The Request

I just got a text message from my mom requesting some more blog posts, please. This isn't very exciting stuff just lots of pictures we took this morning while playing. Noah still goes straight for the books. Except now he wants to read them himself. He turns the pages and "talks". He'll even bark at the Doggies book. He will steal the book away from you if he doesn't like the way you turn pages or make the sounds. But if you sit in the chair he will listen to as many books as you will read. I tried to take some black and whites this morning. I do not have near the talent of my mom but I think I got a few good ones. Enjoy Mimi!!! We love you and miss you!

Diapers! I'm not sure I'm supposed to play with them.



Mommy said no, but its so much fun!




I love Spots!


and books.......


These are some of the black and whites I was talking about:



New post below.

The Basketball Game

Last night it was Senior Night in the BHS Gymnasium, Home of the Stampede. I love basketball. And I love this group of kids. These are my babies. My first group of freshmen now seniors. And I had been promising to come to a game. So I convinced my boys to go to the game. We left a little early because I figured it would be packed and I wanted room for Noah and all his stuff. I was a little nervous because in the past the games I've been to are loud and fun. They have their own rap theme song about B High being the best 'round here. The game is always exciting full of dunking and pick up game theatrics. I wasn't sure what Noah would do. What we didn't know was that the visiting team had arrived 45 minutes late. Noah's first game was not Varsity boys who dunk and get the crowd crazy but a girls game. We got there after the tip off of the girl's game! I'm not knocking girls basketball. I played it. Well lets just say I was on the team. It just wasn't a lot of action. Noah was clearly not going to make it through the boys game. He was entertained by the back and forth and he did see a little of the boys theatrics. And I did get to yell and clap for my seniors. We just left after the first quarter of the boys game because it was way past bedtime. I think Noah liked basketball. I think it is the sport Adam secretly hopes he picks. Adam likes it the best. These are his arguements: Football practices too much for little kids. Baseball seasons last forever and interupt vacations. Soccer requires no talent. Basketball is fun and the little kid games are short. I look forward to watching which sports Noah chooses.

The Loves

It is awesome to have a little extension of yourselves running around and getting into things. There are things that Adam and I hope that Noah will share a love for. God first and foremost and then other smaller more insignificant things like ketchup. I love ketchup! Adam gives me no mercy about my ketchup love, so I hope Noah will be an ally in this battle. And I hope that he and Adam have pastimes in common so they can do the whole male bonding thing. This week Noah had a taste of some the things Adam and I hope he grows to love!

Yum! Ketchup is good.

"Wii!"

The Four Years

Wedding

Roman cafe on our honeymoon

While our computer was down and we were battling a major asthma flare up Adam and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. We had plans to spend a weekend old school style, dinners out, running errands at leisure, sleeping in till 11. But when you have children you learn to get flexible. We celebrated over takeout and in between breathing treatments. Mimi and Papa did relief us from asthma duties so we could see a movie and eat a nice dinner at Chuck's Fish. But at this point we both had major sinus and chest colds going. I'm not sure either of us could fully appreciate the yummy food. But we had a wonderful conversation reflecting on our relationship and the things we hope to work on and develop down the road. A couple of days before our anniversary I reflected on what thoughts were going through my head four years prior. Most of you who know me well know I have a hard time with change. I have to emotionally and mentally prepare. And even with preparation and needless planning for possibilities that usually don't even develop emotional adjust can be hard for me. Just ask my mom about the summer before I left for Auburn. Rough. Yet it turned out to be some of the best years of my life. So three days before the wedding I was freaking out. Not about the wedding part but about the marriage part. Was I ready? Could I be a good wife? Was I sure about Adam? I thought about what I would go back and tell that girl (because looking back I feel like I was just a girl then). What could I say about how amazing marriage turned out to be? How could I put into words the amazing security Adam gives me with unconditional love and support no matter how irrational my ideas and moods are? How could I express what a perfect balance he is under pressure and crisis? Could I convince the girl that cliche of falling more and more in love everyday is truth? Adam is truly my partner in life. Perhaps we are not where we would have envisioned ourselves to be. But we are in love, blessed, safe, happy. So many times I feel unworthy of the arms that hold and comfort me. I pray daily for insight to love and serve him better. So I would tell that girl not to fear and to enjoy the moment. Maybe if I hadn't been freaking out I wouldn't have put the wrong middle name for my father in law in the program. That would have saved us all some stress ;) I love you Adam and I thank you for loving me the way you do!

London

The Walker

When you dream of having a baby and all of the milestones they will have walking is near the top of the list. You imagine it to be this magical moment. The first steps. I surprised at what a process it was. Noah began standing on his own around Thanksgiving. It wasn't until Christmas Day that he took his first real steps. And the past few weeks he has been putting steps together between pieces of furniture. But now I think we can call him a walker. He is everywhere. He does laps around the house. And he is quite proud of his accomplishment. A couple of months ago Adam and I were talking about when a baby becomes a toddler. Adam decided it was when they begin walking. I guess Noah isn't my little baby anymore.

The Historic Bedazzled Day

Our home computer is out of commission right now. I have lots of things to post about. In the past week we celebrated our fourth anniversary, battle a major asthma flare up with Noah, and he is officially walking. I will catch up on all of those things and more but I couldn't let yesterday slip by without sharing my experiences!

Despite my political views (sometimes I forget I have any because I work hard to be impartial at school.) I could not help being excited about yesterday. What historical moment in our country and a step in the right direction towards healing racial divides. Our new president represents hope and new energy to so many. At PWBHS we all watched the events in every classroom all day. What a great day to be a history teacher! I loved seeing the emotion in all of students and of the millions of spectators on television. I was touched by the new first family. If I hadn't had 32 fifteen year olds staring at me I might have cried. I couldn't help feel a surge of pride in our democracy and feel blessed to live in a country that passes power in such a peaceful and respectful way. It was beautiful to see the genuine hugs and well wishes pass between old and new.

Aretha Franklin was singing My Country Tis of Thee and my class was unusually quiet (could they actually be letting the historical significance of this movement sink in?) when I heard...
"Mrs. Jones I think she Bedazzled her hat herself. She sure got her money's worth. Look at think bedazzle!" I laughed hysterically.

After developing an extreme respect for Michelle Obama and her sense of fashion ( what a beautiful swearing in outfit and did you notice she walked down Pennsylvania in at least 1 1/2 inch stilettos?) I was dying to see her Inaugural gown. Adam and I tuned into the ball coverage before turning in for the night. It was a gorgeous dress. She has a beautiful sense of style and I really believe in them as a couple. I think they really love each other. It was sweet to watch. NBC was cutting away to a commercial and leaving us with shots from the Youth Ball ( a thank you and nod to the demographic that got him into office). The Marine Corps band was lined up on stage ready to play Hail the Chief, the crowd was silent. All the sudden you hear a song request rise up out of the quiet crowd.
Guess.
Freebird.
I kid you not. I thought I had been transported back to an Auburn band party. Freebird.

I usually do pray for our leaders. But in his first 100 days I will pray with intensity for the new and old first families as they adjust to their new lives and responsibilities. I will pray as Barrack and Michelle adjust to public scrutiny and the new added weight of the world on their backs that they make wise and sound decisions. I will pray as George and Laura get reacquainted with an old routine. Do you know what he told a news reporter he would be doing today? He said that he was so glad to actually be able to bring Laura a cup of coffee and actually get to sit and drink it with her. I hope he finds peace and tranquillity.

The Funny Fly Swatter

Nana and Puddin gave us this fly swatter in Adam's stocking. We live in a great neighborhood that just happens to back up to a cow pasture and chicken farm. So we get some bugs and some not so pleasant smells. But the fly swatter has recently found another purpose.

(One of the videos I had the camera turned funny, so I posted both to give the full effect)





How refreshing to find swatting at flies hilarious. His joy is contagious.
New Post below.

The Hopeful Semester

This semester I had big hopeful plans. I heard God call me to get a grip on my life , in Adam's words. I wanted things like peace and stability and control over chaos my house , and to lose a couple pounds. The message I received was that all of this was within my power. I had to get a grip. Meaning during the week I needed to get up in the five o'clock hour and spend time in prayer and study of God's word and exercising. I needed to not waste opportunities with Noah and Adam or reaching out to my friends. And at night I needed to spend 15- 20 minutes picking up, straightening and vacuuming the house.

So that is what I have been working on accomplishing. My mood and level of stress has been much improved. And to top it off my intern was to start Friday. I was thrilled. The intern would share the joy, stress and work load of teaching. She would be someone to share my day with. Someone to give me a fresh perspective on teaching and new ideas. Not to mention that I would get a break form grading and planning and actually get to enjoy the kids, undertake some big organizational projects of my own, and keep prom work in between the hours of 8-3. Everything was going smoothly.

Wednesday night Noah and I drove to Birmingham so that I could eat dinner with some college friends. The first day of the new semester had gone well and I got the kids pumped up about the spring and out intern. We got to my parents house, (they were going to eat with Noah and watch him) just a little late. Somewhere between the car and their front door, I lost my keys. No problem, my mom had a spare set so I could go on to dinner. Dinner was great. We had so much fun talking and catching up that I lost track of time. It was nine before I realized it. I got back to my parents and remembered that I must find my keys. Luckily my parents have infinite patience with me and losing things. My mom and I searched for thirty minutes before I found them in a gutter down the street. It was ten before Noah and were headed back to Tuscaloosa. He slept the whole way which went from an hour drive to an hour and a half with traffic problems. (An over sized load truck with state trooper escorts going 50 miles an hour!) Needless to say it was midnight before I fell into bed after a long day. But I thought, no problem my intern will be here Friday and I won't be so tired.
Thursday I woke up late and not in the five o clock hour. I packed my Bible and the studies I am working on to do at school in a free moment. When I got there, in my email box was the worst news I've received in a long time. Intern Placement Canceled. Apparently she had been to my school during a clinical placement and had not been successful. ???? Not sure what that means. But it did mean that I don't have an intern. All my hope for the semester began to swirl down the drain. All the plans and the rest. The break I had finally caught. Gone. My hope for the spring began to turn to bitterness. And I hate bitterness. My bitter day turned for the worst when a fight broke out in my room at the end of third period. Desks knocked over, shirts removed. It triggered a severe tension headache as I thought about another rough semester. Without an intern.

An eighth of my bitterness faded with a milkshake from my friend with third period prep. Half my bitterness dissolved when I saw these sweet faces and heard their laughter. Another fourth of it washed away Friday morning when I spent an hour in prayer and in the Word. Hannah had a reason for her bitterness and it was far worse than a hard job and no intern. Do you know what she did with her bitterness? She brought it to the Lord. Year after year. And He heard her and blessed her. So that it what I did.

But I won't lie, a little bitterness crept back when all the teachers around me introduced their interns to me Friday morning and I thought about the semester of hope. But God was faithful. I had a good day with my kids. Even third period was good after a stern word about yesterday's fight (which you might have been able to catch pictures of on Myspace if I hadn't deleted the pictures of the girl's camera) . And on the way home to be with Adam and Noah I was reminded that my hope, my joy , and my optimism doesn't come from circumstances it comes the assurance of my faith.

The 2009 Prayer

Father,
I want to thank you from my heart for the many blessing you have given me this past year and for the lessons you have taught me. Your timing and wisdom is perfect and you have revealed that to me over and over. In this coming year I pray that you will be able to use me and my little family to glorify and serve you: to comfort the hurting, to encourage the disheartened, to give to those in need, to bring joy to those filled with sadness, to be your light and your salt in the place you have us in mow and the places you will take us this year. I pray that my ears and heart will hear your directives. I pray that my eyes and heart will see people the way you see them and that I can react with more compassion. I ask for self discipline and self control in order to prioritize what is important. For Adam I ask in this coming year that you strengthen him under the load he bears and that you make your path for his job and leadership within this family clear. For Noah I ask that you bring him joy, health and continued development. For our friends and family I ask for you to bless those who are desiring a family, provide relief to those who are suffering illnesses, guidance for those whose futures and choices are in limbo. For America I ask protection from our enemies and a tug on our heartstrings to to turn back to you and to help others, and choose right from wrong. May 2009 be a year of love. Love for you. Love of family. Love of friends. And your love shown through me to all in my path, Father. Amen.

The New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is usually one of those holidays that I end up disappointed. I always want to be going to some fancy party where you have to dress up and celebrate until the wee hours of the morning. But these days wee hours is like 11pm :) And babysitters are expensive and we don't actually have one here in Tuscaloosa I decided to make my own plans. We had a fake countdown with Noah around 8:30. We loved the sparklers. Even though Adam was worried the entire time Noah would get burned in some freak sparkler accident. We prayed for the next year with Noah and put him to bed. Then we made fillet, asparagus, and garlic cheese potatoes, and salad. Lit a bunch of candles. Got all dressed up. Toasted (sparkling apple juice for Adam). Reminisced. Dreamed of the future. We were having such a good time we missed the ball dropping. It was a great way to bring in the New Year.



The mega Morning Glories I picked out.





Dinner for two.







The video shows Noah and I enjoying the sparklers and then Adam decides that he is cold and that the party is over :)