Mo' Moe

Our dog, Moe, is a very strange and delightful creature. He is afraid of everything. Everything- People, loud noises, weird looks I occasionally give him, cameras, and doorbells on television. On top of that, he thinks he is a cat. He loves to lay on the back of the couch, stretched out in the sun. Sometimes he will lay on his back and swat at us with his paws, very catlike. His dire need to sit right between David and I on the couch is also an anomaly which we cannot explain.

Right now, though, he is hiding behind my feet. Snuggled so closely between my legs and the couch I am surprised he can fit there. His fear of storms has driven him to hide. Thunder upset him in his normal cat-ish pose on the back of the couch and he is now seeking shelter under me. Its very adorable. He is sleeping peacefully. I guess we have switched roles. He is the one always "protecting" me from strangers and noises of car doors shutting a few houses down. Now I am protecting him from the storms. Oh dog love!

Safe

In the past few weeks I have learned that I take a lot of my self image and pride from my job. Silly that I put all my confidence in something I can't control. I know I need to shift it to confidence in the Lord ONLY! I'm working on that...
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.
Proverbs 3:26


to the one whose dreams are falling all apart
and all you’re left with is a tired and broken heart
i can tell by your eyes you think you’re on your own
but you’re not alone

have you heard of the One who can calm the raging sea
give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
with a love so strong and never let you go
no you’re not alone

you will be safe in His arms, you will be safe in His arms
‘cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
this is the promise He made, He will be with you always
when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms

did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
is the very same voice that calls you now to rise
so hear Him now He’s calling you home
you will never be alone

these are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the sea
these are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me
these are the hands that healed the leper
pulled the lame up to their feet
these are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

safe in His arms, safe in His arms
safe in His arms
when everything is falling apart
you will be safe in His arms…”

– “safe”.. by phil wickham

Dog Revelation

David and I have come to a realization... Moe, our adorable American Eskimo, believes that our home is his. No, not that we share a home, but that he owns our home. He is the one who is there most often. He is the one who announces visitors and keeps us safe. David and I simply come and go, sleeping there and stealing food from his fridge.

Laziness

Since Wednesday I have been at home in bed... I am sick. My ears are hurting, sore throat, headache, congestion, and a slight fever. I went to the doctor and nothing was wrong with me. No flu, no strep throat. Just a lot of wax in my ear... Really? How do I never have a definable illness? Whatever. So I follow the NP's advice and get some earwax drops. They are gross feeling and I don't think it all came out of my ear. The result:more pain last night and fullness feeling today.

So I am on day 3 of staying home and being incredibly lazy. Its (obvious if you know me) driving me crazy! I hate not going to work. Teachers are kind of control freaks and I don't like missing any days at all! Missing three in a row right before spring break is not ideal for me. This morning I woke up feeling well rested so I got up, tried to do some normal activity... Almost instantly I can't breathe and I'm exhausted again. Drat.

Just noticed my sore throat is no longer irritated. Nice!

So last night David came home with dinner for me (sweet husband) and he opened our bedroom window shade. It was nice. Now that the sun is out longer I got to watch the sunset and then watch the planes land with their pretty lights. Very relaxing. I've been alone pretty much the whole time I've been sick because David is furiously trying to finish all his painting projects, printing projects, and baby nursery murals for our friends. He has been working hard! So I have been catching up on proteacher forums, applying for summer jobs, and watching inordinate amounts of tv.

But, I will be well soon and I will get to have a happy and productive spring break. Here are the things I will do: clean closet, go shopping for new clothes, clean classroom, paint toenails, read in the sunshine while drinking an amaretto sour, and cook some amazing cupcakes for David's show. If I can do those things I will be super happy!

Inside my mind

Thought of political nature:

I know that I do not share similar views of many people, and I do not ever want to come off as angry when I share some of my ideas. The reason I feel the way I do about these things is because I believe in love, so I want to share my thoughts in a loving way. I also know that I am far from being an expert in political thinking. The system is very confusing and corrupt. I do not try to take part in understanding all the ins and outs. If I sound ignorant, forgive me.

I wish that people who are passionate about getting rid of abortion were as passionate about getting rid of war, poverty, and the death penalty. Someone invited me to a pro-life group on facebook about "protecting life" referring only to unborn babies. I couldn't join that group. To me pro-life includes all ages, all people. Even criminals. Even people who aren't American.
Not that I think the abortion issue isn't important. I do. I think that abortion is very sad and is extremely damaging to young women. However, it isn't the only life-stopping force that our country allows.
Just something for you to think about. If you feel strongly about being pro-life, remember to promote all life.

Spreading the Love

I am a first year teacher this year. They say it is really hard, and they are right. There have been lots of challenges I didn't expect such as: stapler repair, puke being deposited everywhere, celebrating every holiday known to man, never having as much time as I want for science and social studies, and teaching self defense when our county decided to tell students if an intruder comes in- its ok for you to fight back. My class is made up of mostly darlings and a few turkeys that just seem to love to test me. Lately, I've been worrying that I spend all my time disciplining the few and not teaching the rest...
That is not my goal. My goal is to take a group of 5 and 6 year olds and turn them in to responsible and caring kids who can also read and do basic math. I was contemplating if I had done a good job when I had a conversation with another teacher, Kindergarten, next door to me. I asked her if all her kids liked to hold hands all the time, cause mine sure do. She told me none of her kids held hands, it was just my kids because of the hippie culture we have in our room. This was delightful to hear! It made me feel like my kids really do care about each other and that I have somehow helped them learn to do that. Then yesterday we went into a different room to watch a movie with another class. The class we were visiting stayed in their desks, while my kids sat on the carpet. 15 minutes into the movie, all of mine have laid down with their heads on each other's stomachs, sharing jackets for pillows. I loved it. A lot of teachers have trouble with their kids bickering a lot, but mine just love each other. So I am starting to feel like possibly I have done something good in these kids lives. Happiness!

Overwhelmingly Ovewhelmed.

Ohmygoodnesswhenwillitstop?
That crazy weekend I had is turning into a crazy week. I feel better now, though. My husband has stopped puking and I finished all my kids' report cards today. This is a great improvement.

Alexa did well at her meet. Got 5th overall for her age and 2nd on bars! Get it girrr! She, however, did not think she did well and continued her habit of pouting on the award stand... Aggravating.
And may I just say(rant! rant!), as someone who works with children... Not every kid needs to get a medal!! Let's just have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! We are teaching our children that they are entitled to everything and that they are good at things even when they aren't. Someone is going to eventually tell them they can't get everything they want... Might as well tell them when they're young and save them the shock.

I haven't got to watch LOST for 2 weeks now! I am a little miffed.

Tried spinach pizza today... Surprisingly delicious! But, is it any healthier???

Au revoir!