Why yes...we do have a show tonight!

Do we have a show tonight?  Do we have to be here early for the show tonight?  Are we going to perform the whole show tonight?  What time does the show start?  How many minutes do I have until the show starts?  Has Act 2 started yet?  (All questions asked by students in the show on which I am currently working!)

I am a mom.  I have 173 children.  I am a teacher.  I have 173 students.  Three of these children/students live under my roof, ask a million questions a day, test my patience, ask me for snacks every 5 minutes, and love me unconditionally.  The 170?  Well...they don't live under my roof, but the other descriptors are fairly accurate!

I am wrapping up a musical that I choreographed at a middle school.  I cannot find the words to explain the rehearsal process that actually explain the rehearsal process.  Most people would run for the hills, 2.5 months after school with 6-8th graders...but me?  I LOVE it!  From the time we audition (4 days of watching kids get up the guts to get in front of a large group and sing!) to the time we perform the show (watching kids get up in front of large audiences to sing, dance and act) so much changes in every child.  They grow, they mature, they do things they never thought possible.  And it is SO. MUCH. FUN. to watch! 

As I was watching the school day shows this past Wednesday, I realized that I was bursting with pride...the same type of pride I feel when I watch my own, real life children do something!  I truly felt like I could cry watching the child that has two left feet finally get the choreography.  Watching another make a quick costume change perfectly.  Watching a techie get the lighting cue!  Watching a boy who is super shy, sing confidently in front of the audience.  Watching a "jock" and a "theatre kid" get along backstage because they are working towards the same goal.  Watching a group of boys rehearse for their number backstage because they want it to be great.  Watching kids take notes that you have given them 10 minutes before and incorporate them into their performance.  And the curtain call at the end???  Don't even ask me about it...I always cry at curtain calls.  (Even when I don't know a soul in the show!)  I just know the hard work and dedication that these kids have put in over the past 2.5 months.  The list could go on...and on...and on.  I am so proud of these kids.  I love these kids!

As parents, we want our kids to be loved by their teachers.  I assure you, parents, teachers love your kids like a mom or a dad.  They get frustrated (as we do with our own children!), but they celebrate the accomplishments, they beam from backstage or the front of the classroom, and they truly want to set up each child for success.  When I close a show and look back, I always hope that each child had a chance to feel successful on that stage. So, if you see me crying after the show, you'll know that I am so stinkin' proud of them...because I really do love those kids!

My One Word 2014

This year I have chosen the word intentional. I would like to be intentional in quiet time, family time, and healthy living. I am off to a slow start, but I have been intentional in a few things. Our family has completed a puzzle together. We decided to keep everyone together all day Saturday instead of rushing around from place to place. I am trying to work out more and make better eating choices.  And finally, I am getting most of my bible study done for class. It's a slow process, but it's not meant to be quick. I want it to be on the forefront of my mind all year!  January almost complete...how did that happen?  Let's be intentional in our time...it goes by fast.

Under-exaggerate

I'm not even sure that under-exaggerate is a word...but it is going to be a big part of my vocabulary as a parent. My friend heard a speaker that shared that word as a parenting tip...I LOVE it!  I want to add this as an intentional part of my parenting...a choice that I make!

Kids react the way their parents react. If I exaggerate a fall, they freak out. I will never forget the moment when Ryan fell at camp. He was in the nursery and I was in a staff meeting. The sitter came to me and said that Ryan had fallen off of a chair and cut his lip. Well...turns out he had hit his tooth and it was half way up his gums.  Inside I was freaking out, but on the outside I was calm..."ooo, Ryan, show me your monster face. (So I could see the tooth!). Show Aunt Amy. (So she could see it!). I think I might have to call the dentist to tell him I have a new monster at the house."  He did not totally flip out...and we all survived the situation. In fact, his tooth came back down over the next few weeks...amazing really!

Growing up my mom was drama free. (There was still drama in my house, but my mom never fed into it.). We would cry because we weren't chosen for a part; she would say that's a bummer, but that's the way it goes. We would be worried about what everyone thought of our appearance; she would say no one is really looking at you!  (That would make us laugh. Clearly we would have tons of people looking our way, right?  Right?!  Cricket, cricket!).  We just learned that there was more to life than ourselves. 

And now, looking at my life now, I think my sisters and I under-exaggerate because that's how our mom was. Don't get me wrong, I am a dramatic story teller, but I try to not over exaggerate situations. It is an interesting parent strategy...and one that I would like to see lots of parents adopt!  I hope we all learn to under-exaggerate just a little more. 

Six blog posts a year...that's good right?

Here's the thing, I enjoy writing.  I especially enjoy storytelling!  You would think this would lead to some fun blog posts!  Sometimes real life really gets in the way of what I want to do!  (ha!)  What I do know is that I enjoyed reading my posts from this past year.  To see what was happening in our lives, how I was feeling and where we have come is very encouraging to me.  There were some little details that I had forgotten.  So, here we go...another year, another 6 blog posts.  Who knows...maybe I will make it up to 12 this year!

2014, let's do this! ;) 

~SJP