Looking & learning from by brother

My brother, lately, has been a total rock star for me. He typically is a guy of few words and isn't always the easiest to talk to. However, since my sinus surgery in early June, he has been my rock star. He checks on me, still, and makes sure I am okay. Usually, he is there when I need him most.

Tonight, I came to the realization that I need to take notes from him. 

I will admit it. I get grumpy around nine and brushed him off when he had a question. My heart swelled up, though, when he said "I'll check on her if she makes noise." 

You see, around 9 he is tired too and my parents or myself usually deal with the dogs. Well, I was ready to be done for the day, our parents are out of town, and his phrase"I'll check on her if she makes noise" refers to our Doberman who can bark and get crazy at random times. He said the right thing at the right time. He is actually listening to me and helping me. I nearly fell over. ;)

This boy drives me crazy on a daily basis. He is SO laid back and black and white. He is not easily bothered and doesn't get upset that often. Gosh, I would love to have a little of his laid back-ness. :) He is also seven years younger than me. He may be taller and wiser but he may never know how much I gain from him as a brother.

To be carefree and so laid back...a dream

He cares and it truly shows when you stop the craziness called life and just listen to him.

This weekend has been awesome. Actually, this month has been awesome and I am truly grateful for my brother. I am learning that I have to let go and be a little less structured then I am all the time. If he can do it, I can try. 

He allows me to be real around him, isn't afraid to tell me I am losing it, and is making me a better person. 

Hand written notes matter

Call me old-fashioned but, in my life, hand written notes matter. As a young child, I loved getting mail. Grandparents and extended family made my day sending me a letter. While going through Nonni's place, I found a stash of letters she received from various people.

Every year, Nonni would get me some type of stationary. It was our thing. I would get a present and then send a hand-written thank you. It was what I did.

To this day, I still believe hand written letters are important. At an early age, Nonni taught me the value of thanking someone with a personal letter. Today, people can thank eachother via phone or email but, to me, it's more polite to send a thank you note or card.

It doesn't have to be complex. It doesn't have to be long. It just has to be as simple yet thoughtful.

To this day, I keep most of my received cards in a box and review them from time to time.

It's a nice gesture and may make someone's day.


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I'm back & thank you

HOLY MOLY batman! This past week almost took the best out of me. Between our school newspaper getting scammed to my truck and all its insurance drama to little sleep and much stress...I think I survived!

First of all...THANK YOU for your prayers and good vibes sent my way. I really appreciated it! I also needed them. So...THANK YOU!!!

I just, today, finished a 28 page unit for third graders. For a class, I have to teach for four days. My topic is on early colonization of America. We will discuss Native Americans, Explorers, and Pilgrims. I am literally relieved that this darn unit is done. Sitting in front of the computer screen for hours is not my cup of tea and looking at the same darn document for a week is not that fun. But it is mostly over and now comes the fun part...eek!

Short story-my newspaper got a call saying that a company, who had done a full page ad in our paper, was hacked into and the company's credit card was stolen. SO we are now working with the FBI and the company and our newspaper to get everything straightened out. This hit the fan on Wednesday evening.

My truck drama-The insurance companies are now involved and we are going back and forth with communication. That is a whole hassle and blessing in itself.

Stress & Little sleep-I promise you that I will get much more sleep this week. I got all worked up with this 28 page assignment and it took, literally, everything out of me. Since it is now done, I may be more pleasant this week.

Right Now...

Right now, I am extremely excited and happy. Is the anticipation wearing on you? Well then I will tell ya why. After preparing a lesson plan on scarcity for third graders that I presented today, the grade was spectacular (her words, not mine) and I did everything correct. The funny thing about the lesson plan is that we had steps to follow and it was just a lot of typing/planning and not too difficult at all. SO I am happy and proud to admit it.

It is raining again. Oh how I love this weather...NOT! I don't mind the cold but this gloomy weather is making me nuts. Plus my shoes are wet and walking around in wet shoes is not fun.

Life, at the moment, is wonderful and I just had to share.

Have a great week!!!

Learning new things each day

Monday started off a tad rocky and ended in exhaustion. The usual Monday routine though. Someone/everyone keeps asking in SHOCK wonder how I am taking 19 hours, yes 19 hours, and still doing all that I do. The simple is I take the week one day at a time. The longer answer is that I LIKE being busy and actually like college. I have to stay busy to keep my mind from wondering and missing home. Yes I still miss home, but staying busy with school and college life helps. My goal everyday is to learn something new and I strive to achieve it.

Tonight I was getting a little antsy since I had been in the library for four hours and was ready to be DONE with tutoring for the evening. Then J, my tutoree, said he was ready for me to edit his 6 page paper and a smile came upon my face. I know that J knew I was ready to be done, but being able to help him succeed in school made me think. I helped him achieve an assignment and he helped me be less antsy. Lesson learned...people who bless our lives in small ways are EVERYWHERE. J has been my tutoree for now four semesters and I enjoy helping him.

I may get tired of the gasps and questions and wonders of how I pull of 19 hours, but being blessed by learning new things still AMAZES me!
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My blog is being featured again in the Serious Life Magazine this month and so are MANY amazing blogs as well. Check it out when you can! Everything from Christianity to parenthood to adoption is talked about and the magazine is FREE!
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I am also amazed by the STRENGTH sweet Stellan has endured and how his fight and drive continues each day against SVT. Click on the button above or his name in this post to check on his status. He is such a little fighter at 5 months old and this amazes me too!
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Have an amazing Tuesday!!!!