Calling all my girls out there- mamas and future mamas- readers and non-readers- teenagers and mamas of teenagers-do I have some books for you!
So in my downtime of following 20 or so blogs, I have been following a funny and faith-filled lady named Annie Downs. Here's her blog.
http://annieblogs.com/ So, I started following her- I don't even remember how. She wrote a book-
I was curious- so I ordered it from Amazon. I LOVED it. I laughed. I cried. It's one of those books that you WISHED you had read, or someone had given you, in high school..or middle school. I thought about my own daughter and how I want her to read it in a few years. So I gave it to a friend of mine whose daughter was about to start high school. Then, long story short, I found out Annie knows a great friend of mine from childhood! She's good people. I just know it. So then she was doing a give-away. That's what people in blog world do. Maybe one day I will do it too.
So anyway, I signed up to win a book written by another awesome blog writer, Melanie Shankle from Big Mama. She is presh. So anyway...drumroll...I won! Yep, I sure did. So I received my autographed copy in the mail this week! Here's where you can
Order Sparkly Green Earrings from Amazon.
Yeah me! Actually, yeah friends o' mine cause now they get to pass around the other copy I had already bought on the day it hit the shelves. I spent about an hour finding this book in the ATL...then put it on hold...made the fam come with me to buy it! You can see I really wanted it! And it did NOT disappoint. Melanie's writing is honest, easy to read (I didn't want it to end!), relatable, and her only child's name is the same is my girl's!! What? Yep, I felt she was talking to me the whole time. Not in a creepy way, but in a God way. So, this blog world is really interesting. I hope you'll order or find one of these books- or both- or borrow one from me. They are fresh and comforting- each in their own way. Stay tuned for more book recs in the future...keep it sparkly.
There's lots to be thankful for today.
It's Friday.
It's the last day of testing for my students.
We have a WEEK off next week.
I have candy in my desk from Valentine's Day.
I sold almost every extra box of Girl Scout cookies I ordered.
My girl had History (Histree) Day today and she was the best red-headed Pocahontas I've ever seen.
Side bar: So the reason I call it Histree is because of my Daddy. Here's a funny story. I am from South Georgia. Sooowwth Gaawga ya'll. So my Daddy always like to tell Red stories about "histree"- history for you folks who like unsweetened tea. He and my sweet stepmom traveled up north a few months ago and visited Gettysburg. So my Daddy brought back a rock from the battle grounds. I am pretty sure that's a felony. So don't tell anyone. But anyway... He gave one to my nephew- who is 11 and loves Histree. (He LOVED it and showed it to his friends.) He also gave one to Red. She thought it was....a rock. She didn't get it. She didn't see the "histree" behind it. So, I always think of that rock and laugh. I picture my Daddy telling Red, "Let me tell you a story- it's Histree you see.." and Red just rolling her eyes.
As I was watching her present her speech on Pocahontas, I heard the quiver in her voice, and I could tell she was nervous. I am sure it was hard to do, in front of her friends and all of their parents. There was even one of the ladies from the Office of Development there taking pictures while she did her performance.
I just prayed as she walked up there. I prayed that God would give her the confidence she needed...
the confidence that it's ok to forget a few words or stumble a little....
The confidence that God will catch her when she falls.
That she's not a bad person for making a mistake.
That she doesn't have to be perfect.
Her Daddy and I were sitting there cheesing it up like she was doing her Inauguration Speech. Just so proud of the little lady she's becoming. Proud that God is working in her life. Side note: I am absolutely positive that Pocahontas had an arrow quiver exactly like Red used today... zebra-striped duct tape was all the rage in 1615. Have a sweet weekend-
Pocahontas' Mama....
Well...after many, many months of blog stalking I have decided to start my own blog. I guess my husband and I have a lot in common- lots of mindless rhetoric to share to unwilling listeners. Now, you can decide if you want to hear it or not!
I guess I decided to start this blog for a few reasons....first of all, I am a teacher. There are SO many hilarious things that happen during a school day. So teachers will appreciate the stories and anecdotes I will share. So I will state this disclaimer now, I won't identify any of the students on this blog. Please know that I love children, and will never say anything to embarrass them intentionally. If you know me, you know I am sarcastic- I was born that way. (well actually I am working on it- but it's really hard not to be that way.) So if I ever sound cruel or mean, please know I don't mean it that way. It's a teacher's heart- you love them so much. But you have to laugh some days...or you'll cry and end up working at Wal-mart giving out smiley face stickers. For my past students, they could tell you I have pretended to make the phone call to the HR department of Wal-mart many times out of desperation.
The second reason is I am a mother and a wife. I have read so many things out there in "blog world" that have made me feel so much better about my shortcomings as both wife and mother! So, as you read my posts about my mistakes and failures, I hope you'll find comfort.
Lastly, I am a Christian (these are not in any sort of order-certainly not order of importance...just how my thoughts are flowing.) I struggle on my walk with the Lord, but I always turn back to Him. I don't read the Bible enough- or spend quiet time. But I do know these things- He is the Giver of Life, my Heavenly Father, my Redeemer, my Hope and the Light. I am constantly amazed by His creation- and His love for me. I am blessed beyond my dreams to teach at a Christian school. My daughter, who you will know as Red here on the blog, attends the same school. I am blown away by what she is learning. Above all of the college preparatory material, the higher level thinking skills, and such...there is a deeper and more meaningful learning taking place. Something that readin', writin', and 'rithmetic won't teach her- she is being taught about the love of Jesus Christ. She is taught how to view this crazy foolish world through the eyes of Christ. She learns Bible verses, and I hope one day when she is scared, or lonely, or worried, or anxious, she'll remember one or many of them. She'll feel the crazy love God has for her....
so Happy Valentine's Day. It's been a sugar-filled one for my class. and we had testing...so that was interesting. Thank you to whoever decided to plan that. So follow along with me if you'd like. It's a journey folks...and a small world after all.
