Monday Morning Coffee

What a great weekend!  So fun!  Can you tell?

Friday night found me, Dream Boy, Son #2 & his Minnesota girlfriend at a wedding.  They had a photo booth and we played.  We danced a little, ate a lot & laughed & laughed.

Son #2 is into bow ties and all week long he planned what he & Dream boy would be wearing to the wedding.  He had to make sure that he had a bow tie appropriate for what Dream boy was wearing.

We clean up pretty good, eh?

Saturday was a beautiful day and we spent it doing the normal weekly chores.  Dream Boy mowed & I did the grocery shopping.  Son #2's Minnesota girlfriend arranged a going away party in Grand Rapids for him on Saturday night with all their college friends, so they were gone for the night.  We had a quiet night at home.

Sunday morning we went to church and then the 2 partiers joined us afterward for our weekly breakfast.  With temps in the mid 80s, Dream Boy & I took Libbi the Wonder Dog to the lake for her 1st swim of the year.  She was beside herself with excitement!  It was actually our excuse to give her a bath, but she didn't care - she was SO happy to be back in the water.

We ended up having a family dinner with all 4 of the kids back here in the nest and Dream Boy's mom too.  We marinated chicken & had Mediterranean Chicken kabobs on the grill, along with rice & fresh gream beans.  What a lovely night we had before everyone had to return to their "normal routines".  

But this mama has a full heart.  A weekend of memories made, to hold tight in my heart and carry forever.

This week is filled with dinner celebrations and send offs for Son #2 - he & Dream Boy head west a week from Thursday.

Hope you all had a glorious weekend and your week is filled with nothing but good things, sunshine and laughter!

Thanks for stopping by - until next time.......

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!