Sunday, May 29, 2016

Reasons NOT to go to China

Reasons NOT to go to China

1.It is expensive
2.It is a long trip
3.My kids don't like me to leave. They tell me hundreds of times, "Mommy I don't want you to go. I will miss you so                much."  
4. My mom doesn't want me to go. You know, she's a mom and she worries. I get it.
5. My husband has to adjust his schedule.
6. I have to find child help for 4 kids…thats a lot of moving parts.
7. The place we go to has cinderblock walls and bars on the windows. It is HOT in the summer and COLD in the winter. It doesn't smell very good.
8. I hate to fly….I think I really need medication kind of fear.

So when I was on hour 9 of sitting in the Chicago airport waiting for our flight and watching the pouring down rain, I got really sad. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to be in my own home, cozy and safe with my family. I was already exhausted and we hadn't even started the long part of the journey! And then they called us to board. We took off into the storm and over the water. Turbulence was bad. Cue my flying anxiety. A full blown panic attack with sweating, can't catch my breath, and thoughts of the plane plummeting into the water and my kids at home losing another mother! (I told you I needed medication). I turned to Julia and said, "I am NOT doing this again!"

Fast forward16 hours later… as the wheels of the plane touched down across the world, I turned to Julia and said, "We are here!" Both of us were crying. Happy tears. 
Reasons I DO go to China
 1. This place keeps calling us to return. A place where my friends live. Little people with lost and hollow eyes that I adore. Little people who are in desperate need of love. Nannies that are my friends, even though we have never had a deep conversation because we don't speak the same language.
2. I get to share a passion and life changing experience with my beautiful daughter.
3.  I truly feel God when I am there

So even though it looks like the "don'ts" out number the "do's" and the don'ts are pretty valid reasons not to go, the "do's" just really win year after year. And I am glad they win. It is an unimaginable experience. 

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Graduation- Class of 2016

May 21 2016
Augusta Preparatory Day School class of 2016 graduated.
My Julia graduated.
Bittersweet
Magical
Proud
Nostalgic
It was a really wonderful day!






 It was a beautiful and very personal ceremony.
As each graduate received their diploma a little paragraph was read about them.
Then as they marched out, all the teachers and faculty lined the walkway and they stopped and hugged each one.



A reception was held afterwards for photos and socializing.











Another really great thing the school does...each graduate has a banner hanging in the reception area with a baby picture and their graduation picture along with the college they are attending.


Our sweet babysitter Bernice who has babysat for us since Julia was a baby!!!





 Cousins













 Their amazing college counselor Ivey Harrison who is a PC graduate, here with the 2 future Blue Hose!





 Our fabulous new Headmaster kneeling down to Julia's height!
and his fabulous wife!

 Mrs. Ryan who runs the show!!! She is the best!!






Afterwards we had a party at our house to celebrate the graduates.











It was so much fun and really a wonderful day!
I love this first baby of mine and am so proud of all that she has accomplished and all that she has become.
It was an emotional day for me knowing this is an end to something.
 But it is also a beginning.
I am so excited about her future and all that she has planned.
And all the mysteries that will unfold.
The future is yours Julia.
Dream Big, Love Much, and reach for the stars!
I will always be here cheering you on.
I love you sweetheart!
Congratulations on your graduation from high school!!!!!