Summer Haircut

We had a great day today. I got up to go to my Jazzercize class this morning while Ian took Maggie to get a summer haircut. She has been begging to get a shorter cut and I told her when school ended...I knew I was going to miss her cute braids! Nevertheless, it's a good haircut! We drove out to Katy Mills Mall and saw Nim's Island, had lunch, and looked around the stores. It's rare for us to really spend a full day together unless we are out of town...our lives get so busy. It was nice.

Cucumbers

My cucumber vines are doing great...too many for our tiny family to eat.

It's time to share the wealth!

Love Thursday

Tough day today. It's was the last day of school. Thank goodness I have a massage later. Maggie handed this heart shaped rock to me the other day...I don't know how she does it. I'm convinced they are messages from God! Love is everywhere!

Safety Patrol

According to 3rd graders, being a safety patrol is big business. I knew. I still remember as if it were yesterday...the excitement I felt holding the plastic flag pole as I guided students safely across the street. Everyone walked to school then (remember that?) and I felt so proud. Maggie finished her 2 weeks of training and got a certificate today telling her she made it to the next level. She is excited about 4th grade next year...she can't wait to hold that silver badge in her hand!

Birthday Cookies

The birthday celebrations seem to be continuing all month! Maggie brought cookies to her classmates for a treat today...delicious looking, huh? Don't be fooled, I bought them! I was just too tired to make cupcakes! Maggie didn't seem to mind and felt bad that I have been so worn out lately. She just makes my heart sing.

Reading Rocks

I LOVE that Maggie loves reading. It is one of my own passions and am pleased as punch that it is one of hers, too. She got many good books for her birthday and is having trouble deciding what to read first. She is going to get a head start reading the Bluebonnet Award Books this summer while I teach summer school. What a life!

Sacred Sunday

Maggie has been in church choir at our church, Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church for 5 years. She loves to sing and loves Mrs. Courtney. We are blessed to have a solid foundation at a church that feels like home. Praise God.

Happy Birthday, Mags

Where does the time go? My Maggie turned 9 today!

Maggie woke up this morning so excited...wanting to open birthday presents! A common theme seemed to be elephants...she has a passion for elephants. Later, we went to one of her best friends birthday party (who happens to have the SAME birthday) at Texas Rock Gym. Afterwards, we ate dinner at Fudruckers (not one of my favorites) with Aunt Karen and opened even more presents. All in all, it was a great day.

Baby Maggie and my husband, Ian.

Where does the time go?

Clementine

Meet our handsome kitty, Clementine! He is a year and a half years-old and the love of our lives! We love orange cats in our family...they have such personality! Maggie and Clemy have a great relationship and play well together. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago on a wonderfully cool and windy day...both were frisky and chasing each other around in the backyard having a great time.

Love Thursday

Maggie found this rock for me at school during recess today. She somehow always finds hearts in nature for me all the time!

I swear just an hour ago she called me to the barbeque grill and said, "Look, the chicken is shaped like a heart!"

We don't have Jesus sightings at our house...only heart sightings. Hearts are everywhere. I will devote each Thursday to our love for hearts all around us.

Party Time

Whew...we had a dozen girls spend the night for Maggie's birthday celebration! The girls decorated Chinese lanterns for their rooms, traded trading cards, played Wii, and danced all night long. All in all, as you can see on Maggie's face, the night was a success.

Field Day

I remember Field Day when I was growing up...hated it! I'm pleased to see that things have changed for the better and my daughter loves Field Day, despite her class coming in last place! The high of her day was simple...competing with friends, laughter, and cheering for everyone to do their best.

Hope

photography by Maggie

I'm SO tired and worn out today...hoping for a change.

Sacred Sunday

Ah...Sacred Sunday. Glad to be home.

Round Top

Our family spent a wonderful weekend in Round Top, Texas with good friends. It was totally relaxing and just what the doctor ordered! A lot of time was spent talking, sitting around the fire pit, and watching our children play. I especially enjoyed poking around Winedale with Maggie as both of us are pioneer history buffs. This picture is of Maggie in a old log cabin that was on the property we were staying on...way cool!

Maggie

Here is the biggest piece of sunshine in my life...

my eight year-old daughter, Maggie.

It is such an honor to be her mother.

Cancer-Free

I figured that today would be a GREAT day to start my own blog. I already have a blog for my 1st grade classroom and have always wanted one of my own!

I chose today to start my own blog because today is the day I spent at M.D. Anderson undergoing tests to see if my cancer had come back or not. It's been a rocky road...first kidney cancer that included a kidney/ureter removal, bladder cancer, more surgeries, BCG treatments, more bladder cancer...a few setbacks.

I woke up from the anesthesia and found out today was the day I could finally exhale and sigh a bit of relief...I am 1 year cancer-free. I will forever see life in a totally new, refreshed and optimistic perspective. The world is good.

Today will also be the start of my Sacred Sunday Project where every day for at least a month (and I bet longer than that!) where I promise to post a photo from my daily life capturing something that connects me to Spirit.