A Story to Tell.....

I'm so excited I am ready for school- (Sorry for the blur... it was my lens ... another camera fix and we should be good!)

Briely- ready for 4th grade.

Lawrence - ready for 11th grade.

Jap ready for 11th grade!

Jap's car...

Macey - ready for 7th grade!

My short lens is broke again- At first they thought it was related to the light setting- we were getting great pictures inside, but horrible outside- so we made some adjustments, and then after this shoot Monday I took it back and there happens to be a "gear" problem in the lens. Not saying that I think Nikon is a bad brand, but have had quite a bit of trouble the camera and lens....

What a fun first week of school- And all I can say is if the next 35 go as fast as this then WOW- June will be here before you know it. It was a great first week back for us. Jap being able to drive to school now is such a blessing. He can get to and from school, and to and from practice- plus run any afternoon errands that I may need him too! That is such a big help.

Macey and Briley started dance this week too. And having Jap out of the mix made that so much smoother too. It seems that a later start, combined with a more relaxed afternoon carpool works better for all of us.

Jackson had his first full week of Pre-K. He had 5 super-duper days. It amazes me to go in his room each day. There are so many activities going on with the little people. They have these neat little centers, and they can only go if there is room for their name tag on the center sign. Jackson was so excited that he was able to pick and he would talk about where he was going to go the next day. He even practiced writing his J’s this week!
I have a great class this year. While each one of my students may have some unique challenges, they are all proving to be hard workers. We talked a lot about goals, expectations, and being the best you can be. I am excited to have that opportunity to help them make such changes in their lives.

We had a huge storm coming our way- at the beginning of the week the District made a decision to move our Friday night game to Thursday- and at first we thought maybe there would be no school Friday, but the storm turned East and we were fine. Jap had a great game Thursday- his only goof happened on the first play of the game- a return for about 55 yards that ended in a fumble!!! I couldn't’t believe it- and I don’t think he could either. After that, he was off and running scoring the first touchdown and just having a great all around game. The Cheerleaders had a great game too! Their hard work over the summer is showing.

While all that good stuff happened- I also had the unpleasant opportunity to witness a violent act against a child and it made me physically sick. I just don’t understand parents at times. I don’t understand how they can treat kids with such abuse and cruelty- with their words, hands, and actions. It almost seems like a hopeless situation, and many times instead of doing something, people just turn their heads. And it just leaves you with a very sick feeling. I mean, you say to the kids you can make a difference, you have a choice, but then they go right back to that crazy life at home and even you know it is a total loss. To expect a child to maintain integrity, drive, and ambition when they are not surrounded with it- when they are emotionally and verbally abused the minute they step through the door. And nothing is done- an overworked system with pathetic investigators who most of the time just see it as a paycheck- It took me immediately back to Jackson's situation - how just cruel that State was to his brothers and him- When it's not personal it doesn't affect most people. There is no apathy- just a quick turn off. These children don't belong to them, and not their problem. There are so many kids out there with lives I can't even imagine, and yet I teach some of them everyday. They are in our building, in our neighborhoods, and in our daily crossings. They are truly the lost and forgotten.

At lunch today Derek said you expect these kids to do what is right, but they have no positive role model outside of you. You (we) cannot save them all. It is an overwhelming feeling- and yet if everyone just got involved with one- what a difference it would make. What an impact on a life- but that requires sacrifice on your part.

I know that God has served us a full plate- We have a house full of kids- and I am thankful for each one of them. However they came- that one day they will see the value in giving back. That they will not take the attitude "not my problem"-

One of my favorite Bible stories comes from Matthew 25: 42-45

I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you did not invite me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me nothing to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you did not care for me.' "Then those people will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or alone and away from home or without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see these things and not help you?' "Then the King will answer, 'I tell you the truth, anything you refused to do for even the least of my people here, you refused to do for me.'

I just feel like we have such a purpose here- we are to treat those who are poor and desperate- not to turn and run and not be involved.

It was an eye opening week- and I wondered so much about those children that are left to poverty, poor parenting, and the emotional, physical, and verbal abuse that so often follows. The people that work in those fields- that just simply say "it's the way it is"- we are commanded to make that change- and yet do many times the right thing is not done.

In one of my favorite books, Francis Chan states, "God didn't just give a little bit for us; He gave his best. He gave Himself. True love requires sacrifice; "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

A lot to think about as we head into the Fall and all the activities that go with it.

Praying for those children who are so neglected and unloved- that God will show them mercy and that those that know will act- and not just sit back and think "not my problem."

We do not want you to have troubles while other people are at ease, but we want everything to be equal. At this time you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal.15 As it is written in the Scriptures, "The person who gathered more did not have too much, nor did the person who gathered less have too little.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15

And so it ends....

Tomorrow we head back to school! I can hardly believe it! We will have a Junior, a 7th grader, a 4th grader, and a Pre-K student!! That is 4 kids in 4 schools that all start at different times! So thankful that Jap is allowed to drive on campus this year!

It should be a great week- we are ready- the plans have been made!

All the kids are ready. I think Jackson is the most excited about going to school. Jap may be excited, but it has nothing to do with academics HA- maybe driving, sports, and the ability to leave campus for lunch!! Macey is ready to get in the swing of things- and Briley well, she would like summer to never end. I think she has asked me five times in the last hour what time she has to get up in the morning.

Our first week of dance, Friday night lights, and after school car pool starts MONDAY!!!

It seems like we have quite a few holidays this first semester. The thing about teaching is that we always seem to have markers, - Labor Day, Teacher Planning Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas Holidays! - BAM half a year finished.

Time does not stand still, that is for sure!

Enjoy your week!

A few photos!

It's hot here... Really hot here, and the humidity is really crazy too- so while it may only be 102 it feels like 125~ and there is no escape from that heat! I think my AC has run non-stop since May and I have the JEA bill to prove it!! I thought we were going to get a little tropical storm to cool us off, but that didn't happen! They are predicting that this heat wave will continue for another few weeks, but I am hoping that the humidity will ease more than the heat!
Jackson has had a great summer- no problems with his asthma at all! I think his healthy lifestyle is helping out many of his asthma issues and his lung capacity!
We are through with basketball for the summer and I already miss it! It seems like it just flew by this year, and our week in Orlando was so fast!
We are gearing up for football- so that is exciting for Jap!
A great extension- but my camera was really suffering that day! had a light exposure issue!
Jackson playing at camp- sticks, outdoors, and lots of dirt! His kind of week!
Jap at his 7 on 7 -
Still #3 :-)
Strike a pose -
Briley at camp- crazy sock day! I love our summer sleep away camp! It is truly one of my favorite weeks!
Macey and Jackson playing :-)
Jackson playing on the web cam! It amazes me how smart on the computer he is- Really all kids are very computer savvy now!

We had a very productive week last week around here! This week we are just hanging out and enjoying my last week of summer. The kids still have 2 weeks, but we report back next Monday.

I was thinking this week- it seems we are either counting down, or counting up to some event- really going to try and just enjoy the moment! Going to try and focus on the day and not the week- just really get in the moment.

Until now you have asked Me for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.

John 16:24

Clemson Tigers !

http://www.tigernet.com/view/recruit.do?id=1477

August 1, 2011

Only if you teach children's choir do you probably think in August that Christmas is really just a matter of teaching weeks away! It is amazing to think that we are starting August. We have been busy this summer and we really haven't been all that many places- and when we have been, it seems it has been for weeks at a time.

I have successfully completed taking Patrols to Washington and WHS Varsity and JV cheerleaders to Cheer Camp, 1 week of sleep away camp for church, and 1 week of AAU Showcase and Nationals in Orlando! It has been fun, but I am excited to spend the next two weeks close to home before we transition back into a new school year.

The kids are growing like crazy! Jap will be a Junior, Macey a 7th grader, Briley a 4th grader, and Jackson in Pre-K 4. Where has the time gone?

We will start the year with football and dance, and maybe soccer for Jackson. It's exciting and I am happy to be coaching this year. I have a great squad of girls and this can be such a crucial age for them at school.

Change is good and seems to be coming from all around- this year I am changing jobs to work with at-risk kids at the elementary level. I am excited- these are really the kids that I champion. For the most part they have just been left behind for various reasons- and within the year they will have the opportunity to shoot to success again. The program has been in our county for as long as I have been employed, and I was excited when our Principal decided to bring it to our school.

Jap has had some great coverage this summer with both basketball and football. He attended a small camp at Clemson and has been offered a full ride there and at Southern Miss. Others are coming in as well and it is such an exciting time for him. I am so proud that he has remained humble and that he talks to us about the choices that are being offered to him. I am also so glad that he will be able to drive to school this year! That will cut the carpool time way down, and he will be able to help with the littles.

Macey is officially taller than me now by 2 inches. She has been taller than me for awhile, but today at their yearly check-up it was confirmed. And I think she has told anyone that will listen that she is not only 2 inches taller than me, but that she hasn't even hit her growth spurt! She will be dancing again this year 4 nights a week, and maybe playing some volleyball.

Briley is tall too, and according to her growth chart will be taller than me too! That's really not saying a lot because as many of you know, I am in no means tall!!! It's hard to believe that she will be in the 4th grade. It seems like just yesterday she was starting school. She will continue dancing this year too, and we finally have all classes that start after 5:00!! Excited about that!!

Jackson is 4 ! He is a trip! I can't express how full of life he is and how curious he is about things. He loves to play and ask questions. He is learning to write his name, knows almost all of his letter sounds and can count to 15 perfectly- 20 when he is counting actual objects. He loves his dogs and his Dad. He can't wait until his Dad comes home from work, and he especially loves when his Dad comes and gets him and then takes him back to the office!

This summer we moved kids bedrooms around, landscaped the front and back yards, and cleaned out our attic! It is amazing how much we collect and never use! Why is that? Decluttering is good for the soul.

I also watched the first and second season of GLEE and I am addicted! What a great show! My sister and parents came down for a week- we are expecting our second grandchild (Lucy) and all is GOOD! We are moving along in 2011. We have experienced many good things and will continue to expect BLESSINGS from ABOVE!