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.

zoo tales

one hot friday morning in june 2010
three kids and aunt emily trekked to the zoo.
it was fun.
and hot.
we had a great time.
it was really hot.
we saw animals.
did i tell you it was hot?
had a train ride.
man, it was so hot.
we went inside.
back outside....
boy, it was hot.



that sweet smile... oh, just melts my heart.


the monkey kate.


the mandatory self portrait with aunt emily and three munchkins...it only gets harder.
this is where i really need a nice point and shoot that i'd be happy with.


they love each other. they do. so much.

silly fun after swimming...

not good picture quality.
just so you know.
but great stories.

mimi teaching the kids how to talk in the fan to make your voice sound silly
(and look ridiculous in the meantime)


andrew being andrew
(with his hands up saying, where'd it go?


they like the timer too....and andrew apparently leaned over and kissed me.
i couldn't resist. could you?


kate likes the timer too.
we just got out of the pool too, by the way.
in case i didn't say that.

i heart this boy

I have been blessed with an amazing life long friend that I met in 7th grade.
I have since maintained this connection with his family, but also his family new family with his wife, and now his son.
I had the joyous pleasure to watch their little boy for a weekend in June so they could attend a wedding weekend in town.
I took advantage of having only one child around, beautiful light, and worked on some shots in the backyard.
I didn't make him pose....just took shots of him playing like he loves to play. I loved it.
I have about a hundred that I love.... here are just a few.

Here's the sweetest kid...with the bluest eyes. I didn't touch anything with the eyes (btw).
As a note, I typically don't edit much at all.. maybe adjust fill light on some... picasa is it for me. I don't even do photoshop these days.

Matthew Robert

On May 3rd we welcomed my brother and sister in law's fourth child, and third boy..... Matthew Robert. Of course, he's perfect. He's also now just about two months old. I'm awful about taking pictures now that they are in town. I used to ALWAYS have my camera around and would constantly snap shots.....now I don't carry the big one around because it's heavy.... and I just don't do it. I bought a point and shoot but returned it because the image quality was total crappiness... so I thought I'd just get better. I still need to improve. I'm playing catch up tonight with lots of blog posts....mostly pictures, not writing. I'm just not witty like that.



Mom with Kate, Will, and Andrew welcoming Matthew on his birth day.
He has no idea how much fun this life will be.



Proud big sister was ready to tell her kindergarten class all about her newest baby brother.
She is an amazing big sister, too...




Simply Sweet.
Calm.
Serene.


Proud aunt...not a good picture at all, but stole it from my brother's collection.

Easter Egg Hunting Time

Easter Egg Hunting Time.....

And, he's two...eyes so blue

Happy 2nd Birthday Andrew!

Those beautiful blue eyes...

He wasn't too sure about the cake!

I've got my eyes on you!

he's two...

From the sweetest face at birth to the sweetest face at two.....

Oh, how I adore you Andrew Aaron.

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Buddy.

If I ate seafood before...

I wouldn't eat it afterward!

I've never been to the Oklahoma Aquarium...until today.
I took Kate to it and we followed it with a trip to Fresh Berry.
(One of my favorites)

It was fun to take photo's today.
I haven't had my camera out in a long time..... I've got some work to do, but I was happy with some of the animal shots... it was so dark, but I captured an awesome jellyfish shot and the green eel was just too cool.

Enjoy.

Jump Around...

I know I've been a slacker. It's been busy.
I've debated even keeping this blog. I am not sure what I'm going to do.

Here are some snapshots from this afternoon with the kids.
By the way, they are home in Tulsa now.
It's the best ever for this Aunt Emily.

Here they are enjoying their newly set up trampoline...they've been patient. Waiting since Christmas and all! :)

it's andrew's time to shine...

Andrew.... the sweetest little boy. I say that about all of them, but they truly are the best.
Seriously.

An Aunt can't ask for much more.....
but she will be having one more soon.... due in May of 2010! I'm so excited to welcome another one to the family.

Here are some shots of him over that same weekend.
He loves his brother and sister...and he loves to swing!

He's beautiful. He is now a little over 1 1/2 and will be 2 in March! My how time flies.

Kate's Gymnastics Expo

That amazing little Kate. She is awesome at gymnastics. She loves it.
Here are a few shots of her.

The last shot is of her sweet little friend, Maggie.

Adorable girls.