Burned Face, Full Heart

Those of you that know me probably know how much I LOVE my job. It's really not about the money (honestly, it's education!), but it is just that I really feel like I am doing what God created me to do. Carl Junction Junior High is my mission field and counseling students is my mission. Beyond that, it is a job that combines my strengths and forgives my weaknesses. Sometimes I mess up in my job, but I always have the opportunity to take those mess-ups as learning experiences and strive to do better and better.

Although I truly love every day in my job (yes, even state testing days), some days are more rewarding than others and today was one of those days. I guess the funny thing about this is that Special Olympics really is not in my job description, but just one of those side things that I get the opportunity to help with a couple of times a year. I have gotten to help with SO Bowling in the Fall the last three years, but this was the first year that I wrapped up my test coordinator responsibilities in time to get to go to track and field.

Honestly, Special Olympics Track and Field was as amazing of an experience as I imagined. The kids were so excited to be there and they competed their little hearts out! The forecast was for rain last night into today, but one of our SO sponsors had E-mailed our entire staff to pray for sun...and sun there was (hence my "burned face").

My absolute favorite moment of the day was as follows:

One of my favorite little junior high girls (she is PRECIOUS!) was really nervous to run the 100 meter dash. Her parents, brother, nephew, teacher, teacher's aides, and myself were along the sidelines and finish lines to cheer her on, but, when they sounded the starter pistol, she froze. Really, I thought she was going to cry. But, one of the volunteers grabbed her hand and walked, then jogged with her to get her started (of course, by this time, the other athletes had already passed the finish line). Then, she gained her confidence, let go of the volunteer's hand, and ran the rest of the way to the end of the race. She got last place, but the ginormous smile on her face would not have given that away. She hugged all of us who were there to cheer her on and went to watch the "medal ceremony."

Thank you, Jesus, for my awesome job and for little miracles. May I take note of little victories every day!

An "Oops" Moment

I have stooped to a new low! In my attempt to save a dollar, I had what my hubs lovingly referred to as an "oops" moment. First of all, in my defense, let me just say that Camden's hair grows like a bunch of little weeds on his head. That boy SERIOUSLY needs a haircut like every four weeks or less. So, I thought "How hard could it be?!" and took notes the last time we were at the beauty shop. (I bet you know where this is going!)

It started out just fine:

Easy Cheesy, right?

But then, it happened!

Daddy tried to fix it...

but, ultimately, it was Granny to the rescue!

So, tell me...do I attempt it again or go for the long-standing 45 minute appointment every 4 weeks? After all, it is just ten bucks!

Easter

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An Incredibly Good Friday

Good Friday means a lot of things to our family. First and foremost, it is time to think about and praise God for his ultimate sacrifice. Though I have been a Christian for a long time, the sacrifice of God's only Son means more and more to me with each passing year. I also have to say that being a parent has brought a whole new meaning to what was actually done to save me from my sins!!

Another thing about Good Friday is that, as educators, we usually get the day off to spend with our family. Since our lives are ridiculously crazy (seriously!), it was so nice to just take the day and spend quality time with each other. We went to Springfield to this amazing fabric store to purchase fabric for our upcoming reupholstry job (more on that later) and then took the kids to Incredible Pizza. I had some left-over free coupons for the kids, so we all had free buffets, drinks, and $20 worth of game play for FREE!! That's my kind of bargain!

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When we got home from Springfield, we went to church for our choir program. It was so cute because before our second song, the kids in Melia's Sunday School class and the year above them (the Kindergarteners) came out and sang "Deep and Wide." She did so good...she's a natural on stage, even if she is a little shy! It was a neat way to wrap up the day celebrating the reason for our day off...Christ's death and resurrection.

March: A Month of Significant Numbers

Several things happened this past month and it got me to thinking that we had some "significant" numbers in our lives on the 3rd month of 2010:

On March 1st, Trevor celebrated his 30th birthday.

On March 11th, we celebrated our 10th anniversary.

On March 13th, we left for Mexico and spent 7 days and nights on our anniversary vacation.

On March 19th, on our way home from the Tulsa airport, our little faithful 1999 Nissan Altima turned 150,000 miles.

On March 20th, I turned 30 and there were 8 inches of snow on the ground!!

Lastly, on March 25th, there was 1 HUGE sigh of relief at our house because Trevor received word that he was being offered the Assistant Principal job at our Junior High!! It is exactly the job that he wanted and I am SO PROUD of him!!!

Our 10 Year Anniversary Trip

Customize your own scrapbook Well, we did it...we left our kids for 7 days and celebrated our 10 year anniversary in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. We had an amazing time of sun, relaxation, and reconnecting. I would absolutely recommend a life "time-out" for any married couple...it was totally worth it to invest in each other and our relationship. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for watching our little angels so we could take our trip. We totally owe you!

Trevor's Surprise 30th Birthday Party

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So, I'm a little late with this post, but I'm always late, so that probably goes without saying!

My beloved hubby turned 30 on March 1st. I could NOT let it go unnoticed, and you KNOW how I love me some party action!! SO, I booked a surprise birthday party at the House of Bounce (yes, it is traditionally a kid's place, but, we're sort of like kids...ok, only at heart!). Anyway, we had his party the Saturday before his birthday and it was super fun. We all wore out a little faster than I anticipated, but I guess that's what you get with a party of "old folk"! HA! It was not without it's flaws...I am a horrible liar, his mother asked him what time his party was, etc. ;)...but I think we pulled it off the best we could.

P.S. To all our friends who came to the party; thank you for continuing to be our friends even after I made you run up and down the Cars slide until you felt like your lungs were going to explode! We love you all dearly for humoring us and seriously for being such an amazing part of our lives! :)