An abrupt ending

I gave my notice August 22nd.  

I said I would work through Sept 3.  

The schedule came out on Friday night and I wasn't listed on it.  It was emailed to me.  I was on the list.  I thought it was weird... it must be an oversight.  I replied to the email.   

Saturday - No response.

I called the girls I work with.  I didn't want them to think I was not following through.  Still my intention was to work.

Sunday, still no response.

Yesterday, I got a phone call from my Dad.  I said I would come over today, if I wasn't working.  

Today, still no word from the school.  At this point I began to feel kind of sad.  I didn't get the opportunity to say goodbye to my students.

I went to Topeka.  I am grateful to be able to go over and help.  I posted on Facebook "sometimes being an hour and 15 minutes from my parents is an hour and 10 minutes too far away.  #DadvsComputer"  In all honesty, I am glad they are close enough to be able to drive over at a moments notice. 

I made it very clear that I wanted to work but evidently they don't need me.  And I'm left feeling incomplete. 

I made myself a list of to-do's to start tomorrow.  I'll keep myself busy.  

I have been creating a list of projects I want to tackle around the house.  I'm actually excited to get started.

I'm excited to spend more time with my Bringing Therapy Home family.  I know my feelings of sadness are temporary.

Tomorrow starts with taking Pilot on a long walk.  And tomorrow night is his last training class.  Both good things!

It may have been an abrupt ending but I am really looking forward to a new chapter.  

xo

If you see a stone, pick it up!

Recently, Frank Gifford died.  I knew who he was but not much more.  While I am not a huge Kathie Lee fan I had heard someone in line at the grocery store talking about what an amazing tribute Kathie Lee gave when she returned to the Today show this week.  Intrigued, I went home and did an internet search.  Here it is: kathie-lees-touching-tribute-to-husband-frank-gifford  It's long but, in my opinion, well worth your time.  What a beautiful testimony to faith and love.  

The thing that stuck with me starts at 4:19 on the video, talks about their trip to the Holy Land and going to the Valley of Elah.  And bringing home stones.  

"What is your stone?"  

"Where ya gonna throw your stone for the kingdom of God?"  

"Throw it hard and well and transform this hurting world."

Whoa!  Powerful stuff.  

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It's no secret this school year started some what abruptly for me.  I found out on a Friday that I had training the following week.  The same week as Vacation Bible School at church.  ?!  Which meant I would miss the morning session of training.  It made me feel disjointed and honestly that feeling hasn't changed. I have also discovered that I have much more patience working with special needs kids than I do with typical children.  I make no apologies for it, it's just simply the way it is and that's ok.   

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Today, I spent the day with an incredible group of women.  Bringing Therapy Home had a team meeting and I absolutely love each and every one of these ladies.  There are some big changes in store for our group.  Big, amazing, wonderful changes that I'm very excited about.  I will share the specifics with you when the time is right.  And I'm sorry to say it's not now.  

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So, back to the tribute.  I watched it the first time on Wednesday.  And again Friday and today.  I have been doing a LOT of thinking about my stones.  I have been asking myself questions without coming up with any answers.  I haven't seen Katie very much in the last few months and when she asked me why I said I felt like I was stuck in a rock.  Those were my exact words.  Tonight, it all came together when she sent me a text and asked if I was rockless.  ?! ROCKLESS!  Maybe I haven't been stuck in a rock!  Maybe I lost my stones.  I lost my patience.  I miss working with the kids that need me most.  It was a profound moment and the tears flowed freely.  

So, in what might seem like an abrupt move, I resigned my position, effective September 3rd.  I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders.  

It might seem like an abrupt move... but trust me when I say it is not.  And it's for the best. What will I do?  At this point, I don't know specifics but God does. And I am so grateful to have Jack's love, support, and understanding.  He's 100% behind me.  

xo

    

"If you see a stone today pick it up and ask yourself:  What is my stone?  What is the gift that only I can do in this world to make it a better place?  Spend the rest of your life trying to do it well."  -Frank Gifford

Time to celebrate

We made a quick trip to Topeka today.  Jack had to teach Sunday School and I was teaching the children's class, so we went to early service and left as soon as our classes were done.  We were the last ones to arrive at my parents.  My brother, Bob, and his wife were visiting from Oklahoma City, Marlene, Dave, Grandma Corinne, D.J. and the kids, Scott and Kelley, Christopher, his girlfriend Alyssa, along with my folks.  We gathered to celebrate Annie's 16th birthday!  Yes, her birthday is tomorrow but we all understand the need to cherish these gatherings, even if they're short.  We ate lunch, took some family pictures, ate cake and then had time for a short visit before Kelley, Christopher and Alyssa had to leave.  Not soon after Bob and Shelia headed home as well.  We didn't even have time to stick around for a game of cards.  It's the fact that everyone was able to come together... I am so grateful to each of them!

Here are a few pictures:

Marlene, Scott, Bob, Dad, Mom and me

(the girl standing behind Christopher is his girlfriend, Alyssa. )

She is adorable!

Mom, thanks for suggesting Annie bring her camera!

xo

  

CAPS

Here is a very good article about the CAPS (Career Advanced Professional Studies) program that Jake attends every afternoon.  

Blue-Valley-CAPS-Program

xo

Away she goes

I missed this opportunity yesterday.  There was no chance I was going to miss it two days in a row.

There she goes...

early to hopefully avoid some of the crazy traffic.

spreading her wings.

 finding her way.

And here's a link to a blog I read.  I think I've shared it before but this one (double click on the word "one" Dad)... this entry I just love.  Annie and I just had a conversation about first impression yesterday.  And I was dead wrong in my advice.  This morning I read this to Annie.  And we laughed a lot and had another conversation.  I just LOVE Liz's take on it; start and start again.      

xo

Last First Day

Wednesday, August 12, 2015.  Jake's last first day of school.  Annie's first day of her Junior year.  I begged for the kids to let me take pictures.  This is what I got...

First one.

CRACKS me UP!

(Same look...)

Next...

When I asked, "How do you feel about school starting?"

The winner.

Jake had a GREAT day.  He is really going to enjoy CAPS, his music classes AND English.  

Annie drove to school for the first time.  And I missed the photo op.  Bummer!  Annie came home with homework.  ALREADY.  And she came home stressed out.  I'm not sure if it was more homework or traffic related.  Her homework consisted of AP English Language Arts and Pre Calc.  She even asked Jack for help with her math.  She is exhausted!  

Traffic is going to be an issue for a while at school.  There are over 400 freshman and it seems like most of them are being driven to school by their parents.  Add to that the school has new traffic patterns for parent drop off and it's a whole new brand of crazy.  Annie said she knows several people that left for school at their "usual time" and arrived 30 minutes late.  The kids both left for school at 7:00 a.m. and will be for a while.  Annie basically ran out to her car right after school and got home without any problems.  She has friends that live much closer to school and got stuck in the same 30 minute stand still traffic on the way home.  

In other news, Pilot continues to enjoy being a puppy.  

Needless to say, all bedroom and bathroom doors are to be kept closed.  And his training continues.  Class is going pretty well, we just need to keep at it.  It's a good thing he's cute!

xo

What day is it?

It's Saturday.  No, it's Friday.  Jack took half a day off, so that only adds to my confusion. What day of the month is it?  I have to look at my phone.  It's been a busy couple weeks. Actually, ever since Jake left on the band leadership retreat it's been a whirlwind.  I think we've had dinner as a family once since then.  Once.  The retreat started July 22nd!  It's been more than sixteen days ago! ?! What the heck!

A few weeks ago Jack said something about the kids being gone so much and it won't be a big deal when they finally leave home.  They're just getting us ready for the quiet and solitude.  I do think it will get us ready... but I don't think I will be prepared for that day.

What we are suffering from most at this point in time is sleep deprivation.  (Maybe that's why I can't keep track of the date.  ?!)  I decided several years ago that I would wait up until the kids are home, safe and sound.  It's not that I don't trust the kids.  I do. I can count on one hand the nights I have fallen asleep on the couch... try as I might to stay awake.  I think those times were either late night concerts or babysitting gigs.  I'm not exactly sure why I do it. Maybe because I can.  I had a conversation with some friends about whether or not that will continue when Jake turns 18.  My answer - yes.  It makes for tough morning but maybe some day the kids will appreciate this as one of the many little things I do.  Simply because I can.

A year ago I was in Colorado.  It seems so strange and sad that I haven't made it back in over a year. It's the longest I've ever gone without a visit West.  My sister is attending a training class this weekend and my Dad made the journey out with her.  I admit it, I'm jealous.  I wish I could have gone but the timing wasn't right.  

I need to be here right now.

Last night, Jake and I attended orientation at CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) where Jake will be taking a 3 hour Filmmaking class this year.  He will have to dress in business casual attire.  No jeans, no t-shirts, no athletic shoes.  It sounds pretty involved and he's very excited about this opportunity. He will be earning college credit through Stephans College in Columbia, Missouri.  Second semester he will intern at an area business.  And at the end of the year they have the opportunity to submit their works to various film festivals and the whole department has a screening of final projects at an area movie theater.  How cool is that!?  

Today, was the last day of band camp for Jake.  He is very excited about the progress they are making and anticipating how the show will end.  I think they've only learned the first three parts.  The tuba's were doing great in the sectional competition.  Each section decides on a theme each day and they get points based on the number of members that come dressed appropriately.  Tubas had Halloween day, wig day, Hawaiian day, school spirit, and black out day to mention a few.  As of last night they were tied with the color guard for first place.  Jake learned this morning guard planned to dress like the tubas today... so they made the quick decision to dress like the guard girls.  Jake took compression pants, neon shorty shorts and a tank top.  The color guard won by one point.  A couple of the tubas were misbehaving so the section lost some points today.  Jake wasn't too disappointed, "it was only for candy."  I think that's the first time I've ever heard him not disappointed about missing out on candy.  

    

Tomorrow is Peggy's funeral.  Lisa is still in disbelief.  

Jake's home early!  

Sleep well!

xo

Our task must be to free ourselves...

by widening our circle of compassion

to embrace all living creatures and 

the whole of nature and its beauty.

 - Albert Einstein

  

She will be missed!

Lisa's Mom passed away on Sunday morning.  Here is her obituary: Peggy's Obituary.