Thoughts and Prayers

I can not believe that it has been a whole month since I blogged last. Actually, I can believe it with how busy I am. I hope to do much better in the months to come.

The reason for this post is to "talk" about a feeling that I have had this week. See on October 7th a local police officer in our town was shot and five days later, he died from the gun shot wound. He was shot (along with another officer) in the woods behind a Bojangles restaurant when the suspect came to comfront his ex-wife. The suspect was shot and died at the scene.

It is amazing how something like this brings a community together. Sgt. Hutchens served for 27 years. The news was all over his funeral and streamed live. I watched the highlights on the news that night...then it hit me.

My brother is now a deputy for the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department. As I was watching the horse and buggy caison carrying the casket, the other officers from all over lined the walkway, and then the riderless black horse signifying the death of an officer, I realized that that could be my brother one day...I broke down in tears.

We all I feel are called to our profession. He chose to protect and serve his community, as I did. Mine is just in a different form. God watches over us all, in our day to day lives. I just hope that this will never happen to my baby brother.

Psalms 116:6 says that "The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

http://www.wxii12.com/news/21308046/detail.html

My Soap Box

I just wanted to come by and say that yes, I am still alive although it has been almost a month since I last posted.

I just have to say that I have been feeling for the past week especially, maybe even longer, like I am living in quick sand.

I can't find a groove with my students, I am in a new grade level, we have a new principal to learn, new procedures that are a BIG deal, I am getting to school daily at 6:30 and not leaving until 5:30-6:00 each evening. It seems that I am always in a meeting and something new is laid on my plate.

To me, this is ridiculous for a school teacher. The weird part, is that I am not alone. Alot of my friends feel the same.

It must be really bad because I pray for patience every morning and my students by name. I know God is working in me, so I think about what it would be without the prayer...I can only imagine.

Yesterday, at several points in the day I felt like I didn't know how much longer I could do this as my career. I know that we all have bad days, but I mean come on.

I didn't even get to church tonight, and I feel so horrible about it. I just wanted to come home, have dinner, and relax...well then do more work that I brought home of course. I have the Arthritis Foundation event next weekend, and new things with the Leadership Team at church.

Sorry for all the gripe, I just know that part of blogging is to reveal your true feelings, well there it is.

Okay, I am for sure getting in my massage next week that I got at the charity auction!

click, click, click

Hooray! My fear of a very important package arriving with nobody home to sign for it, wasn't even issue.

I could not wait to get home and open, read, and play.

I have realized one thing...I have a lot too learn! The sad part is that I am too tired to read another word. Tomorrow I will be bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to learn!

I love my Canon T1i body and lens.

A Free Giveaway!

Since I am ordering my new SLR camera tomorrow, I have been searching for a cute and fashionable bag.

I stumbled upon someone and I absolutely LOVE these bags. They look like they are so well made and trendy!

You get to select your own fabric...which is really hard! I want something that will go with alot of outfits, but still be "my style".

She is offering a giveaway, and I get an extra entry for blogging about it. So head over to www.wickedstitchdesigns.com and enter!!!

On the Air

This afternoon I am going to be on the radio! I was asked by one of the ladies at church to be on their radio show about being a bible study girl. I said yes, not really knowing what I was getting into, but I am really excited. God knew!

It will air from 2-3pm today on our local station 830am or on am stations in Charlotte NC, Raleigh NC, Richmond VA, Salt Lake City UT, and Carlsbad NM. If you can't tune in, then log on to www.encouragementcafe.com and you can stream or after we are off the air on the podcast.

I have been praying for the right words to say and also that my motor mouth will be clear and not at the energizer bunny pace!

Thanks for checking it out, and let me know if you listened!

We need a break!

For Fall Break this year, Ty and I are going away....

First it was Cabo San Lucas (then we got scared of swine flu and gang wars), then it was a Norwegian cruise to Dominica, St. Thomas, Tortola, and their private island, then it was Las Vegas, then Lake Tahoe, then I found a 5 star diamond in the rough!!

The Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa-All inclusive (opened July 2008)

Doesn't that look like something grand????? We are hoping to take dear friends with us. I even worked out flights so that they could get back to take their girls trick-or-treating. One of the best things is that I will only miss two days with the students at school! We are planning on staying 4 nights. Ty wanted a casino, but when I reported that they have a golf course next door and slipped in the spa for me...it was more of a done deal! I am so sneaky! It includes airfare from Charlotte and an ocean view suite.

Oh yeah, I will have my new camera to by then..he he.

A New Bunch

Well this Wednesday will be a big day...school assignment letters will be mailed out! I am hoping to go get a sneak peak on Tuesday.

I love this time of year. One of the highlights of Sunday afternoons are looking through the sale papers to see what I can get for super cheap for my classroom. This is one of the most expensive months of the year for me...but well worth it!

I have been praying for my little darlings that I will soon meet. That they will be put in my class for a special purpose and that I will be able to get them more than ready for the next grade, create a wonderful teacher/student relationship, and so much more! The good news is that I will probably know most of them since I am going from K to 1st. Hopefully I will have some of the same students as last year, wink wink!

Does back to school make you happy?
What do you remember about your elementary days?