Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

It is no secret that this school year has been extremely tough on me (and so many of my teacher friends). Seems that new curriculum, new reading books, bigger classes, deadlines, new guidelines for intervention, new guidelines for grading has just taken its toll on me and I allowed it to take away my joy of teaching. I have been working every Saturday to get my job done and I felt deprived of time with my own family. Not what I signed on for when I decided to go back to school to get my teaching certification that is for sure!

Today, I caught myself getting all overwhelmed with time restraints and expectations and trying to take care of my own children. I was e-mailing back and forth one of Garrett's teachers to work out a problem and in the end I told her to not "sweat the small stuff". Because truly what I was trying to work out was "small stuff". Nothing life shattering, nothing that would predetermine the future. It was just "small stuff". Truly!

Shortly after that last e-mail I took my kids to the restroom and was standing in the hallway waiting on my kids, making sure they were quiet and in a straight line and I noticed something. Not one of kids was smiling. They were standing almost at attention with straight, somber faces. They are only 8 and 9 years old for goodness sake! What was I doing? How was I ever going to teach them if I did not have a relationship with them? They needed to know my love BEFORE they knew my knowledge. It just tore me up inside. I have always loved teaching and my favorite part is getting to know my kids. They become my children for the rest of their lives. YES....even the ADHD kids, the misfit kids, the gross kids, the shy kids, the ugly kids (and you know there are just some), the dirty kids, the smart kids....they ALL become mine. I had spent the last 4 weeks with 21 kids that I did not know. I knew them no better today then I did August 23. Shame on me!!!!!!!

We went back to the classroom and began our reading lesson. I had them open their books, we did all the pre-reading stuff and they all just sat there raising their hands so politely and waiting their turn. Never in my class have I thought it necessary to raise hands! I love for kids to call out answers to show me their excitement. I just started saying "anyone" and they know that means "go for it". Answers and ideas started coming at me like gang-busters. It felt so good. We started reading and stopping almost every sentence to talk, to learn together. I got to tell them stories, they got to tell me stories. I SAT ON A STUDENT DESK (heaven forbid) with my feet in a chair at that! It was the most awesome time I have had with my students this year. It was amazing. They opened up and showed me who they were because I opened up and showed them who I truly was.

I have been telling myself all day to quit "sweating the small stuff" even if it means I don't get it all done! There are only 3 things I truly think are "big things":

1) my soul
2) my children and spouse's soul
3) my relationship with others so they can see Jesus in me

That's it for me.....no more "small stuff".

My Wedding Ring

This past week we went to South Padre Island for Lonnie's annual convention. Had a great time on the beach and visiting various places on the island. We were all exhausted but was so looking forward to Wednesday afternoon and evening of family time. We were to go to the beach for the last time and then go out to eat somewhere nice all together. Got up that morning while Lonnie attended his last meeting of the week and went shopping with Guthri and another agent's wife. Just for about an hour but had a great time!

Everything had been so fun up until I fell (whole new post). Didn't get to go to the beach that one last time but I was determined we would go out to dinner. Made myself shower and put on makeup and get dressed in "nice" clothes! Went to put on my jewelry and my wedding ring was not there. I started panicking and looking everywhere. Long story short.....my wedding ring is gone! We tore that room apart. Lonnie thinks it fell into the trash can and we dumped trash twice that morning.

I am just sick....On Wednesday, August 11, 2010, we will be married 20 years and I lose my wedding ring?! My heart is broken........:(((

Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

Here ya go Melissa!!

4 eggs
2 c sugar
1 pkg Instant Pudding (any flavor)
I pkg Dream Whip (I have made it without and it is fine)
2 Tbls vanilla
1 box half & half or cream

Mix all ingredients, beating eggs well. Add enough milk to canister to fill.

When we want banana nut I use banana pudding mix, 1 c chopped pecans, 3 mashed bananas, & 1/2 tsp. banana flavoring. Mmmmm.....Mmmmm.....

The 4th

Usually my family is headed to the mountains of Cloudcroft NM for an annual family camp out this time of the year but we opted to stay home. It is supposed to rain non-stop through Monday in Cloudcroft soooo we wanted to stay dry and have a bed on legs! LOL We've made some fun plans to pacify the kids so maybe it will still feel like the 4th of July.

Tonight or tomorrow night we are headed to Wellington to see Karate Kid at the Ritz. Garrett loves this movie so just a no brainer to keep us entertained. Still can't believe my 16 year old has agreed to go with us...he probably won't sit with us but that is ok....Guthri will beg to sit with him so maybe L and I can just watch the movie for once!!!

We will buy fireworks and pop some around the house. Garrett gets mad because we won't let him get any rockets. Don't want to set a fire in the pasture so have to be careful! I remember one time L bought Garrett some little tanks with firecrackers in them so when lit they would roll down the sidewalk. They were really cute and I thought they would be fun too, BUT when they lit the first one, it took off like a rocket down the sidewalk and jumped onto the porch and tried to come in the house with me! (It was raining and Guthri was an infant and asleep in the house, so I had to stand in the doorway!) Learned our lesson.....turned that thing around so it would go out into the driveway!

We were supposed to go swimming every day but the weather is not cooperating at all. I told them we would go today anyway but it is just 74 degrees! They are not swimming in that! We'll figure something out.

Going to get steaks to grill on Sunday and everything to make homemade ice cream. Just fun afternoon playing around and doing what we want for a change.

Sleeping in on Monday and just hanging around the house! Woo Hoo!!!

Have a great 4th and take the time to remember why you are free!

Count Your Blessings....Name Them One by One

On Sunday we were singing Count Your Blessings at church. I was sitting in the pew with my husband and my daughter while my son was serving the Lord's Supper. It just tugged at my heart so hard that morning! I am going to count my blessings one by one and you can read all of them, read none of them, but I need to count them today.

1. I am married to a terrific man.
2. He is faithful.
3. He accepts me the way I am.
4. Garrett is a straight gift from God.
5. He is bright, funny, loving, and tender-hearted.
6. Guthri was the surprise of the century!
7. She is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.
8. My parents loved me enough to raise me as a Christian.
9. They still love me.
10.They adore my husband and my children.
11. I have a job that I love.
12. I get to try and impact a kid's life every day.
13. My church is a spectacular place to worship.
14. I have opportunities to help others.
15. My friends are real and love me anyway.
16. I have so many mentors in my life that I learn something new every minute of every day.
17. All those mentors have a special place in my heart.
18. No one is in charge of my destiny but me.
19. I get to listen to my family argue.
20. I get to clean up their mess.
21. I get to see them succeed.
22. I get to see them fail.
23. I get to make memories with them.
24. My love for them will never end.
25. I have so many blessings that I cannot list them all!

3/4 Family Night

For almost a week now Guthri has been asking for Saturday night to be Family Night and we all watch Toy Story and Toy Story 2 together. We agreed and went on about our business. Finally figured out yesterday that it was because Disney had been advertising it as "Family Night". Anyway, I asked her what she wanted for dinner and she said "hamburgers that daddy cooks." So, headed to the store to get all the supplies and came home and cooked. They were awesome! Toy Story came on right as I took my last bite. Guthri was already sitting on the couch waiting patiently!

We just finished Toy Story and now #2 has started. I truly am tired of sitting here and would love to go on to my room and watch something that I like. But, she is soooooo happy that we are sitting in the living room with her (even though we both have our laptops open and "working").

Tonight we are missing Garrett (hence the 3/4). He is at my parents spending some time with them. So for now, Guthri has us all to herself and is just pleased as punch!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Just thinking today how lucky Guthri is to have so many friends. This morning as they were getting ready to load the bus for Wonderland I could hear the giggles and the shrills of excitement coming from all those girls. Guthri has been blessed with two friends since she was about 2 years old, Ashley and Brandy. Through it all they have remained friends and love spending time together. As they have gotten older, they have made different friends and are completely content with each other having someone else to play with. It's a true blessing to see my daughter surrounded by love. She has other "friends" that are special to her also. Harold and Juanell serve as "Childress Gramma and PaPa" and then of course there is Miss Chloe.

Just wanted to post some pics of her and her friends. Brought a smile to my face as I was looking through them today and thought it would bring a smile to yours. Enjoy!