Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl

I can remember a time before my children were born. Although I had not met them yet, I can remember twice dreaming of them in short, but very specific glimpses. I would wake with a feeling of achy familiarity, wanting so badly to go back to where I was in just that moment before.

With Jack, it was a dream where I stood looking in the mirror at myself as I held him against my chest, a blonde headed sleepy infant. I stood looking as I swayed back and forth from side to side, rocking the way mothers sometimes subconsciously do. His head was laying against my shoulder, and my left hand was on his hair. It was a strange sensation to wake up not knowing his name.

With Emma, some years later, I dreamt of her as well. She was not an infant, but an adult. And the only thing I saw of her was the hem of her wedding dress as I was kneeling down to straighten it. I woke up, having only one child at that time, but inexplicably aware of the feeling of her, a second.

And we would try for Emma for almost two years. We waited and waited, experiencing frustration and disappointment at so many months of failure. Where was this child?

But then a new morning came, and I can remember standing alone in the bathroom, quietly saying aloud to God, "I'm ready." It was the simplest of prayers.

And then she would come. It was just like that. God's kind, "Yes."

Happy birthday to my sweet girl. She is truly a blessing.

I Know, Emma

I know, Emma. It IS a sad thing that the Seminoles lost... again.

Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you had an enjoyable one.

Facebook

So recently (under friends' heavy urgings) I activated a facebook account for myself. I don't really know why as I was not particularly interested. I was just curious mostly... what's all this fuss about? Well, upon entry into the database, I took a look around.

Initially you plug in all kinds of information about yourself and are given the option to post pictures of you and your family, information about hobbies, work... even a little blurb about what you are currently doing at that exact moment. With the click of some buttons, you are added to the database and matched up with all kinds of "people you may know." And wow! It was unbelievable to see so MANY names and faces pop up that I hadn't seen in months or even years. Some you've actually spent some time wondering about, and some who just seem vaguely familiar, at this point.

Nevertheless, everyone seems to be looking shiny, happy, and all grown up, and it was fun to quietly spend some time with them again, occasionally whispering to myself...

"New York for you, really?! Still in Tallahassee? You're friends with her?! Ahhh, check out his cute kids. She never got married?! Huh. Yeah, he still looks like a jerk. Chuckle."

I checked the clock, and before I knew it, I'd spent an hour silently catching up on people. See, it's a time consuming job to see if your once upon a time mental template for so-and-so's adult life ended up matching with his/her current day reality. Kinda fun.

But as sure as this computer is thrusting names at me, I took a moment to consider the likelihood that I'm being offered up at the corner of their screen. Well, what if they don't want to see me? Hmm... the sensation was a little bit like walking into a full throttle party in some cool kid's apartment. But as you step through the door and smile, the music stops and everyone pauses their enthralling conversations to glance your way. And then someone says, "What are YOU doing here?"

99% of the friends who'd urged me to do this said the exact same phrase at the mention of Facebook. "It's addicting." One wise girl out there, however, coupled it with the words, "social drama." Hmm... my initial feeling is that I may agree with the latter. You have to ask to be friends with someone. What if they don't want to befriend you? What if they don't even remember you? Or what if you don't remember them? Hmmm.. what if someone even REJECTS you?

So here I am... I'm sticking to my safe little blog world. Facebook account - deactivated. It's just not for me. The party can resume, people. Laughing.

Idioms and Spiders

What do idioms and spiders have to do with each other? Are you buffaloed?

Actually they have very little to do with each other. But imagine that it's 9:25 a.m. on a Friday and you're teaching your students about idioms when the BIGGEST spider you've ever seen (that's not a tarantula) walks across your classroom tile. Idioms and spiders will forever be connected in your mind from then on, I bet. And if that were the case, you'd feel compelled to relay the story with lots and lots (and lots) of idioms to paint the perfect picture. Yeah, you'd pack them in like sardines.

On with the story... I hate spiders. The only way that I could hate them more is if they somehow were able to magically sprout wings, learn to fly, and buzz around my face. They are the bee in my bonnet. I DON'T think they're the cat's pajamas. And the fact that a huge and hairy spider is sitting and staring at me as I write this ... well, that kinda bugs me.

My students and I were about to check the answer to question number 9 on an idiom page when my little Haven calmly says, "Mrs. Hoodenpyle, there's a spider."

She pointed, and we looked. That's when the chaos ensued. The whole place went to the dogs. Gasping. Shrieking. Pushing. Shoving. Screaming. And it wasn't just the kids.

This was a situation in which, ordinarily, I might just squish a spider. But not this one. This particular situation does NOT call for a squish. One shudders to imagine the crunch or the feel of juicy crumpling beneath the shoe. The only choice was to catch the spider. And it would be me that would have to bell the cat.

All 24 of us made a beeline for the thing as it was bumbling across the tile. A large mass of squealing bodies formed a perimeter around the creature, and the spider reared up. This sent us further into our frenzied screaming.

"Quick! Get into the cabinet and get me a vase!" This was my brilliant plan. The obedient children did so, and we covered the spider with the tall cylindrical glass. Unfortunately, this was just shoeing the goose. The spider was too large and clumsy to climb up the sides.

Next, I was presented with an emptied tennis ball container. The advantage to this was that it featured a plastic lid.... a perfect container for containing. This was Justin's plan, and he clearly understood the basic flaw of the vase plan. He knew that a cat in gloves catches no mice. Good job, Justin. My little Josh cooperatively slid a paper under the lip as I tilted. Carefully. Carefullllllly.

And now it sits. The kids have watched it like a hawk for most of the day. The latest question is, "Can we keep it for a class pet?"

My reply: "When pigs fly!"

Thankful

Jack is feeling thankful, and 'tis the season! Here's his list of things that he's thankful for:

1. Mom

2. Dad
3. Emma
4. Gamol (Grandma)
5. Fod (Food)
6. God
7. Jezis (Jesus)
8. Sun
9. Rth (Earth)
10. Planis (Planets)

Great list, Jack! My thankful list would be similar, but I would most definitely have to add:

11. The way papers come out of the copier all nice and warm
12. You, my sweet boy

Wanted: Photo Thief

Have you seen this girl's photos?

Hey there, Photo Thief. What's up? Are you having a good time with my pictures? Do you wear gloves when you snatch them from my desk/shelves/staff mailbox? Would a fingerprint kit even be worthwhile? What's the purpose of this crazy prank? I hope this joke has a great punchline. Cause I gotta tell ya, you've got me wondering.

Emma's Fashion Column

Dear Emma,

Where do you get your cute, cute clothes? And what's your secret to wearing them so well?

Signed,

Some Other Baby Who's More Fashionably Challenged Than You

Dear Fashionably Challenged,

First, let me say that you're not alone in your wonderings, FC. I often hear questions such as these. What can I say? I have some great sources. Let's take a closer look:

This little ensemble came from Danavee.

Work that diaper. It's key.

This look comes from Ashley. Corduroy is so in.

And I always tell my readers that it's important to accessorize. The spilling-over-belly-roll completes the look.

Truly trendy,

Emma