The MeMa Legacy

I can't tell you exactly why I love the Royals but I love them.  I've loved them since I was little-  I watched Cinderella, I played with Grace Kelly paper dolls, and I had a Princess Diana pixie cut when I was in 6th grade.  Maybe it's the jewels, the handbag, or maybe it's my personal philosophy that a good crown goes with everything.  Or maybe it's because in a world that has abandoned old fashioned values, class, and loyalty to self serving agendas and entertainment...somewhere there stands a Queen seeped in tradition and loyal to a fault.   Even in an ever-changing society, a real Queen stands firm, always ruling out the prospect of abdication.

This morning, we woke to the news that our very own Mema had traded her old rugged cross for her crown.  We both shared a bit of a love for the Royals, so I am at peace knowing she is in the best kingdom of all.

This Queen’s story is far from a perfect fairy tale.  Like many, her own chapters were riddled with life’s challenges at certain turns.  It isn’t easy being a woman, single, or a mother but she did all three without giving up.  Through it all, she continued to love God with her heart, her soul, and her might.   As she raised her family, she made the same choice to lead in a way that they should go, exposing them to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  

(Deuteronomy 6:  5-7, Proverbs 22:6)

As a certain onlooker, I can tell you the impact of her reign is everlasting and most beautiful.

She raised an entire clan of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that share in love, loyalty, a strong work ethic, sassiness, joy for competition, compassion for others, and even when life becomes so hard that it seems like you can’t go on…MeMa left a strong will that can put you back in the game.  

Most of all she instilled the importance of family loyalty.  We most learned that everyone needs one encourager when we least deserve it.  

This time is hard and we are sad that we have lost our beloved leader, but I feel like we can make Mema most proud by caring for the jewels she has passed down. ‘The kind of crown we don’t wear on our head but in our soul’.

We love you Mema 

(aka. The True Queen)

missing this day J, C, and little lil  💗

Last Vlogmas- Extreme Cheap Makeover

Our last Vlogmas.

  

Maybe you know this about me already but I love to Deck the Halls right after Thanksgiving, and I love to take it down on the 26th.  

I really love Christmas but due to my work schedule, I hate the looming deadline of putting away my things, so I prefer to tackle it right away.

Day after Christmas

This year my body wouldn't allow me to do the full sweep (knee pain + basement steps) but I'm 50% done.  My one goal of the break was to clean out Connor's closet and shelves, but once we put Carlee's bed together her room took priority.  

I finally convinced Darren to get rid of the old computer (not turned on in 6 years) and desk.

TOO MUCH STUFF

I researched desk areas inside of living room spaces and decided it would look good if we kept the desk downstairs.  
In years past, we have kept some of the children's things downstairs because they always wanted to play and be around us when they were younger.  Now they prefer staying in their own rooms with their own things.   :(

Play Corner

This morning started with a 4:45am start to purchase organizers and sheets (little did we know there was a sheet set at the bottom of a lone Christmas bag).   
For the purchase of some tubs/ drawers/ organizers, we were able to do a lot of stuff.  

These tubs saved us!  We were able to store so many things.  They are deep, fit perfectly under the bed, and they have wheels! 

At our new desk area, I spent around sixteen dollars more to find a small lamp to match the larger one in our living room and I paired it with a small area rug.   
I also set up one of Carlee's books on top of the desk because it matched the colors from the living room, after all, Fairytales never fail to inspire.  

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the way that it all turned out.   We have a modest space, and my philosophy is if we don't have room for it- it goes.  I had to get rid of a lot of things today that were really cute or I would use if I had a bigger space.  
I utilize what space I have and I enjoy the challenge.  Whenever I feel bad that I want another room or another closet I say to myself-  you want to make memories not more stuff.  

Tommorrow I plan to tackle Connor's room and the kitchen cabinets, then a little R&R before the start of the school year.

The kids and I had fun Vlogging our Christmas experience but now it's time to ring in 2018 with a little more simplicity.

Catch you in the New Year! 

Vlogmas 4- The Big Birthday

Vlogmas is almost over!

Happy Holidays from our members to yours.

Merry Christmas Friends

The Grands

Shine

Mermaid Blanket

Santa Letter

Matching Heeled Boots

Fashionable Cousin Hil

Ron Gronkowski 

100% MeMe

Bring on Snow (in limitation)  

Connor's Selfie Stick= Capturing Great Memories
💌

Vlogmas 3- Humble Beginnings

Vlogmas Day 3:  
Hopefully, this will replace the Christmas Cards I didn't send out this year.  A Merry Christmas to All.

Once in a manger, a long time ago,

Before there was Santa and reindeer and snow,

A star shone down on humble beginnings below

Of a baby just born who the world would soon know.

Never before had there been such a sight.

Would the Son of a King have to suffer this plight?

Aren't there armies to lead? Aren't there battles to fight?

Shouldn't He conquer the world and demand His birthright?

No, this frail little infant asleep in the hay

Would change the whole world with the words He would say.

Not about power or demanding His way,

But mercy and loving and forgiving God's way.

For only through humbleness would the battle be won

As shown by the actions of God's only true son.

Who gave up His life for the sins of everyone,

Who saved the whole world when His journey was done.

Many years have now passed since that night long ago

And now we have Santa and reindeer and snow

But down in our hearts the true meaning we know,

It is the birth of that child that makes Christmas so.

Happy Birthday to Our Lord and Savior 

-Submitted by Tom Krause

www.thoughtco.com

Vlogmas: "Wrapping Things Up"

Day 2 of Vlogmas.
Wrapping, Laundry, and a Call from Santa

Go ahead and pay the $9.00 for PNP Santa (unlimited children). These videos are lifelike and bring a little festive fun to the occasion (unless your daughter has a panic attack about being on the "bad list" like mine).
Although Connor is a little past his Santa days, we do one for him for fun.

Closing Kindergarten/Middle School at Christmas

I've made it to the halfway point and let me tell you- this dog can learn new tricks.  I've learned a lot from my 6-8 experience. 

Thanks to some really dedicated educators (and administrators), we have had a very smooth transition (give or take a few mild incidents).  

*********

Even though I'm at middle school now, we still had a Christmas Door Decorating Contest (whooo. hooo).  
You can certainly tell I came from a primary school because I was all about it.

I'm accustomed to help from Mrs. E., so I became very angry about my door quickly.  

I have no idea what I was doing, why I put up a red door with red/green letters, and why it was taking soooo long.  

The art teacher advised me to outline in black.... but it still looked cray cray.

Also, I could never get the snowglobe even (I cut like 3), so I just decided to make everything crooked and whimsical.  

'Ain't Nobody Got Time for That Yardstick'

This inside of my 'snowglobe' was the sweetest.  I photographed our school and blew up the picture (for about $15... did I mention I was competitive? I mean heck I could have bought a party for that cost.) 

Next, I photographed and placed all of my students on the inside doing things like playing football, driving a car, and sitting on the roof, decorating a tree, etc.  

I placed a little laminate on top for shine.  It was really cute.

I'm the Santa.  Sad, but true.

 The kids had a lot of fun with it (even the 7th graders).  One tough boy, in particular, was like 'you really think you can win with this!?! You need to add some real water or something...'

Keepin'. It. Real.

Poster lights helped the cause.  

What I lack in neatness and measurement, I make up for in Pizzazz (Story of my Life).

Guess What? 

WE WON Best Overall

After the break, I will have a little party for my snowglobe kids.

Speaking of kids, this year I gifted them a little stocking with galactic slime, pencils, pens, and candy.

It was a hit, but I already have a MUCH better idea for next year-  EARBUDS! 

Elementary school teachers are fairly easy to shop for, typically a child has 1-2 teachers in elementary.  In middle school, it can be more challening to show support for the team without going broke-

I decided to gift them a teacher lunch!!

I'm really thankful for this team.  It isn't easy to be an advocate for children, a mother to a learner, and an inclusion partner without ticking someome off.

My principal sent me a picture of the team enjoying the Christmas Lunch.

The teachers that I work with (pictured and unpictured) show professionalism and trust. 

That is pretty darn cool.

Ps.  I had to throw in these little Mary Jane socks I found and were very affordable for the girl teachers.  

Are they not adorable?

Whether it be a note, a call, or a gift- show a teacher how much you appreciate them during the holidays.

Christmas Party Fun-

We had a great party.

Family Fued- Teachers Vs. Adminstration 

I got to be a little part of the planning and we had some fun.  It's nice to blow off some steam (and the food was great too).

I was in charge of Shaking your Jingle Bells & Oven Mitt Wrapping

This year, I was blessed enough to take Connor with me to Carlee's party.  He wanted to go even though it meant makeup work over break.  

Hey, you only have ONE kindergarten party in your whole life- make it a family thing!

Party and PJ Day

Carlee's teachers went above and beyond in the creativity department.  They had fun with holiday learning every day for a month.   

Our Sweet Friends

I'm so thankful for the few schools that still make Christmas an exciting time to be no matter what the age!

Merry Christmas Sweet Students and Families