Back on Stage

We spent Saturday on campus watching Issa take the stage again:

She has spent this semester in the cast of two different dance pieces, and they were each in a show this weekend. I loved seeing her back on stage--especially without a knee brace! 

I have also loved listening to her talk about the process. She has made great friends, and she has enjoyed dancing for new choreographers. There was not one single bit of nerves--just pure joy--which made this Mama very happy.
 

Book 13

I finished book 13 this morning:

One of our presenters at HERS recommended this book, and considering her strategies have helped me negotiate two pretty sweet deals at work lately, I decided I should probably read it! It really just elaborated on all that she said, but it definitely helped me get a better understanding of my negotiation style and how I can improve my process. I have a feeling it's one I will refer to often moving forward.

A Giant Catch Up

I can't believe it's been a month since I have blogged, but it's because I've been so busy living this one great life. It has been a whirlwind, and I kept waiting for time to write individual posts. Since that clearly is not happening, I thought I would do one big catch up.

At the end of March I went to my final weekend of HERS. I'm still so incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Over the course of that weekend, I learned so much. I had an amazing one-on-one session with an executive coach, had the opportunity to present my leadership project and get feedback before I presented it on campus, and I had the biggest fan girl moment of my adult life:

Maria Salazar presented about humanizing leadership. Maria is a phenomenal teacher educator and scholar; I use her work in my classes. She is also just a lovely human.

I'm still basking in the friendships I've created through HERS. Our GroupMe app still bings daily, and I have no doubt that will continue. I'm especially grateful for this little trio:

Zora and Karen have become confidants, cheerleaders, and accountability buddies. 

Yesterday, I pitched my leadership project to our new provost, and she loved my ideas. We are already planning how to move it forward. I can see doors in the future that would not have been there if it were not for this program.

The weekend after HERS, Issa and attended Tea for Two:

It's a Meredith sophomore tradition, and it was a fun brunch:

Later that week, I was also able to attend her induction into Psi Chi, the psychology honorary:

She is still loving her major, and I'm loving watching her thrive on campus:

We also had some family time celebrating Easter:

We opted not to do an egg hunt this year, but we still decorated:

I made a little butterfly garden egg:

Brad made a sculpture commenting on the fragility of life:

Issa made a flower:

Evan played with the shrink wraps:

And in the midst of all of this I finished books 11 and 12.

11 is a prequel to the Daindreth series:

It's the first in a five book arc, and I really need the author to write faster!

Book 12 was a random used bookstore find:

It was hands down the spiciest book I have ever read, but it kept me guessing until the very end, and I loved the way the relationships developed. I'm a little sad it is a stand alone book.

In the midst of all of that we have been doing April! It's always a whirlwind at work, and we are gearing up for an equally busy May. I'm just grateful for the experiences and the time with the ones I love.