Everyone needs to be reminded of where they come from now and then. Today was my day. Let me preface it to say that I didn't go into teaching for the money. Evidently I also didn't go into it to help build my self esteem.
When I opened the top drawer of my desk, several of my friends realized I had another badge stashed in there (in case I lose this years badge, I saved last years badge.) When they asked about it, I told them I keep the extra one in there just in case. My little buddy looked at me and said "Oh, nice Mrs. Townsend is in the drawer and mean Mrs. Townsend is out of the drawer." Nice. And, here I thought I was being especially kind and loving today. Guess not.
Nothing like a Kindergartner to put you in your place. To knock you down a few pegs. To keep you humble. To remind you that you really aren't "sumtin' sumtin'" after all.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I Dare You
I have a little buddy in my class who is a pumpkin, but, seriously has caused me to hone my "teaching" craft this year. In the areas of discipline, classroom management and lastly, but most importantly the fact that it is against the law for me to kill a child. Oh, there have been days. Many, many days.
I say that to say there are days when the light at the end of the tunnel is close. Oh so close. Today was partly one of those days. It wasn't perfect ... there was the fist fight in the middle of the of the Book Fair author's speech. It was even more perfect since my class was in the front row. (Can you say teacher of the year?!) And, then there was the hitting someone on the head with a lunchbox at lunchtime. And, then he got so mad at me for asking him to stay in line he threw his lunchbox (extremely hard) at the brick wall. But, ya'll, today was a good day. (And, I didn't write that so that you would immediately get down on your knees to pray for me. Nor did I write it as part of my defense in case of an unfortunate incident from paragraph one.) Seriously, the light was shining bright.
Someone got in his face at the end of the day. Ordinarily that would have caused me to become the referee in the middle of a boxing match. Not today. He came to me and demonstrated a not so lovely face his friend made. When I asked the face making friend what kind of face he made, I really should have known the answer I was going to receive. I just should have known better.
He said "My my my eyes are not not not near my mouth so I couldn't see what kind of face I made."
You try to keep on disciplining with a straight face. I dare you.
I say that to say there are days when the light at the end of the tunnel is close. Oh so close. Today was partly one of those days. It wasn't perfect ... there was the fist fight in the middle of the of the Book Fair author's speech. It was even more perfect since my class was in the front row. (Can you say teacher of the year?!) And, then there was the hitting someone on the head with a lunchbox at lunchtime. And, then he got so mad at me for asking him to stay in line he threw his lunchbox (extremely hard) at the brick wall. But, ya'll, today was a good day. (And, I didn't write that so that you would immediately get down on your knees to pray for me. Nor did I write it as part of my defense in case of an unfortunate incident from paragraph one.) Seriously, the light was shining bright.
Someone got in his face at the end of the day. Ordinarily that would have caused me to become the referee in the middle of a boxing match. Not today. He came to me and demonstrated a not so lovely face his friend made. When I asked the face making friend what kind of face he made, I really should have known the answer I was going to receive. I just should have known better.
He said "My my my eyes are not not not near my mouth so I couldn't see what kind of face I made."
You try to keep on disciplining with a straight face. I dare you.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Weekend Update
This weekend was glorious. Just glorious.
-First, Torrey is better. Praise you Jesus! She is now buried under a mountain of homework ... we hope to see her again sometime next week! (Kidding ... she seems to have it all under control. Some day she will get on her knees and thank the Lord she inherited those genes from Dean!)
-Don and Colette came to town and we were able to meet them for dinner. Funny how you don't see some people for years and you just pick up where you left off. They have raised two of the neatest kids ... write a book Don and Colette, write a book!
-Church was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Gregg just finished a series about the birds and the bees ... I encourage everyone to go to our church website (houstonsfirst.org) and listen. It was good.
-Colette came to church with us and then we went to lunch and dessert. Yummiest sandwich and salad ever. Ever. But, I am still dreaming about the best cupcake I have had in a long time. Oh, Dessert Gallery, how I love you. I have talked about that cupcake all day. All day. And, so you can truly understand how good it was ... it was just a yellow cupcake with buttercream frosting. Nothing fancy ... just an ordinary, unbelievably delicious cupcake.
-And, then last night Dean and I watched the oldest Duggar boy get married. This family intrigues me ... I seriously can't look away. You know there was nothing on TV last night if Dean watched the entire thing with me!
-I forgot to mention that I went to bed at 4:30 on Friday night and woke up at 9:00 Saturday morning. I would love to tell you I had a rough week, but I only went to school 2 days ... here's hoping I don't fall asleep in my chair at noon this Friday!
And, now we are back to Monday ... and I am behind on the pictures (AGAIN!) I take them, I just don't post them. Good grief. Why did I ever start this project? I am determined to finish it. How many more days until December 31st?!
-First, Torrey is better. Praise you Jesus! She is now buried under a mountain of homework ... we hope to see her again sometime next week! (Kidding ... she seems to have it all under control. Some day she will get on her knees and thank the Lord she inherited those genes from Dean!)
-Don and Colette came to town and we were able to meet them for dinner. Funny how you don't see some people for years and you just pick up where you left off. They have raised two of the neatest kids ... write a book Don and Colette, write a book!
-Church was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Gregg just finished a series about the birds and the bees ... I encourage everyone to go to our church website (houstonsfirst.org) and listen. It was good.
-Colette came to church with us and then we went to lunch and dessert. Yummiest sandwich and salad ever. Ever. But, I am still dreaming about the best cupcake I have had in a long time. Oh, Dessert Gallery, how I love you. I have talked about that cupcake all day. All day. And, so you can truly understand how good it was ... it was just a yellow cupcake with buttercream frosting. Nothing fancy ... just an ordinary, unbelievably delicious cupcake.
-And, then last night Dean and I watched the oldest Duggar boy get married. This family intrigues me ... I seriously can't look away. You know there was nothing on TV last night if Dean watched the entire thing with me!
-I forgot to mention that I went to bed at 4:30 on Friday night and woke up at 9:00 Saturday morning. I would love to tell you I had a rough week, but I only went to school 2 days ... here's hoping I don't fall asleep in my chair at noon this Friday!
And, now we are back to Monday ... and I am behind on the pictures (AGAIN!) I take them, I just don't post them. Good grief. Why did I ever start this project? I am determined to finish it. How many more days until December 31st?!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Melanie!
Happy Birthday Melanie! If my math is correct, you are turning 25. Oh how I loved 25! (If my math is wrong and you are really 24, Oh how I loved 24! Just kidding ... 25 was my favorite year.) Thirteen years ago you graciously gave up your status as the youngest grandchild to Torrey. You didn't complain ... but, then I don't think I have ever heard you complain about anything. That is just your way. Your smile is easy. Your willingness to love others is easy too. Grampy always commented on your beauty ... he was and continues to be right. We love hearing about the exciting things that are happening for you and Chad (um, can you please come and decorate my house?!) We are praying great things for the both of you this year! Hope your day was special and full of sweet surprises!
Love,
Just regular Uncle Dean & Aunt Tracy (although in our heads we are great!)
and Torrey
Just regular Uncle Dean & Aunt Tracy (although in our heads we are great!)
and Torrey
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A Prayer for Jennifer
God,
You know. You know that today marks three years. You know that three years ago we never thought we would be saying she has been gone for three years. Three days seemed hard enough to bear, nevermind the thought that three years later she would still be gone. You know where she is. You know how she got there. You know who. You know.
Today, God, we ask you ... no, we beg you to reveal Jennifer. We selfishly ask that she be safe. That she be well. That she be alive. But, if that isn't your plan, we ask that you bring comfort for those that love her. Today, God, continue to sustain her family. Breathe your hope onto them. Breathe your comfort onto them. Strengthen them. Remind them that Jennifer is not and will not be forgotten. Remind them that you love them and you love Jennifer.
God, someone knows. Someone knows. Give them the courage to tell. Even if in the telling they lose what they love. What they have held dear these past three years. Make the words come out. Make them tell the secret they have held too long. It is time. It is past time.
And, God, let your glory come from this. Make your presence known in this. Three years ago we foolishly asked the question, "How can anything good come from this?" You knew then. You know now.
Our prayer continues to be what it was three years ago ... bring her home. Please, bring her home.
You know. You know that today marks three years. You know that three years ago we never thought we would be saying she has been gone for three years. Three days seemed hard enough to bear, nevermind the thought that three years later she would still be gone. You know where she is. You know how she got there. You know who. You know.
Today, God, we ask you ... no, we beg you to reveal Jennifer. We selfishly ask that she be safe. That she be well. That she be alive. But, if that isn't your plan, we ask that you bring comfort for those that love her. Today, God, continue to sustain her family. Breathe your hope onto them. Breathe your comfort onto them. Strengthen them. Remind them that Jennifer is not and will not be forgotten. Remind them that you love them and you love Jennifer.
God, someone knows. Someone knows. Give them the courage to tell. Even if in the telling they lose what they love. What they have held dear these past three years. Make the words come out. Make them tell the secret they have held too long. It is time. It is past time.
And, God, let your glory come from this. Make your presence known in this. Three years ago we foolishly asked the question, "How can anything good come from this?" You knew then. You know now.
Our prayer continues to be what it was three years ago ... bring her home. Please, bring her home.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What a Country!
All eyes were on Washington, DC as our 44th President was sworn into office. As I watched the proceedings, I couldn't help but be ever so proud of my country. We have much to be proud of in America tonight ... a peaceful transfer of power, our first African-American President, the kindness and grace that was shown on both sides of the aisle today ... may what we saw today continue. May we be a nation that looks out for each other and listens to each other. May Christians across our nation pray, pray, pray for our new President ... pray that he would seek God's will for our nation, pray for his safety and the safety of his family, and pray for those who surround him, that God would grant them all wisdom. (Proverbs tells us that God holds the heart of the King (or President) in His hands and turns it however He chooses ... take comfort in that!)And, lastly, I have to give a shout out to Rick Warren. You were given a moment to share the gospel and you did not waste it. You did not squander it. You were bold. You were kind. You showed the love of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Rats! I Missed One!
It didn't take me long to forget a Birthday ... rats! On January 16th, Matt and Erika's daughter, Alissa, turned 9. Alissa, hope your day was special! You brought great joy and hope to the family after a season of sorrow. We pray you always know how much you are loved! We won't forget your day next year!
Love,
Great Uncle Dean & Great Auntie Tracy
Great Uncle Dean & Great Auntie Tracy
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