Paying Tribute Part 5-Mary

Little Miss Mary :) I met Mary when I was her supervisor at Maricopa County Human Services-Head Start Program.  Mary was hired to oversee our Volunteer Program.  The Volunteer Program was something that was new to the program.   Previous to her being hired I was working closely with a consultant Pam Betz to create some framework in the program.  When we interviewed Mary she stood out over all the rest of the candidates.  Within the first five minutes of the interview, I knew she was the right fit for the position.

I was so bummed because on her first week of work I had to go somewhere out of State I think....I can not remember.   I wanted to be there for her first week of work.  I supervised Mary for quite some time, and then she got moved to a different supervisor as we were re structuring staffing.  I remember when I was still supervising her, we ran into each other at Martini Ranch.  We both had some drinks in us-lets just say the Monday following was a little awkward at first...lol.

Mary was such professional and was always willing to go the extra mile.  She was always asked to do extra because of her strong work ethic and it was just known that she would get the work done. Not only would she get the work done, but it was quality. Mary put her heart and soul into developing the Volunteer Program and the program would not be where it is today with parent and community volunteers without her hard work and persistence.  She has moved onto bigger and better things. I am so proud of her for making that move.

Mary is one of the most caring individuals I have ever met.  She is so fun to hang out with and is always such a great listener.  She has such a big heart and I am so lucky to call her my friend.  Thank you Mary for what you do for me, and for our friendship.  So lucky to call you FRIEND :)

Paying Tribute Part 4-Mentor and Friend Margaret T.

I met Margaret a couple years ago and it seems like I have known her forever.  The picture above is from my 37th birthday back in August.  Margaret was hired as a consultant where I work.   I remember the first time I met her I was in a meeting room with some other co workers and I was thinking, "who is this woman and who does she think she is"...lol.


Margaret had such a strong presence about her and it screamed confidence.  Little did I know that my life would be changed forever in the years that followed professionally and personally.   It was following this time that she became my mentor.  She believed in me when I did not believe in myself.  She has helped me to see my abilities beyond which I would of never seen. All I needed was that extra nudge. 


Margaret is a woman that does not take no for an answer.  She always finds the positives in every situation or circumstance.  Love Love Love her perspective on things.  She is a role model for all woman who aspire to make themselves a better person professionally and personally.  She has accomplished so much and the funny thing is she is just getting started.


Margaret has a heart of gold.  She has a peaceful presence about her and when you are in the same room with her you feel like you are being hugged when you are not.  She is my sounding board and anchor.  In times when I need her most she is always there for me. To have someone that just gets it---is so refreshing.


To have a mentor and a friend at the same time is a once in a lifetime opportunity.   Forever grateful that she has allowed me into her life.   


Looking forward to many more good times ahead.  There are some friends that come and go into your lives, I know that Margaret is one of those friends that will be around no matter what.   Thank you Margaret for your " Wisdom, Dedication and Example. "


Love my M time :)

We All Can Make a Difference

We had our work End of Year Event just this Friday night.  These are always events that I look forward to.  Part of the reason I love my job is the people I work with.  Such a diverse group of people and the best part is that in the five and a half years that I have been working in the program something that stood out for me on this day and became clear- we all at some point or another make a difference in someone's life.  This happens on a daily basis.  At least for me I do not really think about it often.  It is not until you hear it from someone that it really becomes reality for you.  


There were two instances that day really stood out and meant the world to me to hear.  One staff member was a Teach for America student.  For those of you that do not know what Teach for America is, they recruit recent college graduates from all over to teach for two years in low income communities.  Pretty intense program and such an amazing diverse group of young individuals looking to make a difference in someones life-true leaders.  Our program recruited about six to come and work in our Head Start program. As I was talking to some of them that day it is was so rewarding to hear their stories from when they first started with Teach for America and their first year as a teacher in our Head Start classrooms.  How far they have come!


One corp member in particular came up to me and we started talking about the program year.  I told her that I was thinking just the other day the first time I met her and how much time just goes so fast.  She responded back and told me that just the other day she was telling one of her co workers about the first day that we met.  Our program was giving orientation to the Teach for America corp members, kind of like a meet and greet.  She said that when she first met me, and there was something about me that  just drew her to me.  She said I made her feel comfortable when she felt scared of what was to lie ahead.  To hear that made my heart melt and to know that I had impacted her in that way is something that I will never forget.  Another staff member was graduating with her AA in Early Childhood.  She had her college graduation that night  and said to me that it would not be possible without me believing in her and pushing her to complete this.  There are many others now that I look back, but I won't bore you :)


We all have the opportunity to change lives for the better, and we all have the opportunity to let that someone else know what a difference they have made in your life by telling them. Part of why I started the Paying Tribute series in my blog page.  Go out into the world, have fun and remember that each and every day you impact a life in some what or another or you have someone in your life that has done the same for you.  Tell them, life is too short to live with regrets!

Paying Tribute Part 3-My Sis Cath and Triplet Sis Margaret

Oh the joys of Sister Hood........love my sisters......it is Crazy 1 and Crazy 2....no real difference, other than when I am around them they are my partners in crime. Oh who to start with, how about the wee one of the family Catherine, otherwise known as Cath.........

My little sis Cath, and not so little anymore.   As I was growing up I was one of her caregivers.  I remember giving her a bath in the bathroom sink... that is how little she was.  Here is my favorite pic of us taken in California when we went to see her in acting school.  Catherine can be known as the family therapist at times.  She grew up around adults, all of her brothers and sisters, so no wonder why she is so smart since she was always around adult conversation.  She always has a great perspective on things, and is so fun to be around. I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished in school. She is a Junior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and she is even looking at the possibility of going to law school.  Still consider her my baby sis!

Rockstars!

My triplet sis Margaret.  Margaret is the oldest of the triplets and only 6-8 minutes apart from me. It is fun to share the same birthday with her.  We are total opposites, growing up she carried around footballs and I carried around baby dolls.  What I love about Margaret is that she was always the quiet one growing up. Go with the flow type girl.  I on the other hand was a little mmmm high strung at times. My mom laughs, as we would leave the house in high school, she said she could see me running my mouth to Margaret. LOL...Margaret would just stay quiet.  We grew up doing everything together. We spent elementary and our high school years together. We were known as the Kerdock twins in High School.  Best times were in high school together and hanging out in downtown Annapolis growing up.  We attended a private high school and wore uniforms.  We had plaid or pinstripe little skirts and we would wear mens boxers underneath, that was the in thing to do!  One Saturday morning, we were all up in the kitchen and Margaret came up in her uniform all ready for school. We were all laughing at her.  Margaret could tell you some great party stories in high school.  We had good times for sure.

Both Cath and Marge hold a special place in my heart and I am proud to call them my sisters. I am looking forward as we get older to many more good time that lie ahead.  

Alright girls this calls for another trip to VEGAS!

Love You Both to the moon and back!

Paying Tribute Part 2-My Lil Man

For those of you that do not already know, when I refer to my lil man, he is my furry little creature who I adore more than ever-Paxton.  He used to be my Moms dog, my Mom ended up having to move and she was going to give him away to our groomer.  I remember the day, Scott and I were living in Denver and we had the windows open to our house.

Loved our first house. Cute brick tutorial with wood floors. Scott was mowing the lawn, and as he was resting for a few minutes he said to me, why don't we take Paxton and have him come live in Denver with us.  I was ecstatic.

So just about a few weeks later he was on a plane to Denver.  He was so drugged from the relaxants we gave him that he walked barely out of his crate sideways. He has been our lil man ever since.

Never thought you could love a little animal so much.  He is called the God Father in our family.  He has been through a lot with us. Oh -the unconditional love of a furry little creature. Just lying next to him is so calming.  My favorite thing that he does, is when you say something-his eyes tell a thousand stories.  Can't explain it, but so cute.  He is my furry little child and I love him!

Paying Tribute Part 1-My Mom

Hmmmmm.......where to begin.......so as I am sure all of you know by now......I am in love with Kelly Rae Roberts artwork.  

I ran across a picture she painted of a  Mom and a Daughter.  The caption stated: 

GROW ~ BECOME ~ JOURNEY

Pretty powerful words and all go back to the time that I came into this world as a little girl, my life experiences that have led me to who I am today, and my spiritual journey to looking within and finding out who I am as an individual over the past few years.  All of this would not be possible without my Mom. My Mom raised six of us, and wow out of those six-TRIPLETS. Full time job!

I remember when I was a little girl I would not leave my Moms side.  I never wanted to spend the night out, and pretty much hated going to school.  I remember one time my Mom took me over to one of my childhood friends houses to spend the night and she dropped me off.  As she drove away she would see me in the rear view mirror running after her...lol....I just love being by her side-I felt safe.  I have many other stories, but I won't bore you or embarrass myself.  

Even though I am no longer attached at the hip, Mom I want you to know that I still love you more than ever, I still need you but in a different way, and I still love hanging out with you. Especially when you are Spring Break Jane.  You have such a zest for life. You know what you want and you just go for it, pretty admirable.

Thank you Mom for raising me well and nurturing me into who I am today.

I love you and Happy Mothers Day!

All of the Angels In My Life-Paying Tribute One by One!

So I have decided to begin writing blogs about each person that has played such an integral part in my life and why. 

I am a true believer that things happen for a reason. 

People come into your life for a purpose and people are currently in your life for a purpose.  

I would not be who I am today without your love and support.  

So I thought why not start paying tribute to the most obvious one which is my Mom.  How convenient to that it is Mothers Day Weekend!  

Please keep in mind, that this will take time and I will be naming each blog Paying Tribute-Part 1,2, 3. etc. I do not want people to feel left out. I will get to you I promise in time.  

So here we go.........to be continued..............