Neverland

Yesterday I planted flowers, thru frisbee with Jacob, played in the hose with our dogs and visited with my sister's family at the mall (what a place to have a "reunion")! I haven't seen her in months ;-( She has been working a lot of hours. I hope to see her a little more thru the summer, now that I am finished teaching for the summer.

While we were at the mall, we happened in to a jewelry store... We "dreamed" for about an hour while I looked, tried on, and comtemplated about rings I liked for Russell and I's 25th anniversary. Like I said, we dreamed.

The past, present, future set

and my birthstone (amethyst) were my two favorite dreams!!MAYBE some day, but not this year... we are still trying to get ahead (if that is possible for anyone!!!)

Today was a beautiful day ;-)

The sun was shining, a nice breeze was blowing, and I got to go to the Southern Theatre with some of "my girls".... Me, Tasha, Megan, Alyvia, Melissa, Logann, Abigail, and (her friend) Ashley all went to see The Children's Theatre production of Peter Pan!

This was the first performance that I have watched. It was darling for the most part. Alot of children in the audience; not so many on stage. A little hard to hear from our seats that were in the back of the mezzinine; but, we could have heard a little better if the guests behind us were not snacking the entire performance.

Note to self: next time purchase seats closer to the stage ;-)

Bitter Sweet

Today was the students' last day of school... bitter sweet; ending one year and beginning a new year! "My kids"---Abbie and Logann are First graders... Kiera is in 6th grade/moving to the middle school... Chandler is a second grader... and Jacob is in third grade (probably not at Westfall again next year). Time truly does pass to quickly ;-(

A lot of changes will occur during the summer.... Westfall "RIFd" 50 staff; we had some hope that some would be called back/not layed off but we haven't received any updates that our hopes will be fulfilled. In actuality, more staff may be layed off. I am praying for my own security while praying for the future of everyone being layed off... I do believe that one door closes and several more open! We just have no idea and probably won't have any idea until school starts August 26th.

Russell and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary and Russell will celebrate his 50th birthday as well!!! Tasha has her "planner hat" on and is having a grand time preparing a special day for us.

Devon will be starting paramedic classes so that he can move on to a full-time position in the firefighter/paramedic profession ;-) He and Megan are anxious to move into their own place. I will miss their little family. I am afraid I will not see much of them ;-(

Tasha and Josh will be having their baby!!! How exciting that will be ;-) I can't get enough of the "babies" They bring such freshness and hope to my life!!!

May Flowers

The month of May... the end of the school year is upon me! I went to the kindergarten music program last nite... they were darling, especially Logann and Abbie!!! Music is definitely one of their gifts; I look so forward to watching them grow and develop their talents ;-)

The students are more anxious by the day, so staff has to more creative to maintain attention so that we can "teach til the end." I am amazed at the number of young students we have in our building that frequently "melt down." Their home environments are stressful, society expectations are high, and they do not have time to just be kids. Personally, I get frustrated with the lack of adults that are willing to understand... but i pray I have found my place in all the mess so that I can do the best I am able to make some kind of difference.

Tasha is growing with Baby B by the day. She had a scare about a week ago: emergency L & B visit, followed by a doctor visit... kidney stone, uti, stretched ligament... still unknown??? Her doc believes she most likely had a small stone that passed. Fortunately, the baby and Tasha are fine!!! :-)

I returned Tasha's car to her and Russell returned my car to me after 3 very long weeks (about 10 weeks in reality) of Russell rebuilding his S-10!!! Shew... what a test of patience. Now on to the next project!!! Russell had the tractor to tear apart and fix so our jungle could be mowed before our neighbors threw eggs at us ;-( We have some bushes we need to plant and someday.... we will have wood floors in the livingroom!