Christmas

I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas--my niece and nephew at home to celebrate Christmas morning.  We waited for them to rise and open presents, we enjoyed Christmas lunch, and then they had the opportunity to play in the snow.  Yes!  Snow!  We actually had snow on Christmas Day for the first time since 1975. It didn't really do enough to build a snowman or anything, but they still had fun standing in it and catching snowflakes on their tongues.

They created the most precious Christmas gift for my mom and I--a set of Christmas dishes.
They did such an amazing job on their creations!

The one with the small tree says, "Love lights the tree."  The one with the snowflakes says, "Snowflakes fall when love is near." Well, our tree was shining brightly all day on Christmas, and we got snow, beautiful snow too.  Our house was absolutely filled with love!

 Snow on Christmas Day 2012

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas has had me thinking, remembering, and feeling grateful.
I have been blessed to wake up in the same house every Christmas morning since birth. For some, that may seem weird. To me, it is wonderful.

Most of my life, we spent Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family at Granny and Grandpa's house.  We enjoyed sandwiches, chips/dips, and pie before opening presents.  I remember when my brother, cousins, and I were the little ones who just couldn't wait to open presents.  I have been blessed to enjoy the same traditions with my niece, nephew, and little cousins.  They were just like us, lying under the tree wishing and hoping it was time. My great aunt and uncle would come over to be with us too.  I don't know when this tradition started, but it seems that we always did it.  It continued until about 5-10 years ago when had to do it the weekend before with my cousins b/c they wouldn't be here. Now, if we get together on Christmas Eve, which we always do with Granny at least, you never really know who will be there or for how long, but we still try to keep this tradition going as long as Granny is with us.

From birth until upper elementary school or middle school, we would open presents at home on Christmas morning before walking next door to have breakfast and open gifts with my neighbors and another family we were very close to for much of my life. We continued this tradition for one year after my neighbors moved to a neighboring town, and then we stopped.

We would come back home to choose a new outfit to wear and then head to Granny and Grandpa's for Christmas lunch. At some point, probably after my grandfather passed away, we moved lunch to my house.  We would have as many as 16 or more enjoying lunch and conversation.

After my brother got married and had children, we continued our traditions, but we would start Christmas morning at their house for the kids to open presents.  They would come back to our house to open presents with us and then stay the rest of the day for lunch and dinner.

As we were entering this holiday season, I had no idea what we would do for Christmas.  My brother and sister-in-law moved 5 hours away.  My mom has all but moved in with Granny to take care of her.  This was going to be my first Christmas waking up on Christmas morning alone. My first Christmas morning without my niece and nephew. Mom decided she was going to be with the kids no matter what, so she was going to drive the 5 hours to be with them on Christmas Day.  She said Granny and I could go with her or stay home.  Well, I was a little worried about Granny riding 5 hours down and then 5 hours back all in one day, so I was willing to stay home, but it was what Mom wanted.  I had gotten my mind set for this and ready for a different kind of Christmas.  It really didn't matter where we were as long as we were together.  Right? Well, God had different plans.

After telling my brother and sister-in-law about my great uncle's passing, they decided to come home to visit and go to the funeral.  After the services, they headed to Oklahoma to be with her family while they celebrated over the weekend. They are supposed to come home for Christmas Eve and wake up to celebrate with us on Christmas morning.  We don't have to make Granny travel 10 hours in one day. My niece, nephew, and I get to wake up in the home we know. God is wonderful!  I know there will come a day that I may live somewhere else, and a day that I may not even get to see my niece and nephew on Christmas Day, but this Christmas is not that time, and I am oh, so very blessed and grateful!

I was so excited when they drove in the driveway on Friday night!


Another tradition we have in our family is the Advent Calendar, which Granny made when I was tiny, each piece handmade and sequined, involves hanging the ornaments on the tree. I am so glad the kids were here to get it caught up to date.  The first 7 were hung by a set of Girl Scout sisters at our December meeting. I just left it alone the rest of the month.



I can't wait for them to get home tonight for Christmas Eve! I am so blessed.

Mom, Granny, and I got together for sandwiches, chips, and dips for lunch with my aunt and cousin yesterday.  I truly enjoyed that time.

My life has changed dramatically in the last 10 months, but God knows what I need, so He provides as only He can.  Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus to be born in a manage all those years ago, and thank you for all you do for my family and me!
 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I Will Forever Be George

Today, we laid my Great Uncle to rest (Granny's younger brother).  As I was watching the picture slideshow, I remembered times spent in his and my Great Aunt's home as well as other random moments. He gave my brother a statue of an eagle in honor of earning his Boy Scout Eagle Award back in the 1990s, and he attended the Eagle Ceremony. He performed my brother and sister-in-law's wedding ceremony in 2000.  He was a lovable teddy bear with a great sense of humor, and he was quite a prankster.

One memory that came flooding back was that he called me George.  I used to think that was a funny name for a girl, but I would laugh each time he said it.  I don't know why he called me George or why it started, but I will forever be George, and when I hear that name, I will think fondly of him.

I also remembered family Christmas gatherings.  During most of my younger years, Granny's side of the family would all get together for Christmas.  Granny, who had two children, had one brother, who had four children, and one sister, who had three children. The last time we all got together was at Granny's house in the mid-1980s.  One of my Great Uncle's granddaughter's was only a few months old and in a baby carrier at the time. I don't think any of the grandchildren were of marrying age.  Also, my Great Uncle would put the bows from the presents on his bald head every year.  There are many Christmas pictures with bows on his head.

While it was for a sad occasion, we were all back together today during the Christmas season.  Those toddling around or still infants in the 80s are now grown with spouses and children of their own.  Those grandchildren and great grandchildren who weren't born yet were also in attendance.  His two youngest great grandchildren, twin girls, were there and only 4-8 weeks. He had four children with spouses, nine grandchildren, some with spouses, and five great grandchildren at the time of his passing.  While it was a sad occasion, it was a happy one because we got to see so many we haven't seen in years and meet others we have never met.

So . . . I pray for my Great Aunts, Granny, and cousins who are mourning his passing, I will remember him fondly, and . . . I will forever be George.

Reflections of an Educator

Since hearing about the terrible tragedy that took place in the elementary school in Connecticut on December 14th, I have had various thoughts.

-I can't begin to imagine what the parents, who lost children, are feeling.  I pray for the parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles, friends, and family of these children.

-I pray for the surviving children and educators.  How do you walk back into the school knowing what you know and experienced?

-I pray for the first responders and others who worked this tragedy.

-The teachers and administrators were so heroic.  The principal and school psychologist were killed as they lunged at the shooter to try and overpower him and get the weapons away from him. A first grade teacher was killed while to hide her students wherever she could within the classroom.  Another first grade teacher barricaded herself and her students in the bathroom, and she did all she could to keep them calm.  The Librarian or Librarian Aide, along with a few other adults, barricaded a class of 4th graders and themselves in a storage area, and they gave them crayons and paper to keep them calm.  The Music teacher protected his/her students by keeping them quiet and hidden.  The gym teachers moved the children to an office and kept them quiet/safe. The stories of the teachers in the building go on and on. Teachers on conference periods did what they could to get to their students who were in electives at the time. The custodian ran throughout the building warning everyone.  What amazing people!


-What would I do if it had been my child?


-What would I have done in that situation? My thoughts on this in a bit.


These thoughts led me to the following thoughts.

On Tuesday and again on Thursday, I had a conversation with different teachers about how the general public view educators/education.  It started when a teacher said that someone she knows was making fun of/being mean about the fact that we get 2 weeks off at Christmas, a week off in the spring, 3 months off for summer, a week at Thanksgiving, and various other days throughout the year.  I just had to give her something to say in return next time.

We don't get a whole week at Thanksgiving, but that isn't my point.  We do not get paid for all those days off.  We get paid for 187 days.  Our paychecks may be spread over the 12 months, but we only get paid for 187 of work.  BUT . . . we work far more than 187 days a year. The majority of teachers, good teachers, work 24/7 August through the beginning/middle of June.  Teachers take home papers to grade.  They can't go to sleep at night for thinking/worrying about at least one student or a situation or what/how they are going to teach the next day/week. If they go to sleep, they may dream about a child/family or wake up to think/worry about at least one student or a situation or what/how they are going to teach the next day/week. Many evenings include school duties or programs, professional development, planning, grading, and more.  Summers include professional development or preparation for the next year.  Teaching/Education is not a 187 day a year from 7:30-3:00 or 8:0-4:00 job. It is so much more than that.


I have read Facebook post after Facebook post praising teachers or wanting to thank teachers for what they do.  Sadly, maybe this horrific event will remind the public what exactly educators do on a daily basis.


We are with the children more waking hours than their parents.  We are their teachers, counselors, nurses, secretaries, care-givers, confidants, and so, so much more. We teach them far more than reading, writing, and arithmetic.  We teach them right from wrong, how to get along with others, public speaking, to care about others, manners, patience, prepare them to survive in the real world, and more.


Almost any educator you meet will tell you that the children assigned to his/her care for those 187 days become "our" children.  We become possessive of them, want what is best for them, and care very deeply for them. We really care for them for the rest of their/our lives.  Once a child passes through my class, I wonder what they become, where they go to college, and how they and their families are. For no particular reason, a name or face pops in my head, and I begin remembering that child and then wondering about him/her.


The children are our children, and we will do whatever it takes to protect them.  We don't pick and choose or put ourselves first.  Our first priority is the safety and education of the children the parents send to use everyday.


I have had the privilege to work with 1000s of children throughout my career. I have made mistakes, been the person parents curse, learned from my mistakes, stepped out of the box, and grown, both as an educator and human. The one thing that hasn't changed . . . I would do whatever it takes to protect the students in my care or within my vicinity. No, that isn't part of the job description, but it is who I am and who educators are.


This deep feeling of compassion may not be understood by the general public, both other educators completely get it.  Thank you, fellow educators, for all you do for the children of America and elsewhere.

This was shared on Facebook via The Farmer's Guesthouse and a few Pastors, including mine.
“To parents who aren’t educators, this may be hard to understand. Five days a week, we teach your kids. Joke with your kids. Console your kids. Praise your kids. Question your kids. Beat our heads up against a wall about your kids. Gush over your kids. Laugh with your kids. Worry about your kids. Keep an eye on your kids. Learn about your kids. Invest in your kids. Protect your kids. Love your kids. We would all take a bullet for your kids. It’s nowhere in our job description. It isn’t covered in the employee handbook. It isn’t cited on our contracts. But we would all do it. So, yes—please hug your kids tonight—really, really tight. But on Monday, if you see your kids’ teacher, hug them too.”

Meetings and Giving Continue

In November, we rediscussed plans for the spring.  The girls voted to spend the night at a local zoo and visit a local aquarium and possibly do badge work.  Looks like we are not old enough for badge work at the aquarium, so we might do a badge workshop while at the zoo. We shall see.  The girls also created a list of interests to help us get started on their Bronze Award project. We will revisit their list, narrow it down, and get started in January. They ended the meeting making crafts to show what they are thankful for or to represent Thanksgiving.

Our December meeting brought fewer sweet faces due to recitals, Christmas programs, visiting relatives, and more, but those who were at the meeting created two ornaments and went caroling.  We forgot that since we meet on a Friday night, many people are not home, but one wonderful family opened their door to hear their sweet voices.  The girls also voted to spend $100 on coats to purchase for a local coat drive.  We were able to purchase 5 coats to donate.  Our girls have such sweet, giving hearts!

Our first meeting in January will be a parent meeting to get our cookie information.  Be ready!  Our cookie sellers will be out and about the second weekend of January!

I Am Thankful!

Each day of the month of November, friends posted what they were thankful for over on Facebook.  I chose not to participate this year because I wanted to wait until the end of the month and create one post.  Well, I missed writing yesterday, so I wanted to do it today.  My list is in no particular order.

I am thankful for . . .

-God, who sent Jesus to be born in a manger and then gave His only begotten son to forgive me for my sins, and who makes all things possible, gives us nature, opportunities, and more.

-my mother, the strongest woman I know.  She has endured so much, gives of herself, and works herself 'til exhaustion taking care of others.  Oh, how I love her and am in awe of her.

-my dearest and best friends, J & R.  I can share everything with these two ladies, and I know they will keep my words, thoughts, and feelings completely private. They always know exactly what to say to help me get through everything.  They are Godly, amazing women, and I am so unbelievably grateful for them and their friendship.

-my brother and sister-in-law, who allowed me to be a very hands-on Auntie for 10.5 years.  Gosh, how I love my niece and nephew!  There are no words to explain how much it meant to me to be a part of their daily lives.  I truly treasured every moment, every experience I shared with them. They made me smile, filled my days with joy, and taught me so much.

-my Granny and late Grandpa, who were at every important function in my life, who supported and loved me through it all.

-the two wonderful ladies I share an office with at work, J & P.  They help me solve problems, think through ideas, and to be the best Instructional Specialist I can be all while working within the parameters set before us. I am thankful they put up with my craziness.

-the other Instructional Specialists, Facilitators, and Coordinators I work with and have gotten to know. They support me and believe in me when I don't believe in myself.

-Richardson and Texas Jaycees.  The Richardson Jaycees, my aunt, and cousin honored me by nominating me as one of the Five Outstanding Young Texans in 2011.  The Texas Jaycees chose me as one of these FOYT for my work as an educator.  I was so overwhelmed with such an honor, and I am not sure I showed my appreciation to the depth that I am honored.  While I was being chosen and named, I was being forced to make a professional decision that left me looking for a job.  The weekend I was being honored with a fabulous ceremony, I had no job as an educator, for which was the main reason I was nominated. There are no words to describe how appreciative I am of this fabulous award.

-my friends and co-workers at the school where I taught for 10 years and other friends within that district.  I chose to leave the classroom and the district for a central administration position, which I had for 3 years, in another local district.  I loved this experience and meeting the people in this new district.  With statewide budget cuts, I had to make a decision in the spring of 2011.  These amazing former co-workers were my connection to getting a job back in my former district that fall.  The friends that I met and worked with during those 10 years cannot be matched.  I will treasure their friendship always.

-that I have a job, which gives me an income to have a car, home, food, and more.

-my aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family.  They are always there when I need them.

-the pastor of the church where I have been visiting.  She has been so welcoming and friendly.

-my Girl Scout troop, which has given me something to focus my time and energy on during this very crazy year.  It is also a time I get to spend with my niece, which I treasure. My co-leader is pretty fabulous too!  Couldn't do it without her!

I know people will see this and think, "Why didn't she mention me?" or "Why didn't she mention so and so or such and such?"  I know that my list could go on and on and on.  There are so many people, experiences, and things I am thankful for these days.  As sure as I post this, I will think of something else.  Who knows?  Maybe I will just keep coming back to this post and updating it.