sneezes and sniffles

The best six doctors anywhere

And no one can deny it

Are sunshine, water, rest, and air

Exercise and diet.

These six will gladly you attend

If only you are willing

Your mind they'll ease

Your will they'll mend

And charge you not a shilling.

~Wayne Fields

So I finally, and this is not a good finally, got the cold that has been going around since December.  I suspect it is because I have been spending lots of time in classrooms with 5 and 6 year olds.  As much as they try, some of their runny noses need constant attention and they do not always remember to use germ-x or wash their hands.  They are stinkin' cute though so if they are the culprits of this cold I will nor complain.

Ever notice how after the 105th time you blow your nose it really starts to get annoying.  Like when you're at the gym and you have to carry a ridiculous amount of tissues in your pocket and stop in the middle of your workout?  Yuck.

My husband, as always, has been taking wonderful care of me and despite my stubborn resistance yesterday I reached my breaking point and had to take it easy all day.  The pups have been helping too, Penny always lays near me just in case I need a cuddle.

Because of all this "laying around" I have been feeling quite lazy.  I HATE not being able to get lots of things done, especially on the weekends.  However, I have made progress in my book, The Birth of Venus, and have now completed 6 seasons of Grey's Anatomy.  The latter is not really something I would tell the world, but when you have to rest, Netflix is a great friend.  This show, as much as it IS FICTIONAL and focuses on drama more than on the medical practice, has spurned some really fun and interesting conversations with Opa, a former vascular surgeon.  He has saved countless lives and even helped one of his friends survive a heart attack when they were on vacation.  Pretty cool, huh?!

My Mister and I have heard some excellent stories about my grandparent's and parent's pasts recently.  I love hearing stories, especially the ones my dad tells.  Like how he used to have nightmares about a raccoon attacking him from an uncovered section of stairs in his old attic or his near death experience with a tractor mower when he was young.  He seemed to get into more trouble than he lets on:)

With a sneeze, or two or three, I will say goodbye to February and hello to March!  I am excited to have Tad home for spring break and for some warm weather.  Happy Spring!

2 weeks later...

It's a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up. 

 ~J.K. Rowling -- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Let me begin by apologizing for my lack of posts this month thus far.  February has been a busy month and school is taking up most of my time, not to mention a very romantic first Valentine's day with my husband as Mrs. Weir.  Going to school, actively observing in the classroom, and working on the side has made a busy gal out of me.  However, I love being busy.  (Don't you love my quote this week?  Although I am not dreading any upcoming event I am a HP fan and was excited to use one of Mrs. Rowling's quotes on my blog.)

Although I realize this is not the most glamorous of superbowl spreads, it was quite delicious, not to mention fattening.  We were happy about the outcome, but overall the lack of entertainment and horrific performance of the national anthem left us with a lackluster superbowl.

Then it was back to school for me.  One of my classes, Music Theory to be exact, is turning out to be quite difficult.  I think it has something to do with the fact that because theory is the "math" of music my failings at that particular subject are carrying over.  Thankfully, due to LOTS of extra work and an understanding professor, I am doing pretty well.  My first quiz is tomorrow so we will have some definite results then.

Wednesday turned out to be a VERY exciting day for me as it was my very first day observing in an actual classroom.  I am very privileged to be observing in my own first grade teacher's kindergarten classroom.  She has since moved to kindergarten and I could not be observing a better teacher.  She is so wonderful with her boys and girls and I have already learned some fantastic teaching techniques.  Thank you Mrs. Kaemmerlen for not only inspiring me to become a teacher, but helping shape me into the teacher I want to become through your example.

There is this joy, this rush I feel working in the classroom, seeing children achieving, and being one of the people shaping them into the people they will become.  It is a daunting task for some, but for me it is simply amazing.  There is this rush I feel when I am onstage performing, a feeling I thought could never be matched when I was "working," but it has been; by teaching.  Because of children learning and growing in a classroom.  Teachers are truly the heroes of our society and it is sometimes easy not to see that until you step into their shoes.  Thank you to all my heroes who taught me, inspired me, and helped me to remember, every day, that I am a special person who can change the world.

Speaking of the stage, I have not left it behind.  I want to be a teacher, but in the summer months, which teachers have off (hooray!) I can still participate in something I will always have a passion for.  I had a successful audition with the top theater/commercial/on-camera agency in St. Louis and will be auditioning for the Muny in March.  The Muny audition is one of my favorites.  Although it is very intimidating, because this will be my 12th audition or so (including my teenage years) it has become an annual event.  Last year I made it all the way until the end of callbacks and it was the best audition yet.  Cross your fingers for me this year.  It is a dream of mine to perform as an adult on that stage.

Cassie and I have been bonding quite a bit recently, and because I am her Confirmation sponsor, we attended Mass and class together this past Sunday.  It is interesting to see the interactions between the other candidates and their sponsors.  I feel very honored that Cassie chose me to be her lifelong confidant, friend, and role-model in the Catholic church.  Not to mention she is my little sissy and I already love the special relationship we have.  I love my little sweets.

And then it was Valentine's Day!  My husband, because he is especially romantic and creative when he gives me gifts, had beautiful roses delivered the Friday BEFORE Valentine's Day.  Here they are sitting on my work desk.  He never fails to impress and surprise me.

Cassie made these delicious chocolate covered strawberries for us herself.  Quite a creative sister if I do say so myself!


On the actual day of Valentine's my husband spoiled me all day.  He didn't spend too much time working and even had lunch with me.  He also planned a surprise dinner at a restaurant I had never been to before that was a surprising five minutes away!  

Vivian's Vineyards is an adorable restaurant that is in an old house built right near the Riverfront in St. Charles.  I loved the old fashioned feel and the fact that we were in an actual home.  The dinner was delicious and we even got some champagne sherbet at the end of our meal.  And it wasn't a snooty restaurant.  It felt so "homey" and the chef/owner came to our table at the end of the meal and shared some of his recipe secrets with us.  The tiramisu he makes apparently takes as good as the original in Italy.  We were far too stuffed to order that much dessert.

It was a perfect evening, one I will never forget as it is our first Valentine's as a married couple. My husband even gave me a hand-written card that thanked me for the past week and how he still felt the butterflies and excitement to take me out on a date as he did the very first time.  That's why we make the perfect couple.  By the way, those are his word not mine.  

The pups even celebrated Valentine's with some special treats.  Penny barely had time to taste hers as she swallowed it whole, but Marley took a little more time enjoying his.  They were very cute Valentine pups all day.

Valentine's Day was the beginning of the amazing weather we have been having in St. Charles.  God was certainly reminding everyone here how much he loves them by making the weather warm so that all the ice and snow could melt and we could enjoy being outside again.

My husband has certainly been taking this to heart.

Marley was quite annoyed that such a large squirrel infiltrated one of the trees in our yard.

Penny just wanted the dead branches he was cutting off the tree.  Aaron says she looks a little like a bear in this picture.

I am enjoying the beginning of spring too.  I was outside during the climbing of the tree, mostly because if my husband were to fall and break a limb I could get the proper assistance, and have loved being able to play outside and enjoy breathing in the fresh spring air.  There is a smell that everyone recognizes about spring and it has been a joy to breathe it in.

Soon my mom will be recruiting us to wash the screens and the windows, a Delicath-family spring cleaning tradition and in no time, if the weather continues warming up, the family pools will open.

As God reminds me how thankful I am to him for the new life and beauty that springtime will bring, I also am reminded of the beauty in my marriage.  I know that I need to do a little "spring cleaning" in that area of my life: learn a little more patience, be kind and slow to anger, and to live in each wonderful, beautiful moment having Aaron as my husband brings.

So here's to spring, love, and living our lives enjoying them.

Also, HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZINGLY KIND, BRAVE BROTHER TAD!  Have an amazing day and get ready for next year, you will be turning 21 and I will be celebrating with you!  Love you buddy:)

it's a boy!

Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you?  But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window. 

 ~Steve Bluestone

After much discussion and deliberation my husband and I have decided on what kind of dog the newest member of our family will be...a brindle boxer!  Isn't the picture adorable!  My husband love boxers and after years of thinking he wanted a lab he changed his mind.  Boxers are very smart, very silly, and very energetic.  Sound familiar?  Aaron has a lot of the same characteristics.  

We are getting a boy pup and the tentative name we have picked out is Brutus.  Not a cutesy name like the one I would have chosen, but since he will be a boy and will technically be my hubby's pick so I think it's appropriate.  Boxer's are so cute, they have such great personalities and even the way they look lets you know how much fun they will be.

Other than the family pups, don't worry Penny you are still my favorite, I have never had my own dog and I am excited to get my first during the first year of marriage to my amazing husband.  Aaron and I plan on getting a golden retriever down the road, my life just wouldn't be complete without one, and will then have two happy, healthy pups in our family.  Coincidentally, when we start trying to have kids we would like two as well, one boy and one girl.  BUT you cannot control those things and when we do start trying in 8 years or so we will be overjoyed with the precious gift God gives us, no matter its gender.

So we are excited, Aaron said last night that he knows how much I love taking care of things (examples: him, my little sister, my family) and is excited to watch me play mommy with our puppy.  The most exciting part will be that this dog will be ours.

The first year of marriage is full of exciting firsts and this be a very exciting first, not only because it is our first dog, but because it is the first dog either of us will be completely responsible for.

So Brutus, or whichever name we decide on, we are saving up for you.  You will be one of the most spoiled dogs on the planet and Aaron is excited to give you lots of walks and playtime.  As am I, but I am also excited for the cuddling and training.  We already love you and are excited to meet you.

roses are red

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!  ~Thomas Hood

As I am sitting here watching one of my favorite movies, Young Victoria and I am reminded of how important the love of my life is to me.  And there is no more appropriate month to celebrate love than February, the Valentine's month.  

I am excited for our first Valentine's Day as Mister and Misses, what the day will bring and the new traditions we may start.  I know I have something up my sleeve, although it is nothing expensive, I hope my husband loves it.  I love him very much and celebrate having him as my Valentine not just in February, but every day.

heart shaped candies and icicles

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.  

-Author Unkown

Holy blizzard batman!  Missouri is now experiencing some crazy weather, much of which will not be hitting St. Louis too badly, but schools closed early yesterday (yeah, it's weird to have real snow days now that I am back in school) and may be closed tomorrow too.  Not only that, but the weather stations are preaching on the dangers of leaving your home and the stores are bare on eggs, milk, and bread (for some reason people believe they can survive any storm with these three essentials).  So basically we are hunkering down next to the fire and riding out the storm with hot cocoa and some yummy home-cookin'.

It's nice that we are house-sitting (again!) for Uncle Tommy & Aunt Susie and watching Sydney & Trey.  I have to admit Sydney is self-sufficient and Trey just needs someone to make sure he eats and doesn't invite all his friends over on a snow day.

Before I start talking about my exciting first week of school, I have to post some adorable pictures of the serious puppy love I have witnessed lately.

Penny & Buffy are practically sisters.

And Penny & Marley aren't always at each other's throats.

We even saw some deer in the woods behind my parent's house.  They were so beautiful, Bambi & her momma.

School has started!  I have to say I am loving the homework.  I am sure that point of view may change as the stresses of life set in, but for now I am enjoying it.  My classes, well aside from Music Theory which is as difficult as always, are so inspirational.  I came home from the second day of classes beaming.  I told Aaron that I was more inspired in one of my education classes than I ever was in any of my musical theater classes.  

The program is so positive and I am excited to start my observations at the schools and learning how to help those students with special needs within a standard classroom.  Throughout my conservatory training I was constantly reminded of the struggles of living the "actor's life" and the sacrifices one MUST make in their daily life to "make it" in theater.  I was looked down upon when I got engaged, got married, and voiced my desire to have a family and a home life.  Not only that, but the support system is very political and lacks the important foundations I needed to feel supported and happy.

Now that I am in education, a profession that certainly did not come out of the blue as my parents are both educators, I truly believe I have found my calling.  I am inspired and excited to get certified and receive my Masters so I can start sharing my gift and hopefully inspiring kids to pursue music the way they choose.

Class was fun, I feel a little out of place in my music classes as some of my classmates are a few years younger than myself, but overall everyone is nice and very supportive.

In my favorite class, Foundation of Education, we were given this poem at the end of our first class:

You are the molders of their dreams,

the gods who build or crush their young beliefs of right and wrong.

You are the spark that sets aflame the poet's hand,

or lights the flame of some great singer's song.

You are the god of the young, the very young.

You are the guardian of a million dreams.

Your every smile or frown can heal or pierce a heart.

Yours are a hundred lives, a thousand lives,

yours the pride of loving them and the sorrow too.

Your patient work, your touch make you,

the gods of hope that fill their souls with dreams,

to make those dreams come true.

-Clark Malenhoff

Des Moines Register

And then it was time for Jordan's birthday party!  We went over to Becky's, Sydney and I a little earlier because Aaron was busy promoting Better Life products all weekend at Costco.  We got there a little later than everybody else so the girls were dying for us to get there and play with them.  

Aaron and I gave Jordan her very own unicorn pillow pet!  She loved it so much she told her mommy she was going "night-night" and proceeded to get a blanket and pretend to sleep.

Charlotte was even awake for a little while.  She loves her mommy.

After a while, Jordan and the girls got their pillow pets together and rode them around.  Jordan couldn't quite figure hers out, but she sure looked adorable pushing it around the kitchen floor.

We had a wonderful time and then had to get home early for school the next day, a new one for me, and we were all pretty exhausted.

So now we are drinking some cocoa and watching the news while we wait to find out if school is cancelled tomorrow too.  Crossing our fingers!