Andy's Graduation

Andy's Graduation from Sunshine Station 2009. Look out Kindergarten...Andy's on his way!

Here is the Plan

I have many many pics to get on here- Andy's graduation, Maci's promotion, The Hagans visit, backyard pics, and soon there will be beach wedding pics. So....I'm going to upload them tonight and set them to post over the next few days. Keep checking. Pics are on their way!

Reckless Faith

I found this on You Tube this weekend. It brings back memories of when we saw Rich...April of 97...I was pregnant with Maci. It was more than a concert. It was life changing experience to get a glimpse of Rich's reckless faith. Oh how I remember walking into Maci's bedroom late that September night and hearing about his death on the Christian radio station. How could it be? But gosh...listen to Rich's music. He was ready to go. He begged to go. We named Aaron Scott Mullins after him in June of 99. Now in 2009, Rich's words still resinate with me. What a ragamuffin. What an arrow pointing toward heaven. Turn off the music at the bottom of this page and spend a few minutes with Rich. I included both parts. 18 minutes total. Possibly a lifechanging 18 minutes. Click play.

Bittersweet and Crazy Week

I finished packing up my classroom today. I don't stockpile. I don't hoard. I don't even keep things I probably should keep yet I have multiple boxes in the garage, under the stairs, and in the Durango. Those are the boxes I want to transport myself to be certain they arrive. I also have 47 additional boxes in my office at school. Those will be moved by unlucky county staffers that have the job of moving all Poplin teachers in. So theoretically, when we obtain occupancy of the new school sometime in July, I will walk in to my new classroom and find my 47 boxes waiting for me- nice and neat . Theoretically. Just in case there is a glitch in the system, I've been very organized in my packing. I numbered the boxes and kept a notebook listing what was in each one. But those last 3 or 4 boxes are basically listed as "miscellaneous crap." If they lose a box...please let it be a box of county crap and not my personal crap.

But my room is nothing compared to Trehsers! If I have 47 boxes, Tresher must have 94 boxes. Not to mention all the bookshelves, tubs, tables, lattice work, Lord help those moving men! I can't tell you how thrilled I am that she is coming too!!! Thrilled for me and for my Andy. It's been an emotional week...the news of Cheryl's transfer being honored brought shouting and dancing...but realizing that means we really won't be with Weber next year brings huge sadness. Why couldn't they take us all? We're a ready made team. We're a rocking team.

We are still waiting to hear the fate of 3 more teachers...everyone wonders who they will be and where they will go. Undoubtedly other teams will be broken up. Emotions will be running high again. Looks like this week will also be crazy and bittersweet.

Summer. Is it really coming?

My Favorite NYer Strikes Again

There are many complainers in this world. There are many that have valid arguments. However, only a few actually take a stand. Only a few man up and make a difference. My favorite New Yorker, AnneMarie is one of those few. She ROCKED the board meeting last night. She stood up. She used her voice. She made a difference. I love that Mrs. Weber!!! She is one rocking New Yorker and I am honored to call her a friend.

Public Service Announcement

Just a friendly reminder, it's that time of the year again. Please raise your big toes and repeat after me:

As a member of the Faux Paux Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back in to place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat, and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes look like they've been dragged behind her car on the way to work and no sandal in the world is going to make her feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops, that I will ensure they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go to my local beauty school at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 and worth EVERY penny). I say spend another $15.00 and get an even better one.

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals...

For all our sakes, please don't keep this to yourself - pass it on to other Sisters.
May God Bless your Soles as well as your Soul! Thanks Anna. :) Take care of my Jana!

Maybe You Had to Be There

Disclaimer: This may be one of those "you had to be there" stories...but I was there and I'm telling you it was funny!

Background info- Andy believes anyone with a beard and mustache is "shifty." He pronounces it as "sifty" and although I don't know where he came up with this, he is quite adament about it.

Setting: In the car on the way home

Aaron: Hey look. There is an old man on a ripstick! He has a beard and mustache even.

Brad: Andy, what does that mean if he has a beard and mustache?

Andy: Ohhh that means he is "sifty." He probably stole it.

Maci: (in her "I am a tween, I know all" voice) Andy! You can't steal a mustache.

All of us: The ripstick Maci! Not the mustache!!!

Bless her heart. :)

My Favorite Pic

The above is my favorite picture from the beach last weekend. Who wouldn't love the sight of sand dunes? Below is my 2nd favorite picture. Why? Because Ashley didn't want to pose in front of those...whatever they are...but she did anyway because she is that kind of friend. The "this is so stupid but I'll stand here and smile if that makes you happy (and shut up) kind of friend." Thanks buddy. And you were right. It is a dumb picture. ;) PS-It was taken at Broadway at the Beach if you'd also like your pic taken in front of...what was this again?

That Kind of Mom

I have the kind of mom that....

* will make 100+ fruit kabobs AND stick them into pineapples for me (They turned out fabulous by the way...see picture above)

* is very practical but still believes a chocolate Dr. Pepper can cure almost anything.

*always keeps the laundry baskets empty.

*will travel 1000 miles in any season to spend time with us.

*always makes sure there is plenty of toilet paper, paper towels, and detergent in the house. Always.

*has taken Brad in as her own. No mother-in-law/son-in-law issues there.

*will give advice but doesn't have to.

*is techno savvy- now even with an Ipod!

*takes care of my dad and always makes sure he has new clean pants to work in the yard. ;)

* is smart.

* loves to laugh.

* didn't even complain about making the 100+ fruit kabobs and sticking them in the pineapples.

* loves me to the sky and back just like I love her.

Happy Mothers Day Mother! We are missing you already...but the beach trip will be here very soon. Go get a new swimsuit!

I apologize for the lack of blogging lately. It doesn't appear it is going to get better anytime soon. The sun is out. Projects are in full swing. The kids are running around crazy and I'm fixing to go wrap some shrimp. (Brad's famous bacon wrapped shrimp will be ready in about 2 hours if you are in the area, come on over. :)

So....until I return, here is a little Margaritaville music to get you ready for summer. Enjoy the sunshine.