Celebrating 32 What would you do?

Skeet shooting 101

Moving to Houston didn't leave many options for practicing skeet shooting or duck hunting, so when we get the chance I am always a little rusty. I do remember though, the bigger the kick...the bigger the bruise.

Bailey moments with Aunt Lisa

First time in Nana and Grandaddy's pool

First time sleeping over at Aunt Lisa's apartment

At the Houston Zoo

Favorite Aunt attire

A completely unplanned spring break trip to Marseille France

Marseilles, France

One of the best things I got to doe was spend the day with a 2nd grade teacher in her classroom. She did the morning weather report, and job charts just like we did. She was so sweet and for the second time in France I ran into a student with dyslexia.

The Mediterranean Sea

For anyone who remembers my trip this past summer to Paris, you know I love the French Chocolate Eclairs.

The best thing about serving God is most often He asks you to step outside of your comfort zone which then allows His glory to shine through you. I resisted three times the offer to play softball one night and then knew if I didn't go I would be disobeying. In the process I gave my new friend a black eye.

Crystal Award

The intercom at school announced the faculty needed to gather in the community center real quick because the principal needed to talk with us. (announcements like this always leave us on edge with imaginations of the worst possible situations) In my head I was thinking maybe she wanted to give an announcement about the recent TAKS scores. Since the meeting was going to be quick, we didn't sit at the tables and she started by saying the Houston Chronicle had called a few minutes before to announce that one of our own had been announced as one of four Crystal Award winners. She turned and looked straight at me. "No way," I thought "this can't be possible, you have GOT to be kidding!" This award is given by the Houston Chronicle to outstanding teachers, and my name had been submitted by the PTA president. So for a second time in one year, my mind tried to process how just doing my job had turned into this grander of recognition. After 31 years of comparing myself to my brother and sister's athletic trophies, God was having me realize that He calls us to where He wants us and equips us for His purposes. I truly love teaching and have desired to serve Him in this area with my whole heart. The trophies that I longed for growing up, have come in different shapes and sizes, but only after I have learned that God treasures me more than any trophy that could identify me as valuable.

After six years as a 4th team, this was such a special moment to have them all there to celebrate with me.

My cousin Brian and I had the same 9th and 10th grade English teacher. She had a huge impact on how I challenge students to reach for high exceptations, so it was an honor to have her with me.
This memory can not be described in words because family is so important to me. Support and love are words that hardly seem adaquate. At this point trophies no longer seemed important because to be recognized in such a way with those who love you through the good and ugly days was monumental to who I have become as a person. Thank you Dad, Mom, Amy, Erin, Phillip, and Andrew who I know would have been there if you could!

Cool slide show they played as they read about my accomplishments as a teacher.

Bailey moments

Everyone was right about this whole aunt thing!

Bailey's first Christmas

Sharing my favorite place with Bailey...the Drive in

We watched Gnomeo and Juliet.

Bailey announces shes is going to be a cousin...she Amy and Andrew are pregant!

Hanging on to this new outfit for my chance to be aunt to #2.

She's here (just a tad bit early)

Yesterday Erin went to her regular doctor's appointment, but the doctor decided to admit her to the hospital because of low fluids. So we went to the hospital to bring her and Phillip dinner. The plan was to let them rest and then start to induce the next morning. At 8:00am I got a text saying mom and Amy were headed to the hospital because they had decided to do a C-section. Less than an hour later while teaching my math lesson I heard the beep of my text message and was surprised to see the picture of a beautiful baby girl. Welcome Bailey!

I got to the hospital later than I wanted because of a flat tire, but was delighted to see her open her eyes for the first time.

She wore her "My aunt is my BFF" outfit the first time I went to see her at home.

Becoming an aunt..it's a big job

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 Life has not turned out as I planned, but as I am realizing things are better when you leave them in God's hands; His hands are bigger and His dreams for us are better.

My brother and sister-in-law have given me much grace and love as I have pestered them with silly requests during this process of "becoming an aunt". Erin has let me "attack" her at the door to "talk" to Bailey, let me lay my head on her stomach to feel Bailey move across my cheek, and allowed me to tag along to Babies R' Us and use the scanner to register. (my excitement can sometimes get the best of me) So for all of those people who have told me that being an aunt is the best thing ever...I can't wait to see if the moment holds true.

At Babies R Us registering.

Setting up the crib,
Baby Shower where Bailey got lots of fun things.

Region 4 District Teacher of the Year Dinner

Region 4 Dinner for all of the District Teacher of the Year winners. We were presented with a nice trophy..of course it has an apple on it.



Valerie, my principal. It's always an honor to be supported by your administration.

And even more of a blessing to have your parents support you!