05/31/08

Me and Steve... fifteen years together. I took this picture last night before we went out to eat. I had to chuckle at how much we have changed in fifteen years. Last night we watched our honeymoon video and had a lot of chuckles. We went to the beach and I think Steve videotaped every shrimp boat that was out at sea that week. We could not believe how YOUNG we looked! (Steve had brown hair... and I didn't have to dye mine to look brown! ha!!!) It was funny to watch us think we were "all grown up" and we really had no clue as to what love and life was about. I am so thankful for how we have grown together. Watching that last night made me realize how far we have come. I can honestly say I loved Steve then, but I love him oh so much more now.

This afternoon we had some of our teens come over to our house for part of a progressive dinner. I found out how I am not "cut out" to be with teens. ha!! I am so used to little kids that it took me a while to know what to say to them! Is that crazy or what! lol Steve was GREAT with them all and I enjoyed watching him talk with them. We had the appetizer and so I made guacamole this morning and we had chips and salsa to go with it. They seemed to love it. I knew teenagers pretty much devoured everything in sight... and I was right. lol That is what I have to look forward to times two in a few years. We just won't talk about that right now, though, will we??

Earlier today, Mikayla and I went to my best friend's girls dance recital. I couldn't stay for the entire program because I had to get back home for the teens coming, but I got to see most of their dances. Mikayla wanted to stay so I figured that would be fun for her. She had a blast and loved being with her best friend. It was fun watching them. Let's just say I am not coordinated enough to dance. lol

I am posting rose pictures from my flowers Steve bought for me. I find roses can be difficult to capture because there are so many "layers" so I experimented with these. I was pleased with many of them this time because I tried different angles. I am continuing to challenge myself to think outside of the box with all flowers. In fact, there were a few moments I just sat there yesterday staring at the flowers trying to get a different perspective. I will close with all of these pictures. I hope you enjoy. :)

05/30/08

These pictures are from the flowers Steve put in the front of the church for me on Sunday. The first one is one of my favorites simply because of the way the green flower (have no idea the name of it) is "snuggled" up to the rose. It makes me think of me being 'sheltered and safe' near my man. The second shot is just another view of the same flower. I love my flowers and had a great time photographing them today. You'll see more shots of them later.

Tonight Steve and I went out to eat for our anniversary at the Angus Barn. We love that place. It was so nice to just be with him and enjoy HIM. I will also say again... I am SO BLESSED to have Steve as my husband. Sometimes I take for granted what we have, but talking today with some people who don't have the same kind of relationship with their spouse showed me, yet again, that he is something special.

Yesterday was the last day of school. I didn't talk about it because yesterday's post was in honor of my sweet guy. :) I can't believe the school year is over but I truly am ready for some rejuvenation this summer. It is always sad to see my kids leave me on that day, though.

I have to mention this about one of my students. After our awards assembly was over one of my Moms told me her son had something for me. She said it was definitely different but that it was from the heart. When they came back to my room, the little guy gave me a pillow he had sewed himself. It is not something you see in the 'latest and greatest' home decor magazines but that pillow brought tears to my eyes and meant more to me than he will ever know. To think he took a skill I taught him and made me something from it was precious. It was all his idea, too. He even tore up one of their pillows in the house just so he'd have enough stuffing. ha! I will always keep that pillow and treasure it simply because he made it from the heart. Maybe one day when he graduates I'll take it to him and show him. I am quite sentimental so it won't be leaving this house.

Last night was graduation and we all attended, as I put in my post yesterday. My best friend's daughter graduated last night. I still can't believe she is old enough to graduate. It was a great ceremony and I had a few tears with that as well. I've been shedding a lot of those lately, it seems!! I am just so proud of her and her accomplishments. We know God has great plans in store for her.

Last night I also got to see some of my former students who graduated two years ago. Talk about near and dear to your heart... these guys are definitely there. To know that they still love "Mrs. Fowler" after 13 years is pretty special, too. We talked for a while and then they actually came and sat with us at the restaurant where we were eating after the ceremony. I'm going to have those boys over for supper soon. I just realized I still call them boys, but they are over 20 now so I should call them men!! My students may leave my classroom but they never leave my heart.

I should close now... I am feeling quite loved these last few days so I am cherishing the moments. I hope you cherish your moments as well...

05/29/08

Fifteen years ago...

May 29, 1993
2:31 pm

That is when Steve and I were married....

It is hard to believe it has already been fifteen years. Time surely flies when you are having fun. My pictures of today are of our wedding bands we exchanged fifteen years ago. I now wear his old wedding band... long story now but he has a new one... and he added a ten year band to the collection five years ago. These rings are something I admire and love to look at every day of my life. He had the rope bands made just for me fifteen years ago. He had the ten year band made five years ago. Those rings mean so much to me and stand for what we committed to on this date. I can remember the rings feeling funny when we finished saying our vows because there were "so many" of them. Now, I feel lost without them on. Since I now wear his old wedding band, it is on my middle finger right beside my wedding bands he gave me. I wanted to always keep him close. He can't wear his wedding band to work every day because of his job, but every chance he wears it, there is nothing like seeing that band on his finger.

I am so blessed by the man to whom I am married. I never thought I could love someone more and more each day, but that statement is so true. It does not mean that every day is perfect... but it means that each day the commitment I made fifteen years ago to love and cherish him every day of my life is continuing to stay strong.

I look back on our fifteen years. To some, it is a drop in the bucket compared to the life they have shared with their spouse, to others it is a huge milestone because they haven't made it that "far." To me, these fifteen years have been about growing. Growing in each other, growing personally and learning how to live together. So many times people grow apart instead of closer. That has not been the case with Steve and myself. We've had our moments like any other couple, but we have always come back together.

I think of how far I have come as a spouse. I used to get angry over the silliest things. I used to "pout" when I didn't get my way. That isn't to say I still don't have moments like these but they are few and far between. I am continuing to learn that marriage isn't about ME, it is about US. I am so thankful my thoughts have changed and I am able to look past myself and see Steve's needs. That is a continual growing process that has not been mastered, but is stronger and better than fifteen years ago.

Many of you know Steve who read this. Some of you do not. This is what he is all about...

Steve is:

a godly man
a wonderful provider for our family
tenderhearted
strong
sweet
compassionate
helpful
willing
always there for me
patient with me
tough
a hard worker

...my best friend....

I cherish all of the times we have together. We are usually just a "boring" married couple because of day to day life but that is what LIVING is all about, is it not? Loving each other through the mundane tasks of day to day, the hurts or pains in life all the way to the special moments that are surprises. I couldn't imagine loving someone else who would love me the way Steve loves me. I am blessed.

He surprised me Sunday and had flowers put at the front of the church in honor of me for our anniversary. I'll post pictures of those later.

We're spending our anniversary with hundreds of other people at our school's graduation tonight. As I sit in the choir loft with the other teachers, I will be looking for the one in the crowd who made my heart go "pitter-patter" so many years ago now. I will search for him and wish I could be sitting with him, but my heart will be with his. Tomorrow night we'll go out to eat and celebrate. I can't wait. :)

This day is so special because it is the day I married my best friend. I pray your day is a great one as well.

05/27/08

Here are a few more pics from the Zoo. :) These baboons were quite entertaining. The little ones were chasing each other and I even caught them in mid-air.... loved that shot. The one sitting by himself was just "chillin'" I guess. :)

Today was our picnic for our grade. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful time. I enjoy getting the chance to chat with parents and watch the kids enjoy playing. They worked hard this year so they deserved a break. :) We had half a day and I almost didn't know what to do with myself! I find when school lets out that the first few weeks I feel "lost" like I should be doing something. I am just not used to all of the "free time" on my hands. lol My house will stay clean, though! Now, I will definitely enjoy being home so my house will stay cleaner.

Wesley and Mikayla also had a great day. Mom said they were "lazy" all day and she let them be. lol They watched a lot of TV and hung out on the couch most of the time, I believe, which they had earned so I didn't worry.

I am finding I am really beginning to enjoy the age they are right now. I am watching their sense of humor "blossom" and their silly ways. I am also continuing to learn how to raise a boy. lol Wesley is ALL BOY and I never fully understood that until I had Wesley. He loves critters and such... he is just like that poem people always talk about of "What Little Boys are Made of...." Mikayla is definitely a "girly-girl" and cracks me up with some of the things she does. I was not a tomboy but I wasn't a girly-girl either, so this is a bit new to me as well.

They cleaned out the barn area yesterday and Wesley came in telling me he wanted a cow. lol Now, that thought has crossed my mind and I even asked Daddy what he thought about it earlier this spring. Daddy thinks it would be a good thing for Wesley and that he would enjoy it. It would also teach him different responsibilities. We'll see how things pan out but I won't be making any promises to Wes yet. That cow would be SO rotten!! Mikayla wants a horse. I don't think she'll be getting one, though... they are a bit more expensive. lol She wants to do horseback riding but I am not sure whether that is a phase because someone in her class does it or if she truly wants to do it. I'm giving that a little more time to see.

I have decided I am going to read some tonight. I am really enjoying getting in some reading without falling asleep all of the time. I plan on doing lots of that this summer. :)

Enjoy your evening. I know I will!!! ;)

05/26/08

I'm going to show various animal pics today. :) I took the honeybee today around some of our bushes. It was one of my favorites. I just loved watching them be busy going from flower to flower. I also loved seeing all of that pollen on them! They tru ly were amazing to watch. I took a zillion photos of them but only kept a few. Isn't that the way it always goes??

The second pic is from the Zoo when I went in April. I love this shot of the zebra.

The third shot is the meerkat from the Zoo as well. They are so cute to me!

Well, today was Memorial Day. It is a day that was set aside after the Civil War to remember those who fought for our country. I wonder how many people really thought about that today and gave thanks for all our freedom. So many times we now think of Memorial Day as the vacation time to start the summer and not for what it was meant. I am so thankful for the sacrifices that were made and are still made today so that I may live in a free country. America isn't perfect by any means, but it is still the greatest nation in which to live. I think of those people around the world who suffer so much because of where they live. Oh that we will truly be thankful....

Today I cleaned the house and did a few things that have been "hanging over me" for a few weeks. I actually cleaned off my desk which was a great achievement!! It still has a few things that need "tweeking" but it is much better than before. :) It was nice to clean the house and get that behind me. I would have done it Saturday but Mikayla and I did some shopping for my end of the year stuff. It was great girl time while Steve had "guy" time with Wesley. I enjoyed it very much.

I actually sat outside and read on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I know that is shocking. I also stayed awake long enough to read several chapters. That is just unheard of for me during the school year. lol It was awesome and beautiful to be outside.

The kids don't have school tomorrow because they took their half day pass they had earned from doing summer stuff last year. They are spending the night with Mom and Dad and enjoying the day with their Mimi. I would have brought them to school with me so they could go to my end of the year picnic for my class, but those poor kiddos have to get up early all of the time and be at school a lot longer than most kids so I figured they needed a day away. :)

Steve and I are going to eat some supper and then watch a movie, I think. I really enjoyed today. It was beautiful outside again!

Have a great evening..... :)

05/23/08

Sorry for not posting much this week. It has been a bit stressful with trying to get all of the last minute things done for the end of school. I decided to do a couple of different pictures tonight. I took these pics of money right after I got my new lens. I was so amazed at how close it could get. They remind me of what I teach. lol I must say I like the new nickels with Thomas Jefferson's face like that. You can tell that this particular nickel has seen some scratches along the way. Our "new" quarters have been around for a bit, but they are still neat to observe. In the quarter I focused specifically on "In God We Trust." He is definitely Who I trust with everything I have!! You know, I am looking at these two coins side by side and seeing the "P" on each one. I seem to recall learning what that was but now am not remembering. I am sure my friend Amy will know. She is always finding out new and exciting facts. :)

I can't believe today was the last day for me to teach my kids for this year. We still have school next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but they are half days and we'll be doing picnics, Field Day and Awards Day..... so they don't really "count" for teaching. This afternoon one of my kids said "Today is our last Friday with Mrs. Fowler!" and they all seemed a bit sad about that. That kind of hit me like a brick. On one hand I am SO READY to get out for the summer. I am weary and in need of recharging, but on the other hand, I have come to love these kiddos. They were telling me they wanted me to move up to third grade. lol I think I'll stay in second.... I kind of know what to do for that grade. ha!

It is kind of the same every year. I work with the students all year long and pour my heart and soul into what I want them to learn and then they have to leave me! I was looking at them today and thinking about how they were when they first walked in my room. Some of them had "heard things" about Mrs. Fowler and were quite nervous. (LOL... I have a reputation for being tough and like "Atilla the Hun"; but they mistaken that for the fact that I expect obedience and that I challenge my students to reach higher and not settle for anything less than their best.) I had some kids who were excited but didn't know what to expect, and then I had those who I had taught siblings and they knew what was in store for them for the most part. All of those little heads were staring at me that first day not realizing what was ahead of them. I can honestly look back on this year and see so much growth in all of them. I've seen growth in myself as well! It is always sad to see a group go in a way because you finally have them knowing what you expect and how to do it all and it is time for them to move on to the next grade. I'll have to start over in the fall with a new "crop!!" lol

I am so ready for summer, but the last week of school is ALWAYS bittersweet for me. I just won't think about it much this weekend... I'll deal with it when I have to.

Speaking of bittersweet.... my best friend's daughter is graduating this year. We have her graduation party tomorrow night. I taught her and she is so special to me so this is a bit hard. I know I am going to cry... I have watched her grow up and turn into a fine young lady. I just can't believe how quickly ten years have passed since she was this shy little thing in my class who was scared of me the first week of school. ha!! My, how times have changed things....

The kids are having a sleepover in Wesley's room tonight. They love doing those types of things and I know they are making sweet memories.

I'm off to settle down on the couch and watch something.... I just am not sure what it will be. It is hard to find anything good on TV anymore it seems. Tomorrow is a Saturday that I don't have a lot planned and I will be in no rush to do anything. ha!! :)

Have a great evening....

05/19/08

Here are some more iris. :) Tired of them yet? These were also taken at the arboretum. The purple ones look alike, but I have different aperatures set. (part of the flower that is blurry) The yellow ones were a bit hard to photograph between the sun where it was in the sky as well as how they are made. These weren't my favorite pics but they are still pretty.

Monday... the first day of the last full week of school. :) I am ready. Good day overall. My kids had projects on countries due today so we were busy with that. On top of that we had a party at lunch so it wasn't a typical day but one I think the kids enjoyed.

I am having to keep reminding myself to take one day at a time and one minute at a time. I was getting a bit overwhelmed this morning with all that needs to be done between now and the end of school, but I am "checking them off" and doing it little by little.

This afternoon we were able to come straight home after school. It was such a blessing to be able to do that!! I actually had an errand to run but didn't feel the need... I felt we needed to just go home. The errand can wait. It was also nice to not have any homework or papers to grade tonight. Wesley and Mikayla finished up homework last week. I have given my students some this week but it is very light so it is almost like they don't have any. I know we are all ready for a break. :)

To tell you how tired we all are getting, here are some silly quotes from ME today. (Other teachers are having similar problems... lol) "Mikayla, go to my van and look for Daddy's truck." You should have seen the look she gave me on that one. It was supposed to be "Mikayla, go to my van and look for Daddy's cell phone." Then, this afternoon when my boys were coming out of the bathroom I was reminding them to tuck in their shirts as I always do.... well, it came out "Tuck in your shoes!" The little boy I said that to looked at me quite strangely, smiled and then tried to "tuck in his shoes." LOL Humor can be found in many places this time of year. Of course, if you are around me long you'll find I do that on many occasions... not just the end of the year.

When we got home this afternoon I bit the bullet and ordered our new computer! We have been talking about it for over a year now and have had to wait. We finally had what we needed and I called and ordered what I wanted. With the one I have now I ordered the thing online and had no clue as to what I was doing. This time I wanted to talk with a real live person and give them what I needed and go from there. It should arrive in a couple of weeks. I am pretty excited. I told the guy I needed LOTS of memory for all of my pictures. I think I got what I wanted. hee hee...

Have I mentioned how nice it was to come home and have a relaxed afternoon? The kids have loved it and have been playing and taking their time doing things without me on them getting them to hurry up. That is what I love about summer. :)

Off to do a few more things before I read to the kids and get them to bed. I know it is warmer today (not too warm, but beautiful) but I believe I truly may have some coffee tonight. Steve is out later again and not sure when he'll get home. Maybe he'll want some as well. :)

Have a great evening... I hope it is relaxing.

05/18/08

I am back to showing some iris pictures. :) These were actually taken a few weeks back at the arboretum. The irises were in the Oriental Garden area and there was a trellis above them. That is why you see light and dark. I thought it gave the flowers a neat look. You may not agree. lol

This weekend has been nice because I didn't have a lot going on. I can't remember the last weekend that was like that. Of course, the next couple are going to be crazy again... and then June.. well, let's just say life is busy! lol

Yesterday the kids and I worked on cleaning this house. WHEW... that was something. I truly have not had a chance to do a full clean since their party. It has been hit and miss cleaning. I was quite glad to get it all clean and shiny again. It took us most of the day to get it all done on top of a zillion loads to wash but I was at a slower pace which suited me just fine.

Mikayla got me tickled and reminded me so much of myself as I was growing up. Her trashcan had "gunk" in it and needed serious cleaning. I told her to clean it out and put a trash bag in it. I observed that it had been done, but it had been done a bit too quickly so I felt it was important to "check." Let's just say that all of the loose stuff had been thrown out, but the "gunk" was still there. I informed her she would resume cleaning it until it was all clean. She didn't like that idea as much but I told her I would be inspecting it upon her completing the task so it had to be done well. lol She had to go back around 4 times because she halfway cleaned it. Now, I must admit I had flashbacks to my own childhood. I am continually amazed at how well my mother dealt with me and did not throw me out the window for such things as Mikayla was doing. LOL Mikayla was none too happy with me when I sent her back those times, but eventually we had a clean trashcan and she learned a good lesson. For now... I am sure the next time she will learn something again. I just remember having those same thoughts as a little girl towards my Mom, though. lol

I continue to be amazed at how much my children are like me. It is quite scary some days. I guess that is why I know what they are thinking when I just look at them. I have "been there, done that" and learned the hard way, too, that I didn't always get my way. lol I wonder if MY Mom was like that with her Mom???? lol

Speaking of knowing what they are thinking... that reminds me of what we talked about in Sunday School this morning. We were in Psalm 139 and were reading the whole chapter but the first few verses are what "got me" this morning. It talks about how God has searched us and known us and knows our thoughts afar off. Our teacher was talking about how we say "we know what you were about to say" to our children or spouse or someone close to us, but we don't really KNOW what they are about to say. God does. He knows what we were doing five years ago at 5:55 pm on May 18. Do I remember that? NO!! He also knows five years into the future. He knows all. Again, these are verses that I have read and understood my whole life, but I grasped in a different way today.

God knew me before I was born, knows me at this moment and knows all of what I will do and be in the future. It puts a new perspective on our thought life!! Since God knows us completely who are we to think we can hide anything from Him?? It has caused me to really think about what I think about! I am continually learning that I want to be pleasing to the Lord. I am not perfect and there are days I fail miserably, but I am thankful that God never gives up on me.

OH! I forgot to mention that I had a "photo shoot" yesterday afternoon. Mikayla joined me to help and Wesley and Steve had a golf outing. These two little girls were too cute. They are cousins just eight weeks apart (one is seven months and the other is nine months). Their mothers are twins! They were so good and did a wonderful job. Mikayla was all about these two babies. IfSteve and I hadn't had two at one time and been "done", Mikayla would have made a wonderful big sister. She does love little ones so much.

Well, I have a book calling me. Why is it when you actually get time to read while children are awake that you feel guilty that you aren't doing something else? I finally finished the book I have been working on for some time this afternoon while Steve was working on the kids thank you notes for their birthday party. (I must admit, that was a bit "cruel" to put all of that on him. lol I faced that last year with them and felt the need to let him share in the joy this year. He didn't fully agree. ha!!! I kept walking in and smiling and winking at him between working on stuff for church and grading some papers. He would "act mad" and start laughing knowing I was teasing. I just told him he was sharing in the joys of helping two out at the same time... something I do every day. hee hee) I am thankful Steve is a good natured kind of guy. :) They have now gone to Walmart to get a few things we needed for school this week that we forgot to get the other day. I am going to go read again. These times are few and far between when I can actually read a page without falling asleep halfway through!! ha!

Have a great evening. If it is a bit cool and rainy where you are like it is here, go have some coffee. :) Let's just say we have definitely had a spring in NC this year. Usually we go from winter/spring like to sweltering summer. It has been nice but has caught us off guard from what we have been used to having!

OK... really, I am leaving now. Have a great one!

05/16/08

These pictures of roses are in honor of my parents.
Today is my Mom and Dad's 44th wedding anniversary. What a blessing it is to know my parents have loved each other through thick and thin and have stayed together all of these years. In a world surrounded by people who don't commit to anything, it is a wonderful thing to see them still together. They have had a lot of tough times in their marriage, which brought them closer together, but have had many great times as well. I always remember lots of laughter and I never heard them argue. That doesn't mean they didn't have their disagreements.... it just means they waited until we were gone to bed to discuss them. I don't think they have ever raised their voice at each other. At least, no times that I recall.

They have a marriage that mine has yet to attain, but as Steve and I grow older together I pray we will be where they are. I continue to observe how they are together and they still do the same things now that they did when I was growing up. Mom is always the first person Daddy sees when he comes home and he always kisses her. We were important to him, but not as important as Mom. They always talk about each other in such uplifting and praiseworthy ways when they talk about the other one when they are with other people.

It is so true when Mom and Dad say they are each other's Best Friend. They get into their "little world" when Daddy comes home at night and they share about their days. They depend on each other and support each other through all times of life. Theirs is a comittment that lasts the test of time.

It is my hearts desire to follow in my parent's footsteps. I want Wesley and Mikayla to see great love from Steve and I to each other and have as fond of memories as I do of my own growing up years. We didn't always have a lot, but I knew we were loved and I never once worried that my parents would break up. That was such a foreign concept to me. I saw others go through it, but it was still not something I thought about personally.

I called both of them this morning and sang "Happy Anniversary" to them. It was beyond words how beautiful it was. lol Kevin reminded me of something the other day that I had forgotten. He said the main reason I got married in May was because Mom and Daddy got married in May. That really was part of the reason... along with a couple of others. I wanted to follow in my parents footsteps from the start!! lol

It is with much love and gratitude that I "dedicate" this posting to my parents today. I thank them for continuing to be an example in so many ways for me, Steve and the kiddos. I know they probably won't read this unless Kevin goes and pulls them into their office to read it, but I am so thankful for their lasting and true love...

We are off to Wesley's baseball game. Take the time tonight to tell someone you love them... and mean it! :)

08/15/08

The pictures today are of chrysanthemums from the bouquet of flowers my students gave me last week. I know a couple look the same but I couldn't choose between them, so here they are. I found this flower to be a challenge when using a lower aperature (make things more blurry) because there are so many small petals and I didn't want them to look like I didn't know how to take a photograph. lol Hope you enjoy. On the pictures from underneath there is a water droplet. Not sure if that is "weeping" from the flower itself or a droplet that splashed up when I took it out of the main vase and transferred it to where I was photographing. At any rate, I thought it looked neat.


A week has passed since my last post! Ack!! Let's just say it has been an incredibly busy week. I am glad it is almost over.

Last week I posted that my brother and I were going to another play that night. It wasn't that great and we left at intermission. I won't go into details on here, but lets just say it was not good and leave it at that...

Last Friday night I went out on a girl's night out with my best friend. We went out for our traditional Asian cuisine and it was awesome. Then we went to see a movie and, of course, to Starbucks. I got a hot coffee this time instead of iced coffee and it was great. I forgot to tell them decaf... we didn't stop talking till after 2:00!!! I have paid for that alllllllllll week, I think. lol

Sunday was Mother's Day and it was wonderful. We took Mom out to eat at the Angus Barn to treat her quite special. They have a buffet on Mother's Day and it is AWESOME. The food was beyond words. I enjoyed my day as well and enjoyed the moments I was able to share with Wesley and Mikayla. I'll be able to share some less hectic ones in two weeks, though, and I am ready.

Monday was crazy... along with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I think it is going to be a bit like this until school is out. I have two weeks. People keep asking me if I am counting the days. Not really. I just take one day at a time and one minute at a time and ask the Lord to get me through it all.

On Tuesday I took out a former student of mine who needed some encouragement. She is almost in middle school and going through a tough time with some things so I wanted her to be able to have an enjoyable night out as well as try to get her to talk about some things. It was a wonderful night. I only wish it was not a school night so we could have done more things but I think she enjoyed herself. Since then when I have seen her at school she has had a smile on her face for me and a hug, too. That makes my heart so glad that the Lord gave me the opportunity to minister to her. It continues to show me I am where the Lord wants me and doing what He wants me to do.

I'm trying to get last minute "words of wisdom" in to my students. I kind of got in "panic" mode the other day realizing they are almost leaving me. I realize that by this time if they haven't gotten it, there is nothing more I can say or do to help them "get it" in a week, but I especially have been hitting home to them this week that if they don't remember anything I have taught them they need to remember God's Word is the basis for everything they do in life. We talked about today how God's Word is a book of many. I asked the kids to name all of the "subjects" we can see in the Bible and we came up with: Science, History, Language, Math and Reading.

It was my goal this year to teach the kids this fact of God's Word holding all subjects and I feel they have grasped it. I thank the Lord for how He has taught me along those lines as well this year. I want the children to understand God's Word isn't just a book of stories. It is God's WORD that tells us how He wants us to live our lives. It doesn't promise that every day is going to be without problems or pain. It tells us that He will be there holding us up through it all. It shows us of His love that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. It is such a powerful Book that many times we allow it to sit on a shelf, on a table or by the bed without cracking it because we think we "know" what is in it. Little do we realize it takes a lifetime to find all of those treasures God has in store for us there. Even when we read it sometimes we fail to see the treasures God is trying to show us. I just hope I have given what the Lord wanted me to give to my students.

Steve has worked late every night this week except for Wednesday. I need to go warm up some supper for the kids and get them ready for bed. I'll be grading a bunch of papers tonight, too, so I really need to get busy on other things. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow. Wesley has a game tomorrow night so we'll see. :)

Have a terrific evening....

05/08/08

Not much time today but thought I'd post really quickly. This is another flower from my "bouquet" the students brought me the other day. I haven't had time to work on the front side of the amaryllis so you see the neat side shot!! :)

Today and the other couple of days of this week have been crazy. I hate these kinds of days. Trying to get last minute stuff done at school, Mother's Day presents for the kids to take home, etc... just been crazy. Today I had my after school curriculum meeting which ended at 5:00 or so, came home and swallowed some food to go to Wesley's ball game, left early from that to get home to now wait for my brother to pick me up to see the play tonight. I was grading papers at the ball game to accomplish lots and my pen ran out of ink! Hhhhh.... that is a big sigh.

I wanted to write about one thing that was really sweet at the game tonight. Right before the game officially started, Mikayla hopped down from the bleachers and said Wesley "needed" her. He apparently had made eye contact with her and called her over to the dugout. I watched and was so touched by what I saw. Before she got to him, he blew her a kiss and then she got to the fence and they both reached out to each other to touch the others hand. It touched my heart greatly. To know my children are that close is so special. Yes, the definitely have their brother/sister moments but they truly watch out for and have a need to be together. That is a bond for which I am so thankful!

Off to find a red pen to see if I can finish those papers before Kevin gets here. Next week doesn't look any less calm, unfortunately...

Have a great evening!

05/06/08

Today I received a great surprise when I walked into my room at school. Two of my parents, who read this and know who they are, lovingly decorated my room with streamers and balloons... lots of balloons!! It was in honor of Teacher Appreciation. At first I was in shock. lol Then, as I walked to my desk and saw the loveliness that they did to my desk and the LOVE they showed, I was touched. They also had each student write a note to me that said "I love Mrs. Fowler because..." and then they added their reasons. I was deeply touched by what they wrote. As each child came in today they brought me a flower and put it in a vase that was already filled with water, care of my two sneaky and wonderful parents. :) The flowers were all different kinds and they were beautiful. I didn't have my camera, though!! I had to take them all home this afternoon just so I could get some shots of them. I have never photographed flowers in this way as I am usually doing them outside. Well, today I did them inside with a tripod and had the best time for an hour or so. This gerber daisy is one of them and I have others to share as well. (I'll share more irises later! lol) They were all day brighteners and I'll take them back with me tomorrow so I can continue to enjoy them. Not only that... I was able use them as a teaching took for plants! lol

It has been a crazy day as I have my best friend's daughters spending the night with us tonight so our schedule was a bit off. I had four sets of papers to grade tonight, but only one set has been completed. I'll do the others in the next day. All in all it was a special day and I am thankful for the love shown to me today.

Enjoy the gerber daisy flowers. Click on them to see them larger and see the detail. I am continually amazed at what I am seeing with this lens! It is a lesson in God's handiwork everytime I photograph these flowers. WOW...

05/05/08

Cinco de Mayo... and how did we celebrate??? We didn't go eat Mexican but... I took Mikayla to get her ears pierced today. She was BEYOND excited and could not wait. It was quite a fun afternoon letting her get it done, I must say. It is one of those mother/ daughter bonding times that are kind of neat. She was ready, that is for sure. It didn't bother her a bit when I let her know it would hurt but for just a minute. I didn't want to tell her everything would be painless and then have a bad experience, so I felt I would err on the side of "over pain"... She was so confident sitting there. I only saw a small amount of nervousness when she saw the "guns" but when it came time to do it, she was AWESOME. She didn't flinch, didn't tear up or anything! There were people there watching her and they were impressed, too. lol I was quite proud of her. I knew she would do great.... it is part of her personality.

We chose her birthstone as her earring. I could have gone cheaper and done boring balls, but I chose not to do that. She is so girly-girl and loves sparkly things so I knew this would be best. I wasn't planning on spending a lot of money today, but it cost more than I anticipated. lol We decided to go ahead and get her a couple of pair of earrings and they were buy two and get one free, so she got three. I was happy for her and knew this was something she would enjoy a long time. She has been so excited since she got them. The talk has been non-stop, and for those of you who know Mikayla personally, you know that isn't hard for her to do. lol

I told her part of her responsibility with getting these earrings was showing responsibility around the house without being told. Her room is the major thing I was getting at! She came home and immediately tidied up her room. Now, I realize this will wear off and we'll have more moments of remembering what is expected, but I am cherishing this willingness at the moment! She called Mom and Steve to let them know how it went and then we stopped by Mom's on the way home. Mom was loving it. She is already planning on buying her earrings for Christmas. lol :)

Speaking of Mom, it was great to see her in good spirits and healthy. Today is the third anniversary of her getting so sick and having to be in the hospital almost a month. Some of you remember that quite well. Others who are now reading may not even know what happened. (Mom came down with Beta Group A Strep which is the "flesh eating" strep as well as ecoli and septicemia... her organs were shutting down. It truly is a long story so I will not go into detail. She was just VERY sick.)

It is almost hard to believe it has been three years, though. I just thank the Lord for how He healed Mom and allowed her to be with us longer. For a while there three years ago, we just didn't know. Those 23 days of her in the hospital changed my life dramatically. I used to be so obsessive over things, tried to be in control at all times, and that taught me I had no control and I needed to let go and let the Lord take it for me. Since then, I have learned I can't be "Super woman" and get everything done in a day. I want my house clean, but it doesn't always happen with working full time and the kiddos. I learned to continually release my control freakness. I am still a control freak in a lot of ways, but nothing like I used to be. God always takes circumstances in our lives and teaches us and molds us. That is definitely what happened three years ago. I have learned to trust the Lord in a deeper way since then. I have also learned that He holds us completely and worry causes only more problems. Doesn't mean I still don't have worry moments, but I am learning to continually put that trust back on Him.

The irises today are in honor of Mom and the fact that she is still here three years later. Irises were flowers that were always blooming around the house as I grew up. Mom used to have a zillion colors of them. Maybe that is why it is one of my all time favorite flowers. These are some I photographed yesterday. I know one of them looks like the same picture, but if you look closely one has a lot more detail in focus than the other.

Enjoy your evening. I don't have any papers to grade tonight so I am going to relax a bit. Steve is working late so I hope he'll be home soon. Cherish a special moment today....