Bringing Home Charlie Brown

They say nothing is settled until it's written down. Never believe anything unless you have it in writing. I often feel that things roll around in my head and cannot be verbalized until I write them down. Sometimes I don't even know what I am going to say, but I know that I need to write. Writing gives the outlet needed for reflection and processing. Writing allows your thoughts to flow without anyone interrupting you, without anyone judging you, without you watching the facial features and body language of those around you. Just you and your computer, allowing your thoughts to flow. There are many things unsettled in my life right now. I feel like we have been living in a long term limbo for a number of years, but it's more than that. There are many changes on the horizon for Tony and I. Some good, some questionable, some exciting, some terrifying. Ultimately, I am not a fan of change. {I've even written a post about it before. :)} Good or bad, it brings me anxiety. ...

I'm slightly crazy. This could be said in reference to many things, but for the intent of this blog post, it will be in reference to my career. I absolutely love teaching. I truly believe it is my God given calling to love, educate, and nurture children. I CANNOT imagine doing anything different with my life. However, teaching Jr. High and High School has made me a bit... crazy. I FIRMLY believe that this craziness developed out of necessity to educate students. Kids today have a lot going on and a lot of factors stacked against them. It isn't as simple as walking into a classroom, handing children a worksheet, and telling them to quietly work on it. (I am doubtful that things were ever THAT simple, but, hey, the 1900's were a long time ago, who am I to judge?) Today's students have so much going on in their lives that the content I am teaching ranks pretty low on their list of priorities. BUT how they feel when they step into my classroom, THAT makes a big difference t...

Turning 30 has been a really difficult endeavor for me. Since turning 29 last year I have been DREADING turning 30. For an entire year I have struggled with this milestone. When asked why I was dreading it, I initially couldn't tell you, however, after really thinking about it, it came down to a few key concepts. 1. Old, turning 30 felt old, too adult, too far away from what I felt I was. No longer hearing"oh you're so young to be where you are." Once turning 30 you are fully considered an adult. 2. Lack of achievement. For me there were many things I felt I had/have left to achieve, and doing it after 30 seems "less" somehow than doing it before hitting 30. 3. Unmet expectations. I "knew" that by the time I turned 30 our life would look and be a certain way. However, that was not the case. As 30 grew closer and closer there seemed to be more and more and more that I didn't have, hadn't done, and dreams left unfulfilled. Time doesn...