Vacation!!

Guess what? I get a paid vacation!!

Only thing is:
1. I wasn't expecting it.
2. I don't have the funds to go anywhere or do anything.
3. I'll probably spend it cleaning house, prepping for teaching, and working on a class I'm taking.

But I do have the next week and a half off from secretary duty. Tomorrow is my last day as TEC secretary. I'll start new teacher training on the 14th.

Don't worry. I'll mix some fun and relaxation in there, too!

Catching the train(ing)

I started my teacher training today. It is at the lovely Ruthe Jackson Center in Grand Prairie. It really is a beautiful facility. Training involves sitting at round tables in a ballroom, listening to a speaker, interspersed with occasional group activities. It hasn't been boring, but I did have trouble staying awake at one point after lunch!

While reading through Colossians a couple of days ago, I ran across a verse that has stuck with me:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving... -- Colossians 4:2

Convicting & encouraging.

Old Friends

Yesterday I spent the day with an old friend. Sorry, I have to say "old" friend because we've known each other about 20 years! And she still likes me!

It's wonderful to spend time with those you love and have a history with. You come with no agenda, talk for hours, never run out of topics, and the time flies away! It's so refreshing!

We both have "split families". She has two grown children who are 1-1/2 and 3-1/2 years older than my oldest. When our older children were young, we used to come over for visits and let the kids play while we had "mom time". Shared toys and a lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup would go a long way in entertainment value.

We both ended up moving to new locations in the metroplex and still visited periodically. Thirteen years ago, she moved to California & I moved to our current home. Afterwards, we each had a third child -- this time mine is about three years older than hers.

A few years back, she moved back to the metroplex. We've resumed our periodic visits, this time with the younger ones playing while the moms chat.

Having children slightly older than mine, she's been a mentor and a friend. She photographed my children for their high school graduation pictures. Last summer, both of her older children married. Also, her son is in the navy. Once again she's a step ahead of me in the directions life is taking our family.

We come from such different backgrounds. But God has put us together and given us much in common. And, no matter what, she accepts me and loves me for who I am.

I am truly blessed!

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. -- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Happy 90th Birthday, Mom!

My mother-in-law turned 90 years young on July 5! We went up to her home town in Oklahoma to attend her party. My husband's brother came from the Houston area with his wife & daughter. My husband's sister came from the Stillwater area with her husband, and several of her children were able to attend. There was a family gathering for the first two hours, then friends from her church came to honor her. It was a lot of fun! Plus, it was wonderful to see family again!

We finished summer school. My younger son officially passed 4th grade! (And I didn't kill him in the process!) It's been nice not to have to hound him every second to do school work. It's also been nice to have an even slower pace at work -- and NO INTERRUPTIONS! I am trying to get the school records in order. I'd also like to expand the database I created. I'm still praying for that future secretary that they have yet to hire!

The tall son decided not to press charges against his "friend". He felt like the friend was suffering enough with the loss of the friendship. Even though I am a signer on the account, I felt it should be my son's decision and am supporting him. He did provide information to the bank on his friend (as a suspect) when filing a claim for the charges to his account. I am not sure what will be done with that information.

The tall son has also decided to wait on enlisting in the Air Force until after his sister's wedding next July. He wants to make sure he'll be able to attend. He's applying at NCTC (community college) to take some of his college basics. He'll be working part time as well.

I'll be starting my teacher training on July 17, taking general teaching classes over a two-week period. I'll have to drive to Grand Prairie every day. I'm not looking forward to paying for gas those weeks! Especially with a smaller paycheck due to days off for the classes. Please pray for God's provision and wise budgeting on our part.