Day 97 # Year31

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Day 95 #Year31

It's not easy being a teen.

It's not easy being a parent to a teen.

Had to take a time out today to get some things done for him...

And me.

Day 94 #Year31

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Day 90 #Year31

I love and admire K so much.

She is such a gentle and kind person.

Always patient.

Willing to lend a hand.

Giving and caring of others.

She is such a good friend to S.

All my kids are... most of the time.

They complain about her,

But they also root for her successes.

It isn't easy to be around her sometimes,

But they take care of their own.

She's ours.

Because it Matters

This past Saturday was the Women's March LA.

#2018

I took the boys last year to the first one with my friend Toni and her daughter Nitse. (#2017)

This year Daniel was grounded.
But Bryce went with me.

As we walked towards City Hall,

Bryce asked-

"Why isn't there a Men's March?"

Then he answered himself-

"Oh, right, Men rule the world."

I would like to say he is wrong,

But in many ways he is not.

But I truly believe

That we can change that.

And so do others....

Someday.

I have two boys I need to educate as they become men.

It was such a beautiful day that I decided we needed to explore our city more.

I have been working on leveling text for a small museum near Olvera Street.

The text would be used for exhibits for K-2 children.

I had to stop by and check out the progress... #comingsoon

You can't visit Olvera Street without stopping for Mexican candy...

or at least I can't!

Saturday evening was full of surprises!

My birthday was Wednesday.

I had not checked my email since then.

Maybe I should check more often!

#formerstudentssurprises #selfcare

Another interesting email...

Yes! It was me!
32 years later!
Small world!

Day 89 #Year31

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Day 87 #Year31

We celebrated my birthday today.

I baked cupcakes and made buttercream frosting.

Add some sprinkles and decorations too,

And you get something like this...

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Day 82 #Year31

Another rainy day...

and more lovely portraits from Kailee.

One for each of her teachers!

Day 81 #Year31

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN 2018

I spent New Year's Eve admiring the amazing floats of the Tournament of Roses Parade on Orange Grove Blvd. I was there when the clock struck midnight. It was something I had always wanted to do but didn't feel confident to try with my unpredictable boys on my own.  As luck would have it, Chaz and his mother Colette was there to join us on one of our late night family adventures.  Even though we haven't seen then often in the past years, Chaz and the Foster-Groves family have always been a part of our village.

Chaz was in my first grade class when I helped open Alexander Science Center School in 2004.  Daniel spent much of his first several years with me wearing Chaz's bright (orange, chartreuse... you get the picture) colored hand me down outfits. When I was desperately looking for elastic uniform pants for Daniel to wear in middle school, Colette gifted me with all of Chaz's old ones. Now Bryce is wearing those same pants.

As a primary school teacher, it takes awhile to see your students become adults. Luckily, I have been able to keep in touch or reconnect with many of mine (#ThankyouFaceBook). I have had the honor of being invited to witness accomplishments and celebrate milestones in their lives.

During a conversation with my nephew on the way to Joshua Tree late Thursday night, I told him I was going to have breakfast with one of my former first graders on Friday. He replied, "That is so strange. I don't even know where my first grade teacher is."
Luckily, my students do! #2023

The theme of the Tournament of Roses Parade this year was.... 
MAKING A DIFFERENCE. 

People say that teachers make a difference in the lives of their students,

But teachers know that students are the ones that make a difference in our lives.

I'm a lucky girl!

It's a new year.
I am going to make some goals.
I am going to try to do the best I can to keep them in sight.
I know that I am human.
I know that nothing is as important as your health and spending time with people you love.
I am thinking of a dear friend that is fighting for those exact things that we take for granted.
I won't take being healthy and having family and friends for granted.

Goals in no particular order or importance:

• I will help my big boy become more independent this year. (No matter how hard it is on him or me.)

• I will continue to Zumba, hike, and eat more healthy as I try to move closer to the weight that is printed on my driver's license and not feel like I lied to the man at the DMV when I said, "Yes everything is the same."

• I will be more patient and "hold my tongue." (That's Bryce's goal too. We are working on this one together.)

• I will be find something to be grateful for each and everyday.

DAY 1/365

I am grateful to have a family.
We are not perfect, but we love each other.
We don't see each other often, but we have What'sUp.
I am lucky to have them.