Mediocrity?

Two posts in two days :). This morning I had the pleasure of sitting on our deck with my husband. It was glorious, both our conversation and the weather. We admired the very clear pool before us and marveled at how well the automatic pool vacuum was working (it doesn't take much). At that moment life all worked...no snags. As we sat there and talked about our dreams, where we think our mountains are and how we think we can get over them, my husband made a, we think, profound statement. He said "We all wake up the same, mediocre..." That's where we separate into groups. Those who are satisfied with mediocrity, those who aren't but lack the drive to push out of mediocrity, and those who have a PLAN and take the steps to overcome mediocrity We definitely have not been part of that third group. We WANT to be part of that group, but sadly are not. For instance, I have a boat load of projects I'd like to do, from organization to actual home decor. I think about it, but fail to actually put it down on a to do list so I can take the steps to complete it. I think partly because of accountability. If its down on my list then I have to do it. Sure I make all kinds of excuses...I don't have supplies, I don't have money to get the supplies, I'm busy, I'm tired...blah blah blah. C'mon...I've seen those documentaries on teachers who create classes with next to nothing. We are not happy with mediocrity. Mediocrity doesn't bring joy to us. I want my life to make a difference in other people's. I want to be pleasing to God and do His will. I could be wrong, but I can't think of any mediocre people in the Bible that made a difference. There was drive. So...great conversation, provoking great thoughts, establishing great plans to create a great life.

Apparently I am making this a one post a year blog 😕... I do have good intentions though. I will be entering into my 4th year of teaching the First Grade! I love it. I think it's such a great age. You can be silly and they love it...you can discipline them and they still love you...you can get hugs and homemade pictures daily...what's not to love?! 😊 Just yesterday I received a call from a parent of one of my last year students. She said that her daughter was having a sleepover with another of my students and they wouldn't leave her alone until she called me so they could say hi! Melt my heart!! Each year I try to come up with better ways to do things (as I'm sure we all do) to make these kiddos excited. It is always so exciting to actually implement some of the ideas. This year I really want to have a classroom blog...I'm just afraid I won't follow through with it, kinda like this one. I see so many out there and it looks fun. 😳So...maybe I will and maybe I won't, but its exciting to think about it anyhow.

Come sit on the porch!

I am so excited about this post because it is my first post with a picture! YES!! I have to admit that I sometimes over react and blind myself when I feel overwhelmed. It really wasn't that hard to attach a picture. I plan on getting better too, so please don't laugh at my baby steps. :)

I have always loved front porches with rocking chairs. I think they look so inviting. Wrap around porches are my favorite, but all porches can work. We moved to our house last year and the owner left two wooden rocking chairs that had seen better days. Much better days. I loved their look so we decided to try and "refurb" them. Well, if you read my last post you will know how that panned out. BUT...last week I was on spring break and with the help of my handy father-in-law I COMPLETED the project! I must admit I was extremely proud. So now I have a front porch and two beautiful chairs to sit and rock on. Come sit on the porch and visit!



The Collie in background is a whole other story that you can read about on devonblogs.com

I am trying AGAIN

Yes, I am trying again...no not for another baby! I am going to try to Blog again. I felt I started off pretty well, but then quickly, very quickly it fizzled out. Devon and I were just talking about this very thing today. So many times in our life we have good intentions. We talk about things and even make lists, but those good intentions, talks and lists do not accomplish the goal...the great idea. I can always come up with excuses (some good and some questionable), as to why the end result was a bust. Sure, I got frustrated because I didn't know how to post pictures on the blog, I got busy, this happened, that happened. It really is a vicious cycle I do not wish to continue. Someone has to break it, why not us?

So, here is try two. I,again, will do my best.

Exciting New Chapter

I am excited to announce that I have a new chapter opening up in my life. I will be teaching the First Grade at Apostolic Christian Academy (ACA)! This is an answer to a prayer and I feel very blessed and honored to have this opportunity. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a teacher, as do most little girls. My friends and I would set all of our dolls out, drag out the chalkboard, create worksheets and play school all afternoon. Now, that childhood fantasy is coming true and I am beyond excited...and a bit nervous. These precious children I will be teaching are living souls, not plastic funky haired dolls. I do not take this new position lightly, but hold it with the utmost respect. I want to offer these children much more than numbers, letters and facts. I want them to feel the excitement of learning and to know the love of Jesus. I have been spending the last few days researching and jotting down ideas that I think my help in accomplishing the goal. I am going to give this great opportunity my very best. I trust My Lord and know that if I give him my best he will make up where my best may come up short.

Where are the Sweet Treats?

Our home usually contains some sort of sweet treat. Some may frown on this...but I find it a necessity. I don't allow my children to sit around gorging on unhealthy sugar filled treats all day, but I personally do not have a problem with enjoying goodies. We aren't talking gourmet, perfectly decorated desserts...just plain delicious sweets. At any given time we will have either brownies, cookies or cake...you know, the basic make, bake and eat treats. Most of our sweets contain chocolate. Chocolate is a life saver at times. I am sure many ladies would wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes when we get desperate we will munch on chocolate chips...not super exciting to me, but add a spoonful of peanut butter and you have yourself a real winner. On this particular day however, we have nothing! Well, we do have ice cream, but it contains NO candy pieces...that, to me, doesn't cut it. So here I am, going through chocolate withdrawal, watching the Food Network. And what are they talking about...SWEETS! I am sure I will survive, even if that means that I snack on another of our family favorites. Well, Dakota seems to have graduated from this "treat", and Devon never was a fan, but it is something that was passed down by my grandfather. It is called the Peanut Butter Deluxe. You place one or two slices of bread on a plate, smear it with peanut butter and then pour maple syrup on top. It may sound weird...but it is soooo good! I know it has no chocolate, but it has peanut butter, which is my second MUST HAVE. I just had an AHA moment! I sometimes wonder if I am passing any family traditions down to my children. The Peanut Butter Deluxe may not seem very significant, but it is SOMETHING...Right?

What is in the closet?

If you came into my house, I am happy to say that you would find a clean and orderly place to relax in. I do not like clutter, it makes me irritable (to say the least) and very frazzled. Why then are my drawers and closets a different story? Just because you can't SEE them without taking the time to actually open them, does that make it all right that they aren't as neat and tidy as the rest of the house? I don't think so, yet I must admit that is how it is. Sure, they may not be as bad as the shelves of KMART during a blue light special (that is probably dating myself), but none the less they are not up to standard and that really bothers me. Unfortunately, this is a bad habit I seem to be passing down to my children. They know how upset I get when their rooms are not totally picked up. My little one said last night as I peered in her closet stuffed with baby dolls and their clothes, purses, hanging clothes (not hanging), books... "Mommy, I just wanted you to think my room was clean, and be happy" :'-( Beak my heart. Really, how can I be upset with her when she obviously learned it from SOMEONE. So, today, being a new day, we are starting with her room. We are finding a place for everything and putting everything in its place. I read that in all of the organizing magazines...and it is so true. When something doesn't have a home, where do you put it? Anywhere where you can't SEE it...which begins this whole cycle. Time to break the cycle and clean what you can't see! Hmmm...I bet there is a message in that...