Sum-, Sum-, Summertime

Summer has arrived!  Vacation that is and not so much the weather.  Our summers are usually booked way in advance; however, this summer seems to be different.  We really don't have a lot of plans.  There's the traditional trips to Idaho, Hannah Thursdays and Sunday softball with BBQs.  Beyond that, not much will be going on. 

I'm okay with that...I think.  Generally I (we) keep our schedule packed.  We like to socialize. 

Over the weekend we met up with some friends from college who were visiting the area (always love seeing Rachel and Ben).  The question was asked what we like to do for fun in our big city lifestyle.  Both Chad and I hesitated because it doesn't seem like we live the "big city" life.  Our fun times are shared with our friends.  Sharing food, laughs and life basically.  Occasionally we will venture out to a nice restaurant or maybe go see a show.  Our comfort is in the homes of our friends.  That's how it should be. 

So cheers to summer being here and the great friends (and family) we will be spending it with. 

And maybe a few Mariner games tossed into our schedule.

The Interim

The school year has come to an end and not knowing where I will be for next year is tough.  I know God has a plan and I'm fairly certain He wants me to be a teacher and working with kids; however, the unknown is difficult.  Where am I going to be teaching next year?  What staff will I be working with?  What grade will I be teaching?  How am I going to move my stuff from one classroom to the next?  Where am I going to store all my stuff until then?  What curriculum do I need to prepare for?  Am I going to be teaching intermediate or primary?....It's all a little daunting, but I have faith.  Faith that God will place me where I need to be.  I just need to be patient and trust in Him.

God's Plan?

Sure, emotions are a little raw because I just got off the phone and heard not so good news...
and then I thought for a while that maybe it's not the best time to blog...
and then I thought some more and I've decided that I'm going to blog anyway...

The not so good news?  Well, I currently don't have a job for this next school year.  Quite frankly, it sucks.  It's hard to understand why God has me go through the challenges in life that I have to go through.  And I know that He doesn't take away the things that I love to hurt me...because I have a loving God.  Although, it's difficult to understand this. 

We don't have kids and I would do anything to have our own.  My kids are my students and to think about not having 20-plus students that I can open my heart to, share life with and teach to...it crushes me.  Crushes me.  My students are my kids...because I don't have any of my own.  I think this is the toughest part to understand about the current not so good news.  Why would God take this away from me? 

How is it that awful teachers get to maintain their job?  Lazy teachers?  Teachers who don't care?  Teachers who work the bare minimum or less? Teachers who are negative and only want what's best for them, not putting the student first?  I DON'T UNDERSTAND AND THIS MAKES ME SO INCREDIBLY ANGRY!  I have a loving God?  Wait, let me rephrase that...I have a loving God. 

I realize I'm in the moment, mad at the world (well, actually God...and maybe those lazy-good-for-nothing-I-don't-care-teachers) because I don't understand "Why?".  I wish I knew what God has in store for me for this next school year...

Spring is in the air...(part II)

I'm almost finished with the teaching of 6th grade Health/HIV-AIDS.  I felt inclined to do a "part II" on this topic only because I said I would...and I should probably follow up with my few readers out there (Apparently, I have "readers"...who knew?).

It's been a journey.  A fun-embarrassing-laughing-hiding-in-the-corner-curious journey for the 6th graders.  I have a few students that ask question after question about anything and everything (I really wish I could share because it's so darn hilarious)...and then I have the students who can't even look at me in the hallway anymore.  I find it all quite entertaining, really. 

I do really want to believe in the 6th graders and their innocence, but then the reality sets in that my sweet, innocent 6th graders...well, maybe they aren't so innocent after all.  This scares me...downright terrifies me actually.  They are only eleven and twelve years old.  ONLY ELEVEN AND TWELVE!  I'm thankful my 6th graders are in an elementary school setting because I think having them in a middle school setting would provide more opportunities for risky behavior.  (Although, there are many wonderful things about having the 6th graders in a middle school setting.)

Many have asked, "How do you teach that stuff?"  Well, honestly, the first 10 minutes are awkward and then it gets easier...well, relatively easier.  The first read aloud of the word penis brings a giggling snicker throughout the entire class, including myself.  The giggling and snickers only get louder as the descriptions, definitions, pictures and questions get more in depth.  (Did I mention that the snickers get louder from me too?)  I merely look at this as an opportunity to make sure my students know the difference between making a risky behavior decision versus a safe decision. 

Truthfully, I hope that I have given them just the right amount of knowledge, as well as, placed just the right amount of fear in them...they are only 11 and 12 after all.