for the teachers out there

So, I'm in school.

Yea, It sounded like a good idea when I was lying on my hotel bed watching the 3rd episode of SVU for the night.

I thought I could do something more useful with my time.

I thought it would make being away from my family easier.
Yea, um...Oh, what I would give to be watching the 3rd episode of SVU on the USA channel tonight.

Actually, except for the occasional international trip with bad wifi, it's not that bad.

It keeps me busy when I am away from home and (for the most part) I enjoy the classes.

Recently, we had a discussion board where everyone shared their favorite educational websites. Since my current version of education is not really kid related, I didn't have many resources to share.  I decided to enlist the help of some amazing ladies who recommended a few great sites. Which led me to find other great sites that I was able to share in my post!

A couple of my classmates shared some sites that I had not seen before...so I thought I'd share them with you!

The Cornerstone

This site is full of classroom management resources, advice and ideas.

Web English Teacher

This site appears to have lots of resources for English teachers and students.  They offer links to different resources for pretty much anything related to an English class.  I was surprised to see the amount of resources listed under Children’s Literature. If you teach English - check it out!

ThinkFinity

This site might just be one of my new favorites.  I already subscribed to their RSS feeds, so we shall see where it takes me. Their Speaker Series looks pretty interesting, I'm going to have to watch one in the near future.  They also have a section about Today in History. (lower left hand side of page)  It seems pretty cool!  This is one of the feeds that I subscribed to - gives me some quick reading when standing in line waiting to board a flight!

ReadWriteThink

Another cool site for reading / English teachers.  Did you know that November was National American Indian Heritage Month? Well, it is!  And, thanks to readwritethink.org - you can get lessons and resources about this Heritage month by simply visiting their website.  (I’m saving this for when the little one is slightly older)

WoNdEroPoLiS/

The name says it all.  Who doesn’t want to go to Wonderopolis?  

{If, by chance, you thought or said "me", then you should probably not read this blog.}

You will probably not find me entertaining at all.  

If you agree with me that Wonderopolis sounds fantastic, then you can stick around.

I first read about this site on Ann Voskamp's Everyday Learning Links.  If you haven’t read her list yet, I’m terribly sorry, but you are missing out on a good thing.  Go check it out!

ArtsEdge

Are you teaching about music, art, culture, visual or theater arts?  This is your site.

QUIA

Teachers can create their own activities like quizzes, games, calendars and surveys and students can access shared activities to help with reviews.  These activities can attached to your textbook so you can make sure that it covers everything you are studying.  I haven't had much time to peruse the site, but it was highly recommended by a classmate.  It seems to be a great site for parents and teachers alike.

What are some of your favorite educational, teaching, classroom management or kids websites?

Christmas will soon be here!

So - a Christmas special is in order!  This Christmas special is fun and educational. 

When I first ordered the DVD's I was worried that my little one might not be old enough to sit through them.
I was very, very, wrong.
Even though it was created for older little ones, my 2 year old loved it!



Have you ever watched any of the other videos from What's in the Bible? 
They are A.MAZ.ING.

Right now, they are having a sale - you can get all of the videos AND the full length Christmas video for a great price.  Click here to check it out!

Hi from Anguilla (and a book giveaway)

Updated:  

What seems like decades later, the girl who wrote this post was able to get back on the computer to post who random.com chose to win Beautiful Outlaw.

"All my Monkeys" - it's you! Please send me your mailing address so that I can get your book in the mail to you!

To all those out there who are wondering - hand surgery is not as easy as one might expect it to be.  Turns out you use your hands a LOT more that you realize and having one sliced open really makes writing, typing, dressing, eating and life in general...a little harder. 

But, the hand is healing and the other one is prepping to be sliced in a few weeks.

Original Post:  

I've been in Anguilla for about a week. 

I am staying at the Viceroy and it is fantastic.

All of the employees are beyond friendly and the property is ridiculously a-maz-ing.

Beautiful pools, yummy restaurants, a cool rock wall and couches in the tennis courts. 

Yep, it's pretty awesome!

If you are ever thinking about visiting an island - you should stop thinking, buy a ticket to Anguilla and stay at the Viceroy. They even have an awesome area for kids!   

(They are currently adding a water fountain play area and a tunnel for kids to crawl through. Yes, I said tunnel.  Fantastic idea, right? I would have been all over that when I was little! Who am I kidding?  If my little one was here, we would both be crawling through that tunnel!)

My training is going well and I've been able to get most of my schoolwork completed! 

Yea for wifi that works!

 The water here is ridiculously blue and the waves are amazing.  

Actually, amazing doesn't even begin to cover it.  

They aren't as big as waves that you see in surfing magazines, but they are big to me! 

But, it isn't the size of the waves that keeps me mezmerized. 

What amazes me is how they don't stop. Ever.

Last month, I was blessed to be able to attend the Ransomed Heart Captivating Advanced retreat with some friends.  While at the retreat, we were able to hear John speak about his new book, Beautiful Outlaw.

I bought a copy while I was at the retreat, intending to read it when I got a chance.  I started reading it on the plane...and actually stayed up that night to finish.  I loved it! 

One of my favorite chapters in the book is about God's love.  To make a point, John compares God's love to the ocean waves.  When I first read it, I loved the visual picture.  Then, when I was on the cruise and saw the waves, 

I remembered that illustration and it made me smile.

But, the waves here - In Anguilla?

These waves make my heart smile.

As you will see, in Anguilla, around this time of the year, the tide rises. 

They call it "ground sea" because the sea tears up the ground underneath. 

The waves are more intense, more heavy,
continually dumping enormous amounts of water on the beach.

What amazes me is how the waves don't ever stop.  

(I'm sure someone can give me some great scientific reason for the continual wave motion, but I'm just fine being amazed...and knowing that it happens because God created it that way!)

Waves in Anguilla from daysofgratitude on Vimeo.

A huge wall of water crashes onto the rocks and the beach and then the water slips back for a moment.  The area seems full of water. 

But, more water just keeps coming. 

With each wave, I am moved with how it continues to dump 

more water, again and again.

These waves are heavy and full and they just don't stop.
Even when there seems to be enough - more pours in.

Just like His love for me.

Would you like to have your own copy of Beautiful Outlaw to read?  Just leave a comment and I'll randomly choose a winner on November 11.   
(Unless I can't access the internet next week- in which case the winner will be chosen on November 16)

The Muppets go to College! (ish)

As a kid, I was obsessed with Sesame Street.  I especially loved the Muppets.  Miss Piggy was my favorite, but Kermit ran a close second. And then Grover...and...well, you get the picture.

Now that I have a little one of my own, I want him to be able to enjoy a muppet here and there as well.  But, as an adult who has taken way too many classes, I tend to read into and pay too much attention to what is being taught to my little one underneath the actual words.  And, I'm not always okay with those subliminal messages.

Then, last weekend, when I was at the Relevant Conference, I met a really great gal who works with What's in the Bible. What's that, you ask? 
Until last weekend, I had not heard of it either  - which is kinda amazing, since I tend to be obsessed with finding new things for the little one.

Anyway - long story short - It's pretty fantastic!  Fun movies for little ones...videos that seems to resemble what would happen if the Muppets went off to DTS or Southwestern...

And, right now they are running a special!  Do you have kids? A Niece?  A Nephew?  Neighborhood kids who hang out at your house cause you are the cool mom?  Dogs who like to watch TV?

You should probably get these DVS's for them! Click on the box on the upper right hand side to take advantage of their sale price!

Here is a quick view of their newest video - "Why do we call it Christmas?" - Enjoy!

My favorite artist and a few photos

Tonight, while I was waiting for my school website to allow me to login, I scanned through my instagram feed. It's fun to look at pictures...each one has a memory attached. It also keeps me from being frustrated that I can't log in to take my test.

I noticed one trend throughout the feed...many of my photos tagged #1000gifts are nature. 
Yep, I'm a pretty big fan of the most fantastic artist to ever exist.

So, I took photos of all my #1000gifts photos...didn't want any of you to miss out on them!  

Happy Wednesday!

last weekend

When I arrived in Baltimore, I picked up my rental car and headed to Harrisburg, PA.  Up until this moment, I was really excited about going to Relevant 11.  But, when I was driving, I realized what I had done - I had signed up to go to a blogger conference. 
The kicker?  I'm not much of a blogger. 
I love the idea of being able to make connections online and keep family updated, but the actual habit of blogging seems to stay on my to-do list most of the time.
But, I knew that Ann was speaking and I knew that the attendees last year had such a great time, so when the tickets went on sale - I bought one.
I’m glad I did.
I met many amazing women over the past few days.  I’ve never been with so many wonderful Christian women who seriously love Jesus and who want to share His love with others.
As I've grown up, I've been hurt by girlfriends. I learned quickly that girls can be a fickle bunch and that it is easier to just stay away.
I've never been around so many women who have felt the same way and who truly want to step out of their comfort zone and be a true friend to other women.
Women who smiled and reminded me that everything has a season.
Women who hugged me and told me to continue on my journey, reminding me that His plans don’t always make sense to our small human brain.
Women who shared their stories, even through tears, in hopes that their story will help someone else.
Women who repeatedly told all of us to stop comparing our lives and blogs to those around us, but to simply follow Him instead.
Women who were empathetic to the fact that following God is not always comfortable, but encouraging of the fact that God has great plans and that we need to continue following Him.
Ann spoke on Saturday night and it was brilliant.  Brilliant - brightly reflecting Him and His love for all of us.  If you aren't familiar with Ann and her blog, A Holy Experience, then you should stop reading this silly blog and go read hers - like, now.
It was definitely a surprise to hear such comforting words and to connect with so many wonderful women.
On a side note - I was also able to hear some fantastic artists - Aaron Shust, Christa Wells and Nicole Witt, Shaun Groves and the amazing David Nevue, (3 times - Friday night, Saturday afternoon and as Ann walked on stage Saturday night.  For that moment, I was living in my computer and her blog had come to life!)

And the frosting on the weekend?
God sent fluffy, white frosting.
Ridiculous amounts. Gracefully falling from the sky.
The little one would have loved it.



Thanking Him tonight for...
Meeting online friends IRL
3 days of conversations all anchored with Jesus
The light at the end of my “late assignment tunnel”
A sweet friend who made my heart smile by simply hugging me and using the word serendipitous.
Huge, fluffy, graceful snowflakes - like nothing I’ve ever seen before
This picture of my little one...captured by my sister...

wow.

I can't believe it has been a month since I was last here.
Time really flies when you are doing too many things.

Last week we got back from a week in the Caribbean - it was ridiculously great to be away from technology and spend time with family and friends. We even with on a zip-line tour in Jamaica and now we want to build a zip-line at my parents place.

This weekend I am blessed to be able to attend The Relevant Conference in Harrisburg, PA.  I got my ticket last winter and have been looking forward to attending ever since.  There are some amazing women who are speaking - I'm hoping to learn lots!

When I arrived, I was surprised with a wonderful "swag bag" full for goodies. Such fun!

Tonight we heard from Tsh, she blogs over at Simple Mom - it was wonderful! You should go check out her blog!

Now, I'm off to do a few hours of schoolwork and then to sleep...more Relevant conference in the morning!  Yea!

just a few things I love

clear, bright blue skies
fluffy, stark white clouds
storm clouds rolling in...and the breeze that tags along with them
ridiculously bright green grass
pictures of really cool starfish...purple ones...starfish that I hope to one day see IRL
velvety baby cows and their bossy mama's that keep me away
a silly, annoying donkey and his ignorance of our dislike of him
dogs who think they own the ranch
one specific dog who things he owns everything.  Well, everything except for that one specific little boy who thinks he owns the dog.
cackles and giggles from an unnamed little one while he harasses the aforementioned dog.
temperatures under 100
temperatures over 100 {as long as the humidity stays away}
air-conditioning. {on days when the humidity wants to stick around awhile. pun intended.}
laughter with my family

a rusty, but working tractor that we can all sit on and hang around while watching the storm clouds take over.

 the little one beating his own little drum

 the best youngest sister a gal could have

 the best youngest brother...who loves my little one no matter how many socks he wears

 my smiling Jahna Pali

glistening, beautiful storm clouds

 brothers and little ones playing and laughing until their guts hurt

a roof over our heads.

Many consider it important to have a roof over their heads.  I agree.  I prefer to sleep inside while the mosquitos sleep outside. It makes me sad that many people don't have the option of staying away from mosquitos. Mosquitos are mean.

That being said, I'm beginning to quickly come to the realization that having a specific roof over my head might not be as important as deemed by the society I live in.  

Our way of living is currently not listed in the normal category.  We live back and forth between 2 cities, 5 hours apart.  I travel about 90% of the time for work and when I am not traveling, my office is located at least 2 hours from one of the places where we sleep.

Many people don't understand.  They think something must be wrong. 

They wonder how we do it.

Well, if I thought about it for very long, I might wonder how we do it as well.  But, I try not to focus on things I don't understand. 

(As I've grown up, I've come to recognize this ability to not focus on the bad (or unknown) as a gift - a gift I'm continuing to hone on a daily basis)

There is a season for everything. Right now, we are in a season of my husband finishing school and God has blessed me with a job that can provide for us while he finishes his studies. It won't always be like this, but it is how things are for now.  I know- it's not normal.  But, then again, what is normal? 

My mom always said that normal was just a setting on a dryer.

Many times people ask how I cope with being away from home for so long.  I'm always frustrated by this question because I know that my answer won't sound right.  I want to say that although I miss my husband, kiddo and family, I don't really feel away from home. I enjoy the travels.  I enjoy seeing God's creation.  I enjoy imagining what it will be like to bring my family back to the places that I find and love.  I enjoy knowing that I am being used as a light in a pretty dark world. But, I know that to many people, who spend most nights in the same place, this answer will sound weird. 

Today, I was reading one of my favorite blogs and I came across a post that made me smile.  One of the sentences read "Communion with Christ, the continual conversation of the heart, wherever you are, this is what makes the heart love....love is the only real dwelling place"

I stopped and re-read it.  "wherever you are...love is the only real dwelling place" 

My heart smiled.

How do I do it?  How am I okay being away from home?

I'm not away from home...My Heavenly Father is with me - loving me, encouraging me, sharpening me...my only true home is with Him.

Is it difficult to not be with my husband and little one every week?  Yes. 

Do I miss my family, my siblings, my dogs? Of course!

But, the time away is giving me time to grow closer to my Heavenly Father.  This growing closer...this sharpening of my soul...it is refining me to be a better wife and mum.  It is preparing me for the day when our seasons change and I no longer travel like a gypsy. 

Tonight, I'm thankful for Ann and her blog post today. A post full of words that comfort and encourage me. A post that helps me remember that my feelings are okay, even if they don't fit with what society deems normal.  A post that reminds me that I'm not here to always be comfortable and normal, but I am here on this earth to be a light, to share His love with others...so that others will want to find Him.

And while I do that, He is always there, giving me grace.

Even though I don't sleep under the same physical roof each night, I do sleep under the best roof each night. 

Him.

July...in pictures...via Pikaw...

July disappeared.
It started with a nice week in H-town with the hubs and my little one. We had fun spending time with family and some out of town friends.  It's hard when friends live states away, but always nice when things immediately fall into place when you see them again.
Then, the hubs are I were off to Barbados.  I was going for work, the hubs went for vacay.  We had a great time.  We swam with turtles, drove around and got seriously lost, visited a cave on the edge of the ocean and took some serious pictures at the wildlife sanctuary.  We planned to make an animal photo book for the little one. We looked at the pictures that night and loved them.  Then, the EVIL digital camera fairy came and stole all of our pictures. The hubs took the card to a camera store in hopes that he could find them.  It didn't work. So, no pictures from Barbados.
evil, evil camera fairy.   
But, I'm very thankful for great memories.
I flew home, met my sister and little one at DFW, changed planes and headed to Cali.
I went to Cali for work, the sister and little one went for vacay.   
Are you seeing a trend yet?
I was working at a new account and it was a stressful week to say the least.
But, one of my dear friends lives in Cali and my sister and little one were with me, so it really was an amazingly great 10 days! We were able to spend time with our wonderful friend and the little one fell in love with his Aunt Kiki!  Not that she needed help, but the toys from Toygaroo definitely sealed the deal! We roamed around Santa Monica, Venice, the mall and Jubie's favorite - Knott's Berry Farms. It was her favorite part of the trip.  She's quite the thrill seeker.
My sister Jubie is unbelievably talented.  She is the most wonderful watcher of all things little one and the most talented photographer I know.  We have lots of pictures, but here are some of my favorites.
Enjoy!

Not so secret anymore, now is it?

Best $10 spent in California

He needed the iPad to rest his iPhone on...kids these days.

Barbados...

Wow, the week has flown by!
We arrived last Saturday and head back to the states tomorrow.  The wifi has been a little sketchy, so no pictures - as of yet.
Today, I am not working.  (yea!)
We are going to go swim with some turtles and we have rented a car - going to tour the island a bit this afternoon.  Should be fun, since they drive on a different side of the road here.
Hopefully, we will get some pics up next week.

Oh - and my sister had her little one...and my little one is obsessed with him.  I hear he's trying to snag him...

the little one's 2nd Astros game

Last night, we were blessed to go to the Astros game with some amazing friends!  It was great to be able to hang out with them and we all enjoyed watching the little one mimic the ball players.  

During a break, the ball girls were throwing {soft} baseballs into the stands.  

The little one got on his daddy's shoulders and waved and waved, hoping to get a baseball. They threw some around our section, but not near us. Then, they moved on...but, one kind guy on the field noticed the little one and he pointed him out to another guy.  

They went and got a baseball from the girls and threw it directly to us!  

The little one couldn't have been happier!

Around the 4th inning, the little one wanted to roam...so we went on a stroll.  The stroll involved some shopping and we left with a {soft} bat, ball and glove.  For the next hour, we watched the little one play baseball while the boys watched the Astros score some runs.

It was a winning night for time with friends, the little one...and the 'stros! Yea!

A new week begins tomorrow

I was blessed to be able to attend the In the Image of The Maker retreat this weekend.  It was great!

I met so many lovely ladies...godly ladies, who shared their stories...their hearts.  

It was such a gift.

It was needed to springboard me into the coming week.  

Twice a year, my employer conducts national sales meetings. As one of the corporate educators, I'm involved in educating at these meetings. Needless to say, they are stressful. I'd much prefer to be at home taking silly pictures and splashing in puddles with my little one.

But, this retreat fed me in a way that many things do not.  It has helped to ground me in The One who can get me through this next week. The fact that the retreat was this weekend was beautiful. 

Only He could arrange something so perfect.

Tomorrow morning, I will board a plane and head back to Texas.  Once I arrive, I will get my expenses ready to turn in on Monday and I will take a Theology mid-term.  I will get to see my husband and my little one. 

And then, things will start moving really fast. (they will probably start moving fast around the time I hit "start" on my mid-term, but that's a whole different story...) 

When things get too fast, I will make an effort to slow down and recognize the gifts that He gives me each moment.  

If {when} things get too crazy, I will remember to fight feeling with feeling.

I will remember that for right now, my crazy work provides money for schooling for the hubs and myself...it provides food and shelter for our little family and helps to provide for our 3 Compassion kids.  Yep - over the weekend our Compassion kids went from 1 to 3.  Listening to Ann share about her experience in Guatemala was quite moving.  I love that when you sponsor a child with Compassion, you aren't just helping to provide food, shelter and education, but you are helping them to hear about Jesus' love.  I want the little one to grow up writing and praying for the kids we sponsor. 

Friday night, when I saw the cards of 2 little boys just a couple of years older than my little one, I couldn't help but pick them up...Today, we sponsored them and I tucked their cards inside my Bible to carry home. I can't wait to write them! If you haven't sponsored a child with Compassion, you should go read Ann's story...and Kristen's story...and then, help a child out of poverty. 

Speaking of Kristen - she and her family were scheduled to leave today for Africa...for The Mercy House.  But, due to some unexpected health issues for Kristen, they were not able to leave.  Please keep them in your prayers.

tonight

Tonight I am in North Carolina at a retreat hosted by Christa Wells, Nicole Witt and Ann Voskamp. I'm pretty excited about being here - even if I did come to the retreat all by myself!
I'm also excited that I was able to see my little sister Jenia last night and that we will be able to sneak in a little shopping tomorrow night before I head back home.
The trees here in North Carolina are REALLY tall. I like it. It seems to make the nighttime animal noises just that much cooler. That, or I'm crazy. Either options are totally plausible.
I so enjoyed getting to hear Ann speak...she is such an encourager, and I love that! I realized tonight that she is pretty much my virtual mentor - if that is even possible... :)
And the music session tonight with Christa and Nicole was great. They are both blessed with some pretty amazing talents. It was such fun to be in the room and sing along all of the awesome ladies who were able to come to the retreat.
I know that tomorrow is going to be even better!

Thankful for:
encouraging words (505)
praise songs (506)
tall {really tall} trees (507)
crickets and bullfrogs at night (508)
junebugs (509)
the way the moon sneaks through the trees (510)
fellowship with Godly women (511)
My "tart and sweet Island treat" from Trader Joes - Green Mango (512)
The USB plug that charges my iPhone in my attention grabbing rental. (513)
The obvious reminder from God to not speed - a bright red mustang as a rental. (I reserved a compact car, but there weren't any clean ones readily available, so the kind young man was excited to upgrade me to the mustang. I smiled and said thank you, while I cringed inside.) (514)
The mere fact that I have finally recorded more than 500 gifts - Obviously, I'm still learning to recognize and write them down... (515)

A Mother's Day lesson

Thankful in all things. This is my goal.

Sometimes, it is really hard.  

I travel a lot for work, which means that I am away from my family quite a bit.  But, it is what I am called to do right now. 

I traveled home on Friday, knowing that I would leave again on Sunday.  Mother’s Day.  Not my favorite, but the option of leaving my home at 3am on Monday morning, didn’t seem much better.  So, on Mother’s day, I left for South Carolina.

I arrived in Charleston, picked up my bags and rental car, and headed out of the airport.  I was heading to Whole Foods to buy my food for the week.  I was bummed to be by myself.  I really wanted him to come on this trip with me.  But, I was heading to Whole Foods, one of my favorite places to shop.

I drove around the airport and was still on International Drive, when I became accutely aware of how thankful I was to be alone. I looked to the right to make sure it was safe to change lanes and when I looked back, everyone in front of me had stopped. 

I didn’t stop in time.

In an instant, I slammed on the brakes, heard a crash, saw the car in front of me become one with my rental car and heard what sounded like a gunshot.  My left hand slapped my face, my bag flew onto the dash and my foot kept pressing on the brake, although I was thoroughly stopped. 

Airbags hurt.

Thankfully, I was wearing my seatbelt. {grace}

Thankfully, my left hand was on the right side of the steering wheel, so my arm took the brunt of the impact from the airbag. {grace}

Thankfully, my arm withstood the force of the airbag and did not break. So, I can still perform my work duties this week {grace}

Thankfully, the man in the car I hit was not injured. {grace}

Thankfully, my little one was safe in Texas with his Mimi. {grace}

Thankfully, apart from some cuts and bruises, I am fine. {grace}

If it were up to me, my little one would have been with me. Thankfully, I have a Father who knows better.  I was sad to not be with my little one, but I would have been more sad for him to have been in the car with me.

• My little sister Jenia sits very close to her steering wheel due to her itty-bitty-ness.  We have talked for months about her needed to get a new car or get her pedals extended.  We will stop talking about it this week.  It will happen.  Before Friday.
• I have always known that it is bad for little ones to ride in the front seat.  I thought I knew why.  Now, I really know. Little ones shouldn’t have to deal with airbags.
• My brothers sometimes question the use of seatbelts.  They “drive big trucks” and think they will be fine.  It doesn’t matter how big the truck is, the airbag still goes off in your face.  Seatbelts not only keep you in the car, but they keep you off the airbag.
• My little one’s car seat has been known to be installed on the sides of the back seat from time to time.  He will be in the middle of the seat from now on...

Airbags are great things.  They are a great source of protection.  The plastic that covers them keeps them ready to protect.  But, when the airbag goes off, the plastic has to go somewhere.  It hurts when you get in the way.  It’s best to stay away from both if possible.

Sometimes, we have to learn hard lessons.  

Thankfully, my Father used Mother's Day to make me a more grateful daughter, a better, safer Mummy and a more {lovingly} forceful sister. 

My prayer is that my cuts and bruises will help to prevent others cuts and bruises.

Moral of the story:

Wear your seatbelt.

Don’t sit too close to the steering wheel.

Know that He always knows best.

Learn to recognize His grace in everything.

happy mothers day!

a weekend full of fun

This weekend, someone turned two.

TWO!
Seriously?
Um, I totally did NOT authorize that.

But, I did authorize the ridiculously fun weekend that we had with our family!
No work, No hotels, No alarms.
Too much sugar, Too much sleep, Too much fun


Want a glimpse?

Sparkly Shoes #493

 Backseat Entertainment #494

 Sugar, Sugar, Sugar #495

Serious Painting #496

 and more sugar...

 more backseat entertainment

 camera phone Easter pics #497

We had lots of fun playing and hanging out!
We even had family in from Virginia - we were just having so much fun with them that the iPhone was MIA - which means the pictures are on Jimmy {the real camera, who doesn't travel with me for work}
So, you will have to wait to see those beauties!

Speaking of beauty...we also took a few senior pictures of a pretty fabulous little graduate!
Here's a sneak peek...