Everything I need to know, I learned in elementary school

Yesterday was the last day of school.  It’s hard to believe it’s been 9 months since Trey and Crisana met their teachers for the first time.  Or 9 months since we took those brand-new crayons or unopened boxes of notebook paper into their new classrooms.  Or 9 months since the first day of school, where… Continue reading Everything I need to know, I learned in elementary school

Celebrating Life

Celebrate.  Remember.  Fight back. Four simple words, filled with meaning: joy, pride, sorrow, loss, determination, courage, strength.  Tonight was our night to celebrate.  To remember.  To honor and rejoice.  To stand strong with other survivors.  To join with others in the fight against cancer.  To support those who are working to find a cure for… Continue reading Celebrating Life

Silver Linings

Originally, this post was to be titled “Debbi and the Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Day.”  Because really, when your day starts at 2:45 A.M. to the sound of your dog tossing his…um…dog cookies all over your wood floors, you can pretty much tell what kind of day it’s going to be. But ironically, as… Continue reading Silver Linings

The Journey Begins

Well here it is.  The day my children have alternately dreaded and anticipated all summer long.  The day I’ve been so anxious about for the past few weeks.  The day circled in red on our calendar. The first day of school. And while I can hardly believe Trey is beginning his next-to-last year of elementary… Continue reading The Journey Begins

Meet the Teacher!

Well the moment of truth has arrived…last night was Meet the Teacher Night at McGowen!  We finally learned who the victims …er…lucky leaders are! We actually knew who Crisana’s teacher would be because we received a phone call from her earlier in the week, reminding us of the upcoming Meet the Teacher and supply drop-off… Continue reading Meet the Teacher!

Threads of Gratitude: School Backpack Edition

Today is the last day of school.  Wow.  180 days of learning…over.  My baby’s first year of school…done.  How in the world did this happen? I’ve already written a post expressing my gratitude for their teachers and the staff at McGowen, so I won’t repeat myself.  But I do have to brag a little.  Because… Continue reading Threads of Gratitude: School Backpack Edition

Celebrate!

We must be getting old.  This is the second year in a row we’ve attended a graduation for one of our children. This year, it was Crisana’s turn.  Again.  She graduated from kindergarten! The teachers had planned a whole morning of celebration for the students.  It all began with a program in the gym.  The… Continue reading Celebrate!

Beach Party!

Today we had a beach party!  In Texas!  In 90-plus-degree heat!  In a parking lot! Seriously, it was the annual McGowen Family Carnival, one of our major fundraisers for the year.  We were looking forward to being able to go to the carnival this year, since we missed last year’s because of Taylor’s graduation. Now… Continue reading Beach Party!

The Power of Prayer

The “last-week-of-school” parade has begun.  Yesterday it was “last pizza day” and last day of Art (for Trey).  My piano students are finishing up their semester. And today, it was the end of my first year with Moms In Touch. I have been longing for a MIT group at our school since Trey started kindergarten. … Continue reading The Power of Prayer