I had the strangest fitting room experience on Friday night, but it makes for a great story!

I was trying on a dress at LOFT.  (It’s super cute and I got it for $19.99!)  Steph and I asked one of the salespeople to help us find a cardigan to match it.  The lady first looks at me in my dress, turns to Steph, and says “She’s so tiny!”

She later returns with a cardigan…in ivory.  We were looking for purple or navy, but here she is with a piece of fabric the color of my skin.  She proceeds to help me put it on and then button it for me…right under the ruffles…that were on my chest…as she looks at Steph again and says “She has beautiful eyes, doesn’t she?”  Can we say awkward?

Needless to say, it looked terrible.  We had no luck finding a cardigan.  But her solution to the problem was by far my favorite of the night.  She ended with “Maybe she can come back in a few years and will have grown into the clothes.”  Really?  Last time I checked I hadn’t grown in 10 years, and there are 4 sizes smaller than me there, including a 00 petite, which is about the equivalent of a kids’ size 10.

So, just to clarify:

1. I am a 25 year old adult.

2. I’m not a munchkin.

Last year Mom began to make bows for Alli and I think she has one to match every outfit now.  Mom’s latest adventure has been creating clothing for Alli.  We find cheap outfits and embellish them with trim.  And, of course, there will be a matching bow.

Outfit #1 – Mom’s Design

Shirt and pants – $10

Trim – $8

Custom outfit, with matching bow – $18

Outfit #2 – Cat’s Design

Shirt and Pants – $6

Trim and Buttons – $10

Custom outfit (will have matching bow) – $16

Well, it’s a new year again.  2009 flew by.  It was quite a rollercoaster of a year, but those are the ones that you see God in the most.  Through all the ups and downs I was always reminded that our Lord is faithful and I am truly, truly blessed.  All that to say though, I am looking forward to a new year!

Can you believe it’s 2010?  I think I’m still struggling with the idea.

• It’s a new decade, which marks the 4th decade I’ve been alive in. Weird!
• It’s been 8 years since I graduated from high school and 4 years since I graduated from Baylor. Wow, where did the time go?
• This is my third year to teach.  There’s still part of me that’s surprised I made it this long!!!
• The kids I teach now were born after I graduated from high school.  The 80s to them is like the 60s to us.
• This is the year of turning 26.  That’s officially late 20s.  If the years keep flying by as they have been, we’ll be 30 before we know it.  But no worries, discussions are in the works for starting a “30th birthday trip savings fund.”
• Because we can’t wait 4 more years though, we will take the first of hopefully many girls’ cruises this year.  Hurry up August!

Ok, so after that somewhat depressing look into what 2010 means, here are a few “resolutions”, if you will.  I don’t really make New Year’s Resolutions, or goals, but here are my 2010 thoughts:

• Spend more time in God’s word.  Be more focused and disciplined in my walk with Christ.
• Be more genuine and authentic.
• Let go of the past and press on in this life God has planned for me.
• Be more positive in my job and continue to find ways to be a better teacher.
• Continue to invest in my friends and do a better job of keeping up with those who are far away.
• Learn new recipes.  Cook and bake more.
• Be more spontaneous.  Have fun.  Laugh a lot.
• Love people.

Here’s to another great year!  Love you all!

I’m back and have a lot of updating to do!  My 2009 came to a great end.  My family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I had some much needed time off and enjoyed spending time with my wonderful friends, old and new.  Work has calmed down tremendously, at least for now!  I have successfully completed my 30 hours of GT certification as well as a science curriculum field test.  YAY!

So, I know this is WAY late, but here is the December update!

My Uncle got married!

Steph and I saw lots of movies!

The Pearsons, Billmans, and Suttons got together for the first time in a LONG time!

Christmas on the Square in Frisco!

Awesome Christmas party with friends!

My family all spent the night at Chris and Amy’s to enjoy Christmas morning with Alli.  The Christmas Eve snow was BEAUTIFUL, but I must admit, traveling with the whole family, 2 dogs, luggage, and all the gifts was a bit stressful!  Once we were all together by the fire, we had a great time together.

Here are some pictures from Christmas Day!  I got the family matching Christmas plaid pajamas for our sleepover!

Of course, you already know, the day was all about Alli.  And she loved every bit of it.

It’s been a very long time since I have blogged.  Needless to say, life has been crazy lately.  On top of working long hours, taking a 30 hour course, and field testing a science program, I have kept busy outside of work as well!

Here are some October highlights!

The first weekend in October Steph and I gave ourselves a last minute staycation weekend at the Westin Stonebriar Resort.  Jen joined us on Friday night for queso, a movie in bed, and the hot tub.  Steph and I literally spend the rest of the weekend being lazy in those amazing beds and relaxing in the hot tub.  We desperately needed to check out of our daily lives for 24 hours!

The fourth weekend in October was Baylor Homecoming.  We had so much fun catching up with college friends and going to all of the traditional homecoming events: bonfire, alumni breakfast, parade and football game.

The last weekend in October was Halloween.  I joined Steph and her mom as well and Jen and her mom on a day trip to Canton.  I only bought one thing – the cutest little outfit for my perfect niece Alli!  That night my family went to the fall festival at Prestonwood.  Alli was the cutest little flower! (Pictures to come soon!)

I can’t believe it’s already November!  I am so excited that Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks and then it will be time to decorate for Christmas.  This will also mark a time when my work life starts calming down!  One more GT class and then I’m done getting my 30 hours!  And I finish my science field test in December!

Looking forward to another exciting month!  Don’t forget to check out www.suttontexas.com … I posted Alli’s most recent pictures there!

I will be joining several students and a few other teachers in donating my hair to locks of love in honor of a third grade student battling leukemia.  We will grow our hair out all year and have our ponytails cut off at a spirit day in May.  We are hoping to have at least 15 students participate.  The thought of seeing all of these children donating their hair in honor of a friend and classmate almost brings tears to my eyes.  I’m sure I will cry that day!

If you’ve known me for a while you remember me with long hair, so this is no big change for me.  But I must admit, I’m already getting a bit frustrated with my hair!

I love my job.

I have been working 10 to 12 hours a day.

I am exhausted.

The year started off at breakneck speed and hasn’t slowed down yet.

With all that said, I think it’s going to be a great year!  I work with an amazing team, have great kids, and incredibly supportive parents.

I love my friends.

I have the best friends ever.

We truly know how to have a fabulous weekend…especially when friends come in town!

I love them.

I love my family.

And I love her.

Last Week:

Work began.  I found out last Tuesday afternoon that I would be moving classrooms.  Our school renovations were still being finished, but I quickly began the process of moving the stuff out of my new room and moving my stuff in.  Thanks to the help of my mom, Chelsea, and Steph I had a great looking classroom by Friday!

This was also my last week to watch Alli.  I have really enjoyed my time with her, and I must say she’s bonded with me as well!

Last Weekend:

Well I had to get my work done to enjoy such a fun weekend!  After working hard on friday, Steph and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Luna, followed by half a movie before we started falling asleep!

Saturday morning the girls got together for The Time Traveler’s Wife and lunch.  The movie was good, but sad.  And I must admit, time travel confuses me a bit!

After a great lunch at La Madeline, Steph, Kristin and I went on the perfect birthday gift search for Jen’s 25th birthday.  After lots of creative ideas, we ended up with…

Saturday night a group of us got together at Grand Lux to celebrate Jen’s birthday.  We started with some appetizers at the bar while waiting for a table and the rest of our friends.

We then enjoyed a fabulous meal and dessert.  Overall, we ate for like 3 hours!  And they were kind enough to include my birthday in the celebration since it was missed in July!

My friends were a little sad that they hadn’t made it in a picture in my classroom, so they were kind enough to provide some cute gifts for my room.

We had so much fun talking and laughing, but I must say Jen’s gift was the biggest hit all over the restaurant.  I mean how could you miss this???

After dinner I joined Kristin, Alan, Jen, and Ryan to ring in Jen’s 25th with a midnight toast! What a fun day with friends!

On Sunday I enjoyed a beach camp condo reunion lunch after church.  I love these girls!

This Week:

This week was officially the end of summer and the beginning of a new year.  It was full of staff meetings, professional development, team meetings, and working in our classrooms.  I worked at least 12 hours every day and was EXHAUSTED by friday night.

Meet the teacher was Thursday night and I got to meet most of my students and their families.  I think it’s going to be a great year!  Although, I must admit, I’m a little worried about having 11 boys and 5 girls.  That’s a lot of little boys!

This Weekend:

I have devoted this weekend to rest and relaxation.  I was so tired on Friday that I opened a door on my toes at work, leaving one of my toenails purple! I’ve slept A LOT and worked a little in preparation for the coming first day of school. I can’t believe I’m about to begin my third year of teaching!

I’m living up these last few days of Summer!

Thursday: I watched Alli during the day on Thursday.  After her morning nap we headed to Prosper to have lunch with Steph.  Eating out with a one-year-old is always entertaining!

On Thursday night Steph and I enjoyed a movie and popcorn, followed by Yogurtville and hours of heart-to-heart conversation.  We saw (500) Days of Summer.  We really liked the movie and thought it had a great story line, but we honestly weren’t so sure of this outcome about halfway through the movie!

Friday: After meeting with my team to start planning for next year, I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon nap followed by MiCocina, Paciugo, and great conversation with a friend.

Saturday: We started the morning off early with a Mother-Daughter breakfast and Breadwinner’s.  By the way, the strawberry waffle is amazing!  Following breakfast we caught the first showing of Julie and Julia (got to love the $5 showing!).  Great movie!  I highly recommend it!

After the movie Steph and I took two sisters to Yogurtville and watched one of them eat the biggest yogurt creation I’ve ever seen!  We then let the girls go shopping while we ran an errand and attempted to plan a birthday party!

Saturday night Steph and I had Genghis Grill with the girls and enjoyed some shopping in Allen.  We definitely spent over an hour in Sephora!  Steph and I were on a long hunt for lip gloss and perfume.  Let’s just say we left smelling like Sephora!!!

Sunday: After a great morning of worship at church I met up with my mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and several friends for lunch.  Lauren, Amy, and I then went shopping and off to Sonic happy hour!

Sunday night I saw yet another movie with some friends!  This time it was a bit of a thriller, A Perfect Getaway.  I hadn’t really heard of it, but it turned out to be better than I expected after I had gotten my expectations pretty low!  I will always consider Hawaii a perfect getaway though, regardless of a silly movie about murderers on the Hawaiian islands!

Coming from a fan of lighthearted chick flicks and comedies, I would rank this weekend’s movies as follows:

3. A Perfect Getaway

2. (500) Days of Summer

1. Julie and Julia

Alli will turn one on August 3rd.  We celebrated on Saturday with a festive birthday party!  My dad and brother took over 300 pictures, so enjoy the brief recap!

Part One: Getting Ready

Mom, Amy and I spent most of the week decorating for the party.  By Saturday everything looked perfect!

 One of Chris’s coworkers made the cakes.  They looked (and tasted) great!

After eating her lunch, Alli opened her birthday present from Aunt Cathryn and Mama Jan.  It was her birthday outfit!  Some may think it was a little over the top, but we thought it was just perfect for our little darling!

She wore her pink pettiskirt with her white shirt, hand accented with flowers created by Mama Jan and a matching flower for her hair.  She also sported pink tennis shoes with white satin laces.

 

Part Two: Greeting the guests

Lots of family and friends came to celebrate Alli’s first birthday.  She had just woken up from a nap, so she was a little overwhelmed by all of the people at first, but of course she warmed up and had a great time!

 

Part Three: Opening presents

Alli is blessed to have so many people that love her and wanted to celebrate her birthday with her.  She was given many generous gifts, including a lot of new clothes, a napmat with a matching backpack and lunchbox for school, books, toys, a pink wagon, and a kitchen.  She really doesn’t understand opening gifts quite yet, but she loves the paper and bows!

 

Part Four: Cake!!!

Alli had her own giant cupcake!  After singing “Happy Birthday” to her, we put her cupcake on her high chair tray and let her go after it.  Only, she didn’t know what to do!  We had to encourage her to dig in and get messy!!!

 

Part Five: Group Pictures!

The Jones Family

The Sutton Family, four generations: Alli with mommy and daddy, Aunt Cathryn, Mama Jan and Pops, Gramps, Gigi, and Nana

Alli and her friend Shiloh with their Mommies

Happy Birthday sweet Alli!  You have brought so much joy to our lives this year!!!

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