Football

High school football has started and I love it. Will is playing Varsity this year, and because one of the boys sprained his ankle and had a stomach virus, he got to start last night in the game and he played the WHOLE game! It was so fun to cheer him on, even though we lost. When the team ran out on the field my hear was soaring with happiness. Will looked so very cute, I mean tough, in his uniform and helmet! He played his heart out! When they would come off the field, each boy would encourage the other,and give them a seat on the "bench", which was really ice chests. I watched as he listened to the coach and looked at the dry erase board marked with the next plays trying to memorize what he was too do next. Will was watching intently, asking questions and soaking it all in. As Will would run on to the field, I could hear my friends, who love him dearly, yelling his name and cheering for him specifically. It makes a mama very, very proud. His sister, Bekah and her boyfriend, sat next to me cheering him on too. She would turn to me and tell me how fast he was running or how good he looked. We were both kind of choked up by how good he was playing. At one point, I thought I was going to burst with pride. My boy is a Varsity Football player in WEST TEXAS!! He is a "dough boy" on the O line! His dad, who played for TCu]U, and coached football for many years, was there to watch. I am sure he was proud too. We lost the game, but in my heart my son had won a great victory; he found a group of brothers. This makes a mother's heart so very happy!

Heavy Heart

My daughter just left for her junior year of college. My heart is very heavy and the tears continue to flow. I am so happy for her; she loves school, is very smart (on the deans list), is an athletic trainer, and has many wonderful friends. This summer was a summer of new experiences; working at a camp for rich girls, working at a camp for underpriveledged children, girls trip that included white water rafting and she began to date our new youth minister. I loved going to lunch, shopping, or just visiting with her. Many nights she sat with her fellow on my couch and visited. I enjoyed hearing their laughter and the low talking voices after I went to bed.She turned 21 years old yesterday, but I didn't spend it with her because she had to be in athletic training. Luckily her fellow went to Abliene to take her to dinner. He did bring her home so that she could get her new drivers license and her hair cut. But now she has gone to college and my couch is empty. Well, that is not true. Her little 16 year old brother still lives at home, but he is so busy with football and friends, and soon school, that he doesn't sit on my couch much. He and I will settle back into our routine of school, dinner and bed. We really enjoy being together and I love to hear his stories. This will fill my heart again with joy and then she will call and I will be so happy for her. But for now, my heart is heavy as I sit in my house, alone listening to the quiet.
Really, I guess it is times like this that I need more and more to rely on Jesus. To be still and know that He is God. Instead of turning on the tv or reading a mindless book, why not pick up my Bible and learn more about Him.. For years I have turned off my mind and now I need to turn it back on. I don't think I remember how to do that. Going about my business, teaching school, being a mother, running errands, that I can do; but to think and feel....that is hard. I am working on it. I want to. I need to. But it is definately hard. I think this year I will read my Bible more, be more focused on the specific children in my class and their needs and be on my knees in prayer. I want the Lord to be in control and not ME! I am so thankful that I serve a God who loves me even when my heart is heavy.

One of those days

I've had one of those days; the other teacher's smart boards work-mine has no electricity, fight on the playground, student yelling at me-2 detentions-2 calls to parents-2 sets of excuses, a review for a test-one wrong answer-tears-hyperventilating-more tears-throwing up, hooty duty in library-no break, meet a mom after school at her car, to tell about upset wrong answer hyperventilating son, 2 emails to teachers trying to explain sons poor grades lately, home to meet the plumber-doesn't show up, daughter has overdrawn her checking account-2 times-call to tell her to transfer money, 2 parents call to explain sons fighting-one doesn't think punishment is fair and thinks I am too patient-try to explain my decisions and reassure them that they have good boys, dinner picked up at Rosas-come across students parents inside who ask me who in my class had pornography-no idea, cold dinner at home, pick up my son from baseball game hopefully before 10:00, finish homework....pass out? fall on my face in prayer? WOW! Hope tomorrow is not as eventful!!!

Rosas Ice Tea

When I haven't seen a friend in a while or the girls just want to visit, I almost always say, "Let's get together for a tea." This means let's go to Rosas and get a large drink, tea or diet coke. I have spent many hours drinking tea, catching up on the latest news. crying, complaining, looking for guidance, giving/getting advice, laughing...laughing...and LAUGHING! Sometimes it is just my friend and me, and sometimes a group of girls but no matter who it is we enjoy drinking a tea at Rosas. Sometimes we even treat ourselves to a chips and queso or if we are feeling very daring a piece of carrot cake. But we don't need to eat, we just need to drink and visit. I am sure there are other places in town to do this, but we always end up at Rosas. It just feels right. A place to pour our hearts out and be together. Of course the fact that they have good ice, RO water tea and styrofoam cups really helps.

Shoulder news

Pshhhuuuu! W's shoulder is not really hurt but the doctor decided he needs to strengthen his back muscles and do more shoulder exercise not just his pecks and arms. He did miss some days of baseball so he doesn't get to start tomorrow in the one o'clock baseball game. Disappointment? Yes, especially since I can't be there. We have achievement tests and I can not miss. All I can do is pray for healing of his shoulder and his spirit. It is hard to have a son and a dad that is out of the picture. W is so smart and yet seems a little unmotivated. Dads are so good at motivating 15 year old boys. I just pray for complete healing and that someone will step up and help W with his pitching and throwing. He is really good at baseball but he hasn't proven it yet.

Hurt

My sons shoulder/arm has hurt off and on for about 3 years, especially during baseball season. He is a pitcher, catcher and first baseman. We had it looked at 3 years ago but they found nothing wrong. This is after an MRI and x-rays. It can't be right for an arm to hurt that long. If he is throwing wrong then can't a coach correct that or see it and fix it? The trainer said it had something to do with deceleration. Whatever that is. So I took the bull by the horns, called a friend of mine from OP Camp, who is an orthopedic surgeon, and he is going to look at it in the morning at 9:00. Yes, the next morning after I called. Not a week later. WOW! It really does help to have friends in high places. I can't decide what I hope they find....nothing wrong-just stretch, something is wrong and easy to fix, or....I just hope they find something. So, I will be praying tonight for the Lord to work and show us exactly what is wrong. And after we know, NO MORE COMPLAINING! (Unless it is me!)HA! I really just want my son to be able to play whatever sport he chooses and not to have pain...soreness, yes, pain, NO!

Valentines at the Elementary School

It is an amazing experience, a Valentines party at the elementary school. The children are so excited all day, they can hardly be still or quiet. When the time finally arrives for the party the noise level begins to grow. As they pass out their Valentine cards you can hear them calling the different names of their classmates and laughing as they pass each other in the aisles. After the chaos of passing out Valentines is over, they begin to look through their bags and discuss the different cards and varities of candies. Can we eat it one? I say they can but the moms have their food for the party ready. More laughter and they line up for a smogasboard of food; vegetables, fruit, cupcakes, cookies, sandwiches, chips and drinks. They gather aroung each others desks to eat their food, the laughter and talking becomes even louder. Moms try to take pictures and visit among themselves. I, as the teacher, try to keep a smile on my face as I slowly loose control of the room. The noise level is over the top, but everyone is behaving and having a great time. I look at my desk full of boxes of candy, chocolate covered strawberries, tulip plants, roses, assorted little cards with candy taped to them, and a basket containing a teddy bear holding a heart and a pair of house shoes, I realize how blessed I am. I love my students and they love me. We enjoy being together even when I stomp my foot and tell them to listen to me, when I make them think before they ask me a question, and when we are learning new and interesting things. I look forward to going to "work". I love teaching my class about Jesus and what he means to me. I am blessed. In the middle of the chaos and noise, I begin to smile because I realize how VERY blessed I am. I am thankful for the Valentines party in my classroom!