Glade Spray

A friend of mine shared this AWESOME website with me years ago.  I get to try up and coming products if I just promise to spread the word about that product.  This time I got to try

GLADE EXPRESSIONS^® COLLECTION

   Those who know me well know this is right up my alley!  This stuff is AMAZING!!! It works better than any product I have ever tried!! Steve fried catfish the other day and this spray made that nasty smell disappear.  Check it out?

Boo Bear

When I drive with the kids in the car we never listen to the radio.  We just chat.  Mason asks me to spell all kinds of words  and he tells me stories.  I love this time that we have together.  Tonight Mason turned to Mazy and explained that when we get home he would play dolls with her.  It was such a sweet and tender moment.  Then Mazy replied (how she normally does) with a loud grunt.  Mason continued discussing with her what they were going to play and Mazy kept grunting.  Mason then asks Mazy if she wanted to play trains instead.  Mazy then said "yay".  Mason was so excited that she wanted to play trains.  When we get home dinner was ready.  As we our eating Mason asks Mazy if she wants to be Thomas.  Mazy shakes her head no.     Mason asks Mazy if she wants to be Percy.  Mazy shakes her head no.   Mason asks Mazy if she wanted to be James.  Mazy shakes her head no. (This continued through ALL of the trains.)  Mason then asks what train she wants to be.  She kept saying something that sounded like Boo Bear.  So now it is finally time to play with trains.  Mason tells Mazy to go and get Boo Bear.  Sure enough our little princess goes and gets her doll.  I love Mason's tender heart and that he loves to play with his sister!  Thank you Lord for such great children!

I miss you Mom!

19 LONG years ago my mother was taken from me.  I know that God has a plan! I am super blessed with great In-Laws.  They truly treat me like their very own daughter.  I (we) miss you like crazy!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This morning as I wrote the blog I was throwing myself a pitty party.   However as today unfolded I was confirmed many times that I am right where I need to be.  Thanks Lord for your plan.  Thanks for allowing me to feel your presence and purpose today.  

Different Outcome

The last time I blogged was about how God sent me a text message.  I have not blogged again because I am still in shock that this post does not have a different outcome.  I thought I would be teaching at a different school, in a different district.  I know in my heart that I have followed God's plan.  I just wish that His plan and my plan were closer to the same at times.  While I will miss being on the same schedule as my children I work at a school that I love.  I am on a great team!  I truly pray that I learn what God wants me to learn from this situation.

God Sends Text Message

I have really been struggling for the last couple of months.  I struggle with knowing if I am making the right decision. I struggle knowing if I am following God's plan.  I know that He has a plan for me.
I was driving home from school back in September when I heard a whisper that I should apply to Lees' Summit School District.  WHAT?  I had a great day at school.  Why should I change, I thought?  Then about a week later my friend informed me that there will be 3 openings at Mason Elementary. Mason only has about 14 teachers so it is unheard of to have 3 openings.  A couple weeks after that our sermon was about listening to God's whisper.  In my heart I knew it was time.  It was time to act on these whispers I have been hearing.  In fact, by now these aren't whispers.  I feel like He is shouting at me.  HELLO, do you get it yet?  I get my application, cover letters, resume, references and  all that jazz together and submitted.    As I wait for his plan to unravel I hear about a new position at BSSD.  This position would be a great job.  It would be closer to home.  It would be with Michelle.  It would be where my nieces go.  It would be the perfect job for me.  Now I am confused.  Should I apply for the new position within BSSD?  I think hard about it and pray about it.  My poor teaching partner has heard me go back and forth about what I should do.  Every time I sat down to apply for the job I hit a stumbling block.  The first time I tried to apply I did not have all the information I needed to apply.  The next time I tried BSSD's site was down.  I tried one last time and I ran out of time to apply.  (I know now that these were all signs that I should not apply.)  Yesterday was the due date to turn in the application.  I really struggled knowing if I should go forward with this.  I talked to my small group about what I should do.  I talked to my husband about it.  I did not feel any peace after talking to people about what to do.  I finally went to God about it.  I got on my knees and I prayed.  I prayed for a sign.  On my way to work yesterday I cried.  I want to make sure I am doing what He wants me to do not what I want to do.  I had a nice long talk with Whitney.  She confirmed my decision.  I was starting to get a clear picture that I need to let this new position go.  I e-mail Jodi just to confirm my decision. (That is a whole different story.  :)  Thanks so much for all you did that day Jodi!)   God has something better for me.   My heart's desire is to be in Lees Summit.  My heart's desire is to be at Mason.  
Wow, this feels good. I start to feel at peace with my decision to let this position go.  I came home and was telling Steve about my day and how I was letting it go.  A few hours later Mason brings me my phone. I kid you not, there were bible verses listed on my phone.  This is literally laugh out loud funny.  I often joke and ask God to send my text messages because I "can't" hear his whispers.  The bible verses were Philippians 4:6 (Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.) and Matthew 21:22 (If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.) REALLY?  I feel like this was God shouting at me again.  I really feel at peace with His decision.  I know now that it was the right thing to do, letting the position go.  I know that is not what He has in plan for me.  Thanks be to God for sending me a text message.  

Extended Holiday Vacation?!

HELLO THERE!  Sorry for shouting but I wanted you to know that I am still here, alive and kickin'.  I sort of took an extended vacation for the holidays.  I truly struggle with keeping things balanced in my life.  Blogging gets put on the back burner far too often.  Do you ever feel like that guy at the circus.  You know that one that can keep 50 plates spinning all at one time? 

 I do!!

But I am back!  I promise that I will get you caught up very soon.  Until then (at the top) here is a picture of my kids!