Spring...

Spring time is here...I think.

Helicopters...

I have two really great trees in my backyard. The one I am sharing about today is a maple. It provides wonderful shade on those hot, sunny days. It is home to several squirrels who live and play all around.

I absolutely love the grandness of this tree! It welcomes you to sit and dream underneath its beauty. This is where I spend hours watching nature...It awes me that it is both simple and Complex all at the same time.

But, this wonderful tree...makes a huge mess! The helicopters that fall from its branches, this time of year, cover my entire backyard. Every single helicopter has the potential to sprout a new tree wherever it may land.

I guess you have to take the good with the bad,right?

Ever taken a handful of these little wonders of nature and thrown them in the air...only to stand under them as they spin around and fall around you? That is good stuff right there:)


Rubber boots are a must...

There is nothing like a puddle...to splash in...makes a good water source to make good mud...a great place to wash your dirty baby doll that was left out on the last rainy day...

At times there is nothing like a waterhose...to save Chloe Jo from the ant colony in the mailbox of her playhouse...which created that wonderful puddle to splash in.

I ask you often,friends...what goes on in your backyard? You will not believe what I saw the other day. This is probably the real reason I ever brought up the waterhose.

I looked out behind my house and saw three teenage kids in the backyard behind my home. No exaggeration... A young boy had the waterhose and started spraying this other young boy and girl. It was one of those moments when you think you are saying something to yourself and then realize that you really aren't saying it to yourself...not at all.

The question is why am I the only one around when random events occur? Well, besides my three year old glued to what was happening as I stood with my mouth on the ground. No lie...the girl had on a black bikini top...prematurely...you know it was too cool to be wearing that...just saying.

All of a sudden, these two kids start making out under the water in broad day light. I'm talking French kissing and rubbing all over...get a room...Yo MTV rap videos kind of stuff.

So, I guess That is what goes on in my backyard...yep. Ha

Hope you are having a great week.

What March Madness really means...

A whole month of school with out a day off...

If I survive this month, I will feel like I can survive anything. I will just say that the past few weeks have been the toughest I've faced in 4th grade. I have felt a bit discouraged that my efforts may not bring the results I want. Isn't life that way though, at times we feel like no matter what we do it just may not be enough.

No tears though. I am confident that things will work out the way they should because I have Met the challenge to the best of my ability...the most important thing is I have loved my kids and tried to help them learn some very tough content. That is all any of us can do.

These kids I have had the pleasure of teaching this year burden my heart. Times are crazy for middle school kids...I have had an eye opening experience to say the least. All of these years I have been in kindergarten...teaching kids too innocent to know all that goes on around them. Many situations are just heart-breaking.

I have wondered why God sent me to 4th grade many times because of my past experience.

Today, I spent some time in my backyard.

I watched Chloe Jo as she played in her playhouse...she sang, made dirt pies, painted the house with water and a brush, and screamed at ants while her daddy came to her rescue. I found myself thinking about some of the kids in my classes...wondering if anyone watches them the way I do Chloe Jo.

What I believe is I am in 4th grade for these kids...so they have someone to cherish them...someone to dance with them...to laugh with them...someone to teach them through loving them. So they can be creative and have A place to still be innocent...

I'm asking you friends, please pray for my students. Pray for their parents. Pray for teachers. And I'll just throw this in there...might not hurt to pray that I see results:)

So...let's try this again...

HEY, friends! I must admit I am in a bit of technology overload. Not only have I spent way too much time on the phone with Verizon this week, but now after three trips to Jackson, I have a new IPad.:)

I had trouble with Internet connection with the net book...so we opted for a step up. So far, I love it. I have relived the same "Seinfeld-like" episode each night...talking to a tech guru about my Internet...frustrated because everything they say is over my head. I just like to keep things simple, ya know!

Picture this...bathroom remodel in full swing...Chloe Jo stomping around in high heels saying " mama, I want juice!"...and me on the phone about 3G or 4G connection for fourth night in a row..this all occurred tuesday...David walking through with pieces of my old bathroom opening and closing the door...throwing it from the door onto the patio in a huge bonfire pile.

On Wednesday Chloe jo was hurt on the playground...so we spent the evening in the ER. The verizon lady was supposed to call that night...so i missed her call. Luckily Chloe Jo was alright. She had obviously pulled something because she was sore for a few days. But all is well now.

Thursday night...no internet access again, so it was on the phone again...this time to cancel. I actually squeezed in time for grey's Anatomy, which was a rerun:(

That's what I call A "Seinfeld-like week." ha.

Looking at the brighter side...

You will never believe what makes me happy about this purchase the most right this very second...the sounds of a typewriter with every letter on the screen....(BIG GRIN!) I love this! It truly is all about the simple things with me.

The weekend was great, but so fast. I have not had time to say hello in a while, so I just wanted to check in and tell you all to have a great week! Off to get a sweet baby to bed...and papers to grade before a happy Monday morning.

Looking like the Easter bunny will be coming to town soon... I will post some pics soon:)

Enjoy your week, friends!

Deep thinking...maybe

I cannot easily explain the depth of my reflections this weekend...I know I am right where I am supposed to be at this appointed time.  I feel the urge to share things I love...and one thing I love is my life:)

Sometimes after a stressful week at school it is a great escape to focus on who Misty really is outside of my profession.  So, you can imagine my whirlwind of thoughts... who am I now, at 38?  What is my next goal?  What will God require of me next?...kind of exciting to ponder but I have learned...no matter what...change is inevitable and I must be ready for any challenge.

David and I are remodeling...well, I think I should say...David is making my idea come together...I am finally saying goodbye to the avocado green bathroom and welcoming a fresh, crisp, tranquil bathroom in my life.  (Even though Chloe Jo will still knock on the door every time I am in the tub!)  ha

I love my home.  It is a small, cozy house...but one I have literally put my heart in to.  I bought this house before David and I married and have grown quite attached to its feeling of warmth and safety.  We have worked on this house since David and I started dating...making it reflect the things we love.  Now, after almost 7 years of marriage and Chloe Jo in our lives, there is never a dull moment.  My favorite part is she prefers nothing more than being at home:)    

Remodeling presents certain challenges for marriage...especially when someone isn't a fan of working on things.  David is very capable of doing all of the work but thankfully God has provided a means for us to hire most of this job out.  I am totally pumped because another new love in my life is my jacuzzi tub I am about to have in my 38th year of my wonderful life!

When going through a BIG transformation like this...it forces makes me to think about how a remodel relates to my life.  There are certainly things about myself that need work.  When you go to buy things to replace your old stuff it is a bit overwhelming at all the choices...but you focus on the BIG picture. 

I need to make a commitment to do some work...spiritually.  I need to focus on the BIG picture...

So, who am I at 38...still a child of God...still trying to have that child-like faith...a God-fearing woman, a Christian, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a teacher...

Add these to the things I love... hot pink tulips, bluegrass music, crushed ice and cold Diet Coke in a glass, my navy sweater, reading a great love story, blogging about my family, laughing in tears at my husband's latest antics, texting commentary to JoMeagan during The Bachelor and DWTS on weeknights...and my new favorite thing is to sing my song entitled Micki in a Mini Van...I receive daily updates on her search for a FULLY LOADED new ride:)   

Hope this week brings great things, friends.  I am faithful that God is at work...I love you all:)

A New Notebook...

Sooo...life is about changes, right?  Well...this week I have given up my desktop computer and dial-up Internet for my new wireless notebook.  I am pretty old school, so this is not such an easy shift but I am thankful.  Why is change so tough for me?

I seriously felt my heart beginning to race when I agreed to get rid of my landline to save money.  Verizon folks are listening to us old school peeps though...I still have my same number...same phone just with a new black box. So... I still get that phone on the shoulder feeling when talking and I get to hear my telephone ring that familiar ring...the sounds of home.  David and I are both happy:)

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE...

So this has been a BIG week!  But along with BIG things come tears.  It is with these great things you realize how fast your baby is growing up to be a BIG girl.  Not that I do not want her to learn BIG things but there is a little piece of me who just wants her to stay little...forever.

Potty progress and a successful writing the letter C lesson made me truly proud!  The sweet part was seeing her paper from school the next day with letter C's written all over it.  Chloe Jo was so proud she hung her "c work" in the hallway of our house:)  ha

I'm thinking...my friend Ginger named her kid MARY ELIZABETH!  I seriously would be freaking out right now...since it has taken Chloe Jo until now to take interest in writing even the first letter of her double name!   Maybe letter h will come soon enough...then, the rest.  Unless we have a few more successful lessons it could be maybe just C...heehee  (If only you knew how hard I worked to get that c down!)

March seems to be coming in like a lion...but what a great afternoon of backyard reflecting this week before the high winds.  Friends, I am so excited Spring is right around the corner...with Buttercups and Bradford Pears in full bloom, it makes me want to plant something!   Make it a great weekend...you may even hear from me again.