Don't be fooled...

...by his cute little shy face...

...because shy is not a word you would use to describe this fireball.

I haven't been able to breath...

…all evening

…breath…

...not since the phone call.

…breath…

I’m not sure when it happened…

When she became “MY” Mary Kay. I’m not sure when I became selfish and wanted to her to be “MINE”...to be "MY" best friend. I do know that there is a comfort in saying it that way. “MY” Mary Kay…

...saying it like she'll always be there, because she always has been there.

…breath…

Last fall while visiting in Ohio, Porter was swinging his light saber, making sounds Luke Skywalker would be proud of, when I mentioned something about “MY” Mary Kay to Shay. Without missing a beat, Porter said, “Grandma, she’s “MY” Mary Kay”.

…breath…
And I realized she wasn’t really mine any more. She belongs to 4 generations of my family.

…breath…

She was the first to the rescue when Michael had an appendectomy, arriving at the door with popsicles for him and chocolate for me. She was the first person I called when Aubrey was told Preston probably wouldn’t survive being born. She was the Young Woman leader that loved Danielle and Danielle loved the most. She was the one that always made sure Lauren was invited to Greg’s birthday parties. She was the one that taught Andy how to do an EKG on elderly women (that’s a great story, ask her sometime). She’s always ready to listen to stories about my mom and never judge me when I whine. She was the one that supported Matthew as Bishop and the decisions he made while serving. She was the one that cried with me when my dad died.

And she’ll be there when I am sealed to my parents one day, because that’s the kind of friend “MY” Mary Kay is.

So now you understand why I haven’t been able to breath tonight without a little ache in my chest.

…”MY” Mary Kay called…

…she’s moving…

…BREATH…

…shudder…

…sigh…

Mrs. Perkins had a great idea...

...and this is what happened.



February 1, 2010
Dixon Students Remember the Families Supporting our Troops
Students at Dixon Middle School participate in regular service activities once a month through the Panther Pride Club. After providing service for our country’s military men and women over the past several years, the group decided it would be fun to write notes and valentines to the families supporting our troops overseas.
"The families of the troops sacrifice just as much as the troops do," said Lauren Perkins, the teacher who organized the activity for the Panther Pride Club. "Because of this, we wanted to recognize the parents, wives, husbands, siblings, children, and grand-children whose loved ones are away serving."
The students made valentine cards for the families of the 478th HR Company currently serving at the Bagharam Airbase in Kabul, Afghanistan. The cards were sent to many states across the country, and Dixon students hope these family members feel extra love and support at this time. The students loved doing this project and now they too will remember what a sacrifice not only the troops make, but the family members of the troops as well.


Great job, Mrs. Perkins!