Ben’s departure to Portland, Oregon is 2 days away. Anna’s wedding is 1 day away. End of school year is today. My life for the past 8 months has been so, so, so busy and crazy that I won’t know what miraculous transformation will occur on Monday, May 30th. I feel like my life in the blender will possibly stop. The house will be quiet (and clean!), I won’t have a “to-do” list a mile long. I won’t be using my lunch hours for errands and running around. I won’t have 10-20 emails and text messages a day regarding either graduation/wedding. I won’t have this foreboding voice always saying, “You forgot something. You forgot something.” It will be the first summer in 10 years that I WON”T teach summer school nor work 2 other jobs. I have this fear. And it truly is a real fear of mine. This fear of having “down time”. Of not being productive. Of not “earning my keep”. Of not having a regular workday.
Bobby says he will leave me a “to do” list every day if that would help me. My response: “Let me TRY this so called downtime first.” Lol.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Crazy Days
I just ate too too many potato chips! Stress eating - hate it! I know it's because of the following...
Today’s list to do at school:
Type up 55 food orders and take them to Jesses’s Burritos afterschool (for Cinco de Mayo field trip)
Work on 3 student piñatas to “fix them” (these students are not “art inclined” and needed lots of help!)
Make sure the other piñatas (30+ piñatas!) are ready to be taken to elementary schools by 4:00 pm today!
Type up list of students names going to field trip tomorrow and give them to office (so they won’t be counted absent)
Take pictures of all of the pinatas so students can have mementos
Send announcement to office regarding Spain meeting
Email Spain enrollees to give them the flight information
Send work for 3 students who are in ISS (in school suspension) for the week
Send work for 1 student who is in AEP (disciplinary alternative educational placement) for the month
Copy papers for tomorrow (I will be gone on field trip and have to leave work for the students)
Make sub plans for substitute teacher
Grade papers and enter grades into gradebook
Enter grades into computer
Teach!! (what my actual job is!!)
AAAAAGH!!!!!!
Today’s list to do at school:
Type up 55 food orders and take them to Jesses’s Burritos afterschool (for Cinco de Mayo field trip)
Work on 3 student piñatas to “fix them” (these students are not “art inclined” and needed lots of help!)
Make sure the other piñatas (30+ piñatas!) are ready to be taken to elementary schools by 4:00 pm today!
Type up list of students names going to field trip tomorrow and give them to office (so they won’t be counted absent)
Take pictures of all of the pinatas so students can have mementos
Send announcement to office regarding Spain meeting
Email Spain enrollees to give them the flight information
Send work for 3 students who are in ISS (in school suspension) for the week
Send work for 1 student who is in AEP (disciplinary alternative educational placement) for the month
Copy papers for tomorrow (I will be gone on field trip and have to leave work for the students)
Make sub plans for substitute teacher
Grade papers and enter grades into gradebook
Enter grades into computer
Teach!! (what my actual job is!!)
AAAAAGH!!!!!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Quiet Evenings
Just here sitting with Bobby as he downloads music onto his IPod and I switch between Words with Friends (my newest addiction) and reading a really GREAT book on iBooks (The Fountainhead). As you can tell, I am loving my iPad! Lol. It's Cinco de Mayo week and my week is totally absorbed with 30+ pinatas and getting them ready to take to the Crockett\Gateway elementary students! I also have 6 classroom fiestas to get taken care of this week! Fun but sometimes exhausting.
I am about to do my weights especially since I just had this amazing Snickers ice cream bar! It was pure heaven! I will also be doing running in the morning. I just love running and the therapy that it gives me. Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Bobby says I keep too many things in and I think he is correct. Running coupled with my quiet time gives me the outlet for these bottled up emotions. He says I don't like confrontation so I usually just keep quiet. Once again, he is correct. I can usually go 2-3 days without running and/or quiet time before I go crazy. Ha ha. Funny but very true. Anna and I had a heated argument last night and I know it was because I was tired, stressed, and hadn't exercised nor had my quiet time. I thank God we were able to forgive eachother but I am also pained that it caused hurt between us. God is merciful and is growing me and showing me how to control all of these haywire emotions. During last nights Crosspoint "Engage" concert, God showed me that the human heart truly is a deceitful thing and one that easily lends itself to sin and darkness - just
like Conrad's literary book, "Heart of Darkness". Only through my ever closeness to my Saviour do I have hope in conquering my sinful nature.
I am about to do my weights especially since I just had this amazing Snickers ice cream bar! It was pure heaven! I will also be doing running in the morning. I just love running and the therapy that it gives me. Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Bobby says I keep too many things in and I think he is correct. Running coupled with my quiet time gives me the outlet for these bottled up emotions. He says I don't like confrontation so I usually just keep quiet. Once again, he is correct. I can usually go 2-3 days without running and/or quiet time before I go crazy. Ha ha. Funny but very true. Anna and I had a heated argument last night and I know it was because I was tired, stressed, and hadn't exercised nor had my quiet time. I thank God we were able to forgive eachother but I am also pained that it caused hurt between us. God is merciful and is growing me and showing me how to control all of these haywire emotions. During last nights Crosspoint "Engage" concert, God showed me that the human heart truly is a deceitful thing and one that easily lends itself to sin and darkness - just
like Conrad's literary book, "Heart of Darkness". Only through my ever closeness to my Saviour do I have hope in conquering my sinful nature.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Major & Drastic Changes In My Life
I’ve lately made a drastic change in my life that has almost been as significant as my new marriage. It’s been the slow extinction of morning coffee. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love my morning coffee. Close friends know this, family members know this, my high school students know this. I am a TRUE addict. For the last few years, it’s been one particular type of coffee….McDonald’s. I love the rich, robust flavor. Well, for the last month, I’ve slowly given it up and not intentionally. In the past, I’ve thought about alternatives but nothing would sound appealing. Cold cereal….no. Cold yogurt…no. Cold orange/apple juice….no. I love WARMTH in the mornings! Oatmeal sounded good but so boring. A month ago, McDonald’s attached coupons for free oatmeal on their coffee cups. I decided to try it. I fell in love! Warmth plus raisins, apples, and cranberries. PERFECT! It’s a bit high in calories so I only eat half the portion. What’s better is that I usually am thirsty for water shortly after having it so my water intake has also increased. A good benefit!! I then googled oatmeal’s benefits (I am a Livestrong/My Plate website addict) and the benefits are exceedingly numerous! So after close to 40 years of “coffee closeness”, I am now learning to live without it. It’s still there and I usually treat myself to it on Saturday/Sunday mornings but as with my new husband, my new life, my new house…I have a new favorite morning beverage/food! Who would’ve thought?
Monday, April 25, 2011
End of 2010/2011
4 more weeks, after this week, and another school year will come to a close. Wow! It's been an eventful year for me and my family. I have changed my ENTIRE life - it's so drastically different than this time last year. It baffles my mind when I sit down and think about it!
I will soon see Ben graduate(so excited & proud) and then see Anna marry (so thrilled and happy) and then travel to Spain and France. All the hard work from the past 8-10 months will come to a culmination. Thank you Lord for getting me through it. As with everything in my life, my God is my strength and foundation.
It's TAKS week which is good and bad. Good because it's a break from our regular rigor & stress but bad because it brings a different type of stress. A stress that involves following MANY rules & regulations and following them to the "T". It also means reading lots of manuals and making sure we know everything about TAKS (and know it WELL!). P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E!!!
I am thankful to be a teacher though. It's my heart and even with the pressures and stresses, I would trade it for the world! The students and their varied & different personalities make my job worth it EVERY DAY! I am blessed!
I will soon see Ben graduate(so excited & proud) and then see Anna marry (so thrilled and happy) and then travel to Spain and France. All the hard work from the past 8-10 months will come to a culmination. Thank you Lord for getting me through it. As with everything in my life, my God is my strength and foundation.
It's TAKS week which is good and bad. Good because it's a break from our regular rigor & stress but bad because it brings a different type of stress. A stress that involves following MANY rules & regulations and following them to the "T". It also means reading lots of manuals and making sure we know everything about TAKS (and know it WELL!). P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E!!!
I am thankful to be a teacher though. It's my heart and even with the pressures and stresses, I would trade it for the world! The students and their varied & different personalities make my job worth it EVERY DAY! I am blessed!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sugar Daddy
Got my new iPad today! It's beyond thrilling. It is a HUGE blessing to me. Bobby, if you recall, surprised me with ordering me one last month. He had wanted to get me one at Christmas but I said no due to us going on an Vegas trip the week after Christmas. He said he knew that I really wanted one and said that he could now be referred to as my "Sugar Daddy". Lol! He got a bonus at work so this afforded this wonderful splurge. With all the craziness lately of Anna's wedding, Ben's graduation, end of school stresses, and preparing to teach summer school the gift of an iPad comes at a perfect time.
Anna came in today from OBU and I can't emphasize enough how I love having her around!! We went and got haircuts which was super fun! We then went to Walmart to shop for Easter (Easter baskets!!). From there, we went to visit my sister Sylvia to go over wedding "logistics". We had such fun excitedly talking about the wedding! Finally, we went to the Cooley house, where all the wedding decor is being stored at, to tally and count everything. Again, "fun-ness", as we looked over all of the wedding plates, glasses, serving items, etc! My dear husband very obligingly went golfing today in order to give us this day to ourselves! He is the most awesome husband ever! You might have thought you had the most husband ever but I am sorry to break it to you that..... Ha. Ha.
Tomorrow, Bobby and I will go visit my dad in Amarillo. Then we will come back to take our grandsons, Breckyn and Kingston, to our church egg drop at Huber Park! Yippee!! That evening, we will celebrate Sommer's birthday with all the family. Sunday will be wonderfully spent in God's house. Then low key lunch just chilling. That evening we will host Bobby's daughters over at our house with a yummy dinner and doing a family Easter egg hunt. It looks like it will be wonderful weekend!
Anna came in today from OBU and I can't emphasize enough how I love having her around!! We went and got haircuts which was super fun! We then went to Walmart to shop for Easter (Easter baskets!!). From there, we went to visit my sister Sylvia to go over wedding "logistics". We had such fun excitedly talking about the wedding! Finally, we went to the Cooley house, where all the wedding decor is being stored at, to tally and count everything. Again, "fun-ness", as we looked over all of the wedding plates, glasses, serving items, etc! My dear husband very obligingly went golfing today in order to give us this day to ourselves! He is the most awesome husband ever! You might have thought you had the most husband ever but I am sorry to break it to you that..... Ha. Ha.
Tomorrow, Bobby and I will go visit my dad in Amarillo. Then we will come back to take our grandsons, Breckyn and Kingston, to our church egg drop at Huber Park! Yippee!! That evening, we will celebrate Sommer's birthday with all the family. Sunday will be wonderfully spent in God's house. Then low key lunch just chilling. That evening we will host Bobby's daughters over at our house with a yummy dinner and doing a family Easter egg hunt. It looks like it will be wonderful weekend!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Palm Sunday
Luke 19:28 - 38
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.'"
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
How wonderful that God is using Lent to tenderize my heart to Jesus' sacrifice for my sins. To be tender in thought and spirit to the all that Jesus did for me. That is what I am so thankful for today.
In the first part of this scripture, I kept focusing on the phrases, "The Lord needs it." (verse 31b and verse 34). I thought to myself, "What does the Lord need from me?" This was at 7:oo am this morning (as I was reading this on my school computer). Two hours later, I was in the middle of a tense parent/teacher conference and I realized the the Lord needed me to be humble, to listen, to empathize, and to even apologize. Tough stuff but it proved so wonderful. The parents and I were able to resolve all the issues and we were even able to laugh and be on friendly terms by the end of the conference. God is truly good. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
God is also good because Bobby took me golfing after work. At 4 pm, we took off for the golf course and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together out just goofing off and golfing. Such a beautiful way to end the day. I am blessed by this wonderful man who knows what I need after a stressful day.
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.'"
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
How wonderful that God is using Lent to tenderize my heart to Jesus' sacrifice for my sins. To be tender in thought and spirit to the all that Jesus did for me. That is what I am so thankful for today.
In the first part of this scripture, I kept focusing on the phrases, "The Lord needs it." (verse 31b and verse 34). I thought to myself, "What does the Lord need from me?" This was at 7:oo am this morning (as I was reading this on my school computer). Two hours later, I was in the middle of a tense parent/teacher conference and I realized the the Lord needed me to be humble, to listen, to empathize, and to even apologize. Tough stuff but it proved so wonderful. The parents and I were able to resolve all the issues and we were even able to laugh and be on friendly terms by the end of the conference. God is truly good. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
God is also good because Bobby took me golfing after work. At 4 pm, we took off for the golf course and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together out just goofing off and golfing. Such a beautiful way to end the day. I am blessed by this wonderful man who knows what I need after a stressful day.
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