What a fun start to summer!

Wow, I finally feel like summer is in full gear! Todd is a 12 month employee so I get my days to myself to play and enjoy the summer but Todd also gets to come home a little earlier than during the school year, so I get to spend the evenings with him! We went to the lake for Memorial Day and spent time with my sister, Avery, my soon to be brother in law, Curtis, and my dad. (Kel and mom were moving Kel to Austin this past weekend) 

My sweet dad, he has spent 40 years watching my mom be a hostess to everyone she knows, including her grown children, so with her absent, he TRIED his hardest to be her replacement. He put cushions out on the deck, had wine in the wine cooler, and even cooked breakfast for 3 mornings (typical male meal: bacon, eggs, and oatmeal). One morning he even said "guys, I am going to make us some pancakes." We were excited until he pulled out the frozen pancakes and asked "how many do you want? I have to heat them up in the microwave!" Okay, nothing against frozen pancakes, I like any breakfast items, it just made me laugh because he thought he was the greatest cook ever! Sweet dad, I sure do love him!

We spent time with my parents best friends and their kids who are like siblings to us. It was such a wonderful relaxing time. Todd and I LOVE going to the lake because we truly relax. Our phones dont work all the time so the only people we talk to are the people we see. It is really a time to focus on family and just enjoy the lake! Cooper even took his first boat ride....wish I had a picture of it! I think he was scared to death but he didnt try to jump out so we called it a success!

Lastly, I am about to start a new devotional in the morning called Praying with a Purpose.  I think God is really trying to teach me about my prayer life and so, I am listening! Cant wait to find out what this book teaches me...I will keep you updated, and probably be praying for you too!

Did I mention, I love summer!

God proves Himself...again!

Okay, God is God and He does not have to PROVE Himself to us, but isnt it great when He does?! So, we all face things in our life where we wonder "Why me?" or "What am I supposed to learn from this?" Well, this year has been that way for me in many areas of life. Todd and I have spent many nights in prayer over certain issues and today seemed to be another dead end. I believe that God is tough enough and big enough for us to ask Him questions. I do not believe we need to doubt God but He knows our feelings, so I believe we are best to admit them to God. So, in the midst of tears and being brutally honest with God today, the radio in my car suddenly started playing the song "Blessings" by Laura Story. I have heard this song 100 times but suddenly it was VERY applicable. Isn't God good? While I am questioning God and asking why he lets certain things occur, he provides a song that proves He is listening to me (even me!) Hopefully the lyrics help others going through things that they dont understand!

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

Isnt God great? In the midst of anger and questions towards God, He provides a love song! 

The life of a teacher....

As I count down the days left in the school year (12 to be exact!), I started to think about all the different aspects of being a teacher. Only as a teacher can you train your bladder to feel a sense of urgency exactly TWO times a day. Only as a teacher can you eat lunch in 12 minutes flat, while answering emails and controlling 27 ten year olds. Only as a teacher can you have parents blame you for their child's behavior in the classroom, on the bus, AND at home! Only as a teacher can you hear whispers behind your back and know EXACTLY who was talking, what they were saying, and why it isnt appropriate. Only as a teacher can you teach a child the required curriculum all while teaching them not to pick their nose, pass gas, hit the person next to them, and still maintain patience. LASTLY, only in MY CLASSROOM can you have the following conversations:

Teacher: Dear(student's name), this conversation is making me want to jump off a bridge!
Student: Mrs. Freeman, that is amazing....can I please drive you to that bridge!

Teacher: Dear (student's name), you have started tap dancing on my last nerve....
Student: ohhh man, I didnt know I knew how to tap dance, I was hoping to jump and land on your last nerve!

Teacher:  Okay (student's name), please listen this time. I have given these directions 12 times.
Student: Well, I guess you need a little more patience. Twelve doesnt sound like alot

Teacher: (Students name), why are you making those weird noises?
Student: What noises?
Other Student: Havent you met him, we got a class of whackos!

Teacher: How was your weekend, (student's name)?
Student: You want the truth or you want me to tell you it was okay?
Teacher: What do you mean? Was it bad?
Student: No it was awesome, but if I told you the truth I would probably get in trouble, so Ill just lie and say it was fine!

Student: Can I show you how to do this (whatever the popular dance was at the time)
Teacher: Sure (teacher tries to dance)
Student: ummmmm, you are definitely white!

Student: Why do white girls have different hair than black girls?
Teacher: What do you mean?
Student: white girls never hit their heads when they itch and they cant take their hair out in the middle of class, thats boring!

and my very favorite......
Student: Mrs. Freeman, you got a hot legs!

Okay, so it sounds like my classroom is crazy, and that is because it is! God has blessed me with this group of kids. They are funny, keep me guessing, and definitely keep me praying!! I am so excited for summer but I will be honest, I will miss these sweet kids when they venture to Drake Middle School.

I promise, all those conversations have really happened in the last few weeks!