Ahh..March

...the wind. I could live without it.
...the snow. Really? Please go away, snow.
...spring break? YEEEESSSS!! It is time. Of course, being a sports family whose life revolves around our children's sporting events, we will be doing track meets. That means more wind...more snow..possibly! Let's hope not! Hoping for sunshine and "sweat marks"! Both kids came within half a second of earning their sweats, last weekend at their first meet of the year. You can't wear varsity sweats unless you meet your marks.

I finished my dossier and submitted it last night! Hallelujah!!!!!!! MONTHS of weekends spent slaving over data and compiling proof that I can teach, finally handed over the state. Isn't it ironic that all of that work COST me money?? Yes, I have to pay to prove I am worthy to become a level II teacher. Government is funny. (Well, they really aren't but I have to laugh to keep from crying.) And I don't want to cry because my fingers are crossed, hoping I'll pass, and it is hard to wipe tears with crossed fingers! (I tell my students they can't start sentences with "and". Uh oh. I hope they don't get wind of my blog!)

Here is a photo of my kiddos on a recent trip. She was exhausted!!! Slept 4 hours on her brother's lap. At this point, he was feeling ornery and mischievous....daring to lick her ear. Hmmm...where do they get such orneriness???

So despite the wind, the snow, the SBA tests and the anticipation for spring break, March has been pretty good.

My passion

I just love special needs children! I have had the opportunity to work with kids with autism, before I taught. I work with special needs kids in my classroom. It is my passion. I have learned so much from them.

I have a child with Non Verbal Learning Disorder/Asbergers and mild cerebral palsy. This kid amazes me beyond amazement! What some call a disability is truly an opportunity! The strength, perseverence, faith, and so many other awesome characteristics have come from the challenges life has presented. Yes, this is where my passion began and my education became my life. NOTHING is impossible.

Check out the link below, please. Due to being a foster family, we were invited to an all expense paid skiing trip where my foster daughter would learn to ski (MAJOR fear issues...) , and my own kids would be ski instructors to a child with special needs. We can't go, unfortunately, but I am sooooo impressed with what this foundation does, I have to share it.
www.friendsforeverfnd.org

I'm proud of my son

White men can TOOO jump! I'm so proud of this boy! He came back in time for district games. Early in the season he injured his skin graft and had to sit out while it healed. He was supposed to sit out all season, but true to his character...when told "You can't"....his heart says, "Oh yes I can, and I WILL!"

He has faced many obstacles in his life, thus far, but came thru with shining, bright, inspirational colors.
His team didn't a game this season, but he wanted to get out there and be part of it all the same.

Sometimes, you just can't help but be so proud of your kids!

Thanks for sharing this moment with me!

Musings

20 years ago, my best friend married her soul mate. They designed her ring..a marquis diamond with triangle rubies on the sides. I got engaged two months later to someone who had only met Vicki and Jeff, but didn't "know" them due to the distance between our homes at the time. My husband designed my ring, without me even knowing he was planning it. A marquis with two triangle diamonds. Almost exactly like Vicki's by complete coincidence. She recently added her husband's band to hers, when he passed away. I love the 'coincidences', or God's winks, that tell me our friendship is no coincidence at all.
Jon Paul and I were friends from age..???? 5 ish?? My childhood best bud. Vicki and I were spending a wonderful evening together when JP walked in to the hotel lobby, with his girlfriend. We spent the next couple of hours talking and laughing. Friends are our chosen family...and we love them REAL.

Whoever said, "white men can't jump" lied. My tall white boy is gettin' some air here! So proud of him...coming back late in the season after letting his skin graft heal.

....it is good that teenagers sleep late. This is God's way of keeping our grocery bill affordable. Yesterday, we got up at 5 to travel. Breakfast at 5:30....and again at 8:45...lunch at noon...dinner at 5:30...pizza after swimming at 9:30...mac and cheese at 11...and then to bed. Please sleep late, son! Oh! And your new bedtime is right after supper!

January is gone!

Lizzie, the Homecoming Queen, riding in the parade! She really believes she IS the queen so don't tell her she's not.

Ain't he just the purtiest?!

Jess was blindfolded and had to put makeup on poor Frank. So many pretty boys....

A fun day on the mountain.

A weekend in December

Madi and Jess

Vicki and I...friends since childhood. Love, love, love this lady!!
Our combined crew plus one. From left to right: A friend's son, Vicki's son, my son, her daughter, my daughter, my foster daughter.
Several years ago, we took turns having babies. This is the result of that wonderful trade off.

embrace today

A week ago, yesterday, my best friend's husband died of mental illness/depression. My friend is my chosen sister, who has been walking my journey, side by side, with me since I was a young teenager. She lost her best friend, her husband, the father of their children. My heart is so broken for them, for his parents, for the hole he left in this world. Mental illness is a serious, disabling disease. Take depression seriously. He was a brilliant man. A mechanical engineer, creative, wise, kind, humourous...not a man I would have ever pictured who would face such darkness. If someone you know is in a stressful job, make sure they pace themselves.

My mind and heart are weary from trying to bare the burden..tugging, straining, wishing I could take the pain or at least help carry it. Grief is a heavy burden, but you can't take it away. You can walk along side and cry with a friend..and listen. Pray.

I feel blessed to have shared the last week with the family. While I feel empty and lost to be back home, I want to embrace today and realize how precious every moment is.

I'll catch you up on our lives soon. Lots of happy things have happened so I'll get those up soon.