Graduation, moving up and more... (photo journal)

Just like shadows reflected in a pool of sparkling water, I've been reflecting on the happenings of life in my family over the past few weeks.

Join me in my gazing into Sleeping With Bread for this week...

It has been a blessing so far this summer to have the opportunity to be present and accounted for on some rites of passage with my children and family.

Here is Erin with her crew of dearest friends. I'm so proud of her success in completing this goal of earning her associates as a single mom. Here is a photo of her little guy Eli celebrating in his own toddler way!

End of School/Fun Activities:
In the last few years my work schedule made it impossible for me to go on the end of the field trips and activities with my kids, so seeing that I have the ability to flex my work week at my new Church, I decided to jump into the world of my kids for the last week or so of school activities.

Visiting Midway Park is a tradition in elementary school trips that are far and few in happening. We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day with several rides on the tilt-o-whirl...dragon roller coaster and more. (Don't forget the arcade!)

Last weekend was filled with several activities for our local calender: the Yazzou Festival (a Fundraiser for our local Greek Orthodox parish) complete with Baklava and Spinach Pie! We participated by getting dinner at the event and then heading off for girls and boys nights respectivly. The boys headed out for a movie (Fantastic 4: #2) and Heather and I headed out to see a local rock show at the Ice Arena downtown...

Between the local festivals, Church activities and music events last weekend we had a wonderful dizzy time.

Heather and Nigel's Awards 07'

Heather and Nigel both had moving up programs this week as she will be up to high school and he will be up to middle school in the fall.

Here are some photos of the Awards Programs for both Heather and Nigel:

Heather and Grandma Janet @ 8th grade graduation!

Casey, Heather and Amanda @ Graduation.

Nigel receives an art and academic award.

Student Council Certificates

Nigel says CHEESE!

Friday was the last day of school and a doctors appointment for Nigel at Children"s Hospital in Buffalo. After the kids picked up their report cards and said their goodbyes to their teachers and classmates we were off to Buffalo for a trip to
hospital and the Buffalo Zoo for good measure!

Buffalo at the Buffalo Zoo.

My favorite exhibit - the gorillas!

Oh yes and the sea lions. This one kept swimming up to the surface and splashing water at us. It was only after walking to the underground observation room that I remembered being at the zoo as a child - on my 6th grade girl scout trip with my mom.
I like the synchronicity of having this opportunity with my own kids!

Heather and Nigel in the deep blue sea.

At the end of the week and a half of time with my family I've begun to gather the value of balance between what we always wish life could be and really what it is. Last summer was one so busy with caring for and spending time with others that I hope I never forget the value of time spent with the ones closest to us... our families.
May I sleep with the memories of these days in my heart and the passion for creating more in the days to come in how I speak, love and live with my ever growing and changing family!

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

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