Five Minute Friday

Happy Friday, Friends!  This mama is worn plumb out. I am so thankful it is Friday. I am so thankful you are here. I am so thankful for this Five Minute Friday. I won't make you wait another minute.  Here you go!

Please wait, oh, Little One.  You are getting so big, so, so fast.  Mama can't stand it.

I remember your daddy saying, "I can't wait until he starts walking and talking."  He ate those words.

You are on the go.  All the time.  This big world has so many opportunities for you, but this mama, your mama, wants to hold you, cuddle with you, make time stop.

I always thought, I will never let my baby kiss me on the lips, but now, I love that you love me that much, that a good SMACK on the mouth, whether it is sticky or slobbery, makes you as happy as it makes me.

And wait, oh, Little One.  You aren't as big as you think.  You're a little guy, and you think you are invincible.

I love you, My Little One. Mama loves you forever.  I know you can't wait until you can......Just fill in the blank......You want to do more. You want to explore your world. You want to become more than just Mama's Little Boy, but I want you to stay little, for a little while longer.

Wait, oh, Little One. Don't grow up so fast.

Thank you for joining me today for Five Minute Friday.  If you want to join in or read more powerful words from some amazing women, then don't wait. visit, katemotaung.com.

You know you're a teacher when.....

You pray for snow days just as much as the students.

Finding a movie that matches Common Core Standards is a piece of cake when you come to work sick because it is more work to make sub plans.

A new stapler, pencil sharpener, or hole punch makes you giddy.

You cringe when you hear those words.....Common Core. It's almost like when the hyenas say, "Mufasa" on The Lion King.

Talking in your sleep consists of asking your husband if he turned in his lunch money.

You think Valentine's Day in an elementary school is cruel and unusual punishment.

One of your best friends is known as the Snow Fairy.

GoNoodle is your best friend on rainy days, cold days, and days you just need a little extra recess.

You see a cooler at Wal-Mart and immediately know how it can be used in the classroom to teach mythological terms.

Your last 3 Facebook posts were thanking coworkers for food.

You practically bathe in Germ X.

You get so excited listening to Barbed Wire and Roses on your old Pinmonkey CD because you can use it to teach figurative language.

You've actually asked your own children to be a a Voice Level 0 (more than once).

The best gift a student can give is a Starbucks card and school supplies.

You have NO FEAR  and are NEVER SURPRISED because you have seen and heard it all.. This fact causes you to have a Pinterest board called Teacher Fun.

Five Minute Friday: Share

Today is Friday!  It's been a pretty good short week.  I'm excited to have ended the work week with a high school basketball game, my oldest son's performance in the winter drum line at halftime, and a little bit of falling snow.  Now, to top it off with a little Five Minute Friday.  Are you ready?


Here we go.....

When I think about sharing, my mind usually pictures children fighting over toys because one of them refuses to share.  But just now, I think of words and attitudes.

I love words.  Used correctly, they can entertain, build up, bring comfort....do so much good.  But used incorrectly...oh, my. They can tear down and destroy. You know, Mama always said, "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."  Words are like that sometimes.

The greatest word we've ever been given is the Word of God.  Those Holy Words are not meant to be kept tucked away and hidden.  They are meant to be shared.  I am so thankful for those that shared them with me.  God's Word is life changing, and because someone chose to obey God and shared His Word with me, I am a new creature.

When I fix my thoughts on His Word, my whole attitude changes.  I find myself able to be kinder and and more gentle.  I find myself to be more loving and compassionate.  I find myself to be more like Him.  I hope that when I do that, others will want to share God's love with those they meet.

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Thank you for allowing me to share with you tonight.  If you are looking for more Five Minute Friday posts, visit katemotaung.com.  Don't forget to share the love while you're there!

Reading Challenge

I've done it! Finished book 3 of my 2015 Reading Challenge: 52 Books in 52 Weeks. I sort of struggled with this one.  There was a lot of historical information that I really didn't care to read.  The parts that I did want to read were at the end, so I am really glad I pushed through it.  I told my reading challenge group that I was nervous and tense, then wanted to cry and cheer.  I loved the last part as it was sort of a "what happened afterward" sort of thing.  I was amazed at the lives that were changed based on what happened to the families in the book. It's not what you think! I'm not going to spoil it for you!

I have been reading the Bible and will finish soon.  You may remember that while Jeff was deployed, I bought myself a One Year Bible. Well it has been over two years and I am almost done.  I want to count it on my list...which category....a book that was originally written in another language or a book I started or never finished (I have several I can use for this one)?  I guess I can decide after I finish it.

I am also looking heavily at the trilogy category.  I want something I will enjoy. I just don't get into Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings stuff.  I know I should broaden my horizons, but I just don't think I can do it!  Do you have any suggestions?  I have never read Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events.  I was considering this series to read with Carson.  I'd love your ideas!

I also have ideas for some other categories:
A book that takes place in my hometown: Something to Sing About by CC Payne

A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't: Red Badge of Courage, Moby Dick, Lord of the Flies (I read enough to get by. I think I can appreciate them now!)

A book with antonyms in the title: War and Peace (downloaded free!)

A book set during Christmas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

What are your reading now?  I'd love to hear about it!

Five Minute Friday: Send

Welcome back this week (or welcome for the very first time).  I am so excited to participate in Five Minute Friday once again.  What a great way to inch my way back into writing this year.  So, are you ready?  Here we go!


So, lately, I 've been thinking a lot about this.....

My boys are growing, physically, emotionally, spiritually.  My oldest is at that odd stage, not a little kid, not a teenager (yet).  That tween.  With three boys in different stages of life, it occurs to me that one day......and this day will come all too soon.....one day, I will have to send them out on their own.

I realize more and more each day, with each ounce of resistance, each ounce of independence, that these boys are a gift. A gift that may not truly be mine to keep.  These boys are God's children.  And one day, I am going to have to let go.

Each day, I find myself letting go a bit more, in small ways, but I know what that leads to. Letting them go to become the men God has created them to be.

So my job, right now, is to pray for them, lead them, guide them. My job is to help them grow and learn, to allow them to fail and succeed. That way, when I do have to let them go, to send them out on their own, to live their own lives, they will be content, hardworking, God-fearing men.

Five Minute Friday: Welcome

For the first time in forever, I'm having a little fun with Five Minute Friday (yes, I realize it is Saturday, but we don't judge around here).

Here we go!

If you are new around here, then "Welcome!" I'm glad to have you join my little space.  If you haven't been here in a while, then "Welcome Back!" I've missed this time to spend with you.

It is a new year....2015....I am welcoming the new year.  I have no idea what it will bring.  We are at a crossroads (the paths are in so many different directions).

New move from Reserves to Guard.

Jeff is filling in as pastor of our church.

The Active Duty board meets in February.

I have no eartly idea what this year hold for my family.

Only One knows. God knows.

I trust Him.

He knows the plans He has laid for my family.  We are to be obedient and welcome His plan.  Easier said than done sometimes, but we have to trust.  God is leading us to a door, not sure which one, but when we get there, He will welcome us with open arms.  I am truly excited and anxious, all rolled up in one.  So, this is a welcome challenge that lies before us.  We are sure to grow as we are obedient in serving God.


And the timer sounds and a child is ready for more sweet tea!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (reading books)

When I was in 8th grade, I read 17 books.....

in one week.

I spent my spring break that year reading all of my mom's Harlequin Romance books.

I'd always considered myself a reader. As an elementary school child, I was always eager to earn my next Book It! coupon for my free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut and get that little start sticker for my Book It! pin.

The older I've gotten, the less time I have (made for myself) to read.  Nowadays, it seems as if the only reading I get done is what I read in the classroom with my fourth graders or with my boys for their homework.  The days of book reviews have gotten far and few in between.

Needless to say, when my friend Pattie started a group to read 52 books in 52 weeks, I jumped at the chance!  Today is January 10, and I am proud to say that I am on book 3!

We are using the list from popsugar.com.

Right now, my reading list looks like this....

Book one: A book you can read in a day......

Book two:  A book made into a movie.......

Book three:  A book based on a true story.....

I am in the middle of book three and would love to finish it this weekend (if I leave Frozen Free Fall alone, then it will be possible).  I've been thinking about the trilogy books.  Any ideas?  I'm not into Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings stuff, something lighter if you know what I mean.

What are you reading right now? I'd love to hear about it.

One Word

Quick tempered, irritable, hot head, easily provoked to anger.

Those aren't very good words, are they?  Unfortunately, they are words that can describe me.

When aggravated, I can become very harsh.  I don't like it. I don't like myself when I am like that.  It is something I have been working on, but recently, I found out I was working on it incorrectly.

I had always thought that lack of patience was my problem.  I prayed about my patience and everything. Nothing.

But then......
During a Sunday School lesson, we were in the middle of discussion when I discovered that my problem was my lack of gentleness.

BAM!  That's it! I lacked gentleness.

That explained the harsh reactions.   I realized after confessing this to my sisters in Christ that I needed to learn to respond instead of react.  When I reacted, I was harsh.  When I responded, I took time to reflect, consider, and then act.

Gentleness.

As 2014 began to come to a close and 2015 was knocking at the door, I began thinking about my One Word....I have worked at being a light to SHINE the love of Jesus to others.  I have worked at being INTENTIONAL in my time and talents. I have learned to better LIVE a life that brings honor and glory to God. With each of these chosen words, I have worked at meeting those expectations, I still do. I am not perfect, but I am trying to be the woman God created me to be.  I don't believe that God created me to be harsh and ill tempered.  That's not love.  But love is gentle.  And that is what I am going to work on this year.  My One Word for 2015.......

Already, 7 days into 2015, my One Word: Gentle, keeps ringing in my ears.  When my tween pushes my buttons or my fourth graders are disobedient, I will be gentle.When friends or coworkers do something I don't agree with, I will be gentle.  When family or strangers cross me in a unbecoming manner, I will be gentle.  When I am sleep deprived, aggravated, or just plan eggy, I will be gentle.

One Word: Gentle.

What about you, Friend, what is your One Word for 2015?