You're Beautiful!

When I returned from Wisconsin after my sister's funeral I looked out the window and saw that someone had written in the snowbank outside our kitchen window. It simply said, "You're Beautiful!"  I still don't know who wrote it but it meant the world to me.  It gave me the little lift to the day that I needed.

May Snowstorm

This May we had a terrible snow storm.  Rochester received about 16 inches and it was really heavy stuff.  There are still branches and trees down around town.  Some places had roofs collapse. Here are a few photos from around our home.

Our neighbors tree branch was so heavy it was over our deck stairs.

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Baby Birds

Shortly after my sister passed away a bird kept trying to make a nest on my front door wreath. The next thing I knew it has made a beautiful nest and laid 4 little eggs in it.  The girls and I have enjoyed watching the mother bird keep the eggs warm. Just as soon as we were about to give up on the eggs actually hatching, two baby birds emerged.  It has been neat watching them look more and more like a bird than a tiny alien thing. Now they barely fit in the nest.  I'm ready for them to leave the nest as my beautiful wreath is full of bird poop.  Mikayla has gotten so into watching the bird that when she was given the task to pick any animal in the world and do a research paper, she chose to write about the bird on our front door.  She went to the local nature center with the photos of the nest and the eggs. We have not been able to get a photo of the mother bird as it is too quick for us to snap a photo.

Let just look like weird fuzzy aliens.

 

Being Crafty

I am officially done teaching and have time to catch up on the blog.  Below are some photos of things I've done last month.  First is a wreath I made to decorate my sister's grave for Mother's Day. I placed a solar light cross on it to be a shining light at night. I'm a bit annoyed of the cemetery regulations. You can only have a wreath at the grave for seven days before and after a summer holiday. It makes me sad, but what can you do.

The next photo is of some things that I did for my classroom. I found an old wooden frame without the glass. I got the idea that I could use it on my bulletin board. I could use even to frame the star artist of the month.  The month I used it we were studying how Picasso drew faces.  The kids got to collage their own faces.

On the last day of my art class I created a stencil with our school logo. I found some great stencil paper at Hobby Lobby. I blew the logo up on my laptop and created with word art the rest.  Then I traced it onto the stencil and cut it out with an Exacto knife.  It was time consuming, but I love the idea that I can create my own stencil. The kids loved their bags and had fun decorating them with fabric markers. We did a lesson on what is fabric made of and got them thinking about the artist that design the patterns/art onto them.

Mikayla and Archery

Last summer at camp, Mikayla tried archery and really liked it. For Christmas we got her a beginner bow and arrows.  She hasn't had a chance to practice it till our Spring Break.The first few pictures were taken at Nate's parents home in Tomah and the other two are from our yard.

Spring Break and April Fools

Right before Spring break, the girls had their spirit week at school. One day they got to wear hats to school. Here is a photo I snapped of them goofing off in the backseat on the way to school.

Elyana recently learned to cross her eyes. It's her new trick!

Mikayla's class got to go ice skating at the nearby Recreation Center. I must say that for a southern girl, I am getting better at ice skating from all of these fieldtrips!

Here are pictures of the girls pranking their dad. They put Saran wrap across the hallway and kitchen. I um, might have had something to do with the idea...maybe.  Their silliness and love has really kept me going these days.

Below are photos of the girls in Appleton on Spring Break.

Mikayla Doing Art at the Appleton Children's Museum with Sophia

Playing in the Museum's Water Room

Morning Sister Cuddles

Elyana Hanging Out With My Mom's Puppy, Chloe

My Best Friend, My Sister

 I still am trying to process it. I am still shocked, angry, and heavy with sadness. My sister suddenly passed away a few weeks ago. She had broken her leg by falling down the stairs 10 weeks ago. She had to have major surgery on it. One day from getting her cast off, numerous blood clots traveled to her lungs. I am including the obituary that was in the paper below.


"Christine Maria Hammes, 40, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Christine was born on October 2, 1972 to Wayne and Mary Hunt. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Physical Therapy. On May 4, 1996 she was united in marriage to Brian Hammes. She worked at the Bridgewood Nursing and Rehab Center.

Christine was a loving wife and dedicated mother and she will be sorely missed each and every day. She had many hobbies and enjoyed reading, making jewelry, photography, playing the piano, singing, and scuba diving. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and that time will be greatly treasured. Christine was a member of Faith Lutheran Church." 

 An hour before work, I received the news. The next several days were spent arranging the funeral and the burial. Currently I am back in Appleton hanging out with my niece during our spring break and going through countless drawers, closets, and cabinets as we sort through her things.  I keep wondering when my heart will  heal. All I have is the beautiful hope of spring coming soon and knowing that I will see her again some day.  I am blown away at how many lives that she touched. My heart melted to hear little Sophia praying with me last night. She said, "God, tell mom to tell Jesus that I love him."