My Good King

I have to say that no matter how long I've been a Christian, I find myself constantly amazed at the humanity of the Bible characters. Of course, I know they're human, but they somehow always seem holier than us. I was reading 1 Kings 18:20-19:7 today, and have to say I was fascinated when it dawned on me that Elijah, in spite of having just witnessed two great miracles in the same day --fire for the sacrifice and a huge rainstorm after 3 years of drought , practically curled up in the fetal position with fear when Jezebel threatened to take his life. He's just like us. How many times has God performed amazing miracles for me, and yet I continue to doubt and live in fear instead of just trusting Him and His Word? I mean, God had just allowed him to perform a great miracle in front of the entire Israelite population, kill ALL of the prophets of idols, sent a huge rainstorm (and told him before the rain came so he and King Ahab would be prepared and take shelter). Then this ...

Wow! I am so bugged that I never post anymore. Facebook is just so much easier. I'll just keep it simple-- random data: today I had Pho (Vietnamese soup) for the first time and LOVED it!! Seriously, you haven't lived till you've tried it :) I created two and a half sketches of future layouts, and halfway finished two more layouts. really on a paper-scrapping frenzy! This is one sketch: I joined the Facebook group "I grew up in Fairfield, IL, and thought I would die of boredom (but I didn't)" :D ... you have to have grown up in a dinky town to "get it" had a "day off from life" hanging out at my in-laws house all day ... ahhh! gotta love days like that I can't believe it's almost June already

in other news, let me begin by saying, "I became an aunt again today!!" My nephew was born today, and I can't wait to see pictures of him. let alone MEET him!! There are no babies to spoil in our little neck of the woods, and I wish I could be a real aunt and be there with him to watch him grow up--and take a gazillion photos of him. oh well. So here's why I'm DESPERATE for Spring Break. I get to: catch up on my "Home Office" project, including painting and assembling these (so excited to finish them) go to this park with my in-laws, nieces, and nephews (and my own kids, of course). Ashley has decided we need to make it a yearly tradition the day after Easter :) catch up on house-cleaning and use this (thanks, Samantha!): scrapbook for four hours straight --paper scrapping (vacation photos from last summer) most of all--NO RUSHING the whole day from one thing to the next catching up on grocery shopping, errands, and PLANNING MEALS, something I haven...

It was truly only a matter of time until Facebook crept into my blog life, lol! I truly tried to hold off as long as I could, but it is so energizing to connect with people in the middle of the day during my breaks at work. For the longest time I didn't "get it." (What's the point? Who cares? What is the purpose of Facebook anyway?) Then my niece went to Australia and I really wanted to connect with her and see what her life is like there 'til she comes back in July, so I "re-joined" facebook, and I have to say I'm loving it. My favorite part is that you get quick little "snippets" or "sneak peeks" into the lives of people that you know (or knew) but don't connect with on a regular basis anymore. What have i learned on facebook? my brother still works his schedule so that he takes off every other friday, and last friday he went out to lunch with his wife--just made me smile :) i'm not the only parent with a crazy, hectic l...

My schedule today: 7:00-3:15 work 3:15 rush to pick up Carlos 3:40 arrive home to get Carlos ready for his baseball game & answer an email 4:15 go to his game 6:00 pull him out of his game to pick up Ashley at her friend's house 6:30 pick Ashley up and take her to church 7:00 drop her off at church 7: 20 get Carlos ready for bed ... and finally have a few moments to myself to catch up on blogs and facebook 8:15 pick Ashley up from church 9:15 Ashley goes to bed and I get some R & R :) Hmmm ... how much do taxi drivers get??!!

That's what I feel that this job has been for me. I am constantly amazed at the many ways that God uses this job to bless me and fill me with His presence and help me to maintain His perspective about things. Today was no different. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays they always start out with a devotional for 1/2 hour before school starts. WOW. what a way to start the day--in a room of teachers (and a principal) who share your belief and depth of faith, listening to praise music & the Word, sharing prayer requests. Just a quiet reminder of Almighty God before the hustle and bustle of the day. It's so much more powerful in a group than just at home by myself. So that's how my day started. And the devotion seems to get to me every day. Then we had a staff meeting--and I must admit that I have a very jaded perspective about staff meetings. So I really wasn't looking forward to it, but I was looking forward to spending a little time with the teachers. I have to say I...

Hmmm ... it hasn't really been THAT long, has it? Obviously, I'm not sticking to my New Year's resolutions. So, i think i posted that I'm a computer lab teacher now ... just Mondays and Fridays. Getting used to being a working mom again has been difficult, and as if that wasn't hard enough, I'm now a long-term sub on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in a first grade classroom. I will say I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying being back in the classroom. I do LOVE teaching, and first grade is what I'm best at ... but I will be extremely happy when the teacher's maternity leave is over, and I get my life back :) I spend so much of my life in "catch-up" mode. Always catching up on: laundry grocery shopping cleaning home projects work stuff Seems like life is a whirlwind of activity. Ashley has gymnastics for the month of March (I told her she'll have to take April off 'cause I'll be a basketcase by then ;) ) Mondays and...

Saw this on the way home from Ashley's gymnastics and I couldn't resist taking it with my cell phone. Don't worry ... I wasn't moving when I took it.

Ashley took advantage of Martin Luther King, jr. Day to have her best friend over for a sleepover (I mean ... a non -sleepover, lol!). The best part of her sleepovers for me is when they shut the bedroom door (well, they have to leave it a little bit ajar) , and I hear the silly giggles and excited chatter from where I'm sitting in the living room (yes, we have a teeny, tiny house) . Soooo teenager. Sooooo cute. Sooooo fun. and sooooo funny :) I went to bed at midnight and they were still going strong. I'd better enjoy these days, because all too soon they will pass. Oh, and they insist that drinking sparkling cider makes them behave as if they're drunk. No amount of logic and reason can dissuade them. I would post a picture of them, but: I don't have the mom's permission, so I won't post. Ashley actually has a friend who hates getting her picture taken (woe to me, huh?). I could beg her, but I will restrain myself :)

I have been wanting to take this for some time now. This is how my "baby" sleeps every night. It is so adorable (to me, anyway, lol!) that my little eight-year-old sleeps with stuffed animals. The bear's name is "Big Bear" (how original, no?) and the panda's name is "Kung Fu Panda" (hmm... I'm sure you're wondering where he got that original name from!) I'm going to miss this when he's older. And, the moment I've been waiting for ... the link to the website for which I did the pictures. Before I post it ... a HUGE disclaimer ... I did not take the equipment shots, or the shots of Ashley or the female dentist. Those were very generously taken by my professional photographer friend, Dave . I learned SO MUCH just by watching him and asking questions. I also learned that I have A LOT more to learn than I ever dreamed of. But I did have fun taking the other photos. :) Here's the link in case any of you are interested....

So, a few months ago, I happened to see this movie on TV, and it has become one of my favorites--maybe because it combines two loves: romance and food! I also LOVE the soundtrack from the movie (which is r - a - r - e for me), so I downloaded several of the songs. To the right you'll see one of them (Mambo Italiano) ... it's not exactly from the movie, but it's really close. Very blue-sy. Anyway, thought I'd share. Maybe I'll take it down in a few days and put up another song. I've been on a serious "download music" binge lately and I can see where it would become addicting if I let it. Gonna have to restrain myself. It's SOOOO easy, though. Just a couple of clicks, and the song is mine. Hard to remember when I'm clicking that each click is $0.99. What's up with me? B-U-S-Y. That's what. I am working three days this week, plus a couple of hours another day. Which means I'm overwhelmed ... So behind in housework --as in I haven...

Hope you all have had a very peaceful, relaxing, and joyful holiday season. I've had a wonderful week ... spent it relaxing for the most part. Thought I'd share my New Year's Resolutions for this year (I'm not actually copying you, Teena; I actually planned to do this before I saw your blog): exercise 3 x per week for a minimum of 20 minutes in Jan. Increase 5-10 minutes per month until I'm exercising 5 x per week @ 30 minutes per session. Anyone know of fun exercise, FEEL FREE TO TELL ME, lol! I love good dancing videos and strength training in particular. I LOATHE jogging! get more organized by really using Flylady again. Stick to the routines. Create a weekly chore chart to keep up with the house since I'm working 2+days per week. create a craft nook in my living room where I can be creative. The supplies I use on a regular basis will finally get a central home :) lose one clothing size by June 15th by making small changes in the way I eat. create a sch...

This morning my curious little second-grader pulls this ornament off the tree and asks me a very innocent question. The ornament is one that was made for me by my cousin when I was in middle school, and it has my picture on it (my sixth-grade picture). Here is a photo of the well-worn, once-upon-a-time-glittery ornament: So, he pulls it off the tree and while he's holding it, asks me with an innocent smile on his face, "Is this an artifact?" Obviously he's been learning about artifacts in school. He has been asking me that question often anyway since he learned the term in school a couple of months ago. Of course, I just started howling when he asked me that, and even though I tried to explain what's so funny, the joke is completely lost on him :) Made my day, so I thought it too good to keep to myself! ;)

Sorry. I'm just really overwhelmed right now, and just SO not in the mood to blog. I'll give it another try tonight. I guess the biggest news is that I'm now officially a teacher again :) Part time (whew!), as in Mondays and Fridays. So, I have to share this incredible (and I do mean INCREDIBLE) story with y'all. The irony (and God's twisted sense of humor) are way too over the top for me to pass up. So, four and a half years ago, I got fired from my last teaching job after six years with good evaluations and no forewarning. It's a nice little trick that this district does to avoid paying high salaries to tenured teachers--get rid of them when they're up for tenure; then you can hire a new teacher to take their place and save money. So, it worked out for the best 'cause I got to be a stay-at-home mom for the past three years (that had been my dream for a L-O-N-G time). BUT, time never completely removed the sting of being fired (and to be honest, the res...

I'm only sharing this story because it's funny, and so typical of me. Anyone who knows me well will smile and nod their head when reading this. So, I go to pick Ashley up after school yesterday. I left a couple of minutes later than usual, so I was in a hurry. I decided to skip the shoes because she comes to the car anyway, and it was only going to be a few minutes (yes, I'm aware it's against the law to drive with no shoes). However, just as the door closes, I realize I accidentally left the keys in the house. Oops. There is no spare handy, and all the windows are closed. So after picking Ashley up, we drove to Carlito's work to get his key (only one hour each way in rush hour traffic!). He wasn't there when we arrived (he was fixing a problem at another clinic), so we had to wait. I, of course, told the kids we would wait in the car because I was soooo not going to show up at the clinic in my bare feet looking for my husband. After sitting there for ...

so tired, so it's going to be super short tonight. So tired 'cause I'm in the middle of a rather large photography assignment, so I drive there every morning after dropping the kids off. I come home about an hour before the time to pick them up, eat lunch, veg on the sofa, pick them up, edit photos, scrape something together for dinner, etc. Question that keeps running through my head: How am I going to be able to keep up the house when I go back to work full time??!! I try to ignore it, but it's there. BUT ... I very wisely scheduled myself off tomorrow (LOVE this working for myself, lol!), so I'll head here after dropping the kids off and spend a few hours editing photos while sipping a coffee--or two :) And ... I got to have lunch with my husband today because I happened to be taking pictures at the clinic he oversees. We also ate with the guy who offered me the assignment, which was cool 'cause I don't really know him that well, but I'd like to. T...

Well, it went much better than I could have anticipated. The instructer could almost be a stand-up comic. He's a very reasonable guy, makes the class as interesting and easy as possible. All of us in there are teachers, and I am enjoying hearing a little bit about the world of middle school and the world of high school. By the end of the class, I'll be able to design my own webpage, have an entire lesson in PowerPoint (I'm doing an introductory lesson on tropical rainforests), edit digital film, and I'm not sure what else. Quite a lot for 4 days of instruction. It was nice to hang out with a bunch of the teachers at lunchtime, too. But I must say that I behaved like a "bad" student when he surprised us with homework due the next day (we'd already spent all day in class; then we had to go home and do our homework), and before I could restrain myself, I heard myself say, "due tomorrow?? tomorrow?" Unfortunately, his hearing is better than mi...

That's what Ashley told me when she checked my blog and discovered that I had failed to tell you about an important milestone in her life ('cause I guess that not even my blog gets to be ALL ABOUT ME!!--lol!). So, like the dutiful mother I am, I am here to tell you that ... … my “baby” started high school this year —feeling the same way the rest of us (and her class) felt—overwhelmed, extremely intimidated, rather confused, and terrified of being at the bottom of the high school food chain (apparently freshman are fondly referred to as “fresh meat”). Do you remember your first days of high school? In spite of my best attempts to erase those memories from my mind, I can still vividly recall feeling the same way for the entire first month. The words “lost” and “frightened” would aptly describe my emotional state those first several weeks. However, my baby has bounced back much more quickly than her mother did and has adjusted well to this monumental step in her life. I have ...

On my mind right now: nervous about going to class tomorrow and Sunday (I'm so old now that I will look like one of those "old hags" I used to see in my classes and wonder what on earth they're still doing in school when they're old already (hmm... what comes around goes around, huh?! I would have been much better off repenting for those judgmental thoughts, lol!) What do people bring to class nowadays? Do they bring their laptops and take notes on that? Do they still use notebooks? (I'm bringing both so I have both options covered.) Are we going to have homework? Is it going to be a B-O-R-I-N-G lecture-type format, or is it going to be hands-on? (It's a class about integrating technology in the classroom.) Will people be dressed casual or will they be dressed up? (I'm going casual 'cause that's the kind of gal I am.) Mostly, why am I obsessing so much about this? Normally I could care less. I'm not there to meet people--just to pass the cl...

I just wanted to document this interesting relationship. Ashley met her cousin about two years ago, but they just clicked immediately. They saw each other a few times over the course of a couple of months, and then her cousin (and their family) returned to the Philippines. She would always ask about this cousin when Carlito went back. They have just moved here, and Ashley has only seen her this one day, but she just really loves her. I don't know if her cousin feels as deeply as Ashley does, but judging by the way they hung out together that day (they were inseparable again), I would suspect the feeling is mutual. They text each other, too. They both share a love of reading and have read the Twilight Saga. I was lucky enough to catch this shot of them poring over something in Barnes and Noble.