Fist pump.
It's Christmas break.
This week has been such a long week, and I cannot believe that it is finally over. PTL! I have done everything short of babysitting this week in my 3rd grade class, and have come home more exhausted every day. I thought I would be a "good teacher" and let them have less homework and more freedom this week, which turned into me refereeing and entertaining for half the week.
Funny story from the week: One of my boys made EIGHT Christmas cards for a girl in our class. Here is what one of those cards said:
" Dear J, Are you haveing a fun week? Alot of people in class think that I like you but I do not love you. I just like you a little bit. Do you want my eraser? Merry Christmas. Love, C"
It is very obvious that she has no interest in him, and came up to me today as serious as can be and said "Really, Ms. Baxter, I don't know what to do with my eighth card from him."
Poor guy.
We have a class Penguin names Jingles who has been causing quite a ruckus these past three weeks. He plays tricks on my class and watches them to report back to Santa. You may be familiar with "Elf on a Shelf"...well...this is my bouggie version of that. Elves are expensive. Jingles today, though, got elf-napped by another class and they went CRAZY trying to get him back. Protests ensued. "Free Jingles" signs were hung up. "Wanted" posters were posted all over trying to find the perp. It was like the Weezy movement, but with a fictional stuffed animal who did not get arrested for gun charges. Spoiler alert: Jingles was returned after recess without a scratch.
So now, after four seasonal coffee mugs and two bags of cheap Christmas candy later, I am officially on break. Excited from some alone time without having to hear "Ms. Baxter" 1,000 times a day. I will enjoy being Kathryn for 2 weeks. I'd even settle for K-Bax.
Here's to being normal.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Christmas Sweaters
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In room 109 at my school all week, the Christmas tree will be plugged in, "Jingles" (our class penguin) will be taking notes to send back to Santa, and I will be rocking a different tacky Christmas sweater a day. Well...one turtleneck and one vest...but you get the idea. I LOVE my job sometimes, especially when older teachers compliment me and younger teachers don't know whether to take me seriously or not. They will learn. I hyped this week up to my students--telling them that I was going to wear some beautifully festive outfits. They are pumped.
Pictures will come, for sure. Have a good one, to the three people who are reading this right now.
Pictures will come, for sure. Have a good one, to the three people who are reading this right now.
Desert Song
"It's a GREAT day and I feel terrific?"
Some days, this is one of the first things I think about. Those days are few and far between, but when I have that reminder first thing in the morning, I always feel a peace come over me. Like JimDaddy is fist pumping that I remembered to claim the day.
Other days, this motto does not enter my thoughts until after I come out of a fog and actually begin thinking about the day. That would be today.
I am about to crawl out of bed and begin getting ready for church, and I am slowly beginning to turn my heart to a worshipful mood. Last week, my pastor began a new series titled "Hope" right as the holidays approach. Hosanna was the word of the day. Hosanna means "Save, please!" It is a cry to God for help. Last week, with untethered arms, I reached out and asked God for Hosanna to take place in my life. Not to save me from my sins, which he has already promised the moment I gave my heart to Him, but to save me from myself. Save me from my selfishness. Save me from my complacency. Save me from the routine that I am stuck in.
Yet, here I am a week later, really just remembering to stop and beg God for Hosanna in the Highest today over my life. And that's a shame. Seriously? One whole week went by without me claiming the day for Him? One whole week went by without me trying to change the way I was? One whole week went by where I did not, on my own, lift up my eyes to the hills and get some help. Shameful.
Hear my cry, Lord. Hosanna. Save me from...me.
Listening to "Desert Song" (also by Hillsong) on repeat as I get ready this morning. The first few verses are legit my heart this morning, so I'll share those:
VERSE 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
VERSE 2:
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
CHORUS:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
BRIDGE:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Some days, this is one of the first things I think about. Those days are few and far between, but when I have that reminder first thing in the morning, I always feel a peace come over me. Like JimDaddy is fist pumping that I remembered to claim the day.
Other days, this motto does not enter my thoughts until after I come out of a fog and actually begin thinking about the day. That would be today.
I am about to crawl out of bed and begin getting ready for church, and I am slowly beginning to turn my heart to a worshipful mood. Last week, my pastor began a new series titled "Hope" right as the holidays approach. Hosanna was the word of the day. Hosanna means "Save, please!" It is a cry to God for help. Last week, with untethered arms, I reached out and asked God for Hosanna to take place in my life. Not to save me from my sins, which he has already promised the moment I gave my heart to Him, but to save me from myself. Save me from my selfishness. Save me from my complacency. Save me from the routine that I am stuck in.
Yet, here I am a week later, really just remembering to stop and beg God for Hosanna in the Highest today over my life. And that's a shame. Seriously? One whole week went by without me claiming the day for Him? One whole week went by without me trying to change the way I was? One whole week went by where I did not, on my own, lift up my eyes to the hills and get some help. Shameful.
Hear my cry, Lord. Hosanna. Save me from...me.
Listening to "Desert Song" (also by Hillsong) on repeat as I get ready this morning. The first few verses are legit my heart this morning, so I'll share those:
VERSE 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
VERSE 2:
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
CHORUS:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
BRIDGE:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Saturday, December 11, 2010
New adventure
As I begin this post, I want to first say...I'm not that interesting. Wanted to clear things up at the beginning. I just need a place to post my stories, thoughts, prayers, ramblings, and all around random life events.
I love to journal, but I have not found enough time to sit and write since October. And SO much has happened. I mainly want to write things on this blog about my ridiculous life as a 3rd grade teacher. Let's be real. There are some RIDICULOUS stories. And some sweet moments. And a LOT of frustration that I go through on a daily basis.
My life is like a roller coaster. But instead of a fun, multi-loops, big drop kind of roller coaster, it's a safe, flat, kid friendly kind of roller coaster. Full of mild ups and downs that do not thrill nor disappoint too much. If this roller coaster was at Carowinds, I would equate it to the Scooby Doo roller coaster. Still exciting, but mild. Vanilla. I almost made my blog the color of vanilla. Because that is what it feels like I have been in a cycle of lately. Even in my relationship with God--we have our thrilling moments, but overall it has been the same cycle. And he deserves more than that. He deserves my all. Simple as that. The routine should not trump my affections for the One who paid it all for me.
Wow. Wasn't planning on admitting that, but maybe that's what it will take. Some straight up vulnerablity to make me snap out of this vanilla cycle. I look forward to getting a chance to journal again, but for now, I am going to try this blog.
"I life my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-3
Trusting this truth as I go through this mild, kid friendly (vanilla) roller coaster.
I love to journal, but I have not found enough time to sit and write since October. And SO much has happened. I mainly want to write things on this blog about my ridiculous life as a 3rd grade teacher. Let's be real. There are some RIDICULOUS stories. And some sweet moments. And a LOT of frustration that I go through on a daily basis.
My life is like a roller coaster. But instead of a fun, multi-loops, big drop kind of roller coaster, it's a safe, flat, kid friendly kind of roller coaster. Full of mild ups and downs that do not thrill nor disappoint too much. If this roller coaster was at Carowinds, I would equate it to the Scooby Doo roller coaster. Still exciting, but mild. Vanilla. I almost made my blog the color of vanilla. Because that is what it feels like I have been in a cycle of lately. Even in my relationship with God--we have our thrilling moments, but overall it has been the same cycle. And he deserves more than that. He deserves my all. Simple as that. The routine should not trump my affections for the One who paid it all for me.
Wow. Wasn't planning on admitting that, but maybe that's what it will take. Some straight up vulnerablity to make me snap out of this vanilla cycle. I look forward to getting a chance to journal again, but for now, I am going to try this blog.
"I life my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-3
Trusting this truth as I go through this mild, kid friendly (vanilla) roller coaster.
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