Dang ya, Angie! Now I have to update. Hey, I'm a good Catholic girl. Guilt works!
I suppose I haven't updated because I don't feel like I have anything of major importance to say. Maybe that's what I should think about. My everyday life isn't boring. It's busy as hell! Finally....religious education classes are finished for the school year, as is my choir practice at church. Two freed-up days! Well, not exactly! Jake starts his fourth year of TCKL on the 14th. Oh well...at least it is something new to do for a while.
I have decided that after the June 24th dance recital that I will pull Elly from dance class and just get her going with gymnastics at the Y. Elly likes class...when she stays awake for it! I honestly don't think she would miss it. Don't get me wrong...she is adorable at dance class! She seems to like it okay. But...when I was there this week by myself (I missed gabbing and catching up with Ang, who was home sick), I spent most of my time watching the DVD of last year's recital.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
OK...It is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am not now nor have I ever been a "girlie girl." But, I will admit I like that my daughter is. Having said that, watching this recital made me repeat, over and over again in my mind... "Are you kidding me?" First of all it lasted over three hours. 3 HOURS!!! Each group of girls did one dance. While waiting for their turns, all the girls sit backstage. They are supervised by FHS students. When asking another parent about this, she said that last year, her THREE YEAR OLD did not go on stage until after 9:30! Shoot! Elly will be asleep long before that! I can hardly keep her awake for 6pm dance class let alone a 9:30 dance show! :) Then, at the end of the show, there was a presentation. All the adult classes were introduced. All the student assistants were introduced. All the adult staff members were introduced. Gifts were given. Five, seven, and ten year awards were given. Graduation gifts were given. Then came the 15 minute curtain call. The girls filed out, one group at a time, looking cute. Most of them were carrying HUGE bouquets of flowers. And I mean HUGE! Seriously...it looked like closing night on Broadway! I asked another mom if the parents bought those flowers.
She looked me in the eye and said, "Yes. And you better be sure to get something too."
Are you kidding me?!?!
Another mom, who had been sitting across from me and who must have seen my "wtf" expression, said, "I bought my daughter a wrapped carnation downstairs at the theater, and she was just as happy as the girls who got a big bouquet."
Whew. But seriously, what are we doing here? Trying to reward our kids or trying to out-do each other? I am not for that. I see it at my school all the time. When I taught junior high and we had 8th grade graduation (ridiculous in and of itself), parents would do the same thing. Bring HUGE flower bouquets to their daughters. Geez. Maybe I am being cold-hearted but my goodness! I just don't get in to all this stuff.
So anyway...we will try gymnastics :) and I know she will love it!!!
The school year is moving right along. Only 16 more days with my seniors (but who's counting?) !!! They are so cashed out and ready to be done. This week is Prom Week...and you know what that means! HORMONE CITY! Plus, the last thing they are thinking about is The Count of Monte Cristo. Oh well...I'll just keep pluggin' away!!! After the seniors are done, I will have my seminar class (every three days) and my young adult literature class (minus seniors....just about 10 juniors will remain). It will give me lots of time to prepare for the Creative Writing Class I will be teaching next year. Whew! I have not had a year (in 13 years of teaching) in which I have taught the same thing two years in a row. It keeps things interesting but it really keeps me busy!
Well...there you have it. Since Angie jumped over to my blog and was disappointed, I thought I would update. See you in four months! (Just kidding!)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Happy New Year
As usual, I have been inspired by a close friend to get on track with my blog! (Thanks, Ang!)
Another New Year has come. The past twelve months have been tumultuous to say the least. January 29, 2008 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of my beloved father-in-law, Ray VanderHoek. I can't believe a full year has already elapsed since his passing. I am frequently reminded to view life as he did...to focus on family and fun, and not to sweat the small stuff. I still am and probably always will have to work on that (I am a Secory, after all!) but what I learned from Ray will be in my heart and mind forever. For that, I am eternally grateful.
My granddad, Grandpa Pettit, is ill at this time. Over a year ago he suffered a stroke and at first looked to be poised to live many more years. As of late, we have realized that he is deteriorating and becoming more frail. This is especially hard to face, as we always joked that Granddad would probably live to be 120 ! He has always been so strong and healthy. That makes it especially hard to see him weaken. Even though he hasn't been able to speak any words since his stroke, his spirit and smile are still alive, and I am blessed that he still "speaks" to us through his eyes. They still sparkle when we enter the room! And he still gives great back scratches! =]
On a happier note, our family grew! Not by a baby...but by a new sister-in-law! My little bro Scott married his love, Julie, in late August. They had a private ceremony in Hawaii and then a party in September which Andy and I attended with my parents. She is so sweet and kind....intelligent and funny....and obviously has great taste! I love her dearly already, and look forward to getting to know her even better in the years to come. I am so happy that Scott has found happiness. He deserves it so much! If only we could get him to move closer....
On a personal note, I continue to recognize the need to "work on me." I hope to find the strength to do just that this year. I know there is so much more I can do for myself...to be healthier and happier...and that making those changes will make me a better person for others. It will allow me to be more giving because I will have the energy to do so. Making sacrifices will allow me to be more generous to others. Not focusing on trivial things will allow me to invest more time in causes that need my help. There are many times when I find myself saying I cannot do something because I don't have the money, the energy, or the time. What I have come to realize is that those very resources are available. I need to reevaluate how I am using them now, so that I can better utilize them in the future. God has given me incredible gifts. It is my sincere hope to share them with others more abundantly.
To all of you, Gods blessings in the New Year and always. May you feel the love of those around you, the peace that comes with knowing you are loved, and the courage to make a difference in the world you live in!
Love,
Kel
Another New Year has come. The past twelve months have been tumultuous to say the least. January 29, 2008 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of my beloved father-in-law, Ray VanderHoek. I can't believe a full year has already elapsed since his passing. I am frequently reminded to view life as he did...to focus on family and fun, and not to sweat the small stuff. I still am and probably always will have to work on that (I am a Secory, after all!) but what I learned from Ray will be in my heart and mind forever. For that, I am eternally grateful.
My granddad, Grandpa Pettit, is ill at this time. Over a year ago he suffered a stroke and at first looked to be poised to live many more years. As of late, we have realized that he is deteriorating and becoming more frail. This is especially hard to face, as we always joked that Granddad would probably live to be 120 ! He has always been so strong and healthy. That makes it especially hard to see him weaken. Even though he hasn't been able to speak any words since his stroke, his spirit and smile are still alive, and I am blessed that he still "speaks" to us through his eyes. They still sparkle when we enter the room! And he still gives great back scratches! =]
On a happier note, our family grew! Not by a baby...but by a new sister-in-law! My little bro Scott married his love, Julie, in late August. They had a private ceremony in Hawaii and then a party in September which Andy and I attended with my parents. She is so sweet and kind....intelligent and funny....and obviously has great taste! I love her dearly already, and look forward to getting to know her even better in the years to come. I am so happy that Scott has found happiness. He deserves it so much! If only we could get him to move closer....
On a personal note, I continue to recognize the need to "work on me." I hope to find the strength to do just that this year. I know there is so much more I can do for myself...to be healthier and happier...and that making those changes will make me a better person for others. It will allow me to be more giving because I will have the energy to do so. Making sacrifices will allow me to be more generous to others. Not focusing on trivial things will allow me to invest more time in causes that need my help. There are many times when I find myself saying I cannot do something because I don't have the money, the energy, or the time. What I have come to realize is that those very resources are available. I need to reevaluate how I am using them now, so that I can better utilize them in the future. God has given me incredible gifts. It is my sincere hope to share them with others more abundantly.
To all of you, Gods blessings in the New Year and always. May you feel the love of those around you, the peace that comes with knowing you are loved, and the courage to make a difference in the world you live in!
Love,
Kel
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