Daddy's coming home!

Jeremy will return in just a few hours (hopefully), and we'll all reunite after a full week away. Joey, Lisa, and the boys are now residents of San Diego. We are so excited for them! While in California, Jeremy had the opportunity to do a little surfing - he got up and stayed up for 5 seconds!

Our week went smoothly without him; without a doubt, that was due to the many people who were praying for us. I know Jacqui (my teacher friend) lifted us up specifically each morning, and I'm so grateful for her time. Jacqui has taught me so much about prayer, faithfulness in prayer, and believing God as you pray. She is also my dear job share partner. God placed us both here in his perfect timing with his perfect plan.

Now that I have shared with all of the people around me who truly needed to know first, the decision I alluded to a couple of weeks ago is that Jeremy and I have reached a decision that I will not continue teaching next year if the job share does not go through. The demands on our time and the time teaching takes me away from my family, stress it produces, and ugliness it produces in me were not worth it. It's huge - it's scary - it's losing half of our income! But, it's right. It feels good. As soon as we decided, it was as if a huge boulder was taken off of my shoulders. My principal and department head are both very supportive in my decision. I have no doubt that I will return one day, but right now my kids and husband need me. My church and friends need me. God has so clearly paved this decision. I have always told Him that if I am ever to quit teaching, He would have to remove my passion and love for teaching. It's weird to think losing your passion for something you love is good, but it is good and He has removed it. I'm almost devoid of any excitement, it's all about duty and pressure of producing good test results.

Just today I got more word on the job share. If the person who seems to need to make a decision says nothing in one more request from my principal, she is making the decision. And her decision is a YES! So, stay on your knees - a "yes" or a "no decision" are our best answers!

It's Loose!

Jenna has her first loose tooth. She thought something was wrong at first, and when we explained it was normal, she got very excited. Now it's a long wait until it falls out because she asks constantly how much longer. It's very cute, and just another sign of how big she's really getting.

Hudson had his first sleepover last night. Noah seems to be a new best buddy - finally someone closer to his age to play with. I don't know how it's gone, but I suspect it went well. I'll find out at church when we meet up. To counterbalance, Jenna had Jade spend the night. They're working on a puzzle.

All's well in our world. Last night was the StoneWater Appreciation Banquet. It was great fun to see everyon all dressed up. We had a really good time. Thanks to all of you who make the church run so smoothly!

Whew!

Well, it's been a fast & furious 10 days since my last post.

Jenna has been diagnosed with a severe form of bronchitis, almost pneumonia. Steroid, antibiotic, breathing treatment - we're on 'em all. She is on the mend, only for her heart to start 'hurting' tonight. Irregular heartbeat. Pediatrician says normal side effect of medicine, and it's actually normal for a kid to have an irregular rhythm. Still, with my past history, I'm a little concerned.

The washer part arrived, and I conquered. The only problem is I didn't get the external cabinet on right, and it moves funny if you lean against it. It washes clothes, so it's all good for me.

Michael is settling in at A&M. He bought a house, and is waiting for the building to finish. Good times.

Things at dear ol' GHS are eating at me. Jeremy and I have had some long, frank talks and are stepping out on faith a bit. Just since our talk on Saturday, lots of new and exciting things have been happening on the church planting front. People at school telling me how much they enjoy the message, how it has touched them, and more of the like. Opportunities for Jeremy coaching, attending conferences, and so forth. Praise & prayer!

Quotes of the Week

This has been an exceptional week in my classroom.

I have had so much fun in Sheltered; it's been my favorite class to teach for two weeks now. No one in that class whines about doing work, no one is disrespectful, and they want to learn. Yesterday we were talking about having kids (who knows why) and Juan (name changed) said he wanted to have 4 kids. He then asked how many I wanted to have. "Two." "Why do white people always want to have just two kids?" I had to stop and think. First the 'white people' label startled me, and then I was struck by the depth of the whole conversation. So many 'white' people think of Mexicans (and that is what they prefer to be called, I asked. Hispanics are anyone from Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and so forth. They are from Mexico, so they are Mexicans. But, you have to say it with respect when you're a white person or you're being racist. I'm learning a lot.)as just reproducing out of control. We think we're right in having just a few kids. But, what makes us right? Anyway, let's just say this is a great learning opportunity for me.

In AP, my other favorite classes, John (not his name) was absent. Joe (not his name) said, "Not having John in class is like not having Mr. T in the A Team." What a classic statement of awareness for a 16 year old to know about the A Team and how important Mr. T is to the team. Great insight, great simile, great allusion! You can't plan for those moments!

Oh, and my washer part came yesterday. Tomorrow I will resume my study of mechanics (really just following directions).