For Sean

My husband is constantly making fun of me for blogging! Any stupid thing that happens throughout the day Sean will say, "Why don't you blog about it?"*


For example:

Me: Ouch! I just stubbed my toe!

Sean: Why don't you blog about it?


or,


Me: Ooh, this cookie is so good!

Sean: Why don't you blog about it?



Ooooh, such a smart ass!



The other night we were out to dinner at Del Friscos with some of his family (getting extremely spoiled!!) and Sean ordered this huge steak- 12 ounce, bone-in, fillet minion- rare! I think it cost $65 or something ridiculous (which is why, of course, Sean ordered it) and it was practically still mooing!

Anyway, it comes to our table and Sean says, "JoDee, why don't you take a picture of my steak and blog about it!"

So, here it is.

It doesn't look quite as big now that I see it in this picture, but believe me it was huge, and Sean ate the whole thing. Then washed it down with a huge piece of cheesecake.**

*I actually blogged about something Sean told me to. Pathetic.

**Time for a New Year's Resolution to eat less maybe?

A Very Thankful Tuesday 10

What a great Tuesday! I just spent the most relaxing and renewing day with three great girlfriends having lunch and doing lots of shopping at the Galleria. It was just what I needed. We laughed, we talked, we ate some really yummy food, and came home with some cute new clothes!

As you saw in my last post... I had been feeling pretty down lately. Thank you SO much for all your comments (those posted, and those passed on in person). It is amazing what loving words from friends can do for you.

Sean and I talked quite a bit yesterday about all my conception fears, and that was needed and helpful. But, in all honesty, hearing what other women have to say on the subject was much more helpful and I can't say how much I appreciate all of you!

I think I need to take a minute to count my blessings today, so here are 10 things I'm thankful for.


1. My husband.
Y'all I know I complain about him all the time, but I'm just so darn good at it I can't stop now! He makes me laugh everyday, and is without a doubt, my best friend. He supports me in all my wacky endeavors (albeit making fun of me the entire time). I just need him around. He makes me a better person.


2. My school.
Without taking a chance and moving to the new school this year, I wouldn't have met my new teammates. God definitely had a big hand in this! Now I'm surrounded by the most loving and supportive team that I can imagine. They're so much more than teammates- they're dear friends.


3. My parents.
Teaching these past five years has made me realize what awesome parents I have. As Randy Pauche (author of The Last Lecture) put it, "I won the parent lottery!"


4. Old friends.
There is something about seeing a friend who's known you since you were 12, and hearing her say that "everything is going to be fine." I can tell myself the same thing over and over... but hearing it from Michelle always makes more sense! I'm feeling so much more at peace now. She's like xanax, but much prettier!


5. My family.
Brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents... they're the best! I am so blessed to have them.


6. My home.
At a time when so many are struggling, I have it so easy. I know I'm lucky to have my job, my home, and all the possessions which make my life pretty cush.


7. My neighbors.
I really have the best neighbors! They help us out in so many ways... I can't even count how many times I've called with a dog emergency! When Jet was a puppy, Sandy would come over everyday and feed him lunch and take him out- and of course, play with him! Now, for any little thing, they will bend over backwards to help us out. Jason fixed my leaky kitchen sink when Sean was offshore! Sandy takes Jet to the vet for us all the time! Bob compliments my cooking! I could just go on and on!


8. My dog.
Jet's the first dog I've ever had, and I just can't believe how much I love him! He is so much fun, and I really do believe that pets are good for you (you know, reduce stress, make you live longer, etc.) because he makes me so happy! Not a day goes by where I don't laugh out loud because of something he does!


9. My health.


10. YOU!
Thanks for reading my blog! It's so nice to feel like I'm being heard. Your comments have meant so much to me. Thank you!

Oh wow... I'm now either on the verge of tears from all that I have to be thankful for or on the verge of vomiting from all the sugary sweetness!

Debbie Downer (or whatever the hell her name is...)

OK, team, this isn't going to be a pretty one. I'm feeling pretty angry today. And yesterday. Why, you ask? Oh, no reason really. Just mad at the world because it's pregnant. Everyone in the flipping world is pregnant. Or, they have a baby. There are babies EVERYWHERE! Have you been to church lately- chalk full of babies! People are out there expecting twins and triplets, their second, their third, fourth, or eighteenth child! People are expecting babies they have no business having for that matter. Can you say teenage pregnancy?

You may want to stop reading this if you haven't met "real-JoDee" yet, because I'm gonna repulse you. I am going to be a big, fat sack of self-pity. And I just don't care, because this is my blog, so suck it!

I am convinced that I am infertile. Here are my reasons (Sean's reasons why I'm insane will be in parenthesis): we have not used formal birth control for over 2 years with no accidents (I'm a huge stud with massive self-control), we stopped doing anything preventative from July to September (we didn't time anything, and one of those months we didn't try at all because we were getting wishy-washy), we tried hard-core for the last two months with nothing (normal people have only a 20% chance of getting pregnant any given month, and we have really only tried two months. It could take up to a year and still be normal).

OK, so infertile it is. Or, maybe Sean has mutant sperm. One or the other. Holy crap, both! Why am I flipping out- well, I think it's any one of the following reasons (feel free to comment with your answer choice):

A. I have incredible female intuition and can sense that this isn't going to happen.

B. I always envision the worst case scenario, so as not to get my hopes up only to be dumped on later.

C. I read way too many books, magazines, blogs and watch way too many TLC shows that focus on fertility problems and so now have convinced myself that I have one.

or

D. I am a perfectionist at heart and when something doesn't happen for me right away- I give up and conclude that I am a loser. A big, fat, infertile loser.

Well, I think it's E- all of the above. Or F- I'm a super genius and am RIGHT!

I don't want to be the dog lady! I love my dog, but come on! Of course I want a family. And since we've been married for two years and I'm not getting any younger, EVERYONE asks me if we're planning to start a family. I bet I get asked this at least twice a week. You know, in between all the baby shower invitations, pregnancy announcements, and birth announcements I receive- we've got to throw in a few, "So, are you pregnant yet?" or, "When are you going to start trying?" "Don't wait too long!" or, my personal favorite, "Do I need to come in and get the job done for ya, Sean?" (imagine that last one in an Irish accent).

Even my students get in on it! Imagine the first day of school...

Kid: Do you have kids, Mrs. Hale?

Me: No. I don't.

Kids: Well, you're married aren't you?

Me: Yes, I am married.

Kid: Well, that's what married people do. They have kids. Why don't you have kids?



Imagine a couple months later...

Kid 1: Mrs. Hale, are you going to have a baby?

Me: Maybe someday.

Kid 1: Are you going to ask God for a baby?

Me: Good idea...

Kid 2: Are you going to ask God for a boy or a girl?

Me: Haven't thought that far yet- how about we do some math?


I know, they're so cute.

I know everyone has the best of intentions- heck I've said stuff like that to people too! I know everyone means that they love us, and want us to be happy, and are just generally interested in our lives. I get it. It still sucks.

Maybe it will happen on it's own. I know. I need to calm down and just accept whatever God has planned for me. I know it. I love my life. I absolutely love being married to Sean, I love our home and our little family with Jetters and Kit Kat, I love my friends and family and my job. I have no complaints. I don't want to remember the next few years (if that's what it takes) as just "waiting to have a baby." I want to enjoy each day because I know they're limited. Why is it so easy to know exactly what you should do, but still not be able to do it? Humph.

There's just that nagging feeling from deep down somewhere (hormones, animal instinct, what?) that I NEED to have a baby. It's killing me.

Say a prayer for me, will you? If anything, just pray that I'll get over this little pity party and be a grown-up again. I know my husband will appreciate it. He gets to see this side of me a little too often...

A New Sister for Jet?

On Christmas night, we went over to our family friend's house for a visit, and then went back again last night for dinner (which was absolutely delicious! Ribs that melted in your mouth!). Their daughter Keenan was home for Christmas with her husband Tim (who made the amazing ribs), and I almost dog-napped their little black poodle named Saki!

She is absolutely precious! Everywhere she goes her stubby little tail is wagging! She would hop from lap to lap around the living room and would let you pick her up and snuggle her anytime you wanted! I totally fell in love!

Sean's given me the OK to get one of these precious little babies... and for some reason the fact that he's just said, "If you want one, get one," makes me nervous!!! I need to mention it again when we're alone. I don't want to get another dog if he really isn't on board. But if this picure means anything...

...he may be ready for Jet to have a little sister too! How could he resist!!

Tuesday (Friday) 10

Has it really been over a week since I've been on this computer! Wow! Time flies when you're eating way too much and enjoying a few too many glasses of wine! Luckily I've been taking lots of pictures with my new Christmas present and so this (very, very late) Tuesday 10 will be... 10 (or more) of my favorite pictures from the holiday season!

10. Me and Ed

Because I'm the biggest flipping nerd ever! This is Edward (for those of you who are not obsessed with teenage vampire books) and he's the hottest non-dead guy out there! This picture is from my book club meeting... we had WAY too much fun with this cardboard cutout

9. Jeff, or Indy?

This was taken on my in-law's back porch. Cracks me up!

8. My sweet Jet!

Happy Birthday, Jet! Today Jet turns two!

This is Jet's favorite thing to do... because EVERYTHING is his favorite thing to do! He's just so darn precious!! In a couple of days we're taking him to Dallas for his first show. Then he'll be going to Florida in a big bus with a professional handler to hopefully get some points towards a Champion title. He'll be gone for three weeks. I'm already missing him!

7. A few from the Christmas Party

My dad was the paparazzi during the party- which is why I have any pictures at all because I was running around like crazy the whole time! We had so much fun!! Afterwards as we were laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, Sean says, "We had some attractive people over at our house tonight. I think I was the ugliest person at our party." Ha!!! We do have some pretty friends!

6. And now a few for my aunt, Stephie!

Steph is always asking me to send her pictures of our house and the Christmas decorations, so before the party I took some pictures of the living and dining rooms and the pack patio. We've done a lot to the house since she was here about 2 years ago! Hope you like them, Steph!!

5. The "Hale-Joy" Band

Sean made a special trip back to our house to bring all the rock band "stuff" over to my parent's house yesterday. My baby sister and Sean are the two die-hard rock-banders and after everyone else played for about an hour they kept playing until we basically ripped them away because we'd heard enough!

4. Mom and boys

I love this picture of Sean, Jeff, and Cindy. She's so proud of her boys! And doesn't Sean have a cute smile!

3. Gotta have one with the hubby!

2. A Sweet Family Christmas Picture

1. And, of course, a not so sweet one. Can you tell the difference??

Tuesday 10

I'm so excited to begin "The Tuesday 10!" Thanks to Kristin and Cara for letting me steal this great idea... :) I had a request (ha! I laughed too!) to list some of my favorite books, so here goes! It was much harder than I thought to narrow this down to only ten. The more I thought about books I've read, the more I remembered that I loved!

10. The Davinci Code, Dan Brown

So suspenceful! It was really easy to suspend reality and get hooked on this one! I just bought right into it and loved it!

9. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls

Nonfiction. A little heavier than some of my other favorites. Really an enthralling read. It gives you a completely different view on so many of the world's issues and family dynamics.

8. Anything Jodi Picoult

Reliably a good read, Jodi Picoult's books are full of suspence and drama. Best to spread them out among other authors. Plain Truth was my first, and favorite. Others I love are Keeping Faith, Salem Falls, and My Sister's Keeper.

7. The Giver, Lois Lowry

A fantastic children's book! I guess you could say it's a 1984 equivalent for kids. This novel really makes you think- and it's a quick and delicious read.

6. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte

This is a hard novel to read. The language is difficult and the story can be a little hard to follow. I cheated and listened to this one on tape. It's nice to hear it read aloud- bridges the gap. I found myself crying at the end and wanting to go right back to the beginning and listen again! Compelling. I can see why it's a classic!

5. Marley and Me, John Grogan

Any animal lover would be remiss to skip over this book! Read it before you see the movie (if you do!), please! You'll experience every emotion possible with this one. A jem!

4. Libba Bray Trilogy

Accidentally found this one at a school book fair. In an attempt to quicky answer a student's question, "What book do you want, Mrs. Hale?" I pointed to this one, A Great and Terrible Beauty. Well, the sweet boy bought it for me and I started reading one day while bored. At first I found myself chuckling while thinking- am I really reading this? Really? But before long I was hooked, and then devastated when I realized that it wasn't going to end, and I had to get to Barnes and Noble right away to get the next in the series Rebel Angels, and A Sweet Far Thing! It's actually a young adult series; equally strange and addicting! Must love fantasy.

3. Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

My favorite in the series is book 4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm sure I'll have a new favorite when I finish books 6 and 7. I think one of my students may have spoiled the ending of the series for me... oh the precious little brat! Just for those of you nerdy enough to care- I was sorted into the Sytherin house! I didn't believe it, so I took the online test three times- Sytherin every time! Shoot! I must think way too highly of myself!!

2. Twilight, Stephanie Meyer


I read on Stephanie Meyer's website that she came up with the idea for this book from a dream she had. It made total sense. This book is one of those dreams that seems totally real and when you wake up and you just can't decide if it actually happened or not. I was completely sucked into this story, and loved every minute of it! I am now in love with a fictional, teenaged vampire! How can anyone read this book and not end up in love with Edward! Sigh!

1. The Adultry Club, Tess Stimson

Classy title, right? Morals aside- you will not be able to put this one down! It is sexy, alluring, frightening, sickening, and addicting all at the same time. It tells the story of an affair from all three view points: husband, wife, and mistress. This would be a great one for a book club- SO much you'll want to talk about!!

Christmas Card Headaches!

So I wake up at 6:30 this morning and can't sleep at all. I decide to get up and get our Christmas card made and ordered. I know I've waited too long and should have ordered these, like a month ago. Well... I search online and after about 3o minutes I find a really cute, reasonably priced card that I love! I spend forever making it just right with our pictures (which are nowhere near as cute as the three precious child models that were shown in the sample) and then realize as I'm checking out that they will not be ready until way after Christmas. Poop.

So, the search begins again! I find a really nice site that sells (of course) a little higher priced cards than the other site, but they guarantee delivery by the 18th. I choose a card, personalize it and then... the internet craps out! Grrrrr!!! I spend about 30 minutes messing with it, and trying to reach my hunting husband for help.

When Sean gets home, he fixes it and I get back to work, and finally order the cards!! Now, as I sit annoyed with the whole experience, I realize that I just spent way too much time and money on silly cards with pictures of my dog on them. People are going to get this card and say, "Oh, it's those crazy dog people. They need to have kids already." Yes, we know.

I know that posting this is a total Christmas card spoiler for those of you who are going to recieve one in 8-10 days, but I spent so much time on this, I just have to get as much use out of it as possible! Merry Christmas, y'all!