Bring the rain

It has been a whirlwind of a week. A lot has come and gone, and clouds have rolled in and out. I'm hoping you sense the symbolism. On the way to work today, with so much weighing on me and so many thoughts racing around in my mind like circus clowns on tricycles, I heard the song "rain" by Mercy Me. I heard it live in concert when I last saw them a few months ago, but it wasn't until my situation meshed with the message of the lyrics that it's true meaning hit me. The chorus goes something to the effect of:

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray


The portion about "if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain..." struck me!

It has been weeks since JP and I have been able to sit and read the word together. We usually simply have time for a quick couples devotion before bed. It wasn't until all the chaos was stirred up into a thick cloud, that we were able to spend time in the word together. And within that, found strength amidst the rain.

Thank you Jesus for the rain...for the reminder that we cannot do anything without you...for a reminder to turn to the chief of all nature and creation to either cease or guide us through the torrential downpours we meet in life.

Hair Dare

So Jp and I are both standing up in our friends' wedding in July. I'm trying to decide what I wanna do with my hair. Should I cut it...i MIss my short hair. Or let it grow so I have hair long enough for a cute updo for the wedding!

If it's long I wanna do something like one of these first two styles.



If I decide to cut it short, I would do something like thisHelp! What's your opinion?

Call the Doctor

Four of my kids have had strep this week alone! I feel like the lady in the vitamin commercial..."Um...ya. I'm looking at my schedule and I can't pencil strep in this month. That doesn't work for me. Maybe next month."

I cannot be sick, again!

Love is in the air

I had an amazing Valentine's Day with my husband! Although this is the first as a married couple, it is our 7th time celebrating this holiday together! This meant it would take a lot of thought to top anything done in the past. I took JP out for breakfast and got him a massage. He loved it but what bothered me is that the masseuse he had was the same woman I had right before the wedding. She talked the whole time! JP said she talked about how she doesn't believe in celebrating Valentine's Day and how she is really stressed out. That's exactly what I would want to hear if I were getting a massage to relax and as a Valentine's present. I was so ticked. I didn't tip her well. I have every right mind to call and complain. Maybe, I'll pull a Rosie and get us some free massages!!!!

JP took me to Carlucci. It is a fantastic Italian restaurant! So worth it too. For an appetizer, two salads, two entrees, and a dessert, we only spent $50! Then he gave me a card and in it is said that he was taking me to Embassy Suites so I can relax away from home!




As we drove towards the hotel I quickly realized he meant the one near O'Hare, where we had spent our wedding night. What a sweet thought! I loved it! All in all....it was a phenomenal Valentine's Day. Downside is....he has to try and top that next year. Good luck, baby!

Sick in bed

So, I'm home from work sick. I don't know whether to attribute it to the fact that I'm a teacher, that I nearly passed out during a blood test the night before, or that it is simply going around. Despite the reason, I was so glad I took a half day and decided to come home and rest. There are a few things I look forward to when I'm sick:

1. my pajamas

2. sleep

3. relaxing with daytime tv

4. my husband coming home to make me feel better

5. crackers and sprite (which my mom brought me)

6. no responsibilities, no children fighting over who breathed on who, and the absolute silence of a quiet house!

Updo upchuck

While paruzzing for possible bridesmaid hairstyles for an upcoming wedding in the summer, here are several disturbing, fashion faux paus I found when I typed in the words:

CONTEMPORARY HAIRSTYLE UPDO

ain't so classy



ain't so lifelike



ain't so realistic



ain't so feminine



ain't so contemporary

You can thank me later for saving you from committing social suicide by cruising around with one of these no-no updos.

Join me in asking the obvious question: "What are you thinking?!"

Diagnosis

For those who know me, the topic of my chronic stomach problems is not a new one. It comes up in many a conversation and has been a huge mystery to my doctors for years. I have had numerous cat scans and blood tests run and no diagnosis was given. I'll spare you the detailed symptoms (Trust me) and just skip to the part where I say that I am tired of being in pain every time I eat and visiting the ladies room several times a day. So although this is what I picture when I hear the word "tests":






I have decided it is about that time to face the pointed metal object associated with pain. I happen to be one of those people that doesn't consider my doctor my best friend, and visit her frequently, rather I attempt to get over any flu, broke bone, or pain, without medication. But my complaints have become louder and my stomach has gotten more annoyed so I believe it's about time for my wallet to open wide and say, "ahhhhhh."

Touch This Tap That

Although the title of this post sounds questionable, it makes sense with the content. I was wondering about the many ways to teach my kindergarteners easy addition. I have never forgotten the way I was taught. Although way back in the early 90's, this method has never left my brain. The "touch point" method has been engrained in my memory to this day and is what I use with the simplest of math problems. To this day I have thought of it as a genius mathematical method. However, while doing some researching today, I ran across a series of articles discouraging its use in schools today. The articles stated how many who were taught this method are slower in math, having to use the "touch method" rather than raw memorization. I finally realized how true these statements are! I feel robbed of what I believe was a fantastic and authentic math trick! It's like realizing Santa isn't real!
Needless to say, I will spare my students to embarrassment of counting using fingers and touch points, and open their eyes to a more speedy form of math...memorization.