This is What Happens When I Don't Have a Weekend

My son needs a haircut. Can you tell? Oh my stars, he can hold a pencil in his curl. Last Saturday, as you have heard, we were busy from 7 am to 4 am the following morning. This Saturday I am blessed to be able to attend the KTOT conference in Corpus Christi all day. Someone NEEDS to take Conner to see Mr. Bob the barber, in the worst kind of way.

I also have the messiest house in the state of Texas. While my son is experimenting with using his hair to carry school supplies, my daughter is like the human tornado who MUST leave her mark on every room in the house. I spend so much time focused on work, I just can't seem to find a balance. They tease me at school because I am SO picky about my room being neat--I really should invite everyone over so they can see that it doesn't transfer to my homelife.

This was random tonight. Sorry. Tomorrow night is Fall Festival at school, another late night but lots of fun. Better get some rest now.

Things I Have Been Pondering

1. Why, when you tell one child to stop doing something, do 3 others have to try it. Just to see if it applies to them as well?
2. Why do 8+ hours on a school bus = 8 days of wear and tear on your body? I am still not back to normal!
3. Why do my son's mischievous moods always coincide with my daughter's short temper days?
4. Why can't I ever find my clothes or my cooking utensils after my husband helps me? Now, I can hear it already--"AT LEAST HE HELPS!" Yes....but until you've searched all over two counties for your whisk or your brown camisole, don't knock my pondering the situation.
5. What does the President do on the rare days that he doesn't wake up thinking of ways to make teachers' lives more difficult? Thank you kindly sir, but I want to spend some time with my OWN family. American kids don't need more time in school, they need more stable home lives so that they can focus on learning. With all due respect, get a grip Mr. President.
6. Why does everyone's pencil need sharpening at exactly the same time?

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Proud Mom of a future Aggie. I love spending time with my boy!

Our group.

The rally--wall to wall Christian athletes!

The quad.

A picture that needs no title!

I LOVE the Aggie Band!!!

Aggie FCA 2009 is a memory. And what a memory it is! The theme for Saturday's rally was "Rooted"--"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7. What a fabulous experience for about 40 of our Runge High School athletes. There were over 1500 students present, and our group received recognition as the third largest group in attendance. Pretty cool for a little 1A school. We had an action packed day, beginning at 8:30 am and ending about 4:30 am this morning when I finally got home, showered and collapsed. What a day! Praise God for a safe trip, an incredible time of fellowship and worship, and memories that will last a lifetime.

What A Pain in the Neck

No really. Literally. I have the worst pain in my neck. I have known for some years now that I have degenerative disc disease in my neck. I was told about 15 years ago that I would need to have something done eventually. Several years ago when we had our car accident, the ER doctor was confident that I hadn't sustained any serious injuries in the accident, but couldn't believe I was walking around with my neck in the shape it is in. Now, this morning, I was sitting on Caleigh's bed helping her pick out clothes and I turned to the left to look at something. Should not have done that. I have been in pain all day long. Pinching, nauseating, sick pain. And tomorrow I get on a bus at 8 am, go to College Station, walk the A&M campus, go to watch the Aggies play football, then get back on the bus to return home around 1 am Sunday morning. I have been so excited about this trip, but now I am slightly worried. We shall see.

Changing the subject, the other pain in my neck (my washing machine) was pronounced dead earlier this week. We are now the proud, broke, owners of a new washer. Nothing fancy, but plenty expensive none the less.

Well, I am all out of good news for the day. Have a wonderful weekend.

Kinder Kuteness

I am seriously rethinking my decision to tough it out all day at work today with a headache. It wasn't the worst one ever, but it was very unpleasant and it made my day go on for about 72 hours. Really, I'm not kidding. So, because my brain is not working well, here are a few of my funnies from recent days.

1. "Hey new kid, if you mess up on your writing you should use the pink end of the pencil to erase!" Just in case he didn't learn that at his last school...
2. "I don't know if my bellybutton goes in or out, but I know this--it is REALLY dirty! Wanna see?" Uh, no.
3. Mrs. Briley, drawing a story summary on the board..."And this is the mommy frog..." Student: "Are you sure that's a frog?" Art never was my strength.

Teaching isn't easy but is sure provides a lot of laughs.

Autumn Has Arrived!!

Yea!!! My favorite time of year. What a gift from God that the first day of fall came complete with a cold front. It was a beautifully rainy, cool day. All is well with the world. Well, maybe not, but all is well in my world. I need my own version of ACORN reform in my driveway. My car is covered with sap every morning and you can't even see the driveway for the acorns. Soon the leaves will join them and our summer lawn fashion of "dried weeds" will give way to the new fall fashion lineup of acorns and leaves. Who says I don't handle change well???

Welcome Home and Job Well Done!

I am sitting at my computer in Smalltown, TX USA this afternoon but my thoughts are in North Carolina. I am joining many others in prayers of thanksgiving today as my friend Christi and her children welcome Ryan home from deployment to Iraq. He is with, hopefully I will get this right, 1st Bn 2nd MarDiv out of Camp LeJeune and is a hospital corpsman. Christi and I met as we were completing our teacher certification through LeTourneau University's Graduate and Professional Studies program in Austin. We have prayed for each other through life's storms over the past few years, and rejoiced for one another when all was well. She is an incredibly strong and Godly woman, a fantastic mother, but I am sure she is thrilled to have the one who completes her back on American soil today. For you Kerrville people, this is amazing to me, she is neighbors and good friends in NC with Laura Plaster McGuire and her family.

Thanks Ryan, for a job well done. And thanks to all the men and women who serve our country day in and day out, at the expense of their own safety and time with their loved ones. Welcome home!

What Did We Do Before Facebook?

I made the number one mistake of all times for a mom in the year 2009--I referred to my son's bottom on facebook. His immediate response? I AM GOING TO DEFRIEND YOU! In my difficult teen years, did I ever threaten to defriend you Mom and Dad? Did I ever follow up with "And I will deny all your friend requests for the rest of my life?" I didn't think so. Life is so very different now. I am hearing from people almost daily that I haven't seen or heard from in years. We are casually catching up on each other lives over the past 10 to 20 years in some cases. I would have a hard time picking up the phone and calling someone from the past, but I can type a message with no qualms. I chat with my sisters, sisters-in-law, mom-in-law, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends...communicated often over the summer with my oldest niece who was studying and playing in Italy. This blog allows me to keep my family up to date on the kids, Russell, our lives in general. The world seems to be getting smaller in so many ways. Is this good? Bad? I would love to hear what you think. Regarding Conner's bottom, he got two shots today at the doctors' office. The upside, he is feeling much better already. Now if I can just get back on his friend list...

42 is the new 22

So I go to WM to buy some acetone to remove my solar nails--can't wait until the weekend when I MIGHT have time to go get them done...anyway, the register beeps and flashes a warning to the cashier to check my ID to be sure that I'm over 18. She glances up at me, and quickly (QUICKLY!) proceeds with the sale. This after I have been having a conversation today on facebook with some friends about how I am feeling my age teaching kindergarten. I am REALLY dreading the day I can't get up off the floor after teaching math down there and the kids have to go for help. Who will they get? What will they say? You never know with 5 year olds. Back to the WM story...the cashier must have heard me wince, because she stopped, looked at me, and asked, "Now honey, would you really want to go back? You know, to 18?" Hmmm....No, not really. Maybe 30...just far enough back to be able to move better, have less grayish hair (as my students call it), and fewer lines on my face. But I have learned a lot over the past years, things that come with age, maturity, God's hand in my life. I think I am where I am supposed to be at the moment, and to wish for anything else doesn't seem right. So I will learn to love aching bones, grayish hair, and a wrinkled face. And if you run into a 5 year old looking for help for his teacher, for goodness sake come get me off the floor.

Monday is What Happens While We're Waiting for Friday

Well, isn't it? Sorry John Lennon for messing with your quote. I could have used Paris Hilton's newly famous quote but I don't quote Paris. Our Monday has been quite peaceful and nice, with the exception of having a sick teenaged boy in the house. Conner was tested for flu and strep, both negative, and we are awaiting mono results. Our nurse practitioner, the best in the world in case you haven't heard, has been watching this child for long enough that she knows not to let negative test results fool any of us. He is medically quite strange. Hopefully he will start feeling better--fall is his most difficult time of year with allergies AND arthritis. Caleigh starts dance tomorrow night. She is excited to be in the same class with all of her Runge friends this year, plus some old friends who go to other area schools. It should be a great year. I'm off to find my heating pad. This back pain is getting old. Hope your Tuesday is blessed. Love, sb

An Attitude of Gratitude

"He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside." Job 5:10

Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the rains of the past few days. The grass is already getting greener, we even have puddles! In a world that sometimes seems to be so out of control, I am just so very thankful for the one WHO IS IN CONTROL. We were privileged to celebrate the first birthday of our adorable one year old friend Blake tonight with many of his family and friends. Blake had a rough beginning in this life, but God has abundantly blessed him and he is happy and healthy on his birthday. We have much that we are appreciative for in our own family as well. Father, we are so very greatful for all you have done, all you are doing, and all that you will do in our lives.

Thursdays are the New Monday

I don't know why, but they are. This was a long day and it isn't over yet. I am, however, enjoying the thunder and rain, even if the dog won't leave my side. She is currently sitting under the computer desk hugging my feet. She HATES thunder. She will only calm down if you hold her on her back like a baby and speak soothingly to her. And that ship sailed 8 years ago when Caleigh left infancy. Not that I don't long to rock a baby, but did I mention that this is a dog? I work all day telling people to sit on their bottoms, then I do homework duty with a 3rd grader and an 8th grader (Math is hard in 8th grade!), usually cook dinner (not much cooking happened tonight though), start the laundry (okay, Russell did it tonight)...alright, so maybe I haven't done all that much...but I'm still not going to rock and sing to the dog. Sorry Millie.

Could Someone Please Explain to Me...

why a change in the weather renders students from kindergarten all the way up completely out of control?

why the more prepared and organized I am at school, the more unprepared and disorganized I am at home?

why I must say "please sit on your bottom" 87,693 times a day? This related to number 1. On my headstone it will say, "Here lies Mrs. Briley. Please sit on your bottom. Lord knows she never got to sit on hers."

why my hair, nails, pedicure and every other vanity issue I have all need to be redone at the same time? I look like I feel. Not pretty.

Why??

We're Part of the Family

Do you know the song? It's lovingly referred to as "All in the Family" at our congregation thanks to our dear sister Faye who has gone on to sing it in Heaven. If you can get the picture of Archie Bunker out of your head, think about the words..."When a loved one meets sorrow, we all feel the pain..." I had a call from a friend tonight who is going through that valley--I received the call because I have walked the same path. As I listened to the pain and frustration in her voice, I fought back tears of my own. I felt transported to a time in the recent past when I watched my own child suffer and felt that answers were never going to come. This isn't someone I talk to every day, but we share the bond of Christ and we are moms who love our children and would do anything for them. Except sometimes we can't...and that hurts. Even as I watch Conner grow stronger each day, I know that there are others at another point on the path we have been on. Please pray for hurting children and hurting parents tonight, and that they will be covered with peace and sweet rest.

Monday, Monday...lalala

Hi everyone, hope your weekend was great. Many of you had three days, I had only two, but I enjoyed them thoroughly. Got lots of sleep and a few projects tackled. Found out we missed calls from friends wanting to go do fun things on Saturday--must start checking voicemail. Thought I was totally prepared for school and had a few "moments" today, but they will still learn what they need to learn in Kinder and be ready to go to 1st grade in spite of their teacher. My own two children were dragging this morning as was their Mom. All in all though, not bad for a Monday. We have to run now, Conner has band practice and I will work in my room while he practices. Sorry for the intense lack of interesting news tonight. I just reread this and realize that I'm writing like I think.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Didn't get to post last night because our football game was moved to Thursday night and we were out until almost 11 p.m. Between my lllooonnnngggg week in Kindergarten and acting as a bouncer at the game (there's a reason teachers get in free) I just came home, did laundry, and collapsed. I wouldn't have done laundry but today was wear your college colors day and my Maroon Out shirt was dirty. It is so cool when our faculty wears their college colors, we have more maroon per capita than any other small school I know. Just in my hall there were six A&M shirts, including my principal. That's one of the reasons I love my job! Now, for some snippets from the past two weeks from the other reasons I love my job (my students):
1. While reading a book to them about chameleons--"Mrs. Briley, can I look at that picture of those Canadians?"
2. "My foot has a headache and it wants to go home now."
3. Me: Oh boys and girls, you are SO SMART! Kinder Friend: Ms. Garcia made us that way! (their Pre-K teacher... I hope they remember me next year!)
Have a blessed and restful weekend!

Thank You Lord For A Much Better Day!

Kindergarten was once again a peaceful happy place to be today. The things that needed to happen for peace to return happened, and all is well. For now. There are some things outside the world of school that I need to discuss, but I totally do not trust myself to say anything at the moment. I will say something I shouldn't. Please just pray (God knows the situation well) that changes will occur. He knows what, where and who. I know this is weird, but I really did want to share that my day was better! Have a great Thursday!

Speechless...Well, Almost!

Yes. I know it is hard to believe. It's just that I've had one of those days. Sorry the picture is maybe a little strong, but I use a free educator's clipart site and I'm a little limited. Why the stress? At one point today while I was dealing with the terrible trio in the boys' bathroom, one child was rolling down the hall and another shimmied up a pole...almost made it to the ceiling. I'm not going to discuss my students' issues on my blog but I wanted you to get a glimpse of my Tuesday. By 3:45 when the last one is safely in their vehicle, I feel like I have played in an NFL game. This after a day yesterday that spanned 14 hours and ended with a dance moms meeting--I'm certain this is like the 8th level of you-know-where. I don't do meetings with dozens of other moms very well (and the one poor, poor man that braved it!). So if you follow me on facebook you know that I am going to bed now, and dream of my new job as inspector 18 at the Hanes Underwear Plant. Goodnight.