Making handmade cards!

I am happy to host my friend Amy's baby shower coming up in November. This is her first pregnancy, and I couldn't resist making the invitations by hand! It has taken several hours, since I am dry embossing them, but so far, so good. Dry embossing involves using a stylus ( a small metal tool), a stencil, and a light kit. You press a thick paper into the stencil using the stylus, and by having the light shine up through it, the shape "pops" up off the paper toward you. I still have tons more work to do on the front and inside, but the hardest work is over. I think they look adorable and will match her nursery colors perfectly. If only I could do this for a living- I would have it made! : ) I'll post the finished project soon!

Rachel comes to visit!

Rachel came to visit on Saturday. She had a few parties to attend, so she wanted me to "poof" her hair in the back. We had a fun time together. She is such a sweet and energetic girl!

ChyAnn and Madison spend the night!

Our neices on David's side, ChyAnn and Madison, spent Friday night with us. They are in the 1st and 2nd grade in Farmington. We all went to my classroom so I could work, they played on the Middle School playground, and then we had dinner in Prairie Grove at Gabby's Mexican Grill. While we were eating, one of my former students and his family came in. It was neat to get to introduce them to him. Later, after baths, we watched Alice in Wonderland. For a bedtime story, David read a Halloween book, "The Ugliest Pumpkin." We had a fun time together!

More classroom pic's!

My Classroom This Year!

These are some pictures of my classroom for the 06-07 school year. I have added shelving to my Library Lounge, changed some bulliten boards around, and switched up some work stations. I never imagined last year that I would love these students more than my first group, but I have found that I love this group just as much! I can't imagine a more perfect job- I get to be creative, independent, and work with energetic kids all day! What other job would allow me to talk about my favorite books all day? I really feel like I have found my niche.

Ideas!

We took the photos of this house, and others similar to it, as inspiration for our builder and architect!

Moving Out the Week of my Birthday!

The week I turned 25, we were moving out. It was quite a memorable event. I'm sure it is a birthday I will never forget! It was quite sad to see our house empty after five years of calling it home.

Colton's 6th Birthday Party

My cousin, Alicia, and a host of friends and family celebrated Colton's 6th birthday party at the Jones Center. Although we did not stay to watch them swim, I'm sure they had a marvelous time! Also pictured is Alicia's newest son, Hunter Brooks.

Halloween Pictures with Bichon and Tilly

Amy Hickman and I got our "girls" together the weekend of the 7th and 8th to take Halloween pictures. We decided to use the pictures to create Halloween greeting cards. Amy also has a Bichon Frise, so they are so adorable together. Tilly was a pumpkin, and Bichon was a Bumble-Bee. Amy and I had the pictures developed on Saturday night, and finished the cards on Sunday right before Connection Group. We hope to make it an annual tradition!