july.

July is going to be an incredibly busy busy month for me!  I have to finish up 3 summer classes, a portfolio to get credit for an additional class, and take the Praxis 2 AND the RVE exams! As my mom says, 'one day at a time'...I'm really trying to do that because I think if I look ahead at all I might lose my marbles!  The good news is I have the beach to look forward to in August before I start my crazy Fall semester (and FINAL semester before student teaching!!!!!) Speaking of that - I only have...

months left until I am done with classes and my full-time job! :)  STILL not sure what I'll do next year for income, but I'll figure it out one day.  I may be MIA from the blog in July, but hopefully things will ease up in August! :)

newborn photos

Em and I finally found time to get some pictures of Lucy.  I'm sure this will be happening once every couple of months because we'll never have enough photos of this gorgeous girl!  It was my first time photographing a baby and she was a bit of a challenge at the beginning (she didn't want to go to sleep), but once Em got her down it was pretty smooth sailing.  I posted some below.

I hope you like them, Em and Mark!

quarter of a century.

So, last week I turned 25...and I'm not happy about it.

I have never really paid much attention to my age...other than the 'big' ones of course:

10 - double digits!
13 - teenager!
16 - driving!
21 - drinking! (legally!!)

21 also brought on graduation from college.  How is it possible that I have been graduated for 3 whole years?  I feel like I just left Radford.  I still long to go back to college.  I miss small town Radford, I miss Wal-Mart trips at 10 PM just because we're bored, I miss my roommates, I miss seeing snow on the ground and making a morning drive/skid to the store to get beer, mostly I miss no responsibility.

Turning 25 is hitting me a little hard.  I can't help but feel like my best 25 years are behind me, so what does that mean for the future?  I was born, raised by awesome parents, went through elem., middle, and high school with the ups and downs that goes with that, went to Radford and made lifetime friends and grew old friendships, met the love of my life, got engaged, got married, got my Bauer boy, enjoyed 24 amazing years with my grandparents...and the list goes on.  So, what now?  I guess I'll just have to wait and see!

he did it!

After two years of hoping, wishing, and praying and 20 weeks of boot shining, studying, laundry, and ironing Chris has graduated!!


Chris finished school with a 96% average - can you believe that?! He's so smart.  He has been assigned to the A shift at Station 18 which is conveniently located right around the corner from his Grandma!  I think she's already making a to-do list for him to complete, or at least she should be. :)


Just in case you're wondering (and you probably aren't, but I'm going to tell you anyway) his shift are from 8 AM to 8 AM, 24 hour shifts.  He will work one shift and then have 2 off.  On, off, off...pretty easy to remember :) His first day is WEDNESDAY.  That's right...he gets 4 days off, lucky SOB! Bauer is soo stoked that Daddy will be around so much - I'm thinking this may phase out the crate, but not if Chris has anything to say about it!

A few pics from his graduation day (also my birthday):

He looked so good!

All 28 new firefighters!


I'm so proud of him for dreaming and working hard to make it happen - I love you Chris!

lucy lu!

I have fallen in love, again.  This time it is with my niece!  I am seriously head over heels for this little girl!  She's BEAUTIFUL, sweet, and totally amazing!

You can read the story of her birth HERE.

She was 4 days late, but if you know my sister and Mark, you know that is spot on for their family! :)  Always late!

Lucy Evelyn, my first niece and my Gemini twin (well, actually I'm not sure since they changed all that crap).

How cute will my hubby be as a daddy??

What a little nugget!!

This picture makes me weak in the knees.  Look at those tiny little legs!! LOVE HER!

Em and I plan to try to get some newborn shots this weekend, so stay tuned for those!

countdown.

Only SEVEN months left until I can quit my job full-time!  I still have no idea how we'll pay our bills yet while I'm student teaching, but we'll figure it out!

Stay tuned for news on my niece/nephew - we're looking at this afternoon!! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek.