Thanks, God.

Today, I am once again reminded how glad I am that God knows so much better than I what is good for me.
My mom did not like little girls. She liked boys. She did like all the trappings of having a daughter and did not feel it necessary to teach me many of the things mothers are "supposed" to teacher their daughters to prepare them for life.
She liked to sew for me, and buy me dolls, but the parts of my life that needed a "woman's touch" were largely left undone. I resented that and held it against her for years, and in my early married life, prayed that God would give me sons; surely I would not know what to do with a girl after hearing all my life how below we were to boys.
All the time I was pregnant with Dana, I prayed for a boy. I was truly scared that I would ruin a girl, and that she would grow to feel toward me the same way I felt toward my own mother. Then, Dana was here. Now what?!?
I decided to model my mothering based on my peers and the other older women at church that I felt had good relationships with their daughters. We did fine, and then I was pregnant again. Surely now, a boy, but I was less scared, with 2 whole years of experience behind me. Enter Erin.

Almost 28 years later, today I know that history does not have to repeat itself. I have two amazing young women who make my heart burst with laughter and joy. They proved my lack of confidence wrong, that I COULD raise them to be wonderful, God-loving women with quick wits and the ability to be independent when they need to be. There sits before me proof that God took my insecurities and used His power to show me that I had what it would take. I'm glad it was one day at a time, or surely I would have given up, but in the end, it is all together wonderful.
I'm sure glad God didn't answer those prayers.

My sweetest gift, so far....

I hope everyone is feeling peaceful and happy the day after Christmas; I am home alone - Dana will be in after a while, Andy works today and tomorrow; and the Johnsons arrive Friday for the LaMore round of festivities.
We had a lovely, quiet day. Talked to Mom and Dad, ate blueberry muffins for breakfast, opened gifts, watched the latest installment of Looney Tunes, and then went to the Huttons for dinner. Delicious Cornish Game Hens - my first ever. They really wanted to build the anticipation, because they took twice the normal time to cook. A feast with friends; what more could one ask?! Thanks, R & J !
Monday, I received the sweetest gift I've gotten in a while. We'd been out and came home to wrap gifts, a call came in with a number I did not recognize. I usually don't answer, but it was Christmas Eve, so I did. This little voice asks for me, and identified herself as my little Amiga from last school year! She'd come across my number while looking at her "favorite" books, and wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas! I put "favorite" in quotes because she's one of my most severely dyslexic students ever, and to have favorite books makes me crazy!! Anyway, she clued me in on all her latest happenings - they're spending the holidays visiting all the family bars; she loves to sing with the Karaoke machines! She is writing country songs for when she becomes famous, and she got a straightener for her lovely, curly blond hair. Her little girl voice filled my heart so full joy that it was all I could do to respond. She's one of those I would bring home with me and raise, if I thought I could. I hope she calls for years to come!!
Relax, enjoy your left-over pies, and watch a good movie.
Amy

After the Fact

When Andy and I picked out the lot on which our home sits today, there was nothing but dirt and a few weeds. I wanted it because it was directly behind our friends' home, and I'd have ready access to visiting with her. No other houses were on the street.

When it came time to "Landscape" we knew we wanted nice, tall trees that would have Fall color. We bought Red Oak, Chinese Pistache, Chinese Tallow, and Burr Oak. And waited.
And waited. Slowly they grew, and with each year, we had a little more color. Our goals were coming to be!

This year, both our front and back lawns are resplendent in reds, oranges, yellows, and earthy browns. No live oak leaves falls in my yard - lovely as they are - but nice, big , bright leaves that crown the trees like a halo and then fall to gather like a rug on the ground . It is just what I envisioned all those years ago.

Nice when things turn out the way you wanted them to.

Time for a break

In two days, the Christmas break begins.

I'm ready.

Teachers are SOOOO spoiled....

Deal with it! :p

Making peace with the Devil

I teach children with dyslexia. At first, I didn't like it - in fact, I really hated the curriculum. Now, though, since I've seen it work it's "magic" with some kids, I've decided it's a good place for me to be right now. I"m the only one on my campus that teaches it, so I'm kinda alone in it, but that has it's good parts, too.

When you can't read, books (and any written word) are demonds to be conquered. By the time you're in 3rd or 4th grade, books have tortured and humiliated you enough for a life-time, and there are years yet to face them. That's why I am adamant about reading books to my classes at the beginning of each session. I find books that are low level enough for them to be able to approach them, and that have colorful illustrations and interesting pictures to draw their interest from those WORDS. As we read together, I let them feel the pages, and take time to
really take in the picture, we discuss each and every one as we go, and after a few, the books have become not quite so much a big evil monster.
Especially here at Christmas, the kids who are so grown up as to not believe in Santa anymore come around and sit with big wide eyes and wanting to take one more look or touch one more embossed illustration.
I hope one day, they will remember that Mrs. LaMore took time to go over these with them - and smile.

FYI - tomorrow's book is a picture book - not a word to be found; and it's one of my favorite!!

Name That Tune (Hymn)

I work with this woman who is very private and quiet. She doesn't often approach me, and when she does, it's usually school related. So, one day this week at lunch duty, she comes us and tells me this story: It seems she has a hymn stuck in her head, but she can't remember this certain part of a line. She begins to hum it to me, and it's one I'm familiar with, so I begin to hum it to myself, along with her. I'm sure we looked adorable, standing in the cafeteria with our heads together, humming.

Well, the kids come in, and we separate, and I forget all about it. 20 or 30 minutes later, she slides up beside me and without
saying a word, begins to sing the song again. It took me a moment to remember just what she was doing, and then I took off again. Now, we've sung every verse EXCEPT the one she can't remember. (By the way, did you know that the Baptists have different lyrics than we do? Another topic to debate, I'm sure.) Anyway, we have to part ways again, and so I'm stuck now, with this song wafting through my mind.

Finally, about 2:30, she comes up to me, and sings in a nice, soft voice, the entire verse with which we'd been struggling all day. Success at last! Now, to move on to other important tasks of the day.

The song: I can't remember!

When will it return?

I'm quite frustrated right now. It's been almost 2 months since my thyroid surgery, and my voice is still weak. I know that it will "take time", but two months of not being able to sing like I used to is getting very old. Not that I have the greatest of voices, but I do think I could hold my own and use what I had to glorify God. Now, I sit and listen with my eyes closed and praise Him in my heart.

Do you know that you can hear specific people if you listen in their direction? Randy Beard has an amazing bass voice, Alice Lester actually sings TENOR, Jackie Hutton goes to town with her voice, and Meaghan Eisenhauer sings like an angel. So, while I am lacking in ability right now, I find others taking up the slack for me, and it'll have to do for now.

I hope it won't be too much longer until I'm able to do my part again!!

Have a great weekend -

Still here!

No real news today - just wanted to check in and let everyone know I am still standing. I"ve gotten encouraging words from friends and family and reminders of what life is all about.
I'm a good teacher and a good person to work with. They are lucky to have me, and I intend to do my best to point some of that out when appropriate. I will not be bullied.

My love is hungry and on a time schedule; me - I'm finishing Christmas cards tonight!

13 school days to go.

Many people would title this blog with profanity!

Well, I guess I caught your attention with that title, now didn't I?!? The other one I considered for today's post was, "I'm the queen of Non-confrontation!" Take your pick.
I will do ANYTHING to stay out of trouble. I've swallowed lots of feelings and thoughts throughout the years to avoid trouble and fights. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Yesterday, I made my boss furious with me. I made a decision based on what I thought was best, and to say the least, she REALLY disagreed with it. I was called in and, while she didn't for once curse, there is no doubt in my mind that she really wanted to. In about 20 minutes time, she let me know exactly what she thought of me and threatened me with being written up - I assured her that will not be necessary. When asked about someone else who was also in my predicament, I told her that she was scared of being in trouble, and she looked me dead in the eyes and said, "And maybe you should have been, too." Should an employee be AFRAID of a boss? I feel a little old to be playing these games right now, myself.

Andy took me out to eat ribs at Chili's - he knows how meat calms my soul. Leaving the restaurant, full and greasy, I met one of the dearest little boys I've ever taught coming in for their dinner. He ran and hugged me, and his mother said very kind things about me. Suddenly, the afternoon felt far away and insignificant - I'm good at what I do, and I make children happy. Isn't that what teaching is all about?

Pray that I can let go of this.