Blessings and Transitions

Flowers from thoughtful Jen to brighten the day:

A photo of Audrey sent by Annie in California -- Audrey sleeping peacefully on Shirley Pearly the Pillow Pet, holding tightly to Jewell the Pony - both from her Grandmomma. I so miss her.

 But, how can one be sad when all is so good -- new house with a yard, a school within walking distance, new friends, wonderful family friendly Navy base complete with drive-in theater (free), bowling alley (free), lots of Moms with children, great medical care and...a family.

Flowers are wonderful, photos sure help ease the hollow place in my heart -- but just seeing this family and knowing the happy times that are on their way...blessings. Huge, major, wonderful blessings.

The Last Hurrah - for Audrey and her (Grand)momma

You know Audrey is moving to California. Brand new place with new school, new home, new friends...and no Momma - what she calls me. It's been bittersweet - seeing her family so excited - and deservedly so! - but knowing we will no longer be, quite literally, 100 steps from each others door. Even at 4 and a half, she knows this. So, we had our last weekend together while Annie and John had a little get-away. We got as much as possible out of that weekend as we could possibly fit in. Apologies for the blurry pics -- I have a new phone now and hopefully photos will be a bit better.

 

My good friend Liz cut my hair - and Audrey got a haircut too!

                                                     Fun times at the Chick-Fil-A playground!

 We went shopping and found a little pony that came with a little house...Jewell the pony went everywhere and continues to ride along wherever Audrey goes!

Jasons! No, she didn't finish the baked potato. Jewell is being loved more than potato being eaten.

                                                                                Coloring book and crayons!

 

I had a meeting at the college with some students. So Audrey, and the pony, and the pony's house - also made the meeting. Huge whiteboards kept her very entertained!

                                                                             Banana cheerios are the BEST!

  I was invited to a wedding shower this weekend and Audrey came along. She LOVED the Mariachi Band that played! Me too!! So much fun eating cake, cookies, talking to everyone and dancing with Mariachi's! Other happenings included eating homemade custard ice cream at the place with the "hairy umbrella's" (thatched roofs over tables), eating fresh fruit at the Farmer's market, shopping and more shopping because Momma loves buying Audrey clothes and wanted to avoid shipping costs...for now.

The weekend came to an end, everything got packed up, the moving truck was loaded, and after everything was packed including 2 cats, 3 crabs, 2 cars and much stuff, Audrey, Annie and John took off for California.

I got the following a day into the trip...in case you can't tell, that's Wolfey (from my trip to Colorado) and Jewell the pony. They must be enjoying the hugs!

I shall so miss you Audrey Anne --- and Annie and John. It's been awesome being a part of watching everyone grow through the years and to see your dreams coming true!
I love you,
Momma

Jen: Pilot and Future Lawyer

A new advertisement distributed by Jen's 'night job' - attending law school at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. I think I would go there after reading this!  Go Jen Go!

More Winging - with a whale

A professional photographer took some pics at the winging...so they took a little longer to get back. There are many, but these two are my favorites. Not only because these are some of my favorite people (Lyles, Phillips and McColloughs), but because a visitor from Sea World in San Diego made the trip to Texas after visiting with Annie. Yes, Shamu has a history. He came home from California and looked a bit travel weary so in the washing machine he went. I got a phone call at work, from Audrey, who said she was 'very sad'. When I asked why, I was told, "I can't talk about it." She was quite upset that Shamu was rolling around in the machine. It was a rough day in Audrey's world. Later, we went to the movies and had popcorn to get a smile back in place. So, Shamu made it to the winging. He was briefly lost at Best Buy, but a determined Grandmomma got him back. Appropriately dressed in black and white, Shamu fit right in the pictures!

P.S. Note the flower shoes. Found them on sale. I giggle whenever I see them :)

Two Inch Notebook

Over 50 letters of support written by former and current students, colleagues, professors, administrators, principals, the Chancellor of the A&M system, and combination's therein. Over 60 different classes and sections of classes taught in five years with every grade, median average, evaluations by students and course syllabi included. Statistics, graphs and charts of all the above. Grants - from whom (National Science Foundation, NOAA, Texas Sea Grant and others), for how much (millions of dollars), for how long, and my role therein. Publications - pages, examples, citations, and no record of the countless revisions that went into each. Professional presentations - over 50 in five years given all over the United States and Canada, some by invitation, all the result of going through a peer review process to get included in the conference program. All the blood, sweat and tears of 4.5 years in one two inch binder. I spent the whole summer working on this project -- it's my very best effort. It's been submitted to my college and will be reviewed and assessed by many in my college before going through the A&M system. I will know in a year or so whether I have a job for as long as I want to keep it, or will be told I have a year to find another job. Honestly, I'm glad it's finished and now can concentrate on what I love most -- teaching, writing and helping my students be successful both in college and in their careers!

LTJG John Lyles: Naval Aviator, Annie's Fiance, WINGED!

A 'winging' in the Navy is a major, major deal. This means the pilot has completed all aspects of training and is now ready to fly as a commissioned officer. John Lyles is Annie's fiance, and we witnessed his winging this weekend. So proud of him!! Annie and John (and Audrey) are leaving for Lemoore California in a couple of weeks. I can't imagine what it's going to be like here without them, but am so happy for them as they begin their new life! Congratulations!!!

Annie pinning John's wings as his proud Dad, Captain Kevin Lyles watches:


Super proudness!


The Lyles and Jen - Navy tradition!


Jen, Annie and John:


Even Audrey was all smiles!


Celebration afterwards ---

Popcorn rocks!


Annie and Jen:


Mr. Heaven and Miss Maria (Audrey pseudonyms):


My Mom and John's sister Kristin - who is also a Naval Academy graduate and one of the elite corps of females from the Academy who has been chosen to serve on a Naval Submarine. Training to begin this summer. You can also see John's Uncle Mike and John seated at the end.


Maria Lyles - Annie calls her Miss Maria. She is also a Navy officer and works in Navy Intelligence -- major job. She is super sweet and Audrey loves her too!


My pride and joy who are leaving for Lemoore California in two short weeks. I shall miss them terribly but am so excited as they begin a new life full of promise, joy and love!

New York - Part II: Singing and Stairs

Catching up here - many things going on but I am determined to finish the blog about our awesome trip....

We went to two different cathedrals on our trip and sang at two different Catholic Masses. I encountered stairs to the choir loft like I've never seen before...and probably the only people that have are people that sang in the (very high up there) lofts. So, I decided a stair documentary was in order. Of course, the singing was sublime given the gorgeous venues, the awesome musical pieces selected by our directors, and JUST BEING THERE, singing as we worshiped. That was beyond awesome!

Circular Stairs at St. Patricks: haven't seen paint or cement in years. TINY walkway. Over 200 steps. It was dizzying...but worth the climb.








When we finally got to the top, this was the view that greeted us. It took my breath away!









Following mass, we loaded up in a bus and headed over to St. Ignatius Church on Madison Avenue. Here, I saw so many different kinds of stairs -- wooden stairs, circular stairs, ladders, metal stairs...it was almost comical as we climbed and climbed.






But once again, the view was totally worth the climb. And the sound...was divine!!





We heard so many wonderful compliments and expressions of thanks -- I hope to return soon!