Call me Ms. Elizabeth

Grab me a floor length skirt and a sweater with apples on it. because I am now the lead preschool teacher for 3 year olds at a small preschool in Arlington. My first day is TOMORROW and I'm nervous, but more excited. I know this will be a challenging, but rewarding experience. My pinterest board is already created and I'm pinning activities, books, etc nonstop. Thank you for all of the prayers and please continue them if you think of me.   

Surprise!

My dear co-workers threw me a surprise going away party on Monday. As you can see it was all Texas themed. Tuesday was my last day, but I don't think it has hit me that I won't be seeing them everyday. They have become some of my dearest friends and I feel so blessed to have worked with them. 

Jesus Loves Me

This has been one crazy week. I haven't gotten home before 5:30 one time, and I don't think I've ever been so ready for the weekend. Our head Librarian is Chinese, and she decided to share a little bit of her culture with the kids by celebrating and explaining Chinese New Year. I haven't been in there much, but it has been very interesting to hear and see how different our cultures are. At the end of her presentation she plays a recording of Jesus Loves Me in Chinese. Gosh- it gets me every time. I have always had a soft spot for missions and more specifically children. It puts things in perspective.

I have found myself if a place of evaluation and change. I've been evaluating relationships. It is so difficult to let go of the frustrations I have with individuals and just take a step back. Unfortunately (even family members and best friends) are humans and are unable to say the right thing and act the right way 24/7 365. I am as guilty of this as anyone, and I still put my faith and hope in those relationships more so than with my relationship with Christ too often. Have you ever had to let go of a relationship? You can't cut it out of your life completely, but you know you just can't trust it anymore? Gosh it's difficult.  Whenever Joe and I move I know there will be many challenges, but I know the challenges will be worth the change God has for us.   Not that we are running away, but there are just some things that need to stay in Texas when we leave. I know it is going to be such a great fresh start. I feel as if we are finally cleaving the last few strings we have to our families and lives previous to marriage, and are in a marvelous state of unification.  Don't misunderstand me we love our families, but it has been difficult (probably more for me) to think of our family first.

I feel as if I just threw up every thought (prayer) I have had over the course of the past six days. Sorry about that.

Back to the Manger

Last night was the final performance of "Back to the Manger". It is the children's musical that I directed for my school. I am so proud of my kids and how wonderfully they did. The whole experience has been incredibly interesting. Nothing like I would have expected it. There were of course moments when I wanted to rip my hair out, but all of the hard work & tears are worth the smiles on my kids faces during curtain calls, or various moments during rehearsal when something would finally click. I have been so blessed to share the magnificent thing called music in a way that most of my kids have never experienced. Of course most singers would love to be famous and sought after, and there are times when that sounds appealing to me; however, there have been so many days when I have thought: "I have the best job in the world." It is so wonderfully not about me, and a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall couldn't compare. I don't even have the words to express the gratitude I have toward the Lord for providing me this opportunity, and by His graciousness that it is going to continue in the spring.

A Kid Again

Today is the last day before Thanksgiving vacation. How will we manage to get through the day? By wearing braids in our hair & indian hats, watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, coloring Turkeys, and singing Over the River and Through the Woods gleefully.  As a student I thought I needed Thanksgiving vacation, now that I'm on the other side it is dire!

We are heading to College Station this afternoon for the Aggie game tomorrow. My mom is coming to pick up Rémy because we can't have him at the hotel we are staying at. I have to admit, this 'mom' is a bit nervous. After CS I am headed back to Houston to spend the week with family (Joe will meet me on Wednesday). I could hardly sleep I was so excited. It's going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Rémy had a bath last night... he didn't enjoy it too much. 

9 Hours.

So Long Summer

Happy October!

This morning as I was walking to my car I actually felt a chill in the air. I couldn't believe it. It was actually bellow sixty degrees. W-O-W! It was incredibly refreshing, and put me in a wonderful fall mood. I listened to holiday music (please don't judge me), looked up recipes during my conference period, put a pair of corduroys on hold at Anthro, and walked around with an extra bounce in my step. 

This afternoon as I was hitting that only one more class period left slump, I was surprised to be delivered these beautiful flowers. They are from my Aunt and her family in Houston. I was so surprised! Thank Y'all, they are gorgeous and make my room so much more cheery. 

Hope October is treating you well so far!

The Mind of a 5 Year Old

I have spent the past two days ( and two days of last week) with 5 and 6 year olds. Yes, they were adorable. Yes, my blood pressure rose from time to time. Yes,  I'm sad it is over. I always am. It always amazes me the way a child has the ability to work (sometimes weasel) their way into your heart.

Today they were filling out a questionnaire about their moms. It was too funny. Most of them are not totally reading, so I was helping them fill it out and spell their answers etc. One of their answers had me rolling. I can't even really explain why, but I know their mom and their answer to: " My mom's favorite food is           ?" was chicken. Another answer to this question that made me smile was Bill Miller's. I guess it is the 'matter of factness' of their answer.  They each interpret the question differently.

Here are my answers to the questionnaire:

My mom's name is Beverly.


My mom has red hair and hazel eyes. 


Her favorite food is chips and salsa.


Her favorite thing to do is spend time with family.


I love my mom because she is ALWAYS there for me no matter the time of day, we laugh together, she is my best friend, & she loves the Lord. 

Did I Mention...

...that we have adopted a French Bulldog?! He will be coming home on May 13th. Can hardly wait!

...that I passed my certification content test? I am now eligible for hire! Yay. Praise the Lord. 

Happy Saturday! 

Joy

Today I had 5th and 6th grade literature. This is the third time I have had this age group, and it is fun to be able to be normal (not the 'b' word) with them and have them still obey me. Since they are more comfortable with me they asked me lots of questions today: 'What's my favorite color', 'do you have kids', 'why is your name funny and where does it come from'... and so on. It was too funny. I just don't know how anyone couldn't love teaching. I love it. It brings out a joy I have never experienced before. After being in a Christian school, I don't know if I could go public. I love sharing my faith and learning things from 6-13 year olds. The Lord is teaching me so much through this experience. I have also begun to make friends at school, which is a huge answer to prayer. I know it is not perfect, but I would so love to teach at this school. I have definitely fallen in-love with it. God is so good.

Tomorrow I am going to Washington D.C. to be with my love. :) This time apart has begun to take a toll on me... I'm ready for it to be over now.

Working Girl

I have just completed my second full day of being an official 'working girl'. Yesterday Joe sent me a text in the morning that basically said: "I love that you are the third generation of Mrs. Weinberger teachers". How cute is that! (Joe's mom was a teacher, as well his grandmother). Everyone at school et cetera is asking me "how is it going?", "are you surviving?". Am I surviving? Honey, I am thriving! Today I even got a "Mrs. Weinberger, you are a good teacher". Hooray! In all seriousness, it couldn't be going better. Yes, I have some students who randomly get of their seats or start reading their warm-up activity out-loud two hours into the day; however, when reprimanded they listen and reply with a "yes Ma'am". I expect them to be a little bit more mouthy tomorrow, because they were a little bit more mouthy today. I really love the school I'm working for, and I am hoping/praying this will lead to a full time position. I have already been asked to sub again by two teachers. Tomorrow I am working after school care, so I am sure I will be exhausted.

So here are my first impressions: Yesterday I wore heals and sat down for a total of about 50 minutes (including lunch). I have never experienced leg pain like that. Peep toe shoes are not the way to go either. Your big toe slides down into the peep, and you can imagine the way that feels. Today I wore flats, and tried to sit a little more at the front of the class while explaining the lesson et cetera. My legs are definitely thanking me for it. I will actually be able to run this afternoon. Which brings me to my next thought. Kids have birthdays and bring Pizza and Cupcakes. I can not say yes every time a kid offers these things to me... weight gain would surely occur. Ok one more, I thought it would bother me to discipline children, and I thought it would be difficult to lower their conduct grade for the day... wrong. It's not that I enjoy it, but when it is needed I know it's what I should do. Anywho, those are my thoughts so far.

I really am loving it, and I so appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.