Devotion

The church I have been attending puts together a book for Lent. Each day of Lent is a scripture, devotion written by someone from the congregation, and a prayer. A few weeks ago, they were in need of a few more writers. I went home and e-mailed the person in charge expressing my willingness to write if needed. What was I thinking?! Well, here is what I submitted (minus the prayer. I forgot to originally write it so I sent it as a separate e-mail and didn't save it I guess):
Revelation 10: 1-10
After hearing there was a need for eight more devotion writers I decided to step up and answer the call. It wasn’t until after I sent the e-mail volunteering that I actually came to my senses and realized what I was really doing! This week I received the scripture, read the passages, read them again, and waited. I was waiting for those right words to enter. Below are the words that found me. The explanation or connection might not be clear to you, but like I said these are the words that found me.
I am one to believe there are angels all around us. Those angels might be loved ones that have passed before us or simply unknown angels that were sent to watch and protect over us. After reading about the angel and the little scroll, this angel reminded me of a teacher. At first, I thought of this angel as a teacher in a classroom. This was probably my first instinct because I am a teacher myself of young children. However, the more times I read the passage this week, I began to think of this angel as anyone in my life that I have learned from. My grandparents were influential people in helping me become the person that I am today. So, maybe this angel could be my MeMe and Pa. In the first verse, the angel is descending “wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun”. All those are signs of peace and bring a smile to my face. So, this angel was a sign of peace and comfort. When I think of a scroll it brings to mind great teachings. The angel told of this scroll as being “bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth”. Was the angel saying it is best to keep unkind words hidden down below and only let sweet words leave the mouth? Or was the angel saying if you swallow the scroll the teachings will be bitter in the stomach because they are kept hidden? If you read back over “the mystery of God will be fulfilled, as he announced to his servants” this is telling us to share the good teachings. We need to share the good news, the kind words, and the important teachings of God. This can be done by sharing the lessons that we have learned through the years.
As the children leave my classroom, I tell them to “be sweet. Remember who you are and where you came from” just as was told to me each time I left my grandparents house for college. This was always my last stop out of town. MeMe would say, “be sweet. Remember who you are” and Pa would chime in with “and where you came from. We love you.” So, even those children I know are going home to troubling situations, they at least know they left a classroom where they were loved and cared for. Isn’t it better to share the good in life and let kind words leave our mouths tasting like sweet honey?

Miles visits Kindergarten

Two weeks ago I was planning my dinosaur unit. We haven't done this unit in a few years but we had an extra week the way the calendar fell so we put it back in. Most of our boys love learning about dinosaurs. We make dinosaurs out of pasta, "excavate" chips out of chocolate chip cookies, measure the real length, see how many of our feet fit into one large dino foot, etc. Well, my friends Maggie and Justin have one smart boy who LOVES dinosaurs! So, as I was planning I had this brilliant idea to invite him to the classroom! Miles will be going to Kindergarten in the Fall so this was helpful to me since I have a hard time pronouncing the names and helpful for him to see what Kindergarten might be about. He arrived around 9 and left before our lunch at 11. He helped read us two books, "wrote" a story about taking a dinosaur to school, made a pasta dinosaur, played in the blocks with the dinos, and made a dinosaur in the Art center. Here are a few pictures from his trip and a video if it will upload. He reads an entire A-Z dino book so it is kind of long.

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Spring Day

It was beautiful at the beginning of this week with the start of Spring. After a trying day at work, I came home and relaxed outside with Pattie. I decided to see what pictures I could take from sitting in the chair. Here is what I discovered:

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Max Patch and Hot Springs

Last Saturday I went with some friends up to Max Patch. I searched on the internet before going and thought we were going on a 9 mile hike for the day. Turns out it was more of a stroll, but I was certainly prepared in case we got stranded for a few days! One of the girls had a dear friend who was hit by a car earlier in the week. He was a fellow camper so once we settled at the top she lit a candle in his memory. The candle holder she made at camp with him.
After leaving the beautiful views, we headed over to Hot Springs. I have wanted to go since college and last week was the day! After a delicious mexican dinner on the way home we all crashed. I haven't seen views like that in awhile and they were long overdue.

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In Bloom

While at home this past weekend, I was in my old room and happend to peer out the window to see my camellia bush blooming. As my memory serves me, which might be different from the true story, I chose this bush to plant under my bedroom window in middle school. It could have been late elementary school. Nevertheless, I remember making the choice. (So, mom and dad if that's not true just let me go on believing it to be.) Here are a few shots from the ever growing, ever blooming memory.

Rah, Rah Car'lina-'lina!

Pattie helped cheer on the Tarheels with us Saturday. She must have been worn out Sunday to help pull them through. That's okay, she has until Friday to rest up!
(this was from the ACC tournament...I am having trouble getting the video uploaded....)
Continuing on with the cheering: I have stayed busying cheering on the Tarheels. These pictures are dark because they were taken with my cell phone. I just couldn't pass up taking a capturing a night of fried pickles, beer, friends, and Carolina making it to the Elite 8!

Wellingtons

I went to church last weekend in the pouring rain wearing leggings, a skirt, and my rain boots. Looking like a five year old I might add, but hey, it was pouring rain and at least I made the effort to attend church. Anyways, I sit down next to some friends I have made. The wife is also a Kindergarten teacher in the county so we are always swapping stories. Well, she is also from England. As the service is beginning she looks at me and says, "I love your Wellingtons". Well, I'd love to thank her but I'm not sure what she is talking about. So, of course I asked. This is probably a term I should know, but well I didn't. So, I went to church and learned a new word all in the same day!
(I did not make Pattie put her paws near my wellingtons for the picture. I was just snapping pictures and she wanted to be close.)

Has Spring Sprung?!

Saturday night

My friend Hollie came into town for work again, so a few of us met up for dinner. It was a great way to end another Saturday night!

Shower with Friends

I helped shower Abby (in the green scarf) for her upcoming wedding. We met at a cute tea room for scones, tiny sandwiches, and 3 different desserts. Marian was one of the hostess and it was wonderful to see her again! Retirement is treating her well!!!! Only 20 more to go until people can say that about me!

Downtown Evening

We had to celebrate Jenn's birthday! So, we met for a "peace, love, and noodles" kind of evening. After finally letting the stress of work go, we were able to enjoy a friendly dinner followed by some inspiring fortunes. Walking around downtown and popping into unique stores was followed by dessert at a little bakery. This whole evening was just what we three needed!

Book Club

We met last Tuesday for our February book club. Brenna was the gracious host for the evening. After eating, discussing the book, and talking about our lives we decided on the next meeting day. For March, we will be reading Love in the Time of Cholera.

100 days!

WHAT?! We have to celebrate 100 days of school on a Satuday?!


YEAH! There are only 80 more to go!!!

Parade

Our Kindergartners were in the letter parade this past Wednesday. Each child took home a letter of the alphabet, decorated it something that starts with that letter, then paraded around the school to show off the creations. This year, I convinced my team we should dress up too! Some of us were decked out from head to toe in things that begin with our letter and others were just one thing. I had bunny ears, butterfly wings, a bee body, beads, bandana, and boots on. The things you do for your children!

Missing?!

I catch crap all the time about posting on my blog too much or posting pictures right away. Truth is, people love it. They can't deny it any longer. So, where are all the pictures? the posts? Last weekend, my friend Lauren turned 32. There was a little gathering Friday night to help her kick off the birthday weekend. Well, instead of taking myself and the camera to the party I sat my happy butt on the couch with a low grade fever and slept for 12 hours. I received several comments about missing me and most importantly my camera. See?!
Saturday I awoke with the fever still hanging around and took a morning nap. It was then I decided sleeping was not going to cure my ails. I showered, took myself to the grocery store and got items to make some homemade baked potato soup. Sunday I was pretty a-okay. Monday morning hit and with it some more germs. That day we sent home two children with 102 fevers adding to the already five other children that were out. I was trying to catch some chills during the day so it was decided I would take myself to kick boxing that night to kick the germs away. Not so sure it worked, but Tuesday I took myself back to the gym to attempt running. Again, still coughing but thankfully no chills. Surely sweating was the way to rid my body of the nasty germs floating around my classroom. Wednesday, my voice was trying to disappear. Funny because in 32 years I have only lost my voice once. Wednesday night I went to yoga and really focused on my moves when she said it helps the immune system. As I came out of yoga, it was spitting snow. Awoke today, Thursday, to school cancelled. That's right. It looked like sugar had been sprinkled over my yard but school was not in session; not even for teachers. Instead, we all get to gather on Saturday for school until 1:00. My thoughts on this are: if we can't handle driving in only a dusting to an ince of snow then maybe we shouldn't live in the mountains right?! Of course, if we hadn't already missed too much school I would probably be feeling differently.
However, here is how it's going down. I am working on being Balanced Bethany remember? So, I enjoyed my "Saturday" by sleeping in which is what I think my body needs. Sipping coffee in my pajamas was enjoyed before having lunch and a Goodwill trip before heading home. Now it's off to read and hopefully send these chills and cough germs packing for good! I would like to feel 100% again soon!

Giving Back

A friend of mine posted this on facebook. I thought it was good enough to share.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-salwen/the-slightly-absurd-thing_b_817480.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Cheating...

We cheated mother nature out of two winter days. With temperatures in the low 60s here Saturday and Sunday moods were refreshed. Sunday after church, I enjoyed my lunch while soaking up some vitamin D. Later on, we joined Ann and her pup Chloe for a run in the woods. I tell you what, running in the woods does a mind good!
Now it's on to Monday when mother nature reminded us that winter is not through. It's okay, just that taste did the body good.
Two muddy girls:

A Friend In Town

Hollie came back into town to work this weekend and a few of us meet for dinner and drinks. The "negative Nelly" part of Saturday was we had a workday. The "positive Polly" part of the day was we could leave by 2 so I was home to watch the Tarheels play! Also, it was a beautifully warm afternoon so Pattie and I enjoyed soaking up some rays while playing in the yard. As the sun was setting, I headed downtown to meet the girls. Put all this together and you have the new me. Meet Balanced Bethany! When I went for "hairapy" (I get my hair cut and therapy from my gay hairdresser for the same price!) Friday afternoon this is what I discovered. I have been struggling with a few parts of my life this past week and I told him I was trying to be more positive polly. His response was only being positive denies reality. I need to find a balance. To this I responded with "I have it! I'm going to be Balanced Bethany!" So, here's to being more balanced.

All Day Racing

Awaking at 6:30 to 20 degree weather is not an ideal way to start your Saturday morning. However, I needed to get myself ready for another year of running in the Issac Dickson Hot Chocolate 10K. Yep, that's right. Again this year I signed up for the race in hopes I would keep myself motivated through the holidays. Turns out, January 1st hit and I realized there had been little to no training much as the past years have proved. So, last Monday I joined a gym, visited it 4 times and ran the race. Well, let's just say I finished the race. I actually felt much better about the race running more and faster than past years until I hit the beast of an end...the dreaded hill! Again, I finished.
It was home to quickly shower, eat, grab Pattie and head back to W. Asheville for the second event on the agenda. We were attending the Winter Warmer Beer Fest that afternoon. Little did I know a few firsts were coming my way. I rode the public bus for the first time (not buses that run through a college campus, I have been on those). I tasted a few beers for the first time. After the fest, we grabbed pizza before heading home. I ordered pepperoni and pineapple. There is no pineapple at this place, but they offered banana. I said what the heck, I would try it. It wasn't so bad. I still enjoy pineapple better, but now I can say I've tried banana pizza...have you?!

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Mom's turn!

Friday evening, dad and mom traveled up the mountain to celebrate. They arrived just in time for a lasagna dinner prepared by yours truly! After dinner, we enjoyed warm chocolate chip cookies before playing 12 rounds of Scattegories! I think this is just what mom wanted to do for her birthday!
Saturday morning after making breakfast here, we headed out for some shoe shopping. No one was successful, but we enjoyed the company. Before heading out of town, a late lunch was enjoyed at Blue Sky Cafe! It was a short visit, but so nice to have guests in the house!