Honesty...

... is the best policy, right? Well, leave it to a lively group of second graders to be just that- honest.

A few years ago, a boy walked into my room. He was the first one there. "Mrs. Brodie, you look exhausted," he boldly stated. Peaking my curiosity, I wanted to know where he was going with this one. "Why do you say that?" My question in return. "Well, your hair's a mess and you just look exhausted." Needless to say, I pulled my hair into a ponytail that day and did not try that style again.

Well today, another's pure honesty brought me to tears. Laughter, not crying. And I really didn't mean to do it in his face. Oops!

We were sitting at small group. I'm towards the end of my second group and am starting to wear down. I sit in a wooden chair where I tend to slide around a lot. Mostly down. This does not bode well for posture. Well, little boy looks at me and asks, "Mrs. Brodie, are you pregnant?" WHAT???? The look I gave must have said it all. I stammered, "What makes you think that?" As honest as an innocent child can, he looks at me and points to my stomach and says, "You just look like you are." Looking down, I see why. No thanks to my extra slidey seat and a freshly ironed button-down shirt that was bulging in just the right place, I did look it. Laughing, I immediately sat up and stated, "No, I am not but thank you for correcting my posture!"

I was telling his teacher in the hallway on the way to lunch and he could do nothing but look at me and smile. I had to laugh.

Honest, huh?

25

I just did this on Facebook, so figured I'd share it with the world. I was actually suprised at some of the random thoughts that popped into my head! Hope you all enjoy.

1. I like spagetti and meatballs. A lot.

2. My favorite colors these days are bright. Lime green, hot pink, turquoise, bright yellow. They make me happy!

3. I was born in Midland, Texas. Actually, in the hospital shown in the movie "Friday Night Lights".

4. My first pet of my own was a hamster named Spaz.

5. I sang in chorus for 6 years. Alto. Thanks Dad for the deep voice.

6. The first song I learned the alto line was "Holy, Holy, Holy" at church.

7. Nothing is a better mid-week pick me up than teaching 3 year olds at church. I've been teaching little ones for about 10 years, and I think this age is my favorite.

8. I have a two year old dog named Rush. Named after Rush Probst. That's what came on the radio when we were discussing what to name him. Sounded good.

9. My cars don't have very original names. The first was Maxi and when she died, we got Alti. Now, we have TB. ( I will have to write about this one next... as soon as I can get the car from Chris during daylight so I can take a picture!)

10. This is my fifth year teaching second grade, and I love it!

11. One of my earliest childhood memories is asking at my going-away party (when we moved from Texas to North Carolina) if anyone else had brought me any gifts.

12. I scare myself easily. Once I saw a short fat man and a tall skinny man outside my window. My room was on the second floor.

13. I love massages.

14. I can fix and cut hair. No formal training, just taught myself how to do it.

15. I like to cook, but I hate doing the dishes afterwards.

16. I love doing laundry, but I hate to iron.

17. To this day, I still do not know where Mom and Dad hid my purple bike before giving it to me.

18. I am very OCD. Anal, I like to call it. Things have to be a certain way and I get frustrated if they're not.

19. I don't like to scrapbook. My pictures are in order in photo albums. I don't like to cut them. See #18.

20. I am almost 27 years old. Seems weird, since I never realized that I was 25 or 26. Oops!

21. I talk loudly. I like to refer to it as that I project well. Nothing wrong with that!

22. I too often say what I am thinking. It has gotten me in trouble before.

23. I still want to run with the bulls in Spain. I have written and illustrated a children's book about it.

24. I have the best husband, Chris, who puts up with all of me. I have a best friend, Leslie, who does the same. And strangely enough, they now work together.

25. I laugh hard, love lots, and am truly blessed.

Are you kidding me???

So I like order. I like to know what is happening and when. I like to take my time and know about things before I make any decisions. There have only been a few times in which I have not been well enough informed for my liking. For instance, when my car broke down on I-85 in downtown Atlanta over Memorial Day weekend two years ago, leaving us with NO reliable car. That was stressful. Another time, the heater man told us he had good news, bad news, and worse news. Good news- we didn't die in our sleep. Bad news- we had a leak. Worse news- our system was so old he couldn't fix it but needed to replace it entirely. This was right before Christmas last year.

Well now, my card has been pulled once again. I did ask a good friend yesterday, "Does God hate me?" I know he doesn't- I just don't like this grown-up thing called life. And it's been awhile since I've been stressed out, so maybe that just needed to get out of my system. Where is all this coming from?...

Chris called me yesterday. His car wouldn't go over 60 mph without the engine revving. Then he called back. It was no longer going over 30 and struggled to get up a hill. Uh oh. Not good. That's exactly what my car did before it completely died. So, he left it at his boss' hunting land. And we now pray, debate, wonder, ponder, punch numbers and make phone calls trying to figure out what to do.

Have I mentioned the fact that we have already been looking for a car to replace his? That we had just begun saving up for a downpayment on one? That I was looking into a lot of this YESTERDAY MORNING? I was getting ready, but was not ready for this. Not yet, not now. But hey- I am slowly getting used this, the sparactic unplanned emergencies that make them just that- emergencies.

So are you kidding me? Do we really have to do this all over again? Deep breath, and here we go!

Where else?

Where in the world can you snow ski, fish with penguins, hoola hoop, tight-rope walk, attend a step aerobics class in front of a live audience, and float down a tropical river in a bubble? On my Wii Fit, of course! Love it! I am so extremely sore from boxing today, but have loved every minute of it.

FiFi, as I have named her, has become a great friend. She talks to me. She greets me each time she sees me and checks on me regularly. How encouraging!

They say 21 days makes a habit. I'm four down, 17 left to go. If anything else, I have a great game to play.

Please come over and join me anytime you want. You may have to fight Chris for it, but hopefully he'll be willing to share!

Silence...

... is not all that it's cracked up to be!

There is something about losing your voice that makes you realize exactly how much you talk and how much more difficult it is not to. Through these last two days, I have come to know that I talk a lot. I know, I know. I have already known somewhat, but not this much. I mean, I teach for a living. Talking NON-STOP there carries over into everyday life. Not only that but I have what I like to call a great "teacher voice" which means not only do I talk a lot, but I am very loud. Very. At least that's what Chris and Leslie say. I like to think that I just project very well.

This school year has done a number on my vocalizer. When the year started, I struggled with it for the first two months. Barely making it through on Fridays to recover over the weekend before starting all over again on Monday. Well now, it's back. Or I should say, gone. After only four days back in action, I am left with little to no voice.

So now comes the biggest problem... recovering. Mom always says that the best thing to do is to be quiet. To rest it and give it time to recover. That is SO HARD to do! I want to say something, but shouldn't. I want to yell at the Wii Fit when it doesn't do what I want, but can't. I need to call my barking dog back in the house, but don't. And singing? If I can't sing the bass part, I don't sing at all. I just hope this is the last of the voicelessness. It stinks!

Well, at least Chris isn't complaining!

Looking Back and Glancing Ahead

I want to start this year by looking back at last year- seeing what all we accomplished and everything for which we can be thankful.

#1- Snow! Better yet, just those little things we can get so excited about.

#2- Surprises! We had a great time at a show and a night downtown... my birthday surprise.

#3- Milestones. My sister graduated, the last of all of us kids. I am glad I was able to see each one over the years.

#4- Finishing! Chris graduated from law school after three LONG and stressful years.

#5- Fathers. I was fortunate enough to spend Father's Day with both my father and Papa.

#6- Family! My little sister got married, and we had the best time together.

#7- Friends! We love James and Leslie and are so thankful for all they mean to us.

#8- Faith! Through all the good and the bad, we made it. Chris had his appendix removed in one long and frightening day.

#9- Celebrating! Chris passed the bar and got a job, all within a few days time. We are blessed!

#10- Vacation! We got to take our first real "vacation" with friends, and had an awesome time at the beach!

#11- Football! Not really the football part, but the time we get to spend together. Well, yeah the football too!

#12- Christmastime! We got to spend Christmas with both of our families this year. I wouldn't trade that for the world!

Who only knows what this next year has in store for us. I have my thoughts and goals, but only God knows. I can't wait to see 2009 unfold and see what comes our way! Happy New Year and I hope all of your wishes and goals become reality.

So, here's to yet another one!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

I just wanted to take a moment and wish my husband a very happy 28th birthday! He was just 22 when we met- boy how times have flown!

Happy Birthday!