Why is it?

Why is it that my kids (especially son 4) know exactly how to wait until the "right" moment to push the limits?

Last week, son 4 asked if he could sit behind his brothers in church. In a weak moment, I said "yes". I should note that this is across an aisle from me, but in my same row, so I could still give him the "eye". It wasn't long into the service that he discovered the dust on the floor could be picked up on the foot of his sandal and make some pretty neat swirls on the seatback in front of him. I should clarify that there is dust on the floor because we are still in "repair mode" after last year's hurricane season.

Of course, I stared him down and even snapped my fingers at one point. But the attraction was too great for his creative mind. So, I hopped across the aisle and sat next to him. It worked. He spent the time after the service making sure that all seatbacks were free of dust. As he washed, I commented to our custodian (who was seated directly behind son 4 for the decorating), "He'll wash them and get them clean." He laughed and replied, "He was just being a kid. It's no big deal."

Now, one week later, we are sitting together in church and he is rolling up a calendar page of upcoming events. As his Dad (our pastor) started to pray (and the church was reverently quiet), he decided that it simply was not rolled tight enough, so he began to unroll. I opened one eye and thought, "this will only take a second, so don't make a scene." (I don't know what causes my memory to lapse like it does.) He proceeds to re-roll, then unroll again. I put my finger to my lips, gave him the "eye" that he knows too well, and prayed for compliance. Alas, it did not happen! I quickly took the paper from his hands (which made more noise than all the rolling and unrolling put together) and put it in my purse. I could almost feel the eyes staring at the back of my head.

As soon as "Amen" came, we had a little discussion and all was quiet again. About this time, one of the older ladies at church makes her way down the aisle (during the greeting time) to come and see me. Now, she is a fan of son 4. This is not news to me. She's been watching him in the service for years. She says, "That son of yours is so cute! He really is full of vim and vigor. He's really special, you know?" I just smiled and nodded my head and recalled the countless conversations we have had where she made it clear that she wished she had relaxed a bit with her own kids when they were little.

Today I decided three things: 1. I really can't wait until I am watching someone else's child and can confidently let the frustrated parent know that "this one's special" and "it's ok to be a kid." 2. It's a delicate balance we must keep as parents...letting them "be kids" while helping them learn to function in our society. And 3. I just hope I can remember these messages NEXT Sunday in church! ;-)

Color My World

Today sons # 2 and 3 came to my classroom to help paint it. It really was an exercise in "keeping up with the Joneses" because I had no intention to paint until I noticed that "everyone else was doing it." The truth of the matter is, I hate to paint. I do, however, love the result.

I teach in an older school where the walls are painted the color of juicy fruit gum. Up until this past year, most teachers decorated and added color using things like window valances, painted shelves, etc. One teacher painted a brown (ugly) bulletin board bright yellow a few years ago and it made such a difference. Many others followed suit. This year, though, a group of teachers decided they were going to take painting to a new level and paint some bulletin boards, walls, and cabinets.

This is where it began to escalate....from one classroom to another, one building to another, until my classroom was surrounded by beautifully decorated and painted rooms. Juicy fruit was no longer the sole color in most rooms. Last week I thought, "How can I expect kids to get excited about coming to their two hour reading program if they have to leave a beautiful learning space to come to a less colorful one?"

So, today, (in the absence of Ty Pennington) the boys helped me start to create a more inviting space. I am so thankful that I have them. It would have been a multi-day project alone. I am also glad that I am surrounded by colleagues who are willing to think outside the box a bit to make meaningful happy places for kids to learn. Sometimes I think we miss the far-reaching impact of our actions. For example, today the combination of these people in my life have helped me to "color my world" and perhaps the world of the student's who's lives will intertwine with mine this year. For that, I am grateful.

Isn't It Incredible?

I am continually amazed that God can bring together unlikely people and form a connection that is so special! Some of us are married, some single, some mothers, some not. We have one important thing in common...our belief in Jesus.

One year ago, I hardly knew most of the 8 women that I meet with every Thursday. Here we are, one year later, and God is really doing a great thing in our midst. We are able to meet weekly to lift each other up in prayer, laugh, cry, and grow together. He really uses our differences to prune us and make us into the wives, mothers, women and friends that He wants us to be.

This time has become so precious to me. Tonight we almost decided to not meet during the month of August (many of us will be traveling during the month). Then, the Bible study verse we were to read said this: Hebrews 24 - 25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I think that is pretty clear that we NEED to be meeting. We need to surround ourselves with those people who help us be better than we are. Thank you, ladies, for spurring me on!

Seasons

There are so many references in literature and in our culture to the seasons of our lives. I think I am really starting to get a grip on what that means.

Yesterday, my "Arizona" nieces and nephew started school for the first time after being homeschooled. My sister-in-law wrote about it in her blog here. Reading about their "night before school" and hearing the excitement that they called their grandparents with yesterday, made me sure that it is a season for their parents.

My own son 2, is at a soccer camp this week. He is learning all about NCAA rules and recruiting information. He is also now calling his father to talk about his future plans for college.

Yesterday, son 1 (who is in nursing school during his last two years of high school) talked with his father about his future beyond school.

Last night, my husband talked to me about all of this and I realized that we really are on the threshhold of a new season in our lives. They are preparing for leaving the "nest" and heading off into their futures. And for the first time in my life, I feel the aging process myself. Not because I think I am "old". I don't. It's really not about age anyway...it's just entering a new season. I know that we are heading into a new view and it's strange.

I've always known they would grow. I've always known that this is how life goes. But, knowing it and seeing it stare you down are two very different things. I remember a poster that I saw many years ago stating something like the following:

There are two things parents give their children, one is roots and the other is wings.

I so hope that we have helped them have wings that will help them soar into the next stages of their own lives with grace and dignity.

Yep, the seasons are a-changing!

My sister-in-law, Heather tagged me with this today. It is good reflection, so here I go. Thanks, Heather!

What Were You Doing 10 Years Ago Today?

I was taking my first road trip with three kids and no hubby! The three boys and I went to Ohio with my Mom and Brother to visit relatives. I remember the boys had a great time playing on the railroad tracks and finding railroad ties to bring home at my Uncle's farm. DS 3 was almost one and enjoyed playing in my Aunt's dishwasher (of all things).

What Were You Doing 5 Years Ago Today?

Getting ready for my second year at my current job. If not on this date, then pretty darn close to it, I was attending a teacher training in Phoenix with my friends Mellissa, Woodland, and Susan. Then I spent time meeting my newest neice and visiting with our Phoenix family...while learning what desert heat is really like! (OK, I admit that I had to look at my Scrapbooks to confirm this one)...

What Were You Doing 1 year Ago Today?

Preparing a speech to deliver the next day for the 300 new teachers in our county. Doing this meant that I had to listen to Josh Groban sing "You Raise Me Up" about 50 times that day to get the speech timed just right with the music!

What Were You Doing Yesterday?

Writing a Power Point for my training (with new teachers) on Monday...hmmm, same song, new year. Taking ds 4 school uniform shopping. Grocery Shopping. Spent time on the phone with a dear friend. Talked to my brother in Texas while he waited on his movers to come get him in his new home. And other general "Saturday Duties".

What Are You Doing Today?

Went to church. Pulled weeds that were beginning to choke my plants. Took sons 1, 3, and 4 to lunch while dh delivered son 3 to soccer camp for a week at a nearby university. Learned all about shopping on ebay and spent time monitoring to find out that "I WON!" :-)

What Are You Doing Tomorrow?

Speaking to new teachers who are coming to our county this year...and, if technology is working in my favor, actually USING the Power Points that I created this weekend.

5 Snacks I Enjoy
Popcorn
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Frozen Yogurt
Pretzels
Homemade Chex Mix

5 Bands/Singers I know the Lyrics to most of their Songs
This one's hard to limit to five!
Avalon
Carole King
Shania Twain
Nora Jones
The Eagles

Things I Would Do with $1,000,000,000

Travel with my husband
Set up Financial Plans for immediate and extended family
Create a philanthropic organization to meet needs in the community
Buy and furnish our "dream home"
Build an attached house for our "Alice" to come and live in!

Locations You Would Run Away To
The Mountains without question! If I ever run away, you will find me somewhere between North Georgia, Tennessee and Western North Carolina guaranteed.

Bad Habits You Have
Last minute planning (did I mention that I just finished that Power Point? :-)
Being too critical of self and others
Not letting friends know that I am thinking of them
Being in a hurry

5 Things You'd Never Wear in Public

My pajamas
A two-piece bathing suit
Mini-skirt
Short shorts
Nothing

5 Movies You Like
It's a Wonderful Life
Gone with the Wind
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Holiday Inn
Sound of Music

5 Famous People You'd Like to Meet

Barbara Bush
Laura Bush
Sheila Walsh
Regie Routman (educator)
Ellin Keene (educator)

5 Biggest Joys
My wonderful husband
My boys
My extended family
My friends
My relationship with the Lord

I'm going to tag Dan (if he actually creates one) and I'll wait on kt (since Heather tagged her already), and Lynn look out...your turn's coming as soon as you're up and running!

I Can't Believe What I Saw...

OK, I know that this may come as no shock to most of you reading this, but I am absolutely blown away. Today I took DS 4 shopping for school clothes (gotta love tax free week). We went for our traditional back to school haircut, stopped at McDonald's for a Happy Meal and then went for the clothes.

When we stopped at McDonalds, we went inside. As I watched ds eat his food, I was also people watching (something I love to do). While there, I watched a man drop a napkin on the floor, stand there and watch it fall, then leave it there for the lady with the broom to come sweep up. Shortly after this, I watched a Mom with two girls come to the drink machine, get three straws, open them and just throw the wrappers on the counter. The wrappers were literally thrown about 6" from the hole in the counter meant for discarded wrappers!! Then I watched another adult get lids from the lid area...drop two and leave them there.

Now, I don't know for sure, but I wonder if these are the same people who wonder why their own children don't have respect for things or people. Children truly do learn what they live. All three of these people had children with them...I fear that they were taught today that we don't have to care for our environment...and that someone else will do it.

It's a shame. A real shame. It left ME the opportunity to tell ds 4 that leaving a mess for someone else to clean really is not being a good steward of the environment. Somehow, I think he got it.

You've Gotta Have Friends

Remember the song that used to start the Golden Girls TV show? "Thank you for being a friend, traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant."

My friends are so important to me. Sometimes I take them for granted, but one of the blessings tht I have is my small group. Every Thursday night I meet with 8 women to read and study together. We eat. We laugh. We cry. We hold each other accountable to live and grow the way God wants us to.

Tonight we read an interesting quote in a book we are reading together. I came home to search for the quote online and discovered the following poem (which includes the quote--written in bold here):

Real Friends
Anyone can stand by you when you are right, but a
Friend will stand by you even when you are wrong...
A simple friend identifies himself when he calls.
A real friend doesn't have to.
A simple friend opens a conversation with a full news
bulletin on his life.
A real friend says, "What's new with you?"
A simple friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent.
A real friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing
for 14 years.
Get off your duff and do something about it."
A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help
you clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when
you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until
after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!

I hope that each person who reads this experiences the joy that real friends bring! Thank you for being my friends!!!!!

Another Lesson from Son 4

I have a feeling that this blogging thing will mean that I am going to share a lot of Son 4 lessons...but this one is too cute to not pass along...so indulge me. Indulge me? I just had this thought...It's my blog, I can write what I WANT to!! OK, ok on with the lesson:

The moon over our town is HUGE tonight. It's full and round and quite beautiful. Son 4 just saw it outside our back sliding glass door and screen. When he saw it, he hollered out "MOM...COME HERE!! I can't believe this!! The moon is a cross!!" I only wish I could type it at the volume and intensity with which he beckoned me.

I went to the window and when you looked through it, the reflection did, indeed, form a cross of sorts through the glass pane. He said, "See? It's a cross!" Not having the heart to break it to him that it was the glass that was changing the appearance, I said, "That is so cool!"

He then said, "A moon cross...NOW, that's not something you see everyday!"

No, son, it's not. I reflected a moment and wondered if, in my own busyness, I have missed the "moon cross" before. I'm glad that he stopped me tonight to really relish the beauty of the world around us. May we all take time to see it and enjoy it with the enthusiasm of a young child! Keep watching the moon, friends...you never know what you might see.

Giants in Our Lives

Today in church, dh preached about the story of David and Golaith. Son 4 decided that he really didn't want to go to Children's Church, so he sat with me. Initially, he looked at the screen with a painting of David and Goliath on it and said, "Is that a real picture?" I told him, "No, it is a painting." He replied, "Wow, that is pretty good painting."

As dh continued to share the story, son 4 listened intently. At the end of the sermon about slaying the giants in our lives, you know, the ones that keep us from God; dh told the congregation the following:

Slaying the giant for you may mean making a phone call.
It may mean going to see someone.
It may mean letting go of something. (and so on)

At this comment, son 4 looked up at me and said, "It may mean calling for back-up!!"

I almost laughed out loud. And, in some ways, he is totally right. Sometimes when we want to get rid of those things that tie us down, we need help (back-up).

Out of the mouths of babes...

Amazing!

DS 1 just paraded DS 3 into my room with a guitar in his hand. Before continuing with this story, I should explain that DS 1 plays bass guitar, DS 2 plays drums, DS 3 has dabbled in the piano and their Dad plays guitar. They all (including DS 4) pick up their Dad's guitar and play around on it. I am so glad he lets them. As you might expect, they play at a wide range of ability levels.

DS 1 is absolutely floored because his brother has picked up Amazing Grace on the guitar and has never had any training on it. He paraded him in to show me what DS 3 figured out. Sure enough, he picked out the notes and went almost through the entire first verse. This only took about 30 minutes for him to do. He returned to the other room to continue working it out.

I love watching my boys develop and discover their God-given talents. This one just picked it up and it came to him. I think it's our job, as parents, to give them these opportunities to try. I also think it's our job to allow them to make approximations that may occasionally lead to total failure. I read a book once that said most learning happens in failed attempts. I believe that.

I tried to pick up the guitar as a child much like my boys have. I could play "Down in the Valley"...although you had to sing really slow! The difference between my learning and that of my boys is that I didn't keep it up. I quit.

There's a lot to learn in that. If I had pressed on...kept it up and worked through the hard parts (like son 3 is doing as I write this)...I wonder what I would know today about guitars, pianos, and all the other skills I didn't hone. I suppose that I am a bit of a perfectionist. I like being right the first time (all my immediate family can stop the head nods now ;-).

Today is really not much different than any other...they continue to teach me. I pray that I am always open to learn from them and that I can help them press on! They really are amazing!

Front Porch Sittin'

I love front porches. I dream of someday having a house that has a big wrap-around front porch with rockers and a swing. It's not so much the appearance of the front porch (although I do think that makes a house inviting), it's what happens there that I love.

I remember when I was a child we used to go to my Grandparent's home every week. We had a lot of fun on their front porch. My cousins and I would swing in the porch swing until it seemed it would fall. We'd pretend to be kings and queens and go on great adventures there among other things. We talked about life in four- and five- and six-year-old style. Great things happened there.

I loved that the grown-ups would sit out there and enjoy the evening as they watched the sun set and the fireflies come out. They would have great conversation and get carried away with their stories and tales of the past while dreaming about the future. I loved when neighbors walk by and everybody waves (whether they know you or not).

I don't have a porch now. For that matter, I've not had one since I have been an adult. And yet, tonight I think I had a front porch experience. My dear friend Suzi is visiting this week and she and her sweet little baby came by. Our friend Sandy came over and we just talked and talked and cuddled baby while my own children came and went and played around us.

We laughed and enjoyed great conversation for 5 and 1/2 hours (although it didn't feel that long)! It was so nice just to stop and "sit a spell" with good friends. It was nice not having an agenda or a pressing need in the back of my mind. It was, simply put: relaxed. I enjoyed it. I need to make time to go there a bit more often.

Thanks Sandy and Suzi for "sitting on my front porch with me"! Come back again, sometime!

I Gave In...

I gave in and did the thing I said I wouldn't do. I went to see the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie. I must say the "old version" is one of my all time favorite movies. I love it and have never tired of seeing it in reruns on TV. I was cautious when I saw this newer version was coming out. I find Johnny Depp a bit different and haven't really liked his movies. I also felt like it would lose its simplicity. I just staunchly told my brother last night, "I'm not going." Kind of like "You can't make me eat _______. I won't like them."

Boy was I WRONG! I love this new version! (Cue up the "She likes it! She likes it!" soundtrack) I enjoyed every minute of it and felt like it did an even better job driving home the key learning points and life lessons that can be taken from this classic story. The idea of reconciliation and the love of family is STRONG in this movie. I was actually thinking, "Wow, dh could use this on a Sunday in church." There are many clips that are worth reviewing.

So, I stand corrected. I still love the version with Gene Wilder. I love the music in it. I love it's simplicity...and nostalgia...but I see this version having the same long term appeal.

If you are a fence-sitter like I was...GO SEE IT! I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I'm Spoiled and I Know It...

This week I have been traveling on business (although I managed to have some fun too). I was thinking as I traveled just how much my family does for me. They allow me to live out my passion for teaching and training teachers to deliver more effective reading and writing instruction. I am so thankful for my immediate and extended family and friends and the MANY ways that they support me and enable me to I do what I love.

I am most thankful for my wonderful husband. Now, my Mom and others are always telling me I am spoiled. They watch how much he does for me and for our family and make sure I know just how good I have it. I know it. I just don't always say thank you and let this man know how much I appreciate what he gives and sacrifices for me to be who I am. He knows the demands of this schedule as he travels too...and yet, he always encourages me to continue stretching and growing. For that, I am grateful.

Last night, I ate dinner in a restaurant and was waited on by a young college student. I'll bet he checked on us 5 - 6 times during dinner. He was so gentle and kind and just a truly gifted server. He really seemed to love his job and furthermore wanted us to love eating in this restaurant. It was a neat experience.

When people treat me so well...from family to strangers...I realize that I really DO have a great life. I am blessed in so many ways. I just don't want to forget to show my gratitude for these blessings. I want to give back. I can only think that if we all were all a little kinder, a little more thankful, and a little more generous, the world would be a totally different place. I just want to do my part....

For all of you who are reading this that have taken part in "spoiling" me....THANK YOU!! May you recognize what a special blessing you truly are.

I love this song by Natalie Grant:

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

On her website she talks about a very low point in her life and shares a scripture that came to her during this time from Deuteronomy:

"The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27, NIV).

I can't help but think that there must be so many people in the path of Hurricane Dennis who are right now crying out, "Where IS God in all of this?" And yet, I think this scripture makes it very clear that He is holding the hurting and lonely and devastated. Thank Goodness!!

I remember the amazing love that was poured out right after Charlie hit last year. It was absolutely amazing!! And it was SO evident that God used so many people to bring hope and healing to those hurting people.

I wish it didn't take a tragedy for us to realize that He is there all the time! May we all know what it is to be held this week.

There's Nothing New Under the Sun

My friend, Mellissa introduced me to Michael Buble' recently. He is sort of a modern-day Frank Sinatra with the smooth sounding voice. He sings some "golden oldies" like Mack the Knife and Dream a Little Dream. He also has some new songs in that "old style".

Son #2 loves music and is constantly looking for "good music" in the unknown section of the music store (ok perhaps it's only unknown to me). Anyway, he recently found a CD that had 6 songs on it. When we listened to it in the car, all six were remakes of songs that I knew growing up including "She's always a Woman" and a Phil Collins song (can't remember which one).

Even when you watch shows like American Idol and the new Dance show, they are using "oldies but goodies".

I am convinced that Solomon knew what he was saying when he said, there isn't anything new under the sun. There's new ways of doing old things...new spins on old themes...but you can find the past in almost everything.

I'm glad. I like the comfort of the "known" and the "familiar" sometimes. It's like a warm blanket on a cold day. Today is a day that I need it...the familiar....the known (if it weren't so hot outside, I might even get out a blanket). I don't know why. I know it just feels good.

Storm Prep

Here we go...Dennis is poking around the Gulf and we are waiting to find out what is going to happen. So far it looks like we are not going to have a direct hit from this storm...but it's hard to tell. That's actually what we confidently thought last year on August 13th when Charlie tore a totally unexpected path through Charlotte County and the rest of the state. We learned a lesson with that storm...

I have my water. I have extra food. Candles. Water. Batteries. Water. Flashlights. Water. A brand new can opener. Did I mention water? According to the list...we are ready.

Growing up here, I have always said, "At least with hurricanes you can prepare...it's nothing like the scare you must get in California where the Earth shakes without warning." Now THAT would seriously bother me!!

You know what, though? I don't know which is "better." Last year, I was a bit nervous. I wasn't downright scared...just very tense. And after seeing the wrath of Charlie...my tension grew for subsequent storms. It really can wreak havoc on people. The thing is your nerves can be raw for days at a time.

So we watch Dennis knock on the door of Florida or Alabama or Louisiana or??? Where ever he enters, it could be bad. It's a big storm. We prepare as best we can. Today the thought occured to me: maybe a surprise visitor is better than the kind that threatens to drop by for days...I don't know.

Lessons in Life

Three of my sons are at youth group tonight. It's hard to believe that they are all "that age". It seems to have come so fast. Their growth and maturity has brought some uniqueness to our home that I am beginning to notice more regularly. It seems that these older three are even taking on the parenting roles at times:

DS 1 is working on his LPN license and will be entering his senior year of high school. He is really maturing so fast. I had to laugh because son #4 got hurt last night and by-passed me to go see what our resident "expert" had to say about his injury! By the way, nothing I said at that point could have over ridden son #1's diagnosis and treatment plan!! I am not even sure a doctor could have persuaded him to not hold the frozen tater tots on his hand at that point!! (We were out of ziplocs...)

Son #2 is our resident fashion expert. Last night before leaving for dinner (and before the hurt wrist), son #4 was standing around in his shorts and no shirt. Son #2 said, "What's the rule about shorts?" To which son #4 dutifully and immediately replied, "The waistband should be three fingers below your belly button." He measured and pulled them down to the correct location. Call me crazy, but I learrned something about waistbands and the coolness factor during this exchange.

Son #3 is just entering this "parenting" role with son #4. Occasionally after the "real" parents tell ds #4 to do something, you'll sometimes hear son 3 say, "A___ what did Mom tell you to do?" Or he'll strike the deal, "If you do a, b, or c, then I'll give you/let you watch/play d, e, or f."

I am so thankful for my older three. They really are a big help in our family and with each other as well as son #4. Before any reader judges, we don't try and "shirk" our parenting responsibilities...and dump them on any of our children. Occasionally we even remind them that they "are not the parent" when it seems to get "out of hand". I've even heard ds 4 remind his three big brothers of this fact in our absence and in his own defense.

I can't help but think about the important life lessons they are each learning, however. I have always said that God gave me boys so that we could raise Godly husbands and fathers for our future daughters-in-law and grandchildren (ok, weird thought moment!). I think they are learning a bit about those roles with each interaction they have. And for that, I am thankful.

Even six-year-old son 4 is learning how to listen and respond to others with love and patience during each of these exchanges...a skill that will serve him well as he grows too. I just want to ask him one thing:

How DOES it feel to have all those parents at your fingertips???? And when your brothers are gone, who will you want to parent????

Better be careful, his answer could very well be, "You and Dad of course!"

Thought for the Day

My cousin, Lynn, sent me this beautiful thought today:

One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it.
Clarissa Pinkola Estes

How beautiful! Lynn said this reminds her of the blogging world. She has these sent to her each and everyday via email.

Thanks, Lynn!

Hoops

I have decided I am pretty good with hoops. Not hula hoops...nope not enough hip action. Not basketball...bad shot. But the hoops that we have to "jump through" to get places in this world. I have spent the last two weeks doing just that. You see, I needed to get "reading endorsed". In many ways, it seems laughable since I sleep, eat and breathe this stuff every single day and travel the country speaking about it. "Reading endorsed", however, are words, that I don't have on my certificate. Result? I have been sitting in class daily to "learn" all about reading education. I really feel like I have been hoop jumping.

I have decided that there are several types of "hoop jumping".

1. There is the kind that is directly related to a known outcome. It's a cause and effect thing. If I do a, b, or c, THEN I'll get d, e, and/or f. These hoops are pretty easy to jump through. They are the ones that show you clearly to the "other side".

2. There is the kind that is related to an abstract or "wished for" outcome. This is less concrete. These are the hoops that we sometimes jump through hoping that it will lead to something more.

3. Then there is the kind that we jump through blindly because we are told to do so. It really has no goal attached to it. It's kind of the someone says "jump" and we ask "how high?" hoop.

4. Finally, there is the obedience hoop. It is simply part of what we humans do. We jump through hoops when someone who we respect or "obey" or a situation tells us to jump. It may or may not have a purpose that is easily seen. It's the "just do it" hoop.

I realize that much of our lives: the decisions we make, the paths we choose, and the things we do, can be put into one of the categories above. The thing that is scary is that we sometimes lose our vision...our focus...our direction while hoop jumping. There is also a danger in becoming apathetic and thinking "I know it all..." or "there are no new lessons for me while I jump through this hoop."

And yet, I am realizing that every hoop, no matter how useless it seems, brings with it some genuine life lessons. Today while jumping through my hoop...I realized that I have hit a point in my professional life where I could be staunchly unteachable. I hope that I always look for the learning that can happen in the routine and repetitive experiences as easily as I can the rousing and rich experiences.

I am pretty good at hoop jumping---I just need to remember that these, too, bring learning.

Speaking of learning, who knows, someday maybe I'll try hula hoops and shooting hoops?

Talk it Out

I have discovered that son #4 HAS to work things out orally. Our house was so quiet this past weekend. When they returned home yesterday, it seemed like it was one long conversation with him. He immediately found a newspaper article on sharks (in light of the recent attacks here in Florida.) This article was full of facts, a diagram of several different types of sharks, and a table about shark attacks over several years.

Now I should explain that he is just entering the reading world. He sounds out and uses context to figure out words. He does not sustain himself in text for very long, but he DOES enjoy trying to figure it out. He did not read the article word for word, but instead jumped around to the pieces that interested him: the diagrams, the labels, some captions, and that table. He was VERY excited when he figured out that there were "only" 30 shark attacks in the U.S. in 1999 ("the year I was born, Mom!") AND, thank goodness, that no one died that year from an attack. We had to decode and define the word "fatality" for that tidbit.

The thing is, none of this was done silently. Nor was he still. I think he worked it out by going to every member of our family for different pieces and to reconfirm information he thought he was getting from the article. It took up about 2 hours of time as he figured it out. He even called my Mom last night on the way home from fireworks to tell her some of the information he learned.

Now, I suppose this was even more interesting to him since he just spent four days on the water with Grandpa and Grandma. He just had to swallow it and work it out in his mind---using his words and everyone else's ears.

He did not want to recycle the article either. He has it in his room because he "HAS to show Grandpa. He has to know it for the next time he is at the river."

Look out, Grandpa, I have a feeling that it will be more than just showing....it will be a lot of telling. And I am SURE there might be a test when your lesson is over (because I had one).

Independence Day

My family is taking this very seriously today. In other words, everyone seems to be doing their own thing! Son's 1, 3, and 4 are still scalloping and fishing with family at the river. Son 2 is going with a friend to swim a mile across the Peace River---a 4th of July tradition in a small town near us. And dh and I? We are here enjoying the peace and quiet for a while. I think I might run some much needed errands and relax (if I can remember how!)

Three of the boys will return later this afternoon. Perhaps we will find time to go see some fireworks somewhere. For those of you who know me, this is always a chore because the noise bothers my ears. I have to find a place where I can see them but not hear them. Or I sit in the car and watch them. Whatever happens, I DO enjoy them.

One thing is for certain...I am glad that we live in a country where we can be independent and have the freedom to make choices each and every day.

God Bless America...Happy Fourth everyone!!

Fireworks Anyone?

I love Tim McGraw's song "How Bad Do You Want It?"
People always ask me
"Son what does it take
To reach out and touch your dreams?"
To them I always say
Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Is it a fire that burns you up inside?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line"

It reminds me of what my husband always says:
"You've got to find your passion...The thing that gets you excited...and do it." Today
in church he shared about Isaiah's calling. Would that I would be as ready as Isaiah
to say, "Here I am, SEND ME!"

I am passionate about so many things: my faith, my family, and my job. I feel like
almost every day I have the chance to let my fire burn as I live the life to which I have
been given and called. Some days I burn bright with laser focus and confidence.
I have vision,
direction,
and feel like I am living my dreams.
Other days I fizzle a bit and feel like there must be more that I need to be and do.
On those days, I try and find my way in darkness.

There are fireworks going off outside tonight...and I realize that I want to burn with
that kind of excitement. I want to have that fire that burns me up inside.

And I want to burn brightly...

Just like the fireworks!

Giving Birth...AGAIN!

Got your attention, didn't I?

My dear friend (and co-author), Mellissa and I spent the last two days finishing our second book. (OK, truth be told, we spent the last four years getting this thing together.) Last night, after being sequestered together for about 27 hours, papers strewn around the floor, computers ablaze with new files, and the printer working as fast as it could, she observed, "It's like giving birth...except it takes longer!" She's right.

Writing is messy buisness. It takes time. Even professional non-fiction writing is not neat and organized. Ideas require time to grow. But, now they are out. They are on the page. They have been woven together into a tapestry of words. Ready for life in the educational world. Birthed. Ready to go to the publisher to be edited and neatened up for final publication. It's a vulnerable place to be when you are the author (parent), waiting for the approval of an outsider. It's very personal...as so much of who we are (as educators) are written in those pages. Remember the dreaded "red pen"? It can be scary, but oh so rewarding!

I wouldn't trade this process for anything. I really love it. I think the only part of it I don't like is working on someone else's schedule. It validates me and reminds me that we all have a voice. I wonder how many books there are that will never be written because someone didn't jump in and try? How many thoughts or ideas came and went in a moment and were never recorded?

I hope I don't miss the chance to give "birth" again.

It's Fishin Time!

I got a call from son #4 today. He is with his 2 Grandparents, 2 brothers, 1 Uncle, 2 Aunts, and 2 cousins at the "river". They are fishing and scalloping on this holiday weekend.

He dropped a line last night and caught a fish. He made sure to tell me that it was a catfish and his was 18" while his bigger brother's was only 14". He also made sure that I understood that he picked up the pole again at "2:27 today and there were no fish out at that time." But, he's hopeful that things will change around 4:00 and they'll come around again.

It's all in the details, you know?

I learned some things from him today.

• Size matters when you're six-years-old. (For that matter, it matters when you're 40!)
• Success one time doesn't mean you'll have success in subsequent attempts.
• We have to trust that things might be different at a later time and date and have the faith to try then.

And, I suppose the biggest lesson of all:

• NEVER fish at 2:27!

Have fun, son!!!

Moving On

Last night I heard the Rascal Flats song "I'm Moving On" for the first time. It was accompanied by a little devotional type book with many thought-provoking passages in it. One I was especially moved by is letting the past be in the past, giving (and asking for) forgiveness and moving on!!

It's hard, isn't it? The author points out that it's easier for us to ASK for forgiveness and say we're sorry than it is for us to offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us. We hold grudges. We have memories that won't let go. OUCH!! That stuff hurts.

I asked the Lord today to help me clean out my grudge closet. I want Him to help me see those people that I have hurt or caused to stumble. I hope that they can forgive me.

But I also want to be sure and not hold grudges for those people that I think should be asking ME for forgiveness. You know, the ones that OWE me an apology. They don't owe me anything, really. I, however, owe them love, non-judgement, and compassion.

May it be so today....Lord!!