Jenga Fun

Willem came to visit me for the night! And, because we don't have a competitive bone in our bodies, we had a relaxed, calm game of Jenga... (wink, wink)

Enjoy the sequence of pictures :)

 

 

 

As you can see, we aren't having any fun at all.

Let me just say...

...that we have the best dog in the world!

I mean it. He's the best dog in the world.

After his first swim

Leif's Christmas gift from my mom. He was so proud of that thing!

Raven's Rocks on the AT

Cascades

Near Pandapas Pond

You wouldn't believe how many times this week he's comforted me and checked on me. When we haven't been together for a few hours or more he needs a cuddle, just as much as I do too. He'll walk up and nuzzle his nose into my legs, if I'm standing. If I'm sitting, he'll come by and rest his head on my lap. And, if invited, he'll place his front paws and chest across my legs, while I'm sitting, and nuzzles into me. He'll stay there for minutes, sometimes fifteen or twenty, if I'm willing.

Sometimes he comes up and gives me a hug, almost like a human would. It blows my mind!

Fetching at Cascades

He loves the water and a good hike. And he's gentle with other dogs, but loves a good romp. His training is really shining through.

Leif always checks to see if I'm with him outside or inside. And if he hears a sound from me upstairs, he's quick to come up and make sure I'm okay. Outside he knows his limits and sticks close, even if we're not paying too much attention.

Christmas wrappings

A better companion I never could find. Jim's a dog whisperer, that's for sure. I'll take the credit for teaching him to sit, lie down, swim (Well, I coaxed him in and gave him his confidence!) and fetch, but Jim taught him how to heel, stay, and stick around.

It's camping time!

We can't even begin to imagine our lives without him. He's certainly our first baby.

News from Honduras

Jim's sent me two emails, so far. Below I have included a few excerpts from his emails. Jim's a really good writer, sometimes called "Mr. Rhetoric" by loving family because he corrects some of us a fair amount. I often say that he should be the English teacher and not me. These emails crack me up because he is trying to write them on a friend's phone. Neither of us are very good at texting and it takes us a long time, so his emails have been short, with lots of abbreviations. I've tweaked these quotes a bit, so they are easier to read and don't have any of the autocorrect words.


"We work hard then eat well and we even play some bball before bed. The docs are great."


"We went to eat at the local mall. Ask me about what I ate when I come home. Just wait & ask!"


I'm looking forward to hearing just what it was that he ate :) This sums up about all that I know about his trip so far. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

My students were testing today, which meant I had to climb the stairs to the lab a few times today. My head is going strong and my neck is sore, but the day is done :)

Thank you to Mike and Tino for walking Leif during the past couple days! He's been loving it, and I've been so grateful to have a tired boy around. Today Mike even took him for a swim. He's worn out and I am thrilled.

Lindsay made a lasagna dinner, so Mike and Lindsay will be swinging by in a bit to have dinner with me! They are too kind :)

National Players!

Willem, my brother, has always enjoyed acting and performing. His first audience, other than our family, were the drivers who happened to pass by our home in Savannah, Georgia. Willem would wear his Peter Pan costume and fight off Captain Hook on the brick steps of our house. Passersby would slow down and observe this young child in his play.

Before he could string together a sentence in communication, Willem could regurgitate an entire book, without missing a word. He would listen to books on tape and memorize the words. You know those books and tapes that would make a sound to let you know to turn the page? Yep, he would speak the entire book and even make the page turning sound before he could even talk. The boy's got an amazing memory and ability to remember quotes from movies, books, you name it! It's as if he has a film running in his head.

One year he played Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. While I was driving him home one day, he asked me if he could recite the monologue from the trial to me. Well, this monologue went on and on and on; I was so impressed that he could memorize something so complex. When he was done reciting it I asked him how long it took him to memorize it. His answer- one bus ride! What?

Willem graduated from college in December. He was a theater major and, since graduating, has been auditioning and applying for auditions. He did have a short stint as a body double with the Virginia Opera, but he's been looking for something more long-term. Well, he made it BIG!

Willem as Ajax, in Ajax

He's been selected to be a part of the National Players! From what I've read and heard from my dad and from him, he'll be traveling all over the country and to some military bases abroad!!! They will be performing two plays: Romeo & Juliet and Animal Farm! Each actor will have a part in each play. And, the best part is that he'll be reporting in July and will be touring with them through May! He'll have a full-time gig! WOOOOHOOO!

We couldn't be more proud.

_____________________________________________________________

I haven't received any news from Jim yet; I'm sure they are having a great experience! As far as my health, I had a coughing fit last night and so that brought a lot of pressure to my head. Sleeping was harder last night and today the headache was stronger. 

Thank you to Tino for walking Leif today! He's been restless for some activity! :)

Honduras Bound!

Leif and I just saw Jim off for his trip to Honduras! I'm so excited for him to have this opportunity again. He had such a rich experience last year and is even more excited about getting everything he can out of this trip.  You can bet that pictures will be posted upon his return!

As my mom always says, though, it's always hardest to be the one left behind...

But I must say, he certainly out-did himself during these last few days and I feel so surrounded by his warmth and love. The house has been cleaned, the carpets washed, the bed made, and the laundry and dishes done. He also gave me a list of friends to call from VCOM, if I needed help with Leif. Even the secretary there wanted him to give me her information, so she could help if I need anything. Not only that, but he made two pizzas (from scratch) for me to eat for meals this week. And, last but not least, he picked some flowers for me during his last few minutes at home! I'm humbled by his love & care.

Perhaps next time I'll be able to tag along! Until then, Leif and I will cuddle and chill.

Keep him in your thoughts this week.

______________________________________________________________________

Thank you to Aunt Carla, Uncle Sam, Alex, and Logan for their generosity and gift card to Olive Garden! That was our date on our last night together :)

Health update (sorry, some of you have been asking!): I'm doing pretty well. I still have soreness in my neck and I still have the headache. Some days my headache gets very light and I'm so grateful for that. My neck was more painful than usual on some days this week. I'm following the doctor's orders, taking my meds, and taking it very easy. It's a slow recovery, what can I say?

I'll Fly Away

Miles away today, people gathered to celebrate the life of an amazing man.

I didn't know him well, but my sister did. Phoebe's someone who can come into your life and magnificently change it for the better. This man was one of the few who could return this gift to her. For her birthday one year he surprised her with a cake. And he loved to tell jokes, just as much as Phoebe loves to laugh. His jokes now live on in many, especially Phoebe. They had a mutual love for each other.

At the service, Dad and a few students performed "I'll Fly Away." These lyrics paired with the melody and harmony say what empty, futile sentiments cannot during this time....

Some bright morning, when this life is over I'll fly away
To a land on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away...

I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away.
When I die hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away.

When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly, I'll fly away


I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away.
When I die hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away
To a land where joys will never end, I'll fly away



I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away.
When I die hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away.

Our Day Trip to Staunton

Things I loved about Sunday:
- time spent with my parents
- conversations and catch-up about family, perhaps there was a little teasing in jest, too!
- yummy Shenandoah Pizza for lunch
- an INCREDIBLE show (Much Ado About Nothing at Blackfriar's Playhouse... I mean really, can they get any more talented? If you haven't been, you should check them out!)
- walking around the beautiful city of Staunton, Virginia
- a gorgeous, spring-like day
- walking through the glass-blowing store, Sunspots
- getting a DELICIOUS pork tenderloin from my dad (the grill-master) and a beautiful gift from my mom

I'm so sorry I didn't have our camera to snap a few pictures! My dad had his flip-video, so perhaps one day I can load the video. But it was a wonderful day. It was also just too short, but it was a taste of summer and what's to come...

Since then I've been a bit exhausted and have tried to take it easy at school and at home. It's amazing what can truly wear me out these days. A Wrinkle in Time continues to be a blessing for me and my students and I am so fortunate to work with such supportive people!

Someone told me that we only have 44 more days of school... I think I can make it :)