Bal Masque' 2008

Every year Mark and I are invited to Bal Masque'. My sister-in-law is a member and she always sends us an invitation. It is very unique in that the members of the group perform for the guests. Our friends Teresa, Pam and Glenda are also members. A Queen is elected from the group members every year and she determines what the theme, music, and costumes will be for the following year at the Ball. They spend the entire year preparing for the event and the members begin dance practice and making costumes months before. This year's theme was Rhinestone Cowgirls. The western theme was too cute (Mark was upset they didn't notify him ahead of time so he could wear his Wranglers). There are several members in the group, so there are about eight dance groups. You can check out the pictures of our friends dancing on the flickr site. They all did a great job and the evening was just perfect. The food at Bonefish Grill was incredible - that was my first time there. I loved it - I will be returning! The company was fantastic and it helps that my husband looks very hot in a tuxedo. The band was excellent. We had a great time and will look forward to next year. Thanks for the invitation Dell! Love you!

Byne's Award

Byne was recognized at the Troy Basketball game on Thursday night. All of the Varsity athletes with a 3.0 or higher grade point average were given certificates at half time. His Dad and I are so proud of him!! Mark had to work, so he was not able to come - but my friend Emilie went with me so I would not have to drive by myself. What a great friend!!

Byne is such an absolute joy! He cooked us steak, turnip greens, field peas, sauteed mushrooms, and made a salad for dinner before the game. He had even bought me a Diet Coke, because he knows it is my favorite. He is so thoughtful! OK, so I am bragging - but isn't that what parents are for. Keep up the hard work Byne! You are much loved and appreciated!

Cayla's Birthday

Cayla's Birthday was this week. Emilie made her a Barbie cake for her big day. We got together this weekend to celebrate. We had big plans for Saturday night to go see a movie, but the snow changed our plans just a bit. We enjoyed cake and then played Rock Band! It was great fun and then we were able to go see the movie on Sunday. We went to see 27 Dresses. It was a great feel good movie. I definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys a romantic comedy.

Snow Day

Snow in Alabama! Dalton and Lakyn were at their Dad's house on Saturday when it snowed. It was sad to not have them at home to play with me. Byne was home for the weekend, but he was not up for playing in the snow. I took Harmony outside to play, but she did not like the snow at all. Although I did not play outside I still really enjoyed the day! Byne and I lazed around on the couch all day long watching movies. Mark was on midnight shift, so he slept most of the day - but he would get up every once and a while and check out the progress. It was a relaxing day knowing that we did not have to go anywhere!

I was tagged again! (by Nancy)

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blogORShare the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” listORShare 5 things you never pictured being in your future when your were 25 years old!Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

5 top places on my "want to see or want to see again" list:

1. Colorado again - The kids and I went with my Aunt Cathy and it is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. It was a perfect trip. We went snowmobiling, on a sleigh ride through the woods, skiing, and snow tubing! I am trying to talk Mark into a trip real soon!
2. I would love to visit Australia - Mark and I talk about moving there when the children are grown. He talks about renting waverunners and umbrellas on the beach and I can waitress at a local restaraunt. I then burst his bubble by telling him that we can't move away - we have to be here to spend time with our grandchildren (one day :). It is fun to talk about though!
3. I would love to go back to Europe and this time spend more time in Switzerland. It was by far the most beautiful of all the places we visited while we were there. I would also like to see England while I am there.
4. Las Vegas - only because Mark really wants to go there. I really have no desire to go, but he really wants to - so I would like to go with him. I do not like to gamble AT ALL, although I played BINGO on our cruise and won $600.00! Is BINGO really gambling though?
5. Hawaii - just once to see what I think!

OK Suzanne, Shay, Stacy, and Tricia - consider yourself tagged!

Mark's Birthday Cake

Mark's Birthday Cake
Originally uploaded by susanne.goodin

I would not describe myself as domestic AT ALL. I do not like to decorate, clean, cook or anything remotely related. The good thing about Mark is that he doesn't mind that about me. We had an agreement when we married that he would be the family cook and I would clean the kitchen. That agreement still holds true today! It works out great because he loves to cook and as long as I do not have to even think about what we are having for dinner - I don't mind cleaning the kitchen. The ironic part about all of this is that every year on his birthday I feel compelled to do something domestic. Last year I cooked him a huge meal on his birthday (it was great by the way - I didn't say I could not cook, just that I don't like to cook)!

This year two friends of mine took a cake decorating class. They invited me to come along for classes, but again, since cooking is one of my least favorite activities I declined. I do, however, run errands with my friends on occasion and I noticed a John Deere tractor cake pan one day when we were in Michael's. This pan, of course, screamed Mark. I decided to ask for a little assistance from my professionally trained friend, Emilie, and we were on a mission to make a Birthday Cake. It is a lengthy process, but it was lots of fun. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was done. I gave it to Mark today and he loved it. We ate some and it tasted pretty good too! I have completed my domestic task for the year!

Jenna's Birthday Scavenger Hunt

Our good friend Jenna turned 14 years old today. Lakyn and Jenna have been going to school together since they were three and Jenna's mother, Jan, and I have been close friends since then. We began to talk last week about what we could do for Jenna's birthday this year. We settled on a photo scavenger hunt. We divided the girls into two teams (they had to chose an M & M and the ones with like colors were on the same team). Each team was given a list of 25 items to complete and each item had a point value. They had exactly two hours to get as many items done as they possibly could. These items included a photo at the Welcome to Millbrook sign, photo with a Yield sign, photo pumping a strangers gas, photo walking someones dog, photo in front of a fountain, photo with a community helper, photo with a Winn Dixie employee, photo with a yellow car, photo with a pork loin, photo in front of an accurate clock, photo with a 1994 coin, photo with all team members on a swing, photo with someone taller than 6'3", photo at a phone booth, photo with all team members dressed in the same clothing, photo with a car battery, photo with an Alabama CD, photo taking a stranger's groceries out, photo with one team member wrapped in toilet paper in a public restroom (we brought our own toilet paper), photo with the word fun on something in a store, photo with a historical marker, photo building a pyramid in front of Stanhope Elmore High School......and a couple of others that I can not remember. The rules were you only had two hours - every minute you were late would deduct 5 points from your teams total. The driver was not allowed to help at all unless the team wanted to use a life line. They could ask the driver two questions and phone 1 friend - three life lines total. This was very difficult for me, because I was dying to help. Lakyn had no idea who "Alabama" was - the country group. Luckily one other little girl in our group was more familiar with country music. I was surprised at some things that they did know. They knew roughly where some historical markers were and they knew exactly where the Welcome to Millbrook sign was. It was so much fun listening to them devise their strategic plan and decide where they were going to go next. The groups tied - both groups were able to obtain all the photos and were back at the house by 9:30 PM. I had the best time watching them play this game tonight! Check out the photos on our FLICKR site. We got several good shots of the two groups. Happy Birthday Jenna - We love you!!

I was tagged!

What was your year like?

An unexpected blessing/smartest thing I have done- We moved Dalton to PCA this school year after much consideration and prayer. It was very hard for me to move my child to a private school (especially in my current position), but I had to do what was best for Dalton. I was not so sure about the move but it has been a blessing for our family. He is so much happier in this school and has done better academically. It has been well worth it to see him happy!

Feeling important- I do not necessarily feel important, but I do feel responsible. The school adding 2nd grade has increased my responsibility. I have realized that being the Principal of the school definitely does not make you any more important than anyone else, it just means you are more responsible than anyone else. A scary realization.

Craziest thing I did- I took my mother to the Rod Stewart concert. If you knew her at all, you would understand why that seemed like a crazy idea. We had a great time!

Sentimental moment-My baby started Jr. High School this year. It is so hard to watch her grow up - I want to freeze her in time, but I have enjoyed watching her become her own little person. I am very proud of her!

Most enjoyable gift-Mark and Lakyn bought me the softest robe on the planet for Christmas. I have worn it daily since Christmas morning - I think it may be the best gift I have ever received. I am sad that I am going to have to go back to work - I don't think they will let me wear my robe there!

Craziest purchase turnabout- Mark and I wanted to buy a nice camera so that we could take better pictures of the kids while cheering and playing baseball. Our other camera would not take good pictures from a distance. When we spent the large sum of money we spent on our camera, I did not realize what a great purchase we had made. That camera goes with me just about everywhere. I have a new found hobby. I am getting on the children's nerves, but they will thank me one day.

Moments of maturity- Realizing that it is impossible to make everyone happy and ridiculous to try.

Huge answers to prayer- Dalton loving his new school, Kyle finding his way for next year (he is a senior), Lakyn and Mom surviving and loving her first semester of Jr. High, Byne continuing to find success at Troy. Mark and I are still healthy and happy enjoying life! God has been very good to the Goodins! We are continuing to pray for my Aunt Joan. She is currently receiving cancer treatments- please include her in your prayers. Thanks!

Consider yourself tagged! Let me know about your 2007!

Happy New Year

We have a New Year's Eve party at our house every year. There is no better way to ring in the New Year. Lakyn and Dalton invited several of their friends this year and they had a great time. We watched the Auburn game and then stayed up very late playing Rock Band. Lakyn had to be taken to the church at 3:00 AM to leave for West Virginia on her ski trip - so we just stayed up until it was time to take her. She was so excited about her trip - but Mom was a little worried about sending her so far away without me. I have already talked to her three times today. She is having a great time! New Year's Day has been a very lazy day. I have spent the entire day in my pajamas - a great way to spend the first day of any year. Happy New Year!