I'm an Auntie again

For those of you who aren't on Facebook yet, I'll fill you in on one of the newest changes in my life. I have a precious chinese nephew, Stanlee Ming Hong Grindean. He is almost three and absolutely a charmer. Kimber and Colb have had him for 2 weeks now, and Adia has known him for one. She and her brother are still having some adjustment issues and territory conflicts. Mostly over mom and dad. :) But, hey that happens in every family, right?

A month of weddings and Reunions

Well, I am back from my second college friend wedding this month. Kate Cecil (now MacKenzie) got married on the 5th and Jen Nicholas (now Walvoord) was married last Saturday. Both of them were beautiful ceremonies! Of course I know the gents are super lucky to get my girls, but I have to say, I approve heartily of both of them. They seem to be men of character and strength, not to mention they adore two of the most important women to me. :) Congratulations girls!

Ladies and Gentlemen - the Amazing Exhausted Auntie!

Well, Kimber and Adia just left after 5 days of fun! Colby took the teens to GA for a trip, and Kimber has more fun with us than staying alone when her hubby is gone. So, we went to the pool, the zoo, Menard's, Walmart, my car insurance man, and Goodwill, all with a niece on my arm or on my hip. :)

After five days, I find myself saying, "I gotta go potty" and "Gigi, where are you?" I feel like these are things no self-respecting High School teacher should ever let pass through her lips. I guess cute four year olds make you do crazy things.

As tired as I am, I would not trade these days for anything. Living in Bolivia helps me treasure the moments I have with my family. I would much rather have a niece whose face lights up whenever I walk in the room than one who is too busy playing with stuff. And, it seems like I just don't get to spend a lot of time with Kimberly. So, all things considered, I count myself blessed. tired, but blessed.

Wow, Time Flies

So, I'm home! I have a few weeks of vacay and then it's time for Homeland Ministry Assignment. God has already been so good in providing for my needs and connecting me to very cool people. Don't forget - if you are in the States, I want to see you!

Red, Tired, and Happy

Well, we had our first run through. This is such a strange show! Every five minutes we are introducing new stories and new characters. But such is the nature of one acts. Everyone is doing a great job, yet they are realizing that we are coming close. On top of my joyful nervousness, I am also VERY sore from a sunburn I got on Saturday. So, my skin itches, my legs hurt, and I can't wait for Friday. It's a great place to be :)

To Do List

Well, it's 12:01 on Monday morning, and I can't sleep. I blame it all on a 4 hour nap this afternoon. So, since I can't sleep, I may as well start my morning a little early. I also know that I will be brain dead tomorrow. Any planning I can do while I am still alert will help. And for anyone who wonders what kind of activities occupy my day while I have a student teacher, well, here you are.

OK, since Seniors are gone, I have 1st and 3rd hour. I also only have Alejandro 7th hour on Monday. So, for Monday, I need to:

1. Ask Milton to purchase cardstock (if Bolivia has it) for tickets. I need 20 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 (offwhite maybe). Comps for actors, directors, 5 Bolivians
2. Print tickets and cut them - get them to Eli in the office by Tuesday morning.
   
3. Print off posters for April 11th and start hanging them around. I also need to redo my BB for the show.
4. Look at Publisher XP to try design a program for "Laughing"
5. Set Ale on writing and polishing the one act Spanish summaries
6. Meet Pastor Andy at TUC at 3, to look at chairs and area. Remember to look at lighting and sound. Take one of the mics?
7. Try to get a handle on curriculum issues - look for a new comp book, write English 9 curriculum, begin on 11th & 12th.
8. Ask Steve about possible in school rehearsal next week.
9. Ask Mike where we get our plastic tables and chairs.
   

Tuesday:

1. Sub 1st - 3rd for Liz (possible class meeting 2nd hour?) Ask Liz on MONDAY.
2. Keep working on curriculum.
   
3. Bring oranges for one acts - get into Sabs' locker for props.
4. Let theater kids know about rehearsal schedule next week.
   
5. Work with one acts - Josh's and Britts' group (give Sabs' and Hannah's groups to Lynz/Heather for lines and makeup)
6. Remind Heather about tomorrow last hour.

Wednesday:

1. Start getting back into 5th hour, to see where Lynz will leave 9th grade. Get ready for R&J.
2. Get costumes all together for JH drama. Have them wear costumes today for practice. Sierra needs to pull her hair back. Aelin maybe should wear her hair a little trendy (like picture day).
3. Prayer meeting

Thursday:

1. Should I even remind myself that I need to be thinking about a prayer letter? no.
2. Lesson plan for Engl 12 & 9. Photocopy and give to Steve.
3. Keep working on program for "Laughing"
4. CURRICULUM GUIDE!
5. Cash a check with Eli for this weekend.
   

Friday:

1. Make sure all is ready for next week's rehearsals (permission slips, ok from Andy & Steve)
2. Work with Sabs' group and Hannah's group. Let Lynz & Heather have the others for make-up and lines.
3. Take care of any unfinished business so that I can enjoy Buganvillas!
   

OK, that looks good for now. I just need to get some sleep. Although sitting here & listening to Hercules is pretty relaxing too. :)

My throat hurts

but for a good reason. I went to the track meet tonight and cheered myself almost hoarse. I'm so proud of our students and the effort they put forward. One of my girls, Adrienne, competed for the first time. She has wanted to become more involved, but struggled with missing her home country and her friends. Last year was very hard, but God has been getting her through these times and changing her heart to love and accept where He has placed her. Another of my kids, Alex, is stinkin' fast. I had no idea! And it was so encouraging that as he would seem to lag around the last corner, we would all begin cheering and he would speed up - which sounds logical, but is so incredible to see. I asked him later if he could hear me when he was running. With a HUGE smile, he said that, yeah, he knew when I was yelling. What can I say, I'm a loudmouth who has also been trained to project. That's a dangerous combo. . .

So, this evening as I wanted to start blogging again, more as a way to process than anything else, I realized how much more I want God to use my gifts of encouragement for his purposes. I love to encourage, but I forget that it doesn't have to be at school stuff. I need to be digging deep into others' spiritual lives to be able to encourage them when they are downhearted. If I don't know what they are experiencing, I really don't know how best to love them. Praise God that He uses our words and actions without us having to know everything. But He also calls us to be unified in thought and judgment. How can I do that, if I don't know what my brothers and sisters are thinking?

I got a chance this morning to talk to a couple of my students who sometimes have trouble staying awake in class. It was a teacher moment where I could show how much I care about them, but also give them resources to change. I pray they take advantages of the ideas that I presented.

Well, it's been a long time . . .

Ever since I got my facebook, I just haven't blogged as much. sigh. I haven't written anything in here about "A Christmas Carol" which was stupendous, or my visit back to IN for Christmas, equally stupendous, or my horrible Walmart publicity photo fiasco, don't even ask, or my wonderful new attempts at a picture in Bolivia, much better. So much happens in our lives and we just let it slip by unnoticed. So, where to start?

I have a student teacher this semester. Her name is Lyndsey Gangel, and she's a sweetie! She has been in charge of all 3 of my core English classes (leaving my with 5 electives, I'm a glutton for punishment) and does a marvelous job. It wasn't that long ago that I was in her shoes. But some days it seems like forever. I want to keep learning - to grow and develop the skills to be the best teacher possible. On some days, that goal seems anything but possible. Hopefully, while I am home for furlough (oh yes, I'll be back in June) I can brush up on some seminars. Man, I miss my Ed nerds from AU :)

What else? Well, I've been teaching a directing course this semester. So, our show is actually a night of one acts. I'm handling the JH one, but the HS ones are all directed by HS students with at least 4 semesters of experience on them. They are doing a great job, even though this job can be frustrating. I wish you could be here to see it.

Hmm, anything else? Well, my toilet backed up again (cursed tree roots) but praise God for Jim Newman. He and Nivardo came down and dragged out the roots and all the nastiness of clogging. hmm, enough said. :)

Well, that fills people in a little bit. Like I said, I don't think anyone even reads this anymore. Maybe it will become more of a place for me to journal eventually. I just don't journal that much.