A fun thought

One of the drawing points for Dana and Erin to attend Texas A & M was the large group of friends from church who were also students there. They went with some familiar faces already in place, which makes moving to such a big place a little easier. They roomed with some, and built many more memories to add to the ones they already had. It also made for security on this mama's part.

Fast forward to tomorrow. Carl and Lisa Royal welcomed Blakely into their family. As I listened to her Grandma Darla talk about her, I thought, "Someday, she could be at A&M with Bladen!" A long-time connection renewed years down the line? Weeklongs, after-game devos, week-end trips to Pleasanton?!

We'll see. I'll get back to you in 18 years!

Wishes

Things I'm wishing for right now:

~ a safe arrival of a healthy Bladen Joel Johnson
~ the answer to Dana's dream come true (my vision?)
~ self-control
~ the safety for our country that I grew up with
~ no more falls for Mom
~ a comfortable retirement in the near future
~ many happy hours with Liz
~ rain
~ a renewed relationship with my brother
~ an active, productive Small Group
~ a safe tour of duty for Tyler
~ Peace for Jackie
~ self-control (yes, I know I've already said that)
~ happiness for my students
~ many more years with Andrew
~ one more ring for Tim, Tony, and Manu!!

The weekend in review

Had a lovely time in Houston - again. We arrived at Dana's apartment with time to spare before falling into bed, and then activities began.

Dana and Andrew got up and headed out for a belated Birthday breakfast. She took him to her favorite place, and then they went to a museum exhibit on the 40th anniversary of the landing on the moon. I was invited to go, but Andy and I don't really do well together at museums... he is a meticulous reader of all things exhibited, and I scan and go. Both parties deemed it a success.

While they took in culture and science, I shopped for Bladen's shower gift and a book for Liz. Never had been to a Babies R Us, and am glad there isn't one in Pleasanton!! I decided a checkbook is not a good thing to take when the amount to spend is open-ended; from now on, I only go in with cash!

After shopping, I arrived at the Johnson home. Once Liz woke up, we had a good reunion (she looks like "Who are you and why are you here so sporadically??" She warmed up pretty quickly this time, and I have to say the highlight of my afternoon was when she was singing. Such a precious sound to my ears! If only I could have recorded it!! Her other grandparents arrived, as did Andy and Dana, so then the sharing began.

One down side to the weekend was that Roark, Liz's canine brother, reacted to some flea repellent, and ended up in the ER for dogs. He is okay now, but it was a downer for the weekend.

Sunday was worship, and then the shower. Lots and lots and LOTS of little boy clothes, so she is set for the first few months. Diapers were the other hit of the day, and those were received very graciously! One we got things back to the house, we hugged, kissed, and said out good-byes.

So, now we wait. Thanksgiving is in two weeks, and then Bladen is scheduled to arrive soon afterward. We are all ready to meet this little man and see what joy he adds to our growing family!!

An amazing thought

One thing that has always amazed me is that different teachers are drawn to different kids. A co-worker and I share a room, and we also share some kids through-out the day. I see her with a young man that I would have killed the second week - day - of the year, and she deals with him SO beautifully! He pushes my buttons just watching him with her, and yet she stays so calm and collected. I have a couple of little ones that affect her the same way. I guess it's a good thing that every kid has some teacher along the way that loves them and deals with their little quirks...

Which makes me transition to the church. How many times you see people drawn to certain personalities and avoid others. And yet, we are called to love each other equally. Sometimes, a hard task to take on. I have a couple of people that I just have a hard, hard time with - and I feel terribly about it. I just try to remember that there are those out among me who feel that way about me!! Shame on me -

The guy in Chicago....

I know you have been hearing about the guy in Chicago who has (at this count) 11 bodies of women in his yard and home. These guys fascinate me, and there have been times when I have taught children that I think will someday be involved in the same activities. Jeffrey Dahmer was a tortured soul, and his life of cruelty and hatred will be studied for the rest of time.

So, how do we get smarter than these men? Where in their childhood was the breaking point of the soul; the decision that it is their right and priviledge to do what they do to another human being? I had a neighbor growing up who, when they had a cat give birth to a litter, filled up a tub and drowned each and every one. He didn't grow up to be a killer, but the other factors were not in place.

I don't know that this post even has a point to it; I just had this on my mind. I guess the fascination I have is partially a hope that I can pick up on some little one and make that part of his heart go the right direction. A big task, but I'm willing....

November 1

How in the world did it get to be November already?!? I love turning calendars to the next month, and it seems like I just did October the other day.... with so much going on, I guess the days go quicker than ever, and with Bladen's arrival almost eminent, I'd better just get ready for it to be December!

We had a good weekend; Andy wanted to just "veg out", and so we did. I slept in; no surprise there - Andy watched some college sports and his beloved PBS This Old House Hour. Trick or Treaters visited us in groups, and then it was time for the SPURS. Manu was the "hit" of the game, with the "batting" down of the bat, and we turned in early after setting our clocks back. It was a peaceful, relaxing day.

This week, I have a couple of second graders to screen for dyslexia, but the week should be calmer after celebrating Red Ribbon Week. That, plus Book Fair, and Halloween, had the kids hyper and the teachers tired. I'm hoping for calmer, quieter days!

So - that's it. Hope you had a good weekend, and that your week is all you need it to be.

Things I like about my job -

When you are a "real" teacher (i.e. - classroom), and then move out to become "Support Staff", it is a real adjustment. Now, I haven't been a "real" teacher in some time, but even my shift to my current position has caused me to find new and more appreciated levels of work:

1. I get to actually talk to my students. Homeroom teachers do not have the luxury of having conversation with their students. I know this because, when I ask them things about their students, they look at me like they have no idea what is going on. Teaching now is about curriculum and scores, not children.

2. No duty. Enough said!

3. No grades, and for me, no lesson plans!! My curriculum is set so rigidly, I just follow the manual and go from there. (Can be boring, so I try to come up with some variants)

4. No grading. See above.

5. I'm not going to say no discipline problems, because I do have some, but a lot of it is referred back to the homeroom teacher or office. I just have my little 45 minutes, and that's enough with some children!!

6. 45 minutes a group and they move on!!

7. I get to laugh at the kids; we have a relationship all it's own. I'm lucky and, and I hope they feel the same way!!


So, in the twilight of my career, I have the dream job. It makes life a lot easier!!