Answered

My prayer was answered! I am so blessed!

The Joke Is On Me

I knew I would love this new job. I knew it but I know I didn't understand how it might change my life.

I am tired. Bone tired. I am tired from working so hard to herd 90 very bright, very outgoing, very ALIVE high school students every afternoon. I am tired from having 4 rehearsals before school each week. I am tired from play practice every evening until 9ishPM(next week until 10PMish). I am tired from being "0n" the entire day.

What I didn't see coming... I didn't expect to love 6th and 7th and 8th graders with as much passion as I do. They are the start of my day and the zany, creative, inquisitive, funny, curious, appreciative students I have are such a joy!

I also didn't expect to worry and care and fret over my high school students. I had several students struggle with life this week... eligibility, getting kicked out of their home, car accidents, grades, college decisions, and depression.

Tomorrow, I am taking 8 students to a music festival. Six of these students are eligible to audition for the All State Choir. No matter the outcome, they are All State in my heart. I am so blessed to get to be a part of this with them.

All the days and weeks and months that I despaired that I wouldn't ever feel the joy and pain and fulfillment and exhaustion that I feel right now... Silly, silly me.

ARGH!

Just having one of those days. I guess I now understand that "those" days or moments only help me to better appreciate the other days!

5 Minutes

Just wait 5 minutes. Things will be better. And if they aren't, wait 5 more.

Autumn

Fall is my favorite season. Love the cooler temps, chill in the air, color of the landscape, color orange, pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING, and knowing the holidays are coming.

Now that I am older, the one thing about fall I don't like is the political season. How people can call themself a Christian and be so unloving is something I cannot fathom.

Still

lovin' every minute of it!

I have pinched myself and I know I am awake.

It's really true.

I get to play, sing, listen, talk about, teach, think about music all day long.

Woot!

City

This summer, our vacation plans changed at the last minute. We decided to head to Chicago and spend some time with my sister and her family.

We headed to the city the first day there. I used to spend a lot of time downtown when I was a student at Illinois State University. Part of me would love to live there. Another part of me was very grateful to arrive back in Kirksville.

Playing Favorites

Do you have favorites? Favorite food, books, clothes, color, music, people?

What makes these things your favorite? Habit? Familiarity? P0pularity?

I have been in pain this summer and trying to figure out why. Why am I in pain? Why am I sad? Today, I realized it's because I am not a favorite. And it hurts. It hurts to inhale and exhale. I have to be careful to not breathe too deeply or I might crack open.

There are things I could do to make myself a favorite, but I cannot bring myself to do them. It goes against everything I am.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

I don't think I've ever done so much laundry in my life! Or cooking! Or cleaning! Or laundry!

Oh my goodness!

When you are playing two different sports in each day, you have to change your shirt 3 times... sweat soaked doesn't even begin to describe how the shirts are coming home! Ick!

And the socks! OMG the socks!

24 on the 24th

Well the test was interesting.

Ethan won 4th place in show me games tennis.

I am cleaning my house... no one is home but me...

School starts in 24 days.

I've got A LOT to do.

Excited doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling.

32

days is a long time to be without a car. Especially when you live in a town without public transportation.

Just sayin'.

Hmmm

I've been busy... I can't wait to felt and line!

5 Days In

Already, this month is looking better than the last.

This month, so far, can just bite me.

No joke

Not even kidding... just washed a pack of gum. Totally my fault too!

For me, Facebook is a great place to make sure you feel worse than you already do.

I have decided I am not good at suffering silently.

Or perhaps I am.

Beautiful

Life is just what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

And who should come to our rescue? Our oldest son, Alex.

Broken down car (twice). Rain/thunderstorm. No mechanics open past noon. One hour away from home. Three families stop on the freeway to help (all Kirksville families)! No yelling. No arguing.

Before you go to sleep, say a little prayer. Every day in every way it's getting better and better.

jlennon - beautiful boy

Mad Hatter

Why is that break has just started and I already feel behind. Hmmm.

I've got lots to do... lots I want to do and lots I need to do. Now that the dust has settled a bit, I am making a plan to get it all done and still have time to just chill.