The summer is flying by!

I feel like the summer just got going, but then I look at the date and realize that it is flying by before my eyes. I have to really get to tackling the tasks on my list. By the end of this month, I will have all but 1 credit card paid off. This is such an exciting thing for me. For those of you that know me well know that I have really been working hard on this part for several months. Hopefully by the next month I will tackle the last one. Keep me in your prayers on this one, as it will relieve a ton of stress in my life. By the end of the year, I hope to be done paying off my car, too. I don't know about any of you out there, but thinking about getting out of debt has to be the biggest relief imaginable. Anybody else know what I am feeling in these last few months of crunching numbers??
In addition to crunching numbers, I am eager to start jumping into a couple of outlets for making money, such as photography and Mary Kay. I have 2 Mary Kay parties in the next couple of weeks, which is so exciting to me! I also think I have come to a photography name...what do you all think of "Don't Blink Photography"? It has 2 meanings, and can remain the same when I get married, since it doesn't have my last name in it. And no, there are not any prospects currently, but eventually I feel God will bless me in that area. No worries until then. I would totally love input in the name. Feel free to give me feedback. My goal with Mary Kay is to add 3 new team members this summer. I really want to go on target for my first free car this summer, but need to believe that I can do it! If any of you know people that would be interested in hearing about the amazing opportunity Mary Kay has to offer, please let me know.
I have also been enjoying some time in the sun and hanging with friends. Megan has been hanging with us a lot, and it was been so much fun having her around. I have been cooking a bit, trying to avoid eating out, since it is much healthier that way. I am trying to lose weight and then manage it better. I have been swimming...yes, UNDERWATER, too!! I have not been underwater in 8 years, and it feels so amazing! I will post pictures of the initial dunk in the next post. I am hoping that my tan will come together soon. I am going to Florida next week, so I will be taking in the beautiful sun there as an extension of being poolside in Texas. I have a few pictures to share from the last pool visit. Isn't he just precious?? He was using complete sentences all day. He said things like, "I go away," "I want my duck," and "I did it!" Right, Tiff? ;)

The summer so far...

Well, I do not feel like the summer has really gotten underway yet because I have been in workshops or out of town. During the first week of summer, I attended a workshop for Math curriculum writing. This was a very informative, learning experience for me. The second week, I attended a technology workshop where I learned so many new applications to use next year. I get really excited when I learn new ways to integrate technology in the classroom. If you talk to any of my teacher friends or current roommates, they can verify this quickly. I am hoping that me, Tiffany, and Laura get granted 15 laptops to share in the upcoming year. We applied at the end of the year and are awaiting the response. After this workshop, I headed to Mississippi for a wedding. This was the wedding of Kristy's old roommate, Meagan Ellis. It was a fun, yet hot evening. We had a good time dancing and laughing while watching the celebration go on.

After this, I went home to see my dad for a few hours on Father's Day. He flew in from deploying 200+ of his men to Iraq, and then he had to turn around and fly out the next day for summer camp with the guards. I just love my dad!! He is such a fabulous dad, husband, brother, and friend!! I was honored to be able to see him for a few hours on the one day a year that honors fathers. Then, I stayed the week at home, catching up with friends and family. I loved having the downtime to see everyone without feeling so pushed.

I also had a Mary Kay party on the day I left Tuscaloosa. It was good practice for me, as I am trying to push through the fears of not being successful in this business. I know it is a fabulous company and amazing products, but I get really nervous about being pushy and/or not successful sharing with others as a servant. I am working through this, as God continues to push me in directions I am not very comfortable in but serve as life lessons learned.

After the party, I headed back to Mississppi where I attended the wedding of one of my college friends, Haven Hale. I just think she is fabulous, and the wedding was nothing short of entertainment. From the music selection to the "Do you have the ring?" to the fun slideshow to friends serving as the bridesmaids, the ceremony was so sweet. I was so glad to be a part of this day. I know that college came and went so fast and I often long for those days back so that I can do things differently. One of them being really investing in people more and being a more vibrant part of their lives. As we know, those days can never be gotten back, so I am really trying hard to be a part of as many of my college friends' lives as possible. I have missed several weddings and baby arrivals, but am making it a true effort to be a part of as much as possible from here on out. I look forward to the journeys ahead with each and everyone of my Masker sisters, as well as many Lockhearts and friends from high school.

I am now back in Texas where I have been enjoying time with the new roommate, Megan, pronounced M-A-gen. :) She is so much fun and has truly been a blessing to me and Kristy. I have been trying to cook a few dishes this week, which turned out to be edible, and pretty tasty. Megan will have to let you know more on these, but I think she was just being super nice when she said she loved it all. Anyway, Kristy was not here until yesterday, so Megan and I were hang out buddies. We have since caught up Kristy on all the fun! We all have so much fun together! God truly had a hand on the piecing together of our friendships! I am so blessed!

27 things to do by 28

Okay, so Kristy has challenged me and Megan to make this list, since she made one last week. I am keeping my end of the deal, but Megan, well, I am not sure she has started. :)

1) Come up with a photography business name
2) Go on target for my first car in Mary Kay
3) Be credit card debt-free (1 more to go!!)
4) Be 3/4 of the way to completely debt free (paying off the car)
5) Take a ballroom dance class
6) Have 2 yard sales to help with the getting out of debt thing (I have had 1...awesome turn out, I think...$265 for me and $290 for Kristy!)
7) Go visit Debbie and Ashley in Florida
8) Get back into tennis
9)Be in charge of cooking at least 3 times a week...Megan and Kristy can split the rest. :) (Almost there with this...the menus are always planned and the groceries are purchased, but the follow through is where I am lacking...working on getting set to a schedule.)
10)Take a photography class to not only learn how to take better pictures, but to learn how to edit pictures
11)Help Megan get through her summer classes...right, Megan?
12)Level the books in my classroom
13)Get back in shape (running, swimming, etc.)
14)Attend a Dallas Cowboys game (Does going to the stadium for a tour count?)
15)Get a real massage
16)Help my body's color out--get a TAN!!
17)Volunteer at the church
18)Get in the habit of sending birthday cards to friends and family
19)Encourage Megan to get a blog (I had to steal this one from Kristy.)
20)Learn how to season foods when cooking, so I will eat some of the foods I have not been too fond of trying...take a cooking class (I am totally loving olive oil, jalapeno, and Tony's.)
21)Update my blog weekly (I also had to steal this one from Kristy.)
22)Hold at least 2 parties a month for Mary Kay I (So far, so good...need to do more with it, though.)
23)Go to Austin
24)Go through and clean out the college stuff that is just taking up space and organize the stuff t4at is special
25)Write 5 songs (Almost done with 2)
26)Get a passport and start a travel fund
27)Make a better effort at being in touch with friends all over the country

>>There you have it...27 things to do...I better get busy, huh??

Photography Name?

I am wanting to venture off and try to do some photography for income, but I need a business name. I want something catchy, yet making a statement of faith. Any suggestions??

A few I have considered: 1) Faith Filled Photos (I can't quite make that photo with an f...it would just be too cheesy.) 2) Through His Eyes (or lens) 3) Inspired by Him

I would love any input on a business name. Thanks to all in advance!!

An Update

I have been going non-stop lately...until the swine flu came to town. I was going, going, going, and then they canceled school for a week, so now I am just taking in the downtime. No, I do not have the swine flu, but am enjoying the paid time off. I have been busy preparing my kiddos for the state Math TAKS test, administering the test, venturing on a field trip, playing street hockey, brainstorming classroom ideas, attending birthday parties, playing with my camera, attending MUW Homecoming, and writing some songs. I have been having fun doing it all, but it has worn me out! I am posting some pictures that will show some of the events that have been going on recently. I will add more detail in the next post. I am off to pack for my unexpected trip to Alabama, due to the week off because of the swine flu.

Beautiful kids

I am so blessed to have so many friends who love me unconditionally!! I am also so blessed to have friends with amazing kids!! I absolutely LOVE my friends' kids as if they were my own. I wish I had more financial means to be able to spoil them rotten, but at this time, I just do what I can do. It is really hard to not buy every cute item of clothing, shoes, or accessories for each one. Once I start making the big bucks with Mary Kay, watch out...I will be on the spoiling path for each and every one of the kiddos in my life. So, for those of you who have not yet received goodies for the kiddos...watch out...it is coming your way in the future. :)
Anyway, I wanted to share some recent pictures of some of my heartthrobs...they are absolutely adorable!!!

My precious kids...

Here are some pictures of my precious kids at school. I am really blessed to have the group I have this year. Honestly, it has not been all wonderful every moment of every day, but I feel like at the end of the day, we all agree that we have made strides in being better people, while learning along the way. I really work hard from with my kids from day one to be kids with great character. It is a blessing every year to see how much this really does make a difference in our learning environment. We have a lot of fun together, yet are so stressed out due to the state Reading test they have to pass on Tuesday. If they do not pass, they do not go on to fourth grade, so please pray for focus, determination, perseverance, strength, and knowledge for my kids. It is a lot of stress to put on an 8 or 9 year old, but it is the reality of it all. I appreciate each and every one of you, and hope that you enjoy seeing the kids I spend 8 hours a day with during every week. They are something else...