A Long Two Months

It has been a long two months since I've updated our blog.   So much has happened that I don't quite know where to start.  I'll try to give it to you in a nutshell, but it is still going to be long.

APRIL

*Workworkworkwork - and more work.

That's all April is about for me. My fourth graders take the Reading & Math TAKS tests at the end of every April, and it was quite a task to fully prepare them this year.  Between teaching, planning, evaluating, communicating, reports, conferencing and meetings almost every day, April is tough.  April is also a lot of work for Todd, too, although he doesn't administer the actual TAKS test.

Good news though!  Todd's students did *awesome* on their EOC (end of course) exams.  His passing average was over 90% which is amazing!  I was so proud of him!  I learned at the end of May that my students did well on TAKS.  I was especially thrilled that 100% of my students passed the TAKS Writing test in April!  Over 1/3 of my class received perfect scores which thrilled me as well.

As far as next year, Todd will be teaching 8th grade Science.  This will be a positive move for him because the 7th graders he has this year will basically loop up to 8th grade with him.  I will continue teaching 4th grade, but I will only be teaching Math, Science & Social Studies.  This will be good for my workload, or at least I hope it will be!


MAY

May was tough - and that's putting it lightly.

* We lost my Grandma on May 6.  She had been on hospice since Christmas, and her health declined quickly.  She was a strong woman both emotionally and physically, and she could cook anything well.  Thankfully she shared her chicken salad recipe with me (from memory of course) several years ago, and I can now do one thing well that she could.  The matriarch of my Dad's side of the family is now gone, as is that entire generation.

A photo of us from ten years ago:

Grandma left behind four children, one preceded her in death just a month before, eighteen grandchildren, and even more great-grandchildren.  My Dad, Step-Mom, sister, and I traveled to Oklahoma for her funeral.  Here is a photo of a few of the grandchildren that were there:

* On May 8th, only two days after Grandma passed, our hearts were shattered.  I don't even know how to write this (and the tears begin), but we lost Mackey.  Our precious, cute, strange, goofy, sweet, boy had to be put to sleep.  It will be four weeks tomorrow, and Todd and I are still reeling from Mackey being gone.  Todd's best friend of 14.5 years is gone.  His ashes are home with us, where we wish he still was.  For being the calmest of our three dogs, it sure has been a quiet house without him.  The big dogs have felt the absence of his presence as well.  We are all still devastated and many tears have been, and surely will continue to be, shed.  It still doesn't seem real, and it seems like forever since he's been gone.

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Now that I've dried my eyes (some), I'll continue.  May also brought us some proud moments and smiles.

* My sister, Cindy, was inducted into the Hall of Honor of the school district where she ran track and cross country in high school.  She was the first track star to be inducted.  Her beautiful and heartfelt speech had us all in tears.  A photo of her with a former teacher & coach:

Cindy, while giving her speech:

 

* I, along with my work team, took a bajillion (okay . . . maybe only 65) fourth graders to Austin for the day.  We met at te school at 6:00am, took chartered buses to Austin, toured the Capitol building, explored the Bob Bullock State Museum, and returned to the school about 8:30 that same night.  Talk about tired!

* Our niece, Whitney (a junior), went to prom. Luckily I was invited to take photos.  She was amazingly gorgeous, and I was so proud!  I can't believe how grown up she is now.  Man, I feel old.

With her date ("friend"), Alex:

A full-length view of her dress:

And with her double-chinned aunt:

* Todd finished his first semester of graduated school and did really well.  He is taking two other classes this summer, and has about a year until he graduated with his Master's Degree in Educational Administration.  I'm so proud of him!

* Our annual Memorial Weekend in Tyler with Todd's cousins was a wonderful time as always.  Although not everyone was able to join us, we still had family there from Boston to Colorado and all over Texas.  There were 24 of us, I believe; eight of whom were aged 10 and under!  Lots of fun, water, eating, drinking, and relaxing - just what we needed.





* And now, here we still are, in June of 2010.  Best of all, it is now SUMMER!  Ahead of us is work around the house (decorating, more landscaping, cleaning & organizing), relaxing, Todd's birthday, traveling to both coasts, and recuperating from a looonnnnggg school year.  For today, Steve sums it up for both of us :
 

 

Looking Good = Good Photography?

Well, I don't know about that statement, but I did just buy myself a new camera strap from PhatStraps!  My current camera strap digs into my neck and is neither comfortable nor cute.  My new camera strap is both fashionable and functional.  I can't wait to get it!

Isn't it awesome?!  I got the same damask pattern with a lighter pink minky backing.

photo borrowed from the PhatStraps site

Check out PhatStraps if you're looking for a new camera strap or Fido's Fashion Collars if your pup needs a fashion upgrade.  You can enter the Epiphanie bag giveaway, too!

Meet Samson

Samson was my traveling companion for my second rescue transport.  He was much calmer than the three precious chewers I transported my first time!  Saved from the gassing chamber after being surrended to an East Texas animal shelter, this sweetheart was rescued by a woman who helped find him a foster-to-adopt home through Midwest Animal Rescue & Services.  M.A.R.S. is a wonderful rescue organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that has a special-liking to the larger and bullly breed dogs.

I fell IN LOVE with Samson and just bawled like a baby when his next driver arrived.   His story and his love touched my heart, and I'm glad that I could be a small part of the journey into his new life.

Here are all the photos of precious Samson.  I can't choose just one!

Our New Dog Park!

We have an AMAZING new dog park near our home, and we recently decided to take the poochies to check it out.  Mackey, who usually dislikes the park, even had a great time!  I surprisingly got mostly shots of Big Mack since the big dogs were running around everywhere.
We only had one incident in which a woman brought her small dog into the large dog park - qnd Steve loves small dogs. :/  Let's just say she learned her lesson on using the small dog park, and we left soon after!

All in all, we hope to go back soon!

March 10th Again!

Three years ago, we became husband and wife. What an incredible day March 10, 2007 was, and what a helluva ride it's been since then. I can't imagine that ride being with anyone else, though.

Photo credit of Melissa Goldberg Photography.

Tips in "Suffering" for Charity

Operation Kindness, a local no-kill shelter was holding a fundraiser this morning, so Todd and I took the big dogs to Dirty Dawgz for some washin' and some chippin'. Dog washing was 50% off and microchipping only $15. Both pups desperately needed baths, and I've been wanting to get Steve chipped, so off we went. It was yet another lesson in dog-parenting.


Tip #1: To avoid potential embarrassment, exercise the dogs BEFORE going in public.

Pippin was all excited, wanting everyone to pet her. Luckily, she is a sweetheart as long as she isn't jumping. Oddly, she jumps in front of you but not on you. Steve, who isn't such a sweetheart in such situations, was whining and way over-stimulated. We walked them a bit before it our names were called.

Tip #2: Bring extra help if you need it.

Time to microchip Steve. He had such a dramatic fit that the 'injector' didn't stay in and the chip didn't implant. Then, Todd had to take him over with three others helping. Pippin and I walked away while wailing sounds echoed throughout the shopping center. Steve's first sacrifice for charity was complete, albeit a little bloody.

Dog-washing began. More sacrifice for charity. Pippin had to be picked up by someone and placed into the tub. Ridiculous. She hates baths but liked the attention. Steve hates baths, and I guess dog washers hate bathing big, bloody dogs.

It all went well even though Steve FREAKED with the blow dryer & had to be hand dried. He's such a wuss.

Tip #3: Don't forget your camera!

Even when they're awful, they are cute and sweet, loving dogs.



As you can tell, it was quite eventful since we used about 1/4 of their staff for our two beasts. However, it was for a worthy cause and our dogs are really no worse for the wear!

Baby Kelsey

Sweet little Kelsey went to meet Jesus yesterday. Her parents updated their blog last night if you haven't already seen it. Your prayers for Kelsey over the past six months were felt and heard. Her parents, brother, and family were able to spend time with her and love her. Their pain, joy, and all of the emotions in between were so openly shared with us. Please continue to pray for their peace and comfort as they mourn the loss of their little girl.