A Little of This, A Little of That; A Post 6 Months in the Making

Hello.  It's been a long time.  With a beautiful fall breeze coming through my open window, a pumpkin spice latte nearby, and a salted caramel candle burning, I will dust off my keyboard and give this blogging thing another try.  Six months have flown by in a flash.  While I was not blogging, "my baby" turned 10.  On April 20th we celebrated Madeleine's 10th year of life with pedicures and Valentino's buffet. 

I have had many weepy days since, reflecting on years gone by when she was my cherub faced, laid back baby.  Now she's wearing deodorant, having mood swings, and talking about college.  In one year I will drop her off at middle school and the rest will be history.  Just as I did when I was a nursing mom staring into the big blue eyes of my baby, I just want time to stand still so I can keep her close forever.

May was bitter sweet.  Madeleine danced in her last dance recital. 

 The girls made the selfless decision to donate their hair to locks of love.

It was also the month that I found out that the principal of the beloved school I worked for was eliminating para positions.  I naively thought that my position would be exempt, but sadly I was wrong.  I found out with a library full of third graders that there weren't enough points to keep me on staff.  I was devastated by the news.  Not so much because of the loss of income it provided our family, but because I was in love with my job and the kids I had come to know over the past year.  The thought of not seeing them in the Fall literally broke my heart in two.  Later that same day, after still reeling over the news, I applied for another para position, ironically one at the school Samantha would later attend.  

May also brought the last day of school and the first day of summer break.

Audrey pictured on her last day of 1st grade with her teacher, Mrs. K.

Madeleine pictured on her last day of 4th grade with her teacher, Mrs. Ewerth.

We celebrated our first day of summer with ice cream and art at Paint Yourself Silly.  We also rejoiced in the news that I had secured a new para position at Samantha's future school.  I'd say it was bitter sweet.  Although I would be paid more, I couldn't stop thinking about the kids I'd be leaving behind.  This would be the start of a long lasting blue mood.  

On June 9 Steven and I celebrated 12 years of marriage.  My mom and dad were gracious enough to keep the girls for the weekend so Steven and I could reflect on our life together and celebrate alone.  We shopped, ate great food, stayed in a fancy hotel, and were awoken in the middle of the night by a false fire alarm. Just like the unexpected fire alarm that sent us scurrying outside on a cold rainy night, we have experienced many unexpected challenges that have made us stronger and given us something to laugh about.  I am one incredibly blessed lady.

 June also brought warmer weather, swimming lessons, and lots of recreational swimming.  However, almost as soon as we put Madeleine in swimming lessons we pulled her out.  Even though she had some apprehensions, she did a great job until she was asked to jump into the deep end.  It was then that she had a panic attack and would not (actually, I believe could not) do it.  The instructors would not back off and eventually one of them pushed her in out of frustration.  I. Was. Hot. We pulled her out that day and am proud to say she has done an awesome job on her own since.  The fact that she even got back in the water after that shows a lot about her character.  She floats, swims under water, and will even venture to the deepish end.  She just won't jump in and do you know what?  I am okay with that!

The ginormous goggles make her more comfortable about putting her face under water.

The perpetual blue mood that started when I lost my para position grew bluer on June 16 when we lost our beloved family pet, Daisy May.

We miss being greeted by her big smile and enthusiastic tail wag. Her gentle disposition and naughty habits will forever be remembered. Her absence has left a dog shaped hole in the hearts of those who loved her and she will go down in family history as the best dog.

July brought Independence Day Fun

and an amazing trip to Estes Park, CO where I climbed to the top of Deer Mountain.  The following picture was taken from the summit, 10,013 feet. Not massive, but an intense workout none the less.

Chillin' on the porch swing that included an amazing mountain view!

And finally, I've saved the best for last.  In July I found out that Elliott's new principal (my beloved school) saw a need for my position, found the funding for it, and re-hired me!!!  Woot woot!! Exit blue mood, enter happy, elated, amazingly good mood.  While I was elated at the news I also felt bad knowing that I would be letting down the other school that believed in me enough to hire me.  I also didn't take lightly the fact that it was the school Samantha would be attending.  However, the bottom line was that my heart is with the kids at Elliott and the hours and flexibility are a better fit for my family.   

The arrival of August meant the end of summer vacation and the beginning of a new school year.

 

We all survived that first week of school; Madeleine as a 5th grader, Audrey as a 2nd grader, and I as a media para at Elliott.  It feels great to be back.  Elliott feels like a home away from home.  There is no other feeling in the world than that of a child embracing you because they are so happy to see you again.  Do you remember the little girl I mentioned in this post?   Well, her brother and sister started kindergarten this year and it made my heart swell to see her show them where they need to go and hug them before sending them on their way.  Such a stark difference from the timid little girl who struggled to enter the school last year.  It is moments just like that one that make me so happy to be back; able to watch the kids I've come to love, grow.

At the end of August our family grew by one, in a way that I didn't think it would for a very long time.  Our family of 4 (plus 2 cats) grew to be a family of 4 (plus 2 cats and a dog).  Even more surprising is that it was not my idea, but Steven's.  Those of you who know him know what that's surprising.  He has always been a cat guy, but he has opened his heart up to a Border Collie named Zoe and he will never be the same.  

The day we brought our shelter pup home.  She was very timid.

I think Zoe deserves a post that is all her own, and that is what I will work on next on this journey of mine to bring my blog current.