it's friday night at last! aaahhhhh this week has been excruciatingly long!
it's a drizzly, cool but humid evening. it finally feels like fall is coming here- the dogwoods are even starting to change colors already! my house is empty because robert is working, barbara is babysitting, and rob has left to pick up matthew from his high school homecoming football game where he marched with his jrotc unit in uniform. he'll be home in a while, and i'll see him in uniform for the first time. i'm sitting here in my favorite pj's and warm, fuzzy-soft robe and wrapped up in my fleece blanket- oh so comfy cozy!!!
i finally received the grades from my 1st two assignments in my grad class - i am so EXCITED- two A+'s!!!! and some really, really nice comments from the prof too- which made my day!!!
i stood up to some bullying from a coworker today and it felt oh so nice! maybe bullying is too harsh a word, but it's pretty much the adult equivalent. she wouldn't take no for an answer when i told her i wouldn't be doing something she wanted, and when she tried to push it on me i just politely thanked her and went on with my business. it was kind of funny to see the reaction... rob will be proud of me for this! it was the goal for the week for me set by my husband, though with another person in mind, still i did it!!!
barbara's teacher, Mrs. Fansler, who had been such an encouragement to her and to me last year has been dying- we just got word that she died this morning at 9 A.M. she was a great lady. can't say more about this.
i'm going to work on my homework for my classes. have two assignments to do for my photography class, plus have to do this big project and prepare to teach it to my students this next week then write it all up... nicole (another 1st grade teacher at my school who is also in this grad program with me) and i are going to swap lessons when it's done so we'll have 2 instead of just ours.
there's church somewhere on sunday, and then somewhere in this weekend is lesson planning, prep work, a HUGE pile of papers to check, donorschoose packets to prepare and mail. i'd like to do some cardmaking too- i have some new fall & halloween decorations and paper and i'd sure like to see what i can do with that and make some more cards. oh, there's just never enough time to do it all, so i guess i'll see what i can do this weekend. i hope you have a great weekend wherever you are!!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Matthew- at not quite 3 weeks
Matthew's steri-strips have fallen off, so we can see his "boo-boo" again. It's getting better, although it still looks pretty yucky if you ask me. It just hurts me to see it, but he's doing well, and God was good to him and us! He blistered some underneath all the plaster and where the boot has rubbed, but that has all popped and dried off too. He's still pretty swollen, but the dr. said that he'll have that the rest of his life off & on. He's getting there day by day... One more week and he will step down to a brace that fits inside his shoe that he'll have to wear for a few months.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
not a good day
work stinks right now, but i'm trying to remember that i am thankful for a job! :)
i just sat here and wrote a long piece expressing my frustration, but then thought about it and realized no one wants to read that. :) so i just saved it. later on in the year i'll look back on it and see how much improvement has happened and be thankful, so it's a private journal entry i guess.
i'm trying to remember that i do this for God and for the kids and families i serve, that it is a service, that service jobs are dealing with people and are not always pleasant or easy, but that it is a worthy and noble thing i do... even on the hard days.
i'm trying to remember all those things. and God is here trying to encourage me too. the songs on the radio on my way home (K-Love & a local Christian station) well, WOW, they were just the perfect songs for this day!!!! i pulled over into the park down the road from my home, and cried and let off a little steam before coming on home. thanks God for that. i need it!!!
now to go try to figure out yet another way to make this thing work for my kids and me... it's hard when things out of your control mess you up... but i've got to find a way for those 17 kids who call me their "Mrs. Thomas." they're counting on me, and i can't let them down.
i just sat here and wrote a long piece expressing my frustration, but then thought about it and realized no one wants to read that. :) so i just saved it. later on in the year i'll look back on it and see how much improvement has happened and be thankful, so it's a private journal entry i guess.
i'm trying to remember that i do this for God and for the kids and families i serve, that it is a service, that service jobs are dealing with people and are not always pleasant or easy, but that it is a worthy and noble thing i do... even on the hard days.
i'm trying to remember all those things. and God is here trying to encourage me too. the songs on the radio on my way home (K-Love & a local Christian station) well, WOW, they were just the perfect songs for this day!!!! i pulled over into the park down the road from my home, and cried and let off a little steam before coming on home. thanks God for that. i need it!!!
now to go try to figure out yet another way to make this thing work for my kids and me... it's hard when things out of your control mess you up... but i've got to find a way for those 17 kids who call me their "Mrs. Thomas." they're counting on me, and i can't let them down.
Monday, September 14, 2009
my kids can cook!!!!
My kids can sure cook some good food!!! This was Robert's night on the menu (each kid has one night that is their night for which they plan a well-rounded meal of their choice and cook it). Barbara likes to cook vegetarian/meatless stuff but she also likes to cook some of our old standbys and make herself a vegie version- hamburger pie, pasta salad, salad and bread, homemade pizzas. Matthew is our grilling king, and he is getting GOOOOD!!! He makes the best grilled chicken ever; he seasons it with fresh herbs from our herb garden plus other spices in our cabinet. Each time it's a little different, but always yummy. He also cooks a great poached fish! Robert loves to cook foods from all over the world; he has a whole collection of world cookbooks that we've been getting for him for birthdays & Christmas gifts for a couple years now. I think we started this one! :) So tonight's meal was an Iranian dish- Chicken & Eggplant Kouresh with steamed rice and asparagus with hollandaise sauce (I helped him make that part- YUM!).
My Not Perfect Kids
It's Monday. Obvious, I know. :) I do NOT feel good, I'm afraid I've got some bug, and I CANNOT miss more work. Booo...
Allow me to tell you about my kids tonight.
I have THE BEST kids. I know if you have some of your own, you think your kids are the best, but you'll just have to accept that mine are actually the best in the world. Mine are by no means perfect; lest you think that, let me assure you otherwise. I've always wondered about those people who have the "perfect" kids- you know those kids who never talk back, don't seem to argue, make the best grades they can make, do all the sports and clubs and all that, send food to starving children around the globe, smile and ALWAYS behave in church... I've worked with a few people who had those kids, or at least acted like they did. Can we say ANNOYING?!?!?!
I'm sure my kids have been the source of more than one after school conversation between teachers at their schools as well as a few of mine. Oh well. My kids are mouthy, argumentative, VERY opinionated, LOUD, sometimes very lazy, definitely very messy. They have made horrible grades at times (one of mine holds the family "grounding record" for longest consecutive time grounded because of grades & is proud of that too let me tell you!), and not-their-best grades their whole lives even though they are all very smart young people. They have done things I am ashamed of and would never talk about to anyone. They have been to the principal's office many times, destroyed private property (there's a good story there), been in ISS, stayed after school, told the teacher off (another good story), climbed toilet stalls & urinals just because someone told them to... In fact, just this afternoon I sent one young adult child to timeout, as it were, for mouthing off at me when I was stupid enough to break up an argument between two of them because they sounded EXACTLY like two of my six year-old students today. Yup, my kids are definitely hard-headed, stubborn, obstinate and HAVE TO HAVE THE LAST WORD AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!! I've lived through parenting nightmares, hard times, times I cried all night long, times I wanted to pull all my hair out, thought I'd commit murder or suicide because of the embarrassment they've put me through. I've used almost every implement known to man as a spanking tool- you name it, I've probably tried it.
My kids are far from perfect, and I am thankful for that. Perfect is boring. If my kids had been perfect children, I'd have missed out on some free entertainment, would have no good stories to laugh at and share with others, no memories to cherish, no life lessons learned, I'd be a lot worse parent for the perfection. My kids have taught me so much about God- sooo much and they don't even know it. My understanding of Him has a long way to go, but it's so much better than it was 20 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. My kids have taught me so very much about life- what really matters, time management, joy, happiness, how to deal with stress and hardship. My kids have made me a better teacher- a lot better! I understand kids more having raised mine and seen all the stages of development a kid goes through, having helped mine learn to read, add/subtract, print, and all those other teachable things. I have learned more about parents from being one, and it has definitely paid off in my work. I can build better relationships with my families because of my kids' imperfections than I'd be able to if my children were the rose-colored model of kids. My hard times and embarrassments as a parent have helped me better understand parents, helped me lessen other parents' mortification when their children have acted up at school. I think it has helped me be more "real" and given me credibility with parents/grandparents. My kids have taught me what love is, how to love, how to give love, show love, be love.
Now those same kids who have at times put my patience to its limits and beyond, who have listened to me lecture, scream, throw a few of my own tempter tantrums (for like them, I am not a perfect mom- poor kids, maybe I am the problem ;) ha ha), those same kids have learned to give back to us, to those around them, to complete strangers, and this mommy could not be more proud of them or more thankful for them than I am now. They help take care of more housework than I do and have for a very long time now. They all know how to do laundry & do their own plus Rob's & mine many times. They can all cook and take turns planning their portions of the menu, planning their part of the grocery list, and preparing their meals for our family, they help contribute to our finances and help out with grocery money, gas in the car when it's low, and now helping pay our phone bill. And remember, they are not perfect, so sometimes they grumble about having to do the dishes or clean the bathroom or any number of other things, but I am seeing them grow up and become thankful and appreciative of their dad & I. And I am LOVING this maturity in them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I say LOVING it???
And as my life is beginning to creep into a new phase, I'm so very thankful for my very imperfect children. So thankful for my time with them, for the memories- good, bad, & ugly. So thankful for the love we have known together and thankful for whatever time we will have together down the road.
Yeah, I am really, truly thankful for stubborn, loud-mouthed, attitude-y, argumentative kids who love me, who give back to me each in their own way. My life is good, no better than that! I am so grateful for my children- imperfections and all. I wouldn't have them any other way!
Allow me to tell you about my kids tonight.
I have THE BEST kids. I know if you have some of your own, you think your kids are the best, but you'll just have to accept that mine are actually the best in the world. Mine are by no means perfect; lest you think that, let me assure you otherwise. I've always wondered about those people who have the "perfect" kids- you know those kids who never talk back, don't seem to argue, make the best grades they can make, do all the sports and clubs and all that, send food to starving children around the globe, smile and ALWAYS behave in church... I've worked with a few people who had those kids, or at least acted like they did. Can we say ANNOYING?!?!?!
I'm sure my kids have been the source of more than one after school conversation between teachers at their schools as well as a few of mine. Oh well. My kids are mouthy, argumentative, VERY opinionated, LOUD, sometimes very lazy, definitely very messy. They have made horrible grades at times (one of mine holds the family "grounding record" for longest consecutive time grounded because of grades & is proud of that too let me tell you!), and not-their-best grades their whole lives even though they are all very smart young people. They have done things I am ashamed of and would never talk about to anyone. They have been to the principal's office many times, destroyed private property (there's a good story there), been in ISS, stayed after school, told the teacher off (another good story), climbed toilet stalls & urinals just because someone told them to... In fact, just this afternoon I sent one young adult child to timeout, as it were, for mouthing off at me when I was stupid enough to break up an argument between two of them because they sounded EXACTLY like two of my six year-old students today. Yup, my kids are definitely hard-headed, stubborn, obstinate and HAVE TO HAVE THE LAST WORD AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!! I've lived through parenting nightmares, hard times, times I cried all night long, times I wanted to pull all my hair out, thought I'd commit murder or suicide because of the embarrassment they've put me through. I've used almost every implement known to man as a spanking tool- you name it, I've probably tried it.
My kids are far from perfect, and I am thankful for that. Perfect is boring. If my kids had been perfect children, I'd have missed out on some free entertainment, would have no good stories to laugh at and share with others, no memories to cherish, no life lessons learned, I'd be a lot worse parent for the perfection. My kids have taught me so much about God- sooo much and they don't even know it. My understanding of Him has a long way to go, but it's so much better than it was 20 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. My kids have taught me so very much about life- what really matters, time management, joy, happiness, how to deal with stress and hardship. My kids have made me a better teacher- a lot better! I understand kids more having raised mine and seen all the stages of development a kid goes through, having helped mine learn to read, add/subtract, print, and all those other teachable things. I have learned more about parents from being one, and it has definitely paid off in my work. I can build better relationships with my families because of my kids' imperfections than I'd be able to if my children were the rose-colored model of kids. My hard times and embarrassments as a parent have helped me better understand parents, helped me lessen other parents' mortification when their children have acted up at school. I think it has helped me be more "real" and given me credibility with parents/grandparents. My kids have taught me what love is, how to love, how to give love, show love, be love.
Now those same kids who have at times put my patience to its limits and beyond, who have listened to me lecture, scream, throw a few of my own tempter tantrums (for like them, I am not a perfect mom- poor kids, maybe I am the problem ;) ha ha), those same kids have learned to give back to us, to those around them, to complete strangers, and this mommy could not be more proud of them or more thankful for them than I am now. They help take care of more housework than I do and have for a very long time now. They all know how to do laundry & do their own plus Rob's & mine many times. They can all cook and take turns planning their portions of the menu, planning their part of the grocery list, and preparing their meals for our family, they help contribute to our finances and help out with grocery money, gas in the car when it's low, and now helping pay our phone bill. And remember, they are not perfect, so sometimes they grumble about having to do the dishes or clean the bathroom or any number of other things, but I am seeing them grow up and become thankful and appreciative of their dad & I. And I am LOVING this maturity in them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I say LOVING it???
And as my life is beginning to creep into a new phase, I'm so very thankful for my very imperfect children. So thankful for my time with them, for the memories- good, bad, & ugly. So thankful for the love we have known together and thankful for whatever time we will have together down the road.
Yeah, I am really, truly thankful for stubborn, loud-mouthed, attitude-y, argumentative kids who love me, who give back to me each in their own way. My life is good, no better than that! I am so grateful for my children- imperfections and all. I wouldn't have them any other way!
Friday, September 11, 2009
honesty
"Honesty is such a lonely word. Everyone is so untrue. Honesty is hardly ever heard. And mostly what I need from you. I can always find someone to say they sympathize. If I wear my heart out on my sleeve. But I don't want some pretty face to tell me pretty lies. All I want is someone to believe." Billy Joel
I'm truly, honestly very discouraged tonight. That's me being honest.
I'm truly, honestly very discouraged tonight. That's me being honest.
Monday, September 07, 2009
One Week Later...
Matthew's leg & foot one week after surgery. We are so thankful to God that the dr. was able to do all the work he needed to do without having to open up the other side too, which he originally thought he was going to have to do. I can't imagine having this on both sides of the leg.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Matthew's week
Grrr... I'm so mad at my computer!!! It just "ate" all these photos I've taken. I had a bunch, and they're gone to somewhere. I was viewing them on the computer as they uploaded and when I went to edit them, the whole batch is gone. Grrr..
Oh well, these are a few of what's left to show how Matthew's week has gone so far. Went to the dr. today for a checkup. I want to warn you, if you're the type who doesn't like icky stuff- blood, wounds, etc. don't look down at the bottom. I am putting a closeup of his incision site and injured area there. It's pretty icky looking still.
Oh well, these are a few of what's left to show how Matthew's week has gone so far. Went to the dr. today for a checkup. I want to warn you, if you're the type who doesn't like icky stuff- blood, wounds, etc. don't look down at the bottom. I am putting a closeup of his incision site and injured area there. It's pretty icky looking still.
a lot of napping :)
the youth group came over to see Matthew after he got home from the hospital on Sunday- this means soooo much to us!!!!
playing on mom's computer and doing homework (which is what he's actually, really doing here)
Matthew's incision site and wounded area as it looked today at his checkup after they took off the plaster cast and cotton protective stuff... the whole area is swollen and red, blue, purple. i told him he looks like Frankenstein now :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
heading home
as soon as some more meds drip in through the iv we are going home. i'm still a little concerned because of some minor complications, but i'm being reassured this is all normal and we'll be fine. so home we go, and somehow i've got to figure out how to be super-mommy/teacher and be at home with my child and at school with my children at the same time. yeah, i wish. :)
okay, it's official, i don't like this at all
it's 3:45 a.m. i couldn't get to sleep, and finally at 1:00 i thought i had to try a little harder, gave myself a lecture, put on some music on my computer way down low and tried really hard to get comfortable on this hard cushioned bed/thingy in the room. i dozed very little and laid there pretty uncomfortable mostly, getting up to help my baby :) when he needed something. about 45 minutes ago, he got very sick and almost passed out on me in the bathroom. i called the nurse for help, and when she got there she had to use smelling salts a couple times to revive him and took some vitals, and called for the rapid response team for assistance. talk about SCARED TO DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm trying not to let it show, but i'm really not liking this.
not. at. all.
Father, I know he really is Your child, and I only get to have a short time with him. I know You already know all this, but our baby needs Your healing and help. And, if You can spare it, I need a little rest tomorrow- when it's all over. :) I know You love us, and I'm so very, very thankful.
not. at. all.
Father, I know he really is Your child, and I only get to have a short time with him. I know You already know all this, but our baby needs Your healing and help. And, if You can spare it, I need a little rest tomorrow- when it's all over. :) I know You love us, and I'm so very, very thankful.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
a post entitled "not how i had planned my weekend to be..."
update for our family- i cannot access my home email, facebook (BUMMER) or twitter here at the hospital (but i can get my work email- go figure!) we are back in our room on the peds floor. there is some pain and grogginess, but all things considered we're doing pretty good. our youth leaders, dai & jenny brought up mcdonald's and we're eating fries and drinking a sprite. :) i get to stay up here tonight too- boy have hospitals changed!!! we should go home tomorrow. thanks for all the prayers!
this weekend is definitely not going as planned. i brought home a big TUB of work to do- lesson plans for two weeks, getting my students files labeled and paperwork sorted out, doing some curriculum mapping for myself to put the K & 1st stuff together and mapping out where i am going to head this year, cutting out a bunch of feltboard sets i received from donors choose. i need to get a lot done this weekend as my grad classes begin this monday! YIKES!!!
instead i am sitting in the hospital awaiting my child's surgery- a surgery that was not in our plans for this weekend. oh well, life is still very, very good. thank God for insurance (even when it is more expensive & benefits cut) because without it i don't know what we'd be doing right now. thank God for jobs to pay the bills we'll now have. thank God for family that prays for us. thank God for three youth leaders that have surrounded my family with love in the almost two years we've now known them, but especially has come around us this summer in the midst of other junk to shower us with His love and their love and their support.
thank you God for being with us in it all- even when the weekend goes a direction i didn't plan. now to get back to picking on my kid. :) i LOVE being a mom!
this weekend is definitely not going as planned. i brought home a big TUB of work to do- lesson plans for two weeks, getting my students files labeled and paperwork sorted out, doing some curriculum mapping for myself to put the K & 1st stuff together and mapping out where i am going to head this year, cutting out a bunch of feltboard sets i received from donors choose. i need to get a lot done this weekend as my grad classes begin this monday! YIKES!!!
instead i am sitting in the hospital awaiting my child's surgery- a surgery that was not in our plans for this weekend. oh well, life is still very, very good. thank God for insurance (even when it is more expensive & benefits cut) because without it i don't know what we'd be doing right now. thank God for jobs to pay the bills we'll now have. thank God for family that prays for us. thank God for three youth leaders that have surrounded my family with love in the almost two years we've now known them, but especially has come around us this summer in the midst of other junk to shower us with His love and their love and their support.
thank you God for being with us in it all- even when the weekend goes a direction i didn't plan. now to get back to picking on my kid. :) i LOVE being a mom!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Matthew's new haircut
Matthew started his new school year today. He wanted his friends to see him with his longer hair and his facial hair "goatee thingy" (my Barbara Rose word for it). :) So he came home today and gave himself his first military haircut since he is now a member of JROTC!
Here he is before the deed. :)
Here he is before the deed. :)
Look at all that hair!
Ta-da, here he is!!!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
God blesses us even when we don't deserve it
In the midst of a little storm this week, God still shows me He loves me. I don't understand Him or His crazy love, but I am so thankful for it.
I woke up this morning to an email that another of my donorschoose projects was funded. This makes four of 8 that were funded so far this summer! :) I have four more live projects up right now, and now have more points earned to write more grants when I have some time. Each time we submit a proposal it costs us points, but we can earn points back by confirming our funding promptly, by writing a thank you note immediately, and then by completing the thank you package with student letters and photos. So for every project we get funded and complete the requirements we spend 1 point but earn 3. So far in the one year I have been a donorschoose teacher, I have had 7 projects fully funded & only two partially or not funded. I just added those projects up and it totals over $1900 that has been given to my class by friends, family, myself, a wonderful volunteer of ours, and total & complete strangers from NY to WA and all over the nation!
This is one of the four remaining projects left that I am hoping will get funded. I prayed all summer that God would bless me with full funding for them all. I'm half way there thanks to God sending me some generous donors!
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=288704 This one is called We Love Puzzles, and when funded, it will purchase a wooden puzzle rack and two sets of multicultural puzzles- one that displays homes around the world and one that shows families from around the world in different cultures.
You can find my other proposals by on the sidebar over there. Or you can go to www.donorschoose.org, type in the search bar, Allen Jay Elementary, and look for projects with Mrs. T. on them. That's me! If you know anyone or any business that would be willing to donate, would you please pass my info along? Thanks a bunch!
I woke up this morning to an email that another of my donorschoose projects was funded. This makes four of 8 that were funded so far this summer! :) I have four more live projects up right now, and now have more points earned to write more grants when I have some time. Each time we submit a proposal it costs us points, but we can earn points back by confirming our funding promptly, by writing a thank you note immediately, and then by completing the thank you package with student letters and photos. So for every project we get funded and complete the requirements we spend 1 point but earn 3. So far in the one year I have been a donorschoose teacher, I have had 7 projects fully funded & only two partially or not funded. I just added those projects up and it totals over $1900 that has been given to my class by friends, family, myself, a wonderful volunteer of ours, and total & complete strangers from NY to WA and all over the nation!
This is one of the four remaining projects left that I am hoping will get funded. I prayed all summer that God would bless me with full funding for them all. I'm half way there thanks to God sending me some generous donors!
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=288704 This one is called We Love Puzzles, and when funded, it will purchase a wooden puzzle rack and two sets of multicultural puzzles- one that displays homes around the world and one that shows families from around the world in different cultures.
You can find my other proposals by on the sidebar over there. Or you can go to www.donorschoose.org, type in the search bar, Allen Jay Elementary, and look for projects with Mrs. T. on them. That's me! If you know anyone or any business that would be willing to donate, would you please pass my info along? Thanks a bunch!
Friday, August 21, 2009
what a week!
it's 8:30 on a Friday night- the first Friday night of the new school year. i have survived a very, very long day, and i am not sitting here in the dark (and i do mean dark- not a light on in my house tonight) with nothing but the sound of the ceiling fan whirring away. aaaaahhhhh peace.
it's been quite a week. barbara started college this week! robert's new semester started as well. rob started with his new students at his new school today. i prayed for him all day and hope he had a wonderful day! i haven't seen him yet, so i'm looking forward to him getting home from the ballpark to talk. mandatory training for me monday & tuesday. i had my first session as a trainer for the county (i am shadowing this time around because i was so nervous about doing this) yesterday & another "lovely" (NOT!) workshop this morning that my principal made me go to. it was AWFUL!!! and that's a whole 'nother blog post sometime perhaps. barbara had an interview at mcdonalds tuesday. please God, give her a job! rob had to work at the ballpark two nights this week and so did barbara- two other nights. rob, matthew, and i had all our open houses this week plus an ice cream social deal at my school one night too. i have a job, for which i am HUGELY grateful, but this year has gotten off to a bit of a rough start. i will be teaching something, but there's no idea yet what i'll actually end up teaching. for the moment it's a K/1st combo, but it could change to a straight K, straight 2nd, or a 1st/2nd combo. there have been so many people trying to help and talking to me about it, talking to the principal, talking to each other.... i'm waaaay confused, waaaay overwhelmed about it, and waaaay ready for the drama to end. i HATE drama and do NOT want to have it in my life!!!! i didn't get my class list until 40 minutes or so before open house tonight. this is by far the worst prepared i've EVER been for an open house. grrrr... but i pulled it off, the parents seemed okay, and it will all work out. i just keep praying and reminding myself that all summer i've prayed that God would give me the kids i was meant to teach. He will, and i need to trust Him better.
it was our 21st anniversary in there too somewhere. we spent that day working, shoving a quick bite in between taking the two older kids to work and going to matthew's open house. that was nice though to be together with matthew and have some time just for him and to see his classes and teachers. and we got to meet his JROTC instructors. i'm getting LOTS better about that thanks to God's help!
i've got so much to do this weekend; i won't bore anyone with the list. i know everyone's got theirs too. hey maybe that'd be fun. you could leave your list in the comments... too bad we couldn't all help each other out and do those lists together- now that'd be fun! :) but i should say that on my to-do list for the weekend is "fill out graduate school application" because i don't' think it put it on here yet, but i'm getting to attend grad school for six classes to earn a math teaching license, and i don't have to pay anything- for tuition or books... :) it was a pilot program between the county and the state college system, and they are paying for it all. they only chose 25 teachers in the whole county. there were three teachers from my school that were picked, and i am one of them! :) i have no idea if i can do this on my own power, but i am remembering my momma's favorite verse- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Father, right now, I need some strength, please! :)
good night world. hope you all have a wonderful weekend! ours is booked full, but it will be good!
it's been quite a week. barbara started college this week! robert's new semester started as well. rob started with his new students at his new school today. i prayed for him all day and hope he had a wonderful day! i haven't seen him yet, so i'm looking forward to him getting home from the ballpark to talk. mandatory training for me monday & tuesday. i had my first session as a trainer for the county (i am shadowing this time around because i was so nervous about doing this) yesterday & another "lovely" (NOT!) workshop this morning that my principal made me go to. it was AWFUL!!! and that's a whole 'nother blog post sometime perhaps. barbara had an interview at mcdonalds tuesday. please God, give her a job! rob had to work at the ballpark two nights this week and so did barbara- two other nights. rob, matthew, and i had all our open houses this week plus an ice cream social deal at my school one night too. i have a job, for which i am HUGELY grateful, but this year has gotten off to a bit of a rough start. i will be teaching something, but there's no idea yet what i'll actually end up teaching. for the moment it's a K/1st combo, but it could change to a straight K, straight 2nd, or a 1st/2nd combo. there have been so many people trying to help and talking to me about it, talking to the principal, talking to each other.... i'm waaaay confused, waaaay overwhelmed about it, and waaaay ready for the drama to end. i HATE drama and do NOT want to have it in my life!!!! i didn't get my class list until 40 minutes or so before open house tonight. this is by far the worst prepared i've EVER been for an open house. grrrr... but i pulled it off, the parents seemed okay, and it will all work out. i just keep praying and reminding myself that all summer i've prayed that God would give me the kids i was meant to teach. He will, and i need to trust Him better.
it was our 21st anniversary in there too somewhere. we spent that day working, shoving a quick bite in between taking the two older kids to work and going to matthew's open house. that was nice though to be together with matthew and have some time just for him and to see his classes and teachers. and we got to meet his JROTC instructors. i'm getting LOTS better about that thanks to God's help!
i've got so much to do this weekend; i won't bore anyone with the list. i know everyone's got theirs too. hey maybe that'd be fun. you could leave your list in the comments... too bad we couldn't all help each other out and do those lists together- now that'd be fun! :) but i should say that on my to-do list for the weekend is "fill out graduate school application" because i don't' think it put it on here yet, but i'm getting to attend grad school for six classes to earn a math teaching license, and i don't have to pay anything- for tuition or books... :) it was a pilot program between the county and the state college system, and they are paying for it all. they only chose 25 teachers in the whole county. there were three teachers from my school that were picked, and i am one of them! :) i have no idea if i can do this on my own power, but i am remembering my momma's favorite verse- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Father, right now, I need some strength, please! :)
good night world. hope you all have a wonderful weekend! ours is booked full, but it will be good!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
21 years ago today
...I married my best friend. Happy Anniversary Rob Thomas. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
prayer request
please pray for a teacher friend who is in the end stages of cancer. i just heard from her today. she wrote me to say goodbye. my heart is so sad...
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Introducing Elizabeth Rebekah
My former coworker and dear friend & her hubby just had their first child, and crazy as they are, they gave her my name for her middle name. I am so honored, humbled, flattered..... well you get the picture. Barbara & I went to see my friend and meet my new friend, and I am in love. She is a BEAUTIFUL baby! So without further ado, meet my new friend, Elizabeth Rebekah. :)
Kristen & Andrew, should you read this, please let me tell you one more time, thank you for such an honor. I really don't know understand why you'd do this, but I am so deeply moved. I will do everything in my power to be a Godly example to Elizabeth and to show her God's love. And you can count on me to spoil her rotten too. :)
Kristen & Andrew, should you read this, please let me tell you one more time, thank you for such an honor. I really don't know understand why you'd do this, but I am so deeply moved. I will do everything in my power to be a Godly example to Elizabeth and to show her God's love. And you can count on me to spoil her rotten too. :)Thursday, August 13, 2009
Woo Hoo!!!!
My old coworker, Kristen, was scheduled for a c-section today to deliver her 1st baby. She was a "stinker" and wouldn't tell anyone what she was having; she & Andrew wanted it to be a surprise. So we've all waited and waited to find out. She had told me the names they had chosen for whichever child they had, but I wasn't getting my hopes up for a boy or a girl for her. I just wanted her to deliver safely, have a healthy baby, and be able to get back to her normal life (she's had gestational diabetes and been giving herself insulin shots and lots of other stuff I'm sure I have no clue about)... I just found out a few minutes ago that she delivered a baby girl, and she is named after me. :) Elizabeth Rebekah
Wow!!!! What an honor that is. I mean really. To name your child after someone, especially someone who is not even family or your very best friend... I'm so... I can't even say.
I'm going to see Kristen and meet Elizabeth tomorrow. If she'll let me, I'll post a photo or two of them here tomorrow.
Wow!!!! What an honor that is. I mean really. To name your child after someone, especially someone who is not even family or your very best friend... I'm so... I can't even say.
I'm going to see Kristen and meet Elizabeth tomorrow. If she'll let me, I'll post a photo or two of them here tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Trying Something New
So, I have been trying something new, a creative outlet for myself. I like to try different crafts, but never have much time. So in an effort to learn to take better care of me, find a way to relax, and all that stuff.... I have started making cards. I'm trying to teach myself some new things (maybe you can teach an old dog a few new tricks...)
Momma and Jessica really liked the cards I made for them and went on and on about them. So, I got either very brave or very stupid and started an etsy site to try to sell some of my little creations. I started my store on Monday night really late, and less than 24 hours later, I had my first purchase. I have been working hard tonight to make more cards to sell plus a few for gifts and such. I'm attaching some photos of some of my creations and the link to my etsy site.
Please pray I can make this work for us. It'd be a really neat way to supplement our income and help my hubby not have to work so many part time jobs. I'd love to do this as my second job and then Rob could cut back to just one "second" part time job himself.
Momma and Jessica really liked the cards I made for them and went on and on about them. So, I got either very brave or very stupid and started an etsy site to try to sell some of my little creations. I started my store on Monday night really late, and less than 24 hours later, I had my first purchase. I have been working hard tonight to make more cards to sell plus a few for gifts and such. I'm attaching some photos of some of my creations and the link to my etsy site.
Please pray I can make this work for us. It'd be a really neat way to supplement our income and help my hubby not have to work so many part time jobs. I'd love to do this as my second job and then Rob could cut back to just one "second" part time job himself.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Our Big Day
It was another one of those "milestone days" here at the Thomas household. :) Our 2nd child, Barbara Rose, registered for her 1st semester at the local community college. Our baby girl is now an official college student! She has registered for six classes/18 hours. Let's see if I can remember all her courses: Expository Writing, Math something???, Western Civilization, Intro to Sociology, Public Speaking, and Literature of the Theater. Whew, I think I did it! :)
our college girl!
While I was cooking this evening, Matthew and I saw two goldfinches enjoying our sunflower patch. They stayed for quite a while looking for and munching on yummy seeds grown by us. :) This was the view right out of my kitchen sink window.
This is a silly photo, but for my momma. This is that ANCIENT crock pot that we adopted from you ages ago. It has gone the route of that 30 year old blender of yours I used for forever and cried when it broke. :) The crock pot finally died too. It gave its life preparing one last meal for our family. This thing is almost as old as me if not older. I don't even know when momma got it, but it's been around for as long as I can remember.
our college girl!
While I was cooking this evening, Matthew and I saw two goldfinches enjoying our sunflower patch. They stayed for quite a while looking for and munching on yummy seeds grown by us. :) This was the view right out of my kitchen sink window.
We had to do some work in both our classrooms today, and I had a dr.'s appointment at Wake today too. On our way home from Winston, Rob & I stopped at the farmers' market and bought a bunch of green tomatoes, ripe tomatoes, fresh green beans, and a HUGE box of peaches. YUM!!! I cooked fried green tomatoes and the green beans tonight, and tomorrow I'm making peach cobbler! I can't wait!!!
This is a silly photo, but for my momma. This is that ANCIENT crock pot that we adopted from you ages ago. It has gone the route of that 30 year old blender of yours I used for forever and cried when it broke. :) The crock pot finally died too. It gave its life preparing one last meal for our family. This thing is almost as old as me if not older. I don't even know when momma got it, but it's been around for as long as I can remember.
Then tonight, Barbara & I worked on our mother-daughter craft project. We tore several yards of material into these strips/rags. Can you guess what we're going to make? You can leave a comment and guess for fun if you want. I'll tell you soon.
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