Red Pens & Hot Tamales.

This morning I went to Rite Aide to buy some new red pens and hot tamales. It is time to begin. It is time to awaken from my spring break bliss and face reality. I am a teacher. I have nearly 160 essays that need grading. Two classes of sophomore essays and two classes of senior essays. I love teaching. I actually enjoy reading my students' writings. The only issue is that there are so many goobers in each of my classes. They are wise, they are hilarious, they are many. I probably should have started grading their essays earlier this week, but contrary to what they may believe... I also needed a break from school. The sophomores wrote about three animals or groups of animals that contributed to the failure of Animal Farm. Those essays should be easier to read and grade than the senior essays. The seniors wrote about truth. They were supposed to use the literature we have read to help them create a definition of what they believe truth to be. Grading essays is difficult for me because of little things that high school students seldom find imperative. Punctuation. Grammar. Spacing. Contractions. First person pronouns. Citation of quotations. Informal language. Fragments. Run on sentences. I understand why this generation of students struggles with formal writing, but it still never ceases to frustrate me. Facebook. Myspace. Text Messages. Instant Messages. The world of communication has come far. When did it become "normal" to leave out necessary punctuation when writing? Anyways, I do love my students and it is time to begin reading what they have to say about the failure of Animal Farm and Truth. Good thing I have my new red pens and hot tamales to keep me interested!

Peace.

Holding a baby is peaceful. Furthermore, holding your sister's daughter is the most peaceful and complete feeling in the world. What could be better?! I have yet to experience such love for a new life. I have held babies before, but holding my sister's daughter is a unique experience. Perhaps it feels so unique because of what my sister means to me. She is hope. I know my sister's love for Morgan abounds. My sister's life has not been easy, but she has always remained faithful. I know she prayed for Morgan. God does all things well. Morgan is beautiful, she is healthy, and she is loved. My current favorite thing to do is hold my sister's daughter.

Welcome To the World Little One!

I am in love with my beautiful new niece, Morgan Marie Stone. She had her first day in the world on March 15th. She was born at 4:24pm, and she weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces. She was 21 inches long! She is the most precious gift. My sister April is my hero. I love how much joy I have seen in her since she first found out that she and Jeff would be welcoming a baby into their lives. She is changed forever with the birth of Morgan. I love to see her happy. Here is a picture of her before going in to surgery. She's beautiful.

My sister. My best friend. My hero.

This is a picture of Morgan on her birthday!

When Morgan was first born, she was having a hard time breathing completely on her own. They wanted to monitor her closely, so they took her up to the NICU at Mission Hospital. Although this was difficult for April and Jeff (her parents), they felt assured that she was in the best care possible. I was able to go up to the NICU with April or by myself to visit my sweet niece. I stopped by the hospital every day after work. I don't want to miss a moment of her life. Each time I see her I fall deeper in love with her beauty, her innocence, and her aura of peacefulness. Here are some pictures of her time in the NICU.

Mommy and baby girl.

Changing her diaper.

Baby foot.

One of my favorite pictures.

Another cute picture of April and Morgan.

With each new day Morgan got stronger. In my next visits she was not attached to as many tubes as she was in her first days. Visiting her is was what I most looked forward to. April and Jeff both did great during these first few days. April was up and walking around the day after she had her surgery. Of course she was sore from surgery, but she was always excited to go up to the NICU to see Morgan. Jeff was such a great husband and daddy! He arrived early and stayed late each day. I used to think that the wife's role in this whole process was the most difficult, but after seeing how much Jeff had to do, I am beginning to think that the men don't have it as easy as most think.

Auntie Sarah and Morgan.

Morgan's Crib in the NICU.

Beautiful Eyes.

The Stone Family!

I love this last picture. I might be biased, but I am pretty sure they are the cutest new little family I know! I love them so much, and I am beyond happy for them. Even though the first couple of days of Morgan's life were hard as she was in the NICU, she is now home safe with her mommy and daddy. They are all doing great! Her arrival was definitely one of the best moments in my life thus far.