As a result, we got this lovely new Dell laptop that I'm writing to you on now. It's big and fancy and so much fun to communicate on. I don't have currently have any pictures downloaded onto this machine yet, so I will have to hunt one down via Facebook or something. Bear with me.
This past year has been so busy with so many highs and lows. I will try to remember a few. In March 2014 my sister Mimi and her husband Mike moved here from Europe. It has been great having them close by again and I have to say my social life has improved! She hosted a fabulous New Year's party and Christmas was a lot of fun too with loads of family coming in like Alida and the Gommermann's from Omaha. Her home is absolutely beautiful. We were so busy and exhausted afterward but boy was it fun.
Some of the lows were that my brothers-in-law Jim and Mike both lost their Dad's within the last 12 months. Although the experiences were both very different, their losses are very real and have taken their toll. Your dad is your dad after all. My own Jim had a cancer recurrence that they caught very early and no follow-up after surgery was needed, so that was a huge relief to all of us.
My own kids were very busy again this year with school, plays, dating, proms and just generally growing and evolving and becoming young adults. It's the most amazing thing watching them grow up and develop into their own selves, opinions and all. Colette has one more year of high school and I'm already feeling the heart strings pulling at the thought of her venturing out. But I am also excited for her and encourage her to seize every opportunity that presents itself to her.
We lost our beautiful dear, good friend Sara this year. The most gorgeous Border Collie ever. We had to put her to sleep on June 10, 2014. It was one of the worst days ever. We miss her so much and our house is definitely emptier without her. She was one of a kind.
Our beloved Seattle Seahawks again had a crazy, fun season and made it to the Super Bowl. They had it all but wrapped up and lost at the last second. It was a killer of a disappointment but we love them anyway. Next year!
It has been a hard year in education too, with staffing changes and new philosophies. My philosophy, however, hasn't changed. I put the student at the center of everything I do and haven't gone too wrong. All these new philosophies and assessments are nothing more than others getting their hand into the education game where it doesn't belong. It's a simple process that adults have made difficult. Teach them the best way you can and make sure all that you do to educate them has their best interest at heart every step of the way. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
This photo is one of my favorites of the kids. I will leave you with these two beauties...Happy Easter!
