Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Time for another hunt!  I believe we're on like week 19?  Wow - how is that we've already made it to the middle of May?

So here are my interpretations for this week:

Three

While meandering around our yard, I came across these 3 little flowers.  Not sure what they are called, but they looked so sweet.

Hand(s)

Helping hands.

Fence

The fence along the side of our yard where the lilacs grow.

Cuddly

Dream Boy - I still love getting cuddly with this guy.

Sign

This is a sure sign of summer.

Linking up with

Why I Do What I Do

I work with high schoolers, if you didn't already know that.  I work hard and I love what I do.  I haven't had a raise in over 5 years and my hourly wage is not far above the minimum wage as that keeps rising & my wages don't.

Education is one of the hardest hit areas as state legislators keeps hacking away at our budgets, expecting us to do more with less.  It's the same story across our great nation, I'm afraid.  A true story.

But nonetheless, I love what I do & until God tells me otherwise, I'm sticking it out.  Through the 14 1/2 years I have been on my job, there are students who become a part of my heart - they find their way deep into my heart & they stay there.  Some I hear from after graduation, some I don't, but I don't forget those special ones.

Last year this young lady, a beautiful girl, came to our school.  I have always admired her, she has such a sweet demeanor and her hair is to die for.  She would always walk by me in the halls with her small smile and big doe eyes.

This year, I've had the pleasure of having her in class.  She's even more beautiful on the inside.  In my mind and heart - she glows.

Today, she made me cry in class.  No one saw it but maybe her, but she literally brought tears to my eyes.  She came to my desk shortly after class started and quietly, with her sweet, small smile, handed me this folded up note.

We don't talk much because Martha works quietly and she works hard.  I don't have to have an eagle eye on her because she stays on task.  But I will make a point of talking with her more, because yes, I do care - not just about her grades, but who she is and the life she has endured.  I know it's not been an easy life for her, yet she remains so sweet and works hard to achieve good grades.

Over the years I have collected a handful of notes from various students and every single time, they fill my heart to overflowing with joy.  

I took this job 14 1/2 years ago scared out of my mind - what am I doing working with high schoolers?  But Dream Boy & I both knew without a doubt that God's plan was for me to be there.  I put my trust in Him and stuck it out and have found joy in ways I never knew existed.

The thing is, my students all think I'm helping them.  Truth is, they have helped me way more than I could ever imagine I've helped them.  I am amazed at all they've taught me and shown me and given to me.

I am a blessed woman.

Monday Morning Coffee

Good morning everyone!

I hope all of you who are mom's had a splendid Mother's Day & that you were spoiled rotten by those you love.

My guys never fail me.  And now I have my girl too who joins in on the fun.  Dream Boy wanted to take me out for brunch to some fancy schmancy place, but I wanted our favorite little dive.  The usual.  A place where we feel at home - we know the wait staff by name & hugs are always readily available.

We started our day in church together & then went for breakfast.  I spent the afternoon burning some DVD's & Music CD's from my father-in-law's memorial for the rest of the family.  Then everyone from Dream Boy's family showed up for dinner at 5ish & my guy's put on the spread.  Hot Wings, barbeque'd chicken, cheesey potatoes, jell-o salad.....the shebang!!

I'm ready for a new week and better days ahead.  We still have dad's graveside service this afternoon for just the family, but then we can begin to move our lives forward.  A long, slow process, but time does bring healing.

Friday afternoon we did manage to escape with Son #2 & do some furniture shopping for his new place.  We found a new couch for him & ended up buying a 2nd one for Son #1 & his bride-to-be.  It was a great escape for all of us.

So, now I'm off for my Monday morning coffee & devotion time with my ladies. Here's to better days ahead.  

Thanks for stopping by - have a very blessed week!

Happy Mother's Day & Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mom's!  

It's been a bit of a rough week around here, with the sudden passing of my father-in-law.  I've spent hours & hours & hours (literally), going through photos from the last 34 years of my stash to put together his video tribute.  I really didn't think I would be able to participate this week in SHS, but I'm thinking that I might be able to pull it off after all.  

Let's see what I came up with:

Perspective

Yes, this is from my archives.  But I did take it and coming across it this past week brought into perspective how quickly life moves.  This boy is now a man who will be embarking on a new life of his very own at the end of this month.

Golden

 I, for obvious reasons, can't take credit for this shot, but it's a "golden" oldie - isn't it?  Dream Boy (seated way over on the right & cut off) and his family LOVED this shot that I found in my archive of pictures his aunt sent me.


Bloom

My lilac bush is in full bloom now!  The scent is heavenly and after a morning shower on Friday I went out and snapped some pictures.  It's was also an excuse to envelope myself in the fragrance.

Dark

Arriving at school in the dark every morning, I get to see some beautiful sunrises breaking that darkness with the promise of a new day.

Local

As you come into our fair city, this wall is there to remind you of where you are entering.  I took this shot a few week's ago for a brochure I'm putting together for our church.

I'm off now to church (speaking of) and I intend to spend the day surrounded by my boys and girl and relishing in this thing called "life".