Dr. Seuss and Winter Goose-Bumps

January is beginning to end rather quickly and it has been especially cold this year (goosebumps). So far this month I've had a lot to blog about, but I haven't made the time to do it. So here it goes: I had one week off of school because of snow, attended the Motor Trend car show, coached a young women's basketball game, reunited with my mom, Cassidy, and her mom, read most of Dr. Seuss' classics and cooked green eggs and ham at school, trained for a half marathon, attended a cooking class at Twigs, tried my first Zumba class, cheered on a student at his rec basketball game, attended a baby shower for Amy, and visited with Natalie, Elise, Carson and the rest of the Conklin family. Those are things that popped into my mind first, and I'm sure there was probably more. I have decided that I need a new (better) camera in order to be a more effective blogger (donations gratefully accepted). I wish I had captured images of some of these events.

Most of all lately, I have enjoyed getting back into the routine of things at home, especially spending time with Kevin. We are so fortunate at this time to have schedules that allow us to have time off together. We both eagerly await Friday nights when we can go on a date, Saturdays when we can sleep in late and Sundays when we can rest and relax together.

New Year-New Goals

Our 2010-2011 winter break was relaxing and rejuvenating. We spent Christmas Eve with the Conklin family at MiMi's Steakhouse (a favorite) in Greenville. The white Christmas split between the Christophers in Spartanburg and Conklins in Simpsonville. Time after Christmas with the Christophers in Knoxville. New Year's with the Conklins in Simpsonville and one day at home in Pendleton. Well it only felt like one day after all that traveling, but I think we really had a couple of days to ourselves. But seriously, we are truly happy we have family within driving distance to share these special times with.

The first full week back to school and back to real life was fun and rewarding. I forgot how much I love my precious children! They somehow seem to have come back from Christmas break full of energy, excitement and eager to learn. All of my students' scores increased on a standardized test. One of my wonderful classroom assistants was named Staff Person of the Month. And I helped a student complete his 6th grade science fair project. Wednesday night Mutual with the youth at church was awesome. For date night, Friday night with Kevin, we tried out a new burger joint in Anderson and on Saturday Emily, Courtney, and Annabelle came to visit!

We're already over a week into 2011. The new year seems like a good time to stop and reflect on the old and look forward to the new. I'm not sure I like making new year's resolutions as much as I like making goals. I need something concrete to work toward and I'm sharing these in hopes some of you may keep me accountable!

Some of my goals for this year include:

• journal through this blog
• read at least 10 good books (I'm a slow reader)
• run a half marathon (check out my DailyMile tracker gadget)
• master cooking new recipes (I am in love with Paula Deen) and
• learn as much American sign language as I can

some of my Christmas gifts

gotta love Paula Deen

Emeril stainless steel copper bottom cookware

I Used to Dream About the Life I'm Living Now

On January 3rd, Kevin and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Because we love to eat out and Kevin lives for good steak, we headed to Greenville to try out Ruth's Chris Steak House. In case you haven't heard of it before, their "famous steaks are seared to perfection at 1800 degrees and topped with fresh butter so they sizzle all the way to your table." Yummm! And sizzle they did...for even 3-5 minutes after they reached the table! It was quite amazing! But this isn't a commerical for the restaurant, I wish to commemorate the first two years of marriage to my best friend.

Those of you who have a high class taste for music (such as I) might recognize the following lyrics by Kevin Rudolf and Cash Money Heroes. "I look into the sky and now the world is mine. I've known it all my life. I made it, I made it. I used to dream about the life I'm living now. I know that there's no doubt. I made it, I made it." Well folks, I've made it. I honestly did dream about this life I'm living now. I am married to a wonderful charming selfless man who is the love of my life. We have all we need (and more) and are as happy as can be! We are so blessed and are now dreaming again about what the future holds.



two years together

flowers for the lady

my wedding day shoes

attempted shot with Stanley

the happy couple

Twenty Eleven-The New Year Begins

Welcome to the Conklin family blog! I've wanted to begin this for some time now, but I always let time slip away. Not anymore! In 2011, one of my New Year's resolutions it to keep up with this, not only for me, but for family and friends whom might also enjoy it. What's with the name? In case you don't know us very well, our lives currently revolve around our little chocolate colored long-haired dachshund. Stanley is much more than a pet, he is our child. I am known to him as "mom" and Kevin as "dad." No, our dog can not talk. We just give him a voice when we see fit (a french accent fits best). I never would have thought I could get used to that name before I actually had any children, but it came naturally as soon as Stanley came home with us a year and a half ago.


Now, onto the real stars of the show: Kevin and Sarah. January 3rd will mark our second wedding anniversary!! Five years of courting and two years of marriage have led us down the road we are on today. Currently, we live in Pendleton, SC. Kevin is attending the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg and is planning to graduate with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications this May. He is beginning an internship with news channel WYFF 4 and paying for his gas by working part time at Wholesale (the family glass pit). I am currently in my second year teaching a class of students with emotional disabilities at Pendleton Elementary School. We are both so grateful for all that we have: our marriage, our family, our health, our home, our jobs, opportunities and more! We are eagerly awaiting the future and what twenty eleven will bring for Stanley's Family.