I'm pretty excited about the Gerber Generation Photo Search this year because I have a baby of mine own to enter. Of course, I believe she is the most beautiful baby ever (unbiased, I know, but what parent wouldn't think the same thing of his/her own child??)! If you have a bundle of joy yourself, then you should really think about entering your cutie because anyone has the chance of winning. Plus, the prizes are pretty extraordinary...thousands of dollars for college? YES, PLEASE! If you would also vote for Abigail in this contest, then I would be very appreciative (and can return the favor if need be). You can vote for her here!

Let me know what the baby in your life (your own child, nephew/niece, cousin, WHATEVER) does to put a smile on your face...babies always seem to lift my spirit :)

Keep on keeping on you guys,

It's been a rough weekend these past couple of days. My husband lost his grandfather on Saturday night. He was just like Drew's dad here on Earth; in fact, he was his only true fatherly figure. It breaks my heart more and more to see him hurting. I know that he knows that his "PawPaw" is in a better place, able to fully get around. You see, Mr. John was a WWII veteran who was nearly killed in Italy as he took a gun blow through his back that came out his front shoulder. Then, he suffered a massive stroke several years later once home. His ability to walk was jeopardized, but it wasn't until he fell that he completely lost all control to be mobile. Drew told me that they bought him a golf cart to get around and even an electric wheelchair once it all got worse, but that's not the same as being able to walk or run around. You could tell that he wanted to just get up and go because he was a very outdoorsy type of person. I mean, he went almost 80 years fully mobile. Well, he was 87 when he passed away, but he is definitely not forgotten...his legacy lives on! We know that he is much happier in Heaven, but, this may sound selfish, we all want him back here.


If any of you have ever faced death right in the face by losing a loved one, please share how you coped, are coping, and the things that you do to keep going; I would love to pass it on to my dear husband.


Keep smiling - your clock only ticks for so long,

Today is a very good day. My family went into the dog shelter today to adopt our very first loving companion, CoCo:

You can probably tell that I also love Instagram ;)

I am so excited to have such a sweet addition to our family...we're growing! If you have any pets that you adore, and treat JUST like family (because they truly are!), leave a comment and let me know a little bit about your furry friend! For all of those out there that would love to add to your family by having a pet, I strongly suggest adopting/rescuing from a local shelter/pound!

Go play fetch; even if you don't have a dog...make it catch!

After much pinning (yes, you can find me on Pinterest! Just go to  http://pinterest.com/amberkeim/), I have found a bunch of things that I'm very excited to try out with my classes. Oh, yeah, I was informed that I will be teaching two sixth grade classes and two eighth grade classes...sure, that's four classes to teach like everyone else, but that's two different kinds of curriculum, which means that's two different lesson plans per day - unlike the usual one lesson plan...shouldn't I get paid more?? Lol
Some things I found:


iPad in the classroom...if only I had an iPad...haha


I thought this was pretty revolutionary (and cool!), so I went here: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ - they hooked me up in a matter of minutes, and it was literally so easy to do!


Okay, so I LOVE this!! I haven't got to start actually using it with my class yet (less than a month left!), but I've been playing around with it just testing it out, and I am in love! I actually proposed this to my principal to get the permission to use it with my classes, and he loved it so much that he wants the entire school to do this! Maybe in the near future our entire school system will be on board! :)


The idea of making memories, and recalling them, is just too cute! I can't wait to start making memories with all of my kids ;)


There are way too many pins to show on this post, but here are the ones that I have recently pinned and thought to myself, "Oh my gosh...this is going to be awesome!" Haha so if you like those, there are more where that came from. Just head over to my pinterest: http://pinterest.com/amberkeim/ to discover new ways to fall even more in love with teaching (it's possible!).


Go outside and act goofy - the weather is fabulous here in Athens :)

My first year of teaching is upon me. I have been waiting for this moment since I was about 18. I have increasingly become anxious anticipating my first year of teaching for the past four years since the economy decided to take its frustration out on me. Yep, I have been looking for a teaching job since I graduated (3 long years!), and to make matters worse, I should have graduated a year earlier (but my adviser failed to mention that there was a course I needed to take before I could graduate). There is an "up side" to this introduction, though. If I would have graduated in the traditionally correct year, then I would have never met the love of my life:

If I would have gotten a teaching job the year that I graduated, then I wouldn't have been able to get to know what a great guy he truly is.

If I would have gotten a teaching job the next year, then I wouldn't have been able to develop a deeper relationship with him.

If I would have gotten a teaching job the next year, then I wouldn't have gotten engaged, married, pregnant, and had my first child. Meet Abigail Leigh Keim:

(taken from when we went swimming last Saturday...she's showing her mini ravioli)

If I would have gotten a teaching job the next year, then I wouldn't have gotten to spend the first year being a new wife in total awe, nor would I have gotten to see Abigail the entire first year of her life like I did. She will be turning a year old on July 27!

I have to think positively when it comes to that sort of thing, so I'm glad I have a lot to be thankful for; it proves just how blessed I am.

I have to admit, I'm just as nervous as I am excited about this year coming up, but I've been spending a majority of the summer preparing myself for the classroom, the kids, the parents, the expectation, the demand, and the joy!

Oh, and here is a picture of myself:

Continue having a great summer everyone...school will be starting before you know it!