I love teaching...Middle School?

As the year is winding down, I am finally coming to the realization that I do, in fact, love teaching middle school.
  I realize one reason I love this job is because I can embrace my inner- immaturity child-likeness and use it to meet them at their level. This was seen earlier this week when I chose to throw the papers I was supposed to pass out to the class into the air to watch them flutter across the room and accidentally hit the student in front of me in the head with them.
  I love teaching middle school because I get to talk a lot...and they HAVE to listen-even to my abbrevs! I have to constantly remind them that I abbrev words to save ti! We are lear so much mo this yea becau of the abbrevs!
  I love teaching middle school because youtube has made phrases like "Look at this" hilarious to middle school boys who have seen this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF8GhC-T_Mo. You would be surprised how many times in a class period this phrase may be said...and how funny it is to the boys every time.
    I love teaching middle school because I get to see students growing and maturing in their learning and their faith. I got the chance to see this a few weeks ago when a student came and told me that because of our classroom devotions, she had accepted the challenge and been faithfully reading the Psalms in her Bible. She said she was growing and was amazed at how God could speak to her through something written so long ago.
  I love teaching middle school because these kids are still impressionable and desire the encouragement that a teacher can provide.
  I love teaching middle school because every day is an adventure- no two days are alike...
  I love teaching middle school because these kids need love...I may not be able to provide all the answers to the questions they have about science, but I can try to make each and everyone feel loved each and every day....And that is what I love about teaching middle school.

Up until 10 months ago...

   10 months ago, life was very different. Up until 10 months ago, I slept until the alarm went off, leaving about 23 minutes until I needed to be out the door. Up until 10 months ago, I spent my afternoons dinking around at school, not really getting that much done. Up until 10 months ago, I loved making plans far in advance and filling my weekends up with business. All that has changed.
  For the last and fastest 10 months of my life, I have been getting up to the sounds of Tiny (that's what B calls her sometimes) between 5:30 and 6:30 AM. For the last 10 months, I get my school work done as fast as I can so I can race home to spend time with Cami. For the last 10 months, I try to make plans that allow me to bring Cami or wait until after her bed time. Things have changed in so many ways, but I wouldn't ever want it to go back.
   These 10 months have been so much fun and filled with so many emotions. The sheer joy I feel when Cami smiles at me from across the room. The utter contentment when she falls asleep laid across my chest on the couch. The happiness that comes from giggles back and forth between her and I as we act silly and play on the floor. The pride I feel when she accomplishes a new skill like rolling over or crawling.  The nerves that run through me when she comes dangerously close to getting hurt or falling down. The excitement of seeing her little face in the morning when I wake up.
   10 months ago, my life was great- I had been blessed in so many ways. And then, 10 months ago, I was doubly blessed, to find a new sense of joy in being a mother.