Merry Christmas!

I know, I’m a little late in wishing you all a Merry Christmas. It has been too long since I sat down and added words to my blog. I’ve been busy enjoying time with my family. Tobi spent a week with a pretty intense case of chickenpox causing us to miss the last few days of school before Christmas break. Our shopping was easy this year, one day in Nashville took care of everything. The kids were excited, but I think we were as excited as them because we knew that they were going to love everything we got them. Every year on Christmas Eve Will and Tobi spend the night together. They take turns. This year they slept on Will’s bunk beds. When their footsteps came down the hall and into our room to wake us up, it was only 6:15. We rolled out of bed and follwed them into the living room to see what Santa had left under the Christmas tree. Will was surprised to find a Nintendo DS waiting for him. Daddy had him convinced that Santa wouldn’t bring one because he already had a Gameboy. Tobi was equally happy to find a fully accessorized iDog. They opened the presents we had wrapped for them and were excited with most of them. There was the disappointment of a box full of underwear and socks. Why I wrap those every year I’m not sure, but it has become a tradition. It wouldn’t be Christmas if they didn’t get underclothes. I put the turkey in the oven and began preparing everything to go with it. It was wonderful to know that we didn’t have to worry about being anywhere at anytime. Nobody was coming with plans of eating with us, so I didn’t have to worry about when the food was ready. It was great. When Bill’s parents and grandmother and my parents arrived, we were ready to visit with them and enjoyed every minute of it. It was a peace filled day spent with family. I hope you and yours enjoyed an equally wonderful peace filled day. Let’s all have a peace filled year.

Chickenpox

Tobi woke up Sunday morning covered with bumps from head to toe. Chickenpox. I had them when I was probably 8 or 9. I don’t remember them being as bad as what she has. Poor thing, she is completely covered with these them and she says they are all throbbing. My bedtime prayer tonight is for her to wake up feeling better in the morning.

Writer’s Notebook Wednesday! — On Thursday :)

Stacey challenged us to write about our writing. Truth be told, I don’t write enough. I like to write in my gridded Miquelrius journal and I like to use different colors, but the writing I do there doesn’t really feel like writing to me. It feels more like note taking. I guess you could say that it is a notebook full of research. For example, I can turn to my notes from The Southern Festival of Books that I attended in October and see that Jack Gantos said, “I always keep my journal on my lap when I’m talking to my mom because she’s lie a loose cannon. You never know what she’s going to come up with.” A quote that might come in handy if I ever get around to reading The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs and decide to write a review of it. I can also find notes from books that I am reading even though I do have a separate reading journal that I take those kind of notes in. I just don’t always have my reading journal with me when I sit down to read. I would like to get more organized and start using tabs in my journal to mark and follow the different threads in my thinking. I do use symbols some. For example, every Sunday when I begin my notes from the sermon, I mark them with a cross drawn right next to the date. I find that I am writing more in my journal than I ever have before. I’m working on my third journal at this point. I started this journal thing in 2001. It took me until 2007 to fill up my first two journals. I’ve been working on this one since July and have filled more than half. So, I guess I’m writing more than I ever have, but I still feel like I’m not writing enough. I feel like I need to be sitting down and putting my own thoughts on paper more than just taking notes about the world around me. Just the other day I wrote, ” Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.” in my journal. It was a quote from an e-mail sent to me. I’ve never actually wanted to be immortal, but I am beginning to feel like I would like to share my knowledge. So, I must find the time to go to my desk and write.

From the Nightstand

I have a few reads going on at the same time right now.

Everyone who teaches in a middle school or high school should read this book.

I am finding this very helpful.

I am enjoying this daily dose of leadership advice.

Another great piece of fiction by Chris Crutcher who wrote the second chapter of Adolescent Literacy, the first book on this list.

So, now you know why I haven’t been writing so much lately. I’m too busy reading. Well…. and going to hockey games, and falling asleep on the couch, and visiting with friends and family.

Poetry Friday

This poem was sent to me by a wonderful friend. I found it waiting in my inbox on Tuesday afternoon and could hardly wait until Friday to share it with the world. I love how Maya Angelou defines Christianity in this poem. Don’t you?

Christians
by Maya Angelou

“A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.”

When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’”
I’m whispering “I was lost, Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “I am a Christian” I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian” I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner Who received God’s good grace, somehow!