Summer Vacation...

Summer vacation has not existed for me for the last few years, while kids attended Vacation Bible Schools, day camps, visited their grandparents and cousins, suffered through long hot days at campus Club, I was sneaking away to work. Afternoons were spent at my home computer working and answering forwarded phone calls from the office. I loved my job, I loved talking to the little old ladies and their stories of their lives. I often said that I probably knew more about the people who I spoke with over the phone then their own children. But life has taken a turn, every day is better than the day before (and most days are pretty great), but, continuing to work from the office became difficult and stressful, and then doing something different became necessary... The big QUESTION was -WHAT???

After spending a lot of time volunteering at the kids school during the last few weeks of school, I realized that I missed the personal interaction I had with my students, watching them grow, develop, and create. I still feel proud of all of my students from the ones that I had nearly 15 years ago for 6 weeks in summer school, to the "kid" who checks me out at the grocery store, to the ones who have chosen careers in education, government, and those who have started families of their own- I had a little hand in guiding them into the adults that they are now. The ANSWER- go back to teaching!

I applied for what seems like a million jobs, interviewed and tested for what seemed like thousands, and then I found the one... the one that was the perfect fit, the one that meant that I wouldn't have to leave for work at 5 am to commute 50 miles, the one that gives student that opportunity to experience real hands on education with practical applications, in a state of the art facility.

I am happy to announce that I have accepted a position teaching United States History and Government and Economics at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology in the Finance /Business and Hospitality / Event Management Labs. The power of this organization is incredible, students WANT to be at CART! Teachers are facilitators, students really drive their education, and community partners provide the experience for practical application.

To everyone who has supported me through this change of paths THANK YOU! I could not have done this without your letters of recommendation and support or the phone calls and emails that you took time out of your lives to complete. Thank you to those of you who listened to me complain, whine, and get really excited about the changes that I am making. You all have been encouraging, inspiring, and reminded me (often) what I am capable of doing. THANK YOU!



Staycation...

Last week was limbo week, school was out but there was nothing that was filling out daily schedule expect 1 hour from 5 to 6pm- swim practice. We couldn't leave town but we had some fun around town and with friends and cousins.

 Breakfast date with Jack at Starbucks, while Abby was at cheer camp.

 A trip the library to pick up a few books, including the required summer reading for 6th grade.

 Homemade croutons.

 Swim Practice.

 

An intense evening of Connect 4.

 Trip to the Scholastic Warehouse Sale and the eye doctor with a friend.

 

More trips to "Super" Walmart than I care to count.

Another Swim Practice 

 Requested cuddle time with these two.

Instagram. Follow him-
Legomasterjk

My new happy place. 

Cheers! How moms survive a day at the water park.

All Good Things Must Come to an End...

This has been a hard year of adjustments for the kids at home, but both kids had amazing teachers to help guide them through the school year with a few minor hiccups.

The night before the last day of school, I told Abby that she could sleep in in the morning because it didn't matter if she was tardy. She looked at me horrified and said "I can't be late! Tomorrow is the most important day to be on time!" Bewildered I asked her why. Her response was priceless "Mom, I want to be able to spend as much time with Mrs. Logan as I can." As I repeated this to Mrs. Logan the next day tears came to both of our eyes. Abby is convinced that it would just be better if she stayed in the second grade forever. **PLEASE!**

I had a million thank yous for Jack's teacher too. She has been so good to Jack, she helped him remain focused, to earn Honor Roll, to achieve 2nd place in the 5th grade Science Fair, she taught him important lessons on responsibility and self-control. When I thanked her she hugged me and said "he had a really good year, he is a very smart boy, I enjoyed having both of you in my class." I am not sure how any parent gets through that without shedding a tear or two.

I am so grateful for their school. A place that is safe, where they have friends, where they face defeats and victories, and where they learn.

Birthday Extravaganza...

Oh what a difference a year makes! For the past few years I  have dreaded my birthday, I felt like I was asking too much for choosing a dinner that was more complicated than usual or for a cake from a specific bakery. And shame on me for wanting a gift of a massage and a brow wax! I was never sure if I was asking for too much attention, but I certainly felt that way. My birthday seemed more like a day of hurt feelings, last minute, insincere gifts and time spent feeling sorry for myself- a wasted day.

Getting older doesn't bother me, shoot! I am turning back time every night with my eye potions and wrinkle creams. I believe that you are as young as you live... I will be 29 forever!

This year I decided, that my needs, wants and desires would be met, people asked me what I wanted... I told them. I have to say that today was one of the best birthdays ever! I got a free workout at the gym (score!), I went to a long early lunch with 2 friends, I picked up my birthday gift from Sephora, I had a delicious meal cooked by my dad for dinner and chocolate cake for dessert, I got a lot of great gifts, lots of well wishes and I have realized that all of these people believe in me, are inspired by me and love me for who I am and the contribution that I make in their lives.

What a difference a year makes! Not weighed down someone else's expectation of how I should celebrate, but lifted by how I want to be celebrated.

CHEERS to 38 and chocolate cake!

He's a Tweener!!!

In the last month or so it has hit me. 6, 5, 4, 3... weeks left of fifth grade.  Actually what hit me was the pungent smell of dirty, sweaty boy feet as I entered Jack's room to tell him to turn off the light and go to sleep at 10:30. Seriously, the boy who has always required a solid 12 hours starting at 7 pm, is now up at all hours of the night. 11- that must be what it is.

CHA- CHA- CHANGES... turn and face the... zits? WHAT?

And don't even get me started on his B.A.D. attitude. This kid has a scowl that rivals his mother's.

The Doctor diagnosed him as being a teenager. I want my sweet boy back. DREAD!

Perspective...

Reality bites. But I am pretty sure that I can handle whatever my reality is because of perspective. I can deal with my own stuff, but everyone else's' seems overwhelming.

Perspective-

• I have a co-worker whose son was diagnosed with leukemia in November, he is the same age as Jack.
• I have a friend who only gets $75 a month in child support and has her children 99% of the time. Single mother working her butt off to provide for her kids.
• I have two friends who have recently undergone mastectomies for breast cancer. I am too young for this... right?
• Autism. Bankruptcy. Cheating spouses. Grandparents who don't want to spend time with their grandchildren. Sick parents.

I don't know if I could handle these realities. The thought of them brings me to tears.

All things considered, I think I am pretty lucky. I have two children who are not perfect but I think are pretty special. I have a great group of friends and family, who believe in me, who support me. I can't ask for more. So when this happens -

 

you take a deep breath and handle it. Why? Because it wouldn't have happened if I couldn't have handled it. It is all about perspective.

Honestly...

I pride myself on being honest about things, some may mistake it for brutal honesty- SORRY. But the none the less I am honest. I come by it honestly... if you know my mother she says what is on her mind 99% of the time (pun intended).

Here is what I look like in the morning. Sexy isn't it?

I like to believe that I have a moderate improvement in my looks at some point during the day when I decide to shower, dress, and put makeup on. This is a very bad hair morning, but a product of an awesome night of sleep.

48 of my Facebook Friends think that this  picture post this morning was likable and 23 thought that it was comment worthy.

This is me. No excuses! Honestly...