It is done.

So... last weekend, I did my first half marathon in 6+ years... and this weekend, I graduated with my Masters Degree. What a fabulous week, it was. My girls are THRILLED that I'm done... and my very-wise-friend Ellen suggested that I start training for a marathon... seeing as I have to have a goal on the horizon. I concur. :) So, once I stop feeling crummy (caught something from 2 fosters), I can't wait to get more long runs in!

Here are some pics...

Here are some from graduation day.

Goose is happy Mommy Graduated!

Hugging my last Professor who hooded me.

Don't give Mama a hard time about straight lines, or I'll go all Ninja on ya!

Just me. :)

Two of my favorite people

The gaggle, plus 2.

My other half and I.

I can now say this. :)

I have some amazing family and friends who have supported me through EVERYTHING. I love them more than words could ever say.

Peace.

2 weeks and a day

I'm so excited that I'm graduating in a couple of weeks!! :) I wish I was more motivated today, but will definitely get my last paper in tonight. We have our group project to finish this week and then I have 2 final exams... done, done, done. :D

Lil M and I did a 5K with my sister, nephew and cousin last week. That was fun!! Lil M wants to do more of those, and that makes this Mama happy!! lol. She's more speedy than her Mama, that's for sure!!

We went to the Zoo yesterday for her field trip. That was also fun. We, then, went to get ice cream and to the park... then she rode her bike while I ran and then ran with me for a bit. It's so great to be able to do all the fun things we do at her age now!! 

Lots going on this spring...

I have a feeling I'll be taking more pics this weekend, lol. :) My friend, Ellen, and I are taking them to see a musical tomorrow night. Lil M wants to go back to the Zoo... but I'm thinking we might find something else to do... like another 5K?? hmmmm. lol. We'll go to the park, for sure...

Peace.

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!

Shen Yun ballet

Little M and I went to a Chinese ballet last night. It was big fun and beautiful. We had our favorite Chinese food for dinner beforehand.

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Peace.

First lost tooth!

My Lil M lost her very first tooth tonight...and so it begins. :)   She was glad that she didn't lose her Sweet tooth... that way she can still eat sweets. :) My silly goose.

1st Tooth!!

Peace.