Life is for those who LIVE!!!

One of the ideas that I KNEW i wanted to try after my wedding was a "trash the dress" photo shoot.  I am a photography snob and I wanted pictures that would be beautiful and creative and unique.  As soon as I mentioned it to my photographer he was immediately on board with the idea.  I am so pleased with how they turned out.  I highly encourage any bride who wants memorable photographs to give it a try.  I didn't (and still don't) have a preconceived notion that my future daughters will want to wear my dress.  I want them to wear their own dress and create their own memories.  So I wasn't worried about "ruining" the dress.  This was also the same location that we got married at too so it was special to come back to the same place.  Getting into the water   The beautiful waterfall  I loved the black and white shots  Finally laying down in the cool waters     again i loved the black and white prints   the back

I realize i need to update this to include all of the books now - but I don't have the time now. I'm sure many of you will roll your eyes at this posting BUT I DON'T CARE.... For many years it's really bothered me that some people in this world hate Harry Potter because they think it's evil and about witchcraft and it must be about the devil. But in reality It's about more that wizards and casting a spell. It's about friendship, good vs. evil and how to overcome evil, love of a family (blood or not). So below are some of my favorite quotes from the book that can be applied to life in general:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 movie  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince showing  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 1. "A powerful emotion had risen up in Harry's chest at the sight of Dumbledore, a fortified, hopeful feeling rather like that which phoenix song gave him." 2. "The guil

Every year our department creates lists of things that we've learned from the year. Here is my list: 1. Just like my students vary from year to year, my reactions to the end of the year vary too. Last year I was waving cheerily as they walked out the door wishing them a good summer and I couldn’t wait to get on with my summer. This year I fought back tears as some of my kids walked out the door. 2. Teaching kids can make your emotions swing wildly. One minute you can be extremely happy, the next minute you feel like stabbing someone. Three minutes later you feel hungry. 3. I don’t have kids so I’m still amazed at how deeply you can care for students. Some of them I just want to tuck under my wing like a mother hen and not them go on to the “big bad world”. 4. No matter how much you tell yourself that one kid isn’t going to piss you off today….. Chances are they still will….. 5. When packing up your room, it’s helpful if you do NOT put all of your supplies in random boxes a