"Present Contentment is Based on Future Prospect"

Our former preacher, Dr. Gary Grey, used to state this collection of words now and then from the pulpit. The first few times I heard it, I don't remember really letting it register. Sounded like a nice thought, and then I was on to the next. But I'll never forget the day, rocking L back in the crying room, that I heard it on that little, tiny television and I finally let it resonate. Of course, on the surface, I knew the message that was being sent, but since the day it really sunk in, I have reminded myself of that phrase so, so many times.

Today, I was very blessed. Teachers CRAVE a day out of the confining four walls that surround us all day long, 9 months a year. Not being able to dash out for a change of scenery, lunch in the park or out with friends, or just run a midday errand can wear on you after a time (I can already hear it: but you have all summer!), and so when those rare occasions present themselves allowing you to take a field trip, you embrace them full-heartedly. Of course, all teachers do not feel this way, but I dread the day I don't look forward to a field trip!

Knowing this day was coming was enough to get me through a very rough Tuesday this week. Meetings that last forever with no end - really, no possible end, because we are human beings and cannot solve the titanic problems we and the students are facing, and then an afterschool tutoring session where 2 parents didn't even bother to leave the house to pick up their child until I called them (since they were already 10 minutes late), and McDonald's night. However, just knowing that the students and I would take a break from the norm and attend a field trip on a science topic, was enough to help me hold out. Present contentment was based on a future prospect.



Speaking of breaking out of the norm, although I am always happiest with my hair long, it is need of some color and trim attention. So is my dear girl's as well. We have ourselves a late morning appointment at a very swanky hair salon. 30 minute head, neck, and scalp massages are standard at this location, and better yet, my cut and color are free for my first visit! After our pampering, we will dine at HuHot, which is my girl's favorite lunch spot as of late, and then shop for some new clothes for our family pictures next weekend. This is looking like my kind of Saturday! I had just recently told my girl that we needed some girl time, at least once a month, just us two. Of course we have our usual things together, but a planned 'outing' gives us present contentment, based on a future prospect.



(photot courtesy of http://alexanderclan.blogspot.com/2008/10/valeria-boss-salon-experience.html)

Lastly, today as I drove to work, I believe it was David Jeremiah who was preaching on what happens to "little children" and then "infants" when they die. Morbid topic, I know, but so comforting what he said. In the loss of the 3 babies that we didn't carry to term, many people would offer condolences, reminding me over and over that I would hold, rock, and know those babies once I was in heaven. They would be there, waiting on me. Those words sounded nice, and of course I believed them, but today when He offered scripture (including Matthew 18:14), my heart let me not just believe on a surface level, but take it in, and look forward to it. Along with the eternal gift of life in heaven, He's also going to provide the pleasure of that reunion. More present contentment, based on a future prospect!

Sleepy girl...

C went to a sleepover last night of a friend she made when she was only 3 months old. These girls hit it off from the start. They are very compatable personalities and there has never been any drama when the two of them get together, just all play and fun. She called yesterday and C was thrilled to go spend the night with her since they go have always gone to different schools, that is, until next year.

Naturally, there wasn't a lot of sleep going on. The next afternoon, J had gone up to check on her and yelled down for me in a loud whisper to get my camera. I got there a second too late to snap the picture, but she had been sitting on her new little ottoman, looking into the corner where her two dance room mirrors come together, noticing how many faces she had at once (oh, to be a kid). Apparently, that was a pretty relaxing exercise because she fell asleep, sitting up, leaning into the corner, with a little stream of drool and steam down the mirror. This picture is when she heard my camera come on, and was a little less than amused at our giggling.

Resolutions...Ha!

I wonder how many of my facebook friends have posted that their New Year's Resolution is to not make any resolutions? Understandable. I can't help it though. I love the clean slate - at home, and in my classroom. My brain automatically looks around in December and says, "NEXT YEAR I'll _____."

So, here goes...

1. Blog at least once a month. I had come close to swearing off blogging entirely, until my cousin Ashley told me about the 'Blog book' that the Cutest Blog on the Block will print and make for you, all entries, backgrounds, and pictures in place. What a great way to 'scrapbook' your memories? Hopefully this will also help me remember the funnies with the kids I swear I'll never forget, and can't remember the next week.



2. Use my craft room more. A wall of cabinetry, a table with handy drawers, cute colors my friends helped me paint on the walls, and its own bathroom. It all pretty much goes unused. WHY does the North room have to be so cold, though??? I'll be purchasing a space heater soon and hanging some shelves. Hopefully this room will get the attention it deserves.

3. The same old, run-of-the-mill resolution of healthier living. I have my own plans for this, but I'm already 2 hours behind today on the treadmill and 2 glasses behind on the water. My guess is I'm still in vacation mode thinking Monday is a much more appropriate start date.

That's it. Just three. Not gonna make a Top Ten list this year, which is actually a great memory.

J, my family and I were in flight to Cancun, Mexico 15 years ago this week. We flew on New Year's Day and J and I, a whole 6 months of dating behind us, made our Top Ten Resolution Lists. He should have known to run at that very moment. I was suggesting resolutions to him that he might make. Looking back, a lot of guys would see that as annoying or pushy. J loved it. He has a number of people in his life that he routinely disagrees with, but from the beginning, what I say has always seemed to hold a shiny gold halo above it. What luck. These are the things that I didn't notice so much as we were dating, but other people did, and told me, "not to let this one get away," in all of their nice little ways. ;-)

I didn't.

Okay, #4.

4. Say what I'm thinking more often - when it's nice.