#274/365--Loss

#273/365--Lightning

Lightning is awesome.

I took these last night, while driving...er....riding toward North Dallas.

Amazing.

#272/365--Night Air

#271/365--Sunrise

I do take a lot of sunrise/sunset/moon/cloud pictures.  Of course, the picture never does the subject justice.  Nature is just way more beautiful in the....well...Natural realm.  Pictures are only a copy.  A replica.  Looking at the picture is suppose to "replicate" the moment.  Remind you of something.  Create a memory inside a feeling...an emotion.  This picture certainly is not anything like what I saw this morning, driving to work.  But...I hope I captured something that inspires...it's the fresh start of a brand new day...which, in and of itself...is inspiring.

#270/365--Gifts from the Heart

My Kindergarten kiddos are so thoughtful...

...they even bring me ketchup packets...

<3

#269/365--Good Day for Some Baseball...

Good times.

#268/365--Going

#267/365--Injury

Lauren got slide-tackled last night during a scrimmage at soccer practice. 

...this is day two...and the swelling has gone down since last night...

...after being wrapped in bandage all day...

(swollen to a whole inch in circumference bigger than her normal ankle-see below)

(trying to figure out the air cast...I love this kid)

#266/365--Sunset in the Mirror

#265/365--Faith

#264/365--Simple Dinners

#263/365--My Favorite Artist

A Self-Portrait, from 5th grade art...

I think it's amazingly close...

...but, I'm biased...



#262/365--Burning...

Too much sun...

....leaves one tired...

...and cross...

((see it??  My necklace left a tan...or rather, burn line...))

((ouch.))

#261/365--Life Truly is Good

#260/365--Irony

When I was in Junior High School, I remember the drama. Girls fighting over boys, hormones, girls gossiping about other girls, boys breaking girls' hearts, cliques, gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy, and more fights.....and from what I understand, things are worse in today's Junior High Schools.  I'm not there on a daily basis.  But my daughter is.  She tells me stories.  Of all the above things.  And it disheartens me.  For my child to be surrounded by such ugliness.  I worry and pray that she doesn't get caught up with the wrong crowd.  That the anxiety and stress of "rigorous" work doesn't drive her to such things.

Last night, my daughter and some of her friends wrote out nearly 500 sticky notes with positive messages on them, saying things like,  "Have a good day," "You're beautiful," "Smile," "Be Happy," and a few with Bible verses.  They posted them around the school on the walls, lockers, bathrooms, etc.  She said kids were taking them off the walls and wearing them.  Smiling.  Happiness.

First period Biology, the principal came to Lauren's class and asked to speak to her.  He told her to pick up all the sticky notes.  They made a mess.  And then...she received a detention. 

Nice.  For once, some teenagers are trying to send a positive message.  Lighten a dark world with some goodness.  Love instead of hatred.  And they get shut down.

Oh.  I get it.  We can't let the children get out of hand. 

It was messy, after all. 

Probably almost caused a riot.  Shameful.

Seriously.

#259/365--Pumpkin Spice, From a Good Friend

#258/365--A Few More of My Favorite Things

#257/365--What Grade, Again...?

#256/365--Moon in the Mirror

#255/365--Remembering 9/11

I bought these coffee cups right after 9/11/01.

They were made specifically for the relief efforts:

(as stated on the bottom of the cup)

10 years ago.  Michael was 1 1/2.  Lauren was 4.  It was my first year teaching full-day Kindergarten at Roquemore Elementary in Arlington.  I don't remember much about that day.  I remember being told what was happening, trying to get the news on our Kindergarten tv (without cable), kids being checked out of school early, me wanting to go pick my kids up from the sitter. Just an overall sense of fear. 

We will never forget.

#254/365--What a Day...

I think it was just gorgeous outside today. 

Perfect for a little relaxing in the grass...

...and a little baseball...

...well, actually, it's always perfect for some baseball...

;)

#253/365--Lemonade

How can you NOT love this....

"Everyday I'm Shufflin'..."

#252/365--Scary

Around here, in Texas, "they" have been drilling a lot--oil...or...um...minerals(?).  "They" put up these big, ugly walls around the drilling sites.  They scare me.

#251/365--Daughters and Sunbursts

#250/365--Eleventh Day...

#249/365--Day with my Amazing Daughter

While Michael got to spend some time with one of his friends, Lauren and I spent the day together.  We went to the mall, to lunch, and the dog park.  It was a great day.  I cherish these one-on-one days I get with my kids every once in awhile.  They grow so fast and time pushes us to keep on keeping on.  We seldom get to appreciate each other.  Today, I got to hang with Lauren and treasure the young woman she is growing into.

fun.times.always.i.am.blessed.