I took Emma and Abbie around K-town for a good ole fashion photo shoot. Here are some of the pictures. For more go to my Facebook page.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Some fun pictures with two of my favorite subjects
I took Emma and Abbie around K-town for a good ole fashion photo shoot. Here are some of the pictures. For more go to my Facebook page.
The irony is not lost on me.
The other night I was out with some friends enjoying a nice dinner. Somehow the conversation turned to our jobs. I remarked how I would like to try my hand at middle school. Everyone at the table agreed that I should move to middle school. My temperament and dry sense of humor would do me well in the world of sixth grade. I laughed them off and told them I have no way into the middle school.
You see I really want a position at the middle school where Emma and Abbie will go. In order to get a job there, you have to know someone, be related to someone or you had to have grown up in that community. I was three for three.
One of my friends pulled out her cell phone and asked me if I were really serious about moving. I nodded my head yes and watched wide eyed as she texted her friend. This friend happens to know the vice principal at the middle school where I want to go! Cool! She put away her phone and we continued eating and talking. I honestly thought no more about it until I came home today from my meeting.
As soon as I walked upstairs into my kitchen Jake pointed to a sticky note on the cabinet. "You got a phone call from Kristy. Something about two positions open." I admit I was still in the dark as I dialed the number. As soon as my friend's voice came through on the other end it clicked. "Two positions" Wow! I was so excited as I listened to her tell me she had talked to her friend and her friend had told her there where two sixth grade teaching positions open. I immediately went to History or English in my brain. I knew I could do either one of those positions! I was so happy in my daydream until she uttered four words that caused my daydreams to come to a screeching halt.
"They are in math"
Sigh.
I'm not quite sure what to think. I'm horrible at math. I failed math in high school. I almost failed it in college. I'm doing good to teach third grade math to nine year olds! Really?! Two positions, in a school where there are never any positions open and they are both in MATH?!
Ha, ha God...ha ha.
Now, I'm not sure if I should go to the interview or not...Kristy is supposed to call me on Sunday with more details. Until then I may want to start brushing up on decimals, integers and multiplying fractions.
You see I really want a position at the middle school where Emma and Abbie will go. In order to get a job there, you have to know someone, be related to someone or you had to have grown up in that community. I was three for three.
One of my friends pulled out her cell phone and asked me if I were really serious about moving. I nodded my head yes and watched wide eyed as she texted her friend. This friend happens to know the vice principal at the middle school where I want to go! Cool! She put away her phone and we continued eating and talking. I honestly thought no more about it until I came home today from my meeting.
As soon as I walked upstairs into my kitchen Jake pointed to a sticky note on the cabinet. "You got a phone call from Kristy. Something about two positions open." I admit I was still in the dark as I dialed the number. As soon as my friend's voice came through on the other end it clicked. "Two positions" Wow! I was so excited as I listened to her tell me she had talked to her friend and her friend had told her there where two sixth grade teaching positions open. I immediately went to History or English in my brain. I knew I could do either one of those positions! I was so happy in my daydream until she uttered four words that caused my daydreams to come to a screeching halt.
"They are in math"
Sigh.
I'm not quite sure what to think. I'm horrible at math. I failed math in high school. I almost failed it in college. I'm doing good to teach third grade math to nine year olds! Really?! Two positions, in a school where there are never any positions open and they are both in MATH?!
Ha, ha God...ha ha.
Now, I'm not sure if I should go to the interview or not...Kristy is supposed to call me on Sunday with more details. Until then I may want to start brushing up on decimals, integers and multiplying fractions.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
up on the mountain
Yesterday Jake and I became involved in a very heating argument. Over something that wasn't worth screaming at each other over. At the end of the argument I was in tears and he was walking away. Not good. I suddenly felt the urge to leave the house. I'll admit that at first, my motives were not pure. I wanted to leave to show control. However, in true God fashion he would soon take my impure motives and use them for good.
I quickly changed into shorts and a tank top then threw on my hiking shoes. I was going on a long walk. Up to the top of House Mountain. (More like giant hill but...potato - poe-ta-toe) I was going to take my dog, climb that mountain and show Jake who was in control. I grabbed my backpack, threw in a couple of protein bars and waters and headed out into the wild blue yonder.
Five miles down the road and five minutes later I was pulling into a parking space. My prayer was that as I walked the trail, God would enlighten me. How did our simple conversation go from a conversation to a screaming match? Why did I loose control so easily? How could I phrase my words better so that Jake would understand what I was trying to say? How could I understand Jake better? you get the drift. What can "I" do to fix this?
At first I was moving rather quickly through the woods. I was still angry and frustrated. I wanted answers right away and God was being very silent about the whole matter. I raced past the trees, flowers and bushes. I failed to notice the blackberries, tall grass and small insects making their homes. As the trail became increasingly harder to climb, I found myself pausing for breath. In those moments of stopping I was forced to look around me. I started "seeing" what was around me. Nature in it's wildest form. It should've been chaos. So many different types of trees, flowers, animals, insects and plants. Instead it was quiet. I turned on my iPod and started heading back up the mountain.
As I hiked, I became more focused on each step in front of me and less on what I had left behind at my house. I had planned on figuring it all out as I hiked. Instead I forgot and simply walked. One step at a time to the top.
Once I reached the top, I was excited to see a giant rock upon which I could sit and rest. The view was absolutely breath taking! I sat and watched a large bird soar around in the sky. I listened to the insects sing. I felt the breeze, a true gift from God. While I sat there I realized that by the time I had reached the top, those things that "mattered" didn't matter so much anymore. I did feel the tug to apologize for my unkind words and I did think of a better way to phrase my thoughts so they would become more clear. I still think I'm right about some of the issues. But, for just a few minutes I was able to slow down and rest. Just me and God. On the top of a mountain. Then I hiked back down to the valley.
I think, though, that if we didn't have our valleys, we wouldn't enjoy our mountain top experiences.
I quickly changed into shorts and a tank top then threw on my hiking shoes. I was going on a long walk. Up to the top of House Mountain. (More like giant hill but...potato - poe-ta-toe) I was going to take my dog, climb that mountain and show Jake who was in control. I grabbed my backpack, threw in a couple of protein bars and waters and headed out into the wild blue yonder.
Five miles down the road and five minutes later I was pulling into a parking space. My prayer was that as I walked the trail, God would enlighten me. How did our simple conversation go from a conversation to a screaming match? Why did I loose control so easily? How could I phrase my words better so that Jake would understand what I was trying to say? How could I understand Jake better? you get the drift. What can "I" do to fix this?
At first I was moving rather quickly through the woods. I was still angry and frustrated. I wanted answers right away and God was being very silent about the whole matter. I raced past the trees, flowers and bushes. I failed to notice the blackberries, tall grass and small insects making their homes. As the trail became increasingly harder to climb, I found myself pausing for breath. In those moments of stopping I was forced to look around me. I started "seeing" what was around me. Nature in it's wildest form. It should've been chaos. So many different types of trees, flowers, animals, insects and plants. Instead it was quiet. I turned on my iPod and started heading back up the mountain.
As I hiked, I became more focused on each step in front of me and less on what I had left behind at my house. I had planned on figuring it all out as I hiked. Instead I forgot and simply walked. One step at a time to the top.
Once I reached the top, I was excited to see a giant rock upon which I could sit and rest. The view was absolutely breath taking! I sat and watched a large bird soar around in the sky. I listened to the insects sing. I felt the breeze, a true gift from God. While I sat there I realized that by the time I had reached the top, those things that "mattered" didn't matter so much anymore. I did feel the tug to apologize for my unkind words and I did think of a better way to phrase my thoughts so they would become more clear. I still think I'm right about some of the issues. But, for just a few minutes I was able to slow down and rest. Just me and God. On the top of a mountain. Then I hiked back down to the valley.
I think, though, that if we didn't have our valleys, we wouldn't enjoy our mountain top experiences.
Monday, July 19, 2010
The whole story
I guess I should take a few minutes and explain why I chose "Jacob's twin" as my blog name. I can see where there would be some confusion since I have a brother named Jacob and a husband named Jacob. I'm also aware of some werewolf named Jacob. For the record...this has absolutely nothing to do with Twilight. Those of you that know my brother...twins we are not. As for Jake, my husband, there were a lot of confused people back home. Many thought I was dating my brother. (Ewww!) The looks I got when I would say things like, "Jake's a good kisser" or "Jake's really hot". That got some good looks! Funny times, funny times!
Anywhoo...back to the name. It has nothing to do with any of those Jakes. No, to understand the Jake I chose, you have to go back, WAAAY back. All the way back to Genesis. Jacob, son of Issac and Rebekah. The man who stole his brother's birth right, lied to his dad and ran away from home.
That Jacob.
I found my story in his. He was one messy, messy man. I can relate. I too am a messy person. I lie, I take what's not mine, I push people away. I know what it feels like to wrestle with God. And although my wrestling is spiritual and not physical, I know the frustration of walking away with a limp. I am a twin to Jacob. Kinda depressing isn't it? The good news is, the story doesn't stop with Jacob running into the desert. The best part about Jacob's story is that even though he tries to manipulate everyone around him including God, God still uses him. God still shows him grace. God still allows Jacob to go back home and make things right. Jacob is allowed to stay in the lineage of Jesus.
THAT my friends is what it's all about. As messy as we are, we are still shown grace. I messed up today, I will screw up again tomorrow...but that's not my whole story. My whole story includes grace, forgiveness and restoration. I'm a part of God putting his people back together again! I have my place in this story and so do you. One day I will experience true shalom. Until then, I'll stand in the fact that I don't have to have it all together, I will mess up again, I will keep asking questions, I will keep walking (sometimes crawling) in my faith, I will keep wrestling.
Anywhoo...back to the name. It has nothing to do with any of those Jakes. No, to understand the Jake I chose, you have to go back, WAAAY back. All the way back to Genesis. Jacob, son of Issac and Rebekah. The man who stole his brother's birth right, lied to his dad and ran away from home.
That Jacob.
I found my story in his. He was one messy, messy man. I can relate. I too am a messy person. I lie, I take what's not mine, I push people away. I know what it feels like to wrestle with God. And although my wrestling is spiritual and not physical, I know the frustration of walking away with a limp. I am a twin to Jacob. Kinda depressing isn't it? The good news is, the story doesn't stop with Jacob running into the desert. The best part about Jacob's story is that even though he tries to manipulate everyone around him including God, God still uses him. God still shows him grace. God still allows Jacob to go back home and make things right. Jacob is allowed to stay in the lineage of Jesus.
THAT my friends is what it's all about. As messy as we are, we are still shown grace. I messed up today, I will screw up again tomorrow...but that's not my whole story. My whole story includes grace, forgiveness and restoration. I'm a part of God putting his people back together again! I have my place in this story and so do you. One day I will experience true shalom. Until then, I'll stand in the fact that I don't have to have it all together, I will mess up again, I will keep asking questions, I will keep walking (sometimes crawling) in my faith, I will keep wrestling.
Confessions of a schoolmarm
Everyone keeps asking me if I'm ready for school to begin. The answer to that question will always be "NO!"
I am now in, what you would call, "summer mode". I love, love, LOVE staying at home! I love having dinner ready, I like having the bathrooms cleaned, I like having the laundry done. I like the feeling of relaxation I have when I've been at home all day. I love the freedom of going to the grocery store when I want. Who wants to leave all that and go back to time schedules, long meetings, parents complaining, kids acting crazy, and weird government regulations?
Me apparently.
I can't help it. Once Wal-mart puts out the Crayola markers for a dollar something in my brain clicks. (Is it just me, or is Wal-mart putting their school supplies out earlier and earlier?) I start thinking about how I'm going to arrange my classroom furniture. I think about classroom rules, new teaching techniques, old lessons that need tweaking, old lessons that need to go bye-bye and a million other things. I wonder what my class will be like. Will they like me? Will I like them? Will I have any crazies this year?
I love the excitement of getting ready for the first day! The new backpack, the new school supplies, new haircut and most importantly, the new outfit. I love the smell of the paper, the new books, and the sharpened pencils. I love the clean desks (I give them one day to stay that way) and the clean chalk board. I wonder what the school dynamic will be like. I think about my role in the school climate. I make great plans to change my attitude (check back with me in February). Whatever went on last year, this is a "redo". Every year is new!
And then...the children walk in the room and right behind them...reality.
One can always hope that this reality will be better than before.
I'll keep you posted.
I am now in, what you would call, "summer mode". I love, love, LOVE staying at home! I love having dinner ready, I like having the bathrooms cleaned, I like having the laundry done. I like the feeling of relaxation I have when I've been at home all day. I love the freedom of going to the grocery store when I want. Who wants to leave all that and go back to time schedules, long meetings, parents complaining, kids acting crazy, and weird government regulations?
Me apparently.
I can't help it. Once Wal-mart puts out the Crayola markers for a dollar something in my brain clicks. (Is it just me, or is Wal-mart putting their school supplies out earlier and earlier?) I start thinking about how I'm going to arrange my classroom furniture. I think about classroom rules, new teaching techniques, old lessons that need tweaking, old lessons that need to go bye-bye and a million other things. I wonder what my class will be like. Will they like me? Will I like them? Will I have any crazies this year?
I love the excitement of getting ready for the first day! The new backpack, the new school supplies, new haircut and most importantly, the new outfit. I love the smell of the paper, the new books, and the sharpened pencils. I love the clean desks (I give them one day to stay that way) and the clean chalk board. I wonder what the school dynamic will be like. I think about my role in the school climate. I make great plans to change my attitude (check back with me in February). Whatever went on last year, this is a "redo". Every year is new!
And then...the children walk in the room and right behind them...reality.
One can always hope that this reality will be better than before.
I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Do I really?!
My neighbor recently informed me of a conversation she had with my daughters. This is how it went:
Neighbor (N): How's you mom?
Emma: Good.
N: Are your parents doing anything this summer?
Abbie: No.
Good job Abs! If only they'd stopped there...
Emma: No, dad is the one that is busy. He wakes up and has to have something to do. Mom, she just sits in front of the TV and watches Bones. She doesn't do too much.
OUCH! Thanks a lot Emma.
Reality check...maybe I need to turn the TV off for a while. Apparently my daughters are watching my every move. My guilty conscience tells me I should be showing them more Bible reading and random acts of kindness. Is this what I want them to remember me like? I personally don't think I watch THAT much TV. But, their perspective is a whole lot different than mine. I think tonight I'll turn off the tube and play a game with them. Oh yeah, and maybe I need to have a chat with my oldest about what and what not to share with the neighbors.
Neighbor (N): How's you mom?
Emma: Good.
N: Are your parents doing anything this summer?
Abbie: No.
Good job Abs! If only they'd stopped there...
Emma: No, dad is the one that is busy. He wakes up and has to have something to do. Mom, she just sits in front of the TV and watches Bones. She doesn't do too much.
OUCH! Thanks a lot Emma.
Reality check...maybe I need to turn the TV off for a while. Apparently my daughters are watching my every move. My guilty conscience tells me I should be showing them more Bible reading and random acts of kindness. Is this what I want them to remember me like? I personally don't think I watch THAT much TV. But, their perspective is a whole lot different than mine. I think tonight I'll turn off the tube and play a game with them. Oh yeah, and maybe I need to have a chat with my oldest about what and what not to share with the neighbors.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
summer time
I love summer time! It's a time for me to rejuvenate, spend time with the family and clean! I like not having anything to do when I wake up. Jake is the opposite. He HAS to have something to do as soon as his eyes open. This is funny to me and I don't understand it. I guess it is the same with him. He doesn't understand the art of not leaving the bed or getting out of your p.j.s all day. Maybe that's why we complement one another so well.
As I type this he is asking me if I want to go pick blackberries. First of all it's 9 a.m., second I'm still working on my first cup of coffee. The answer is no.
But, I will help you consume the blackberries later... ;)
As I type this he is asking me if I want to go pick blackberries. First of all it's 9 a.m., second I'm still working on my first cup of coffee. The answer is no.
But, I will help you consume the blackberries later... ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)