Joys of Teaching

As a teacher, there are times when you shake your head and wonder if you're making a difference at all, times when your heartbreaks for students, times of joy when a student has worked hard and finally understands a concept, and times when you just laugh out loud- today held that kind of moment.

We were eating lunch (at the school I work at we eat lunch with our students) and I mentioned to one of my students that I put a coffee mug on her desk that someone had left in my box- it was her dad's. The rest of the conversation went like this:

Student: I like it when my parents find their coffee cups.
Me: You do, huh?
S: Yes, because they get crabby when they don't have their coffee.
M: (Smiling)
S: Not so much my dad- he's okay if he doesn't have his, but my mom- she HAS to have her cup of coffee or watch out!
M: (Laughing out loud!)

You find out so many things about parents from the mouths of their babes! What made this even funnier to me is that I know this family very well and the mom would probably be blushing if she had heard her daughter!!

Oh, the joys of teaching!

Back to School

School started last Friday for us...normally, I absolutely love going back to school- I have always enjoyed school and the beginning of the year is just full of excitement and promise! Ever since having children, though, it's been a bittersweet time; I still enjoy the excitement of school, but leaving the kids is always tough on me- especially those first few days. Usually, I have to drop them off and then start thinking immediately about something else, or start praying for them- and myself- or I'll start crying! It's way harder on me than them- they love their babysitter and as soon as we get there, they're off and playing! We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful, loving babysitter!

A few people asked me how the first day of school was- it was exciting, fun, full of laughter, and absolutely exhausting! A good kind of exhausting! During one point during the day I looked around and came to an understanding of another way God blesses my life- I may drop off my three children in the morning, but He fills my heart each year with love for my students...when they enter my room, I consider them my 'kids'. They may not have been born from me, but I care for them the same- I want what is absolutely best for them- I want to hear their laughter, see them reach their goals, push them when I know they can go a little further, challange them, help them grow, and see a joyful light in their eyes! I pray God works through me to touch the lives of each student in my room- that in our classroom, His glory will reign! And, in that moment of realization, I smiled and thanked God for where He has placed me! Plus, the people I work with are absolutely amazing- some of my dearest friends!

So, school is off- fast, furious, and joyfully!

The Little Things

I truly believe it's the little things in life that truly make living special and worthwhile- the things that cost nothing, yet are priceless. Examples in the last few days for me include:
- cooking and baking with my mom;
- 'shed sitting' with my parents and husband- talking and listening to the crickets chirp;
- watching the kids snuggle up with their daddy during a movie;
- napping with the kids;
- singing praise and worship songs at church;
- giggling with my sister;
- laughing with my nieces;
- watching my children and their cousins running around together laughing;

Add your own...

Fair Time!

We are currently at Mom and Dad's in Danville and it's Fair Weekend! And, I forgot my camera! Bummer! We went this evening- the kids petted many animals and even rode their cousin Abby's horse. It was fun to watch the kids run around and play together. I ran into a couple of old friends from high school...it seems kind of weird that we all have little miniture "us's" following us and hanging on our legs! But, we are in our 30's now- wow!

We decided that Miss Maggie got Grand Champion of the fair for the night. Papa proudly carried his youngest granddaughter around and was getting stopped every so often so people could 'oohhh' and 'aaahhh' over all of her hair and her constant smiling! So, in my ever so humble opinion, Maggie won Grand Champion for the 2011 County Fair!

Children's Imaginations

The kids and I were swimming in Grandma's pool the other day. Before I had gotten in with them I overheard them talking about crocodiles in the pool. When I got in I swam down to the deep end and shouted, "Aaahhh, crocodiles!" and quickly swam back towards the kids. Trinity started to get out and then saw the smile on my face and realized I was just playing; Eli didn't hesitate at all, he said, "I'll save you, Mommy!" As soon as I got close enough to him, he jumped into my arms, waved his magic wand, said a few magic words, and cast the crocodiles away from me.

How I love the imaginations of children, and being a mom...it keeps me young and childlike!

The Sounds of Blessings

So, last week my mom, sister, Jessica, and her kids descended upon our humble home for two nights for our county fair. The first night they were here was absolute chaos...a fun, joyful, laughing chaos consisting of cousins who haven't seen each other in a while running around the yard, in the house, giggling and laughing- it was music of the best kind! That same night my oldest brother, Jerid, his wife, Karen, and their daughter, Audrey, also stopped through that night on their way to Colorado. Our home was full of life- my heart was so full and happy just looking around and listening! My nephew Zach asked if they could build a house here! What a great idea, Zach!

My sister and her kids left and my mom has been here for the past week helping me- watching the kids for me so I could work in my classroom getting ready for school to start; she's helped cooked, folded laundry, played, loved, & hugged on the kids- it has been a true absolute joy having her here! I keep trying to convince her to move to Weskan...it hasn't worked yet, but I can be persistent! It's nice to be an adult and have a deeper relationship with Mom- she is an amazing, big-hearted woman!

My daddy came Thursday to stay for the weekend and take Mom and Audrey back home. Plus, to top off my already piled high cake of blessings, one of my very best friends, Belinda, came too!! We have talked and talked and worked on catching up...but, with her, no matter how long it has been since we've seen each other, it's not really catching up- it's picking up right where we left off. It has been an incredible time this past week- spending so much time with family and friends.

I think God was reminding me how much He loves me...not that I've forgotten, but it's nice to be reminded! Being surrounded by family and friends who know me so well...a blessing that is hard to be described adequately in words...it's been the sounds of blessings that I've heart...the sound of my son giggling in the pool when Papa is twirling him around; the whispers of plans being made by two cousins; the sound of stirring as Mom makes her mouth-watering zucchini cake; the gentle breaths of four kids exhausted from a day's play; the laughter of lifelong friends; the conversation between mother and daughter...

and tomorrow morning they leave...yet the blessings will remain in my heart.

Other Happenings

Eli had to have hernia surgery...he wasn't too excited about it...

Heading home after surgery- Eli did great and was snuggling with his new animal, Spotty!

Sweet nieces- all dressed up for the wedding! (Danica, Blakely, Jordyn, Brylee)

Aaron and several friends have been working on pouring a patio for us...Eli sat and watched them work for a long time.

Rainy-day Play!