Christmas

All my family was together for Christmas... here is an update! It was great fun!

Papa was able to come down and see all his granddaughters and great granddaughters---Thank you Connie and Neal for driving him part way! That was so helpful and nice!!! We ALL appreciate it!!

Amy was here--- Les was unable to come b/c of his new EMT, Ambulance Job-- he had to work-- we missed ya Les!!!
My 2 nieces from Amy and Les:
Peyton-- who will inform you she is 2 and a HALF was here-- and was REALLY into Santa coming--- it was so much fun to see how magical and exciting Santa Claus was to her. She was so much fun to be with and play with! I wish she was closer
Kendall--- who is five months, is all smiles. The happiest baby around! She is just in a happy mood all the time and so easy going. She loves attention from her big sister!
IT was fun buying toys that only Aunts buy and sending them home with Amy! :)

Beth was here and her new addition to our crew Tylee-- Tylee is 2 and a half months-- and was very into watching everyone. She is a little too young to particpate with the other two girls--- She is starting to smile and grab items, and laugh! She is growing so fast!

I really enjoyed having all the babies here to play with and spoil!

My mom enjoyed having everyone here and cooked TONS of great food and goodies-- I think we have leftovers for 2 more weeks! IT was GREAT mom, Thank you! Dad enjoyed being Papa-- Peyton thinks he hung the moon! It was so fun to watch!


Happy 2009 to everyone!!!

Merry Christmas

Ron Clark Academy

Nancy and I went to Atlanta to the Ron Clark Academy Site visit this past weekend! We were BLOWN AWAY with how amazing the school, the teachers, and the students were! I can't even describe the level of learning, relevance, dedication, respect... I could go on and on that was evident in the 1 day we were at his school! What an AMAZING opportunity! I am SOOOOO excited I get to go back in Feb and learn more! I already see things in my classroom and school differently.. and I am so excited to learn more!
We were able to do some site-seeing while we were there too! We had a blast! I am so glad Nancy is a photographer and shares her pictures with me! Her pics are WAY better than mine, so I am sharing a few here!

My 3 Day Walk

I know some people have been waiting for me to write and post pictures of my 3 day journey, and I apologize it has taken so long it has been busy!

First, I want to thank EVERYONE who supported me by coming out to cheer, donating money, praying, and just being there as I took on this experience. I would not have been able to complete the walk or raise the money without all of you! Thank you, I truly could not have done it without all of you! Next, to my walking partners, Rochelle and Sheila--- thank you SO much for walking with me! I had so much fun getting to know you and walking with you all weekend!

I spent 3 days walking and camping to walk 60 miles and raise money to help end breast cancer. It was an AMAZING experience. To walk with over 3,000 men and women to take a stand against cancer, and raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, was great! We started at Southfork Ranch the first day (where Dallas was filmed) and walked to SMU over the course of 3 days. We walked approx 20 miles a day, then camped at night. I have never camped in a tent, and I learned after the first night, that there is an inner zipper and an outer zipper. Needless to say, we were much warmer the second night in our tent.

On Sunday when my feet were sore, my legs hurt, I had been walking for 3 days and sleeping outside, I said I didn't think I would do it again. Now, a week later and feeling much better, I 100% believe the experience was worth all the pain and I would do it again!!! :)

Here are just a few pics from along the journey

Halloween at School

Trying to play our parts...





Here are a few pics from Halloween at school. Our principal is GREAT and let our staff and kids dress up for the day! It was a lot of fun!!! We have the best staff ever at my campus!

Yesterday Nancy and I received a phone call from the Ron Clark Academy! We applied for a grant through our district to go and visit their academy on December 5th. We posted the video on YouTube so that the district committee could see it. We received the grant, and are going for a campus visit on Dec 5th! SO exciting....
WELL...
Yesterday Ron Clark, and the academy's cofounder, Heather Bearden contacted us because they saw the video!! We have no idea how they found it on you tube.. BUT they did, and they want to bring us to their big conferences in Atlanta !! We are soooo pumped !! We sent an email back to them with a BIG HUGE THANK YOU !!! We can't wait !!
Here is our video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcd2ECPuw58

State Fair

Nancy and I went to the State Fair of TEXAS on Columbus Day-- along with 9 million other people that were off work. Nancy and I had a GREAT time eating, walking, and people watching. Thanks for taking pictures Nancy!

Spider Update

Well after a month or so... my pet spider has moved out! I am truly hoping he has NOT made his way into my apartment for his new home. My apt building got a new roof last week, and the spider disappeared.

High School Reunion

Along Came a Spider

I have been watching a pet spider that now has lived on my balcony for 3 weeks. It moved its house/web to the other side of my porch last week, and I was really nervous that it had moved inside. I probably should report him/her to the apt office before it gets cold outside... I am pretty sure once it gets cold it will want to live inside with me. No Thank you.....

I am fascinated with its size and colors and would hate to see it die.... BUT it is also kind of scary looking. Nancy came to take pictures for me so you all can see my new pet! Thanks Nancy....

What type of spider is it? Is it Poisonous ---- not sure if I want to find out!

Back to School

I just finished my second week of teaching 6th grade math. I am TIRED!!! 6th graders are so sweet, and I think they still like you as a teacher... Lets see if that lasts until the end of the year. I finished another graduate course today! YEA!!! I have 5 days off then the next one starts. I am starting to think that I want to buy a house and leave apartment living forever! Mason and I both really hate it.

I am still training for the 60 mile 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. I joined a team in Coppell and we walk and fundraise together! I am enjoying getting to know them and walking with them. We did 12 miles this morning--- getting closer to the BIG 3 Days!

Peyton's new PJS

I sent Peyton new pajama's. She loves Mickey Mouse... so I just couldn't pass up the cutest Minnie Mouse PJ's. I think she likes them. :)

And here is Peyton and Kendall... I miss you girls!

Back to Work

I went back to work on Monday... I love summer vacation! I love the first week back at work everyone has such positive energy and excitement, it really gets me excited about the upcoming school year! I am trying to get use to having a schedule and a calendar again. It is amazing how quickly you can get use to not balancing 18 things a day! Finding enough time each day to accomplish everything is always a challenge, BUT I will manage to get it all done!

SIDE NOTE: I have less than a year left of graduate coursework.... YEA!!! I am so ready to be finished with school---AGAIN!

Upcoming Posts: I sent Peyton a package today! I fully expect pictures of Peyton in her new attire Amy so I can post them on my blog!

New Hair!

I went and got my hair cut and colored yesterday! I thought a change before school started would be a great idea!!! :) I love IT!!

Galveston Trip

I went to Galveston with my good friends Buster and Lauren. We stayed at a Bayhouse on Tiki Island... it was GREAT! It was a nice relaxing trip before Lauren and I go back to work. Thanks for letting me tag along with yall! I had a great time!

My Nieces

I spent 2 weeks in Phoenix with my older sisters family awaiting the arrival of my new niece Kendall Lee. While I was there I got to hang out with Peyton, my 2 year old niece. We had so much fun! Here are a few pictures of my trip!

The beginning

I am going to TRY to start a blog!!! I am still figuring all the features and fun stuff out...