Dh is home!!!

Yay! he's home. We were so happy to see him. He brought goodies, hats, magnets and chocolates. yum!! Every time he stops in Amsterdam he brings back these fantastic chocolates. He also brought the camera back so I could take pictures of my layouts!

I was teacher tagged!

1. I am a good teacher because... I don't give up on a kid...and I can usually connect in some way with the majority.

2. If I weren't a teacher, I would be... some how working with teenagers.

3. My teaching style is... inquiry based- let them teach me is my thought. I show you the path, and you can tell me what you discover!

4. My classroom is... crazy, filled with bookshelves, lava lamps, light signs, and other goofy knickacks.

5. My lesson plans... are organized chaos. The structure is the same every day but what happens always changes within!

6. One of my teaching goals is... get more kids to want to go to college and not settle for less than they are capable.

7. The toughest part of teaching is... explaining to a nonteacher. It's too hard to explain why something was important or amazing if they just don't get it. Or don't care.

8. The thing I love most about teaching is... seeing kids eye's light up when they become inspired or realize a goal.

9. A common misconception about teaching is... that you get the summers off. I have been reading my head off so that I can knowledgeable suggest titles to my kids.

10. The most important thing I've learned since I started teaching... is if you set a level of expectation the students will meet it.

I am going to tag:
Candice
Judy
Angie
Alicia
Missy

Donna's Blog challenge

Okay I haven't been here in a while! Life gets in the way ya know? lol Between scrapping,reading,swimming, running after kids, cleaning and cooking, the day goes by quickly! I swear I am just as tired at the end of the day as if I was at work---which starts back in 22 days. I am actually just about ready to go back!

Name 5 favorite television shows: Grey's Anatomy, The Closer, 24(this is a new one as I rented all five seasons and watched them this summer!), Studio 60 (I am so sad that the show was cancelled), Criminal Minds. - You know it was harder to come up with this list than I thought. I used to be such a television junkie but now not so much!

Name 4 favorite memories: The nervous excitement as I said my vows to dh, Telling dh I was pregnant and then the births of my babies, the feeling when I drove off the lot in my Jeep, The day we moved into our house. Moving into this house made me feel like a grown up!

Name 3 things you want to do before you die: Leave the country- actually go on some trips, Get out of debt, see my children get married.

Give 2 names that you would use NOW if you were going to have a new addition to the family:If it were a girl- Kate, a boy- Drew.

Name the one thing that you're working on now to improve your life:Showing the people in my life that I love, want, and need them.

WHat type of ice cream...

You Are A Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Girl

Creative. Expressive. Unique.

What Flavor Ice Cream Girl Are You?

What kind of writer...

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Harry Potter

I can't believe it's over. I think I am in mourning! lol I Finished last night....the last twenty chapters just flew by!! I wonder on a side note exactly how many blogs are talking about Harry this week. The fervor is unreal. I wonder what the next big thing will be!

John WIlliam Waterhouse

I challenged everyone to add their favorite painting or painter. Mine is John William Waterhouse. One of my favorite paintings by Waterhouse is Boreas.



Another is Juliet
The Shrine
And the last one is Wildflowers.

CCCP Pause the music below first!

I know these faces by heart

Last night's layout

Three more layouts and a dream

I added three more layouts to Reuben's album. I am trying to get it finished in time for his birthday. It sums up all of his trips through his work at Cooper Cameron. I have been working so much on these layouts that I am starting to dream I am there! Last night or rather early this morning I dreamt that I was in Amsterdam driving in my jeep looking up at a billboard for a Dutch radio station. I could see the call letters and was listening to the music on the radio. Of course the music was all in English! ha ha I won't even get into the part where Reuben was walking around holding three large red salmon in his hand! ha ha guess it's time to change the menu up!!

Swim lessons Day 2

Well it started out scary- Nico fell getting into the pool. He was embarrassed. I quickly tried to get him to shake it off and get in... I held my breath- he got in and did his thing. He did great! He was putting his face in the water, blowing bubbles, practicing swim strokes, floating on his back, and he even jumped off the side at the end!

GIuliana kept telling me she was going to do it, she was going to do it- and sure enough she did! she immediately sought out her teacher and got into the pool. SHe did everything she was supposed to. It was great! At the end she said in the car, "You told me I could do it." I said "Yes. I did!"

Swim lessons Day 1!

Today was day one of swim lessons. I was scared. I didn't want to have to sit and talk to a crying freaked out kid. I wanted them to jump in like everyone else's and just learn. I bribed them all weekend-- if you practice and do what you are supposed to do at swim lessons we'll go to Target and get a toy. Well. Nico did. He had a blast. He kicked with the kickboard, blew bubbles, practiced his arm motions, and watched all the other kids. G- not so much. she cried, threw a fit, one girl was telling her no, another boy was splashing her, making every excuse in the book and in general didn't want to be there. She was SOOOO excited this morning. She was all about the swim lessons. But when we got there she was not having anything to do with that. We will see how day two goes tomorrow- she says she'll participate. Nico got a great Transformer scorpion. G wants a cabbage patch baby (and they are on sale!!!). Of course when we get home she's jumping off the side of the pool and swimming to the side and Nico's using his kickboard so here's hoping for tomorrow! stay tuned.

Starbucks mug of the day: Paris

10 years!

You've Changed 60% in 10 Years

You've done a good job changing with the times, but deep down, you're still the same person. You're clothes, job, and friends may have changed some - but it hasn't changed you.

How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

Saturday in the country!

We headed to the great city of Huntsville for Benjamin's birthday party. It was a great break from the rain! Birthday cake, sausage, frito pies, a pinata, swimming, and riding on the toy jeep were all part of the activities! unfortunately I forgot to bring nico and g's vests but it worked out perfect. Nico discovered he could stand up in the pool and G was swimming to Reuben the whole time! she's ready to swim! Towards the end of the day G and Benjamin both got tattoos... G has a rose on her arm and Benjamin has a claw mark and a spiderman on him!

day 462 of rain....

At least it feels like it! We have had two solid weeks of rain every day. I think the rainforests are moving north. They are in my backyard. welcome to the swamps! At least I have plenty of time to scrap! I have been working on dh's trip album. He'll be surprised when he sees it completed. the kids have done well with the rain and all- no major fits. Nicolas does watch for patches of sun to run and jump in the pool. An hour here or there and he's happy!

Starbucks mug of the day: Los Angeles.

My mud bug!

Donna tagged me!!

Instructions: These are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

1. I am an internet addict. I can come up with a million reasons to get online.

2. The pecan is my favorite nut.

3. I love my life! I have a great husband who obliges my whims and great kids who only drive me crazy some of the time!

4. Fresh cherries make me fart! how's that for a confession!!

5. Ice cream is my weakness. I love it!

6. I have an addictive personality. Once I find something I love I surround myself with as much of it as I can.

7. right now I am supposed to be making lunch! But instead I am here!


so there! I have been tagged. Now I am going to tag..... Amy, bethany, Cheri, Missy, Parkie, Sharlene, and Tammy.

My nephew ethan....

Ben

This image is from
Easter 2007.

another layout

I just finished one tonight!