I love... (part 15)

I love snuggly blankets.
I love my 2-year-old nephew's high five fist bump combo.
I love Viola's excitement when I come home.

Daba Town News

• School has started - I am currently teaching 8 sections of math split between three schools and four locations... EEK. Most of the time I enjoy the classes but tire of the amount of work. I'd love to blog, create, relax, play, sleep more often, but I am thankful for work.
• David is excited and happy about his schedule this semester so far. He is almost done with the Gen Ed requirements.
• Life living with others has been straining sometimes, but most of the time I feel it is going more smoothly than I expected and we haven't run out of money yet! (Blessed)
• Nephew Owen (Big O, Monkey) is over 5 months old and he is such a chunk! He is rolling, playing, smiling, and starting to eat some baby food.
• Met my 75 (minimum) books read goal last year. I will go ahead and try this again (3rd year).

Forced Changes

Getting your car smashed from behind forces your life to change.

Don't worry! We are okay! We just have a more interesting life now.

My brother and his family are moving about 1600 miles away. That forces another change in my life: not seeing my sweet nephew biweekly.

Has anything forced a change in your life recently?

Updates in Daba Town

I have been busy lately. When I stopped being as busy I took a break to rejuvenate. So I haven't been commenting on blogs (though I have been reading most of them) and I haven't been posting much other than Quotes from Class.

Here are some things you've missed because I didn't post about them:

Big Things:

• I passed my thesis oral defense (big sigh of relief).
• I turned in the 2nd to last draft of my thesis (bigger sigh of relief).
• My little brother passed his GED test.
• My big brother took care of all his license issues with the state of New Jersey.
• Two nieces/nephews on the way- one due Aug 1, one due Nov 24.

Medium Things:

• I bought my cap, gown, tassel, and hood for graduation.
• David signed up for summer school.
• Lee J (nephew) crawls like a mad man, makes the "d" sound, and stands for long periods of time without falling.
• I have been eating healthy foods and feeling good about it.
• Played catch and hit some softballs with my dad. He says I "still got it."
• Made a baby blanket (star shape through crochet) and I'm almost done making another one (patchwork of knit squares).
• I learned how to make some new things like baby hats.

Small Things:

• Tulips from our roommate to celebrate the thesis accomplishments.
• David found 12 long gray hairs in a section on the back of my head.
• Less than one month of being a student (for awhile).
• Our dryer broke.
• I still want a dog but it might have to wait another year.
• I want a new lens for my camera because I want to get back into photography this summer.
• Haven't read a book in almost a month (no time and using it as motivation to lose weight).

Photography

I don't usually promote my photography "skills" since I haven't had much time to practice them lately. I love the hobby, but it is just that, a hobby. Friends and family sometimes use me as a free substitute for professional pictures. I'm pretty sure they get the job done. At holidays and get-togethers, I am behind the camera and sometimes I take pictures of things I find interesting or pretty.

Note: I always want a better camera.

Here is a picture from a laid back, non-professional by any means, photo shoot of my nephew. Makes me wanna pinch his cheeks! ~Proud Aunt

I love... (part 8)

I love getting my residual check directly deposited into my bank account right when funds are getting low.
I love month-long vacations.
I love kissable babies/toddlers (aren't they all?).

Waiting

We are waiting for Lee J!!!