Thankful for...........

IT is November 4th last time I checked the calendar. Being in education of elementary kids, you check it every five minutes when they write the date.

SO.......last week, when completing Missy's costume, I became outraged that one half of the store was clearance of Halloween and the other gearing up for Christmas. CHRISTMAS!!! Now, I am no BUM-Humbug.....but come on!

I will stand, until I die for the season and Holiday of Thanksgiving. I love that we still have pumpkins all around the house. I cherish the fact that my porch has pumpkins with other fall trinkets....... I am so excited that this weekend, a stuffed animal turkey that Mr. C and I got our first Thanksgiving married, will sit on my mantel, and at times chase my kids around "Gobbling" after them with kisses (okay the kisses are from me, but the game is hysterical!)

So.....Here is a list of things I am thankful for out of the spirit of being Thankful this month (in no particular order):

• My God, loved us enough to give us Salvation, when we don't deserve it.
• We live in a country where the people vote for changes, and issues that matter to them as the people.
• Pumpkin Spice Lattes
• The coolness of evening and the warm Fall days
• Although this week, we are really warm with Indian Summer days, we are blessed with the last tastes of summer
• My kids attend a wonderful school with teachers who LOVE them - mentally and spiritually
• Hubby and I have jobs we love, and that work well for this season of our family
• We have an amazing family. Sure we got some quirks, but who doesn't and it adds spice to the pumpkin pie of life!
• Our pets are funny, and truly part of our family
• Our neighbors are friends who gather on the sidewalk or in the street and chat about life

More thankfulness coming next week! What are YOU thankful for?

Where's Waldo (aka - me)

Where o' where has Mrs. C gone?????

Some of you may be asking, others may have just written me off. I understand and no real hurt feelings. Even this weekend, Mrs. Dunbar commented on the fact that "I see you comment, but where's the post?" I felt like the old commercial "Where's the Beef?"!

Here is a short recap of my last month:

New job: taking more hours, yet producing more joy than I thought possible. Funny, how when you are right where God wants you; you can be crazy busy, stressed by the learning curve, and perfectly happy and content all in the same situation.

Marriage Getaway: Every year for the last 9 years, our church hosts a Getaway for the married couples. For the last 6 years, I have been behind the scenes. Helping those that needed the help, tying bows, cutting paper - yada yada. The last 3 years, my role has stepped up. Now I am the one asking friends who are able to help me tie bows, cut paper, and this year make the cutest (so sorry no picture) milk cartons out of paper. They were stinkin' adorable if I do say so myself. Then the time of the weekend, it is Mr. C's and mine time to serve the attending couples. We are actually considering doing another married group, and leading it, but we'll wait on that until after the holidays.

Kids: Missy in Art classes on Monday nights from 4 until 6, rush home, finish homework that wasn't done in the parking lot, shove food down their little mouths, shower and bed for all.

Bubba: Soccer on Tuesday nights, repeat of Monday. Then on Friday night repeat (yes, Friday night practices - UGH!!!)

Hubby: Ever patient, kind and supportive of our new and crazy life. At least this week, our family underwear was clean on Monday! Yeah!!!! He roles with the punches, volunteers with Bubba's soccer team, and doesn't truly care when the underwear gets washed, as long as at some point in the week, he has some clean. Now we get ready for his traveling season to being.

The rest of me, taking into perspective that life, at its craziest, is not as crazy as some. I for one, am thankful for my life, craziness and all.

Tales from the Crypt............

Today, I thought I was headed here. I knew I wasn't going to survive! I got the call yesterday to be a HIGH SCHOOL sub. I would have said no, if it wasn't for the fact that the man on the other end of the phone is someone sweet and dear to my heart. We have a bond, that makes me say yes, to things that quite frankly scare the begeebers out of me!

Well, a really good, kind, and compassionate friend emailed me this......"High school is cake. You tell them what to do and they should do it. Unless, the teacher tells you to actually give instruction, then your day might be screwed." Thanks Mrs. Dunbar!

My day on Thursday was so full, and so tiring, that I slept like a baby. Kids were taken care of, we were on our way out the door......when I looked down to see that the puppy had slobbered my shirt! YIKES!!! I can't teach all day with puppy goo down my shirt. Run upstairs and quickly change shirt. Good thing I was wearing black pants.

Get to my Alma matter high school, and was sent in the office to retrieve the key I would need for the day. Who is there????? Another beloved friend. She gives me a hug, gets me my key, and sends me on my way to teacher meeting (wasn't expecting this). "Oh but you must go" she says, "they would be so disappointed to NOT see you there........."

Off I go....back to an old classroom of mine, LATE to a meeting I wasn't intended to go to. My hands are shaking as I open the door. Every desk is filled except one - MY old one from when I attended school there. Really God???? Really???? God's sense of humor shining in this moment. Of course no one knew it was my desk but me.....but still. To some extent it was comforting for me to sit where it was comfortable, in a chair that had held my bum for so many hours before.

Off to the classroom and my first period, being escorted by the new principal......The day went fine. I had mostly seniors, who for the most part were perfect teenagers (is that an oxymoron?). I played a School House Rock video on the Preamble to the Constitution in three periods. Gave a Pop Quiz, and watched them work frantically so they wouldn't have homework over the weekend.

My day ended at 12:20, a full day teaching for this teacher! A stressful situation ended up being a lot of fun. Going back to High School wasn't that bad after all. I might even do it again!

What a Week...........

Do you remember the commercial......"CALGON take me away......." That is my week.

For the record, this is NOT my bathroom, but I wish it was. Do you see the rose petals and the serenity that is in this bathroom?

This week, I started to work with the students that have been entrusted to me for therapy. It is a whole different ball game to be planning sessions instead of lessons. To be intentional, while trying to realize that now I am doing these strategies on actual kids, not adults or my own children. It is different when you look at a lesson planner and realize that what is filling the boxes are children with specific learning needs and disabilities instead of subjects, state standards, and homework. My partner, and boss told me I would be tired. She tried to warn me to take it easy. Do type A people heed warning to NOT over due it?! Well, not this one. I am wiped. She too admitted to coming home and taking a TWO hour nap - I WISH.

Amazing though, that when you are in the place that God has called you. You may be tired, worn out, and exhausted all at the same time and in different parts of your body, but are filled with peace. I was tired, but never to the point I didn't think I could go on. I was anxious about doing a good job, but not stressed to the point of being crazy. All week, I had a peace and confidence that was not coming from me, but from my Father, who kept confirming I was where I was suppose to be. That feeling of being right where HE wants me is the best there is.

Then we started with Missy an amazing Arts program with parent meetings (whew only for the first week). We had soccer, schooling for hubby, homework that we are still getting used to and just general crazy life with two kids, a cat and a dog.

Tonight, my parents are blessing us with an invitation for the kids to come over for a movie party/ sleep over. Rarely does it happen that they are asking US for the kids. We are tremendously blessed that they are always happy to help with our hoodlums, but tonight they are asking for them. So after soccer practice (yes, we have to go with Hubby being assistant coach) we are going on a MUCH needed and anticipated Date Night. I can't wait to start the weekend.

Happy Friday, and hope your weekend is filled with Fun Family Memories.

Choosing the RIGHT words

I received a lesson this week in choosing the right words at the right time. As I stated last, I spent the weekend at Women of Faith.

My family spent a good part of their weekend at the soccer fields. This was one of the trade offs of me going away.........I was going to miss the first soccer game of the season.

While playing for the Comets, Bubba scored a goal. The only goal for his team in the game. Later while telling me about it, on the phone, I kept saying "I am so proud of you!" and I was. Except something kept eating at me. The word wasn't right.

Well, after finishing hearing this year's speakers, and hearing their stories, I figured it out. You see, they were talking about God, but I could relate it to human parenting. I wasn't MORE proud of Bubba because he scored a goal. I was proud of him because despite the heat, he gave it his all. Despite some bad calls by refs, he still was trying to do his best. The most important thing that I was proud of him for, was that although most of the game they were loosing, he had a fun attitude about the game. He wanted to be goalie, and stop any more goals from coming in. He wanted to be the best player he could be, while having fun playing a game he loves. THAT is why I was proud of him.

That night, as I tucked him into bed and went through our nightly rituals, I had a serious moment with him as well. After prayers, I had to specifically point out that I was EXCITED for him that he scored a goal, and PROUD of him for his attitude and fun spirit. I didn't want him to think that his performance made a difference on how I perceived him. He went to bed understanding, and I left him in his room with a smile on his face. (Glow in the dark retainers help see the smile in the dark!)

The lesson here that I learned is that I want my children to understand that I am their biggest fan, even if I am rooting for them 45 minutes away. I also want them to know that win or loose, score or not, I am proud of them when they try to do their best. Just like our Heavenly Father is proud of us when we are trying our best.............................................

My Weekend

My weekend took me back to Women of Faith. I haven't been to a convention in 8 years. It was time to reconnect with these women with so much wisdom. Our church went as a group, but I went on my own Friday morning. This was my favorite session, quite possibly because I was alone, and could sit and relish what God was saying to ME, sitting among thousands.

I can not tell you all of the lessons that I walked home with in 36 hours of time. I can not express the ways that God reached out and touched me. Funny how such a short time really can make it seem like a weeks worth.

I CAN tell you, that when God tells you to go somewhere, and prompts you to step out from your comfort zone, so that HE can speak.........He doesn't disappoint.

I encourage you to find a conference near you during this season. They are coming, and man ol man is it worth it.

Back in the Saddle..........

This week I got back in the Teaching Saddle ~ again............
(If I were savvy enough, I would have Gene Autry singing it to you.....)

Back in my life this week were: staff meetings, planning meetings, agendas, long range plans, room cleaning and decorating, and even Back to School Night.

This time around, I am not in my comfortable saddle of classroom teacher. Now, I am in a new saddle, one that hasn't been broken in, or worn in all the right places. Going back as an Educational Therapist is different. Much like Western and English saddles are different. Some things are VERY different, and some I just have to adjust.

I am excited to begin this year with new students, new expectations, and the launching of a whole new career. There is so much that is different and new, yet the comfort of some things that are the same. The smell of chalk and coffee are still a comfort. Excitement in the air, of fresh beginnings and a new school year, for everyone.

However, as great as this week has been. I am SUPER excited to be able to sleep in, enjoy the last taste of summer with my kids, and relax with friends and family. For Tuesday will be here before I know it, and the start of a breaking in this new saddle. Giddy-Up