Yeah..so here I go..I have to go into the boys bathroom to get Jaden to hurry up. (Jaden is this little 4 year old black dude that gets in trouble alot and well, he's stolen my heart.)
Let me explain this to ya guys..girls do not ever want to go into a boy's bathroom..I mean they would just rather block that out of their minds. Yuck..serious yuck. .... There is just something in there that is just not in the girl's bathroom. Theres like this atmospheric change that happens when you walk in. Okay..anyway..
I go in to get Jaden and he's pulling up his pants saying, "Ms. Mann, you know what, I am going to do? I am going to get some more money and buy you something." "Aw..really Jaden?" "Yeah, I think I am going to buy a toy that we can play together." "Wow, that sounds great Jaden!" Heart melting stuff y'all!
My day ends with me in my rocking chair reading a book with my two Dennis the Menaces (Alex and Robert) snuggled in my lap and my sweet TJ smashin in. Can life get any better? I am surrounded and being loved by these little trouble makers..hahaha..go figure..its pay back time I guess!
I am pointing out our class schedule to the class..."Okay class, first we have Calendar time, then we have large group time and then its small group time.." TJ says, "We have small group at Candy's house!" TJ's family is in our small group and we all usually meet at Candy's house..Just thought that it was precious and Candy, don't think that me and TJ aren't thinking of you!!
Head games - it's you and me, baby *
| You Are 25% Left Brained, 75% Right Brained |
The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.
The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.
If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.
Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports. |
May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you stay forever young.*
high school...my boy is in high school...can't get over it...
When they placed him in my arms for the first time I felt the weight of him and I knew this was going to be big. (Okay, he was over 11 pounds..but you don't even want to get me started about that birth experience.) And it has been big...
He's 15 now and my favorite moments are when he bounds into my room with his dog "Jett" and jumps into bed with me..and we talk...
Love is so big..isn't it...?
*From "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan
No one’s gonna bring me down No one's gonna stop me now*
Okay...so does anyone remember how hard it was to open those little paper milk cartons when they were in school?
Well, let me tell ya...I told one of my kids how awesome it was that he could open it by himself so now our lunch time is filled with screams down the table, "Teacher, look, I opened it all by myself!"
I sit there applauding these little precious people who are so stinking proud of themselves and want me to share in the moment. Its a moment I feel honored to share with them.
I love having people in my life who I can tell that I can open my milk all by myself and they are cheering me on...That's you guys...Thanks...
*From "Golden Moments" by James Taylor
Joyeux anniversaire encore, Kyle ! !
Vous êtes un ami précieux ! !
Je vous prie ai eu un jour étonnant.
J'étais le seul qui s'est rappelé....hahahahaahahaha
Vous méritez de faire vous souhaiter chacun le joyeux anniversaire!
Kyle..I was so excited to get to know you through Facebook, MySpace and the blog. You are a precious man with a precious heart for others and your God. I loved the prayer you gave me last night. You have encouraged me when I needed it and have a special place in my heart. How much do I love that you and Brook are together because I love that girl!!
Have an amazing evening knowing that we all have only known you for a short while but we love you to death and that's pretty cool and says so much about you..
peace out..my friend..
Katie lays her head down on her mat!
Well..my little Katie has finally given in to the sticker incentive and will now lay her head down on her mat. Yesterday I was sitting beside one of the boys rubbing his back to get him to relax and looked over at Katie. She was laying her head down on her mat. I smiled at her and she smiled and gave me a thumbs up..I loved it!!
You know, it was for her own good. Katie needed to rest. Now I watch her relax into her comfy mat and rest.
I thought about how I struggle with God on some things I don't understand. I just can't lay down in trust sometimes. But when I do..I have peace and God smiles..
Three names...please pray for my little Katie..my little Alex..my little Robert...
Their little hearts are troubled and I am asking my precious prayer warriors to pray for them.
God bless each one of you with the peace that comes when we trust in the one who knows what is best for us..
*Life is worth less than nothing without love
So, I have a little girl in my class who will not lay her head down on her mat. I am sitting beside her trying to talk to her about it and she is defiant. I take her in the hall and we have an eye to eye, heart to heart. After much convincing she goes in with me and lays down. She is playing with my bracelet as she says, "There are no bad people here..?" "No, Katie, there are no bad people here.", I say. "I just hope my family doesn't go to jail. ", Katie tells me. I lean over her telling her how proud I am of her that she has actually laid her head on her mat when she puts her arms around my neck pulling me to her not letting go. "Its all okay Katie." I assure her. Man, now shes one of my favorites. Why do four year olds have to worry about things like this? Today we had the same problem again and she just finally exclaimed, " I am just allergic to naps!"
Alex is a wandering throw a fit kind of kid. He has driven us crazy all day but touched my heart before the day was over. He was sitting on the child size couch in the Home Living Center so I sat down beside him. He picked up a phone and handed it to me and picked up the play cell phone. He told me to call him and I dialed the number. Alex and I sat on that little couch talking to each other for about half an hour. He told me he loved me.
Well, guys its a dirty job but somebody's got to do it! Am I exhausted?.. Yes..Is my heart full?...you better believe it!!
Lord, please show me how to love each one of these kids as you would want me to...
*From "Someone" by James Taylor
*There are moments you remember all your life. There are moments you wait for and dream, of all your life. This is one of those moments..
I don't know what the best moment was today. My day began with me standing watching my boy sleep thinking how proud I am of him and how amazing it is that he was going into high school today.
Was the best moment getting out of my car at work and looking up to see the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen? I couldn't move standing there basking in His promises. I had the very job I had wanted and I was humbled by it all.
Was the best moment my first child entering my room today? I had parent/teacher conferences all day dealing with paperwork and meeting my kids. Seeing TJ was a highlight. Knowing this boy will be in my class is just so cool.
There was the moment when a mother sat before me telling me of her impending divorce and I told her we (my Aide and I ) were going through some stuff like that. Her mouth dropped open as she stated that satan was attacking all of us. I said, "No, God is blessing us. He brought you here with us." She began to cry and I walked around the table to get some tissues and she grabbed me and held on to me. This was a moment I will never forget.
Maybe my best moment was when a little girl hugged me and wouldn't let me go or all the high fives I got from the boys in my class. They are all my favorite moments and tomorrow is another day...
Did you have a favorite moment today?...don't miss it...
*From "This is One of Those Moments" by Barbra Streisand (yes, Barbra Streisand) Yentl
Blaring this song...love it..makes me feel good!!!!!
Like Steve McQueen
All I need's a fast machine
I'm gonna make it all right
~Steve Mcqueen..Sheryl Crow~
I love this boy on the left...just love him...
He is on his way back from camp in Sipapu, New Mexico where he had an incredible time with His God....
I GOT A JOB!!!!!
God is good!!!
Hey guys, He takes such good care of me!!!!!
I LOVE EVERYBODY!!!
I AM A TEACHER!!!
So fathers, be good to your daughters, Daughters will love like you do*
..On behalf of every man
looking out for every girl
You are the guide and the weight of her world.*My brother is back in Hong Kong now. He calls me and tells me of a hiking trip he, his wife and little girl recently took. He said they came up on some pristine waterfalls and he just had to get in with Marina.
Marina is so blessed to have my brother as a father. He loves her like she was about to walk away. Every decision he makes involves her well being in mind. I love him for that and want to tell him that from a daughter, this means the world.
My father was not this way. Maybe thats why I notice Daddies and Daughters. I remember sitting around living rooms where people talked, with me close by, about how sad it was that my brothers didn't have a father in their lives. I wanted so much to say something...to say I don't understand it, but I am pretty sure its just as important for me to have him in my life. I know my own Father didn't get this.
Someone asked me the other day if my Dad being absent affected my view of God as my Father. Yes, for many years it clouded the face of my father in heaven. But then I noticed and read about how He loves me. I found a new love and this has redeemed me. My own Father, I forgave, as of just within the last few months, and my new Father well..I accept His embrace, smiling....
*From "Daughters" by John Mayer
"A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule." Michael Pollan, Second Nature, 1991
So yeah..my yard has like the longest grass in the neighborhood..
It bothered me at first..but not anymore..You know there is a point where you feel like you should cut it then it keeps growing and after a week of tomorrows it just doesn't matter anymore.
Why am I not cutting my grass? Lets brainstorm..
1. I think its funny that the man across the street who cussed my son out has perfect grass but has to wake up every morning and look in my general direction.
2. You can drop stuff and not worry about picking it up.
3. When that one lady brings her dog down the street and unabashingly allows the dog to express himself in my yard, I don't have to look at it. (You know in West Texas people don't walk around with plastic bags in their hands picking up what their dogs drop.)
4. Theres a certain study in the evolution of weeds that one never sees when they so hastily cut them away.
5. Who pronounced one day that all mankind would not only cut their grass on a regular basis but water and fertilize it to make it grow faster? Have we bought into something so meaningless?
6.I don't freakin want to!
Her lawn
looks like a meadow,
And if she mows the place
She leaves the clover standing
And the Queen Anne's Lace.
- Edna St. Vincent Millay
Stained Glass
I went to Sam's MySpace tonight and this the song he had put up. Wow..lets get real in church for our teenagers and for each other. I am so tired of just sitting there with a smile and looking around at all the pretty, together people. We're killing ourselves or we are robbing ourselves of true fellowship. The kind of fellowship that comes when we come clean with each other. I think that is why I love my Alanon group so much...no place to hide and that is freedom.
I wish I could have something here so you could hear this song..its so good...I LOVE Casting Crowns!!!
Stained Glass.....Casting Crowns
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
SHE'S GOT A LIGHT AROUND HER*
Okay...I was inspired when I read Honeybee's post about Scott, to post about someone I have come to love just recently...
Okay..when I first read Discom's blog, some months ago, I blushed and clicked out. ...But, alas, I kept going back. I really started to like this girl.
I guess what I want to say is that not only has God blessed me with her friendship but YOU would be richly blessed to know her.
My life has fallen apart in these last few months and she and I began to email and Yahoo Messenger back and forth. She has inspired me to hang in there. She has helped me to see hope in the distance and she has prayed for me, both she and Kyle have.
She recently came to town and we met and had a blast. We talked about life and love and heartache and it was such a precious moment. We ended our night going to hear Mr. Cole sing to us. It was a rich night.
I was in Arlington with Whitney and ended up needing a place to crash so I called on Brook. Of course, she was happy to do it and she even came to get me to follow her so I wouldn't get lost.
I got some bad news that night..she made my bed and assured me everything would be fine. Harley, the cutie dog, curled up on top of me and slept with me all night.
Brook, girl, I feel richer having you in my life and anyone would be blessed to know you.
So..heres to you girl!
*From "Shes Got a Way" by Billy Joel
