So Inspired

Last night was our 8th grade semi-formal dance.  It was an awesome event with so many parents putting on a great event for their kids.  I just got to sit back and watch as it unfolded.  Many of the kids told me it was the best dance ever!  I will really miss this group of 8th graders as they graduate and I send them on to high school next year.  It is so rewarding as a public school administrator to see all different kids with different back grounds navigate through middle school with grace and elegance.  Oh don't get me wrong, there were some bumps and bruises along the way, but they got through them. I am proud of each and everyone of them and know that we have prepared them well.  There is a great quote my principal always uses in graduation:


“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I wish this class well and God speed!

This is from the dance last night- Crazy Teachers!

  Another inspiring event that happened this year was to one of our teachers- Mr. Teal- He was chosen as not just the school's teacher of the year, but also Round Rock ISD secondary teacher of the year.  We are all so proud of him and the difference he makes each day to the lives of our students. This is for you Mr. Teal- you make a difference to each and everyone of us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlp7UvLvqXI

My Principal Ms. Sonya Hayes and Mr. Stephen Teal , RRISD Secondary Principal of the Year

Surprising moment at the teacher of the year banquet!

For all my teacher friends out there- this is for you.  Have a great and restful summer and know that you all make a difference. Watch it all the way, excuse the language but- you will love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU

Count Your Blessings, Bella

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Dreaming and Graduating

Around this time of year, I find myself totally inspired by the students and faculty I work with and by my own kids.  Let's start with Abbey Christine- She graduated yesterday from The University of Texas.  This is our third graduation event at that magnificent college in three years.  Brooke got her BS in Education, Abbey her BS in Social Work and now after an intense year long graduate program her MSSW in one year! Her daddy and I could not be prouder.  We had a great lunch with Justin's family Sasha and Juan, then off to the graduation.

I always feel so inspired after listening to the Deans talk about their colleges.  The new Dean at the college of Social work had an excellent quote:

"In dreams begins responsibility" William Butler Yeats

Wow- this one just hit me like a ton of bricks- I had never thought of dreaming that way.  If we do not act on our dreams responsibly, how does the world ever change for the better.  Isn't that why I got into education ...Hmmm.


 I do have three girls working to change the world for the better: Luci with her counseling degree, Brooke with Education, and Abbey with Social Work.  All three will be on hiatus from work outside the home as they care for their children, but I know they make a difference in the lives of their own children and friends. I am very proud of them and hope they are living out their dreams.

Brooke's Graduation

Luci's Graduation

Abbey's Graduation

So where in dreams does the responsibility begin.  I would say acting on your dreams and carrying out your dreams.  I have some dreams that I need to pay attention to.   Do you????

Count Your Blessings, Bella

PROM

Connor had prom on Saturday.  His beautiful date is Ana- his girlfriend.  This is her senior prom so he wanted to make it special.  He wore a purple suit, ordered special purple flowers, took her to her favorite restaurant, and had a great time.  Connor's biggest dilemma though was how to handle pre- prom photographs with his family as his sisters were all in town and a  wedding shower was going on at his house, while he was getting dressed.  He made his momma proud and came down to show off his tux.  I have to say he is a good looking kid.  All the girls ooh and awed over him.  He then had invited Ana's family over here to take pictures as he thought that would be easiest.  So we had to take the end of the shower to Starbucks, then start the pictures.  It all went beautifully.  Here are the photos:

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Abbey's Getting Married!

Brooke and Luci gave a shower for Abbey on Saturday.afternoon. It was a delightful day.  For those of you that don't know yet- Abbey is getting married!  We are having a very small wedding and she and her beloved Justin will exchange vows Sunday night, June 10, 2012 in  Austin.  Please keep this happy couple in your prayers as they prepare for their upcoming wedding.  Abbey will have just graduated with her Masters in Social Work and Justin is a manager at Helping Hands- an treatment center for kids with emotional disturbances.  Here are some pictures from  the shower.

It was Prom weekend also!

Dallas and Rain

Kirk, Connor and I went to Dallas the last weekend in April to see Jeremy, Luci, Finley, and Carter.  We met for lunch, then went to Northpark Mall to shop and play.  I so miss Dallas and my family there.  Jeremy has surprised me and bought season tickets to the Dallas Summer Musicals.  Our first one was RAIN and was it interesting.  RAIN is a musical about the Beatles.  It is actually a cover band playing Beatles music.  I loved it- Jeremy did not, but put up with it for me. I sang along with most of the songs, he did not.  I did change places with him at intermission as the lady next to him was totally reliving her Beatle's days- minus the drugs- bless my sweet boy for putting up with it all just to make his momma happy!  That night we took the babies to my parents and spent the night out there so Luci and Jeremy could have night with out the kids. It was an awesome weekend and I am always so thankful for Luci and Jeremy bringing the kids to Dallas.  Here are the pictures:

Finley singing " I'm a Little Turtle " to the turtles in the pond- so adorable

Carter loving the turtles

and ice cream

Momma to be ( # 3 in October )and daddy are tired

At church with my parents

“Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.”

The Beatles

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Five Girls and a Little Guy- Sea World

Well five of us set out on Friday morning to take the Hudson to Sea World.  Chris (GeeGee), Brooke, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Abbey and Bella all had a blast of a day watching every reaction Hudson had to anything.  We saw and fed Dolphins, saw Shamu, Sharks, and Seal Lions.  It was hot but not very crowded. Hudson's favorite part of the day was the little kids water play area.  Here are some snapshots of the day:

Hudson's favorite area!

It took all of us to get the right picture.

Little guy is tired.

Favorite way to see Sea World!

Feeding the Dolphins.

Beautiful Animals

Bella even got into it- so fun

Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

Albert Einstein

Count Your Blessings!  Bella