Change

So we are redoing our house. Not in the sense of ripping things out and putting in new, but we are definitely painting, rearranging and freecycling. We have had a light blue kitchen and gray-blue living room for the past two years. I love the color, but it was time for a change. We are going with a rust color with some lighter tan tones, which I am hoping look good. We'll see...it's a change for sure.

I have a hard time with change. I am a very scheduled and routine oriented person. I often hear my husband or fellow teachers telling me to just relax...right. I like when people are dependable and do what is expected of them. I need to map things out and write to do lists. Is that odd? Honestly, who doesn't thrive in marking off a to do list. But really, the fun is making one!

Maybe my fear of change is the unknown. Not knowing if the new with fit with the old. Not finding a place to fit in. I think one of the hardest changes to make is in churches. Finding a new church can be so difficult. Busting in to the circles at church can be exhausting. I know that it shouldn't be like grade school, but many times I feel like it is. We are comfortable with the people around us, not wanting to change the groups that we run with. Mike and I have been at our church almost four years now. We love our church, the people, the ministries. But in many ways, I feel as if I am still busting into the circles and trying to find somewhere to belong. I've been frustrated lately and trying to know where I fit in. Maybe I just need change. I need to reach out of my comfort zone and change my surrounding. I can't always depend on others to reach out or take the first step. Thankfully, God is in control of the unknown. He is in control of the changes. Luckily, I am not.

Move over Beyoncé...

Julie's in the house.

This past week I had a chance to bring out my inner star at school. I busted out my very rusty dance moves and even learned the words to Beyoncé's current hit thanks to our second lip sync contest. Last year I was asked to sponsor our lip sync contest, offering the kids advice on songs, dance moves, or how to make it seem like they were really singing. So again, I had this fun task of co-directing the show. Sounds fun, right? So how was I a star you might ask...well, a few brave (or should I say roped in) teachers last year performed a song by Destiny's Child entitled "Survivor." I recieved the short end of the straw and was chosen as the lead for lip syncing the song. This year, in order to keep with tradition, three of the original four teachers did "Single Ladies" complete with choreography. We even took the time to watch the video on youtube and learn the cleaner version of the dance moves. It's never good though when you look out and see half your students with their cell phones or parents with camcorders out recording your performance. Just look for me as the next youtube star...and please comment nicely!

Quote of the Day

"I hate this camera...God ended it!"

--Asher after he finished the pictures on the disposable camera he found with 7 pictures left.

On another note, if you like the way the blog looks now, you can thank my personal blog designer, Asher. He chose all the new layouts and pictures himself. With the economy the way it is, I'm thinking of making him available for house calls per a small fee to afford his diaper fix. I suppose I could just really focus on potty training and not break child labor laws.

Survey Says...

So I was sent this adorable survey on Facebook to give to your kids. I decided it would be a cute post for all you non-facebookers (really, do you exist?). Obviously, Asher filled out the answers to the following questions since Avery has, shall we say, a select vocabulary. I would love to see what your kiddos say about you!


My Mommy: by Asher, age 3

1. What is something mom always says to you?
"something funny"

2. What makes mom happy?
"Going peep in the potty"

3. What makes mom sad?
"not peeping in the potty, pooping in the diaper" (can you tell we're potty training?)

4. How does your mom do to make you laugh?
"when you say funny things"

5. What was your mom like as a child?
"you had a sister like avery"

6. How old is your mom?
"two...you're very old"

7. How tall is your mom?
Pointed to my head..."that tall"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"play with toys, drink diet coke"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
"goes to work"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
"driving a car"

11. What is your mom really good at?
"teaching kids"

12. What is your mom not very good at?
"not playing with toys"

13. What does your mom do for a job?
"you go to your school"

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
"diet cok"

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
"because I love you'"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Tasha and I will be Tyrone" (from the Backyardigans)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
"Make banana bread"

18. How are you and your mom the same?
"we both like to make songs and concerts"

19. How are you and your mom different?
"your clothes are not matching and you put makeup on" (thanks)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"teaches mes, walks around with me, hugs me"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
"you give a new kiss"

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
"the gym"

Gotta love a three year old

I love the phase that Asher is in. He's constantly learning new words, picking up phrases, and constantly making me laugh.

Yesterday he was playing in the loft with Avery when I managed to overhear them "talking." Avery had put Ash's car underneath the couch by accident, to which he replied in a very manly voice:

"Stand back Avy, I hope I am strong enough to push this couch."

To which Avery replied, "Yeah" in her deep raspy voice. I definitely laughed at that one.

On another note, Asher learned the hard way that cotton balls are NOT marshmallows. While unloading the bags from our trip the store, Asher held up the bag of cotton balls we had just purchased. He quickly exclaimed, "Thank you mommy for buying marshmallows!" I placed the bag on the counter and let him know they were cotton balls, not marshmallows.

Fast forward to 30 minutes later. Mike and I came downstairs to Ash sitting at the counter holding two cotton balls and wet cotton stuck to his chin. With disgust, he looked at us and proclaimed, "These are funny tasting marshmallows mommy." Luckily, he had only had a few bites. Maybe next time I should buy real marshmallows at the store for the poor kid.

Day Brighteners

So I've been in this weird funk lately. I know that everyone has them, but I usually don't, which makes it frustrating. Do you ever feel like a failure? I think part of my problem is that I feel as if I am never good enough, never quick enough, never on top of things. As long as I can remember, someone has always out done me in something. I am a people pleaser and hate knowing that I always come in second. People tell me I fail my children by working, but I fail my financial responsibilities by not. I fail at my talents by not taking the time I need to cultivate them to be the best I can be. I fail my duties at home by not constantly keeping up with my house. I fail myself by lacking discipline. I am always good, but never the best. I fail often.

It is frustrating to always strive to be perfect in the things you do, especially when we are only human and cannot attain perfection. I am thankful through it all that I do not have to the best in God's eyes. I can fail. But am I honoring Him by not being the best, or are the things that I thought I was good at not my true talent? I do know this: I will strive to be the best that I can in the situation I am in to glorify Him. I will be thankful for the day brighteners he has given me each day through my children. My children may not be the best at everything but they are mine and are precious to me. They are may day brighteners...and a reason I have not failed.