New Pet

This summer we acquired our annual foster pet, Nacho. He is a three-toed box turtle and he brings us much joy on breaks from school.

He belongs to a fellow teacher friend of mine and when school is not in session, we take care of him for her. This year she is taking the year off, so we get to have him for awhile longer.

He's a lot of fun! Here are some pictures from this summer:



What can we say? We just love animals...especially reptiles. :)

Sewing...

The weekend before VBS, when I loads of work to do, our internet went out!
To fill the time and relieve myself of some stress, I dug through my fabric bags and boxes and found some fun stuff I got on freecycle...
I got to work on making a princess dress...

It was really fun piecing together what I had and deciding how to make it and how I wanted it to look.

I had some blue shimmery fabric, some blue lace, some gold shiny stuff, and some yellow tulle. I had some purpley/rainbow ribbon...so I got to work on piecing it all together.


I have a special little girl in my life who is always donning princess costumes over her everyday clothes. She has several princess dresses. I figured she could use one more...

So, on Kayleigh's 4th birthday, I stopped by her house. Erica got her up from her nap and brought her out so I could be there when she tried it on. :) Her brother was very interested in which princess it was supposed to be, so I deemed the dress a Princess Kayleigh costume. :)


I made it a little big so she could slip it over her play-clothes like she usually does. :)

Happy Birthday, Princess Kayleigh! I love you! :)
(and thank you, Erica, for sending me the pics)

White Sox Game!

I finally got to go to my first game of the season...and it's mid-August!!

I got to breakout my new jersey that some of the boys in my class pitched in and got me last year.

Cool sunset over U.S.Cellular Field

(That's Alexei Ramirez, my favorite player!)

Vacation Bible School!

This week I've been out of the house by 6:45, up and at 'em for VBS.
What a blast this experience has been.
I have learned so much about myself, my church, God's people, and more...
just as I do every year at VBS.
I am so blessed to belong to such an amazing church. The love, thoughtfulness, servant-hood, and genuine love for Christ just shines from the people at The Moody Church.
The people of the church are what brought us there and has kept us there for several years now.
Leaving the church, in which we are involved and have grown spiritually so much, will be THE hardest part about moving to Moline.
My time serving as the director of VBS will be forever in my memory and heart...as will all of the many amazing times we've had, the wonderful friendships we've made, and above all, the immense spiritual growth we have experienced at our church.
Praise God that we will be there for about another year.

One more day of VBS! Please pray for the hundreds of children and volunteers who are coming through our doors tomorrow, and who have been here throughout the week.
It has been an amazing time!

Visit from our Nieces!

Things have been absolutely crazy around here!!

Besides being fully engrossed in VBS, we had an exciting visit from our nieces.

Each summer we have them come with us for a week.

This summer was the first time with the little one. ;)

Marcus's sister and her hubby enjoyed a vacation getaway for their 10th wedding anniversary while we enjoyed some fun times with the girls.

It is late and I took zillions of pictures of our very full, busy, and fun days.

S,o for the sake of time, I'm sharing a few of my favorites:

Aww, aren't the precious!?

Thanks girls, for a fun week!!

Happy Anniversary!

July 31, 2005:

July 31, 2009: