Spring Things 2021

The biggest problem with waiting so long to update the blog is senior brain fog. If it wasn't for Facebook, I probably wouldn't have a clue what happened; or, when it happened. I really need to be better about posting!

Anyway, here is what I do remember: 

The wildflowers were amazing this year. We had so many beautiful patches! Each time I see them, I think of Mom and Dad's first few years in Texas. They loved roaming the Hill Country looking for wildflower patches.

We got our COVID-19 vaccinations! After months of isolation, not seeing the kids or grandkids, virtual church, grocery pick up orders, tele-doc appointments, and way too many drives in the country, we were so excited about the possibility of restored freedoms!

The Gutierrez girls BOTH were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at school. Luckily, each inductee was permitted 2 guests (due to COVID) so, newly vaccinated Ron and I were able to attend.

The twins continued to participate in virtual school, while Ryan taught from home and Jamie worked from home. The girls were both awarded recognition certificates by their teacher. I'm so thankful the school tried to include their virtual students in every aspect of education. 

I became the former teacher of a published author! One of my favorite families has been the Miller family. Coach Miller is the PE teacher at Skipcha, his wife, Tawnya is a speech therapist for the district, and I had the pleasure of teaching both Brooke and Blake. Wonderful kids, super talented, kind, thoughtful, Christian people. Brooke wrote a novel and had it published!!! I was so excited to buy it when it was available! I had to have Ron take my picture while I was wearing the ONLY Skipcha school shirt I have left!

Mother's Day involved Facebook messages, phone calls, sweet gifts, pretty flowers, and yummy food. Ron gave me flowers that promptly died, well before I even got a picture of them. Ryan gave me a Pioneer Woman knife block, along with a humorous story about how he bought me a whisk when he was a kid and swore to NEVER buy me anything for the kitchen again. (I honestly don't even remember that!) 

                   

      

Scott gave me the BEST GIFT EVER!! A real Rangers jersey and dinner at Dead Fish Grill. Their shrimp tacos are simply the best!

                                         

    

Leslie gave me a beautiful humming bird feeder for my micro back yard. And, I bought myself some pretties, for the same micro back yard. 

Sometime during the spring, Ron and I were able to go to a Ranger's game and watch our adopted boys, Odor and Gallo, play before they got traded to the New York Yankees. The seats were great! They were the season ticket seats that belong to Scott's captain. He sold the seats they weren't using to fellow fire fighters. 

                                                  

Another major spring event occurred when I finally gave up my little flip phone and joined the smart phone generation. *sigh* I held out as long as I could. 

                             

All in all, we had a beautiful, peaceful, and happy spring.

Maggie and the Spelling Bee

About a month ago, Leslie called to tell me that Maggie opted to take a spelling test "for fun."  It turned out that the spelling test was a screen for the campus spelling bee. Maggie really didn't want to compete; but, being the teacher-pleaser she is, she went through with it.  She ended up winning her campus bee.

The story doesn't end there. Maggie had to represent her campus in the district spelling bee today.  Now that I'm retired (YAHOO) I'm able to attend school events; so, I drove up yesterday, went to their school fund raiser at a local BBQ place, stayed the night and went to the district bee. Delicious food, by the way! The fund raiser was really well attended and the girls were so excited to see some of their teachers there.

Maggie did study for the district bee; but, she didn't stress out over preparing. She told me she was nervous, but didn't know if it was just because she had to participate or if she really wanted to win.  Her Uncle Scott had told her she could get out of it quickly by intentionally misspelling her first word. Needless to say, she was appalled at the idea!

There were 36 students that competed on the district level, ranging from 3rd to 8th grade. Maggie came in 16th, going out on the first round. She wasn't the least bit upset about it, if anything she was relieved. When she joined us in the audience, she sure did have a relieved look on her face.

While I was visiting, I took Boomer to spend time with his bestie, Tico. We got to go on some nice long walks and 2 lovely parks in the area.

We played a round of Clue, spent a lot of time laughing and talking, having a generally wonderful time.
I look forward to many, many more short visits with all the grands now that my WEEK IS FREE!!!

2015 update continued: Early June - Celebrations and Graduation!

During the school year, I don't always get to participate in school activities for the grandkids. Mostly because I'm at MY school working. That is the biggest disadvantage of not teaching in Temple. However, I do take advantage of my sick days and personal days to make sure I can attend the most important events.

Maggie Lyn received an academic award for being the brains of the family. All A Honor Roll for the Year! Way to go Mags!! Aunt B, Mommy, Daddy, Poppy, and Mimi were there to help her celebrate.

Later that same day, we were able to watch as Sophie Lyn graduated from Kindergarten! It is so hard to believe how quickly the little ones are growing.

I often express the most sincere gratitude to my Heavenly Father for being able to have my children live close enough that I can be a part of their families' lives.  Not many of my friends have that blessing. Sweet moments like these are what matters most.