Happy New Year to everyone! I hope that everyone had a blessed holiday and is starting out with a promising new year. I know this is the time of year where everyone makes new resolutions, changes, unkept promises, lifestyle choices; whatever you wanna call it. If any of you know me or have read many of my past blogs, you know that I mentor 2 teachers that are new to our district this year. We hired a first year sped. teacher this for sem. and I was selected to mentor her through the MDE, which is a lot more responsibility because money is involved (surprise, surprise). I'm very honored that someone thinks that highly in my ability and capability. But like children, I don't like that "R" word. On the positive side, I know it will look good on a resume.
Also, if you've read previous posts, you know that I've had trouble with my blood sugar. Long story short-still working on it. Dr. still wants more weight off and glucose levels down. 40 down,30 to go. It seems like the more I lose, the higher the glucose gets. Don't ask me. I joined "Biggest Loser" weight loss competition at my school. I'm not doing it to win-I just thought it would motivate me to get the last 30 lbs. off. I'd been at a stand still for about 4 months and needed a good motivator. Besides that and praying for God's help with will power and help controlling the sugar, I don't know what else to do about it, except cut my lips off. The doctor I have is skinny- sometimes I feel like telling her to eat a donut, drink a coke-then tell me about blood sugar!! If I wasn't trying, I could understand. It just seems like everytime I go-my levels just aren't right. It's only 120 after a fast-so it's not like I'm going to go into a coma. She wants the levels to be in the high 70's-which is crazy, but whatever. As long as I'm taking care of myself and feeling well, that's all I can ask for.
We started school back this last week-you could tell it was a full moon Fri. I think being a mentor is helping me "stay in check" with what I'm supposed to be doing as a teacher. I think it has helped make me a better teacher and professional.
I am praying for strength and self-control with my weight, because I know that the way that I eat is a lifestyle change. I have come to terms with that. I pray daily for wisdom with food choices because this is so hard for me.
I am also praying for God to strengthen me as a wife, a Christian, and a mom. I am so thankful that God allowed me to have Christian parents and examples. I want to take that and grow. I am thankful that my parents took me to church and Johnny's mom took him to church as children. I pray that we are what God wants us to be for our children, especially in a society such as today. I know many of you Christian wives/moms are praying the very same things for your children. God bless you as you bless others this week!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
SO FULL OF LIFE
Ya'll (Can you tell I'm from Ms, or what?!?)--I just I to put this picture of my kids as the header of my blogspot, at least for just a little while. Every time I look at it, it makes me laugh. Those of you that have multiple children, can really understand this. Clayton is always giving Addison LOTS of grief. Well, on our snow day she "let him have it". If you look closely, you can see in one of her hands she has a chunk of ice aiming at him. She wasn't even making snowballs-just picked up ice and threw it at him. Then she started aiming at me-and we had to have some little lessons... Back to the picture, the look on his face is priceless. He's looking at her like, "Oh no, it can't be another block of ice!!" You know how it is--we keep telling our oldest ones that payback will catch up with them, but NOOO, of course they don't believe us. Yes, I was the same way with my younger brother. I know we all have stories. I just had to share a little backup with that picture. I love laughter-and this one sure does bring joy to my heart!! Hope you all had a very blessed Christmas!! May Jesus' love continue to fill you this holiday season. Share His love with someone!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Blessings
Hey, Everybody. I hope all is going well with you all. My hubby is Christmas shopping and I actually have a few minutes to blog. Things have been crazy around our house- Clayton had a story board to complete for school. Our children's choir had to sing on a Sun. night-so that meant practices, even just for ONE song... The adult choir finished our program last week-which was very time consuming for me. Johnny had to do a lot of unwanted baby sitting. Last week was 9 wks test at school and also meant cooking for the different teams that I teach with, since I'm sped (work with sped, thank you). We also had to get ready for children's party's (food, teacher's gifts, etc). --Nevermind all the shopping and last minute things for Santa.
I love Christmas-love everything about it-can't wait for my own to get up on Christmas and see what Santa left for them--see the excitement in their eyes. I do, however, dread all the running and going to all the in-laws and step-parents, la-la-la, running the roads all day, listening to the kids whine that they want to get home to play with their new toys. But think back to Christmas morning when the kids run in the living room to see what Santa left. -How they peer into all the gifts that he left behind. As they visit family members throughout the day, they are sure not to leave out one detail about what they received.
As Christians, are we like that? Do we tell others about the Gift that we have received or do we keep it quiet? Do we just mention it occaisionally or live it? I'm guilty of that. Sometimes I'm ashamed of the way I behave-what I SAY isn't always the way I ACT. I'm sure we're all a little guilty of that from time to time. People need hope, especially now more than ever. My music minister reminded us recently that it is up to the people of God to spread the real Hope. Our world is looking for hope--what better gift to give to someone this Christmas than Jesus.
I hope you have a blessed Christmas season. I have people in my family that I know are lost. I am praying that they will receive hope and the Best gift this year!! Merry Christmas!
I love Christmas-love everything about it-can't wait for my own to get up on Christmas and see what Santa left for them--see the excitement in their eyes. I do, however, dread all the running and going to all the in-laws and step-parents, la-la-la, running the roads all day, listening to the kids whine that they want to get home to play with their new toys. But think back to Christmas morning when the kids run in the living room to see what Santa left. -How they peer into all the gifts that he left behind. As they visit family members throughout the day, they are sure not to leave out one detail about what they received.
As Christians, are we like that? Do we tell others about the Gift that we have received or do we keep it quiet? Do we just mention it occaisionally or live it? I'm guilty of that. Sometimes I'm ashamed of the way I behave-what I SAY isn't always the way I ACT. I'm sure we're all a little guilty of that from time to time. People need hope, especially now more than ever. My music minister reminded us recently that it is up to the people of God to spread the real Hope. Our world is looking for hope--what better gift to give to someone this Christmas than Jesus.
I hope you have a blessed Christmas season. I have people in my family that I know are lost. I am praying that they will receive hope and the Best gift this year!! Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
So Much To Be Thankful For
I have gotten into myspace, and I have really not been fooling with my Google blogger as much. Man, do I sound like a nerd... The myspace is like crack, and you still have all your other motherly and wifely duties that have to be done, on top of important "myspace" time. Come on-where are the priorities here??? LOL...
I have been reflecting back on this week and even this year at the things in my life and realize just how very blessed I am. I will name just a few, though these are only a few. For one, our pastor returned to the pulpit this past week after his triple bypass on Oct.7. The gasoline prices have been decreasing and is making it an easier commute to work and church for us.
For years, I have handled the finances, and things were "okay". After me begging, my husband now does them-well, we more or less share it, I guess. We are much more financially stable today than we were this time last year. For that, I am very thankful.
Our car will be paid off in Dec. I am not only thankful, I am praising the Lord!!! You will probably see me out in the street burning the note and doing a Hallelujah dance on that one!!
My brother's life seems to be turning around. His wife got saved just before they got married, and they have a little boy on the way.
This sounds petty, but I was able to pay for my choir dress that was $150. I griped everytime I had to write a check out for that "stupid dress", but I'm thankful to have a job where I could pay for it.
We pay cash for things that we need/want. If we can't pay for it, we don't need it. There was a time when we couldn't say that. I have not one credit card. I'm not bragging- I'm just glad God got me out of that hole I was in at one time.
We talk all the time about taking little things for granted, but we really do do that all the time. This also sounds silly, and a little gross, but I've had a cold for about 2 months. The kids would ask me if I smelled something, and I would tell them "no", because I haven't been able to breathe. Well, today my 3yr old, Addi, had an accident in her pants. I smelled something, and asked her if she passed gas. I realized the odor was stronger than just gas, so we rushed to the bathroom, and you know the routine from there. Later on, I was griping about it (naturally) to a friend of mine. As I was getting Addi into bed and having her say her prayers, I was patting her back, and the "bathroom moment" came back to me. I remembered that bad smell. Hey, I could smell! Even if it was the smell of poop! I do not think I have ever been thankful for my sense of smell until I didn't have it for about 8 weeks!
Enjoy time with your family and friends. Love them while you can... Be blessed.
God is Good!!
Stacy
I have been reflecting back on this week and even this year at the things in my life and realize just how very blessed I am. I will name just a few, though these are only a few. For one, our pastor returned to the pulpit this past week after his triple bypass on Oct.7. The gasoline prices have been decreasing and is making it an easier commute to work and church for us.
For years, I have handled the finances, and things were "okay". After me begging, my husband now does them-well, we more or less share it, I guess. We are much more financially stable today than we were this time last year. For that, I am very thankful.
Our car will be paid off in Dec. I am not only thankful, I am praising the Lord!!! You will probably see me out in the street burning the note and doing a Hallelujah dance on that one!!
My brother's life seems to be turning around. His wife got saved just before they got married, and they have a little boy on the way.
This sounds petty, but I was able to pay for my choir dress that was $150. I griped everytime I had to write a check out for that "stupid dress", but I'm thankful to have a job where I could pay for it.
We pay cash for things that we need/want. If we can't pay for it, we don't need it. There was a time when we couldn't say that. I have not one credit card. I'm not bragging- I'm just glad God got me out of that hole I was in at one time.
We talk all the time about taking little things for granted, but we really do do that all the time. This also sounds silly, and a little gross, but I've had a cold for about 2 months. The kids would ask me if I smelled something, and I would tell them "no", because I haven't been able to breathe. Well, today my 3yr old, Addi, had an accident in her pants. I smelled something, and asked her if she passed gas. I realized the odor was stronger than just gas, so we rushed to the bathroom, and you know the routine from there. Later on, I was griping about it (naturally) to a friend of mine. As I was getting Addi into bed and having her say her prayers, I was patting her back, and the "bathroom moment" came back to me. I remembered that bad smell. Hey, I could smell! Even if it was the smell of poop! I do not think I have ever been thankful for my sense of smell until I didn't have it for about 8 weeks!
Enjoy time with your family and friends. Love them while you can... Be blessed.
God is Good!!
Stacy
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Kids
It's getting late, and it's been a very long day, but blogging is like therapy for me now. I have something that's been burdening me for some time. This is mainly why I haven't posted anything for over a week-because it's been on my mind so heavily.
If you've read very much of this site, or if you know me personally, you know that I am a special ed. teacher. My degree is in Elem. Ed. However, after teaching 8 years in the regular class, I felt God leading me to do something more for those students with learning disabilities. So I asked to be moved to that area. (You read right, I asked!!) I worked toward that goal and passed my specialty area test for sped. Some days I still can't believe that I asked for that position. At one point, I really hated it. But then I just gave in to God's will and accepted that maybe He had me there for a purpose.
My heart really pours out for the students that struggle, I guess mainly because it's all too familiar. God has really allowed me to reach out to my kids and some of their parents through my dyslexia. I think having a "learning disability" has allowed me to "click" with some of my students. I can really teach them that you can still be somebody and do something meaningful with your life-just because you learn differently.
I can't really mention my students, but a lot of them come from a lot of different backgrounds that I am not familiar with. This is the part that's been burdening my heart. These kids deal with things that kids shouldn't have to deal with. Some of them are the parent. Some of them have little to no support because parents work or they just don't know how to do what we're doing now in school. I can relate to that as my son is getting on up there in math. Some students only hear positive things at school. I can tell them I love them-some of them just look at me like I'm crazy. It really reminds me to try to be all of those things to my kids at home-so they don't go to school lacking.
Everybody jokes about parenting-but it is a hard job. Many of us work outside the home and then try to have a Godly family and raise our kids in the Lord. It is not an easy task. You know, seeing and hearing about what some of my students go through-and just teens in general- it really makes me take a long, hard look at myself. Am I spending enough time in His word? Do my children see that and see me praying. Am I conducting myself as a Christian at ALL times-and not just when I think others are looking? Am I doing things that are pleasing to the Lord? Are my children witnessing that, or are they seeing me in "the flesh"? So many times at school, you hear the jargon about children being a product of their environment; which is very true. It's just gotten me to thinking about my own children. What kind of "product" will they be? It's scary, but a lot of that is up to me.
If you've read very much of this site, or if you know me personally, you know that I am a special ed. teacher. My degree is in Elem. Ed. However, after teaching 8 years in the regular class, I felt God leading me to do something more for those students with learning disabilities. So I asked to be moved to that area. (You read right, I asked!!) I worked toward that goal and passed my specialty area test for sped. Some days I still can't believe that I asked for that position. At one point, I really hated it. But then I just gave in to God's will and accepted that maybe He had me there for a purpose.
My heart really pours out for the students that struggle, I guess mainly because it's all too familiar. God has really allowed me to reach out to my kids and some of their parents through my dyslexia. I think having a "learning disability" has allowed me to "click" with some of my students. I can really teach them that you can still be somebody and do something meaningful with your life-just because you learn differently.
I can't really mention my students, but a lot of them come from a lot of different backgrounds that I am not familiar with. This is the part that's been burdening my heart. These kids deal with things that kids shouldn't have to deal with. Some of them are the parent. Some of them have little to no support because parents work or they just don't know how to do what we're doing now in school. I can relate to that as my son is getting on up there in math. Some students only hear positive things at school. I can tell them I love them-some of them just look at me like I'm crazy. It really reminds me to try to be all of those things to my kids at home-so they don't go to school lacking.
Everybody jokes about parenting-but it is a hard job. Many of us work outside the home and then try to have a Godly family and raise our kids in the Lord. It is not an easy task. You know, seeing and hearing about what some of my students go through-and just teens in general- it really makes me take a long, hard look at myself. Am I spending enough time in His word? Do my children see that and see me praying. Am I conducting myself as a Christian at ALL times-and not just when I think others are looking? Am I doing things that are pleasing to the Lord? Are my children witnessing that, or are they seeing me in "the flesh"? So many times at school, you hear the jargon about children being a product of their environment; which is very true. It's just gotten me to thinking about my own children. What kind of "product" will they be? It's scary, but a lot of that is up to me.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Whew! What a long day this has been!! I guess I'm so tired from the weekend, that I need next weekend to get here so I can catch up. This past weekend, we started our Christmas shopping for the kids. We shopped around and let them point out what they wanted. Of course, Addi just wants Barbies-she'll be easy on the pocket book. Clayton, on the other hand, wants either a Wii or XBOX 360. Johnny's trying to talk him into one that's more economical (and has more games that he can play). Clayton wants the other one... This is the only time of year that we try to go "all out" and really get them what they want. It's so much fun getting them that "perfect thing" and then seeing the smile on their face. Of course, we teach them that Christmas is from Jesus and that He is the only REAL gift. It's real important that they(or all of us) not lose sight of that.
After shopping, Addi started with this nasty nose-after going for a check-up just 3 days before... Then I noticed her ear draining. At least I know her tube is working.
I tried to let Clayton and myself sneak out for church because I didn't want her around all the other kids with her nose like that. Well, that didn't work! She wouldn't let me out of her sight. Little booger-they learn that "sneaking out" trick quickly. Yesterday, when I wanted a nap, I discovered the washer wasn't draining. Luckily, Johnny is a good handyman, and he fixed it (again-for now). Looks like we will have to buy one before too long. Needless to say, I missed my nap, then it was time for church again. And here we are! Today, after school, Clayton announced that he threw his study guide away, by mistake. So here we go-into the school-after 4pm-digging through the trash in his classroom. At least it wasn't nasty garbage... :) The things we will do for our children and their bonus points!!
One of my sweet little "special" students that comes into one of my classes was poking on my arm today. He was saying, "squishy, squishy-Look, Ms. Mathis, your arm is squishy." I told him that was my fat. That didn't bother him-he just loved on me anyway. Kids like that make my day. No matter how fat I am feeling or how rough I look that day, they are always there to love you! I'm so glad our God is like that-AND that He has a great sense of humor!!
Enjoy your day and may it be blessed!
After shopping, Addi started with this nasty nose-after going for a check-up just 3 days before... Then I noticed her ear draining. At least I know her tube is working.
I tried to let Clayton and myself sneak out for church because I didn't want her around all the other kids with her nose like that. Well, that didn't work! She wouldn't let me out of her sight. Little booger-they learn that "sneaking out" trick quickly. Yesterday, when I wanted a nap, I discovered the washer wasn't draining. Luckily, Johnny is a good handyman, and he fixed it (again-for now). Looks like we will have to buy one before too long. Needless to say, I missed my nap, then it was time for church again. And here we are! Today, after school, Clayton announced that he threw his study guide away, by mistake. So here we go-into the school-after 4pm-digging through the trash in his classroom. At least it wasn't nasty garbage... :) The things we will do for our children and their bonus points!!
One of my sweet little "special" students that comes into one of my classes was poking on my arm today. He was saying, "squishy, squishy-Look, Ms. Mathis, your arm is squishy." I told him that was my fat. That didn't bother him-he just loved on me anyway. Kids like that make my day. No matter how fat I am feeling or how rough I look that day, they are always there to love you! I'm so glad our God is like that-AND that He has a great sense of humor!!
Enjoy your day and may it be blessed!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
This One's for the Girls
This is an email that a friend had sent to me. It was too cute not to share.
Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my shape to keep. Please no wrinkles, Please no bags And please lift my butt before it sags. Please no age spots, Please no gray And as for my belly, Please take it away. Please keep me healthy, Please keep me young, And thank you Dear Lord, For all that you've done. Five tips for a woman..... 1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job. 2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you. 4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you. 5. It is important that these four men don't know each other. Foot Note: One saggy boob said to the other saggy boob:'If we don't get some support soon, people will think we're nuts.' Send this to five bright, funny women you know and make their day !!!
Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my shape to keep. Please no wrinkles, Please no bags And please lift my butt before it sags. Please no age spots, Please no gray And as for my belly, Please take it away. Please keep me healthy, Please keep me young, And thank you Dear Lord, For all that you've done. Five tips for a woman..... 1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job. 2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you. 4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you. 5. It is important that these four men don't know each other. Foot Note: One saggy boob said to the other saggy boob:'If we don't get some support soon, people will think we're nuts.' Send this to five bright, funny women you know and make their day !!!
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