If I were a drinker instead of a journaler . . .

I'd be sauced.
Today was tough.
Journaling for the past thirty minutes has washed away some pain caused by myopic perspective. Actually, the journaling/reflection changes my perspective and keeps me real.
I went to a Fundraiser tonight for a former student of mine. He has cancer. He's four years older than when I taught him, but unfortunately he probably weighs less now than he did as a 7 yr old. It broke my heart. I held my kids longer tonight at bedtime even though I was looking forward to some quiet think time. I love my girls so much. My heart aches for this cancer fighting family that I saw tonight.
I love the school's support of this boy and his family. The office staff and teachers are incredible. My heart swells with love for the people at this school. They offered so much love and support for me during a time when I was too proud to let family, church and friends know what was happening in my personal life. They didn't ask me if I needed help; they just gave me everything that I needed to help my sick husband, care for my babies and help me feel safe and loved.
Things have been so wonderful in my personal life over the last year. It would be really great to work at this fabulous school again now that I can be one that provides love and service. The school does have openings. I interviewed there last Thursday. I didn't think that I interviewed well and I still haven't been offered anything. I was a bit depressed earlier today. I rarely get depressed. I think my mood was a bit out of whack because my morning run was WAY too short also. It was so rainy AND my girls woke too early so I cut the run short.
I'm really grateful that I got out of that mood with some help from my journal. When I get my thoughts on paper, I can more easily identify the fuzzy thinking and begin to see things as they are (or how they should be).

Photos from Mothers Day and an Island Getaway

We had nothing planned on Mothers Day. I wasn't depressed or anything, but it would be a quiet Sunday. At church though, a neighbor family invited us to have lunch at their house. I teared up at the invitation and was a little embarrassed about my tears. I thought it was so kind of this woman to share her Mothers Day with my little family. After the lunch she presented me with this bouquet and her daughter gave my daughters a manicure and helped them write sweet notes to me.
This zebra pattern was the chosen artwork for tiny nails--they loved it!

THE ISLAND

After a full week of cold rain, we became reacquainted with the sun yesterday. It was beautiful so we went directly to Antelope Island after school.

Emerson the blossoming photojournalist. She is super selective and knows how to use the delete button--a bit hyper critical of her shots.
I love Antelope Island. My girls love it too. I want to go biking without the girls sometime--I would stay for hours.
She took her climbing seriously and went WAY higher than I should have allowed. No falls occurred thankfully.
My little mountain goats love climbing the rock formations.
Lovely isn't it? This is a view from the causeway north of the island. The Oquirrh Mountains are the snow-covered ones beyond the island.