back(pack) to school

My summer filled with turning off the alarm, second cups of coffee, and being done with my "chores" by 3 to watch Dr. Phil and Oprah is quickly coming to an end. Tuesday, I must return to the world of work! But, as a school counselor, I usually get to ease my way back into the year. My office doesn't get busy until late September!

Not to mention, my work week is only Monday, Tuesday, Thursday!

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. It is probably my longest day, and the most demanding day, and my reward does not come in the form of a paycheck. It is SAY Yes! day. SAY Yes! (Save America's Youth Yes!) is the neighborhood faith-based program through which Bryan and I minister. Established a year and a half ago, the program serves 15 registered inner-city kids grades 1-6.

I recently viewed the movie Freedom Writers. I can't say the movie was great, but there is a scene where this inner-city teacher's father encourages his daughter to stay focused by communicating to her that she had been "blessed with this burden".

Bryan and I truly feel we are "blessed with this burden" to share Jesus' love with these kids who are priceless to God. I could share one story after another that bring tears of heartache and tears of joy from our work with the SAY Yes! kids.

Today was definitely a "tears of joy" day. Today, I got to deliver backpacks filled with school supplies to the kids.

Each student had someone who sponsored their backpack. The sponsors, pictures and supply lists in hand, chose a special backpack for the student and filled it with everything they would need to start the school year.

For the privileged, this might not seem like much. Just this morning, I stood in line (with my basket of bargain-bin supplies for one more backpack) behind a parent who paid over $60 just for her son's backpack.

But as the one who got to hand-deliver most of the backpacks today, I can testify, these packs brought shear delight to our students!

One first grade girl nearly ripped the pack out of my grip with a wide-eyed "thank you!" and immediately started to rummage through her treasure!

One fourth grade boy exclaimed, "Cool! I was hoping for an all blue backpack!"

One little boy, who has been on our "waiting list", saw me from a block away and started squealing and running toward me with excitement, and then, when closer, timidly approached, not sure he would be receiving a backpack. "I have a backpack for you", I said to him. He beamed as I pulled it out of my trunk. "I have something else for you-a registration form so you can start coming to SAY Yes every week." His smile grew bigger! Pack and form in hand, he skipped home, looking back at me, waving and smiling.

It just happened to be one girl's 9th birthday today. Bashful, she hid behind her new backpack (possibly her only "birthday" gift) as her mom thanked me over and over.

Then her mom asked (again) if there would be room in our program for her 2 grandkids. I could not make that promise to her..."The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Luke 10:2

I feel so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in these students' lives! And so deeply burdened. Burdened for the kids playing outside that I drove past today-with nothing to offer them. Certainly they are just as valuable to God. And burdened for the kids who received backpacks, because I know their needs are much greater than what we could fit in a backpack.

I am blessed with this burden.

battleground

Shortly after we began our adoption, I started daydreaming about the nursery. Cruising through the fabric department, I found so many cute monkey themed fabrics!

Eventually, I will learn not to do this, but I decided to ask Bryan what he thought. I expected one of two responses: (a) ambivalence or (b) the nursery should be "Packer". After a confused, "nurseries have themes?", and then "no monkeys", I got response "b". I was really counting on ambivalence.

Background information: I have a rule in my house. Bryan's sports themed stuff may be proudly displayed in the family room in the basement. The rest of the house is my domain!

Let the negotiating begin. "Bryan, the walls are blue. Packer stuff wont match." I walked right into this one..."Brewers, then!" Grumble.

We agreed to a generic baseball theme. And I found these adorable fabrics! Good compromise?

Last week, I went into the nursery (which is also my sewing room until Brett gets here) and this is what I find:

Since Bryan isn't touching my sewing machine, I think the bedding and curtains are safe. But I've lost the battle for the walls.

Kitchen makeover phase 3

In review, phase 1 was getting rid of the old linoleum and refinishing the original floors. Phase 2 was new counter, new sink, and putting up bead board for a back splash.

Phase 3 was painting the walls, cupboards, ceiling, and trim.

It's amazing what a little paint can do to an outdated kitchen. Sure wish it could make the kitchen bigger! Phase 4, new baseboards and trim around the back splash, should complete the makeover.

Then, it's on to the nursery!

Training Camp highlights and lowlights

(in no particular order)

tailgating

winning worthless prizes at the arcade

waterpark

hours and hours of shopping

(not picture worthy)

steakhouse-my favorite Green Bay tradition

Sammy's new car breaking down

16 month old nephew calling us "uncle" and "auntie"

cheesehead

look closer! I'm "showing"!

Brett's packer "necessities"

football