More Blooms Make Me Smile!

The lilies are coming, the lilies are coming! Just have to love them.

EXIT ASSESSMENT and MOVING ON

I am so proud of Katie and Josh! Most of you know that Katie home schooled Josh this school year and he was in first grade. I had the opportunity to get a copy of a public school 1st grade Exit assessment. Katie thought it would be best to have someone other than her to administer the "test". We did it this afternoon. The assessment is six pages of all types of number concepts, i.e. - finish the pattern, skip count by 5's & 10's, add, subtract, number place value, greater and less than values, counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's, adding three numbers, fractions, filling in missing fact families, telling time, congruent shapes, counting money, measuring, and good grief....reading a calendar. I could not believe how long it was and how much was covered. These are all things first graders are expected to learn before going to second grade. This does not even count, phonics, reading, writing, etc. I only checked over it briefly, but I don't believe he left any out or missed any. That is just amazing to me. Katie and Josh deserve a BIG STAR (I am checking clipart to insert). Great work this year and I have no doubt they can forge ahead with next year's work when the school year begins...new baby added, and all! What a young woman you are Katie!

IT'S A GRANDSON!

We had a special family event today for the 2D/4D baby movie (ultrasound). Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa, the boys and their Momma and Daddy were all there. You can see some of the action in the picture below. Craig appears like he is missing the whole thing, but there were three monitors in the room. Heavenly Imaging has a nice big room with sofa and chairs for the event.The boys soon changed to this monitor. The baby did not want to cooperate today, but did so long enough to determine that we are having our 4th grandson. Gracie is our special, one and only grand daughter....sorry Gracie, we thought we might have a girl cousin for you. We were anxious to find out - girl or boy? and thrilled with the baby boy we were able to peek at today. Isn't technology amazing? We are very blessed grandparents and anxious to meet this baby in person. The technician was not satisfied with the pictures today and will allow Katie to return in a few weeks to get a better picture of the baby's face.

See Katie's blog for more details and names the boys thought up---right off the top of their head.

More From the Flower Beds

Beautiful Red Daisies- they look pinkish here.
Lilies are coming out!
My big basket of the original "Hen & Chicks" from Momma

More of School

This is a picture of my supt. He is a nice guy and this is his usual pose, always busy on the phone.


The supt. again with his precious wife Brenda. She is the sweetest young lady.


This shot is of course, roses from my rose garden, and the neatest wall hanging (matches my kitchen perfectly) Brenda gave to me along with a card....it was so sweet. You know you really don't know how much you may mean to someone and how much they mean to you until an event like retirement. Events in life recently have really made me more conscious of friends, co-workers, and family and how quickly life passes by.

I thought you would not be able to read the wall hanging...this is what it says:
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile leaving footprints in our heart and we are never the same.

There are many footprints on my heart from WFS...I pray that I left a few too.

Last Day of School

Yesterday was the last day of school for me and the conclusion of 8 1/2 years as the school nurse. Leaving has been a very difficult decision. It seems like there is every reason to stay....adequate pay, close to home, good hours, and lots of time off. The farewell was very emotional...these folks are like family to me, but as I expressed earlier, it is just time to go. Several are very sad to see me go......there were tears from some of the closest, gifts from many, and cute notes from students. I jokingly said that if I had known they liked me this much, I would have stayed. Below are pictures of some of my friends and co-workers, and some of my little students...always in need and loving every minute of attention. I really will miss them all, but I plan to visit often....at least until I get weaned away. The senior girl shown above was one of my regulars....she was in the 4th grade when I started the job...Time does fly!

Roses, Pots, Shrubs and More

It is cool outside and the roses, shrubs, lillies, and all are just bursting out. I love it! Below is the strawberry pot I mentioned a week or so ago. I got it filled and love it...not bad for a beginner. Of course, one pot would not do me and I found another one to fill with "Hen & Chicks"...at least that is what I know them by. I have several containers filled that originated from my Momma...she has been gone for over five years........I love how beautiful they get in the spring and last until winter, just to return beautiful again the next spring. It is a blessing to have something from her that continues to bring beauty to the yard and a smile to my face. I miss "My Momma"!

Mother's Day Weekend

We spent the weekend in Texas and I enjoyed a special Mother's Day. Gracie was part of the children's choir singing with the adult choir and Gillan the featured soloist. It was very special and I hope at least a segment of the event will be on video to post soon. It was really good!

For some reason the blog entry has a bunch of coding from the pictures and will not allow me to write above or below the pictures. Gillan and Gracie are in the first posted picture followed by Gracie and her Mom Christy; Me and Gracie, followed by Rudy, Christy, Gracie and Gillan.

Amazing Grandkids

I had to get these videos from GodTube on my blog too. Rudy posted them recently and this one has already been viewed over 2000 times with several comments...AMAZING! To be so young and starting guitar lessons such a short time ago, I am TRULY AMAZED. The video of the kids together is a hoot. They were being funny during what was suppose to be a rehearsal and Gracie just stayed with it and never missed a beat...she is a "funny girl", AND talented too.

Hey, if you can't brag on your own grandkids, who can? I know you grandmas understand.

New Grandbaby

Sorry Katie....I had to steal this one for my own blog. I went with Katie today for her first ultrasound ...we were certainly hoping to find out the gender. Much to our disappointment the technican could not confirm the gender. You know, I did not know the gender of either of my babies, but there is just something about being able to know that makes me want to KNOW!! Early in the pregnancy I tried to be objective and bought cute outfits for a girl or a boy. One thing about it.....the baby will have an outfit regardless of the gender. A 4-D ultrasound is in order and we should know after that.....standby for results in the future.

School Nursing

May 7th, 2008, is National School Nurse's Day. Give a nurse a hug!
Speaking of school nurses....for those of you who may not know....I have been a school nurse in a small rural school for 81/2 years. I have chosen to retire this year. Well, not really retire...that sounds like retiring from life. No, quite the contrary. I will always be a nurse at heart. To me nursing is about serving others, something the Lord desires for all of us to do. The school job has been a blessing and I believe to have been a divine appointment, but I now feel the need to move on. It will be interesting to see what is in store for me now. I do plan to spend time with family and catch up with some longtime friends.

I have always considered my spiritual gift to be the gift of comfort and mercy. I have often been drawn to patients during the dying process, so I am thinking I would enjoy giving hospice care. I believe that is in my future, but for now I am going to cherish the time off. I have six days of school remaining.

I recently was invited to be the "Nurse of the Day" at the State Capitol. The day was interesting and educational. My friend, former school principal, and now my state representative invited me. I considered the invitation a priviledge and honor. Thank you Mr. Cannaday!

Strawberries, Vegetables, & Planting

Below is the Strawberry Pot that I found yesterday. I really liked the clay look...glazed pots are also available at Wal-Mart...some weird colors like orange and dark blue and a few more dollars. I think this one will work for me. I am off to see if I can find enough herbs or flowers to fill all nine holes. My two strawberry plants should fit nicely in the top.
Grandpa and I (together) worked the garden....really, I helped till the garden. Son-in-law Craig worked the soil twice for us before this time. We have some really rich soil in this garden spot, but the rocks do surface each time the ground is worked. We think it is rich and ready....now comes the real work. I am always enthusiastic until the extreme heat and humidity hits.

I will try to keep you posted on the progress of the garden and the strawberry pot.

Hopeful Gardening

I have been looking for a Strawberry Pot like my Momma used to have. I found a neat one today and now I am so anxious to fill it. I have two strawberry plants, but the pot has nine holes to fill, plus the top. I have much to say about gardening this year and I will get to it....a piece at a time. I thought it would be neat to share a look at the pot before and wait to see if there is something worth while to share after it is filled. I also want to share a look at our garden spot...tilled again today...then, if the garden produces enough to be noteworthy I will share pictures of the progress. I have been urgently reading gardening blogs this afternoon. I found some neat sites and interesting reading. The only trouble is reading does not get the job done. It takes effort. More insight to come later, maybe tonight.