A Christmas Story

So last night was the performance of the Christmas play I was directing/producing/everything at my church. The kids were great! They remembered their lines, they gave it their all, they rocked. So the play was about giving and trusting that God will do something amazing with what you give (no matter how small) even if you never learn what an impact your giving made. I was praying we would reach even just ONE person and inspire them to give and trust God. Well, I guess we did.

After the play a mom stopped me to tell me how good it was, how great the kids were, etc. AND the cutest story ever. Her 4 year old daughter was in the audience and her AWANA Christmas party was right after the play. When she went up to get her gift, she chose a BOY gift and turned around and gave it to her brother! She wanted nothing for herself, only to give a gift to her brother.

Thank you Jesus that we reached someone, that little girl made three months of work worthwhile!

Challenging Challenges

Being a substitute has a lot of unique challenges and stresses. Think about it, not only do I have 30 NEW kids every day, I go to a NEW workplace everyday! Most people have one, maybe two bosses you interact with and directly answer to. After a while you get to know what is expected of you, who to go to for help (who NOT to go to for help), what the rules are (written and unwritten), where everything is, and just the general culture of the workplace. I don't have that luxury. Every school I go to has a new time schedule, new rules, new physical layout, new procedures, new expectations of me and of the students. Every school does supervision differently. Every school disciplines differently (well, some don't discipline at all). Every school has different rules for conduct. Every school does paperwork differently. The worst part is NOT that I always have new things to deal with though. The worst part by FAR is that many school's staff expect me to know EVERYTHING! It doesn't matter if I've been there once, ten times or never. I' supposed to know it all. I'm sorry but I have gotten the schedule mixed up with the one I was using yesterday, and inevitably someone's gonna ream me out about it. I can't find something so I ask for help, that person's probably going to make sure I know what a nuisance and bother I am for asking. I don't always know the rules at the playground, so I get the "student safety is common sense" speech. I hate to tell you all this, but there's plently of disagreement about whether climbing UP the slide is safe or not! I am so supremely SICK of the snide "You should know this!" looks and remarks! Maybe there is something to be said for throwing an old-fashioned tantrum. MIght make me feel better!
So the next time you roll your eyes at a sub, think for a second. COuld you go to a new job everyday and STILL know everything? Then stop expecting me to!

Bad Guys

So with politics on everyone's mind lately (freakin' Liberals/NDP), it reminded me of another funny kid story.  Once again I was teaching Preschool, but in Edmonton about 2 years ago.  One of my fav students was Sam, you never knew what was going to come out of this kid's mouth!

We were all talking about comic book bad guys because the boys were really into Spiderman at that time.  So they're naming their fav bad guys, Doc Oc, Joker, Magneto, anyone they could think of.  And Sam says, "You know who's a REAL bad guy?"

"Who, Sam?"

Very seriously he replies, "Stephen Harper, he's a REALLY bad guy!  He controls the whole country and that's bad!"

Hmmm...if you ever wonder if your kids are listening to what you say...

Stupid Tree

So Stony Plain put up their huge Christmas tree on Main Street.  It's so cool to see, it's old fashioned in a comforting way.  But every year when they put up the tree it makes me think of a few years ago when I was teaching preschool in Stony.

We were taking the kids for a walk to see a "huge surprise" (the big tree).  So we're walking down the street with about 15  kids, and as the tree starts coming into sight we start asking the kids "Do you see anything yet?".  No one said anything until Luke finally pipes up with the funniest thing I had heard in ages, "How can I see anything with that stupid tree in the way?"

Priceless!

Tavin Brock Griffin Adams

I have a new nephew!!  Tavin Brock Griffin Adams was born on November 26 at 2:15.  He couldn't be more perfect.  He's long and skinny, with dark hair and two dimples!  As excited as I am, I'm pretty sure his daddy and grandpa are WAY more pumped about the new male addition to our family!  Welcome baby!

The Things They Say!

My nieces and nephews honestly say the funniest things! A few examples I just had to share:
Alarielle: Auntie, what are you doing with Christmas?
Me: I'm not doing anything with Christmas. What are you doing with Christmas?
Alarielle: Being silly!

Naters: Scared of rockets! Scared of rockets! (while watching WALLE)
Zack: (putting his arm around Naters) You don't have to be scared of rockets, or even thunder, because Jesus is with you!

Alarielle: (at the top of her voice while jumping on the bed) I love you Naestra! I always have! (Naestra is her sister)

Naestra: (looking outside) Where Christmas lights?
Me: The Christmas lights are off because the sun is waking up. They'll come back on when the moon wakes up.
Naestra: Moon seeping?
Me: Yup, the moon is sleeping.
Naestra: (putting her finger to her lips) Shhh. Quiet for moon seeping.

The Way God Accepts Us

I was teaching Grade 2 today in two separate rooms. I spent most of the day in one class and was in another for only one block. I am constantly amazed at how much those little guys can teach me, especially about my Heavenly Father.
So I'd been there for about 20 minutes when one girl put up her hand. Thinking she had a question I called on her and she said, "I like you. You're really nice."
I was pleased but a little surprised, naturally. I just thanked her and went on with the lesson. Over the next 15 mins I had about 3 kids come up and give me hugs/tell me how nice I was and how much they liked me.
It made me think. How often do I just love a new person right off the bat like that? How often am I afraid to let someone know what I admire about them, even after I've known them for long time?
God doesn't do that. He just loves us from the first moment and He's not afraid to tell us! Repeatedly!
Thank goodness He blesses me with wise 7 year olds to teach me a thing or two once in awhile! :)

OK, so not ALL Jr Highers are evil!

I have (slightly) renewed faith in Jr Highers (the boys at least, the girls are still a lost cause). One of my former grade 8 boys (one of the BIG tough jocks) stopped me today to tell me my new hair colour looks "nice". That's pretty big praise from a 13 year-old boy! Especially when he went out of his way to say it. *warm fuzzy* :)

My Little Recording Artists

So some of my pas students are going to be on a country CD. Some artist named Ty Roberts came to the school today and wants the kids to sing harmony and a solo for one of his songs on his cupcoming CD. I'm so proud of them! It's a really sweet song abou a little boy he knew that died of leukemia this month. So sad. I'll let everyone know where/when they can all go out and buy the CD!

My Favourite People

There are 6 (soon to be 7) people that bring my immeasurable amounts of joy. They are unfailingly honest, unbearably cute, frequently frustrating and overall the best little people you could hope to be loved by. My nieces Alarielle, Naestra, Lara and Arden. My nephews Zack and Nathan.

My Last Day

Well today was the last day of my temp contract teaching Grade 6. I almost cried when handing out the monthly awards at the end of the day, but I managed to keep it together. Man, I'm gonna miss those gremlins!
The job is exhausting, stressful and all-consuming, yes. But when one of them have an "aha!" moment, it's all worthwhile. Just to see their eyes light up and that proud smile on their face when they finally get it/do it. I was lucky enough to see one of those moments today. I'm sure it was the most worthwhile thing I did all day. And the most rewarding.
One of my girls told me she's writing Ed Stelmach a letter outlining her case for having two teachers in her class (myself and the returning teacher). She's also going to tell him that the class is too full (29 kids) and the desks are too small. So here's hoping Ed Stelmach starts listening to the wisdom of 11 year-olds!