Dear Younger Me

I was inspired today by the reference to Chris from Reading Amid the Chaos on the Two Writing Teachers blog. She posted yesterday about Love is..... and made a list of her sweet day.  Here's my take.

Dear Younger Me by Mercy Me is a song that often comes on the radio while I'm in the car and it gets me thinking.... what would I tell my younger self.  My younger self that was pre-hubby,pre- kids, pre-adult.  Here it goes.

Dear Younger Me.....
*Take the nap!  For real.
*Tell your parents you are searching for that deeper relationship with God not abandoning what they've instilled inside your heart
*Compliment your sisters so that you can grow closer together
*Read MORE
*Write more often.  Keep journals.
*Be still.
*Listen.
*Only date boys who truly respect your beliefs and are ok with your being a "good girl"
*A little bit of adventure is ok.  Don't always play it so safe.
*Tell people how you REALLY feel when they ask
*Start swing dancing earlier than 23, you LOVE it!
*Be kind
*Have faith
*Invest.  Not money.  But invest in things that matter to you.
*See the good in everyone because it's there. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to see it.
*Stretch because girl you are paying for that now. :)
*EAT HEALTHIER!!!!!!!  You'll thank me later for this one.
*Love. Love your Lord first.  Love yourself, I mean really love yourself.  Love your family and friends.  Love all that you do. And only say I love you when the time and the one is right.

I'm sure this list could go on forever.  What would you tell your younger self?

First Christian Concert

On Friday night this little lady and I went to see an amazing concert.

 We were blessed to see all these great artists!

 

We missed Capital Kings and Hollyn because the show was SOLD OUT and trying to get into that place was crazy!  Luckily, they were shuttling people to the doors because we had to park forever away. BUT... it was TOTALLY worth it!

 I didn't know what to expect since this was my first Christian Concert.  It was moving and life changing.  The songs in Christian music are just touching my soul right now.  This night did not disappoint.  At one point, I was moved to tears, hands raised in praise.

I also had to chuckle at this because when I was younger at concerts, it was lighters that lit up the arenas. hahah  Now.....cell phones. But what a beautiful picture. 

This is just a picture of Toby Mac.  I don't even remember what song he was singing here, but it doesn't matter. My soul was touched.  I'm hoping my daughter's soul was touched too and that the Lord keeps his hands around her and our two other girls.

Sisterly Love

When the Science Fair project becomes a family project to make sure no capsule gets a millisecond more than another. That's sisterly love.

Words Are Few

Not many words are coming tonight.  Probably because I had to get retrained in lifeguarding, didn't eat dinner until 9:30, and now I'm slicing.
So, I was in the water, the oldest one there, with teenagers.  BUT.... I could still out swim them and do the saves with the best of them.  I guess I still have it in me. hahahaha  I'm only doing this because I have to, not a want to.  Only one more class...... I can do it! :)

Reflecting On Being a First Grade Writing Teacher

Five years ago our principal decided to departmentalize our primary building.  This was a brand new thing for us 1-2ers and at first we were like, "NOOOOOOOOO!"  We thought it wasn't developmentally appropriate and how in the world would it work?!?!?!  But she knew.  She knew we were tired, worn down, defeated, and in need of a change.  She knew. She could see a few of us were ready to walk away from the profession we love. She knew. But we didn't.  Until we started doing it. I fell in love with it. We all did. Five years ago I became a writing teacher. 

Fast forward to year five.....

We're still going strong. I'm still teaching our young writers to believe that they are authors. And... they do!  Our first graders (all 60 of them) switch classes like it's nothing (One class schedule could look like this:  homeroom, reading, math, intervention, writing, and homeroom again. Also throw in specials, lunch, and recess.haha). We have a team that I could not live without.  Each of us was specially made to teach the subject matter we teach  (reading, writing and math).  It gives me panic to think about being a self-contained classroom teacher again.  I think I'd consider early retirement at year 18. hahahahaha  My husband would tell you different.  We are blessed that our new principal continues to allow us to teach what we're good at and passionate about and for me it will forever be writing.   

I Am Clean

I am clean.  You're probably thinking....What?!?!?!?!?!
I don't mean showered with the smell of freshness.
I mean soul cleaned. I am clean on the inside now.
Tonight I took our two oldest daughters and headed to a Reconciliation Service at church.
We participated in a beautiful service where the priest told a story of getting behind the door with God and going with him to confess your sins.
After the service, we were able to chat with a priest and confess our sins.  And man.... I had a few.  I could have easily sat with the priest for an hour or more.  He was easy to talk to and a great listener. (I think that's part of the job requirement. hahaha) He made me feel comfortable and........ loved. He was affirming and kind.
When you're finished confessing you get absolution of your sins. This is where the priest says a prayer and Jesus takes your sins away. As soon as his hand touched my head to absolve me from my sins, there was a warmth that came over my chest.  I felt closer to God.  I'm still feeling it right now.
I feel clean.  I am clean. At least for now....... :)

Homework, Oh Homework

Homework, oh homework..... I hate you, you STINK!  For real.  It's now 8:45 and our oldest is asking me to check her homework.  All this after I taught all day and worked at my other job for 1.5 hours tonight.  I really hate homework.  She submitted what I thought was ok, but......it wasn't. I would fail 5th grade. :) Thankfully she can redo it, but that just means she's staying up later.  Tomorrow morning is going to be a bear.  Homework, oh homework..... I hate you, you STINK!

What do you think about homework?