Here!

I was thinking about the past and something came to mind, being present. We, well I, often find myself thinking about the past and longing for it and even asking myself what's next. I plan ahead for everything, from meal planning for the month, to picking out my clothes for the week and I caught myself in the middle of a conversation the other day thinking what it would be like if I were in the moment. I think we all know someone in our lives who lives in the moment. The person never plans ahead for anything, well it doesn't seem that way. I don't think my brain knows how to stay focused on the here and now however, I want to be that way in some circumstances of my life. I want so desperately to be 100% present. I've decided, for my family, we are going to adopt a no cell phone policy after 7. I will plug my phone in to the charger and let it sit until the next morning. I will no longer check emails or social media after 7 either. I just need a break. I need to get back to what is really important. Finding out the latest scoop from my old college friends can wait as can those many emails. I want to feel more present, especially with the people I love most. How do you stay present?

Bittersweet Ending

It's that time again, time to say goodbye to yet another summer and start a new school year. This summer is especially hard to say goodbye to. I think I've had more fun this summer than any other in my grown up, out of college days. We didn't take a vacation this year because we simply couldn't decide where to go. I did go on a little trip with some girls from work but otherwise, I was home every day. In June, I made a little to do list and some of those things got crossed off and well others, are still waiting their turn. I did manage to make a little extra money tutoring this summer and babysitting too. I also went to Zumba every single week, faithfully. I hung out with my bestie and had THE. MOST. FUN. EVER. We could just drive down the street and find something to laugh at. I'm going to miss the carefree days of summer. Staying up late, sleeping in, lunch dates in the real world, 1:00 naps, shopping trips every day and making appointments whenever they have an opening! Some of those things sound really grown up, guess that's part of it though. Tomorrow, I go back to work. Back to 5:30 wake up calls and 15 minute lunch breaks, back to the day in and day out, back to testing data and parent teacher conferences and even though I'm teaching something totally new this year, a bit of me is excited for the unknown and a bit (a large bit) is scared. I'm with a whole new group of people to work with, a new classroom, new curriculum and much, much bigger kids. I'm going to give it a shot though and try it out (besides, what other choice do I have) and I'm going to have a good outlook on things. With all of that, I will have some awfully good memories to laugh about and help get me through to the next summer which if it's anything like this one, will be a blast!

Keeping the Faith

With so much going on over the summer, I think we tend to get wrapped up in pool dates and lunch dates and just have the ease of the summer in all parts of our lives. While this time is so full of fun, we have to remind ourselves to not ease up on our relationship with Christ. I never really post much about my faith on this blog but lately, I have felt it on my heart to share. I have been through some very trying times recently and I have to continue to keep the faith that things will work out and that I have to continue to turn it over to Him. Prayer is such an integral part of my lifestyle and I hope it is for yours too. I know that I will continue to trust in His word and know that His ways are best for me even though it may be challenging, I know that His promises will lead me to a victory.


"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV)