My precious baby

Yesterday my baby came to visit me . . . she has grown so much since the last visit!  She's smiling and cooing and telling big stories.  I'm so proud of Jonathan and Sarah as they are wonderful, loving parents.  They tend to her needs so lovingly - it is amazing to watch them interact with her.  ...it's pure love!!

She's totally perfect and peaceful

So happy and content

My precious baby

"Olivia Grace"

My beautiful baby...could she be more perfect?!!  I am totally over-the-moon-crazy-in-love with her!!  She is simply pure joy!!

Jonathan and Sarah are wonderful parents - so loving and caring.  I am very proud of them as I watch them interact with Olivia.  What a blessing!! 

Vaca...

In the past two weeks, I have been busy traveling coast to coast! The day school ended, I hopped on a plane in Flint and my journey began.  ...Flint, Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, Flint, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Montreal, Philadelphia, Detroit, Flint!!  During those two weeks, I've traveled by car, golf cart, small plane, big plane, ship, train, bus, and car.  What a thrilling two weeks!!  Pictures will be posted soon!!  :)

I returned home Sunday, and my precious baby, Olivia Grace, greeted me!  It was a dream-come-true to have her in my arms once again.  She had changed so much in just those short two weeks.  My love for her is overwhelming.   Unfortunately, she left to back home and it felt like my heart went with her.  Sad, very sad to see her go.  I wonder if that feeling will ever get better.

This week, I've worked on unpacking, laundry, ironing, and enjoying my 'summer'.  Life is so good! 

Mackinac Island

Over Memorial Day, we ventured to Mackinac Island with friends.  We hooked our bikes on the back of the car and took off Friday after work.  Three and a half hours later, we were on the ferry in route to the magical Island.  We had a great room, great food, great friends, and great bike trails!  The weather was cold, dreary and threatened rain everyday, but it didn't deter our fabulous time!  Three days of pure fun on the Island = a great weekend~!   A special treat was to run into my cousin - - the Island policeman for the summer! Loved it!  :)

Photo opportunity on our ride around the island

Our group on our trek 'through' the island!  It was amazing!

The tulips were in prime season!  So beautiful!

Delish lunch at the Gate House!

Neumanns sailing to the Island

Having breakfast on our first day...notice, we've already made it to the Murray Hotel for our fudge!!

View out our window . . . through the screen !! :)

Mimi Shower

This week, Edgerton hosted a wonderful Mimi Shower for me (and Olivia).  I was showered with lots and lots of wonderful gifts.  Their generousity and giving hearts have blessed me!  Olivia now has a pack and play to sleep in, blankets to wrap up with, dishes, sippy cups, spoons, several darling outfits, bath towels, lotions and soaps, dolls, toys, photo albums, books, and many, many more amazing gifts.  Once again, I'm blessed beyond words by their generosity and gifts of friendship. Many thanks to our terrific staff!!!

Delish and adorable cake, made my Megan.  Love it!! 

Lots and LOTs of wonderful and much-needed gifts!  Many thanks!  :)

yesterday...

Yesterday was a frustrating, discouraging, and depressing day.  How can my sweet, little, nine year old student lose her mom to cancer?  What will she do?  She needs her mommy and always will.  How will she grow up and what will she become?  And, my darling student who is in intensive care struggling with newly discovered juvenile diabetes...wavering and fighting a coma? Will she learn what to eat to keep her 'level'?   Will she learn to give herself insulin shots?  Poor baby.   Or how do you live through the news that my friend/colleague received yesterday afternoon about her adult daughter?? - - and today she's sadly preparing for her funeral.  And...I had parent-teacher conferences! 

Now today, after a night's rest, I'm standing tall, trying to shake off yesterday's dilemnas, and I'm ready to hit the road.  My students will be sad, my colleagues will be hurting, and ...again...we get to have parent teacher conferences this afternoon and evening! 

As I always say (and try to convince myself)...LIFE IS GOOD...NO WORRIES!  ...argh...

Mean people

Have you ever wonder why people are mean?  Not everyone...just certain people.  

Recently I've encountered mean people, and I've had to remind myself that the concept of authorship is key to surviving these experiences.

Why are people mean? Here's the short answer: They're hurt. Here's the long answer: They're really hurt.   At some point, somebody—their parents, their friends, their employers, their spouse...someone—did them dirty. Maybe they were crushed. Maybe they're still afraid the pain will never stop, or that it will happen again.  Maybe that's why they hurt others.  I wonder why mean people don't censor themselves.  Why don't they process the hurtful things they say and do?

The fact is that we've all been hurt, and we're all wounded, but not all of us are mean. Why not? Because some people exude kindness, care, compassion, and forgiveness.   I hope (and pray) my life exemplifies one that is not 'mean',one that offers love and compassion.  What ever happened to "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all", or 'Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you."?  

May my life shine on others. May I be an encourager and an uplifter.  May I show love, not hurt.