First Sleepover

So, my boy had a seizure last May. Totally out of the blue, totally scary, not accompanying a gever and freaked me the Hell out. One of those life changing events that will never be forgotten. Not one second. After many tests, he was diagnosed with a form of Epilepsy. A form that is usually outgrown following puberty. He is on anti-seizure medication, taken twice a day. And he has not had another seizure. The other day, I was telling my mom that Jack was our healthiest child. You know, besides that whole Epilepsy thing. That early morning I experienced my first ever drop to my knees and beg to God moment. Really, the one and only I have ever had. He had a seizure and could not move half of his body. Oh my gosh.

So, here we are. Almost one year later. And the boy is at his first sleepover. We had to bring over his bag, favorite blanket and his medication. To a family who did not know he needed this medicine. I think they were okay. I said, he won't have a seizure, but he needs this medicine. They kindly sent us a text when he received the medicine.

So, besides the seizure, besides the medicine. My baby is at his first sleepover. Agh. I can hardly stand it. He is my sweet, cuddly boy. Who I still carry down to the couch every morning before school ..So hard. So, so hard. Lots of hard times in the future, for us and those three Huber sweeties.

Five Minute Friday: Open

Open, as I am wide open right now. Wide open for change. Open to receive. Open for new. I am just coming off almost a whole week of snow days with my family. Really not much to do, but think. Well, I did have many things I could have been doing but I don't think those should be done on snow days. JMO. I did a lot of reading. Reading so much and so hard that when a child would come say and ask me a question, I would stare at them for a minute, like who are you? What world do you live in/come from, because it is not the world I have been in for the past three hours. I also did a lot of staring. Staring at my children, staring at the blank walls in our fairly (okay over a year) old house. I know and feel that change is coming. And I am so open to it all. It has taken me a year to get used to being forty and I have just recently decided that I like it. I am ready for what is coming. Bring it! I am also open to new thoughts, new friends, new jobs, new romance (in my own marriage). I am open to new parenting, new food, new exercise and new adventures. This is my new and I am ready and OPEN to it all.



a href="http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/" title="Five Minute Friday">

The Hippy Sister

So, tonight I was talking to my mom and she started laughing and told me that they were going to start calling me the hippy sister (they, as in my mom, dad and sister). This title was awarded to me after they read the Facebook status the other day. A heartfelt status describing why snow days were so precious to my family. I did mention health and spirituality. They thought it was hilarious. That I am a hippy and where did I come from? Then she paused. Was I offended? Nope, not really. I said mom, I have always been like this. Not like a HIPPY, FLOWER CHILD (although I tried), just an open-minded touchy feely kind of gal. That's me. That's who I am. I am not offended, in the least. Kind of proud, actually;).

Anyway, another snow day for the Hubers. And my hubby's 41st Birthday. It was nice to be all together. We continued Lent projects, Science Fair project and sweet Jack even read a bible story with me. And discussed it.

So, I have to get dressed and go to work tomorrow. Taking it like the grownup I am. Plus, I get to see all those sweet kindergarten babies.

Here are some pics of our Lenten spiral road and Jesus. All made from love and hopeful faith from the Hubers.

Lent: A self study

So, I made this crazy attempt to be a spiritual leader for the family. I started by talking to Carly (who brought up giving something up for Lent). I tried to explain that it is not just giving something up. It is making time and space to grow closer to God. Puzzled look from Carly. Then I called the three kids downstairs and tried to kind of gauge what they already know about Lent. Limited and scattered responses. I admit, I was immediately discouraged. At their answers, at their squabbling while we were talking...and really, a tremendous amount of guilt. What have I done (not done)? I admit, I got snippish. FINE, they would do some reading. FINE.

Somewhere between stomping upstairs and looking for my Why do Catholics do That book, I began to think of my sillieness. Not the sillieness of Lent and faith, but the sillieness of forcing my agenda on my unsuspecting children. When I came back downstairs, we looked up Lenten activities on Pinterest. Yes, I am using Pinerest as my guide....there is some really good stuff out there! Anyway, we did find some projects. Some art, some lists, some calendars..hopefully something that will fit all of our learning styles. We touched on what will hopefully be a journey for our family. No church today. Crazy winter weather, one sick girl.

Here is a project that we worked on together. Symbolizing our Lenten promise to help others. Jack helped me find a spot to hang it, a place where we will continuously reminded of what we should be doing, everyday

So, in the words of Ruth Haley Burton:

As we enter into this wilderness time, may we recognize a sense of anticipation about how God will meet us in the space we create for Him.

Snow Days : Lent

Another post? In the same year? Who would have thunk?!

We are on our second day of no school for snow. Tomorrow will be the third day of no school. Tomorrow is also Ash Wednesday. The cards are lining up. Something is about to happen. Church. For the entire family. In a Catholic church. My roots are calling to me and they are calling strong. I made that list the other day, the list of what I need to focus on. And really is should be top. I am called to be the spiritual leader of this family, for real. My husband even says, when mom says we go to church, we go to church. Well, this mamma has dropped the ball. And that sucks.

I read this link by Team Whitaker and was so inspired for this upcoming Lent. Really, it is well-written and struck an enormous chord with me.

http://teamwhitaker.org/2015/02/lent-youre-wrong/

Lent=big deal=hopefully sparking my spiritual growth=me guiding my family.

This should underline it ALL. Bottom line.

One year later

Can I do this? Can I jump back on the blogging train? I miss writing. I read other's blogs and I am briefly inspired. And I get sucked into reading blog after blog after blog. What should I write about? Where should my focus be? Family? Teaching? Health and fitness? Marriage? Myself? Years ago, my focus was crafting. Wow. There have not been any crafts for this house or family in years (from me). Then I shifted to family, I think? Myself, off and on.

Anywho, the past year there have been so many (too many?) changes. Jack was diagnosed with Epilepsy, I left my full time job with benefits to be a part time kindergarten teacher, my oldest daughter is a freshman in high school, my eleven year old has a boyfriend. Oh my changes. I have continued to workout ( a whole year of exercise) and now I trying to get healthy from within (vitamins and essential oils). There is nine million things to blog about and I kind of want to blog about them all! A hodgepodge of my life. Where to begin? Help:)!!!

I guess I will start off with talking about where I NEED to be focusing.

My spiritual life. Is Lacking. Everything. My role as a spiritual leader for my family is not really a role at all(unless you count me paying for oldest child to go to a Christian camp and occasionally picking her up from youth group).

Building family memories.

My marriage. Needs focus and attention.

My career. I am so focused on my short term job (weighted statement) that I am losing sight on where I am going and what I have worked so hard to achieve.

Here's to more moments like these:

Beth

Coffee for your heart

I am day late on this post, but again..laptop problems. I could have gone upstairs to my husband's computer, but that would have taken away from my family and so far this New Year, I have successfully (mostly) kept my family the focus of my heart in the evenings.

This blog entry is my first writing for Coffee for your heart, a linky party created by Holley Gerth. Funny enough, the joy I would like to spread today actually centers around coffee:). Part of my New Year's Resolutions included making connections with friends; old and new. Yesterday I made a lunch date with a friend that only get to see about twice a year. And get this, she is in the Master's program at the college I work at and lives five mnutes from campus. That is just too crazy that we do not see each other more often!

For our date yesterday, we went to our local healthy supermarket (earthfare..yummy). Time flew. We laughed, we ate, we reminised, we talked about our family. And we ended with coffee. Coffee is our special connection. When we worked togetehr years ago, we shared our love of coffee. And shared our challege of drinking coffee at work (we were toddler teachers at the time). We also started a small book club and typically our meeting place was a local coffee shop.

I am not sure why my picture is sideways, but I am not going to let it bug me (too much). I do know that my lunch date brought me much JOY. Making the time for hour boosted my spirits, made me feel safe and warm, and made me want to schedule more times like these. I have learned over the past two months, that if I want to exercise and be healthy, that I have to schedule the time and make preparations. During this busy season of my life (being a full time working mother of young children and a wife), these things don't happen unless I committ myself to make them happen.

When my friend dropped me off at work, we promised to pick a day each month to meet for lunch. Something for us to look forward to. We emailed each other later about a book we had discussed and then late last night I received an email from her. She said, "I hope you know I love you bunches". I didn't receive the email until this morning and it made me so happy. Joyous.

I hope who ever reads this also recongizes the joy that friendships bring to their life.

Thanks, for listening.

After hours

I am trying so hard to stick to my one blog entry a day!! Last night my laptop would not let me onto my page, so my much anticipated post (ha) ad to wait until today. Boo.

Yeserday was a full day back in the work world and as soon as I got home I could feel all of my New Year's hopes and dreams leaving my body. There is somthing about me NOT BEING able to leave my work mindset (and often bad mood) behind me! I didn't feel like exercising, I wanted to be on the computer, I was craving junk and just being a big old crab to my family. I felt like I was back at square one. Or negative one. Whatever.

I exused myself to go take a shower before dinner. It took a few minutes to relax. By about halfway through, I could hear the kids loudly playing,I could smell dinner that Chris was making and I was really appreciating the hot shower on this 3 degrees day. I thought I was fixed. Positive thoughts work! I got out of the shower, clean, fresh, and ready to be with my family. I even took this awewsome picture of my sweet family life when I cam downstairs:

Feeling like I conquered, well-a bad day, I sat down at the table with my family. And found my bad mood again. My seven year old has some eating isses and does whatever he can to avoid eating. And I was like a hawk on him the whole time. It was tiring and ridiculous (on both of our parts, I might add). Chris tried to lighten the mood, but it really did not help. At all. I put this dark cloud over dinner.

I tried to shake the mood for the rest of the night, but I was just not fooling anyone. PMS? Work? Lack of mental control? All of the above? I don't know. I just know I thougth I was doing so well focusing on the family. I feel like the more hours I am away from them the more difficult it is for me to get back into their world. Tough.

Today was a bit better...well, I haven't gone home yet. I do have an exercise class tonight so maybe that is a key to the work to home transistion. Only time will tell.

I did read an amazing blog entry by Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky today. Amazing. Check it out.

Supermom

Ok, ok, ok. I KNOW I am not really Supermom, but I kind of feel like one today:). I really think my New Year is going fantastically and I really credit this to starting some of my resolutions (exercising, eating better) early. Keeping up these new habits over Christmas was a true test that I feel I passed with semi-flying colors. But just continuing these habits is not enough to meet my resolutions requirements. I now need to move to a focus on my family and we had such a great weekend:).

Friday night Chris took the girls to indoor soccer and Jack and I stayed home to watch a Percy Jackson movie. We also played Just Dance together and made a slushie. Last night we had friends over for dinner and all the kids played so well together. And THIS mom did not drink wine! WhooHoo....what an amazing difference that makes:).

Today came my Supermom rush. I took my two girls running. We bundle up to brave the elements (and then we stepped outside and realized it was nice...oops). We shed some gear and ran/walked almost miles. This included pounding the pavement to Food City and buying more smoothie stuff. We had such a good time and it felt so awesome to do something healthy WITH the girlies. Loved it. Again, wish I would have been doing this stuff all along, but I will keep facing forward with this most positive focus. As long as I possibly can.

Doing things the right way

I did something very grown up yesterday. And yes, I realize that I am a 39 year old mother of three who holds a full-time job and teaches other adults. However, besides going to work and doing that MOM thing, I typically do not do things the right way/adult way.

The example leading to this post? Yesterday my husband and I went to a speciality running store that fits your feet for running shoes. Why is this such a grown-up, right thing to do? I have extremely flat feet. No arches. AND I overpronate. My feet are a mess. And when I exercise, which I have been for the past two months, I am really, really feeling it in my knees, feet and lower back. I have had friends tell me to go this store and I just didn't listen. Until yesterday. With a bit of pushing from my husband we took some Christmas money and took the plunge to the fancy running shoe store. Here are my special, ultra supportive, non-mobilizing shoes.





Like little pillows of heaven on my feet. Wait, I have not gone running yet! But I did wear them while playing Just Dance with Jack last night AND I wore them from the car to Pilates class, where I promptly took them off and put them on the side of the classoom. They are so pretty.

Anyway, this is not just about my fancy sneakers. This is to me taking care of me. I am almost 40 years old. Things are starting to hurt. Gray hairs are sprouting and new crinkles are showing up on my face. Working out makes me really tired and having a late night with friend requires a two day recovery period.

I want to be a good role model for my children. I want them to watch me take pride in body, flaws and all and treat it like the temple it should be.

Who knows where I will go from here? I do know I need a mammogram this year. Who I am I fooling? I just need to go the gynocologist period. I have not been since Jack was born!!!!!!!!AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Turning this life and pointing to a bright future!:)

Five Minute Friday: Fight

Fight. Wow, this one threw me for a loop. I really avoiding fighting at all costs. The thought of confontation makes my heart race, my armpits sweat and my neck turn red. Oh yes, and my voice shakes and I typically start crying. Not good at fighting at all. NOW.

Growing up, I fought with my brother, sister and parents ALL the fricking time. I came from a house of yellers and fighters. We all still love each other, we survived, but I do not choose to go back there at all. My husband came from a home where there may have been SOME fighting but not like the wars in my home. Needless to say, he is still a bit shell-shocked around my family.

But you know what, I think I will add this to 2014. Fight. I need to fight more. I need to find my voice. The voice that appears when I come out of my comfort zone. And I am not talking about fighting with my family. I am talking about fighting with those who make me upset. Those who treat me unfairly. Because when people treat me unfairly, or I watch them treat others unfairly and do not stick up for them, then I come home and and am unpleasant to those who give me undconditional love. And that's when THEY want to fight me.

Time's up.

Family Jewels

Over the years my mom has given me the most beautiful and meaningful pieces of jewelry. Many of the pieces have a strong connection to family. Each time I receive one of these special gifts it means the world to me. When I wear these pieces I actually feel my children on my heart. Really. When I wear these necklaces or bracelets, I often play with them throughout the day. Unfortanately, I am so bad about rotating jewelry! I pretty much just wear my wedding rings, a pair of earrings and the latest piece of jewelry from my mom. I really love everything she has given me and need to make a point to where them more often. They make me think of her and my family.


This year for Christmas she gave me this stunning freshwater pearl necklace.

I immediately fell in love with the style. My mom was watching me open the gift and told me to read the back.

The path to a strong family is love

So true. So Special. Thanks to my mom for giving such thoughtful gifts.


I also wore another special item today!







Carly made me this yesterday on her Rainbow Loom. She chose green and white because Michigan State was playing in the Rose Bowl. She made a matching one for herself. Jack and Carly have both made me many, many bracelets. And they both LOVE when I wear them. She will be super excited to see that I wore it to work today.

Second day of the 2014 and am proud of blogging AND taking pictures two days in a row. Whoo Hoo! Now off to work!

New year, new focus!

I write this post with a little less enthusiasim as a New Year Day post should be written as I am spending the first day of the new year with a wineover. Blech. Perfect motivation for me to include "drink much less wine" one of my New Year's resolutions. I know that the first post of the year should be looking towards the future, with bright eyes and hope......and I do intend to do this!! After I dwell on this past year! The past year, a blur...too much work, too little family. I do count my blessings though and I extremely grateful for the health of my immediate and extended family. I am extremely grateful for my family period. We bought a new home this year and working to fill it with memories. Being off work since December 23rd has helped me refocus and I really needed that. 2014, hello. I thankfully started one of my resolutions about eight weeks ago....working out and clean(er) eating. Well, except for that damn wine. I go to the gym ALOT and I love it. I feel stronger and better. My goal is try new classes, new things. This included more weight lifting. I do not want to lose weight. I want to tone, build stregth and improve my posture. Another big resolution, and I feel so silly writing this, but here goes. I need to break my addiction to Facebook. Such a life sucker!!! The amount of time I spend on this social media site is insane. I love to see people's pictures and see what is going on in there life. But, moderation has to be key!! You know you have a problem when you are going through the ordinary routines of the day and thinking about how you can turn those moments into a witty Facebook status. Bad. Next resolution up....and I should have put this earlier, but with all the time I will have from being off FB, I can focus on more important things. Church. We need to focus on faith as a family. More later. Family. More dates with my husband. More time with my children. Madison had joined the gym with me, but she really never goes. I was hoping that would be our bonding time, but I thinking no. I want to build more memories with my children. For my children. Work. Need to find something I love, all the way around, not just the teaching part. The joy that teaching brings me does not make up for the negative aspects of my job. I need to up the job search and make more contacts. Friends. I think Chris and I need to do a better job at finding friends with children. We are homebodies and sometimes I fear that will have a negative impact on our children. Writing. Blogging. Journaling. And taking more pictures. Will help to slow down the time. I feel good about this journey called A NEW YEAR:). And I am not even going to write a Facebook status about it! My blog focus will be changing to reflect my progress. Stay tuned world.

Day 2: Battling Compassion Fatigue

Day 2, already better. The power of focus and writing amaze me. 31 days? Can I do it? Will it help me? Will it help you? Ha, I do not think there are any "you's" and that is okay! Today I managed to do the following. Walk at work. Even taking me supervisor with and me. Walk my dog, talking to two neighbors in the process. Cook dinner (well heating up a ham and making macaroni and cheese). Sticking with a Halloween budget. Drinking water instead of diet coke/coke. Do these accomplishments seem insignificant? Not in my eyes. Not in the eyes that have been turned down or way out. Not the eyes that are seeing past the children. Not the eyes that focus on the mess, the bills, the unfulfilled feeling in my own home. I am working towards living. I am working on battling that constant and overwhelming fatigue and despair. I am working in making this year something. Making this year a year full of memories. Today, the colors of fall were powerful. The crisp air refreshing. I look forward to Halloween in my new neighborhood. I look forward to my first Saturday off! Tomorrow's goal: hair appoinment for this weekend:). Thanks for being there, little blog of mine.

31 Days to Combat Passion Fatigue

It has been almost one year since I have written on this blog. My energy, my strengh, my talents... have been sent into the air. Into the sky. Very few have witnessed or felt why I am here. Why am I a mother, daughter, wife, and friend. I have spent the past year putting everything I am into one tiny part of my life...my job. And I am spent. Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure (or what I felt was pleasure) assisting Mr. Jim Harris at an educational conference. Mr.Harris discussed "compassion fatigue". A really fancy way of saying burnout. Burnout is very common in the childcare profession. Low pay, little value, physical and emotional tolls all contribute to this condition. Many of us nodded our heads as Mr. Harris listed the characterstics of compassion fatigue. He was talking to a room full of believers. Believers that compassion fatigue was negatively effecting their lives. I am no longer a childcare provider. I have a job that allows me to train childcare providers. I love teaching these ladies. I learn from them. I am inspired by them. I truely feel that teaching and guiding these women who I feel are our nation's heroes. Those who care for our our most vulnerable citizens. So why was I nodding my head at Mr. Harris? Compassion fatigue has seemed to taken a reverse toll on me. While I attack my job with gutso and excitement, my God-given duties as a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend are left alone. I go through the motions of these roles, but I fall flat. I am tired. I am joyless. I often am humorless. I am just there. And that sucks. Yesterday was my 39th birthday and all I wanted to do was clean my house. I didn't want to talk to anyone on the phone. I didn't want to go shopping. I didn't want to have friends over for dinner. I am not finding the joy at all, ever. I am not depressed about being 39. That does not bother me. I am depressed that another year has vanished quickly. Today I was off. I took Jack to school, came home and took a shower and then spent two hours watching a violent televeison show. And then I went to sleep. I am down and out and I know it. I tried to motivate myself in a positive direction. Looked up some stuff on creating a budget. Pinned some ideas on Pinterst. And then I decided to check out a blog that I never read anymore, Chatting with the Sky. As usual, Emily Freemans' blog has moved me. And inspired me. I have decided that instead of posting statuses on Facebook, I would begin blogging. And I would begin my own 31 day series: 31 Days to Coombat Passion Fatigue. Wow. I have no idea where this journey will take me, but surley it will take me UP! I will start by including the symptoms of compassion fatigue, I have put a * by the ones that I am suffering. Normal symptoms present in an individual include: • Excessive blaming * • Bottled up emotions * • Isolation from others* • Receives unusual amount of complaints from others • Voices excessive complaints about administrative functions * • Substance abuse used to mask feelings *, too much wine! • Compulsive behaviors such as overspending, overeating, gambling, sexual addictions • Poor self-care (i.e., hygiene, appearance) * • Legal problems, indebtedness • Reoccurrence of nightmares and flashbacks to traumatic event • Chronic physical ailments such as gastrointestinal problems and recurrent colds * • Apathy, sad, no longer finds activities pleasurable * • Difficulty concentrating * • Mentally and physically tired * • Preoccupied * • In denial about problems I am setting a vague goal to motivate me to move forward. Two words: clean living. Right now, it makes sense to me that clean living may lead to a focus. A focus on how to move forward. I am going to try to link up to 31 days, but I am unsure that this is still an option. That I am doing this is what matters.

Five Minute Friday: Awake?

Linking up with Gypsy Mama's Five minute Friday. This week's topic....awake?

Starting: 7:38

Awake as in I am not sleeping in my bed? Sure. Awake as I am aware, present, and ready? Not quiet. I don't feel like I have been awake all week. It has been a blur. I started my new full-time job, got my kids on their new schedules, had a huge meeting on my second day of working, and put our fifteen year old dog to sleep on Wednesday. It has been an unpleasant blur.

Don't get me wrong, I am loving my new job. It is exciting, new, and am I sooooo thankful to have full time employment. But being a full-time working mom of three definitely has its challenges.

My dog....oh my goodness. Hardest and saddest thing I have every gone through. I was numb, asleep if you will, until last night. My mom had put the sweetest picture of her on facebook and I WOKE up. I grieved, and cried, and cried. So lonley and sad without her there. I took a shower, cried some more, and promised myself I would grieve more this weekend. Today, I just need to be asleep, while awake. Going through the motions is what is getting me through.

I look forward to being awake again. To enjoy what is around me, my gifts and blessings. I think when life gets tough, it is very hard to be awake. Kind of a coping mechanisim, I think.

So here is to a weekend of AWAKENESS, of enjoyment of life.

Stop

Image of my sweet, beautiful girl. She is finally at peace, but so missed.

Back to work!

I am feeling amazingly peaceful and organized the night before returning to work full time. I worked full-time for many years....with three little kids, those years were a blur. A mostly bad blur:(. So, after quitting, staying home a few months with the two younger kids, I returned to school and got my Master's degree. Have been working part time since.

I guess I just feel like the timing is right now. The kids are older, in school all day...we need the money....and double bonus: I am super excited about my new job!

So, it is 7:15, dinner is done, the kids are bathed, lunches are packed. The week's grocery shopping is done. Bills are paid. Sheets are clean. Written notes for babysitter and kid's teachers. Just need to pick out an outfit and I am done. Ready. Probably won't sleep:)!!!

So,here's to full time moms!! Bless all of you, it is alot to juggle, but I have high hopes it is worth it (this time;P)!

Five Minute Friday : ROAR

I'm trying to keep this blogging this up as long as I can........so, here is my Five Minute Friday!!!

Ready, set, ROAR?!:

This week's topic is ROAR!! I am only feeling good things about this ROAR! Lately, I feel like roaring all the time! ROARING that I am happy! ROARING that I am excited!!! Excited to be working again, excited to have a schedule! Excited to be helping to provide for my Family!!!

ROARING for my ability to help boost the self-esteem of ladies, particularly ladies who are in the early childhood field. Each person that I help, in return helps nurture the young children they care !! That is something to ROAR about!

I guess I used to think of the word roar in a negative way. Roaring used to remind me of lions, of meanness, of harsh words and anger.

But this roar that I feel bubbling inside of me right now is a good roar. A great ROAR! I want to ROAR my happieness to everyone. Sometimes you have to roar to be heard! Really! I am so glad that I finally found my roar. That I can share my roar with others. That I can TEACH others to ROAR. \

We can use our roars in good ways. We can use our roars to praise. We can use our roars to spread the word. To spread many roars.

Feeling pretty feisty today. Ready to take on the world. WoooHooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Stop.

Linking up to Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Fridays and loving it!!

Happy New Year: back to blogging!

Well, my last post was about starting back to work and how tired I was. Apparently, I never got past the tired and frantic state, because I did not post the whole Fall semester! Wow! And guess what?! I realized that this blog is a journal, keeping me aware of my feelings and more in tune to what is happening around me! Aha. Another advantage of blogging!

So, what happened while I was not blogging? I was totally consumed with the classes I was teaching and attempting to maintain sanity at home. The results: I feel like I have aged five years. Actually, I look like I aged five years. No joke. I exercised ONE time the whole semeseter. I consumed way too much wine and junk food (ahem, not good comfort replacements) and just feel YUCK!!!! When did this all hit me? When I was looking at pics of myself from Christmas! Holy smokes.....did NOT like what I saw!!!!

Anyway, enough looking backwards..........I have so much to be excited about and to look forward to!!! I got a new, full-time job that starts Jan. 9th! While going from an adjunct teaching position to a full-time positition seems like it might make my more hectice....I think it will make me more organized and fulfilled. As much as I enjoyed teaching college courses, not having an office, benefits, and colleagues made it isolating and frustrating. I now still get to work with adults, have an office ( meaning my house will be less cluttered), and be on a real schedule. I am super excited about this. Still a bit nervous (who isn't starting a new job?). I also am starting my term as co-president of our local early childhood organization. This will be alot of work, but again....I am SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

Something else to be super happy about....my three beautiful, happy, and healthy children; my supportive and funny husband, and a BRAND NEW NEPHEW (born December 11, 2011)!!

Anyway, hoping to attend to my blog more frequently in 2012! Happy New Year to all!!!!!! Here is a pic of the sweet new addition our family!! So excited for my sister and her husband!

Five Minute Friday: Rest

Linking up to Five Minute Friday at gypsy mama.

This week's prompt:

start 12:30
Do you ever feel like this week's prompt is so absolutely perfect that you want to scream the prompt out loud!!??Well, this is how I feel right now! I want to scream the word REST!!! But I don't have the energy to do so.

I started back teaching this week. this semester I am teaching three classes. I am excited because I love teaching these ladies(and one gentleman), but balancing work, kids and life is soooo tiring. My kids are all in school, but I spend the day preparing for classes, cleaning, paying bills etc., then the kids come home, organize their homework schedule.etc. And now three days a week go teach.

Every bone in my body is screaming rest. I know I am being over dramatic.I know there are people out there who need rest much more than I. But still...........I want to nap. And I actually think I may, two more hours till kids get out of school.

When I am this tired, I become a bad mom, a bad wife, a bad housekeeper,a bad teacher. Rest is good. Tired and achy is bad

HOwever, I appreciate what I have and am exteremely grateful that I have been called to be a teacher.

Stop