We've been unofficially official for a month + now, but official word has been slow on coming. I was moving stuff this week when my dept head told me, "I don't know when we'll find out." I knew it wasn't as official as I had been told, but that kind of set me back a little. That was Wednesday, and Marsha (principal) also told me that day that she was meeting with the slow moving one the next day - Thursday. So, when I saw her in the workroom Friday morning and she didn't say anything, my stomach dropped a little. Marsha always greets, always encourages, but nothing. I was really okay with it - moving it all to storage was my biggest concern.
At 9:12, I got this message:
I just received a call to inform me that the English Job-Share proposal for next year has been approved!
ARRGH!
Marsha
I couldn't help but squeal with delight and jump up & down (with a room full of 22 Advanced Placement Juniors who were busy playing their games designed for The Great Gatsby). One minute later, Jana, dpt chair, came in squealing, too. It was contagious (and disruptive to the whole hall which was taking finals). We are all so excited! I have a job! I have the flexibility to be with my family! I know there will be trials and setbacks and frustrations, but I am so ready to do this. This morning I saw the curriculum coordinator for English and we spoke a little. She's excited, too! It makes me feel valued, it makes me feel like I'm making a difference (hopefully this will catch on for other teachers, too), it makes me feel like I can truly put my family first. Praise God!
5.31.2008
5.30.2008
Pomp and Circumstance
Pre school graduation, and I cried. Subtle tears. Pre school leads to grade school which leads to high school which leads to graduation to college to marriage. Yes, that's out of control. I'll cry at GHS graduation on Tuesday night, too. It's something that just starts with that march.
Jenna's preschool graduation was tonight. We got her all dolled up - dress, curled the hair, make up (but not so that you could really see it). As we were getting ready, she asked me who was coming. When I told her both Nana & Pawpaw White and Nina & Pawpaw Fulton, she got a very sweet smile and said, "I must be pretty special." Yes, honey, you are, deep sigh as I quickly reflect on infancy all the way to now. I can be so emotional.
Pastor Austin, of Our Savior Lutheran, home of Cross Town Preschool, spoke to Jeremy afterward. He said he sure is going to miss Jenna. "Jenna knows all the answers. Sometimes I have to tell her not to answer, and then if no one else can answer, I look at her, and she answers. She always says, 'My dad taught me that.'" That's our girl! Her dad is awesome at teaching her about God and the Bible.
her diploma
Look, a picture with me! Nevermind she's looking elsewhere.
Since she couldn't have cake, they made her and H special Jello.
We're saving this one for when she's off to A&M and for her TAMU '25 graduation.
The whole crew.
Pawpaw & Nana White
Pawpaw & Nina Fulton
Jen & Miss Erin, her teacher
Jenna's preschool graduation was tonight. We got her all dolled up - dress, curled the hair, make up (but not so that you could really see it). As we were getting ready, she asked me who was coming. When I told her both Nana & Pawpaw White and Nina & Pawpaw Fulton, she got a very sweet smile and said, "I must be pretty special." Yes, honey, you are, deep sigh as I quickly reflect on infancy all the way to now. I can be so emotional.
Pastor Austin, of Our Savior Lutheran, home of Cross Town Preschool, spoke to Jeremy afterward. He said he sure is going to miss Jenna. "Jenna knows all the answers. Sometimes I have to tell her not to answer, and then if no one else can answer, I look at her, and she answers. She always says, 'My dad taught me that.'" That's our girl! Her dad is awesome at teaching her about God and the Bible.
her diploma
Look, a picture with me! Nevermind she's looking elsewhere.
Since she couldn't have cake, they made her and H special Jello.
We're saving this one for when she's off to A&M and for her TAMU '25 graduation.
The whole crew.
Pawpaw & Nana White
Pawpaw & Nina Fulton
Jen & Miss Erin, her teacher
5.27.2008
4.5 days
That's the countdown. If you want to be technical, with the next day as a workday, it's 5.5, but I don't count workdays. Plus, most of that work day I'll be in Bedford taking my National Board test. So, I'm in the process of finishing up, grading, packing/moving, and so forth. The job share is still not official - the superintendent has said yes, the consultant from R4 (the group running GHS) has said "we've done that for 20 years, it's the only way to keep good teachers" - (that's the first thing he and I have agreed on all year), but there is one person we're waiting on...
In other news, as I took such a long break to balance the checkbook - funny thing about that. I had just finished telling Jer that our 2005 Quicken program should be about to 'expire' at any time and not allow us to download when the screen popped up that 2005 was no longer supported. So, we're still waiting for our new version to arrive in the mail. I've made pretty good headway on Photoshop Elements, though. I've also downloaded all the pics on the camera to the computer - that's huge. I am also learning the power of the delete button. Fast camera means lots of shots so you can choose from the best ones instead of making all the yucky ones work! Granted, there is still a lot about my 'best' shots that I see I can make better. At least I see it, I figure.
Jenna has her pre-school graduation Friday and first dance recital on Saturday. I'm sure I'll cry at graduation. Tonight she was so funny. Very matter of factly, she began discussion the 'Engine' Turtles. I didn't even correct her because it was so cute. She's the movie/cartoon quoting diva of the world. I always wanted to do that, but I just don't hang on to stuff that well! Heck, I can't even tell a joke without messing it up. Not Jenna, she's a pro. Remember that if you say something she likes (or doesn't), she WILL quote you.
Hudson continues to be a case of Jekyll & Hyde. I don't get it. I'm trying, though.
Here are some pictures from the Baptism celebration on Sunday. The first his Hudson dunking Jeremy. Kristell was kind enough to let each kid who didn't succeed with the balls to succeed with the hand. The picture of Jenna is her demonstrating trust for Jer's illustration. It was supposed to be Hudson, but he pulled a fast one and refused.
In other news, as I took such a long break to balance the checkbook - funny thing about that. I had just finished telling Jer that our 2005 Quicken program should be about to 'expire' at any time and not allow us to download when the screen popped up that 2005 was no longer supported. So, we're still waiting for our new version to arrive in the mail. I've made pretty good headway on Photoshop Elements, though. I've also downloaded all the pics on the camera to the computer - that's huge. I am also learning the power of the delete button. Fast camera means lots of shots so you can choose from the best ones instead of making all the yucky ones work! Granted, there is still a lot about my 'best' shots that I see I can make better. At least I see it, I figure.
Jenna has her pre-school graduation Friday and first dance recital on Saturday. I'm sure I'll cry at graduation. Tonight she was so funny. Very matter of factly, she began discussion the 'Engine' Turtles. I didn't even correct her because it was so cute. She's the movie/cartoon quoting diva of the world. I always wanted to do that, but I just don't hang on to stuff that well! Heck, I can't even tell a joke without messing it up. Not Jenna, she's a pro. Remember that if you say something she likes (or doesn't), she WILL quote you.
Hudson continues to be a case of Jekyll & Hyde. I don't get it. I'm trying, though.
Here are some pictures from the Baptism celebration on Sunday. The first his Hudson dunking Jeremy. Kristell was kind enough to let each kid who didn't succeed with the balls to succeed with the hand. The picture of Jenna is her demonstrating trust for Jer's illustration. It was supposed to be Hudson, but he pulled a fast one and refused.
5.19.2008
Quick News
The kids are fantastic. They got a trip to both grandparents' homes over the weekend, so they got lots of outside time to fill them up and lots of grandparent hugs. Since then, we've been busy trying to keep them from pummeling each other. I guess it's spring fever, but they're very rambunctious. Jenna's lip was busted tonight. Hudson feigned ignorance, Jenna was screaming so loudly I couldn't get to the bottom. "The pillow just hit her," was H's eventual confession. Don't you hate when pillows just up and knock the pookie out of you? In his defense, it was the pillow fight I had told them to stop moments before heading to the closet to hang up clothes, so he wasn't in trouble. Ice, love, healed.
Church update: StoneWater has a contract on the land. We're in the due diligence period of checking it all out. But, it looks amazing. Amazing. God provides! There's a blog about land and facilities you can get to from the SWC web site (www.stonewaterchurch.com).
Job share update: there's not one. They've filled 3 of the jobs and still won't post the one vacated by the job share. Worried? No. I'm at total peace. I do find it interesting and encouraging that summer school for the first time will feature the option for teachers to job share - either morning or afternoon. That has to be a good sign, right? I still feel a peace and an excitement.
Knee: FRUSTRATION. My new shoes came in and 3 mile run - great, 4 mile run - no problem. Pain free - amazing! Shoes are a little firmer than I like, but for pain free, I'll take it. Today I set out for a 6 miler - I haven't had a good long run in weeks and weeks. Perfect temperature, great message from Andy Stanley on the ipod. Mile 4.5, mild pain, no sweat. Mile 5, intense. Between mile 5 and 6, I had to stop 3 times and anyone could hear me grunting. I'm very, very frustrated, angry, and sad. It's not the pressure of my step, it's the swinging movement from back to front with my stride. I'm just so sad. Other than the pain, it was a glorious run - refreshing mentally, emotionally (until the pain), and physically. I guess it's back to the gym tomorrow for the bike and elliptical (and miss the beautiful weather).
Sorry for the lack of updates & pictures. I'm working to balance the checkbook & credit card from March (yes, I know that's bad and SOOO not like me). Being able to always see your balance online is not very motivational for me and add to that the computer transfer. Plus, I'm working on learning my camera, re-learning Photoshop Elements (I upgraded to 6.0 from 3.0, and it's different), and, more than anything, hanging with the family. I promise I'll get better!
Have I mentioned that hanging with the family has been amazing?!
Church update: StoneWater has a contract on the land. We're in the due diligence period of checking it all out. But, it looks amazing. Amazing. God provides! There's a blog about land and facilities you can get to from the SWC web site (www.stonewaterchurch.com).
Job share update: there's not one. They've filled 3 of the jobs and still won't post the one vacated by the job share. Worried? No. I'm at total peace. I do find it interesting and encouraging that summer school for the first time will feature the option for teachers to job share - either morning or afternoon. That has to be a good sign, right? I still feel a peace and an excitement.
Knee: FRUSTRATION. My new shoes came in and 3 mile run - great, 4 mile run - no problem. Pain free - amazing! Shoes are a little firmer than I like, but for pain free, I'll take it. Today I set out for a 6 miler - I haven't had a good long run in weeks and weeks. Perfect temperature, great message from Andy Stanley on the ipod. Mile 4.5, mild pain, no sweat. Mile 5, intense. Between mile 5 and 6, I had to stop 3 times and anyone could hear me grunting. I'm very, very frustrated, angry, and sad. It's not the pressure of my step, it's the swinging movement from back to front with my stride. I'm just so sad. Other than the pain, it was a glorious run - refreshing mentally, emotionally (until the pain), and physically. I guess it's back to the gym tomorrow for the bike and elliptical (and miss the beautiful weather).
Sorry for the lack of updates & pictures. I'm working to balance the checkbook & credit card from March (yes, I know that's bad and SOOO not like me). Being able to always see your balance online is not very motivational for me and add to that the computer transfer. Plus, I'm working on learning my camera, re-learning Photoshop Elements (I upgraded to 6.0 from 3.0, and it's different), and, more than anything, hanging with the family. I promise I'll get better!
Have I mentioned that hanging with the family has been amazing?!
5.12.2008
Squish him like a bug
I want to squish Jeremy. First, I love him, respect him, and adore him. But, the last week he's been like a kindergartner. I found a person with whom I wanted to strike up a friendship due to a common interest in photography. He told her, "Misti wants to be your friend." Then, I found another acquaintance's blog which was entirely different than I had imagined her due to her past work background. I told Jeremy how much it cracked me up, "Misti thinks your blog is funny." Hello, can I speak for myself, please? Am I socially awkward so that he thinks he needs to take it up for me (which does make me socially awkward)? I know he intends well, but, well, it's embarrassing.
Mother's Day was awesome - the kids remembered with no one prompting them - really, Jer was already at church by the time they got up. I hung out at my parents' new house in the country - peaceful and beautiful. This allowed me to play with the camera. Unfortunately, I didn't have one single person get a picture of me with my mom. Duh. The picture is just a week where I'm practing my depth of field and aperture relationship. I like the blur in the background, but not too much (this one is too much, but it's fun).
The MOST fun was the kids in the hammock. New experience. In, flip - down on the ground. I haven't laughed that hard in a L - O - N - G time. The picture doesn't do it justice except that it was so fast, I didn't have the shutter speed fast enough to catch it. It was a round of applause from the grandparents & parents!
The other fun was watching the kids with their frogs from the creek. Jumpy the Jump Frog (Jenna's) was all over the place. She made a bed for him in a tree (see picture). Of course, when it was time to let him go, she said he was asleep. Yes, he was, Jumpy the Jump Frog and Jenna the 5 year old had too much fun. "Jenna, I think he's dead." "No, his guts are still in, he's just sleeping really good." This is my prissy, girly daughter who is also a tomboy. Pink dress, in trees, chasing frogs & spiders, not wanting to sweat, talking about guts. She's a bag of oxymorons in a little body.
Teacher moment of the day: Phoned home to make contact on a kid who probably isn't going to pass for the semester. Habits of not turning in work, same conversation we have approximately every 3 weeks. "Well, maybe you need to make a way for kids like xxxxxxx who just don't like to do work to pass your class without doing the work." Did she really say that? Yes.
Mother's Day was awesome - the kids remembered with no one prompting them - really, Jer was already at church by the time they got up. I hung out at my parents' new house in the country - peaceful and beautiful. This allowed me to play with the camera. Unfortunately, I didn't have one single person get a picture of me with my mom. Duh. The picture is just a week where I'm practing my depth of field and aperture relationship. I like the blur in the background, but not too much (this one is too much, but it's fun).
The MOST fun was the kids in the hammock. New experience. In, flip - down on the ground. I haven't laughed that hard in a L - O - N - G time. The picture doesn't do it justice except that it was so fast, I didn't have the shutter speed fast enough to catch it. It was a round of applause from the grandparents & parents!
The other fun was watching the kids with their frogs from the creek. Jumpy the Jump Frog (Jenna's) was all over the place. She made a bed for him in a tree (see picture). Of course, when it was time to let him go, she said he was asleep. Yes, he was, Jumpy the Jump Frog and Jenna the 5 year old had too much fun. "Jenna, I think he's dead." "No, his guts are still in, he's just sleeping really good." This is my prissy, girly daughter who is also a tomboy. Pink dress, in trees, chasing frogs & spiders, not wanting to sweat, talking about guts. She's a bag of oxymorons in a little body.
Teacher moment of the day: Phoned home to make contact on a kid who probably isn't going to pass for the semester. Habits of not turning in work, same conversation we have approximately every 3 weeks. "Well, maybe you need to make a way for kids like xxxxxxx who just don't like to do work to pass your class without doing the work." Did she really say that? Yes.
5.07.2008
Over the hump?
That should be 'humpS.' I think I've come out of my funk after a few things were weighing me down.
Jer's been under a lot of stress the last couple of weeks and so have I, and when you combine our stress levels, we're not good for each other. We're such a team, and when one goes down (or is spiraling), the other one is there to pick him up; when we both start in a spiral, it's just not good.
One of my spirals was photography. I LOVE it. I want to be GREAT at it (I want to be great at everything I do - OCD, perfectionist, yes). I would kind of (okay, really) like to make at least a little money at doing it so I could continue to buy new stuff and feel like I'm contributing to the family financial status. But, I've always had this thing against entrepreneurship, and I have so many friends that are in the business, I don't want to compete with them. So, I was debating on what to buy to start building the basis for a simple business and found the flash I wanted super cheap. I was so excited that I didn't check the online store, and, you guessed it, not one to be trusted. After I gave my credit card info and denied their 'upgrades,' I got the email that they were 'out of stock' for my flash. I quickly cancelled my credit card which meant that I've been going through life for over a week with no way to purchase stuff. Yes, I have a debit card, but I do not use it online and usually avoid all purchases via debit. Today I received a new credit card! I'm not a crazy shopper, I'm actually very frugal, but just the ability.
Then, I've been hating teaching. I've officially released myself from being super-teacher. I have parents upset that I don't call every time their child is absent or fails a paper, and I've decided that's really not my job. I am there to teach. I study, plan lessons, and try to be as engaging but challenging as possible. I can't parent all 130 of them, too. Consequences teach lessons very well. I believe I learned that hot would hurt when Mom said hot and I touched something hot. I believe I learned (sit down for this one) that drinking would make you sick when I drank too much one night (yes, there was a little rebellious streak in me). I believe I have learned the most important lessons in life through natural consequences. And, after following students around all year, emailing home to get them to come to tutorials, I decided that my students can choose to come on their own. I post grades every Monday (also to my web site where parents can check, along with my detailed lesson plans each day, along with files of lessons and copies of notes - really, you could take my class from my web site), they have all week to come take care of business. Some are learning that skipping = missing work = zeros = failing. As a 16 or 17 year old, this is an important lesson to learn before college, when you're paying big bucks (or mom is)for school. Okay, I still feel like I'm not doing enough, but I'm working on releasing myself. Maybe part time status next year will help.
Third, what is God doing with me? I've always had such a passion for teaching and students that none of this other stuff (parents, paperwork, hoops) have gotten to me. I've always told God that he'd have to take my passion for teaching away if he wants me to do something else. It's gone. I'm trying to believe it's just 'end-of-the-semester' burnout. I've never wanted to teach or speak to women, but I feel like that's could be where I'm heading. I've never wanted to own/operate a business, but there are some opportunities presenting themselves that appear promising and exciting. I'm trying to be patient (and I'm NOT) and just enjoy the ride. I'm not scared by this type of stuff anymore (heck, I'm a church planter's wife, WHO in their right mind decides, 'let's go start a church'?), so it's kind of fun, but frustrating for the girl who likes to have it all planned out before her.
Finally, eating & exercise. I am a stress eater. I like comfort food. I like to run to counteract this, and I'd like to lose my "winter coat." Stress means I've been eating. My knee is hurting again, and I got the $536 doctor bill (x-rays are expensive, but now I've met my deductible for the year - I'm going to have moles checked, a complete physical, you name it!). No running = either no comfort eating or no shedding of winter coat. Sad, sad, sad. Now that I have a credit card, I have ordered a different pair of shoes, I think that's the next step before going back to the doctor (who is evidently NOT in my PPO network, thus some extra charges). I feel like my feet & stride have changed, so I'm trying another type of shoe. This gives me some hope. Hope = less need to stress eat...see where this is going?!
Okay - that feels better.
Jer's been under a lot of stress the last couple of weeks and so have I, and when you combine our stress levels, we're not good for each other. We're such a team, and when one goes down (or is spiraling), the other one is there to pick him up; when we both start in a spiral, it's just not good.
One of my spirals was photography. I LOVE it. I want to be GREAT at it (I want to be great at everything I do - OCD, perfectionist, yes). I would kind of (okay, really) like to make at least a little money at doing it so I could continue to buy new stuff and feel like I'm contributing to the family financial status. But, I've always had this thing against entrepreneurship, and I have so many friends that are in the business, I don't want to compete with them. So, I was debating on what to buy to start building the basis for a simple business and found the flash I wanted super cheap. I was so excited that I didn't check the online store, and, you guessed it, not one to be trusted. After I gave my credit card info and denied their 'upgrades,' I got the email that they were 'out of stock' for my flash. I quickly cancelled my credit card which meant that I've been going through life for over a week with no way to purchase stuff. Yes, I have a debit card, but I do not use it online and usually avoid all purchases via debit. Today I received a new credit card! I'm not a crazy shopper, I'm actually very frugal, but just the ability.
Then, I've been hating teaching. I've officially released myself from being super-teacher. I have parents upset that I don't call every time their child is absent or fails a paper, and I've decided that's really not my job. I am there to teach. I study, plan lessons, and try to be as engaging but challenging as possible. I can't parent all 130 of them, too. Consequences teach lessons very well. I believe I learned that hot would hurt when Mom said hot and I touched something hot. I believe I learned (sit down for this one) that drinking would make you sick when I drank too much one night (yes, there was a little rebellious streak in me). I believe I have learned the most important lessons in life through natural consequences. And, after following students around all year, emailing home to get them to come to tutorials, I decided that my students can choose to come on their own. I post grades every Monday (also to my web site where parents can check, along with my detailed lesson plans each day, along with files of lessons and copies of notes - really, you could take my class from my web site), they have all week to come take care of business. Some are learning that skipping = missing work = zeros = failing. As a 16 or 17 year old, this is an important lesson to learn before college, when you're paying big bucks (or mom is)for school. Okay, I still feel like I'm not doing enough, but I'm working on releasing myself. Maybe part time status next year will help.
Third, what is God doing with me? I've always had such a passion for teaching and students that none of this other stuff (parents, paperwork, hoops) have gotten to me. I've always told God that he'd have to take my passion for teaching away if he wants me to do something else. It's gone. I'm trying to believe it's just 'end-of-the-semester' burnout. I've never wanted to teach or speak to women, but I feel like that's could be where I'm heading. I've never wanted to own/operate a business, but there are some opportunities presenting themselves that appear promising and exciting. I'm trying to be patient (and I'm NOT) and just enjoy the ride. I'm not scared by this type of stuff anymore (heck, I'm a church planter's wife, WHO in their right mind decides, 'let's go start a church'?), so it's kind of fun, but frustrating for the girl who likes to have it all planned out before her.
Finally, eating & exercise. I am a stress eater. I like comfort food. I like to run to counteract this, and I'd like to lose my "winter coat." Stress means I've been eating. My knee is hurting again, and I got the $536 doctor bill (x-rays are expensive, but now I've met my deductible for the year - I'm going to have moles checked, a complete physical, you name it!). No running = either no comfort eating or no shedding of winter coat. Sad, sad, sad. Now that I have a credit card, I have ordered a different pair of shoes, I think that's the next step before going back to the doctor (who is evidently NOT in my PPO network, thus some extra charges). I feel like my feet & stride have changed, so I'm trying another type of shoe. This gives me some hope. Hope = less need to stress eat...see where this is going?!
Okay - that feels better.
5.04.2008
Sheesh..
The standoff from last post ended with Hudson apologizing, getting a hug, and going to bed. It's been a normal, crazy week. At school we had the TAKS test all week - it's like watching paint dry. Really. Hand out the test, write down where everyone is seating, watch them - sit and watch them, write down when someone leaves to go to the restroom, watch them, watch them. Then, after testing for 4 hours (or at least being locked in a room that long), we send them to classes where they show up without anything to write with or on and with 4 hours worth of energy to get out of their bodies - AGONY!
So, I don't know if it's that or what, but I'm just sheer exhausted. Like, out of my mind tired, and I really don't get that tired usually. I pop out of bed at 5am, do my run/workout, Bible study, shower, kids up and at my day. it's 10:25 and I'm counting down the minutes until I can just crawl into bed and take a nap - and ask Jeremy not to wake me up until I miraculously awake again. Weird. NO, I'm not pregnant - don't even ask, that's not even funny. We closed shop after H for those of you who have forgotten.
Off to watch some more movie on the couch with the kids (I'm telling you, something's not right with me, I don't even want to read a book while we lay there - just lay there).
So, I don't know if it's that or what, but I'm just sheer exhausted. Like, out of my mind tired, and I really don't get that tired usually. I pop out of bed at 5am, do my run/workout, Bible study, shower, kids up and at my day. it's 10:25 and I'm counting down the minutes until I can just crawl into bed and take a nap - and ask Jeremy not to wake me up until I miraculously awake again. Weird. NO, I'm not pregnant - don't even ask, that's not even funny. We closed shop after H for those of you who have forgotten.
Off to watch some more movie on the couch with the kids (I'm telling you, something's not right with me, I don't even want to read a book while we lay there - just lay there).
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