roommate

I have been considering hosting an intern from Academie Lafayette. I have been considering this since at least last June. I considered hosting a student for the school year but then talked myself out of it. I decided to just become a mentor family instead. Although I have enjoyed it...I still have this longing to host a student. Recently the school has said that they need host families for the second semester.

So there it is...the temptation to host a student all over again. I feel as though this may be the perfect opportunity because the student would only be with us for a semester plus they are familiar with KC and have friends already...less pressure to help them find their way and fit in.

Obviously, this decision would change our world completely. Right now I feel as though I need that change. Some days it is lonely here by myself and maybe a roommate is just what I need.

Opinions are very much welcome...but do know that I am trying really hard to make my own decisions these days!

kids say the darndest things...

Aneesa, "Why do you drink that mom?"

Me, "It's supposed to help me loose weight, but I don't think it's working!"

Aneesa looks at my tummy, "I think it is."

Me, "Awww thanks, you're so sweet!"

Aneesa, "I'm serious mom!"

Driving to school...

Aneesa, "I saw these people on tv that were loosing weight and you know what they were doing?"

Me, "No, what?"

Aneesa, "Exercising! Do you exercise mom?"

Me, "No, I haven't been lately. Do you think I should?"

Aneesa, "Yes, it helps you loose weight and it's good for your bones!"

who is planning this?

At my job there is always things that are mandated from above that we do or don't do. For example, the school calendar. It lists all the days that we have kids, days we are trained and days that we just come to work and have no kids. My question is who is in charge of deciding this?

Is the person in charge of making these decisions aware of the productivity level the last day of school before the winter break? How does it make any sense that kids come back to school for one day, Monday, and then are off the next two weeks?

How does it make sense that 1st through 6th graders start the school year with two half days and our little kindergarteners who have never done a full day of "school" in their lives come for a full day the first day!?!

Who makes this stuff up? When I look at the calendar it says "tentative"...tentative until what? May I put in my two cents?

...21 days...

There are many things in my life that I wish I could make a habit. They say all it takes is 21 days...that seems so simple!

when you say nothing at all...

I often wonder if some things are better left unsaid...can you say too much or are there times when you say nothing at all that your silence is more powerful than you words?

*32*

I recently turned 32 and I have decided that it is time to make that bucket list that I always think about! I believe a bucket list should be fluid...I don't know that it will ever be complete...like life...always a work in progress! Note that an asterisk signifies that it has been completed.

1. Take a road trip out west...camping along the way. (With no itinerary)
*2. Attend a Penn State game with Joe Paterno coaching.
3. Go to the super bowl.
4. Attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
5. Swim with dolphins.
6. Work for the Peace Corp.
7. Get a tatoo.
8. Become fluent in Spanish.
9. Loose 20 pounds.
10. Run a half marathon.
11. Dye my hair dark brown.
12. Travel to every state in the U.S.A.
13. Go skydiving.
14. Ride a mechanical bull.

Like I said, it's a work in progress...I'm open to suggestions if you have any!

gone

Do you think that you can only truly love one person? Do you think that in our lives we actually have a soul mate...that one person that we connect with. We connect with to the very root of our being? I sometimes wonder if I am searching for something that does not exist...holding onto a dream that is merely just that...a dream. And what happens if we find that one true love...our soul mate...and then they slip away? Are we able to move on from there or do we never really love again?

Today I stood by and watched a friend as her heart broke. She had that love...that some of us never find. They were going to grow old together and then he slipped away...lost to cancer. Standing in the camper...standing where their future once was...she cried...and I stood there. As much as her heart breaks because she has lost him...my heart breaks because I have never known that kind of love.