Day 41: Simply That Amazing

1) So today it was originally going to just be 4 of us for lunch: Roy, me, Darian, Jace. And then of course Harrison joined the mix. But I cooked a huge lunch and it seemed like we should have more than just 'us' so...as it turned out, Savana decided she could just us afterall. And she brought Guerin. And then Drew tagged along. And then Nick (Cord) called to say he could make it afterall. And THEN Ryan showed up. So in the end there were kids everywhere and everyone was talking and laughing and sprawled throughout the living room.

I love that.

2) Darian and I had some really really good conversations today--who God is and that sort of thing. Gosh I love that girl. I mean--I know that everyone loves their kids and that's a beautiful thing. But I honestly feel sorry for everyone who doesn't have Darian as their daughter. She's that amazing. (And yes, Savana--you're that amazing too.)

3) Tonight there was the Christmas program at our school. Beautiful, precious Rachel has been stressing all week about a silks routine that she was performing for the program. She was one of the first 'acts' and she was absolutely spectacular. She wrote her own routine and it went with the beat of the music. Honestly--I was amazed. She whipped those silks around, climbed, hung--so graceful and beautiful and amazing. And when it was over, she fumbled a bit at the end and climbed down...then ran out obviously upset. So I left a shortly after and found her sobbing in her dorm room. I talked to her for awhile -- about how fabulous she was and all good things -- and then we were joined by Cassie, the assistant girls' dean. So in the end, the three of us had a great conversation--talking about life and dating and love stories--those common experiences we all have yet they are all so unique, so special in their own right.

And even though I missed most of the Christmas program, I am so glad that I did.

Day 40: Highlights

I have looked forward to today all week and it absolutely proved to be a fabulous day. Here are the highlights:
1) Roy promised his workers that he would take them out for lunch at El Que Pasa today as their Christmas gift for being great workers all semester. And so he did...accompanied by Darian and me. And of course it was just tons of fun. Good kids. Lots of conversation. Good food. These kids (Alexis, DJ and Drew) are so loyal to Roy and he teases them unendingly...and they give it right back. But it's all lighthearted and it's obvious there's so much cameraderie between them. It's sweet.

2) This morning I 'messaged' a longtime friend of mine from high school -- Jeff -- who is probably a millionaire--or close to it -- to let him know about two mission trips Darian is going to be taking to see if he can support her. She needs $2600 which is a bit overwhelming. But he was always good to support Savana on her trips so I figured it would be good to get a headstart on this huge sum of money. Anyway, he immediately messaged me back and said he would send $1000--and when her deadline gets closer, let him know how much she is lacking and he will send her whatever she needs. Oh. My. Goodness.  He called me later and we spent some time catching up. He's one of those friends that is just plain easy to talk to--so down to earth and silly and nice. So it was fun catching up. Heartwarming knowing that after all of these years? We're still really good friends. He's the same guy he was in high school really...just a little bit older.  (Emphasis on the little.)

3) I cleaned my house today--one of those thorough cleanings that includes sweeping and mopping and dusting and vacuuming--while Pandora plays its heart out. And then I cooked so lunch is completely ready for tomorrow: lasagna, salad, french bread, and pumpkin pie for dessert. This sort of thing doesn't happen too often these days. But it did today and I'm so glad that it did.

4) On a whim, I decided to call Yvette--Harrison's mom--to see if he could spend a couple of nights with us. And she said yes. Jace was clueless that I had done this and he left school before Yvette arrived to let Harrison know. So when he got home and I told him to go back and get Harrison...well, the look on his face was priceless. And then he said, "Mom! You're so sick!" And of course...that's lingo for 'You're so cool!' But that sick word always stops me in my tracks. But regardless--in Jace's eyes I was a hero today...if only for a moment.

5) The music concert was tonight at the church and, as always, I was amazed. That Ed Pelto is absolutely ridiculous. He manages to get so much out of those kids and they sounded stupendous. It was a perfect length--each group performed three numbers. And I enjoyed every single one.

6) And then when it was over I went over to say hello to Donna Robertson. And then Tricia joined us...and we talked for quite some time. It was fun--genuine conversation. Authentic. And gosh I love that.

So all in all? It was a great day. And as I came upstairs to blog and then head to bed, I left Savana in the kitchen--finishing up the cinnamon rolls that we will have for breakfast in the morning.

Day 39: Stripple Sandwiches and Such

I have to say one of the most joyful parts of my day is watching Piper and Sparti play. It is absolutely adorable. They play tag--literally. One nips the other then catapults through the house, the other hot on his trail. And then they reverse it. Over and over again. Sparti loves to attack Piper's tail--fully knowing it will begin a playing spree. Piper barks, nips, and wrestles Sparti who is 1/10 his size...and Sparti keeps going back for more. I need to video it--it's simply adorable.

Secondly, Jace has decided that he likes to breakdance. I'm not sure where this started but it's hysterical. He breakdances in the morning and all evening. Then tonight he did quite a show with his "guns." That boy...He assures me that he realizes that he looks ridiculous. But? He loves it. So...why not? :)

Thirdly, Ricky flies out for Korea in the morning as he's going home for Christmas so he stopped by my office and brought me a Christmas card today. Inside the card he wrote the sweetest message. It was priceless and I will cherish it forever. So so sweet.

Fourthly, Ryan, Drew and Ethan came into my office this afternoon and begged me to drive them to the gas station so they could get sodas. I finally complied and off we went. But naturally once we got there, Ethan's card--the designated purchaser--wouldn't work. I left my purse at home as I had no intention of going to town so...they loaded up and we came back home. But it was hilarious and fun and gosh I will those ridiculous boys once they graduate.

Fifth? I conquered the calendar that hangs on my wall. This entire semester I have fought it. I have hung it up with sticky tape. It fell down. Then I added mailing tape. Fell down again. So I stripped it of all tape and started over...this time adding more. Still fell down. And it does that weird crackly thing when it's just about ready to fall to its death so I know that its demise is just around the corner. It has been a continual fight--and I had just about it given it up for lost when Tammy mentioned that I should hang it up with hot glue. Naturally, I kept forgetting to bring the hot glue gun to school so I finally remembered to mention it to Roy last night. Naturally he has this elephant memory so this morning before I went to school, he actually got the glue gun and put it in the car for me with a couple extra glue sticks. So with a sense of accomplishment and the joy of success, I now have a permanent calendar hanging on my wall. And while I was at it, I hot glued the corkboard that has fallen down more times than I could count.

Whoever takes this office next? They're going to hate me.

And I can't not mention supper tonight. Darian came home from choir starving. So she went into the kitchen to get herself something to eat and, since I wouldn't let her open a can of hotdogs as the last time she opened a can of hotdogs I had to throw half of them out as they grew mold, she gave up trying to figure out what she was going to eat and resigned herself to playing the piano. So, being the ever-devoted mother that I am (not really--I'm pretty much over it)...I went into the kitchen to make Jace a smoothie and decided that I should 'bless' her with a stripple sandwich. And heck...while I'm at it I should make me one too! So I did. I can't even remember the last time I had a stripple sandwich. But it took me back to my childhood...and made me wonder why I don't eat those more often.

Day 38: It's Wednesday

It's Wednesday. I am always thankful for Wednesdays as I don't have to cook. Jace and I usually walk over to the caf and even if it's a leftover-type day, I don't have to do dishes; I don't have to figure out what to make Jace and Darian; there's always good conversation. I mean--there's nothing to dread really. So today? All of the above happened: walked to the caf with Jace, ate leftovers, didn't do dishes and had good conversation. What's not to love?

Secondly, Tammy came into my office this morning while I was teaching and entered 2/3 of these forms that I need to update on our database for me. Oh my--that's spectacular. This huge stack has been sitting there for a couple of weeks now and I haven't gotten to it...and haven't gotten to it...and then today she did. So now I can finish up quickly and that is a beautiful thing.

Thirdly? While Tammy worked, Beth G and I chatted. And then Beth A. came in...and we all decided to go to lunch together. We went to IHOP and it was a genuinely good time. Love those girls. I'm thinking we need to do that more often. Actually.

Fourthly, my freshmen complained recently that we never do anything 'fun' in class. I found this rather disconcerting as in my humble opinion, every class is fun! But as I reflected on the semester after that statement, I realized that, in fact, we haven't had a single class where we just kicked back a little and did something creative and a tad more relaxed. So today we did just that. I brought in four loaves of pumpkin bread and a couple of bags of creativity: glitter, glue, various types and colors of paper, markers, etc..., and twenty kids went to work turning their short stories that are due in final draft form on Friday into children's books. I turned on some Christmas music and though, admittedly, I'm not convinced much work went on, we had a good time. (Sure hope the classes next door had a good time too.) But the best part? My freshmen were so happy...all smiles and chatter and bright eyes.

So it isn't even 7:00 in the evening. The Christmas lights are on, it's toasty in my house, and I'm looking forward to an entire evening of reading and watching Parenthood with Darian and maybe even watching something on tv.