Friendship is a priceless gift!

Friendship can be a magical and inspirational thing. It is a gift in the truest definition. Just like marriage changes over time, so do friendships. It is interesting to look back over years and see how God uses people in your life to teach things, to mold, to embrace who you are with a huge sense of enthusiasm. I have found these things in my closest friendships.

I recently began looking for a Bible study about friends and relationships. There is a wealth of wonderful studies available. After discussion and careful thought, Kelly and I picked "The Blessings of Friendships" by Gospel Light. It is very in-depth and requires deep thinking. I love deep thinking and I am looking forward to plunging into it as soon as my book arrives.

I have had many close friendships through the years, none have been the same. They are all unique and special for different reasons. Most have endured challenges along the way but I am glad to say, they have all somehow survived the ups and downs. What I have learned is friendships serve the heart. They make us better people. They enrich our lives and help us grow. The best friendships are more selfless than anything else. They are about giving and learning together through the dips of life. They are supportive, caring and encouraging. They lift you up and keep you going strong. They foster self-awareness and facilitate positivity. I personally cannot imagine a life without my girlfriends. They understand, relate and encourage me in ways that my husband just can't. These friends bring me unending joy and hold my hand through sadness or disappointment. They devote hours to listening, reflecting, relating, laughing and yes...shopping.

I say all of this because when you go through a "friendship crisis", you realize what is missing when one of these precious people is missing in action... distant, unable to relate or just needs a break. It is heartbreaking and painful. It feels like something is missing from your heart. It is just hard. This is a perfect time to trust what God tells us, cling to our faith and pray for our friendships to be guarded. I can honestly say that friendships are just something I do not take for granted. I just don't. I am not perfect in conveying my message of how much I value each one and although I try, I fall short in the hug department...a lot. My heart will tell you, however, that I hold all of them dear and they are highly valued. If you are important to me, you know you are. I have told you and  showed you. Don't wait until you are struggling to show people... share it with them often. They need to see it through your actions, not just your words. This is just my reflection, my opinion and how I see the gift of friendship. I am so very thankful for it. It is a treasure that has no price... friendship is priceless to me.

Sometimes I struggle with being human...

Do you ever have those days when you are just frustrated for so many reasons? That is so my day today. Most of the reasons are COMPLETELY beyond my control which makes me even more frustrated! I just feel alone in a war today...responsible for things that I need to release. As I sit here and reflect about my day, I have looked outside of myself to see that I am not letting go, letting God be in control of these circumstances. Of course, I am human and I will have those days where I allow situations to control my emotions but for the rest of this day, I choose to reflect on those accomplishments I have personally made this weekend and not on the stress of all that is to come over the next few weeks as school comes to a close for another year. I am thankful that I can just hand my worries to the Lord and be on my merry way. Just sharing my heart tonight... and letting you know that I have hard days too. :) Be blessed!

Goodbye 2010...Hello 2011 :0)

I have heard several people comment that 2010 wasn't a very good year. Hum...well, I think it was a very powerful year. I learned a lot about myself...what was really good, what needed work, what it means to fall in love all over again, what friendship is and what it isn't (It isn't easy or simple.), who has my back no matter what and who loves me with all of my imperfections included, that it is okay to let people help me and to lean on people whenever needed...they will either be there or they won't, how much I love collaboration in teaching, that I LOVE cruising even more with another couple, There is NOTHING like going to an ALABAMA FOOTBALL GAME,  people like me with brown hair (but Todd doesn't AT ALL and I don't really either), my girls are growing even faster with every year, I learned what forgiveness really is, I like wearing a size 6 A WHOLE BIG BUNCH :) and no matter what I need to enjoy every moment I am given in this lifetime.

Arkansas VS BAMA!!!!!!

This year, I learned that I am stronger than I thought. I can and will stand up for what I believe in, even when opposed. Okay so I knew I would stand up for what I believe in before this year but I got to prove it a lot in 2010. I was reminded that I should also trust my gut and trust is not something to give away. I learned to look at the positive more than the negative so much more often... there is a lot to discover about people when you search for their goodness.

 I love this man with ALL of my heart!

This was a year when I learned what it means to lean on someone...really lean on them. Friendship is not for the weak or easily challenged. I cried many tears over a friendship I knew in my heart was real but was told so many times, by so many people that it wasn't. True forgiveness comes when you look beyond the hurt and into the heart of what was built. Only then, can you see what remains. I am thankful for the tears cried and the prayers answered. May God continue bless the work done and allow the beauty grow again in our friendship. I am super thankful for Kelly's prayerful advise and support through the process.

Thankful that God provides an open heart to all who ask.

Finally, I was determined to FINALLY lose my baby weight from Emma who is FOUR YEARS OLD! I lost 23 pounds from March to June. I have maintained that for over 6 months now. There are no words to describe how much I love wearing a size 6. I SUPER love it because it makes me aware of one of my biggest accomplishments. PS... Becoming a Weight Watchers Leader this year was a dream come true for me. I love being part of my member's adventures.

Below Goal!!!!!

2010 was a year I will never forget for many reasons but I am ready to get 2011 started... I know the future is BRIGHT! :) Live your dreams!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for ALWAYS having my back...no matter what!!!

Family has NOTHING to do with blood!!!!!

Christmas Memories

Todd and I on Christmas morning...

Have I mentioned lately that I love this man more today than ever before? I thank God for him! :)

It is Christmas evening as I type. This was the best Christmas I can remember...ever. I am trying to put my finger on why exactly and I have come to the conclusion it is a combination of many things. Treasured time with my family is at the top of the list. I had almost an entire week off with my girls before Christmas. We played, cleaned, shopped and spent time together just being. Todd's first day off was Friday. He gets to spend all next week with us as he is off. Presents were so much fun this year! Emma loved the whole process of decorating for Christmas, shopping and then preparing for the big day. The girls received everything they wished for and so did their mom :) which made for a magical Christmas morning. We had our traditional Christmas breakfast that I have made for the last 16 years since Todd and I have been married...orange sweet rolls. This is the second year that we have done Christmas with Mom on Christmas Eve... and I LOVE it! Our Christmas Day, just us, is so relaxed and chill. We can nap (if we want...we didn't this year), eat whatever we choose and whenever...it is fabulous. Today, we took the girls to see Tangled @ Cinemark in Tulsa. We rarely go to movies. We usually just watch them at home... $42 later, I know why that is but it was worth it today! We all loved it and had so much fun! We came home and cleaned up from the Christmas explosion. We grilled steaks for dinner, then Katherine and I baked cookies. It was an ultra relaxed day and those are few in this busy life. I just tucked the girls into bed so they can be well rested for church tomorrow. I wish I could remember the details of this day forever... the look on Emma's face this morning as she opened each present with excitement, Katherine's reaction when Todd brought her electric scooter down the stairs, Todd's sweet look as he watched Emma during the movie. Maybe this blog will help me etch all these memories in my mind forever...that would be the best gift of all. Merry Christmas!

Together We Can

I have been thinking about how to explain the power of collaboration from a teaching/learning perspective. I hope I can convey my most passionate feelings about it! I am ecstatic that the "bigwigs" in education are now looking at research about the benefits (to teachers, students and parents) when rich collaboration between educational professionals takes place. Collaboration is NOT just planning together, it really isn't. I always thought that when you plan with a team of teachers, you have similar goals and expectations that it was true and meaningful collaboration but really that is PLANNING. The dictionary says collaboration is "the act of working together on a joint project". Hum... working together is a greater aspiration than planning because it involves the work (mentally, creatively, physically and sometimes spiritually) done together. I don't think I ever really got that before this school year. I always said I collaborated when I sent copies for other people. Um...that is just sending copies, not digging deeply into "How could be do this better, more successfully, more creatively and in a more meaningful way???". Before you can collaborate, you have to self-reflect...deeply and critically. Collaboration is an amazing thing when it is two or more people digging deeply into their thoughts, explaining their goals and why the goals are important. It is being willing to concede when another's idea is better than yours. It is offering all you have for the common goal(s) set. It is planning, prepping and executing the plan together completely. It can be time consuming and involves personal sacrifice. I now understand what collaboration is and I will never want to teach any other way. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of a SMART COMMUNITY where I feel like a co-teacher who is valued, respected and appreciated. Collaboration is giving as much as you are given. Collaboration is my newest passion!

Life is a journey...make it an ADVENTURE!!!

National Board Certification is not for the easily afraid...

and it is so much more fun when you have a friend to do it with you!!

Well... I have caught myself being very reflective in the last few days. I've been thinking about my journey to National Board Certification. I have blogged about many of the other important accomplishments in my life...friendship, family (being a mom, a wife, a daughter), about teaching and football. Tonight, it is National Board. Why? Well... It has been 5 years since I found myself going through the process and doing daily soul searching, constant reflective teaching and more planning than ever before...the kind that everything is new and not even written about anywhere, inventive planning. What a challenging year that was for me. I was pregnant, a wife and a mother of a 5 year old. I learned so much about myself during the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006. I won't take anything for the teacher I have become after GROWING through the process. So many teachers are like "Really? Are you totally insane? You spent 1000 hours on National Board?" Yes, you read that right, one thousand hours. Here is the deal... if you know me, then you know I am HIGHLY, DEEPLY competitive... I didn't want to 'pass", I wanted to out score everyone I knew. I poured myself into the process planning to gain huge insights into my teaching and hoping to criticize my weakest areas. I did both so the reward in the end is with my students. They get a more polished teacher (who still has tons of growth room and needs more polishing). National Board is a process that you literally get out of it what you put into it. It is the hardest, most rewarding, exhausting, mentally challenging, physically demanding, time consuming and genuinely most meaningful professional process I have ever been involved in. I am an accomplished teacher and folks, I earned it. Am I here tooting my own horn...no, I am here reflecting on this process because I am doing it again. I am doing it again because it is so amazing and Kelly is pursuing her own certification as an EC GEN. (That is Early Childhood Generalist) You might be thinking... WHY in the world would you go through the process if you are ALREADY certified. Glad you asked... it is about purpose, my purpose as an educator. It is also about being who I claim to be. I am a team player and a devoted friend who promised to be there for each step if Kelly jumped into the process. It is so COOL to see her shining and surprising herself with her teaching ability. It is just as awesome to see her analyzing her teaching  on such a deep level and realizing on her own where her focus needs to be. If I learned so much the first time, if it was a life-changing experience... why wouldn't I do it again? It is going to be an amazing journey and I am thrilled to be along for the ride this time. I thank God for the opportunities HE affords me to grow more than I expect, more than I deserve and so much deeper than I knew was possible. My goal this time is not certification... it is inspiration! Go Kelly GO!!!!!!!!!!

 

Kelly and I teaching together in our SMART Community.

We teach Morning Meeting together every morning using Kelly's SMART Board.

It is cool to see how our classes have formed such a strong bond!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I got to go to my FIRST EVER BAMA game in Arkansas!!! It was SO FUN! Kelly and I drove up on Saturday morning early and had plenty of time to find parking, eat lunch and walk to the stadium. It was so unreal really... a sea of RED A shirts everywhere!! Our seats were in the BAMA section but we were still surrounded by many proud AND LOUD razorback fans. Bummer for them. The game was a real nail-biter! Bama pulled away in the 4th quarter after being behind the whole game. Defense is what separates the champions from the rest... it was so apparent yesterday. I finally got to hear "RAMMER JAMMER YELLOW HAMMER" in person. I started smiling when we crossed the Arkansas border and only stopped in the 3 quarter when I was REALLY nervous. I have always been an alto but today in church, I was a base!!! My voice is VERY deep from all the yelling I did. My new dream is to go to a game IN ALABAMA. I want to go see MY TIDE play at home... and to be honest, I have other motives too. I want to see where Kelly is from. I want to see all the places she loves and talks about so often. My new goal is tickets to the Alabama/Auburn game on the Saturday of Thanksgiving Break. I broke the news to Todd that if I score a ticket... I will be in Alabama for that game. I am smiling just thinking about it! :)

I know football is great... but I have never understood all the fuss about it until the last year. I LOVE it!!!!! Is it Alabama football? Is it the cookies I have an excuse to bake each week? Is it time with my family and best friends? Hum... YEP! It is all of those things. I LOVE ALABAMA FOOTBALL and hear me now, I bleed crimson for MY TIDE. Win, Lose or Draw Baby... I love BAMA! WOO HOO!!!!

I am so blessed to have a friend to share EVERYTHING with... our faith, our families, football, our careers, our joys and our sorrows. It is amazing... and I loved sharing my first BAMA game with Kelly. I wouldn't have gone without her! 

BAMA IS THE BOMB!