The national and state news is full of stories about how our students are not making the grade.  At work I've been so fortunate to work with some great students.  It is so rewarding to see young people strive for excellence.  Many of the students I work with have few experiences outside of their community.  I've witnessed a few break out of their comfort zone to try something new to improve upon themselves.  Even though we live in a small rural community some of my students have found opportunities while others have created opportunities for themselves.  Sure there are others that like many adults are apathetic to their situations, but that is the choice they make.  As many of my students get ready for college, I'm consistently asked to write recommendation letters for scholarships.  I love bragging on the accomplishments of such great young people.  These are the stories of young people you never hear.  You see happy stories don't sell so we don't hear much of this good news.  The stories of guns, knives, fights, drugs and poor test scores overshadow the good. 

Pray for me tomorrow as I travel with a large group of students on a really cool field trip.  I'm so excited to witness some of them have a really awesome experience.  Some of these kids have rough days in class, but here is hoping for a "knock your socks off" kind of day. 

We had an exhausting, but very rewarding week.  Hubby had city council this week.  I love to hear reports about what is going on in our small town.  The city is currently working on a downtown redevelopment project.  This past week we drove around town taking pics of things we like and dislike about our downtown.  If you read my blog very often you know I love living in a small town.  We stay very busy believe it or not, but we are fortunate to have people working to provide wonderful opportunities for our residents.  Earlier this week I attended a meeting with people from other small towns in surrounding counties.  It saddened me as I heard all of the excuses others gave for not being able to provide great experiences for young people in their communities.  Wow, my family and I are so fortunate to live in a small town with big ideas!

In case you haven't noticed, Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  I've never been one to get into the pink and red hearts.  This afternoon I went to Walmart and to Dollar General to pick up a few things-big mistake. Let's me just say- romance is not found on the aisles of these stores. As a mom I really dislike the little Valentine cards the kids take to school.  Hubby threw away (on accident) my sweet daughter's list of classmates and she just about had a meltdown.  He was kind enough to contact a friend's mother to get a copy of the list.   Earlier this week my son was on the computer with an Excel document open.  I inquired about why he was looking at an Excel spreadsheet and he proceeded to tell me he made a list of his classmates back in August.  He was using this spreadsheet to address the cards fro his classmates- Now this is a Valentine for Mama.  Tomorrow both of my children will come home with a sack full of colored cardboard cards from all their classmates.  We will spend about 2 minutes looking at these little treasures before they go into the trash.  We could all save a few bucks and just not buy this junk made in some other country.
 
Tasty Treats Blog Swap- I recently participated in Twist of Lime's Tasty Treats Swap.  I was paired with Mama Henley.  She sent treats from her state- Florida.  My family and I have enjoyed these treats which help us think about the warmer climate in Florida.  The toffee is soooooo yummy.  I'm saving the key lime juice for a few weeks until it warms up- a key lime pie is in the works.

Yesterday, I had a huge event at work.  Everything went as planned and I saw so much good come from my work and the work of others involved.  I worked my butt off and it paid off.  With all of this good stuff going on I felt one person did not come through for me.  I was very disappointed to say the least.  When I got home I talked to my hubby and he agreed with me (thanks honey).  I prayed about this situation before going to bed.  As I prayed, I asked God to give me the words to say to this person if I even needed to say anything.  When I woke this morning I prayed again. 

After arriving at work I was very busy taking care of business.  I found one of my students to ask him a question.  This student was having a rough day.  He explained his dilemna.  God opened the door to allow me to use my situation to talk to this student.  He was focusing on the bad.  I explained to the student a lot of good things happened yesterday, but I almost allowed the actions of one person to overshadow all the good.  It was as if God opened up my mind and helped me relate these two situations.  I encouraged this student to focus on all of the good things he has accomplished this year even if others try to focus on the past.  The lesson I learned today- Too much focus on the bad can totally erase all the good. 

Are there foods you just HATE? I don't like to use the word "hate" even though I thought it everytime I saw beets or apple rings on my lunch tray during my school years. I realize beets are all the rage now, but I just cannot eat them. All kids go through phases where they only want to eat certain foods. In the past I've had someone I know tell me her kid only eats McDonald's Chicken Nuggets?


My husband and I have always taken our children to events. We expect them to be on their best behavior as people don't want children around if they can't behave- tough to hear, but it is true. You should hear them talk! I'm not saying my children have perfect manners, but they have manners and we are working on perfection- Ha!

One of the best rules my hubby and I ever enforced was the "NO NASTY" rule. In other words, you cannot identify any food as "NASTY". Another rule is you must taste a food before you decide you don't like it. This evening I cooked baked apricots. I put a very small amount on the children's plates and only expected them to take one bite. Neither of the children had ever eaten an apricot so both tasted it. My son, the oldest is very wise and commented "not bad", but he did not pig out. My daughter tasted the apricots and simply responded "no thank you" when I asked if she would like anymore. We have always suggested they reply "no thank you" if someone offers something they don't like to eat.

My daughter (weird kid) really dislikes peanut butter. Last year at a wedding shower at church, the ladies hosting served homemade Buckeye Balls (peanut butter balls coated in chocolate)- rich and delicious. My daughter insisted on having one even though I told her the inside was peanut butter. I was chatting with some other ladies when I looked down and noticed the Buckeye Ball on her plate was gone. I asked my daughter if she ate it and all she would say was "no thank you". I realized on this day we are raising a little lady. Eventually I noticed it carefully and discretely wrapped in her little cocktail napkin.

Manners do not come without lots of teaching. My hubby and I use dinner time as a time to teach good manners. I hope my children will get return invites when they visit the homes of friends. Now if I could get them to not lick their fingers, but this is going to be a real problem with Doritos promoting it during the Super Bowl. As for that kid eating only chicken nuggets - he ate anything I put in front of him, but I wasn't willing to go to McDonalds like his mom.

My favorite advice on parenting- You must decide you are more determined than your children if you want to change their behavior. Good gosh, it takes lots of patience and prayers, but it is worth all the effort when the behavior changes. Gotta run so I can rest up for the next parenting challenge.

Today I am so thankful for weekends.  I am hopeful the dark circles and bags under my eyes will disappear after resting and relaxing.  This week has been unbelievable with four late nights, a birthday party and an all out effort to stay well.  Several meetings topics: economic development, strategic planning and funding for public education- woohoo, my idea of a good time! Ha!  Just as bad the flu is hitting our small town hard and heavy.  My neighbor's three children all have the flu and many others are experiencing the same illness.  With a week like we just experienced it was soooooooooo important we stay well.  I cranked out the orange juice, refilled all the hand sanitizers and enforced bedtime as soon as we arrived home each night.  I have one more big event this coming week and then I can relax.  A four day weekend is approaching, but not fast enough.


Just because we thought we didn't have enough to do, we threw a birthday party into the mix on Saturday.  My favorite boy turns eleven in just a few weeks and we decided to celebrate early so we can participate in other events in the coming weeks.  On Saturday, friends and family joined us for what we hoped would be a game of backyard football for some great boys.  It rained all week and into the night Friday night, but the sun emerged on Saturday just in time for a messy and fun game of football.  At my son's request the menu consisted of ice cream cake, queso and pigs n a blanket- little boys are easy to please.  Thanks Mama Henley for reminding me my house didn't have to look perfect.  After the boys tracked in grass, straw and mud from the backyard, I'm glad I didn't over do it.


The work week was hectic as hubby and I endured endless meetings.  Both of us as well as our co-workers experienced our fair share of stress this week.  I was looking forward to the weekend for the rest.  After the party my hubby and son decided to go to a basketball game and I offered to have dinner ready for our family and some friends after the big game.  Dining at a local restuarant late at night a couple of times helped me realize I am much more hospitable than night time waitstaff.  Many dread cooking especially after a rough week, but I find it so relaxing to work in my kitchen.  Our friends also work with us and needed, as well as deserved a comforting homecooked meal.  My prescription:  Garden Salad, cooked apples with cranberries, green beans and Savory Chicken Casserole

Savory Chicken Casserole- My husband's assistant brought this casserole to our family after my daughter was born.  My children love it.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked (I seasoned and baked with some dry basil)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoning Stuffing Mix
2 cups chicken broth
1 ream crushed Ritz crackers
1/2 stick melted butter

My family has been a little crazy over the past two weeks celebrating birthdays and keeping up with our busy schedules.  So glad this weekend was fun and relaxing because we are gearing up for three weeks of craziness. 

This week we celebrated, but also prayed for several friends as they endured medical issues.  Thank goodness by the end of the week our friends all had good news to share.  Prayer is very powerful. 

My family and friends have helped my hubby and I celebrate our recent birthdays with lots of laughs.  I started my weekend at my neighbor's house as she presented me this:


Not long after I left my friend's house I ventured to my in-laws for hor d'oeuvres.  What a fun time we had talking about the news of the day- buzz about a new business (something to do on Saturday night) and the other happenings in our small community.  After this fun celebration we headed home for one of my favorite meals, BBQ from a local restaurant.  The evening was topped off watching a movie with my son-sorry to say I fell asleep- must be getting old or something!

On Saturday, I was the first one up as always so I waited for the hubby and kiddos to start the day.  As friends commented on Facebook about the awesome forecast, I admitted it was all because I requested it.  Gorgeous weekend!  My hubby, the gourmet cook (ha! ha!) prepared my birthday breakfast (Hotcakes from McDonalds).  My sweet princess presented me with an array of art projects/gifts created on the backside of worksheets from school- absolute treasures!  Hubby listened all week as I hinted about the cute jewelry at a local gift shop- guess what I he listened!  We were planning to visit a friend in the hospital, but did not on the advice of his wife.  Instead, we decided to make a run to the city to buy a few gifts for upcoming birthdays and run a few errands.  My daughter got into the make-up before we left home and adorned her eyelids with dark green eyeshadow.  At least the make-up matched her preppy pink and green outfit, but I was afraid someone would mistake us for gypsies (you must live where we do to understand).  While shopping we encountered a family in matching warm-up suits- a must have for our family of four (JK!).  Don't you love people watching?  Late in the afternoon we hurried back home to dine with friends and family at a restaurant on the river.  We don't live on the coast, but I must say some of our local restaurants have much better seafood than I have ever eaten while visiting the coast. Time to take advantage of this gorgeous weather and walk off the last two weeks of celebrations.

***Warning- We took a few pictures, but cellphones just don't provide the quality of a digital camera.  

Where did the week go- board meetings, dance, play practice and now basketball?  I'm not sure we have been at home together once this week. On Wednesday I almost had a total meltdown about laundry.  How does a house get to be such a mess if we are never home?  My hubby's birthday is today and he had the great idea to invite friends over after the basketball game tonight.  If it wasn't his birthday I might have gone nuts because our house was a disaster.  During the cold weather I let our daughter turn our living room into a playroom.  It looks as if a Barbie dream house exploded in the living room.  The dining room aka the sewing room is littered with thread and scraps of fabric.  Hubby suggested we just close the doors and not worry about it.  He knows me better than to even consider doing such.  I couldn't believe he would make such a request, but I sent he and the children off to play practice last night and started to clean.  The bathrooms, hard floors and anything nobody else will clean are my chores.  Hubby said he would do some straightening  (he means vacuuming) since comes home earlier than me on Friday.  He also blew the leaves and pinestraw in the drive way.  My neighbors can vouch for me when I say we have the cleanest driveway in the neighborhood. 

He is a great hubby- my friends want to rent him out for the day due to his inability sit still, but instead do chores around the house.  Over the last 14 years I have given in to having every television in the house on ESPN.  I know more sports facts than most women ever care to learn.  My household is already prepping for football season in August.  My hubby lives to get the schedule for the local high school team as well as his favorite college teams.  He gets as excited about new sports uniforms as I do about the red carpet for the awards season.  There is never a dull moment at our house as we are always up to some kind of mischief or picking on each other.  We have a great time and compliment each other in many ways.  God knew what he was doing when he sent this one my way.

Sometimes I fuss when he works late or has one too many meetings at night, but he makes up for it by being a great Daddy for our two kiddos.  Several weeks ago he played football all day with our son and a friend.  Hubby couldn't walk the next day, but he made some great memories.  Our son is learning to be a great father from a great man.   Our daughter lives for bedtime stories with her Daddy.  I feel for the guy that wants to date or marry her because her Daddy has set high standards for his girl. He has spoiled her rotten.

It is the weekend and we have him all to ourselves for a few days.  I'm cooking chicken chili and cornbread again at his request.  Tomorrow we will check out our cute little downtown and have dinner as a family to continue his celebration.  On Sunday will relax and attend church only to get ready for another week of craziness at our house.  The meetings and practices never end.  Before we know it we will be celebrating again.