Growing older

This post really has nothing to do with Jasmine today.  I learned this evening that my 9th grade English teacher passed away.  A few months ago I heard my favorite school librarian passed away.  Some days I feel like a young woman, then I hear about one of these passings and makes me realize that these wonderful men and women taught me about 30 years ago.  I hope that my students will remember me fondly.  God Bless Mr. Spleen and Mrs. Schlegel.

Exciting Day

It has been months since I have last posted, but here I am again.  Today I was able to meet Jasmine's birth mother.  Since she is from Liberia this is something that I often hoped for, but was not sure it would happen.  But today we were able to meet. It was very exciting although I was very nervous.  I am glad that I was able to meet her and say thank you in person to this woman who gave me such a wonderful gift.  Thank you Benga.

Growing up too quickly

It has been way too long since I last posted, but life keeps me busy.  Jasmine is a sophomore now and is playing golf for her high school.  She never played before, but that hasn't stopped her from going for it.  She and I went shopping today for her Homecoming dance dress.  I am amazed that the little girl that was handed to me at the airport all those years ago has turned into such a beautiful young lady. 

 Jasmine in her outfit for next week

Jasmine and her Daddy hamming it up.

Tennis Time

Jasmine is on her schools tennis team.  For the most part she is just the alternate, since she has only been playing tennis this year.  Yesterday she played in the number 5 position.  She won her very first match ever.  I was so proud of her and you could tell by looking at her she was very thrilled with her achievement.  All of her classmates and her friend Jade's dad, who gets to every match says how much she has improved.  Greg has also seen that too, me I don't really know anything about tennis so I will have to listen to everyone else.  I am just so thrilled that she could get this win and I know it has helped her confidence in her tennis playing.

Sad thoughts

The news today about the children and staff who were killed by a gun man in Conneticut was a shock to my system.  How can anybody take a gun into an elementary school and shoot those babies.  May God Bless and Keep the families tonight as they grieve for their lost loves.

Homecoming Dance

I am having a hard time once again dealing with the fact that my baby girl is growing up too soon.  She is currently off at her first High School Homecoming dance.  She has been very excited about this dance.  She is there with a bunch of her friends, mostly girls, but then there is Raymond.  He tends to stick with the girls, but I am guessing at some point Tyler, who went to a different middle school will make his way to the group at the dance.  He seems to click with the crew of kids.Here is Jasmine as we were heading out to take her to the dance.
Love her so much.

High School

It seems hard for me to believe that the scared, tired 3 year old that was placed in my arms at the airport all those years ago would be entering high school already.  Yesterday Jasmine and I went to her open house at the high school she will start on Wednesday.  Yes our school district starts back to school on the 8th of August.  Jasmine says she is not ready or excited but I think she is.  She is attending the center for the arts program in our area and will be a dance major.  For the center of the arts programs you have to audition and be accepted into the program.  She did that back in February.  She will take all her majors subjects plus ballet and dance technique.  She is excited to be training with the teacher she had at her elementary school.  The teacher was a bit impressed when she was told Jasmine has already started doing pointe, which this teacher doesn't start until Ballet 3, which is jr. year.  Jasmine will already be ahead of the game.