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I started off May with my new standing desk. I love it!!!
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May 3rd - The day of Women's Conference finally arrived. Steve and I were at the church early to get the breakfast started. My committee was amazing and the women really enjoyed being served by the Stake Presidency. The classes were a hit and ending the day with the musical portion was the absolute right choice. The theme for the day was "Expect Miracles". Just as we were cleaning up and packing up the cars, a woman approached us and told us her story. She had just left an abusive relationship that morning and she didn't know where to go. She felt drawn to our building. We loaded her up with water and breakfast bars. Rebekah and Nancy got online and helped her find a bed in a women's shelter. The shelter even arranged for a policeman to come and take her safely there. It was a miracle and the perfect way to end the conference.
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| The centerpieces |
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| All the tables looked beautiful. It really created the mood for the day. |
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| After breakfast, Rebekah gave a key note address to set up the day. |
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| We collected items for one of the local women's shelters. |
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| We set up snack for anyone who may be hungry throughout the morning. |
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| The musical portion of the program. |
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| Kaleen is such a good model for the photo area. |
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We asked several sisters in the stake to sing songs that helped with feel miracles in their lives.
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After the Women's Conference I hurried home and changed so we could go straight to a Hunter and Natasha's wedding. Hunter was one of Steve's scouts. It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun evening. It was fun to see one of my favorite students there are well. The best part was seeing Hunter so happy.
May 4th - we woke up to find a nail in Val's tire. Thank goodness it was quickly fixed and Val was able to carry on with her day which included moving Val's room around. She has been having a hard time sleeping because her room is too warm. Steve mentioned that the computers and electronics may be making it hotter and there was a lot of stuff in a small room which would decrease the circulation of air.. Val is renting Nick's room for a minimal amount and we turned it into her office. All her electronic equipment and supplies are now in her new office and her room is MUCH more organized and relaxed. She said it was a lot easier to sleep as well. Win-Win!!
May 5th - Avian is selling another piece to SCAD. They want her third place piece. I can see why. It is one of my favorites as well.
May 5th - 8th was teacher appreciation week. Our PTO spoils us and this week was one of the best weeks they have ever planned for us. The theme for the week was "Together We're Unlimited". Everything was centered around Wicked. They joined us in the mornings for carpool in full costumes and danced around while helping the kids unload for the day. We had lunches and dancing and treats, and a spa experience all week long.
May 9th - I got to go grocery shopping for the first time in WEEKS for our family now that women's conference is over. It was nice to shop for food we wanted to eat. The other really fun thing about the day was it was the senior walk. Ms. Pandya, the Teacher of the Year, led all the seniors in the parade around the school. I loved seeing all the students in their graduation attire. I can't believe they are already graduating.
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| Ms. Pandya leading the group while we all lined the halls and cheered. |
May 10th - We had another of Steve's scout's weddings. Ezra and Aryana as so good together. Thye really complete each other. I know that sounds cheezy, but it is completely true. I have never seen Ezra so laid back and peaceful. Avian texted to tell us that SCAD was under a tornado warning, but not to worry. They played D&D the whole time.
May 11th - I go to speak in church on Mother's Day. It was a good experience really looking into how I partner with Christ as a mother. I got several complements on my talk and one lady wanted to talk about how to be a good mother to her LGBTQ babies. The boys fixed dinner and showered me with flowers - roses, and a clematis and hydrangea plant. Here is a link to my talk.
Copy of talk here.
From late on May 11th to the 13th is rained nonstop. The yard was very soggy afterwards.
May 16th Steve and I attended a farewell concert for Kev and Jo at The Cove Church. They are going to South Africa to start a mission for 12-18 year olds. They want to empower the youth to help transform their community. It was a beautiful night of song and testimony.
May 17th was the Highland Creek garage sale. Steve and Val went. They found a few good things as they always do. Steve then went to help clear trees at McOwen's. I walked with Sandra. We got lost a little bit, but found a really nice new trail and got in a few extra steps. While we were walking I heard a man's voice asking what the emergency was. I thought maybe it was someone's television but then realized I somehow activated the 911 feature on my phone while walking.
Nick called to excitedly tell us he had bought new bike - the bike of his dreams. Val continued to organize her office. Steve and I went to Dr. Kendrick's and Mr. McKay's retirement party. They had been planning this for years!!! It was fun to see everyone and celebrate their amazing careers teaching math.
MAY 23 - THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!! We have a new kayak addition to the family. Steve sold his fishing kayak and got one that is lighter, like mine. We now have Kiki and Kojak the Kayaks. Steve is fixing his arrows. They needed new feathers. He watched a couple of videos and is really enjoying the process.
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| I am getting a new office mate - the ESL specialist is moving in with me and she has A LOT of stuff. We will make it work. |
May 24th - I am fitting a lot of walks in with Sandra before she heads to Florida for the summer. She is a lot of fun to talk with. Steve mowed the lawn and then we went to Lowes to find a solution for planting the clematis is good soil. We decided on a decorative pot that we will partially bury so we will have enough soil for the clematis to thrive. We had to come up with something because the foundation pouring comes out so far we couldn't plant it near the house where it will be protected. We also bought an outdoor griddle and had time to rebuild the firepit.
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| It is a start at getting everything put back together. |
May 26th - Memorial Day I did a little weeding in the iris and Steve did some woodworking in the garage. Nick came up so we could take Kojak on his maiden voyage. We had a blast and ended up kayaking 8 km all over Mountain Island Lake. The weather was overcast so there were no other boats on the lake. It was perfect. Afterwards we went to the Cowan's Ford Bird Refuge so Nick could reminisce about his days on the cross country team. It was beautiful. I had never been there before.
That evening Steve and I went to pick up a joint planer that he found on Facebook. The gentleman had an entire garage for his shop and it was fascinating to see his set up. I can see why Steve would like to have a dedicated space. We were both exhausted at the end of the day.
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| Nick is fun to kayak with because he really likes to explore. |
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| The view from the deck at Cowan's Ford Bird Refuge. |
May 27th - we got the news that Sharron, Steve's mom, had had a stroked. She was in the hospital and doing well.
May 28th - I got to spend the morning and afternoon helping with the LNC graduation. We set up signs and made sure all seats were in place for the ceremony. All the teachers wore Hawaiian shirts to honor Mr. McKay who was the student-voted keynote speaker. I sat in the dugout with the other teachers and stood in the teacher tunnel for all the graduates leaving the field. I ran up afterwards and helped hand out diplomas. One last time to see these amazing kids before they head off in the world.
Avian was in the heat of finals week otherwise they would have been there to see their friends graduate.
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| Avian's bestie, Rose, getting her diploma |
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| She did it!! |
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| Afterwards I stopped at a little soda shoppe I had passed multiple times on my way to |
various church activities. They had the BEST fried pickles. Definitely bringing Steve back here.
May 29th Steve drove me to work as he was going to pick me up after my meetings and we were heading straight to Savannah to bring Avian home for the summer. I was so excited and focused on packing for the weekend that I forgot my computer at home and Steve had to turn right around and come back to bring it to me. Coming back out to meet Steve, I scared a squirrel in the garbage can. It made me jump and then I had to laugh.
After a very productive meeting getting things set for next year with each grade coming up with plans for helping students, Steve picked me up and we headed to Savannah. We drove through a HUGE hail storm. It was so bad that we had to pull over and wait it out. We eventually arrived in Savannah and found our hotel - The MacMillan Inn A-MA-ZING and only two blocks from Avian's dorm. We were able to leave the truck parked at the Inn and walk everywhere we needed to go.
We got checked in and walked around until Avian finished their last final. We picked them up and went to dinner at a little Thai place on Broughton. It was really yummy. Afterwards we went back to Avian's dorm and helped them get things packed up. We headed back to the inn pretty late because we had to wait until a huge rainstorm passed.
May 30th Steve and I took a walk in the morning. I had not been to the other end of Forsythe Park so we walked around and then met Avian to get a load or two to the truck before heading to breakfast at the Inn. We didn't even have to move the truck from the inn. That is how close we were. Avian joined us for breakfast which was homemade biscuits and gravy, fruit and a berry cobbler. So YUMMY!! Afterwards we went back to finish the last load. The RA checked Avian out and that was it. Year one done! One last stop at Starlandia and then we headed home. We stopped in Columbia for lunch and decided, since we were so close, we would stop in at Deseret Book to get some more garment tops for Steve. Sister Millet, from the Reedy Creek ward, was working there.
When we finally got home, we had french dip sandwiches for dinner. I think that is going to be a tradition as it is what Avian has requested for the first meal at home each time they have had a break from school. There was also a trip to Sipco for a drink.
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| We found this cute little car while walking around in Savannah. |
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| Everything is packed up and we are ready to head out. |
May 31st we all slept in until 8:30. Avian and I went grocery shopping to get meals for the week. It was nice having a helper again. Back at home I helped Steve pull out another dead azalea and we planted the hydrangea as well as transplanted some iris. Steve got another bike hanger put up in the garage so we could hang Nick's new bike.
Avian's art projects for the quarter
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| An orchid mantis and coyote |
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