Sweet littles

My sister and her family decided to come spend the week with us in st auggie. We had such a fun time... And I certainly ate my weight in junk food. Not good seeing as I'm leaving the country tomorrow and am planning on eating my way through the next two weeks...

So much for weight watchers.

But anyways, so glad to have spent the time with my sweet littles. They were a blast!!

Kristin and Rachel's Day of Fun

On a whim we decided to trek to Gainesville to float down the Ichetucknee and eat lunch at Satchel's. These are two of my favorite things to do in life. Mike would argue that I say everything is my favorite, but this REALLY is. The Itchmetouchme is serene-- we were a little chilly because it was overcast but it was worth it.

And Satchel's? Ohhhhh Satchel's...

I would quit my job and work there or move into the van. Or eat it everyday. There's nothing like it... I ordered an extra pizza for leftovers and slapped a Satchel's bumper sticker on the truck. Real classy.

As for this weekend, my older sister Tanya and her family are staying. We are celebrating my mom's bday as well as father's day, and Lynn Johnson was gracious enough to book her condo for us for the weekend. On the beach. What what?

So fun!

Sweet words

When school is in session, I tend to neglect the most important role that I should be nurturing the most. Stress and hopelessness and feeling like nothing I do matters should challenge me to pursue Christ harder, to figure out the 'why' behind my life, yet I usually allow my mind to be swallowed up in self-pity and the monotony of life. 

And then summer arrives. 

There's something so sweet about starting my days off quietly journaling and contemplating life, so to speak. I'm able to take a step back and catch a mere glimpse of how God sees me, whole and complete and so worthy to live out this life that He's blessed me with. My devo this morning (PS-- it's "Jesus Calling." I have NEVER found a devotional that I've actually liked, but this one is phenomenal. I think it was written for me...) began and ended with:

I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives... Enjoy my Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy and Peace. 

I was so moved by these words! I've always made it a goal to find joy in the little things and to let negativity roll off, but this year I lost that. I allowed myself to become judgmental, prideful, angry... but I'm already finding myself being healed from the hurt of last year and able to look forward to next year. That last day of school-I was done. Ready for a new school, career, whatever to get me out of the place I was in. But, I'm already feeling hope for this new year, that what I do at that school DOES matter, that God has given me a unique calling to bring his Joy to middle schoolers. As soon as it got rough, I was ready to bail... but what if this next year is different? What if I spend this summer with God, building up strength and endurance and delve myself whole heartedly into this next year with His purpose in mind? I believe this next year could be the best yet. 

I'll leave you with scripture the scripture that prompted this post:

Galatians 5:22-26 (The Message)

What happens when we live God's way?

     He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard- things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

     Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good- crucified.

     Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in or hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. 

     Diego and his BFF Bandit playing at the beach. D's still knocked-out exhausted. 

Lackadaisical days

Yesterday was one of my favorite kinds of days. You might argue that I say every day is my favorite day, but I especially loves ones with no pressing agenda in mind and a mile-long to-do list. Okay, maybe not a mile long or particularly important (skinny jeans, turquoise earrings and wedges for Europe? Check!) but tasks to complete nonetheless.

It was a perfect start to a perfect summer. And mind you, this type of errand-running bliss can only be achieved when it doesn't matter what the heck you do that day, or the next for that matter. I would not be able to find joy in this manner during the school year on a weekend, or even a day off. It must be done lackadaisically (I had to look up the spelling of that one) and solely in the summer. It cannot be paired with other important things to do, like cleaning or doctor's appointments. And you cannot plan it in advance. I will now give you a glimpse into the best kind of day, a la Rachel style:

7:30- Wake up because husband's alarm is going off every 5 minutes with obnoxious piano song. BUT the best days do start early so you can pack in more.

8:30- Drop hubby off at work. Freedom starts. (You might be wondering why I didn't just drive my own car. Well, I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to die while driving on 95 in the hurricane-type weather we've been experiencing, thus, the truck has been lying dormant at Carlos's apartment in Jacksonville since Friday.)

8:45- Arrive at beach. Forgot bathing suit, but was not deterred. Went for a walk and found sweet shells to mail to Annie.

9:30- Went to Starbucks to read devotional. Journaled for a while, then listened intently to a couple's break-up fight two tables over.

11:00- Meandered over to Office Depot to spend teacher gift card I never used. Bought 20 felt pens in all colors which made me deliriously happy.

11:45- World Market. Just because I love World Market so much. Found gifts for mom's bday.

12:30- Publix sub!! Ate it slowly in the parking lot.

1:00- Old Navy. New skinny jeans, shirt, pjs.

1:30- DSW, which is NOT usually a place I would choose to go to on a fun errand day. But I braved it and came out successfully with a pair of cute wedges.

2:00- Met up with sweet Danielle at Starbucks. Went to Pottery Barn, Anthro, and American Eagle (sandals and jewelry)

3:30- Target, of course. Held back from purchasing everything, finished off Mom's gift.

4:00- Barnes and Noble for my favorite pastime-- reading travel books in preparation for next week's journey!

5:30- Dinner with the boys (Cruisers for loaded fries... mmmmmmmmm....)

7:00- Church for art jam! PS art stresses me out.


AAAAAAND I"m sure everyone stopped reading this hours ago but that's what the perfect day looks like. Now it's on to the beach with the puppers and an afternoon of cleaning in anticipation of the littles coming this weekend!

Happy Tuesday!

back porch musings

It's only officially day one of summer, and I already feel like a new person.

Quiet time on the porch spent in prayer and scripture has filled me with a sea of hope.

This season will be riddled with adventure; I'm giddy like a small child going to Disney for the first time!

It's unreal... Spain, Holland, Poland... Seattle to see Annie-- my older sister and kiddos staying at the house, new babies to celebrate, birthdays, theme parks... I'm so excited for what's in store!

I felt God quietly speaking to my heart this morning to love on people this summer--

 to "be available to my family," which I read somewhere in Psalms (but can't find it now..) 

While school's in, it's a challenge to 'be available.' I'm busy. And tired. And terrible remembering birthdays and celebrations, which I'm totally convicted of. 

I didn't make time for my sweet Younglife girls this year, some of them going through tumultuous situations and me being 'too busy' to listen. 

So this summer, I'll be available. 

I'll make the time to hang out with the girls- to reconnect with friends- to send cards-

to love my hubby-to serve at church. 

And now it's time to run errands, my favorite! (Seriously) 

SUMMER TO-DO!

In no particular order:

- Hang two frames on the wall. The ones that have been sitting in the garage since circa 1999.

- Donate blood.

- Pick blueberries somewhere.

-Eat at Satchel's.

- Float down Ginnie Springs. Maybe combined with Satchel's.

- Exercise. Maybe.

-Read lots of books, but definitely "Bloom," "IQ84," "Games of Thrones" and at least one or two classic lit books.

- Watch "Steel Magnolias," because I'm tired of people saying, "You haven't seen Steel Magnolias?!"

- St. Aug beach farmer's market

-Go to Sea World, THEN watch "The Cove" and never go to Sea World again.

-Add people's birthdays to my phone so I'll stop forgetting

- send at least one card to someone per week.

- visit Cheree in Orlando

-Float all day in the pool with the other Checchia's and Diego

-Hang up the hammock on the porch

- paddle board with Michael

-find a new place for bagels (Schmagels isn't cutting it anymore....bummer)

- Reconnect with Wyldlife (now Younglife) girls--- specifically, one sleepover, a couple beach days, or just hanging out.

- send care packages

- go to Six Flags in Atlanta and hang out with Amy and Paul

-Thoroughly clean the car, just once.

- Buy wedges. and wear them.

-Buy cool Christmas presents for people while traveling (!!)

-Go to Street Corner Ministry on a Saturday morning

-Go to a Hollybrook birthday party

-Go with Carlos to the soup kitchen

-Maybe a little ambitious, but I would LOVE to camp up in Bryson City where we used to go with youth group... go to Sliding Rock, Deep Creek and white water rafting!

-Why not throw in a girl's trip with momma?

-mulch the front yard. ugh, gotta do this.

- Babysit for friends' babies. For "birth control" purposes :)

-make a tshirt quilt. MAYBE. but probably not.

-Buy produce from the stands up the street.

*Note- this is a working document. I'll be updating it as summer progresses :)

The end.

The most challenging year for teachers has come to a close-

Two months to recharge, for there'd be no way we could do what we do

without a summer's respite. 

We spend the year pouring our souls into students 

guiding them like lighthouses into adulthood

pointing them in the right direction

sometimes being a mother

or a coach

or an advocate

or just someone to listen 

They might not appreciate us now

but hopefully will one day remember us with fondness

as "That teacher who actually cared about me." 

or "That class I actually enjoyed because she made it meaningful." 

Rules change as education revolves around

scores and data and making progress,

rather than growing the child as a whole. 

It's easy to lose heart and give up.

(I'm pretty sure I've given up once or twice already...)

But sweet friends at school were always there to listen

when there were tears of frustration

or potty-mouth words

and of course, moments filled with joy 

I pray that this summer we would find the courage

to start over next year, to forget about this one and 

remember it only with fondness

the year that we built relationships with each other,

the year we truly connected with our students ,

the year we laughed until we cried at lunch,

the year we had Friday dance parties because we made it another week.

I know my life has changed for the better-

I've grown closer to God than I've been in a long time,

for when life gets challenging, I draw nearer to Him. 

Enjoy your summer, dear friends.

Milk it for all it's worth--

fill it with readingsleepingchildrenbeachpuppiestraveling

I'll be on the porch reading all summer, so you know where to find me

and as my momma says,

I'll see ya'll in the funny papers 

Prom

Adult prom is where it's at! Although why were we the only ones to dress up? Who knows. But everyone who DIDN'T dress up certainly missed out on all the fun. 

We also crowned ourselves king and queen of the prom. 

We also rock climbed before that night. 

10 things I learned or rediscovered as a result of this weekend:

1. I'm getting older. Rockclimbing + dancing for hours = still sore two days later.

2. I love to dance. Even though I stink.

3. Marigolds make fantastic corsages, and I'm pretty sweet at making them. 

4. I love dressing up after seeking ridiculous treasures at thrift stores.

5. The sketchier the thrift store, the better. 

6. I stink at rock climbing. 

7. One of my top accomplishments in life was getting voted princess of the dance in 10th grade. I almost wore my crown to adult prom but didn't want to make the other prom goers jealous.

8. My husband looks hot in a bow tie and seersucker.

9. Sisqo created excellent dancing songs circa 1998 that will never be topped.

10. I have really great friends. That I didn't rediscover. That's just worthy of a top ten list of cool things.