Summer Vacation...

It's hard to believe that the long anticipated trip back home to Illinois is already over, but we had to shorten it a bit because Larry had just gotten word the night before we left that he did get the job with Ricos in Dallas. So even though it was only two weeks, we packed a lot into the time that we had! I'm not going to mention each thing we did, but they all involved our kids and our grandkids...and that's what makes our time there so special!

Since there are so many people to see and spend time with, I always treasure the moments with my mom. I'm so glad she's happy where she is and with all the friends she has there. This picture was taken at the Ice Cream Social at Wesley Willows...it was beautifully done!

Some of my best times up north are with my good friends Laurie and Vicki. We take the day and shop and laugh and eat and just celebrate being together. They took the opportunity to celebrate my upcoming birthday...I love my friends!

The last night of our trip was spent doing something that has become a bit of a tradition each year. Everyone joins us in Janesville for dinner and a trip to the park. This year we ate at "Noodles and Co." ...mmm! I don't think the grandkids realize that what this special night means...that we won't see them for another six months, but I for one have never liked goodbyes, so for me it just "until next time..."!

Mother's Day...

It's Mother's Day afternoon and it seems kind of strange to be doing nothing today, but it hasn't really been bad because we celebrated with Shelley last night. She and Josh and Ashley came over for a barbeque...ribs and chicken, mmm! Then we watched "The Blind Side", which believe it or not, she hadn't seen yet. Stacey had sent a handmade card and basket filled with Dove chocolates and Shelley gave me a precious Willow Tree collectable that represents her...I love everything. Then when I woke up this morning, Shannon had emailed me a special Mother's Day song...I'm so thankful God blessed me with three daughters!

Since Larry's been out of work, weekends seem to be the hardest for him. After sending out emails all week and not hearing anything back, he's going stir crazy! So last Saturday morning I packed a lunch and we headed north for a nice drive in the hill country. We found a (free) living history farm that was still a working farm...really interesting and made us both wish we still lived in those times in spite of the hard work it would have required.

Before heading home, we even stopped for a picnic at the park by LBJ's home...it was a very relaxing day and helped to get Larry's mind off his situation.

The end of the school year is approaching very quickly. These last few weeks are filled with activities that both the kids and I enjoy, like the rock painting I do with fifth grade. I read a book called "Everybody Needs a rock" and then the students make memory rocks to remember their time at Encino Park. They did a great job!

Catching Up...

Well, Springtime has arrived in San Antonio, but this year, much like the year we moved here, we've had some torential rain storms. I feel like the weather has been reacting to my mood...kind of sad since we're in such limbo waiting to find what God has in store for us in the way of a job for Larry. Each morning I wake up praying..."God, is this the day you're going to reveal your plan?" but as each day passes. I get a bit more discouraged. Thank heavens I have my escape through my job at school. Larry isn't so lucky. The funny thing is, he's never taken much time off, but now we don't have the money to do the things we've always talked of doing.

Just thought I'd include some pictures that have been taken recently in my classroom...lots of exciting "Art Adventures" taking place!

"Fiesta" kicks off this week here in San Antonio and we begin two weeks of celebrating! Friday, we began with the students participating in a parade with floats they had created at home with their families and then we ended the day with classroom parties...it was an exciting day at Encino Park!

Tonight was the final performance of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr" presented by Encino Park Music Dept. I helped throughout dress rehearsals and the closer it got, the more I was amazed by our incredible students...this wasn't just the typical school musical, it was a perfomance they've been working on for a year!

Shelley offered to assist backstage the final night and although I was too busy to see much of her, it was fun just knowing she was there...that is definately one of her God given gifts!

Long Awaited Visit...

Spring break arrived with Larry and I preparing to have Shannon, Josh, Lydia, Joshua and Stacey fly down for a ten day vacation. We hadn't seen the grandkids since last summer due to my back surgery in December, so I could hardly wait! Even though Shannon does a great job of keeping up her blog so I can see what the kids are up to, there's nothing like one on one hugs and cuddle time in person! I couldn't wait for bathtime and bedtime that first night...my favorite time of the day!

We definately had LOTS of free play time...I love toys and I think the grandkids appreciate that fact! We also had a neighbor girl who loaned us her bike for the week and Lydia had a great time riding it to the park each evening.

Originally we had planned several outings to do while the kids were here, but when Larry lost his job that all changed. The good thing was that the kids were just as happy "park-hopping", which we did a lot of. They're at that age where they're really easy to keep happy!

I think for me one of the hardest things about living in Texas is missing holiday with the kids, so I cheated just a bit and had an egg hunt on St. Patricks Day! The kids didn't mind a bit and it gave me my Easter fix.

Little things like working in the yard became big adventures with the grandkids along side for the "ride"...

We're hoping and praying that wherever God takes us next will give us more opportunities for sharing in the lives of all our kids!

Rollercoaster Ride!

Life these days seems to be one big rollercoaster ride...up some days and speeding downhill the next. Last week began a really scary ride...

It all began when I came home from school one afternoon to find Larry home before me. He explained that an employee had made a complaint and they had suspended him until an investigation could be made. He told me the employee had been moved to his plant after having trouble conforming at another plant. When he also refused to follow instructions at the snack plant, Larry went in to tell him he had to do as asked and the guy pushed him and blocked the door. Larry lost his temper and fired him and didn't think any more about it until he was told he was being suspended. We thought it was just routine until Larry's boss called him in 36 hours later and fired him, supposedly for losing his temper. We were totally crushed...both of us!

So now we're looking at yet another move...

The owner of Vitner's (the plant he worked at up north) flew down to make him an offer, as well as a couple of other plants in Phoenix and Dallas that seem to want him. I'm voting for heading north to be with family again, but I'm trying to be patient as Larry explores his options.

Meanwhile, we've been busy with the new Oak Hills Church plant. Last Sunday we had our final service in the temporary building and then all headed over to bless the new building. We were all given markers to write on the floor before the carpet was put down.

Then this morning, we had our first service in the new building...wow, what a blessing to see all God has done in the last six months, not only with the building, but with relationships. He has totally bound our hearts together!

February Fun...

February is " Rodeo Time" here in San Antonio and we got tickets to the first weekend so we could see Tim McGraw perform. Shelley is a HUGE fan of his and of course wanted to be included...it was so much fun for me to watch her that I could hardly enjoy him! Anyway, it's getting to be one of my favorite parts of living here in "Cowboy Country". One of my favorite parts of the rodeo is when the three thru five year olds compete to see who can ride a sheep for the longest...they are so competitive that most don't even cry when they fall off and there are cowboys that are there immediately to comfort them. The other part I love is when the teenagers all compete to catch a calf...by running after them...it's hysterical!

Early spring is when we have our annual dance for grades three thru five and this years theme was a fifties theme...as you can see everyone dressed the part! Both our music teachers are darling and the families went all out with the kids costumes as well...it was a fun night for all.

Since today was Valentines Day, we had a special lesson in Sunday School and then the kids decorated cupcakes...it gave me my "kid fix" for the day! Larry and I then took off for Gruene for the day...the weather was beautiful and we enjoyed our dinner at Gristmill and wandering through the antiques for the afternoon. I didn't want Emma to feel left out so I got her a collar and shirt which only lasted a short time...she was so depressed (or humiliated) that I took it off after the picture!