Homework - A Natural Progression

Excited about her first real homework assignment.

One of the cardinal rules of parenting is don't compare your children. However, one of your first instincts as parents is, you guessed it, compare the brood. My Andrew spoiled me, academically speaking. He has always been a "gifted" kid, and never really realized it. This year he's in 4th grade, but starting out doing 5th grade math at his new "gifted" acadamy. He's been out smarting us for years. Of course he has also enjoyed raking me over the coals when it comes to behavior. A real "challenge" that one. Any who, speaking of comparing - Abbey knows that things don't come as easy for her as they did Andrew. She's not big dummy by any means, she's going to have to work for what she learns. She, like 99% of us, has to work at things before she understands a concept. She's more my "socially gifted" child. I could not be more proud.

Today, after school, she was excited to announce that she had homework. "Aren't you so excited mom? My first real homework. Don't you want to take pictures of that?" As soon as we got in the house, she was at the table with a sharp pencil. The first page was a snap, tracing. Easy breezy. Second page, rhyming. Snap, it's done. Third page.....cue the record scratch sound effect. Page three - write three sentences about your picture. "What? That is so stupid! I don't do pictures, and I don't do sentences. I only make rainbows. I'm outta here! Forget this stupid stuff, I'm never doing this again."

Oy Vey.

First Day Goodness

Andrew would only pose for one picture and this was it. Fascinating.

Quick nervous smile while waiting on the light to change.Craziness in the Kindergarten/First Grade wing. Not sure why, I just really dig this shot.
Settling in, late of course.Nothing beats the excitement of the first day of school. New supplies, new teachers and catching up with old friends. For one particular Weems, this is normally the only day where the teacher is completely unaware any "history" he may have had with teachers past. A perfect angel.

Abbey was "totally excited" that her friend Johnny was in her class. I was totally NOT excited about being in a peanut free classroom. It's never a good sign when Mr. Peanut's picture is crossed out and glued to the front door. Up until this year we have dodged the 'ole peanut blackout. I mean seriously, dang the luck on that one.

Andrew was late being dropped off at his school, but we made it there just in time to cause a scene and snap a couple embarrassing photos. Nothing like your obnoxious mom standing at the door with a ginormous camera snapping away at the door while everyone is already working. I mean really, who would do that to their kid? If I knew someone, their photos would look a bit like the ones posted above. Not saying that I would do that, but I may know someone who does.

Bump to Baby

I've been in wedding world for a while now, but it was nice to go back to my baby roots. Every time I go out to meet a new couple I use the same stuff, but I always get very different results. Baby Danny was such a good boy and full of expression! Loads of fun.

Flowers left from unknown person.






In 1975 the doors to Charlton Methodist hospital of Dallas opened. For 34 years this hospital has seen many prestigious doctors, nurses and support staff come and go from it's doors. My dad was one of them. In 2003 they offered my dad a great position heading the Central Service department. His department was responsible for sterilizing surgical equipment and having it to the correct room for surgery. My dad had several employees under him, but he treated them all as friends. He organized to have cookies and punch brought in every Wednesday to boost moral. He picked up employees on snow days and even drove to their home just to start their lawn mower (that he gave them) on more than one occasion. He found a way to get a much needed baby bed and supplies to an employee that had no way to afford such luxuries. The kicker was that he never said a word about doing such things. We only found this stuff out after he had gone. People wrote us letters and came to visit with these stories. The week he passed away, we got word from the hospital that they wanted to plant a tree in his honor in the front main entrance. Wow. Looking back on all the big fancy doctors that must have saved so many lives, they wanted to honor my dad. What a legacy. What a statement.

One year to the day of my dad's passing, we went to his tree. I had not seen it since his memorial last year. I was particularly touched to see that someone other than family had remembered him on that day and left flowers. There it was in all it's glory in the middle of a nice grassy area at the main entrance to the hospital. Andrew went right to the plaque that we had not seen. For whatever reason he sat, stared and touched the stone. He rubbed his hands over dad's name and teared up. We all did. My baby has been a completely different boy ever since my dad left. They were best friends as any best friends could be. He is truly missing my dad more that I will ever fully know.

As we left I thought about how I want to leave my legacy. Will people plant a tree in my honor for being the best average Joe I can be? Will I make such a mark by doing good anonymously? Can I do so much stuff for so many people and never tell a soul that they will one day honor me with a plaque without the prompting of my family? So far, no. So far, not if I lived to be 600 years old. So today and everyday I will make it my mission to do everything well and the best I can do it. I will strive for excellence in all that I do. I will try to be as Christ-like in my every action known and unknown so that when I die (probably in the shower) my children will be honored to be mine.

This is a link to a song that makes me smile and cry all at the same time. I can't wait to run and hug my daddy's neck again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnTu0i9cj-I

Home, Home on the Range

In case you ever wondered what happens when you take two 9 year old boys to Ulta.

The gazebo has always been a run around. One stiff wind and this thing is a goner.

Out at her breakfast picnic with Mema. I could not love that face more.

Catching a spider is always first on the to do list when visiting Mema.

The best smiles from these two are always sneak attacks.


When I think vacation I think one thing, beach. If I had two things it would be beach and sand. If I had three maybe beach, sand and ice cream. However, this year our vacation turned into a trip "home". When you move thousands of miles from home and take the grand kids with you, you must go "home" when you get a chance. And after all, Texas has some of the greatest ice cream ever so it's kinda a twofer.

This year I decided to be a Texas tourist. I know it's totally crazy, but I feel so weird taking my camera to my "everyday" activities. OK, now that I really think about this it's not that weird. I really do take my camera everywhere, I'm a photographer. Every event, party or performance done Weem's style, there it is. Wow. What a revelation. Wait, was I going somewhere with that? Not sure, any who, lots 'o pictures this time.

Hanging out at Mema's means several things.....Co-sleeping with my child, waking up early and pretending that I'm still sleeping just because co-sleeping child finally left the room and I just need an hour to myself so I can function for the remainder of the day, bugs and swarms of them, humidity, bar-b-Que, Mexican food but the best part is picking up where you left off with friends and family.

Last Hurrah for Kindergarten

Every parent/teacher conference this year we heard about our little social butterfly. At the beginning of the year we worried a bit about how well she would "adapt" to life in kindergarten. As it turns out, we had nothing to worry about. She went to school everyday as if she had been invited to an exclusive party of 23 of her best friends. She had super fun teachers, and only minor issues with office staff. As the end of the year approached, it was great to see how far she had come. Way to go baby girl, the world belongs to you.

Super Fun Engagement Session

This photo shoot was loads of fun. I spoke with Denise and Juan about the upcoming wedding, and found out many exciting details. I'm most excited to see her shoe choice. Right now the choice is red, leopard or blue. All delicious choices!! So much fun and so very easy to photograph fun people.