We made it through 13. It was TERRIBLE. Terrible. Now we are halfway through 14 and I'm seeing who she is. It's an amazing process and I'm so grateful to be her mom. She is weaving her way through her thoughts about politics, the rights of others, boys, school, people doing drugs, band, and serving at church. She is learning to listen to that voice ( Read more... )

Last night was my last face-to-face meeting with the members of my doctoral cohort. That is, until we see each other at graduation this December. :) There is still much to be done with my dissertation so I am not in full celebration mode, but it did feel great to sit with my classmates and reflect on this journey. It has been the hardest experience ( Read more... )

So, I added another item to my week- Wednesday night youth group. I'm helping to plan and I am one of the small group leaders as well. I really signed up to help because I felt like I should...but I can't say that I was all that excited. It's one more night a week that I'm busy. Already I have class one night, at least one other night a week that I ( Read more... )

Maggie Moo passed away. It has been an awful experience and we (J and I) are slowly recovering. J came back from skiing on Sunday so I told her then. We had a hard afternoon and evening of tears and some laughs about our sweet girl. Monday she had to go back to school (after missing a week) but she was a trooper. Monday night I had to meet my ( Read more... )

This day is a special one. It's a day when the world seems quieter- no more carols, rushing around to find the last gift, and parties. People sleep in with their newly received blankets and pjs. It is also a day for me to remember my sweet Georgie. How can it be that I've gone so long without him? 12 years. I miss his gentleness- a perfect contrast ( Read more... )

Boy, it's already Spring Break again (well, after today anyway). Hard to believe! As usual, the 2nd semester has FLOWN by. It always goes so fast. Testing and snow days...it's just a blur. Once we get back from Spring Break, it's just going to be cuckoo. And that's when people start doing the countdown- 40 days til summer, 30 ( Read more... )

This school year is flying by, partly due to the fact that I'm also back in school myself. This program is a daily source of questioning for me- am I doing the right thing? Will I ever actually want a principal job? Will they keep the salary scale so that I'll at least get a raise from finishing this program? Is all of the time spent away from ( Read more... )

It has been a busy time of year- but then again, what time of year isn't busy? I always love the beginning of a new school year. There's a wonderful sense of excitement and anticipation...and we're all rested! I started school again myself this semester and so far have enjoyed it. I do not enjoy the amount of time I've had to leave J at home by ( Read more... )

It is odd sometimes to run into someone that years ago was so important, so relevant to your every day life. Or not running into to them but seeing them online or hearing a friend mention them or running across their picture in a stack of old photos. Friendship is so weird. What makes two people click? How much of friendship is timing? I can think ( Read more... )

Oh, I am soooooo loving summer this year! I really have tried to enjoy these days of rest and fun and the awesome feeling of not having to work the next day. It has been glorious! Getting to go to lunch or dinner with friends whenever I want, swimming every day (or almost) with Jayce, reading, napping, cooking, playing with the doggies... so ( Read more... )