A Prayer for the New School Year

Tomorrow marks my 23rd first day of school (not counting preschool). I am just as excited and nervous as I am every year. I probably will toss and turn for hours before I fall asleep and then wake up before my alarm goes off!

I read over my prayer from last year and it is exactly what I needed to read. I added a few lines but it is pretty much the same. My prayer for myself and students hasn't changed. I want them to see Jesus in me daily and allow His love to overflow out of me unto them.

Lord,
I pray that you instill in me compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience for each one of my students and coworkers. I need you to work in me so that others see YOU and not me in every action I do, word I say, and look I convey. I want you to be glorified in all that I do in and out of my classroom. Help me to encourage my students and coworkers in a way that empowers them and makes them feel special and worthy. I pray over each one of my students right now Lord, keep them safe and prepare their hearts for the year. I know you handpicked them just for me and awesome things are going to happen this year. Thank you for the gifts you have given me and the ability to spend each day doing what I truly love. Help me to mold these students into better individuals and help them realize their true potential. I need you each and everyday to be the best teacher possible. Remind me of your truths daily and who I am working for. Give me the strength and patience to handle tough situations and long days with mercy and grace.

You are my strong tower and the one I take refuge in. Help me stand strong with you all year
long.

Amen

Pictures and Relaxing

It has been a long week for Jackson and me. We both have been trying to get back into routine. Waking him up is no fun. I try to sing and hold him a few minutes before I get him out of bed and dressed which seems to help a little. Usually if I say "Wanna get some grapes and go to Miss Sandy's" he wakes up a little quicker. On Friday nothing worked. I think we were both just tired!

He did great telling Miss Sandy he had to go potty and loved playing with his friends again. I had a busy week of meetings, presenting, and working in my room. I am thankful for all the time my principal gave up to work in our rooms. Because of this I feel ready and didn't have to go up to school today.

Today we all slept until 8:30. It was more than needed! We then went and had some family picture taken just for fun! I thought we got some real good ones. I couldn't figure out how to save the pictures larger than thumbnail size. Usually I can, so maybe they changed it so clients buy their cd.

Just Jackson and his cute expressions:)

Mommy and Daddy love

We headed to McDonald's after because we promised Jackson chicken nuggets and play land if he smiled nice for the lady. When we got home Jackson went down for a nap, I baked cookies, and Brian cleaned out the garage. The rest of day was just as relaxed.

I am hoping to relax as well tomorrow because I know next week will bring earlier mornings, long days, and tired legs.

The 700 Dollar Ear Ache and Grapes

About two months ago my left ear began to hurt and some days it would be severe. I thought I may have an ear infection or swimmers ear. One Saturday afternoon in June it was really bothering me. Brian talked me into going to the Urgent Care while Jackson napped. I decided that wasn't a bad idea because I wouldn't have to take Jackson with me on Monday, and it would only cost a $25 copay.

I ended up going and thankfully there was no wait. I go right in, was told I had no ear infection and it was not swimmers ear. However, it could be my jaw causing my ear pain.

Fast forward 2 weeks and while I was at the dentist I told him about my jaw and ear pain. He suggested I get a mouth guard. He said that usually alleviates your jaw popping which should then help my ear feel better. Not really wanting to spend 300 dollars but wanting relief, I went ahead and bought the mouth guard. It took a few weeks, but it has helped tremendously and I can tell when I forget to wear it. I thought this problem was all taken care of.

Fast forward another month and I received a bill from the Urgent Care I visited back in June. I was thinking I owed maybe another 50 dollars. Oh, no! I owe another 400 dollars! I went into total panic mode. I called the Urgent Care and my insurance only to find out I have to meet my 400 dollar deductible before they cover Urgent Care visits. I don't have to meet my deductible before they pay for doctor visits. So, I don't get how Urgent Care is any different. Also, Jackson went a couple months before me and we only paid 25 dollars for him. I am praying that bill doesn't show up in the mailbox!

That folks is how my ear ache cost me 700 dollars! Thankfully God provides in many other ways to compensate other expenses to make this bill more manageable!

*****

Monday night when Brian picked Jackson up from Miss Sandy's he told him "Miss Sandy didn't give me any grapes." Then he began to cry. The next morning when he woke he said the same thing to me. I asked him if he wanted me to bring him grapes when I picked him up. Of course he said yes, and I promised to bring him some.

On my lunch break from presenting I drove down to Randall's. There were no grapes to be found. The produce guy told me there was a shortage because of the drought. I was thinking, "Oh man, I promised Jackson grapes. There better be grapes somewhere!" Target was across the street so I ran over there. Thankfully, they had some grapes! They were a lot more expensive, but I got them anyway.

When I picked him up that day I had his bowl of grapes ready. He was a happy camper! He ate them all before we got home and asked for more. While I cooked dinner he sat at the table, ate his grapes, and made his list and crosses in his new notebook!

The boy just wanted some grapes!

Memorizing Scripture #16

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men." Colossians 3:23

With me going back to school and some issues with Brian's job, I thought this would be a great verse for me to focus on, memorize, and encourage Brian with. I pray the Lord would focus on why we do what we do, motivate us, and help us shine for Him!

Jellystone Park

We spent the last weekend before school starts camping at Jellystone Park. We left Friday afternoon and came home today. It was the perfect last hurrah before I have to go back to reality. I was not able to do any school related things and enjoyed every last minute of summer with the boys I love most. (This may be the longest post I have ever done.)

The EXCITEMENT:
It is a good thing the campground is only 30 minutes from our house because I don't think Jackson would have lasted any longer. He couldn't wait to go camping! We stayed in the Boo-Boo cabins. They had two rooms with a wall A/C unit in each room.

Every where he went Jackson had a smile on his face and was usually running!

The BEARS:

One reason we wanted to go to Jellystone is because we knew he could meet Yogi Bear. This is his favorite full length movie. When he finally meet Yogi he acted all shy!

Waiting to meet another bear,

it was Cindy!

He also got to meet Boo-Boo. Then he was way to shy to go by both, so I had to go too!

The other ACTIVITIES:

We played a few holes of miniature golf. On Jackson's first hole he got a hole in one! He must be a Hartzler!

He also got to feed a few goats and donkeys.

During craft time Jackson colored a picture and entered in the coloring contest. He won! He loved his prize!

We went very low key on meals. We weren't sure if we could make a fire because of the drought. We mostly used the microwave in the cabin. Hamburgers were cooked on the griddle, this was interesting! We ate breakfast and dinner on Saturday outside. We needed to jump in the pool after each meal!

The WATER PARK:

We spent the majority of our time here. When in the water you forget that it is 100 degrees outside and you are not sweating!

Jackson went down the tube slide with Daddy many times. It is pretty funny how they face and had motions are relatively the same when exiting the slide!

Jackson wanted to go down the "flying" slide. Daddy did take a turn and Jackson laughed the whole time he was coming down.

The TREATS:

Of course, we had to have a few treats while we where there.

The NIGHTS:

Jackson led the way with his flashlight. We watched a little bit of Yogi Bear outside Saturday night.

Jackson slept on one of the top bunks in the cabins. He enjoyed sleeping up there, but was scared to sleep in that room by himself.

The GOOD-BYES:

(Note to Self- Grow out back of hair because you can not put it in a ponytail and when you do not blow dry it you look absolutely ridiculous.)

The OVERALL EXPERIENCE:

Even though Jackson didn't experience sitting around a campfire, smores, or pudgy pies, I am pretty sure he had a great 1st time camping. He did not like all the dust and dirt. "It's dirty!" Those are the words we heard most often from him.

And camping is not complete without-

All the camp laundry is done, the house is picked up, and lunches are packed. It is back to reality tomorrow! What a great summer it has been!

Girls Night Out

Back in July, I had a fun night out with some friends. We were celebrating new babies (Lori, Claire, and Cayte) are/were pregnant. We all met at Carolyn's house and rode in style downtown. We were going to go to the Melting Pot for dinner but by the time Cayte tried to make reservations for the night we could all go they were booked. We ended up eating at The Voice inside one of the hotels downtown. I really wasn't a fan of anything on the entree menu. So, I went with an appetizer and a dessert!

There were many different conversations going on around the table as well as many laughs. We were trying to get Cayte to tell the sex of her baby and thought we had it figured out. By the time we got back to Carolyn's it was 1 o'clock in the morning and by the time I actually got home it was after 2 o'clock. I never stay up that late! Thanks for a fun night out girls!

One week later Cayte had a beautiful little girl. She definitely tricked us into thinking it was another boy! Claire and I went to visit and bring her a few goodies in the hospital. And now Claire is about leave for the hospital to welcome her little boy into the world! A lot can change in a month!

Beatin' the Heat

We aren't spending too much time outside (besides when we are in the pool), but I am still trying to enjoy every last second of summer vacation with my boys!

Yesterday, Jackson went up to school with me and actually was helpful in my classroom. We were up there 2 hours and got a lot accomplished. He is really intrigued by the pencil sharpener!
As a little reward for being such a good helper we picked up a shaved ice last night. I can't believe it was our first one of the summer!
We brought it back to the house and all shared it while soaking our feet in the pool. Both were very refreshing!

This may have been Jackson's first shaved ice ever. I think it is safe to say he liked it!
We let Jackson ride his 4-wheeler again once it was a little cooler, like 94 degrees instead of 110 degrees! As you can see his steering still has not improved.:)
Today, we met Cindy, Garrison, Bailey, and Riley for lunch at McDonald's so the kids could play inside. If you haven't tried their Mango Pineapple Smoothie, you need to! This drink will cool you down and quench your thirst and hunger.I am thankful for Cindy's friendship this summer and so excited we will be working together this year. Can you believe I didn't take one picture while we were there?

I have a required meeting all day tomorrow, so I only have one more full day with Jackson on Friday. I am not sure I am ready for it all to come to an end.