Wonderful Easter, the Pope, and this week

 Hi everyone. Thanks for the kind words on my last post. It just stinks and gives me an edge of uneasiness. I am committed through the end of this school year which is mid May. I have said that my intention is to return in the fall, but who knows what is going to happen at that point. I am trying hard to be intentional in my thoughts and not let the what ifs take over.

Despite all the somber thoughts about my job, I ended up having a wonderful Easter with the family. The kids and I went to mass on Sunday morning. I forgot to get cinnamon roll dough at the store, so we had to make an emergency jaunt to Walmart as Ben was so upset that I wasn't going to do cinnamon rolls. Funny thing is that I made cinnamon rolls and bacon and he didn't even eat any as he was eating the candy out of his Easter basket. The Easter bunny had come overnight. 

I took a 2 hour nap on Easter Sunday. I am allowing myself to rest. 

Then we went to my parents house for Easter dinner. I picked my sister up (did I mention that she and my sister in law moved into a house a couple of blocks down the street from me!) and took her. It was a wonderful, family filled afternoon/evening. 

I woke up on Monday morning with the news of Pope Francis' death. He will truly be missed by the Catholic Faithful and it just felt weird all day long to think about him and his legacy. I also saw the news that my very first boss at the first school I taught at had died. Joan was an amazing example of living your faith and raising a family and keeping with your values. She was a mentor and I am so glad that she was there for me when I began my career path out of college. 

It has definitely been a week of ups and downs. Life is such in flux and I just need to be intentional in what I am doing and not doing. Life has it's good days and it's sad days. I can just do my best to live each day as best as I can. 

I might not have a job

So... how is that for a beginning. 

So this past Friday night, our director shared a USA Today article that shared that the upcoming FY26 Budget from President Trump, eliminates all funding to Head Start programs across the nation and essentially eliminates Head Start from existing. The link to the article is here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/04/11/trump-proposal-eliminating-head-start/83045346007/fbclid=IwY2xjawJtIT5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHv0cjO6b0DiHSkDxGfqQc8pn6YV9QJhudeL3oGKjzWi1q8iQUr5j_SxB3ne2_aem_xWIP3fTK_S0LjBbrafLKig

I work for Head Start. This basically means that if this budget is correct, I am out  of a job. This is devastating. It was a sucker punch. Not just to me, but to the families that we work day in and day out for.  

Then we had an emergency meeting on Tuesday where we learned that  funds that have already been allocated for this school year, have not been deposited on schedule and this has already caused several Head Start closures around the country. Right now I don't know if I will have a job in a month or not. I am praying for the best, but trying to figure out what to do for the worst. 

I don't typically get political on this blog, but this is hitting home. IF this happens, and it is looking more and more like it will, it will affect over 1 million families. It is hurting those most vulnerable--- children. I am so angry, hurt and I really don't know what to do. What I will be doing and what I am asking all of you to do is to advocate for Head Start across the country. Contact your state's senators and legislators and tell them this cannot happen. Head Start must be continued for the future. 

In the meantime, can I ask for prayers for what I am supposed to do? I am so stressed out it is making my body hurt. This sucks.  

College visit, track, birthday, and counseling

 Happy Saturday everyone! Like a lot of the Midwest it is a rainy,rainy day. It seems like it has been raining for days. There are some areas near us that have flooded. We have a little bit of water in a couple of  spots in my basement but not major. It is still raining as I type this up on this Saturday night. 

Life continues to be busy. (I know you guys are probably tired of me saying that!) 

Rebecca and I spent last Friday at Bowling Green State University for a visit day. She was super excited to be there and she also was super excited to see that they had Tropical Sprite in one of their cafeterias. It is the little things. 

We had a good visit. Got some dates for fall semester and some more useful information. It was a good visit. Next time we will be up there for June orientation. It is coming up quickly! 

This week is back to school for the kiddos after Spring Break. It was also back to rehearsals for the Spring Musical for Rebecca and Jacob and back to track for Benjamin. 

He had his first track meet on Tuesday and he admitted that he was very nervous. I missed his first event, which was shot put.  For shot put he threw 15 feet and 7.25 inches. There were supposed to be 3 teams in this meet, but only his team and the hosting school was there. The hosting school only had 2 or 3 throwers so their events went very quickly. I did make it in time to see him throw the discus. For discus he threw 51 feet and 4 inches. He was super excited to compete and he had fun! 

The next day Ben turned 13 years old!! I can't believe that my baby is a teenager! He had a good birthday with McDonald's for dinner, chocolate lasagna, and presents. He said "it was the best birthday ever!" 

We will be celebrating with family tomorrow. That means that today I have spent cleaning and doing laundry and running errands in the rain. I still don't feel ready for tomorrow but it will be what it will be. 

In between all that there was work and I finally got into see a therapist. I saw her a couple of weeks ago, but then she was sick and I couldn't get in until this week. I think this is someone that I can work with. Maybe one day I will go into more detail, but I have been diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD and am dealing with lots of unresolved grief. It is a process but one that I need to go on for my own well being. 

Right now, I am waiting on the boys to get home from their fathers. I need to go flip laundry here in a few minutes and figure out what I need to get at the grocery store tomorrow. Oh and I need to go pay a few bills. I am back to reality. Hope all of you are staying dry and are having a good weekend. Until next time, I wish you well.