Some Creatively Written Blog Title Goes Here

Day 137 Photo Challenge

2010-05-17T19:54:00.000-05:00

Day 136 Photo Challenge

2010-05-16T19:52:00.001-05:00

Meghan's roots are showing.

Day 135 Photo Challenge

2010-05-15T19:51:00.002-05:00

Day 134 Photo Challenge

2010-05-14T19:48:00.001-05:00

The theme at work is "Sun, Moon, and Stars." In our science center, the kids made "Astronaut Food" from a pudding mix. I put the milk and power in a ziplock baggie. I taped the edges shut and the kids could squeeze the bag to mix. To eat, I snipped a corner of the baggie and the kids sucked up the pudding. I was a bit paranoid about suffocation. All my kids survived!

Day 133 Photo Challenge

2010-05-13T19:46:00.001-05:00

Day 132 Photo Challenge

2010-05-12T19:45:00.001-05:00

The storm may look bad, but it wasn't anything exciting.

Day 131 Photo Challenge

2010-05-11T19:44:00.001-05:00

A clock from Korea...most likely made in China.

Day 130 Photo Challenge

2010-05-10T19:42:00.001-05:00

Thermometer on the mantle.

Day 129 Photo Challenge

2010-05-09T19:39:00.000-05:00

Random fun with a wig and a red flower.

Day 128 Photo Challenge

2010-05-08T19:37:00.001-05:00

My favorite thing to do: pedicures!

Day 127 Photo Challenge

2010-05-07T19:36:00.000-05:00

My headboard in the guest room. Love the shadow on the wall.

Day 126 Photo Challenge

2010-05-06T19:34:00.002-05:00

These dishes were sitting on the hutch in the dining room. I love how the light hits them.

Day 125 Photo Challenge

2010-05-05T19:32:00.001-05:00

In other news, my niece turns (turned) 5 today! Happy belated birthday, Addison, as this post is actually be posted two months after your birthday.

Day 124 Photo Challenge

2010-05-04T19:31:00.001-05:00

Day 123 Photo Challenge

2010-05-03T19:30:00.000-05:00

Day 122 Photo Challenge

2010-05-02T19:27:00.001-05:00

Day 121 Photo Challenge

2010-05-01T19:25:00.002-05:00

A box I picked up while in Korea.

Day 120 Photo Challenge

2010-04-30T16:52:00.000-05:00

Day 119 Photo Challenge

2010-04-29T16:51:00.001-05:00

Trying to capture lighting when the lighting was hardly impressive.

Day 118 Photo Challenge

2010-04-28T16:50:00.000-05:00

Day 117 Photo Challenge

2010-04-27T16:48:00.001-05:00

Teacher's tools. Big kid's toys.

Day 116 Photo Challenge

2010-04-26T16:47:00.000-05:00

In the words of Timmy: Have an issue, take a tissue.

Words to live by!

Day 115 Photo Challenge

2010-04-25T16:45:00.001-05:00

These pretty flowers came with the house--20+ years ago. They keep growing in our rock wall in the backyard.

Day 114 Photo Challenge

2010-04-24T16:39:00.002-05:00

Day 113 Photo Challenge

2010-04-23T16:25:00.003-05:00

There was a threat of severe weather tonight. I saw huge puffy clouds as I drove home from work. This is what I saw walking around the house and looking above the houses and trees.

I love a good thunderstorm! I love severe weather...if I can enjoy it from home or in a safe spot. I'm not a big roller coaster-junkie. Severe weather gets my adrenalin pumping. To my dismay, all we had was some flashes of weak lighting. No thunder, no strong winds, no hail. Nothing exciting in my book. But, yay, no damage!

Day 112 Photo Challenge

2010-04-22T16:21:00.002-05:00

Before the ac/heater guy came, we had to clean up my brother's walk-in-closet, for it hold the fuse and power box. Once upon a time, this closet was mine. Someone found these beautiful peach heels in the closet. They were mine. I wore them to my junior prom. It was in fashion to have shoes dyed the same color as your dress. I don't think I would do that today if I was in high school.

Day 111 Photo Challenge

2010-04-21T16:18:00.002-05:00

I wanted to use my big lens. I looked out the spare bedroom's window to the huge pin oak tree that covers the front of the house.

Day 110 Photo Challenge

2010-04-20T16:17:00.000-05:00

Day 109 Photo Challenge

2010-04-19T11:38:00.002-05:00

The ac/heater in our house is original. The house is nearly 30 years old, so that would make the ac/heater about the same age. It's been used day in and day out for all the passing seasons. Finally, it was on its last stages of life. Mom and Dad opted to invest in a new system. It runs great!

Day 108 Photo Challenge

2010-04-18T18:49:00.003-05:00

Today dad planted the garden. We don't have any "prenatal barbecue sauce" plants just yet, but will soon. So glad the weather is nice outside!

Day 107 Photo Challenge

2010-04-17T18:46:00.000-05:00

I did not like how my pictures tonight turned out. This is the best of the crap. Here's to quickly snapping something just to be snapping something.

Day 106 Photo Challenge

2010-04-16T18:43:00.002-05:00

Tonight I hung out with my friend, Katie. Or AKA Kathleen Emily Sandall Marten. We went to dinner and a movie. The dinner was amazing (if you don't mind the prices, but I had a gift card so it didn't bother me). The movie was alright. I felt really crummy...cough and all. So when I finally got home, I looked up at the tree, quickly snapped a picture, and went to bed.

Day 105 Photo Challenge

2010-04-15T16:38:00.003-05:00

"Stole" this car from work. I'm famous for putting items in my pants pocket and not taking them out at an appropriate time. Items either go home with me when they belong to work or they end up being washed in the washing machine.

Day 104 Photo Challenge

2010-04-14T07:27:00.002-05:00

I have been feeling pretty miserable lately. While these flowers and budding trees are pretty to look at, they are considered the enemy. Allergies, I loathe you!

Day 103 Photo Challenge

2010-04-13T07:24:00.002-05:00

Glee returns tonight! Meghan came over after work to watch the first episode after a long 4 months. As my dad was working on my room a/c, I told Meghan to give me her "L" face. She found my CD. I later added the "g" and "ee" to complete this picture.

Day 102 Photo Challenge

2010-04-12T07:19:00.002-05:00

Mom, Meghan, and I traveled to Holland back in April 2006. We visited the world famous Keukenhof Gardens. Some of the tulips were in bloom while we were there. We could see how gorgeous the gardens would be when all the flowers bloomed. We ordered our souvenirs--tulip bulbs. They have been in our front garden since they arrived late 2006. This tulip is the first to bloom this year. Beautiful!

Day 101 Photo Challenge

2010-04-11T15:36:00.000-05:00

I noticed my neighbor's tree was in full bloom. I love pretty flowers. These flowers on the tree became my subject for today. I heart Spring!

Happy 100 Days!

2010-04-10T18:27:00.003-05:00

I made it to the 100-day mark! I'm in the triple digits of my 365 Days of Photographs.

My goal for the next 100 days: TAKE TIME TO TAKE ARTISTIC PICTURES AND NOT TAKE PICTURES TO JUST BE TAKING PICTURES.

265 more days to go.

Day 100 Photo Challenge

2010-04-10T18:23:00.002-05:00

My mom looked out the front window and found this year's Thanksgiving dinner. I went outside to take more pictures. It paced back and forth between the fence and our house. Finally, it utilized its wings and flew off after hitting itself on the fence. I guess for Thanksgiving dinner, we'll have to have a frozen bird instead of a fresh one.

Day 99 Photo Challenge

2010-04-09T18:20:00.000-05:00

I love reliving my childhood by playing childhood games. My kiddos, especially Megan, encourage me to play. Megan always wants me to go down the slide. Sometimes I oblige. Other times I have to be a teacher and not a playmate.

Day 98 Photo Challenge

2010-04-08T18:16:00.001-05:00

Fun = Messy when you're 3.

Day 97 Photo Challenge

2010-04-07T18:10:00.002-05:00

My art center had my students splatter painting. I was hesitant on letting them do this due to the mess factor. Three-year-olds lack a certain fine motor skill to keep the splattered paint in a isolated area. Luckily, the curriculum book suggested putting the paper in a box, thus attempting to contain the splatters in the box. A few splatters happened to land outside the box, but clean up was very minimal.

Day 96 Photo Challenge

2010-04-06T18:08:00.001-05:00

Fun cover of a notebook sitting on my computer desk.

Day 95 Photo Challenge

2010-04-05T18:05:00.002-05:00

I got up with the thunderstorm. I realized I didn't take a picture for today. I hooked up my camera and quickly snapped this picture of my luxurious bed. I never realized how wonderful having a great bed is until I spent a year sleeping on box springs in Korea. Many hate how hard my bed is, but I love it.

Happy Birthday, Timothy!

2010-04-05T17:35:00.003-05:00

My baby brother is another year older. Happy, happy birthday, Timothy!!!

Day 94 Photo Challenge

2010-04-04T17:28:00.002-05:00

Meghan expressed she wanted to dye Easter eggs. I suggested we do just that. We found eggs in our parents' refrigerator and vinegar and food coloring in the cabinet. We set out to have some Easter fun. I wanted to have deviled eggs, so I skipped the part of dying the shell and only dyed the egg white. Meghan went with a more traditional method. We had fun regressing to our childhood and making everyone wait even later for Easter dinner of ribs.

This is the Christ

2010-04-04T11:14:00.005-05:00

Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has General Conference. Regular church service is replaced by a church-wide broadcast from the President of the Church, The First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and those serving in other offices of the church. It's at least 8 wonderful hours of talks, guidance, and spiritual nourishment.

On this Easter morn, I logged onto LDS.org and hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing this great hymn.

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T08:42:00.004-05:00

Remember Christ this Easter morn, for He is the reason for this day. He willingly died upon the cross for all of us that we may return to live with our Heavenly Father again. He lives! He loves me! And He loves you!

Happy Easter!

Day 93 Photo Challenge

2010-04-03T21:16:00.002-05:00

I had fun with my camera today. It was a beautiful spring day and we took advantage of it. I played with my super cool camera. I set the camera to take 6 pictures a second. I then put the photos in order, added music, and had a little fun. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Aiden!

2010-04-02T11:07:00.000-05:00

This little boy has a birthday.
This little boy right here.
Heavenly Father bless him,
Throughout the coming year!

Happy first birthday, Lil' A! I love you to pieces!

Day 92 Photo Challenge

2010-04-02T11:05:00.002-05:00

I was throwing up the soccer ball at recess today. I loved the bright blue sky as the backdrop. Ah, Spring. You are so welcome here!

Day 91 Photo Challenge

2010-04-01T11:04:00.001-05:00

We made fossils today at school. The kids had fun making one. They were so excited to share their fish or starfish.

Photo Challenge Status

2010-03-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

January: 30/31 = 97%

February: 28/28 = 100%

March: 27/31 = 87%

Overall for the year: 85/90 = 94%

Here's to a perfect April.

Day 90 Photo Challenge

2010-03-31T10:52:00.002-05:00

Spring is here! The grass is turning green. Flowers are sprouting from the brown earth. Timothy is turning into our parents...sitting outside in the lawn chairs (I haven't seen my parents do this once this season, but I've seen Timothy do this twice). I'm happy to see green!

Day 89 Photo Challenge

2010-03-30T10:45:00.002-05:00

Sue needed some video footage. I spent my evening having fun with videos. I know this is not a "photo" per se, but if you think of it, the video camera takes about 29 pictures a second. And I did shoot this video. I may not have taken it on this day, but I did use my creative abilities for this task. And since this is my challenge, I'm opting to count this as my daily photo challenge.

Day 88 Photo Challenge

2010-03-29T10:04:00.003-05:00

I received a birthday present in the mail today from my nieces and nephew. Addison and Kileigh picked out socks for my birthday.

Day 87 Photo Challenge

2010-03-28T10:01:00.001-05:00

Before I lost my ticket, I had to get this picture.

The tickets for the Harlem Globetrotters says "NO VIDEO CAMERAS ALLOWED." Sue and Tami pulled some strings and I was allowed in to video tape the halftime only. I had to arrive with the team and stay with them through halftime. I even had to meet with a Harlem Globetrotter representative to say, "This is me. I am cleared for videoing halftime only."

I feel special!

Day 86 Photo Challenge

2010-03-27T09:51:00.003-05:00

Like Michael Jordan and Brett Farve, my sister came out of retirement. She's competing once again. I went to her competition today in Lincoln and snapped a few pictures. Like 563 pictures.

Day 85 Photo Challenge

2010-03-26T23:44:00.001-05:00

Tonight the Harlem Globetrotters were in town. My sister's baton team was asked to provide some halftime entertainment. I went with a few of my friends. I was able to videotape the halftime. I was unable to bring my in "good" camera. I had to settle of my point and shoot camera for the pics. I was happy the way they turned out with the limited zoom and shutter speed I had.

I was excited to see Flight Time and Big Easy. I watched them on the Amazing Race while in Korea.

Day 84 Photo Challenge

2010-03-25T09:41:00.002-05:00

My assistant, Bethany, found a whole bunch of crayola crayons in her house. She brought them in. I figured the students would break them and throw them--like they do with the big, fat crayons. To my surprise, they are treating the crayons great! I haven't found one broken crayon (except the normal wear and tear of crayons). *Knock on Wood*

They are treating these crayons better than my 3rd graders did.

Day 83 Photo Challenge

2010-03-24T09:31:00.002-05:00

Today was weather emergency day around the metro area. The tornado sirens (supposedly) went off at 10 am. Unfortunately, my assistant, Tara, and I could not hear the sirens from our classroom. No one in the building were able to hear them. But we practiced anyways. I prepped my 3-year-olds for the loud sirens, how to line up, and walked them to the pantry. In the case of a warning going forever, luckily I'm where the food is kept and can hand out treats to my kids to occupy them. It will be a tight fit with all these little bodies. Behind me was 2 cribs full of little babies. There is no where to go.

Day 82 Photo Challenge

2010-03-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

Our unit at work is dinosaurs. My students were to draw a picture and then "write" a story. This student's picture was the best. Many students are still in the scribble phase where a curve of their scribbles represents their dog Hershey.

Day 81 Photo Challenge

2010-03-22T09:12:00.004-05:00

I thought it could never happen to me.

Well, I was wrong. $174.68 (or so) wrong.

My credit card number was stolen. And used.

I "bought" this person $70-some worth of gas at a Chevron in Florida. I also "bought" $49.88 of items at a discounted beverage store at another town in Florida. Then "bought" another $49.88 (yep the same amount) of goods at a Shell Station in another town in Florida.

These transactions occurred on the same day. I wish I could have been the one to use the credit card in Florida (minus the "discounted beverage"), but I haven't been to Florida in about 12 years or so.

Day 80 Photo Challenge

2010-03-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

My "second" job is making DVDs for my sister's baton competition team. It's a lot of work, but I enjoy doing so. Last Nationals, I was in Korea and couldn't get away. I've been asking parents for their copies of videos. I had a few fathers who stepped up and captured most of the routines and some fun moments. Thank you, dads!

Day 79 Photo Challenge

2010-03-20T08:54:00.004-05:00

My friend, Kevin, got 4 tickets to the SAC Museum through his work. The catch: It was family day. Kevin called 4 friends (one had to pay to get in) and we schemed a way to become family. But if you think about it, we're all related in the long run. Once inside, we enjoyed burgers and hot dogs and the works of Da Vinci. And no trip to the SAC Museum is complete without seeing the military airplanes--especially if Joseph's involved.

Day 78 Photo Challenge

2010-03-19T08:46:00.003-05:00

Timothy (or Mom) put his diploma and tassel on the fireplace mantel. Here's another tribute to you, Timothy.

Day 77 Photo Challenge

2010-03-18T19:58:00.005-05:00

Timothy's officially smart! Yep, that's what his school says. He did the walk to grab his diploma. Congratulations, Timmy!

Now, go find a job! :-)

Day 76 Photo Challenge

2010-03-17T19:54:00.003-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Thanks to Katie for a great corn beef and cabbage dinner. (I can't believe that I left my camera at home.)

Day 75 Photo Challenge

2010-03-16T19:50:00.003-05:00

When I taught 3rd grade, I feared the students using scissors. They did not use the scissors properly. The ironic thing is, I'm okay with my 3-year-olds using scissors. Sure, I don't have them accessible 24/7, but they generally use them correctly--or the best to their experience.

Day 74 Photo Challenge

2010-03-15T19:44:00.003-05:00

I took down an art project at work today. I put my assistant's art in our closet. Here's a close up of the middle part of the water lily.

Day 73 Photo Challenge

2010-03-14T19:40:00.003-05:00

My birthday present from Timothy: smelly candles for my date nights with Mr. Bubbles.

Day 72 Photo Challenge

2010-03-13T19:34:00.003-06:00

The family went out for dinner to celebrate my birthday. My choice: The Greek Islands. How I missed Greek food while in Korea. Afterwards, we had ice cream sundaes for desert at home.

The last of the snow! Hopefully for the season...knock on wood.

Day 71 Photo Challenge

2010-03-12T19:30:00.003-06:00

Another afternoon of staying indoors. Solution: The Feather Dance.

Day 70 Photo Challenge

2010-03-11T19:23:00.001-06:00

Day 69 Photo Challenge

2010-03-10T23:16:00.003-06:00

Happy birthday to me!

For my birthday, my friends were kind enough to kidnap me with warning. Katie, Darci, and Janine drove to the Old Market. I had a choice where to eat. I decided on Old Chicago. After we ate yummy food, no trip to the Old Market is complete without a ride down the slides. For whatever reason, I happened to get stopped halfway down each time I went--even with wax paper.

It was a great birthday.

Day 68 Photo Challenge

2010-03-09T15:44:00.003-06:00

Who ever thought of allowing kids to play with a parachute is a freakin' genius! This helped to break up the monotony of this winter in Nebraska.

Day 67 Photo Challenge

2010-03-08T22:27:00.002-06:00

"I love my tennis shoe-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo
My tennis shoes!"

My mind wanders back to the days of 8th grade choir. We sang a cheese doo wop song dedicated to the pair of tennis shoes we all love. Back then, shoes were just shoes. Something you wore, threw away, and bought new. The idea of loving shoes so much was quite foreign to me.

Until 2006.

That's when I bought this pair of tennis shoes. They've been with me. Hiked mountains, hailed taxis, moved furniture, traveled the world. They have been to every country I've visited--USA (duh), Belgium, Germany, Holland, South Korea, Spain, North Korea (briefly), Thailand, Japan. My shoes are apart of me.

But as the cliche goes, "All good things must come to an end." And sadly, my shoes finally faced retirement. They have been replaced. They are worn and well loved. I hate to throw them away. It's like throwing a part of me in the garbage. So for now, enjoy retired life on my bedroom floor.

I miss you tennis shoes!

Day 66 Photo Challenge

2010-03-07T19:44:00.000-06:00

Again?!? Crap.

Day 65 Photo Challenge

2010-03-06T19:41:00.001-06:00

I've had these trinkets for awhile. I don't remember getting the giraffe. I think we were still living in Maryland. And the doll. I think I was in kindergarten or first grade. But they've been apart of my bedroom at home ever since. A little piece of Amy's history.

Day 64 Photo Challenge

2010-03-05T19:38:00.003-06:00

Game night at Jared's. We played a card game that has similar rules to Gin-Rummy. I would love to play that game again. If only I had a larger vocabulary. . .

Day 63 Photo Challenge

2010-03-04T19:35:00.002-06:00

I know this has to give Nebraska a bad name. . .
I promise, we're not rednecks!

Day 62 Photo Challenge

2010-03-03T19:35:00.001-06:00

Another one of those days...Grrrrr!

Day 61 Photo Challenge

2010-03-02T19:31:00.002-06:00

The house sits eerily quiet. The pitter-patter of little feet are missing. The emptiness sits in. The question lingers: did they really come or was that all a dream?

I look around the house. Evidence of three energetic children and their parents linger. How I miss them already!

Day 60 Photo Challenge

2010-03-01T19:15:00.002-06:00

Saddness! This is the last night of my brother & co.'s visit home. I'll see them tomorrow before I head to work. They fly home. It was soooo good to have the whole family together. I don't know of when our next visit will be, but it won't be soon enough.

Tonight, Aiden kept going and going, much like that Energizer Bunny. However, the girls' batteries died quickly. They were out.

Status Photo Challenge

2010-02-28T19:12:00.002-06:00

For the month of February, I am pleased to give myself

100%!

Out of 59 days, my score is:

98%

Not too shabby.

Day 59 Photo Challenge

2010-02-28T19:07:00.001-06:00

More pics of the kiddos. This was Timothy's last time to see them before they left for home. Aiden found a box of tissues and decided to keep himself entertained. He was having a ball.

Day 58 Photo Challenge

2010-02-27T19:00:00.002-06:00

Today I snapped a few--320 few--pictures for my sister-in-law's family. We decided on using the church as the place to snap pictures. They have a gym that the kids were able to run around. They also had black curtains on the stage. Perfect for the backdrop. My only problem--besides the craziness when shooting with 7 kids under the age of 4--was lighting. Need more light! I was happy how they turned out--I'm my worst critic.

This group photo was the last group shot I took. I think I took close to 15 pictures of the whole group.

Day 57 Photo Challenge

2010-02-26T18:54:00.002-06:00

Since my brother is using my mom's car, my mom and I are sharing my car. Therefore, she's been taking me to work. Usually the girls are awake when its time. They HAVE to come along. Today, my mom gave them some sunglasses. They had to model them for me. I have cute nieces!

(My brother would not like the pictures of Addison--she's out of the house and still in her PJs.)

Day 56 Photo Challenge

2010-02-25T18:52:00.002-06:00

Nothing too exciting for pictures today. As you can see, my brother is absolutely thrilled to have his picture taken while eating yogurt. And Addison, well, she's enjoying some goldfish.

Day 55 Photo Challenge

2010-02-24T18:48:00.003-06:00

This evening my brother and his family went to visit Grandma. I tagged along and snapped some pictures of Great-Grandma (the kiddos' Great-Grandma), Uncle Terry, and the kiddos. Grandma loved having the kids play at her feet and climb upon her lap.

Oops!

2010-02-24T18:42:00.001-06:00

I just realized that I messed up the counting process in my titles. I have 2 days labeled "Day 35." Instead of fixing all of it, I'm just fixing the titles from here on out. And I'm a preschool teacher!

(Luckily, I'm really focusing on counting to 20 and not too far after that.)

Day 53 Photo Challenge

2010-02-23T18:38:00.002-06:00

The family went to Quaker Shake & Lube for dinner. Addison was being her goofy self while waiting for Meghan and me to get there. The goofiness continued throughout dinner.

Day 52 Photo Challenge

2010-02-22T18:34:00.003-06:00

Before work this morning, my nieces were sitting in the living room. Addison squealed with delight, "Amy, there's a squirrel!" Kileigh joined in the delight of watching this fat squirrel eating away at the goodies my dad left. I had to grab my camera and check out my new lens.

Day 51 Photo Challenge

2010-02-21T19:29:00.003-06:00

Another photo shoot with my adorable nieces and nephew. I couldn't get all of them to cooperate to have all of them in one photo, but the individual and small groups turned out cute.

Day 50 Photo Challenge

2010-02-20T19:20:00.002-06:00

We snapped some family pictures today. Need more light!

Day 49 Photo Challenge

2010-02-19T23:58:00.002-06:00

These were the subject I've been waiting all year to shoot! They arrived in Omaha this afternoon and finally made their way to my parents' house late evening. So excited to have them home for a little while.

Mr. Aiden, sleeping peacefully in his carrier.

Ms. Kileigh, the birthday girl, demonstrating how old she turned today.
Happy Birthday, Kileigh!

Ms. Addison and Me. She did not have time to take off her jacket when I snapped this picture of the two of us.

Day 48 Photo Challenge

2010-02-18T19:12:00.001-06:00

What to do with all that extra Valentine's candy? Take a picture.

Day 47 Photo Challenge

2010-02-17T21:08:00.004-06:00

I had to use my new lens tonight. I thought I would see what I could get with the moon. This zoom has some power! It took me a while to figure out the correct settings and to use the timer to eliminate the shakes. This is the best shot of the moon I got tonight.

Day 46 Photo Challenge

2010-02-16T21:01:00.003-06:00

The unit's theme is "Art Adventures." Today my students painted using feathers as paintbrushes. Creating art is a messy process, especially when you're 3.

Day 45 Photo Challenge

2010-02-15T20:58:00.000-06:00

Just a cardinal knickknack that sits on my nightstand.