Night Before School Traditions

Everyone has traditions they uphold the night before school starts. Today, as I asked my students what they did last night to prepare for today, imagine my shock when a 1st grader said "Oh, I watched a movie." "Oh, really?" I asked. "What did you see?" "Drag me to hell" was her response. Really? What parent lets their 6 year old watch a movie called Drag me to hell?????

Indeed

You know, for a really small mom, you sure work hard.
-My son

a simple gift

I can not believe what happened to the Prouty family this last week. We were on our way back from our awesome trip to Colorado and stopped in Kansas for a late lunch. We commented on how few Pizza Hut restaurants still exist, so decided to eat there. It was about 2:30 and there was only one other family dining; a father, mother, toddler and infant (yes, it's important). Now, I'm pretty nosey(really?Yes!) so I overheard the father ask the waitress if they had any bottled water, to which she replied they didn't. Being a mommy, I knew immediately, that a)the baby was hungry and b) they were not going to feed with water from the tap. I turned and said "I have lots of bottled water...would you like one?" Now, I'm certain that because it seemed crazy the gentleman immediately said "Oh, that's okay". I turned back to my table and I could sense that the baby was not getting less hungry and that they really needed my water more than they were letting on, so just as I turned to offer it again, I heard the father say "Maam...do you mind sharing a bottle?" I said "Sure, I'll bring you two!" and went out to get them for him. I brought them back and said "Hey, we've been there, done that, so please do not even thank me...no big deal." We chatted back and forth, found out where they were from, where they were headed. Their kids were just adorable! They got up to leave and the father went up to Jayson and said "Sir?" (I have to admit, I thought he was going to ask for money, I know....embarrassing) Jayson turned and the father (whose name we know now is Eddie) says "It was great meeting you, thank you". He then went around the table and shook all our hands. What a nice guy, we all agreed and continued eating our pizza.
Not long after they left, the waitress came over and said "Just so you know, your bill has been taken care of...he didn't want you to know while he was still here."
How cool a story is that?

romantical

We just got back from a long weekend drive to Colorado for a wedding. I can't stop thinking about this wedding because it was by far the most romantic (emotional) wedding I have EVER been to...and I have been to MANY weddings. Jay and Angie are perfect for each other, but more importantly are made for each other. They didn't have a typical wedding, no garters, no cake in the face, no silly dances...it was just perfect. They did have a first dance to which I felt like a voyeur. Like I had no business watching this perfectly private moment. Oh, my goodness, my hearts gets all goofy thinking about it. Please quickly download "Swept Away-The Sentimental Version" by the Avett Brothers and immediately you will get the vibe I am talking about. Jay and Angie, thanks for allowing me to share in your amazing day. You two inspire me to love harder and better.

August 1

I don't know where the summer went, but I do know that in a couple of weeks I have to go back to work. I know there are some people in this world that love spending time at home and being off, unstructured. I am NOT one of those people. Left to my own devices, I do absolutely NOTHING all day. It's not that I start out to be lazy, I just have to wake up motivated or nothing gets done. Furthermore, add children to the mix and I accomplish zip. Yesterday, I spent over half of my day dealing with a tantrum-wielding toddler. Today, she woke up as complete angel. Who can figure that out? So, today will be better, right? Now, here's the rub. I miss my Dad and today is his birthday, or is it was? He would have been 64 today. So young, it seems. I still miss him everyday. Will that ever stop? I feel like I'm the only one who has this pit in my stomach. I want to go back in time and hug him, even if it meant him asking me "What do you want?" I'd give anything for him to think I was hugging for ulterior motives. If your Dad is around give him a great big hug for no reason, ok?