My FUN Valentine...

This past Valentine's Day was awesome. The week started with me getting a beautiful "just because" purple rose arrangement from The Hubby which was awesome; and then on Valentine's Day I received another (this one with orange roses) - both with handwritten notes and were simply awesome. Mr. Swann can be such a sweetie at times - too bad he wasn't stateside for me to "love on" in person. It was a great day...

My "just because" bouquet

My Valentine bouquet

As for Valentine's Night I attended a concert at L'Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles. I was invited by a coworker and purchased the tickets months ago, only to realize that the concert was Valentine's Night the week prior and I would be attending as the "third wheel" to her and her husband! Nonetheless, I went along and had a ball. We sent text messages to the teleprompters, sang along, and danced in the aisles; I didn't feel like a third wheel at all and she was right behind me when I decided to run up to the stage to catch a rose (well more like snatch a rose) but it WAS intended for me. The concert was great and Boys II Men performed many of their hits to which I sang along so loudly, I was hoarse the next day.

Texting fun..(check out the message at the bottom)

The lady in front of me grabbed mine!

Take two...

I got my rose!!

After the concert we drove to Coushatta Casino Resort which felt like another hour away but was probably more like 15-20 minutes (I think I fell asleep on the way) and met up with another co-worker and some friends to dance the night away in the Casino's dance club. I really enjoyed myself and danced the night away. I was dropped off about 4:30 am and remember nothing of the ride but arriving at home, it was seriously past my bedtime!!! I haven't stayed out that long since....well I can't remember. And I know just why I don't as I had to get right up and have Robert at an 8 am soccer game that morning...it was not a good look. I slept all day on Saturday and it literally took until Sunday night to recuperate. They, on the other hand, went right back out o Sat and asked was I attending....I think I'm too old with too many commitments for that type of lifestyle regularly. But, I did enjoy myself immensely...and even got to talk to the Hubby via Skype right before I dozed off that night (well morning),

I hope everyone enjoyed their day as much as I did...

Raina, Kelly and I

5K Color Run for a Cause

I did it!! My first 5K in over a year and it was great fun. This event's theme included being splashed by bursts of color periodically throughout the course. There was pink, blue, yellow, orange, purple and I believe green color bursts and I made it through each one in my all white attire (a stipulation for the run). All proceeds went to Hope Village, a local one-stop shop of resources within the community that serves the disadvantaged, less-fortunate, and those who simple are down on their luck. When I first arrived In DeRidder I volunteered at one of their subsidiaries God's Food Box, a local food bank and pantry, I really enjoyed helping out and giving back to those in need. And it was a great way to really get to know and understand the community of which I was transplanted. I haven't been able to donate time since due to work hours, but I still donate food items as much as I can.

So with a determined spirit, I ran the entire thing with my new Walgreen brand headphones (I lost my Beats ear buds at the gym - still distraught over that) and even held a pretty solid pace. Nonetheless, it would be nice to get it done in under 30 minutes (my time was 43.59) There's always next time...Now if I can just get all of this blue pigment from off of mys skin, the other colors came off pretty easily (I have a feeling this blue is gonna take several attempts).

The only way to fail is to never try

OK, Let's get it! White is NOT flattering, lets add some color...

Blue and Pink done - selfie while running!

Preparing to run through purple

My hand looks so pretty - I think I'm ready for Holi!

The orange team is ready for me...

Another selfie while running (mouth open, gasping for air) HA

At the finish line I see a familiar face - AHF gym manager!

I did it!!!!

Can u imagine the looks I got while driving home? They were pretty comical.

Let It Snow!!!

It really happened! I can't believe it, I am actually in awe! It snowed in SWLA (Southwest Louisiana)!!! Well this phenomenon of snow is not something new to the natives; I was informed that it snowed quite regularly in their childhoods and they would sled using things like trashcan lids, cardboard boxes, and anything else with a smooth surface that could go down a hill! It reminded me of winters at home in MD and doing the same things in the snow. But as I have been here for a little over 3 years, I have yet to experience this event...until today!

It snowed last night and in preparation for their wintery event, schools were informed that they would be closed on Friday; so Thursday afternoon as the announcement was made, cheers rang out school-wide and made me laugh to myself in my empty classroom. The pure joys of childhood does get me at times :). I, on the other hand, sneered at the thought of the entire parish shutting down for what would be considered flurries up North and thought everyone was seriously overreacting. But I guess the thought of something occuring that hasnt in 3 yrs at minimum could do that to a town.

So we all waited and last night as the temps dropped and the sleet mixture started, I saw no accumulation of snow. However, my friends to the North in Leesville had already begun experiencing their "snowstorm" and posting FB pics! I was now convinced that it was all just another overblown weather forecast. But when I awoke, to my surprise there was a blanket pf snow covering the town! I actually snowed...

My snow accumulation the evening before!

I'm sure it was only 1/4" at maximum, but it was snow. And I took advantage of it by taking out the boys (Rah of whom doesn't remember being in significant snow even though he has) and having some family winter fun!

Rah standing with the neighborhood snowman

Rah makes his first snow angel!

 

Ski pants, boots, and mittens w/ strings!

Rah and mommy

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My snow angel!

Rah's 1st attempt at a snowball

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Garr finally decided to come out and play!

My boys!

Garr's snowball...

Rah after getting hit by Garr's snowballs! HA

All smiles!

Me & my babies

It's the End of the Year

It's the end of the year and I must say it has been quite an eventful one. And as such, this year we have decided to remain in LA for the holidays (even though up until now I'm considering options for a getaway). I can't seem to stay still for long.

I was offered a full-time staff position in my dream classroom, both Garr and Rah enjoyed an organized sport and we're quite the athletes, we got to experience a wonderful Bahamian vacation, and Daddy Swann is embarking on his new career goals and was recently offered the career opportunity he'd been waiting on all year!

I have no doubt that 2014 is going to be even more of a whirlwind; a stress-filled, love-laden, bunch of experiences that when in the moment appear totally overwhelming and all-consuming, but in hind-sight, nothing more than ...life.

Here's to 2014 and all of the obstacles and achievements it has to offer. I'm prepared...

The Child, The Teen, & The Parents

Not quite 2 months since my last my last blog but these kids have been keeping me quite busy. Football season has officially come to an end for both boys and sadly enough no playoffs in sight for either the DJHS Dragons or the Swamp Dragons (well I guess I'm not too sad 'cause I actually get to sleep in at least THIS Saturday). Both Garr and Rah also made honor roll with straight A's and B's and are doing well academically, as for behaviorally....well they are my sons and well I guess genetically inclined to be impulsive (and that's not generally good for overall classroom management). Hopefully, Rah will mellow out as he ages as Garr has done but needless to say it doesn't end with the addition of the teenage factor.

Go, Garrett!!!

Yay, Robert!!!

In between all of the weekly practices and weekend games there was a Masquerade Ball, Fair Day Festivities, Fall School Festivals & Halloween (all of which we simply enjoyed in full Swann Style)!

So now, all caught up until the holidays...

Masquerade Collage

I like the hubby in his tux!

 

Fair Day Parade

Fair Day Animals

Fair Day Rides

Tired Parents

My Church Boys

Mr. & Mrs. Swann

Mamma and her babies

Fall Festival Games

Halloween Horrors

Goulish Garr

Rah went as an ethnic modernized Chucky Doll!

 

Happy Halloween 2013