Southern Turkey

Holidays seem to come in all ways, shapes and forms. As this was Jordan's first time home since leaving for school it was important for her to be home with Pat, Ana and the family. So Keith, Jordan and Taylor spent the day at Ana's to break bird. As Jordan trekked to Jersey I trekked to Virginia for a solid weekend of turkey trotting, sunrises and milking cows while chasing the little dudes. 

It's not so easy being six hours away from the parents, Jess and the little dudes. I think the holiday juggle is much more difficult than I thought it would be. I guess, with time, the juggle will be less of an art and I'll get the hang of it. But it was nice noshing on farm fresh turkey, yams, stuffing and lots of yummy pies. Yay for holidays being deemed calorically negative. I embrace these 24 hours of holiday goodness: )

Thanks for the Giving

I have to confess my favorite part of the holiday season is all of our crazy train projects at school. There's such a sense of fulfillment doing good stuff. Monday night a handful of peeps helped me prep and stuff all the bags going out the following day for Project Seneca Turkey. We organized a total of thirty bags and even though we only had 25 signed up I've been doing this long enough that those extra five bags will inevitably by used.
Sitting on the loading dock placing bags of goods that would be lining the tables of many families in our community on Thanksgiving Day was nothing short of awesome. I'm proud of all the students and my colleagues who gathered the thirty turkeys, countless items of stuffing and cranberry sauce to heaps of baked cookies and breads. Love it!


As if Tuesday wasn't hectic enough the day was kicked off with our first official Pancake Palooza serving a full fledge pancake breakfast to over 90 students and faculty who signed up to donate their hair later in the day towards the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Project. All of the hair donated is going to be used for constructing wigs for individuals battling cancer. My thought is providing some solid carbs before such a selfless act was the least we could do. Peace, Love and Pancakes...the world is just a little bit lighter with pancakes and tie dye shirts. 

The assembly held later in the day (yes this is all still in the same day) left me speechless. Ninety students and faculty gathered before the student body to rock out some locks of goodness. What a way to start the break! Happy Thanksgiving : )

Two hands at a time

One of these years I'm treating myself to an "I Survived the Drug Squad Retreat" tee shirt. The experience is always powerful, but emotionally and physically draining. If I had the resources I would LOVE to have a charter bus. Not only would the kids have space to stretch their legs, but my body would not have to deal with the ever so epic jutting of springs from the seat and jarring motions of stopping and turning. Oy to the vey! That's a wish that I will throw out there and see if it, just maybe, has a shot of coming to fruition.
My body and mind are in a state of decompression as I head into 2.5 days of further craziness. But even though I'm exhausted so much of me is in awe of how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to be involved with so many stellar individuals. The kids were saturated with the theme of changing the world through their words, actions and decision. I believe that it isn't about going out and trying to conquer the world in some grandiose fashion, but more along the lines of altering others outlooks in life through our words aligning with our actions. I am excited, yet again, to see where the road leads these young people.
Just as with anything in life, some of them will listen and take on the challenge while others will allow the opportunity to slip through their fingertips. Some are ready and others are not; that's just how we're wired as people. But if just one takes the challenge the weekend will have been well worth it. The truth is it is so easy to get caught up in ourselves, but when you go against the grain and take the uphill challenge to go against all society tells us; your life will never be the same.

So as we go into a new week with Thanksgiving fast approaching I'll enjoy the next 12 hours of down time before Turkey madness ensues. I am grateful for so very much in life and hope to have some time over the latter part of the week to reflect and give thanks. 

24 hearts...24 lives

It's nothing short of a gift. As I embarked on another Drug Squad Retreat I have yet again been blown away at the experiences, growth and hearts of the kids I am so fortunate to work with. As we loaded on  a yellow bus Thursday morning bound for Virginia I observed the dynamics of the group and the beginning of their personalities coming together. Selecting the group is a challenge that evokes angst and stress due to the reality that I KNOW this WILL change the lives of each kid. Only a third who interview make it, but I am a believer in purpose, timing and the fact that these kids were chosen for a reason.

I'm in awe of watching a group of teens have the ability, so quickly, to open up about their personal challenges, heart aches, passions and the stark reality that they are determined to make a difference in life. Bam! I witnessed twenty four hearts with twenty four very different personalities begin to forge friendships that, in many cases, will go on far beyond their high school years. Life is beautiful and I feel so blessed to work with teens to the capacity that I do. I get to see eyes opening, hearts expanding and lives realigning. I am thankful for these opportunities and although my body is feeling a bit achy from the bus, sleeping on a wood floor and attempting to keep up with a heap of seventeen and eighteen year olds; I would not have it any other way.

Thanking, thinking, remembering

Last night I sat on my couch staring at a blank screen for some time trying to find the appropriate words to sum up my aunt's life for her obituary. That's not an easy thing to do. I used to be so much more articulate and fluid in my writing. It seems time and life threw a direct hit to that area of my life. But summing up our life in a few simple paragraphs is challenging and often comes short of depicting the individual as they rightly deserve. Blank screens unnerve me. 

But our memories are quite a powerful thing. I close my eyes I can hear my aunt's voice. In a second I can transport myself to her little apartment on Kennedy Boulevard and my senses are in full gear. Our lives are fragile and fleeting. 

So often we think we have forever. Today I remember Jared Leonard and the countless other men and women who have given their lives for our country. We are blessed to be in a part of the world where we can vote, we can speak our mind and we are free. I consider myself blessed to be an American and indebted to all who have ever worn a uniform and served this great country. Within the week it is my hope to see someone in uniform, thank them and buy them a cup of coffee or just simply thank them.
We hold back on exchanging words of encouragement for fear of seeming awkward or, just simply, holding off until 'next time.' Life is short, my friends. Say what you mean and mean what you say. I am thankful for my country. I am extremely indebted to all who serve. I love my family and take this day to not only reflect on our veterans, but the fact that my sister would have been thirty-one today; it's a hard thing to wrap my head around. I am thankful for the time we had together. Life is short. Live, laugh and love. It doesn't get any simpler than that. 

Exit 14 a

I spent the day in North Jersey with family. Even though a large percentage of Bayonne is still without electric it was an important day to just sort of be together. It has been a week since their power went out  and time seems to go much slower when you're constantly cold. I am so hoping that with night fall and a new day that power begins to return to homes and life can begin to resume with some sense of normalcy. There is still a lot of clean up and homes to reconstruct and the damage is much worse just a few miles north of them. 

There are presently two gas stations opened in Bayonne with thousands of cars in need of fuel. With that brings a very long stream of cars waiting, waiting and a little more waiting. I was able to bring a few containers of gas for a friend and family members. I haven't filled a tank via gas can and my hands, which still smell like gas, are quite the testament to that.
Yesterday my cousin waited in line for three hours for a tank of gas. It's a degree of madness that is ensuing a bit of panic and angst among many in the North East. The hope is that the supply will increase and the restrictions will soon be lifted. It's amazing how much we take for granted and are really so ill equipped for a state of emergency.


The shelters are all full and, fortunately, food supplies are streaming in consistently. It was awesome to take a car load of supplies and roll right into the family's turf. Blankets, diapers, baby formula, warm clothing and water made a lot of people happy. Good job people of Starbucks and Seneca! Woop! 

Jersey Strong

In the past few days the severity of Sandy's impact has become increasingly apparent. Within hours of being back in school Wednesday kids were scrambling and brainstorming for ways to raise money, gather supplies and provide encouragement to those who had been impacted. Posts and texts from family and friends in North Jersey waiting hours in line for a full tank of gas only to return to homes with no heat or power. It's insane and even though we were subjected to high winds and falling trees a few days ago I've already overheard people complaining in lines at the store over a shortage with a particular type of food, lack of circulars at a local pharmacy and delayed texting. We just had a hurricane people, get with it. 

Thirty miles away our fellow Jersey-ites have no power, no running water and in many cases have lost their homes. The shore lines have been pummeled. Thousands are living in temporary shelters. It is our responsibility to get involved, step up to the plate and do something. This morning Keith and I headed to AC with a car load of supplies provided by friends and a local Starbucks (shout out, Liz Froba, queen of the latte) to drop off at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. FEMA has set up temporary housing directly across the street. I guess I was expecting the parking lot to have more supplies and cars unloading. Supplies were low and the need is only increasing. This is when I wish I could have a little magic wand power! 

On the flip side of things, it has been super encouraging to see how many people WANT to help, WANT to get involved and WANT to be part of the relief process. One stone makes a ripple, heaps of stones can make a wave! One of my dearest friends is a manager at Starbucks and, without hesitation, put the word out there and has already gathered a tremendous amount of items that is going directly to folks in LBI, AC and North Jersey. Bam! I also LOVE when kids get involved. Get the vision when you're young, baby! Friends of ours are pretty much super awesome parents for always initiating the 'get involved' mantra with their three kids. Jenna and Kate, only in middle school, were rocking out with sandwiches to feed our peeps in Philly on Tuesday along with gathering warm clothes for our friends in Bayonne. 

Tomorrow I head up to Bayonne to drop off a whole bunch of stuff to family and friends in Bayonne. Most of the town is still without electric and that makes for an extremely cold and inconvenient way of like for so many people. I am also looking forward to spending time with some of my family and taking the time to be together. Sometimes my heart and mind are stretched a bit too thin. The past week has been one of those times. Last week my aunt passed away and with all the craziness occurring up North normal rituals in loss become equivalent to the spin cycle in a wash. Everything is everywhere.
My heart is very overwhelmed right now with the devastation in Jersey along with the loss of my aunt. I am saddened for my mother who has lost a sister. I am heart heavy for a cousin who has lost her mother. And I am burdened for a woman that I wish could have had the opportunity to regain a quality of life she deserved, but will never have.
As the trek is made tomorrow, I do hope for time of solace even in all this craziness. Maybe before starting the day some time will be allocated for a good few minutes on a bench by the park with a cup of coffee. That will be my morning zen before the intensity begins. 

A heart for Niger

Friendship can be a pretty powerful thing. The older I get the more selective I am with whom I invest my time in and those I choose to surround myself with. My belief is that iron sharpens iron and I no longer have any desire to surround myself with anyone other than those who challenge, strengthen and encourage me as a person. In my opinion, there's already too much negative stuff we contend with on a daily basis in life. It may sound callous, but I don't have time for people who do not make me feel good about myself. I do not want to be a constant sounding board, therapist or dumping ground for negativity. No gracias. 

Over the past few years I have been amazed at the power of friendship and even those I may see very infrequently, due to time or distance. Friendship is an awesome thing. When I first returned to Jersey nearly nine years ago I met Deb who had recently moved to Jersey as well and was in the beginning stages of making a full transition to Niger to work at a clinic as an occupational therapist. I have always admired her heart for people, her selflessness and depth of faith in literally going to the farthest ends of the earth to serve others. 

It has been over a year since I last spent time with Deb, but this week we managed to catch up before she heads back to Niger later next month. We laughed, cried, shared stories, joys and heartaches. My heart and mind are in a state of ease and joy when I am with her. As I listened to her share of her struggles my heart ached for the things her eyes have seen. She is in her early thirties living smack dab in the desert faced with heat, language barriers, severe cultural differences and literally trying to save lives in a world (she very aptly described) that would be like transporting yourself back into the days of Moses. Poverty, malnutrition, women are viewed and treated as possessions and political instability are all part of her everyday. 

She uprooted herself from the comforts of home to go and serve others and use the knowledge she had been given in school to literally save lives as an occupational therapist. Her description of it all let my head spinning and heart aching. I wondered how she sleeps at night with the loss and heartbreak she witnesses on a daily basis. A few weeks before she left in one twenty four hour period the clinic lost 27 children to cholera. She knew each of these children; some more so than others. I listened to her daily duties, challenges and I am in awe of her and the people she serves with a passion that is unyielding. 

In lieu of the hurricane, Deb and the many other things swirling through my head this week I am left exhausted and feeling the tug to do more. I wish I had a magic wand. 

As the week has come to a close and the weekend begins with a very great sense of relief my hope is that my eyes gain a greater clarity to truly seek out those who are hurting and in need. I pray that my eyes and heart will gain a stronger sense of God's calling for me and in what ways I can be used to serve others. 

There is so much suffering and hurt in our world. It is so easy to stay in our comfort zone and not take the risk of stepping forward, reaching out our hands and hearts and doing something out of the ordinary for someone else.  I am so very grateful for friendships that challenge, sharpen and fuel me to evolve as a person. My prayer is that God will continue to open my eyes and sharpen my intuitions in working with others. I am thankful for my family, for my home, health and the million other things we so easily take for granted. I am thankful. 

Reality Check

I think most of us in Jersey and New York are accustomed to our local weather people blowing approaching storms and inclement weather conditions out of proportion. It's an easy thing to discount something that is so inconsistent and often fueled more by ratings than rationale thinking. A few days before the Hurricane Sandy rolled into town there were tell tale signs of her presence being made up the coast. Ominous clouds billowed above. Loaves of bread and water seemed to fly off the shelves. 

Our part of town didn't sustain too much damage, but taking in all the pictures, video clips and weather updates made my heart ache. Along the coast line homes were demolished, boats tossed in their marinas like toothpicks and our beloved Jersey boardwalks ripped apart and tossed along the waterways. 

As I drove up to Bayonne Wednesday afternoon the reality of how bad things continue to be set in. Bayonne, Jersey City, Newark and other surrounding neighborhoods essentially shut down. Driving through Bayonne was like playing a real live version of frogger. There were no stop lights. Every store along Broadway was dark. The occasional opened pizza shop all displayed the same CASH ONLY sign with a line of fifteen to twenty people being handed a slice of pizza through the store's window as to avoid theft. Cash only in an atm dependent world only to realize pretty quickly how invaluable that plastic card is when every bank and atm machine is not functioning.

Driving along the side streets little kids and adults could be seen bundled in their cars in vans trying to stay warm. But gas, something we so easily take for granted, is not the easiest to come by. I drove around through Bayonne and Jersey City and we couldn't locate one running gas station. It wasn't until I reached exit 11 of the Turnpike (Bayonne is 14a) that the first gas station could be sighted and the line of cars was easily fifty cars deep. 

I honestly have never seen anything like it in my life. Hudson County Park was totally taped off with trees that seem to have been there since the beginning of time with countless uprooted lying still on their sides. Trees hanging precariously over power lines, cars weaving in and out of side roads and people lining the streets in an effort to stay warm and pass the time. 

We need to keep the countless impacted by the Hurricane in our prayers. We need to help our neighbors, our loved ones and extend ourselves in a way that, maybe, you have never done before. Sort through your things. Locate a few blankets you might not have used in some time. Pack up any cases of water remaining from your Sandy stash. Throw left overs from your last trek to a hotel (you know you stash stuff...we won't judge) from shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc into a bag. Pass these items that we take for granted onto someone who could desperately use them. Contact the Red Cross, your area church or synagogue and help those who can use it. 

Don't just sit there...help out and I promise you'll feel pretty good. 

Sandy wasn't messin'

Over the years many of us have heard the countless false alarms or over exaggerations in lieu of blizzards and hurricanes. Sandy sent early heads of warning with billowing clouds days prior to her inching closer up the east coast. We batten down the hatches on Sunday ready for whatever would come our way.






(Camp Oswego sustained a bit of damage with a very uprooted tree swaying over our power lines. Very scary. Earlier in the day the police closed the road off which made all of our neighbors very ecstatic for the possibility of a power outage along with lacking access to their homes. Awesome.)









Early afternoon on Monday Keith trekked out with me hanging out as I did a little mid-hurricane paddle boarding. Except for a bit or rain and wind, it really was a nice escape from being house bound. From clips on the news to pics on face book it was heart breaking watching the devastation along the Jersey Shore and then on to New York City. Lots of loss, flooding and damage that will inevitably take heaps of time and money to put all back to its pre-hurricane state.

As I am officially going insane being stuck in the house for over 55 hours, so much of me is grateful for that we are all safe, warm and intact. Viewing the countless pics on the internet there are many, many people that have suffered extensive damage and loss. Thankful for Camp Oswego staying in one piece and the family being safe and dry.

Accelerated weekend(ish)

Very rarely do my parents have the opportunity to trek to Jersey. I can count on my fingers the amount of times that they have been able to break free from the farm since I moved here over nine years ago. So having them for a whole weekend(ish) was very nice. 

Tristan seemed on overload with a heap of activities planned that started the minute he got out of the car. The kid is accustomed to a pretty laid back life style consisting of a day of home schooling, farm life and treks to church and town. So walking into a sea of 1,200+ kids participating in our first ever school wide lip dub and pep rally was a bit overwhelming, but awesome. 

Sometimes it is nice to have activities spread out a bit, but that wasn't' the case with attending the Seneca Character Breakfast followed by the Safe Trick or Treat @ Shawnee (where Taylor was a very cute zebra) and wrapping things up with the Medford Halloween Parade. The little dude was exhausted once nine o'clock rolled around. But he was a super trooper.

Even though everything was warp speed, it was really nice to see the three of them. I loved watching Taylor and Tristan have some cousin time goofing around, hugging and laughing. A six hour trek isn't as easy to accomplish as it used to be with time and life obligations, but the next scheduled trip is for the Drug Squad Retreat beginning Nov. 15th. Deep breathing as that date draws a bit closer. It's not always easy to take the time to smile, breathe and take in moments that are easy to slip by our fingertips if we're not careful. Making it a priority has to be a priority....I just haven't conquered that one yet. 

PF3

This morning the sermon at church delved into the aspect of giving, serving and stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zone and, in turn, allowing God to use us in the lives of others. Taylor and I spent some time chatting about the aspect of giving and serving. Are we serving? And when we do, is our heart in the right place? A struggle I have is how easily I can become disheartened when others don't share my vision, but the other side is how absolutely contagious it is once they get (as I like to refer to it) infected : ) . It's life altering. 

So goes the PF3 at Seneca. Philly Full Fledge Feed...bam! Another yellow bus rolled into Philly on Wednesday afternoon with a load of teens and adults ready to rock and roll. It seems each time we go things roll a little smoother and the interactions with those receiving food and clothing gets more genuine. I love watching the hearts of these kids, adults and now my friend's little ones totally get super amped up while gaining insight into a world that very few allow themselves to go. 

Seventeen year old boys rolling through Love Park on their skateboards eagerly handing out blankets and bag lunches to young and old on benches, street corners and huddled in groups. Kids scouring for just one more blanket or pair of socks to give to someone who, in just a few hours, will be sleeping on the cold concrete as evening sets. I am in awe of the lessons, in just a very short amount of time, that these guys are taking with them. Each of them asking, "Lawler, please let me go on the next trip." Stoked. Elated. Awesome. With the proper direction, ingredients and man power seeds can be planted and eyes can be opened to pass the torch in establishing a life time of giving, serving and living in a way that's anything but ordinary. 

Under Our Stars

There's something about hope. There's something special about family. When you combine those two elements at Seneca you are bound to experience something unique. Last night I participated in our school's first annual "Walk Under Our Stars" event. It was our own school based Relay For Life involving over 700 students and staff. I signed up to work from start to finish. Knowing that this was going to be something we would all remember for the rest of our lives there was no way I was missing a moment even if the weather forecasters were predicting temps dipping into the 20s. My strategy was to layer, drink heaps of coffee & hot chocolate while surrounding myself with 700 AMAZING human beings. Cold and frost would be no match.
From the start of the school day it was already emotional just observing the kids streaming through the hallways with their coordinated shirts, sprayed hair and signs hanging promoting the evening's event. So much emotion and charge drove all involved from the get go.













Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for what the next twelve hours would hold in store. Imagine 700+ teenagers gathering on a football field with pop up canopy tents, bags of food, blankets, chairs, tables, stuffed animals and the list could go on and on. The cynical type would raise an eyebrow and shake their head.
We had faith in our kids. We set the bar high. Our kids were spectacular and surpassed, once again,  the expectations for the evening. Hundreds of teens gathered for the purpose of not only raising money for cancer, but honoring those their friends, family members and friend's loved ones who either are a cancer survivor or those who are no longer with us. Tee shirts and posters with names and faces of loved ones filled all areas of the field that had me choked up before the evening officially began.






















The evening kicked off with all 700+ of us lined on the track taking the first lap together, as one family. Pride surged and our kids were off to walk, stride and push forward for the next 12 hours. As the clock reached midnight the lights were turned off and we gathered around the track for one lap, in silence, together. The entire track was lit by luminary bags, each one had a name of someone who had been touched by cancer. As the lights flickered and we walked under a canopy of stars all I could think of was the hundreds who surrounded me who were thinking of someone, at that very moment, that they have watch suffer or their someone who was no longer here. My eyes swelled with tears thinking of how my husband and kids have been effected. I thought of both of my grandfathers and many dear friends who are no longer here. It seems the majority, no longer the minority, have a someone.
Seven hundred kids and adults walking in silence. Mom's, Dad's, friends, aunts and grandparents represented by one single light. Standing individually, it seems so vulnerable and dim. Together, gathered and properly represented the lights burn bright and their loved ones stand strong.

As the weekend continues on those twelve hours still weigh on my heart. I feel so very honored to have been a part of such a awe inspiring event. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. I heart Seneca. 

Be the pink

Every Friday morning I meet up with a handful of my girlfriends for an early morning run before the school day begins. Our sneakers are slapping the pavement as the moon and stars are our backdrop against the blackened sky. It's a combination of mental, physical and spiritual rejuvenation that I wouldn't change for the world. I love my friends. 

This past Friday as we rounded the last bend before heading back to the locker rooms we were greeted by a sign (as seen above) that evoked a mix of emotions. Friday was our annual 'pink out' with hundreds of teens and teachers adorning pink shirts, bows and knee high socks. As students made their way through the hallways to classes it was a sea of pink. Love it. 

Our efforts were to promote awareness about breast cancer and the many other forms of cancer that have impacted nearly all of us in some way, shape or form. Most of us have had or have someone in our life touched by cancer; it's an epidemic. My heart aches with stories that seem to stretch on and on.

But I am also very proud. Those pink cups lining the field re-enforced a very powerful message. There is power in numbers. There is hope to be found. I believe we can, in many forms, make a difference in the battles that we wage each day. There is so much heart ache out there that includes so many facets of life.  So often we may feel alone facing battles in the form of illness, financial hardships, family losses and the list goes on and on. We are not alone. 

I thank God for the Hope that I have in Him. There is some crazy crap that life can hand out and I don't know why some have more than others. Some of the stories that I hear each and every day in my office can cause my heart to ache in a way that can leave me emotionally exhausted. I don't have answers as to the 'why's' of all these aches and pains. I do know that there is solace, there is hope in knowing that ALL things are in God's Hands. I know ALL things do work together even if I don't ever see the end result. I am comforted by the fact that God is good & in control. My heart is not as heavy or fragmented at this reality. 

So as those pink dixie cups line our fields I am so very comforted that there is, indeed, hope. Rock on and live strong. 

Isn't it A-MAZE-ING?

If I had to rank the weekend on a scale of one  to ten it would an easy 12.8. It was pretty much 60 hours of fall goodness that began with watching Taylor cheer at the Seneca vs. Shawnee Football game on Friday night (I shall refrain posting the winning score due to a non-green victory, but it was still a great game) and was a long evening with a game delay to thunder. I guess you have to mix things up every now and again. I was a proud parent as I was working the game stationed on the side lines 25 feet or so away from the kids. They did a great job. Golf clap : ) 

I think it would be safe to say that most of us enjoy fall. I can't seem to remember a year where the transition from summer to fall was so definitive. One minute shorts and a tank top and the next we're sipping pumpkin spice lattes while sporting boots and christening the fire pit. Fall! It's a buffet for the senses with the smell of burning fire pits lingering in the air, crisp chilly air and CORN MAZES! We trekked to Amish Country to break bread in a very farm fresh manner and do a little gps navigating through one of the coolest corn mazes around. Taylor and her friends headed in one direction and Keith & I in another. This might shock you, but I'm a bit navigationally challenged. Perk #137 of being married to an Eagle Scout. I did abide by the no cutting through the corn stalk rule although, to be completely honest, it was an internal battle the entire time. I guess that's one of the perks that the husband gets for marrying a rather a.d.d ridden traveller.














I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or us. But without doubt we were all worn out after rolling back home with a car full of passed out kids ready for bed. Not everyone can keep the pace of the tech man and the drug lady : )

As if Saturday wasn't chock full enough Keith & I headed down to the great Atlantic for the Annual Chowder Festival in LBI. Chowder goodness! I take my surf, travel and food very seriously. With that said we were more than ready to handle the endless cups of chowder with our muffin tins ready and willing to bring on the chowder goodness. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the chowder was piping hot! We met up with a bunch of our Seneca friends, listened to some great tunes and embraced the day.


I love enjoying life. So often we get caught up in things don't matter or, on the flip side of things, inundated by the heartaches of the things in life that do matter a great deal. Sometimes I find myself being emotionally overwhelmed by the stories and struggles of many of the kids I work with. It takes a toll on my heart. I'm not sure if that will ever change. But where I find my recharge is with family. Knowing that if I'm going to be able what I do effectively, there has to be time for me to just zen. This weekend I did the zen. My batteries are recharged and I'm ready to rock and roll. Very grateful that I am learning how I'm wired and what I need to be in a good place. I needed this weekend and the esposo is a catalyst in encouraging me to take the time for myself and allow for time to just simply be.  So as another week is about to resume I'm ready and able to do my thing in all aspects of my life. Bring it on : )

39 Hours of Birthday Goodness

Without a whole lot of planning there was Jersey and then there was Virginia. My parents picked me up from the train station Friday evening with Tristan and Gabe in tow. Last week Tristan let me in on a week of his, "E, I closed my eyes and made a wish that you would be here for my Birthday." I lovingly let him know that I loved him, but it just couldn't happen. After hanging up the phone the wheels were spinning and the ticket was booked.
Considering the time from when I stepped off the train until I was back on was about 39 hours. It was another quick trek to Faith Farm, but it was 39 hours very well spent. 

We managed to fit in coffee on the porch, fishing, baseball practice, herding cattle and heaps of smiles and laughing. The two little dudes bring joy to my heart and have the ability to make any form of stress melt away. Tristan and Gabe allowed me to tag along and tend to the newest member of Faith Farm, baby cow (name yet to be released), that has to be fed by hand due to it's lack of strength in its legs. With time the young calf will grow, but right now it has to be tended to a few times a day. These two mini-farmers are doing a heck of a job.

Tristan and Gabe were pretty happy with having their aunt partake in another whirl wind visit providing loads of entertainment, laughs and fun. Yay, for surprise visits! 

Sun was shining and goodness was going

So I'm not sure how the past three days went so quickly yet it feels like there was sufficient time to catch up on odds and ends while allotting time to recharge and relax. Saturday Taylor, Nate, Olivia & Maggie enjoyed a beautiful day in Love Park while multi-giving. The kids handed out sandwiches, clothing and passed on heaps of smiles to countless individuals of all ages that are struggling to make it. As they passed goods out I had the opportunity to sit and speak with a number of people who were clearly embarrassed by where life had lead them and were almost apologetic for taking both food and clothing. I always try and say we're here to lend a hand, not judge. I think so many that we come across have been struck by judgement to a point that must be overwhelming and gut wrenching. 

So many stories with heartbreak, tears and quite often, but not always, substance abuse streaming between the lines. It was only a few hours spent hitting the pavement around Philly, but we left on the note that a bunch of my kids from Seneca will be heading back this Wednesday. Seneca's Philly Full Fledge Feed (greatest name EVER!) is back and ready to kick out lots of sandwiches, clothing and goodness. Looking forward to Wednesday, but having a little extra 'Tay-time' always makes Philly a little more special. 

The whole weekend could not have been any more perfect with cool evenings, sunny afternoons and warm sand between the toes. Being that God made me to be outdoors when there is any excuse to make a fire, I'm there. This goes all the way back to my high school days with Monty Python movies and late night bonfires that were of epic proportion. Last night Keith cooked up an impressive peach cobbler that he cooked in the fire pit. What's up, Eagle Scout aka husband of mine. It was four forks, two thumbs up and pretty epic snacking on carb goodness with stars overhead and a crackling fire. I love fall.

I've found that I am less stressed and healthier overall when I take the time to be outdoors. It's part of my wiring. From late night fire pits to waking up before the sun rises to catch a little surf I find myself happier and better functioning when I take the time to detach from the world and just take in a little stillness. It might be a whole afternoon or a simple twenty minute bike ride around the lake. Nature = an E friendly zone. 

Week uno...check

The first three days of school flew by over and the weekend actually felt less crazy than normal. It may have started with heaps of rain and thunder, but it wrapped up with what could have been nothing less than a perfect sunny Sunday. Saturday morning Taylor and I headed out for our 2nd Annual Beast of the East Mud Run at McGuire. Whatever images that may come into mind are probably accurate and then some. Pouring rain, muck, grime and target heart rate. Bring it on, baby! 

There were close to thirty obstacles that ranged from crawling on your belly through two feet of rock and mud to scaling a seven foot wall and we can't leave out sliding on our backs under hummers. Six miles of this, a little run and some rain was right up my alley. Super fun and all the money raised went to military who have been injured in service. Goodness with muck = very fun!

Being that Saturday was awesome, but left me a little sore I had no option but to follow it up with a trek to the shore at five thirty in the morning on Sunday. At one point I had the thought that I might arrive a bit before the sunrise making the paddle out a bit precarious. But have no fear, the light was doable and the conditions don't get much better with air and water temps matching and 3-5 foot consistent sets rolling in. Yes, please. All of this and still time for church, a little nosh and some yard work (ok, I pulled seven weeds...but I was aiming for a productive angle:)
I'm looking forward to the week ahead and what lies in store. Life, it seems, was not intended to be boring and when it might seem a little bland it's time to sprinkle a little seasoning. It's all about what we make of each day and the moments that we take as experiences or allow to slip through our fingertips. Peace, love & flip flops : ) 

First day for Oswego : )

Wednesday was the first day of school for all of us on Oswego. Jordan began her first day of college in Rhode Island. Taylor had on her new outfit for the first day of her Junior year at Shawnee. The three of us had a first day of school 'breaking bread' breakfast before the sun was up as Keith & Tay headed to Shawnee & I trekked to Seneca. This is my ninth year at Seneca and even though it was an AWESOME summer heading back to 110 is a good thing. I love my job. I love the kids, my colleagues and the fact that I wake up in the morning and head to a place where I have the privilege to work in the lives of kids and, hopefully, make an impact. 

As we have wrapped up our first week it's six pm and I'm on the couch and in decompression mode. The first week always is a bit of a transition waking before the sun rises, realizing the pertinence of coffee and flipping through last year's year book determined to remember the kids that come in my office, often unannounced, or I pass in the hallway. It's crunch time, baby! 

As we head into a new school year it is my hope to have a powerful year. My prayer is to enter my workplace with the ability to look past stereotypes, outer shells and see each kid for who they are. Each of us are our own books with are own chapters and pages that most we come in contact with are unaware of. It is our duty, in my opinion, to dig deeper and see kids for who they are with the good, bad, sad and the in between. Connect with kids in a 'no strings attached' approach and good things happen. From handing off a pop tart to the kid who doesn't eat breakfast to taking a walk with the kid who just had a super bad day; it's connecting the dots in a way that's out of the box. It's all about connections, relationships and being invested in a way that let's others know your five days of the week isn't just a job and obligation, it's genuine. 

So whether you work alongside kids, adults or whatever is in between that....live in a way that you allow yourself to make a difference. Splatter that canvas with goodness : )