There ya go! I am going to try really hard to keep up with posting!