Lessons

An ulcer on your tongue is like a magnet to even the slightest hint of acidity in food.

What goes around comes around. Just sayin'...

You can't fully appreciate having A/C at home unless you've lived without it for an extended length of time. 

Fake sincerity is annoying. I mean, if you don't care enough to be real about it, why even bother?!

Calling someone a "retard," or using the word "retarded" to make fun of someone/something makes you sound incredibly ignorant. Like seriously... Is there nothing else you could say?!

Children are great judges of character.

Often times the thing you're looking for is right in front of your face.

Planning a trip to a favorite location will cause periodic bouts of excitement.

Teachers may say they don't have a favorite student, but we all know that's not true :)

Checking items off a to do list is gratifying. Finishing that to do list is amazing!

It really is a small world after all.

Having a conversation with someone in French, no matter how short it may be, will make you homesick for the francophone country in which you used to reside.

Special Olympics

Today was Special Olympics for our county/city school systems. I watched our kids, and others, run races, throw softballs and shot puts, and have the time of their lives.

They smiled and laughed and clearly enjoyed themselves. 

And I couldn't help but think... 

Spending time with my own Special Olympics participants this school year has honestly impacted my life.

I love my job. I've always told people that out of the three areas I'm trained/have degrees in, Special Education is my absolute favorite! 

Yes, it's hard work.

Yes, the paperwork drives me nuts.

Yes, it can be exhausting.

But it's still my favorite.

Why?

It's challenging.

It's rewarding.

It's humbling.

It's fun.

And on days like today...

I'm reminded just why I chose this profession.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I may or may not have slept from 7:30 last night 'til 5:30 this morning. Staying up late most of the weeek prior working on IEPs and other work-related paperwork may or may not be kicking my tail.

Sonic's mango slush may or may not be my new favorite cold treat. Spring may or may not have gotten confused and let Summer slip in already, with this ridiculously hot temps we've been having lately.

I may or may not be excited that we are going to Special Olympics tomorrow. I may or may not feel extremely blessed to work with these kids!

Sky Spills Over by Michael W. Smith may or may not have been on repeat my entire ride to work this morning. That may or may not be my new favorite song. 

I may or may not be counting down the days 'til I leave for Senegal. It may or may not be 20 days. 

I may or may not be planning a couple little road trips with my mom for over the summer and in the upcoming year. She may or may not be the one I consider my best friend. 

Cinco

In honor of today being Cinco de Mayo, I thought I'd do a Cinco themed survey of sorts...

Cinco happy thoughts at the moment...

1. I leave for Senegal exactly 3 weeks and 1 day from today!

2. I am over half way finished with my IEP meetings! 

3. I'm blessed to be so close to my brother!

4. School is almost out for the summer!

5. I'm looking forward to Special Olympics on Friday!

Cinco facts about your week...

1. I have 3 meetings today.

2. I am planning to get takeout Mexican on my way home so my mom and I can "celebrate" the holiday :)

3. Special Olympics is Friday!

4. It's taken a little caffeine and a lot of Jesus to get me through these late nights writing (prepping) IEPs.

5. It's been 16 days since my world was changed in a truly painful way.

Cinco reasons I'm thankful...

1. ...for my salvation and the hope and knowledge that comes with that.

2. ...for my job and the kids I get to work with!

3. I have a job that pays for all I need and almost all I want too.

4. My mom!

5. I have an air conditioner at home, in my classroom, in my car, etc.

Cinco annoyances...

1. ...overuse (and incorrect use) of LOL.

2. ...saying you know "exactly" how I feel about my dad passing.

3. ...pollen and it's attack on my sinuses.

4. ...cool weather's departure making way for this riculously hot weather.

5. ...people who only contact you when they want something.

Cinco random things...

1. Ice cold water has the same effect as caffeine on me.

2. I love music. But I have a hard time remembering lyrics, even to my favorite songs.

3. Speaking of memorization, I have a hard time memorizing anything! 

4. I may or may not be slightly obsessed with the show 19 Kids and Counting.

5. Student loans may seem great at the time, but boy will they come back and bite you in the bum when you have to start paying them back.

Lessons

Grieving is a unique process, with no two people handling it in the exact same way.

When you're feeling sad or down, find a way to be a blessing to someone else. It will boost your mood - even if only for a moment.

Technology is great. ...'til it's not.

Running late for work? That'll be the morning you get stopped by every single red light and the train comes through town.

Even the most outgoing, external processing person likes a little peace and quiet at times.

A paper cut on your hand hurts. Squirting jalapeño juice in that cut hurts even more.

A bouquet of flowers is nice. 20 bouquets in one tiny room? Sensory overload!

Conversations with an almost three year old never get boring.

Telemarketers will almost always call at a bad time.

It's hard to fully appreciate electricity and running water until you've had to live without both for any period of time.

Patience is a good thing.

2 Weeks Later

2 weeks.

14 days.

336 hours.

That's how long it's been since God called my dad to join Him in that great big eternal paradise in the sky.

I never realized how difficult this would be. 

He was sick for years. We knew it was coming.

But boy oh boy did it hurt when the time came.

And now that it's 2 weeks later... Well, it has gotten a little better. It still hurts. Don't get me wrong. But it has gotten better.

And since I was feeling nostalgic while writing this post, I thought I'd include a few pictures of me and that sweet sweet man...

It's the little things...

It's the little things...

That's what I try to think about when I feel just totally and completely overwhelmed at life. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being totally overwhelmed, lately I've been at about 13.5. Between my dad's passing and having a lot on my plate at work, I've had so very much on my mind. 

So last night I finally told myself... 

Its the little things...

I knew I needed to focus on the little things that have come my way recently. 

...things that made me smile and, even if only for a moment, made me forget the worry and stress and sadness.

And here's what I came up with.

...a day spent with my sweet Mama.

...finally finding a pair of rain boots I could afford. And double points because they are cute too :)

...seeing signs of new life everywhere I look outside.

...hearing my youngest niece call me Zizzie (my aunt name) for the first time.

...going to a beautiful wedding and seeing friends I hadn't seen in quite a while.

...a tasty treat after a long day of work.

...finding a note written by a previous student :)

...hearing my oldest niece talking to my dog and telling her to say cheese for the camera :)

...receiving an encouraging video from a friend of the family and a professional singer. 

...seeing pictures of the country that stole my heart 5 1/2 years ago, making me all the more excited about visiting it soon!