Adam's Graduation

 
This afternoon, we witnessed Adam's graduation from Michigan State College of Law.  It was a beautiful ceremony - very small and personal.  The professors were so proud of these students' hard work and dedication.  We were especially proud of Adam, as he was the student speaker at the graduation.  He presented a wonderful speech to the graduates and families and friends.  

Now...he gets to study and concentrate for three months to prepare for the Bar Exam in February.  Yipee! 

After the graduation, we celebrated with dinner at PF Chang's and then gathered at Julia and Adam's beautiful house for a time of festivities and desserts.  So proud...

December Dance Club

Last evening, we went to Dance Club.  It was a wonderful evening shared with good friends.  The  meal was amazing, the band was outstanding, and everyone looked beautiful...all sparkly and bright!

Kathy and Gena

Mark and Gena

Steve and Rosie

...tis the season

The house is decorated, the gifts are under the tree, the stocking are hung, and the ground is covered with snow.  Christmas is just around the corner...

As I patiently wait for the 'big' to arrive, my heart grows tender with childhood memories...  ...memories that taught me the true gifts of Christmas were Peace, Joy, and Love  
...memories of specially chosen presents stuffed under our Christmas tree 
...memories of homemade Christmas cookies, frosted perfectly
...memories of Christmas carols shared around our upright piano

It's my prayer that my children gather memories and traditions as we celebrate together this year.   It is pure joy to me to have Jonathan and Sarah, and Julia and Adam gather in our home this Christmas season. What could be better?   

I'm wishing you a joy-filled Christmas, and a holiday filled with love.  Celebrate the Reason for the Season ~ JESUS. 

Good news...yipee

It seems like there's been a lot of sad and depressing news ...cancer, infection, death, divorce, loneliness, etc.  BUT, last week, we received wonderful news!!  Jonathan and Sarah called to let us know they were EXPECTING!!  Their wonderful and exciting news warmed my heart and restored my joy!!  I can't even believe Craig and I will have a GRANDBABY!!  I'm going to be a MIMI!!  OMG!!   I've already started a countdown till June 9th, 2011.  Can't wait!    

 

What a BEAUTIFUL baby!! 

Fall

Fall is a lovely time of the year. 

         These things make me happy... 

• cool breezes coming from the sky, dotted with puffy clouds
• the colorful leaves slowly drifting into scattered piles
• the fresh cornucopias of harvest blessings
• Halloween costumes 
• bags and bags of candy
• homemade soup steaming on the stove
• pumpkin pie and apple crisp
• Candy corn mixed with salty peanuts
• girl's  weekend up north
• visiting local orchards- fresh donuts and honeycrisp apples
• Scarecrows and corn husks decorating the light posts
• Jack-o-lanterns lit on the porch
• long walks in the cool evenings

Autumn is wonderful...if I were a bird, I'd fly all around the globe, roosting in all the 'autumns' of the world.

      Things I don't love about autumn...

• MEAP tests
• knowing the cold and snow of winter is right around the corner
• late sunrises and early sunsets

Fortunately for me...the positives far out weigh the negatives of Autumn.   Let's enjoy the few days we have left of God's beauty.

Pure beauty...

Girl's weekend

Of course, we visited the pumpkin lady

Last weekend was a wonderful girl's get-away weekend.  Nine girlfriends trekked west across our great state to Pentwater.  There, we celebrated Marilyn's 'big' birthday!!  It was a time to not only celebrate Marilyn's birthday, but it was a time to catch up on what was going on in each other's lives.  Together, we laughed until we cried, ate lots of good food, hiked, climbed, walked, watched a movie together, ate more, shopped, admired God's handiwork in the beautiful colors painted on the trees, picked perfect pumpkins, and slept in till 8:00!  For me, the weekend was like being on a paradise vacation on a far-away island.  I'm so blessed with special friends.  Memories, words of encouragement, uplifting conversations, kindness, thoughtfulness abounding, pumpkins, chocolate. . . so much more. 

Marilyn's delish birtday cake

Present time  ...in our jammies

This says it all :)

On top of Mt. Baldy - simply beautiful (Stella and Cathy were still shopping)

Final photo shoot at the beautiful Pentwater Gazebo

Today...

Today was not my favorite!  At 7:10am, I entered the doors of my school with a happy, positive, perky attitude, but it didn't take long for me to decide I'd rather be home, under my covers. 

The copy machine got jammed...really jammed. 

My students were excited to celebrate a little boy's birthday more than they were excited to complete their five paragraph essay.  "What do you mean 'paragraphs'?  Indent??? What is that?"  Really!?  Is it really that difficult?  Do they NOT know the MEAP is coming in 2 weeks!?

I came home at 5:00pm. Exhausted. Hot. Tired.  Craig was golfing. Again. Grrr...   I decided to go to kickboxing to relieve my frustration.  What a perfect end to a troublesome day.  Instead of kickboxing, our teacher decided to do 'drums alive' (which is difficult to explain).  I totally enjoyed beating my little drum sticks on my exercise ball, moving, dancing, and banging!  Little sweet faces appeared on my ball as I drummed, drummed, and POUNDED!!  Phew...I'm feeling better. 

Now, Grey's Anatomy. 

Tomorrow is a new day!

U of M and MSU

This adorable puppy is so tolerant of her Mimi!! :)
I think she's sad she got left behind today.

Today is a big day for Julia and Adam, and ME!  Julia and Adam went to Ann Arbor to watch the Wolverines play at 11:00am.  After that game, they drove to East Lansing to watch the 8:00pm Spartan game.  They left this morning donned in blue and gold, but their trunk was filled with green and white to make the quick switch.

Why is it a big day for me?  I get to babysit my granddog, Bella.  She was dropped off early this morning in her blue and gold jersey - - ready to spend the day with Mimi!!  I wrapped her in her special blanket and rocked away!  :)  She makes me happy!

Well, I must run and get Bella dressed in her 'green and white' for the next big game.  Go M.S.U.!

I think she's a little embarrassed  U of M got scored on so many times!  Oh well, MSU will do better!

1st week back

I'm about to complete my first week back to school.  ...ugh...After 31 years, you'd think I would have this 'back-to-school' stuff down to a science.  Each new year brings new smiles, new problems, new challenges, and new love.  I look out at my 30 bright little smiles, and I'm amazed at what they know and what they will learn over the next 176 school days.  My job is not only to teach them, but I must equip them to be responsible adults...not an easy task.  I may not teach them everything, but I will teach them to think. To wonder. To dream. To make a difference. To reach. To strive to BE.
I love...
...their enthusiasm
...their curiosity
...their imagination
...their willingness to take a risk
...their innocence
...their questions
...their tenacity
...their giggling
...and their hugs!
I want to be the teacher who doesn't simply teach from the driven curriculum, but from her heart.  I want to inspire.  I want to encourage.  I want to teach!!  Here's to 176 more school days 'till summer! :)

Labor Day Weekend

Craig and Don had made a big golf date on Friday, so it seemed only fitting that Diane and I make plans to have lunch together. We choose our favorite...Bar Louie, in hopes of sitting in the outside area to catch up on our past week.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't cooperate with our plans, but we snuggled into a quiet booth inside, and it was wonderful chatting and enjoying our Farmer's Market Pizza.  

 Friday evening, Craig and I headed west to Pentwater, as Don and Karen had invited us to celebrate the long weekend with them.  Craig and I were ecstatic to join Denise and John and Don and Karen in some Labor Day fun!  The weather did not cooperate with our beach plans, but we found lots to do in the rainy, windy, cooler days.  Honestly, it was just a treat leaving Genesee County for the weekend! :)  Time spent together with friends is priceless and so memorable.

We biked a wonderful trail

We went to the Country Dairy in New Era - - delish sandwiches and ice cream

 

 

 

And we witnessed God's beauty.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First time . . .

Julia and Adam invited Craig and me to dinner this afternoon.  DINNER?!! What??  
They wanted to try out their new grill and we were the proud recipients of their efforts.  It was an amazing time watching them scurry around their kitchen together, timing everything so the meal would be perfect.  I was impressed, to say the least!

Julia prepared potatoes for the grill . .  . lots of potatoes!   :)

Adam perfectly formed the hamburgers!

There were fresh green beans and corn on the cob!!!

The proud couple and their new grill!

Adam trying his hand at grilling . . . Craig supervising over his shoulder

Taadah!! The delicious dinner beautifully served on the sun porch.

Can you believe it?? ...Julia even made a delicious chocolate cake for dessert.

It was a delightful afternoon ~ ~ the dinner was delicious.  Watching the new bride and groom work together in the kitchen warmed my heart!  I was very proud of their accomplishments!

After dinner, Julia was spotted clipping coupons!  WHAT??  What has happened to my daughter!  Coupons?  Who would have thought she'd be interested in coupons !   You go, girl.

2010-11

Summer is coming to an end, and our 2010-2011 school year is gearing up.  As I reflect on the past two months of summer, I'm reminded of many happy memories.  My heart and mind will never forget the two beautiful weddings uniting Jonathan and Sarah, and Julia and Adam.  We are so blessed.

As I mentally prepare for the new school year, I'm reminded how excited and nervous my new students come into the classroom. It's my mission and pledge to create a warm and loving environment for them to pass through their 4th grade year.   A lot has been written and researched about the power of positive and negative words, moments, and interactions. 

When I read the article, The Magic Ratio of Positive and Negative Moments by Patsi Krakoff I couldn't help but think of the students in my classroom. How many of our children come to school each day with their 'buckets' empty? What can I do to not only fill their buckets, but provide them with an environment that provides the Magic Ratio of 5:1 -- five positives to one negative interaction.

I want to be positive and encouraging...I want to be a 'bucket filler', and I want to be the teacher my students look back on and know how much I cared about them.  I don't want to be a 'should-of, could-of, would-of, teacher.  

I'm off to a great 2010-2011 school year! Wish me luck.  :)

Louisville #3

Leaving Louisville is always very difficult for me! I've never been a fan of having my children live long distances from me . . . and 6 hours by car is too far! I know, I know . . . they're grown up and married, BUT, I'm certain they still need their mother for something!!!

Anyway, on our trip home, God sent me a beautiful sign ~ a beautiful rainbow. The day was dreary, and I was feeling dreary, but looking out and spotting a perfect rainbow warmed my heart! (If you look closely, you can see there was a double rainbow!!) I know Jonathan and Sarah are placed there for a reason, and God has blessed them beyond words!I was encouraged as we drove north to Michigan. The sun came out, and the sky brightened, and God confirmed to me that Jonathan and Sarah were in their perfect place!

Louisville #2

While we were in Louisville, we went to an adorable shopping and restaurant area. It had little specialty boutiques and great eateries. One shop that caught my eye was the Comfy Cow. It was a quaint and 'comfy' ice cream and sweet shop.

The rocking chairs could be taken off the wall for children to sit in while
enjoying their homemade ice cream!
So adorable! So darling!
So comfy!:)
They had plenty of delicious, homemade, hard-to-resist, cookies and brownies.

LOUISVILLE

This weekend, we went to Louisville to see Jonathan and Sarah. Jonathan opened his new Edward Jones office in Crestwood, and we helped him decorate it. It was wonderful being together, again.

This is Jonathan's new office! We're so proud of him~ :)

This is front area of his new office, where the 'branch assistant' will be.
Don't they look so happy and proud?!! :)

Keep up the GREAT job, Jonathan! Continue to work hard!! We love you to the moon and back!! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Schlusler

Friday, August 6, 2010, our little girl walked down the aisle to become Mrs. Julia Schlusler. She was confident, excited, and extremely happy!! Her smile never left her face the entire day. In my humble opinion, she was a beautiful bride!!

We had spent many months planning and preparing for the 'perfect' wedding --it was my goal to 'make her dreams come true'. As she strolled down the aisle in her blush pink wedding dress, my heart was warmed by the joy she radiated.

I'm sure she and Adam will have many, many years of wedded bliss!! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Schlusler!

This is one of my very favorite pictures from that day!!
I love the look on both girls' faces!! I don't know who's more excited, Julia or Sydney!! Priceless!!

Bride Bella

Hmmm...I'm not sure she loves this...

We thought is was only fitting that Bella be donned in a wedding veil for our week of celebration. After all, she is celebrating, too!! We feel she looks beautiful, just like Julia!! :) What else does one do with their idle time the week before the big wedding?? Isn't she a beautiful Bella !

TOMATO!!

Pure beauty!!!

This year I decided to try my hand at growing tomatoes. I purchased four small plants, and planted two each in pots. In just a short time later... wahlah!!! This week, my first little tomato turned a delicious-ready to eat-RED!! There are tons (well, not tons, but lots) of little green tomatoes - - just waiting for their perfect debut!! Can't wait!!

phew...what a week

Fourteen days and counting! Julia and I have been busy tying bows, fixing, fussing and having a blast with the last minute wedding preparations!! The days are being checked off as Julia and Adam's wedding quickly approaches. The time has come for the final payments for the reception and the florist! Check! Got that done!
Meanwhile, if those payments weren't enough, the toilet in the main floor bathroom has been dying a slow death. Whenever we have company, it seems to go on the brink!! Well, after much checking and tweaking,. . . we are getting a new toilet in the powder room ~ $400.00
If that wasn't enough, Craig was heading to the hardware store to fix the falling-apart-kitchen chairs, but my car wouldn't start! Yup...you guessed it, we needed a new battery! ~ $200.00!
Yea! The mail came! I quickly ran to see what good news it would bring and sure enough, our car insurance payment is due! Lucky for us, we'd set up monthly installments! Perfect timing! Who has $3800.00 this week???

Well, to relax a bit, Craig decided to give the lawn a quick trim! WHAT!! The lawnmower had slipped a belt. Thank goodness, it was only ~ $178.00! Well...it's Friday now. Craig is finally mowing the grass, the toilet guy is on his way to replace the broken one, three of the four kitchen chairs are glued and in working order, the car insurance payment has been transferred, and Bella and I area heading out for a calm, relaxing, walk! Here's hoping to a better week to come! Sheesh......