Say Hello and a Good Buy!

Okay so the "good buy" isn't really an accurate description, it is the length of interest free financing that is making the purchase happen.  We decided to purchase a new couch, recliner, and a kickin' bench ottoman.  Yes, Rochelle Rich Schultz and Paul Michael Schultz are growing up (sniffle) and have purchased their first furniture as man and wife!

So, you are probably wondering how fantastic this furniture is? Well so are we!  We purchased it back in July but picked such a desirable set (ya, you know y'all are jealous) that we have been waiting since then, for it to come in from back order.  Well the waiting is over!  We get our new stuff on Saturday!

We were shopping for mom to get new furniture and we decided that perhaps we should invest too... we picked out a red leather set that we LOVE!  I think that our living space will "come alive" when it is here.  The ONLY down side is that we will have to repaint our kitchen red wall because it will clash with the red couch. So a bit of painting and a tiny bit of reorganizing/sorting is in store... but who cares?  I'm geting new furniture baby!

Doctors and Dates

So Paul had his first day of school today --I was tempted to take his picture with his backpack and first day outfit, but I refrained.  He went to his math class and was going to come straight home.  I on the other hand had an ultrasound on my leg (trying to figure out what is wrong with my ankle!)  and then went to the chiropractor for my shoulder. Because I had two appointments I played hookie from work. 

So the first appointment went okay, besides the paper shorts I had to wear and the gunky gel from the ultrasound machine on my leg making that funny noise that you see on TV when a pregnant woman gets an ultrasound.  (Note to those of you who have been pregnant and were able to witness your own baby's swish swish it's not as "special" when they tell you it is the sound of the blood in your veins.)  Alas, no more answers to my leg issue.  Oh well.

So then off to the Chiropractor to investigate the shoulder that hasn't stopped hurting for a couple  months.  Apparently the exercises he had me doing the past couple months to strengthen my rotators cuff haven't helped enough.  I will be "modifying my workouts' as a result of my meeting with Dr. Greg.   

Needless to say, I was a bit dissatisfied with the prognosis of both appointments, still waiting for results, but how do you get the results from a problem that has no known cause?  I was somewhat emotional as I should be, I am a girl right?  So why am I writing about these downers?  I'm not just focusing on the fact I'm getting older and feel like my body is slowly falling apart...I wanted to contrast the "sadness" with the joy of the rest of the days events!

After the appointments, Paul and I met up at Fred Meyer-we both got a new pair of shoes (I know, I know Paul and I are the last people on earth who need a pair of shoes) but they were Nike's AND they were buy one get one free. (yes really).  Then we went to see SALT the movie.  It was sooo great!  My comparison of what I think the movie is like, would give away the show to those that haven't taken the opportunity to see it.  I am definitely excited that Paul's research has proven that SALT 2 is planned a few years out from now.  Then we went to Red Robin and shared a bbq chicken wrap...yum! 

It was a grand day for the two of us.  I am so grateful to have such a loving husband who cares about me and loves to spend all his free time with me.

We finished our day, myself at ZUMBA and Paul doing his homework.  I got giddy when I came home to see him super focused and doing the whole homework thing.  It made me jealous that he is IN school...but then I think of the "school" work I do and then I thought...nah, not yet.  But I'm sure the day will come...

Sharpened Pencils and Learning

So I moved classrooms this year.  Thank goodness!  I have carpet which has definitely increased my ability to hear my students.  As a one-eared educator, being able to tell where side-chatter, tapping pencils and fidgety feet are coming from is difficult.  I am so grateful for the room coming available for me to utilize and am anxious for the opportunity to see the light bulbs of learning shine in room 221. 

 So another year begins.  I am teaching 6th grade again.  I have 4 classes of 6th grade math and 2 classes of math support.  So I get to see some of my students twice a day this year.  I often reflect on my role as an educator and realize that these last few years, I've been honored to be more than "just a math teacher."  I also have realized that my kiddos are not the only students in the classroom!  I too am learning, from my students.  They have taught me about holding on to what you have, being the best you know how to be despite all that has happened to you.  I have learned about perseverance and dealing with less than ideal circumstances and still coming to school to learn.  Last year alone I have had students share with me about their home situations and worries.  The loss of their family members, pets, and feelings of abandonment.  I have had kids share with me that they are home alone often, or on the other hand don't have a home to go to;  having money for school supplies, clothes, and food can be an issue too.  My kiddos have so little in so many ways and yet show me how much they have and each day they come to school...hoping for the support, love, kindness, and to learn something new.

As I set my goals for this new school year, as I set up my routines and procedures in class, I recognize the importance of adding a little more humanity to my mathematics culture.  I will remember each of my students for who they are: kids eager to learn, share, and grow with me, and perhaps we'll learn a little math along the way.

The way life is...

Paul just turned to me and said "How come we have something bad happen to us each time I get ready to start a new quarter of school?" I said, "Not every time" he then corrected me and we discussed the previous years trials starting when he went back to school last September.  What a roller coaster of a year.  It has been difficult, painful, and sad.  I have felt every emotions from anger to joy.  As we sat in silence, I decided to post my thoughts.  I apologize for my lack of eloquence in advance.

This is a good time for me to reflect on the purposes of trials, how we feel sorrow and sadness, but can have our testimonies strengthened through them.

I will be the first to admit, that looking back, I have been blessed to have had many years of seemingly trivial trials; though at the time I didn't view them as such.  But, now, I see the trying experiences of my past and current life as learning experiences.  Does that mean I am not sorrowful? sad? disgruntled? upset? hurt? or angry at times?  No.  It simply means that I intend to do my best to learn from my experiences.  That takes time.  Time to realize that the Lord will not give us trials more than we are able to bear.  It doesn't mean it won't feel like the life has been sucked out you for a time.  But we can get through them it just takes time.

This morning when we got the news of Paul's grandma's passing.  I was stunned, still and reflective.  I clung to Paul's side instantly and realized how hard this would be. Another loved one passing away. I recall when my Grandma Welch passed a few years ago, how much anger and frustration I felt to have someone I loved dearly to be taken away from me.  Then when my Daddy passed away in April, I thought that someone had ripped me apart from the inside out.  I knew what ultimate sadness was.  I felt grateful during those times to have my honey with me by my side, for comfort.  I know that Paul now feels those same feelings. 

I know you can't transfer from one individual to another the learning process from grief and sorrow to understanding of the eternal perspective.  Although instant understanding might seem to be helpful, it isn't.  Each person must grieve in their own way, time, and go through "it" on their own...whatever "it" is that we must experience individually.  I have learned in the past several months, each individual must experience the process themselves for true understanding.  I also know it can take more time for some than others.  I am still processing my father's death and my mother's sickness each day of my life. 

We must have hope and faith.  Faith and hope.  That is the story of life.  We all keep working toward our own goals and the trials of life "interrupt" our lives to teach us something and help us to progress. 

I know that although Paul and I feel like we have had our share of hiccups through the past year.  I know that we weren't given these trials to keep us down, but to help build us up--and to strengthen our faith in God. 

I know that my Daddy, and our Grandparents, and the other loved ones that we've lost in this life are in a better place, rejoicing in their place in eternal plan of our Heavenly Father.

Mother Dearest

I have had intentions of writing a post about my mom since before Mother's Day, as most of you know about my planning and timing of things in my life, as of late I've been pretty much a failure in that department.  I really have no good excuse other than the fact that for some feelings I've experienced recently as well as emotions I have for those I love, are hard to portray via the written word.  It's like you can't find the words strong enough to describe your feelings.

The other morning a severely opinionated radio DJ tried to describe love as an inferior emotion to respect.  Now his intention was to show that you can love many people but the love for a spouse, parent, or child is so much more than that.  I on the other hand, think that love can have varying degrees of affection and does not necessarily mean the same thing in different contexts.  I do however feel like it is hard to describe how I feel about my mother.

My mom has been a constant in my life.  A friend, a confidant, a source or joy, adviser, a shoulder to cry on, a fellow shopping partner, partner in crime, as well as an example of Christ-like love and love for others.

You all can relate to this one...
You have forgotten (or neglected to ever learn) a seemingly menial task either in the kitchen, laundry room, or any other general thing that you KNOW your mom knows the answer, who do you call?  Your mom! 

 I have been so grateful for all that she has taught me, her strength through adversity, her knowledge of seemingly everything throughout my life.  I love her dearly and want her to know that she is the best!


I love you mom!!!

(written several months ago...finally posting today!)