What a start to the 2012-13 school year!

Little heads up, this may be a long one!  So much has happened in the past week and yet so much to come.  I'm opening with a prayer I received on my daily devotional of "griefshare" that I get via text.

Lord of heaven, calm my heart and help me to remember right now the precious memories I can learn from, grow from, and treasure in my heart daily. Amen.

We'll start with Addie going to college.  She worked hard to get everything she needed ahead of time and was organized and ready when we all got there Saturday morning.  Anna helped her plan earlier in the summer, helped her pick out her colors and guide her on what she needed.  Bon Bon shopped with her during the past week to make sure she had exactly what she needed...not to mention getting her a gorgeous coral lamp for her room.  Bon Bon, Addie and I had a great day of lunch and shopping for things like pillows, under the bed storage and a mattress pad.  Doesn't sound like fun stuff but definitely necessities!  Jacob took her to Carrabas to eat and to explain that she HAS to go to dinner once a month with him while at college :)  Ashley, Jonathan and Emirie came over Thursday to help pack her clothes (I think that's where all the organization started.)  The Ingrams had us over for steaks on Friday for Addie's last "official" night at home.  Saturday morning the crew (Bon Bon, Jacob, Anna, Keith, KK, Sally, Jonathan and Ashley) met to load up Addie for this exciting time in her life...

 

 Her friend, Kennedy, met us there and helped ALL day long.  She was there long after I left to head back to Rock Hill.  Addie's just like you, she chooses GOOD friends!

The room is beautiful-just like Addie :)

Monday was Anna's first day as a 3rd grade teacher at Springdale, amazing isn't it?!  Seems like just yesterday that she was a 3rd grader herself sitting in that same classroom.  Like the prayer says, treasure the memories in my heart, and I truly do.  I'm thankful to have so many wonderful memories, because you knew how important family was and what it means to be there for each other.  Anna and Addie get it too!!

This is Anna's room, she has an ocean theme going and it looks great.  So many people have helped her that I can't possibly mention them all here but we are all so thankful to everyone.  She has 26 children in her class, a daunting task for anyone but she will love them all and teach them that they matter and to believe in themselves.  She is so much like you too!  Both girls are such a good mix of you and Jacob.  I can't wait to share more pictures of her school year, I know there will be many special memories.  Kellie used your wooden apple for the nameplate outside of Anna's classroom and cleverly changed the "Mrs. Wilkerson" to "Miss Wilkerson" just one of many sweet experiences at Springdale.

This week has been emotional for so many reasons but one I didn't think about was starting back to school.  We would always talk about what we were doing new this year, ideas we were thinking about, how exciting it was to start a new year...it was a very difficult start for me.  My students start tomorrow and I'm ready for them.  I love a new school year and the enthusiasm children bring is so refreshing.  I cherish my memories with you like nothing else, I hold them dear to my heart constantly.  Thank you for giving me that and for teaching us all what it means to make a difference.  You just need to show someone that you care.  This past week we were overwhelmed with all the people that showed our family that they care.  YOU made a difference, more than you could have even imagined while you were here on earth.  But you live on with us...next week, a ribbon-cutting for Cindy's Place at Springdale.  What a year this is going to be-I'll keep you posted :)

Exciting week-August, 2012

Cindy, this will be short but I will definitely be back next week to share pictures and stories from the week.  Addie moves into USC on Saturday, August 18th.  She has been working hard looking for all of her dorm stuff even though she is on her second round of antibiotics.  Her room is going to look great and I think she is ready to be a college freshman! I know you are so proud of her, she's so level-headed.  Anna has her open house tonight as a first year teacher at Springdale Elementary.  Her room is going to look great too :) I'm not sure where these girls get their fashion sense but it sure wasn't from the two of us!  The Springdale family has been unbelievable and I couldn't ask for any place better for her to start her career as a teacher.  Oh yeah, and Anna is on her second round of antibiotics too.  But, I think they are both on the mend and will be well for gametime!  Love ya, Sista

Who are your heroes?

I just spent 5 days at the National PE Institute in Asheville, NC and it was the most powerful professional development I've ever attended.  The days were from 8-4:30 but they truly flew by because they were so informative and in true PE fashion we were up and moving for a good part of the day.  Each day started and ended with keynote speakers that empowered us to be the best and do our best for the kids each and every day.  The final morning Artie Kamiya shared a couple of inspirational stories and lessons.  He then asked us to share with our neighbors the people that we consider to be our heroes.  Of course I think of Mom and Dad, former teachers and many family members and friends that have meant so much to me and helped mold me into who I am today.  I shared Cindy with my neighbor (that I didn't know) but then afterwards Artie asked if anyone wanted to share with the entire group (over 300 physical educators attended the conference.)  After a few people spoke, I decided to share because Cindy was there with me for the week (as she is each and every day.) So, I told the crowd a little about why she's my hero but the emotional part of me took over and I kept it pretty brief.
So now, I'd like to share why Cindy is my hero;

From the day I was born, Cindy was there for me.  She was 5 years older so I think I was kind of her baby doll :) She fed me, watched over me, took up for me and taught me many lessons.  But she's my hero because of our relationship as adults, here are some examples of why she is my hero:

-she's an advocate for children at all times, the child comes first
-she constantly found ways to help families exercise together which was the push behind the facelift to the playground she called "The Healthy Fitness Zone" now known as "Cindy's Place"
-she NEVER treated anyone as if she was better or above them, all are equals and all are important
-she taught children, colleagues and parents the importance of being healthy and she "walked the walk"
-she loved and adored her family
-she fought for what she believed in
-we could talk for hours about elementary PE and shared ideas constantly
-she would go way out of her way to do something nice for you
-if you knew Cindy you knew you meant something to her
-she verbalized what she believed
-she would listen, even at 2 a.m.
-she would go for a run even if she didn't feel great because she knew it would make her feel better
-she wouldn't settle for less, live life to the fullest
-when difficulties came up, she responded with "let's get a plan"

When I was at the conference and I sent a text to Sally and Ashley to pray for me to get my emotions back together, they of course gave me the support I needed and for that I'm grateful.  Ashley's response was right on when she said Cindy was watching from heaven and saying "who, me??"

I could continue this list all day and I will probably add to it as the days, weeks and years go on.
But for now... Cindy-you are my hero, thanks for always being there, for standing up for me and loving me unconditionally, teaching me through your words and actions, impacting so many lives and just being YOU!
Love you Sista (and football season is coming up soon so I gotta say GOOOO COCKS!! I know we'll be hearing your cock-a-doodle-do from here!)