September: Loves of the Month

READING
I definitely don't read as much when school is back in session.  I try and read every night but sometimes that is only 5 minutes before I start to fall asleep.  I finally finished Little Bee by Chris Cleave.  It was pretty good and I can't believe it took me this long to read it.  It has been sitting on my bookshelf for probably 3 years! I am currently reading The Book Of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick. Another book that has been on my shelf for sometime now. It is a Young Adult book that I wanted to see if it was good enough to add to my classroom library.  So far I like it but it might be a little scary for 4th graders.

WATCHING
We did not watch any movies in September.  We didn't think anything looked that good or couldn't agree on something.
September marked the beginning of the new fall season so all my favorite shows finally started back up. They only new show I started watching is The Blacklist.  
We also said good-bye to one of the greatest shows, Breaking Bad. Definitely one of the best series finale episodes.

MUNCHING
Pumpkin Spice Latte's from Starbucks.  Favorite time of year!!

LISTENING
Drake's Hold On

FAVORITE THING ABOUT SEPTEMBER
My Fall themed bridal shower hosted by three great friend!!

Justice Family Reunion 2013

Back in February my cousin Darin decided to try and plan a family reunion for the Justice side of the family (my mom's side).  It all came together and Jason and I headed to Iowa to join in on the fun. Jason has not met many of my family members so this was a great time to get to know some of them before our wedding.

The festivities started on Friday night with a dinner at my cousin Teri's house.  We were the last one's to arrive so it was a little overwhelming seeing everyone at once (especially for Jason) but it was also great to see family I haven't seen in a while.  Teri did a great job decorating a beautiful table outside for all of us to enjoy a dinner of BBQ pork/beef sandwiches and salads.

 

My family

 

Cousin picture re-created

 

The weekend also happen to be the first weekend of the Iowa State Fair.  The Iowa State Fair happens to be the best fair in the country! My brother, Jason, and I decided to go Friday night.  It was crazy busy and crowded but worth every minute.  We didn't get to see much and I wish we could have spent a day there but I am glad I at least got a little fair time in.  

Saturday we got up early to play golf.  We were divided into teams of 4 to play best shot. Jason was with my brother, Aunt Nedra, and Uncle Dale.  I was with my cousin Darin, Heather, and her husband Eric.  It was a fun afternoon filled with a few beers and a few laughs.  It definitely made me want to start golfing again.  

The teams

Top: The family; teeing off; the beautiful view
Bottom: Heather and I, enjoying a refreshing beverage

After golf we hung out and had a BBQ at my cousin Darin's house.  Of course a Justice family event would not be complete without a Gin card tournament.  I remember when I wasn't old enough to play on a team yet and my grandma, Anna, would teach me to play.  It is one of my best memories and she prepared we well for when I turned 10 and I was allowed to be on a team.  I was paired again with my cousin Darin.  We lasted a few rounds but sadly did not make it to the end.  

 

On the last day we all met up for breakfast at the Iowa Machine Shed.  It is right next to Living History Farms which I remember going to as an elementary kid.  It was a yummy breakfast!! Afterwards we took some family photos. 

 

 

 It was a great weekend and can't wait for us to do it again!

August: Loves of the Month

READING:
A Painted House by John Grisham and I am currently reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave.

WATCHING:
Movies: Mud and 42 both really great movies.
TV: Hell on Wheels (even though I hate that it is on Saturday nights now) and the final season of Breaking Bad. AMC definitely has some of the best shows on television!

MUNCHING:
Nature Valley Oatmeal Squares.  Since I am back to work, I needed a new snack to hold be over between breakfast and lunch time.  I usually have the Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars but I decided to try something a little different this time.  These are yummy!

LISTENING:
Katy Perry's Roar
Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines
Calvin Harris's I Need Your Love

FAVORITE THING(S) ABOUT AUGUST:
1. My parents visiting.
2. Justice Family Reunion. Post about this weekend is in the making but I have been so busy I haven't finished it yet. Here is a few pictures from the weekend.

3. Going back to work.  Even though it is the most stressful time of the year, seeing how excited my kids are to have me as their teacher is priceless:)

5 on Friday

ONE
This is the last weekend of summer vacation.  I can't believe it is over but I am looking forward to going back to work on Monday.  Thankfully students don't return to school for another week so I can ease back into a normal schedule.  Last summer was amazing with my trip to Europe and buying a house but this summer was also one to remember.
Minnesota Trip
Bachelorette Party in California
Birthday Weekend
Michigan Trip
Surprise Bridal Shower from my co-workers

Good-bye summer but it only means we are even closer to our wedding!!

TWO
It has been great spending time with my parents this past week.  They have been in South Carolina for almost 9 months and I haven't seen them since last November.  I am excited that they are going to be around until the wedding and look forward to spending even more time with them.  They are even going to help me take care of the dogs next week since Jason will be out of town and I have to go back to work.

Enjoying First Friday with the parents

THREE
Headed to Iowa this weekend for a Justice Family Reunion.  Looking forward to seeing everyone and introducing Jason.  Jason has not meet many of my family members so it will be nice for them to meet him before the wedding.  It will be a weekend full of good food, good company, card games, golfing, and possibly a little Iowa State Fair appearance.

Hoping to re-create this picture over the weekend of my cousins and I

FOUR

I sent my wedding invites last week and have already received some RSVP cards! So excited and can't wait until October 19th!!

Mailing my invites

FIVE

I am really going to miss spending time with my babies pup dogs.  I will miss our naps together and sunbathing in our backyard.  LOVE THEM!

DIY Project: Burlap Wreath

I have been wanting to make an everyday wreath for a long time.  When I received a Hobby Lobby gift card I thought it would be a perfect time to make one.  I follow a few blogs and saw a wreath I liked on this one. All of the supplies you need are at your local Hobby Lobby and probably at other craft stores.  Even better was the fact that the burlap was 50% off!  All together it cost me less than $20 to make.  I also purchased a "B" to paint and add to the wreath once I become Mrs. Betts!

There is no pattern to making this.  Just start weaving the burlap and pulling it loose to make the loops.  It took me a while to get started but once I did it went pretty fast.  I didn't use any glue or pins.  I tucked the ends into the wreath to hid them and the flower had a wire stem that I just wrapped around one side.  I am pretty happy with the finished product!

July: Loves of the Month

READING: I haven't really read anything blog worthy.  Just reading some easy John Grisham and James Patterson books we have on our bookshelf.

WATCHING:
MOVIES: We recently watched Hitchcock which is about the story of how Alfred Hitchcock's most famous movie "Psycho" was made.  It was a pretty good movie.  We also watched Evil Dead which was definitely not my pick.  I hate scary movies but Jason loves them.  He enjoyed it but I was in and out for most of the movie.

TV:  Just A LOT of reruns of The Hills, 90210, and The Big Bang Theory. 

MUNCHING:
I am OBSESSED with my homemade banana ice cream.  I found the recipe on Pinterest here but made a couple changes.

4 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
2 tbsp of honey
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup milk (the orginial recipie calls for almond milk but whatever milk you use should work}
1 tsp vanilla extract

Place banana slices in the freezer for at least 3 hours.  The original recipe says to place them in a single layer on a tray lined with parchment paper but I just put them in a zip lock bag so I can use for future use. In a food processor pulse frozen banana slices, milk, vanilla and 2 tbsp syrup, scraping down the sides as necessary, until the mixture is the texture of soft-serve ice cream. Spoon into bowls and top with whatever toppings you like.  I use dark chocolate chips and chopped pecans.   I freeze what is ever left.  It stays good except that is is no longer soft-serve ice cream.   

LISTENING
I Want Crazy by Hunter Hayes.  I especially loved it when he sang with Danielle Brandbery on the season finale of The Voice.

All the ladies who came to celebrate

FAVORITE THING ABOUT JULY
I had some great memories of July.  
1. It was my birthday 
2. Jason and I had a great trip to Michigan
3. My co-workers gave me a surprise bridal shower

5 on Friday

ONE
3 months until our wedding!! I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday we got engaged and now it is almost here.  I have been finishing up our invitations so they should be in the mail soon.  I have also been finalizing the "day of schedule".  The control freak in me needs a plan and I want to make sure I know when all the vendors (and me) will be coming.

TWO
I love my pup dogs! I especially like taking them on long hikes/walks with Jason on beautiful days.  We love going to Smithville Lake (it is where we got engaged) and walking the trail to Sailboat Cove.  It is 2.6 miles each way so it is pretty good exercise as well.  Last Saturday we took the dogs there and actually let them go for a swim in the lake.  They LOVE to swim, especially Charlie.  His little webbed feet make him a pretty good swimmer.  This weekend is suppose to be pretty nice again so we will probably take the dogs somewhere.

THREE
Running! I HATE to run.  People have told me that once you begin you will start to love it.  This is SO untrue! I have been trying to get into a running habit for about 3 months now and hate every minute of it.  I first started on the treadmill which is nice because it is flat and I can set my own speed.   I have now moved outside but am only running 1 mile at a time.  Jason has even started joining me.  We have been getting up before he goes to work.  Even though I still HATE to run, I have been getting a little better each time.  When I first started I could only run about 5 minutes before I would stop, now I am running 1 mile non-stop. Maybe next week I will start running more than 1 mile.  We will see....

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

FOUR
I am loving this weather right now!  Last summer was crazy hot and uncomfortable.  This summer we have had some hot days but also some cooler days to help mix it up.  The forecast for this weekend looks FABULOUS!!

FIVE
I have AMAZING friends/co-workers.  Last night I thought I was headed to my book club but to my surprise it was actually a bridal shower for me! I had no idea and was completely shocked.  I am happy I actually showered and did my hair before going.  I didn't even have make-up on!  I don't have any pictures to post now because I wasn't really prepared but my friend will be emailing the pictures she took to me.  I will write a post about the shower when I get the pictures.