Another graduate

Our son, Jeff, graduated from college today. We enjoyed the ceremony - but we enjoyed the time with Jeff and Aaron at lunch afterwards even more. We had great food and great conversation. Next week Jeff will have knee surgery to repair his torn ACL. He starts his full time job June 20. We love you, Jeff - congratulations!

New look to the front

We changed the look of the front porch this spring. When we were looking for a house two years ago we fell in love with this house because of its front proch. However, we found out that we couldn't actually sit out there and enjoy the front yard because we couodn't see through the railing. So this spring we removed the railing. I really love the porch now!

You asked for photos

Here's our new deck!

Prayers please!

Last night I checked the Sunday paper for job ads, and saw that a nearby school district had an ad for two elementary secretaries! So this morning I filled out the online application and attached my resume. I talked with my principal about the jobs, and he said that he knew one of the principals so he would email him for me. After lunch that principal called to talk to mine. Not five minutes later the principal from the other school called to set up an interview with me. So please pray for me! I really do want to remain an elementary secretary.

the cabin

It's finally spring, and that means we go up north more often to our cabin. Hurray!
Craig and I were up there this past weekend. It was cool and very breezy, but still so wonderful to be there. Craig's friend Joe and his son, little Joe (although he's really not so little!) came up too. We had a great time playing horseshoes, doing a little fishing, playing cribbage, and grilling steaks. Our excitement for the weekend was when a storm came through about 6:00 PM on Saturday. We had straight line winds and big waves. The wind took down a tree in the vacant lot next to us. The tree hit a power line and knocked out the transformer. It's a good thing we had planned to put everything on the grill for supper because we ended up being without electricity for over 12 hours. We played cribbage by candlelight. I was thankful that the tree only hit the power lines - what if a tree had fallen on the cabin or one of our vehicles? And then I thought about the people in Myanmuir and China? Our little storm was nothing compared to theirs.

come sit with me on our deck

We have a new deck! I am so excited about it. Craig and I planned it, designed it, and it turned out just like we wanted. It's made out of cedar (beautiful wood!) and has a pergola, and a privacy fence on one end. Now I just need a table and chairs so we can eat out there. I want to have my prayer time out there too. I love sitting outside, looking at our trees and plants, watching the birds, and the neighbor kids too. If you stop over, I'll give you a glass of iced tea or soda and we can sit out on my new deck and visit!

Job Update

It's official - as of June 13 I will be without a job. I was offered bumping rights to bump a secretary in the class below mine or I could go on the recall list. The job they offered for me to bump into has lower pay, fewer days of work per year, and fewer responsibilities. It was in a secondary special ed program. I chose to go on the recall list for a couple of reasons:

1. I prefer to work with elementary students and families
2. I did not want to take the step backwards professionally
3. and most importantly, I did not want to bump the other secretary out of her job when I knew that I didn't want the job and as soon as something else came along I would be leaving.

So, I will be looking outside the school district for a job this summer, and will be waiting to see if the district calls me back to an open position. God has given me incredible peace about this decision - although I am so very sad at leaving my school and all the friends I have made here. I know that He has a plan for me. I am going to continue to seek Him and ask Him for a job that's right for me. Right now I hope that that job is as secretary in an elementary building, but who knows - maybe there's a job that will be even better than this.

Feelings on Monday

My son wrote a similar blog yesterday so I am copying the format.

• Excited because the carpenters are here working on my new deck!
• Lonely - Craig is on the road again and the day he leaves is always the hardest.
• Uncertain - I still haven't heard anything about my job for next year.
• Happy - my daughter moved home this past weekend. You can read about her thoughts about it on her blog.
• Eager for next weekend when I will be able to see all my kids and grandkids.
• Thankful for all that God has blessed me with - family, love, home, good health, Christian parents, etc.
• Peace- God is taking care of me.
• Tired - it's been a long day!