family pics

We went and had some pics taken for the first time together... they turned out pretty well. I am not sure I should actually post the others besides the one of Lil M and I... but trust me, the are good :)

Peace.

Two in one week; Alea Award

It never ceases to amaze me the life God has given me. :) And, in particular... I often wonder why certain people come into my life and then just leave for whatever reason... the ones you *think* will stay don't...and then the ones you think were gone come back (even just to check-in)... :)

This week was one of those weeks for me. Alea, one of my teen fosters last year left us because of her behavior. I had to make her leave, actually. It wasn't a very good day, that day. :( But, amazingly, we've been able to stay connected. She called me up about a month ago and told me about an award she was going to receive and did I want to go to the ceremony!!! WOW. I was shocked. But the life happened, and it didn't seem like I'd get to go (didn't hear from her, i got busy, ya know...) ....

Well, the day before yesterday, I texted her and told her about my own graduation and asked if she wanted to come. She said yes. And then I asked about her award... she said she was afraid I couldn't go because she only had 2 spots (instead of the 4 she thought she had) because her Principal and another Teacher had to use the other 2. I understood and told her that I'd think of her and she'd do well.

Then yesterday morning she called me and said her Dad couldn't go, did I want to go after all??? SO, I got go to see her get this award. It was a first-ever award for a youth who's gone through tough times and is still going strong. I was very proud.

I don't think I really did anything to get to go to this with her. But her Mom said that I'm the only Foster Mom she talks about still... and I think she realizes that I always did love her, regardless of what happened. I pray she is ONE that can make her future out to be great things!! :)

You just never know what'll happen.... :)

Peace.

Almost there...

So, many of you know that I've been living a crazy life for quite some time now. :) Not only do I have my awesomely-wonderful Lil M, but I also have 3 foster kids right now. I have a full-time job and am working on my Masters degree. Well... come May 11, I will finish my Masters Degree in Business Informatics. :D It'll be 10 years from when I completed my Bachelors degree and I'm very, very ready to be done! :)

Yesterday, I went to the school for Grad Fair. I bought my cap, gown and hood. I can't wait for Lil M and my girls to see me graduate and be finished with school. I know they will be happy. This will give us more time together, and I can't wait!

I also hope that once this is done, I'll get back to writing more! I miss my blogging, but honestly haven't had time in the past months to write more (unless you wanna read my papers on Big Data, Hadoop, Sevenly... etc). :)

I'm going to buy a brick that they will install at the university library. This paver will be dedicated to Lil M and I'm trying to put into words just how much she means to me and how understanding, loving and awesome she's been these past 2.5 years. If I come up with something poignant, I'll try to remember to share it here. :) That thought did make me cry more than once this week. She is the love of my life; and what I do, I do for her. I hope I can always make her proud, just like she makes me proud every single day.

Peace.

PS. One of the cool things I get to do this semester, though, is to work on a website for my sister. When we have that complete, I'll share more information. But it's neat that I get to learn and help someone, let alone my sister, at the same time!