Sticking With It

This morning I delivered a thank you gift to the staff of my son's school.  As a PTO representative and school volunteer, I've had the opportunity to see all of these wonderful people in action more often than some parents.  I'm so grateful for all of the time and energy the teachers and staff put into the education of our children.  However, working in the school goes far beyond teaching kids how to write, read, and do math. I appreciate the positive example these adults set for my children and was able to provide them with a small token to acknowledge everything that they do.


Saying the words thank you, or a simple gesture of thanks, show appreciation.  You can encourage and invigorate the spirits of those who work so hard with the smallest actions.  Everyone needs a little pat on the back from time to time. 


A tin from Target's dollar spot, $1.  Scrap paper, ribbon, and a paw print punch already owned, $0.  Old fashioned candy sticks (40) in school colors from Cracker Barrel, $4.  A little time and thoughtfulness to say, "Thanks for sticking with our kids this year!," priceless.

Is there anyone you need to thank today?  Someone who needs a bit of encouragement?  

Let someone know you appreciate what they do.

Looking Back Through 2009

First and foremost today I absolutely must note my thankfulness and adoration for the amazing Marybeth!  If you were unaware, she received two blog awards recently and passed them along to me (and a few others) in her blog yesterday.  I promise to follow the rules and respond accordingly on Monday!  Thanks MB!

I'd also like to take this time to say thank you to those who responded to the news of my sister's pregnancy!

*****

As many of you know, my 2009 turned into 2010 while we spent time saying goodbye to a beloved family member, Nana.  While we dealt with the sadness, I was distracted from reflecting on the past year as I normally do.  Over the past week I began to look back on 2009 and thought today would be a good day to share.  If you’d like to glance back with me, an abbreviation of my year will be at the end of the post.

However boring or exciting your year has been, it's always something to cherish.  I truly believe that the life we live makes us the person that we are.  What are some of the high points of your past year?  Did you experience some low points you'd rather not remember?   

*****

With all the serious topics lately, I'm certain my husband is once again chanting bring back the nerd.  I'm highly influenced by my every day life, but in an effort to be more entertaining, I will attempt to find that part of me before next week.  I believe the goofy nerd girl may currently be lost in her Geekdom.

*****

Looking Back Through 2009

January
* My oldest son, O, said goodbye to a good buddy from school.
* I gained a friend, through my son, who would ultimately become one of the best ever!
* Typical school activities (including PTO events) took place this month and continued through early June of 2009.

February
* There isn't much to say... it was a fairly boring month.

March
* O celebrated his birthday on March 15th!
* My husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage on March 23rd!
* We prepared for our celebration vacation!
* I completed my first Winter library reading challenge. Go me!

April
* In early April were took off for our celebration vacation in Walt Disney World. My husband and I first met in Walt Disney World, so we commemorated our big anniversary there as well.  One of my favorite photos from our trip is pictured above.
* I became an official soccer mom when my oldest son began his first experience in team sports.
* My mom was in the hospital for a few days. Thankfully, she's okay.
* O was sick for 1 1/2 weeks.

May
* My youngest, M, got pink eye.
* O enjoyed the spotlight when he performed a big part in the school's music production, Go Fish!
* May 10th was Mother's Day and my 30th birthday!
* Sickness hit O again.
* I started this blog on May 12th!
* My boys spent a weekend with Grandma. It was M's first overnight experience!

June
* M celebrated his birthday on June 1st !
* Our first school year came to an end.
* M & O enjoyed Storytime at the library and participated in their first Summer Reading Club.
*Summer play dates began! YAY for great friends!
* My boys spent a weekend with my older brother & sister-in-law... Uncle M & Aunt S.
* Ikea called my name and beckoned me to it's doors, dragging my husband along with me!
*The man I married, and amazing father to my children, celebrated another Father's day & birthday!

July
* My family enjoyed a great Independence Day weekend with mini golf & fireworks.
* The first meeting of my library scrapbooking group took place!
* We took a trip to a Lake Michigan beach during a late afternoon.

August
* We enjoyed watching High School Musical 2 performed on a local stage near us.
*A trip to the Drive In Theatre made our Summer feel more complete.
* Enjoying a musical fountain show in Grand Haven, Michigan was a fun experience.
* Take me out to the ball game! We had free tickets to a local minor league baseball team through the boy's Summer Reading Club rewards!
* We prepared for another school year!

September
* Grampa & P came for a visit over the holiday weekend.
* School began!
* All of the normal school activities (PTO events, etc) began again (and will not end until June 2010).
*Race For The Cure took place & we visited with our dear friends!
*A touch of the sickies hit our house again.

October
* Sickness took over our lives by mid-October. Everyone in our household was hit!
*My boys were sick for Halloween, but had Bumblebee & Optimus Prime costumes regardless. I was disappointed that the pixie dust I sprinkled as Tinkerbell didn't help anyone get healthy.

November
* The sickies stuck around a bit longer. O was diagnosed with bronchitis.
* I can't not mention going to see New Moon in the theatre! Sorry, but I love Jacob!
* Nonnie & W came for a visit for Thanksgiving.
*Our annual trip to Bronner's took place.

December
* Our household is finally healthy!
* We had snow days galore in the first 2 weeks of December.
* Preparing for Christmas took place.
* O shined again in the school musical program, The Littlest Christmas Tree.
* Christmas!!! We celebrated the birth of our Savior!
* We made an impromptu trip to Maine to say goodbye to Nana and spend time with family & friends.

2009 rolled into 2010 while we were in Maine.

Never Forgotten

Hero, Soldier, Friend: Remembering Dennis

It's been 3 years since this world lost a truly kind hearted soul. On July 24, 2006, SPC Dennis K. Samson Jr. was killed in action in Iraq. Today, I honor him and continue to keep my promise that he will never be forgotten.

I remember hearing the devastating news and being so completely heartbroken. The compassion I felt for his family cannot be explained with words. While experiencing such immense sadness, I also felt extremely grateful. Not one person who knew Dennis could tell you anything different. Many tears were shed over such a great loss in our community. We were all honored to have known him at some point in time in our lives. If you asked any one person what they remember about Dennis, most would answer the exact same thing. He had a smile that could light up the room! I can still picture that smile today.

Dennis came into my life when we were just kids. He was one of my sister's first real boyfriends and spent plenty of time with our family. The adoration for my sister, that I saw at times in his eyes, was so sweet and enduring. One of the best memories I have of him always makes me smile from ear to ear. My sister was going to perform an old song called "Stupid Cupid" for a school event. Dennis wanted to help her out and we decided to add him to the performance... as cupid! Without hesitation, or at least none that he showed, Dennis donned an outfit that most guys would have run away screaming from. Let's see... heart adorned boxer shorts (with something underneath of course), a plain shirt, homemade faux wings, and a toy bow & suction cup arrow set. With Dennis's deep tan skin, sparkling brown eyes, dark black hair, and gorgeous bright smile, he was the best looking teen cupid the world has ever seen. Mostly adorable, because he did it all for my little sister.

After I moved to Maine in 1998, I didn't have the opportunity to see or talk to Dennis often. In fact, many many years had gone by before I spoke to or saw him again. One day however, in April 2006 I believe, I was on Myspace and happened upon his profile. I sent him a friend request and shortly afterwards we were talking. We caught up a bit and it was so great to see how much he had grown up, and what a handsome man he'd become as well. He told me that he loved the family Star Wars pictures I had posted from Halloween and was amazed that I had made portions of the costumes. I remember feeling glad that he'd noticed those things, because I had worked so hard on them, and every time I look at those pictures now, I remember him and his comments. We talked about where he'd worked at one time and a number of other normal "catching up" topics. Dennis also spoke to me a little about his time in Iraq so far and about some of the reactions, comments, and questions he'd received since returning for a visit home. I won't divulge most of the conversation simply because this was something I promised him that he could speak freely and honestly to me about without questioning if it would be repeated. I will let you know that he didn't go into many details about life there, but in what he did say to me, I saw the kind heart that I'd seen when we were just kids. He had changed in many ways, but I was happy to see this part of him remain the same. What he did talk to me about, stuck with me. I think it always will.

I didn't know him as well as many others. His family and many other close friends were more connected to Dennis than I was. I knew him mostly as a boy and for a brief time as a grown man. Regardless of how much or little time spent with him, he affected many lives. Even many of those who have never met SPC Dennis K. Samson Jr., and sadly never will. Due to his sacrifice, and the sacrifices of so many others, we are able to do a great many things in this country. It is with great respect that I say... Thank you to Dennis and the many men & women of this country, along with their families, for the many sacrifices you have all made.

Dennis Samson touched my life and I hope that reading a little about him will touch yours.

***

We miss you Dennis! You are never forgotten, but we know that you are bringing even more light to the streets of Heaven with your radiant smile and kind heart.