The Crazy Train

Lots of people see the new year as a clean slate, a fresh start.  Time to make changes to how we approach everything.  I am no exception.  I'm not going to be like so many people that vow to exercise and diet. I am trying to do these things already.  This year I'm gonna stop the crazy train.

This school year has eaten my lunch--quite literally.  It has been very difficult for me on many levels.  Lots of responsibility, paperwork, and events I will not get into have made it probably the hardest year I've ever had.  I also feel like all the other places I've been and the classes I've taught has been getting me ready for this.  I feel very blessed to have a family who is supportive and patient and an amazing faculty that sticks with it everyday, with me.  This is the Crazy Train.

I am going to try my best to decrease the "crazy" in my life.  Some of it I have no control of whatsoever.  The other part of it, I most certainly can help it.  It will take some time to get things streamlined, but I know that I if I can get the paperwork easier, the Crazy Train will start slowing down into the station.  That is my resolution.

On the way to contentment

It has been almost a month since we moved back to Oklahoma City. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. It's been fun exploring and finding new things that weren't here before, and seeing how the old has changed (or stayed the same). I think we are on our way to being content--something we haven't seen in quite some time. Well, actually, never.

When we lived here before, we wanted to see what it was like to live somewhere else. After we did that, all we wanted was to be back to what we knew first. Now, we are on the third chapter of our journey...learning how to enjoy where we are, who we are with, and find contentment.

I think it will come easier. Allen and I both have jobs, his being what looks like the one he will invest himself in, and mine will be a challenge. I am excited to have my own class again and hope that I can rise up and bring success to these little ones. I have a plan!! Now all we have to do is get the girls settled in school and activities, find our home church, and we will be on our way.

This time around we are coming in with eyes open, without expectations of the same things happening again. We know it is three years since we left, and things change. We have changed. We've learned more about what we want and need, and what we can handle. I know that God can throw us a curve ball at any moment, but I also know that He will make sure we can stand up under it.

For fun, here are some things we've missed: the Princess Posse, friends, family, Braum's, the wind (weird, I know), big skies, four lane roads, city water and no septic tanks, seeing OU/OSU stuff everywhere, and carpet.

So here's to being content!! Oh wait! Penny already is...



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Perceptions

It's amazing how perceptions change. This year has been filled with learning experiences, hard truths, soul searching, praying, and questioning if perceptions are as they seem. All year long I have asked myself, "Is this really how things are or is my perception skewed?" After awhile I realized that when the way you see the world hasn't changed, it isn't your perception. It is what it is.
A year ago, we were frantically packing and so very excited to start a new life in a new place. We were leaving everything that was familiar and normal and beginning a new adventure. We were tired of seeing the same things all the time, at least that was our perception.
Once we got here, the excitement continued for us for a little while, but reality set in. Our perception changed. The job was not as we hoped. Teaching was out of reach. Church was nonexistent. The constant was great times visiting and being with family. That has never changed.
When we got married, we dreamed of moving somewhere out of state just to see what it was like, and to be on our own. To get out. To do something new. All of our friends from college had moved on, and we felt a little left behind. We were bound by responsibility. This went on until we finally moved. We got out.
Now we want back in. Our perception has changed once again. We realized that being in the place that you know first--home--is where we want to be. Where we need to be. There is nothing wrong with staying close to home. We missed the responsibilities we had and we want them back. But more importantly, we want our girls to grow up where we did--a place with big skies and a wind that takes your breath away. It's funny how perception changes.

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Self Portrait

Sidewalk chalk has always been a staple at our house. We love to draw pictures of each other and whatever the girls fancy. One of our favorite things to do is to trace the outline of ourselves then decorate. Lauren did just that this week. She decided to "trick herself out" and add some extras:



--rocket booster flip flops
--blue fairy wings
--super long purple nails
--giant orange bow
--and the best one of all--huge disco hair!!!

It was so big she could lay in it.



Creativity at it's best!!

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