I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet, but I've started cycling. I wanted to do something to help increase health and get in shape. I love it. I love the friends I've met. I love how I feel. The cold weather now...not so much.

Anyhow, when I started I set a goal to ride in the Breast Cancer Awareness Ride, which was 25 miles. Turns out it was about 32 and a tough ride. Pretty steep hill at the beginning, on the roads and ended up on the trail along the river. Had a great time. Did it. LOVED the feeling of success!

Christmas Photographs in a Snap

Snapped some quick shots out in the backyard for their Christmas cards....
Not the best, but I think they are pretty darn adorable.

32 Candles

Happy Birthday to ME!

My goodness, I'm getting old. 32.
Twice the age of the gal on Sixteen Candles.
That's a great movie.

Where's my Jake?

Here's the littlest nephew, Matthew. He makes my heart smile.
Seriously. I've actually been able to really watch him grow up.
Since they now live in Tulsa I get to see them almost weekly.
Beats the few times a year visits to Texas.

I'm loving it. I'm so blessed that they are here!


He loves me.. and he loves kisses.
Don't let him fool you.

Appropriate picture for Aunt Emily's blog...
Aunt Emily and here munchkins.
Kate-6, Will-4, Andrew-2, Matthew-6 months

October Zoo Tales

I've been so bad at this thing. I think I say that multiple times.
I've thought about starting over with a fresh blog, fresh thoughts.... but I am not quite the blogger I had hoped to be.
I'm thinking I might start one when I begin my own teaching adventures in the classroom.
For now, this is mostly the adventures of Aunt Emily.
That seems to be my most prominent role these days.

And, of course.... the subjects of Aunt Emily.

These were taken in October at the Tulsa Zoo.
Kate and Will were trying to convince Andrew to be a lion!






Of course, we had to throw Matthew in there too! He looks thrilled!

There's the smiling boy... he was 5 months here.


Kate... goofy picture, but fun...

NDSC Convention at Disney!

As a new Special Education teacher, there is a lot to learn. A lot to know. A lot to do.
It can be overwhelming.
I took the chance and applied for a chance to attend the conference this summer.
The local parent group, DSAT, chose me.
I was honored.
I took my mom with me and we explored Disney for four days.
We didn't actually do the parks, because I was in training all day each day.

However, we had breakfast with Mickey Mouse and went to Downtown Disney each day.
I had a great time and learned a lot.

I am forever changed by what I learned.
I can't even begin to describe it. I will try to write more later.

I can't wait to use my knowledge in the classroom.

And she came to visit..

It's been two and a half years since Violet came and lived with me while in Foster Care.
She's doing great and is entering the 3rd grade this fall.
She is living with her family and is so loved by all of them.

She had a good time, and so did I. We did a lot of things, but I just picked a few favorite shots.

splash park fun

I absolutely love the picture of Kate below.
It screams "JOY" to me.
Her face. Her smile. Her eyes. Her arms. Her running legs.
Ah, that made me happy.

the buddy went along too!

Andrew really wanted to swim too.
He would pull to take off his shirt and shorts.
And his shoes.
He supported his brother and sister.

He had fun.
Kissing his brother too.
Smiling and taking pictures.
I'm glad he likes to do it. It's fun to snap pictures of beautiful children.

proud to be a swimmer...

Kate took swim lessons too.
She loved it.
One of the pictures below is of her kicking....she's winking her eye. I think that's her way of concentrating.

And, the swam for diving rings. That's a first. We were soooo proud of her.

and he's a swimmer

Swimming Lesson Fun

Will has been taking swimming lessons for two weeks. I went the last two days to document some of the fun.
I was ready to jump in too.
It's hot inside that place!

his smile melts my heart....

Aren't his smiles awesome?
Pardon the cell phone shot, but it was too cute to resist.

He's two months old now and just adorable in every way.
He loves the heat and he loves to cuddle.
I love that boy.

and it's real...i'm certified.

a year ago i never would have imagined i'd be where i am today.
i wouldn't change THAT for the world.

i'm now certified to teach special education PK-12.
now, that rocks.
i thought originally it would be K-8.
it's not. it's more.
i may have some more to do, but for now, this ROCKS.

i can't wait to teach.
for now, it's one more year of graduate school to finish my Master's.
and write my thesis.
some people think i'm crazy for that, but i love it.
i'm a school nerd.
i love the thesis ideas.
i met with my advisor again today.
each time i get really excited about it.

so, one more year... lots of classes.
lots of reading.
lots of writing.

and then... i can teach!
my own littles.
beautiful! truly beautiful.