Lessons from a wall calendar...

My March calendar that is currently hanging to the right of my desk says: "It's a beautiful day. Don't let it get away." The picture is of a cartoon-like woman dancing among flowers and holding a couple tulips in her hands as she raises them to the sky.

March, for me, has been like that.

A week and a half ago, after a particularly difficult Tuesday, I came into the office the following morning to find a beautiful bouquet of assorted flowers in a vase on my desk. The spring-like colors were a welcome sight as they brightened not only my decor, but my spirits. The note, written in pencil on a post-it, said simply: "Flowers from your secret friends". My reaction was not to try and figure out who my "secret friends" were (though I had a pretty good idea), but to relish in the blessing that I have friends who care, support, and share in my life as I do in theirs. Another blessing was the whispered comment from a 5-year old later that day - giggling in my ear, she said: "I know who your secret friends are!" So, thank you, Secret Friends.

A few days later I found a card on my desk. The front said: "The rollercoaster of life can sure take ya for some crazy wild rides!" Inside, it read: "...but hang on - 'cause everything's gonna be all-right!". The picture inside was of two people riding a roller coaster and a word-bubble proclamation of "on yer side!" So, to my rollercoster-riding-buddy, even though sometimes I want to get off the ride, it's good to have someone to ride along with me who understands the ups, downs, and loop-de-loops!

There is a lady that I work with who has been blessed with the gift of encouragement. Through words, small gifts, notes, and comics, she brightens my days and reminds me of God's blessings. Her big heart is evident in the way she cares for others and the students and she truly embodies the sentiment that "it's a beautiful day. don't let it get away." Beyond the "stuff" she gives, it's her positive attitude that is truly remarkable. But, then how can you deny the giving heart of someone who gives you a pink-curly-haired covered pen, a jumbo snowman pen, or cut-out comic strips featuring the theme of your life at that moment?

And yet, another friend wrote me a note on a beautiful, simple card that said in her own words: "...because while it is important to mark the significance of big events, it is also important to focus on small pleasures. Here's to the big, and the small..." You're right, Friend - thanks for the reminder.

So, friends, here we are. To the "big and the small" in your life, I wish you time to recognize and revel in the blessings. I wish for you the perspective that it IS indeed a beautiful day living in God's sight. I pray that you don't let it get away and that you truly can identify that you are blessed. Among the junk, is found true beauty - for it is the ability to recognize the difference that makes it all more beautiful.

God is good. Can I get an Amen?

Where else can you wear crazy hair and fit right in?

I'm back! And upon my return, I discovered the reason I hesitated to join the blog world all together...BLOG HARRASSMENT! So, I know it's been a long time (C & M), but here's an update on all things me.

Work is crazy as usual. Last week was Spirit Week and we spent each day participating in a different theme - School Logowear, Backwards/Clash Day, Sports Day, Pajama Day (a favorite of mine and student's alike), and Crazy Hair day. I have included a picture below. Sorry for looking cross-eyed. You can't see it, but the hair starts as pigtails, moves into one pony tail, and ends in pigtails. 18 rubberbands, a pencil to keep it vertical, and a headache to end all headaches - and my hair was a success! It's for the kids, right?

What else is going on...

I am assistant directing the play at school. Anyone know the show "Our Town"? I saw it as a student in high school and I thought it was pretty heavy then. Imagine trying to explain to 10-14 year olds the meaning of a play that is summarized best as being about: Birth. Love. Living. Dying. But the kids are doing a great job - and the lead role is really doing well with monologues sprinkled throughout the entire show. The show is March 14-15 - send up a prayer if you think about it.

This weekend is the Spring Gala fundraiser for school. "I" am a live auction item. Better said, my offer of documenting "A Day In The Life of an SAA Student" on video/picture montage is a live auction item. Should be fun! The parents who are organizing the event seem to think it will be a big seller (hence, live vs. silent auction) so here's hoping I don't stand there and go for like 20 bucks. Time to get dressed up and be elegant for an evening - I'll try and take some pics to post. Mom, Dad, my sister Kim, and Kim's boyfriend Lane will also be joining me at the event.

Tonight I get to go to dinner with my long lost college roommate, Melissa. Although, by hers and the other roomies estimation, it is I who is the long lost roommate. Life is busy - believe me, I would rather be visiting with them regularly! Them and their beebles (see earlier post for pics of the most adorable babies ever!). I wish Jen was able to join us (as I wish Steph and Em could, too) but it seems she is unable and she will be missed. But remember, this time it isn't my fault! :-)

Who's Following Who?

If you read the post below about what I have been doing with myself in recent years, you will know that I have worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters and then Judson College before coming to Science & Arts Academy.

At BBBS I met Cindy, who became a close friend, likely because we had offices away from everyone else and next to each other. We sat up in the dingy second floor of a downtown Elgin office building with dying plants, temperature-controlling nightmares, and a sloping floor that was only accessible by a super-steep, short-stepped incline of 20 stairs (I counted). It was through these "challenges" that we bonded and shared life details - including stories about Cindy's kids and crazy work going-ons.

After the agency closed, Cindy and I found ourselves on unemployment and in the hunt for a job - her in Elgin, me closer to home. Cindy secured a job at Judson in the adult ed division. I still searched. After a few months, a position opened up at Judson in the same division and Cindy forwarded me the description, saying I would be perfect for the job. I decided to apply, interviewed with my college roommates Mother in Law for the position (small world, eh?), and was hired the same day. So...I followed Cindy.

In the picture, Cindy is the one in green. Also pictured, my "boss" Maralee (aka, roommates mother-in-law), and Pammy T (in pink) - another crazy team member. Wonder where JM is? :-)

When I left Judson, Cindy and I (along with others from Judson AIM) kept in touch, visiting when possible and e-mailing updates semi-frequently - though she would accuse me of not replying fast enough at times.

Now, Cindy is leaving AIM and coming to work by me! No, not exactly at my school...but in Des Plaines where SAA is located! So...Cindy is now following me. :-)

I am really looking forward to having CT in the area again, continuing our friendship from "back in the day". And, while she claims that she won't have time to do lunch, I plan to kidnap her every once in awhile for a bite to eat and catch up time. And while I am sure she will be missed at Judson, I say: Welcome to Des Plaines, Cindy!

The cutest babies there ever were...

Let me take a few minutes to blog-brag about my former college roommates babies... Since I don't have a baby of my own, I claim them as my braggable babies from a distance. And I do mean distance. In the years after graduating from Judson, we all scattered to different areas to pursue jobs, families, and opportunity. In fact, I have only personally met two of the four beebles (I know, Mel, I need to come out by you!) because of busy schedules and distance. But, I keep up to date via pictures and e-mails (and I could use some more, ladies!).

So, let me introduce you to my Braggable Babies:

Abby Grace will turn 1 year old this month - isn't she adorable???!!! Her Mommy and Daddy are amazing people and Abby is so lucky to have them to show her the ropes. And with their big black lab, Bosco, I am sure life in that house is never dull. Thankfully, the Lord has provided for Melissa to stay home and be mom.

Already it is obvious that Owain Turner has an adventurous spirit - just like Mommy and Daddy. Owain lives all the way up in Minnesota and had the privilege of spending a weekend with "the girls" at our Roommate Retreat in Madison, Wisconsin. In fact, it was at this retreat that cutie-pie Owain had his first swimming lesson. I miss seeing his Mommy, but she will always be my "sunshin-iest" rooommate!

Who would guess this smiling baby boy would be only a few months old? Jericho Beck lives in Wisconsin and we have never met in person, but the pictures that Mommy sends are great! Jericho is also very fortunate to have parents who love him. He was 16 lbs 16 oz at his 4 mo check up, 26.5" long and I can't wait to meet him!

My 4th roommate had a baby girl, too...but I am waiting for pictures and an update - so, Jen, where are you??

What I've been up to...

I realize that there are people who are reading this blog who haven't heard from me in awhile. And "life...as I know it" may look pretty different than it used to once upon a time. So, let me take a moment to catch you up on my world:

I graduated from Judson College (now know as Judson UNIVERSITY) way back in 2001 (I can't believe it's been 7 years!) with a BA in Psychology. Yep, now I can officially analyze all of you! From there, I went to work for Big Brothers Big Sisters where I was the Director of their in-school prevention and character building programs. I had 50+ teachers who worked for me at a number of different schools in the Elgin/Fox Valley area and enjoyed my time there re-writing/creating curriculum, managing/training teachers, fundraising (with my bud Cindy Lou!), and occasionally representing the agency in the community. After BBBS closed its doors, I did brief contract work for another branch of the agency in fundraising and then, after a stint of unemployment and working at an upscale baby store (yes, me, working with cutesy baby stuff...yuck...), I was given an opportunity to return to Judson and work in their adult education department. In my role as Enrollment Specialist, I met with prospective students, compiled their application materials, did minor academic counseling, and had a whole lot of "you can do it!" conversations with apprehensive returning students. I worked there for a couple years-ish, even moved in to Faculty housing on campus to bring my commute down from an hour to mere minutes, and I really enjoyed the academic setting (and the people, too, MP, CT, JM, EK, and so many more!).

I left Judson in June 2006 to begin work at Science & Arts Academy (http://www.scienceandartsacademy.org/) in Des Plaines, IL as Director of Administrative Services. My job description covers a wide array of responsibilities - from Family Liaison to being in charge of school procedures...maintaining the physical plant to communications... behavior/academic issues to school calendar. There is a lot on my plate, but the meal isn't all that bad! For the most part, I love what I do - and I can truly enjoy and appreciate my colleagues.

Perhaps the most impressive responsibility that I fell into in this position was that of coordinating the new building project we just completed this fall (although work continues on a smaller scale). The school started in a warehouse/office building that was way too small, inefficient, and poorly structured to meet the needs of our academic mission. A couple years before I was hired, the school launched a Capital Campaign to fundraise towards a new building and began researching potential sites. What we found was the property next door to the facility and, after knocking down the old warehouse on that site, we began construction on our current 6-acre campus complete with playground, soccer field and 6,000 sq ft gymnasium with performance stage. I have included a picture of the current building below. My role was a big challenge for me - from choosing colors, classroom layouts, and adding bathroom facilities to miniscule, and annoying, jobs such as determining every place to put an outlet, numbering the doors, keying schedules/access, and landscaping. Do you know what a pain it is to get a phone system to finally do what it's supposed to? I know what the "underside of the deck" means, how to find aluminum studs, what tile cleaner should be used, and the difference ceiling baffles and wall panels make in the cavernous gym and performance area.


I have definitely grown through this experience...and the growth goes on as we anticipate a new Headmaster starting this fall.

Throughout the years, I have continued to be an active part of the church I have attended since High School. I am the director of the children's ministry LIVE WIRE program on Wednesday nights, I serve on the Discipleship Committee, and I have just completed a four week commitment for leading a mini Christmas focused worship time for an inter-generational Sunday School. While this year the church decided to forego the annual Children's Musical, over the years I have directed 7 High School Musicals and 10 Children's Musicals (with a great team of people!). Last year, I took a step back from working with the youth group - the first time since 1994 - and am serving that ministry now only as a High School Small Group Leader.

Phew...this is long...

I currently live in Willowbrook, IL, close to my parents and three sisters (when 2 of them arent at college at U of I and ISU) and I am contemplating buying a fish - thoughts? What kind? Keep it cheap, Peeps! I am also strongly considering returning for my Masters in Education in some concentration...still doing the research. Could use some prayer...

Anyway, that's about it for now...more than you needed to know, I'm sure, but this was probably a little therapeutic.

Happy New Year and here's to a great 2008!

The season's over...

I sit here at the computer wearing my team sweatshirt with the big orange "c" outlined in white and navy mourning the end of the football season for my Chicago Bears. Ah, there were highlights - Hester being the brightest - but there were many other disappointments - Grossman being the biggest.

So, we find ourselves looking at the empty playoffs and reflect on how different this year is from last at this time. The phrase "there's always next year" has never rung so true for our previously Super Bowl Bears.

So, Lovie, I hope we can get the kinks worked out, tighten up the defense and improve the offensive line, find a quarterback worth anything near the amount of money we throw at him, and look forward to a Super Bowl run next year.

Until we see you again in Bourbonnais...

it's a blog's life...

Everywhere I look, people are blogging. Sounds like a traditional English dance - but swap out the c and add the b and you have a tool for communicating with old and new friends. I, myself, enjoy perusing the blogs of people I know (don't quite understand the point of reading about people I don't know - though I know people do that...) and their lives seem so much more interesting than mine. Perhaps that is why I waited until now to do my own blog - not that anything is happening that is more interesting than ever before but...

Oh, never mind.

Anyway, welcome to my blog! Take a look around, drop a note, or pop in on one of my blogging pals from the list on the right - trust me, their lives are way more fun to read about!