For a Good Cause...

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Jen and I are having a garage/yard sale at her house (viewable from Tates Creek Road) on June 26th and 27th. What's this good cause you might ask???? Our trip to Florida. We leave for Watercolor on that Saturday and with gas being as high as it is, could really use some extra cash.
If you have anything that you would like to get rid of/donate to our garage sale, let me know and I'll even come pick it up. Or, if you're looking for some "new" treasures, come see what you can find. We'll have some TVs, some furniture, and more.

(OK, that's my very best advertising bit. Help me out and spread the word.)

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day Dad!!!

Your family loves you more than you'll ever know.

Birthday Wishlist continued....

OK, Em and Jen gave me a hard time about my previous birthday wishlist post because it really only gave them one idea and they said now I'll end up with 5 Phillips shirts. So....just for them, I'm adding a few more ideas on here of things that I want.

Seasons 1-4 of One Tree Hill. I've been wanting this for a few years now, but Mark won't listen and buy them for me. You can actually get them fairly cheap on eBay, but still....

North Face Women's Crestone 60 Internal Frame Backpack. Using a duffel bag on our last camping trip just didn't do the trick. I need a good backpack that I'll be able to hike with.
Remember the Titans is my favorite movie and somehow I still don't own it.

I loved this movie and it'd be one I'd like to own.

ANYTHING (and I mean that) that has to do with the Bengals.
Target or Kohl's giftcards. Or just cash. You know I can always find some way to spend it.

There, Em and Jen, are you happy now? There's some extra ideas (and I suppose this will help Mark as well).

Birthday Wishlist

So...if you're looking to find me the perfect birthday present this year (August 1st), look no further...

I want the Brandon Phillips t-shirt for my birthday. I've been needing a new Reds shirt for quite some time and since Phillips is my favorite player, I've decided that this is the shirt I need. So, there you have it. Here's a picture that just sums up why he's my favorite.

The World Welcomes Brayden

Brayden Andrew was welcomed into the world today by his mommy and daddy, Ashley and Drew. I worked with Ashley (and Drew) last year at PCA, but have actually known Ashley for quite some time now. I hope Ashley doesn't mind that I'm posting these pictures, but she's way too cute a momma and Brayden's way too cute a baby not to show him off!

Congratulations to the Beckett family and Happy Father's Day Drew. Brayden came just in time!

Visit their website for more updates. I've been following Brayden's incubation and Ashley's journey since he was a tiny peanut and I'm so excited that he's finally here

Under the Knife

Our poor little Guinness is having surgery tomorrow. On Saturday he hurt his leg when he was outside playing with MacGyver and we spent the better part of the day at the Emergency Clinic. When we went to our regular vet yesterday they told us he needed surgery right away. He has a tibia avulsion which means part of his tibia bone near his knee has broken off and they need to screw it back down in order for his leg to grow properly. We are so sad that he has to have surgery when he's so young, but it's what's best. He'll be crated for a few weeks, but we know he'll be a trooper like always!

...And This One Belongs to the Reds!!!

We had a great time at the game tonight in observance of Daniel's 21st birthday. Not only did Arroyo pitch a good game AND bat 2 for 2 (one of which was a homerun!), but we got to watch only 11 rows behind home plate. Daniel was only 4 rows behind the plate. We had great seats and ate more food than any humans should (it's hard not to when they serve it to you by coming to your seats). Dunn struck out 3 times...typical. Phillips hit a triple with bases loaded (he's my favorite player) and although Griffey didn't get pitched to very much tonight, it was great to see him play. Also, Jay Bruce got a double...he's the real deal! Here's some pics so enjoy!

Griffey at bat
The homerun board proudly displaying Griffey's 600th.
My mom and I at the game
Dad and Dan
My parents after the game.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BRO!!!

Today is my brother's 21st birthday! We are all going up to the Reds-Cardinals game tonight in Cincy to celebrate Daniel turning legal. Hopefully, the Reds can pull off a win for the special occasion, but then again Arroyo is pitching so who knows....

Here's to you baby bro

Happy 21st Birthday Daniel!!!!!

School's Out For the Summer!!!!

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Ok, I know. I haven't updated my blog in quite some time. Over the last few weeks I've been without a computer, finishing the school year, Guinness has been at the vet, and our air conditioning has gone out (in quite possibly the hottest week in a LONG time). We've been staying at my parents' house for the better part of the week while we wait for the air conditioning company to make time to come visit us.

I thought I'd get right back into blogging by using the Ten on Tuesday list for the week of "Ten Things that Annoy You about Work". As you know, I LOVE my job! So, I decided to list the 10 things that annoy me about teaching in general:

1. Ungrateful students
2. Low pay and long hours
3. Irresponsible students
4. Working in a building full of estrogen
5. Short recess (15 min. is not enough for kids)
6. Parents who expect you to raise their kids
7. Parents who critique every thing you do
8. Insufficient funds to provide my kids the things they need
9. Losing contact with students who need you the most
10. Behavior problems in kids

Like I said, I absolutely LOVE my job and LOVE the profession that I chose, so I think it's only fair to add the top 10 reasons I love teaching as well:

1. Seeing that "ah-ha" moment when a child finally "gets it"
2. Working with others who are as equally motivated to help kids as you are (teaching because they love it, not just because it's another job)
3. I get to do what I love every day
4. Get to love on those students who need you most
5. You feel like a celebrity when you are out in public and a kid sees you
6. Teacher Appreciation Week (everyone loves to be appreciated)
7. Seeing your students succeed and grow up
8. Opening up a child's eyes and their world
9. All the hugs!
10. Finally, 14 weeks of vacation (you had to know I'd say that)

There you have it. I love my job and look forward to it each day. That's not to say I'm not LOVING the start to my summer off! But you can be sure that I'll miss my kids while I lay by the pool. And I'm already planning my next year (hard to believe I'm starting my 3rd year!)

SATC Movie

I went to see the Sex and the City movie with Em and Sarah on Friday night and I will say that I was more than pleased. I really did love the movie! I couldn't believe that it was 2 1/2 hours long. I must say that I laughed and cried through the entire movie. Now, if you've never watched the series before, you probably wouldn't care for it or it wouldn't be as special, but if you were/are an avid fan of the show, it's a must-see!

I'm planning to go see it again (and I never see movies more than once in the theatre)!