Real Life

So, I mentioned that I would be back to tell about the new cat. Well, I wish the story was better, but it isn't. So, in an effort to keep things as real as I can on ye ole blog, here goes.

We saw the cat at my dad's house in Virginia Beach last week. She hung around and we decided that my sister-in-law could bring her to us if the cat stayed around my dad's during the time we were gone (and if no one claimed her/put out signs for her). So, we picked her up from my SIL when we dropped off my niece on Sunday. We thought the cat was under a year old and we took her for a vet appointment on Monday morning.

Once at the vet's office we found out she was an approximately eight year old cat with lots of medical issues. To make a long story short, we chose to take her to a cat rescue place. It was sad and difficult to make this decision. The girls cried and we were all sad. Another life lesson for our family. Seems like we have had our fair share of life lessons over the past few years. We should be very well educated in this thing called life.

Today the girls and I practiced a little art therapy at the pottery painting place. I think it did us all some good.

EAT

This is the view I have out the back window. That blue color is the pool water and I love being able to do dishes and see the water at the same time. 


I got the letters from Pottery Barn a month ago. I had been admiring these for awhile and then they went on sale and I bought them. I really had plans to put them on a wall in my kitchen but they were too big (I was bummed when I realized this...the catalogs dimensions and the actual size of the letters are different). I decided to give them a try in the window and I really like the way it turned out.

This is the image I see of them on the other wall. I loved this and decided that all things happen for a reason. 

Cousin Time

On our return trip to NC last week, we brought along our niece, Sofia. She is 16 and lives a pretty happenin' life in Virginia Beach so I am thinking the slow pace of life here in the country might have been a real change for her. The girls loved having her here with us. 

Mom and Jesus

This was a song the girls liked from a Vacation Bible School class a couple of years ago. We were listening to it this morning on Lily's iPod and the end of the song made me think of my mom. 


It made me hopeful that she is laughing with Jesus and safe and able to see all that we do. 


Over the last few weeks she has been so much a part of my thoughts. I wish she could have seen Eric on stage on his graduation day. I wish she could have been with us in Woodbridge for Kyle's graduation. I wish she could have watched Shelly in her sky blue dress receiving her Kindergarten diploma. 


But, I will continue to pray each day that she can see all that we do and that she knows how much she is loved and missed.

edited to add: I had a dream about my mom last night and that felt like heaven.

The Beach

Our trip to Virginia Beach was terrific. We always love being with our family when we're there. And our little family of four spent the day at the beach on 8th street. That's something we rarely do when we're in VB. The girls loved the ocean, the beach, and the boardwalk. It was so fun. We also got a chance to eat at our favorite local restaurant...Bubba's.

After dinner we headed to the beach for an evening walk. We took pictures by the Duck In gazebo, we saw crab shells, and a huge jellyfish. We put our toes in the water and walked to the bridge.

A perfect trip.

Graduation #4

The fourth graduation ceremony was conducted on the 19th of June in Virginia Beach. Our nephew, Erik, graduated from First Colonial High School with honors. It was another happy celebration with family.

My sister-in-law had a party for Erik, his friends, and his family a few days before. Everyone had a great time.

And with this the fourth graduation under my belt, it concludes the 2010 graduation extravaganza! And we made it. I attended all four graduations and covered over 1500 miles in 15 days!!! Great job to all of the graduates and best of luck for a future filled with happiness and success.

Graduation Day #3

Tuesday, June 15th was a big day around here. It marked the graduation of our sweet little Kindergarten student, Shelly Lin. She happily walked up to shake the Principal's hand when her name was called and sat perfectly during the entire ceremony. An added bonus to the whole thing was that my dad, my sister, and my niece were all there for the festivities.

It was a special day. And now she is moving on to 1st grade. So hard to believe.

Lily completed her 4th grade year with a bang. She received many accolades during the awards assembly and she said goodbye to her sweet teacher, Miss Bullard (now Mrs. Reid).

It was a great school year for both girls.

A Great Dad

photo taken in April of 1996

Happy Father's Day to my pop!!! Thanks for always being there for me. You are the best and I love you so much, dad. So happy to spend the day with you.

Another Graduate

Last Friday we celebrated another graduation in our family. My nephew, Kyle, graduated from high school and I was there along with my dad and my sisters to see him receive his diploma. Exciting!!!

 I traveled to Northern Virginia on Friday morning and came home on Saturday afternoon. I needed to get home quickly because my niece, my sister, and my dad were on their way to NC for a visit. Because...we were gearing up for a third graduation. This one was of the Kindergarten kind! And the pictures of that big event will be coming soon. Right now, I'm getting ready to attend the fourth and final graduation of the season. That will make 4 graduations in 15 days!!! Awesome new horizons for all of the graduates.

Winding Down

The school year is winding down...finally!!! I know most schools seem to be done, but we are busy making up snow days from the winter. I just want to go on record and say that those people who wish for snow in the winter and then get their wish granted annoy me!!! I don't want to spend my days off in the cold and gray snow days. I want to be outside enjoying the sunshine in 80 degree weather in JUNE. So, stop doing those snow dances in the middle of January!
Anyway...I am preparing the teacher gifts and took a few pictures of some that I have put together. The ladies in the office and the principal received these candy bags:

The specialist teachers (PE, Art, Music, etc.) will get these little bags with a key chain and some candy:

I am still preparing the main teacher gifts.

Today was Shelly's Kindergarten awards assembly. She was voted the Fashionista award for her style of dress and attention to detail with her school work.