Wrapping Up the School Year

Well, friends, the school year has ended and my seven year run at the Clackamas ESD has come to a close.  I have some thoughts about this which I will share later.  The first half of June was busy as ever - finishing up at the ESD, ending the term at PSU and working on getting grades done, and Randy leaving for an extra long fishing weekend with Jason.  We had a lot of fun, as you will see, but I'm really glad to be getting into the summer.

We planted our garden and luckily we have someone in our family who likes to water WAY MORE than I do.  Thank goodness that this kid can stand out there for hours with the hose.

Trey's preschool has been working on writing, and like the stellar educator-mom that I am, I never do his homework with him to practice on his letters.  My rationale has been this: 1. He's three.  2.  He hates doing it.  and 3.  I hate doing it.  Not a good start to the homework routine, right?  (Refer back to #1: He's three.)  Well, I was really surprised when he sat down one day and essentially wrote his name without any model or help.  You might not be able to read it, but I watched him do it, and there is definitely a T- lowercase r- backwards E - Y in there (along with some scribbles underneath).  Since then, I have seen him draw a pretty rudimentary representation of a person, but the parts are all there.  Guess Mama better do some writing with Trey this summer.

A few weeks ago, Randy, Trey and I went to 53rd Avenue Park in Hillsboro.  I've been wanting to check it out for a while, and I'm glad we did.  They have a good playground and a great splash pad.  We will definitely be coming here more this summer.

After the park, I dropped Trey and Randy off at home and went to Cornelius Pass Roadhouse to work on some grading and meet Mindy.  It was a beautiful day, and I got quite a bit of sun on my arms.  A stranger actually walked by and told me how pink I was getting, so I flipped to the other side of the picnic table.  If I have to spend my weekends grading, it might as well be in the sun with a beer, right?

That Sunday my dad came up for a visit, so Julie and Grady came over too.  Here are Trey and Grady playing in his bed and Trey fake sleeping.

A post-library B&R trip

I'm happy to report that Trey likes daiquiri ice.  

My mom always said it tasted like shaving cream (which it does not). 

My colleagues have really come together this year as we were first challenged with an efficiency study (how efficient were we, really?  let's have you track your time in 15 minute intervals to find out...), then were faced with the uncertainty of how much of our service our districts would purchase thanks to the change of the model (as it turns out, not much), and finally dealt with the majority of us being laid off and searching for new jobs.  I am happy to report that all of us, except for one of our clinical psychs, have found jobs for next year.  Throughout this spring we met for Friday happy hours which was a good way to debrief all of the bullshit happening in our office and decompress from the week.

Here is part of our group at the Oregon City McMenamins enjoying the sun. 

I came home one night to find this - Randy and Trey relaxing in the float tube on the deck.  I gave them some of the new library books I had just picked up and watched them together.  It is not often that Randy and Trey are in a chill position like this - they are usually chasing each other, tickling each other, or running around the yard.  I really like it when I catch these moments.

A few Saturdays ago we got to spend the day with Camille, Mindy's daughter.  Trey and I met her over at 53rd Avenue Park and the kids had fun in water.  Then we came home and spent the afternoon together.  I just LOVE listening to them talk to each other when no one is around.  I can't remember what they talked about, but I love it.

The next day we had a mini-Shiraz festival at our house with Kris, John, Elinor, and Tim.  We made yummy kabobs and had some delicious appetizers and side dishes.  The wine wasn't bad either...

The last week of work/school felt weird.  It was exciting to think about summer coming (I mean, who doesn't love summer?) but sad to think about our department disbanding.  I was also stressed/pissed about some students and their poor work in my class at PSU, and I was preparing for Randy to leave for six days.  It was just a weird week.

There were good parts too.  On Monday, June 9th (Randy and my 10 year anniversary from our first date), I had my last class at PSU - possibly forever? - and went to see Molly Wizenberg at Powell's.  I always love seeing authors in person, and I've been looking forward to this for a long time.

Unfortunately, I had amazon woman sitting in front of me, so I eventually (after kinking my neck for 30 minutes) moved and stood on the side.

Talking about Delancey 

Anyone need a business card? 

Thursday night I went to see Josh Rouse with Tim at Mississippi Studios.  The night wasn't as relaxing as I'd hoped it would be because I was dealing with some unexpected chaos with a friend in crisis, but the concert reminded me how much I like listening to live music.  Unfortunately, Randy and my taste is music is quite different, so we don't have desires to go to the same types of shows.   I'm dragging him to Foster the People with me this summer which he will hopefully enjoy.

Something about Josh Rouse reminded me a lot of my friend Adam.  I don't know if it was the hat, his face, or all of the G&Ts I drank (to deal with unexpected chaos...of course).

Friday night was our end of the year party for our Evaluation Center department at the ESD.  This is one of my favorite nights of the year, but this year was a little melancholy thanks to saying goodbye.  It was still good to get together outside of work and celebrate this past year which was more stressful than most.

Skip, Rick, and Chris aka "the guys" 

I have learned more in the past seven years from these clinical psychs than I ever have before.  This includes undergrad, graduate school, and the nine years I was in Woodburn.  These guys are wealths of knowledge, and I not only learned from them in terms of the students we evaluated, but they also helped me with other issues throughout the years.  The fact that I won't be teaming with them every week is by far the part I'm going to miss the most about my job.  By far.  

Here we are with Leeann.  Leeann is/was our boss and she also is a good friend.  She and I are both going to McMinnville next year - her as the Director of Special Services and me as a Learning Specialist.  I am so lucky that I am not losing her in this process too.  That might put me over the edge.  

We were worried about rain, so everyone is huddled under the tent.  Luckily, it stayed dry even though it wasn't super warm.

Peggy, Skip, and Rick

What you can't tell from this picture is that these three are cracking up about something that I can't remember.  The dynamic between the guys (who we only see one at a time at the ESD) is such fun, and when you throw Peggy in it's a real hoot.  

Jane and Natasha, two SLPs

Jane has always reminded me of my mom.  I think their hair, glasses, and gait are all very similar.  I also really love Jane, so being around her makes me feel all warm and cozy.   Unfortunately, she retired two years ago, so I don't see her much anymore.

And then there's Leeann.  I have been so blessed throughout my career to have really amazing bosses and leaders.  I have become good friends with two of the three, and I honestly can say these people have had a huge impact on who I am as an educator and professional but also as a person.  Having Leeann come to McMinnville with me is the million dollar silver lining in this whole mess.  I am so grateful that she will still be my boss, and while I won't see her every day, I will know that she is just around the corner.  She will probably be happy that I can't pop in her office every day to visit.

Sixteen years down, who knows how many more to go.  Three cheers to summer and spending time with my boy!  I can't wait!