My Favorite Photos - May 2019

Looking back at May, there were so many new experiences and milestones to capture in photos. Here are some of my favorite ones. The girls went to their first prom on May 4th. Normally for pictures, Olivia doesn't like to smile with her mouth open. So, I was thrilled when something funny made her laugh and it was captured on film.

The girls had their final piano recital on May 5th. Both did a great job with their pieces.

One interesting thing I noticed was that grand piano was in the center of a labyrinth. I looked up the name of the church on the Worldwide Labyrinth Finder and found out that it is a contemporary medieval 7-circuit concentric Circle of Peace design. It is painted in mosaic motif on a tile floor.

Another highlight for me was getting caught up on the Mystery Quilt I'm working on through Minnesota Quilters. I did both the April and May squares; and this time learned how to use a quilter's square ruler. I couldn't figure out how the other women who were participating in the challenge were always getting their corners to line up perfectly. Finally figured it out. I wish I would have known how to use the tool for the January-March clues. It's a learning process.

On May 10th, Sophia and I took a SAORI weaving class together at the Shepherds Harvest festival. While we were doing that, Olivia was taking a pin loom weaving class.

Afterwards, we went to the art center where they had some work displayed as part of a juried teen art show. Olivia is standing next to her photograph called "Blue Towers."

She also had a SAORI-woven scarf in the show.

Sophia had her red Russian lace necklace in the show.

On the 11th, we went to the Shepherds Harvest again, but this time to see the vendors and animals. We didn't buy any wool, yarn, baskets, or looms. We have plenty of crafting supplies at home that we need to use up first.

That afternoon, we put back a nest of newborn bunnies that we brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center that morning. Cooper discovered the nest, and we wanted to make sure that the rest of the babies were okay since they seemed a bit dehydrated when Sophia checked their skin. Sure enough, the vet said they were dehydrated, but to bring them back and put a laundry basket over the nest opening during the day. Mother rabbits only visit their babies at dawn and dusk to feed them.

On Mother's Day, I took Sophia to a church about a half hour south of here to perform during the prelude. It's one of the last performances she will have with this ensemble. At this point, she's one of the top harpists. There will be a major shift in age and experience once she and another harpist go to college this Fall.

For Mother's Day this year, I asked for gifts of service. So, the girls planted planters for me by the gate leading to the backyard.

They hauled dirt and put grass seed down in spots that were bare. 

Paige cleaned the grill so that I could make smoked barbecue ribs; and corn on the cob on the grill.

On the 14th of May, I got a spinal shot. This is not my favorite photo from a photography standpoint. However, it did relieve some of the pain I had in my neck for a couple of weeks. (I was rear-ended on November 14, 2018, by a driver who wasn't paying attention.) Unfortunately, on May 30th, I had to go to the emergency room at 5:00 a.m. because of shooting pain in my neck and a headache that was unbelievably painful. I truly thought I was having a brain aneurism. (My grandma died from one when she was only 54 years old.)

On a more pleasant note, on May 16th, in pottery class, I finished a platter I've been working on since the end of April. The base is a slab of  clay that I textured using the end of a painting brush. The top is a tree that I cut from another slab and then - with the help of the teacher and another student - transferred the tree to the platter so I affix them to one another. 

A couple days later, I was working on an order for a customer, and created a new window star. There are stars within stars which I like about this design.

On May 19th, Sophia participated in her last performance with the harp ensemble she is in at church. They did the prelude and postlude; and sounded great. It was a nice final performance. 

On May 21st, I volunteered in the morning to help set up the graduation reception; and prepare some of the food with the other parents. Since this is a homeschool graduation, all the parents either helped with the set-up or take-down of the event.

Afterwards, I set up Sophia's display. She knew about the display board (which she created) and the items in front of it. The balloons were my surprise for her when she got there. She liked them and it added a festive touch.

I had been working on a money lei for a few days leading up to her graduation. The origami money was easy. It was the braiding that was rather time-consuming. Initially, it was going to be a three-color lei - dark purple, light purple, and silver. Ended up going with just the dark purple and silver (the colors she chose for her graduation).

We had someone come to our home to do our hair and make-up since driving to a salon and spending time there would have taken too long. I needed to be able to get last-minute things done while Sophia was getting her hair and make-up done, and vice versa.

Sophia had her hair pulled up in the back and I had mine down with curls. I liked the back of my hair better than the front. My hair is definitely getting lighter and grayer as I get older. It used to be a dark brown.

Before the ceremony, Sophia stood by her display board. Each of the seniors had a section of a table to have a display board and other items.

Then there were the photos. Sophia and Olivia together:

Sophia and me:

Sophia, Paige, and me with Sophia's diploma. The parents hand their teen the diploma since they were the teachers. It is a very personal and meaningful part of the graduation.

The graduating class of 2019. None of the students could wear stoles or honor cords since they always want the youth to look the same in the photos. 

Sophia practiced her song before graduation since she was one of the four students chosen to either do a talk or perform. She was the only one who performed; and she did a wonderful job.

There was a reception afterwards, and then at home I gave her the money lei. There are nine dollars on it. In Chinese culture, nine is a lucky number.

The next day, we went to lunch at Jax Café for a special meal. It is a place that my parents would take our family whenever there was a very special occasion - an anniversary, an adoption, or a graduation. In a way, their legacy - their spirit - was with us as we ate lunch together.

May was a month filled with excitement, new experiences, transitions, music, and creativity. It was a definitely a memorable one for our entire family.