Yesterday we celebrated another Thanksgiving. Just five days prior I celebrated my 12th wedding anniversary. When I look at how things have changed and rearranged and changed again, I can't help but to be thankful for everything that has happened to me.
When my husband and I first married, we were two struggling grad school students. Within a year we were on our way to our journey in parenthood. Several years later, we added to that journey. In between, we had career changes, lost several family members, witnessed serious illness in close family members, and generally experienced life.
Fast forward several more years. Add in temporary unemployment, a relocation, growing children, and new beginnings.
Enter this year. From frustrations to triumphs, all things have made me realize how fortunate I am and how thankful I should be:
My family is healthy.
My husband and I are both employed.
We have been given a chance to positively impact children outside of our family, church, and my job as a teacher.
My husband has embraced his faith more than ever before and the changes in him have made positive things occur in our household. His faith has impacted my faith and trickled to the children.
We have friends who love us unconditionally, and in turn, we feel the same about them.
There is nothing else I need right now.
I am simply thankful.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Promises
Promise: a sign that gives reason for expecting success.
I've been thinking about God's promises lately. I have been in this place where I am not sure that I want to continue teaching. Don't get me wrong; I love being with the children and teaching and learning right along with them. I've been doing this for 10 years now.
I'm not sure I want to deal with all of the bureaucratic changes that keep occurring in the field of education. Furthermore, I am looking at my own two children and seeing the effects that some of these changes have had on them. Not that my children are suffering academically, but I feel that they could be challenged more, that they need to be able to explore more, that they need to be able to grow into their own academically. Both of my children are considered to be above grade level, and both of them have been part of gifted enrichment programs at their schools.
But what does that mean, exactly? Working in two different districts, in two different states, has shown me the inconsistency between states regarding children's education. Some of the things I used to teach my students in my former district are considered to be enrichment or even "gifted" in my current district. When I teach my current class, I still teach them from some of the same standards and with some of the same practices I used in my former district. I know my students are learning. But more and more, I see us teachers being pushed to teach to the test, standards checklists for mastery being cut back, new programs that dumb down the curriculum further and further, and adjustments in old programs that aren't helping anyone.
I am concerned for my children's academics.
I have been kicking around the idea of homeschooling my children for several months now. Actually, since last school year when I saw how much my oldest was beginning to struggle. Looking at her curriculum and what she was doing each week just showed more of the same. More test practice, more memorization, less applied thinking for higher-level concepts, and less of a focus on the basics (like learning how to take proper notes).
Did I say I was concerned for my children's academics?
After many discussions with my husband, who agrees with the idea, we decided to pray about it. I really feel that I should be homeschooling my two. During my search for confirmation, I came across the following:
Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (This while reading through a 'mom blog' on Thursday.)
Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." (This was in my morning devotional yesterday.)
John 15:7 "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." (That was in this morning's sermon at church.)
When God tried to make a point, He makes a point! These verses are coupled with my pastor's series of sermons on being open and available to God in everything, including prayer and praise.
My desire to is to be able to work from home so I can homeschool my children and prepare them for their futures with God's guidance and direction. In His grace, that will happen if it is in His will and I stay in His word.
I will stand on His promises.
I've been thinking about God's promises lately. I have been in this place where I am not sure that I want to continue teaching. Don't get me wrong; I love being with the children and teaching and learning right along with them. I've been doing this for 10 years now.
I'm not sure I want to deal with all of the bureaucratic changes that keep occurring in the field of education. Furthermore, I am looking at my own two children and seeing the effects that some of these changes have had on them. Not that my children are suffering academically, but I feel that they could be challenged more, that they need to be able to explore more, that they need to be able to grow into their own academically. Both of my children are considered to be above grade level, and both of them have been part of gifted enrichment programs at their schools.
But what does that mean, exactly? Working in two different districts, in two different states, has shown me the inconsistency between states regarding children's education. Some of the things I used to teach my students in my former district are considered to be enrichment or even "gifted" in my current district. When I teach my current class, I still teach them from some of the same standards and with some of the same practices I used in my former district. I know my students are learning. But more and more, I see us teachers being pushed to teach to the test, standards checklists for mastery being cut back, new programs that dumb down the curriculum further and further, and adjustments in old programs that aren't helping anyone.
I am concerned for my children's academics.
I have been kicking around the idea of homeschooling my children for several months now. Actually, since last school year when I saw how much my oldest was beginning to struggle. Looking at her curriculum and what she was doing each week just showed more of the same. More test practice, more memorization, less applied thinking for higher-level concepts, and less of a focus on the basics (like learning how to take proper notes).
Did I say I was concerned for my children's academics?
After many discussions with my husband, who agrees with the idea, we decided to pray about it. I really feel that I should be homeschooling my two. During my search for confirmation, I came across the following:
Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (This while reading through a 'mom blog' on Thursday.)
Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." (This was in my morning devotional yesterday.)
John 15:7 "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." (That was in this morning's sermon at church.)
When God tried to make a point, He makes a point! These verses are coupled with my pastor's series of sermons on being open and available to God in everything, including prayer and praise.
My desire to is to be able to work from home so I can homeschool my children and prepare them for their futures with God's guidance and direction. In His grace, that will happen if it is in His will and I stay in His word.
I will stand on His promises.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Fighting Through Illness
Man oh man.
Don't you hate when it feels like you are coming down with something and you are momentarily struck by the thought: How will everything get done if I get sick? I'm in that place. I have the symptoms of a cold right now. The same cold that has laid two of my colleagues by the wayside in the past week and a half. And now this same cold has reared its ugly head and placed me firmly in its sights.
I awoke with one stuffed nostril and a throat that ached when I swallowed. Throughout the day, the symptoms progressed to sneezes, the feeling of an elephant on my chest, and slight nausea around dinner. I have taken a nap and and am drinking my ginger ale. I'll be heading up to bed in just a few to gather my strength for teaching tomorrow.
I'm praying that this is the extent of my illness. I don't like being sick. Thankfully for me, I rarely am. Being off my feet with someone else in charge and running the house leaves me feeling a little disconcerted. It's the whole Supermom thing again, but I am learning to relax a bit more. My husband is learning to cook more meals and helps with homework and things around the house, which are blessings.
So if this thing progresses (which I really pray it doesn't), I know I'll be in good hands. Even as I keep my cape tucked under my PJs.
Don't you hate when it feels like you are coming down with something and you are momentarily struck by the thought: How will everything get done if I get sick? I'm in that place. I have the symptoms of a cold right now. The same cold that has laid two of my colleagues by the wayside in the past week and a half. And now this same cold has reared its ugly head and placed me firmly in its sights.
I awoke with one stuffed nostril and a throat that ached when I swallowed. Throughout the day, the symptoms progressed to sneezes, the feeling of an elephant on my chest, and slight nausea around dinner. I have taken a nap and and am drinking my ginger ale. I'll be heading up to bed in just a few to gather my strength for teaching tomorrow.
I'm praying that this is the extent of my illness. I don't like being sick. Thankfully for me, I rarely am. Being off my feet with someone else in charge and running the house leaves me feeling a little disconcerted. It's the whole Supermom thing again, but I am learning to relax a bit more. My husband is learning to cook more meals and helps with homework and things around the house, which are blessings.
So if this thing progresses (which I really pray it doesn't), I know I'll be in good hands. Even as I keep my cape tucked under my PJs.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Crazy Came...and Went
Wow. It has been one heck of a time in my household. We've gotten into the swing of the school stuff (at least, I'm pretty sure we have) and were cruising along quite nicely.
Then my husband had to go away for training for his job. In Des Moines, Iowa (which is several states away from where I live). For a WEEK.
For those of you who have spouses that travel on a regular basis, more power to you. I extol your virtues. I had no virtues last week; my week was crazed. And as an aside, I don't know how single parents do it, either. Six days was enough for me.
My husband left on a Sunday morning before church and returned very late Friday evening. The house wasn't the same without him. We had to adjust our daily routines a bit; my mother-in-law was here at the house to make sure my daughter got off the bus okay and didn't have to wait in an empty house until I got home. (My husband is usually home when she gets home.) Call me paranoid, but things happen.
During the week, I'll admit, I was tired. Mainly because I wasn't sleeping well. I was paranoid that someone would try to break in so I put strings of bells on all of my doors and added to my fervent prayers for safety and protection each night. (Not that I live in a dangerous neighborhood; in fact it's pretty quiet. It's just that, well, things happen.) I used to put bells on the doors when the kids were little to alert me to any "wandering" that might occur. That helped ease my mind a bit. Besides that, the kids wanted to sleep with me in my room. We did that last time my husband went out of town (four years ago!). But in all, the kids slept well. Me, not so much. Between listening for the bells and extracting little legs, arms, and feet from various points on my body each night then teaching my class of 19 during the day, I was wiped out by the time Friday rolled around.
I hadn't realized just how much I depend on my husband for the daily workings of the house. We have the household chores pretty well divided and it was a bit overwhelming to try and do them all during the week in between homework, grading papers, instrument practice, etc. The kids helped out where they could, but they had their own chores to do. I think we did a pretty good job, but truth be told, I'm glad to have my own chore list back. I can say the experience has made me appreciate my husband more.
The experience was also a bit humbling for me. I'm so used to what I perceive to be all of the "stuff" I need to do for my household. You know, or else it will fall apart without me--despite the contributions everyone else makes to said household. Ahh, yes. The good ol' Supermom Complex. I think God knocked me down a few pegs to help me see that I'm not as "super" as I might have thought I was.
I'm getting back into the groove of things. We all are. The crazy is gone, I learned about myself, and my husband is back.
Life is good.
Then my husband had to go away for training for his job. In Des Moines, Iowa (which is several states away from where I live). For a WEEK.
For those of you who have spouses that travel on a regular basis, more power to you. I extol your virtues. I had no virtues last week; my week was crazed. And as an aside, I don't know how single parents do it, either. Six days was enough for me.
My husband left on a Sunday morning before church and returned very late Friday evening. The house wasn't the same without him. We had to adjust our daily routines a bit; my mother-in-law was here at the house to make sure my daughter got off the bus okay and didn't have to wait in an empty house until I got home. (My husband is usually home when she gets home.) Call me paranoid, but things happen.
During the week, I'll admit, I was tired. Mainly because I wasn't sleeping well. I was paranoid that someone would try to break in so I put strings of bells on all of my doors and added to my fervent prayers for safety and protection each night. (Not that I live in a dangerous neighborhood; in fact it's pretty quiet. It's just that, well, things happen.) I used to put bells on the doors when the kids were little to alert me to any "wandering" that might occur. That helped ease my mind a bit. Besides that, the kids wanted to sleep with me in my room. We did that last time my husband went out of town (four years ago!). But in all, the kids slept well. Me, not so much. Between listening for the bells and extracting little legs, arms, and feet from various points on my body each night then teaching my class of 19 during the day, I was wiped out by the time Friday rolled around.
I hadn't realized just how much I depend on my husband for the daily workings of the house. We have the household chores pretty well divided and it was a bit overwhelming to try and do them all during the week in between homework, grading papers, instrument practice, etc. The kids helped out where they could, but they had their own chores to do. I think we did a pretty good job, but truth be told, I'm glad to have my own chore list back. I can say the experience has made me appreciate my husband more.
The experience was also a bit humbling for me. I'm so used to what I perceive to be all of the "stuff" I need to do for my household. You know, or else it will fall apart without me--despite the contributions everyone else makes to said household. Ahh, yes. The good ol' Supermom Complex. I think God knocked me down a few pegs to help me see that I'm not as "super" as I might have thought I was.
I'm getting back into the groove of things. We all are. The crazy is gone, I learned about myself, and my husband is back.
Life is good.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Juggling Act
It's been a crazy week or so in my household. I had a "Wha...?" moment with my new cell phone (See 'Day 20' post on 180 Days.) I've gotten the diagnosis on my knee, and I've been keeping on top of my children's schoolwork and activities. Busy!
Regarding the cell phone, trust me. Read the post. You will feel so much better about yourself.
 |
| My new phone. Waaaaaay too much technology in such a small device. Although it is light years above what I had before. I won't even show the picture for that one. It's too embarrassing. |
About the knee. Good news: By grace, I don't need surgery. Not-so-great news: My doctor still doesn't know what's causing the inflammation in my knee. So I'm to stay on the regimen of knee support, ice, elevation, and ibuprofen. It's sort of nice because I am pretty much parked on the sofa with my feet up after work wearing a rather stylish (not!) ice pack from CVS called Peas. (Only I feel unproductive and slobbish when I do that. But hey, maybe God's trying to tell me to slow down a bit.)
Anyhow, if my knee doesn't improve, I am to schedule physical therapy somewhere between balancing five plates on a pole on my forehead, juggling two dozen eggs in my hands, all while balancing on one foot (on my good leg) on a unicycle. Have you got the visual? That's how I feel lately. My doctor is a really nice guy and all, but I don't want to have to schedule in physical therapy on top of everything else. We'll see.
Oh yeah! My husband had an idea to send out an all-call for comments, questions, suggestions, and tips from you, my lovely readers. So I'm letting it all hang out here. Any comments for me? Or burning questions as to how I (almost) stay sane? Any suggestions on anything? Any sanity-saving tips? Bring 'em on!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
I'm So Ashamed
Wow. It's been an extremely long time since I've posted. For that, dear readers, I apologize. I'm ashamed of myself!
It's not that I haven't been posting. I've been posting to my sister blog nearly every day so I don't forget things that have happened during school hours.
My personal life has been a little less dramatic, so you haven't missed much. Let's see. I've been spending my evenings checking homework (of my own children and my class) from the comfort of my sofa while my ice-covered knee is perched on the ottoman. (Still dealing with the torn meniscus. Was seen by doctor again on Wednesday and put into a temporary brace until my MRI on Monday. They'll make a decision on how to proceed after that. I'll keep you posted. Let's just say it's a little cumbersome trying to keep up with folks lately.)
Anyhow, back to the busyness of life. I'm trying to keep up with posting, nursing my knee, have gotten interviewed by a local reporter for a news story about teachers, attended two parent nights, and started my new part-time weekend job at a facility geared to help underprivileged children. (The cool thing about the program is that my family is part of it as well; we are sort of models of what a proper family should be. We also teach them life skills, how to be responsible citizens, and how to handle conflict in a positive way. We've done two weekends so far and we love it!)
I know, I know. It's been crazy and you've missed me (maybe), but I promise I will try to be a bit more timely in my postings here.
It's not that I haven't been posting. I've been posting to my sister blog nearly every day so I don't forget things that have happened during school hours.
My personal life has been a little less dramatic, so you haven't missed much. Let's see. I've been spending my evenings checking homework (of my own children and my class) from the comfort of my sofa while my ice-covered knee is perched on the ottoman. (Still dealing with the torn meniscus. Was seen by doctor again on Wednesday and put into a temporary brace until my MRI on Monday. They'll make a decision on how to proceed after that. I'll keep you posted. Let's just say it's a little cumbersome trying to keep up with folks lately.)
Anyhow, back to the busyness of life. I'm trying to keep up with posting, nursing my knee, have gotten interviewed by a local reporter for a news story about teachers, attended two parent nights, and started my new part-time weekend job at a facility geared to help underprivileged children. (The cool thing about the program is that my family is part of it as well; we are sort of models of what a proper family should be. We also teach them life skills, how to be responsible citizens, and how to handle conflict in a positive way. We've done two weekends so far and we love it!)
I know, I know. It's been crazy and you've missed me (maybe), but I promise I will try to be a bit more timely in my postings here.
Monday, September 6, 2010
One Week Down
Well, I've made it through the first week of school. Check out my day-to-day musings about teaching elementary school at http://www.lia-180days.blogspot.com/. In a nutshell, I taught through a five-day heatwave, dealt with several massive nosebleeds (from one student), started teaching routines, and discovered I have a torn meniscus (THAT was discovered on the second day of school.).
In motherhood news, my oldest started middle school (tear, sniff) and my youngest began second grade (in the classroom right beside mine). The mornings have been streamlined, thanks to having the kids operate on a "school schedule" for the week before school started. The kids got up like they would on a regular school day and went through their morning routines of washing faces (showers are done the night before), brushing teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast.
To help with the mornings, clothes were put out and lunches were packed (except for sandwiches) the night before. Now that school has started, forms are signed, and backpacks are packed and ready to go along with the other things mentioned above. Things run much more smoothly in those groggy, hazy moments during the sun rise.
I wish the rest of my days would go as smoothly sometimes. But then, life would be boring, and who wants THAT?!?
In motherhood news, my oldest started middle school (tear, sniff) and my youngest began second grade (in the classroom right beside mine). The mornings have been streamlined, thanks to having the kids operate on a "school schedule" for the week before school started. The kids got up like they would on a regular school day and went through their morning routines of washing faces (showers are done the night before), brushing teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast.
To help with the mornings, clothes were put out and lunches were packed (except for sandwiches) the night before. Now that school has started, forms are signed, and backpacks are packed and ready to go along with the other things mentioned above. Things run much more smoothly in those groggy, hazy moments during the sun rise.
I wish the rest of my days would go as smoothly sometimes. But then, life would be boring, and who wants THAT?!?
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