Give Thanks?

And just like that, November is here.  Back in August the rush of school began and hasn't really stopped.  We got back into that routine fairly quickly.  September flew by with running club meets, Lincoln's 4th birthday, a couple MSU football games, and the return of Dancing with the Stars.




October started off HOT.  Like, 90 degrees hot. Ridiculous.  After a Fall Break trip to Walt Disney World, MSU Homecoming, New Covenant Fall Retreat, and Reformation Day, the temps finally cooled down to a freezing Halloween. Crazy.

But November is here.  And I am happy. If Christmas fell during November, it would easily be my favorite month of the year.  For starters, the fall weather begins to be more consistent.  Or it has in the past.  Take that with a Kentucky grain of salt.  My mother's birthday is in November.  (Mine too, and I told a few people I would be turning 34.  But....it's actually 35. Probably not the time to admit that I'm a math teacher.) Jordan and I celebrate our anniversary in November. This year is number 10!! We take a day to remember our Veterans.  And....Black Friday!

But the true love of November lies with Thanksgiving.   I like to think that I'm thankful year round, but to designate a day to celebrate it along with food covered in gravy, a variety of pies, a few days off from school, and some Christmas shopping, is just delightful. 

I was reminded of this verse from 1 Thessalonians, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  It's one of those "feel good" verses.  It makes you think, yes that's a good idea!  What gave me pause the other day was the phrase "give thanks in ALL circumstances."  All circumstances? Really God? 

Did I gives thanks when I had to pay an unexpected Primary Care bill?  When I came home to a messy play room and boys that seem to think trash belongs in every place, EXCEPT the actual trash can? When Jordan mentioned he would  be late coming home because a meeting was rescheduled and went long?  What about when my students at school come unprepared and halt my lesson plans. When those pants just don't want to fit? When my hair doesn't lay right? Of course not!!! Does anybody? I don't know.

But, if we could train our mind to do so, all circumstances (good, bad, or just annoying), will cease from being things we can't control, but blessings from our Father in heaven.  God wants us to always give thanks because it directs our everyday happenings back to him.  Even when things are going well in life, it's easy to forget the One that makes it all possible.

Giving thanks in all circumstances is hard.  But this November, I'm going to be intentional about it.

So thanks God for that extra bill.  It reminds me to have wisdom with my finances.  Thanks for those messy boys and messy home, because some people aren't blessed with either.  Thank you for my husband that works hard to provide and protect us.  Thank you for my sweet students that remind me to give grace and have patience.  Thanks for those pants that don't fit.  I don't have to wonder where my next meal will come from.  Thank you for my hair, one day I probably won't have as much:)

Dear August

Dear August,

I'll be honest, you are not my favorite.  But, it's not your fault that you come after two months of slow mornings with coffee and a book, midweek adventures, poolside fun, and weekend trips/vacations.  It's not your fault that you happen to have 31 grueling days of heat and humidity. It's not your fault that you bring on back to school stress and anxiety.   It's not your fault that my bank account is wiped out because Target has the cutest decor for my classroom. (Ok, maybe that one is on me.) It's not your fault that you have zero fun holidays. It's not your fault the Romans messed with the calendar and moved you from the sixth month to the eighth!

I wonder, do you ever get envious of June?  Glorious summertime could have been yours! You have a tough act to follow and I'm sorry. My family has had a blessed summer. I'll share with you some pictures from a few of our adventures. .

 I got to travel to Washington, D.C. and watch some of my students compete at then national level of National History Day.  It was our first year competing and they advanced all the way to nationals! What a ride!

 My boys and I took a day trip to the Nashville Zoo. I had never been, and the giraffes were so cute.

 My Dad came for a visit and we toured the ark. Like, whoa, it was big.

 We walked in Abraham Lincoln's footsteps, both at his birthplace in Hodgenville, KY and his home in Springfield, IL. What a remarkable man!

 I survived a Build-A-Bear workshop experience.  I'll just leave that one there.

 My boys and I enjoyed days in the sun by the pool.  Watching them swim and hearing them laugh just puts a smile on my face.  I'm just so lucky to be their mommy.

 We enjoyed family and friends as we celebrated our nation's independence. Which is kind of a big deal.

 Lincoln achieved a score of (probably) 215 at Maggie's Jungle Golf:)  Shadow was so helpful!

 We spent a weekend in Franklin, TN looking at shops, eating yummy food, and listening to Bluegrass music.

So, August, how can you beat all that? Again, you are not my favorite, but, I need you. I am grateful for you.  You help put things in perspective.  You bring me back to a job that I love.  You remind me how precious time with my boys is while they are young.  You help me look forward to cooler temperatures, pumpkins, and Christmas.  You are needed just as much as June and July are needed. So, thank you.

Not so affectionately, but respectfully,
Amanda

Springfield

Summer isn't over, but the finish line is recognizable as I start to look into August.  I love summers at home with my boys.  We've enjoyed trips to the pool, movies, Netflix, reading, sleeping in, and taking day/weekend trips when we can.

Presidential Library in Springfield, IL

Our most recent weekend adventure was a trip to Springfield, IL in June.  I have nicknamed this summer, the "Summer of Lincoln".  In May we saw his birthplace.  The following week, I was in D.C. and visited his memorial.  Then we went to Springfield to see the place he lived and served public office before he was elected president. 

I loved it so much!  We toured the only home he ever owned, went to the Lincoln Library and Presidential Museum, the Old State Capitol were Lincoln served as representative and where his body was laid for public viewing upon return to Springfield, paid our respects at his final resting place and visited a quirky antique shop on Route 66. 

Lincoln discussing the Emancipation Proclamation with his cabinet

The Lincoln's home

The tomb where Lincoln, his wife, and 3 children are laid to rest
Robert is buried in Arlington.

I was in history heaven.  I have always admired Abraham Lincoln.  His story is the ultimate example of humility, dedication, wit, and wisdom.  He was far from perfect, and he recognized that America was (and still is) far from perfect.  The phrase "created equal" motivated him to fight for the rights of all men.  I could go on and on.....

I don't want this to sound too goofy, but I felt so close to him during our visit.  To walk through his house, his place of work; I kept thinking he would actually turn up!

On our way home we stopped at an antique mall called the Pink Elephant.  It is located inside an old high school and has a cute 50's style diner attached. 

Outside the Pink Elephant

And.....I finished another book, yay!  The Goldfinch is a story of a young man, Theo, that loses his mother in an unexpected terrorist attack. He is then tossed about among neighbors and estranged family, until finally he finds a home with an antique dealre namaed Hobie.  Unfortunately, Theo has a painting from the day of the terrorist attack and keeps it hidden, as it is the closest reminder of his mother.  When Theo's secret, and the secret of The Goldfinch painting gets out, Theo's quiet life with Hobie is threatened.

I became very invested in Theo and kept wishing him peace and hope.  The books offers a story that will help us put our childhood into perspective, and allow us to root for a very imperfect underdog.

After I finished the book, I realized that Theo and Abe were similar.  They both lost their mothers unexpectedly when they were young.  They both made mistakes but had a desire to make something of themselves despite their circumstances.  And they both had a strong conviction to what is right.

The one where I blame the books

I logged two entries in January in an effort to fulfill my 2019 goal of writing more on here.  And then....hello mid-June!  I'm trying.  The excuse that I will use this time is books.  I like to read, but the spring semester was rather busy at school with field trips, basketball games, parent conferences, and something called National History Day that will require another post entirely. So, the 3 books that I have manged to get in took up all the nooks and crannies of my time.  (Ok, Netflix is still a big player here, but I didn't want to use that excuse again.)

So books.  I was gifted 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret for Christmas from my sister-in-law.  I am always intrigued by the Royal Family and British history.   The book doesn't read like a novel, but is rather a collection of diary entries, news articles, and interviews showcasing her life.  Being in the constant shadow of her sister, Elizabeth, Margaret felt the need to lead a very bright life full of scandal and controversial relationships. It was entertaining and sad.  I thought to myself several times, had their birth order been reversed, would we have seen a different side of Margaret and Elizabeth? 

Frankenstein was next thanks to a work friend.  I think everyone knows who Frankenstein is, but until you read the book, you just don't get it.  This is a story meant to be haunting but I was close to tears numerous times.  The short of it is this: Frankenstein rejects his creation (the monster) with disdain and loathing.  Being rejected by my Creator is something I can't imagine and I'm grateful that I will never have to experience it.  The more the monster learns about love, he realizes how wretched he is and he craves to have this affection from Frankenstein.  How awesome it is that while we are wretched sinners, our Creator doesn't reject us, but offers us his unconditional love.  Apart from which we are nothing. 

I almost didn't give The Woman in the Window a chance because it started off just like Rear Window and "I've heard this story before" came out of my mouth more than once.  But....while it's very similar, it's also offers somethign new, and it was a page turner.  I get so excited when a book wants to keep me up at 2:30 in the morning just so I can figure out what the heck is going on. If you like a good "Who done it?" and old Hollywood movies, I think you would enjoy this book. 

Summer time is so special to me.  I can get a little break from teaching and spend some time with my boys.  I can watch more Netflix documentaries and read more books!  And, hopefully get more writing done too. 

The things they don't tell you

Let me preface this by saying any references to "they" could be a number of things.   Family, friends, media, employers, strangers, bank tellers, etc.

When you don't have kids, they tell you, "They're such a gift, such blessings!"  "How can you not want/like kids?" "Don't you want to leave a legacy?"  "Won't you be lonely when you're old?"

When you're pregnant, they tell you, "Are you sure you're ready for this?" "Oh boy you're in for it now." "Isn't it so uncomfortable?" "Too soon?" "Too late?" "You will never sleep again." "That name? Really?!?"

When you have kids, they tell you, "Be firm." "You look tired." "Everything is about them now."  "Breastfeeding is best." "A pacifier? Why?!"  "Don't they have a bedtime?" "You're too easy with them." "Uh oh, someone is not happy!" (Ugh that last one, seriously. I'm standing right here so I have noticed the red faced screaming toddler is not happy. Thanks.)

But what they don't tell you are the things you least expect.  For example, when Lincoln turned three last year, I got teary eyed when I was about to throw away the 3 candle during clean up.  

Yes, a candle brought me to tears. I even took a picture of the moment because I was thinking, maybe I'll blog about this......4 months later.

Of all things.  Was it because it was the same candle that Shadow used for his 3rd birthday?  Was it because Lincoln was just a baby like 2 minutes ago and already he is 3?  Or was it because the act of throwing this candle away was another admittance that we were definitely done having kids?

Who knows.  Maybe it's all or none of those reasons.  It's these tiny, seemingly insignificant moments in time that they don't tell you about.  They never tell you that you will look at your children and your heart will just ache because you love them so much.  They never tell you that watching your kindergartner perform in the school play as a stink bug will make you ball like a baby.  They never tell you that a toddler singing "On top of spaghetti" time and time again will make you feel like you've birthed the next Tony award winner. And they most certainly don't tell you that throwing birthday candles away will get you all choked up. 

Coffee and Jesus

One of my goals for 2019 is to write more here.  In a world where you can stream anything, it's been super easy to get comfy on my couch and watch a story.  Over the past year I had moments where I would tell myself, "Man, I should blog about this."  But, hello Sherlock on Netflix, or Downtown Abbey on Prime.  I surrender to you. 

For this first post, as an attempt to get back into the swing of things, I am going to write about a morning I had last year.  In hindsight, it's going to sound really silly.  But in the moment, I felt like I was having a true epiphany or out of body experience. 

Let's begin with how much I love coffee.  The smell, the taste, the warm feeling as it revives my body and soul. Every morning, this is our relationship.   Wake up. Think to myself, "Just get the coffee, you'll be fine.  Coffee, coffee, coffee. Walk to kitchen. Put coffee pod in Keurig.  Start Keurig.  Use bathroom while coffee brews.  Return to mug and enjoy the quiet before I start my day.  "Ahh, coffee. You never let me down." Until then, there is no talking or the doing of the "things." 

One morning last year, there was no coffee.  I stared at the Keurig, fearful of the Shakespearean tragedy that was about to unfold.  But, I decided no big deal.  Maybe I can grab some on my way to school, or I'll just move my afternoon soda to my emergency morning caffeine fix? Well, it was a big deal.  As I went about my typical morning routine I felt dizzy and nauseous.  I had to sit down periodically.  I took me forever to do my hair and make-up because I felt so out of it.  I thought to myself, "Is this what drug addicts go through when they are in withdrawal?".  I was shaking and beginning to get a headache. 

And then it was as if the Lord shook me up and scolded me.  Why was I not craving Jesus in the morning like I was my coffee?  If this is what it felt like to be without coffee for one morning, what would it feel like to be without Jesus completely?  I don't even want to think about it.  I started praying, asking Jesus to forgive me for putting so much weight on a morning beverage, rather than morning time with Him. 

So, you can see now how silly this sounds, but that morning I was convicted. Since then, I have tried to be very intentional about reading my daily Bible verse or a devotion, before I've had my coffee.  Because as much as I adore the French vanilla or pumpkin spice goodness, I adore my Savior more, and it was time to really put that into action.  

So now the morning goes more like this.  Wake up.  Tell myself, "Jesus and coffee, Jesus and coffee", as I walk to the kitchen.  Start Keurig.  Read devotion or Bible verse while it brews.  Sit and enjoy my cup in the quiet. "Ahh Jesus.  You never let me down."