What's Up Wednesday

It's time for What's Up Wednesday!  I'm linking up with Mel, Sheaffer, and Shay.

Sooooooo, here's what's up!

What We're Eating This Week

I actually meal planned this week, so I know exactly what we are having!

Monday - Red beans and rice. Recipe from Mix and Match Mama.

This recipe reminded me of my mom's chili.  Man, I love to come home to a wonderful smelling kitchen and dinner steaming in the crock pot.

Tuesday - Tacos

Wednesday - Ham and Cheese sliders

Thursday - We are heading out of town to a conference, so we'll eat on the road.

Friday - Rainforest Cafe with Father Robert and the rest of the teachers

Saturday - Farrell's Ice Cream

Sunday - Disneyland

What I'm Reminiscing About

This category is kind of all over the place.  I've been thinking about our previous trip to Disneyland five years ago. I've been remembering past trips to Congress.  I've been thinking about when the kids were little.  Lately, the kids have been asking me stories about the past such as the day they were born.  It's been fun to talk with them about various subjects.

What I'm Loving

I really, really, really, loved this past weekend and the relaxed vibe I felt both Saturday and Sunday.  It was the first weekend without a soccer or basketball game.  I got so much done and felt so accomplished.  This easy going weekend vibe won't last as soccer is gearing up again, but it felt nice to get a lot done without feeling time-sapped.

What We've Been Up To

Soccer practice just started up again twice a week.  I'm busy getting my Academic Decathlon team ready for the competition in two weeks. Eric had a major re-install at work with more weekend installs to come.  I've been reading a ton of books and working on my Bible study of the book of Daniel.

What I'm Dreading

I'm dreading having to buckle down and put the yearbook together.  I'm always so proud of the finished product, but it really is quite the task to put it all together.  I do have help with the sports pages, but it's so much planning, picture taking, picture sorting, and designing.  I typically gain a lot of weight this time of year because the stress of putting the yearbook together makes me want to eat jelly beans by the bucketful.  No jelly beans!

What I'm Working On

See above.  I'm also working on some major new plans for my classroom next year.  If my principal approves of the project, I'd like to create this super cool room that resembles a coffee house space more than a classroom, that offers flexible seating, comfortable chairs, and a feeling of wanting to hang out.  It has me energized for next year.  I want to get started now!  I got the idea HERE. 

What I'm Excited About

Disneyland!!!  One more sleep until we leave!  I can't wait!  I'm looking forward to both my teacher conference and Disneyland.  I love the fact that we are going as a family.  I don't like being apart from my family when I am attending conferences.  It will make me happy to know they are in town with me and having fun together at Disney.  Then I can join them in the evenings and all day on Sunday and Monday.

What I'm Watching/Reading

Scandal and Grey's Anatomy returned from their winter hiatus.  Hallelujah!  I've also been watching a show called Younger on TV Land.  It is not for kids...and sometimes even has my jaw dropping, but it does make me laugh. It's about a 40-year-old woman who gets back into the workforce by pretending to be 26...and all those around her buy it!

I'm reading a ton of books: my January book review is HERE and my February book review is HERE.  I do have to say something about the book Hatchet, that I didn't care for but read because my 11-year-old was reading it for his book report and I wanted to be able to talk to him about it.  Last night we started working on his report and as we were driving to soccer, he said to me, "Thank you, Mom, for helping me with my book report.  I am glad you are helping me!"  It was the sweetest sentiment and had me tearing up as I was driving.  You're welcome, Kid!  I plan to try to read many of the books he is reading just so we can converse about the topic.

What I'm Listening To

I've been listening to my Bible study on the book of Daniel by Beth Moore.  I chose to buy the audio version of the study rather than the video because I didn't want to be tied to my computer when listening to the lesson.  I can listen while running at the gym.  I've also been listening to podcasts by The Catholic SIP (Standing in Prayer).  These guys are pretty funny but have a great message about our Catholic faith.

On Pandora I'm listening to a variety: Today's Hits, Steve Tyrell, Contemporary Christian, and Today's Country.

What I'm Wearing

Reluctantly, I'm wearing this:

SHORTS, a lightweight long sleeve tee, and Skechers.  While I like my ensemble, I don't want to be wearing shorts in February.  It's supposed to be WINTER!  But we've been in the mid 70's in Central California, so I pulled out my pink shorts this past weekend to brighten my day!

What I'm Doing This Weekend

M-I-C-K-E-Y...MOUSE!  We are heading to Anaheim for my Religious Ed. Conference and to enjoy a family trip to Disneyland and California Adventure.  I'm so excited!  It feels like the days leading up to Christmas where I don't want to do anything except count the minutes until we leave!

The kids were so little when we took them for the first time!  I can't wait!

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Easter Vacation, finishing the yearbook, and the Academic Decathlon competition.

What Else Is New
Hmmmm, this one is tough because there really isn't anything new.  Things like soccer are gearing up again.  I'm already having to think about summer school and we still have three more months of school to go, but that's not really new.  In a way, I feel like my perspective on a lot life issues are new.  I've been doing a Lenten devotion each day with Matthew Kelly and the book Rediscover Jesus.  It has given me many new thoughts to ponder each day.