Good Tuesday Morning

I am barely awake enough to be able to type out this post.  For some crazy reason, my eyelids want to shut.  I even went to bed (to read) at ten and put the book down by 10:30 because I kept nodding off.  That doesn't seem late, right?  Apparently the magic numbers for me are 9:30 and 10:00.  In order to be up by 5:30.  Although, that number keeps getting closer to 5:45.

It's almost a habit, though.  How many days in a row do you have to do something before it becomes "habit"?  Twenty-one?  Well, whatever the number, I should be getting awfully close. 

We've already been in school for sixteen days.  Today is seventeen.  It's hard to believe.  Things are going very smoothly in our house.  Praise God for that!  We've all gotten adjusted to bedtimes, and waking up times, and breakfast at the kitchen table (this is a HUGE deal in my house), morning devotion, homework routines...I could go on, but I think you get the picture.  Jonah has homework every night.  At least one sheet of math, sometimes 2 sheets of math and 1 of language arts (English is what we used to call it).  Noah has one night of homework per week, and Drew has homework Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.  Graham is the only one who I never know about.  I think that depending on what they do in class that day, they sometimes have "free" time, and if they do, that's when he does his homework.  Otherwise, he sometimes has a couple of nights per week.

So far middle school is a breeze.  He's had no issues with transition, and he loves every single part of it.  He loves riding the bus to and from school, and he loves all his teachers.  Especially his homeroom and social studies teacher, Mr. Zoska.  We (Todd and I) liked him, too, at parent night.  I love that there is so much independence in middle school.  He has 5 minutes between classes, and he gets to decide what he is going to do during that time (i.e., locker, restroom). 

We've been so busy these past three weeks.  We now have soccer practice for Jonah and Noah one night a week, on Tuesday's.  I have Bible study on Monday nights, and of course, church is always on Wednesday nights.  That leaves one night (during the school week) at home.  And last week, even that night was busy.  That was the night we went to the Redbird's game.  I've had to get creative with homework times.  We're trying to enjoy every little last drop of warm weather with the kids.  Luckily, it only takes each boy 10-15 minutes to do homework each night.  And they all do it at the same time, so it's really not a big deal. 

Things are also going really good with my job.  I'm very thankful to have one.  I love my coworkers, too, which is always a plus.  My days fly by.  Lunch starts with 3rd grade at 11:15 and kindergarten comes next, at 11:30.  I'm in there by myself (unless I have a parent volunteer) until about 11:45.  After kindergarten, it's 4th grade, then 5th grade, 2nd grade, then 1st grade comes last this year, starting at 1:00.  I love this schedule...because having kindergarten and first grade kids back to back is difficult.  The first graders still require lots of help from us, so I love having them so far apart.  When I'm done with lunch at 1:30 (keep in mind, my job is from 11-2 Monday through Friday), if the mail has come, I distribute all of it.  We have teacher's boxes in the lounge that most of it goes to.  I run errands if I need to and sometimes if nothing is going on, I sit in the front office and help out a little in there.  For about 10 minutes, then I get to leave. 

I love it.  It's the perfect amount of time for me in order for me to keep on top of all my wife/mom duties.  And I still have an hour and a half to myself until Graham comes home.  I leave at 3:30 to go through the car rider line, and sometimes Graham comes with me, and sometimes he stays home.  Usually, he likes to stay.  Unless he's had a bad day, which he's only had one. 

I'm very content right now.  I have a very fixed schedule everyday, and I enjoy it.  I do occasionally nix all my morning activities and go have breakfast with a friend, like I did last Thursday.  I'm always open to that.  It's just that most people do lunch, instead.  I had a hard time with that at first, but now I love it.  I am very blessed to do something I love.  Even if people don't understand why I love it so much (to them it's loud and chaotic and just horrible), I feel like God has put me there for a season.  It allows me to play "mom" to kids that just need a little love.  And of course, there's the added benefit of seeing my own kiddos.  I wouldn't trade my job for anything in the world. 

Well, most days, anyway.  :) 

Alright, well, I need to go wake up the remaining three.  Have a blessed day.

#693

Lots and lots of fun things going on in my mind tonight.  Want to join??? 

1.  I am so thankful that God has answered a huge prayer request regarding Jonah's class and a "special" friend.  God is good.  All the time.  (Even when He doesn't answer our prayers...or at least the way we want Him to.)

2.  I am in love with the book of Esther.  Cannot, simply CANNOT get enough of this Beth Moore Bible study.  I don't even want to call her Esther anymore.  I'm thinking about calling her Hadassah, her Jewish name, because in this week's homework, she had her God-given DEFINING moment.  Praise You, Lord. 

3.  I am excited about a new friend I have.  :)  But my hubby might be more excited.  She's a new girlfriend for me, but a new football watching friend for him.  Her and her sweet boy are coming over Saturday night to watch the first Alabama game of the season.  Roll Tide.  Her name is Jessica, she's as country as they come (she's from MoBEEL, as she pronounces it), and she will blow you out of this world with her voice.  And she's adorable.  And amazingly nice.  And really good at making me laugh hysterically in choir at the most inappropriate times. 

4.  I am excited about an upcoming all girls weekend in Nashville!!!  For my amazing girl, Christa.  It's her bachelorette party and I cannot wait!  And we're only one month away from her wedding!  And saying goodbye.  :(  That last part makes me sad.

5.  I have a new favorite OPI color.  If you're on facebook, go to my status and you'll see the name.  I can't wait to do my toes!!

6.  I am totally, wholly, amazingly in love with my Jesus.  The more I know Him, the more I love Him.  I cannot get enough of Him in this newest Bible study I'm doing.  I am loving the fact that I am learning how even when His hand cannot be seen in my life, that His hand is ALL OVER MY LIFE. 

7.  I have something going on almost EVERY night this week.  It's a very busy time of year (heck, who am I kidding???  When is it ever NOT busy in my life???)  Tonight was Bible study, tomorrow night I'm eating out with my dad and my sister Trish for her birthday, Wednesday is church, Thursday we will be home, Friday we have friends coming over, Saturday we have friends coming over, Sunday is church, Sunday night we're going to a friend's house, and then...back to Monday.  Holy cow.  I need a bed.  Or lots of caffeine. 

8.  I am reading an awesome book, and I can't wait to go to bed to bury myself in it again.  And it makes me literally LOL while I'm in bed. 

9.  I get excited over going to bed every night so I can wake up to my (or my hubby's) amazing coffee.

10.  I have written 693 blog posts, as of 9:41 p.m. Monday night, August 30th, 2010.  Who knew I had so much to say? 

That's all I've got.  Love to all. 

For Unbelievers

God is a gracious God.  I know that you, too, probably have many that you love that are not saved.  I feel sorry for the ones who don't know God's love!  It's more than a little perplexing to me, too.  All I know is that when I feel like I can't get through to someone, I pray that they will see Jesus in me.  I am unabashed in my faith.  I will not shove it down someone's throat, but people who know me, know that He is my everything.

I made a comment just recently on how to handle difficult people.  "Jesus helps me through it."  And it's so true.  He is so very gracious to us, to allow us to bring all of our needs and cares to Him. 

I came across an old favorite verse of mine in Hebrews this morning and thought I'd share. 

Hebrews 4:16  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

It says we are to come boldly!  Without reservation!  He is there to help us when we need it most.  Just think on that for a while. 

Happy Monday, and love to all. 

My Song Full Weekend

I sang my little heart out this weekend.  As of 1:30 p.m. today, I was very tired of singing, and didn't even listen to my beloved KLove on the way home.  My church choir recorded a cd this weekend.  We were there from 6:30 last night until almost 10:30, and today we were back at 9:30 a.m. and finished by almost 1:30 p.m.  Lots of hours for just ten songs, but man did we sing. 

I loved every second of it.  Well, maybe not every second.  Like when my right ankle swelled up really badly and started shooting pain up the back of my leg.  I didn't love that so much.  Or when my knee started hurting on the same leg.  Or when people kept humming when we were supposed to be absolutely DEAD silent. 

There were some frustrating moments, I guess you could say.  But the bottom line is, God met us in the middle of our singing.  This cd is all for His glory, and I believe He gave us the strength we needed to persevere through the recording.  It was worth all that.  All the hours, all the frustration. 

And guess what?  We get to sing again tomorrow morning.  I'm so excited about church, I can hardly stand it.  I cannot wait to get in our seats in the choir loft and help lead worship.  It is my favorite thing to do.  I love singing for His glory.  Not because I'm exceptionally good, but because this is one of the gifts He's given to me.  What a waste it would be for me not to use it to the best of my ability. 

There are so many reasons why I love being a choir girl, but my favorite part is the leading of worship.  I believe we set the tone for the service...when we worship, it invites other people to enter in with us.  And it's not about sounding perfect, or having the youngest, prettiest, thinnest, best dressed people on the stage-it's about meeting with God and giving Him the praise due Him.  Sometimes we get a little lost on the way, and we lose focus as to why we do what we do.  He is at the heart of our worship, though, and if we remember that, then He will meet us there. 

In the morning we're singing one of my favorite songs: Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone.  Cory Riggs sings the solo in the song, and it's very powerful each and every time.  I've loved this song since it first came out three years ago.  I can't wait for tomorrow.  You all know how much I love Sunday's.  If you want a place to worship and don't have a church home, I'd love to invite you to my church.  Memphis First Assembly of God on Walnut Grove Road.  Service starts at 10:45.  I hope to see you there.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. 

Traumatized?

That whole previous post about why I hate Thursdays must have traumatized me for a full 7 days.  Wow.  I had no idea I had all that pent up inside me. 

Do you ever feel like a black cloud is hanging over you?  I do.  Need an example?  In the past 3 weeks, I have done all of the following:

1.  Broken my toe.  I was making Drew's bed on a Sunday morning, August 8th, to be exact, and kicked his bed frame.  I broke my 4th toe.  The one to the right of the Little Piggy Toe.  I couldn't wear "real" shoes for a full 2 weeks.  Now, my ankles are rejoicing, because I am back in my tendonitis-correcting tennis shoes. 

2.  Cut my arm in 2 different (but VERY close) places.  It's all Todd's fault, so just ask him how I did it.  :)  Hee hee, love you, Honey.  But the 2nd cut was so bad, that had I gone to the emergency room, they would have have put at least 2 or 3 stitches in.  Being where it is and all, I opted out of going to the hospital.  Because now, thanks to a certain little something on Graham's leg, now I am paranoid about contacting staph infection.

3.  I almost fell head first into our recycling bin.  I was bringing in groceries on Monday afternoon, and as I walked up our 3 steps in the garage, when I leaned over to shut the garage door, I felt myself falling and was powerless to stop it.  Until my voice of reason kicked in and I had the thought to let the BAGS in my hand  fall instead of me.  And they did.  Thankfully, there was no glass in either of the 14 bags I was carrying. 

4.  I tripped over my invisible big black dog a few nights ago and just about sat on him.  I scared the poor thing so badly that he jumped up, stepping all over my feet and toes (with the pretty OPI polish that I had just put on them), causing some scratches that bled. 

Do you see my dilemma?  I feel like I have one of those cartoon type clouds following me around.  I'm almost scared of what is going to happen next.  And lest you think I am this way all the time, I assure you that I am not.  I haven't been this clumsy, since...well, since high school.  See previous post now. 

I've taken to praying for my safety.  Seriously.  I'm praying that I am extra aware of my surroundings, and that I keep my eyes open.  I don't just pray for myself, by the way, this also includes my whole family, since we're always together.  Like in the car.  Driving.  Around other people that can't drive very well.  Ahem, Memphis drivers.  Because we're a cool city like that. 

Well.  That's all I've got.  Hope you all have a lovely, blessed, SAFE day!  Love to all. 

Why I Hate Thursdays

You all know I have an aversion to Thursday, right?  Well, lately I've been wondering why.  Here's what I've come up with: my dislike for this day of the week stems all the way back to 7th grade.  I was happy in my school from kindergarten through 6th grade.  My dad decided it would be a good idea for me to go ECS starting in 7th grade.  Which, just let me insert here, I am glad he made this choice for me now, looking back.  Knowing what I know now, and all that.  But at the time, I was one VERY unhappy camper. 

I was twelve years old and going into a new school where all the kids had known each other since pre-kindergarten, for heaven's sake!  And here I come, a shy girl (at first) with crazy frizzy/curly hair (yes, I've had issues with it my entire life), who knows NOT ONE SOUL.  See the unhappiness?

So I'm at a new school, dubbed the "new girl", thrown into a whole new world.  One that included CHAPEL.  Now, don't get me wrong; I had been raised in church my whole life.  So it's not that I was against going to a "church" type service, chapel was just something that I didn't enjoy.  Because boring people would come and speak.  And we had to sing.  And I was sitting in the front row. 

Well, guess what day of the week chapel was on?  You got it.  Thursday.  It sucked being a 7th grader at ECS.  Well, at least a 7th grader that was new to private school.  I thought everyone was snobby.  And most were.  There was a very small handful of people that were nice to me, one of which was a girl named Halle.  And another gamed Allison.  Allison also happened to be my first friend on the school bus on my first day of kindergarten at Mt. Pisgah.  There were also four more: Amanda, Stacie, Tara and Tabitha.  I'll never forget that day.  Anyway...back to my story, and why I hate Thursdays. 

The girls were MEAN, I am not going to lie here.  All the meanness made me self conscience of the way I looked.  Credit that to the crazy frizzy/curly hair, what have you, but you see my dilemma.  So, we had chapel on Thursday, and I was in the front row. 

I eventually got a little used to it.  And started to hate chapel a little less.  A LITTLE, I said.  Doesn't mean I loved it, just that the thought of it didn't make me want to hurl anymore.  Until one day.  The day that changed the rest of my life, I'll forever think.

I remember the day like it was yesterday.  I had on the cutest little purple pleated skirt (hello, it was like 1989 or something) and a matching striped sweater that looked adorable on me.  I loved it, and I loved the way I looked when I wore it.  And it was one of the few skirts I owned...because, yes, I was a total tomboy and HATED to shop and hated to wear anything halfway feminine.  I hated to shop so much, in fact, that my sweet mom started doing the shopping and bringing the stuff she thought I'd like home.  I'd try it on, and if I liked it, I would keep it.  If I didn't like it, she would return it.  I know.  I was a spoiled rotten brat, and she was a very gracious mom. 

Anyway.  We're walking into chapel, and I needed to hit up the little girl's room before I made the trek down to my seat.  In front of God and everybody.  Keep this in mind.  I did my business, washed my hands, and walked out.  And alllllllllllllllllllll the way down to the very front row. 

And then I heard laughter coming from behind me.  From a "friend" (Tabitha) who was walking behind me.  I turned around to see what she was laughing at, and when I jerked around really fast, I felt a lot of cold air on my legs.  On the BACK of my legs.  On a part that should have been covered by my cute little purple pleated skirt, but wasn't, because it had gotten tucked into my tights and STAYED THERE, for crying out loud. 

Tabitha had walked out behind me, and to this day I don't know if she saw it or not, but for whatever reason, she did not tell me that the blasted skirt was tucked into my panties.  Tights.  Whatever.  I don't know if I ever believed her or not, but this was always what she told me.  I don't think anyone else ever saw it happen, looking back, but back then that was one embarrassing situation.  Still would be, in fact!  We laughed and laughed and laughed about this for the rest of my  6 year career at ECS.  I don't think I'll ever forget it.  And I so wish I could find Tabitha now, all these years later, and laugh about it with her. 

This girl was one of my closest friends at school.  She also saw every dumb thing I ever did.  For instance, the skirt and panty issue.  She also saw me slip on a banana peel in the cafeteria once.  Hello, is this cartoon world, or what?!  I slipped on the peel (who KNEW they were so stinkin' slick?!) threw my hamburger up in the air and juggled a few things to keep from falling, and was SO HORRIFIED at how stupid I must have looked, that I didn't even stop to pick up my burger.  I was pretty proud of myself, though, because Tabitha and I sat at the same lunch table, and I was so excited that she didn't see me do this one dumb thing, for once.  UNTIL a girl (a sweet, girl, I might add) named Amber picked up my dropped hamburger and graciously brought it to me, saying, "Here, Jennifer, you dropped this when you slid on that banana peel." 

Tabitha spewed Coke out of her nose.  And I almost peed on myself, I was laughing so hard. 

She saw me take a flying leap off of some new steps down by the cafeteria on a rainy day, she saw me fall in mud, she saw my boot laces stick together one day in algebra as I was walking down the aisle unable to move my feet for fear of breaking my nose, she saw me crawl out from under a bathroom stall one day, because, who the HECK knew I was claustrophobic in locked bathroom stalls????  She saw me wig out in a cave (again, small, trapped spaces and me do not get along), she witnessed all 6 years of my bad crazy frizzy/curly hair days, she saw me through my first car, my first wreck, and my first driver's ed course when I called my instructor, the illustrious Coach Powers "gay". 

She sat in d-hall with me a time or four, too.  She was NOT one of those "fair weather friends".  She was an awesome gal who was a true friend...one I would LOVE to talk to now.  So if any of my ECS and facebook friends are reading this and know how to find Tabitha (used to be) Middleton, I would love to know how to contact her. 

So, I hope you all had a great laugh at my expense.  I know I have.  I just thought you all would find interesting the reasons why I Hate Thursdays. 

Oh, and just for my peace of mind, I didn't hate ECS forever.  By the time I was halfway through my 7th grade year, I'd fallen in love with it.  The school, the teachers, and the friends I made.  I came to know and love almost everybody there (almost, I said) and made some of the best friends I've ever had.  And by the time senior year came along, we were all like one big, happy family. 

Well, most of the time, anyway.  ;)  More about THAT on another day, though. 

a cute story and maybe some other thoughts

This morning as the 3 younger boys were about to be getting out of my car to head into school, I looked back and noticed Noah had chocolate milk around his mouth.  Imagine that.  Noah having a dirty mouth.  Anyway, I told him to wipe his mouth and he did, but he missed the spot.  So Jonah, being a great older twin brother, said, "Noah, I'll get it."  And proceeded to lick his finger and clean Noah's mouth. 

That just cracked me up.  They didn't think it was at all weird or "gross", as Drew muttered when he saw what Jonah was doing.  They're just cool like that.  Twins, I mean.  It still amazes me to see their bond.  And as much as I don't understand it, I appreciate the people they're with when they have meltdowns. 

Like their teachers, for instance.  The first 2 or 3 days of school, Noah had a rough morning.  He has an amazing teacher whom he loves, so it wasn't that.  It was rough because he missed Jonah.  And he'd end up crying.  One day he went as far to ask his teacher, "Can I just go and stay with Jonah in his class?"  Isn't that pitiful?  Thank the Lord, they both have very COMPASSIONATE teachers who let them see each other when the need arises.  And yes, we prayed that they would have compassionate teachers.  God is good, and saw to it that this prayer was answered. 

After the 3rd day of school, I'm proud to say that Noah stopped the crying.  I'm sure it was rough on him, after all, they had just spent an entire 8 weeks together, totally inseparable.  And then to have their twin ripped away from them, well, it breaks my heart.  I wish they could be together...but that's a whole 'nother blog!  I won't go there this morning. 

I love Wednesday.  Hump day!  We're halfway done with our week, and I am always thankful for that!  I live for weekends.  During the school year, anyway.  In the summer time, I live for every DAY that I get to spend with my family.  I'm especially excited for this weekend, because we're spending time with Todd's parents.  They celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on August 9th, and Mimi requested that the Nashville Goodwin's come in town for the weekend so we could spend an entire weekend together.  I think we're going to spend some time downtown doing fun stuff that Tim, Tracy, Nathan and Joseph wouldn't normally do with us while they're here. 

My kids LOVE being with their Nashville cousins.  And it's been way too long since we've seen them all.  I'm very excited for this quality time that we all get together.  Another fun thing is my friend's shower happening Saturday night.  I'm torn between going or not going because of our family time.  I really don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I'm hoping to figure it all out before Friday.

Well, as much as I love writing this to you all, I must go.  I need to eat lunch, and then I am going to go love on all "my kiddos".  Love to all, and have a blessed day!