Smelling Roses

How often do we stop and smell the roses?

Do we even have roses to stop and smell, now-a-days?

Sometimes, if you are like me, the roses have lost their smell by the time we get around to smelling them.

Is 'smelling the roses' even important to us anymore? Is it important to me?

Doing life, at the pace that we do life... is crazy! We don't take time to enjoy the crisp autumn breeze, visit the beach to see the sun rise on the horizon, sit and marvel at how a baby learns so fast, read a book, spend time talking with a friend we haven't seen in a while, take a deep breath in a quiet home late at night..... we should do those things.

So here is my challenge to myself and anyone who wants to join me... I want to 'stop and smell the roses' everyday this week. Take a few moments out of each day to think, pray, wonder, smile and to just breathe. I am soooo looking forward to my 'rose smelling moments'.

Back, Crazy! Back!

I think I have just been through the craziest week of my life.

I thought you would want to hear about it.... grab a snack and get comfy.

It all started on last Monday afternoon. We were all going about our work, they way we should have been, when suddenly..... ALARM! We have to get as many of our student learning plans to the big man by Friday at 3:00! If we don't.... we may not have kiddos to tutor!

Eeeeek Gad! That's 4 days and many of our conferences weren't scheduled until later in the week, and even into next week.

"ALL HANDS ON DECK! ALL HANDS ON DECK!" exclaimed Carol at our teleconference the next evening. (apparently this just became a short story with dialogue! Hmmmm... oh well.)

Academic Coaches and Lead Tutors flew into action. They went to homes, work places, the shopping lines at grocery stores, the pharmacy line at CVS, McDonald's play place, the library and chased every parent to get the conferences done. Lead Tutors called parent after parent to aquire the meet time and the promise of a signature. They used some serious CIA undercover action to get those signatures.

Meanwhile, in the bat cave.....Heather and her team of fearless data specialists emailed and scored and marked and typed and clicked their fingers to meer nubbi-ness getting the learning plans created. They tag-teamed, they long-balled (Long balled???), they typed and typed and typed. They stayed up until 1:00, then 2:30....and even 4:40 in the morning to work on these projects!!! The Academic Coaches drove mile after long mile to collect learning plans only to drive more miles to meet up with Heather at Office Depot. When the copying was done, they headed back from whence they came to distribute those copies. Heather stayed behind in the Office Depot parking lot. After the relentless copying, stapling and *#%!@ alphabetizing of over 600 learning plans in 3 days.... the final stack was placed on the big man's desk.

Relief swelled over the A+ Tutor U staff. Did we do enough? Will we be able to have more?

We may never know the answer to that question. Then again... we may know Monday morning.

So, that was my week. (Did you see me in there? I was one of the characters!) I am hoping this week slows down but I have a feeling I will not be seeing my blogger-friends until next weekend. Here's hopin' I don't ever see 4:40am this week!!!....or ever again!! :)

My New Peeps

When you step into a new job, besides the newness of what you will be doing, where you are and how you have to learn everything over again....there is the people factor. That's right, folks....the new co-workers. (Insert Twilight Zone music sound-bite here)

You never know how people will react to you, to your methods, to your idiosyncrasies. (Or 'my crazy', as I like to call it) But I have to tell you what... my new peeps, rock!

I work with an awesome bunch of people.

Our management team is so fun. They kick some major bootie, when it comes to getting things done. They are on top of things! They have really inspired me to be better at what I do. I am so impressed by the go-getter-all-hands-on-deck attitude of Sharla. I am touched by the sweet but direct guidance of Bonnie. Marilyn's attention to detail and willingness to jump in is incredible. Lynette's determination in spite of difficulties is empowering. Becky's is, well....Becky is awe-inspiring with everything she does! And Carol, the leader of the pack, her vision and energy lead us so well.

God, Thank you for this amazing group of women that you have given me to work with. I pray a blessing over their families. May they have many moments of tenderness and love with their dear ones. I pray a blessing over their work. May the lead tutors, the tutors, the students and school staff enjoy the visits and conversations with these women. May they be fruitful in their work and joyful in their conversations. I pray a blessing over them. May they find rest after busy days, peace in their moments alone and laughter...so much laughter. Lord, thank you for these women.

And let me just tell you about these Lead Tutors we have.... OMBob. (That's from Gloria! She's a stitch!) They are so patient, so focused and so stinkin' funny! I love getting email responses from them replying to my crazy. Most of them are teachers. All of them love their kiddos. It's hard to imagine doing this job with anyone else. They make my job so much easier....even if they have to remind me a few times to get that learning plan to them! (Geeze-o-pete!) They are a definitely a group of cool catz!

Lord, thanks so much for the Lead Tutors that work for us. I pray you would bless their efforts in making the students that are in our program more successful. I pray you would bless their interaction with school leaders, with parents, with tutors and most of all with their kiddos. I pray for their programs to flow smooth. I pray for their minds to be clear so they can trouble-shoot and problem-solve quickly and effectively. I pray for peace in their groups. I pray for success for their kids. I pray for joy as they work in our program.

So, you may ask how I am liking Florida.

Well.... I like it.

And my new peeps are a big part of it! Thanks everyone!

Forever JAMES!

I just couldn't help but post this. But I need to share a little back story with you.


My church in Fort Wayne is awesome! I have grown in my walk with Christ, been challenged to rethink, met amazing friends, served neighbors and enjoyed fellowship-ping with them over the last 15 years. When I started at Fellowship, we were all crammed in a sanctuary for three services each Sunday. We had chairs (barely isles) everywhere including the exit hallway, the sides/wings of the santuary...basically all over. I'm surprised they weren't hanging from the ceiling! About two or three years after I started going to FMC (Fellowship Missionary Church-- WHOOT WHOOT!) We decided to build on to our church. My church has made the decision not to borrow to build. We prayed and raised money and were able to build on. Our chruch grew and grew and we added on a children's wing. Now, we are redoing the administrative part and adding a new sanctuary.


I know that a lot happens and a lot goes on behind the scene but Pastor Dave has done an amazing job of leading and challenging our church. My favorite sermons are those series where he takes a book of the bible and we spend FOREVER on it. Literally. I think we spent 20-something weeks on Philippians. The book only has 4 chapters and 104 verses!! I love love love that in depth study on the word of God.


We just finished a series like that in James. Sadly, I have missed many since moving to Florida as well as traveling before I left. I guess they ended a couple of weeks ago and to end the series, they did this little song. Robbie and group.... kuddos!! Click on the link below

James! This Series Lasted Forever...

Love ya FMC family!!!

GPS

Being new to Florida, Curtis and Amanda got me a Tom-Tom. It's been fun finding places on this thing. I have always been pretty good with directions but in a new state where I can barely figure out which way is north yet..... It's been awesome having this!

Now, I know this is a moo point (you know... it doesn't really matter....like a cows opinion doesn't really matter) but I wanted to tell you that, after much persuading from friends and FRIENDS.... I have named my Tom Tom. ...and no, I have not named it Tom. Her name is Princess Consuela. It really is a great name!! When the Princess says turn right--- you have to do it! She's the princess!

Marketer Me

What kind of shoes do you like?
Where would you most likely go on vacation?
Who would you believe more: Brittney or Paris?
What would make you want to eat this more?

Welcome to the world of marketing!

This is one thing that I never thought I would be a part of. Me? Trying to get you to buy something? Nu-uh. Not in a million years!

I guess time flies when you're having fun!

Now, after 10 years of teaching, I find myself in at the buisness end of buisness. The 'how do we get people to want what we have' end. It's facinating and yet so foreign to me. Gimme a kid who doesn't know how to read and BANG! I'll teach him to read. Ask me to try to sell something to you?????? ...........yeah...............

I am learning so much about the concept of 'want vs. need'. Now, make no mistake I am an expert in what I need verses what I want..... I NEEDed that really expensive necklace, NEEDed that vacation, NEEDed that new iPod and totally NEEDed that cheeseburger. I WANT to do my laundry. I WANT to go to the gym. I WANT to do the dishes in the sink. See.... I totally am an expert in the need vs. want area. What I am realizing is that I have to figure out how to be an expert in what YOU want and need.

Thankfully, the company doesn't depend on me for marketing. I'm more of the 'manage the data' part of the company but after sending my ideas to the big guy.... (Insert nail biting noise here). It's fun. It's different. It's..... time for me to get back to work......

Copy Cai

So, I have been teaching my little nephew, Micaiah, some new things I am sure his mother is so very grateful for.

I taught him how to smack his forehead and say, "Doh!" ... everyone needs a little Homer...

I taught him how to do squinty-eyes and wide-eyes. (Oh man... It's hi-larious!)

I taught him how to master the the 'Cheers!' and the 'clink!' that comes after it. (I think his mom started that one....)

And best of all... I am teaching him how to feed my dog. Everyday, I go over to the baker's cart and pull Hilda's bowl out with my foot. (Who wants to touch a slimy dog bowl? Not me!) Then I get the cup and pour the food in the bowl. I say 'ok' and Hilda comes to eat. Then, when she is done, I push the bowl back under the cart and wash my hands.

Oh Micaiah.... he is sooooo funny!
The other day I asked him if he wanted to feed Hilda.
He went over to the cart, stuck his little foot under the cart,
and pulled out her bowl....with his foot.
Then he walked over to the bag and waited for me to give
him the food, took it to her dish and poured it in. (We are still
working on putting the cup back but... it's coming) When she is done,
he pushes the bowl back under the cart and goes to the
sink with me to wash his hands.
He is so advanced!

You know... I never told him to get the bowl out with his foot.
I never told him to push the bowl back under.
He just did it.
Because he saw me do it.
I absolutely love that....and I'm terrified of it at the same time.

He learns so fast! What an influence I am for this little life!

In his short little life so far, he has had to learn EVERYTHING! Walking, talking (soon), how to pick something up, what not to touch, how to dance (even though he is totally BFABB! ... born from a boom box!), how to use a spoon, what no means, what 'I love you' means, what food he likes and dislikes, what a dog is, how to ask for more.... I think you get the picture. But have you thought about babies before like that? They are like an empty canvass waiting to have a colorful and vibrant life.

And I influence that.

Do I give him bright colors for his canvass? What if I splash grey hues his way? When he watches me, what does he see and paint in that growing mind? What an awesome responsibility I have.
It makes me think, and rethink about everything I do. It makes me think about how, just like Cai is copying the tiny details like moving the dog bowl with his foot---that is how I should be copying Jesus. Down to the last detail.

Lord, I pray that I would be an example for my nephews that makes you proud. I pray that they would imitate me as I strive to imitate you. May my life reflect you so that when my nephews do what I do....they do what YOU do.

Shadows

Did you ever stop and think about a shadow?

Think about it. A shadow can be a protection. We stand in the shadows in the hot summer to avoid the oppressive sun and heat. A shadow can help lead the way and show where to step next. A shadow can hide you so that you aren't seen as well.

________________________________

As kids, being the oldest child in our family, I was usually the one to be "First". First to walk, first to go to school, first to drive, first to graduate, first to go to college... you know, typical older sibling stuff. By nature I am independent and proud of it. :)

For the past 15 years I have lived at least 4 hours from my nearest family member. But, I was the first to move out, the first to make it on my own, the first to begin my career.

Now I have moved to Florida.

It's exciting! I have a new job and I will be living with my sister and then, when my house sells, I will rent some where close by. I am soooooo very excited to be here! My new job is becoming more and more exciting as I learn about my roles and responsibilities. It brings new challenges, new possibilities, and new people. I am so excited.

So, in all this change, I think about how I have lived my life. I think about growing up and remember how my siblings lived in the shadow I cast. Because I did something right, my parents were more apt to trust them. Because I messed up, they didn't make the same mistake on the rest. Well, since moving down here I feel a little like roles have changed. My sister, who I feel like lived somewhat in my shadow because of our family placement and how independent I have always been.... now seems to be the one casting the shadow on me.

It's a new place for me. It's a good place for me.

I am being welcomed into a community where instead of leading the way like I usually do---my sister already has established deep, meaningful, Godly relationships. She has a strong connection of friends. She has husband and son who are amazing. She has a job that, may just be the coolest job ever. She is the one who is settled here and lives here. I am the newbie. I see that I am now living, somewhat in her shadow. It is kinda cool!

I still sometimes view Amanda (and Krista and Grant) as my little sisters and brother. I know they are old and all grown up (smile!) but I still like to think I helped motivate them, encouraged them and blazed a trail, however minute, for them. I cast a shadow for them.

I guess, as I think about it, among my siblings, I may have been a shadow caster for them. But in life, Oh how I have lived in the shadows of so many!

I have taught with amazing teachers over the years who have cast shadows.

I have worked with dedicated co-workers who have cast shadows.

I have served with gracious brothers and sisters in Christ who have cast shadows.

I have done life with incredible friends who have cast shadows.

I went to school with visionary classmates who have cast shadows.

I was raised with God-honoring parents who cast shadows.

I have loving siblings who have cast shadows.

My prayer for you is that in your life, you have had, and still have those who cast shadows for you. Shadows that encourage, protect and enable you to live a full life.

Oh where to start.....?!?!

After "The Great Hiatus"... I am back!

I have moved, settled in and started my job last week. I am learning so much about my family, my friends, my job, my God and myself.

When we leave college, we expect things to be new. We expect to meet with new everything. After being a career that I loved for so long, experiencing that again seems weird. I feel like I should be up drinking Mountain Dew until 4 in the morning and studying for exams! I feel 21 again!! ...correction. My MIND feels 21 but my body.... doesn't. :)

I have loved these last few weeks getting to know my sister and bro-in-law better. I have LOVED hanging out with my sweet nephew...even when he's not sweet. (that includes behavior AND diaper) I have enjoyed stretching myself beyond what I have come to know as comfortable.

It's good.

I have so many thoughts about these last weeks. I think I will not put them all in one post but will share snip-its and glimpses of what goes on in the attic I call my brain. I hope you enjoy!!

The end of an era

Today it is all starting to hit me. I am moving to Florida. I will have to pay money to see these friends here in Fort Wayne from now on! ....or they will have to pay money to see me...

Whoa.

For such a time as this

As I get ready to leave the profession I have studied about, worked out, cried during and laughed about, learned in, stressed over, grew because of, and loved for the last 10 years,....

I wonder.... did I make a difference?

I know that God puts us where he needs us for the time that he chooses. I believe that He placed me at my school for such a time as... as what I just finished.

I have to think....

Did I make Him smile with what I time I had here? Did I do my best? Did I make Him proud? Did I show His love to my students, my coworkers, my kids' parents and my bosses? Did I complain too much? Did I help to make His plans work or did He have to make a new one because I chose to follow my 'brilliant' idea....which most likely, ended up not being brilliant? Was I someone who made a difference? Was my time at school a blessing for others?

I sure hope so. I have learned so much. So much about myself, my God, how I am wired to do and what I am wired NOT to do. Ha! Ha! I am going to miss not working with my kiddos but maybe there is a new group of kids. For such a time....

The funny thing is that I NEVER thought I would leave teaching. I think others are surprised too! But I feel a peace about leaving. About changing professions. About the move. I always imagined myself one of those teachers that people talk about like... "She has been teaching for HOW MANY YEARS!? She is crazy!!!" You know the one who has 18 million books, reproducibles, posters from half a decade ago, and 43 million absoluetly hilarious stories. Yup. That's who I thought I would end up being. But apparently, God has bigger and better things. That's kind of exciting?!?! No?

I'm moving to Florida!

So... I have news. After much thinking, praying, talking, crying, smiling and preparation--- I have decided to move to Florida! It's kind of an amazing story of how this all happened. ...and still happening!

What?!?!?!

You want to hear the story?

Well.... twist my arm why don'tcha

...OUCH!!

OK! OK!!

Ha! Ha!

Are you comfy? Good.

So this story's beginning is a little fuzzy. I am not sure when exactly I began to want to move to Florida. It may have been when my sister, Amanda, moved down to her hubby's old stompin' ground. Yes, I believe that was it. When Curtis and Amanda moved to Florida, I think that is the first time moving out of Fort Wayne, Indiana seemed like a good idea.

I had moved to Fort Wayne, IN when I was in college. I went to Taylor University Fort Wayne and LOVED every minute! I made awesome friends, great memories and ultimately found a new place to live. Along with an awesome job, an amazing church and cool roommates... I found friends that became my family. The hardest thing about living in Fort Wayne that my nearest family member was over 3 hours away. I know, I know... you may be thinking that it was a blessing! And, granted... there were probably times when I was thankful family couldn't just pop in but... 99.9% of the time--- I missed them terribly.

Fast forward to this school year. I'm not gonna lie... this year has been the most difficult in my teaching career. I don't do well with change (as you noted on my previous post) and this year was full of it. New principal, new expectations, new changes I hadn't anticipated... It all seemed soooooo different. I wasn't on a 'team' at school because I was the only one doing what I was doing in the building so--- I couldn't bounce ideas off, have help finding lessons...you know collaborating like I had in the past. That was difficult for me. Then I found out, that our whole school was changing how they did things and that everyone was surplussed. (We had to reinterview for our jobs.) ACK!! Change again!!

Fast forward again, to about a month ago. I had been out with friends and celebrating a birthday when my sister calls and tells me that there is a possible job opening and would I consider it. Whoa! Hold your horses!!!! Me move to Florida?!?!? Uh... I gotta think and pray about that! ... so that is what I did.

I fasted and prayed (along with my awesome prayin' posse...see post below) and felt like God was opening the door for me to at least find out about this new change. I mean... everything was changing anyway so... why not find out about this new possibility?!?!

Over spring break I interviewed then accepted the position of Student Data Coordinator with A+ Tutor U. The job is working with tutors, getting reports completed and making sure deadlines are met. I won't be working with kids or teaching. I know... shocking!!! I will be working from home and setting my hours so that I can get my work done. I am excited about the job, lovin' the people I will be working with, pumped about living close to my family (ok.. specifically my sweet nephew Cai) and, surprise of all surprises... looking forward to the change.

I love and feel very peaceful about the decision I have made. But it will be soooo hard!! I have dear, dear friends that I will have to leave. I won't see them on a daily/weekly basis. It's true, we have facebook, twitter, email, Skype and all kinds of technology to keep us connected but ..... there is nothing like sitting on a couch laughing about Arrested Development or The Office, crying with each other as we share family heartaches, taking a 20 minute walk that ends up being 2 hours, floating on a raft in the middle of snake infested waters, making crazy home-made gifts to trade at Christmas, hiding from kids at camp.... you know those things that are irreplaceable and impossible to do connected to a computer.

I know I will make new memories and have new experiences. I will build on to the relationships that I have already started and form new ones. What an adventure this will be... what an adventure.

Who moved my cheese.... I mean changed my cheese?

Change. It's a curious thing, no?

I mean if you think about it, there really is so much meaning packed into those 6 letters.

It can mean that you have given someone money and they, in turn have given you less money back. ...ok....less money and a new pair of shoes but... less money is what we are focusing on. ...but I do love a new pair of kicks!

It can mean a new hairdo, a different look, a new you! Love that idea... speaking of hair...I have to call to my hairdresser!

It can mean that nothing stays the same. Everything is different. Everything is new.

That, my blogger friends, is where I find myself relating to change.

...and I am not good with that kind of change.

I am moving to Florida. Different job. Different climate. Different living situation. Different friends. Different EVERYTHING!! I know that change is a part of life. Things change all the time. If we look around, we see that things rarely stay the same. Change is immanent. We change jobs, directions, decisions and occasionally our under ware. You would think that by now, we would not fear change. But fearing change is exactly my problem. I fear what I don't know.

Is that because I don't trust enough?

Is it because I am such a control-freak and need to be in control of my decisions?

Is it because I am afraid I will make a bad choice?

Is it because I am comfortable and can be complacent

without too many people noticing??? (...ouch)

Is it because I am afraid to hurt those that I love by my choice?

Stink... I think the answer is yes. Yes to all of them. But here is the thing, blogger buddies, I know that God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7) Did you catch that? I need to hear it again.

God has NOT given me a spirit of fear

but of power

and of love

and of sound mind.

He has given me a spirit of power to overcome obstacles. Power to make decisions with His guidance. He has given me a spirit of love so that when I cry with friends that I am leaving, I can love them more and remember that I am just a phone call (or plane ride) away. He has given me a sound mind. Ha! Ha!.... I mean, yeah... a sound mind. He has given me clarity of thought and wise counsel to follow so I can be confident in my decision.

So where is this fear coming from? I think two places...

1. I think this move is a door that God has opened up and will be such an exciting blessing for me and for those around me. I think the enemy knows that and HE shaking in his skivvies!! He is afraid!! He is afraid that I may be more effective for the kingdom if I move. He is putting his fears onto me and, weak as am, he has succeeded in making me uncertain and fearful.

and

2. I have never done anything of this magnitude before. I think there is a healthy fear that I am dealing with too. The kind of fear that keeps sane people from robbing a bank, jumping out of a moving car ... or plane, for that matter. I think that a certain amount of fear helps to keep us making really stupid choices or not making hasty decisions.

So.... what am I saying?

I am moving to Florida, changing professions and changing my life. Am I nervous? Of course. Am I excited about the new opportunities? Absolutely! Am I so excited to finally live around my family? You bet you bottom dollar! (???what does that even mean??) I am so happy to be moving, sad to be leaving dear friends and anticipating new blessings from my God.

I have 4 words to end with....

Bring on the beach!!!

Ahhhhh the life...

Where's Beth!?!?!?!?!

Living in Fort Wayne has been great for the last 15 years but... I don't have family close at all. That being the case, I have adopted and been adopted by many friends whom I now consider family.

One of my favorite families is, what I would like to name, the First Family. The Baker family. This family has been such a wonderful blessing in my life. They have mostly moved on in the last years but I get to see them every once in a while. These moments are moments that I cherish .... and often find myself in side-splitting laughter. The 'Baker boys' were wee little ones (Literally! They were babies) when I first joined their family as a babysitter and now these boys are all shooting up like weeds...but much better looking!!! :) They have grown into amazing young men of God and I hope that my sweet nephews are even half of the cool that they are!!!

I have the best stories about these boys but nothing compares to the stories these boys tell. Today, while they were hangin' out with their awesome Aunt Bec, they had one of the funniest, weirdest, most amazing stories ever.

Here's the short of the story in bulleted form (as best I can remember):

* Bec and the boys head to the Friendly Fox for some breakfast.

* Black speedy dog darts out.

* Bakers chase dog for over 3 hours.....yes 3 hours... maybe it was more.

* realize that I saw (and briefly chased) same dog earlier that morning before work

* Meet new friends for life, Jamie & Dave -- who all become partners in crime/dogcatching

* kept chasing dog

* dog bites Jamie

* kept chasing dog

* Jamie hops in car and stranger (named Beth) also hops in car with Bakers to search for dog

* kept chasing dog

* call animal control and animal control and they say STOP chasing it

* went to the Fox for lunch

* animal control drives by

* dog walks by

* Bakers decide to continue to chase dog

* call Jamie & Dave (not Beth... not sure where she went, actually-- Bec left her in the dust)

* gain dog's trust because Dave stayed in car

* call owner

* happy ending.

I wish I could tell you the way they do. They are word masters and are soooo funny when they dish it up. I love them and miss them a lot. I bet Beth misses them too.

Thanks for letting me share Bloggerfriends!

Have a great night!

Off to the races!

So Aedan, Hilda, Krista and I took a walk to the park. It was so fun to see him walking by himself. Here is a video.... let's see if it works. :)

Cute, no? The slide was a ton a fun too. I gotta try to get the pictures somehow. :)

Home sweet home

This weekend, I have traveled to a place where everybody knows my name. Sweet home Chicago. (...and yes... everyone in Chicago knows my name. ...almost everyone)

On Friday, I took a tour of my dad's work. He works for AT&T and, boy o' boy! I am amazed! I think I have the smartest dad in the whole wide world! Trust me! If you ever took a tour of a building like that, you would think my dad is the smartest too. The cables, wires, boxes, shelves, circuits.... yeah... he's goooood.

After lunch with my mom, we got all artsy-fartsy and she helped me finish painting a picture that I have been working on for a while. I could not get the shading correct and she helped me out. "Oh... just put this here... tint this like this... bring this line like this!" ...she is so good! She's the smartest mom in the world too! (I'll post a picture when I get it done)

My nephew and the rest of the family (yes... in that order) are coming tonight or tomorrow for an early Easter. I love this place. ...I just wish mom was making turkey and stuffing. mmmmmm..... stuffing.........

Whoot! Whoot!!

Just gotta give it up to my awesome prayin' posse these last couple of days. I have some very big potential changes that have come up these last few days and have to make some biiiiiig decisions.

I heart my friends and family!!!

You guys are such a blessing!
Lub ya muchly!!!

Nostalgia sets in

So I was walking Hilda the yesterday and we stopped at the Taylor U -FW closed campus. As I was hitting the ball and watching Hilda fly across the field, I turned around and saw this sign.

A flood of memories rushed back into my consciousness and, like the sappy girl I am, I got a little choked up. I had such great memories at this place. Here are a few:

• Midnight soccer- turning on our car lights to light up the field. Loved it because the best part was how we played until there was only one or two cars with their lights on. It was a battery cable jumping party at 2:00 in the morning!
• Praise/Prayer in Hausser- I remember that when a situation would come up (or sometimes just because we were not doing anything) we would spontaneously group together, light the fire and have a worship time in Hausser. Loved it!!!
• Breaking in to Founders to eat bagels and cereal because we worked during dinner hours and we were broke and couldn't afford to go out and almost getting caught and running back to Shultz and people thinking it was the boys that did it... heeheeheehee! (Hey! Girls can scale wall too, you know!)
• Shooting the girls in my wing with a super-soaker because they didn't show up for bible study. Knock! Knock! BLAST!!!! "...are you coming to bible study now?" I was a great RA!!!
• Standing on the toilets and singing with Ang. She was waaaaaaay better than I was but.... as long as the boys didn't hear... LOL!!
• Hockey games at Founders. Love hockey!
• Making mud men at night on the soccer field board after dancing in the rain then almost getting caught by administration because it was a weekend when people came to see TUFW. What? I don't see dried, bright, mud people on that purple board across the field!
• The summer at Winchester with Debby and Christy.... no... I won't sing the song here.
• Spring break at my house with Matty and the girls
• Getting to go to chapel to worship with my friends 3 times a week. Wouldn't that be nice now?

Ahhhh, college. I miss you Tuff W.

Single and...Loving it??

I think it is amazing how God created us to be in community. To live together. To want to be with others. To feel loved and accepted by others. He created us a social beings with a part of us that is completed when we are with friends and family.

And then there is marrage. To have a partner, companion, lover and friend that does life with you. Someone to hang out with, cook with, walk with, laugh and cry with, be there at night so you can share when you've had a great day(or bad).... you know, do life together.

Another one of my single girlfriends is getting married today. I really am so very happy for her but.... it reminds me again how I am not.

I know that God is supposed to be (and is) my partner and companion but I need...I want to hug someone. I want someone to share life with. Is that bad? I do to trust that God has a plan for my life but this part of His plan, right now... isn't my favorite. A long time ago, I set my standards very high for the kind of man that I want to marry. On days like today (and it seems, more and more ofthen), I find myself reassessing things. Are my standards too high? Am I living the kind of life worthy of someone who meets the standards that I am wanting for him? In other words, if I meet the kind of guy that has the 'whole package'... will I be someone who is the 'whole package' for him?

Whoa! I have to get ready! Thanks for letting me spew a little!

Have a great day blogger friends!

Kids today..... an addendum

Ok... so I know I had my little soap box earlier last week but I have to add an addendum to my earlier rantings.....

Today is a day that I love.

Today makes teaching worth it all.

Today I LOVE my job!

Today, I LOVE my kiddos!

Today... I am so proud of what I do and of my students.


Today we took our reading tests. My students are always so nervous. A lot of what they do, where they go, and how they get help depends on what these tests show. I work with the kids that began below grade level. At the beginning of the year, everyone is on a level playing field because they all have a hard time understanding what they read. It's my job, to help them learn to understand, and hopefully in the process, learn to love reading.

On testing days, I usually get a mixture of 'oooooh's' and 'oh nooooo's' from them. Some of them love the challenge that is before them to improve from where they were last time. They jump at the chance to better themselves, to up their game and to have proof that they have been working hard. Others seem weighed down by the fact that, yet again, they are being tested. Long tests that show where they are at --at a subject that is such a struggle for them. They wince at the idea that maybe, just maybe they could have worked a little harder. And what if they don't do better? What if? What if? It's haunting to some of my sweet kids.

But today.... I love today. Almost every single one of my students have improved from their last quarter score. Almost every single one!! I have had many that have not only tested at grade level but have surpassed and are (trumpets please...) ABOVE grade level!!!!

I am so very proud of all of my students. They work so very hard every day in class. They put up with me expecting more than they think they can do. They work hard and they work often. They are expected to come to reading ready to work and work hard. And look at them now.... improving, reading at or above grade level and with huuuuge smiles on their faces. The greatest thing about today is that I get to share the excitement with them as they see their hard work pay off!

Today is a great day to be a teacher. A great day to be their teacher!!

The countdown begins!

It is nearly time.

16 days until I leave for the sunny, warm, friendly atmosphere of the blazing south. AKA... Florida, here we come!

I am so ready to spend the weekend/week with my sister's, their hubbies and their super-cute boys!!! We are going to camp on Easter weekend and then heading down to Merritt Island for the remainder of the week. IIIIIII CCCAAAAANNNNN"""TTTTTT WWWWAAAAAIIIIITTTTT!!!!!!!!!

Kids today....

Attention: Please be aware that the following post is indeed a soap box the size of the Empire State Building. ...I just wanted to warn you. It gets ugly.

I have been teaching for 10 years now. I feel like I should have a handle on what happens in school. And yet... I am continually surprised at the lack of....what should I call it... the lack of self-awareness, respect, loyalty and the nerve that students have.

Since I am a teacher by profession and a story-teller by nature, I have a few examples:

One of my coworkers told me that the kids in her 5th grade class have started doing this thing where she asks them to do something and they answer, "I guess so," and of course the eye roll comes along with it. I GUESS SO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Man-O-man! If my mother even caught me thinking that response to a teacher when I was in school, I woulda been in HUGE trouble!!!

Today in class I had to tell a student three times to put all four legs of the chair on the floor. The third time, I told him to move his magnet. (That is our behavior system.) I asked him to move his magnet which would have put him in time out. He proceeded to give me a stare-down (still leaning back in his chair), chuckled once, and then bounced up and yelled "Man! I swear!" as he stomped up to the board to move his magnet. And I mean stomped. When he turned around from the board, he had a smirk on his face. .........seriously?

And for the final story, and the grand finale.... Yesterday we finished ISTEP (our state tests). I had been testing 4 5th graders. They are kids that I have in class on a daily basis. When they got done, I sent them back to class and secretly put a bag of goodies in their lockers. I wrote a note that said I was proud of them, I'm glad they did so well, and told them I would see them tomorrow in class. At the end of the day, one of them opened their locker, looked at the bag and said, "It's about time. She needed to stop being greedy with all that candy!" ...yes. You read that correctly.

So, I say all of this with this thought in mind. Nothing that has happened this year with any of my students has surprised God. He knows the hearts and minds of both my students... and mine too. He has a plan for each one of my kiddos. My job? My job has to be not only to teach them, but more importantly, to pray for them. I have to be on my knees for these kids. I have to intercede. I have to be willing to go to war for them. On days like today, when I want to throw my hands up and give up... that is when I need to pray with more gusto! God may have an awesome plan for them but if they keep choosing evil, ....eek! That is just scary to think about. I want to be Moses and stand in the gap for these kids.

I wanna STEP on ISTEP

Hello bloggers, followers and all otherers out there!

Long time no blog. But fear not, for I am back. :) So this week is our state-wide test called ISTEP here in Fort Wayne. It is crazy that I feel more tired this week than I do teaching all day long. Proctoring tests all day is tough!!! I think it's the fact that normally, I am up and moving but this week.... it's read directions, sit for 55 min. Read directions, sit for 45 min. The kiddos seem like they are doing great but I'm about to fall asleep! I am so proud of our kiddos so far. I am hoping that they are all doing their best!!!