I love him

I love Michael Jordan. Really, I do. He's a pain in the butt some times, but that kid has me wrapped around his finger. I don't know if it's the fact that he doesn't have a man figure to model, or that his mom works constantly to provide for him, or that he shows me he's weak. I don't know. Let me tell you about Friday.
Michael's teacher was absent so he was sent to another teacher's room. The other teacher and I are friends. She sent me a message at 8:15, approximately 30 minutes into the school day to ask when he could come to my room. I responded with, "Anytime he wants." So, he showed up 15 minutes later, and stayed with me til 10:00, when he had to leave for PE. He begged me to let him stay, but I sent him. At 1:00, he was sent back to me. Michael stayed with me until the bell rang. In the hour and half that he was with me, he ran some errands, ate chocolate, tried to take a nap, and sat in my lap. (He had finished all his work for the day, I promise) This kid has me. I could take him home with me. I really could. He frustrates me to no end some days, and then days like Friday remind me why I love my job. Where else could I talk to kids about what they wanna be when they grow up and when they leave to go home, tell me they love me?
Whether he knows it or not, he's changed my life. I will never look at my job in the same way. I entered this year thinking if I could change one kid's life, I would be great. I had no idea what this year would do to me. This year has opened my eyes to many new experiences. Never in my life would I think I love the boy who cussed me out multiple times a day...
I hope that your job, whatever it may be, brings you joy. Not just any kind of joy, but the joy that makes you want to work harder and better...

Friday

I am prefacing this post with this statement...I really do love my job, I promise I do.

So, Friday morning bus duty. Oh how I love it! Friday morning, I got behind the SLOWEST person ever on Edwards Lake Road. I have to drive this 2 lane road for 5 or 6 miles. It usually takes me about 3 minutes. Friday it took 7. You know, I never leave on time. I am always running around. So, the extra 4 minutes meant I got to school 3 minutes late. I ran into the lunchroom only to discover that the other 2 teachers who were supposed to be there, weren't!!! About 75 5th and 6th graders were running around. As soon as I walked in, LaToya's class sat down. They knew I would be to visit her later in the day and tell her what was going on. I am thankful for those 9 kids. I sent one of LaToya's boys to the office to let Mrs. Connie know I was the only one. She called for back-up and several teachers came to my rescue. The 6th grade teachers are amazing!! They walked in and the kids sat down and quietened immediately. One teacher asked them to put their heads down and shut their mouths. The word detention may have been mentioned. The lunchroom has never, I repeat never, been that quiet. I was soooo thankful for those teachers. They saved me.
Now, this might not sound like a big deal, but trust me. Those 5th and 6th graders are bigger, and as I have mentioned, the most disrespectful and rude kids I've ever met. I would have been in trouble had a fight broken out.
I'm not a morning person, and this was not the best start for a Friday...

As I lay in my bed, trying to decide if I want a nap or not, the cutest little white kitty is sitting beside me purring loudly. What a nice afternoon treat...
This week at school has been somewhat uneventful. I haven't had anyone misbehaving...yet. Today my roommate, Barbara, and I were talking with a student, let's call him Shorty. Shorty is quite funny and hard to understand. Barbara is pregnant and her baby starts moving around in her belly. Shorty watches Barbara feel her stomach and puts his hands on her stomach to feel. He thinks she needs to burp, or that's what we gathered from him. Shorty raises his shirt, pats his belly, and Barbara tells him she's pregnant. And he responds with, "Did you swallow a BABY?!" We DIE laughing. Did he seriously say that?! Yes, he did. And instead of trying to figure out what to say, we respond with, "Yes." Oh the joys of sweet, innocent 3rd graders...
I ventured out into more of adulthood yesterday. I went to look at condos to purchase. I don't have much to say about it except, I had to take an anxiety pill. This could be too much!!
I can't wait for a weekend full of fun, friends, and comfort. This weekend I will be in the best city of all, Tuscaloosa!! Let me tell you, once again, why I love this place... 3 of my 5 bests, football, boys, familiarity, traffic, shopping, food, familiarity, softball, Bryant-Denny, Rammer Jammers, and familiarity. :) It's A Day. One of the best days in the spring, but only because it gives you a taste of fall. This A Day, I will be driving down to join my friends at The Stadium and then having an engagement party for Cassie. Sunday will be spent by the pool and I may even make it to watch Alabama Softball. I just can't imagine anything better for this weekend!

Days Like These...

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24
I can tell it's getting close to summer. Not only is the weather fabulous, but the kids are getting crazy!! All year has been an adventure, but since spring break, the kids have been off the wall. I have one student, we'll call him Smoker...he has a problem with telling the truth. His parents believe everything he tells them, but has a hard time keeping his story straight. He really pushes my buttons. Smoker is extremely intelligent, but suffers from ADHD. And I understand that, but my gosh. Sometimes I just want to scream at him to sit and be quiet! Maybe if he wasn't saying obscene things, I would be okay with the talking part. Last Friday, he told another boy that his mom could suck his... I'll let you figure it out. Yesterday, he told a girl he wanted to touch her breasts...considering she doesn't have any, I think it's funny. But, my point in his post is to say that I must remember Colossians 3:23-24. I must remember to keep my patience, even though it's almost gone, and work as if I am working for the Lord. I can do it!! :)
Another piece of excitement happened at school today. There was a lock down. Yes, a lock down. If I were in Guntersville, I might not think too much about the secretary coming over the intercom and saying, "LOCK DOWN!!" But since I work in Birmingham, I was scared to death. I jumped up, locked the door, closed the blinds, and turned off the lights. Thankfully, my good friends Jessica and Barbara were there to keep my mind occupied. Lock downs are scary things when you are unsure of whats going on. But no worries, just a drunk lady walking around our campus looking for her kid. PHEW! Never a dull moment.
Tomorrow is Friday. Bus Duty. And IEP meetings. Tomorrow kicks off my IEP season. I have 2 IEP meetings every Friday from now until the last day of school. I have a few extra meetings on Thursday. I am going to be a busy lady...

Bitter Sweet

This weekend was one I hope I never forget. Although I was home and having fun, I missed someone...my daddy. I haven't really talked about him being gone. It helps if I keep it in, but today, I want you to know how much I miss him. There's something about a daddy's love. I didn't have the best relationship with my dad, but he was a person I could always count on. He loved me more than I can imagine and I miss his quirky ways of showing it. It's hard to see girls with their daddies. One of my favorite things to do is watch people's interactions. I love seeing kids interact with their parents. I absolutely love watching Jim Ausley with his kids. I babysat Saturday night, and as TJ and Jim were leaving, he scooped Annabel up, tossed her around, and begged for a kiss on the check. As she went in to kiss him, he turned so she kissed him on the lips. She giggled and he put her down. In that very moment, I could see his love for her. It's incredible. And it makes me love that family even more than I already do. :)

But, I'll never have my daddy kiss me again, or pick me up, or call me, or wash my car (thanks, Bubba!!), or help me buy my first house or car. I'll never have a daddy to walk me down the aisle or hold his grand kids. But, I'll always have my daddy in my heart. This weekend, my brother and I went to his office to take down his sign. He was so proud of himself for his accomplishments, and I was too. He worked hard to provide for his family. Before my brother removed the sign, I took a few pictures. I miss you, Daddy...

On a happy note, I saw my best friends!! I just love the time we spend together. I believe they are my soul sisters. When they are around, everything in my world is sweeter. :) Each of them bring some much happiness to my life. We met for lunch at The Rock House, where Neal, Greeby, Carson, and Whit joined. What a combination!! I branched out and tried the fried green beans... I must admit, I think I love them. When my mom told me about them, I turned my nose up, but after tasting them for myself, I can see why she raved about them.

So, after lunch and going to my daddy's office, I spent the night with the Ausley children. :) You know, those kids have my heart. I can't possibly say no to the sweet eyes of Annabel, Luke's hug, Jack's sweet spirit, or Gray's technicality of life. Annabel helped me cook dinner while the boys played. Then, we make sugar cookies and dyed Easter eggs. I had forgotten how much fun it was to color Easter eggs. Here a few moments of the night I captured. :) I love you sweet kids!!