I am having a hard time believing that we are out of school. This year just flew. I am trying to come up with some activities so Michael and I don't drive each other crazy. He loves to swim but I just cannot face the city pool this year. My nerves are always on edge there. I envy parents who can go and relax but I can't. I have had parents be so ugly to him; other kids have been nice. When we go, I spend hours staying a few feet from him and acting as an interpreter. If a lifeguard says something, he sometimes doesn't acknowledge them and they thing he's being rude. Anyway, I would dearly love to have our own pool but is isn't happening with our sloped yard. I am trying my best to figure out a place for us to swim. I might even rent a hotel room so he can play and I can relax a few minutes. We'll see.

We haven't had too much excitement. Our big event this week was getting new cell phones. I had debated about getting Internet access because I didn't think I'd use it and I'm cheap. We don't use our cell phones that much but we decided since we'd have these phones through at least the two year contract that we might as well go for it and get a newer one. We got the Thunderbolt and are pleased with it so far. It's taken all weekend to figure the thing out. We couldn't send a text to each other and finally figured out that you had to put in the area code. A slight pain but nothing major. It will be nice to have Internet access when we're away from our computer.

I have my fingers crossed that we have a sitter for Michael. I spoke to her briefly yesterday and she wanted to meet him. Two of the girls who have been watching him are going to college and the best sitter ever, my niece, just graduated from TTU with a nursing degree. She will start her new job in a few days. Oh, will I miss her!

This weekend has been laid back as usual. I did walk two days in a row and need to walk every day. My husband cooked some delicious hamburgers on the grill and my sister and niece came over. We took some to my mother who had a health scare this week. She had a stint put in last week and was doing fine. On Thursday, she started having arm and chest pain so she went to the ER. She was taken to St. Thomas for the second arteriogram in a week and they found that the stint was working perfectly and it was the medicine they had taken her off that was causing the problem. It is amazing that an absence of medicine could cause such pain. We are grateful that she is better.

Finally, on this Memorial Day, I am thinking of my former students who have or are currently serving in the military and also the ones who are enlisting. Thank you for your service and your bravery. You are not forgotten. May God's blessings and protection be with you.

Everyone have a great week.

An Eventful Week

I have attended a celebration, a graduation and a kick-off in the last two days. On Friday, we attended the Fifth Grade Celebration at Michael's school. I was so proud of him. I know it was hard for him to stand still while the class sang several songs but he was a trooper. I cannot believe he will be leaving elementary school! I am just so proud of how much he has accomplished. When he was in kindergarten, I sobbed at his graduation because I truly had no hope for him. It broke my heart that he was "different" from the other kids and I was so jealous of the parents with "normal" kids and angry that they didn't know how lucky they had it. Yes, it was a big pity-party. God and time has helped me see there is hope and that I have to take things one day at a time and celebrate all of the accomplishments along the way. We have been so blessed to have good teachers and loving, wonderful assistants for Michael. They feel like family.

Last night was the high school graduation. It was bitter-sweet for me. I am so proud of my students and am excited about their future. I wish them all the success in the world, happiness and joy.

Today, I drove to Nashville and attended the Autism Speaks Walk Kick-Off Event at Granny White Park. (Side note: Oh my goodness! Those houses in Brentwood! Mercy, I wonder who lives in those mansions?!) Anyway, it was a beautiful day. Team M&M took two baskets for the silent auction.

This one was our 4th of July Picnic Basket.


This one was our Vols Basket.


I wish I could say we made lots of money but we didn't. There weren't many people at the Kick-Off so there were not many bidders. We made $40 for the Vols basket and $30 for the 4th of July basket. All of the money goes to Team M&M so it's all good. The Kick-Off was really inspiring and it got me fired up for the walk in September.




One of the highlights for me was receiving two awards. The first was for me. :) Everyone who raises over $1,000 is in the Grand Club. I received a pin and a plaque. Team M&M received an award for being one of the top teams in the state. Out of 250 teams in the state, we were in the top 10 last year. Whoo hoo! We have a great start this year so I hope we beat our record this year. This year's walk in 9-10-11 (I love that date!) and we are already doing well. I am trying to use yard sales and other events to raise money so I don't have to lean on the very generous people who have supported us the last four years.

After stopping by Chick-fil-a for us and Jack-in-the-Box for Michael, I headed home. I am now sitting and being lazy. After an eventful two days, I think I deserve it!

Enjoy the beautiful weather and the rest of the weekend.

Great Saturday!

What a great time we had on Saturday. We went to the afternoon show of Young Frankenstein The Musical. We had good seats (10th row I think) and I cannot believe it is the first time my husband and I have attended a play together. We have been to A LOT of concerts together but never a play. The actors sang, danced and performed wonderfully. It was funny and stayed close to the movie. After the show, we went to the Macaroni Grill. (I had Mama's Trio which included the strangest lasagna I've ever eaten. I asked the server what "the brown meat sauce" was and she said the meat was pork instead of beef. This Southern girl is used to my lasagna having red sauce with beef so it was a weird taste sensation. It was good but different. I am so grateful that we got to spend some time together. This is the third "date" we've had in eleven years so those times are precious. I am in a panic because the girls who have been so good to help with Michael are going to college and I have NO ONE. I am pretty desperate to find someone who can watch him for my in-service days in July and August. I have a little time to find someone. It will work out somehow. I don't want to end on a downer, though. We really did have a great time. :)

What A Week!

This has been a LONG week! Monday and Tuesday, I had to give the state End-of-Course Exams. No, it is not difficult but it is stressful. The tests are important to the students and to the school. On Thursday and Friday, I gave my seniors their final exam. I am SO tired! We give final exams in two hour blocks so on Thursday, we had 1st, 3rd and 5th periods and today we had 2nd, 4th and 6th. I am grateful for the long classes because I was able to grade their exams, average their grades and let them know their final average before they left my room. It will be nice to take some time next week and clean and straighten up my classroom. It is amazing how cluttered it gets.

Also, I am SO excited about tomorrow! My husband and I are going to see Young Frankenstein The Musical. We have not been on a "date" in about five years so it is past time. We are even planning on going out to eat after the show. Oh, my! (Those of you who have regular sitters or relatives who babysit regularly, say a special thank you to them! You're more lucky than you know.) I will give a full review soon.

Happy Mother's Day

I could write some sad things, some happy things and some thankful things but I think I will just say Happy Mother's Day. Hope you had a great day.