Enthusiasm

 

I get to go to school TODAY!

That's something to run up and down the hall about!

I am wearing my velcro Keds that make me run REALLY fast.

Morning aerobics in the hall really gets your blood pumping!

What? It's only 6:20 a.m.?

Wow.

That's all I have to say.

This past week has been a flurry of activity. I'm officially back in the saddle again at work.

We have eaten out EVERY single night, and I'm ashamed to say 3 of the 6 meals were from the restaurant named after a child's toy.

I've been to Dallas and back. I've moved furniture. I've been trying to cram a whole day of sweating and planning into 1/2 days at school. I am brushing up on Algebra and History.

Sydney has been with 4 different babysitters, and I am blessed to know that many people close by that I can trust.

Next week we will hopefully be getting in the groove of a routine.
Until then, I am unabashed to say that my child is still sleeping (3 hours straight) and I don't have the slightest urge to wake her up. I'm just jealous that it is her and not me.

And since I like to include pictures, here is a totally unrelated picture of Sydney chillin' out in her cousin's rocking chair.

I love the expression on her face. It perfectly expresses my current mood.
"I dare you to ask me to do something else for you." -or-
"I've got prospective projectiles in my hands and I know how to use them."

I think I'm going to write a book called, "Lesson Plans and Laundry." I've got lotsa material for Chapter 1.

Ever Wonder?

Ever wonder what you look like when you ride on the back of a motorcycle for a couple of hours

in the sweltering heat

with no make up

and fly away hair?

Well, wonder no more.

Ain't we purty?

Momentous Occasion

In honor of my 200th blog post, I would like to share another momentous event in our lives that is worthy of cheering and pom poms.

We have officially begun toilet training...and after getting lots of advice from other mommies I've decided to forgo the potty chair and just go with the cushy seat.

I've made this choice for 3 reasons.
a. my bathroom is small and I don't have room for a potty chair
b. the thought of a potty without plumbing disgusts me
c. I have scary flashbacks of my brother's potty chair and something about emptying a cool whip bowl...and I won't go on...Ewwww.

And since I am a cheap skate thrifty person, I picked up a cushy potty seat for a whopping $5 at the JBF consignment baby sale. Don't laugh.... And yes, I know she is a girl. And know I don't think she will care.

Isn't it festive? Isn't it grand? It makes me want to sit on it and scream, "SCORE!" Does it slightly disturb me that someone would actually make a potty seat that looks like a pigskin complete with laces? Yes it does. And the handles just kill me...Maybe I should install those permanently on our big potty for those times when we eat bad Mexican food. You know, the velocity can be alarming when one is experiencing digestive issues.

First down!

Right now, we're just doing drills. Dry runs. Feeling it out. Running some plays. No actual yardage has been accomplished. It's all about warming up and getting ready for the big GAME.

Hike!

But, I can't wait till she makes a touchdown with this bad boy. 'Cause that means I will no longer be on the defense when it comes to diapers, I will playing offense!

And when she wins her first game, I bet you can guess who will be shaking pompoms on the sidelines. Yep, her potty coach. Good 'ol mom.

And I'm done with the football puns. Promise.... no OT.

But forgive me if I refer to the potty as the Super Bowl from now on.

Sorry, I can't stop myself.

The "END" Times & Last Days

No, this is not a discussion about the end times, although it is a worthy topic that I will explore in the future since I believe that we ARE in the last days, but for now...

Let me tell you about how I am spending my last few days before I go back to work. Teachers are a rare breed. They LIVE for the summer time. They have FANTASIES about summer time. They sit on the porch drinking sparkling lemonade with their eyes closed as they DREAM about summer time. Summer time is the highlight of a teachers' year. Not because they do not enjoy teaching, 'cause they do. And not because work is such a drudgery, because 96.7% of the time, it isn't. There is just something about summertime and not having to hear your name being called 239 times a day and responding to emails about how you are not meeting 1 of your 44 students' individual needs. Summer time...ahhh.

I am going back to work and I know that once everything kicks off, it flies at breakneck speed. Weekends flip past like road signs on the interstate, and before you know it, it's Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, and then New Years', and then Sydney will turn 2. Ugh.

I am cramming as much as I can into these last days. Chris and I have ridden the motorcycle twice this weekend and met up with long time friends. I have taken Sydney swimming twice in the last 4 days and we also enjoyed a play date with her buddy from Nacogdoches. I am leaving for Houston today to visit Chris's side of the fam and do some major shopping! I sold my violin yesterday (that I've been trying to sell for YEARS now) which gave me a fat wad of cash for my shopping assault. Whoop! I am taking items to JBF (Just Between Friends) and if I sell it all, I will have plenty to spend on my new job wardrobe...which will consist of button-down shirts in school colors and khaki pants. If I could get away with wearing scrubs everyday like my man, I would do it in a heart beat. My work attire is one less thing I want to worry about since I will be getting up to get the child ready.

Besides running around like a chicken with my head cut off, updating websites, cleaning out my office, taking friends to the eye doctor, returning cell phones to the store 5 times, rearranging my living room, abusing a broken garage door, and taking care of Sydney....I have put together a teacher in-service about Differentiated Instruction for about 100 folks.

I am tired. And you were WONDERING why I hadn't blogged lately...And should I be concerned that my child has a blanket over her head and is repeatedly running into the living room wall?

I didn't think so.

The 3 Little Friday Friends

Today was one of those GOOD days. Really good days.

I started the day with a baby who slept in, woke up happy, ate a hearty breakfast and began running for joy around the house.

Around 10:00, I met up with friend #1 who I've known for years...and I mean for years...We used to play together when we were younger, have fashion shows, walk down to the Tid-Bit convenience store and buy Dr. Pepper's and blow pops together, and jump on the trampoline with wild abandon. We know a lot of dirt on each other! She now has 2 beautiful teenage daughters and we all took a dip in a refreshing pool. It was great to visit and swim. Sydney had a ball.

Kristin - A.K.A. Friend # 1

Later, friend # 2 showed up. I taught her in 3rd grade. She is now 19...at least! She is going to help babysit Sydney this school year. What a beautiful, responsible, sweet young woman she has turned out to be. I am so proud of her accomplishments and couldn't be more pleased that she is taking classes to be a dental hygienist! Her aunt told me that she says Miss Bishop was her favorite teacher....well she was one of my favorite students! Sydney immediately took to her. I think they are going to have a blast together.

Amber - A.K.A. Friend # 2

I ended my day with an unexpected visit from friend # 3. This friend has a heart of gold and is my walking buddy. I can tell her anything and she does not judge me for just being myself. Everyone needs a friend who is as genuine, giving, and lovely as my friend # 3. I don't know what I would do without her. We can be honest with each other about our faults and know that no matter what, we've got each others' back.

Becca - A.K.A. Friend #3

Did you notice that I have beautiful friends? Simply gorgeous inside and out!

The baby went to bed without a peep and the hubs and I are watching a good 'ol Tom Selleck western on the tube. Maybe I should quit multi-tasking and cuddle up with Friend # 4

Happy Weekend and make a point to hang out with your buds, too!

And That's the Rest of the Story...

I have a new jobby job.

Working with deliriously fantastic 8th graders...11 of them to be exact.

Wonderful 8th graders who are smart cookies and will come to love and adore me as I navigate them through the fields of learning. Why? Because that's what always happens when I navigate others. Don't believe me? Well, you should.

When I resigned last year to stay home with my baby girl, I came face to face with the reality of not working.

Not working means...no group insurance, no teacher retirement, and no reason to get up and put make up on. No reason a'tall.

I ended up going back to work as a consultant 2 - 2.5 days a week. But only as a consultant, not an actual employee w/benefits and other perks.

It was real. It was fun. But I wouldn't describe it as "really fun."

I was paying big buckage for Cobra insurance through my school district. Well, guess what folks? Cobra insurance expires. Oh, yes it does. You can't be on it forever. And when you have a health history like mine, the sordid tale that it is, NO INSURANCE COMPANY in their right mind will pick you up on a private policy. My file is covered with red flags that scream, "I'm a claim waiting to happen!" My insurance company denied my application..twice. My 1 hour phone interview with the BCBS nurse told me that very quickly.

Non insurable is my name...which means...the only way I can get insurance is through a group plan and much prayer. So, I began searching for these 4 things:

1.  a half time job (after all, I do have a home business to run and a baby to wipe)
2.  health insurance (so when the rare ear cyst forms on the back of my right lobe, I can have it cut off without spending Sydney's college fund)
3.  TRS credit (so I can retire one day before I'm 73)
4.  childcare (so Sydney can romp and stomp while I teach and preach)

Within 48 hours, I had located a job at Vista Academy that afforded all of these pieces of my puzzle. Vista is a charter school in my home town. Small, focused, and exemplary. I didn't know much about it, but after much research, soul-searching, and prayer, I took the job. I work from 8:00 - 12:00 with a 30 minute conference, so I am walking out da door @ 12:30, sweetcakes.

I informed my supervisors today. They were so kind and supportive. They gave me big hugs and wished me well. My boss said, "You know what I always say...You've got to take care of yourself first so you can take care of everybody else. You are doing what is best for your family."

And I am... I have peace knowing that this is what is best for the fam, best for this season in my life, and best for yours truly.

Pass the peace please.

Serving Vs. Pleasing

It's 5:20 a.m. I can't sleep. I can't turn off my mind. I have a heavy spot in my gut. My subconscious has been working on quandaries since I laid my head on the pillow.

I feel the need to expound on yesterday's post as to clear up any misunderstandings in my rationale. Being misunderstood is a phobia of mine.

There is a difference between serving others and pleasing others. A quantum leap of a difference. It boils down to motive. It is critical to always ask yourself, "Why am I REALLY doing this?"

When you do something to "please" someone, you are secretly hoping to:

1. get something in return someday
2. keep off that person's "bad list"
3. appease them so they stay in a "good mood"
4. looking to get accolades
5. keep your co-workers happy
6. keep your spouse happy
7. keep your "status" with that person
8. hang this "favor" over their head
9. look "good" in front of others

When I do something to "please" someone, it is secretly for my benefit. Think about it. Yes, that person gets what they want or makes them happy, but the focus returns on the person doing the pleasing.

Serving is different. I want a servant's heart. I mentioned yesterday that I was tired of neglecting my own needs to please others. Yes, I am sick and tired of that. But never, for one millisecond am I tired of inconveniencing myself in order to SERVE others.

A servant’s heart revolves around your relationship with God. It has nothing to do with your desire to be recognized for your good deeds.  One of the most breathtaking expressions of love that I know is having the heart of a servant. It is demonstrating your love to another human being by simply being who God intended you to be and walking in His will. The motto of my dad's church was, "Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it, in Jesus' name." This concisely states that serving is about seeing a need and fulfilling it without any strings attached. Sometimes making someone else comfortable can be a little uncomfortable. It’s about showing Christ’s love through your actions and words. And finally, it’s about touching the lives of those around you with such a gentle kindness that your act will be remembered and mimicked for years to come. This is the polar opposite of simply "pleasing" others.

I want to have a servant's heart for others, not a people pleasing heart. And that takes a whole bunch of spiritual maturity.

Decide today to serve someone.

People Pleaser No More

There's a tiny spot in me that desires others' approval. It's not a big spot, just a tiny one. I love the fact that people are "proud of me" for my accomplishments. I enjoy an "atta girl" every now and again just like the next person. It thrills me to no end when I see the fruits of my labor and how "happy" everyone is with the results. But what I'm talking about tonight is actually pleasing people to the point of neglecting your own needs. I have a bit of that in me too.

I am taking a big step tomorrow. I am making a decision that is in my best interests. It will not be a popular decision with many people. They will not understand. They will be disappointed in me because it may make their job a little more difficult. It will have ramifications that will impact many individuals. It will be shocking for many.

I can't worry about that. If I don't take care of myself, how can I help anyone else? I know it sounds very selfish, but here is my heirarchy of thought:

1. Serve & Honor God
2. Take care of yourself... so you can...
3. Take care of your family and the ones you love

In reality, the ONLY ENTITY I need to be concerned with pleasing is GOD. I prayed last week for a very specific need in my life and within 48 hours, God answered my prayer. He answered it 100%. Every detail of my need was met, in full. Now, I must have the brassy boldness to go forth with what he designed for me.

I am going to step out, in faith believing, that God made a way where there seemed to be no way.

After tomorrow, many people will be displeased with me...and that REALLY bothers the people pleaser part of me.

But nothing can deny the peace I have in my soul about taking this next step in my life. I want to please God.

I will stand before GOD and give an account for how I lived my life, not a person.

And that's all that matters.

Carpe Diem

Since I was wearing a little make-up, a clean white shirt, and had somewhat styled my hair....

And since Sydney had on a new gingham top, had a Cheerio-free face, and her hair was looking styling with a Pebbles style pony tail...

I begged my husband to take a quick picture before church.

I love it...Even though Sydney is showing us her serious side.

Everytime I look at her, I'm reminded...

God is so good.