As I sit here to type I am aware that there are only 4 1/2 School Days left. Relief is just one feeling I am looking forward to. This school year has been trying but full of so many blessings, personally and professionally.
What has been happening this May you might ask, or not, but here it is anyway....................
May 4th: Kathy, following in my footsteps, recieved her associates degree. She is on the extended educational plan as I was. Better late than never. I am proud of her and know she can complete her education in due time.May 12th: Maddi went to her new vet and weighed in at 29.3 lbs!!! My girl is getting so big. She got her rabies shot and doesn't have to go back until next year. She now sleeps in the garage at night and in return, I sleep much better. She also stays in the garage when I am gone. She does really well when I come home and open the garage door. She doesn't try to run away but instead looks at the garage door as if it is a demon. We are in training for the "stop biting on mommy" games. The vet showed me some tricks and I am not sure if they are working.
May 13th: Mother's Day, Isaiah's Birthday, and celebrating Arissa and my birthdays --- In true Stratman form, we had bypassed Arissa's birthday in part due to Anne being sick, my trip to DC, and Arissa's 1st Communion. We decided to celebrate everything in one day. Daddy had the grandkids assigned to each one of us adults and had them serve our meals to us in the living room. It was the highlight of my day. They were so cute and proud. Bless Joshua's heart for being in charge of his Aunt Carol. I couldn't have what everyone else was having, I needed salad with my chicken wings cut up in the salad with cucumbers and ranch dressing. He fixed it like a true chef. It was very tasty. When the kids were finished, we tipped them each a dollar.
It was then on to the gift giving portion of the day. We started with Kathy, Anne and I getting our Mother's Day gifts from Mom and Daddy. (I know technically I am not a mother but my mother and sisters have always recognized my motherly influence on the 5 children.) We gave Mom her presents (a necklace and pair of earrings), then on to Arissa, then Isaiah, then myself. I hadn't asked for anything b/c there is nothing I needed. My family has already done so much for me that I don't feel I need anything else from them (I mean gift wise). I ended up getting money and a suprise check from my parents so that I could go get the necklace that matches my ring and earrings. There is a story to it and it made me cry. My parents are amazing people and I honestly don't know where I would be without them. Thanks Ma and Pa.
Okay, after slinging snot everywhere, it was cake time, chocolate eclair cake to be exact. Kathy and Mom decided to scrounge up every candle in the house and place them in the cake...... all 56 candles (Arissa + Isaiah + Aunt Carol = 56). By the time Daddy got the last candle lit, the first one was buried in the chocolate. Good times, Good times. (When we were finished, I loaded up my stuff and headed to the mall to get my necklace. Yippeeee)May 16th: My Birthday and for the first time in a long time, it felt like any other day. Not a day to be sad, but just another day. In true Daddy tradition, he called at 6:00 to wish me a good day. I still had to go to school but was excited to take a half day to be able to do something for Anne. My 8th Grade Girls had suprised me the day before with a Happy Bunny Cake and Party.
My 8th grade Boys came over that morning & attempted to sing to me, but had a case of stage fright b/c the girls were in class staring at them. 
My 6th grade Boys had brought chips and one of them even made a chocolate cake (migraine in a pan).
My 8th grade Boys came over that morning & attempted to sing to me, but had a case of stage fright b/c the girls were in class staring at them. 
My 6th grade Boys had brought chips and one of them even made a chocolate cake (migraine in a pan). My evening was pretty much the same, boring and spent training Maddi to stop biting on me.
May 19th: Oakdale Graduation was this morning. I overslept sort of .......... I got up at 8:30 and needed to leave at 9:15. The program was good. One of our seniors had a special escort, her father. Supposed to have graduated in 1984, he graduated today, with his daughter. It was very sweet. The speakers did a wonderful job and I thought everything ran smoothly.
Seems like all I want to do is sleep here lately. I came home today and slept for 2 hours and think I could go back right now. Not real sure what my deal is........... school is kicking my butt and I am ready for it to slow down. I am teaching/monitoring summer school but that is so low key.
Hope everyone is doing well. Send me an email and let me know how you are doing as well.
