July 2012

I started to post this update on my blog one year ago :(  What happened between August 2011 and today?  How did the time get away from me? Where did the time go?  ....I don't know!!!!

Family, friends, work, weddings, babies, deaths, unplanned events.  Happy moments, sad moments, moments of relief, moments of frustration.  Living in the moment, planning tomorrow, reflecting on yesterday. 

I really try to be the best person I can be :/  Listening, caring, nurturing and supporting others.  Practicing morals, ethics and values.  Being pro-active, positive, involved, or productive.  Only ONE matters, Him... God.  He is always watching, always listening and always my judge and jury!!!  I don't always meet my personal expectations so I am pretty certain I don't meet His :(  However, He is forgiving :)  correct???

What are morals, ethics and values?  How do we effectively practice them in our daily lives?  Do unto others as we would have them do unto me... does that mean when someone treats me like dirt under their feet, they are saying they want me to treat them like dirt under my feet?  Hmmm, a pondering thought because when I believe I am being mature, honest, helpful, giving... I feel others are being immature, deceitful, lazy, selfish!  Is this a fact or my perspective?  Since I am uncertain of the answer, I keep trying to be the person that He is proud of <3

jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

My resolution is to blog at least weekly with my thoughts and feelings so that I can continue to make a positive attempt to making Him proud.  Some moments will be good and some moments will probably not be good :)  Regardless, this will be my perspective <3

I have been away too long...

Alyvia likes to color (write)!!!!

"Our" Logann :)

The "McGinnis" family <3













We loooove our books!!!














"Ho, Ho" Merry Christmas!






































HAPPY New Year!!!! Here it is, January 2011... I last blogged in August 2010 :( Work has been moving along and Family is doing well!

WORK--This is my sixth year back at Westfall. I was away for five years, working for an online school (ECOT). I think back over the years that I have been involved in education as a parent and employee. I am amazed at the consistencies and changes that have occurred over the years. Overall, I am saddened by how the support of public education has declined. We are more aware of the needs for children learning as well as the needs for society; however, public employees continue to have to work more for less :( I sincerely believe the more educational choices there are, the less the traditional public school is supported :( There are times I feel like going back to the business world; however, I am not ready to give up on the children that attend the traditional schools. At this point I am going to keep trying: working and advocating for the "underdog" because (I have been told) that is what I do!

FAMILY--Zoe was just turning one the last I posted! Zoe is now 16 months and Alyvia is 23 months :) They are more amazing by the day!! Full of life, curiousity, wonder, innocense... I never get enough of them when we are together. Tasha/Josh and Devon/Megan are hard-working, loving parents. They will give their children the moon and stars if they can, but I am proud to witness how they balance life and share the necessary love with their children.

Fortunately, Russell continues to work full-time for Columbus Fire, Alarm office and part-time as security for Cardinal Health. Long term employment is a blessing now-a-days! Tasha OFFICIALLY launched her photography business... I know she will bloom, because she sees life through her lens and takes amazing photos. She and Josh will both be graduating in May with their Bachelor's degrees. Devon is working for OSU and Scioto Township Fire Dept while seeking a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic position somewhere "close" to home! Megan is working for the State, Unemployment Dept.

august

zoe is one year old! alyvia is 18 months old!! logann started school @ amanda. abbie & i are adjusting @ westfall. i love working with children but i am reeeeally missing my time with tasha & the kids... life is wonderful, life stinks... what to do!!

July

Megan and Devon have been married one month (tomorrow)! The wedding was awesome and Tasha captured fabulous pictures from all angles (of course). They are preparing to move from their apartment to a house they are excited to be renting in Canal Winchester :-) I love that our family is growing. Russell and I are either going to have to move to a bigger house or add "a wing" so each of them can have their own rooms!!! I always want them to feel welcome...

Russell and I are taking our first vacation without our children/family :-( We are going to the west coast to stay a short while :-( with my cousin and her four children, so our time away will still be eventful! I also have another cousin, aunt and uncle that we will be visiting. Tentative plans are to travel to the San Diego Zoo, Tom's Market (Russell's fav), Disney Adventure, the BEACH, and Orange County Flea Market...

Zoe will be ONE on August 13th. Time goes by incredibly fast :-( Tasha is planning a big celebration for Zoe; family and friends from all over will come to spoil our little owl baby with love!!!

School will be back in full swing soon after Zoe's birthday, so I will continue to check off "things to do" from my summer list and be prepared to the kids to arrive their first day Aug. 23rd.

Abbie and I will have to adjust at Westfall with Logann going to Amanda; I will plan for to complete the internship/practicum for my second Master's, Mental Health Counseling; the rest of the calendar year will have holidays, anniversaries, meetings, and...