I cannot believe that it has been July since I added to my blog. Where in the world does the time go? I have no earthly idea. But the season draws my attention to all the blessings in my life. What better way to share my reflections than through this blog.
What joy has filled our family. Our grandchildren doubled with the arrival of two adorable twin girls in October. Our little boys better take advantage of every moment they have until these little spit fires grow up and make their own mark in life. My children continue to amaze me over and over again. Timmy teaching and Elisha getting her Master's, Blake still devoted to fire fighting and Katrina making her mark in the nursing field. I have been truly blessed. Benny and I continue taking one step at a time, enjoying time with family and friends.
We wish everyone a blessed and joyous Christmas with a future of a bright new year ahead.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
3 beautiful things: July 4, 2009
Happy July 4 everyone and Happy Birthday to our great country. It was a lazy, carefree day around our family today...enjoying time with family around the pool, cooking hamburgers and hotdogs, and watching fireworks. So what three beautiful things did I see today?
Obviously one of the things was the firework display at the lake. I love the sparkly ones that burst and crackle. The night was so cool and pleasant with the rain and cloud cover. The brilliant colors of the fireworks are always beautiful against the dark sky.
Another beautiful thing I saw today was my son-in-law carrying my grandson getting him ready for bed. Cam's tired little head rested on his daddy's shoulder and he was ready to go to sleep. He has had an exciting weekend spending time with his cousins, swimming, and making ice cream in a bag.
The third beautiful thing I saw today was a turtle in my mother-in-law's backyard. This is a regular occurance. I firmly believe that word spreads throughout the turtle community that this lady is the one to visit for fresh bread. She can sit on the patio and talk to them and feed them bread. But as soon as any of the rest of us make a step outdoors...they are gone. She loves these animals and they seem to return the favor.
Again, Happy July 4 to everyone.
Obviously one of the things was the firework display at the lake. I love the sparkly ones that burst and crackle. The night was so cool and pleasant with the rain and cloud cover. The brilliant colors of the fireworks are always beautiful against the dark sky.
Another beautiful thing I saw today was my son-in-law carrying my grandson getting him ready for bed. Cam's tired little head rested on his daddy's shoulder and he was ready to go to sleep. He has had an exciting weekend spending time with his cousins, swimming, and making ice cream in a bag.
The third beautiful thing I saw today was a turtle in my mother-in-law's backyard. This is a regular occurance. I firmly believe that word spreads throughout the turtle community that this lady is the one to visit for fresh bread. She can sit on the patio and talk to them and feed them bread. But as soon as any of the rest of us make a step outdoors...they are gone. She loves these animals and they seem to return the favor.
Again, Happy July 4 to everyone.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
3 beautiful things: June 24, 2009
The first two beautiful things that comes to my mind immediately are the sweet grandbaby twins that I got to see in the sonagram today. It was so exciting to get to be a part of it with the kids. It was also the day of the big announcement. We have been anticipating this day for several months and hoping that they would cooperate to let us know what they are...and they did. They are girls. Tee Hee. I can't help but giggle.
So that brings to the list the third beautiful thing that I saw...actually two again. Seeing the grins on Blake's and Katrina's faces was heart warming. Wow. I continue receiving more blessings than I deserve. Our God is an awesome God.
So that brings to the list the third beautiful thing that I saw...actually two again. Seeing the grins on Blake's and Katrina's faces was heart warming. Wow. I continue receiving more blessings than I deserve. Our God is an awesome God.
Friday, June 12, 2009
3 beautiful things: June 12, 2009
I am currently in Corpus Christi at the 80th Alpha State Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention. I attended the Birthday Luncheon today and was encouraged by a sister who challenged us to experience each moment of each day that God gives us. She told us of a lady who records in a journal three beautiful things that she noticed each day. That is something I want to do, so will begin right now.
The first thing that comes to my mind is this awesome picture I took of my son-in-law holding my grandson for his first swim in the "ocean." The force of the wind and waves was scary to this precious child, but he was secure in his father's arms. It reminds me of the security we should all feel in our own Father's arms.
The first thing that comes to my mind is this awesome picture I took of my son-in-law holding my grandson for his first swim in the "ocean." The force of the wind and waves was scary to this precious child, but he was secure in his father's arms. It reminds me of the security we should all feel in our own Father's arms.The second beautiful thing I saw today was this small shell that reminded me of angel's wings.
The third beautiful thing I saw today was beautiful kaleidescope colors and smiling faces of Delta Kappa Gamma sisters at the birthday luncheon. It was awesome.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Another year almost over
I can't believe it...the last week of this school year is here. Where did the time go? So it is time to race against the clock once again to get everything completed that needs to be done before the end of the week and graduation. And then it is time to start gearing up for next year with workshops, conventions, and cleaning of computers.
I dear friend of my mother's told me at the beginning of my junior year that I need not fret over the slow passing of time. She assured me that as I got older, the time would pass much faster and I would sit and wonder just where all of it went. Well, Barbara, you were right. I is even hard to remember just how slowly time was passing at that time when I was looking forward to my own high school graduation, ready to enter the world as my own person yet scared to death of the future.
And I sit and watch my grandchildren as they grow into independent young toddlers and wonder whatever happened to those tiny babies that would just lay in my arms and sleep to their heart's content. Time is so very precious. Hang on to every moment and protect the happy moments you share with those you love.
I dear friend of my mother's told me at the beginning of my junior year that I need not fret over the slow passing of time. She assured me that as I got older, the time would pass much faster and I would sit and wonder just where all of it went. Well, Barbara, you were right. I is even hard to remember just how slowly time was passing at that time when I was looking forward to my own high school graduation, ready to enter the world as my own person yet scared to death of the future.
And I sit and watch my grandchildren as they grow into independent young toddlers and wonder whatever happened to those tiny babies that would just lay in my arms and sleep to their heart's content. Time is so very precious. Hang on to every moment and protect the happy moments you share with those you love.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Student Competition
Our journey on the road to BPA National Conference began in September 2008 when the current guidelines were published on the Web. Contests were assigned to our twenty members and research began immediately on the topics at hand. There were new members that had to "learn the ropes" on what would be expected, what responsibilities were at hand, and what routine had to be established in order to be the most successful.
Results of the students' hard work were first realized at the Regional Leadership Conference at Frank Phillips College in Borger. I accompanied nineteen of my chapter's members to the conference with suits, projects, and equipment in tow. There were conflicts to work through with a major basketball game the same evening, but I am proud to say that I work with outstanding, supportive coaches that agreed to work with me in solving the problem allowing all athletes to perform to their best abilities and still play in the big game. I am pleased to say that initially fifteen of those members qualified for state competition. The remaining three were called on stage and were state alternates. Eventually, one of those alternates was moved up to qualifier status.
The race was on to perfect and correct any problems with materials that required early submission, make hotel reservations, submit travel requisitions, and make final state conference registration arrangements. We are now in Austin and have finished the rounds of competition and await announcement of the final results.
Here is the dilemma that I face: One of the qualities I possess as a teacher is the adoption of every student that passes through my classroom door. Every child is different and carries a variety of emotions and personality styles. But every child becomes one of your own, no matter who they are. I have expectations for each one and carry the anticipation that they will follow their dreams to become the person they desire to be. As I sit here in my hotel room my blood pressure threatens to rise in anticipation of this afternoon's award ceremony. My reward comes from the students feeling that they did a great job in their presentations and/or application contests. No matter the result, I firmly believe that knowing you did your best is the final reward. However, the competitive side of me knows that they want their "best" to be rewarded with a medal or plague indicating that they have advanced to the next level. I feel the same disappointment they will realize if they do not advance to the next level. I will be excited with those that will have the opportunity to continue their competition journey.
Oh, the perils of teaching...oh, the perils of parenthood. I anticipate disappointment. But I want my students to know that I am extremely proud of them. I realize that through their youth, they see the present moment before them. I am at that age (golden, ancient, "old as dirt") that I see the reality in what they have accomplished to get to this point. I realize that the process of attaining this level this year is completely different from the process that realized whatever success was attained last year. I realize that this is the last opportunity for some...and another learning experience preparing for next year for others. But I also realize that there are thousands of members that did not qualify to compete at this level and hundreds that found their dreams dashed at the results table cutting off their progress into the final rounds. As I made my way through the Convention Center, corners were filled with crying students who just discovered that their routines were now over.
I just pray that all of these students at this conference will come to realize the accomplishments that they have made and the valuable lessons they have learned that will follow them through life further than any medal or plaque will. I pray that some day they will look in the mirror and have the revelation that their experiences gained from this part of their life is being fully realized in their career and the services they are providing to our society.
Results of the students' hard work were first realized at the Regional Leadership Conference at Frank Phillips College in Borger. I accompanied nineteen of my chapter's members to the conference with suits, projects, and equipment in tow. There were conflicts to work through with a major basketball game the same evening, but I am proud to say that I work with outstanding, supportive coaches that agreed to work with me in solving the problem allowing all athletes to perform to their best abilities and still play in the big game. I am pleased to say that initially fifteen of those members qualified for state competition. The remaining three were called on stage and were state alternates. Eventually, one of those alternates was moved up to qualifier status.
The race was on to perfect and correct any problems with materials that required early submission, make hotel reservations, submit travel requisitions, and make final state conference registration arrangements. We are now in Austin and have finished the rounds of competition and await announcement of the final results.
Here is the dilemma that I face: One of the qualities I possess as a teacher is the adoption of every student that passes through my classroom door. Every child is different and carries a variety of emotions and personality styles. But every child becomes one of your own, no matter who they are. I have expectations for each one and carry the anticipation that they will follow their dreams to become the person they desire to be. As I sit here in my hotel room my blood pressure threatens to rise in anticipation of this afternoon's award ceremony. My reward comes from the students feeling that they did a great job in their presentations and/or application contests. No matter the result, I firmly believe that knowing you did your best is the final reward. However, the competitive side of me knows that they want their "best" to be rewarded with a medal or plague indicating that they have advanced to the next level. I feel the same disappointment they will realize if they do not advance to the next level. I will be excited with those that will have the opportunity to continue their competition journey.
Oh, the perils of teaching...oh, the perils of parenthood. I anticipate disappointment. But I want my students to know that I am extremely proud of them. I realize that through their youth, they see the present moment before them. I am at that age (golden, ancient, "old as dirt") that I see the reality in what they have accomplished to get to this point. I realize that the process of attaining this level this year is completely different from the process that realized whatever success was attained last year. I realize that this is the last opportunity for some...and another learning experience preparing for next year for others. But I also realize that there are thousands of members that did not qualify to compete at this level and hundreds that found their dreams dashed at the results table cutting off their progress into the final rounds. As I made my way through the Convention Center, corners were filled with crying students who just discovered that their routines were now over.
I just pray that all of these students at this conference will come to realize the accomplishments that they have made and the valuable lessons they have learned that will follow them through life further than any medal or plaque will. I pray that some day they will look in the mirror and have the revelation that their experiences gained from this part of their life is being fully realized in their career and the services they are providing to our society.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year
Okay, the new year has arrived and I am determined to get more up-to-date in what's happening in technology. I'm not into making new year resolutions because I just end of breaking them before I ever get started. But it has become quite evident that I have become very set in my ways and need to get off my "duff" and start learning again.
As a high school teacher of business computer applications, I always prided myself in staying current with my students' interests. But there are so many new "gadgets" available on the Internet, but my school filters them and I realize that the majority of my computer time is there at school. I have had a cell phone for many years and use it regularly. However, it has come to my attention that my students are quite amazed that I text. It dawned on me that they are seeing me as being really old (which I'm sure I am). So I am getting into blogs and wikis. These will be great resources for my photography sideline as well.
So get ready to hear from me more often.
As a high school teacher of business computer applications, I always prided myself in staying current with my students' interests. But there are so many new "gadgets" available on the Internet, but my school filters them and I realize that the majority of my computer time is there at school. I have had a cell phone for many years and use it regularly. However, it has come to my attention that my students are quite amazed that I text. It dawned on me that they are seeing me as being really old (which I'm sure I am). So I am getting into blogs and wikis. These will be great resources for my photography sideline as well.
So get ready to hear from me more often.
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