Something Neat Happened...

Something very unique happened to me yesterday, and I wanted to share with you. I have shared in my profile that I am a middle school teacher. I am an inclusion teacher; meaning that I teach special ed., but I go into the reg. ed. class and work with the students that have learning disabilities. Never thought I'd be doing this-I know it's how the Lord works. Because of what I do, I can't share all the details, due to confidentiality. What happened yesterday-words can't describe-I have to share.
I had a student that I needed to call home about because work wasn't being turned in, etc. I asked mom to see if she could look at home for any of this work that might be stashed away in his room or under his bed. This is 7th grade... She began to tell me what a struggle they had been through with him since birth. She talked about how he had always been so hyper and strong-willed. She went on to explain her story and struggles as a parent. Everything she was telling me was like a carbon copy of what we went through at that age with Clayton. She started talking about faith and how God helped them through. I chimed right on in. I think for ONCE, I could really, clearly, honestly see now why God sent me and Johnny these struggles as parents and sent me to teach sped. For once in a very long time, it was crystal clear. I had the biggest "ah ha" moment yesterday. I cannot explain it. I started out teaching reg. ed. children and wanted to try sped. for something new. I got certified in that area, and my principal won't let me leave. Every year, I hear that still small voice tell me, "I have a plan-do it My way." Every year, I still ask to be put back in reg. ed. class, except this year-I did not ask. I told the mom that when Clayton was about 4 years old, I prayed that God would use me to reach someone through him and our experiences with him. Most of my students are ADHD, some do not take medication, so my days are a challenge to deal with this kind of thing ALL day long. Like I said, words can't describe what happened yesterday. It was just so awesome how I went to call this lady and God finally revealed how he was using me and my 8 year old son-and I was able to talk about my Lord to a parent in a public school setting!! It was amazing. I think it was a conversation I will never forget.

These are the latest "portrait pictures" of the children. It was a miracle getting them to pose

together without actually teasing each other!! Good thing I got that moment in pictures. Sorry they're not arranged very cute on the blog. I have a screaming 2 1/2 yr. old begging to take a bath while I'm trying to blog AND cook supper!! I guess the princess needs to be clean at all times!! LOL...

Being Blessed Through Trying Times

Little Addison, the one who calls herself "Barbie Princess", has been up during the night going on 4 nights now. I'm a mama who loves her sleepy time-so this 4-5 hours of sleep a night are wearing me down... We had every intention of going to her little friend from church's birthday party yesterday. She's been talking about it for a week. She thinks Lacy is her sister. She started crying with her ear, but she only really fusses with it at night. She had tubes, but at the last visit a month ago, one tube was on its way out. The only other symptoms besides ultra wineyness, if that's a word, is a nasty runny nose. I can't decide whether to keep going with tylenol and zyrtec or call the doctor. My husband says I'm a hypochondriac, but we moms all know our babies, now don't we??? I do know that being up in the wee hours for 4 nights certainly isn't normal. NIICCEE...as I type, I hear caughing. Yep! hypo or not-I think we'll be calling the doc. Oh, the joys of being a parent...
Sharing in this blog is like journaling for me. I like to share what God is doing in my life-and in my families'. This morning, I was looking for a scripture that was appropriate for this blog but one that would speak to me. I can feel my "gripey" attitude taking over, and that is not one that is becoming for a lady of the King. As so many times before, I turned my Bible open to a page, and it landed on something I felt appropriate. Num.6:24-27. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put my name on the Isrealites, and I will bless them." I am no Bible scholar, but in reading this today, I learned that God was talking to Moses. This message was for Moses to tell Aaron & his sons how to bless the Isrealites. Then he went on with the verses 24-27. I was really humbled by reading this today. The Lord blesses me (and keeps on), even through all my whining and complaining. "The Lord make his face to shine upon you." I have to say, lately, God's face has not been shining through my tired, grumpy self. I was sittin' here thinking, I guess that's another week we have to miss church because she's not feeling good. Why can't she be sick during the week & I won't have to pay extra $25 to take her to after hours clinic? Hello--she was sick Wed-and I missed work-so I should be thankful I only missed one day. (I know this will be gone in another year or so~as she gets older.) But God blesses me anyway-I wear his name and he blesses me!! Isn't He good???
It never ceases to amaze me how something that was written so many years ago is still true today, and we can pull scripture that our Savior used to speak to holy people, such as Paul, Moses, John,Noah, etc... and allow Him to speak to us. Such a simple concept, but still so amazing to me.

I need to vent

Mon. night when I got home from Bunko, supper was still all over the stove-dishes everywhere. It was almost 10pm. I quietly tried to clean up the dishes, put away left over food and make lunches for the next day. Just as I was going to bed, Addi (almost 3) started to cry. Now at 10:24 pm, I swooped her out of bed, trying not to wake anyone. Long story short-we were up till 11:30 watching Hanna Montana. During that time, I noticed she'd given herself a haircut while I was at bunko...
Last night-3:30 AM!! I heard little wimpers followed by, "I frow up..." I go check it out, changed the sheets, figured it was probably just some reflux, drainage, whatever you want to call it. But I also figured more was probably in store. Yep, I was right. More was in store... So we're still up at 4:30! I guess I'll be at home today. Maybe I can at least get the house picked up (or blog without Johnny asking, "Would you get off that stupid thing?!?")
Ya'll have a good day!

Today is filled with "churchly" duties, such as baby shower for Sunday school member. Of course, our class is giving it, so I have to be there early to set up and then clean up afterwards. Quartet practice is today at 5-then church afterwards. You know how it is... I hate to say it, but we were so busy this weekend, and I knew today was going to be worse, that we didn't even make it to church this morning! That's awful that you're so busy-and "church duties" even keep you away from church. I hope I'm not the only one that's ever been this way!! I cover it up with, "I know God understands." But that's sorry. I owe him much more dedication than that. Singing in gospel quartet, worship team, choir... ugghh--I'm feeling really "served" out right about now. And we haven't even started on Christmas music!! Serving should be a part of worship, not feeling like WORK. Am I right?
Teaching is really going to be a lot of mental stress this year, because my students have a lot of needs. Sweet as pie, thank goodness, but needy. I am also team leader and a Beta Club Sponsor, which has extra meetings and responsibilities. My boss picked me to be a mentor to a new teacher. I did it last year for the school district. This year it's something for MDE. So I'm SURE it will be some added paper work, etc. that I don't know about. Are you feeling my worries about being stressed? I know God has a plan, but I have to have sense about saying no to things that I can and should. Please pray for me. I have a decision to make about the gospel quartet. I've been praying about it for several months. I think I know what to do... Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

GOAL SETTING

After working for 9 long months at losing weight,
I have finally reached my "first" goal; which was
to weigh what I did before I got pregnant with
Addi. My main goal was to lose 78 lbs to put me
at my ideal BMI weight. I knew I needed to break
that down for myself. Last week I "partied in the
pantry" a little too much and gained 3 pounds!!
So I'm back to it again-not a diet so much-but this
new lifestyle that I've had to adjust to because of
the diabetes issues. The weight loss has been a
nice plus-today I wore an outfit I haven't felt
comfortable wearing in over EIGHT years! I
have 33 lbs to go!! I toil on, but I remember
the verse that has been so precious to me time
& time again: Joshua 1:9 "Have I not
commanded you? Be strong and cour-
ageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go."

My How Time Goes By

Yesterday was a day that I've been

dreading for quite some while. It

was 5 years since I've lost my daddy

to cancer. Aug. 12 is a day I never

thought would never mean anything

to me. I guess you could say it's kind

of bitter sweet. I know this is selfish,

but Dad died a week before my birthday.

So now, birthdays are kind of a bummer

every year. But I know that Dad's in Heaven

with my Heavenly Father. What a wonderful

peace to have!! I really do miss him-so bad.

Thank goodness I have such a good "closeness"

with my mom. She and I have really helped

each other through, along with my brother.

Time has flown. Five years ago I never

thought I would have made it. God's grace and

power has been and still is just enough. He is

so good. I think about friends of mine at work

that have lost their parents that I've tried to

minister to. Sadly, some of them didn't have

that relationship like my dad and I had. Even

sadder, some of them doubted that they were

saved. I am so blessed to know that my parents

were right with the Lord so I don't have to wonder.

That is the best gift you can give your children, by far!

The Drama of a Mama

Today I came home from our last staff day before starting school tomorrow, and things were hectic, as usual. I was talking to a close friend on my cell phone. It was important to us. Addi was not wanting to get out of the car-pushing every button on and beside the steering wheel. Clayton was excited to play with his buds he hadn't seen all day and started asking for his bike--all of this while I was dealing with mama drama (that was very important) on the phone. Clayton started to ask, "Where's my bike? I can't find it. It's been stolen!" I figured his dad had hidden it; trying to teach him a lesson about putting his things away. Then he brings me a business card off the front door that was from the Police Dept. My heart immediately sank down to my stomach. Then I read on the back of the card, "I have your son's bike. It was stolen. Please call me." Honestly, with being at the school so much, I didn't even realize it was missing. All of a sudden, I had my own "real" drama to deal with. Somebody had messed with my baby!! The bike (and 4 others) was stolen by a group of boys Mon. night-after Clayton was through playing that evening. He was with me at my school at "Meet the Teachers" until last night at about 7pm. So he didn't get to play outside. Therefore, he didn't notice it until today. The boy that took his was only 14, and one of them was 10. They were all arrested. He had gotten his bike for Christmas, and it looked practically brand new. The thugs that took it painted it-stole and 8 yr. old's bike and painted it. Suddenly, I was wishing I could turn into Wonder Woman, the super hero that was my favorite when I was his age. Then I could use my super powers, fix the bike, have my way with those juvenile delinquents, and all would be right with the world.
After talking to my mom, who had helped us get the bike, because everywhere in the Jackson area was sold out of the one he wanted, she helped me feel a lot better about things. At least the boy was honest about stealing the bike. That's how they found out it came from our house. We have to get it tomorrow from the police station--maybe the new paint job they gave it will not be too bad. He cried when I told him, but it will be okay. Today taught me a great lesson in humility. I wanted to scream about justice and punishment to my son. But instead, God lead me towards teaching him(again) about forgiveness and praying for your enemy. Talk about difficult! If our children do not learn it from us, then who will they get it from? That is something to think about.

THE KIDS ARE COMIN'!!

Today was "Meet the Teacher" Day at our school. As a teacher, I'm excited to get started to a new year-excited to see what all their 7th grade minds will soak up in one year. Of course, after hearing all the "NCLB" (No Child Left Behind) "stuff" that we are faced with, it is a bit nerve-racking. But we put on a happy face, chose our attitude, and did what we had to do. The kids are comin'! The kids are comin'! We will feel like Paul Revere on some days, I'm sure. Right now, everything is fresh and new. Everyone's smiling, laughing, and happy to be at school. It's an exciting place to be. I know... by SEPT. 1, we'll be ready for a break!! I'm just glad we had a few weeks off and get a new start-the kids too! It was great to see some of the faces that popped in just to say,"Hi". I have to admit, that's always a good feelin'!! Well, I better get some rest, 'cause like it or not, "The kids are comin'! The kids are comin'!"