Two For Tuesday

For the past few months, we have been hosting our Lifegroup (small group Bible study) at our house. I love hosting for a few reasons. First, it's convenient for the kids. The boys can finish their homework if they need to or play in their room if they don't want to sit in on the study. And I have all of Julianna's toys and books to occupy her and can put her in bed at her regular bedtime. Secondly, knowing we are having company insures that the house is clean. It's great to start out the week with a clean house. And thirdly, I like having people in our home. We don't do it often enough since we live out of town and sometimes feel like it's a burden for people to drive so far. But all of our group lives within a few miles of us, so it's not an inconvenience for them. Lately I have really appreciated the members of our small group. We are the youngest members of the group by at least 15 years (the oldest member of our group is 85). We are the only ones with kids still at home. In fact, all the other members of the group are grandparents. But we have this bond that isn't found anywhere else. They all love our family and we love them. I know without a doubt that I could call on any one of them for anything and they would do all they could to help. How wonderful is that? We meet every Monday night to eat together and study God's Word together and pray together. And because of that time spent together, we know and appreciate each other.

Last night we were discussing prayer and what prayer means to us as Christians. We read several scriptures and two of them happened to be two of my favorites. I'd like to share them with you.

Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Break It Down

Last night we were practicing saying words with Julianna. We'd say a word, then she'd say the word...or at least her version of the word. But when we tried to get her to say Julianna, she'd say "mommy" every time. "Say Julianna." "Mommy." After a few times, Arrty slowly said, "Say Ju," trying to break it down into syllables for her. She looked right at him and said, "Mo." We laughed so hard. She totally got him. She was ready for his little syllable game. And she won.

Blessed Sunday

Blessed Sunday is hard sometimes because 1.) I am so blessed that I can't decide what to write about and 2.) I want to write about the same wonderful blessings every week...my husband, kids, family, and friends. So I think today I will just write about how truly blessed I am. I live in a time and place that is comfortable. I have a roof over my head and running water and electricity and a car to drive to grocery stores filled with food. I lack none of the necessities that many people throughout the world live without every day. And I share it with people I love and who love me. Wonderful people who fill my life with laughter and happiness. People who make me a better person just for knowing them. And all this is wrapped up in the amazing grace and love of God. The greatest blessing of all. Is my life perfect? No. But it doesn't have to be. And I wouldn't want it to be. But my life is blessed. Blessed to overflowing.

Tea Party

Julianna and I went to a tea party today.

First we chose our tea cups.

I chose this cute Holly Hobby cup because it reminded me

of Jules when she picks up our cat, Ben. And because it's Holly Hobby.

Here's Julianna with her little pink cup.

And here she is trying to get the camera.

And here's mom, Ada, and Abby. How cute are Abby's tights?!

And our lovely hostess, Marci.

And Jules and Abby playing.

It was a really nice girl's day. I look forward to many more Thanksgiving teas. Thanks for a great day, Marci.

Let's Talk

Today is parent/teacher conference day. I don't mind it since there aren't any major things to discuss about any of my students. The worst part is when parents come in and we talk for 3 1/2 minutes and then we're done. I always feel bad that they came all the way to school on their kid's day off for that. But I guess it's better than taking up the whole 20 minutes talking about how their kid is the only one I hope is sick on art day.

While preparing for my conferences I started to think about what I would like parents to know about teachers. Here are a few of them.

• *We love your kids. We want what's best for them just like you do.
• We work hard. Yes, we have holidays off and are off during the summer, but for those 10 months that we teach, we spend way more hours working than just the 7 we spend with students each day. And even during the summer we often look for new ideas and plan for the coming year.
• We really, really appreciate being appreciated. A card, a gift, even a kind word will make our day.
• We have tons of unmatched coffee mugs and Christmas ornaments that say "World's Best Teacher" and candles. If you're going to give a teacher a gift, be creative. (And if you can't be creative, we love gift cards.)
• We like parent support. If my parents spend time reading to their children or practicing flashcards, it encourages me to do more, too.
• We love being teachers. It's a job that you can't do if you don't love it. We don't love every minute of every day, but we love teaching.
• We don't like it when parents are absent from their children's education. We want to see you at events and in the school. We want you to read the notes we send home. We want you to sign and send back notes and permission slips without having to remind you.
• We know what we're doing. All certified teachers have taken tons of classes about how to teach your kids. And have spent hours and hours and hours with kids. We are experts.
• We learn as much as we teach. I can't even begin to tell you how much my students have taught me over the years about school and kids and life.
• We have stories. Every teacher has a story about "that kid" and "that class" and "that time that the class pet got out and did that funny/scary/weird/gross thing." Ask us. We love to tell our stories.

So, if you are a parent who has a child who has a teacher or will have a teacher, those are a few things they may want you to know. And if you are a teacher, please feel free to add your own things to my list.

*By saying "we," I mean me and maybe teachers in general. Of course all these things may not fit every teacher. Some teachers actually collect unmatched coffee mugs.

10 Things Thursday

10 things that already made me smile this morning...

1. not waking up until 7:00
2. waking up to Julianna's sweet voice saying "mama"
3. a longish, hot shower
4. three little smiling faces waving and blowing kisses to me as I pulled out of the driveway
5. the 25 minute drive into town all by myself
6. being called Sweetpea by the McDonald's drive through lady
7. diet coke for breakfast
8. thinking about spending the afternoon with my family
9. teacher work day...it's almost like a day off from work
10. Kathy walking into my classroom with freshly baked turtle brownies

Check Up

We took Julianna in for her 15 month check up today. (Yes, I'm fully aware that she is 17 months old. I'm a little late.) Here are the highlights.

• The new doctor's office that we went to has a beautiful office and the people are really nice.
• Julianna is finally over 20 pounds. She is 20 pounds and 10 ounces.
• She is 30 inches tall.
• She was really, really mad when she got her shots. Not just, "Ouch! That hurts and I'm mad!" But, "I totally know what you just let them do to me and I'm mad!"
• She is absolutely healthy...and adorable.