Nature Guilt

I admit it, I am guilty. It's Spring Break. DS 4 begged me to go to the beach the other day. Actually, this wasn't the first day in recent history that he asked to go. I put him off a couple of other times in the last three weeks or so. I promised him we'd go over Spring Break. And, Wednesday, I had to keep my promise. I confess as I drove down there, I was gritting my teeth. You see, I dislike the sand. I really don't like the feel of salt water on my body. Other than that, I "love" the beach.

We stayed for almost 2 hours. I read my book and watched DS 4 play in the cold water. He was having a ball. I loved watching him. And as I did, I asked God to help me to appreciate the wonder of this "paradise" in which we live(without exaggeration, many many people DO consider my area a "paradise"). I asked Him to renew my outlook on nature and His creation that surrounds me.

The impetus for my prayers started much earlier in the week as I read Danielle's Blog. She writes of how much she appreciates the Nature Coast (which is just a bit north of me). Again and again she finds such beauty in nature. And she displays the world as she sees it through her photos on her blog. I admit, I was thinking, "How could she love her surroundings so much when she's seen other parts of the country?"

I also found myself at Beckie's this week marveling at how she captures nature in HER photos. She finds beauty in HER world...the place that God has planted her.

And then, there was this morning when I went to the Friday's Feast. It was as if the last question, the DESSERT of all things, hit me right in the face: Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?

I couldn't lie--especially over the "sweet stuff". I find tranquility in the Mountains. I always have. I dream of living on one someday. It's peaceful to me. I could sit outside ALL DAY on a mountain! It's much different for me, than the beach. I was struck a couple of years ago when my cousin and I were in Gatlinburg and I shared this with her. She said they (the mountains) really didn't do that much for her. I think that's when I realized that we DO all have our own preferences. And, as much as I want everyone to love the moutains with the same passion that I do, it's OK if they don't.

I posted my Friday Feast answer and began surfing blogs. It wasn't long until Hootin'Anni visited MY blog. I went to hers in return (as all good bloggers do) and found that HER most tranquil place is the beach! And she actually mentions that SAND and SALTY air in her post...I can almost picture her smile as she typed it. I found many others who agreed with her.

Then I found myself at Daisy's place where she talks about living in the country in Virginia. And I have to admit, I was a bit GREEN with envy. I hopped from there down to Georgia where Jane admitted that she loved her front porch. And my green eyes grew a bit bigger because she, too, lives in the country in one of my favorite places.

Then, I gingerly clicked over to Melli's place (knowing that she, too, lives in a beautiful place) and HER dessert just about "did me in"...she said, "Tranquility is not a place. Tranquility is a state of mind. And I can find it ANYwhere! But in MOST cases tranquility and solitude go hand in hand! And I am MOST tranquil when I am alone with God." And I almost audibly said, "OUCH!"

So, this afternoon, I took two of my boys, and my camera, to our local state park. I was convinced that I was going to find tranquility...peace...right in my own "backyard". And I was going to document it.

And, while I still find great peace in the mountains, I really DO believe that we live in a beautiful place. I also know that God's fingerprint is all around me. I just have to OPEN MY EYES and SEE it! Just look at some of the beauty we found in our travels:

Here are two gators resting on the shore of the river.

Here is DS 2 at the top of the "Canopy Walk". It's 75 feet in the air...and it was simply nature as far as the eye could see.
Here's DS 3 at the top of the Canopy. He didn't want his photo taken, but I got it anyway. This was taken right after I scolded two teenage girls up there for spitting on the railings (and people) below. That "might" explain the smirk on his face.
Here's a picture once we were back on the ground again.

I admit, I WAS at peace out there as I snapped photo after photo. They aren't the beautiful quality of some of my fellow blogging friends...but they are mine. And, I found myself whispering a prayer as I drove out of the State Park: "Thank you, God, for the beauty that surrounds me each and every day. Help me to recognize that it's YOUR handiwork! And, yes Lord, it's BEAUTIFUL and I felt tranquil there!"

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What are you proud of?
Without a doubt, my family. My DH and my children bless me every single day as they persue the lives to which God has called them.

Soup: What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
In 2005 I was named our District's Teacher of the Year. I am passionate about my profession, and always dreamed that I would represent it well. It was a HUGE honor. I received many gifts, but the honor was (and always will be) so precious to me.

Salad: Name something you do that is a waste of time.
Hmmm....I guess when I get "hooked" on a computer game. My latest "hook" was Diner Dash. Now I've beat all the levels, so I'm over that.

Main Course: In what year of your life did you change the most?
So far, I'd have to say it was the year I turned 40. I think this was the year that I realized that I really was satisfied and that I needed to do my best to stop sweating the small stuff. And although that trait still plagues me occasionally, I really DO try to enjoy each and every day and let things roll off my back when they should. I'm getting better at that all the time.

Dessert: Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
Without a doubt the mountains. I LOVE the mountains of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee the most. I've never been to Colorado...but suspect that the Smokies will always be my favorite. I always dreamed of having my own mountain (a la the Walton's). I'm thinking it may not happen until heaven, but I know when I go visit these states, I am at peace.

Thursday Thirteen #45

In addition to being tagged by Linda (see yesterday's post), I was also tagged by Carrie at My Lil' Corner of the World to give one thing that "Real Mom's" do. I know it says one...but I thought I'd make it part of my Thursday Thirteen today. Soooooo...here's my list:

REAL MOM'S
1. Know when to let their "chicks" fly from the nest...and when to keep them there.

2. Can tell one kid where to find that new shirt that was just washed via cell phone, drive another to soccer or ballet, feed another one dinner, help another with their homework all while driving!

3. Can be reduced to tears by the simplest things a child does or says (even when they are taller than you)

4. Set a moral and spiritual example for their children

5. Model how to love a spouse

6. Can listen without always offering advice

7. Don't flinch (on the outside) when they ask hard questions

8. Remain calm at the sight of blood...knows how to get to the ER or Doctor's office pronto

9. Cuddle

10. Learn to keep opinions to themselves at sporting events YET...

11. They KNOW when to and DO advocate for their child in appropriate situations

12. Allow "funky" fads...knowing it can and will "pass"

13. Love their kids with all their heart and soul....and help them to become all they can be.

The Birthday Meme: August 7th

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee tagged me with this fun Birthday Meme. To play, you go to Wikipedia and enter your birthdate sans the year. I typed the WHOLE thing up last night to post and then the BLOGGER MONSTER ate it! Sooooo....here we go again:

You report 3 events, two birthdays, one death and one holiday type thing. Tag 5 more people.

AUGUST 7th
Events
1944 - IBM dedicates the first program-controlled calculator, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (known best as the Harvard Mark I).
1955 - Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering, the precursor to Sony, begins selling its first Transistor radios in Japan.
1991 - World Wide Web debuts as a publicly available service on the Internet.

Two births:
1876 - Mata Hari, Dutch spy (d. 1917)
1975 - Charlize Theron, South African actress

Death: 2005 - Peter Jennings, Canadian-born news anchor (b. 1938) (This was a sad day for me. He was quite a news anchor, in my opinion.)

Special Event or Holiday:
Emancipation Day is a national holiday in the Turks and Caicos Islands similar to the Bahamas. (The Turks and Caicos Islands are located next to the Bahamas and share a similar culture and history.) It is celebrated on August 7.
(From Susan: This is "nice" but based on the events noted above, I'm thinking we should rename it "World Technology Day" or something like that!)

Tag 5 More People: (Since this is where I went "bad" yesterday, and lost my post...I'm going to "SUGGEST" that the following five people participate--without linking to them. If you don't see your name here, and you'd like to play, just let me know and I'll come over and visit.)
Dan--Dan's Place; Christie and Greg--Carrkaylary; Heather--Red Headed Rants and Rambles; Lynn--Seeking Thin Spaces; Mary--Crankin' Out the Hits (See my blogroll for links...I'm not going there again.) :-)

DS 1--Doin' What He LOVES-Album Photos

So Many Directions....

My family is a busy bunch! Sometimes it seems we are like spokes of a wheel...we all have a center (our home) but we're all facing somewhere else. I think it's due to the kind of the stage that each of my kids are...and DH's and my life stage. It's our Spring Break and they are all extra busy this week. I haven't updated on each of them in a while, so I want to do that now:

DH is traveling this week. His big long stint is over (where he was out every week for the first three months of the year). Now, it's a week to ten days at a time with time in between. Of course, as he picks up more and more coaching contracts, this could change. By the end of this week, we have committed to set aside time this summer for all of us to get away as well as another block of time for just the two of us. I am so proud of him. He works hard for his family and to help improve the church universal. It's beautiful to watch.

DS 1 has joined a different band. They are recording and have several "gigs" booked. The lead singer (and primary person under contract) is a friend of DS 1's who played with him in our last church extensively. DS 1 continues to grow as a musician and it's fun to see. Today he showed me pictures from their "album photo shoot" and I must say, I was blown away at just how professional the pics were. I'll try and post one here later. The music that's inside of him is pretty amazing...he's starting to pick up piano in addition to his guitar.

DS 2 is busy being a beach bum this week. He has helped me get DS 4 to soccer camp for the first two days while I was away. He is also participating in Spring Break activities at church. He continues to play in the Youth Band there and loves it. His latest "toy" is a "Beat Box". He was excited to get it and take it down there with him.

DS 3 is probably experiencing one of the "coolest" things of all of them. He has started flight lessons with DH. Yes, you read that right. DS 3 has decided that he wants to be a pilot. He and DH started officially last week and both LOVED their time in the sky. Now, as the Mother (and not so great a flier), I am a nervous wreck...but you know, I realized that "my" fears should never stop my boys from stretching and trying new things (within reason). It is also neat that he and DH are doing it together. To see DS 3 get passionate about something is exciting. I can't wait to see where this leads.

DS 4 has been participating in soccer camp all week. He goes from 9:00 - 1:00 and is enjoying it. He spent his first two days at Grandma's and now is back home with us. He'll leave on Thursday afternoon to go fishing with my Dad. He is SO EXCITED to go fishing at "The River". If you've read my blog for any length of time, then you know that this is my "one with nature" child.

I am back from my trip. I had a wonderful time just going and doing what we wanted when we wanted. I am refreshed...and ready now for the rest of our Spring Break.

That's all from my neck of the woods!

Who Is My Neighbor?

We've been considering this question the past two weeks at church. The focus has been on worship and just what it "looks like". Last week, we watched the video of Bono accepting an award at the NAACP and talking about the "One" campaign.

Today, though, we turned church into a hands-on mission experience. We watched a video on the purpose of the church and Jesus' view of it. Then, we were introduced to five "stations" for ministry. We spent the next hour or so doing any or all of the following five activities:

• Packing toiletry and "toy" bags for children and families in Belize. They will be flown down there by a church member later this week.
• Writing a letter to a soldier in Iraq.
• Packing lunch bags for a mission in our town. The lunches were delivered to the homeless after church.
• Writing a letter via "Voice of the Martyr". This is a ministry that reaches out to those around the world who are in prison for sharing their faith.
• Making prayer beads to share the gospel in our city and with people around the world.

And, THAT, in my opinion IS what church should be all about! All I could think was how many places DH and I have been where people might have walked right out of the church if we did that on a Sunday morning. Yet, I think it's what we're called to do...

Have a great week....and may we ALL find ways to reach out into our world and be the hands and feet of Jesus!

On another note...I'm off for a few days with my friend Debra for a "girls' getaway"...I'll check in on Tuesday when I return.

Guilty Mother Syndrome

I have it: Guilty Mother Syndrome!

Here's why: When DSs 1 and 2 were about 3 and 4 years old, we went to the fair and played the ping pong ball in the bowl game. And we "won"--not ONE but TWO fish! We had no fish tank or goldfish bowl. We took them home, and put them in a Tupperware bowl on the counter. One died in about 24 hours. The other one, though, was quite a fighter. He was still alive when the bowl turned pretty nasty. And he showed no signs of slowing down. I confess, I flushed him alive! I didn't tell the kids he died...only that I had to get rid of the water and thus, he had to go too. They were a bit heart broken, but soon got over it.

Fifteen years later (tonight) I took DS 4 to the fair. He has been telling me for DAYS that the ONLY thing he wanted to do at the fair was throw the ping pong ball into a bowl for a fish. I've given him hundreds of reasons WHY we shouldn't play that game. I "forgot" to tell him that fish one might die in 24 hours and fish two might be flushed by his fish-killer Mother. I figure some things are simply better left unsaid.

I thought I could distract him. I thought we'd get through the midway without finding a ping pong ball game...and we almost succeeded...except the first Bumper Cars were broken and we ended up on the second one. Right there, off the exit of that ride was the cheapest game on the midway, the Ping Pong Ball Toss.

I let him throw the first ten balls for $2, while I talked to my brother on the cell phone. I TOLD Dan to "pray that none went in"...and they didn't. DS 4 came to me with HUGE crocodile tears and said, "I have two dollars at home, can I PLEASE try one more time? I'll pay for it." I gave in....especially since I was still talking to Dan and his prayer "worked" the first time. I told him to pray again...and soon after my request was made, the FIRST ball landed in the bowl of water....then less than three balls later...the second ball went into the bowl. DS 4 excitedly came over with his two new fish. To say his face was glowing would be an absolute understatement.

Here's where the Guilty Mother Syndrome kicks in. Knowing that I do NOT want to be known as a fish-killer, and wanting to avoid having goldfish slime in a bowl on my counter, I decided that I wanted to help DS 4 be a successful goldfish owner. We went to Petland with his left over Christmas gift cards and he is now the proud owner of this goldfish tank (see below).

Our conversation on the way home was a DS 4 "classic". Holding the two bags gingerly in his lap, he announced, "This one's name is Swimmy. And THIS one is 'Swimmy Joe'." The car grew quiet as I pondered THAT. Then he said, "Swimmy likes me already! He's getting used to me!" He quickly added, "Mom, I think Swimmy Joe is one of those nervous fish. He is missing his home at the fair. But, he'll get used to me soon." Then he proceeded to talk reassuring "fish talk" to this bag of water for the next few minutes.

I "hope" Swimmy Joe IS just missing his home at the fair..and news didn't spread too fast that he was going home with that horrible Mother that killed his great great great great grandfish!

They don't look too stressed, do they??

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Who is your favorite news anchor/reporter? Why?
I don't know. I DO like Katie Couric. I never watch the news anymore. I click on it on my laptop!

Soup
Name 3 foods that are currently in your freezer.
Fish....Steak...Chicken

Salad
If you were to have the opportunity to name a new town or city, what would you call it?
Hmmm...this one is hard. The first thing that came to my mind is "Happening"...don't know why...maybe because I think it'd be a fun place to visit.

Main Course
What will most likely be the next book you read?
Wicked by Gregory Maguire or Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I have these on my bedstand along with many many others!!

Dessert
What's the first thing you notice about the opposite gender?
Eyes and hands.

Thursday Thirteen #43

Thanks to Loretta for the Header Design!

Today I am going to our district's Teacher of the Year Luncheon. I was privileged to receive this honor from the district several years ago. Now, my DH and I sponsor an annual grant for the Teachers of the Year, so we get to attend the luncheon. It's always fun to see excellent teachers get honored for their hard work.

Soooooooo.....for my TT....I am choosing to tell you about MY FAVORITE TEACHERS ever. Here they are in chronological order:

1. Mrs. Hudson: She was my first grade teacher and the person who taught me to love reading. I remember we had a contest to see who could read the most books. Her classroom was filled with Dr. Seuss books. I read the most. I received a little resin mouse as an award that year. I still have it. She gave it to me on the last day of school. I was heartbroken because I was sure that I would NEVER have another teacher that I adored like this one. (But I was wrong.)

2. Mrs. Woodruff: She was not my homeroom teacher, but did third grade enrichment in the days of "Open Classrooms". We went to her for special reading groups. I remember making our own movies in there, learning to carve apple dolls, and dressing up in Kimonos for a Japanese meal. I also know that she is the first person to tell me that I was a creative writer. It meant so much to me. The story I wrote was from a calendar picture of a doll walking along the road with a teddy bear. I don't remember the story, only that she liked it and told my Mother. I was so proud.

3. Mrs. Brewer: My fourth grade teacher always started the day with a silly little rhyme---Itty bitty fwy upon the wall/Him got no fwiends at all/Him got no one to comb hims hair/Him don't care/Him got no hair! Why I remember that so many years later, I'll never know. She also was the first teacher I remember having an aquarium. I loved watching the salamander that she had in there.

4. Mrs. Dretzka: She loved ceramics! We made a ton of things in her sixth grade classroom. It was a hot non-air conditioned school in inner city Tampa with HUGE windows and loud fans. She loved to laugh. I remember her desk was a MESS! It is something I still think of when I look at my own messy teacher desk. She would say, "Show me a teacher's desk that is spic and span, and I'll show you a teacher who isn't working very hard!" I should say that I DO know many teachers who work VERY hard and can keep beautiful desks....I also know that there those like me, and Mrs. Dretzka, who keep teaching and keep piling the desk for things that we needed to "get to"...and both styles are OK!

5. Mr. Psyche: Yep, that was his name. He was my seventh grade Science teacher. I don't remember too much about him, except that I got in trouble in his class. The one thing that sticks out for me, though, is when he had to teach us the "birds and the bees" lesson. He used I Corinthians 13 to tell us about "real love". It was a risk for sure in the public school even in the mid 70's. I also remember he wore a purple shirt with a pearl tie fairly regularly. The whole tie was made out of pearls! We laughed at it, but he loved it.

6. Mrs. S_____: I can't remember this teacher's last name (only that it started with an "S"). Anyway, she was my Social Studies teacher in the eighth grade. You might ask, "If she's so special, why don't you remember her name?" I don't know. She was the person who told us that we still needed to be creative even though we were in middle school. She had us do projects with construction paper and scissors---something totally out of character for teachers at that level at that time.

7. Mr. Andrews: I took World History from him in the tenth grade and LOVED it! I learned so much. He loved kids and loved teaching. Every day was an adventure as he taught us the history of our world.

8. Mrs. Sutherland: I would be remiss if I didn't mention my Chorus teacher. She loved music. She was someone who was told all her life that she couldn't sing, then ended up teaching choir. Amazing! She, too, loved kids and taught us the joy of all kinds of music. I learned to love the poetry of Walt Whitman and Robert Frost in her class as we sang some of their works set to music. My favorite is still "The Road Not Taken" by Frost.

9. Mrs. Haynes: She was my English teacher in eleventh and twelfth grade. She loved soccer and was a Tampa Bay Rowdies fanatic. People called her "Hank". She also loved the classics. This is where I read Wuthering Heights and Julius Ceasar. She taught me to love and appreciate both.

10. Mr. Acosta: He was not my "teacher by day", but was the band director at my school. He taught us self-discipline...to seek excellence...to believe in ourselves among MANY other lessons. I learned more on the field and in performance than I did in some regular classrooms during my high school years. When I watch Mr. Holland's Opus...I think of him. This man has touched countless lives through his tireless work in music education. He spent hours beyond his duty day teaching us all the value of hard work and teamwork, both lessons I have carried into my adult life.

11. Dr. Little: She was my first Education professor in college. I took Intro. to Ed with her as I sought a major and found my life's passion as a result. This was a lady who believed that education could be different and that teachers were such an important part of it. She taught us that ALL children can learn...and that most of them just needed love and someone who believed in them passionately. Her inspirational classes left me believing that I "COULD" and "WOULD" make a difference in the lives of those I teach.

12. Dr. Wynn: She was my supervising teacher for my internship. Because she was fresh out of an elementary classroom, she brought much excitement to our classes. She constantly pushed us to "pretty up" what we were doing for kids by adding pictures, bright contact paper, and to think BIG. She also was working on her PhD and taught us the value of peer coaching (way before it was en vogue). It is because of her that I have never minded anyone watching me teach and that I've been able to take feedback.

13. Dr. Peaslee: She was the Early Childhood Professor in my college. This woman is, without a doubt, the sole reason I STAYED in education. I had an advisor who told me repeatedly that I'd never make it as a teacher. She told me to "get out". She suggested that I wasn't good enough, smart enough, and would never be "effective enough". Dr. Peaslee, though, watched me teach kids (something the advisor never did) and said, "I know what she's been saying about you. She's wrong! You are going to be a GREAT teacher! Don't give up." I learned from that experience that you can either be discouraging or encouraging...we all have the choice everyday. Everyday I try to follow Dr. Peaslee's wonderful example.

Each of these people made special "deposits" into my learning bank. I can honestly say, many of them are the reason I do what I do today. And some, I've been able to tell exactly what they mean to me as an adult. They ARE a reminder that we never know the difference we might make with the seeds we plant in someone else's life.

Do YOU have a teacher who made a difference for you? If so, maybe you'll get the chance to say "thank you" someday. If not, then I say "Pay it forward" and pass along the special lessons you learned to someone else...after all that's the best response anyone could give!

Facing the Monsters

It’s a MONSTER! When I was a young girl, I used to dream that there were “monsters” in my room. My monsters were specifically in the form of monkeys that danced in the closet and under my bed. They weren’t cute little monkeys, but scary ones (a la Wizard of Oz). And there wasn’t just one, there were LOTS of them. For me, this was a recurring dream throughout my childhood.

I remember one time, when I lived in Ohio (so I was under 4 years old), dreaming the monkey monsters were there, then suddenly having my Dad there to tell me it was OK. To me, there is no more precious picture than a parent sitting on the edge of the bed of a frightened child ready to chase the monsters away! Even when they would “come back” in my dreams, I knew that someone was going to be there to help me face them.

I think, as we age, we still find “monsters” that invade our lives. Lately, I find myself thinking like the young girl in the movie, “Poltergeist”, “THEY’RE BAACK!” Only this time, it’s not me who is facing them. It is, rather, those around me. And, it’s not a parent who can make them go away—for these not imaginary monkeys but real events and situations. Sometimes doctors and modern medicine can do it. And sometimes they can’t. It’s hard to watch. It’s hard to think about. And, quite frankly, at times it makes me downright scared.

The “cancer” monster has really reared its ugly head with both family and friends recently. As many of you know, my SIL, Heather has been fighting cancer for several months. And, although we’ve kind of watched it from the distance, she is never far from our thoughts and prayers as she continues the journey toward healing.

In the last three to four weeks, I have watched three friends get the “news” that they or a family member have been diagnosed with cancer. Just like my “monkey monsters”, it seems to multiply, doesn’t it?

My friend, and colleague, C, has had a relentless cough since November. She finally had it checked out about a month ago, and the doctor saw something “suspicious”. She is a breast cancer survivor of five years. It seems that she now has a tumor on the esophagus that is causing the cough. After a PET scan and several other tests, C, has been told that she has cancer in the esophagus, breast, and bones. It’s not good.

My friend, M, told me yesterday that her husband, B, has Prostate Cancer. They are running tests and determining prognosis.

Another colleague, N, is at home under the care of hospice for lung cancer.

These are the monsters that no earthly Mother or Father could come chase away. But, yesterday, I read a post over at Linda’s that quoted an old hymn, THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD. I have known this song since childhood and I have always loved it:

This is my Father's World.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong
Seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world.
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King!
Let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the Earth be glad!"

The words literally sang in my heart as I read Linda’s blog and I thought, “Yep, God is still God. It IS HIS world.” And even when there seems to be so much wrong, it’s up to us to remember that, “He is the ruler yet!” Some of these people I have listed know God intimately and some are searching for God. But I KNOW He cares specifically for each one.

So, today, I am saying a prayer that God will come and sit with each of these sisters…that, the Father of us all will hold them each in a special way. I am praying that somehow they will each feel the arms of their Heavenly Father rocking them and telling them, “I’m here for you. I love you! I will walk with you and we’ll face this monster together.” After all, THAT’S what love is all about!

Yes, Linda, this IS my FATHER’S WORLD!

Monday Memory

Slowly he poked his head through my door on that December day. The first thing I noticed was his toothless smile. His wasn't the toothless smile of most of my second graders. He had a mouth full of painfully rotten teeth. When he smiled, where there WERE teeth, you could see hints of black and gray on what used to be white enamel sticking out of his swollen gums. I was told that this was the result of years of being put in bed with apple juice and other sweetened juices.

It was one day before the Christmas break. The classroom was bustling with holiday excitement. I greeted him as always, "Good Morning, Johnny!" He crept slowly in the door, with his hands gripping his backpack in an I've-got-a-secret way, never once breaking that smile.

I didn't know what made that day different than any other for him. I couldn't really imagine him anticipating the holidays with very much excitement. But something was...different. His eyes followed me across the room as I prepared for another day of teaching before our Winter Break.

This was my first "real" job. Each day I found myself in a room full of eager second graders in a middle class suburb of Tampa, Florida. For the most part, they were well-fed, cared for, and generally well-adjusted children. There was just this one, Johnny, who broke my heart from the moment I started teaching him in October of 1986.

I met with the guidance counselor in early November to find out more about his story. My heart was torn even more. He was being raised by his Father--an alcoholic. He was abandoned by his Mother. Abandoned? I couldn't even fathom a Mother who could just up and leave her child. He lived with two or three older brothers. Their home had no windows, only holes where glass used to be. He slept on an old mattress on the floor. Yet, I was told, nothing could be done about it.

I was young and held out hope that I could change his world. I hoped that somehow I could find someone who would investigate and get him the care he so desparately needed. He was small, dirty, and completely disheveled most days. But he had the most enormous smile. The kind that made you look beyond the outward appearance and straight into a very large heart.

In the midst of trying to change his world, this day, HE changed mine!

Christmas. In some classrooms, the day before the holiday brings many carefully wrapped packages of coffee mugs, apple gizmos and gadgets, new books, and other "teacher gifts". My classroom was no different that year. The children came in one by one and placed their "treasure" in a pile of gifts for me. I was overwhelmed to say the least and excited to finally be able to open all the "teacher gifts" I had dreamed of during my teacher training.

As everyone took their seats and our day of festivities began, my students begged me to open the gifts first. Their anticipation was even more than mine. I LOVE this holiday and was quite happy to oblige. I opened gift after gift. I gave out hugs to everyone for their kindness as we oohed and aahed over the display. After the wrapped mountain had disappeared and all the teacher treasures sat proudly on my desk, Johnny made his way up to me with his hands tucked behind his back.

He said, "Mrs. N., I brought you a gift, too."

I thought, "No. I hope his father didn't spend money on me." I knew this family simply could not afford it.

My eyes were met by his beautiful smile as slowly, he took his hands from behind his back. I'll never forget what I saw. It was a fist full of dirty, torn, crumpled up notebook paper. There were giggles from my second grade audience. I gave them my best "teacher look" and the room suddenly hushed as I took the crumpled paper ball from Johnny's dirty hands as if it were a precious treasure.

He said, "I wanted to get this for you."

I uncrumpled the notebook "wrapping paper" and uncovered a shell. I was stunned. It wasn't the "I-went-to-the-beach-and-picked-this-up-for-you" kind of shell. Instead it was a "driveway shell". Many of the driveways in our area were covered with broken shell. Occasionally, if you dug hard enough, you could uncover a whole shell. This was a "I-found-a-treasure-in-the-driveway-and-I-dug-it-up-for-you-on-the-way-to-school" shell. And, in my mind's eye, and in my heart, it was worth more than all the other mugs and trinkets I received that day.

He held his breath until I spoke. Misty eyed, I said, "Johnny, this is going to look perfect on my shelf in the living room!" And that grin, the one that was unmistakeably love-filled, once again crossed his lips as I hugged him.

And that shell, still sits in a shadow box in my house as a constant reminder that it's not the size of a "gift" but the spirit in which it is given that sometimes makes ALL the difference. It also reminds me of why I am in education, as I think about Johnny and the countless others like him who have crossed my path over the years.

While I lost track of Johnny after that year, in my twenty years of teaching, I continue to meet more and more "Johnny's" each day. They come into my life and I still find myself thinking about what they "need" from me....wondering what I can "give" them. And I know that the best thing I can give is kindness and love mixed in with what little knowledge they may take from our time together. But, like the shell regularly reminds me, every year, from every student, through each experience, it is I who learn and receive SO MUCH!

For that, I will always be eternally grateful!

Red...To See It or Not??

OK, I'll not keep you in suspense any longer. Here's the story of "Why Red Should Be Outlawed" according to my DS 4. He and I drive to work everyday together. So we get a lot of "talk time". We also listen to a radio station that does little news tidbits every 20 minutes or so. I am pretty sure it was one of those "Info to Go" sessions that spawned this whole dialogue.

About two weeks ago:

DS 4: Mom, did you know that the color red makes your blood pressure go up?
Me: Yes, I've heard that before.
DS 4: Well, blue makes you calm. It keeps your blood pressure down.
Me: Really?
DS 4: Yes. And I would think that people would want to be healthy, right?
Me: Of course.

One week ago:
DS 4: Mom, you know how red makes people's blood pressure go up?
Me: Yes.
DS 4: I'm thinking that they should outlaw it.
Me: What? (thinking about all the tulips that I love...)
DS 4: Wellll....I guess they could keep the flowers and plants and SOME stuff. But other red things should be illegal and taken away. That way, people could be healthy because they wouldn't have high blood pressure from looking at the color red.
Me: Well, that's ONE solution.
DS 4: It'd be healthier that way.
Me: Maybe.

Two days later (driving and sitting at a stop light behind a bunch of cars in the early morning hours before the sun was completely up):
DS 4: Mom, I am TRYING not to look at red things, but it's really hard.
Me (looking at all the red tail lights in front of us): You're right, it's hard to do.
DS 4: I try to look at blue, but sometimes I can't find it.
Me: I'm sure it's OK to look at red sometime.

Later that evening (while relaying this whole "red issue" to his father):
DH: What about stop signs and things like that?
DS 4: Well, they could keep the stop signs.
DH: Blue AND green make people calmer.
DS 4: Oh, I see.
DH: It's probably OK to look at red sometimes.
DS 4: Yeah, I know, but it would be better if people didn't have to worry about high blood pressure because of it.
DH: That's true.

And so, my DS 4 thinks that we should OUTLAW the color red. Oddly enough, I was sharing this story with my friend, the Guidance Counselor, at my school. She said that there IS a school in our area that does have a "No Red" dress code due to some study about red raising activity and temperment.

We KNOW what DS 4 would do. What do you think?

Friday Feast 5

Friday Feast---Thatsa' Lotta' Thoughta'!

Appetizer

Name two things that made you smile this week.
**Having lunch with a friend that I rarely get to see.
** Listening to DS 4 tell me why " the color red should be outlawed" (an upcoming blog for sure)

Soup

Fill in the blank: Don't you hate it when ________?
You can't think of a thing to BLOG about????

Salad

When you can't go to sleep, what is your personal remedy to help yourself drift into Lullabyland?
I usually "sing to myself" in my head....or sometimes I start to pray...

Main Course

What is something about which you've always wondered but have not yet found a good answer?
WHY do bad things happen to good people????

Dessert

What is your favorite pasta dish?
I'm like Garfield: LASAGNA!!

Do You Remember?

Do you remember when you were a brand new blogger and you didn't know too many people who blogged (or maybe you knew no one else at all)? Do you remember how it felt when suddenly people started commenting on your blog?

My friend, Suzi just started blogging. I KNOW she'd love it if some of the great members of the blogging world would go over and introduce yourselves to her. Her SIL blogs too...so she may already be connected to a bunch of people that I don't know about...nonetheless, I know that I've "met" some of the nicest people blogging...

Soooo...nice people....give Suzi a shout!!

Thursday Thirteen #45

Thirteen reasons I love GREEN and Being "Irish"....

1. Green is such a "fresh" alive color!

2. It reminds of the soft grass that tickles your toes.

3. It reminds me of a crisp green salad...refreshing and delicious.

4. I love green with the other "colors of spring".

5. Green is the color of money...OK I know this shouldn't excite me, but who doesn't love to see a little "extra" come in???

6. Green also reminds me of Christmas....

7. My family is part Irish...

8. This Irish Blessing has always been one of my favorites:

May the road rise to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the
sun shine warm upon your face.And rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we
meet again,May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

9. I also love this blessing: May you live as long as you want,And never want as long as you live.
10. And these Irish Proverbs: A friend's eye is a good mirror.
11. Both your friend and your enemy think you will never die.
12. Put silk on a goat, and it's still a goat
13. It is not a secret if it is known by three people.

Wordless Wednesday---I LOVE Spring!!

I had an interesting experience yesterday. It was the 50th anniversary of the church I considered my "home church" for over 20 years. And it is the one my Mother has attended faithfully since 1968. Yesterday marked its 50th year. This is no small feat when churches are regularly closing their doors in our country. As I sat there listening to the stories and the introductions and as I witnessed the pageantry that surrounded this occasion, I was drawn inward a bit as I reflected on my own story that is woven with memories of this place.

I attended Sunday School there, was confirmed there, and spent countless hours as a child and youth wandering the grounds of the church. (This is me in Sunday School in about the seventh or eight grade. I am on the left next to my friend J, followed by Mrs. J, the teacher, the preacher's son, B and his friend, F. )

The teacher here, Mrs. J, was at the event yesterday. I remember her reading to us from the big Bible she is holding in her lap. It seems that she has always been teaching some Sunday School class. I am certain there were Sundays when I did not want to be there. There were probably times when she wondered "why" she did it. I just visited the church's website, and saw that she continues to teach there today. It makes me wonder just how many lives she has touched throughout the years.

I realized that it's this place, or at least what happened within it, that pretty much defined my faith. It was there, that I remember hearing so vividly the "stories of Jesus" over and over again in so many different ways. Not only that, I "saw" the story lived out in the lives of so many people over the years. I grew up there. I was allowed to explore and examine my faith journey over and over again through the years.

In the photo on the left (above), I am about 14 years old. I was an active member of the Youth Group throughout my middle and high school years. Oddly enough, this picture is taken under the same tree where we ate "dinner-on-the-grounds" yesterday. Here is a photo of DS 4 and my Mom at just about the same spot. These two photos remind me of just how much smile and laughter this church has meant for me and for my family.

Here (on the left) is a peek into the sanctuary windows 20 years ago on my wedding day. You can see the huge cross that has hung at the front of the church since the building was erected in the early 70's. Although the walls have been painted and the front redesigned, it still hangs there as a constant reminder of the grace by which we have been saved. When I see that cross, I am taken back to so many memories. My first, though, are the years that a pastor we just called "Rev." was there. Every year on Good Friday, the cross was draped in black and we listened to a recording of the "Seven Last Words of Christ". It was a poignant and lasting reminder of just how great a sacrifice took place on the cross so many years ago.

And in the final year of "Rev's" 7 year ministry there, I made the most important promise I would ever make. I was confirmed under that cross. I know that was the day that I accepted Christ as my Savior. I still remember the day so well. It was Palm Sunday of my sixth grade year. It became tradition on that day, to give the confirmands a Jerusalem Cross. These crosses were blessed in many places in Israel such as the Upper Room, the Jordan River, and the Sea of Galilee during the "annual pilgrimage" our church members took to the Holy Land. The Jerusalem Cross has also been such an important part of the legacy of this church. We were always told that it should remind us of our mission to take the Gospel to all four "corners" of the world. It is also a reminder of Christ (at the center) and the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Below is a lovely banner that hung at the front of the church yesterday reminding us of this beautiful symbol.
And no, I don't think that I could ever sit and gaze at the large sanctuary cross and not think about the second most important covenant I ever made there to my DH of almost 20 years. It was August of 1987 that we took the vows that would make us husband and wife. It was a joyous celebration that brought together so many people who had been such an important part of both of our lives both inside and outside that church.

Oddly enough, it would also be there that DH would begin his "official ministry" in the United Methodist Church almost two years later, just after the birth of DS 2. And it was under that cross, that we agreed to raise our first two children in the church and leave for them the same faith legacy that had been left for us.

Here (on the left) is a photo of DSs 1 and 2 outside the church on the day of their baptism. The same pastor that performed our wedding also became the pastor that baptized the boys.

We had the pleasure of briefly visiting with he and his wife yesterday. DS 3 took this photo for us.

I want to reflect more on my introspection during this wonderful event, but will close this for now. I guess it took almost 40 years for me to realize just how significant this place is for me. It was a beacon for me during those years I questioned. I knew that no matter where I have been, or what I have done, I could always go home. And I realize that when I think about my faith, it's that giant cross that often creeps to the forefront of my mind.

Blessings.

It's Saturday Morning 6:52am, Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

I thought my answer was YES! But this morning, I learned otherwise. You see, I was having a peaceful slumber...visiting dreamland when I heard a BANG! BANG! BANG!on my bedroom door. It was followed quickly by the burst of air as the door opened and DS 4 shouting excitedly, "MOM, I caught a FISH!"

Now, if you are not a regular blog reader of mine, you probably don't know that I am NOT an early riser. And I am not a "quick riser" either...I have to get my bearings...you know, kind of EASE into the day. Thank goodness, DH balances me out in this department. He does hop out of bed pretty quick in the mornings.

But, upon hearing the BANG and the announcement, neither of us moved too quick this morning. DH said, "Do you need help getting it off the line?" To which DS 4 replied, "Yes." And he was gone, back out to the pond.

It has taken me longer to type this than the exchange actually took. I
looked at the clock when he entered at 6:52am and it was still 6:52 when he was
back out the door and outside.

By 6:53am reality hit me and I thought, "SURELY he is NOT outside fishing at this hour?" But as DH went outside to help take the fish off the line, I knew it was true. This thought was followed by, "What horrible parents we are not knowing that our youngest son is outside the house!" DH came back inside and told me that DS 4 announced, "This is a REALLY good time to fish, Dad!"

Most reasonable families probably DID know where their children were at that hour on a Saturday morning. And I suspect, most 8-year-olds were IN BED where they belonged. I haven't even asked DS 4 what posessed him to get up and go fishing...but then I am not sure that's a question that you ask someone who really considers himself a "Fisherman". (By the way, I DID know where all THREE of my Teens were...and they WERE where they were supposed to be!!)

DS 4 has been fishing pretty much all morning. He's caught (and released) two fish as I type this. I'm glad he's figured out what time it's best to fish...because two years ago he figured out what time NOT to fish

To figure out the mystery of WHY someone would WANT to get out of a perfectly comfy bed and sit on the bank of a pond, I went to Google and looked up fishing quotes...here are two that I think pretty much sum up DS 4's fishing drive:

Good things come to those who bait. ~Author Unknown

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. ~John Buchan

And so I find myself now saying...

Hope on, son, hope on!!

Blog Party--STICKY POST

Scroll down for current post... this will be at the top until March 9th.

I can't resist a great party!! This is too much fun. I have visited some VERY cool blogs today and keep "hopping to more and more parties"....it's been a great time!! Soooo...I'm diving in, too. Do you like my party banner? DS 3 made it for me. Isn't he the greatest???

WELCOME TO MY PARTY!!!

First, let me introduce you to my family. They LOVE a good party:

| View Show | Create Your Own
Now...DS 3 insisted that I have chips and dip here for guests...so...here ya' go....I hope you like them. And NO party would be complete without my FAVORITE beverage.....DIET Coke!!

I've been blogging for almost two years...thanks to my SIL, Heather for introducing me to this brand new world. I can't really remember life before blogging. As I was decorating for this party, one of my boys asked me, "What would you do if you were told you couldn't blog anymore?" I certainly would survive...but I can sure think of many many people who I'd "miss"...including those I've met in person like Mary and Sandy .

The most amazing thing about the whole blogosphere (for me) is the number of people who are seriously testifying to their faith every single day via the World Wide Web. How cool is that??? I love being able to get on here and talk about my relationship with JESUS and how He has changed my life. But I also like to be able to continue to "work out my faith" via words and pictures and blogging in general. Knowing that others are on the same journey is refreshing and powerful to me!

At first I had decided "not" to participate in The Ultimate Blog Party...but I KNOW that there are so many neat people to meet and things to read...that I decided to do it. I hope to get around and meet many of you this week.

And I'm glad you stopped by for it! Sign in to let me know you were here...tell me about your favorite thing about blogging and parties...then, come back again sometime...OK??

Thirteen Things about the Broadway ShowWICKED(which I get to see a second time this weekend) I am so excited that I get to see Wicked again! This time, the "girls" in my family are going to make it a "Girls' Evening Out". It should be great fun. I've been warming up by listening to the music and just can't wait to see it again. So, here's my TT... 1. This show is the story of the Witches of Oz BEFORE Dorothy. 2. It tells the story of Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. 3. They were "friends" before they grew up. 4. There is a dragon that hovers over the stage the entire time. Hence my choice of TT border today. 5. The Wicked Witch of the West is seriously "misunderstood" in this "pretelling" of the story. 6. It tells the tale of friendship and love with a thread of reconciliation in it. 7. It tells the tale of wanting desparately to be loved by those around you. The ending, which I did not know before I went, BLEW ME AWAY!! 8. My favorite song from it is a duet between Glinda and Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) called "For Good". It's GORGEOUS!! 9. You also learn a little more about the Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow in this story. 10. The music is rich and mystical all at once. 11. The week DH and I saw it in NYC, it broke all records for the highest grossing week in Broadway history with 1.8 million dollars. 12. While not appropriate for children under 4, I think it would be a GREAT way to introduce the theater to children. 13. Reviewers say it's popular because it is a story that "adults can take seriously". I think it does a fantastic job of weaving elements of the "known" (The Wizard of Oz story) with the "unknown". I believe it's a GREAT match!! Happy Thursday!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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3 Word Meme

OK I saw this over at Melli's Place. I thought this just looked fun...so I'm going to give it a try:


The rules are simple.
Answer each question in three words.
No more, no less.


01. Where is your cell phone? by my feet
02. Boyfriend/girlfriend? just my husband
03. Hair? desperately needs cut
04. Your mother? an hour away
05. Your father? is probably golfing
06. Your favorite item(s)? Bible, laptop, photos
07. Your dream last night? drowning in tests
08. Your favorite drink? fountain Diet Coke
09. Your dream guy/girl? man I married
10. The room you are in? our living room
11. Your fear? very loud noises
12. What do you want to be in 10 years? happy and healthy
13. Who did you hang out with last night? my dear husband
14. What are you not? a neat freak
15. Are you in love? totally absolutely forever
16. One of your wish list items? room for everyone
17. What time is it? six twenty seven
18. The last thing you did? read some blogs
19. What are you wearing? sweater, dockers, shirt
20. Your favorite book? Can't narrow down
21. The last thing you ate? mac and cheese
22. Your life? Busy but fun
23. Your mood? melancholy, wondering, happy
24. Your friends? light my world
25. What are you thinking about right now? job and future
26. Your car? green Honda Odyssey
27. What are you doing at this moment? typing up answers
28. Your summer? very very full
29. Your relationship status? happily forever married
30. What is on your TV screen? Play Station Game
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today with friends
32. Last time you cried? just last night
33. School? see it everyday

This was FUN...if you decide to play, let me know so I can come visit and read your answers!!

He Can See Clearly Now...

I took DSs 3 and 4 to the eye doctor on Saturday. I confess they have not been to a "real" eye doctor before. (I think somebody had a thing on their blog about a Loser Mommy---this "might" qualify!) Anyway, DS 4 is the person that sparked the visit because he has been seeing double. I haven't been for a while, so I decided to check my perscription as well...and I wanted sunglasses. DS 3 said, "I've been having trouble seeing the board." So we made it a "threesome".

DS 4 went first. He has to flex his eye muscles to help them see only one thing. No glasses. Vision is fine.

DS 3 went second. I stayed outside with DS 4 for this visit.

I went third. When I entered the room, the doctor said, "Your son is nearsighted. He needs glasses." Oops. Shrinks down into the exam chair wondering just how long the 12-year-old has had blurrd vision.

Then came the shopping part. Now DS 3 is not happy about wearing glasses. I know some of you have worn them all your lives. And I know it's really no big deal...but when you're 12 and when you're a boy and when...well you get the picture. We shopped for about 40 minutes looking for the "right" pair for him. In that time, I got two pairs (sun and regular).

In the course of our visit, we decided that DS 3 could get contacts. But I told him he still needed a pair of frames as back-ups. We finally settled on a pair.

Last night, I took him to pick up his frames. You would have thought that he was seeing the world for the FIRST TIME! Everything. Signs on the way home. Trees and their leaves. The carpet and it's piling. He couldn't believe how the TV looked (and we HAVE HD!).

And as I watched him, I realized that this is kind of how we are sometimes. We see through the clouds, our vision is blurry, and we can't tell what's "up ahead" in our lives. Then, suddenly, something changes. We get new perspective. A new angle. A fresh look. And it all looks different. I think this is what happens when Jesus gets ahold of us. We see people and things and situations in brand new ways.

Today, I'm going to try to see the world through new lenses. Maybe we'll call them "Jesus Glasses". And maybe, just maybe, the old will be brand new!!

What's It All About, Alfie?

When I was little, I took piano lessons. I hated practicing songs that I didn't know. I remember when my Mom bought me a book that was simple versions of "songs from the 70's". I learned to play this song, "What's It All About, Alfie?"

This morning I found myself humming it...as moment by moment at school revealed more and more horrible things. We were informed that a student would have to be tested one on one today. It seems this 12 year old youngster was arrested last week on sexual battery charges on another student at my school!! Then another person came in and told us there was a second student being investigated on ANOTHER sexual battery charge in a totally unrelated incident. And if that wasn't enough, the Department of Children and Families is investigating two different families on horriffic charges of child abuse.

THEY ARE KIDS!! Or are they?

This boy is 12 years old. His mug shot is on the police website for his arrest. Anyone can see it. The girl may attend our school as well. And I ask myself HOW does this happen?

I live in a relatively affluent city. Most of our schools are filled with upper middle class to the rich and wealthy kids. There are pockets, however, of total poverty here. My school represents one of those pockets. Many of our kids go home and don't always know where their next meal is coming from, where their parents are, and where they will sleep at night. Some learn crime from their older siblings, parents, and neighbors. Many have at least one parent who is incarcerated. Some have parents who speak little or no English. They simply came here looking for something better than they had in their country and they are doing the best they can to make their way in this place.

Regardless, the state testing continues. I get angry when I contrast the many children at my school who are sitting hungry, lonely, afraid and angry, in front of test booklets they cannot read today with those students in other schools across the city whose major concern is that they didn't get BOTH $180 pair of jeans this past weekend. It's true. Yet, those are the stories that no test results reveal. They never have and they never will.

So, today, I find myself humming...."What's it all about?????" I don't know WHO Alfie is...or was...but when I looked at the lyrics this morning to see why this song was coming to my mind...I was a bit stunned:

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.

May we all find a way to reach out and extend love to someone less fortunate than us this week. May we learn to reach across racial and ethnic boundaries. May we find a way to bring light into darkness; love where there's hatred; hope where there's despair. After all, "without true love we just exist, Alfie...Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie!"

And, THAT'S what it's all about!!

By George, I think he's got it!!

As some of you know, we have had a change in our household this year. DH is no longer pastoring full time. He is coaching and consulting with churches throughout the country. This meant that we had to leave our church and go looking for one. It's hard because we come from a "traditional" denomination, but not a traditional church. It was a unique place with unique vision, unique worship and unique ministry.

I fretted for several months before our move about where we would go. I prayed that we would be able to give the new pastor transition time then go back to this church that we loved (even though it's 35 miles away). I, once again, am reminded though that my ways are not always God's ways.

Instead He led me to a church five minutes from my house through a pretty neat set of circumstances. I thought the "test" would be if my DSs 3 and 4 also liked it there. DS 4 hasn't been so sure...I think the change of familiar people has been hardest on him. DS 3 has liked it since our first visit. (DSs 1 and 2 stayed at our old church due to Youth Group and relationships--although DS 1 is now looking--but that is another blog for another day). So, that is where we have been since our move.

After I got it in my head that I couldn't expect anyone to preach like my DH...because each pastor is unique with unique passions, delivery, and style...I actually started settling down and asking God to teach me each week. And I'm learning.

Today we began a series the pastor is calling Eufouria...He knows it's not spelled correctly...it's a play on the word because there are four ways we bring a "Euphoric" state to God via our worship. Today he talked about that moment when you are completely removed from yourself and totally surrendered to God and His will. He used the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac to make this point. It was at that point when Abraham was raising the knife to sacrifice his son that he was completely out of it and surrendered to God...and thankfully, God showed mercy and spared Isaac. The pastor called this state of being, "zeroed out".

Anyway, he went on to talk about obedience and how we need to get out of the way "zero out" and obey God. He said, God doesn't want us to be "takers"...

About this time, DS 4 leaned over to me and said, "God only wants us to be givers." The pastor echoed DS 4's words from the stage. Upon the "confirmation" from the pastor, DS 4 leaned over again and said to me, "I'm really 'getting' this Bible down!" (Thank you for sharing, son, now listen to the rest of the sermon.)

As we were driving home, the kids and I were talking about the pastor's message and church in general. We were talking about the fact that the older boys haven't been as "Wowed" by this church as we have the one and only time they visited. DS 4, in all his 8-yr-old wisdom said, "Well..I didn't like it at first either. But I'm starting to. And I'm really learning the Bible, right Mom?" Yes, son, you are...thanks for sharing!!

Who knows? Maybe I should pull out some verses about "Being still" and quiet...they just might help with his TMI head issues!! Or better yet, maybe I could make some suggestions for the pastor's NEXT series!!

TMI--Is THIS an Excuse???

DS 4, age 8, is in the second grade at my school. This means that I get to hear first-hand when stuff goes "wrong" with him in the classroom (some of the time). I love his teacher and she is good about not giving me blow-by-blow details of his misdoings. He really doesn't get into trouble at school...but this week was a bit different....

I walked into his room on another unrelated issue yesterday, and the teacher asked me, "Did he tell you why he gets 'five' at recess today?" I said, "No." I should explain that "five" means you sit out for "five minutes" due to something that happened in the classroom or school grounds. Some kids get "ten" and others get "fifteen" depending on the infraction or the accumulation of "fives".

She proceeded to tell me that he was talking during the Code Red the previous day. Code Red is our lockdown drill. Our district started these soon after Columbine. It is a way to practice what to do if something is happening on or near the campus that requires lockdown for safety. The lights are off and the people in the room stay quiet. Apparently, my DS was talking during it!

Now, it did go for about 12 minutes that day. And I know that can seem like a long time, but they didn't know if it was a drill or a real lockdown. I'm thinking he needs to keep his mouth shut so he doesn't draw attention to him or his classroom...is that too much to ask?

Yesterday evening, I picked him up at his Grandparents' house. They took him home for me because I had a long meeting after school. He hopped in my car and said, "I got a note in my agenda today and I'm so mad!" I asked why. He tells me that he got a note during Music and that he had to write an apology letter....because he was TALKING during Music class.

I asked him, "Why can't you just keep your mouth shut when it's supposed to be?"

He replied, "I have too much information in my head and it has to come out!"

I had no reply to that. In my mind, I'm thinking "too much information"!?! Is that really the excuse he just used???? Why didn't he just say "I don't know." or "It's hard." Or any other number of excuses that are already in my "Mommy Handbook"...but TMI??? I wasn't ready for that one!

So, calmly I told him, "You're going to have to learn to hold all that information in your head until an appropriate time to tell somebody." He said, "I know. I try. But I can't."

Then I launched into the thing my Mother always pulled out of HER "Mommy Handbook" when someone said "I can't." I replied (in my best I'm-turning-into-my-mother-voice), "Can't never could!" He looked at me puzzled. I tried to explain without much success...maybe my explanation was too much information.

We left it that he would try to hold all that information in his head until an appropriate time to let it out...

...at least during Music and Code Reds!!