***Snow* and *Birthdays***

Well...well...well....

Who would've thought we'd get snow in Louisiana!? It was a surprise - a very delightful and enjoyed one too! My students were so excited about the idea of snow on Friday. It was absolutely beautiful. Though it was brief, seeing the snow flurries through the window while I ate dinner at Johnny Carinos with my family for my birthday just made it really feel like Christmas. It left a little thin blanket on the ground; however, that QUICKLY disappeared once the sun came up!

I think the one thing I really miss about living in Arkansas is the cold weather. I mean, in Arkansas you have a true summer and a true winter. In Louisiana, it's just... well... meh... that's the only thing I can say about Louisiana weather. I hate not being able to enjoy ALL of the seasons. Even Spring is hot. The only season that's even enjoyable is fall! Anyway, the snow was appreciated and enjoyed. Raegan didn't seem to know what to think about it; however, she's still not gotten the whole rain thing down yet.

Raegan tickles me to death every stinkin' day! She's definitely a morning baby. You could be the grouchiest person in the morning, and she'll cheer you up! It's a joy going to get her in the morning because I know she's going to be standing up in her crib just waiting for someone to peek into her room, only to greet you with a huge double tooth grin! She's a blessing! She's learned to share, somewhat. A few days ago, I sat on the couch with her and a handful of goldfish. I'd hand her a goldfish, and she'd put it in her mouth. After eating a few, she decided she was going to put the goldfish in MY mouth. So sweet..

My birthday was great. My students have been showering me with little odds and ends all week! I've gotten too many candles, some bath and body, cake, jolly ranches, etc... Joey got me the cell phone I wanted. I got it a week early so I didn't really have anything to open for my birthday, but he and I went out of town yesterday to celebrate. We initially intended on going to Natchitoches for the Festival of Lights. Actually, we DID go to Natchitoches, but after driving around in horrible traffic, not being able to find a parking spot, and only finding a parking spot in the ghetto of the ghetto, we decided that we'd rather not part there and have to struggle through finding our way back through the ghetto to our vehicle. So, instead, we found our way back to the interstate and went to Shreveport instead. We went to the Boardwalk and shopped for the remainder of our Christmas presents. I believe we're all done! Then, we ate at the Cheesecake Bistro. Can you say "YUMMMMY!" We stuffed ourselves and then topped it off with cheesecake! It was a fun day for us. It's not often we get time to ourselves.

Raegan got to go to a birthday party today. Christy's daughter, Kahlan, turned one, and Raegan got to wear a birthday party hat and eat cake and icecream (just a little, of course). She also helped Kahlan open all of her presents. I can tell Christmas is going to be a blast! She really loved tearing into the paper, and she especially loved all of the presents underneath the paper! Too bad they weren't hers to bring home!

Back to work for two weeks, and then I'm out for two weeks! I'm looking forward to it! I love my job... but I'm SOOO ready for a break!

love love love to all of our family and friends!!!