End of a Chapter

I don't mind change. I don't. I see it as a good thing. BUT, I like it better when I'm the one who initiates it, not when I'm told it's coming.
Four years ago the boys' children pastor kept asking me to teach for him. I didn't know him well at the time but I had the utmost respect for him. It took about 9 months of him asking me to teach for him before I finally gave in. I had never taught at a private school. I had never taught high school (nor had the desire to). And I had never taught History. But Mr. Wynn, the principal, made it happen. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself and he stood by me when I made mistakes. It was a life changing experience! He showed me, by example, the kind of administrator I want to be someday. I showed myself that I could do something I didn't have the utmost confidence in doing.
For three years, I watched children mature into young adults. I watched children and young adults become Christians.  I watched as students grasped the concept I was teaching. I watched as students became excited about what I was teaching. I watched as our school flooded and was rebuilt with the help of our community. I watched as students graduated and spread their wings into the great big world. I watched as co-workers became good friends. I have laughed so hard with students that my cheeks hurt. I have cried with students. I have counseled students. I have influenced students' decisions about their future. I have lost countless nights of sleep because of students. For three years, I have not only been a teacher but I have been a confidant, a spiritual guidance, a friend, an employee, and sometimes a pain in the neck.
And for longer than three years I have been the school's photographer. I have LOVED taking pictures of the student athletes, the high school formals, the school yearbook portraits, and the extracurricular events. I have loved every minute of it, as much or more than my teaching position.
But, on Friday I will hand in my keys and walk out of the building for the last time as a SCA teacher and as their photographer. I will no longer be a high school teacher at a private school because the LA Dept of Ed informed me that I am in danger of losing my credential if I stay at a private high school. As of Friday, I will be unemployed. But I know God's in control and His plans are bigger than mine. This year, with all of its challenges, has opened my eyes to the fact that I am ready to get back to my first love...elementary school.
So, as I close this chapter in life, I am excited for what's ahead. I know that a door doesn't close without another one opening. And I am looking forward to where that open door leads me, to the next chapter in this thing called life.

Mother's Day

I am not going to do the usual Mother's Day post about all that moms do or how special my mom is to me (I posted that on FB early this morning). Instead I'm going to blog about this specific Mother's Day. It has probably been one of the most special Mother's Day I've ever had. It started yesterday when I got home to find a gorgeous bouquet of flowers on the front door step. Rob had sent them to me to show me how much he loves me. This morning I came out to the kitchen to make coffee and was plowed over by our youngest, who couldn't wait to give me a bear hug and wish me a Happy Mother's Day. Then our oldest spearheaded some homemade Mother's Day cards, which included coupons for the boys to draw me a hot bubble bath and give me a free massage. Our youngest also gave me a watercolor painting that said I was prettier than a zebra (a high compliment coming from him!). The church service was good and the message was uplifting, about the importance of loving your children in a Godly manner. After church we grabbed a quick lunch and came home. I can't say that I've relaxed. I've unclogged drains, changed the sheets on our bed, washed dishes, folded laundry and edited pictures. But it's been good...really good. The boys have been outside with friends all afternoon. AND, they have not argued with each other. Not even once! In fact, when I told them they had to clean up before they played outside, one of them suggested to the other that they work as a team to clean faster. THAT was the best gift I could have been given today. Because Rob couldn't be here today, he has called quite a few times to let me know he's thinking of me. I have received texts, phone calls and FB messages from friends, wishing me a happy Mother's Day. My parents sent me an Amazon card, which is always a favorite of mine. I have felt so loved all day. I'm not gonna lie and say that all of my Mother's Days have been special. But this one sure has. Today has truly felt like it was about me. (Yes, that sounds selfish but there are only 2 days that I want it to be all about ME...today and my birthday. I'll let ya have the other 363 days.) So, I will look back on this day as a day of love, as a day of feeling appreciated, as a day full of special gifts and memories. I hope you, moms who are reading this, know you are loved and appreciated...today and every day! Happy Mother's Day!!!

Seasons

I love watching the seasons change the world around us every year. Just like the weather seasons, I appreciate our seasons of life. If I had to name this season of our life it would be named "Busy". Just like Spring, when animals come out of hibernation and start running about or flowers begin to bloom and bees buzz around, pollinating, we too are busy doing life. We have been out of town for the past 3 weekends. We went to MS for Easter, where we enjoyed a big family Easter party/egg hunt. Then we went to Great Wolf Lodge in Dallas, where we enjoyed the water park, arcade, treasure hunt, story time, etc. Last weekend we were back in MS for the Catch-A-Dream fishing tournament. Rob fished it with his dad and I was the official photographer for it.
If our weekends were slow or our weekdays were slow then we could rejuvenate and be ready to go again. But it's nonstop all the time! Yesterday I got off work, ran around trying to get Teacher Appreciation gifts taken care of. Then I took P to guitar lessons when the boys were done with school. We were home long enough for E to change into his baseball uniform and we ate dinner in the car, on the way to his first t-ball game of the season. While we were sitting at E's game, both trying to keep our eyes open, I turned to Rob and said, "I can't wait until the day when we're bored."
Between guitar lessons, t-ball, job responsibilities, school activities, the gym and photography gigs (or family trips) on the weekend it's never ending. I fall into bed, exhausted, every night! I know I will look back at this season in life, thankful for this age in the boys' lives, thankful for the memories we've created. But I will remember the busyness and how tiring this season was for us as well. I don't take for granted that we are blessed to be able to provide these activities for our boys and go on family road trips. It's fun, but man oh man can it wear a person out! Here's to finding time to stop and smell the roses that are in bloom all around us...….