End of School, Beginning of Summer and Awards!

Okay, this is WAY past due!! I've GOT to get back to this blog and I thought that this was the week to do it! We're in our last week of school, summer's starting and with it there will be many photo-ops that I'll want to post here. The last few months have been rather drab around here and there really hasn't much been going on worthy of posting!

The biggest thing that's happened in our home recently is that I've lost my job. After 12 years with the same company (plumbing/heating wholesaler), I'm one of the "lucky ones" (yes, I mean the sarcastically!!) who have been laid off. The construction industry has been hit hard by the economy, and I, sadly, am one of it's casualities. We certainly hope that this won't be long-term, but a month into it now, things aren't looking good. There are NO jobs to be had in our area. It's pretty scary!! There aren't even any jobs to apply for right now, though I don't miss a day of looking at the ads. I go out a couple of days a week to "pound the sidewalk", but that's proven difficult as there's really no one out there to even talk to.

And so it goes. So for now, I'm trying to see "the bright side" and that is that I get to spend time with James this summer, for the first time in his life!! I am looking forward to that, as he's not quite old enough yet to resent it! We have things to look forward to....play time and swim time with friends, planting and tending the garden, camping, fishing, and visits from family and friends. Before we know it, August 20th will be here and he'll be going off to take 4th grade by storm!! I will continue to look for a job, but James deserves to be my main focus, at least for awhile. I, of course, will jump on every job possibility I hear about. Time will tell, I guess!

Last night I received a call from Mrs. Matteson, James' 3rd grade teacher. She was calling to invite us to today's "award assembly", saying that James would be getting a couple of awards. We were excited for him and were so happy to be able to be there. He didn't know that she had called us and that we were going to be there, so he seemed quite pleased to see us. Here are a few of the pictures that I took.....


The prinipal, Joe Brummitt, handing out the awards, with James standing next to him.

James with one of his awards!

James and one of his classmates, Sarah. WTG kids....you've made your parents proud!!

James received two awards.....here is his Honor Roll certificate! We are so proud of his hard work and academic achievements!!

And his second award was for "Outstanding Attendance". I think he only missed 2 days all year. We always laugh, because it seems like he has the knack of only getting sick on Friday nights, and by Monday morning he's back up and running!! Mr. Brummitt commented, during the assembly that the staff sees a direct link between good attendance and academic achievement. True or not, the Ryans definitely sees that link!!

I WILL be back here SOON and frequently. I hope that you'll join me! Let's here it for the Summer!!