Joy

Each month, the school where I teach showcases one character trait from the Chick-Fil-A Core Essentials program.  This month the word is joy, and the definition the program gives is "finding a way to be happy even when things don't go your way."

Joy.  How many of us can say we truly have this in our lives?  Joy isn't something that just happens...we have to look for it.  

I remember last year on December 14th the fourth graders at my school were on a field trip to Stone Mountain,Georgia.  We'd spent most of the day out in the cold walking endlessly as we toured an old plantation and shops.  The group of kiddos I was with decided to venture indoors for a while to this huge indoor play area.  While they were running around and being kids, I sat down for the first time that day and checked my phone.  When I pulled up Facebook, my page was bombarded with the news of a shooting in Connecticut.  As I read the reports, tears filled my eyes and I watched those sweet children that I'd grown to love so much since August run and play without a care in the world.  After sending up a prayer for the families of those children and teachers who lost their lives, I sent up another one thanking God for watching over the kids in my life.  

How do you find joy in such a tragedy?

I saw this video posted on a friend's Facebook page earlier, and that word joy rang out to me clear as could be.  See for yourself.  Even in the darkest of hours, joy can be found.

Dear Clemson Fans...

Dear Clemson Fans,

          First of all, I want to start by saying that I'm a Clemson Alum.  I graduated from this great university in May of 2006.  My mom, grandfather, uncle, and cousins have also received degrees from Clemson.  I grew up less than 20 miles away from the best place on earth, and I love being able to drive on HWY 93 or HWY 123 and see the tops of Death Valley and Tillman Hall.  I couldn't agree more with the essay entitled, "There's Something in These Hills."  Anyone who has ever attended Clemson or been a Clemson fan can attest to the fact that there truly is something about Clemson that sets it apart from all other universities (at least in our opinions).

           With that being said, I must now address the rest of this post to the fans of our wonderful football program.  In my opinion, being a fan means being a fan whether you win or lose.  Trust me,  I know how devastating and heart breaking a loss is to a "die hard" fan.  There have been shouts of frustration and tears of disappoint from this girl over the years.  And nothing stings worse than losing to that other university from our great state.  As I watched the game this past Saturday with my family, I was just as angry as any other Clemson fan.  
    
            But, never once did it cross my mind to "demand" for Dabo Swinney's job.  Not once.  Sunday morning as I was catching up on my Facebook News Feed, I was already saddened by the loss from the night before and the news that one of my favorite actors had died.  So, when I came across a post on one of the many Clemson fan-based pages that ranted and raved about how we needed to get rid of Dabo because he couldn't get a win against ole Steve, I was irate.  Now, mind you, I was not at all surprised to see this because, let's face it, in college football that's the first go-to when your team has lost.  "Fire the coach!"  

            I remembered back in 2008 when Tommy Bowden resigned halfway through the season.  I'm going to throw some numbers at you now...Tommy Bowden was the head coach at Clemson from 1999-2008.  His overall record was 72-45.  His highest winning season was 9-4 in 2003 and 2007.  The Tigers never won a conference championship when Bowden was the coach.  Now, Dabo Swinney has been the head coach since 2008.  His record is 50-23.  His highest winning season was in 2012 with 11-2.  He has produced three Division titles and an ACC Championship title.  

            So tell me, Dear Clemson "Faithful", why should we fire Dabo?  Since 2011, our Tigers have had a combined 31 wins and 8 losses.  Are you kidding me?  Dabo's a coach, which is much like the role of a parent.  As a parent, can you control everything your child does?  I think not.  All you can do is teach them right from wrong and then pray that they listen and heed your advice.  You can't live life for them.  Just like Dabo can't play the game for his players.  So, should a parent be held accountable for his/her child's actions?  Ponder that.

           Lastly, please remember that even though we got the "thumb" this year, our Tigers still have a dominating lead in the bitter rivalry with our friends to the south.  65-42-4 speaks for itself, and we hold the longest streak in the series with 7 wins.  

            Just take a deep breath.  Have a beverage if that suits you.  Relax.  Dabo has proven over his time at Clemson that he can improve our program.  Let's focus on winning our bowl game and supporting our coach instead of demanding his job.  And please remember, that the boys out there playing on that field are just that...boys.  They're kids who are getting to live out their dream of playing NCAA football.  Most of them have worked their whole lives for this.  Let them enjoy it.

Much love to all and GO TIGERS!

Too funny not to share...

Do you ever wonder why in the world crazy people seem to find you?  

Well, I do.  On a daily basis. 

It's like I'm a stinking magnet for them.  Not sure where in the world they come from, but lordy do they know how to find me.  

Just had to share this...thought maybe some of you might be feeling the same way. :)

Now it's time to mentally prepare myself for another episode of Sons of Anarchy...have mercy...I may need an adult beverage to make it through this one.

I Want It Now!

It's ridiculous the number of times I've said this or thought this very same thing.  The truth of the matter is, that as humans we have this instinct to want things to go our way in our time, which is normally five minutes ago.  But, realistically this hardly ever happens, and for a good reason too.  That reason is GOD. 

He has this plan for our lives, and I know that can sound cheesy to some, but it's true.  Very rarely do we get to see this plan He has for us.  And, too often we get fed up with waiting.  We're all guilty of it at some point, including Sarah in Genesis 18.  She was ninety years old when God told Abraham that Sarah would have a child.  She actually laughed at God when she heard this.  All those years of hoping and praying for a child had made Sarah doubt God's plan.  But, she learned a very important lesson.  God has his own timing, and He does not rush it for us and our impatient beings.  No, God lets things happen when He's ready.  This wonderful, loving, merciful Father knows what is best for us and wants to help us.  Our duty as His children is to follow His commandents and stay faithful to Him.

Genesis 18:1-15
Jeremiah 29:11

"God never promised it would be easy...

...He just promised it would be worth it!"

I could not agree more with this statement! The past few weeks have been trying on my family and me. My grandmother (Granny) was diagnosed with breast cancer a few days before Thanksgiving. Then, two days before Christmas, she had a lumpectomy to remove the cancer. Luckily, the cancer had not spread to her lymphnodes!

Today, we went to the oncologist for the first time. He was very indepth and thorough with his explaination of how treatment could go. At the moment, we're waiting on a genetic test to be completed. The results will tell the doctor the best way to treat her cancer.

Prayer is much appreciated! I know God has a plan with this situation and I trust Him completely!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with love and compassion," Psalm 103:2-4

"Valentine's Day"

Just got back from seeing "Valentine's Day" with my best friend. I must say, Garry Marshall knows how to make a romantic comedy. This was a circular plot where each storyline was some how connected to the others. The acting was superb, with the exception of a certain country singer. Jennifer Gardener and Ashton Kutcher were adorable as best friends who realize in the end that they are in love with each other. It was refreshing to see Patrick Dempsey in a roll that didn't remotely resemble his McSteamy status on Grey's Anatomy. Bradley Cooper was absolutely charming as always. Even though Julia Roberts' role was not the center of attention, it was still poignant role that had me in tears at the end of the movie. The other characters/actors in the movie were good as well, but none stuck as much as the ones I've already mentioned. Although, I do have to say that Eric Dane and Bradley Cooper had me squealing at the end!

I love the message that was portrayed. Love is not perfect. You have to love everything about a person, not just the things you want to love. George Lopez's character said his marriage was so successful because he married his best friend. I think this is the key to the movie's message. Everyone wants someone who understands them and cares about what they have to say. Who better to be with than your best friend?

Singles' Awareness Day...

It used to be that the thought of being alone on Valentine's Day was depressing and all together devastating. This year, however, I've decided not to be afraid or have the feeling that my life is going to end. Instead, I'm going to spend the day celebrating the people who I love. So Happy Valetine's Day, all!

Confessions of a Dreamer...

Remember when we were kids and we played make-believe or read a fairytale? There was always a prince and a princess...and the classic "Happily Ever After".

Well, in the real world, "Happily Ever After" simply doesn't exist. Life isn't easy, and it definitely isn't full of princes and princesses. I used to be a dreamer, and in a lot of ways I still am. But, over the past few years, I've come to realize that life isn't about living out this fantastical plan that you invent for yourself. I remember saying when I was a teenager that I could see myself getting married right out college and having my first child by 25.

For those of you who know me, that certainly has not happened! I haven't even had a serious relationship that I could say was anywhere close to marriage. I used to be ashamed of that fact. I went around for a few years thinking that something was fundamentally wrong with me like I had some sort of anti-men repellant on me. Now, I laugh when I think about the times I thought I was the problem when in reality the problem was that I wasn't ready spiritually/emotionally/mentally/physically for a relationship of that magnitude.

I guess my vision of a great relationship came from my parents. They were high school sweethearts and loved each other very much. Was their relationship perfect? No, of course it wasn't. If you can show me a perfect relationship, then I'll show you someone who is faking it. Perfect doesn't exist, and there's nothing wrong with that!

I've learned that what matters most is that you find someone you can see yourself with for the rest of your life. Through my own personal experiences and those of my close friends, I've seen enough to know that the vision I've had in my head of the "perfect" guy is not what's meant to be. God has shown me several important things about myself in the past two years that have really given me a lot to ponder.

So, now, at this point in my life, I'm ready to embrace who I am and I like the person I've become. And at the end of the day, that's what matters right now. One day I'll find my "Prince Charming" (haha), but until then I'm going to live my life to the fullest and treasure each day with the ones I love. To those of you who are in my life, I love you all and you'll never know just how grateful I am to have each one of you in my life. :)

I love this crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful life...

I've been toying with the idea of creating a blog for quite sometime now. I used to think it was pointless to write about your thoughts and feelings, but as I've grown up, I have come to realize that writing is one of the best ways to express yourself. As a teacher, I believe writing is a very fundamental and important part of each person's life.



So, I'm going to "practice what I preach", so to say.



I love the idea of writing about my amazing life. My life has been incredibly blessed by God in so many ways.



The family he has given me is the most wonderful gift. Supportive, loyal, trusting, honest, loving, comical, endearing...they are the reason why I am who I am today. We always have the best time when we're together. Whether it's sitting around the house reminiscing about my parents' childhoods or having a movie night, there is sure to be laughter and love present. We received a huge blessing at Christmas this past year when my "little" brother, Seth, was able to come home for the first Christmas in four years! It felt so right to have all three kids back together...but that's a story for another time.



I've also been lucky enough to have some of the best friends imaginable. These special people have become like a second family to me and I honestly do not know how I could live without any one of them. They're not afraid to tell me when I'm being absolutely ridiculous about a situation, but at the same time I know they'd go to the ends of the earth for me...just like I would for them!



God has blessed me with an amazing job and the best group of kids and coworkers in the world! It is so exciting to be pumped up to go to work each day. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would actually enjoy "working". I don't consider my job, "work," but instead it's a career that God has chosen for me. Teaching has brought me such joy. Even though it's not the easiest job out there, it's the most rewarding. When a child looks at you and says in an excited voice, "I got it!"...well there are no words to describe that feeling. It's like success...only better.



So...onto my true reason for creating this blog...2010 is going to be a year of change for me. I've finally decided to grow up! LOL...Progress has already started and I can't wait for what else God has in store for me this year...