Aunt Becca to Many More

This year at Preston High School, we are beginning a wonderful new program called LINKS. This is a small group that meets twice a week for 1/2 hour sessions. The group of 15 students will have the same teacher advisor until they graduate and can have a personal relationship beyond passing in the halls with the teacher and with the other students in the group. When we meet, we discuss issues and participate in self-discovery conversations, set goals, and work out problems. This way, those students who may otherwise get 'lost' in the crowd, will have a group of 15 students and a teacher they can call their own. Of course, this is right up my ally. The couselor in me is loving it! They took the list of 450 freshman (which is my grade level), cut the names into strips, and shuffled them into a giant pile. They then picked the names one by one and assigned them to the teachers until each teacher had 15 students. You'll never guess who is in my group... my nephew Jairus!!!!! If that isn't a confirmation from God that I am where I am supposed to be, I don't what is. I had applied for several positions in elementary schools last year and every one of them fell through by a margin. Of course I prayed that God would put me where he wanted me...and now look. God is good and his plan is perfect. After our first session yesterday, I feel confident that my group is going to be everything I hoped it would be and I am blessed to have an opportunity to know and mentor my nephew - how special. At the end of the session, all this kids asked me if they could call me 'Aunt Becca' and I said that because they were going to be mine for 4 years, absolutely - but only them, not their friends. As they left my room, many said "Bye Aunt Becca!" and I was left with a big hug from Jarius. Praise God.

Day 2: Town, The Beach, and Ice Cream

We woke up this morning, had our breakfast buffet (Isaac had french toast, strawberries and bananas), and headed into town to go into the shops that we scoped out yesterday. First, I got a mocha at a coffee house - very yummy. Then, we went to the park by the bay to sit and explore while I juiced myself up with caffiene. We headed back to town where I bought a new bathing suit - ok, but breakfast is FREE. We went back to the hotel and we both took a nice nap until about 1:00. We ate yesterday's leftovers and headed to the beach! It was so full!! We had to park a good distance away and I refused to make more than one trip - I know...stubborn. I had Isaac in the front carrier, our cooler lunchbox, my everything bag, a beach umbrella, Isaac's Pack 'n Play, and a large blanket. I looked like a pack mule, but I did it in one trip!! We found our spot and I must say that I was pretty efficient setting up and the end result was very nice - and worth it! Isaac was much braver today. He tested out the sand, but decided it wasn't so bad and took off crawling everywhere! He was so cute. He wanted to play with these kids near us who were building a sand castle. They looked concerned until I told them that I would not let him get too close. We had a picnic lunch, which Isaac had climbed on, so the bread was a little flat, but good. Then we just enjoyed each other - so special.









We stayed for about 3 hours, which is a good amount of time for a 10 month old. I packed everything back to the car - in one trip - and we went back to the hotel. I found the entire beach in Isaac's diaper and ears. We hosed off and felt much better.


I knew if we stayed in, he would sleep then (6:00) and not that night, so we went for a walk to get ice cream...homemade strawberry ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream. Isaac did fall asleep in his stroller on the way, but I woke him up for ice cream, which I knew he would've wanted me to do.


He stayed awake the way home, we said goodnight to the ponies at our hotel, and went in for the night.

He was still very awake, so he climbed on everything in the room. It was all over when I gave him a bottle...and now he's out. I will be too soon enough. We go home tomorrow. Bitter-sweet, but we're ready to see daddy.