Thanks, Mom

A long month with a lot of personal changes and no written thoughts as I go through them. I've considered blogging several times, but have really been alone with my emotions much of this past month. Still not quite sure how to express them...

However, this is an overwhelming picture for me today:



I am celebrating the completion of 41 years of life today, and up above it was 8 under my belt. I'm not sad about the 41. As my dad says, "It's better than the alternative!". :)

I have this picture framed in my office. I see people I will not see again until the other side of Heaven. Surrogate grandparents, family acquaintances.

There's a "peak" of Aunt Ruth. (It's kind of funny--she's not text-messaging, but doesn't it look like it?!! :)) I vividly remember this birthday. She had just moved into our home as a freshman in college to help sister Susan in a "time of need". All I knew was this was the closest to a big sister I'd ever get. She gave me a book of children's stories that is still in our library (but got lost in the trunk for a few days before unwrapping the gift!!), and is among my most treasured childhood possessions.

Of course, the best part is the look on mine and Mom's faces. Classic hair and clothing for 1974.

Since I've become a mother I've thought the children should give moms a "thank-you" gift while celebrating these days, so,

THANKS, MOM, FOR A GREAT START TO A WONDERFUL LIFE.

An Odd Feeling

This is a quick thought, as I am in the middle of laundry, dinner, and home....

Today I took my eldest for her last "well-baby" check-up this afternoon. Katy laughed when I referred to this dr. visit with that term. I received the piece of paper with all her stats, looked at the graph showing her height and weight percentiles, etc. My mother still calls me "baby" (actually, she still calls her youngest sister by that affectionate name if I'm not mistaken!).

It's strange to think we leave in one week to take her to college. Her doctor talked with her about college adjustments today. Hmm...

Katy in kindergarten

She is healthy, emotionally, intellectually and physically. She is in the 50% height and 15% weight for her age. I remember when I used to look for numbers in the 90's, but Katy was happy with these!

New Experiences

One of the many dirt-throwing pictures!

Under a tent, in the hot summer morning, a group of politicians, educators, students and parents gathered...

WAIT! There were plenty of reporters there. I don't need to write like one! ;)

Never been to a groundbreaking before this morning. Never had the daunting task of choosing words to represent the emotions any high school parent might have at such an occasion as this. I was just me. And I had fun!





Unexpected things--food, keepsake shovel and hardhat, a trophy to memorialize the event, and a tumbler. The last, definitely, most practical of all. (Although, as an aside, I must say I think Garland was very happy with the shovel!)




I'm just glad the school is able to move past some of the controversy, even though there are still bridges to repair and build. (Interesting to me, Alta Vista Elementary, cited in this same Time article from 1958, and their issue of preservation wasn't even raised during their new building process when Katy and Emma attended that school!)

Thankfully for the people who have invested 7 years getting to this morning's groundbreaking, there were no protesters present, and in this evening's news we'll discover how the press will skew the event.

Click on this to see our ABC affiliate's coverage online. If you look carefully, you will see both me and Garland!--go to the "video" link on the lower left!

Principal Linda Nook and me, chatting with construction workers after the ceremony

It was a good morning. And on the way out, Katy stopped by Guidance to finally pick up her diploma.

That was the biggest accomplishment of the day.

All These Projects!

As I told Jessie, and you all, I have been very busy lately!

First, Emma's gown for Renaissance is near completion...


Garland has been busy replacing the girls'/guest bath because of an extensive leak...


Katy had 4 wisdom teeth pulled, two of which developed dry sockets...

Laura's room has been redecorated for her to begin her high school career. I find this the most interesting. Her favorite movie is "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and it has inspired her for a "Tiffany's blue" wall paint with black and white accents. Before she left for a week with her dad in NJ, she selected pillow fabric. In time, we will recover her bedspread to black, but for now, the denim should work!

(This is her color choice...but I keep reminding myself that in four years, each room in my home will be mine and Garland's to decorate as we wish. I can agree to her taste for a few years!!)

Two weeks from Wed. we leave with Katy for Hope College. In the meantime, here's what awaits my schedule:

1. Daily oral surgeon appt's with Katy until ?.
2. Leadership training with this year's new choir officers/head table in St. Pete Aug. 10-12.
3. Center Stage camp Aug. 13-18, 8-3pm.
4. Celebrating Emma's 17th birthday, last packing details with Katy, orientation with Laura.

If you don't see much of me, now you know why! :)