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 : ) 

Nuevo Chapters

With summer winding down it yet again reinforces how quickly time passes. As we gear up for another school year it seems like change is rolling in every direction. On Saturday, Keith & Jordan headed up to Rhode Island to get situated before her freshman year officially begins. College is an exciting time with new experiences, adventures and taking that first step towards independence. As she begins her six year pharmacology program there will be lots of new experiences and challenges that will shape her into the adult she is to become. 

I remember my first few weeks away I struggled a bit finding my niche along with bouts of homesickness, but time and persistence everything sort of fell into place. College is a pretty interesting chapter in life and one which may take you on many different paths. 

As Jordan begins college and Taylor is now a junior in high school my prayer will be for God's protection over them along with following His prompting in their lives which can be a pretty tough thing at their age. I look at all the craziness in the world and it can seem overwhelming. God is good. God is faithful. As we roll into yet another school year I am confident that He will direct, provide and that the upcoming school year is sure to be teeming with new experiences and goodness. 

Yay, for new experiences, memories and outlooks on each chapter we approach in life!