Hello 2012!

For me to say that 2011 was a hard year would be an understatement. 2011 was filled with hurt, disappointment, sadness, loneliness, loss, grief, and anger. It will be a year that I remember as changing my life, changing my thought process, and changing who I am and who I want to be.

2011 was also filled with hope, new beginnings, new challenges, and new accomplishments. I began a new job as a fitness instructor and found that I really have a passion for the health and fitness world. I accomplished many challenges along the way to get to this point, thus proving to myself that I still have it in me to put my mind towards a goal, and work really hard to reach it.

My children continue to bless me with their smiles, hugs and kisses, endless energy, a love for others, a desire to learn, and a curiosity to try new adventures.

I have been reminded over and over through 2011 that through all of the pain, hurt, sin, and anger, that God is still next to me, wanting to help me through each and every day of my life.



For 2012, my hope is that I continue to lean on God for his strength through the rough months that may come. I pray that I will not turn towards being angry at a situation (which is so easy to do), but rather that I would embrace the challenge and know that my God is for me.

I am a strong believer that each day is what we make of it. So, I really pray that I am able to make the most of each day God has given me. To take care of my soul and my body. To exercise, to eat right, to pray, and to focus on what really matters at the end of the day. I pray that I can be thankful for what I have rather than constantly wanting more, be passionate in what I do and not take it for granted, and live in the moment instead of thinking about the future.

We were not put on this earth to worry about life, for this reason, I will work on not being full of fear but instead be full of hope and promise. Life was not promised to be easy, although, I plan to live each day to the fullest, work on not taking moments and things for granted, and loving those around me who I care for and cherish.

Innocent Crush

It all started this morning.....

"Hey Mommy, I have a new friend at school, she's in the Giraffe class." - Cooper

"Oh really? What's her name?" - Me (since I work there, I get to "spy" and find out who this friend is.)

"Her name is M (shortened of course for her real name)" - Cooper

And that was the depth of the conversation. Fast forward to this morning around 11:30 when I took some extra cookies into where C's class was, along with the Giraffe class. They were sitting there watching a Christmas movie. They could sit anywhere they wanted. I spotted Cooper sitting with some of his friends in the back. It took me a moment before I saw a girl sitting next to him. I asked one of the teachers is that was M....and it was confirmed that it was.

So, I am standing there watching and talking with the teachers a bit when I see her lift her arm and rub his back. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

"Oh my goodness!!!" I thought.....how sweet, cute, and innocent all of it was. At one point C turned around and saw me there. I asked him if that was M and he nodded his head yes and smiled a silly, possibly slightly embarrassed, smile. I of course then went to embarrass him some more by giving him a kiss and telling him "I love you." Come on, a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do when another woman comes into her son's life! :)

I then learned how C has been showing off in front of her, she has been asking him to sit next to her when they watch movies, and they say hi to each other when they see each other outside of class.

He made sure that an invitation to his Christmas party for school went home with her....he REALLY wants her there!

Oh, and for those who are concerned.....I know her parents, they are both Texas A&M Alumni....they pass the inspection! :)

Hurting Heart

I am not looking for sympathy....just needing to put this out there. There are moments, like this evening, that I miss my best friend so so much. I find myself wanting to be mad at God for taking him from me. If only I could call him right now to hear him say "It's all going to be okay." Instead, I am trying so hard to hear that from God...but the static is so so loud.

I think I do a pretty good job at putting a smile on my face and acting as if my life is going well. I've decided to tonight to let go and CRY. The flood gates are open and I am not holding back.

Bucket List

It's about time to have a Bucket List! I refuse to let life get me down....instead, I am going after it head on! This is definitely a work in progress.....

• Be apart of a flash mob
• Run a half marathon at Disney World
• Run a half marathon in Hawaii
• Be on the Amazing Race
• Go deep sea diving
• Earn more fitness instructor certifications
• Backpack thru Europe
• Volunteer for at least a month at a Haven for Hope type of place
• Witness a birth (other than my own of course)

That's a good start.....

Chance Phone Call

So my life has a lot going on right now (that's for another post), a lot that has reminded me of who I am, who I can be, and who I ought to be.

I received a phone call yesterday evening, well make that two calls from a phone number that I did not know. No voicemail was left. On any other night, I would have never even given these phone calls a second look. But last night was different. We were at Cooper's soccer party when I received the phone calls. Not knowing who it was, I assumed that it was a fellow soccer mom trying to find us. So, unlike any other day, I pressed "talk" on my phone to return the call and waited to see who would pick up. To my surprise it was not a fellow soccer mom or even a doctor's office verifying an appointment, it was a wrong number.

The following is the way the phone call went: (we will call the other person "Chance")

Me - Hi, I just received two phone calls from this number and I am not sure who is calling.
Chance - Yes, I was trying to get ahold of "wrong number." Is this her?
Me - No, but I've had a few people call looking for her for some reason.
(add in a bit of joking comments on both ends and casual conversation for a minute or two)
Chance - Well, did you by any chance apply for a teaching job with SAISD?
Me - No, but are you hiring?
Chance - Yes, we are, do you have a teaching degree?
Me - No, but I have an economics degree and would be interested in exploring my options of becoming a teacher.
Chance - Economics? I could use you as a math teacher. Would you be interested in programs such as Region 20 to get your certification?
Me - Yes, I would. Can I call you later this week to talk more about this opportunity?
Chance - Yes, that sounds great. It was great talking with you and I look forward to meeting you.
Me - Great, It was great talking with you too. I'm glad you called the wrong number!

All I can say is WOW! How crazy, awesome, random, amazing, and perfect timing is this?!?! Such a fun spirited phone call that could change some areas in my life.

And yes, I plan to meet with her the week after Thanksgiving break to explore my options.

Perspective

With so much going on within this world, our country, and our communities, I find it interesting what some people find is important.



People of other nations deal with starvation, disease, and lack education, yet are happy. They are happy with what they have, not knowing what they "could have" (in terms of other countries). Their national average of daily income per family is vastly lower than that of the USA, and yet they get by. They make due with what they have, and if they want more, they work even harder so they can afford it.

I will admit, I have not been following the "Occupy Wall Street" movement that much, well okay, more like at all. But, I have seen a few news clips here and there about it, read some posts on facebook even, and I've decided that I must be missing the point.

At what point do we, citizens of a wealthy country full of opportunities, allow ourselves to blame others for our debt, lack of money, dead end jobs, inability to have the next iPhone, etc? I was raised with the mentality to work hard to earn the money and resources to live, survive, and even be able to purchase a "want" from time to time.

Who are we to punish those who make more than us? Some how, some way, they have earned the right to make the money that they make (right, wrong or other). Rather than focusing so much time on why the wealthy are so bad, maybe time should be focused on balancing a household budget, or prioritizing a weekly schedule to allow time for a second part time job if needed, or on the poorest of poor who really don't have anywhere to turn and really could use some help to get back on their feet or a meal.

I'm not saying that no one ever deserves help or that people should go hungry if they don't have money for food. I believe there is a time and place to help those in need. What I don't understand is why some people are blaming the banks for their financial decisions and current hardships.

I have a bachelors degree and worked at a great paying job when I graduated from college. When my son was born, we made a CHOICE for me to stay at home with him. With that choice came many sacrifices from the very beginning. Eating out became a treat and luxury, instead spaghetti or even rice and beans became more of a common menu item within the house. Shopping for the latest and greatest new styles of clothing flew out the window, and frankly has not come back....I don't think it ever will. We cut out many expenses such as formula and diapers by choosing to breastfeed and cloth diaper.

Sure, it would be GREAT to have a boat to take out to the lake or actually go on a vacation, but for now, living a modest lifestyle filled with paying off student loan debts, saving money to help be prepared for those "just in case" moments, and teaching my children little lessons about smart buying choices is where I would happily be.

I won't cry that I can't have a new TV, bedroom set, or even those juicy steaks this week, because being in my financial situation has been and is my choice.

Coffee Sand

This next week, my preschool class will be exploring taste, touch, and smell. I came across an awesome recipe that I had to try out for the class. My 4 year old son seems to enjoy it, so I'm hoping that the 2 and 3 year olds do as well!

Here's what you'll need:

4 cups of used coffee grounds
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt

First thing, stop by your local Starbucks coffee shop and see if they have any used coffee grounds. I went into my local Starbucks and walked out with a trash bag FULL of used coffee grounds....for FREE!!!! I actually have more than I need. If you run into this problem, place any extra grounds in your flower pots or your garden.

Okay, so now bake the coffee grounds in the oven on low heat (about 200-250 degrees) for 45 minutes. Spread the grounds out on baking sheets to allow them to evenly dry out.

Once those are finished, mix the remaining ingredients into a big bowl with the coffee grounds.

And.....that is it! Simple, easy, and inexpensive! Let the exploring begin.

The coffee sand will last a few weeks if kept in an air tight container between playtimes!