simple pleasures

My heart is so full! It is one of the greatest feelings to be filled with joy from simple pleasures in life. Sometimes it can be like a rush! Here are a few of the simple pleasures that have been filling my heart with joy...

*Texas Country/Red Dirt music

*my new square glasses

*the chiming clock that makes my apartment a home

*the call from Lauren to order Girl Scout cookies with her best attempts at being professional

*Randy Rogers Band concerts

*weekends out of town

*anticipation of March

*new clothes

*prayer

*teaching "my kids" to blog

*time with friends

*"Back in Your Arms" by Ryan Turner

a day in first grade

It's been the kind of day that you just have to laugh at, you know the kind full of awkward turns that just seem to make it more draining and the need for it to end keeps creeping up. Even though it is actually Tuesday, it was very much like a Monday due to the long weekend. The morning had all of those Monday qualities like dragging yourself out of bed to put on the nearly professional outfit (if you can call it that), great attempts at not falling asleep on the way to work, arriving at work to the greetings of unfinished tasks and more that you didn't anticipate, and then much too soon the sound of pitter patter and laughter down the halls---yep, its an elementary classroom at 7:41am! So things get underway in pretty good style considering...running a little behind, but catching up by 9:45. Then just as I took the sigh of relief to settle into the chair for a final day of assessment for the report card--in walks the principal with her laptop for my evaluation!

Yippee, it was the shining moment I had always hoped would be possible. During my "15 minute walk-through", she typed notes, settled an issue involving glue, hands, and the table in station 4, and prompted another child in the same station to proceed with his work. You just have to smile at the innocence of a 6-year old who doesn't know that this is a bad time for such adventures. Thank goodness she has other reference points for both my appearance and teaching styles. She said, "You're great!"

The day continued to get exciting when a co-worker got sick and we split her class. (Not a problem, but exciting.) Have you ever tried to keep 29 kids quiet while playing math games so you can assess for the report card? Not an easy task, Viola Swamp payed a visit to the classroom.

Well, the kids went home and then it was time to see how much still needed to be accomplished before tomorrow at 3! I made a good dent in the to-do list by staying until 8:00pm, but it is not complete. I seriously wanted to call a few families to see if they could bring their child up to do some small activities that would make tomorrow go much smoother, but I resisted the temptation.

So here I am now, at home having just finished my warm bowl of oatmeal. All in all a success--I'm still smiling!

i've realized

I've come to realize recently that some of the best layed out plans work best only in theory. Sure, I've heard this before and even used the phrase--but really! What I've come to learn is that the deepest desire to make the dreams come true, the belief that one day others will come around or things will fall into place, hoping, wishing, even praying...isn't going to make some things happen. It is impossible to understand at the time that this is because God has a different plan. Interesting how his all-knowingness and power gives him a different perspective. Ultimately, the blessing comes from what seems to be a disappointment.

I have wasted many months or even years stumbling all around these things for no reason at all. How foolish to continue to chase after what is known to be wrong. Oh ye, of little faith! Then, the freedom and enlightenment that comes in loosening the grip of control--ever so slowly.

God has surprised me and brought joy! I am so thankful that he is patient and loves me despite my human qualities. I don't know what tomorrow or most definitely not February or the months to follow have in store. Until its time for me to know the next chapter, I'm attempting to look to him for direction in each step. I believe He is going to do great things!

Even while writing these truths though, I have a mix of emotions in my heart. Already, I must turn around and give it back to Him--a continual process.

silly girl

I'm such a silly girl! Tonight my dream came true and I missed my chance. I was at Target of all places buying cupcake mix when up behind me walks a handsome young man. I didn't really notice him at first, to be honest. Then he said with a cute tone in his voice. "Are you baking me brownies?" Oh dear, what do I do now! It all falls into place at once! He's not just any ordinary fellow, he is wearing a cap with the letters "LFD"! Being the fire fanatic that I am, I knew immediately this represented the Lewisville Fire Department! So I sheepishly smile, giggle and say "Well, I am baking brownies!" Oh gosh! Is that all I could come up with? So I continue to check out and then smile with a "Have a goodnight!" on my way out the door...kicking myself all the way to the car. I do see him again and exchange a few smiles before we head off in opposite directions of the parking lot.

I have since thought of a zillion things that I could have said in response to his question...maybe even, "Are you buying me beer?"---but it was too late. Oh well, maybe he's a regular there, hummm?