One Year!

Well friends, we made it!  One year!  Who knew?!  Our first anniversary was this past Sunday.  We had travel plans that fell through at the last minute, boo, so we made the best we could out of the day here.


It was a gorgeous day out, so we decided to go to the Taste of Chicago.  I wanted to go for dinner so that I could eat lots and lots and lots.  Therefore, we needed to find something to do before hand.  I have been wanting to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo for awhile now, so we decided on that.  Unfortunately, our plans did not work at too well.  The gay pride parade was going on in that area which made a 30 minute drive turn into 3 hours!  We finally gave up and ended up going to The Field Museum instead.  There was a horse exhibit that David wanted to see. 


We had a great time at both the museum and the taste.  We enjoyed simply celebrating us for the day!

The basket of goodies my sister, Elizabeth, sent us!

We did not save our wedding cake.  Who needs it though if you have s'mores!

Mrs. Barnett : ) 

A Race a Month - June

My "race a month" goal is still going strong!  For June, I ran an 8k in my hometown of Carmel, IN.  It was the inaugural race for Carmel and included a marathon, half-marathon, 8k, and 1 mile walk.  I ran the race with my Dad, Margaret, and my friend Lauren.  It ended up being fine racing weather...I even felt like I could have kept going and finished the half instead of just the 8k.  All in all, it was fun!

One exciting thing did come out of the race.  After we finished, Lauren and I watched the marathoners come across the finish line.  It reminded/confirmed that someday I want to accomplish that goal.  I have been told that a marathon is 4x harder than a half, but I still think I want to complete one!  (Probably ONLY one!)  Lauren and I decided that we needed to complete it in Disney World and have planned on running the Disney Marathon in January 2013.  It is a long way away but perfect timing for a lot of reasons.  Plus, it will take that long to mentally prepare myself for it!

Mrs. Barnett : ) 

Lazy Lazy Lazy...

Hi friends, summer is here!  Ya-hoo!  You would think that I would be getting a lot and a lot done, but NO I have been super super lazy!  I think that I have it in my mind that I have so many days off ahead of me, that is is hard to be productive.  It has taken a lot longer to get things off my "to-do" list.  I have a lot to tell you, but a lot on my DVR also.  I promise to post something tomorrow and be more on top of it after that.  Now, I am going to cut my s'more bread pudding that I made David and John and get comfortable with my remote.


Mrs. Barnett : ) 

Paying it Back.

As you know (or should know!) I have ran several races.  While running, I always think about the volunteers and how much they truly inspire me while running.  Therefore, I decided that it was time that I payed it back...

On Sunday, I volunteered at the Avon 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer.  I loved it!  I helped to check in the volunteers, then helped to set up the closing ceremony.  The rest of the day, I stood at the finish line clicking a clicker every time someone came across.  I was wowed watching the various people who finished the race, and was of course inspired to do it myself!  To participate, you have to raise $1800 which will be tough but worth it.  The actual "race" was 26.2 miles the first day and 13.1 the second.  All in all, you walk 39.3.  I think I can do it!

Needless to say, this will not be the last race I volunteer it!

Mrs. Barnett : ) 

Swan Lake.

There is a road I drive on frequently in Northbrook to get to my trainer.  Along the road, their is a condo building complex that has some water out front.  One day I was driving and took a double take because I thought I saw a swan.  I know that swans are not that rare, but I do not think I have ever seen one just hanging out in front of some condos.  I had to turn around and take a closer look, thinking that it was probably fake.  I was wrong though!  Since that day, I would always look for the swan and it would always be there, just sitting around.

Last weekend, David and I drove by and saw not only the swan sitting out but another one with her!  We drove up and discovered that there were 5 babies with them.  Now it all makes sense why she was just sitting there the whole time!  I tried to take some pictures, but the dad was getting super mad at me as I walked up.  Therefore, I did not want to get so close!

Maybe you think I'm dorky...but I loved seeing this!

Mrs. Barnett : )

New Obsession.

ATTENTION TEACHERS!

I now have two new teaching obsessions with the internet!

First!  GO TO THIS WEBSITE!  www.teacherspayteachers.com.  There are soooo many great activities for you to download.  A lot are free, but many you need to pay for.  The best part is that they are super cheap (like 1.99 and 4.00) and the money goes right back to the teacher who made it.  I would much rather pay for great things through this than a publishing company.  I have been inspired by so many great units that come with everything you would ever need.  Also, sign up for their weekly e-mails and they will send you top picks including free downloads.

Second!  I have discovered the world of teacher blogging!  My current fav site is...http://lessonplansos.blogspot.com/.  Check out their blog and from there you can click on another blog that they follow.  I have around 30 blogs that I am following now just by clicking around on the different blogs.  It will totally be worth your time and you will become totally addicted!

Mrs. Barnett : )

Happy Birthday!

Happy 28th Birthday to my wonderful husband, David!  It is hard to believe we first started dating when we were 19!  The years have flown by so fast.

I love you, 

Mrs. Barnett : )