New Quotes

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts-Marcus Aurelius

"If you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen."- Conan O'Brian (don't watch any late night tv guys, but saw links to this quote and clip here and here, and liked it.)

Read these on a blog I frequent and loved them. Thought I'd share on this cold afternoon. :)

Grace

I have finally decided on my "one little word". Just like last year, I sat and struggled through wonderful words in our language. I wrestled over the combination of goals/activities I wanted to accomplish, as well as things I wanted to change in myself and succinct words I could use as motivation. I thumbed through pages of ideas, clicked through websites with similar "one word" interests. I talked them over with my family, too.

Then I prayed about it. And our sermon in church the next Sunday focused on grace; the kind we give others, the kind we give ourselves and the kind we are Given. It made me think. Last year I "received" my word in church, too. It just felt right. So, this year my word is grace.

I picked grace because: first, I am so thankful God blesses us with His grace. I would be nowhere without it. I also picked it because I don't work on my actions showing that appreciation. I don't work hard enough at my daily delving into Words and descriptions of His grace.

Also, I sometimes am impatient with my immediate family. When something isn't going right, I don't extend them grace, I snap at them. That is something I want to work on. I try to be so positive with others, that sometimes in the bustle of life I forget to be positive with my three most beloved members of my family. I need to extend grace.

I need to look at the grace of life, too. I will be thirty five this year on my birthday (I know, a youngster ;)) but I haven't eaten or exercised with grace lately. I haven't felt graceful, I have felt more overweight than ever before (although I'm still average to the population, I am not the fit runner I once was...)

So, these are the reasons I chose grace and am striving to accomplish the goals I've set for myself.


What "one little word" have you chosen for your life?? If you haven't, I encourage you to.

Blogging

Blogging is an art form, a discipline, for some. For me it is a fun way to journal, and with a schedule that is busy, fun things get set aside. Sorry blog readers, I have set aside my blog (again!) for the last few weeks.

Some of the reason is teaching. Teaching has been wonderful: full of the ups and downs of starting a new job. I feel like things are going well, although I'm not adjusting as quickly as I'd like. I feel slower than I have in past long term jobs. The staff has been terrific, helpful and kind. The school has a wonderful sense of community and support. I just wish I was not feeling like I'm treading water. I feel the need to catch up and don't feel like I have, yet. But I will get there. This made me think of Kendra's quote at the end of her blog: by Charles Spurgeon: By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

I am home just a few minutes most days before I need to drive the girls to piano, or pick them up from play or indoor track practices. I did get in a run both days this weekend, and they felt good. Think I burned enough calories to eat badly the rest of the week? :) The flurries began again today and the grey clouds moved back in again. It is a comfortable neighborhood, after all. :) Other than that, things continue on normally. I am searching for new teaching ideas, teaching, grading, planning, driving, catching up with my girls (one of which is 15 now!!) or catching some zz's. Or trying to-the other night had nightmares, and on a few others, I woke up thinking about our students and how things can work better in the classroom. :)

I am truly happy and blessed, even with the busy-ness and grey skies, I feel God's giving and graceful hand in my life. I am so thankful for a husband who is helping, two daughters who are happy for me and my "newest adventure" and a school to go to every day. :)))

I hope you are well on this Tuesday, Reader.

Update

Another blog post from the road. We are on our way back from visiting my family. Had a great visit, exchanged our holiday gifts and are working our way home, now. It is always nice to see my family, but hard when it's time to go. I feel guilty leaving, like I don't see them enough. Part of that comes from the time we spend with my husband's family, I think. I feel guilty that I see them more than my family. Luckily most are in good health. Everyone was surprised to see how much our girls had grown. They are both taller than me-which we knew would happen, but my youngest is in a real spurt right now, where she's growing a lot at once!

In other news, my job is changing! I was interviewed and hired for a long term position over the break. There was a school in another district (different than the one I've been teaching in for the last few years, where my daughters attend) that called and interviewed me for a maternity leave assignment. The woman was supposed to be done in March and I'm not sure of all the details but they called earlier than expected and said the woman was on bed rest. I am supposed to have the job until mid-May! A nice long job with fourth graders, I think. I go in early tomorrow to start the job. I'm very excited. I'm subbing, so it's not my own class, but thankfully, I have a job at the same school everyday and with, from whom I have met thus far, a great staff. I'm very nervous, but also very excited. God has brought me here (several moments of “God-incidences” throughout this process to get me here) and I'm positive about the opportunity.

My weight continues to climb, with several pairs of pants no longer fitting me, so I'm looking forward to working on it. I can watch what I eat better when I'm not at home where everything is accessible, as well as packing my lunch. I have enjoyed the few runs I got to go out on during the school break, too. I like the “New Year” being a good time to reassess goals. I am still working on choosing my “one little word” for the year. 2008 was faith and 2009 was peace. I felt like I worked on being more aware with the words. I have written my resolutions and am hopeful to see at least some of them accomplished. I am hopeful that I can reach my potential towards the person I want to be.

Currently, my husband is listening to a podcast, my youngest daughter is playing her DS and my teenage daughter is resting/listening to her ipod. Too many nights of staying up late, I think. At least for me! :)

I have not been scrapbooking much, although I did start a little project I'm excited about working on. Maybe after I teach all day I will not feel guilty about sitting down to work on my hobby? Or will I be too tired to?! :) One of my resolutions is to sit and get two layouts (sets of pages) done per week. For non-scrapbookers, open a book up with two pages open and facing you. :) Two of those. :)The ablums I have started that I'm working on are all 6 x 6 or 8 x 8, so they aren't too large, I just need to get to them! :) One of the gifts from my parents for Christmas was a storage box perfect for scrapbook paper, so I can organize and that is very exciting! I love how my mom really takes note of things I mention throughout the year, especially concerning my hobby, and lets that be her gift guide. :)

Well, I think that's enough rambling for now. I hope you have wonderful weather and that your New Year has started out great! Thanks for stopping by!