Why I Teach

There are those moments, though few, when the parent emails arrive and the politics arise, that I feel like I need to re-evaluate why I do what I do and what exactly it is that I am. And then there are the good moments, and the good days, where I forget the emails, I forget the politics and I think of the kids; I remember who I need to be and often, who I am:

I am a talent scout,

I am a life coach,

and I am a character builder.

I teach acceptance,

I teach responsibility,

I teach empathy,

and somewhere along the way, I teach English.

I teach for the kids who don't have a mom or who don't have a dad. I teach for the kids who have to walk two or three miles home or take the city bus for an hour to get home. I teach for the kids who, when they get home, no one is there. When students leave my room, I want them to KNOW that I cared about who they are now and who they will be in the future. I try to take a genuine interest in their outside activities and make an effort to use examples in my lessons that parallel these activities. I realize the importance and need to connect with my student first before they can connect to the curriculum. I often remind myself of 1 Peter 4:10-11 in my teaching:

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

I remind myself that God should be glorified in my teaching. I am not perfect, I make mistakes, and I will fail at times, but with God’s guidance and His glorification as my goal, I just might make some right choices too.

I have learned, in my limited experience, that teaching is not about the essay. It is not just about the test or getting the ‘A.’ It is not just about the academic lessons -- it is about the life lessons. I want my students to know that they are accepted in my class. Maybe that is achieved by encouraging the quiet students to join the club or be a part of the group; maybe it is by motivating the less academic students to use their art or speaking talent in my class, highlighting their strengths, and making them feel like an expert in something that shows them their potential.

Because, sometimes it only takes one person to believe in you to change your world.

So, when the end of the quarter comes and the parent and student emails begin and they ask me why I ‘gave’ certain grades or could I please give them some last minute extra credit? I remind myself:

It’s not about the essay.

And it’s not about the ‘A.’

School is just as much about life as it is about academics.

And so

I will continue to teach character.

I will continue to teach kindness,

Acceptance,

Hard work,

Responsibility,

Love and

Grace.

And somewhere along the way, I will also teach English.

 


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2014: Make the Most of It

 

Christmas has come and gone...

The year is over,

flown by, really,

in a whirl,

as a new year begins

and the never ending theme and thought

that runs through my head is

how fast time passes.

We've all read about the unimportance of material gifts

and the ever growing importance of time,

And each year, as I get older

I realize my Christmas list gets shorter

because the things I really want

can't be bought

from a store

Or ordered online anymore.

That life means more...

This year I gave my grandma something I couldn't really create –
but only give back to her
that which she earned:
Her memories.
Her time.
Her experiences. 

Those can't be replaced or replicated any longer,
only remembered,
in old,
weathered photos,
with cracks and frays and
fancy cursive letters
written with care
by a 20,
30,
40 year old
woman, mom and grandmother
who was writing her memories there;
and how her eyes reflected the joy of those times
and her voice quivered in sharing the moments with us.

And it hit me.
And I realized,
really solidified,
that no gift I have ever gotten
or will ever receive
will replace the time and moments
I have yet
to experience.
That I have the opportunity
now,
today,
to create
those moments,
and not regret
that time is passing.
That it will pass,
whether I make something out of it,
or not.



And that the memories created
in moments like this
with kids
with family
are priceless
and can't be bought..



2014 gives us an opportunity to start fresh. To develop deeper friendships, to be intentional in the time we share and be a presence in the lives of our kids and those we love.



This year, my word for 2014 is experiences.

Make the most of it! What's your word for 2014?


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{WIW} Value

When you look in  the mirror, what do you see?

Do you see someone big? Small? Ugly? Pretty? Significant? Or insignificant?


There is a battle raging.

It's keeping you from achieving your dreams...

It's keeping you from reaching your potential...

It's keeping you from accomplishing your goals.

There are no soldiers.

There is no supernatural course of nature.

There is no uncontrollable force.

There is only one  thing.

You.

The voice in your head.

The voice that tells you you can't.

You're not good enough.

You're not worthy.

You are not enough.

But I am here to tell you that YOU ARE.

That the steady mantra inside your head needs to be replaced with the marching shouts of confidence.

And that when you look in the mirror you see

Value,

{Old Navy "Diva" skinny jeans and Old Navy ballet flats. The shirt was a gift. Smile}

Strength,

Worth,



and Beauty.

 Because you are beautiful

in His eyes.

That  your dreams are there for the taking.

That you have what you need to acheive your goals.

That your potential is withing reach.

And you are enough.


Sharing at The Pleated Poppy

Encourage others by liking or sharing here: Facebook|Instagram|Twitter

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. {Eph. 1:18}

Find more information here: http://www.saddleback.com/series/loveandwar/

4th of July Treat Pops. Sort of.

I love the 4th of July. It's my birthday month (woohoo), I love red, white and blue and there are so many fun crafts and food to make!

This year I'm having some friends over to watch the fireworks at our local lake. I thought to myself, "self, you should make some really awesome treats - one of those everyone will think is UH-MAZING, how-did-you-do-that sort of treat." And they should look festive.

So, when my grocery store was selling these at buy one get one free -- suddenly I had 24 cake treat pops.

Doesn't the picture make those pops look so pretty? So I immediately looked on Pinterest for inspiration (since you know there is no original idea anymore - even when I think I'm being creative and original, Pinterest Popper burst my bubble.) But I digress. :)

And I found these...

{source}

 I liked the red, white and blue - but instead of colored cake, I wanted colored frosting and white cake.

Yesterday I was at a party where I thought I'd practice these treats before the 'big show' on Thursday.

Lessons learned:

1. Mini cupcakes are not EXACTLY the same size as a push up pop.
2. If your cake is not the same size as your push pop, the frosting will "bleed."
3. Buying store bought tubes of colored frosting only kind of works. There isn't enough frosting for 12 push pops. Each tube frosts 3-4 at best.
4. Store bought frosting tubes are REALLY hard to squeeze out after a while. Especially toward the end. Your arms may hurt.
5. You will need to do more push ups and maybe lift some 5 lb. weights for a bit to prepare for your next push up treat pop adventure.
6. Smushy and messy treat pops taste just as good as perfect looking ones. True story.

So, I ask you, I am actually going to attempt this again for the 4th - any tips for success?

 

What's on your menu for the 4th of July?

Kindness Wins

“It seems we can’t go ANYWHERE” one of my friends recently stated.

First we were all afraid to fly.

Then we couldn’t go to the movies.

Even worse, we couldn’t even send our kids to school without worry.

And now, we can’t run marathons or cheer from the sidelines.

Where did goodness go?

I look at all the tragedy, the hurt, the pain and I think,

what tragic and hurt and painful life is hiding inside the evil of the offenders?

It makes me angry and it makes me sad.

Angry that the world is this way. Angry that evil’s broad hand has such a cruel reach.

Sad at the heart that is being cultivated in our nations right now.

Sad that my kids are growing up with these realities. 

Sad that it gets more and more difficult to shield them from these events with all the social media and propaganda.

We don’t watch TV, I would stay off Facebook, but the media gets in.

And so, I change my strategy.

I search

“Positive stories from _________” {the sad event.}

And somewhere in all the mess,

I find goodness.

 

 

 

I find heroic and kind people.

 {photo credit}

I find hope in people.

{photo credit}

 

And decide not to give up on the world.

 

That for every bad person in the world, there are thousands of GOOD.

That I will add to the good  

and do my best to raise my boys in faith,

confidence,

love

and goodness.

And to intentionally seek out the kindness in the world ourselves.

Because, after all, kindness wins.

 

{photo source}



{photo source}

 

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people" (Galations 6:10)

 

When was the last time you saw someone doing something good? What acts of kindness have you witnessed lately?

 

Share more acts of kindness on Facebook and Instagram #kindnesswins

Sharing this post here.

 

Dear Mommas

Dear Mommas,

It will take more than one well planned day or one well planned post to tell you how special you are. Because, you are more than a mom.

Way more.

You are a teacher. Guiding little hands and feet along the right path, helping with homework and sharing life’s lessons.

You are encouragement. Your child’s first cheerleader, building up their confidence and their character. Showing how to lose gracefully and win even more gracefully.

You are honesty. An example of truth, trust and reality wrapped in love that shelters their young minds and gives them room to grow.

You are vulnerability. Your children see you at your best and at your worst. They view the faults and cracks in the surface and see right through the façade of perfection to who you really are. And still love you with all their hearts.

You are kindness. Modeling manners, social graces and reactions to difficult situations. When the world can be tough and cruel, you offer love.

You are broken. Don’t hide it. Embrace it. You are human, you throw momtrums, you make mistakes and your children will know that it is okay to make mistakes too.

You are craziness. Let it in. It is the silly and crazy that often bonds our families into tight knit units of inside jokes, humor and acceptance.

You are a nurse, chef, organizer, personal shopper, assistant, disciplinarian, maid, stylist, chauffer, mediator, fighter and pacifist.

You are a hero. To them. To your children you are their first friend, their best friend, and despite all our faults and brokenness and vulnerability, or perhaps because of them, you are irreplaceably and unconditionally loved.

You are unique. You may feel you are none of these things, one of these things or all of these things. And no amount of advice, books or blog posts {wink} can tell you what kind of mom you will need to be on any given day. God gave you your  specific children for a purpose; because you have a unique skill set that only you can share with them.

Own it.

You are real.

And if you are reading this as a first time momma, single mama, a one day momma, a seasoned momma or reading this thinking of YOUR momma; I want you to know,

you are loved.

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Keep your love for one another at full strength, because love covers a multitude of sins. ~I Peter 4:8

{WIWW} #momfails

#momfail: (verb) the act of being unsuccessful in achieving one's goals as a mom.

Here are some examples.
These may or may not be from my own life experiences. #cough

GOAL:
My child's first taste of sugar will be of his 1st birthday cake. Sugar will only be on special occasions/holidays after that.

REALITY:
Child #1 - success!!
#Ishouldhavestoppedthere
Child #2 is born.:
#1 son: "Mom can I have a piece of this cake?"
ME (I mean random mom): "Sure, but give a piece to your brother too or he'll cry."
#momfail


GOAL:
My child will only eat homemade food, no fast food.

REALITY:
Mom: "You only have 30 minutes between school and practice. If we drive thru and you eat in the car, we'll make it!"
#momfail
(or is it?) The child got fed AND made it to practice.... hmmm, may have to rethink this one...


GOAL:
My children will be intelligent hard workers in school. They will work diligently and without complaint.

REALITY:
Teacher: "You're lucky your child is so cute and charming, because they just CANNOT sit still."
#momfail


GOAL:
I will have valuable, deep, meaningful conversations with my children daily. I will make every moment a teachable moment and teach them to grow their minds by asking challenging questions.

REALITY:
This one's a work in progress...

Trev: What is that on your head, mom?
ME: It's a scarf.
Trev: Oh, it looks like a bird's nest with your head poking through it.
ME: Um, thanks...
#momshoppingfail



Me: It's actually an infinity scarf.
Trev: What's an infinity?
ME: It means it has no end. It just keeps going and going!
Trev: Oh.

Crocheted Infinity Scarf: Target

Trev: I love you.
Me: I love you more.
Trev: I love you a google!
Me: I love you INFINITY!
Trev: I love you a google TIMES infinity...

That one ended in a tie.

#momsuccess

{What I Wore} Shoes

Some say moms wear many hats,

The way I see it, I wear many shoes…
 
Life is a journey, and you need a good pair of shoes to walk the path.
 
I remember, ‘back in the day’ where I wore my jazz shoes longer in a day than I did my regular shoes...

I remember school times of Keds and jelly shoes and summertimes of no shoes at all...
 
And I remember when these boots, were made for more than just walking...

{Target}

 


And when these shoes went to the party more than they went to work…
 

{Target}

These days my shoes wear thin with many steps.

Where some days my feet seem too small to fill the soles.

There are days, like today, where more than my feet feel small.
Where the kids are sick,
Where I am sick and
My time is not my own.
Where I know God did not design parenting to be alone.
Where I wish I could have moments of freedom whenever I wanted or needed.
To kick off my shoes,
To be free to hang out with my friends whenever and however long I would like.
With no worries of schedules,
medicine,
practice,
plans,
meals,
homework,
bedtimes,
play times,
and out grown shoes,
Where I feel the awareness of how even a short break makes me a better, refreshed mom
and yet
these fleeting thoughts still carry self-inflicted guilt for needing time away,
without sacrificing their needs.
Or their time.
Because in life,
they really ask so little,
and love SO much.

And I remember that some days filling their needs means I get to wear my flip flops…
 

{Roxy}

And I remember that activities planned means we get to wear our hiking boots…

{Sports Chalet} 

{And it’s an even better day when plans mean I can don my snowboarding boots -- 

but they’re new and I don’t have a picture of those yet.}

 

And remind myself, that there are many times when we DO get to kick off our shoes and enjoy days like this…


 

And those days make up for when I have to put my big girl boots on, and get ready for the road ahead…


 

{Boots: Target}
{Ruffled Socks: Urban Outfitters and then I sewed on the buttons}

Because the journey is long… the road often hard,

And ironically, what matters is not always what’s on our feet, but in our hands… 

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What I Wore Wednesday: Integrity

“Be who you are and say what you feel,

because those who mind don’t matter,

and those who matter, don’t mind.” ~Theodor Geisel

Except it’s not that easy.

Except that sometimes

There are people

Who will want to quiet you and

Keep you still.

Except that sometimes

You will put up walls

That get in your own way

That you will try 

Days

Weeks

Months

Years

To climb out of

Until the only way to climb out

Is to 

Just

Be 

You.

Deeply rooted

Full of 

Action

Consistency

Principles

Value

And measure

Your worth

In His hands.

And that those words you speak

Build up
because they are spoken

with Truth

And always

With love.

And that you,

That ‘you’

who you are

Is always you.

Even when no one is watching.

“Live, 

so that when your children think of FAIRNESS, CARING and INTEGRITY, 

they think of you.”  

 ~H. Jackson Brown Jr.~

 {source}

  

Not afraid to be me!

 I WON! {Just kidding! I've just always wanted to take a picture like this!} :)

Flip Flops: ROXY

Dress: Snap

 Live life, deeply rooted and free.

“He who walks in integrity walks securely.” ~Proverbs 10:9