Family and Friends

**warning** MORE sappiness to follow
(maybe I'm a bit hormonal right now?!?) :)

I have become increasingly aware at many points in the last several years about the importance of family and friends. This is one of the biggest blessings that I am thankful for so often; I am surrounded by a great circle of people that I love and care about, and who feel the same about me. I am especially thankful at this stage in our life to have this network of care. Here are a few reasons why...

~listeners! It can be so hard to find a good listener (I know that I am rarely one--need to work on that) but I am so thankful for friends and family that will just LISTEN on those days when you need to vent.

~manpower! Finishing our bathroom....bathroom/bedroom....basement has been quite the consuming task. We know, and thank God OFTEN for the support we've had from family and friends as we've stumbled through this journey. From "manpower", to donating time, resources, money, trucks, encouragement, to painting skills, .... the list goes on! We're closing in on our goal of having a "livable space", and every time I get overwhelmed (which is often, just ask Kyle!) I know that we wouldn't even BE at this place without the help and support of family and friends.

~advice! Entering into this new season of parenthood has been very exciting, and of course scary. Change has been a tad hard for me, so I am continually thankful for the wise advice of many godly women in my life.

~fun! I just LOVE spending time with family and friends. Building memories and relationships with the people I love is something I find so much joy in! I can look back on so many moments with various family and friends, and a big smile will just break out on my face. I love it!

My list could go on and on, but I will spare you more "sap". All this to say, I'm thankful for YOU! Whatever our relationship, know that it means a lot to me. I probably don't say it enough, but THANK YOU!!! Doing life wouldn't be the same without you in it. :)

A Good Reminder...

**warning** a little sappiness coming up :)

We had our "Meet and Greet" night at school on Wednesday. This is a night for all of the students and families to come and meet their teacher, bring their school supplies, and check out the school. It's always a busy night with a whirlwind of activity for 90 minutes straight.

On this Meet and Greet night though I had a good reminder in the midst of the craziness. Several of my students and families from last year came back to my room to say hi and give me a hug. This has happened before, but for some reason it meant a bit more this time. Maybe it's because my class was so challenging, or maybe it's because I'm hoping I can still have an impact on my class this year even though I'll miss 1/3 of it on maternity leave, maybe a little of both.... For whatever reason, seeing them reminded me that this job is a special one. For all of it's difficulties, those moments of reward help you make it through. To have those kids rushing in to give me a hug, to have those families stop by and say "thank you" (a rare thing sometimes), was just the thing I needed to get me ready for the year ahead.

As I continued to meet most of the students in my class for the coming year, I noticed (as teachers do every year) the range of needs that will be gracing my door everyday. Some told me they didn't have money to buy school supplies, while some had parents with matching Cadillacs. Some have already exceeded standards several grade levels above mine, and some are still trying to master their letters and sounds. Some come from loving homes with lots of family around for support, and some come from home situations that are far less than ideal for a little kiddo. Some were very excited and social, others were withdrawn and nervous.

What I do know is that for 5 days a week, 40 weeks of the year, all of these kids need me to love them, to make them feel safe, to help them learn, and to teach them how to be a better person. I know I won't succeed at those things every day, but that image of my former students and families running in to see me gave me a boost of courage to take on another year. Our school's theme for the year is "It's Possible", and I'm sure it's no coincidence that one of my favorite verses popped into mind.... "Now to Him who is ABLE to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus..." Eph. 3:20 It's going to be a GREAT year! :)