Changing with the Leaves...

I've managed to steal a moment to write a new post and let me tell you, moments to steal are few and far between here at our home.  The kids, Chad and I have spent the last 10 weeks getting acclimated to a new school year and when I say 10 weeks, yes, 10 weeks.  Some would say, "Why so long?"  and I might have to think about that! Change is why it has taken 10 weeks and I'm sure we're not completely done yet.  Although most won't admit it, change is not easy for most people.  It brings about unknowns and that uncomfortable feeling of starting over in some ways.  I made a choice to make a change this year and at first I wasn't so sure it was the right thing for me to do...but I'm confident now it was. I chose to take on a new teaching position and return to elementary to teach 5th grade.  I've spent the last 3 years teaching middle school and prior to that I taught elementary for several years in another district.  People even asked me if I was nuts. Rightfully so.  I made this choice to make this change because I am a firm believer that we become stagnate, stale and ineffective unless we make a conscious effort to better ourselves and embrace change when the opportunities are in front of us. Does that mean that what we embrace is easy? NO! Does that mean that in the effort to make ourselves a better, more effective person that we won't fall on our face along way? NO! I wasn't naive to think that my change wouldn't bring about more work, probably five times the work load I've had.  I was naive to think though that I wouldn't have to dig deep to see what this opportunity was really offering me. While I knew the reasons why I needed the change, I didn't fully understand what I was going to have to do personally to allow the change to make me a better person and ultimately a better teacher. So you are probably thinking...what's your point?
My point is this : don't be afraid to take chances and make a change in your life that could help you grow in ANYway, shape or form.  Embrace change when it presents itself and make it work for you.  I can honestly lay my head down at night and know that because of these last ten weeks...I'm a MUCH more effective, compassionate and enthusiastic teacher because I took that chance.  So...imagine what a full year will do! I hope that my desire to be a better teacher and better person will also rub off on those kids in my room..I've realized that our time together is short and matters more than probably anything else they have going in their lives right now.  It's important to love what you do and knowing that.... you need to understand that you will have days that you don't love, but that's o.k. too. It's part of the journey. Here's to the next 10!    

30 Years...

30 Years.  That's a long time. A lot happens in three decades.  30 years is how long my dad has been a firefighter.  Yesterday was the anniversary of his hiring with the Huntington Fire Department.  I remember the day he came home and told us he got the job.  He was SO excited.  I was 7 years old.  7 years old...wow. Jerid was only 3, Jessica was 16 months old and baby Sarah was still nestled comfortably inside mom's tummy.  My mom was beginning her second year of teaching at Lincoln Elementary....where I am about to begin teaching. :) My parents have the work ethic of horses.  They have always shown us and taught us that hard work and dedication to your profession are important.  They were also able to show us that all while giving 110% to their children.  It's amazing what they've accomplished while raising four children.  The older I've gotten, the more I appreciate all the things they've taught us.  As a kid and teenager I loved them, but didn't always appreciate the lessons they were trying to teach us.  I guess I'm not the only kid to have done that. :) I've met some pretty amazing people with the fire department as my dad has put in his 30 years. There are dozens of dedicated men serving this city.  What a lot of people don't realize is what these men sacrifice every time they walk out their door to head to work.  Each time they leave, they are going to a job that is extremely dangerous and at any time, could take them from their families.  The environmental exposures they face are dangerous.  They leave children behind as they head off to their commitment.  Each time they head to work they recommit themselves to the safety of this city and the well-being of others.  My dad not only committed himself to his profession of firefighting for 30 years, but he's also been committed to his family even more so.  He's taught and shown us a great deal of love, compassion and support. He's been a great husband, father, brother, son, uncle and an especially fantastic grandpa.  I'm proud of the way he handled adversity, especially when some were trying to pull the rug out from underneath the department.  He always puts others first. I'm proud of him for his 30 years of service and am thankful for that service. Congratulations dad! Thank you for always showing us what's important in life!!
Love you xoxoxoxo
Rach

13 Years

13 years ago today, my life changed forever.  Let me be clear, it was most definitely for the better! I was young, 23..just 6 days shy of my 24th birthday and I became a mom for the first time.  My son Matthew decided that after 30 plus hours, he would finally show his beautiful face.  Carrying Matthew for 9 months was difficult, he put me through the ringer for sure.  To top it off, he decided to stay put past my due date which was not fun in the summer. But he was well worth it. When I look back at the last 13 years with my son I am so grateful.  I'm grateful that God decided to allow me to be a mother to such a beautiful boy who I am most certain saved my life.  Having Matthew allowed me to grow in many ways and he was for sure my reason for living when I went through a divorce. He showed me that life is precious and worth enjoying every moment.  He taught me to appreciate all the moments we are blessed with such as snuggling, speaking first words and walking first steps. He was the one waiting for me with a smile and open arms when I got home from a long night of work and days of classes.  He was the one that allowed me to see what joy grandchildren bring to their grandparents.  Matthew and I had about 5 years where it was just the two of us. Those years weren't always easy as a single parent, but they were most definitely precious because he and I had each other.  I'm in awe of how quickly the last 13 years have gone.  I'm pretty sure I just gave birth to him not that long ago.  I love his heart and I love his compassion.  He is a wonderful brother and son.  I hit the jackpot when I became his mom.  We chose his name because Matthew means "Gift from God".  Without a doubt, he is truly a gift from God.  Happy Birthday Matthew James, I'm so proud of you and thankful I was chosen to be your mom. xoxoxo

Oh The Places You'll Go....

Good grief. Where did the last year go??? I've asked myself that so many times over the last month. I'm pretty sure I've blinked and it was gone. Tomorrow is the last day of another school year.  This one though is significant in a lot of different ways.  I've been fortunate to spend this year with my oldest, Matthew. I prayed hard a year ago last March when there was a chance I was going to lose my job.  I asked God to just give me one more year at Crestview, so I could have that year with Matthew.  It's not all the time that a teacher can have that year with their own child. It's a special time and if you ask any teacher that is a parent, they will tell you that very same thing. God answered my prayers and allowed me to have this special time. I'm thankful.  He's changed so much over the last year.  Watching him grow, (very quickly) has been such a joy.  It's also been hard.  I'm pretty sure it was just a few months ago that I was exhausted after 30 plus hours of labor and he'd finally decided to show up.  Now, after tomorrow he will be a 7th grader. He has such great goals for himself.  When he talks to me about them,  I realize what a great, level-headed kid I've raised. I cannot believe that in just six short years, he will be finishing high school and taking off for college. There was a time when it was just Matthew and I.  We had about 5 years after his dad and I divorced where it was just the two of us.  Even though it was difficult because I was working, going to school full time and I was also a single parent, it was a time in my life I will always cherish.  Matthew and I are very close and I know those years together just solidified our bond.  He is a wonderful big brother and to watch him with his siblings is so sweet, he's so good with them. I am SO lucky that God gave him to me. He will continue to do great things. Tomorrow will be hard watching him move on.....
My Drewy is going to be a kindergartner after tomorrow.  Again, I'm pretty sure I just gave birth to that huge head of his a few months ago. Drew has the best personality.  He has ALWAYS been a happy kid and people tell us that all the time.  Two years ago we made the decision to place him in preschool at Lincoln.  It was a hard decision to make, but it was one of the best things we could have done for him.  Drew has faced some challenges but has overcome them in huge strides these last two years.  He continues to work hard and has a wonderful support system at school.  Placing him in Lincoln's preschool was such a blessing.  The teachers and staff there are rock stars.  Lincoln catches a bad rap at times, which irritates me, but those people do some pretty amazing work over there and I'll sing their praises until pigs fly.  He loves school.  He loves his teachers and he honestly doesn't know a stranger.  Drew doesn't judge others, he will talk to anyone with a set of ears.  I love that innocent part of this age.  I would never have imagined he would be where he is, two years ago.  God has truly blessed us with the people that have been in Drew's life these last few years.
My boys are my rock.  They give me unconditional love and provide me with such joy everyday.  To say that I'm blessed is a huge understatement.
So....be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting...So get on your way!
Oh The Places You'll Go.....

Icing on the Cake

I remember my parents always talking about how fast the time goes when you have kids.  I never really understood or gave that much thought until I had children of my own.  Each time we celebrate one of our kids' birthdays, it's bittersweet.  It's a celebration of the day God blessed us with each one of them, but it's also hard for me because they are growing up so incredibly fast. I'm that mom that will cry as we sing happy birthday.  For me, the last two years have been the quickest of my life.  Two years ago tomorrow we welcomed our baby girl into the world.  I remember so clearly how I felt two years ago tonight....wondering what she would look like, how big would she really be and what we would decide to name her?  I am so thankful God gave me two boys before our baby girl...they are wonderful with their sister and will be great protectors for her.  When I put her to bed tonight, I quickly realized it would be the last time I put my ONE year old to bed...another bittersweet moment.  She has brought such joy to our lives. One of my great friends says you will love each age/milestone that your children reach.  She is so right. I'm probably more sentimental/sappy now because she is my last baby. We had a garage sale last weekend and I cried over giving up so many of their baby items. It's hard to let go of those special pieces.  As we prepare to celebrate her birthday, I realized one statement summarizes our Baby Kate.  She is THE icing on our cake of life.  What a wonderful blessing and joy she is and I thank God everyday for bringing her into our lives.  Happy Birthday Katherine Danielle Harshman!!! xoxoxoxo

Partaaaaaaaaaay.

Well we survived.  All five of us were happy participants for my sister-in--law's wedding.  We mastered the art of not only getting all five of us ready, and looking good, but we were on time, early even.  Those that know me know that is an act of God.
It was a beautiful ceremony, beautiful day and an amazing time with friends we just don't see enough.  Chad and I talked a great deal about how much we miss them and want to make a conscious effort to spend more time together with them.  My parents helped us all weekend and even kept the kids overnight so Chad and I could have a much needed evening together, alone.  My parents are amazing grandparents to our children, we are very blessed. The kids looked great, Chad looked great and I felt good about our efforts to clean up! ;) Matthew looked so grown up in his tux.....I enjoy him everyday and so wish I could put him in a bubble and keep him away from girls.  I know that can't happen, but a mom could dream right? Kate walked down the aisle with me which was sweet and something that I will always remember. She was supposed to go down with the other kids, but didn't want to leave me, so we walked together.  And our Drew did such an amazing job as ring bearer bringing his flower girl down the aisle. He was so handsome and showed us that he too is growing up too quickly.  
Without further ado....here are some snapshots from our wonderful weekend with friends and family.  Oh yeah, CONGRATS to Heather and Turk!! Thank you for letting us be part of your special day, I think we would all agree the stress is well worth it!! ;)xoxoxoxo

Lost and Found

The title of this entry really encompasses so many things, but after the day I've had, I can find good and bad in both terms.  As of late, I've made a conscious effort to try to find the good in all things, situations and people because it really does put life into perspective.  It helps me set aside the petty things that would normally irritate me, and allows me to open my heart and mind to other things. In all of our lives, we all have things we've lost and we've all had things we've found.  My day today has brought a great deal to the surface.
Here are some things that I've lost, both good and bad.
This morning, thanks to a state trooper, and my 10 mile an hour over the speeding limit, going with the flow of traffic foot,  I've lost $150 from my wallet due to a speeding ticket by 7:15 a.m. Thanks buddy. Later on this morning, I was asked to join a meeting with my boss and the superintendent who presented me with a RIF (reduction in force) notice.  For anyone who doesn't understand that, think pink slip.  A sign of the times. So as of June 1st, I'm out of a job unless the board makes some cuts elsewhere. So two losses that make me very happy to say goodbye to April 20th.
Now, onto a good loss.  I don't share this unless I'm asked, but today I'm just putting this out there because on the spectrum of losses, I'll take this one for sure.  I've been overweight most of my mid-20's and throughout this last year and a half.  15 months ago, I began a focused effort on loosing not only the "baby" weight, but also those extra pounds that showed up on my backside.  To date I've lost 94 pounds.  Yep, 94.  Hot damn. I set three goals for myself and I'm within 12 pounds of the first goal. Definitely the hardest thing I've ever done.  Getting divorced was easier.  Really, it was.
Let's move to finding things.  What have I found as of late?  A new relationship with God.  When I've prayed for answers and prayed for comfort, he provides.  I joined St. Peter's and Paul's parish this year which has been immensely rewarding.  My brother teaches the RCIA classes one must take to go through this process.  So not only do I have a deeper understanding of what living life as a Christian really means, but I also grew closer in my relationship with my brother going through this process.  I thank God everyday for the blessings I've been given with this new opportunity.
One final find for now.... loosing my jobs means a lot of things and I'm a true believer in everything happening for a reason.  I know I'll land on my feet.  I am finding that having new found "time" at home with my children will be an opportunity that brings about great blessings. I've always wanted to have an opportunity to be a stay at home mom...this just might be my opportunity, so again.....I've been blessed. My oldest son attends the school I currently teach at and I've had him on my team.  I asked the Lord to give me a year with him at middle school and then whatever happens after that, I would openly accept.  The Lord gave me this past year with my Matthew and for that I will be forever grateful.  What a special time for us.  I will miss being with him every day at school, but maybe it's time for me to be with his younger siblings during the day. He's off to a wonderful start and I work with some amazing people that I KNOW will take care of my son.
So in this life box of lost and found, I have found many things to be grateful for and to that I say thank you to the good Lord.

Peace and pickles,
R