Heaven is For Real

Have you ever heard of it? BEST. BOOK. EVER. All I can say is I have read a many a books and this one is the only one (so far) that reached blog-worthy status. Recently, a very sweet, generous family in our community faced immense tragedy. In a terrible car accident, 2 of their 4 young children were killed along with their sweet grandmother. Talk about shaking a community...whoa. Anyway, the children attended the same private school my younger brother attends, my cousins teach, and one of my cousins is the assistant administrator. Needless to say, it was close to home. My cousin, Misty, and I were discussing the loss this family must be feeling and how only God can comfort them.

I sobbed for this mother because I cannot fathom how she most feel today, yesterday, and on October 21st. Heartbroken? Empty? Anyway, much prayers for this family is appreciated. I digress....Misty, a strong christian woman that I look up to, suggested I read this book.

  Source

She told me it would be tearful at parts and at others I'd be laughing. She was right! Misty is a mother to two precious boys herself. She said she read it to her boys and her husband while traveling this summer. She told me how her youngest child, he's 6, asked at one part if his dad could take over because mom just keeps on cryin'!

Anyway, I highly recommend this book. I have fallen in love with little Colten and I obviously know nothing about him...other than this story of course.It makes me ready to meet Jesus and stare into his beautiful eyes. I will say, reading this book revolutionized my daily walk. I don't fear death.

"For to me to live is Christ, but to die is gain." Phillipans 1:21

GO GET IT!

Fertile WHO?

Each day (it seems) I encounter a woman who's fighting an inward battle. A battle that many don't have the courage, will power, or desire to share. A feeling of worthlessness or defeat. As a woman who battled with fertility trouble, I feel for these women. I know how it feels to have to slap on that OVERJOYED smile and play the extremely happy friend when on the inside you're dying....literally. I remember feeling like a little piece of my heart would be ripped out each time someone ELSE was so blessed and I was feeling so...well, not. (I know now and then, I was FAR more blessed than I deserve or was maybe even at times aware of!) God has a funny way of revealing things in my life. Anyway, I wasn't always being fake when I shouted CONGRATULATIONS and hugged and cheered, etc. It was always the walk away from that conversation that stung a little. The devil had a hold on me. My joy, my happiness, and most of all my faith. I entered a women's bible study group knowing full well of my diagnosis and my prognosis of being a mother. However, our first book of choice was about our inner thoughts. A-MA-ZING! I remember having to write "I will have a baby! God is going to bless me!" Although sometimes, I wasn't so sure. The more I read, the more I started to believe that God did have a plan for me, and if he never gave my own baby, he was going to bless me with a baby through someone else...ie adoption OR he'd use me in my profession for those babies that maybe don't get the love of a momma at home. As the bible study came to a close, I felt confident in what I was now telling myself. "God is in control. God is in control. God is in control." I was FINALLY released from bondage of feeling like a complete failure to my husband-(who I knew then would make an AWESOME daddy and he does!) I was focused on loving my man and accepting the hand I was dealt. I began fasting and praying as the bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Pray without ceasing.) Just because it wasn't happening on my time, I wasn't giving up. If I wanted it, I WOULD pray without ceasing and I'd fast, too. Whatdaya know! After fasting for 40 days, I discovered I was pregnant. God blessed me. I live to say that HE IS IN CONTROL! I don't feel guilty for my blessing, but my heart hurts for my friends who are struggling right now. As I have started to COVER them in prayer, God brought some interesting things to my attention and I feel compelled to share.....Here goes:
**"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise".
Hebrews 10:35-36
**"So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time".
Galatians 6:9
**"For everyone who asks receives."
Matthew 7:8, John 16:24, John 14:13-14
So, to my friends out there, don't quit on God. He hears your prayers!!! I'm praying for you and ALL the babies your heart desires!
"He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!" Psalms 113:9

And for those of us that have already been so blessed with the sleepless night, tired eyes, fussy babies, and all the other "not so joys" remember:

"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!"
Psalms 127:3-4

Wordless Wednesday

(This is my FIRST EVER Wordless Wednesday and so far...not so good.)
Here are the things that are filling my Wednesday!!
Happy Hump Day!

This smell is filling my house! YUM!!!

His voice is filling my ears! (You know it is a must to relax with RUSH!)

GAB and I are getting ready to pay a visit to our FAVORITE Pediatrician ever for our 1 year check up!!!

And dinner is already done!!!
Yayy for Wednesday when I get to hang out with....

It does not get better than this!

My Baby is 1...

A recap of the last year....

5:37pm, September 24th, 2010. 6lbs, 13oz, 19 3/4".

2 weeks old....absolutely perfect in every way.

My first Halloween...October 2010

Just before Thanksgiving we took family portraits for Christmas cards...the company failed miserably and NEVER delivered them to us. But, we still have the pictures from our family shoot.

Christmas Day 2010.... a tad overwhelmed by his parents erratic behaviors, I'm afraid.

Cereal! What a hit...for a day or two, then he was over it and I never forced it again.

Developing a personality. He was smiling and cooing a lot at this stage.

First trip to the beach....success!

Visits to the GREAT grandparents houses. One in Pennsylvania and one in Florida.

Our first 4th! Boy oh boy, what a great time we had. GAB loved the fireworks, the pizza we enjoyed, and the weather! It was such a nice trip!

He's mobile! Officially a walker and officially into EVERYTHING. This was his latest stunt...the fireplace. (He started walking at 10 months.)

A few shots from his 1 year shoot. He's busy, busy, busy and 100% boy.
And last but not least....the cake...

Not dad, nor mom remembered the camera for GAB's FIRST birthday. Parents of the year...that's us! Fortunately, all the aunts, uncles, and grandparents had theirs on hand. Here's a shot of the demolished smash cake GAB devoured in moments and him offering to share with Uncle B all the remains.

Happy Birthday, GAB!
Love,
Momma

It has been a fabulous year. I'm blessed to say, he's mine!
Thank you Lord for favor and your abundant blessing!

Frustrated

Okay, so we'll just go ahead and put it on the table that I'm venting. Totally...completely....100 percent venting. The last two days have made me question WHY on EARTH do I sign up to be treated poorly? Why am I not courageous enough to quit? Do I have that little faith that God will provide? I don't know. I don't care to know, really. What concerns me most right now is my family. I thought one of the reasons I selected "educator" as my profession of choice was because it was such an awesome way to be a mommy and yet impact the future. Apparently, I was wrong. Our PTSO is hosting a Family Fall Festival that is open to the public on the same day that just so HAPPENED to be re-scheduled to my baby's FIRST birthday. Yes, first as in he will be turning 1. HUGE! This is a milestone in child rearing. It is well planned, well thought out, and of course, takes lots of time and money because it is completely about celebrating our precious gift and HIS special day. Our family doesn't live all in the same town, so we have people traveling and it is a big to do with my family and closest friends. Well, like all other PTSO sponsored events, we are strongly encouraged to volunteer our time. (Let me just insert I am a DO-ER. I feel I give more time, money, and resources to this profession than necessary majority of the time.) I always volunteer to assist with these fundrasing events after working lllllooooonnnngggg days teaching 2nd grade. I am not a complainer and in fact, am always willing to go above and beyond to see to it that they are never left short staffed. So, this fall festival interferes with my child's party. We were given 3 reasons we would be permitted to miss. Yes, 3. Would you like to hear them? Here goes: 1. Death in immediate family 2. Hospitalization and 3. College class. No other excuses would be approved for absence. REALLY? Well, first birthday is none of these. I, being the do-gooder I am, made a point to send a sweet email simply stating the predicament I am incurring. Having family in town and all, I will not be able to attend. I am so sorry, I will need to sit this ONE instance out. Do you think that was acceptable? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Not only was it not approved, I was talked to like a dog instead of an educated woman, and I was told to RE-SCHEDULE my child's party. REALLY? One week from the date? I think not! Regardless, that is not an option. So, I am now being bullied into a "compromise" of
A) working before the event ON SEPTEMBER 24th setting up or B) working after the event on SEPTEMEBER 24th cleaning up and breaking down. That is not a compromise! A compromise would be working a few shifts at another fundraiser. What makes this whole thing even worse, I'm being forced. I was told a substitue i.e., a teacher with freetime cannot pull my shift. I HAVE TO WORK. So, being the do-gooder I am, I agreed to work at 6:45 until 9 only to find out that there are MANY teachers who won't be working at all because there are no other slots that need to be filled. Isn't that conveinant? I'm told to reschedule my child's party, and other's are free to do as they like because "oh! The sign up sheet is ALL full!" I am beside myself. This is not over! I will be persuing this to the fullest. 1. I am not a dog, animal, or a child and 2. I should have some sort of educator rights! This is not a dictatorship last I checked. VERY, VERY insanely frustrated!  Sad part...this isn't the first incident and as long as I stick around, it won't be the last.

Hustle and Bustle

In this transistioning phase, I have discovered a few truths... I awoke this morning with the urgency to share. It's easy to complain that I spend my days completely overwhelmed meeting the needs of 24 diverse learners with little support. It's easy to complain that after working so hard all day, I come home to be a mommy to a busy little boy who wants 100% of my attention. It's easy to moan and groan that after ALL of that I still have to cook and clean and be a good wife. ;)

But then, on days like today, I am reminded how incredibly blessed I am! Teaching is a life-style- not a job. It is demanding all day and many nights, but I know many women would kill for the position I have. In these tough economics times, there are awesome teachers with no classroom, no students, and no postive outlook for a potential job in the near future. I AM BLESSED! I have a job and it's a good one. I have 24 students who need me, but more than that, they love me. Their momma's tell me so and I am awestruck each time I hear it. These children are a big part of my whole world. 

After getting all 24 on the right bus, right van, right car, etc, I come home to MY baby. How blessed I am to say that! Momma is a job so many women long for and have bleak hope for that. I was told I would never have a baby without medical intervention. I live to tell GOD IS GOOD! He has reigned in my life. GAB is the most precious miracle! So, when I want to complain that I can't take a nice hot bath in peace and quiet, I am reminded of those sleepless nights and the endless tears I cried for this baby. Again I say, I am blessed! As I rock my blessing, who is incredibly adorable and oober friendly ...see.... 

I praise God for entrusting me with this precious little life! Who do I deserve such favor? Why do I get to be the one who is so blessed? PRAISE GOD! I am forever grateful for the blessing!

But before I end, I have to touch on the last of my complaints. Being a wife. I have battled recently with juggling these titles, but again, I am reminded I am married to a man that loves me for me. No matter the stress, the added weight (ugh), the raging hormones, whatever...he still loves me! He values my opinon and respects me as a woman. Most of all, he says he can't wait to grow old with me. He's in forever! He's committed and God-fearing. Again I say, I am blessed! Thank you Lord for all that you are and all that you do.

Your love is SO amazing!

A Tasty Take on Snack Time

I think you all have figured out that I LOVE linky parties! I feel like it is a great way to "meet" new people and gather new strategies and ideas to implement in my classroom or share ideas for YOU to implement if you like! Soooooo, today I've joined a linky party hosted by Mrs. Bainbridge's Class. She has posed this topic:

How do you create an efficient snack time in your classroom so that you aren't using too much time up, but still making sure tummies are full so kids can learn?
Do you send a snack calendar or do kids bring their own snack each day?
What do you do during snack time?  Do you instruct?  Do you read?  Do you just let kids have that few minutes to socialize?

And I say....
Well, I've done it a variety of ways. I have utilized a snack calendar and also just allowed the students to bring their own snack if they were hungry. My conclusion is this: snack calendar is the bomb.com! I have only had a few occasions where a mom has forgotten or just chose not to participate, and in the event that occurs, we always have leftovers or I keep choices in my cabinet. I find that if the kids are responsible for individual snack, I spend more time breaking up arguments over trades, listening to "I'm hungry" or "I forgot and I NEED one" (haha)...etc. So, snack calendar it is! Each child is assigned a day to provide for all of their friends. We have snack during our "read down, cool down" right after our afternoon recess. This gives them the opportunity to cool off, go to the restroom, grab a few (hundred) sips of water and just all around regroup! I have tried having snack on the playground during recess- that didn't work. I have also attempted having it as a "chat" time and that was just all around mass chaos! Allowing them individual time works well in my room with a snack calendar!
Can't wait to read what everyone else does!