I know I talk about the hubs all the time but oh well. my blog.
after watching eternal sunshine of the spotless mind approximately 3 years ago, i call him joelie. an awkward but endearing (to me) nickname. only i call him that. and he doesn't seem to mind too much.
so we decided to support our local chick fil a this evening for date night. because we can.
and then we had a 7:30 showing of madagascar 2 lined up (it was either that or zack and miri...just kidding...). we had some time to kill after wolfing down our chicken strips and new chik fil a sauce (crack in honey mustard form), so we strolled around tar-jay, dreaming about Christmas time, decorating (ok that was me), presents for our parents, and generally getting in the Christmas spirit. This is huge for me because I am normally a Scrooge until the week before. I've never enjoyed celebrating Christmas, you know, at Halloween. But this year, with the prospect of a bigger family, our own cozy bed, a fireplace and a joint bank account, the Christmas season can last as long as it wants! I love it. And joelie loves it. Which I love.
After buying our Reese's pieces, Whoppers, and Jelly Belly we decided we'd rather save our cash and finish The Dead Poet's Society. I've never seen it. Gasp. But he has. 20 times. So we watched it, I got sad. And then I posted.
End.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
So I have this friend...
One thing I LOVE love love about being married is that Joel is my best friend. And sometimes we honestly can't go to sleep because we are cracking each other up. Like telling jokes. Or singing Elton John songs off-key. Really, he just cracks me up. I doubt I crack him up as much. I love watching movies late at night, getting ice cream before bed, laughing for half an hour and thinking, is this my husband?? Because I just think I'm having a sleepover with my BFF.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Blessings
Thank the Lord for some small blessings tonight.
I made a yummy chicken pot pie (thanks to Laura's easy recipe).
I had the privilege of babysitting Miss Grace Elizabeth and SHE SMILED ... a lot! It was so exciting! I was told to sing to her to quiet her down, and all the songs I could think of were Ben Folds songs (thanks Joel) and "Shake my sillies out." Hilarious. Glad there was no nanny-cam. Thanks L-Cat Rob for the opportunity to play with your sweet girl. It was a blast and definitely brightened my evening.
Then I got home and my sweet hubs ran outside to meet me at the car. I thought he had just missed me so much and wanted to hug me, but really he just wanted Goodberry's, which was a-ok with me because I LOVE spontaneous ice cream trips late at night. It makes me feel almost as adventurous as the time I danced a jig in a small (and by small, I mean 1 church, 2 pubs, and an inn) town pub in Spain.
I made a yummy chicken pot pie (thanks to Laura's easy recipe).
I had the privilege of babysitting Miss Grace Elizabeth and SHE SMILED ... a lot! It was so exciting! I was told to sing to her to quiet her down, and all the songs I could think of were Ben Folds songs (thanks Joel) and "Shake my sillies out." Hilarious. Glad there was no nanny-cam. Thanks L-Cat Rob for the opportunity to play with your sweet girl. It was a blast and definitely brightened my evening.
Then I got home and my sweet hubs ran outside to meet me at the car. I thought he had just missed me so much and wanted to hug me, but really he just wanted Goodberry's, which was a-ok with me because I LOVE spontaneous ice cream trips late at night. It makes me feel almost as adventurous as the time I danced a jig in a small (and by small, I mean 1 church, 2 pubs, and an inn) town pub in Spain.
I am a first year teacher
Well, this blog was supposed to be about beginning marriage and teaching.
So today I need to talk about my experience so far as a teacher.
Today was not fun. I wish I had that desire to teach all the time. But I have some serious troublemakers in my class. I have spoken with the principal and their 2nd grade teachers. I can't really go into details, confidentiality and all. But these kids aren't really new behavior issues. I spoke with the counselor about one student. It was affirming because I had thought that maybe it was just me, but she agreed that he has some serious things going on.
One of these students was supposed to start in a new school today. I spent Friday really preparing for his departure. There were some things I wished I had done differently with him. His new school is actually tracked out...so guess who showed up this morning?
Admittedly, I was shocked. I hadn't psychologically prepared for him to return. And while it's nice to have a bit of a second chance, the same problems that I thought would end today returned in full force.
These kids are SO defiant, so angry, so below grade level and sometimes so spoiled at home that school is just a completely negative place.
I want an overnight change. I know that can't happen. But this afternoon I broke down a bit. I had to leave the room and shed a few tears. I got it together, and I never want that to happen again. I just hope I'm really cut out for this.
So today I need to talk about my experience so far as a teacher.
Today was not fun. I wish I had that desire to teach all the time. But I have some serious troublemakers in my class. I have spoken with the principal and their 2nd grade teachers. I can't really go into details, confidentiality and all. But these kids aren't really new behavior issues. I spoke with the counselor about one student. It was affirming because I had thought that maybe it was just me, but she agreed that he has some serious things going on.
One of these students was supposed to start in a new school today. I spent Friday really preparing for his departure. There were some things I wished I had done differently with him. His new school is actually tracked out...so guess who showed up this morning?
Admittedly, I was shocked. I hadn't psychologically prepared for him to return. And while it's nice to have a bit of a second chance, the same problems that I thought would end today returned in full force.
These kids are SO defiant, so angry, so below grade level and sometimes so spoiled at home that school is just a completely negative place.
I want an overnight change. I know that can't happen. But this afternoon I broke down a bit. I had to leave the room and shed a few tears. I got it together, and I never want that to happen again. I just hope I'm really cut out for this.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
This weekend has been super busy. From Cornhuskin' on Friday to bachelorette festivities for Kathleen last night, I've been running around for a while! Joel and I spent some good time together after church today, including a massive meal from Bojangles.
We've been learning about work this week, and how to view it. And I need refreshment, a new attitude, love for my class and no partiality. I need the Lord to fill me up so I can give. I have just been working for a paycheck, for the weekend, for good test scores for my kids, but not always for the Lord. And I just desire joy and purpose so much at work.
I stumbled upon a blog that Laura, Joel and I had started three summers ago when we travelled (Joel to Turkey, Laura to California, and me to England), all to share the love of Christ with unbelievers. I remember the sweetness of being in the Lord's will and also the apprehension of what we would be doing. I remember the fire that occurred in the Istanbul airport the day Joel got there, and I remember seeing it on the news and not being able to talk to him (we weren't speaking then) and how I was terrified for him. But we knew we were in God's hands.
We knew our purpose was to minister to others. We worked, we rested in Him, we loved people. I wasn't perfect. I still felt young in my faith and my understanding of working for the Lord. But that excitement of meeting new people, seeing hearts turn to the Lord...I want that excitement now at school. And it's frustrating to look at this like a job, rather than a ministry. I need renewal in my soul.
We never actually wrote on that blog, which I regret. But this verse was at the top of the page. This verse was such a burden on my heart that summer.
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." -Isaiah 49:6
I want to go somewhere. Every few weeks I get that itch to travel. I dream of new cultures, new foods, new relationships in new places. But I'm here now. Right where God has placed me. Oh, to have that same attitude at work. I know in my head that this is a ministry, a place to serve and love and grow, but that truth isn't written on my heart.
We've been learning about work this week, and how to view it. And I need refreshment, a new attitude, love for my class and no partiality. I need the Lord to fill me up so I can give. I have just been working for a paycheck, for the weekend, for good test scores for my kids, but not always for the Lord. And I just desire joy and purpose so much at work.
I stumbled upon a blog that Laura, Joel and I had started three summers ago when we travelled (Joel to Turkey, Laura to California, and me to England), all to share the love of Christ with unbelievers. I remember the sweetness of being in the Lord's will and also the apprehension of what we would be doing. I remember the fire that occurred in the Istanbul airport the day Joel got there, and I remember seeing it on the news and not being able to talk to him (we weren't speaking then) and how I was terrified for him. But we knew we were in God's hands.
We knew our purpose was to minister to others. We worked, we rested in Him, we loved people. I wasn't perfect. I still felt young in my faith and my understanding of working for the Lord. But that excitement of meeting new people, seeing hearts turn to the Lord...I want that excitement now at school. And it's frustrating to look at this like a job, rather than a ministry. I need renewal in my soul.
We never actually wrote on that blog, which I regret. But this verse was at the top of the page. This verse was such a burden on my heart that summer.
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." -Isaiah 49:6
I want to go somewhere. Every few weeks I get that itch to travel. I dream of new cultures, new foods, new relationships in new places. But I'm here now. Right where God has placed me. Oh, to have that same attitude at work. I know in my head that this is a ministry, a place to serve and love and grow, but that truth isn't written on my heart.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Day light savings...
...normally means 1 extra hour of sleep. Except I'm spending an extra hour grading.
After I graded the science tests, I started to organize all my reading and writing work samples except I realized I haven't really done this they way I should have this quarter....next quarter will be different.
Just as I started to grade, one student at a time, Joel and I decided to go for a walk. We were getting pretty antsy. We got back, and I cooked dinner. I finally used my rice cooker, and I loved it!! I made enough rice for a few days, so I can feel like I am eating "real meals" again. Growing up, we had rice almost everyday so I just wanted to have my normal meals again. We also bought white rice, like I'm used to, and not that yucky brown rice. I also made two loaves of Amish friendship bread before settling back to grading. I've finish all but three of my math grades and not I just have to plug them into the report cards and write comments for math.
I am watching the Duggar family show on TLC and Josh just proposed to Anna, and they are so freaking adorable but it is a little awkward watching other people right after they get engaged!
Ok, I have a little sore throat. If you could please pray that I don't get sick. Joel has been sick all week and I have been using Purell and Coldeeze like it's my job, but there's only so much you can do when you sleep in the same bed!
After I graded the science tests, I started to organize all my reading and writing work samples except I realized I haven't really done this they way I should have this quarter....next quarter will be different.
Just as I started to grade, one student at a time, Joel and I decided to go for a walk. We were getting pretty antsy. We got back, and I cooked dinner. I finally used my rice cooker, and I loved it!! I made enough rice for a few days, so I can feel like I am eating "real meals" again. Growing up, we had rice almost everyday so I just wanted to have my normal meals again. We also bought white rice, like I'm used to, and not that yucky brown rice. I also made two loaves of Amish friendship bread before settling back to grading. I've finish all but three of my math grades and not I just have to plug them into the report cards and write comments for math.
I am watching the Duggar family show on TLC and Josh just proposed to Anna, and they are so freaking adorable but it is a little awkward watching other people right after they get engaged!
Ok, I have a little sore throat. If you could please pray that I don't get sick. Joel has been sick all week and I have been using Purell and Coldeeze like it's my job, but there's only so much you can do when you sleep in the same bed!
Why can't I just get it together?
Today hasn't been bad.
In fact, it's been really good. Joel and I woke up after 10, were lazy until 11 when he made pancakes and eggs and I drank coffee and looked up stuff for the local election. I tidied up a bit. Joel's mom stopped by and we chatted. We left around 1 to go the grocery store. We were 45 cents under budget. Eeek. We didn't get to the gym until close to 3, and stayed there for an hour and a half. By the time we got home and put away the groceries, it was after 5!
My plan of cleaning the house, grading the mountain of papers, starting report cards, and finishing (starting) our Crown homework before dinner went out the window.
I can't think of a day when I didn't feel completely scattered. It's like I can't focus on anything! I run around starting one project and then another and then cleaning the kitchen halfway before starting laundry and checking my email and....
I just wish my brain was organized.
Our house is cluttered. Not our room, really, but the living room and the guest room.
I just finished grading my science tests. I did them all in one go and now I'm going to work on grading writing. Then finishing math. Then social studies. Then putting it in one concise list so I can easily enter grades. I hope it works this way. I just ate a bunch of chips and queso so I should be good and not need dinner for a while. Joel's watching football, so I have no temptation to look up to see Jon and Kate Plus 8 :) My only distraction...the internet!
In fact, it's been really good. Joel and I woke up after 10, were lazy until 11 when he made pancakes and eggs and I drank coffee and looked up stuff for the local election. I tidied up a bit. Joel's mom stopped by and we chatted. We left around 1 to go the grocery store. We were 45 cents under budget. Eeek. We didn't get to the gym until close to 3, and stayed there for an hour and a half. By the time we got home and put away the groceries, it was after 5!
My plan of cleaning the house, grading the mountain of papers, starting report cards, and finishing (starting) our Crown homework before dinner went out the window.
I can't think of a day when I didn't feel completely scattered. It's like I can't focus on anything! I run around starting one project and then another and then cleaning the kitchen halfway before starting laundry and checking my email and....
I just wish my brain was organized.
Our house is cluttered. Not our room, really, but the living room and the guest room.
I just finished grading my science tests. I did them all in one go and now I'm going to work on grading writing. Then finishing math. Then social studies. Then putting it in one concise list so I can easily enter grades. I hope it works this way. I just ate a bunch of chips and queso so I should be good and not need dinner for a while. Joel's watching football, so I have no temptation to look up to see Jon and Kate Plus 8 :) My only distraction...the internet!
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