This past weekend, Russ was booked for family portraits. I assisted. I just thought I'd throw that in there! Ha! Pat and Felicia, great friends of ours from medical school, asked Russ to take photos of Pat's entire family. It was a beautiful day to photograph beautiful people! We had a blast! Here's a sneak peak...just a few of the 179 pictures Russ took!

The Robbins family

Pat, Felicia, and Toby

Such a sweet couple

Toby

Daddy and son

Seth and Laura Beth

Like I said, it was a fun group! And, we actually LOVE this last minute rigged shot! I backed the car onto the grass, and Russ stood on the bumper holding the camera out...hoping to get everyone in the picture! Great job! I can't wait for them to see the rest!

My husband...Dr. Photographer!

Ten Things Tuesdays

10 Things Tuesdays! Ten things made you happy this week? Blog about 'em! Ten things you want to do before the week's over? Blog 'em! Any ten things, any theme you wish, every Tuesday over at Magnolia Queen.

So, I saw this blog carnival on a blogger friend's blog and decided to join in. Since I'm trying to bask in the loveliness of summer amidst the moving, I'll list 10 things I love about summer!

1. The lake! I can't wait to get on a boat and spend a weekend at Pickwick.
2. The beach! It's true. Summer doesn't start until this girl gets her feet in the sand! I SO enjoyed my beach trip a few weeks ago, and I can't wait until my next one. Maybe before the summer's over? Who knows!
3. Silent mornings. No alarm clocks set! Woo hoo! Farley and I just wake up and groan together in the mornings. And, get this! We actually have the option of staying in bed or getting up! Lovely!
4. Feeling like I actually get stuff done around the house before my hubby gets home. There's nothing better than being able to list things that you took care of even though you are off work!
5. Flip flops! This is a luxury that many take for granted. You see, I work in a place that bans the wearing of "thongs," which always makes me laugh. I'm thinking, "Really? How would you know?" Ha! But, obviously they are referring to flip flops on your feet! So, being able to simply slip on a bright colored, brown, or black pair of flip flops before going somewhere is simply divine!
6. The smell of sunscreen! This is not technically a fetish, but I do adore the smell of it! This may be why I love the lake and beach so much. It's a package deal. Maybe I'll go put some on before I go to bed. Do you think Russ would like it as much as I do? Ha!
7. Summer music! What exactly constitutes summer music? Well, it's probably different for every person, but there is just some music you want to play in the summer with the sunroof open and windows down. It just makes you wanna dance and sing!
8. Regis & Kelly and The View. Although, I must say that The View usually just makes me angry when they talk about political things. Poor Elisabeth just gets bullied. But, they are funny! And another guilty pleasure during summertime is the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Please don't stop reading my blog now! I just think she is so funny! I can't help it!
9. Summer reading! Since late high school...maybe college, I've actually read books during the summer. I actually never liked to read in school, but I have found an interest in it since. This is probably why a love of reading is so important in my classroom. Anyway, summer is really the only time I have time to sit down and read. Or maybe it's the only time that I actually make time to sit and read a book! What have I been reading so far this summer? Well, mostly Karen Kingsbury, of course! But, I stuck another one in there just for fun!
10. Eating lunch with adults! Unless you are a teacher, you have no idea how valuable a lunch with normal conversation really is. I spend my lunches from August until the end of May eating lunch with 25 students. Most of our conversation ends with me saying, "No more questions. This is my break time." Sad, I know! But, lunch with friends...or with a television show...or even with my dog is something I thoroughly enjoy!

What are your Ten Things for Tuesday?

Ode to Van Winkle

Well, the honeymooners are back to reality now. After my parents helped me pack up some things and make a few repairs and improvements around the house, we all met at the new Tull residence. We watched them open wedding gifts and talk about their trip. It was a lot of fun!

However, traveling through the area around my school made me miss it! I mean, how can it possibly be summer break and I'm already missing my school!? When I left after my last day as a Van Winkle teacher, I wrote my principal a letter telling her about all my school has meant to me over the years. And, I want you to know too. So, I'll make this post an "Ode to Van Winkle!"

I have a mixture of feelings as I leave Van Winkle. And I am overwhelmed to tears when I think of my time here. It's funny really. I cried on my first day...and I cried on my last day. For different reasons totally!

Mrs. Johnson's first class - May 2006

My first day at Van Winkle, I was an eager and enthusiastic graduate. I say graduate because I would hardly consider myself worthy of the title "teacher" yet. I came into this classroom full of students who had been through three-four teacher figures. I had not signed a contract, but I needed the money! Ha! I remember walking the class to the music room and trying to keep them in a line. They walked all over me that first day. I couldn't get them in line, couldn't remember their names, and I know everyone was watching to see how I panned out. I remember Mrs. Thorns running up beside me calling those kids by name in that voice of hers and getting them straight. I was so thankful to her for that! I barely made it down to my room before bursting into tears. Of course, Mrs. Pemberton walked in and the "mama" in her tried to make it better. I called my mom crying after school that day and told her I didn't want to go back! But, I made a promise to these kids and to my principal. I was not going anywhere! And I needed that pay check! Ha! Those were not happy tears. Those were tears of a scared, overwhelmed, and frustrated graduate trying to be a teacher.

After that day, there are many things I have learned during my time at Van Winkle. My experience here transformed this graduate into a teacher. This school made me into the teacher I am today. And for that, I will always be thankful!

My experience here taught me the importance of a supportive administration. Several times I have told my administrators that they are one of the many reasons I was still at Van Winkle. It's true. I always knew that my principal had my back. Mistake or no mistake. My administrators supported the teachers as long as we worked hard. They helped us to correct mistakes and find solutions. They praised our accomplishments.

They did all of this with a smile on their faces. I doubt I will ever find an administrator quite like the ones I have been blessed to work under.

My time here also taught me the importance of working together. Never have I heard of another school working so hard together to accomplish something greater. Van Winkle works across halls, across houses, across grade levels, and across positions. We have shared lesson plans, planned together, tutored each other's students, and learned from each other. We are all in this together, and we are reminded of this daily.

Van Winkle taught me that our parents send the best they have, so they deserve the best we can give. I never imagined I would love these children so much. No one prepares you for the expectations you set, the potential you see, and the love you have for each child individually and uniquely. I truly love our kids!

Mrs. Johnson and J'Darrien

Teacher Appreciation Day 2010

Van Winkle taught me so many valuable lessons that I never learned in school. It is now, after learning these lessons that I will consider myself a teacher. I have grown in my profession because of this school, and I have grown as a person because of this school. I am truly blessed. God blessed me more than I could have imagined when he placed me here.

"God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20

Books from the Junior League of Jackson

Finding the mean, or average, of a set of numbers.

I have been blessed by each staff member, each student, and my administration throughout my four and half years here. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to grow here. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity!

Jamie and Cacynthia didn't want to get their hair wet on the water slide!
May 2007

Mrs. Johnson's Fruity Bunch - 2008

So, on my last day, I left with a different kind of tears. I left with tears of sadness. I will miss my Van Winkle family. I will miss seeing Dr. Bowen and Mrs. Grigsby in the rotunda each morning as I roll in right before 7:30! (By the way, that is the cutoff time! Oops!) I will miss watching my principal handle difficult children with such care.

Kenyada and Jordan 2010

Accelerated Reading Pep Rally
Mrs. Johnson's class 2007-08

I will miss the Kenyadas of Van Winkle just as much as I will miss the Kristins of our school. I will miss pushing students beyond what they ever imagined.

Honor Roll!

Success on district tests!

I will miss their smiles when they have that light bulb moment!

James is a star!

Jordan gets it! Equivalent fractions!

I will miss venting to Mrs. Jierski or Mrs. Torrey (or the others who know who they are! Ha!) I will miss so many things! But, I will remember them with such a smile!

Mrs. Johnson's class 2009-10

Because this is the school that made this graduate into the teacher and the person that I am today. I am proud of my time here!

Van Winkle will always be my first home!

P.S. - Feel free to check out our class blog here to see what we've been doing all year!

Happy Father's Day!

Russ was on call last night, so Farley and I spent a good amount of quality time together. We were talking as we packed up more boxes for the upcoming move. Farley told me that he needed to get out and get his daddy a gift for Father's Day. So we did!

I helped him wrap it, and we gave it to Russ when he got home this afternoon. Farley is so proud of his purchase. I'm sure of it. Ha!

Besides my husband being a good "daddy" to our dog (Ha!), Russ and I have had amazing father influences in our lives. We are both very blessed to have fathers who have taught us by example and by guidance how to live a Christian life. Our father's have taught us the importance of hard work, compassion, determination, family, remembering "whose we are," and living for our Heavenly Father. Russ learns from the best, and I know that one day Russ really will be the best daddy to our children!

Our fathers have helped our understanding of our Heavenly Father's love by showing us unconditional love. If our imperfect earthly fathers are able to love us this much...how much more our perfect Heavenly Father must love us! Wow! What a legacy! What an example!

But, I must say one of my many favorite things fathers can show their children is how to have FUN! I can say, without a doubt, that my dad knows how to have fun! Take a look and you will see! **You will need to pause my music on the sidebar.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Happy Father's Day!

Beach Baby, Beach Baby...

...there on the sand from July to the end of September!

That's the song that comes to mind when I think back on my beach trip!

Once the wedding was over, I stayed in town while Russ went back to work. I helped my parents pack things up, wash vases, return borrowed things, etc. By Monday, we were headed to the BEACH on our annual Coon family vacation! It was time to relax. No one was able to go but me and my parents. I was sad about that, but I was happy to see the waves!

Me, Jack, Aunt Patsy, and Clancy

What did we do? Well...nothing! Absolutely nothing! My mom usually goes to the grocery store and cooks most nights for everyone. That didn't happen! We simply woke up whenever we wanted, sat out on the balcony while I blogged about the wedding, went down to the beach, and came up for showers and supper. That's it! It was divine!

Me and Mama doing NOTHING!

It was a little weird not having Dustin or Kristin around, but Clancy and me found plenty to keep us busy and laughing!

Cousins

Like I said, Mama didn't cook this trip. I made the occasional macaroni and cheese for lunch...but other than that - nothing! Jack and Uncle Howard did all the cooking! Don't worry. Jack's a fireman. He took care of the fire in the grill and the smoke detector that went off in the room! Ha!

Fireman Jack

We celebrated Uncle Howard's birthday one night. Winn Dixie wouldn't put the writing on the cake that Clancy and I wanted, so she bought her own icing. We did it ourselves on Pops's bed. I'm sure the cleaning crew will never notice the green stains!


After ice cream and cake...me, Jack, and Clancy headed out to Tootsie's for a night out. We had a great time! But, no one had as much fun as Jack did singing all those songs. All he needed was a microphone, and he could have been paid to entertain.

Me, Jack, and Clancy

You want to know one sign of getting old? When all three of us look at each other and say, "Let's just stay in the room tonight." Yep. We did. We made a pallet on the floor and watched a movie with the fam. Just like old times (except the part of a hubby in the mix!)

Pallet Party!

Our last night there, we decided to eat out at Margaritaville. If you've ever been there, you know there is always a wait. But, bored we were not. We all plopped down in an official Margaritaville Adirondack chair and watched the entertainment, ordered something to wet our whistle, and listened to the music. I shopped a bit in the gift shop too.

Daddy and Mama

Clancy and I look like the Jolly Green Giants hovering over Pops and Aunt Patsy!

Clancy and Jack with Margaritaville's parrots

Once inside, we were seated right by the stage. The band was great! They played many songs we knew (Well, me, Jack, and Clancy knew them!). And, somehow, we ended up with balloon hats. Not sure how that happened!

Daddy

Even Pops enjoyed the band. How do I know? Well, he first began to move his eyebrows up and down to the beat. Then, eventually, his shoulders joined in. That's how you dance in your 80's I suppose! Ha!

Pops and Jack

The whole crew (minus Uncle Howard)