There's so much great advice out there. What advice would I give to everyone? Well, one that seems rather timely in my life right now. Ready? Here it is:
If you don't love what you're doing, it's not worth doing.
I'm speaking in terms of your job. With Dylan's decision to change jobs, we talked a lot about what would make him happier in his profession. I think he made the right decision, which wasn't the easiest by any means.
There are so many things in life we must do that we may not love. For example, I must do laundry or poor Lincoln would be running around in his diaper all day (and that's a bit WT for my taste!). I mean that you should love what you choose to do for your job. We spend 8 hours a day, 5 days a week doing whatever this happens to be. I don't live in a fantasy world where I wake up every day and LOVE my job. There are days when the kids are snarly, when I'm grumpy, when I wished that I had a job where I didn't have to be constantly "on." (My teacher friends know what I'm talking about.) Teaching is a difficult job for many reasons. However, I can honestly say that I do love my job. I love that I get to mold young minds. I love that I get to be a positive role model for these kids. I love to learn and share that passion with my students. It's a wonderful job, and I love it!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Day 7: The thing you're most afraid of
This one will be a post on it's own. I realize I'm actually on day 8, but thought this one deserved its own post. I'm going to get serious for a moment. Some things in life deserve to be talked about seriously and frankly. The one thing I was most afraid of (and didn't realize it was even a fear until it smacked me in the face) was not being able to be a mom.
I had gone through life always knowing that I wanted children. It was never a question of if but when. I watched numerous people have the joy of becoming a parent...my brother, my sister, my friends. I got married and we started talking about when would be a good time to have a baby. In the meantime, I'd seen a few friends struggle with infertility, never contemplating it would happen to me. After all, no one in my family had any problems. My dad swore that he looked at my mom cross-eyed and she got pregnant. How could I possibly have any issues?
Well, Life likes to throw you curve balls (more like a cannon ball straight to the gut). When I realized it was not going to be easy to get pregnant, I went into a state of shock. How could this be my life? How do you completely change your entire idea of what your life was going to be like? Not easily, let me tell you. My friends and family know that I struggled. It was hard to see friends getting pregnant; it was hard to be happy for people when all you want is to feel the same happiness. It was hard to muster the joy required at yet another baby shower that is not in your honor. (Those of you that have gone through this, know exactly what I mean!) However, life must go on. Thanks to the best husband a girl could ask for, we decided that if we were not blessed with children, we would move on and still be happy with our new idea of what makes up a family.
Needless to say, I now have my blessing who is peacefully sleeping upstairs, and I thank God every day for him. I still have friends who are struggling to conceive and I know that fear. That fear you feel in the pit of your stomach that your life will always be missing something. The women who have experienced this fear or are living with it daily, I commend you.
I had gone through life always knowing that I wanted children. It was never a question of if but when. I watched numerous people have the joy of becoming a parent...my brother, my sister, my friends. I got married and we started talking about when would be a good time to have a baby. In the meantime, I'd seen a few friends struggle with infertility, never contemplating it would happen to me. After all, no one in my family had any problems. My dad swore that he looked at my mom cross-eyed and she got pregnant. How could I possibly have any issues?
Well, Life likes to throw you curve balls (more like a cannon ball straight to the gut). When I realized it was not going to be easy to get pregnant, I went into a state of shock. How could this be my life? How do you completely change your entire idea of what your life was going to be like? Not easily, let me tell you. My friends and family know that I struggled. It was hard to see friends getting pregnant; it was hard to be happy for people when all you want is to feel the same happiness. It was hard to muster the joy required at yet another baby shower that is not in your honor. (Those of you that have gone through this, know exactly what I mean!) However, life must go on. Thanks to the best husband a girl could ask for, we decided that if we were not blessed with children, we would move on and still be happy with our new idea of what makes up a family.
Needless to say, I now have my blessing who is peacefully sleeping upstairs, and I thank God every day for him. I still have friends who are struggling to conceive and I know that fear. That fear you feel in the pit of your stomach that your life will always be missing something. The women who have experienced this fear or are living with it daily, I commend you.
Blog Every Day Part 2
Day 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What
makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk
about a real-life friend or even a family member
I want to profess my love and devotion to all my wonderful friends and, can't forget, family! I have so many wonderful people in my life, and I count myself so lucky to be surrounded by inspiring, committed, and loving people! You know who you are and I love you!
Day 6: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
What do I do? That's an interesting question because I feel like part of my identity is my job. I am a teacher. It's part of me and who I am. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. But I digress, because the question is: "What do you do?" not "Who are you?"
Right now, I've got a pretty sweet life. I'm on summer vacation so I play with my son, hang out with my husband, family, and friends, run errands, clean house, do laundry, lay by the pool, read, and just enjoy the summer! This will all come to a close soon, so don't be too jealous!
I want to profess my love and devotion to all my wonderful friends and, can't forget, family! I have so many wonderful people in my life, and I count myself so lucky to be surrounded by inspiring, committed, and loving people! You know who you are and I love you!
Day 6: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
What do I do? That's an interesting question because I feel like part of my identity is my job. I am a teacher. It's part of me and who I am. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. But I digress, because the question is: "What do you do?" not "Who are you?"
Right now, I've got a pretty sweet life. I'm on summer vacation so I play with my son, hang out with my husband, family, and friends, run errands, clean house, do laundry, lay by the pool, read, and just enjoy the summer! This will all come to a close soon, so don't be too jealous!
Blogging every day in July!
One of my friends challenged those with blogs to blog every day in July. Here's the link to the topics:
I love this idea because it gives me topics to write about daily. Since I'm getting started on day 8, I've got some catching up to do. So, here's my shortened version of the first 8 days (part 1).
Day 1: The story of your life in 250 words or less
Well, I was born in Savannah, Georgia. I have the best mom and dad a girl could ask for! I have a big brother and big sister, which means I'm the baby of the family. Some would say that fits my personality. I beg to differ! I moved 10 times before I went to college thanks to my father being in the military. We lived all over the country from Virginia to Texas to Colorado, not to mention Europe (Germany). By the time I graduated, I decided I liked Kansas and went to college at KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!). My first teaching job was in Liberty, MO where I learned a ton and met some wonderful friends! I met the love of my life in 2007, married in 2009, and moved to Topeka that same year. Again, I was blessed with a wonderful place to work! In December of 2012, I had Lincoln and life has never been the same since! We are now living in Shawnee, KS and I'll start my new job in Olathe as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher in August. There it is, folks!
Day 2: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at.
Gosh! I'm a bit at a loss here. I feel like I'm decent at a lot of things but one thing I'm really good at...how about accepting change? I feel like my whole life I've had to go with the flow. Since I moved about every couple of years, I had to be able to pick up and start a new life somewhere new. I've learned that you have to take those changes in stride, let what comes, come and try not to over analyze and stress. (I know, easier said than done, right?) Change comes to us all. We have to adapt and not fear it!
Day 3: Things that make you uncomfortable
1. Flying (I realize I'm 32 and should be over this by now, but I just can't stop being nervous.)
2. Insects (gross!)
3. Pants that are too tight (Right now, that's more than I'd like to admit thanks to my baby boy! Still trying to lose that baby weight.)
4. Riding in a car minus my seat belt (if you know me, that never happens!)
5. When my house gets too dirty or cluttered
6. Talking to complete strangers
I'm sure there's plenty more but that's all I can think of for now.
Day 4:Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
I love this idea because it gives me topics to write about daily. Since I'm getting started on day 8, I've got some catching up to do. So, here's my shortened version of the first 8 days (part 1).
Day 1: The story of your life in 250 words or less
Well, I was born in Savannah, Georgia. I have the best mom and dad a girl could ask for! I have a big brother and big sister, which means I'm the baby of the family. Some would say that fits my personality. I beg to differ! I moved 10 times before I went to college thanks to my father being in the military. We lived all over the country from Virginia to Texas to Colorado, not to mention Europe (Germany). By the time I graduated, I decided I liked Kansas and went to college at KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!). My first teaching job was in Liberty, MO where I learned a ton and met some wonderful friends! I met the love of my life in 2007, married in 2009, and moved to Topeka that same year. Again, I was blessed with a wonderful place to work! In December of 2012, I had Lincoln and life has never been the same since! We are now living in Shawnee, KS and I'll start my new job in Olathe as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher in August. There it is, folks!
 |
| The fam in Texas |
Day 2: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at.
Gosh! I'm a bit at a loss here. I feel like I'm decent at a lot of things but one thing I'm really good at...how about accepting change? I feel like my whole life I've had to go with the flow. Since I moved about every couple of years, I had to be able to pick up and start a new life somewhere new. I've learned that you have to take those changes in stride, let what comes, come and try not to over analyze and stress. (I know, easier said than done, right?) Change comes to us all. We have to adapt and not fear it!
Day 3: Things that make you uncomfortable
1. Flying (I realize I'm 32 and should be over this by now, but I just can't stop being nervous.)
2. Insects (gross!)
3. Pants that are too tight (Right now, that's more than I'd like to admit thanks to my baby boy! Still trying to lose that baby weight.)
4. Riding in a car minus my seat belt (if you know me, that never happens!)
5. When my house gets too dirty or cluttered
6. Talking to complete strangers
I'm sure there's plenty more but that's all I can think of for now.
Day 4:Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
"It's not the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away."
I love this quote because it's all about living life to the fullest. Often times we get stuck in our same routines and never get out and experience something new or appreciate what we have. I often remind myself that I don't have to go somewhere exotic to live a life well lived, I simply have to look around and see the small things and appreciate those. (Of course, those exciting trips are pretty wonderful too!)
Ch-ch-ch-changes...
I'm new to this whole world of blogging. I know, I know...a little late to the party, but better late than never! I decided that after reading some friends' blogs, that it was time to start my own. If nothing else, than to chronicle our journey through life.
So, for my first blog, I decided to write about changes. I would have to say that the last 6 months of my life have been life-changing. Here's the short version...in 6 months, Dylan and I welcomed our baby boy in December. Dylan had a job change (and started commuting to Kansas City every day). I resigned my job in Topeka and accepted a new job in Olathe. We bought a new house in Shawnee, and sold our house in Topeka. Whew! For someone who is such a planner, life can really throw you some curve balls! It's funny how things have a way of working out, don't they? Thank the good Lord that He has a plan and is always watching out for us!
So, here I am. Life has settled down a bit after the craziness of the past 6 months. I'm enjoying my new house, being back in Kansas City, and being home with Lincoln. We've settled into a great routine. I'll start my new job in August. So for now, I'm enjoying what little down time I have playing with my son and getting the new house fixed up. It's a perfect time to start a blog!
So, for my first blog, I decided to write about changes. I would have to say that the last 6 months of my life have been life-changing. Here's the short version...in 6 months, Dylan and I welcomed our baby boy in December. Dylan had a job change (and started commuting to Kansas City every day). I resigned my job in Topeka and accepted a new job in Olathe. We bought a new house in Shawnee, and sold our house in Topeka. Whew! For someone who is such a planner, life can really throw you some curve balls! It's funny how things have a way of working out, don't they? Thank the good Lord that He has a plan and is always watching out for us!
So, here I am. Life has settled down a bit after the craziness of the past 6 months. I'm enjoying my new house, being back in Kansas City, and being home with Lincoln. We've settled into a great routine. I'll start my new job in August. So for now, I'm enjoying what little down time I have playing with my son and getting the new house fixed up. It's a perfect time to start a blog!
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