The end...

This school year was a whirlwind. And we have been so on the move, that writing has taken a back-burner. 

The end of the school year was chaotic, entertaining, emotional and a relief. 

We had a wonderful experience at BCa, and the fact we are not returning is bittersweet. Seeing empty halls was strange, but I know the Lord has a different path for us. 

So, for the end of the school year the boys were in a production, 

Caleb was in the spelling bee...

I took my students to Old Sturbridge Village

Steve had a birthday 

Aaron graduated kindergarten

We had our end of year piano recital

Even got a picture of all 6 of my parents grandchildren:

Then we had field day

Track banquet

The last full day of school and awards for Caleb 

All three did so well

And even since school, 

A good bye...

But a new beginning...

Time with family, running races, being together...

I am learning a new job, and the boys are prepping for the Junior Olympics. Steve is running a Spartan Super next week, and I have a half marathon in October I need to be ready for. 

Also a new nephew to photograph

Even in the end, there are new beginnings and I am so grateful for the time to appreciate them! 

My hair...Week 16 A4A52week

So this week I am writing about my favorite physical feature. This took a while. I like my eyes, they change color and I have always had lashes, but it isn't them. I like my feet. They are ugly with years of dance and now running, but they can do so much. There was even talk of my breasts, as they have nourished three children and I am always complimented on them, but let's be honest, I can't blog about that! 

So my hair. 

I love that I can go to my friend Heather, once a year, spend a little bit of money, and transform my self esteem. It sounds silly, but your hair can define who you are. 

I have had many hair styles, but I love my current one best.

 

A walk down hair lane: 

Long a braided for our Thanksgiving Feast at school.

Long a wavy out of the shower...

Short and curled for this special day.

And this day too! (I am in the left)

And at one point a "boxed" red head.

But in reality, I was and am always me. Just with different hair. The nice thing is that no matter what my hair looks like, if I don't like it, I can change it! 

What is your favorite physics feature? And why!?

~~~~~~~~~

Join the challenge!

And check out what Chelley is writing about 

http://aisforadelaide.com/2015/04/24/my-eyes-52weeksa4a-week-16/

A week late, but my career, week 15 A4A52weekchallenge

So, I am a week late writing this, but the kids were sick and I honestly forgot! 

My career is hard to write about because I don't have one. 

I am a mom

A wife

A teacher

But I do not have a career.

These things are my life. 

They make me who I am, and teach me day to day.

I do not have a corporation to answer to, a timeline (well teaching does have a timeline), I don't get emails from China at 2 in the morning like my husband does. I don't stress about losing my job because if I lose my job it isn't devastating to the family. 

I think the word career has a connotation that is negative, at least to me. As someone who isn't  on a plan, I don't like when I am asked what my career or occupation is. 

I am a mom

I am a wife

I am a teacher

But none of those things change if they are my career, because they are my life.

~~~~~~~~~

Join the fun!

And check in on Chelley at www.aisforadelaide.com

The weather week#14 A4A52weekchallenge!

Ok, I think we all know that this winter was ridiculous! We had more snow than we have had in a while, temperatures that were way too cold, and honestly it was just a stay inside winter. 

I got out on the road some, but not as much as I would like to. 

Even our Florida vacation was plagued with almost freezing temperatures and never Florida "hot". 

But now, now the sun is shining, and even when it isn't you still know it is there. I have finally had an opportunity to enjoy a run on the track without having problems breathing, and the boys track season has begun. 

The bad part about this weather is sickness. We are currently experiencing our second visit from a stomach bug this spring, and I hate that the constant change in weather has such an impact on health, but it does. 

So I am glad for the change of season, however, I would like a change in germs. Windows are open, surfaces are clean, and my hands feel chapped from all the hand washing. My running can wait, my boys cannot, and I am doing the best I can to get them healthy so that they can enjoy the weather! 

And today we are outside, because well we can, and they are feeling better! 

~~~~~~~

Join the fun! 

100 dreams...week13 a4a52weekchallenge

So this week is interesting as writing down my dreams is like opening a part of me...

1. To be a better mom

2. To be a better wife

3. For my sons to be Godly men

4. For my sons to find women who make them happy 

5. To see my husband more

6. To sing, professionally, 

7. To dance ballet again

8. To run a half marathon

9. To run a Disney marathon

10. To travel alone somewhere wonderful

11. To visit Ireland 

12. To visit most of Europe

13. To visit Hawaii

14. To live in the country

15. To live on a farm 

16. To not have a black thumb!

17. To have a home with more than one bathroom

18. To teach my children to be grateful for the home we do have

19. To learn to be grateful for the home we do have 

20. To have no debt

21. To have my photography purchased, even for a few dollars 

22. To use my camera more

23. To scrapbook all of our family adventures

24. To de-clutter our home

25. Travel cross country

26. Play piano again

27. Finish some of the crafts I started

28. Be better about following lists I start

29. Bike ride with the family more

30. Stop being sorry

31. To see my parents be healthy

32. To be available to help my family

33. To learn to say no

34. Get a passport

35. To receive my birthday present from January that still hasn't shipped from the manufacturer yet (no blame on my family) 

36. To have more money

37. To use it properly

38. To have a savings account for each of the boys

39. Adopt a child

40. Adopt another because well, I really do love kids

41. Become fluent in American Sign Language

42. Start an ASL worship experience

43. Find a way to help our church be inviting to all

44. Use my PureBarre gift card and not be addicted (because it is expensive!)

45. Get a gym membership

46. Actually Use it

47. Read all of the books I have

48. Finish reading the books I have started

49. Try to write more

50. Draw more 

51. Earn more money

52. Defeat Super Mario Brothers again (and not have someone delete it)

53. Play with the boys more

54. Not yell

55. Run in the rain

56. Go camping with my family and not be stressed all week

57. Take a cruise (Disney of course)

58. Sing in Disney World

59. Be fit

60. Not have asthma

61. Not have constant joint pain

62. Sit on my new porch and enjoy it

63. Not have so many shoes

64. Be able to let go of things and realize I am not letting go of people

65. Be able to have another child myself

66. Teach my children to appreciate the arts

67. Touch a big animal

68. Help families of children with special needs to see that it is ok to be you

69. Realize that it is ok to be us

70. Help mothers breastfeed, and help those that struggle to be ok with it.

71. Learn to knit 

72. Learn to sew with a needle

73. Fix our chimney

74. Finish our basement

75. Not be cluttered

76. Continue to host holidays in a positive welcoming way

77. To win a large sum of money

78. Use that to help our family

79. Then use it to start a soup kitchen 

80. Hire homeless to staff it

81. Teach them job skills

82. Provide sleep, shelter, and references

83. Be a blessing

84. Let go of control

85. Be at peace

86. Forgive my past

87. Embrace my future

88. See my friends more

89. Not have clothes in baskets in my bedroom!

90. Actually clean up my friend list on Facebook

91. Make technology a tool and not an addiction for my boys

92. Change the way we treat education 

93. To help children who can't read see the word can't as a stumbling block

94. To help my mom grow her school

95. To watch my brother become an awesome father

96. To see my sister succeed at making and selling quilts. Because she could

97. To publish one of my moms children's books she has written and illustrated herself

98. To record my dad reading the Bible

99. To write a book about my Auntie Martha and all of the amazing things she has done musically and in life

100. To be the family others see us as(as long as it is good!)

Wow! Well, if I can do it, so can you!

~~~~~~~

Join the Challenge! And check out what Chelley is writing over at 

Http://www.aisforadelaide.com

Home...Week 12 a4a 52 week challenge

I have lived in many places, and all of them would be considered home.

I also have many places in my life that feel like home.

Our physical home is a quaint one.

 We have three bedrooms, one bathroom,a fireplace, a dining room, a yard, a porch, and a garage. It is large enough to host holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter, but small enough that I don't go crazy when we need to clean up. It is feeling awfully cramped lately as our children are growing, and we have been so beyond busy that my clothes sit in baskets next to my bed instead of being properly put away.  However, it is home.

I have learned how to cook here, watched two children take their first steps here, and become a teacher through a lot of hard work here.

there is one thing though. It is always changing. I am constantly rearranging our furniture, our rooms, even whose room is whose.  We cannot change our address, but we can change our space. I am feeling like a change is needed again, so we will be doing a deep de-clutter of our spaces. The boys clothes are becoming outgrown, the school work is piling up, and the de-clutter is necessary.

But the best thing happened this year. I was able to clean off my front porch, and make a space that I have always wanted. A place to rest, and read, or type, or draw. A place to relax at the end of a long day or to be alone in my thoughts. I think it needs a few more touches to be complete, however, I am really happy with how it looks, and how I feel when I come home. To open up the door and see my refuge right there is the best feeling ever.
In doing this, I discovered, that even though our house isn't perfect, nor is it perfectly clean, it is our home. It is where we come together.

home

heart

life

all happen wherever you are!

~~~~~~~~

Join the challenge, and write away!

also check out what Chelley has at http://www.aisforadelaide.com