Any day you say "Please get that pencil out of your ear." "Did you just pull your tooth out?" "Don't put the pencil up your nose!" "Go to the sink so you're not getting blood on the table!" and "Hello, dear principal, yes, please come on in to observe me" all in one breath, you know it is going to be a fantastic day.
Or something.
Seriously, my kids have been AWESOME lately -- so there was bound to be a setback eventually! And really, I don't know that yesterday was THAT bad or if it just felt THAT bad becasue my kids have been spoiling me lately. And I was super tired. And I got observed. Regardless, it felt pretty awful! But, some things are simply out of my control -- like teeth falling out in the middle of my lesson. Ha! SO, what do you do, except keep plugging along, share a smile with the principal (who thankfully knows the group of students you have), and make it through the day as productively as possible.
And then go home and crash on the couch to re-coup before church.
Except I didn't do that this time! Instead I went home and did day 2 of the Couch to 5k program. Whoa buddy.
I love to exercise ... in random spurts. I love the idea of being fit and able to do things like run. I love the idea of dropping several pounds. I love the idea of it ... I just tend to get sidetracked a lot! And to busy! And over committed! .....And by that I mean, while I like the idea of working out, I really prefer to be lazy --- and I really love to eat food.
So, being fit sometimes takes a back burner to that *insert blush here*.
BUT, with summer coming up, and a vacation with the family, and all kinds of lovely things like that --- I started the couch to 5k program ... and I am *fully intending to* stick with it! Because, well, I want to be a runner! So, heres to making exercising last more than a week this time ;).
Because honestly, after I jogged instead of sitting on the couch for that 30 minutes, I didn't feel physically better, but I didn't feel worse either ... well, except for the aching in my legs. And regardless, it really did help my mind get clear enough to stop stressing about school and focus at church! So lets call it a win ;).
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Learned From the Best
My momma is many, many things. Wife, daughter, sister, mother, Christian, friend, teacher, listener, crafter, gardener, cheerleader ... the list goes on and on. On Monday, she will also be the birthday girl. The big 5-0. 50. Not to long ago 50 seemed like ... ancient. But as I've grown up and watched many people grow older it has become evident that 50 isn't really that old (Im sure mom would appreciate hearing me say that). When dad turned 50 he said "I was thrilled to make it to 40 ... 50 is an even greater blessing!" ....and Im sure mom feels the same way! I love that my parents have more spunk, life, and drive, than some parents do ever ... and I especially love (and feel blessed by the fact) that they have devoted a huge amount of that spunk, life, and drive to me! So, just to remind you how awesome my mom is, here 50 things I've learned from my momma in the 22 of her 50 years I've gotten to share with her (and keep in mind these are only a few things I can think of off the top of my head ... so there are, undoubtedly, many many things I will think of immediately after hitting "publish" on this post).
1. God is the most important thing. Put Him first.
2. Family rocks. You need them, so treat them well.
3. Little things matter most.
4. It's fun to be there for the big things - you won't be if you weren't there for the little things.
5. Sometimes what people need most is for you to just be with them.
6. Kids are our worlds future. They matter.
7. Hospitality is a huge deal.
8. Seriously. Open your home to people.
9. You can only get out of something what you put into it.
10. Your always learning something ... It just may not be what you expected to learn.
11. Pray. And then pray more.
12. Singing makes everything go quicker - especially washing the dishes.
13. When you feel like giving in, buck up instead.
14. ....except for the times when your really need to give in. Listen to your body. Your no good to anyone else if you are sick.
15. Doing for others is always worth it.
16. The right thing and the easy thing are seldom the same thing. Do the right thing.
17. It does no good to say something in a way a person can't hear. Chose your words and tone wisely.
18. Stand up for what is important.
19. Be passionate and don't apologize for it.
20. ...but think before you speak.
21. Often it is best to just be quiet.
22. It pays to be a people watcher.
23. Good food brings people together.
24. There are few things better than good conversation.
25. Listen to old people. They have important things to teach us - and awesome stories, too!
26. Document the past - there will always be things to learn from it.
27. Read. A lot.
28. Give people the benefit of the doubt - they deserve it.
29. Meet people where they are at. That is the only way you can help them.
30. Perception is reality.
31. Laughter is great medicine.
32. Scripture running through your mind can get you through many tough times.
33. Read the Bible. Study it closely.
34. All the knowledge in the world cannot profit you if it isn't applied.
35. Being "right" isn't always the most important thing.
36. Have reasons for what you do. It is never good to change course with every breeze that blows.
37. Be available.
38. People are more important than things.
39. Don't waste time wallowing in self pity.
40. Make time to play - housework will always wait for you.
41. Give your best. Every time.
42. Being outdoors is healing. Nature is beautiful - pay attention to it.
43. You cannot live in fear, so live in faith instead.
44. God has a plan. Be patient, it will happen in His time.
45. It pays to keep a clean house ... You never know who might stop by.
46. Everyone is good at something.
47. There is never a time to panic ... It doesn't help anything.
48. A wife's job is to be a submissive help meet ... Equal emphasis on both parts
49. Treat people like you want to be treated, and children like real people - because they are.
50. If your focus and heart are in the right place, and you are working towards the right things, the rest will fall into place.
....like I said, there is more. But you're probably tired of reading....
I am blessed beyond measure to be learning from the very best!
1. God is the most important thing. Put Him first.
2. Family rocks. You need them, so treat them well.
3. Little things matter most.
4. It's fun to be there for the big things - you won't be if you weren't there for the little things.
5. Sometimes what people need most is for you to just be with them.
6. Kids are our worlds future. They matter.
7. Hospitality is a huge deal.
8. Seriously. Open your home to people.
9. You can only get out of something what you put into it.
10. Your always learning something ... It just may not be what you expected to learn.
11. Pray. And then pray more.
12. Singing makes everything go quicker - especially washing the dishes.
13. When you feel like giving in, buck up instead.
14. ....except for the times when your really need to give in. Listen to your body. Your no good to anyone else if you are sick.
15. Doing for others is always worth it.
16. The right thing and the easy thing are seldom the same thing. Do the right thing.
17. It does no good to say something in a way a person can't hear. Chose your words and tone wisely.
18. Stand up for what is important.
19. Be passionate and don't apologize for it.
20. ...but think before you speak.
21. Often it is best to just be quiet.
22. It pays to be a people watcher.
23. Good food brings people together.
24. There are few things better than good conversation.
25. Listen to old people. They have important things to teach us - and awesome stories, too!
26. Document the past - there will always be things to learn from it.
27. Read. A lot.
28. Give people the benefit of the doubt - they deserve it.
29. Meet people where they are at. That is the only way you can help them.
30. Perception is reality.
31. Laughter is great medicine.
32. Scripture running through your mind can get you through many tough times.
33. Read the Bible. Study it closely.
34. All the knowledge in the world cannot profit you if it isn't applied.
35. Being "right" isn't always the most important thing.
36. Have reasons for what you do. It is never good to change course with every breeze that blows.
37. Be available.
38. People are more important than things.
39. Don't waste time wallowing in self pity.
40. Make time to play - housework will always wait for you.
41. Give your best. Every time.
42. Being outdoors is healing. Nature is beautiful - pay attention to it.
43. You cannot live in fear, so live in faith instead.
44. God has a plan. Be patient, it will happen in His time.
45. It pays to keep a clean house ... You never know who might stop by.
46. Everyone is good at something.
47. There is never a time to panic ... It doesn't help anything.
48. A wife's job is to be a submissive help meet ... Equal emphasis on both parts
49. Treat people like you want to be treated, and children like real people - because they are.
50. If your focus and heart are in the right place, and you are working towards the right things, the rest will fall into place.
....like I said, there is more. But you're probably tired of reading....
I am blessed beyond measure to be learning from the very best!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Hopeful
Amidst the daily questions of "am I good enough" and "am I doing enough" and "does what I'm doing really matter anyway" and "what will happen if..." It is nice to be reminded that there are people working for the good of our kiddos by realizing the good of our teachers has to be supported.
A wonderful teacher sent me this article ... and I love it!
"In order to cater to the whole child, you need whole teachers."
It is well worth the read - if only to remind you that there is hope, there are people working for good, there are people who see needs and are stepping up to fill them.
And whether you're in the business of educating our kiddos or not, everyone can appreciate a reminder to "be the rainbow in someone else's cloud" --Maya Angelou
A wonderful teacher sent me this article ... and I love it!
"In order to cater to the whole child, you need whole teachers."
It is well worth the read - if only to remind you that there is hope, there are people working for good, there are people who see needs and are stepping up to fill them.
And whether you're in the business of educating our kiddos or not, everyone can appreciate a reminder to "be the rainbow in someone else's cloud" --Maya Angelou
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Comfort Zone
Comfort is a wonderful thing. A necessary thing. A thing I am very, very thankful. Seriously. Comfort is my new home with heat and electricity and my favorite rocking chair I love to sit in where I can see the TV, look out the window, play with my bird, and cozy up under a blanket and drink my coffee. Comfort zone is my 4th grade classroom when no adults are watching and I just get to teach my kiddos.
Comfort is doing only the things I know already know I am good at .... And not being judged.
Unfortunately, comfort is also NOT doing things that scare me, not doing things that are hard, not doing things that make me, we'll, uncomfortable.
I read this quote somewhere the other day ... "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough." And I got to thinking ... Is that true? Maybe more than I'd like to think!
Sometimes being comfortable comes at the expense of not reaching one's potential. Often times (at least for me) comfort is chosen over doing something that I probably should but that would place me firmly outside my comfort zone. Like talking to a stranger (or sometimes even scarier, a friend) about the gospel. Or trying something new. Or stepping up. I am really good (at least I try to be) at speaking for God through my example ... but I am not always very good at speaking for God through my mouth! Sometimes it is VERY hard for me speak up - especially if I fear it may cause a disagreement/confrontation. It may be hard, but as was recently pointed out to me in an awesome sermon, with God it isn't too hard.
Hear that? It is hard. Things WILL be hard. But, with God on your side, nothing is TOO hard. Nothing.
So here's to bucking up and stepping outside my comfort zone. Here's to leaving behind my sense of comfort and relying on God to bring me comfort as I strive to better serve him. Here's to being more vocal and accomplishing great things.
Comfort is doing only the things I know already know I am good at .... And not being judged.
Unfortunately, comfort is also NOT doing things that scare me, not doing things that are hard, not doing things that make me, we'll, uncomfortable.
I read this quote somewhere the other day ... "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough." And I got to thinking ... Is that true? Maybe more than I'd like to think!
Sometimes being comfortable comes at the expense of not reaching one's potential. Often times (at least for me) comfort is chosen over doing something that I probably should but that would place me firmly outside my comfort zone. Like talking to a stranger (or sometimes even scarier, a friend) about the gospel. Or trying something new. Or stepping up. I am really good (at least I try to be) at speaking for God through my example ... but I am not always very good at speaking for God through my mouth! Sometimes it is VERY hard for me speak up - especially if I fear it may cause a disagreement/confrontation. It may be hard, but as was recently pointed out to me in an awesome sermon, with God it isn't too hard.
Hear that? It is hard. Things WILL be hard. But, with God on your side, nothing is TOO hard. Nothing.
So here's to bucking up and stepping outside my comfort zone. Here's to leaving behind my sense of comfort and relying on God to bring me comfort as I strive to better serve him. Here's to being more vocal and accomplishing great things.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Woops
Sooo, if there was an award for being good at blogging ... well, it would definitely not be going to me! I am not the most consistent ... sorry 'bout that :(. Sooo if you are reading this you are obviously awesomely loyal and love me a lot ... kudos! ;).
It's funny how some times I feel like I am so, so busy -- when really, I'm probably not doing anything different than I usually do ... but, ya know. We HAVE had busy weekends, Rob's been sick, AND my lovely angles at school have been, well, less angelic.
Seriously. It is like hormone central in my classroom. No one is getting along. No one is happy. At least one person cried every day this week. We had boyfriend/girlfriend drama (please remember I have 10 year olds in my class! oh man!). Blame it on sicknesses going around, hormones, a week with two short days (due to the fact that our girls basketball team is AWESOME and took 3rd in state!), too much inside recess, time of year ... whatever you want. All I know is it has NOT BEEN nearly as much FUN as usual! And it makes me tired. Booo ...
Soooo, I see some serious team building exercises in our immediate future!
Also, I am no good at big decision making - and I have been trying to decide if and what to get my masters in ... and well, that is just two to many decisions for me to enjoy! ha!
BUT on a bright side, Rob is feeling some if not much better, my lovely sister and her hubby are coming over for a bit tomorrow to see our "all moved in" house for the first time (like I said, our weekends have been busy), aaannddd I get to come home to this every night ...
It's funny how some times I feel like I am so, so busy -- when really, I'm probably not doing anything different than I usually do ... but, ya know. We HAVE had busy weekends, Rob's been sick, AND my lovely angles at school have been, well, less angelic.
Seriously. It is like hormone central in my classroom. No one is getting along. No one is happy. At least one person cried every day this week. We had boyfriend/girlfriend drama (please remember I have 10 year olds in my class! oh man!). Blame it on sicknesses going around, hormones, a week with two short days (due to the fact that our girls basketball team is AWESOME and took 3rd in state!), too much inside recess, time of year ... whatever you want. All I know is it has NOT BEEN nearly as much FUN as usual! And it makes me tired. Booo ...
Soooo, I see some serious team building exercises in our immediate future!
Also, I am no good at big decision making - and I have been trying to decide if and what to get my masters in ... and well, that is just two to many decisions for me to enjoy! ha!
BUT on a bright side, Rob is feeling some if not much better, my lovely sister and her hubby are coming over for a bit tomorrow to see our "all moved in" house for the first time (like I said, our weekends have been busy), aaannddd I get to come home to this every night ...
Friday, February 22, 2013
Stability
I've said it before, you'll hear it again .... I LOVE the opportunity to hear lots of different people preach! What a great way to be presented tons of different thoughts that I'd likely never come up with on my own! (For the record, I also LOVE that my wonderful hubby puts them up here oakgrovecofc.org under the recordings tab so you can listen to them as we'll .... And he's recently been working on making the website even better looking!)
One of the 2 great sermons we heard on Sunday really got me thinking about stability. If I was titling the lesson it would have been something along the lines of "Knowledge is Power" - Larry made points about all the many wonderful things knowledge (of the scriptures and God's will) bring us. He included many things; understanding, fear of God, strength, etc. and one of the last points he made was that, when used correctly, knowledge increases stability.
There are SO many things that matter in our service to God, but it had been a while since I heard "stability" mentioned ... But here's the deal: Just Iike an employer doesn't want to hire an unstable person to work for them, God doesn't want unstable people working for Him, either! Colossians 1:22-23 reads "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight ... if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel..." (Established and Firm? Do not move? He's talking about stability!) Thankfully, unlike the employer who would just fire the unstable worker, God helps us out! Isaiah 33:6 reads "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge...". He's given us everything we need find this stability. He's provided us with the words to study and find the knowledge and strength that stability takes. All we have to do is follow through and actually study!
The Marion-Webster dictionary defines stable as
And you steady or wishy-washy? Are you calm and rational or easily worked up and emotional? Are you religious or just fanatical? Are your firm or easily swayed? Am I?
...funny how there are times everything seems to be hitting at the same point. After thinking about all this, for a class I am taking we were talking about how consistency is key in the classroom (see - told ya - employers don't want unstable people either). The point was made that it is simply tout possible to be "pretty consistent". You either are or you aren't. There is no "pretty". No "fairly". No "kind of". No has to mean no every time. Expectations have to be consistent in order for students to know them. Consistency is key for control.
Consistency. Stability. It isn't always easy - but then, we were never promised ease. So I'm continually working on it ... Are you? At moments when I am feeling a bit "unstable" I love to think through the song "Be Still My Soul" - it is a wonderful thing to know that we are not alone.
One of the 2 great sermons we heard on Sunday really got me thinking about stability. If I was titling the lesson it would have been something along the lines of "Knowledge is Power" - Larry made points about all the many wonderful things knowledge (of the scriptures and God's will) bring us. He included many things; understanding, fear of God, strength, etc. and one of the last points he made was that, when used correctly, knowledge increases stability.
There are SO many things that matter in our service to God, but it had been a while since I heard "stability" mentioned ... But here's the deal: Just Iike an employer doesn't want to hire an unstable person to work for them, God doesn't want unstable people working for Him, either! Colossians 1:22-23 reads "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight ... if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel..." (Established and Firm? Do not move? He's talking about stability!) Thankfully, unlike the employer who would just fire the unstable worker, God helps us out! Isaiah 33:6 reads "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge...". He's given us everything we need find this stability. He's provided us with the words to study and find the knowledge and strength that stability takes. All we have to do is follow through and actually study!
The Marion-Webster dictionary defines stable as
- "firmly established, not changing or fluctuating." ... Is your faith firmly established? What's more, is it firmly established in the correct things - the Bible?
- Placed so as to resist forces tending to cause motion or change of motion. ... Can your faith, can you, resist the force of the world? Are you firmly grounded enough to hold up to peer pressure ? Work pressure? Stress of life pressure.
- Steady in purpose: firm in resolution. Not subject to insecurity or emotional illness. Sane. ...well, are you? Now don't get me wrong - I completely understand there are mental illness beyond people's control that they do there best to work through daily. And that is fine. Each person can only do their personal best. But are you doing your best?
And you steady or wishy-washy? Are you calm and rational or easily worked up and emotional? Are you religious or just fanatical? Are your firm or easily swayed? Am I?
...funny how there are times everything seems to be hitting at the same point. After thinking about all this, for a class I am taking we were talking about how consistency is key in the classroom (see - told ya - employers don't want unstable people either). The point was made that it is simply tout possible to be "pretty consistent". You either are or you aren't. There is no "pretty". No "fairly". No "kind of". No has to mean no every time. Expectations have to be consistent in order for students to know them. Consistency is key for control.
Consistency. Stability. It isn't always easy - but then, we were never promised ease. So I'm continually working on it ... Are you? At moments when I am feeling a bit "unstable" I love to think through the song "Be Still My Soul" - it is a wonderful thing to know that we are not alone.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Taking Time
To complete our "moving in" process (at least where furniture is concerned), my wonderful daddy brought over my desk today. He also brought a tub that he had dumped all the contents of the drawers into (uh, my bad for not cleaning out my desk in like 10 years..). Searching through the tub did provide a great opportunity for a walk down memory lane - not the least of which was triggered by this picture.
Mrs. E was many things to many people in her lifetime - to me, she was a fantastic EXCEL teacher - she introduced me to the worlds of poetry and writing and mind puzzles and GeoBoards, and Geography, and memory tricks, and higher level thinking, and well, all things awesome. And then she moved. And while we were blessed to have another wonderful teacher step in to teach EXCEL, there was a special place in my heart (and the hearts of many others) for Mrs. E.
So, I wrote her. Apparently more than I even remembered! Because, when I was cleaning out my desk I found this ....
I know I wasn't the only person who loved attention from Mrs. E. I know I wasn't the only former student who ever wrote her a letter (though I may be close to having written the most!). I know she didn't have a lot of extra time on her hands to sit around writing kids notes. But she did. She took time to answer ever one of my notes - and not just with a simple card or short few words ... but a real, "adult-like" letter that meant the world to me each time I received them.
Mrs. E made me want to be a poet - a love that I still secretly dabble in. She nurtured my obsession with "wise quotes" and "cute sayings". She taught me to follow my passions. She taught me to reach out to others. She proved one person can change the world.
I'll probably never travel the world quite like Mrs. E (or, anything like Mrs. E did if we're being honest...). I'll probably never publish as many writings and books as she did (even though someday I'd love to! If I even knew where to start...). But, thanks largely to her inspiration, I will teach.. (Okay, okay, you could argue that I'll probably never teach quite like Mrs. E ... but a girl's gotta dream!).
Looking back through all Mrs. E's letters it amazed me, once again, how she was able to touch my life so much from far away (okay, 2 hours away - but rarely seen!). Mostly because she took the time. She took the time write me back. Every time. She took the time to send me pictures. She took the time to write me poems (or include already written poems). She took the time to talk to me like a real person - not a little kid. She took the time to expect a lot from me - and let me know that she was expecting a lot. She took the time.
I want to teach like Mrs. E. I want to be that awesome. And I want to have enough time - always. Even when my life is crazy hectic as I'm sure her's often was. I want to remember to take the time to make the impact. Because I'm so thankful she did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)