My one-of-a-kind art creation

The idea popped into my head when I learned that the beeswax ornaments from dreamseeds were ready for purchase. When I saw how lovely they were, I imagined them hanging from a tree branch as a type of mobile. I ordered several sets and then waited to find the right tree branch. Funny enough, I found one on the playground at the school where I teach. It had broken off of a tree during an early winter storm we had several weeks ago.

I also hung four stars on our curtains on our front window. (we live in a modest ranch style home...about 35 years old...just to give an idea) I hung two stars on each side.

I miss having more time to do things like this. Since working full-time, I just don't have time for anything else but work and basic family duties. Maybe someday, I'll find a good paying part-time job.

Homecoming Pictures

At our house before they went to dinner

After dinner they stopped at his house for more pictures (above and below)

This is a picture from Homecoming. (September 19th) Our daughter and her sweetheart of several months. Basically the "first love" for both of them....very sweet and also very closely watched/monitored by both sets of parents!!!

H1N1

Well, I am going to venture a guess that it has hit our home. Two of our children seem to have it. We will try to get into our family physician tomorrow and I really hope we are not put off. With four of our family being "high risk for complications" from any flu, we are especially concerned with the H1N1 since the complications that are killing people are the very complications two of us really struggle with anytime we get a nasty virus.

I did order some really heavy duty herbal medicines from an amazing and gifted herbalist right here in Wyoming. I had been saving these back for the time when we'd need them. When I saw the spread of H1N1 across the United States, I knew it was only a matter of time before it hit our community and probably our family. (all of us are in the school system daily....3 different school districts with 3 different populations and germs) I started intensive treatment of those ill and preventative treatment (beyond what I had already been doing for the past month) for those who are not ill, but most certainly were and are being exposed.

Also prayer. We try to pray a family rosary daily if we have everyone here. Today is a day we usually have the entire family here and the rosary took on special meaning in light of our current trials and also in light of a tragedy at my husbands work place. (a 5th grade student died on Friday from "illness")

Times like this, I have to really say that I am not happy that I had to go to work full-time outside of the home last year. This is my second year teaching full-time and it is too much with the intense responsibility now that my husband has moved back into administration. (last year we were both teachers and that worked O.K.) I am hoping and praying that I can find a half-time teaching position next year with our local school district. (without a commute like I use to have)

LIfe is just so special but just so fragile......God Bless.

...thoughts. Mostly random....

I wonder if a personal change is coming in my life after this school year. I suppose only time can tell. That and lots of reflection and prayer.....lots and lots of prayer will be needed because I honestly feel totally lost regarding what the future holds for me. Scary, exciting.....we'll see.

I'm starting my first class towards my M.A. in Theology. I look forward to it and the learning ahead of me.

You can smell autumn in the air here in Wyoming. Changes coming upon the earth, as well as in life.

I am not sure what I think about working full-time. It is my second year doing this. This year is much more difficult due to a student I have in my class who really needs another placement (other than private schools which lack psych support/services) and my struggle trying to get support in doing what this child needs and what needs to be done to enable the other children in the classroom the chance to learn. It is amazing how one student can compromise the integrity of the learning environment for the other students in the class. In the public schools, there are support services in place. Most private schools are not able to handle these children. Depending on what happens over the next couple of weeks, I may need to take a break from teaching after this year. At least teaching in the private school system. Private schools are not the stereotype that people tend to hold. We do not hand pick our students and many private schools are the places that take the children who have failed for one reason or another in the public school system. There are often a few families who do receive special treatment due to name or financial support....this stereotype about private schools is true. Sometimes children make it through the registration process who should not have. Oftentimes children who have parents who can not/will not accept that their child needs special support services and/or the family itself needs some kind of intervention. All of our schools....at least all the public and private schools that I have seen, are not where they should be.

Maybe homeschooling with support groups in place is the best option for many people. But not all.

Our family is really happy with the local public high school. We have three children attending and all are thriving. Some public schools are doing a good job with what they have. There are exceptional teachers out there. Really dedicated people who are working at one of the most difficult jobs with the lowest pay relative to the level of education required of the teacher.

Maybe diversity in education is the answer....just like in life. However it must be celebrated, supported, and embraced. We need to realize that just because we may be different, that does not mean we are in opposition of each other. Working together goes so much farther.

I do also believe one of my own personal challenges in my own life is the dark night of the soul. I may be there.........not easy at all. If not there, then darned close to it. However many have walked this path before me and I can learn from them.

I am still enjoying making soap by hand. Really a wonderful art and science. I also enjoy my new djembe drum, but I don't have the time I need for either of these things. Nor for the time I use to have in my spiritual communion. I miss that most of all from when I was working part-time.

We'll see what the future holds. I wonder if.............

Starting a New Adventure

After waiting a couple of months, I received my acceptance letter in the mail and am getting ready to start my first graduate school class. It has been about 15 years since I completed my Bachelor's degree.....so it's been a while. I'm leaving my undergrad field and am entering a different one. I know this is the path I am to take and while my M.A. will take a bit longer due to some extra courses required of me, it is where I need to be. I am really excited and a bit nervous at the same time.

New school year has started. We have 3 in high school, one grown, and our youngest is in his last years of elementary school. Time flies.

I'm teaching 2nd grade this year. New year....new grade level. My husband moved back into administration this year. I am not sure either of us will stay where we are. I am not 100% convinced teaching is where I will stay and he is not sure administration is where he will stay. Life is exciting and ripe with possibilities, no matter what age we are!!!

Peace.

After over a year of waiting....finally received Sacraments!

These were at a daily Mass on July 6th.

I don't have pictures of everything....but my husband received the following sacraments: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and Marriage. I received: First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage. (I had received Penance on the 27th of June and was baptized in a Christian church as an infant)

Our oldest daughter stood up as "godparent" (what is is usually called since baptisms are usually done earlier in life) for my husband. My husband and I also had our two oldest daughters be our sponsors for confirmation. Really special.


These are from the official recognition and blessing of our marriage. It was wonderful because when we originally were married nearly 18 years ago, it was not a Christian (Trinitarian) ceremony....so this meant so much to us! our youngest son stood up with us.

Here is my husband being baptized!

We are so blessed and it is amazing to all be of the same faith! It has been a long road over the past many years of searching for what we believe to be Truth.

Oh, and attending daily Mass....as one who can receive....is AMAZING!

Peace....

Our daughter and her sweetheart

I must say that our children are growing up. Our younger daughter was allowed to officially date when she became a freshman. There was a young man (really great kid from a great family) who had been waiting and they are now allowed to date. This is one picture from a recent outing. The two of them went hiking up into the lower parts of the mountains. Yes...he is VERY TALL. Our daughter is tall but looks like she is short when she is next to him. We are happy that all of our teaching about standards sunk in with her because she had her own requirements that her prospective-beau had to meet for her to agree to be his girlfriend. All the talking over the years is paying off with our girls...thank goodness they are listening to our advice. I have to say that I wish my parents had been open and honest about relationships and dating and all that. It does make a difference. However, our job only intensifies from this point on.

I have posted many pictures and several blogs in the past couple of weeks. You will not see all of them on this page but will have to go to the older posts page to see them even though they are all very recent.