Grads, pancakes and gratitude

So I am now officially a parent of two college kids. As I sat on the Shawnee field Friday night it was two years ago that we were here for Jordan and eighteen years ago that I was here receiving my diploma. You can't help but reflect with a two hour ceremony. It has been a long, crazy, unpredictable journey since I stood at this spot as a kid eighteen years ago. I can say pretty confidently, life has never been boring and now, years later, I am so very humbled of where life has brought me and the blessings that seem overflowing with my own kids and husband.
I have known Taylor for nearly five years and in that time it has been amazing watching God use her in some pretty amazing ways. Her heart is big, almost as big as her smile. As she received her diploma my prayer is that she will allow God to direct her steps and that she will continue to just love and give as she has in these past four years of high school. I can't really think about her not being here come eight weeks from now. My mind can't really go there yet. I am going to miss her beyond words. But for the now, I will enjoy having Taylor and Jordan home and savor the summer, time together and the goodness that comes in so many different forms.

As she marked her final year of high school it was completion of year ten at Seneca. That.seems.insane.
Ten years and in that time my life has changed in a million ways. I look around at my colleagues and it feels like we have grown up together and endured good, bad and in between of life. It's pretty remarkable.
As a proper adieu to year ten we went out in style with a last Pancake Palooza for the Drug Squad class of 2014. Pancakes are a celebration for all occasions.

So ciao class of 2014 and shalom summer and the goodness that ensues from sun, flip flops and family time. I give thanks for the countless faces and memories that move on to another chapter in their lives. It was a great school year and, for now, I am content putting a close to the school year and being at peace with a few weeks of recharge. 

Banana Pancakes topped with goodness

I love good music, surf and family. So having the opportunity to have it all in a week was pretty sweet. We were pretty stoked to attend Taylor being honored as a Burlington County Times Teen Excellency award recipient. Yay, Tay! I have to say watching her on the big screen and listening to others brag about an 18 year old kid making so many amazing things occur made my heart swell with pride and joy. Life's too short not to do good things and I am SO happy her heart desires to serve and love others in a way that few do. 

We managed to get through another week of crazy and end it sitting in our beach chairs on the lawn listening to Jack Johnson strum some amazing tunes. The dude rocks and after a pretty intense week of being, going and doing it was so very nice to just sit back and chill. I love good music and really find solace in taking the time to enjoy the little things that bring out the best in life. Jack Johnson, yes please : )
I'm not sure how one could not be prompted to paddle out into the great Atlantic after a few hours of listening to Jack. I could not deny the desire to get a little salty. So when my alarm went off a little after five there was Banana Pancakes that made the drive nothing short of wonderful.

The water was 62 degrees with the sun shining and a only a handful of guys out in the line up with clean sets of knee to waist high waves rolling in one after another. As I sat buoying in the Atlantic as most were still sleeping in bed I couldn't help but smile at the sheer beauty and simplicity of what seven in the morning held. Thank you God for your creation, opportunities to be still and give thanks and the reality that I am so very blessed in ways that I am so very undeserving. I'm grateful and digging June! 

Something about Spring

I enjoy spring, but it feels exceptionally amazing after an agonizingly painful winter. Every day I find myself driving a little slower with the windows down, breathing a little deeper and just enjoying the explosion of colors in flowers and trees. I am thankful.
With spring's arrival there is the inevitable buzz of an ending school year. It is hard to fathom that this will mark my tenth year at Seneca and in that time so many friendships, memories and crazy cool projects have evolved. 

A few of my Drug Squad kids rocked out with our last Philly Full Fledge Feed for the year. It is one of the highlights of my job watching kids serve others and gain enlightened hearts for the needs of others. Each of us can make a difference and being that the weather is a-maz-ing, there's just simply no excuse. Get out and rock out!

With outreach I think a pretty healthy balance is found in recharging. Saturday's 5:30 am drive to the shore was about as zen and therapeutic as it gets. From the windows down, cool breeze and arriving to sixty degree water temps and waist high surf made for total perfection. I don't need big surf. I love small, clean sets with a handful of people out in the line up. It's the moment. It's being surrounded by God's epic creation and in a place that is my definition of serenity. I am so grateful for moments like these and for a husband who totally digs that I surf and knows when I'm in dire need of a little Atlantic time. It's a good spring and I plan on digging it without pushing the need for summer to roll in quite yet. One day at a time : )