Thursday May 21

Today my cousin, Brandon lost his battle to melanoma cancer.  He has been battling this terrible cancer for a while now.  He was only 34 years old.  He leaves behind a little girl who will miss her daddy terribly. 
Tyler and I grew up playing with KC and Brandon all the time.  We were so lucky to have our cousins so close to us.  Tyler and Brandon grew even closer to each other as they got older and found several ways to get in trouble.  I will  leave all of those stories for Tyler to tell. 
Brandon I will miss you and your laugh (he had the best laugh).

Love you more little cousin!

Brandon

Tyler and Brandon at Prom.  Two good looking young men!

Tuesday May 19

Today I got to spend the evening celebrating my birthday at Johnston's Graduation.  Most people asked if I was upset that I had to spend my birthday there.  But honestly, I was not.  I enjoy celebrating the seniors' accomplishments.  My kids in my classroom work hard for their grades (well most of the time).  I want one day that I can celebrate their accomplishments! 

I am missing about 10 students but we were on a time crunch as we were getting yelled at by the principal to get in line!  Oops leave it to the at-risk teacher to have her kids out of line! 

Monday May 18

Tonight Memphis and I started our week at Ashley's house!  Memphis was so surprised that Ashley had a whole tub full of toys for him!!!  Then he found the books in the tub and had Ashley reading them all to him.  He loves books.

Ashley and Memphis reading and as you can see on the floor he was having a good time playing!

Sunday May 17

Tonight we celebrated my Birthday with the Palmer family.  It was a great night.  And Craig even decided it was time to take the cover off the pool!!! 

Summer can officially start (well sorta)!

Britney and the kids!

Saturday May 16

Today we headed to Creston to spend time with Dad and Tara.  Since we are not into our new home yet we thought we would spend weekends in Creston so that Randy's family could get some down time and not have to put up with all of us all weekend.  We are pretty grateful that Craig and Peggy are letting us stay with them and then Memphis and I stay there occasionally.  But we have been staying at Nancy's house and Ashley's house!  Oh the fun we will have!

Here is the weekend fun in Creston!

Thursday May 14

Today marks the last day in our home.  We sold our house back in April and I had waited to say anything because I wanted to make sure everything was good to go!  It is a bitter sweet day.  I know that we will be getting a nicer home however, this is where is all began.  Randy and I started our lives together in this home.  Noah only knows this as his home with us.  We got to bring Memphis home to this house.  This home will forever hold a part in our hearts.  But what we will not miss is the ice cold walls in the winter time (it needed insulation), the busy street (Urbandale Ave), and the idoit across the street who continually revved his motorcycle all summer long.

Goodbye Urbandale Ave...

Me cleaning out the house!  Almost empty!!!

Empty walls...

Mother's Day

After we celebrated Riggin's Birthday we headed home because my mom was on her way to see us!  What a great Mother's Day gift to me, my mom!  I was so happy that she got to stay one night with us. 
Love you More!

After mom took off for Creston we then celebrated Mother's Day with Randy's Mom (Peggy).  We all headed over and had pizza and dessert! 

Bailey and Memphis

Family Picture!!!  Thanks Tony!

May 9

This afternoon we celebrated Riggins' Birthday!  Hard to believe this big kid is 5 years old!  It was a great day to celebrate as the kids jumped forever on the trampoline and loved every moment of it!

Happy Birthday Riggy!

May 4

Tonight was the National Honor Society Inductions at Johnston High School.  I am one of the sponsors and was thrilled that inductions were over.  I was super nervous because I had to speak in front of all of those parents.  (I know some of you are thinking, she is a teacher, she shouldn't be nervous, but I am used to students not parents!)

However, the ceremony went wonderful and I am so happy that it is now over!  YAY! 

My happy face that NHS is done for the year!