"I will pray for you. If God is on your side anything could happen. Just remember the whole family is rooting for u!"
Friday, June 29, 2018
Freshman Finals
Oh my goodness. She worked so hard. Round the clock. Constant. Concentrating. I was so proud of her. And I couldn't wait for it to be over for her.
"I will pray for you. If God is on your side anything could happen. Just remember the whole family is rooting for u!"
"I will pray for you. If God is on your side anything could happen. Just remember the whole family is rooting for u!"
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Scott
On Friday, June 15, Scott's school had an amazing celebration for him. He's leaving his beloved elementary school (that post is back here) and going to be principal at the middle school.
It was a very difficult decision for him.
Because his elementary school is the most amazing school on the planet.
Truly. There is no other school like it.
I've been by his side while he's been principal since Abigail was just out of diapers.
I feel like my girls were 'raised' while he was making this school magical.
So in a way, these were the most magical years of our lives.
And it was a very difficult decision.
*********************************************************************************
So at the beginning of June one of his teachers emailed me and told me their plans for saying goodbye to Scott.
One of the things they invited me to way their last CLIMB (Scott started all this, it stands for Character Lives In My Behavior) Assembly. So I worked it out with my classroom and my principal. I picked up Abigail at her school and we arrived at Scott's school just as they were starting.
He didn't know I was coming.
They were doing their 'regular' assembly (which was amazing)
And then at the end of the assembly a teacher spoke telling Scott that it wasn't over.
They began by welcoming Abigail and I and they presented us with long stem red roses, one for each year he was a principal at that school. And they gave roses to Abigail (and also for her to bring home for Anna who couldn't be there) I was so taken back with emotion.
Each grade level (Kindergarten - Sixth) got on stage one at a time and spoke about their principal. They each presented him with a book. They spoke about him and sang to time.
(look at his face in that photo)
He was speechless and tears were sure in my eyes.
At the end of all of the presentations they all sat down and there was a 15 slide show/movie on his years at this school. It was incredible to watch and look back at all of the work he's done at the school.
I watched him sitting right there with his students with the biggest smile on his face. I was so proud of him in that moment and so grateful that he was being honored in such a powerful way.
And also so happy that Abigail was there to see her daddy in a different way. Loved by hundreds. Cherished.
******************************************************************************************************************************
Now this last little part takes a tiny bit of explaining.
At the start of each school year Scott has choose a song and a picture book as his school's theme for the year. I've watched him each summer think and think and think about the work he wanted to do each year; a goal he wanted for his teachers and for his students. And then he'd go about finding a song that would guide them and a book that he would read to each and every class throughout the year. There was a Tshirt for every teacher with the theme as well so that they could wear it to the monthly CLIMB assemblies.
Well they ended this very last, honoring CLIMB assembly with one of those songs, Try Everything. (a really powerful song about never giving up; how we don't learn without getting it wrong)
And (unplanned) the teachers were so filled with joy for him they spontaneously got up and started dancing around the auditorium. It was amazing.
I was so moved I didn't start recording until it was almost over. Just wanted to get a snip of it here on this blog to never forget...
We will never ever in our lives forget this school and these precious years in our lives.
Not ever.
It was a very difficult decision for him.
Because his elementary school is the most amazing school on the planet.
Truly. There is no other school like it.
I've been by his side while he's been principal since Abigail was just out of diapers.
I feel like my girls were 'raised' while he was making this school magical.
So in a way, these were the most magical years of our lives.
And it was a very difficult decision.
*********************************************************************************
So at the beginning of June one of his teachers emailed me and told me their plans for saying goodbye to Scott.
One of the things they invited me to way their last CLIMB (Scott started all this, it stands for Character Lives In My Behavior) Assembly. So I worked it out with my classroom and my principal. I picked up Abigail at her school and we arrived at Scott's school just as they were starting.
He didn't know I was coming.
They were doing their 'regular' assembly (which was amazing)
And then at the end of the assembly a teacher spoke telling Scott that it wasn't over.
They began by welcoming Abigail and I and they presented us with long stem red roses, one for each year he was a principal at that school. And they gave roses to Abigail (and also for her to bring home for Anna who couldn't be there) I was so taken back with emotion.
Each grade level (Kindergarten - Sixth) got on stage one at a time and spoke about their principal. They each presented him with a book. They spoke about him and sang to time.
(look at his face in that photo)
He was speechless and tears were sure in my eyes.
At the end of all of the presentations they all sat down and there was a 15 slide show/movie on his years at this school. It was incredible to watch and look back at all of the work he's done at the school.
I watched him sitting right there with his students with the biggest smile on his face. I was so proud of him in that moment and so grateful that he was being honored in such a powerful way.
And also so happy that Abigail was there to see her daddy in a different way. Loved by hundreds. Cherished.
******************************************************************************************************************************
Now this last little part takes a tiny bit of explaining.
At the start of each school year Scott has choose a song and a picture book as his school's theme for the year. I've watched him each summer think and think and think about the work he wanted to do each year; a goal he wanted for his teachers and for his students. And then he'd go about finding a song that would guide them and a book that he would read to each and every class throughout the year. There was a Tshirt for every teacher with the theme as well so that they could wear it to the monthly CLIMB assemblies.
Well they ended this very last, honoring CLIMB assembly with one of those songs, Try Everything. (a really powerful song about never giving up; how we don't learn without getting it wrong)
And (unplanned) the teachers were so filled with joy for him they spontaneously got up and started dancing around the auditorium. It was amazing.
I was so moved I didn't start recording until it was almost over. Just wanted to get a snip of it here on this blog to never forget...
- how much he is loved for who he is
- how much they wanted to honor him for the work he did
- how much the students adored him
- how much he will be missed
We will never ever in our lives forget this school and these precious years in our lives.
Not ever.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Anna Turned 15!
On June 10th Anna turned 15. We planned our grandparent party for after final exams so she could really enjoy herself.
So on her birthday it was just the way we like it, just the four of us.
She had the dinner she wanted and red velvet cake. She opened presents and smiled a lot.
This girl is well past 'becoming' a teenager. She is in the thick of it. But, honestly, I love teenagers. I do. Of course I only know one but I love this one so much! Teens get a bad rap I think. Anna's hobby is studying. She plays with her sister. She's funny. And super smart. I think the thing that suprises me most about this teen is that she is FULl of wisdom. She'll hear me talking to Scott about something on my mind, pop in, give her two cents, and I'm always like, "ooooh!" Her perspectives are refreshing and they often reflect the sweetness that I raised her to be.
I love her so.
So on her birthday it was just the way we like it, just the four of us.
She had the dinner she wanted and red velvet cake. She opened presents and smiled a lot.
This girl is well past 'becoming' a teenager. She is in the thick of it. But, honestly, I love teenagers. I do. Of course I only know one but I love this one so much! Teens get a bad rap I think. Anna's hobby is studying. She plays with her sister. She's funny. And super smart. I think the thing that suprises me most about this teen is that she is FULl of wisdom. She'll hear me talking to Scott about something on my mind, pop in, give her two cents, and I'm always like, "ooooh!" Her perspectives are refreshing and they often reflect the sweetness that I raised her to be.
I love her so.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Wisdom and a Blessing
I had just finished the second to last chapter of a book I'm reading to Abigail at bedtime. I did what we always do. I turned out the light. I put the blanket over Noel's sleepover cage so he could go to sleep. I turned on Raffi and the sound machine. And then like I always do I laid down next to her. Nose to nose. I could feel her breathing on my face. And she said something so wonderful, so powerful to me I tried to memorize it as she was speaking and then I rushed down after I closed the door to try to type it here.
But I can't remember exactly what her sweet voice said.
But I want to try to remember. I remember that she is filled with the Holy Spirit. She speaks for a heart full of faith and closeness to God that takes my breath away.
But I can't remember exactly what her sweet voice said.
Something like...
I'm really proud of you mama. You really had some really tough kids that tested your love and patience And God used them to stretch and widen your patience and love and now you're going to be an even better teacher next year. I'm really proud of you.
Sigh.
It is the last day of school tomorrow. And I feel too emotional to reflect. I will. But not yet. Right now I just feel blessed.
But I can't remember exactly what her sweet voice said.
But I want to try to remember. I remember that she is filled with the Holy Spirit. She speaks for a heart full of faith and closeness to God that takes my breath away.
But I can't remember exactly what her sweet voice said.
Something like...
I'm really proud of you mama. You really had some really tough kids that tested your love and patience And God used them to stretch and widen your patience and love and now you're going to be an even better teacher next year. I'm really proud of you.
Sigh.
It is the last day of school tomorrow. And I feel too emotional to reflect. I will. But not yet. Right now I just feel blessed.
Monday, June 18, 2018
There's Something About Capturing a Moment
... it's like holding a moment in your hand.
Which is exactly what I wanted to do when I took these photos.
Even this photo of a little dress.
I wanted to hold that moment, that last moment of elementary school.
And so I did. This Sunday afternoon before. I took her to a favorite place where I've been taking photos of my girls forever.
She looks angelic to me.
So peite and lovely.
I chose an April Cornell graduation dress. Anna wore April Cornell too, but her dress was very different. (Anna's elementary school graduation photo session is back here) Abigail has very delicate features and when I found this dress I was thrilled.
Scott saw it hanging at the top right here and said, "is that the dress Abigail is going to wear for her graduation? She's going to look beautiful in that"
She did.
And I'm so glad I captured these moments... forever held in my hand.
Which is exactly what I wanted to do when I took these photos.
Even this photo of a little dress.
I wanted to hold that moment, that last moment of elementary school.
And so I did. This Sunday afternoon before. I took her to a favorite place where I've been taking photos of my girls forever.
She looks angelic to me.
So peite and lovely.
I chose an April Cornell graduation dress. Anna wore April Cornell too, but her dress was very different. (Anna's elementary school graduation photo session is back here) Abigail has very delicate features and when I found this dress I was thrilled.
Scott saw it hanging at the top right here and said, "is that the dress Abigail is going to wear for her graduation? She's going to look beautiful in that"
She did.
And I'm so glad I captured these moments... forever held in my hand.
Friday, June 15, 2018
Abigail's Great Big Adopt a Pet Birthday Party
I'd walk to the moon and back for that happiness right there!
I love the 10 minutes before all of the girls arrive and Abigail is just seeing everything set up for the first time.
One of my favorite photos from that day. Noel came outside to join the party!
One with my eleven year old!
I chose the bright blue from her dress with yellow (Noel, our bird)
We had some fun snacks for when the girls arrived!
And even though it was a very different May for us with both Scott and I teaching we did it! Becuase it's important to us.
Yes, pretty much thrilled when I found that dress for her to wear!
The pets were all lined up and ready to go!
Her friends walked into the backyard to our table covered in grass. I used a mini white picket fence, and we lined up all of the pets waiting to be adopted right there!
The first thing they did was choose a pet and then decorate a pet carrier.
They also named their pet!
I've hosted a 'all the girls from your class' themed birthday party from Kindergarten through fifth grade (the end of elementary school) Always under this tree we call the birthday tree. All of the memories under this tree.
They made their pet a collar.
And they painted a bird house.
Paint on her dress and a sweet moment with her daddy.
Then it was cupcake time!!!
Simple, easy, paw prints.
This is the moment that makes it feel like your birthday!
Exactly how she looks when she's really happy.
Pinata time!!!
After the girls leave I reset the table and we have the family party!
We've gotten catered Mexican food from Moes every year and it's a hit every time!
My sister in law snapped this natural moment. I was carrying out the family party cake and I had bent down for Abigail to see it for the first time.
She thinks I can do anything... it was a simple cake, the one I always make for birthday parties. All I did was put a few things on top... instant pet party!
Something about the dog's expression up there on the table, like he knows he did something wrong!
I adore any photo of my girls with their daddy.
Her expressions are the best!
Happy eleventh birthday my sweet girl. I love you so much!
Ten is here
Nine is here
Eight is here
Seven is here
Six is here
Five is here
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