Project 52. Week 16.

O.M.G.

He is a middle schooler!!!

How did this happen? When did this happen? Why did this happen?? (Ok, so I know the answer to these questions, but still, the feelings of amazement and disbelief are pretty strong.)

I just can't believe my little boy has grown up so much. He is walking home from school AND letting himself in the house on his own. (Even though I did these things at a much younger age than he is, times have changed and I can't believe he is at the age that I can leave him alone and not get in trouble with child services.) He is wanting to watch more mature shows and read more mature books. He is going on trips without mom or dad. He is loving all of this. He is becoming more independent and it is certainly bittersweet.

I swear he still looks like my little baby here. I love this photo of him - so content, so happy, so youthful and innocent - and this is how I see him in my heart. So it is hard to see that he is in MIDDLE SCHOOL!

Learning to let go seems to be getting harder and harder...

Project 52. Week 15.

Ok, so I'm haven't been keeping up with this on a week to week basis, but I am still taking lots of photos and have a ton of favorites to share, and many of them from our trips to the beach this summer. Hmm, maybe that is my problem...lots of time at the beach and too many photos! :-) Not a bad problem to have by any means...

"On the beach, you can live in bliss."
- Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys

Project 52. Week 14.

Art Journaling

I've been taking an art journaling class and have been intrigued by the whole process. I enjoy the creativity and new form of expression. Using different materials is exciting and I love how things start to come together. Plus, it offers lots of room for mistakes - they simply add to the charm and make it feel less intimidating!

I created this blank journal to explore some of the different mediums. My technique for stamping on fabric needs some refining, but as with anything in life, this is a work in progress. :)

Project 52. Week 13.

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

My how this rings true for me, especially today.

Children ARE people. Children ARE important. They are the future decision makers, future caregivers, future contributing members of society. They have a wonderful spirit and drive to soak up life and knowledge.

Yet certain elected officials are showing they feel otherwise.

What these officials need to remember is that children DO deserve to learn and grow and achieve. Children DO deserve to be treated with respect and love and have our community support. They should be afforded the right to a solid, well rounded, engaging education. An education that will meet the needs for living in today's world. This comes with a price tag, of coarse. But that price tag is an investment and one that is well worth the cost.

I've never been so upset with my town as I am today. They chopped $850,000 out of the school budget, which was already a bare bones budget. Not even bringing it to a town vote, when they were clearly asked to do so.

The board of education and board of finance need to remember that school isn't only about math and reading. Our children need the arts and alternative programs to help round out their learning, expand their horizons, and as a creative tool for the numerous stresses that are placed on children...and undoubtedly those stresses are going to increase as the children are faced with larger class sizes, fewer options, and stressed teachers who have to do more with less.

My town has always been highly regarded as a wonderful place to live, one of best in our state. With this move by the board of finance, it moves closer and closer to mediocre and breaks the spirit of so many living here.

We all need to remember children are people with minds, ideas, beliefs, and budding character. We owe it to them to help them achieve all that they can, starting with showing them how much we believe in them and that they are worthy of a excellent education. We owe it to ourselves to help all children succeed today as we will all benefit from them in the future.

My son, who is so inquisitive, conscientious, and respectful, is worth more than the board of finance in our town is willing to acknowledge. This is the child today - happy and carefree and incredibly smart. I'm extremely worried about what these few board members are doing to his spirit and voracious love of learning.

These elected officials need to recognize that the children are very important members of our community.



The November elections cannot come soon enough.