Rachel and Maddi came to visit us for a couple of days. We had fun in the ocean, and Maddi loved the splashing waves! She wanted to go deeper, but we wouldn't let her. It was so much fun, a beautiful, perfect day.

Richard's cousins stayed in OBX for a week. Then the boys came down. Its nice having visitors, especially when they rent a house right on the ocean!

...Levi, just like his Grandpa. He finished it too.

My boys on the beach. Next week: my girls. :)

We stayed "late" to go to the Big Bands by the Bay in OV one weekend. Its one of my favorite parts of the week. Nice break from work.

Rachel had a birthday lunch for her husband. Everything tasted so GOOD and it was all made from scratch. I'm proud of her. It was a yummy meal of bbq, beans, and peanut butter pie. She's a real Southern Belle. :)

I drove to work today to get some work done and watch the Inauguration. (no cable at home). It was raining when I left for work, the temp was about 38 degrees. About an hour later, the temp dropped, and finally at about noon, central office sent everyone home.

This is the view from my porch. If the wind stops, I'd love to get some shots of the beach.

I looked out of my office window and saw a crowd of kindergarten children in our bus lane. I asked what was going on, and learned that a donkey had been brought to school for show and tell.
Yes, that's right. A donkey.
I love this town.

23 years ago, my daughter bounced into my life, singing at the top of her lungs, her hair a blonde halo swirled around her head. She loved to move, hated to be bundled, and the first time she laughed, she laughed until she cried. Her singing and laughter have brightened my days ever since. I am blessed.
Happy Birthday, Babygirl.

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. Colin Powell

I saw this the other day and liked it.

Nostalgia

I really wish I'd remember my cable that lets me download pics so that you can see some updates. My babygirl is better at posting pics than I've been. One of these days I'll remember to bring it down.
We held an open house on our home yesterday, and because of bad weather, bad traffic, and probably a bad economy, nobody showed up. Bleah. I cleaned all morning, too. The realtor said that she wished her home was as clean as ours.

Today, as I was leaving to go back to NC, I felt like walking through the living room to look out at the Bay. As I walked through, I felt a wave of nostalgia. I could almost see my family all over the living room, eating (lots of ) cookies, playing charades, chess, and Monopoly, decorating the tree, opening presents, blowing out candles, eating pizza/pot roast/chicken wraps/spaghetti/chili/grilled cheese sandwiches, watching movies, playing Scary Game, doing homework, and me, waiting until the wee hours on the sofa, phone in hand, until they came home.

I forgot how hard it is to move. On the other hand, I was reminded of how blessed I've been, and really, still am.

I am now a North Carolinian. Got my license today, after taking a written test. Felt kind of wierd looking at it. I've had licenses from MD, FL, NY, CT, SC, VA and now NC. I kept the Va one the longest though.

Anyway, that was the highlight of my week. I'm not going to write about work, I'm afraid of privacy laws, etc. Kids are always funny material though. :)

Wow, I just won an ipod shuffle! See the link on the side for "tessa's ramblings". How nice! Maybe when I get my doctorate I'll give something away to somebody too, to celebrate. :) Kind of a pass it on thing.

by the way, I've misplaced my camera, so that's why there aren't any recent pics. As soon as I find it (I probably packed it somewhere), I'll post some more.

I found this picture today. This was the nicest, gentlest softest kitty. We miss her.

http://www.darecountyschoolsonline.com/moxie/districtnews/dare-county-schools-announces-new-assistant-princi.shtml

My head is still spinning, but this is my news for the week. Big news. As soon as I know more about my situation, I'll let people know.

My Dad often talked about God leading us through open and closed doors. All of the doors that I had thought I was being led towards were slammed shut. This one was not only wide open, but I felt as if I was being pulled through. Hard to explain. But, here I go...I'm excited, terrified, and curious. I wonder what He has in store for me?

I pray, and ask you to pray, that I am a reflection of Him as I lead. I want to serve this school and the people of Manteo the best way I can. I hope that I can humbly live up to what they need me to be.

Here's a few Maddipics I finally downloaded off of my cellphone. :)






Maddi being "gentle" with Sandy.















Grandpa Richard and Maddi at church









Uncle Hunter and Maddi

What My Parents Did Right

I just got off of the phone with my Mom. She’s fun to talk to. Anyway, it got me thinking. My parents did a lot right with me. The older I get, the more that I realize how fortunate I am to have been raised by them. What exactly was it that they did so right?

They raised a daughter that expects to be loved.
I have been loved ever since I was born. I have never doubted the fact that my parents love me. I remember my father bringing me an orchid on Easter, as well as for my sister and my mom. It was expected, and he always came through. On my 18th birthday, my dad gave me roses. Every night my parents said goodnight to me and hugged and kissed me goodnight. It was a matter of fact that they would. I always knew that they were there for me, and they still are. The first time I started to realize how lucky I was, they were dropping me off at my new dorm room in college. My dad hugged me and picked me up in his hug. I was self conscious. Two girls were in my room, one my roommate and another student. When my parents left to go home, both girls said that they wished their dad hugged them. It made me think. Because of their love, I expect love, and, I think, find it easier perhaps to love in return.

They raised a daughter that knows she is special.
I read a lot about women who don’t think much of themselves. I have always felt different, but not in a bad way. Not that it’s easy, but it’s ok. My mother has told me the story of why I was born, and why I have the name Lisa Jo. I’ll never get tired of hearing it, because it tells me that I was anticipated, and born for a reason. (Maybe I’ll put the story in another post).

They raised a daughter who has always been sure there is a loving God.
I have never had to search for God, I’ve always known that He is here with me; He loves me, and will protect me. My mother first taught me that, and my Dad followed by the time I was 10 years old. They made sure that I was surrounded by teachers and leaders who taught me the truth, and showed me by example what it is to trust Him completely.

They raised a daughter who knows she can make mistakes.
Not that I want to. I absolutely hate making mistakes. They always let me know that its ok, they still love me, and I can learn from it. No matter what you might have to tell others, Dad once told me, tell yourself the truth. So I try. The forgiveness is what makes me want to be even better, that’s the nice irony of it.

They taught me what’s important, and what is not.
Working hard, but taking time to laugh. Learning is never ever over, there’s always more to learn. Silliness is good, even if it’s throwing peas at each other across the table. Libraries are the best place in the city sometimes. Notice beauty: look at the art, listen to the music, and just sitting and looking at the trees or the water is ok sometimes too. Take care of people: I can't remember all of the people who stayed in our house, missionaries, an expectant woman, Joann, all people who needed a place to stay, so my Mom took care of them. People hurt: everyone has something that hurts them, and none of us is more important than the other. Take care of yourself: Mom is happy when I'm swimming, she says I work too much. Dad is happy when I sound happy.

I am rich beyond measure, as they say, because of my parents. I’m sure I haven’t told them enough.

My babygirl and her family got their pics taken at Botanical Gardens. There will be more soon at http://www.scotthayneblog.com/
Cool huh.

It was warm enough to hang out on the deck. I think Maddi shares my fondness for bubbles. It was fun to see the look on her face when they appeared and disappeared.

These are my favorite girls.

Goodbye Sweet Teetie

You made our lives sweeter.

We love you

Teenytiny Cat