Frustration

I am currently experiencing this emotion on many levels and in many areas of my life at once. It makes me very edgy and irritable. But the one I want to vent about right now is...

sound systems.

I stopped counting how many hours it took me to set up the system, then change the plot due to failing mics or in the interest of tweaking the sound. Then having to adjust and mark the monitor fields so that live mics don't "wander" into them and cause feedback. Then having to reassign frequencies and channels and re-sync numerous wireless packs. Then having to watch in helpless horror as mic after mic died due to the mistreatment of said mic or the age of it. Then having to trouble shoot why in the heck it STILL won't work (is your antenna covered? Have you muted it? is the master button depressed? Has it come unplugged? Are you getting interference from the Walkie Talkies or someones cell phone? etc., etc., etc.)

Now, the mics we ordered were shipped to some OTHER location in Ohio, and may or may not reach us by opening night - Tomorrow. If not, the company responsible has graciously offered to let us use theirs...which will require MORE hours of tear down, set up, finding frequencies, channels, re-syncing...

I've decided. I don't want to be a sound technician when I grow up. I only want to play one on TV. :) The sound problems is TOTALLY negating any sexiness I achieved from the lights. In fact, it is the black hole of sexiness. Now I'm just a frazzled, tired, middle-aged teacher who is talking to naughty technology. They will be coming to take me away!!!!!

Easter Celebrations

Photos from our family Easter celebrations...

Ethan and Noah on Resurrection Sunday

Exploring the contents of the Easter baskets...and, of course, scarfing down some candy. Noah went right for the Peeps.

Huntin' eggs - Noah focused on the ground first and completely missed the bright pink one in the window sill.

Actually, I think most of the kids focused on the ground...

Ethan intent and focused on the hunt.

All lined up, receiving instructions from uncle Brandon.

After the hunt, Grandma had some games. Even though Noah couldn't really do the seek a word, he wanted one just like all the bigger kids.

Grandma planned some fun balloon and egg games/races. Noah learned how to sit on a balloon to bust it. "Mommy...it didn't even hurt my butt!"

Even aunt Carla enjoyed that one!

A very fun family celebration. Always wonderful to spend time with siblings and cousins and nieces and nephews. The older I get, the more I cherish the people in my life - family and friends. And the more I understand that everything, EVERYTHING in this life should be about the relationships you forge. First and foremost with God, and then with mankind. Why do we get so wrapped up in things, careers, positions, etc.?

Happy Easter, everyone! He is risen...He is risen, INDEED!!!!

Noah's Birthday

WARNING!!! THE FOLLOWING POST IS FULL OF LOTS AND LOTS OF CUTE PICS THAT PROBABLY ONLY THE GRANDPARENTS WILL BE INTERESTED IN.

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

Well, my baby turned 4 on March 15th. (Happy shared birthday with Grandma Funderburk!) His personality is such a joy. Most of the time. He does have his moments as you will see towards the end of this photo montage.

"uncle" Tom is one of Noah's favorite people in the whole world!

The day was so cold! Note to self: just because you're not in MN doesn't mean that it will be warm enough for an outside party in mid-March. Result? Mommy looked like a "thug" in her hoodie and long black coat. Here's to all my hoooooommmies!!!! I'm chillin' with my peeps, Ethan and Noah.

Noah making sure I remember he is 4 now and not 3 so he can do more "stuff".

Grandma and Grandpa are wonderful. I really do not know what I would do without them. God has truly blessed me with wonderful parents that I am honored to also call friends.

Ethan asked me "is that really what I look like?" That's how I feel whenever I hear myself recorded.

Best friends. I love watching my boys play together.

Even the grown ups got into it. Here Aunt Holly made herself sick spinning in the tire swing... good times!

Next day, Aunt Carla, Desi, and Lexi came by the house since they could not join us at the park. Noah demonstrated his dark side... This face is getting more and more common. Hard to discipline him, though...because I'm usually fighting to keep him from seeing me crack up!!! This will be a good "do you want me to show your girlfriend that picture of you when you were 4?" kind of picture! (evil laugh)

Never lasts long before he's right back to being the charmer.

or the ham.

*sigh* where has the time gone? Didn't I just bring him home?

Happy Birthday, my mighty warrior. My brave knight. My sweet, sweet prince. I am truly blessed to be entrusted with such fine young men. Your mommy is very proud of you!

Pursuit

In my faith journey, I've come to realize there are times when we must pursue God. That He is leading, perhaps JUST out of reach to see if we will follow... like parents do when they are trying to teach their children to walk. Ever close by, ready to pick us up if we stumble, but none-the-less allowing us to work a little.

And then there are the times He pursues us. With reckless abandon. Times that seem to make no sense. Where He, like Hosea, pursues the wayward, harlot of a wife. The one who keeps going back to her sin, to her lovers, to her idolatry of pleasure. Even on purpose. And still He pursues - even when He has every right to wash His hands clean of us and turn us loose.

It is for that I am thankful tonight.

You know how I will know my next husband? He will pursue me. Like Christ pursues His bride.

Exam Week

Hands down the most BORING week at school. Ugh.

You would think I'd be able to get a lot of work done in the quiet, but I am interrputed by kids trying to ask for information they should know. Then, the behavior monitoring starts as soon as the first couple finish - they cannot be quiet or sit still.

What grade am I teaching, again? Oh, right. High school?!?!?!?!

(can you tell it's time for Spring Break - even us teachers are whining!)

How is it...

That a former lover can become an enemy? That someone who pledged life and love to you, promised to look out for your best interest, to have your back, could turn into a saboteur? That a former minister who preached and lived mercy to others could, in turn, become so merciless to his own family?

My financial situation may be taking a turn for the worse due to Rob's negligence with our house in MN, and the fact that the retirement monies I was awarded are gone. I desire your prayers. I'm quite angry, frustrated, hurt, sad, vengeful...you name it....I seem to be feeling it.

Things that make me enjoy teaching

I have to write a book one day of all the funny, insane, unbelievable things adolescents do and say in school...but I'm afraid parents would never want to send their kids back! (LOL)

Today, a 9th grader, 15 years old, got her hand STUCK in the opening of the chair. No one, not even she, is completely sure how she did it. We greased her up with lotion and wiggled it out. Both hand and owner are ok.

But I almost wet myself. Now I know you are not supposed to laugh at your students, but c'mon! How can you NOT laugh at the absurdity!

Especially when I'm mostly NOT laughing of late at how lazy they are all getting. This time of year is terrible in academia. In far enough to be tired of it all, not close enough to the end to really care yet. All that equals an apathy the size of a small planet, an increase in cheating, a laxing of behavior, attitude, personal responsibility/pride/high standards. Coupled with an increase in hormones. My approach to the PDA - embarrass them as much as I can. Sigh, it get's tougher to do that every year.