How nice!

 I was cleaning out boxes and came across this!

How precious!!! Bessie loved me! Ooooooodles!

Snuggles!

This little girl is just so cute and snuggly (although the TV is a little more interesting than Miss Laura sometimes). I love watching her!!!

Giving momma & daddy a chance to pack

 So I took this kiddo (Emma) out to the park, and we went on the swings and slides til she finally tuckered out for a bit.

 She's getting so big, and so much cuter!!!

 She still looks so much like her daddy though!

Aren't sleepy kiddos perfect angels?

Burning of the Papers Ceremony~ August 21st, 2012

2 years later, I had my "Burning of the Papers Ceremony." Finally, I could get rid of the stacks and stacks of research papers and articles, and laugh with  my classmates about the struggles of the past years. Good times!

San Antonio Wedding~July 28th, 2012

 The church was ready for another ceremony...

The "shorty" in the center was about to become one of the family.

I flew out for the weekend to support my friend, Melissa (pictured at the right)

...and have some fun!

Everything is bigger in Texas! This is her brother's truck!

Congratulations Nick and Aimee!

Mexico Orphan Camp 2012

 Just a few miles south of Ensenada.

 Setting up the army tents for the kiddos was dirty work. I got a nice washable farmers tan out of it.

 One of the nights, God put up this sunset, making it nearly impossible to concentrate.

 This was my favorite kiddo! He climbed on my lap, and we sang together. Then he wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me a big smooch on my cheek!

 I got to lifeguard again!!!

 Here's how the conversation went... Me: "So, do you think this lollipop will turn my tongue blue?" Chaps: "I don't know. Stick out your tongue. Yup."

 This was my view every morning during devotions.

 ...and just being a kid again!

Sigh. What a great trip!

MSN Class of 2012

 Ok, so I can't figure out how to rotate that picture, but you get the point!

 After a sweet message from Barb Taylor,

 ....I was being pinned by my favorite teacher, Dr. Maiden.

 What a joyous day!

 Not everyone made it, but a good chunk of us did.

 It will be strange not seeing these people on a weekly basis.

But I am very happy with my pin. Now if I could just get around to completing this thesis paper...