Blessed

Last Sunday, our pastor was preaching on The Beatitudes to conclude his series on the Road to Recovery.

Somehow, my mind wandered a bit and and I began thinking about how blessed I am. This is what I was reading:

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

-The Message

Now my Bible I take to church with me is a parallel text (NIV & The Message). I like to have it with me because frankly, sometimes I just need to read it in different words.

Often I tend to notice the things that are going quite so perfectly in my life. The stupid dishes are dirty. I didn't fold the laundry and now all the clean clothes are too wrinkled to wear. We stay too busy during the week and never see each other. The organic food store is closed and I really don't want to drive all the way to Orlando just to buy food. My black car with black leather interior doesn't have rear air conditioning and my baby is slowly sweating to death.

Now I'm not being persecuted, I'm not being pushed to the end of my rope. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, my life is amazing. Why is it so difficult to constantly know that?

I mean, seriously.

I have dirty dishes because I had food to put on those dishes to dirty them. The laundry didn't get folded and put away immediately because we have plenty to wear and didn't need the others. We are involved in our community and church and have things to do at night. There are local stores that sell organic and/or natural foods, just not everything I seem to think I need. I have a nice car to drive, it isn't broken, it runs well, and has air conditioning--and I have a sweet little baby to sit in the back of the car.

I know I am the Queen of overlooking Thanksgiving to hurry and get to Christmas, but the truth is, I love the Thanksgiving holiday. We have the most AMAZING food, it is one of the few times a year I get to see my twin cousins (Matt & Jenne) and my Aunt and Uncle. It's a nice time with family.

While I may still continue to put up my Christmas decor a tad bit early, as Ansleigh grows up, I want her to know what Thanksgiving is about, and by that, I do not mean the Pilgrims and the Indians. I want her to know how blessed we are and how we should thank God for that. I want her to be thankful for all the amazing food she gets to eat. To be thankful she has a family (and extended family) that adores her. I want her to learn to give thanks, and the way she is going to learn that is from me, her mommy (yes, of course, and Anthony too).

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Suggested Reading?

A fabulous friend of mine, Malerie, in responding to the "6 Random Things" blog on her own blog (does that make sense?) mentioned a book she's about to start teaching to her 9th graders:

I had never heard of such so, intrigued, I looked it up. This is what Amazon.com has to say about it:

Amazon.com Review
On any given day, one out of four Americans opts for a quick and cheap meal at a fast-food restaurant, without giving either its speed or its thriftiness a second thought. Fast food is so ubiquitous that it now seems as American, and harmless, as apple pie. But the industry's drive for consolidation, homogenization, and speed has radically transformed America's diet, landscape, economy, and workforce, often in insidiously destructive ways. Eric Schlosser, an award-winning journalist, opens his ambitious and ultimately devastating exposé with an introduction to the iconoclasts and high school dropouts, such as Harlan Sanders and the McDonald brothers, who first applied the principles of a factory assembly line to a commercial kitchen. Quickly, however, he moves behind the counter with the overworked and underpaid teenage workers, onto the factory farms where the potatoes and beef are grown, and into the slaughterhouses run by giant meatpacking corporations. Schlosser wants you to know why those French fries taste so good (with a visit to the world's largest flavor company) and "what really lurks between those sesame-seed buns." Eater beware: forget your concerns about cholesterol, there is--literally--feces in your meat. Schlosser's investigation reaches its frightening peak in the meatpacking plants as he reveals the almost complete lack of federal oversight of a seemingly lawless industry. His searing portrayal of the industry is disturbingly similar to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, written in 1906: nightmare working conditions, union busting, and unsanitary practices that introduce E. coli and other pathogens into restaurants, public schools, and homes. Almost as disturbing is his description of how the industry "both feeds and feeds off the young," insinuating itself into all aspects of children's lives, even the pages of their school books, while leaving them prone to obesity and disease. Fortunately, Schlosser offers some eminently practical remedies. "Eating in the United States should no longer be a form of high-risk behavior," he writes. Where to begin? Ask yourself, is the true cost of having it "your way" really worth it? --Lesley Reed

So now I am interested. I am going to read this. I want to know this stuff.

As some of you know, I have been not dieting, but trying my best to be more healthy lately so that I can fit into my ski pants, so I can look more like myself, and frankly, just feel better.

I've stopped drinking sodas, specifically coke. I have replaced it with a less-sugar version of sweet tea and water. I don't even have a desire to drink a coke. [THANKS, GOD!]

I'm trying to be MUCH more careful about what I'm putting into my body and I'm exercising. Walking/Jogging/Trying to Run.

Now, I want to read this book.

Thanks, Mal!

Awarded...

Vanessa gave me this award after she received it, but there are strings attached in order for me to accept the honor. I have to tell you, the readers, six random facts about myself and then tag six unsuspecting fellow bloggers.

Here I go...

1. Vanessa says she hates the number six but I love it! It is my favorite number! I was number six every year I played softball (6th grade-12th). I would have been number six in basketball if you could have been. I get excited when I see it. Ansleigh's new nursery number at church is six. :o)
2. I adore Peyton Manning...but not why you might think. I am not attracted to him in the least bit. He's just a good ol' southern boy who is REALLY good at what he does. He is a respectful person. He has proven himself to have an upstanding character and...he played for Tennessee.
   
3. I LOVE Rocky Top (the song). No, seriously. I do. I get so excited every time I hear it. I even have it on my ipod.
   
4. I am secretly a tree hugger (THANKS, RACHEL). I buy organic food whenever possible. I love organic clothing (although I can't afford most of it). It is so soft! I am very careful about the household cleaners I use. If Ansleigh can reach it, I'm not spraying harmful chemicals on it. I love going to Natural Foods stores and just looking at everything. I watch tv shows about going green (Sarah Snow is my fav!!!!). I study things about being eco-friendly, even if I don't always act on it. We've even started recycling! The other night, I found myself excitedly explaining how a compost bin works and that I learned about it on tv. I think it took Anthony a few minutes to realize that I was serious. Enough about that.
   
5. I find myself scouring ebay trying to find Ansleigh all the Gymboree outfits that the girls wear on Jon & Kate: Plus 8. Ridiculous, I know.
6. I don't cook that often. I really do enjoy it and I actually do know how to do it (most of it anyway). Specifically I like to bake. It's the cleaning up after the cooking that I'm not a fan of. Also, the mess. I HATE having a mess in my kitchen. I'd much rather it just be all nice and clean with everything put away in its place.
   

Now for the tagging...

1. Christina St. John--(my sister) Surprise me and see if you can tell me something random I don't already know!
2. Rachel because she's awesome.
3. Lacey because I haven't heard from her in so long!
   
4. Winn because I too like to engage in peer pressure.
5. Malerie because I can't wait to see the randomness that comes from there... :o)
6. Last but not least, Shealy, because I adore her

Those of you who have been tagged, you won't hurt my feelings if you don't do this. I had fun doing it though!

Thanks, Nessa!

Sweeter Than Chocolate

Earlier this week, I came across some blogs that strictly blog about children's clothes. Boutique-ish children's clothes. My obsession. Now I'm not going to start a new blog about clothes (YET) but I will share my newest lurve.

Gymobree has a new line out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweeter Than Chocolate
Clearly, I am a fan of the polka dots. They have several pieces with little bon bons on them. Some stripes and other cute stuff. I just didn't want to save all the pictures of every piece of the line. These are just my favs. The last two pictures are from the kid girl sizes. Bummer. I would buy them for Ansleigh.

You can find it at www.gymboree.com (click on baby girl or kid girl--depending on the sizes you are looking for).

Job Opportunities???

So I'm going back to work next year.

I am proud that I will have spent Ansleigh's first year on earth at home with her, even if I do have to hide from her sometimes. :o)

I have not missed one single milestone. Her first smile, her first laugh, first roll-over, first sit, first stand, first words "mama"....I've been there for all of it. This is important to me. It will be important to me when we we reproduce again.

God has another purpose for me, other than being mommy. God planned for and prepared me to work with preteens and teens. Also, my college education did that.

I want things. I want a bigger house (only before we have more kids, not now). I want to replace Anthony's car. I want to buy stuff and not feel guilty about it. I want to not be in debt (student loans & mortgage). All this requires money.

Therefore, I am going back to work.

Through the grapevine, I've been informed of some job opportunities for next year:

1. Melbourne High School
2. Bayside High School
3. The new high school

Let's look at these more closely:

MEL HIGH--They are (so I've been told) looking for a new cheer coach (probably JV). There is an English teacher retiring and also, they need another English teacher anyway. I would be working with kids and parents I know. Plus, I've talked to some people who teach at Mel High and they love it! The faculty and the administration are great and helpful (again, so I've been told). I'd be a bulldog. Green, black, and white. The downside, it is all the way across town and would take a good 30 minutes to get there and get home everyday.

BAYSIDE HIGH--They too are looking for a new cheer coach....a VARSITY cheer coach. my dream come true. They are also looking to greatly improve school spirit. Not to toot my own horn, but seriously, who would be better at that? Also, it is literally 5 minutes from my house. My friend Stacey teaches there. It is always great to teach where you know someone. Downside: not so sure if they are hiring English teachers. That could be a problem. Seriously.

THE NEW SCHOOL--They are building a new high school pretty close to my house. With a new school comes teaching positions and an available cheer position. Someone who could build a program. Start fresh. Some of my Central kids are zoned to go there. LOVE my Central kids. Seriously.

I haven't been offered any jobs. I have in an application. As soon as I take the sub class I can substitute teach at Mel High and Bayside. This will let me get a feel for both schools. Hopefully something will come of this. I know I've always been a middle school advocate but lately I've REALLY had the itch for 9th grade. I don't even know if there will be 9th grade positions open. I'm a little scared to teach juniors or seniors but I think I could do it.

Be praying for me. Pray that God will be preparing a place for me--a place where I can make a difference and do what I love. Pray that God will prepare me to go into a high school and pick up teaching again. Pray that God will be preparing the heart of the person who will be keeping Ansleigh. Pray that God will prepare our family for such a big change.

This is a big step and a big change for us. I'm excited, scared, and nervous.

Teacher Thought/Idea

I was looking through facebook and noticed one of my old Auburn classmates has a blog link on her profile. I clicked it and was amazed!

It is for her students!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her blog posts are thought provoking ideas or questions and the kids have to respond by commenting. They get a weekly blog grade! Each blog post they have to write at least a paragraph answering the post. Sometimes, she even makes them use their vocabulalry words in their paragraphs!

What an amazing idea. Seriously.

Emily (said "old classmate") teaches at a Presbyterian school that I assume is a private school. Private school kids have home computers (mostly) b/c their parents have the money to pay for their improved education.

I wonder/would like to see if this would be feasible in a public school environment. Public school kids generally do not all have computer access unless it is provided at school. This would mean taking them to the computer lab once a week to do an assignment that I think would work much better on a homework type basis.

What an amazing way to incorporate technology into the classroom and what a freakin awesome way of putting a twist on the boring old everyday "journal." And...girl is a freakin genuis b/c she can check their homework and grade it from home, while watching tv. I used to love grading papers at home so I could share the hilarity of my kids' work with Anthony.

Teachers and Non-Teachers alike, I want to know what you think. Seriously. Yall know I'm planning on going back to teaching next year and I'd like to have a way to feasibly work this into my classroom. I need ideas of how to make this work or at least an alternative for the kids who do not have computer access.

Ideas please!?!?!

Upcoming Election...

My sister-in-law (one of my personal favorite people ever) re-posted this on facebook. Her friend posted it and Rachel felt compelled to pass it along. I do too.
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This is an excerpt from the email that is going around from Huntley Brown. I know this whole article talks about why he can't vote for Obama just because he's black. I am not concerned about his race. Racism aside, I have a strong feeling about Christians who are voting for Obama. I just can't understand why they feel they are making a God-led decision. I guess my brain is just too small to comprehend it, but I believe with all my heart that I'd be going against God's standards to vote for a man who the terrorist nations would be thrilled if he gets elected. I can't vote for a man who won't stand up as a Christian no matter where he is, but instead talks accordingly to whichever group he's in front of. I can't vote for a man who seems to have no moral standards or values when it comes to the sanctification of marriage, murdering unborn babies, nor can I vote for a man who was either not as involved in his church as he led us to believe, or commends the teachings that have come out of that church. Again, I just don't believe I would be following God's standards for what I as a Christian need to stand for. Hope this makes you think!


In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king.

First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 "Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." Then God says
1 Samuel 1:18 " When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."

Here is what we know for sure.

God is not schizophrenic.

He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God.

Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.

For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four supreme court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.