The Gold Star

Oh my Lily Lou.  You are officially no longer an elementary student.  You baby girl are a Junior Higher!  7th grade.  And you are so very ready! 

This young woman has grown up so much in the past year.  Her maturity and intelligence has grown exponentially, and she has a presence that fills the room.  All of the teachers in her school adore her.  She is highly involved, helpful, kind, loving, and such a beautiful and bold kid.  

For Lily's Final day of school she not only got to "graduate," but all of the 6th grade class got to participate in their first school dance.  Lily and her friends decided to all dress up in steam punk fashion and I think she completely pulled it off.

Lily got to walk across the stage with all of her peers and graduated with honors and as her class' "Gold Star" winner.  The gold star winner is a student who exemplifies excellence in everything- academics, social interactions, compassion, kindness, and respectfulness.  So proud of her.

Ms. Gardner will be forever a special someone in Lily and our lives.  Adrienne attends our church and Lily was so fortunate to have her as her 6th grade teacher.  She is incredible and encouraged, supported, and empowered Lily, even when Lily was reading during math time. This woman has left an unbelievable mark on my girl's heart and I am so blessed. 

OOOOOF, Jaclyn, I don't think Lily or I would know where to start with this Principal.  She is so special and has been such an important part of elementary school.  Our time together has been cut a bit short since moving Evie out of RMRE, but the friendship and love shared with her will just make us have to hop over for a visit........or maybe even help another LSRM Drama Club Play.

We are so very proud of our girls and as we promised her this new Junior Higher got her very first smart phone.  She was ecstatic to have it to take pictures on her last day of 6th grade!

Baby girl, I would never keep you little, but could you not fly as fast?  You are beautiful and kind with a heart for Jesus and a love for others.  Your confidence radiates from you and the independence you have is amazing.  Opportunities abound for you little girl.  Go, and do, and be bold about it!

Love 

Mom

 

The Social Butterfly

Evie Bee closed out her 4th grade year at Zaharis Elementary School.  This past year was a bit of a change but we are ever so grateful and proud of her for finding her way and loving her learning environment.

In true Evie form she was celebrated for being the "Social Butterfly.'  Its no lie, the kid can make friends.  Always asking for playdates and always wanting people around her.  In the word of dear Barbara Streissand, she is "people who needs people!"

We are so excited to watch her become a 5th grader and step into this next year!!
 

YTT 200

Nearly 4 months ago I embarked on my yoga teaching journey.  Its been a great many years in coming, and the time was finally right for me to take on my YTT200 hour certification.  Yoga has become such a part of me and such a joyful lifestyle to embody.   

I waited for so long to commit to this training for one really big reason.  My mind had to be right.  Yoga is probably one of the most selfless lifestyles.  As  a Jesus follower who has spent much of my life learning to embody the idea of grace and agape, the yoga lifestyle created a fertile ground for me to really begin to fully understand the depth of love one can extend outward and inward regardless of circumstances, race, creed, or gender.  Yoga however, for many years has been a way for me to stroke my pride and prove just how strong I am.  Not the best grounds for teaching inner stillness and outer grace.  So I waited.

To say that I was in the perfect place for this training would be very arrogant, but what I knew is that my mind and my heart were ready.  After 6 months of prep and waiting, the time came and I jumped into the process with full abandon. Taking my limited knowledge of yoga philosophy and deepening my understanding of the 8 limbs, the goal of union, and the understanding of inner peace lit something in me and I LOVED every part of this training.

I intentionally didn't spend a lot of my time documenting every lesson learned and enlightenment found because the time of study, learning, and looking inward needed to be mine.  In yoga tradition we talk about stillness, tamas, as being that place of quieting and stilling intentionally, that place of acknowledgment and awareness without the need for movement or accolade.  It was a good place for me and so I sat in it and embraced it.

What I found during this journey is that my dharma (purpose) is to build, empower, encourage, and grow.  I love to teach yoga, I love to challenge through yoga, I love to share wisdom from my own life, my own faith, and my own yoga journey.  I LOVE IT.

Angie, Kim A, Kim B, Maranda, Jean, Ruthie, and I all started together and we all successfully finished our YTT training.  Before our final teach outs we all took part in a beautiful HAPE and ICE Bath ceremony.  It was so amazing to let go, let in, and embrace all that we had been through, all that we have left to learn, and all that we accomplished.  There is power in women, add yoga and we become unstoppable.  Such a gift.

The art of teaching yoga means that you are always a student first.  Like faith, it grows, but only as long as you are willing to do the work of learning, examining, letting go of old beliefs to make way for new life.  After all, that is the gospel, the Good News that Jesus brought.  All is made new.  I did my final teach out and became an official Yoga Teacher on May 19th, 2023.  My family, my yoga friends, and these precious Crossfit friends came to support me.  It was a night I will never ever forget.

I am now officially a yoga teacher at Exhale Yoga and my heart is so excited for this new space.  I cannot wait to grow in knowledge, practice, teaching, and sharing.  You are always welcome with me.  The joy of yoga is something I will spend my life sharing and I am looking forward to next Spring when I continue with my 300 hour certification.  

All the Light in me loves All the light in you!

Namaste