Daddy's Girl

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there - especially to the most wonderful dad of all, my daddy! I have always been a "Daddy's Girl" so I've looked up to my dad in every way. He taught me how to play basketball, walked with me to church on Sundays, took my sister and I camping when we were younger, spent many Father's Days watching our dance recitals, taught me how to fish, and walked me down the aisle at my dream wedding! I love all that my dad has done for me and feel very blessed to call him "Dad"! Here are a few of my favorite pics of my dad...

Started out as a daddy's girl early!

My all-time favorite of my dad (sitting) and his older brother, Jim (standing). I love the expressions on their faces!!

My dad (left) with his brothers Jim (standing) and Ronnie (right).

I think this is his senior picture - handsome!

He and my mom right after they got married - He has always shown me how a husband should love his family!

Playing with my sister and I at the beach

I'm also grateful that he loves my husband and treats him like his own son!

Dancing to "Unforgettable" at my wedding! This song is so precious because it's what we danced to for the Father/Daughter dance at Ms. Karen's when I was in the 3rd grade. Thanks for being an amazing dad! I can't wait to see you, someday, as a grandpa! I love you!!!

Summer Plans

Summer if officially here! I have been counting down the days since after Benchmark testing and it's FINALLY HERE!!!! I'm planning to get a lot accomplished this summer - especially since we teachers only get 2 months instead of 3 this time. For those who are interested, here are the things I want to get done this summer:

1. Update our kitchen. We have builder-grade tile on the floor, counter tops, AND the backsplash. Needless to say I'm tired of looking at tile! We are in the process of picking out granite to replace the tile on the counter tops. Since we have white counter tops, we are looking for a dark slab with some color pattern. I will post pictures once this is complete!

2. New backsplash! Once we have chosen the new granite counter tops, we will look for a new backsplash. As of now we are thinking about using subway tile, but we're not positive yet. Again, I will post pictures once the job is completed - Mike is wanting to do this on his own :-)

3. Breaking Free by Beth Moore. Some of my coworkers and I decided to create a small group in order to grow spiritually together and, of course, get to hang out over the summer. We chose Beth Moore's Breaking Free study. We have our first group meeting tomorrow and I'm so excited! I've done the original Breaking Free several years ago, but we are doing the updated version - can't wait to see what God has in store for us this summer!

4. STARS Training - This is the program that made me want to be a teacher! I have helped train the new high school juniors and seniors in NLR since 2005 and I'm so excited about this summer's group of teens.

5. Wedding Scrapbook - Mike and I got married 3 1/2 years ago and I still haven't gotten our scrapbook together. I plan to finally finish it this summer - hopefully :-)

6. Best Friends - my 3 best friends are spread all across the country - Conway, Dallas, & Denver. We are hardly ever able to get together with all 4 of us there, so this summer we are planning to either visit Laura in Colorado or have Laura and her hubby come here. Either way, the Fab Four will be back together and in for a lot of fun and memories!

7. Memphis - Mike and I chose to forgo a big vacation this summer due to lack of time and lack of time to plan. Instead we are looking at visiting 2 cities within a days drive of Maumelle. The first is Memphis - we've both been but have never done the real tourist-y stuff. Of course, we will also eat at some of the famous eateries, visit Graceland, and maybe take in a musical (if there are any good ones showing at the Orpheum)!

8. New Orleans - Stop #2 will be New Orleans. I went in the 7th grade, but Mike has never been. It will be interesting to see the differences since Katrina. We plan to stay at the Omni Royal Crescent Hotel (pictured), tour the French Quarter, and the famous cemeteries. And lets not forget the famous beignets - yummy!


All in all, this is looking like it's going to be a great summer! I will post a review to see how much I actually got accomplished :-) Hope everyone enjoys their summer!

Bieber Fever

For our 3rd talent show performance, the teachers at Crestwood did Justin Bieber's "Baby". It was so fun to see the kids dancing and singing along - kinda makes you feel like a celebrity. Here are a few pictures of the performance. I'm hoping to get video from one of the parents soon.

My girls before the performance! They make my job so much more fun!

Lori, our principal, as Ludacris....the students freaked out!

Our spanish teacher Taylor as Bieber

"Baby, baby, baby, oh!"

The whole dance crew! Can't wait for next year's performance!