School Boy

Andres is going back to school! YAY! Since we are in process of obtaining his green card, he can now qualify for in state tuition...whew! As an international student, tuition was around 1500 for 12 hours, now as a local, in state student, his tutition is only 764 for 12 hours. He got all registered and is gearing up for being back in school. I am really excited for him.

We Did Give Thanks

For Thanksgiving this year, Andres and I went to visit my mom and Terry in North Idaho. We had a great time. We rode horses, tended a sick calf, cooked and ate until I thought we would burst. It was a nice break and a wonderful visit. I have 5 younger brothers and sisters and we had a really fun time hanging out with them. While we were there we also celebrated Christmas. We are back in Texas and back to work, sigh! Only 2 more weeks until Christmas break! YAY!!! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Who's that Lady?!?

I finally had enough! I wacked my hair off this weekend and I love it. I think Andres likes it too...I hope he does. Check out the before and afters.

My Voice Was Heard

Today, I voted for the very first time. Can you believe that? I was old enough to vote in the last presidential election, but didn't know what I was doing and didn't vote. But I voted today, I exercised my right and am feeling really proud. My voice was heard today and that is a really cool feeling. I voted for President and FOR the Tyler ISD bond issue...hopefully they will break ground on my new school campus in February if it passes.


I hope you voted today too and are sharing this same proud feeling.

USCIS Update!!

Yesterday we received an appointment notice from USCIS about Andres' Biometrics appointment. He will go next week to Dallas to have his fingerprints and pictures done. Things are moving along nicely. I am excited that things have been so smooth so far. Hope it stays that way. HA!

Golden Apple Educator

Today I was honored with the Golden Apple Educator Award. CBS News 19 chooses teacher in and around Tyler and they chose me. I am very excited and very proud of the award. Check out the video below. The cutie in the video is one of my kindergarten students.

Ballroom Dancing...what?!?!

Andres and I joined a gym. We get a huge discount becuase I am a TISD employee...and I am so excited because they have Ballroom Dancing on Monday nights as a class. We are so going to do that. We have made a commitment to lose some weight and get in better shape. I am back on Weight Watchers and doing good so far. I am also trying to cook at home as much as I can and not from a box...I didn't grow up eating from a box so I really want to hone my cooking skills for when we have children...I don't want to feed my family from a box. It is also a way to know exactly what is in the food I am eating and easier to control portions at home. If you have any good recipes you would like to share...I would love it. I can't wait to start our Ballroom Dancing classes! I will let you know how it goes.

This picture was taken at the Tyler Rose Museum right before the wedding in August. This is the heaviest I have ever been. I am anxious to get in shape. I know I will feel so much better and be able to do so much more. I will keep you posted on our progress.

I've Got A Golden Ticket!

Well not an actual golden ticket, but it sure feels like it to us. We got our reciepts from USCIS for all 3 cases we mailed in with what seemed like a million dollars. USCIS, if you are unfamiliar is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Serivce, I think...it used to be the INS. We sent Andres' papers in for his work permit, adjust his status, and the petition for an Alien Relative now that we are married. It was a lot of work, but its all done and now it's in the good Lord's hands. We really felt like little Charlie as he found that last golden ticket when we checked the mail on Friday! I am just excited to know that it is all underway! Wish us luck!

Good Old Fashioned Car Care

Well, Andres' radiator sprung a leak, actually 2 leaks! It was a mess! I was totally freaking out and didn't know what we were going to do, but luckily some very good advice came by way of my mom and step-dad. A little JB Weld and a bottle of Stop Leak and we were good to go. It's still holding up. Hopefully we can make it until summer and then look at some car buying options. It really was fun fixign the car. There we were, not a clue what we were doing but having a good ol' time none-the-less. Check out the pictures...I was a huge help...with cold beer in hand, I had it figured out! ha ha.

Local Celebrity!

Well, maybe celebrity is a little exaggeration, but I was on TV. I teach a free, public community sign language class. I really enjoy being able to share my passion with others. It is a very rewarding experience for me, so I was uber excited when CBS 19 News here in Tyler wanted to do a story about my sign language class.

The camera man came and filmed me teaching my class on Monday night and Tuesday, Meghan McDermott from the station came to my classroom to interview me. It was a lot of fun. Megan finished the story for her Eye on Education spot and it aired on Tuesday evening. I was so proud to be a part of such a positive story. Check out the video.

Baby Belluga....

Andres took me to SEA WORLD! Oh My Gosh...maybe the greatest place on Earth...at least in Texas. We had so much fun and I found the new love of my life...the Belluga Whale...they were so sweet. We were there for 2 days...it was so much fun! We saw Shamu, the Viva show, which are the Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Belluga Whales, the seal lion show, took our picture with the Budwiser Clydesdales and Neo the sea lion, fed the dophins and sea lions, saw the 4D Pirates movie...just too many fun things to even name. I even got to touch the dolphins...it was so cool! And.....we ate tons of yummy food.
We even went to the Riverwalk...San Antonio did not disappoint. I had so much fun on my mini vacation...now I need a vacation to recover...ha ha. Check out the photos!

School Days...

School started back on August 25. It has been a wild and crazy 6 weeks. I just love my job and students. It is so fun. Clarkston has really grown...as a result, fthere had to be 2 new classrooms added. SOOOO....I had to move from my inside classroom into a portable classroom after school had already started. It was a huge mess but I really love my new little space. I will post some pictures of my classroom soon.

Wedding!!!

Well, we did it! We got married on August 16, 2008. It was the most perfect day. It was beautiful weather, great food, tons of friends and family and Andres and I saying "I Do!" We had a wonderful time! We couldn't have asked for a better day.

We want to thank everyone who helped pull off our special day: Shanna, Karri, and Mr. Scott. Thanks so much! We couldn't have done it without you.

Honorary Colombian!

Tonight was my first attempt at making arepas all by myself, well mostly by myself. I have a wonderful soux chef and arepa sensei, Magda! We had a lot of fun and my Arepas Repletas de Queso turned out beautifully! Arepas are a traditional Colombian food made from precooked corn meal; masa. They can be filled with cheese, meat or chicken, or just plain. I am very proud of my arepas and Andres really liked them...Magda even said I make arepas like Colombian people...ha ha!

Millie Update

The diagnosis was confirmed, Millie had lymphoma. She was very sick and in a lot of pain. My parents had to put her to sleep last week. It was a hard time for all of us, as we lost a member of our family. Love you, Millie.

The Countdown Has Begun...

It has been a while since I have written...I have only been a little preoccupied with 12 hours of grad school, wedding plans, working at Tyler Junior College, statewide conference for educators of the deaf, and babysitting little Jack...slightly full plate.

Well, we are only 13 days from our wedding! WOW. It is hard to believe, I can't wait! Andres' mom is flying in on Thursday evening...he is so ready to see her, it has been 5 years. She will be staying with us for 10 days...I am really excited to witness the reunion!

On a sad note, my parent's dog (Dad and Brenda), Millie, has been diagnosed with cancer. We are very sad but know that she is here for a very specific purpose. She is just as much a member of our family as any of us. Please say a prayer for her.

I will try and update more often as I find interesting tidbits of life to share and then find the time to post it up. Love ya'll!

Lindsey & Andres

Testicles, Testicles, 1 - 2...can you hear me?

Hello.

Now that we have your attention. This is Lindsey and Andres. We are a young, almost married couple living in the thriving metropolis of Tyler, Texas with our 3 dogs, Oskar, Hogan, and Andy Roddick. Hmmm, what now? A little about ourselves? Lindsey is a K-2 deaf ed teacher, aspiring homemaker, and general pain in the ass. Andres is a tennis instructor, coffee connoisseur, and all around lovable guy. WOW! Who is writing this? We will marry on August 16, 2008 and are loving every minute of it.

Now, to the true rulers of the house, the dogs. Oskar is a crotchety little guy who is quite fond of Lindsey, hiding under the bed, and driving Andres absolutely crazy. Hogan is a laid back, lazy little fellow who literally does nothing. Andy Roddick is the newest addition to the family who has quickly acquired the lounging habits of Hogan; true contortionists who live for the "dead roach" position for all their daily naps.

This is our first attempt at blogging and guarantee pointless ramblings and muses for you enjoyment and pleasure.