For a Quick Laugh...

This video is hysterical. Yes, it is somewhat inappropriate, but I don't care who you are, it's funny.

Have yourself a good holiday chuckle. :-)

Counting Your Blessings...

Today I freaked out. I totally freaked out because I had this HUGE list of things to do, and I didn't know how I was going to get them done. I even gave myself a stomach ache last night just thinking about all of the things I had to do. This morning, the stress was still there, so I started out by making a list. A list always helps me prioritize and get a grip on what exactly I need to get done, and boy does it feel good to check something off! I started out by ordering some Christmas gifts, going through our huge pile of mail, balancing my checkbook, and calling the insurance company and hospital about my outpatient surgery bill.

In the middle of this, I got panicky and upset. This was too much for me to handle, in the middle of directing two more programs, rehearsing for the Christmas Eve service at church, and trying to get Christmas obligations fulfilled...I was too overwhelmed.

It didn't take long, however, for me to realize that I was not the only one in the midst of stress and hardship. A friend of mine's son is having trouble at school. Another friend and his wife are handling a newborn along with four other young children. There are families at school dealing with head lice. A family member is having to downsize due to a job layoff. I heard another Christmas program didn't go so well.

I am so not alone in my quest for peace and my call to God for help during this crazy and sometimes messy season. It's important for me to remember that, as difficult as my situation seems to be, there are so many others whose burdens are heavier.

Next time I start to freak out, I'm going to count my blessings first, and think of ways to help next.

I'm pretty sure things won't be so bad after all.

A Dream Come True?

Today my division head came up to me and told me that one of the kindergarten teachers dreamt that she and I were pregnant at the same time. When I asked the teacher about it, she said she never remembers her dreams, and this one was SO vivid. She also said that she had a similar dream about another friend who ended up being pregnant like, three weeks later.

Keep your fingers crossed, people....This is the season for MIRACLES!!!!!

Tomorrow, it begins....

Tomorrow is my first Christmas program of the season. At my school, we have three grades before kindergarten, and I teach up to second grade, so that's six grades in all. With two grades per program, that makes three different programs in two weeks. It sounds ludicrous, and actually it is, but it's also insanely fun. Today I put up a backdrop for the Toddler/Preschool program in the morning, and the kids spent the afternoon decorating stars to add to it. It's not the most professional job, but when the kids contribute, it's always much cuter.

Their program is called "Jesus - Light of the World" and it's basically the Christmas story. So cute. It's a lot for three and four year olds to stand on risers for 30 minutes, but miraculously, they do it, and it's always a hoot. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a good report, along with a huge gasping sigh of relief!

I went to the doctor today....nothing exciting, just another attempt to fix my wierd body quirks, which seem to be appearing more rapidly each year (hello!!!! I'm only 28!!!!). My medicine cabinet used to be filled with fabulous lotions, toenail polish, jewelry cleaner, and perfume. That's all been shoved to the back to make room for oodles and oodles of pill bottles from my pharmacy friends at CVS. I'm sure they know me by name, and would make snide comments to me if it weren't for that damned HIPPA. Am I a hypochondriac? Probably. Does medicine make me feel better? Yes! As my mother said to me today, "Thank God for insurance"....and the internet, where I can freak out about my illnesses from the comfort of my own living room.

Here's to a happy, healthy, and prescription-free 2009.

:-)

Here are some Sara Groves lyrics to warm you on this cold and wintery night. She has a new Christmas album out this year, and you should DEFINITELY look into it.

Immediately, if not sooner.

Peace Peace

it’s hard to find

trouble comes like wrecking ball

to your peace of mind

and all that worry you can’t leave behind

all your hopes and fears

all your hopes and fears

all your hopes and fears

are met in Him tonight

peace peace

it’s hard to find

doubt comes like a tiny voice that’s so unkind

and all your fears they conspire to unwind you

all your hopes and fears

all your hopes and fears

all your hopes and fears

are met in Him tonight

And in your dark street shines and everlasting light

and all your hopes and fears

are met in Him tonight

all your hopes and fears

all your hopes and fears

all your hopes and fears

are met in Him tonight

peace peace peace

peace peace peace

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!

As I type this, it is crazily snowing outside. Actually, it has tapered off quite a bit since my drive home, but nevertheless, it's "beginning to look a lot like Christmas". I love when DJ's on the radio talk about how "beautiful" the snow is outside, and how glad they are that the snow is here, as they are sitting comfortably in their little booth with their coffee, looking out the window. Meanwhile, the rest of us are dodging cars and snowpiles, clutching the steering wheel with fervor, hoping to just make it home without bumps or scrapes on our automobiles. I find that listening to Christmas music at least puts me into enough of a trance that I can freak out a little bit less than I would if I were listening to any regular song. As I pull into my driveway after a stressful drive home, I whisper a quick prayer - "Thank you God for getting me home safely!"

Be careful out there, everyone - and don't forget to be prayerful for travelers, and thankful for safe journeys!!!

Goodbye, Nina...

Well, folks, it's time to say goodbye to Nina, my Dodge Neon that I have had since 2003. Actually, we said goodbye to her last Monday, but with the business of Thanksgiving, I'm just now getting around to announcing it.

After months and months....and MONTHS of researching, looking, pondering, and crunching numbers, we finally bit the bullet and got a new (to us!) car. Vera the Vue (it's a girl - if it was a boy, it's name would have been Vinnie) is a beautiful storm gray Saturn. We fell in love with her and had to bring her home.

Nina, we love you, and we hope you go to some wonderful high school or college student who doesn't mind a horn that doesn't honk and a passenger window that won't roll down. :-)