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...

Friday, June 18: Decorating, Rehearsal, Dinner.... Rest
Saturday, June 19: Devon and Megan's Wedding!!!! We have planned, shopped, shopped some more, organized, shopped.... and their day will be awesome. The McGinnis family is very excited for Megan to be an "official" part of the family. Pictures will be fabulous ('cause Tasha is the wedding photograher and the bride and groom are photogenic!!); Food, dancing, and visiting will be great; Gifts will be exciting :-) Off to bed, tomorrow is a busy day...

May and June

The 2009/2010 school year is officially over. I am usually on an emotional roller-coaster the last few weeks and this year I made it worse on myself... A good friend from ECOT, my previous employer, phoned me to ask if I would consider going back to ECOT! Long story short, I listened, considered/prayed, accepted, and..... retracted my acceptance!!! The offer seemed to be in God's plan for my life; however, another good friend saw me struggling with the acceptance and nicely stated that I needed to follow my heart, which-for-now is with children in a traditional setting at Westfall Elementary! I believe God takes us out of our comfort zone but I also need to believe He wants us to be passionate about our choices in life. I am passionate about working WITH children :-) So hopefully I made the right decision and life will remain to be grand!!!


Devon and Megan's wedding is only days away.... We have spent a lot of time planning and preparing. Tasha has been an awesome "big sister" helping and doing a lot for Dev and Megan and the wedding. Russell and I are trying to help in any way we can with the emotional and financial challenges. I'm fairly certain something will go wrong (cause history says it will!); however, the day will go by quickly and when the sun goes down Megan and Devon will be Mr. and Mrs.! Russell and I are excited for them as well as grateful to have Megan as our daughter-in-law :-)


June also brings nieces with high school and college graduations, days with Logann and Abbie, Dev's paramedic graduation, Father's day, our wedding anniversary, as well as Russell's birthday... busy, busy!!! Then in July we are finally going to California to visit some of my family!!!

March AND April

March was craaaazy.... snow, rain, 70 degrees, 3o degress, you think we live in Ohio or something!!!

Signs of SPRING are upon us and I am so releaved. Winter depresses so many of us in different ways :-( Me, I just need the cheer of sunshine... snow and cold are not a biggy, but days without sunshine is too much.

We celebrated Abbie's birthday with her @ The World of Bounce in Grove City the first of March. Then we celebrated Megan's 21st!!! birthday with a trip to The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate; Megan had never eaten there. It was yummy and relaxing :-)

April brought Easter, Josh and Tasha's birthdays, as well as our friend Heather's birthday :-) Not to mention more spring!!!

The past few months have been eventful. with our celebrations we had a few "scares" too... Zoe had a fever, seizure, and... roseola! but a few days passed before Tasha determined the roseola so we were a tad worried! I struggled with a cold/allergies/asthma that wiped me out for several days, and I unfortunately passed to Tasha and Zoe... but now all are mostly well!!

Now the school year is coming to an end; we have 15 school days left and still so much to teach :-( We will do our best to teach to the end and look forward to next year! However... next year will not be the same because Logann will not be attending Westfall next year, and I am going to be verrrrrry sad. She is like a grand-daughter since her mom and I became friends and they became part of our family since conception! Tasha caring for Logann @ birth, and her attending school with me during her kindergarten and first grade years. I WILL have Abbie and we will adjust our mornings and after school time without "Logi"

Devon and Megan's wedding is getting closer!! They are down to getting the details... marriage license, dj, flowers, counting RSVPs!!! We are excited for them and will have pictures to post before we know it :-)

Febrrrruary

February's temperature has been slightly frigid with quite a bit of snow.... however, it is beautiful!!! We have used our five days of calamity days, so we will be making up school days if we miss any more days from here on out!

We celebrated several January & February birthdays.... Russell's brother, Todd! me! Alyvia's FIRST! Zoe's 1/2 birthday! our friend Audrey also! So much fun :-) Alyvia is getting closer to walking and Zoe is sitting up independently. I love getting unexpected picture texts from Tasha, Devon, or Megan of the girls doing something new!!!

Dev, Alyvia, Zoe, & Tasha with

Grandma Nita

(Russell's Mom) @

Todd's 40th birthday party

Megan and Devon are putting the pieces together for their wedding. They are excited and we are excited for them. They have secured the church and reception facility along with other details (like tuxes, wedding dress, and decor!!) We love celebrations so we are enjoying anything we can do to help them with the planning!!

Alyvia has funny faces... she makes us smile all over!!












Russell's brother, Todd took firefighter pictures of Russell, Devon, and himself. Devon wanted me to have this one :-)

December... What an active month :-) The exciting part of the month: Family, friends, students, shopping, decorating, baking, homework, meetings, gatherings... and it is about to be over. I really don't mind being (reasonably) busy. The busier I am the more organized I am able to be! Looking back over my 2009 calendar I about cringe tho'!!

The not-so-exciting part of the month unfortunately occurred on Christmas day ... Russell was admitted to the hospital to be aggressively treated for cellulitis. Wednesday and Thursday, I thought he was fighting the flu; then he showed me his swollen, red, tender leg and stated, "I think I am sick from an infection in my leg!!!" on Christmas morning. UGGGH... we attempted to enjoy Christmas but became more and more worried. (my unofficial, yet accurate personal doctors) Tasha and Dev diagnosed cellulitis!!! SO we went to Mount Carmel ER and needless to say he was admitted. Lesson to be learned by my husband... take care of yourself ; Lesson to learn for myself, I am a teacher, not a nurse; but I am attempting to "teach" my husband how to take care of himself!!!









Fortunately, he was determined to get home for our family Christmas on Saturday afternoon. He convinced the doctors he would take care of himself, was discharged Saturday by noon, and arrived home to our wonderful family who had prepared dinner. We completely enjoyed them all :-)









Tasha created a family tree for Russell and I, now hanging on our kitchen wall!












Zoe helping her mommy read :-) She is a snuggler!!










Alyvia and Domino, nosey kisses!!

Devon and Megan read "wedding wishes" from Russell and I (June 2010). Overall, this holiday season we spent quality time with family, extended Christmas again this year by visiting before Christmas, on Christmas, and after Christmas. ;-)

Happy New Year!!! 2010 and the world is still spinning ;-) Remember the millenium predictions, the world will come to an end... whatever; live everyday as if it is your last and it doesn't matter anyway :-) Be safe and healthy AND happy...

November gone, Santa on the way!!!

Wow, I can't believe I haven't blogged since Pumpkin Show. November flew by... I have been
providing home instruction 4-5 days a week for one of my previous students. So I have a full time teaching position, a part time position, and then three nites I am a service provider for 3 children in the county. I love it, just a little too busy ;-)


November also brought a position as a Board member for Elizabeth Hope Pregnancy Resource Center. My dear friend Brenda has been praying for me to apply for this position for some time. I have of been a "silent partner" assisting in the planning of and attending Elizabeth Hope's annual fund-raising banquet for the past four or five years. They offer awesome services for mothers!!!

Thanksgiving for the kids and my parents was the sunday before Thanksgiving so our children could spend the holiday with their other families. We had a really nice dinner and time well spent together ;-)

Tasha arranged for us to have our family pictures taken by her friend Ben @ Inniswoods. It was a beautiful fall day. We appreciated walking the park and stopping to pose for pictures. Another cherished moment with our family! Russell and I are so grateful for our growing family ;-) I pray everyday for each of their safety, well-being, and stability in this nutty world!!

Pumpkin Show

Pumpkin Show is here and the weather is beautiful. Colorful trees, crisp fresh air, and bright sunshine!! Logann and Abbie were both Lil Miss Pumpkin Show candidates. Tasha drove Larry's (Josh's dad) beautiful red Mustang for Log and Melissa, mommy. Abbie rode on a shiny new silver car driven by her daddy, Billy and Heather, mommy. The girls were beautiful! They were not selected as winner's by the judges; but, they are ALWAYS winners in our hearts ;-)

After the contest, Tasha, Josh, Zoe and I took one of my student's, Chandler to ride rides and eat! We met up with Melissa, Kevin, Logann, my friend Amy, and her son Zack to watch the parade. We saw a few creative floats, boogied to some marching band music and saw Maddy in her Princess crown on the Dam Days float!

I am taking another student, Kiera this afternoon then Russell and I are going back with Tasha, Josh and Zoe this evening to "shop" and watch the parade of bands (our favorite/traditional parade)... maybe we will run into Devon, Megan, and Alvia and be able to walk with them too!! Take the opportunity to join our craziness every third Wed-Sat in October ;-)

I still don't have my car back from the crazy accident that happened weeks ago ;-( The young man didn't contact his insurance company; once my insurance company(STATE FARM) contacted them, they phoned me. We have been playing phone tag for over a week! They need my statement (police report evidently not sufficient!) grrrr...

I hope to be finished painting the inside of the house by Christmas!!! I have made it a slow process... evidently I strained a tendon in my left hand and I have held back on painting because it is somewhat painful to manipulate the paint brush!!! I vow to bite the bullet soon to have painting complete before Christmas ;-)

Russell is about finished with the outside home repairs from the summer hail storm... new siding and garage doors. He will paint while we have a few warm days and the OUTSIDE will be in good shape! Landscaping still needs attention, but it is never my priority ;-( I only wish I had my mom's planting skills!!!!!

Out of Control

Fall has officially arrived! I love this time of year, I hope it lasts... and winter doesn't arrive too early (HATE ice)!! Russell and I attended the Backwoods Festival in Thornville, enjoyed time with Russell, Tasha, Megan, Dev, Melissa, Alyvia AND Zoe! The setting is absolutely beautiful!! Of course, the babies recieved eww's and ahh's from people passing by ;-) They traveled comfortably in their new wagons Poppi built while we picked up a few gifts and ate yummy pumpkin spice cake...

I am thankful for a full day of scrapbooking in Dublin with my daughter and friends; for a safe trip in that cold downpouring rain to/from Russell's Cardinal picnic;

I am sad that I missed a "granny" opportunity with Alyvia and Zoe during a family gathering at Russell's mom's house ;-(

and then there was today's event... a reminder of how "out of control" I am! I was driving to school with "my girls" buckled up in the backseat when an 18 year old young man in a 4x4 pick- up truck traveled left of center on a curve and hit my car practically head on :_( He continued to "push" us into the curb, side swiping the driver side of my car ;-( Seeing the big 'ol truck hit/push us scared the girls pretty well; fortunately, we are all three fine, just a bit shakin' up. He has insurance and it will cover whatever, but while we are waiting to hear what the adjuster says I am thanking God for angels! Life can be taken away so quickly. God is here to get us through difficult times. I definitely am thanking Him for the quality of life He gives to me and ALL my loved ones ;-)

SEPTEMBER

Here I am in September already... Fall is coming quickly, my favorite time of year! The leaves are changing colors, pumpkins are displayed, the air smells fresh, the harvest moon will be bright ;-)

Abbie and Logann are already big first graders. The world is a new place for them since they have learned to read! They offer me endless laughter everyday with their innocent outlook on life. Their imaginations and creativity are breath taking and they keep me and their parents hoppin' with the ideas the share and "expect" us to fulfill ;-)

Tasha bought matching outfits for Zoe and her God sister, Logann to wear to Logann's recent birthday party!

Russell and I have had continued opportunities to gather with our wonderful children and their growing families ;-) Alyvia was 7 months old the 17th and Zoe was one month old the 13th. I vowed to try to have dinner together "at home" once a month when Devon and Megan moved into their own home; so far we have been able to accomplish that goal plus a few other get togethers!!! Yeh!!! I still appreciate every minute given to me and pray for a next time ;-)

Back to school

A new school year is upon us ;-) and because of the nature of education, of course we have changes within the building; BUT the changes are not as drastic as many of us feared when the 2008-2009 school year ended! I applied for an administration position, quickly discovered I am meant to continue teaching! God has a different plan than I have... imagine...lol. He reminds me quite often that I am not in control, every now I then I forget and challenge His plan ;-) Outside a few situations, I am content with Him being in control!!! I really try serenity for those situations ;-)

I was reminded again this morning, while listening to a friend of Russell's, Jeff Aldridge speak at church about how great God is in his family's life... He is fighting ALS, his wife is having tests for colin cancer, and one of his daughters is in remission from leukemia after 27 months of chemo! He told his doctor that God will decide how many steps he will take in life when his doctor told him he had 2-5 years to live! WOW, what an inspiration you and your family are Jeff Aldridge!!!!

Alyvia and Zoe share the cradle for a second at Tasha and Josh's on Zoe's homecoming day, August 16th. I am grateful the family got together at our house last weekend for hamburgers on the grill. I don't mind being an "empty nester" with my husband, but I do miss our children and their families. I truly love being part of their lives and am grateful for every second I get with them/though never long enough! Looking at our calendar wondering when they will be able to get together in September!!!!

Six months old; still something new everyday! She'll be bopping around in the spirit of the holidays in a blink of an eye...

and then I look at this picture, remembering when Russell and I brought Tasha home 23 years ago.... we have shared her and Devon with so many friends and family members. We are sooo proud of the adults they have become, the families they are creating, and they lives they continue to influence!!! including mine ;-) x0x0x0

Introductions

Josh & Tasha's family wait together for "Baby B" to arrive...

.... Zoe Maddison ;-) born to Natasha and Joshua on August 13, 2009 @ 8:46 am weighing 6# 8oz; 19 inches long!!! Has a head full of hair and darling cheeks ;-) Welcome, our second beautiful grand-daughter. We have so many blessings!!!

Uncle Devon took the day off work to be with your mommy welcome you into the world ;-) How loved you are already!!!

..and your God sister, Logann couldn't wait to meet you! She waited 40 weeks with mcuh anticipation to see you and learn your name ;-)