The Beginning of a New Era - Private School

Caroline, after having a couple extra weeks of summer vacation, started school today. She has begun a new school adventure by starting private school. We were not very happy with her school experience last year and decided to bite the bullet and become poor church mice as we make tuition payments (hey, I guess it's good practice for paying college tuition!). We are looking forward to her being in a Christian environment and being challenged a bit more educationally.

Caroline looked so cute today when she went to school. She was very nervous about making friends as she didn't know anyone at her new school. But I am happy to report she made two new friends today, Molly and Olivia. I am really praying that she makes some lifelong friends this year. She said her teacher Ms. Lehmann is really nice and she loves to hear her talk (she is from South Africa).

She said her favorite part of the day was finding out that if she makes a 100% on her spelling pretest, she doesn't have to take the test on Friday. (Pretty funny what makes them excited!)

The worst part of the day she said was definitely having to get up super early. (after a summer of late nights and later mornings, 5:45am comes pretty early!) Early mornings aren't all bad, Caroline did enjoy breakfast at Chick-fil-a with James this morning.

Of course Jack was thrilled that Caroline was home and having to get up with him and go to school too! Can I just tell you that uniforms totally rock! So easy in the mornings. And so much cheaper!!!!

5 down - 175 to go - A Week in Review!

Five days down - 175 to go! We successfully made it through our first week of school. (well Jack and I did ~ Caroline got to enjoy one more week of vacation). First week went really well. My class is really good and is picking up routines and procedure much quicker than any class I've had before. I think it helps that many of them are older. I also said many prayers as I would really like to possibly loop up with this class and teach them kindergarten next year if my principal would let me. So it is awesome that they seem to be such a good class. Have several of the required names I can't pronounce. (Sidebar - why do parents want to give their children names that will be a struggle to ever be pronounced correctly the first time - strange spellings and the like - I am sure it makes the world more interesting - but not easy the first day of school! - And why do so many names have apostrophes in them nowadays ~ they're not contractions or being possessive! Back to the regular programming).

Jack had a good week and for the most part did really well behavior wise. We're still working on a few issues, but he is loving every minute of kindergarten and enjoys his class and teachers a lot.

Our school went to uniforms this year and it has made such a difference. I would say 85 - 90% of the student population is in uniform and it is wonderful. This has been by far the easiest first week of school that my school has experienced since I've been there. Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come.

Our school is also part of a school cluster (elementary, middle and high schools in a specific area) that is the first cluster in the nation to go completely sugar-free. No more bakesales, ice cream, syrup in the mornings, donuts, cokes, chips, etc. Everything brought into the school or served from the cafeteria must be healthy, natural, non-fried and have no high-fructose corn syrup. I have the honor, privilege and challenge of being the Wellness Committee Chairperson for the school and my committee is spearheading the whole movement for our school. It is a very exciting thing to be a part of and I am so happy to see the parents, students and faculty embracing this movement! (of course it is also a great motivator to me to help keep me on my own weight loss program!)

We finally had our garage sale this morning. (I've only scheduled it no less than 12 times and have put it off for a year.) Of course when I had the WHOLE SUMMER to have one - I was too busy! So let's wait until the week school starts to have one! When I'm getting a sinus infection no less! Sounds like the perfect time. We did really well and actually have more to sell and will pull more stuff out in a couple of weeks when our neighborhood has their annual neighborhood garage sale! James was supposed to go help out at church but got there too late. Might have been a good thing, because he was able to come home and help me.

Jack further proved he was going to grow up to be a salesman (hopefully not a used car salesman - but with his hard sell tactics, who knows). Everyone who came to the garage sale was told, "Hi, we're selling stuff. Let me show this, it is super cool." "Look at this game it is lots of fun, you should buy it.". We finally had to tell him to lay off his sales pitch. The garage is finally almost to the point of being able to house a car again! Progress!

Caroline had fun at the lake with my parents and sisters' families this past week. I was really sad James, Jack and I couldn't go! Total bummer when work gets in the way of play! She's been tubing for several years and decided she wanted to try knee boarding. Got up on the first try and did well with it she said. She said it was so much fun - can't wait to see her do it!

Went out to eat on some of our garage sale earnings. James and I were craving some sushi. We went to the local restaurant that also serves Chinese food for the kids to eat. Jack decided he wanted to try my sushi! Out of my 8 California rolls, Jack ate 3 1/2 (used chopsticks and everything) - Caroline ate 1 1/2 - Mommy only 3. Next time we'll get two orders. (and is it just me or is a 5 year old chowing down on sushi just a bit weird?)

Have a happy Sunday!

My Baby heads to Kindergarten

I don't know how it is possible that my sweet baby boy is old enough to be a kindergartener. I am not at all sure that I like this! But, he was so excited this morning. He insisted when he got in the shower that he use his Daddy's shampoo and soap so he could "smell good like Daddy". He woke up excited and happy.

All ready to go in the new school uniform. Everyone had them on and looked so nice today.

As we drove to school he was pretty quiet. As we got closer to school, he wanted to pray like we do every morning on our way to school. His prayer was so sweet. Something along the lines of, "Lord Jesus, thank you that I can go to kindergarten today. Help me make only good choices and not make bad ones. Let it be a lots of fun. And let me use my smart brain and learn."

Jack was excited when we got to school and was so grown as he went up to all the teachers he knew from last year and said "Good Morning" and gave them lots of hugs.

Here is with his teacher Ms. Poe

He had a great first day. Enjoyed going on a hunt for the "Gingerbread Man". He said it was lots of fun singing Tooty Ta. "I like it when we sing it like this with our tongue out". He stayed on "purple" all day (the best level) and earned his first sticker on his "Purple Day" behavior chart on our fridge. (for every 5 purple days - he earns a dollar).

Jack said this is his first day funny pose. He has done it the last two years. (did the same pose without any prompting from me!)

First day of Pre-K 2007

First day of Kindergarten 2008

Look how he has grown. I am really excited about what this year holds for him. I think he has a great teacher that really works well with active boys. One day down 179 to go!

Olympic Fever

I love the Olympics. I love to watch the gymnastics, diving, swimming, track and field, all of it! I enjoy cheering for America and being so proud (and choked up) when we win a gold and our national anthem is played and we see our flag being raised. It is truly inspiring.

The opening ceremonies of the Olympics last night were some of the most incredible and inspiring I have ever seen. What a joy to watch the faces of all the young, hopeful athletes as they made their way into Olympic Stadium. So full of excitement, joy and expectation for what the next days would hold for them. I can only imagine what it would be like. I loved seeing the different outfits each country wore and to see that even the smallest of countries sent delegates. The country of Georgia that is currently fighting the Russians was represented and their faces showed such determination. The Americans having a wonderful time, enjoying every moment.

One of the most touching moments to me was when the Chinese came in. Yao Ming carried their flag and beside him was this small little 9-year-old boy. Such a cutie. He was in one of the schools that was destroyed by the recent earthquake. He managed to free himself from the rubble and then went back to save many other students who weren't dead yet. When asked why, he said he was a hall monitor in his school and was considered a leader and it was what a leader would do. What maturity, selflessness and bravery. Once they made their way around the stadium, he seemed to be in the arms of different Chinese athletes. He seemed very much to be the hero of the night (he definitely was to me!).

As the torch went from one person to the next, it was carried by 8 different people to symbolize the date the Olympics started 8-8-08. The last person to carry it all of a sudden started to swing up into the air attached to a cable. He continued to run through the air in the most graceful of moves around the stadium. It looked as if he were running on the sides of the top of the stadium instead of in the air. It was incredible to watch. Once the torch was lit, the fireworks started. Such a display! They were the most incredible I had ever seen. Perfectly synchronized all the way around the outside of the stadium. Just breathtaking.

The spirit of the Olympics is so encouraging to me. To see people from all different nationalities, races, creeds and beliefs coming together in friendly competition. To watch those in the games not only competing against others, but competing against their best. To watch Torres swim as she did 24 years ago in 1984. (24 years! That is simply amazing to me). To do their best. To be the leaders - the heroes. To do what leaders do ~ Inspire, encourage, never give up and finish the race.

I am reminded of what Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27).
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Corinth was located in Greece and the Isthmian games were held every two years. Games like the Olympics were known in this part of the world. Paul speaks of running in such a way as to get a prize. That everyone who competes goes into strict training. When you consider the way those competing in the Olympics train it is with their whole heart, body and mind. We are to compete and train the same way in our walk with the Lord. Not to compete against others, but to be the absolute best we can be. And when we are far too tired to go on anymore, when we want to give up and stop, we are to keep pushing it just that much more to obtain the prize. An everlasting prize.

May peace and safety be there for those competing in Beijing. May they compete in such a way as to win the race - to obtain the prize. I know I'm going to!

Who will I be.....

The life of a teacher is wonderful. I love being able to teach, impart knowledge, love and encourage children. There is something truly magical about seeing a child's face light up when they learn something new. To be able to encourage and foster that love of learning. I have the added blessing of being an early childhood teacher. I am those sweet children's first experience with school. I am their start, the one who gives them their first taste of learning in a school setting, I get to set the tone of what school can be like. And I LOVE that part of my job.

After having 9 weeks off with my children it is also hard to go back to work. There are days when I wish we could be on summer vacation forever. To play and explore and sleep-in. I am so grateful for those weeks off with my kids. What a tremondous blessing. This year has been hard to go back. We've had such a wonderful summer and I really feel like my kids and I really bonded over some wonderful adventures! But as the song goes Hi Ho Hi Ho.... it's off to work I go.

With that in mind, I've been thinking a lot about what I want this year to be like. At church today we continued our study of the books of the Bible and we were on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. And is always like God, what was taught was right in line with what I have been thinking about lately. Our pastor talked about what kind of trail will we leave behind us? Will we leave a trail that provides hope for others and is a light that points them towards the Lord, or will we leave a trail that leads to dissention, gossip, grumbling, despair etc. (heavily paraphrased).

And as I thought about this, I thought about who would most of my co-workers say I am? I think those closest to me, know the real me. Or at least part of the real me. They know I go to church regularly and claim to be a Christian, but I wonder is that all they see. Do they see the love of Jesus, the hope in His salvation, the joy in His relationship with us? Who am I truly with not just my words but my actions. I want them to see Jesus when they see me. And being truly honest with myself, I am not sure that I have done such a great job. Sure, I've tried to stay out of the drama that comes from working in a school full of primarily women. I don't go out and party with a lot of the teachers that make that regular Friday night plans, but do they see Jesus?

Having the pleasure and responsibility of teaching in a public school is both wonderful and difficult at times. But what an absolute privilege as well. I have often considered my job as a mission field. Working in a lower socio-economic school has provided me with many opportunities to reach out to the children in my class. And that I find very easy to do. What is much harder is to put myself out there for my co-workers. But with added leadership responsibilities I am taking on, it is even more critical that I step up to the plate and make myself readily available to be used by God. So I have been asking myself, "who will I be this year?" When people see me and get to know me, what or better who will they see?

A song that lately has been really convicting, motivating and ministering to me regarding this is I Will Be by Natalie Grant.

Your heart, Your plan, give me Your eyes, help me understand.

My feet and my hands holding out living hope to every man.

Knowing what You’ve made me, with every single heartbeat...

I will be a candle in the darkness.

I will be the hand of heaven above.

I will be a mirror that reflects your endless love.

I will be the hope among the hopeless.

Where there is conflict, I will be peace.

Only by the power of Your spirit that's living in me.

I will be...gracious, gentle and kind knowing that Your love will shine through mine.

So as I enter the doors of my school tomorrow, I pray that I will be all those things. That I will be salt and light in my school. That I will be a source of compassion, joy, encouragement, mercy and grace to those I work with. And then trusting that the Lord can use it for His good glory!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine......

Rocking out with our Life Group!

We have some of the greatest AND craziest times with our friends in our church Life Group. We had them over for an end-of-the-summer picnic last night. After we all got really good and hot at the park across the street (can I just tell you how much I LOVE the park across the street, it has been the scene of many fun adventures this summer!), we came in to try our hands, and voices at our new Wii Rock Band game. Some were definitely better than others! (I can't get it at all!) It was lots of fun though! I'll probably be tarred and feathered for posting some of these, but I promise these were the best! Thanks for always being so much fun to hang out with!

Love You Guys!

Jack's Big Decision

Sometimes the most wonderful conversations can take place in the car. I often just don't take the time to have them. Yesterday we were on the way to my parent's home. We were listening to a new song we sang at church a few weeks ago Sing, Sing, Sing by Chris Tomlin. Singing at the top of our lungs. All of a sudden, Jack said, "Mommy, I need to get baptised". Really kind of out of the blue.

He had some idea what baptism is, but not completely. So I told him that baptism is just an outward sign to other Christians that you have now accepted Jesus into your heart.

We talked about what it meant to ask Jesus into your heart. That the only way to spend eternity in Heaven is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). That because we all make poor choices (sin), the penalty of that sin is death(Romans 6:23). That Jesus when He died on the cross, paid that penalty of sin through His death (Romans 5:8) and that if we accept His free gift and ask Him to live in our hearts as our Lord and Savior that we too can have eternal life (John 3:16) with Him in Heaven. (of course - it was said in my 5 year old terms).

Jack said he wanted Jesus to live in his heart and that he wanted to go to heaven when he died. And most of all that he wanted Jesus to help him make good choices and not bad ones and to forgive him when he messes up. I was just driving down the road amazed at this conversation we were having. Jack is so impulsive and sometimes appears very unfocused, but what I am starting to realize is that he is taking EVERYTHING in and understands much more than I have given him credit for. I must also say that salvation isn't something that we talk about a lot in our home. We talk about the Lord to be sure, but not necessarily salvation, so I have to credit much of his thinking on all this to our wonderful church, SouthCrest, where I know he is hearing the wonderful news about who Jesus is each Sunday.

Jack said he wanted to wait and pray when we got to my parent's home. I had the honor and privilege of leading my sweet son - (with my mom and Caroline with us) in a prayer that asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins, and to live in his heart forever so he might have eternal life in Heaven with the Lord Jesus. When he finished praying he let out this huge sigh of relief as if the weight of the world had just been lifted off his 5-year-old shoulders. He had a huge grin on his face. It was a wonderful moment.

A little later on I asked him what he thought about his asking Jesus into his heart. He said, "Well, I think it is pretty impressive that Jesus is now living in my heart."

As a mother, I am so humbled by what happened and so honored to have been a part of leading my son to the Lord.

If there is anyone out there who reads this blog that does not know Jesus as their personal Savior. It is pretty simple (simple enough a 5-year-old can do it!). It is just a matter of confessing that we have all sinned and there is no way we can be good enough to get into heaven. The only way is through accepting the free gift that Jesus died on the cross for you. And if you were the ONLY one that Jesus still would have died just for YOU. Asking Jesus into your heart and to be Lord of your life. If anyone has any questions about this (as this is such a brief overview) I would be honored to share with you more about my Jesus.

Love to you all!