just be...m[E]

Back to the real world...

So, it's been one week today that we got home from visiting Kelly, Brian and Emma in warm and sunny Florida. We had an amazing time, full of so many firsts for Owen. His first flight and trip to the beach, and not to mention our first vacation as a family of three. Although the flight to Orlando was rough for O (the woman beside me didn't help), our return trip was great...and the time in between was perfect. It was great to leave the cold here in KY, and to spend the entire long weekend in a bathing suit. It was awesome to watch Emma walk while trying to keep up with Owen, and to see Grandma and Grandpa taking it all in and enjoying the kids. (We just wish Alexis could have been there too!) Owen LOVED the beautiful pool (just 5 steps outside the door), and was sad to leave (as were we). The beach was awesome...even if Owen didn't agree. It helped me feel more refreshed and more ready to function at work, as I'm in the middle of one of the hardest years of teaching yet. He did warm up to the ocean, but seemed to enjoy eating watermelon under the umbrella even more. Yep, that's my boy. Thanks so much to the Adkins family! We had a truly amazing time, and cannot wait to visit again! (But, next time I'll apply sunscreen to myself too...to prevent the peeling I am still dealing with. Oh well, the hardship of being in the sun...in October I guess!)

Photos: Sweet Emma (10.5 mos); O modeling Emma's armadillo hat; playing in the pool and watching Gracie the cat.

Well, off to chill and watch TV (and maybe eat ice cream...I know you're shocked!). Have a great week my friends!

peace and love...

photo edits...

First, THANK YOU Brian for blogging some vacation pics for me! I too am excited that you are beginning your 4th year of law school. So, so cool! I'm very proud of you!

Second, I took a minute to edit the silly photo of us from Cancun. It's really amazing what a little Photoshop Elements can do! (Even though I wish I knew more about it!) Here is it...plus another cute one. (Gotta love the tripod!)

(love the "tripod" pose BSer)

OK, off to watch Big Brother...yep, I Iove reality TV!

peace and love...

i'm home...

I made it home from visiting Cory, Rachelle and Alexis on Thursday evening, but decided to take a "computer break" until late last night. Just something I felt I needed to do to give my brain a break. It worked...and I know feel inspired and ready. Weird, I know. Anyway, just wanted to first say THANK YOU so much to Rachelle for taking good care of us while Cory was at work. We all appreciate it! Also THANKS to Cory for rearranging your schedule to spend more time with us. It was awesome! I especially loved spending time playing in the ocean together. Such fun and really long overdue. And Alexis, wow, what a cutie! She is such a joy to be around...constantly "talking" and carrying around her many monkeys (including the spare ones I brought from KY). She is really growing up fast, and learning so much along the way. I LOVE her so much...which made it hard to say goodbye...as always. I am so lucky to have such a great big extended family...just wish I could see you all more often. I miss and love you all!

OK, without further ado, here are some funny and cute photos. Sorry, I'm too lazy to edit, so they are right out of the camera. (click to enlarge photos!)

(bag o monkeys...and silly Alexis)

(playing in the ocean...dad & daughter)

(mom & daughter...Alexis playing for hours)

(this one made me laugh of Alexis...the Rose family...grandma & granddaughter)

(family photos...)
Thanks again Cory and Rachelle! We had a great time!

Off to get ready for work...back to the real world!

**Ronda P...if you read this, email me! My emails keep getting bounced back from you. Weird?

peace and love...

here we come Cory...

Yep, keep your fingers crossed that we make it to see Cory, Rachelle, and cutie Alexis today in Norfolk, Virginia! I'm so excited to be meeting Mom, Bill and Kelly at the airport this morning, so we call all fly together...I hope. You never know when you play the "stand-by" game of flying, but it is worth it. So far things look good, but keep those fingers crossed! Can't wait to give everyone a hug...and give Alexis the "bag of monkeys" (I'll have to tell that story later). Off I go to get ready...and pack...because I do everything last minute!

Have a good week. Be back on Thursday night. Suz...do NOT have the baby while I'm gone! OK?! Ha!

peace and love...

bloggin from d.c...

just checking in from washington d.c! we've had a busy day of touring and taking in all that this beautiful city has to offer...at least as much as we can in one day! it is fun to share this experience with family and friends...just wish brian and my sibs were here too! miss you guys...

ok, so mom, aunt nanette and i are in some weird back room using the computers to check our flights for the morning. i just had to sneak on here an blog. i think i was going through internet withdrawal! ha! anyway, hope to make it back to KY safe and sound tomorrow.

have a great rest of the weekend!

peace.

decompress...

Whew...Susan used the word "decompress" and it is perfect to describe how I feel right now. Feel like I need a vacation from my vacation if you know what I mean. We had a an awesome time in Vegas! It's hard to really describe in detail though...something you must see for yourself. Had a hard time functioning at school today, but I made it through...didn't realize how much I miss my students when I'm gone.

I promise I will post photos...have lots to share...but must unpack and find my camera first. I used my trusty 3.2 megapixel canon (yep, only 3.2)...wish I had the new 10 megapixel....maybe someday. Hope they come out OK.

Hope you had a great week and missed me lots!

peace and love...