The past few weeks have been brimming with activity.
I took 6 credit hours so that I can be ready for an experience and educational increment raise in the fall! Woohoo! That sure will be exciting considering our pay has been frozen for 5 years due to budget cuts in our state.
I took an enormous leap of faith and finally opened up my TeachersPayTeachers store.I am excited, hopeful, nervous and scared all at the same. I have been praying about what to do, and have taken some steps that are way out of my comfort zone, but I trust that Jesus will "have my back!" Even if I am able to help other teachers with just my free products, I'm okay with that. Do I want to help offset the cost of school for Ema and Caleb? Of course! So selling the products would be such a blessing, too. But over the last couple of months, I am realizing that this will be a venue for me to be able to share what I've learned over the years with less experienced teachers that may be looking for ideas to use in their classrooms. That would be an even bigger blessing. Whatever God's plans are for the site, I am leaving them in His ever-so-capable hands. I've had enough experiences in life to know that it really is not my job to question, but to sit back and watch what He does. I have witnessed some pretty incredible things, and I am so grateful that He has opened my eyes and my heart to see them.
The kids and I took a trip to see Grandpa Buick and Cheryl. They were fabulous hosts--as always.
We love hanging out down there and relaxing with our family. This time around we were able to see all of our family. That was such a gift for me. It's been a couple of years since I've seen my brothers and I was so glad to reconnect.
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| My eldest brother--Jaymes |
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| My older brother Tom and our cousin Robin. |
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Tom and I with Matthew and Emaleigh. Joshua was at work and Caleb was golfing with Grandpa.
Oh how I miss his goofiness! |
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| Oh my...the kids are sure growing up. Caleb, Emaleigh, Matthew, Grandpa Buick, Dylan and Joshua |
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| Matthew, Mika and Joshua |
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| Aminta, Jaymes and Dylan |
Here are a few highlights from the trip.
Caleb's view as we approached Tampa.
Much of our time was spent riding in the cart, riding the bikes or hanging out at the pool. So relaxing. Just what I needed to stop my school brain from continuing to work.
A trip to the Mote Marine Aquarium.
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| A selfie with the boys! |
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| Craziest seahorse we've ever seen. Those "branches" are a part of its body. |
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| Always fun to touch the stingrays! |
Beach Days
Lunch at the absolute cutest hotdog stand I've ever been seen! And then some bowling with the kids. Lots of fun...
A day at the Ringling Brother's Circus museum. An experience I will always remember with fondness. Thanks Cheryl!
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| These three caught hold of this magnetic word display and decided to create the longest sentence ever! |
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| The largest miniature circus I've ever seen. Pretty awesome. So many details to look at. You could stay for days. Unless you have two teenage boys with the attention span of two toddler boys!! |
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| These two photobombing this little girl's photo! (Accident, of course, but so funny!) |
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We went to a circus performance during out visit. The ringmaster was just 16 years old, and one of the performers was Dolly Jacobs. The daughter of Lou Jacobs, one of the most famous Ringling Brother's Clowns.
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| Caleb--hanging out in Lou Jacobs circus car. |
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| Ema has always had a fascination for horses. I wonder if she'll venture off and join the circus to ride them while standing up?!! |
Our trip was fantastic, as always. While we wish we lived closer and could spend more time together, these trips are very special. The memories we make each time are held very close in our hearts.
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| Goodbye Florida Family. We will miss you. Until Next time! |
