Which "AWE" are you doing?

"Remember to make someone feel AWEsome today!" 

This is what I tell my girls every morning when I drop them off at school. 
I wanted to teach them something each day even if I'm not with them. 


We have the power to make someone feel special everyday. Unfortunately we also have the ability to make people feel AWful instead of AWEsome. 


Sometimes I think we get weighed down with all of our own problems, obstacles, complaints and worries. We tend to forget about the power we have. We usually forget that using that power creates a happiness within us that helps us deal with those problems, worries and helps us overcome and conquer our own obstacles. 


I would not blog about something or tell my girls to do something without practicing what I preach. 


For the past 2 weeks, I've challenged myself to make a point to tell someone something to make them feel special. Everyday I choose one person to "target." Some days I choose more than one person. 


My job allows me to talk to many, many people on a minute-by-minute basis. 


People might see my job as many opportunities to have people make my day bad, but I've decided to turn that perspective around and instead see it as many opportunities to change someone's day and tweak my own attitude. 


Yesterday's encounter was random, quick, and fun. She enjoyed the pat on the back so much she asked me to come see her every Monday!  Gladly, I say! 


Each day when I pick up the girls, I ask them to tell me examples of ways they made someone feel AWEsome. I love hearing their stories. I love seeing them be helpful. I love hearing that even though they sometimes sacrifice their own wants, they enjoyed seeing someone else smile because of them. I love knowing that they are growing to learn the power of their words, actions, and attitudes. 


To you: Have you made someone feel AWful or AWEsome today? 

Sound Mind, Sound Body

We can do nothing without the body, let us always take care that it is in the best condition to sustain us. ~Socrates


Many of you who have been following me, know that I've been on a lot of weight loss journeys. Having kids will do that to a person.  Until you have one of your own, you have no idea. 


I've got three of the best blessings in my life. No doubt. I also have had 3 uphill battles to losing the baby weight and getting back to the strong, sound body and mind I was before. 


As I have sat listening in church the past few weekends, the topic of spirit has been the focus. 


Truly our spirit is what pushes us forward (or backward.) 


It is our spirit that creates our image. Our image does not create our spirit. We can have many things yet may be empty, be rich according to the world, but not giving, be fit physically, but a couch potato spiritually and mentally. 


I've revisited this idea over and over lately. 


I cannot be completely whole or sound unless my mind, body and spirit are sound. 


I can work my butt off literally, but if stress at work or at home is taking over my life, I may not see any change in my body. I may not see any weight loss. 


I can go to church every time the doors are open, pray non-stop, read the Bible every morning, but if I'm not putting into practice those ideas or being a living example, then I may not see anything positive come to pass. 


If my mind is not right, if I'm easily sidetracked, if I let others defeat me, then I may not be able to focus well enough on any one task or goal to see it to completion. 


Mind, Body, Spirit. 


It takes all 3 to be able to truly see a change. Any change. Career change, relationship change, physical change, habitual change, addiction change. . . 


It takes us making time in our day to focus on all 3. 


It takes focus. 


It takes discipline. 


It takes determination. 


It takes a "no fail" approach. 


It takes us getting out of our little box of a comfort zone, taking risks, pushing ourselves over the edge, and seeing where it can take us. 

He Loves Us

I am a Christian. I can firmly tell you that I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe in His ultimate sacrifice for us. I believe that He is the light of the world. I believe that without Him, you cannot be the full potential you are intended to be. I believe that without Him, your world will be full of a darkness that you cannot fathom until you actually step out of it. Without Him in the center and midst of your friendships, relationships, marriage, job, thoughts, words, and actions, life is more painful that it really has to be. 


I am a Christian. I am not perfect. I'm get lost. I stumble. I am weak. I have countless flaws. 
I do not wish to judge. I only know that I am loved. I only wish to share that love. 

He is jealous for me, 

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, 

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. 

When all of a sudden, 

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, 

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me. 

And, oh, how he loves us so, 

Oh, how he loves us. 

How he loves us all. 

I could write pages upon pages of examples where I've witnessed God's hand working behind the scenes or right in the middle of a situation. Wait. I am. (Note to self: pull out that book and WRITE some more!)


From a young age, I believed. I was faithful. I felt His presence many times. 


At a young age, I've also watched as the enemy tries to pull people away from Him. Over and over, especially if it seems that someone is getting closer to God. 


In the past week, I've once again witnessed the Power of God and His ability to open and close doors that man cannot. In the same regard, I've witnessed the enemy trying to find root and make people turn away from God in their friendships, their marriages, their jobs, their minds and their hearts. 


In the past week, I've worshiped more than usual. I've prayed more than I normally plan. I've been especially mindful of God in my life, in my morning routine, in my family time at night, in my words to others, in my thoughts as I'm driving. 


Tuesday I got word of the possibility of something I've especially been praying for my family. The week went by very smoothly. 
This morning, I woke up to find an email from someone I'd asked to leave my life and not return, not contact me again - ever. 


I do not think either of those instances are a coincidence. 


No matter what, good or not good; planned or not planned; welcomed or unwanted - I continue to praise Him and continue to accept the greatest love that is offered. I continue to be faithful in His love, His power, and His grace. 


He Loves Us - David Crowder Band

Dear World

Preface: Thank you to T for blogging this and reminding me about hearing it on Kidd Kraddick. I re-post this for all my close friends who are sending their own "babies" off to school soon. 


With both girls, I intended to raise them to be independent, strong, conscious young girls/women. Even with that intention, sending them off to "big kid school" is still an anxious experience for me and for them even if they do not reveal it. Sending them to the "next step" whether it's kindergarten, middle school, or college is always a big step for their parents. 


In two days, I will send her off. Today, though, I will enjoy her innocence. 
_______________
I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

Dear World,


I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress.. with two big brown bright eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school.

And never again will she be completely mine...

Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse...

Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.

Now, she will learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called...

She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines...

She will learn to giggle and gossip... and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.

Now she will learn to be jealous...and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside...and now she will learn how not to cry. No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk...

Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. Now she will worry about important things...like grades...and what dresses to wear...and whose best friend is whose. Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time... and staying after school...and which little girls like which little boys...And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls.

And she'll find her new heroes. For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus...her pal and playmate...her parent and friend. Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right).

No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world. Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group...with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk...

Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress... and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two big bright brown eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL. 

Tribute to Teachers

Every year I get sentimental at this time. Football is in the air. Students start two-a-days, band, cheerleading, etc. 


Place like Target and Wal-Mart have already had their school supply displays out for weeks. The new starts reporting on the tax free weekend (in Texas). 


School is in the air.


After tonight's meet the teacher experience, I want to send extra kudos to all my teacher friends. We are so blessed to have you teaching our children! (Lord help Avery's teacher, especially!)
____________


I cannot tell you the exact moment I knew I was meant to be a teacher, but my guess is that is was sometime after my sophomore year of HS. I use to dream about sitting in the teacher meetings, carrying a grade book, and teaching students something that would stay with them for a lifetime. 


Even though my time as a teacher of the typical classroom is over, I still get the same excitement and thrill while teaching teachers and helping to bring a 21st century teaching environment to every classroom. 
____________


Teachers never really know the impact of their words, actions, and life until much later in their career and sometimes never. 


As I sat in our districts convocation on Tuesday afternoon, I listened intently as Neal Jeffrey spoke to us about his struggles and victories as a stutterer. 


A few things he said resonated with me, but one thing in particular has been top of mind all week. He speaks of baby eagles who do not instinctively fly. They learn by watching their mother and by something called imprinting. I find this so fascinating for so many reasons, but I'll focus on the teaching aspect today. 


Baby eagles are born in their nests high above. Their mother flies around and eventually pushes the baby out of the nest. The baby falls. The mother swoops down, picks it up and pushes baby back down. This process continues until the baby bird realizes that it has the same ability to eventually fly and soar up above. 


Teachers are some of God's greatest gifts. I know this because I have a few teachers of my own that truly should be thanked for shaping my life in the way they did. Each year at this time, I take a second to look up some of my former teachers and email them a note of thanks. 


Here is something that I wrote this week to a very dear English teacher: 



"Freshman English. Your class. 8th grade teacher told me I could not sign up for 9th honors, so I ended up in your regular class. I remember telling myself I would do my best and prove the other teacher wrong.

At some point that year, you had us do an assignment where we researched someone famous and then were to do an oral presentation in front of the class.  We also had to dress the part. I was mortified about getting in front of people talking. Yes, I was a cheerleader, but my anxiety and self conscious attitude put a lot of fear in me. I could cheer b/c it was with a group, but for all eyes and ears to be on me? Fear.

I remember that I did fairly well, and the class voted that my presentation was the best of the class.

Fast forward to today.

I spoke for 2 hours presenting a technology district update for about 100 teachers. ?@!?@!?Had you told me then that I’d be doing that today, I would’ve laughed. But there is something so comforting about being up there with the microphone, speaking, teacher, hearing laughs, or the occasional “ah.”

Something magical happens and I just do it. Afterwards many of my mentor teachers who’ve seen me from first year teacher until now, told me how great I did. New teachers, said how my enthusiasm and tone of my voice made them pay attention and get excited.

Thank you specifically for helping me get out of that small box of a comfort zone I was in back then. It is because of you that I am who I am today!"


She wrote back a note of thanks and how proud she was of me. 
______________
As an adult, I now see that we are all teachers and that we all need to be taught. I pray for a teacher everyday and every single day someone teaches me something that inspires me, drives me and makes me better. 


As a parent now, I realize that for 5 years I did the very best parenting that I could. Then, I send my children to school and send them off to learn from others, as well. I have to be confident in the fact that they will have at least a few teachers like I did: 


A teacher who: 


will challenge and push them out of their comfort zone

will imprint on them some of the very best traits and habits

will give them something to dream for everyday

will show them a love that exists that is different from a parent's


THANK YOU, TEACHERS! I hope you have the year of a lifetime!



"If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher." ~ Pema Chodron

It's the Wine Talking

Disclaimer: This post probably isn't as sound as it should be. I blame it on the wine. Just remember you were warned. Just don't text me or privately message me - post a FREAKING comment, please, and don't care what others think about it. :) 


I have issues with women. 


There are lots of reasons why and if you're close to me - like really close; not just pretending to be, you probably know where a lot of these issues stem from. 


Growing up I had friends. Some great ones, some okay ones, and some who probably needed to just move right along. 


But in all honesty, my best friends were guys. I would have much rather spent time hanging with guys watching football games than dealing with girl drama. 


As an adult, you tell yourself the lie that things are different. Yet, no, I'm pretty sure they're not. 


If you don't believe me, sit and watch Jersey Shore or The Real Housewives (you choose the city). 


Women drama sucks. 


And there are so many rules. I get tired head just thinking about it all. You'd think after being out of junior high or high school we'd be well past it all. Nonetheless, on a now weekly basis I find that I have to endure some sort of "girl drama." 


I try my best to be a good example to my girls and help guide them through all the nonsense handed to all of us from other females, their own sister drama included. 


I'll give you some examples: 


Someone told Avery while at a play date at our house that she was a baby for watching Barney. 


Someone told Maddie that she wasn't pretty enough for a certain boy to like her. 


Awesome friends, huh? 


I have loads of examples from my own life that I'll spare you with, but some of the things I was told as a girl AND and adult still are imprinted on my mind. That kind of stuff stays with you even if you hold your head high and move on. I like to think that it makes us stronger - but only if we let it. 


I get extremely frustrated with the whole "friend" thing.  I'm not even going to go into it because I'll probably say something I regret and not be able to take it back. Hmmm.....even with wine I have a conscious. 


I posted this on FB this week: "Lesson # 1,150 with the girls: Don't let others steal your joy. People can be mean, cruel, 2 faced, spiteful, and down right evil. Yes, even as adults. Don't give them that power. They don't deserve it! I don't know about you but I keep an extra smile in my pocket for those people who find & cause drama 24/7. :)"

6 comments and 13 likings. I guess I'm not alone, huh? 


No, this blog isn't giving them the power. I like to think that maybe I'm calling them out. Some of them might even be reading this. I hope they are. 

Bottom line: I'm going to treat you with respect, probably even if you don't give it back. I'm going to keep whatever you tell me in confidence, because I know how it feels to tell one person something and have 30 know by the end of the day. I'm going to return your call, your email, your text, as soon as I can even if to just acknowledge that I got it and will respond when I get more time. I'm not going to tell you something I don't mean. I'm not going to talk about you behind your back. If I want to know something, I'll ask. If I have an issue, I'll come to you first. I'm not going to take my animosity of a situation out on you. I'm not going to kiss your *** to get ahead.  I'm not going to invest my time with you if I don't believe you're worth it. 

I'd love to have some of the above reciprocated, but it seems at this point in my life, I'm still trying to decipher the secret code of women and friendships. It obviously doesn't work how I thought. 

And, basically, I just give up on all that. It wears me out and I'm done wasting any energy on that "game."