Great deal!

Hey everyone just wanted to let you know that my brother Brad who is a photographer is available to do family pictures. Now is the perfect time to update your family picture. Not only is the weather great, you can use the your new picture for your Christmas card. For $100 you get a photo-shoot up to an hour and a CD with the full resolution images that you can take anywhere to be printed or post online. Here are some samples of his work. Brad also does weddings, so if you or anyone you know is getting married let him know. You can see more on his website at www.bradburnhamphotography.com. You can contact him at burnhambrad@gmail.com or give him a call at (480) 241-9409.

Second Graders

I've learned a LOT about second graders these past four weeks. For example:

* The make a whole lot of pee. Honestly. They have to go every hour. And they don't even drink that much... I just don't get it.

* The world is their playground. ANYTHING can be a toy or distraction. This includes (but is not limited to) their feet while they are walking, the pencil they are using, or the person sitting beside them.

* It's extremely difficult to walk in a straight line.

* They can be so silly! They say the most unexpected things (good or bad).

* They have an amazing capacity to love.

Good news!

Nothing says "new school year" like a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.

I got a job!!! After a lot of stress, time, worrying, and interviews, I got a job!!! Yes, I'm starting a month into the school year, but better late than never, right?

I am going to be a 2nd grade teacher down at Emerson Elementary; the very school I attended years ago. It's going to be an adventure and I know I'm going to learn a WHOLE LOT!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

My little sister Annie turned 12 on Wednesday. She's never been to Disneyland, so that was her birthday present. It was just going to be her and my mom, but last minute I snuck my way in on the action! (The one perk of not being employed is that you can abandon your life for a few days and that's totally okay).

We had SO MUCH FUN! Annie loved every second, and it was so fun to watch her so thoroughly enjoy it :o)

Here was my FAVORITE part of the trip. We were on splash mountain: Annie in the front, my mom second, and me third. We were having a blast when we came to the drop at the end. Right as we started going over the edge my mom looks at the drop. In a terribly frightened and alarmed voice she says, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Each work got louder and more frighted. Annie and I could.not.stop.laughing!



It's a Small World.


I let Annie drive... bad news!


Yeah, I could totally be Zerg.


Annie and Alice are supposedly the same age...


A classic first time picture :o)


I think I'd have that look on my face too if there was a robot attack!



Big Thunder Mountain! I love that ride!!!


We're that strong! Well, Annie is... I just look helpless.


We walked my mom into the round. She had to take a little power nap!

Happy birthday Annie!!!! I am so luck to have you as a sister. I love you! Thanks for the great memories!

Farwell Vermin!

We've been having some bug issues the last couple months. Tanner has been a really great bug killer {which makes me love him even more}, but it was time to do more than that... We got our house sprayed--inside and out--today. Hallelujah! Good bye all you nasty, sick, dirty bugs.

Poor Broken Beast!

This is Stella.


I believe you've already met.

Well, she's broken... She won't start. I put in a new battery (it was still under warranty--thankfully!) and she still won't start. That means it's the alternater or the starter. I don't really know what either of those things are--when someone says either of those two words, all I hear is "money".

Poor broken beast...

How much longer...

School has started. I am a certified, ASU graduated, Summa Cum Laude, fun loving, children loving teacher. But I'm not REALLY a teacher, see. I don't have a teaching job.

I have been praying that things would work out. All along I have felt like things would be okay, but... my hope is starting fade... I am trying to stay positive, but it gets harder with every passing day...

I went to college, did well, and what did I come out with...? Nothing but thousands of dollars in student loans.