July and it's literal coolness....

Well, phone blogging takes forever, so don't be too angry for the length between my entries. I would rather write weekly lest I forget the blessings of grace, but free time is so rare for me this month!

In fact, we just had our first free weekend at least since December! Sad, I know, but my hubby works every other Sunday and we've been doing soccer with the kids lately...plus all the fun summer BBQs and such. It's been busy....but I've really enjoyed the change in routine.

Sometimes, a good ol' change in routine is really what I need to keep on going.

In the field of special education, there is much repetition. I teach the same things throughout an entire year. As a huge fan of change and newness, it can be difficult to keep going when you are honestly sick of money and repeating yourself. I love to teach, but God invented summer/holidays for this very reason....sometimes the teacher doesn't want to hear herself talk about the same thing again.

Don't be fooled into thinking I'm basking on a sunny beach this summer with no plans...I'm actually currently teaching summer school and about to start "respite care" (a fancy word for baby sitting--but I'll be doing some very worthwhile skill keeping activities)for a student I teach during the year.

Like I said, I love working with my kids (despite the stresses that WILL ALWAYS come), but I needed this change in routine!!

Summer school has been interesting...it's a camp experience for our kids, some of whom are doing well and gaining social skills, and others I find myself battling with each day. Biting, kicking, defiant behavior, and...booty dancing. Yep, it's just another day on the job.

I must also say that I've truly loved getting to know the folks also working with me at summer school...they are very dedicated to helping kids and I have appreciated getting to know each of them. We get no lunch break, barely get to restroom (ourselves) and are constantly running...but there is not excessive complaining as one might expect. It helps me to keep going to be working with these folks who also really want to get to the root of the problem...and help the kids.

In real life (AKA outside of the workplace), I've been really into cooking and making preserves lately. I went berry picking a week ago, and we will be going again this weekend...there is just something so fun about taking the whole process from the field to the kitchen!!

The hubby and I are trying to do as much yard work as we can squeeze in, but it's been a very rainy month thus far!!we finally made it out yesterday, after a grueling bike ride, and fixed up the front yard. The hard part is that our shrubs/bushes are out of control and difficult to reach! I've got to get out the ladder so my tiny garden can get more sunlight.

It's amazing to see how fast a bush will grow when planted in the good soil with sun and rain in abundance....kind of like how we ought to be, but so often, other ythings come to block out our sun.

In life, I strive to be the big bush...growing tall, grabbing the light and continuing to grow....but often I'm like my pumpkin out there....capable of big things, but allowing something to block out the Son from my full view. I pray that in the garden of my life, I'll be better equipped. Much like the shield and helmet, I'll need hedge trimmers, a ladder, and possibly some snail and slug spray....but with the right tools, I can take off and make a giant pumpkin!!

Thanks in large part to my obsession with the tastiness of pumpkin seeds, we are growing a pumpkin. ;). I hope he will make it!

Next month should be exciting...several weeks with no summer school before September arrives! These months have flown by...we've already celebrated our one year mark in Washington! Now it's almost time for birthdays and school to start again!

We take so much for granted in this life. Lord, help me to enjoy these days, these friends, this season. Who knows what you will bring next!