Refresher!

For the past several days, I had the opportunity to go to a Christian School conference in Galveston, Texas. I have attended the ACSI or known as American Christian Schools International, for about the past six years. I always enjoy attending and learning new things! You can never learn enough!

This year was a little different. I had the privilege of a good friend and myself attending and traveling alone. It is amazing how God always has a plan and has the ability to open our eyes. We all know that positive enforcement and consistency with anything is always great! Well, we somehow get blindsided and overlook the joys and encouragement of everyday life. We forget that to build and educate great kids, we must encourage, encourage, and encourage. A child must at least hear one positive thing in relation with their name each day. That sounds so easy, how do we forget and make the mistake of not doing so.

It is sad to say that we all get so busy and wrapped up in our own needs and lose sight of the bigger picture. Yes, I pray. Yes, I read my bible. But, do I always acknowledge and recognize someone each day in a positive way? I like to think I do, but after being refreshed and energized, I quickly realized that I need to step it up. Just a few words of encouragement can merely change and alter our entire moral and those around us.

More cuties!

The orange sunset perfectly matched for her costume!
Our sunset. Beautiful.

ME and the CHLO CLO!

Gotta love lake livin' and a little of attitude from your seven year old! See that face on the left. We did not win the costume contest.

After all today is Elvis' birthday!

I Know they dont count as kids, but I had to add my great retired neighbors too!




I love to take pictures and I think my neighbors are glad that I love to take pictures! Even though it may take me forever to get them handed over, they still know that they will eventually get them! The paying jobs always take priority. Halloween was not only a great evening of treat or treating and fun, but it was my husbands 35th birthday. It is very sad that I am just now getting around to this post! I figured what a great day to share all of our kids great costumes and pay a little respect to the King. Well, not my king. That would be God! But, the King of Rock and Roll! Thank you very much!

New Year!

When I first started blogging, I was full force. My husband told me I was obsessed and so I slowly stepped away from the computer. This past year has been a year of its own. Yes, there were times of joy, but times of sadness as well. Just when I thought I couldn't take any more, I found the strength to pull through and I am still pulling! I am excited for a new year and a new way of priortizing the things that are most important. I am not one to have a New Year resolution or even list for that matter. I just try to think of things and places where I fall short and how I can improve.
We have started the year off by starting another project. We purchased our home almost three years ago and it has been a constant project. You see, the house was horrid! We had previously built a custom austin stone home on 2.5 acres. From travertine to slate to granite, there was no need for any updates. We later realized that the school district was not exactly where we wanted our children to attend. Our home was quickly put on the market and quickly sold. At the time our great friends had a mobile home on property that was basically brand new. We moved in and we were so excited to have the option where we could take our time to find a home or build again. Obviously in a better school district. Well, the friendship ended due to circumstances on their behalf and we had to find a home within a week to move to.
We found our now house on the market for sale and figured we would have to find some place to lease until a purchase of home. To make a long story short, the owner had already moved out and the buyers loan had fallen through. The owner let us move in that week and we closed on our home 4 weeks later. I know it was all in Gods hands and it was his timing. We fell in love with our horrid home because it is on five lots with a pool and spa one block from the lake. We could easily forget about the light house wall paper and seashell sink! Not really, but ever since we have updated one room at time. Our nice vacations have turned into bathroom remodeling, new 4th bedroom, mud room, pantry, etc.
My new laundry room and pantry should be finished within the newt few days! I have washed clothes by hooking up our washing machine with a garden house, and it is definitely time!
Happy New Year!

First Baptist Academy

October 19 would have been my son Colby's 9th birthday. It is so hard to believe. In 2004 at the age of 3, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and soon after the Lord took him home. Colby attended First Baptist Academy for a short time and FBA is where I still work to this day. Our school has been such a blessing to my family. In honor of Colby's birthday, our students donated a dollar a day to wear free dress instead of uniforms to help a friend with cancer. We raised almost $200.00. I am so proud of our kiddos for their support and donations!

Vance family!

I had the opportunity to take pictures of my good friends! My friend Julie normally does amazing photos for this trio, but she was not available this week while the new baby was in town. They are such adorable and sweet kiddos!

Girls just wanna have fun!

Summer family photos

I recently had the opportunity to shoot some photos of some good friends. Their little boy is absolutely adorable and I cant wait to finish shooting more of their baby girl!

Savannah photos!

I recently had the opportunity to take photos for a good friend. She was an absolute doll and we couldnt have had a better time. I managed to fit her in on her families tight schedule and in the middle of me finishing up my CDA class.

Lake Fun!

All the kids were checking out Chloe's fish in the bucket. He wasnt much for size, but the thrill that someone caught a fish is always entertaining around here!

Chloe caught her first fish! We have the opportunity to live by the lake and although we spend much time outdoors, this was Chloe's first time to catch a fish. Her barbie fishing pole has caught several, but in other hands than her own. In fact, her barbie pole has caught one of our biggest fish ever!

Teacher Luncheon

I recently hosted our schools teacher appreciation luncheon at my home.  It was so much fun to move furniture out and decorate. I work at First Baptist Academy as the Business Administrator.  My children have had most all of our wonderful teachers and this was just a small part of how we could say thank you.  A few good friends helped set up and tear down.  There were a total of about 30 of us.  My aunt catered the food and did a marvelous job.  I cant wait to do this again next year.  We had a blast!

Memorial Day!

We have the most amazing neighbors which happen to be not just our neighbors, but great friends.  God has truly blessed us with living on the best street in the world!  We have lived here for just two years and we have traditions already in place.  We have a Libra Ct. parade for both the fourth of July and Memorial Day.  We have several military families and you can see in some pictures that Nick which is a Marine, is letting the kids know what Memorial Day truly means.  Thanks Nick!