Steps toward relocating

What is happening?  Something is happening!  You made everything clean and smell good.  You started a fire in the fireplace.  What is happening?!

Today...is picture day!  A gal came this morning to take pictures of our beautiful home.

I've walked through each room taking care of things to de-clutter and de-personalize this last week.

Yet, still trying to keep things homey and inviting.

We walked through each room and turned all the lights on and double-checked details for each room.  Then she got busy taking pictures.

The dogs wanted to say "Hello!" but they were ordered to their cages to keep them out of the way and out of the pictures.  I moved buckets and cages as we worked through the house.

Everything looked so inviting.

Everything was clean.

Everything was cozy and smelled good.

God has blessed this home through the years.  Our children grew and flew from here.

We have shared time with friends and family here.  We have learned many things here.

I am thankful for the opportunities that God has given us here.  Now it is time to let someone else move in and call it home.

Oh the memories of Covid and the cafuffle we raised with the HOA when we painted our house blue!

From every angle and in every season...it is beautiful to me!

Now to walk around the house and remember where I hid some of the needed daily things that did not need to be shared in pictures...dog dishes...check.

Bathroom stuff...check.  I laughed as I put things here this morning!  I remember Mom telling me she did that when company was coming over.  I considered using the oven too...but in my current mental state, I was afraid I would forget and turn the oven on for something and chaos would follow!

I think I remembered where I stashed everything...we will find out!

A space for all sorts of things...

A walk down this mini hallway...

to find a miracle happened!  

This is what it looked like all week long...I know Alisa had her doubts when she left if I would ever be able to get it halfway organized.

I am finding that God gives me exactly what I need for each day!  "Abundantly above" all that we can ask or think.

And He keeps answering in the little things as well as in the big things!  "Ask...believing..."

 

Saturday with a friend

I drove up to Winter Haven...an hour away...to meet up with my teacher friend.  The storms clouds rolled in and the torrential rains started just as I got to the complex.  I had to sit and wait in order to be able to walk in without being totally drenched!

My kindred spirit...in many ways!  Miss Kim and I met because of our Mothers...and it is another blessing that I am counting this week.

We sat and talked as the much needed rains came down.

I got to help her finish a big project for her Kindergarten Graduation this week.  We talked about everything as we worked.  We shared supper at CiCi's Pizza.  Then she showed me her school and classroom.  All too soon it was time to go home to Mom's.  I technically didn't have a curfew, but Mom was worried about me driving in the dark.  I brought a peace rose pot from Kim for Mom...and we laughed. "Tell her I am sorry for keeping you..."  Ha ha! "But the light of the full moon will help light the way!"

 

A special morning

I got to enjoy a bridal shower with former co-workers and sisters in Christ.  A yummy brunch was shared.

It was neat to anticipate the wedding of the gal I mentored my last two years of Kindergarten.  God has given her the strength to continue these two years and she is doing a great job.  It is neat to see her move into another chapter of life.  I love being able to cheer on friends as they continue to learn and grow.

 

I've been working on this for awhile now...

 and I am just now ready to share it...with whomever it will help.  I am going back through thousands of pictures and just as many thoughts to put together this blog of all the things I have learned...some with ease and some through blood, sweat, and tears.  It is a work in progress and I am adding things according to the months that are upcoming.  I had to have a starting point to gain focus.

I have a couple people that I regularly share things with and I thought this would be another way to share with them and provide a reference and pictures.  My sweet girl mentioned one day that I should do a blog.  Awww, you are my daughter, of course you would say that!  But then I went searching through our family blog for an event and picture and I was hit with so many memories.  I do not want to forget!  There is a wealth of information stored in my brain and lots of teaching aides still stored in our basement.  If one or two little things from the years in the classroom are a help to someone, then it is all worth it.

So many different people have poured into me through the years!  The least I can do is share what I have gathered and learned.  I am not trying to be an influencer.  I do not need the likes or followers to feel successful and needed.  I have a track record that most people do not even know about...just the people involved, my family, and my God...and that's enough!  

So these days...when I sit in the recliner and these furry babies join me...I'm taking some time to share and free up some head space!  For so long, I thought in terms of teaching...I couldn't and often still cannot...stop the flow.  God wired me that way and put within my heart a desire to teach at a young age.  He put people around me and in my path to help me do just that for 25 plus years.  So in a way, this is a tribute to everyone who taught me some very helpful methods and God-given wisdom! https://shortandsweetkindergartentreats.blogspot.com/

Why did I give the blog this title?  

Because I am the shortest one in our family...Teddy reminds me each time I see him.

Because working with little ones, you need to keep it short...Stop talking and just do the activity.

Because I learned to make each day special in our home...our children still talk about the things we did. 

Because I loved hearing "This is the best day ever" when I did little things in the classroom...Don't just do  big things once in awhile...do lots of little things with big love!

Learning should be fun...a treat for your brain...that keeps on giving!

And Kindergarten...out of all the grades I taught...has my heart forever!

A little bit of school

I started tutoring a little friend who needs some extra practice with numbers.  I have pulled out different things to make it a fun time after being at school all day.  I told his mother that we would not be using paper and pencil!

On Friday, I went to K5 to sub during a doctor appointment.  We had a good couple hours together till their "regular teacher" came back for their "normal day"!  Children say the funniest things and make me laugh.  It was a little hug for my heart to be able to teach Bible class and Phonics.

I'm getting the taste of teaching twice each week with my little friend.  I love watching his eyes light up when he walks in each time.  Number families are tricky!  

He's getting it!

With temps in the 70s, I pulled out all things spring today.

So thankful to be able to help!

 

Accept what is, Let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.

I have always enjoyed the summer months and the change in schedule.  

In the past, the days were full and busy with activities and caring for our children.  Now, the days are as full of activity as I want to schedule.  The children do not need the same daily care.  My responsibility is to care for my husband and our home.  The days are now quiet and at times slow.

Life has changed.

Life is changing again. 

 I think of Matthew 6:25-34.  In every change that God brings, He cares for us.  I do not need to spend time fretting and fussing...the birds and the flowers do not do that.  Why should I?  God has never once failed us.  He always directs and provides abundantly above what I can even ask or think.

Change is good for our life.

This school year, I have stepped back from teaching after ten years in the kindergarten classroom, two years in K3 and eight years in K5.  I am NOT retired.  I am redirected!  Our school does not have enough kindergarteners for two classrooms. 

  Someone was going to have to change.  

Hard decisions would have to be made.  Back in January when I turned in my letter of intent for the new year, I asked the Lord to give me wisdom and show me His way.  Our children are done with school.  Our focus in life has changed and Ted could use my help.  If I was more flexible throughout the year, I could travel with him.  There are so many more variables and opportunities that I have never considered.  There was a young, new teacher to keep children learning.  It was more important to me to keep that relationship and encourage her on this path.  Out of love for my husband and love for my co-worker, it was an easy decision for me!  

I have always wanted to be sensitive to not staying in my position too long.  I believe teachers can stay in the classroom too long and cause more damage than good.  We had a great year!  I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this year and feel like I really know what I am doing and why.  My students excelled.  God has shown clearly that this is a good time to quietly step back and allow another in to step into the role.  God allowed me to work with this new teacher two years and I believe she can do it!  It will be a challenge as the class will be double what she has been working with the last two years, but I get to still be around to help her as she needs, by her request.  To me, that is a great compliment and reward; and I will do my best to continue to be a help and encouragement.  I have been told multiple times lately that I have been a great mentor and will be missed in the daily mix, "Please, still be a mentor to me."  Wow.  I do not know what that will look like, but God is already planting seeds of ideas.  I do not want to miss opportunities to encourage fellow teachers.  My brain is scrolling through ideas.

So this change bring me to a new schedule.  

Now, the days are full of helping my love manage our rental properties and be a support wherever I am needed.  There is a lot of flexibility in this new routine and already I am seeing the value.  I do not know all the details, but God does!

My sister brought these flowers to me on Tuesday.  We prepare the ground.  God sends the sun and rain.  We plant the seeds.  We care for the plants.  But God brings about the change...the growth...that produces beautiful flowers...which provide more seeds...and the cycle begins again.

Change is a process that can be beautiful!

And in all the change, I am glad that I have a God who does not change! Malachi 3:6

 

Working through the week of emotions

A day to catch up with my sis about her trip to Germany!  We went to a favorite spot...First Watch.  It is a bright, pretty place.

and tried some new things and I got a favorite salad from a previous time.

We made sure to stay hydrated with a refreshing tea from Alisa's favorite spot!

Christmas in July with a Claus Colada...with aloe and collagen!  It made us laugh...so we don't get wrinkles!

A special delivery and visit when I most needed it brought tears!

I am now learning the world of land-lording!  When a tenant's children rip the pedestal sink off the wall...you go a different route for liability sake.  And you learn that sometimes you just can't have a cheap fix.

This man is very smart in a lot of areas.   I often sit and listen to him and wonder how he can store all the things in his brain!  I am very aware that God has given him a gift, and I have chosen to help him in this season of our life.  God works in ways that we don't always understand, but He sure gives wisdom when we ask.  I am thankful for His timing and His direction in our life to bring us to this point.

A picture of the poster I had in my room to give a snapshot of who I was...as I look at it...I could have had 14 posters to include all the lessons I have learned through the years and the people who helped me.

The last load and two bags for the garbage.

Friday night date to Buca...thanks to a gift card from one of my students!  A new place to try that was local and a little eclectic/scary in the decor.

The food was great!!!  And the man across the table funny and loving as I work through the unexpected emotions of stepping out of the classroom.