Mental Health Day

As I'm sure you can tell by the title and the fact that my life is always like this, things have been crazy for me! Summer is long gone and school is definitely back in session. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was laughing with my Auburn friends in my den! So much has happened since then though...
H and I went to the beach with the fam in July. We only got to stay for a week, which was a bummer, and even more so when it rained for the first three days we were there! But we had a good time and celebrated H's birthday while we were there. We had to come home early for ALLIANCE and Band Camp. The madness of all of that ensued and thank goodness it is all over! It was rough to work at 2 Band Camps and get my classroom ready for school to start. I'm still not really sure how I got through all of that. But here we are five and a half weeks into school so I guess I'm a survivor! Haha. What a mess!
So yes, school... umm, let's just say that I am sitting at home today with nothing to do and enjoying it greatly. I have a rough class this year with 3-4 boys in particular. I am hoping that a meeting I have later this week will benefit me and my kids - saying my prayers! I'm really not sure why they keep raising the bar for education but I have 20 students in my class and a half-time parapro. It really is insane that they expect these kids to come out of Kindergarten doing things I did as a first/second grader. Why can't we let kids be kids?! I just don't understand. But I will do the best I can with what I have - that's all I can do - it will have to be enough!
ALLIANCE... I don't think it has hit me yet that I had my last performance ever. I am glad it is over because it was so time-consuming at the end, but I do have to say that I really did enjoy it. I forgot how much I loved performing until I was doing it again. I have more great memories associated with guard now and am grateful I found that opportunity.
And speaking of guard... it is still a big part of my life. I have backed away from my responsibility at MHS. I still have some connections there, but I am not as involved. It has been a relief, although I do miss the friends I worked with there. They always had a way of making me laugh and we all got along so well. I really do miss spending Friday nights with them. But instead, I am across town with SHS. And I have to say, I love it there too. Of course, Nicole and I get along great and always have a good time at practice and games. We get along well with the other staff as well. I have had a lot of fun getting to know those guard girls and working with them. It has been a lot less stressful as well because my schedule doesn't seem as chaotic.
H is doing well in her senior year. She is healthy and enjoying life. I keep reminding her that she will miss these high school days when they are over because she is eager for graduation. For now, her future plans are uncertain, but I know that God has a plan for her life. That plan will be revealed when the time has come, so until then, we are trying to make smart decisions for her life. I am still shocked that I was chosen to be blessed by her. Her presence in my life has been one that I will be forever grateful. She has taught me so much and I am thankful that our paths crossed. I love her more than she will ever know.
In other news... I have another special someone in my life. ;) We have been dating for a little over a month now and he is great. As crazy as my life is, he understands and knows to jump in where he can. Surprisingly, we spend a great deal of time together. We will see where this path leads...
So as I sit here thinking about what my kids are doing at school right now, I am thankful for the chance to take a day off. Plans for the day include lounging around the house, reading, and shopping!! Hopefully more to come sooner than later...

Blazing Heat

Well, summer is here! And sadly, it is almost over. But I have thoroughly enjoyed it and will continue to do so in the coming days, for sure! I have stayed busy (as usual) and had lots of fun too.
My Auburn friends - Ashley, Rebecca (and Eli), and Brittany and Lily - came to visit for a few days in June. While we didn't really do a lot, we had fun just hanging out and spending time together. However, we definitely missed Jessica being around!
Since then, H and I have been busy with ALLIANCE rehearsals and we already had a show too! I have realized how old my body really is by doing this, however, I have also discovered that I am in pretty good shape. I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself for still being able to participate in an activity of this caliber at my age. I am out there with mostly high schoolers and am able to keep up - impressive! Haha.
My grandparents live in a house that is really too big for two people, but my grandfather doesn't want to clean out the basement and my grandmother won't move until it's cleaned. BIG PROBLEM. But, no worries, I talked my grandmother into allowing me, H, Andrew, and our cousin, Michele to clean it out this summer for some extra money. It has been a big job, but not nearly as big as I thought it would be. Everyone kept saying it would take us the whole summer. Well, we just got the dumpster last week and it is already full and ready to be hauled off AND on top of that, all the trash/junk is out of the basement! No, we're not finished by any means, but I have to say that I'm proud of how we worked. We have piles of things... metal recycling, oil/transmission fluid/paints, tires, electronics recycling, paper recycling, and stuff to be sold on ebay or craig's list. After we get the recycling stuff out, I will feel VERY good about what we've done and be okay with stopping. I am still in shock at some of the stuff we found down there!
So I have one week left here at home before we head to the beach... so excited. And it is going to be a busy week indeed! Monday = lake with the fam, Tuesday = tutoring, cleaning house, lunch with Sarah, and grocery shopping for... Wednesday = H's senior pictures, Bible study + dinner, Thursday = tutoring and packing, and Friday = packing, lunch/dinner with Jack and Terri Leigh!!!!!!, parade practice at MHS... will be VERY glad on Saturday evening when I finally arrive in FLORIDA!!!! Hope you are all enjoying your summer as much as I am. I will try to post more often in the coming days...

Crazy Life Cycle

So I've been counting down the days to summer, but I realized today that my countdown to summer leads to a countdown to the end of summer/start of school, which turns back around. Granted, there are some countdowns that are much anticipated and those that aren't, but they are existent nonetheless. And sadly, I don't know that I enjoy the end result as much as I think I'm going to when I'm counting down. However, I am going to promise myself that I am going to enjoy my summer this year. I have 19 more days of school until summer break, and I have a fairly empty calendar for June. Now, if you know me, you know it won't stay that way for very long. BUT, I am purposely not signing up for everything under the sun. I need some time for me. And I need some time for my friends. And I need some time for H. And I need some time for my family. Really, I just need time. And I am hopeful that June will provide that for me. You see, I LOVE to be busy. I was crazy-busy in high school, which quieted down a little in Auburn, and has now picked back up. However, last week I had a pretty quiet week that led up to a busy weekend. I have to say that I was more tired everyday last week than I was all weekend. Isn't that backwards?! Strange, but that's how I work. In fact, I do better on less sleep than I do on more sleep, and I do better with an even number of hours of sleep - so I do better with 6 hours of sleep than with 7 or 8. I know, it's weird, but it's true. So this summer, I will take some time to catch up on all of this lost sleep and give myself the opportunity to sleep longer than 6-8 hours. I will take time for myself, and my family, and my friends, and "my" H. Because I deserve AND they deserve it. What's funny is that I know that when June is over, July begins and the madness starts all over again. I already have a very full July calendar - in fact, I have a July 09-June 10 calendar, so I bought by July 10-June 11 calendar and now have to carry both around to make sure I'm not overbooking myself! So while the countdown to summer is going on, I also realize the unsaid countdown to July=craziness has also begun. And that kind of makes me sad. Yesterday at church, our pastor's message was about slowing down and taking time to enjoy life. So, I am trying to keep that mindset and follow through. I want to take a step back and look at the ways I am spending my time - are they investments that I really want to make? At the end of the road, will I really be happy and satisfied that I spent that much time on that particular thing? Am I glorifying God with this much time on this or am I strengthening my relationship with the Lord with this much time on that? I hope by evaluating these things, I will really come to understand that crazy life cycle that we create for ourselves. I am loving life, but am I really living it in a way that is bringing glory to God and sharing His love with others?

Ups and Downs

I cannot believe April starts tomorrow! I am certainly not complaining, because I am so looking forward to spring weather and more time on my hands, but man, time flies!!!

Winterguard season ended this past weekend. I am so proud of my SHS kids - second season out this year. Last year, they won their class, and this year they moved up a class and came in third!!! It was an interesting season. I learned a lot and really did enjoy my time with them. I am excited about the future with them.

I have heard lots of sad news this month... a young man who is very involved with YoungLife in Rome, GA died over the weekend of cancer. A high school senior who is headed to Samford to play football in the fall was diagnosed with cancer. The girl I listen to on the radio in the mornings was diagnosed with breast cancer. Life has a way of running its course - it keeps going, even if you're not ready to go. It's crazy actually. Even if we want to stop, other things will continue to go. I also heard lots of happy news this month... a teacher at my school welcomed her first baby into her life. One of my best friends from Auburn is pregnant with her first child. There are diabetic alert dogs out in this world that are incredibly effective at helping diabetics manage their life. Once again, life has a way of running its course. There are things that happen expectedly and unexpectedly, and while we don't always want to deal with them, we don't really have a choice. Thankfully, I know Jesus and He helps me know that I can handle anything that life throws at me. I am just thankful that He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. I really don't know where I would be without the Lord. If you don't know Him, you're missing out - simple as that. So I am praising Him for the wonderful things that have happened this month, and I am praying for those people who are being dealt a hard hand in life right now. I am praying that their friends and family will surround them during these difficult times. I pray that He would surround them with His loving arms and give them a peace. I hope that He will give them the grace to get through this time. And I pray that in the end, they are stronger for this rough spot and that they grow from this experience. Funny how as I pray these things, I realize that they can also be prayed for those who are experiencing an exciting and new time in their life. Isn't it strange that life has these ups and downs, but we still have similar requests in both situations?

So yes, long story short, I have discovered a family here in my city that is in search of a diabetic alert dog for their dad. Most of you know that H was diagnosed with type I diabetes back in December. We have been on quite the adventure the last three months. Thankfully, we have not had anything traumatic happen, and we have done a good job at managing her glucose levels. I feel like we almost speak a different language sometimes, but we have learned so much. By no means am I an expert, but it is so funny to me how much more knowledge I have about food and the way our body works. I've never thought about what I'm eating as much as I do now (and maybe that time Brittany and I tried a no-carb diet in college... BAD idea!!!) and what it means for my body. And I've DEFINITELY never thought it for someone else. It is amazing to me how much my mind wanders to H and her body, even when I'm not with her. I think the worst at times and I think the best at times, of course, I always HOPE for the best. I have had nightmares, horrible thoughts, and almost scared myself into a panic over fear. It is strange really. Is this what parenting is like? Obviously I have never had a child of my own, but I can definitely say that I love H like she is my own. We joke about it, but it's almost like with every joking comment, my love for her grows deeper and deeper. I only hope that means as much to her as it does to me. I am so proud of her and the way she has handled this life-changing diagnosis. She has been handed a lot of bad lemons in this life, but she has used them to make lemonade and in my life, she has used them to add some extra zest to my life. The way our lives have been woven together continues to amaze me, and I thank God everyday that our paths crossed when they did. It has been six months since she moved in, and what an amazing time it has been. Some people have asked me if I feel differently about my decision to have her live with me or if I would do it again after seeing how things have played out and I just want to say, "In a heartbeat, I would do it 10,000 times again!!!" She has been such a huge blessing to me and in my life. Who knows why this happened to either of us, but I know there is a reason, and I am excited to see the outcome, because God has some pretty amazing things ahead if the past is any indication.

Very random post, but I've been thinking about these things for a while now and needed to get them off my chest... thanks for listening. I am counting down the days to spring break... 2!!!! and the days to summer... 30 (after spring break)!!! Very excited. Spring break = Huntsville = Brittany and Lily (and Brent!)!!!! Summer = no work!!! (although I have acquired a summer job for H and I at my grandparents' house as well as a tutoring job)

HAPPY SPRING!!!

This Thing Called Life

Oh, my friends. My eyes have been opened to life and all that it encompasses. Have you ever thought about all the things we see, do, hear, say, smell, and touch in our lifetime? Life is short - some shorter than others, but short nonetheless - Psalm 39:5 says "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath..." And how true that is! We need to make the most of the short time we have here on earth.

I have not been very patient with my class this year, and I came to the realization that I make such a big impression on them. Sure, one year out of their life isn't that much time. But, think about the kids who develop cancer and don't live past 12, or the kids who are tragically killed in a car accident at 16, or God forbid, anything else that happens. Now, I don't wish that on any one of my kids - nor anyone else for that matter - but one year of a life that is that short isn't very long. These five-year-olds I have in my classroom everyday are so impressionable, and I need to take this opportunity that has been granted to me and make the most of it. I need to show them love and joy. I need to share kindness with them. The bottom line is I need to be more patient with them. I know it will be a struggle with them, but I only have 45 more days with them. My goal is to be better about this. I only hope that it will also create a change in my kids over the next 3 months, because something needs to change before we all go crazy!

At the same time, I need to be better about the ways I spend my time in the rest of my life. I have been given a wonderful opportunity to invent my time in a precious teenager, and she needs to see that life is meant to be lived to the fullest. I only hope that I can show her how to enjoy life and make the most of the circumstances that surround us. I want her to see and feel love. I want her to see patience, joy, and kindness - and so much more. I hope that this girl the Lord has entrusted to me for this time will be changed for the time she spends with me.

In the end, I hope that I can make this change in my life and come to enjoy life a little more myself.

Leave of Absence

I apologize for my recent leave of absence... I got angry with my previous cable/internet provider and changed to a different cable provider. When I called to cancel the cable and ask to keep internet, I was told it would cost me an outrageous price. So I cancelled it all and haven't had internet for almost a month! But I am back and hope to keep you more updated. See below for a post I have had planned for MONTHS!! And stay tuned for a post about my special birthday present! Have a great week!

Lillian Reese VK

So my best friend, Brittany, had a baby girl... Lillian Reese. She is beautiful! Lily Reese was born on December 28, 2009 at 8:36am. She was 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. I went to visit B&B and Lily the day after she was born and just loved it.

I'm sorry I don't have any other pictures, but this is a precious post about Lily's first month! I am going to babysit Lily for a week in April while her mommy and daddy go to work, and I am BEYOND excited! I cannot wait to spend a week with Brittany first of all, and then to watch Lily for five days straight makes me so happy!

Just a note for Lily...

Lily,
Since the day I found out you were going to be brought into this world, I have prayed for you. I have no doubt that your Godly parents will bring you up into the world right, but I pray that you would come to knowledge and saving grace of our Heavenly Father at a young age and choose to follow after Him. This world is harsh and can have times that are not fun, but with God on your side, all things are possible. We can get through anything because God is our cheerleader and best friend. He walks with us through life and carries us when we need it. I pray that this will be comforting to you. I pray that you will be a shining light for Him with your life in all that you do.
You are so small now, but the Lord has great plans for you. I am in awe of all that He has done. He formed you and made you, and you are beautiful! I know you will grow into a fun, cute little girl with ponytails and bows. And you will be surrounded by God's love and I pray that you will feel that at all times. You will grow into a smiling, active teenager with lots of friends and boys all around. I pray God will give your dad the courage not to hurt any of those boys! But I also pray that God will use you to bring others to Him. You will continue to grow into a purposeful young woman, and I pray that your purpose in life will be to share about your faith. I pray that God will use you in ways that no one can imagine right now.
I pray for your mommy and daddy - that you will honor them and they will honor you. I know they will bring you up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I pray that they would encourage you in your walk with the Lord when the time comes that you are ready to accept the Lord as your Savior. I pray that they will be given the words to say to you so that you come to know Him sooner than later.
And finally, I pray that you will grasp how wide and how long and how high and how deep is the love of Christ.
May He grasp your heart so powerfully and tenderly that you will know without a doubt that He is knocking to come in!
I love you, Lily!
Your "Aunt Allison"

P.S. I apologize for the lack of pictures... this is all I had and had technical difficulties "borrowing" others' pictures from facebook. But there are lots there if you care to see more of sweet Lillian Reese!