2013 - Where Did the Time Go?

Two months later, I'm finally getting around to updating the ole blog.  I've said before that this blog certainly isn't written to get buzz or be this thought provoking series of writing, but rather, this serves as a virtual journal for me.

The last day of the year is here!  Once all the "memory rolls" start coming out on all the news channels, I know that we're wrapping up a year.  The slow, sappy music plays.  People we've lost grace the screen.  The "big" moments are put up to be celebrated one more time.  It kind of makes the bad look minuscule and the good look more prominent - which I suppose is how it should be.

It gives me a chance to reflect and look back.  This has certainly been an important year.  It's been a rough year at points, but by going on the motto of the montage...there's been more good than bad.  This has been a year of immense growth and opportunity.  My cousin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, my sister gave birth to a handsome baby boy, and two of my best friends found out they were pregnant!  The world is sweeter with new life around and babies to snuggle.

Continuing with that thought, my nephew being born was probably the highlight of my year.  I am honored to be his auntie and godmother, and I pray for him every night.  I pray that he grows up with the knowledge of everyone who loves him, I pray he knows how much God loves him, and I pray he will grow up with a heart full of understanding and peace.  I've never been more proud of my sister and the incredible mom she has become.  Seeing her with Rex has been a delight.  My heart is filled with wonder and amazement every time I look into his eyes and hold his sweet little body.

Having two of my best friends tell me they were pregnant was another bright moment.  Going through the journey of "adulthood" with them has been so much fun, and it's been even more amazing to see them turn into soon-to-be mommies.  2014 will be another year filled with baby coo's and sweet snuggles!

With the good, which has certainly outweighed the bad, always comes moments of frustration and confusion.  I have been blessed with incredible opportunities within my career, but with those comes stress and a little lot of anxiety.  Teaching a new course, attempting to fit on a couple more professional "hats", and smiling while doing all of it has proved to be hard.  I've enjoyed all the opportunities, and I love my students, colleagues, and county, but whew....there have been a few times this year where I've thought, "I can't do this anymore."  However, I know that this journey is part of the bigger plan that God has in mind for me.  Learning to listen to Him and follow His lead is difficult.  But...I'm learning, and that in itself is worth the confusion.

I'm not sure what 2014 will bring.  Lots of love, I hope.  Lots of peace, I pray.  Lots of healthy family members and friends, I know.  I love "clean slates" and this is my favorite thing about a new year!

Wishing you and yours a happy New Year and a wonderful beginning to your "clean slates".

Conquer those mountains...or 400 steps ;)

Week (or so...) in Pics

These pics cover a little more than a week.  Even though I feel like there is a lot going on in my life, I don't have many pictures to prove it!  I take a ton of pics, but not as much for everyday life.  Here are some pics...

I've been trying to write a little more in my journal.  Get it out. Write it out.

There is a popular song my kids are listening to called, "Royals".  In it she says, "You can call me queen bee."  Many of my students call me "Ms. B", so I told them to draw me as "Queen Bee".  They never fail to make me giggle.

SO EXCITED TO TEACH THE GREAT GATSBY FOR THE FIRST TIME!!

This is pretty much my life in one picture.

Love.

Got to visit and have dinner with some sweet friends.  Ended on a lovely note - dessert!

Four Months

Rex,

You are four months.

When I get to visit and hold you, my heart is so happy!  You coo and giggle, smile and snuggle.  I am so blessed to be your aunt.  Thank you for the constant joy you bring into all of our lives.

Love you to the moon (and back a few times),
Auntie Coley

Flying Time

I remember it vividly.  The night before my first day as a high school teacher.  I talked to my friend Kelly, and she gave me some pointers.  She had already been in school for a few weeks, so it was nice to hear she made it out alive.  I packed my lunch. Laid out my clothes.  Set my alarm, and I put my bag by the door.  Sitting in that little apartment in Eden, I had absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into.  Luckily, on that night before school started, I was fortunate to have one of my best friends staying with me.  Caroline was on her way to DC to start her year long AmeriCorp program.  I doubt either one of us slept very well that night.  I slept as a child sleeps on Christmas Eve...but the anticipation was so different.  We got up early and gathered our things.  We walked down the stairs and awkwardly hugged goodbye.  I was reminiscent of the sad goodbye years before when she left my college dorm room.

Caro was on her way to DC, and I was on my way to RCHS.  Butterflies and other cliches entered the scene really quick.  I was nervous beyond any words imaginable.  I quietly walked into that building and six years later, I'm still there.

It's sometimes hard to believe that I've spend six years of my life doing one thing.  Up 'til now every four years I've switched it up.  Middle school for three years led into four years of college which was followed up by another four years in college.  Life up til now has been sectioned off nicely, but now I've spent the most years since elementary school doing something.

There have been moments of immense joy within the past years in teaching.  There have also been moments of extreme frustration.  Time passes and I learn something new everyday with teaching.  How could you not?  I told my students the other day that if I ever felt like I wasn't learning or doing a good job, I wouldn't want to teach.  I don't think it would be fair to the students.

Here I am six years later.  I sometimes don't know how I feel about this job.  I have been disappointed in North Carolina's government in their (in my opinion) unfair treatment of teachers.  But, I have to question why I do this.  It isn't for the gov't, it isn't for the people that clearly don't care about education.  I do this for the kids.  For my kids.

Beauty, Hope, Love, and Change

I've been a little frustrated and down this week.  One of my students had me edit a paper for him.  I won't share his name, but wanted to share this beautiful conclusion to his essay.

"When it comes down to it, things are most likely going to change.  The majority of the human society realizes that we must move past the biases of old to make way for the innovation of the future.  We are stronger united than we are separated.  Our cultures are learning to love one another and help one another more.  As my English teacher has said from day one in her class, "Everybody has to love everybody."  And that is the way it will be one day."

I was absolutely blown away.  Not because I was mentioned, but because maybe...JUST MAYBE...my students take what I say to heart.  Maybe, just maybe, they listen.  It gives me hope that I have students with bright minds, beautiful hearts, and words that can take them far.

Fair Fun

For the past three years, my friends Kelly, Matt, and I, have made a tradition of going to the NC State Fair.  Kelly and Matt live in Raleigh so it always makes for a fun weekend to venture to the fair.  This year we had to work around our crazy schedules to make the fair fit, but we found an evening and it was wonderful!

My friend, Lexie, had never been to the fair, so we made it our mission to show her the best time ever.  We ate, looked pumpkins, animals, flowers, and even rode the ferris wheel!

Get up and Walk for Carrie!!

One of my best friends, Carrie, is coming up on her 20th year of living with diabetes.  From just being in the room and interacting with her, you would never know that anything is wrong with her.   I think that's how she likes it.

Carrie is a gentle spirit who lifts up her friends in every way possible.  She always encourages, pushes, and helps any friend or student in need.  I've been fortunate enough to know Carrie for almost a decade now.  We grew up in the same hometown, but it wasn't until high school we became close.  While in college, we decided to live together (and with her sister, Em).  The three of us decorated, smiled, laughed, ate, hosted get together's, and danced...a lot.

I know from living with Carrie and from being her close friend all these years that living with diabetes isn't always an easy journey.  She struggles with her blood sugar from time to time, and I think it has to be frustrating to have to constantly be thinking about what she's eating and doing.  But you see, the thing is....she handles this with the most abundant amount of grace ever.

I've been with Carrie when she's had lows and know the physical and mental toll it takes on her body and mind.  She always perseveres through it and continues smiling.  I know that teaching can be a daunting task to the most physically sound person, so I know that there are times where it's a challenge living with diabetes and teaching.  Instead of focusing on what might be pulling her down, she instead chooses to always talk about the positives with her students, her job, and all the awesome lessons and activities she's planning.

When I think of Carrie, I don't think of diabetes, rather I think of my hilariously warm friend who loves to sing to the radio.  I think of the girl who jumped on my bed and yelled in delight when our classes were cancelled in college.  I think of the girl who loves God with every ounce of her being.  I think of the gentle spirit who guides her family, friends, and students with love, light, and beaming joy.

On October 26th I will be walking for the JDRF.  I am so proud and excited to walk next to my friend and honor her and those who choose to celebrate their life.  I would be so thankful if you could donate to this amazing foundation.  It would be the greatest blessing to one day find a cure for all of those affected by this disease.  Carrie is a beautiful example of how you can choose light over darkness, and how if you stumble or fall...you just get right back up...and dance ;)

Here is the link to my site for Carrie: ( http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/fightforcarrie )

"Carrie's Crew" from the 2007 walk in Raleigh

The wonderfully awesome Bennett family

She gets up...

She walks.

She might fall down...

BUT,

She keeps on dancing!

I adore this sweet friend!

Love this pic!

My Classroom...

I've been in my classroom for five years, so for my sixth year, I wanted to "spice" things up.  Here are a few pics from my classroom...only a couple months later!

Three sides...I wanted to do a couple new bulletin boards.  I also tried a new desk arrangement.  I'm still working on it....

My space...I try to make it as personalized as I can since I spend more time in my classroom than I do anywhere else!!

The other side of "my space"

Major Photo Dump - Catching Up (Late August - Early October)

Pictures say more than words...so here is life in a slew of pictures.

These aren't in order...which bothers my OCD, but I just can't figure out how to move them all around...and I'm tired.

My sweet nephew!  Morning snuggle!

This is pretty much my current life.

Matthew stopped by for a visit :)

My furry niece, Lois Lane!

Best cure for a bad week!

My pregnant bestie!!

Life.

This is how Rex fell asleep during dinner one night.  I mean, seriously...how cute?!

I LOVE HIM!

Linds and her new job!  So proud!

Fun night at Rockingham!  Happy Homecoming 2013!

Halloween wigs...

I'm going to get her to be a RCHS Cougar if it kills me!