Goodbyes

Well, my summer is officially over, so I must say goodbye to sleeping in, afternoon naps, and the free time to do whatever I want. This has been a fun summer! We didn't go on any big vacations or anything, but we still got stuff done. We started our summer by celebrating Mike's 30th birthday! I can't believe I'm married to a 30 year old :-) Here he is with his the traditional cookie cake...yummy!

We are still in the process of renovating the kitchen - we have the granite, sink, & faucet installed, but we haven't decided on a backsplash yet. I'm hoping to get this done soon rather than later. Mike and I also enjoyed a quick getaway to Memphis. I am sad to see summer go, but am looking forward to being back on a normal schedule. Is it bad that I'm ready for it to be November? The end of the year seems to be the best!

I also had to say goodbye to my Granny, my dad's mom. She was an amazing, christian woman! Since her death was so unexpected, it was extremely hard on our family. Plus, this is the first grandparent that I've lost. I've included several pictures of my dear Granny throughout the years - from raising her 3 boys to seeing my graduate from the U of A. I love and miss you Granny, but I know I'll see you again.

My dad with his parents and brothers - this is a cherished picture because it's one of the few of my granddad before he died.

Granny with her boys

Granny with her parents & her boys

Celebrating a Taylor family Christmas

The whole Taylor crew outside Granny's house in Center Hill

At my 2006 U of A graduation in Fayetteville

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens". ~ 2 Corinthians 5:1

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus". ~ 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful". ~ John 14:27

Walkin In Memphis

Mike and I took a quick trip to Memphis last weekend to getaway. I've been to Memphis numerous times - shopping, The Orpheum, etc. - but I've never actually done the touristy stuff. Until now. Here are a few (not really) pictures from our trip.

BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER!!!!!

Graceland

Sun Studios - very cool tour AND we got to sing into the same microphone as Elvis!

The actual recording studio - bands are still able to record music

Another great restaurant, The Arcade. Home of the Elvis sandwich - yum!

And our last stop, the Memphis Zoo. Enjoy these cute animals!

The roof, the roof...

...the roof is on FIRE!

Well, not really, but it is new and improved! Thanks to all of the lovely hail in Maumelle in the Spring, we had to get new shingles. We've had to wait all summer for them to show up because of all the homes that needed work, but they finally came and finished in 1 day. This is excited for me because it was on my summer to-do list and now I can check it off!!! The picture above is the before shot of our roof....very cool, I know.

The pallets delivered with the much-awaited shingles.

And, drum-roll please, here is the new roof! You may not be able to tell a difference, but it's new and that's all that matters. I had to sit and listen to all of the hammering, nailing, and throwing while they were here - I thought I was going to go insane! The insanity was worth it to check this off my summer list :-)

Speaking of the summer list, another to-do was to update our kitchen with new granite counter tops and a glass tile backsplash. Mike and I have been making decision after decision about the granite we want, and I am glad to say it is being installed tomorrow! We have been demoing the kitchen to prepare...here is a sneak peek at what our kitchen looks like now. I can't wait to see the after!

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!

Done!

I woke up bright and early this morning to take the computer-based part of the National Board certification process....the final piece of the puzzle!!! I don't feel as relieved as I did after mailing in my portfolio because this was not as big of an undertaking, but I am proud that it's over! I didn't realize how much security was behind taking a test like this. They scanned my hand to copy the veins in order to identify me each time I went into and out of the computer room...weird! I couldn't wear a watch or a hair-band on my wrists, and they had to check all of my pockets. What an ordeal! I must say that I feel pretty confident about my responses and can't wait to hear my scores. I must be patient and wait until November/December to find out the final results, so I must remember that patience is a virtue!

On a lighter note, Mike and I have community group tonight! We haven't met in a month so I can't wait to catch up with everyone! I hope everyone has a great week :-) On my official calendar countdown - 15 days until school is out!!!!!!!!!!!!