FaceTime is a beautiful thing

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You and I miss each other a LOT when we don’t get to see each other for a whole day. During the school year, your Dad drops you off at my house in the morning, and I take you to school….

But now, in summer break, he takes you directly to camp. We might have to see about changing that for next week…

Tonight, while I as at Gospel Choir practice, you texted me “FaceTime?” and I said sure!! It was great see and get to talk to you…

But we worth BOTH TOTALLY craving a hug… hopefully tomorrow will come quickly!!IMG_0852

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Your first publication

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Maya (2015). “9th Anniversary! Thanks Ms. Julie!!” School Newspaper.

About a month ago, your teacher sent home an announcement that writers were needed for the final school newspaper. We talked about whether you wanted to write something and you decided on interviewing our neighbor Julie who works in the front office of the school. You drafted interview questions and we chatted about them… then we headed across the street, audio recorder (phone) in hand, questions clipped to a clipboard.

After asking her permission to record, you asked Julie what it was like to work in the front office, what she wanted people to know about her life outside of school and other interesting things like that.

I think you have a future in journalism if you want it Baby Girl!!
Mama

Julie and dogs

Julie Bunny Ears Main Office
Here are pictures and story that were published.

9th Anniversary! Thanks Ms. Julie!

I decided to ask Julie, our neighbor, a few questions, because she works in the front office, and she and the rest of the main office staff provide a lot of the work for all of us at FRES. (Her puppy participated in the interview by sitting next to her. We could hear the panting in the audio recording when we listened later.)

Q: Is it fun working at the main office?
A: Yes, we have a lot of fun, because we all really like each other, and we love FRES!

Q: What is your favorite part of working at FRES?
A: The kids. We have some GREAT KIDS at FRES!

Q: What do you want to change about FRES?
A: I wish the cafetorium was closer to the main office ? (She laughs.)

Q: What do you want people to know about you outside of school?
A: I want them to know about my dog, because she is my best. Friend. Ever. This is my best friend, Nealea. She is a multipom, and she is two years old.

(Authors note: My dog, Jojo, is Nealea’s boyfriend. They play together many times a day!!)

Q: Do you and the people in the office get appreciated a lot?
A: Yes, we do. Mr. Principal, and Ms. Vice Principal are always telling us what a great job we’re doing. And some of the teachers do as well. I have a very nice note at my desk from one of the teachers. She didn’t sign the note, but I know who wrote it. Can you guess? (Ms. C! My teacher!!)

Q: What can we do to make your job more fun?
A: I wish more kids came to visit in the office. I also wish I could get out more often too.

Q: How long have you worked here?
A: Tuesday (the day after Memorial Day) is my 1-year anniversary at FRES!! I worked in Brighton ever since Veronica (her daughter) was in 4th grade… let’s see… six, seven, eight, nine. This is my ninth year working in Brighton.

I hope you enjoyed hearing a bit of my conversation with my neighbor, Julie. Now go share the stories with your friends. Let’s all bombard the main office with our cheerful “Hello’s! and smiles, as Ms. Julie asked us to.
Thank you Ms. Julie (my neighbor) and all your friends in the main office for all you do for FRES!



Father’s Day yesterday

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What a special time to set aside a day to celebrate and honor our Dads together…dads in all the different ways of living that relationship.

Personally, I think about my Dad many times a day. His heart lives in mine. Some of the specific ways I hear him or feel him smile are when I work to be the person I want to be when circumstances are challenging; I can hear him talking to strangers that I’m interacting with (I can hear him demonstrating deep interest as he would say things like, “Is that right?”); I literally hear his chuckle in my ear and “I’m so proud of you” whenever I take on and finish some strange challenge or adventure (e.g. I just finished running my 61st day in a row, and raced one of those days in a sparkly dress – coming in 2nd in my age group). I can hear his stern encouragement regarding working hard and teaching children to do the same; I hear the same stern confidence and committment to respecting one’s parents and others and the need to nurture that. I am eager to open my house and my car and my (whatever)… to those who I have the privilege of helping… a deep–seeded foundation from growing up with Dad and Mom. I thoroughly enjoy my children like Dad thoroughlly enjoyed us… and, because of that, I have become fully aware that liking your children is different from and just as important as loving them. Really enjoying them is so much fun!! And, to close each night, when we go to bed and say prayers, Maya says, “And God, please take really good care of Opa… I miss him. And Oma.. She misses him too.” Just a few of the ways Dad continues to talk with me, teach me, love me and enjoy me.

Jim is an awesome Father too, and it is such a blessing to be his partner in the work he does with our three amazing kids. Jim’s relationships with each of the three is so treasured and important to him. He celebrates their strengths enthusiastically with them and with anyone else who asks. Each kid gets many hugs and I love you’s every single day. Today, he got up early to go to work (ICU attending this weekend) so he could cheer Madey and Maya on at their piano recital. After going for a bike ride with Dan and making us all a yummy dinner, he played board games with Madey and Maya (so I could run). Eager to engage any and all of his family in the more challenging conversations of life, we all benefit from his deep faith and thoughtful ways of navigating life. We are all so blessed by Daddy Jim.

As I think through ALL of the Dads in our family, I am reminded how blessed we ALL are as a family. So many amazingly loving Dads who give so much and care so deeply… who have and continue to shape our lives. Thank you and I love you.

I am continually reminded how very important it is for all of us to support and encourage, love and believe in the fathers around us.

God, thanks for loving us in and through Dads. Hope you all had a great Father’s Day!!

This is the present we gave Dadey Jim – a new phone case with pictures of his favorite little people:

DadeyPhone


In a blues mood… by Melody Bober

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Your piano recital song was “In a Blues Mood.” If I had to guess, I’m guessing your 4th recital? I wish I knew… I guess I could go back and look). I think your first recital was “Deck the Halls” at Christmas time 18 months ago – again I’m not sure about that.

What I DO know, is that you turned an AWESOME corner while working on “In a Blues Mood.” All of a sudden, the piano was yours. It was not something I had to make you practice (except, of course, for scales). You sat and practiced this song at all hours of the day. When it was time to play it for Ms. M for the first time, you could NOT wait… you played it beautifully (not perfectly, but that didn’t matter), and you were SO PROUD of yourself… smiling like I’ve never seen you smile.

Ms. M smiled and had you play it again. She did not even need to praise you because it was clear you already owned how far you’d come in ways that no one outside of you could give you. What an amazing treat to watch!!

That day, Ms. M offered a challenge to you to play the song more jazzed up, and you took it. Yesterday, at the recital, you played the song perfectly. With so much musicality.

Rock Star.
Love you – Mama

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Maya Blues Mood

p.s. I looked up your previous recitals – so fun to look at your growth!!

Click here for your December 2014 recital post Maya Dec 2014 Recital

And here is a picture from June 28, 2014:
June 28 2014

December, 2013: