Be As You Are

Happy 2013!

It is hard to believe that so much could happen in one year...but it did!  Little did we know that when we rang in 2012 with much excitement that we would be sending it out celebrating as well.  The children kept asking "Is it over with?".  Now I can joyfully say, "yes, 2012 is OUT OF HERE".

Here's to a new year.  New beginnings.  Moving forward.  

Our resolution and prayer for 2013 is simple ~ "Live every day of your life".  

Sure, our days/weeks/months are filled with tasks lists and project deadlines.  We all need that "map" for our days or we risk roaming aimlessly through life.  However, be flexible.  Tend to matters that matter.  If a child requests your presence on the sofa to read a book or tell you about his/her day, do it.  The laundry, dishes, and mopping will all be there later.  However, that "moment" may not.  

Not Alone

I went into the next room now.

What I have been for you still I am.

Give me the name, you always gave me.

Talk to me, like you always did.

Do never use another way to talk.

Don't be ceremonious.

Or sad.

Continue laughing at the things we used to laugh at together.

Pray, laugh, think of me.

Why should I not be in your thoughts any more?

Only because I'm no longer in your field of vision?

I'm not far away.

I'm just on the other side of the path.

~This was given to me by my precious neighbor, Elizabeth.  She and her family are here on a work assignment and we have grown very close to them all.  Elizabeth told me that this was a translation from a German gravestone that deeply affected her.  

So moved by the part that says "Continue laughing at the things we used to laugh at together."  Those memories are the ones getting me through the day-to-day.

Blessings to all.

The Small Picture

How many times have we been told to "look at the big picture"?  Seems to be a common phrase and one I hear way too often.  I can pick apart the simplest of tasks.  Lately it seems that the BIG picture has gotten in the way of my overall happiness.  How is that?  Let me explain.

Jeff and I have been going back-and-forth over schooling options for the girls.  Both girls currently attend the school we have been a part of for seven years.  LOVE the teachers and staff.  Stella and Anna have literally gone from stroller-to-strolling the hallways of this building.  So many memories have been made at this institution.

In the past few years, the dynamics of our little neighborhood school have changed.  They have changed system-wide.  Some changes are good while others are not so good.  My eyes have been looking at our entire population of 400+ students. 

It's not a race or income issue.  Not at all.  It has to do with the attitude and behavior of today's youth. Lack of respect for those in authority and NO respect for their peers.  Very sad to watch this decline. 

Anyway, back to the big picture.  The girls have both experienced some run-ins with little punks.  Girls, being the emotional creatures they are, take words and actions to heart.  Many an afternoon have been spent with a glass of after-school lemonade and a box of tissues.  Talking through whatever is troubling them.  As parents, Jeff and I have been so tempted to uproot them both and walk away.  Tempted to pull in all the offspring and keep them safe in our little nest.  Sleepless nights and countless telephone calls and communications.  Just give me the "word" and we were gone!

On Tuesday of this week, I was asked to photograph one of the groups that Stella participates in after school.  Finalizing the yearbook and needing some student images.  I went in and fulfilled my obligation.  It was only when I started editing the photos, my eyes were opened.  I give you "The Small Picture"

Yes, these kids all look silly and crazy.  That’s because they ARE silly and crazy.  By looking at this small group of kids, I see that my daughter is really happy and loving life at her school.  Would it be fair to her and us to take this away from her?  Thinking “No”.

Very important to stay in touch with what’s going on in the lives of our kids.  No matter where you send them, stuff happens.  Be it good or bad.  There are no perfect schools or people.  No matter what we like to tell ourselves.

We all have “those” days.  Co-workers drive us nuts.  Cashiers and customers cause us to nearly pull out all our hair.  Rude drivers encountered during commutes raise the blood pressure by major points.  It happens.  We deal with it. 

As much as I want to shelter the offspring, thinking a greater life lesson for them is to be there for them.  We can walk each other through the rough patches.  Celebrate in the good.  Sometimes we must ZOOM in and look at the Small Picture!  The big picture can be crazy and insane.  Hand it over to the Lord!  He has it all in His hands.

Happy Thursday!  Blessings to all…

Houston, We Have A Problem!

9.9.10 ~ “Where is MY camera?”  We assumed she was talking about her nice pink Point-and-Shoot.  Hmmmm……NOPE!  “Not that one.  The one I took to school.”  Yet another shutterbug for the Sherrill Family.

Vintage and Hip

Jeff and I had the pleasure of taking a little weekend getaway to Atlanta a few weeks ago.  This was the first time in 12 years that we have done such a thing.  Special thanks to my parents for watching our three hooligans and providing us with this rare treat! 

Our first stop was Atlantic Station.  After researching available dining options, we selected Rosa Mexicano.  Excellent choice.  The restaurant was beautiful and the food was delicious.  Could not resist the fresh guacamole prepared at our table.  It was served with chips and mini tortillas and a meal could have been made on this appetizer alone.  However, we shared an order of Chicken Tacos which were equally delicious.

The friendly little guacamole bowl.  Cute little feller isn’t he?

Once we finished lunch, it was time for some retail therapy.  During the brief shopping time, I discovered that even though I’m considered by some to be “vintage and hip” (thanks Merica Stum), I am too old for retailers such as H&M.  Ann Taylor Loft is more my style and I’m perfectly fine with that.

Time quickly approached for us to travel to our next destination.

Atlanta Symphony Hall.  Home of the Atlanta Symphony and many other big city fine art offerings.  Now, before you go get all impressed at my “fine art” self, let me show you the event ticket:

Oh yeah, baby!!!!  Rick Springfield concert….WOOHOO!!!!!!

Look at these two old dudes ready to ROCK AND ROLL!!!!  One day this will be a recurring photo taken at various Vegas theaters and cruise ships.

We had incredible seats and the show was amazing.  Rick puts on an awesome, high energy show.  All the favorite oldies along with some new tunes.  Just for prosperity sake, here is the concert set list:

• Mr.. PC
• I’ve Done Everything for You
• Affair of the Heart
• Living in Oz
• What’s Victoria’s Secret (my favorite new RS song)
• I Get Excited
• Allyson
• Souls (he forgot the lyrics to this song but had us all laughing with his humor)
• Venus in Overdrive
• Love is Alright Tonight
• Surf Music
• Gimme Some Lovin
• Crossroads
• Don’t Talk to Strangers (cute little kids came onstage along with some older females who were police escorted off stage)
• Love Somebody
• Human Touch
• Jessie’s Girl (after a brief opening riff quiz)
• Encore: “Kristina” and “Wild Thing”

The  highlight of my night was the fact that bags (purses NOT concert attendees) were not searched so therefore my camera made it into the concert hall.  WOOHOO!!!!!!  Talk about one happy girl.  Let me share a few of my souvenirs with you:

All black suit with those sparkling Converse sneakers.  Swoon….

Swoon…….

Things started to get hot so the jacket had to go.  More swooning……

 

Lawsie, he got up-close and personal during the “Human Touch” number.  Swoon…… Drool….. SCREAM.…..

 

Safe and sound back onstage.  Play it Rick!!!!

Appeared for the encore wearing the fresh clean white tee.   Swoon one last time.

I am so thankful for my darling hubby who not only purchased tickets for this concert but stuck around while his wife yelled, screamed and danced around for nearly two hours.  Love ya Jeffrey!!!

Hello

Once again, it’s been a while since the last blog entry.  Looking back through the posts, I see that I never gave an update on the Stums and their passport issue.  Well, thanks to many, many prayers, Vismay’s passport arrived and he is now at home in our wonderful town.  So happy for our friends and thrilled about the new addition to our lovely car pick-up line of cuteness.

Vismay brought us a lovely gift from India and presented it to us.

Truth be known, this child’s smile is gift enough.  Isn’t he adorable?

Now, let’s not forget about “little bro with seniority” Dosen.

This kid keeps us laughing all the time.  The wit of a comedian.  You should hear some of the “one liners” he comes out with. 

As for the school pick-up line, I will take the Stum boys anytime over the standard “bill of fare” scenery available at the back of our school.

The Hot Tamales!  Mercy.

Back to School

Summer break has come to an end.  Last Tuesday, all three kiddos returned to school.

Jonathan is now in SEVENTH grade.  Entirely not possible to believe.  I still remember the Guidance Counselor phone call from the first week of Kindergarten.  He would not talk to his teacher (or anyone for that matter) and they thought something was wrong with the boy.  He was so shy.  Let’s just say that he is now a very verbal, polite young man.  So proud of him.

 

Third Grader Stella….she ROCKS!!!!  Her teacher is incredible.  Mrs.. L was semi-retired but then decided to return to the classroom after much begging and pleading from administration.  She and Stella are a wonderful “fit”.  At the first mention of bringing “critters” to class, our future vet was smitten.

Cannot forget about Anna Banana.  Our FIRST GRADER….say it isn’t so.  She is following in the Sherrill tradition and has the same teacher as her sister and brother.  Many of Anna’s kindergarten classmates are in the same class along with some friends from Pre-K.  She is one happy (but tired) girl right now. 

Now I need to decide what to do with all of my “spare” time between school drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups.  The list is long and the time is short….

She Does All Of Her Own Stunts

….with a little help from her Uncle Chris.

Love Thy Brother

(Watts Bar Lake ~ 7/10/2010)

Happy Birthday

 

How can twelve years pass so quickly?  Happy Birthday Jonathan!