A Lifetime of Love

I have found, and been taught through countless university courses, that the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher is reflection: reflection on the lesson, student learning, and ways the teacher can improve. Perhaps I have taken this to heart because I tend to apply it in all areas of my life, not just in my teaching. Which is a mixed blessing, I suppose. I know I need to improve as a wife and mother, and I definitely need work on being a better source of encouragement for my friends, particularly because I allow the busyness of my life to sometimes get the best of me. However, dear friends, I would like you to know I think of you often and pray for you regularly despite my lack of communication with you. I will try better, especially at responding to emails as that seems to be the area that needs to improve the most. There has been a lot going on in my family’s life lately that I have not shared. Not that I didn’t want to, it’s just simply been a lack of time to relay ...

So my husband felt like my birthday was not all that he wanted it to be because our dinner was not "the best". Dinner was okay, just not worth the price we paid per meal. Anyway, today he surprised me by sending a dozen roses to my school. Is that not the sweetest thought ever? I was so shocked, especially because it was so unexpected! That's what I love about him- the little thoughtful things he does for me. I just happened to be in the main office talking to the secretary when the FedEx man made a delivery. I turned to walk back to my class when she told me the package was a delivery for me. I immediately corrected her since my mentor teacher and I have similar last names and said, "You mean Mrs. _____?" And she said, "No, it's for you. I promise." I felt my face match the same shade of red as my shirt, and I opened it right then. The flowers are beautiful, and there was also a package of chocolates (chocolate- my favorite!). I left the flowers o...

Everyone is sick with a cold in my house this weekend. I don't know who started it, but it's made its way to all of us in some form or another. Th and T.G. have been running low-grade fevers, and all of us have coughs and runny noses. Gross! I think T.G. has it the worst, though. She just looks miserable and hasn't been sleeping well at all. Of course, she wakes in the middle of the night during times that I am nursing, meaning TJ has to console her since I have Teagan . No big plans this weekend and for that I am very grateful! We definitely need a break from our chaotic schedules to just rest and stay put. School is very time-consuming for me (between teaching during the day and taking university courses in the evening) so I welcome the opportunity to plan and prepare lessons for next week, as well as work on my university assignments. My supervisor is coming to observe me on Wednesday so I need to make sure my lesson plan is perfect and I am fully prepared mentally for ...

Some of this is the same as my Facebook page. But, I am doing this for those who are not on Facebook. Plus, it’s funny how you can know someone, yet not really know him or her. It’s the same with the Lord. He knows us, but unless we take time to know Him, we sort of make assumptions or guesses as to God’s character. 1. I love chocolate cake with white icing. It’s my favorite and the only way I think chocolate and vanilla should be combined. I hate chocolate cake with chocolate icing, and will tolerate white cake with chocolate icing. Picky, I know. 2. I went to 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. However, I moved 15 times before I reached the age of 18. I hate moving and always wanted to be the family that raised their kids in the same house for generation after generation. 3. I have lived in Rock Hill longer than anywhere else- -ever. We've been here for 5 1/2 years. 4. I miss the Air Force. I left home searching for independence within the confines of struc...

Just as quickly as the snow came, it was gone. We had very little, but school was cancelled nonetheless. I was grateful, though, because it was another day for me to catch up on some housework. Now that I am gone all day, my normal “chores” are put on hold until the weekend, meaning the weekends are now jam-packed with housework, planning lessons, and completing university assignments. I have honestly never been so tired in my life! Well, actually, Basic Training was pretty comparable in that I rarely slept! I have been thinking long and hard about my life, about TJ’s life, this past week. I don’t really know why. Perhaps because of my recent birthday. I just know we had a conversation (well, several times we’ve had this conversation) and I keep thinking about how true it is. We often talk about the Air Force, and when we meet people for the first time or when it somehow comes out in conversation that we met while in the AF, people are really shocked. I don’t know why- it doesn’t seem ...

I really love my class, and although it’s only ending the second week, the students are already wiggling their way into my heart. They are each so special and offer so much to this world simply by being themselves. They each have their own personalities, and each day I spend with them, I learn about their interests, likes, and dislikes. They are so funny and remind me so much of my own kids, particularly the boys. The kids come from varied home lives and I understand (or at least I think I do) how teachers get burnt out. All teachers have to accept and understand where their students are coming from, but it is imperative in the field of special education because the students require so much more support in order to be successful in school. To do that, we have to work directly with the parents. It’s hard, especially when the parents are struggling themselves. Some of these kids come from homes that are stressed beyond belief. There is one student in particular who has really been weighi...

And I have mixed feelings about that. The snow depresses me in some ways. It makes me think back to my "old" life, the life I left in Ohio all those years ago but yet can't seem to fully get away from. I know my past will always be a part of me, but lately I can't help but long to escape it. Perhaps it's because of tomorrow. Obama coming into power, and the world crumbling once that happens. Although I know it won't happen instantaneously, I do believe it will be quick. I grieve for those women who believe the lies being fed to them about women's rights, equality, and most importantly, abortion. Abortion destroyed my life and my baby's life. Oh how I wish things were different, at least in that aspect. It's times like this that I find myself in constant turmoil, eyes misty with tears and a heart tender to the Lord, begging for forgiveness yet again. When does it stop? When does the pain, guilt, and sense of loss go away?