Spring Break

It has been AGES since I've last updated.  I'd like to say that I've been filling my life with extraordinary adventures and such, which would be the reason I have not been posting.  However, the truth is more fitting - I have simply been either too busy, too lazy, or too forgetful (oops...).

At this very moment it is Spring Break.  I'm sitting in the living room of my parents house posting - which is such a simple blessing.  I had not been "home" since Christmas break and being back in my parents' house has been wonderful.

The break has been very relaxing - which is much needed in order to tackle the remaining 11 weeks of the year with the excitement and energy it (and all of my little ones) deserve. 

My family, along with many others, are throwing an engagement party for an elementary school friend of mine.

Well, a little backstory on these many families:

In the first grade I moved to a school called Westminster Elementary.  Best and most precious school ever.  I am sure many of you are biased toward your elementary school and perhaps think it was the best; however, you did not go to Westminster, so you are mistaken (this is the point in my story telling where almost all of my students would shout out "opinion," and I applaud them for this - but this is indeed a fact). 

There are many reasons why it was precious: 1) the teachers were incredible; 2) my friends were unbelievable; 3) there was much responsibility put onto us at such a young age and it made us feel SO valued and grown up; and 4) it was where I was inspired to become a teacher (since the 1st grade, but in actuality I give most of the credit to my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Thompson, who was by far the biggest inspiration in my life of becoming a teacher).

I made life long friends there, which I can say with much certainty since many of my friends today I met at Westminster.  And here is where the "many families" come into play.  Through the numerous school events, functions, Brownie meetings, sporting events, you name it, all of our parents got to know eachother.  My parents became friends with my friends' parents, and the group started growing from there.  Families with children a year or two above us became friends of my family, and most of us went to school together.  All together, it's 8 families: 19 children and 16 parents.  We're quite a bunch when you put us all together.  All of our parents live in the same neighborhood, go to church together, and get together often.  We're all bound together in a group called the Yakkity Yaks with the mascot of a dragon fly - I know, it's ridiculous.

Through the years we have all stayed very close.  Though mulitple vacations to the beach; kids' bridge lessons in '97; Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA, in 2000; swim team; lake trips; etc; we have managed to form a lifelong bond.  My family and another built a beach house not too long ago in Fort Morgan, AL, and soon after, another family in the group built one 4 houses down.  Needless to say, it'll be hard to separate everyone.  I've been in two weddings of my 1st grade friends, and at some point they'll be in mine.  I think this is why I look at my students differently.  The friendships they're making are possibily the same that I made and I realize how truly blessed I am.  I can't imagine having grown up any other way, without these 7 sets of extra parents and all of these pseudo brothers and sisters.  I only hope I am as blessed to have the same type of group when I start a family.

Well my goodness, since you've now read about my childhood, on to the engagement party. 

In August, another one of the Yakkity Yak kids is getting married and my parents, along with 7 other couples, are hosting the engagement party.  The parties rotate around the group, they have thrown them for every one of the YY kids who've been engaged.  The difference in hosting this time is that my parents are actually having the party at our house.  So, yes, I've been relaxing while my parents have been working like mad to make our already beautiful house even more beautiful.  They've redone the bathrooms (granite, granite, granite), bought new outdoor furniture, powerwashed, painted, weeded, edged,  mowed, and anything else you can think of.  I'd like to say I helped, but alas, my mom truly wanted me to rest - so I heeded her wish and I have been.

I'm excited to see all of my childhood friends on Friday.  When someone gets engaged it's one of those times - like the anual Christmas Eve Eve party - that I know everyone will be together again.  I'm excited to see their spouses, hear about their children, and celebrate the news of a new pregnancy!  It's crazy how life changes, but when I see these friends it all feels exactly the same.  We reminisce, catch up, and look to the future.  I am beyond blessed with family friends like these.  I have grown up within such an amazing circle of people. 

I have learned a lot from my parents about friendship.  These are obviously not their only friends - believe it or not, there's another group.  The group from which my godparents were chosen.  My parents make and keep friends easily.  They are loyal, trustworthy, fun, and spontaneous (when need be) friends.  I pray I am at least some of these things.  Thanks, Mama and Daddy, for showing me what I aspire to be as a friend. 

So bring it on, future Yakkity Yak group of my life (whatever we may be called)...I'm ready :)

Learning at the feet of the Father,
Amanda

5th Snow Day.

I woke up this morning at 5:00 and immediately got online to see if school had been cancelled.  It is, I found out at 5:54.  I am wired, unfortunately, and cannot go back to sleep.

Last night the 2nd grade performed at the PTA meeting.  I may be a bit biased, but my kids were quite possibly the cutest things in the world.  I felt like a proud parent watching them sing the songs, play the instruments, and act out their parts.  I filmed the entire program and probably took about 25 pictures of their short performance.  It's all about capturing memories, right?  These kids bring me a lot of joy.

Speaking of joy, yesterday afternoon I noticed that a couple of my kids were pouting.  So, what did I do?  In the middle of our daily UPSL (Understand, Plan, Solve, Look Back: our problem solving strategy) I played the song "My Favorite Things" and sang it.  Not quietly, I may add.  A large part of me wishes I were Julie Andrews - I adore her.  And though I cannot say that I did her justice in singing the song, it certainly worked for my kids.  My pouters started laughing!  Probably at my expense, seeing as I was dancing around the room and truly convincing all of my students that "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" are absolutely my favorite things.  Sometimes it takes that little something extra to motivate some kids, and I'm not above singing, changing accents, or becoming a different character (fairy godmother, Mrs. Spork, etc.); just ask my students :)

A list of some of my actual favorite things (raindrops and whiskers aside):

- my family

- my friends

- Christmas

- the Fall
- owls

- Louisiana

- Diet Coke

- music

- my faith in Christ

- my job

- my church

- and obviously, it goes without saying, my kids :)

Now, on to attempt to go back to sleep.  I love these surprise days off; they make me miss my kids, and my job, and my routine.  We wouldn't know the feeling of "missing" something if it were never taken away.  And I think if we say we "miss" something, it just shows how much we love and care about it.  So, I'll be ready to go back come Thursday or Friday.  Plus, the stories of how people, especially 2nd graders, kept themselves entertained are priceless :)

Teaching at the feet of the Father,

Amanda/Ms. B

Cabin Fever.

The weather here in the DFW area has been cold.  I just wanted to mention it for anyone who quite possibly didn't know.

I am blessed to have a roommate for so many reasons, but in times like these - times when leaving your abode is not an option - it has been wonderful.  Cabin fever set in quickly and I felt that everyone I was talking to was feeling a bit stir crazy.  Since leaving home was nothing more than a flitting wish, my roommate and I kept ourselves busy playing board games (well, the Game of Life, really) and laughing.  The most laughter ensued over the multiple blackouts we had on Wednesday morning.  Honestly, we laughed a ton during those moments because what else is there to do but laugh.

But then, the glorious day of Thursday arrived and we had had enough.  We ventured out to Northpark to shop.  It was wonderful.  We were actually seeing other people - and the friendliest people at that!  I think that human interaction had been so low over the past few days that people were sparking up conversations left and right with us just to hear the sound of people's voices.  It was wonderful, and a bit odd.  However, I am not one to shy away from a stranger's conversation, and they were all welcomed!  I met an Ann Taylor Loft store employee from Louisiana - from the Monroe area who is studying to become a nurse; a Nordstrom's employee who could not have been more excited to be out of school for the week; a lady who was very concerned about this weather for the Super Bowl - she truly felt for all of the hard working people who put forth so much effort to make this a great location for the game (loved her heart in this); and lastly, a Nordstrom's employee studying to be a teacher - which, in my opinion IS the best profession available; though I may be biased. 

Throughout my trip to the mall there were a few times I wanted to make small talk with families and their children just so that I could ask, "and are you in the 2nd grade?  I teach 2nd grade, isn't it the best?!"  Even though I don't think families would have minded at this moment - remember, human contact had been limited to that of your immediate family at best - I didn't want to be the weird person who brings up school to these children on their amazing surprise week off.  But, the looks on some of these parent's faces made me think they would welcome school back with open arms ANY day now.  Kids were jumping on everything at the mall.  They were sliding down ramps, running up stairs, and racing up escalators.  They were waving at any and every person who walked past them.  They were being kids - kids who, after a week, finally escaped into the outside world, and what a world it was!  I can only assume these were the actions of nearly every kid throughout the DFW metroplex.  And even after observing all of this craziness, it made me miss my kids so much.

I can't wait to see their faces again, hear about how they entertained themselves over the week (some of those stories should be funny!), and simply get back to seeing my 23 blessings again!  I can't lie and say that I have not enjoyed myself over these past days or that I have not enjoyed sleeping in.  I have.  I've enjoyed relaxing, watching movies all day, and having quiet times late into the night knowing that I don't have to wake up at 5:15.  But it is a great feeling knowing that after all of these days, I have 23 smiling faces to return to.  Students who welcome me back with smiles, and hugs, and stories, and laughter.  And I welcome them back with the same.  I've missed them and it will be great to get back!

Teaching/Getting through the Icepocolypse at the feet of the Father, 

Amanda/Ms. B

23 Blessings.

There are many reasons why I love what I do for a living.

1) I truly have felt called to this since the 1st grade.  It may seem cliche, but it's true.  Playing "school" as a child and dreaming of becoming a teacher has now become my living dream.  However, I must say, it has taken on a bit more meaning since then.

2) I work with some unbelievable people.  People who challenge me to become a better teacher, person, and follower of Christ.  I go to work each day knowing I am supported by friends.  When I need a laugh, I can walk across the hall to get one.  When I need to cry, I can do the same.  I pray that everyone has a supportive work environment, because without one, I could not do what I do.

3) But, without a doubt, my favorite thing about being a teacher is the relationship I get to have with my students.  Not only am I their teacher but at times their mom, sister, friend, confidant, and a lot of times, their stability.  What an incredible responsibility.

Teaching instantly becomes something so much more than instructing a lesson in the moment that you see your precious students pictures on your class list.  They are mine for a year.  I can see it as a year to teach my students math, science, social studies, and English OR I can delve deep into the year, not only teaching lessons but truly "making a careful exploration of who I am and the work I have been given and then sink myself into that." (Galatians 6:4 MSG).  I want to be consistent and stable for them.  I long to stay calm when the rest of the world around them may not be.  I long to encourage, to teach, to sharpen, and to inspire.

This year I have been entrusted with 23 students.  My 23 blessings.  I have been with them through highs, lows, and all of the times in between.  I teach 2nd grade.  Looking back on my 2nd grade days, the biggest complaint and struggle I had was not getting invited to spend the night with so-and-so on Friday night.  Oh, how I long for that to be all of my students' biggest problem.

After a LONG day at work on Friday, I came home and relaxed.  I went to sleep that night praying for a specific student of mine.  I woke up praying for the same student.  That, to me, is a clear picture that the Holy Spirit took that prayer and carried it through the night for me.  What an amazing realization.  The Lord is sovereign, powerful, and in control.  Thank goodness, because through all of the things I long to be for my students I need an example of a mom, sister, friend, and confidant; a true example of stability.  In being these things for my students, I want them to see Jesus.  Yes, I want to be their stability, and through this, I want them to see that I have placed my trust in Someone else.  That my ability to be stable comes from Him. I want them to know that it is not me.  The ministry I am in is so utterly apparent.  Go to the nations.  I have.  The elementary school I teach at in Mesquite, Texas, is absolutely my mission field.

I am thankful every day for my 23 blessings.  Do I have hard days?  YES.  Are there days when it is hard to put my feet on the floor and do it all over again?  YES.  Is there a day that passes when I am not thankful for my job and for my students?  NO, absolutely not.

"Your grace is sufficient for me, Your strength is made perfect when I am weak.  All that I cling to I lay at Your feet, Your grace is sufficient for me."

Teaching at the feet of the Father,

Amanda/Ms. B