Our worries just melted away into the water.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Here's the setup
Ken took this tent with us and set it up. It's perfect for all of our chairs, toys, drinks, cooler, kites, etc.
Heading to the beach first thing
This is the moment we arrived, our condo was just short walk from the water.
Plagges & Charles' in Galveston
A taste of vacation pictures to come. We enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing, family filled, food filled vacation that was truly a vacation.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Great-Grandmother with grandkids
This was taken 2 Christmases ago. In honor of the Shepherd Family Reunion happening Sunday, here is a picture of some of the cousins. We are sorry to have to miss, but hope this will be a yearly event.
The End of an Era
My parents of 24 years are divorcing this month. They have lived in separate houses for almost 11 years. This is not meant to be a criticism of their choices-but an examination of my own choices in dealing with this situation.
"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand." ~Madeleine L'Engle
The 7 of us have responded in a variety of ways-by shutting down, by voicing our opinion, by trying to keep peace, by trying to reconcile, there are times that I thought including everyone would help, times that I thought excluding would help.
There is a way to move past the accusations, hurts, pains and unforgiveness-but it is not a human-ly way.
It's no surprise that I like to read. A book I finished recently titled "Growing Grateful Kids" by Susie Larson addresses many of the issues I am currently struggling with. I've been reflecting on her words and on scripture to help gain perspective in this situation.
Susie Larson says, "Any unhealthy adult who keeps blaming his parents for all of his own shortcomings will never get anywhere in life. At some point we-as adults who had imperfect parents-have to brush ourselves off, figure out where we are lacking, and get what we need from the Lord. As do our children."
"You cannot impart what you do not possess."
"God has ordained you and appointed you to bear life-giving fruit, and to leave an impact on this earth that lasts long after you're gone. Your children are part of that fruit. Invest in them. Teach them about this living, breathing God we serve."
"Deal with problems head on! Every single day remind yourself that YOU are the object of God's affection. People don't get to decide your worth (or your child's), because God already has. Memorize scripture that affirms who you are in Christ. Daily reject rejection! Daily declare that there is a wide gap between how people affect you and how God affects you. His voice matters most. As God frees you from these past experiences, you will be better equipped to help your children navigate through the normal relational difficulties that take place in childhood."
"As parents our responsibility is to model God's love for our children. We can't always tell what effect our efforts will have, and sometimes the lesson isn't fully learned until after time has done its part in seasoning the message."
And from Gary Smalley, "Never let your child walk away with a closed spirit. Always make sure you work through the issue to the point where you see them open up to you again. If you leave their spirit closed, their heart will eventually grow cold and you'll lose the opportunity to speak into their lives and lead them in the way they should go."
In spite of my family's circumstances, I am not allowing my mind to be overcome with thought of, "Why did two fathers choose to abandon me?" If I go there, Satan can much more easily gain footing in my life over my pity party.
It is no small matter or coincidence that I am now married to a youth minister, that 62.5% or more of the youth live in poverty, and that many, many face the same extenuating circumstances brought on by the choices of their parents.
Pray for me in the coming year, as I open what still seems like fresh wounds so that these young adolescents know they are not alone in their struggles and that these struggles do not have to define their life in Christ.
"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand." ~Madeleine L'Engle
The 7 of us have responded in a variety of ways-by shutting down, by voicing our opinion, by trying to keep peace, by trying to reconcile, there are times that I thought including everyone would help, times that I thought excluding would help.
There is a way to move past the accusations, hurts, pains and unforgiveness-but it is not a human-ly way.
It's no surprise that I like to read. A book I finished recently titled "Growing Grateful Kids" by Susie Larson addresses many of the issues I am currently struggling with. I've been reflecting on her words and on scripture to help gain perspective in this situation.
Susie Larson says, "Any unhealthy adult who keeps blaming his parents for all of his own shortcomings will never get anywhere in life. At some point we-as adults who had imperfect parents-have to brush ourselves off, figure out where we are lacking, and get what we need from the Lord. As do our children."
"You cannot impart what you do not possess."
"God has ordained you and appointed you to bear life-giving fruit, and to leave an impact on this earth that lasts long after you're gone. Your children are part of that fruit. Invest in them. Teach them about this living, breathing God we serve."
"Deal with problems head on! Every single day remind yourself that YOU are the object of God's affection. People don't get to decide your worth (or your child's), because God already has. Memorize scripture that affirms who you are in Christ. Daily reject rejection! Daily declare that there is a wide gap between how people affect you and how God affects you. His voice matters most. As God frees you from these past experiences, you will be better equipped to help your children navigate through the normal relational difficulties that take place in childhood."
"As parents our responsibility is to model God's love for our children. We can't always tell what effect our efforts will have, and sometimes the lesson isn't fully learned until after time has done its part in seasoning the message."
And from Gary Smalley, "Never let your child walk away with a closed spirit. Always make sure you work through the issue to the point where you see them open up to you again. If you leave their spirit closed, their heart will eventually grow cold and you'll lose the opportunity to speak into their lives and lead them in the way they should go."
In spite of my family's circumstances, I am not allowing my mind to be overcome with thought of, "Why did two fathers choose to abandon me?" If I go there, Satan can much more easily gain footing in my life over my pity party.
It is no small matter or coincidence that I am now married to a youth minister, that 62.5% or more of the youth live in poverty, and that many, many face the same extenuating circumstances brought on by the choices of their parents.
Pray for me in the coming year, as I open what still seems like fresh wounds so that these young adolescents know they are not alone in their struggles and that these struggles do not have to define their life in Christ.
Swimming 2011
Swimming 2011 a video by dollye_plagge on Flickr.
And now for a much lighter topic...swimming!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Team Plagge: Wolfe City Edition --School Year 2010-1011
(This was completed Friday, June 3, but not published.)
It is the last day of school. Last.day.of school.
!
!
Today is a half day with the students, followed by an employee appreciation luncheon. I will be attending the afternoon at the SPED certification Institute in Commerce, going to pick up my brand new washer and dryer, and going to bale hay in Celina, or at least take pictures. What a great way to kick off the summer. I have a terrible memory, so it helps to write everything down. Here is a synopsis of the Plagge school year, in no particular order.
Drum Corp was established in Middle School-played at all home games including all high school home games
Drum Corp class attended a Symphony at the Dallas Symphony Center, none of them had ever attended a symphony
Debate Club hosted by Mrs. Plagge in spring
Drama class performed Six Characters in Search of a Life by Thomas Hischak at UIL in Trenton, TX in December
Performed again for the entire school in December
Talent Show raised $250 for drama toward costumes for next year, $200 for office toward Kindle purchase
Applied for Theater Grant in May for middle school drama class
We did not have as many illnesses this year, praise the Lord! Both of us will carry over a day of personal time to next year!
May-pink eye
April-croup
November-ear tubes
Flu-type A and type B
Potty trained in December-Remy
Remy 2 stomach bugs over Christmas break
Ben potty trained in April, this was a surprise--he took his own initiative
Ben-seizure in October/ ambulance took him to ER
Ben officially outweighs Remy by 1 pound
In the past 2 months, Remy has jumped from size 2t to size 4t clothing!
Walker took students to UIL for 2 days
Ran two booths at a Fall festival-face painting & jail which raised about $150 combined that we donated to Clothe a Child-Wolfe City
Veteran’s Day program at Texas A & M Commerce-I took entire 6th grade
Drama class created the programs, scripts, hosted talent show an evening in February
Art class completed all of the 50’s themed art work
12 contestants from 6th, 7th, & 8th grades
3 outside judges
A Dollar General opened in town!! You would have thought the pope visited!
Budget crisis, Level I cuts, State Representative Dan Flynn visited in April
We currently drive a couple of blocks to work
We live on the same street as our childcare
Built a new fence
Put in a garden, cultivating 2 beds and 1 large area of backyard
Planted corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, serranos, squash, pumpkins, spring greens, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, marigolds, zinnias, celosias, rosemary, cilantro, thyme, parsley
Coordinated a Progressive Dinner for the youth group/ back to school
Began Life Groups in our home-using the Theology Program
Started studying Latin for certification
Started studying for Special Ed Certification
DATE Grant- Integrated 12 new technologies emphasizing student learning
Syllabication and Advanced Decoding Continuing Education
Chair of Textbook Selection Committee for new statewide Writing Textbook
Dysgraphia & Dyslexia Continuing Education
TELPAS Rater
TELPAS Campus Trainer
Campus Improvement Committee
District Improvement Committee
DATE Grant Committee Member
STAAR Committee Member for the state of Texas!! ( I will be going to Austin for 2 days in August) I will be the only one attending from our school district!
SPED Certification Institute at Texas A & M Commerce
97% passed 7th Writing TAKS!
Could see my desk at least 50% of the year!
Integrated Reading for Life weekly
2nd year using CSCOPE Online Curriculum-I am totally supportive of eliminating all textbooks and developing online-only curriculum. This saves us from having to keep outdated books that generally have a 10-15 year life cycle, saving money, and space and printing/ using only what you need.
Planned and hosted an all night youth lock-in
Planned and hosted a Valentine’s Sadie Hawkins Dance
Ben can count to 20 and knows how to spell about 15 colors
Remy has about 8 friends in her class and Ben has about 6 friends, although sometimes they combine groups.
Attended our first dance class, as a family!
Couponing 101 class, this has cut our grocery bill in half!
Implemented Dave Ramsey system with home finances
5 youth were baptized in May
Became very attached to a certain student-lost that student to the foster care system. After leaving us, said student went to a hospital for a couple of months before changing to Greenville schools, Allen schools and Anna schools. I think of that student daily and struggled for 2 weeks of crying attempting to regain my emotional ability after losing someone I put so much effort, time, and so much of my being into and into his guardians to make the student successful.
We are frequently asked, “What are you doing this summer?” I think the expected answer is, “Nothing!”
Possibilities for Summer:
June 10 Wedding in Colorado
Sea World San Antonio- teachers get free tickets
A week at the beach in Galveston!
Houston Children’s Museum
Moody Gardens
SPED Institute and Test for Certification
Youth Evangelism Conference
Vacation Bible School (Walker is teaching, I am in charge of skits)
Youth Camp in Cedar Hill
CAMT at Gaylord Resort (a math conference)
Great Commission Camp at Hidden Acres
STAAR Committee in Austin
Teach Remy to read & write words
Begin teaching Ben to identify letters & write individual letters
Teach both swimming basics (face under water)
Walker was asked to be a presenter in August for Bonham ISD and Commerce ISD illustrating his use of technology in class
Considering a Masters of Literacy Studies program at University of Texas at Arlington
Celebrating Ken & Debbe’s 30th Wedding Anniversary!!
Re-acquaint ourselves with extended family
Improvements to Parsonage: Summer 2011 possible projects
Replace wallpaper in kitchen and foyer
Take down wood paneling
Texture and paint living room
Take out carpet
Install wood floors
Replace dining light fixture, foyer light and hall light fixtures
Stepping stones in back mud-run
2 truckloads of mulch for back mud-run
Re-caulk bathrooms, windows-exterior & interior
It is the last day of school. Last.day.of school.
!
!
Today is a half day with the students, followed by an employee appreciation luncheon. I will be attending the afternoon at the SPED certification Institute in Commerce, going to pick up my brand new washer and dryer, and going to bale hay in Celina, or at least take pictures. What a great way to kick off the summer. I have a terrible memory, so it helps to write everything down. Here is a synopsis of the Plagge school year, in no particular order.
Drum Corp was established in Middle School-played at all home games including all high school home games
Drum Corp class attended a Symphony at the Dallas Symphony Center, none of them had ever attended a symphony
Debate Club hosted by Mrs. Plagge in spring
Drama class performed Six Characters in Search of a Life by Thomas Hischak at UIL in Trenton, TX in December
Performed again for the entire school in December
Talent Show raised $250 for drama toward costumes for next year, $200 for office toward Kindle purchase
Applied for Theater Grant in May for middle school drama class
We did not have as many illnesses this year, praise the Lord! Both of us will carry over a day of personal time to next year!
May-pink eye
April-croup
November-ear tubes
Flu-type A and type B
Potty trained in December-Remy
Remy 2 stomach bugs over Christmas break
Ben potty trained in April, this was a surprise--he took his own initiative
Ben-seizure in October/ ambulance took him to ER
Ben officially outweighs Remy by 1 pound
In the past 2 months, Remy has jumped from size 2t to size 4t clothing!
Walker took students to UIL for 2 days
Ran two booths at a Fall festival-face painting & jail which raised about $150 combined that we donated to Clothe a Child-Wolfe City
Veteran’s Day program at Texas A & M Commerce-I took entire 6th grade
Drama class created the programs, scripts, hosted talent show an evening in February
Art class completed all of the 50’s themed art work
12 contestants from 6th, 7th, & 8th grades
3 outside judges
A Dollar General opened in town!! You would have thought the pope visited!
Budget crisis, Level I cuts, State Representative Dan Flynn visited in April
We currently drive a couple of blocks to work
We live on the same street as our childcare
Built a new fence
Put in a garden, cultivating 2 beds and 1 large area of backyard
Planted corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, serranos, squash, pumpkins, spring greens, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, marigolds, zinnias, celosias, rosemary, cilantro, thyme, parsley
Coordinated a Progressive Dinner for the youth group/ back to school
Began Life Groups in our home-using the Theology Program
Started studying Latin for certification
Started studying for Special Ed Certification
DATE Grant- Integrated 12 new technologies emphasizing student learning
Syllabication and Advanced Decoding Continuing Education
Chair of Textbook Selection Committee for new statewide Writing Textbook
Dysgraphia & Dyslexia Continuing Education
TELPAS Rater
TELPAS Campus Trainer
Campus Improvement Committee
District Improvement Committee
DATE Grant Committee Member
STAAR Committee Member for the state of Texas!! ( I will be going to Austin for 2 days in August) I will be the only one attending from our school district!
SPED Certification Institute at Texas A & M Commerce
97% passed 7th Writing TAKS!
Could see my desk at least 50% of the year!
Integrated Reading for Life weekly
2nd year using CSCOPE Online Curriculum-I am totally supportive of eliminating all textbooks and developing online-only curriculum. This saves us from having to keep outdated books that generally have a 10-15 year life cycle, saving money, and space and printing/ using only what you need.
Planned and hosted an all night youth lock-in
Planned and hosted a Valentine’s Sadie Hawkins Dance
Ben can count to 20 and knows how to spell about 15 colors
Remy has about 8 friends in her class and Ben has about 6 friends, although sometimes they combine groups.
Attended our first dance class, as a family!
Couponing 101 class, this has cut our grocery bill in half!
Implemented Dave Ramsey system with home finances
5 youth were baptized in May
Became very attached to a certain student-lost that student to the foster care system. After leaving us, said student went to a hospital for a couple of months before changing to Greenville schools, Allen schools and Anna schools. I think of that student daily and struggled for 2 weeks of crying attempting to regain my emotional ability after losing someone I put so much effort, time, and so much of my being into and into his guardians to make the student successful.
We are frequently asked, “What are you doing this summer?” I think the expected answer is, “Nothing!”
Possibilities for Summer:
June 10 Wedding in Colorado
Sea World San Antonio- teachers get free tickets
A week at the beach in Galveston!
Houston Children’s Museum
Moody Gardens
SPED Institute and Test for Certification
Youth Evangelism Conference
Vacation Bible School (Walker is teaching, I am in charge of skits)
Youth Camp in Cedar Hill
CAMT at Gaylord Resort (a math conference)
Great Commission Camp at Hidden Acres
STAAR Committee in Austin
Teach Remy to read & write words
Begin teaching Ben to identify letters & write individual letters
Teach both swimming basics (face under water)
Walker was asked to be a presenter in August for Bonham ISD and Commerce ISD illustrating his use of technology in class
Considering a Masters of Literacy Studies program at University of Texas at Arlington
Celebrating Ken & Debbe’s 30th Wedding Anniversary!!
Re-acquaint ourselves with extended family
Improvements to Parsonage: Summer 2011 possible projects
Replace wallpaper in kitchen and foyer
Take down wood paneling
Texture and paint living room
Take out carpet
Install wood floors
Replace dining light fixture, foyer light and hall light fixtures
Stepping stones in back mud-run
2 truckloads of mulch for back mud-run
Re-caulk bathrooms, windows-exterior & interior
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