dear abby...

Hello sweet Abigail!

You are only 29 weeks old (still in the belly), but I wanted to take this chance to write my first letter to you!

At school yesterday, I read a story to my kindergartners by one of my favorite children's book authors, Robert Munsch.  Usually his books are very silly and funny, but this story was more sweet than funny, and the simple message rang in my heart.  Later that day, I realized it was because it encompasses my prayer for you.

Abigail in the Bible (1 Samuel 25), for whom you will be named, was described as being intelligent and beautiful.  This is our prayer for you, too, but even more than that, we pray that you will have the humble and generous heart that we see in the pages of Abigail's story.

This is the heart of the girl, Jillian, in Ribbon Rescue.  Like Jesus, she selflessly gave so others could benefit, even when it came at a great cost.  And also like Jesus, and those who follow His example, she was lifted up/honored in the end.

My heart is so happy when I think about your upcoming arrival!  You are super active and wiggly these days, and your brother J already loves you so much.  He calls you "Baby Abby" and loves to give you hugs and kisses through my belly.  I pray that his affection for you will only grow when he gets to meet you in June, and that you two will be close friends!

I love you, little girl.  Until next time...

sweetness.

Sweet: I love candy. I've always had a sweet tooth. I love that candies are called "sweets." I shall call them sweets more often.

Sweet: I am not a mother. Yet I always seem to get Mother's Day gifts from students. I think everyone assumes that if you are a teacher and female, you must also be a mother. :) This year, I got pink nail polish and Avon concealor. The gifts are always girly, always interesting. And sweet.

Sweet: After reading The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig, a hilarious version of The Three Little Pigs, aloud to my class, one sweetie pie loudly declared, "You're such a good reader! Thank you for reading to us, Mrs. Park!" and the class erupted in spontaneous applause.

Sweet: Today I forgot an important paper for an after-school meeting. I mentioned my frustration while texting Mr. A. this morning before school. At 9:30, in the middle of Math groups, there was a sudden knock on the door. Mr. A. was standing at my door, the important paper in hand. He had used his entire planning period to drive home, fetch the paper, and bring it all the way to my school! It made my class' day, and mine. If that isn't sweet, I don't know what is. :)

almost there.

I am nearing my final hours before I turn in my National Board Certification application (Take One! aka part 1 of 2). This application/portfolio has been consuming me for the past 2 months and this week, I will finally be shipping it off!

Tonight I am thankful for:

1. C.K., who has been a wonderful friend and cheerleader as she tirelessly read my drafts and made very insightful comments and suggestions

2. My husband, who has been keeping me well supplied with candy (my latest obsession: jellybeans!) and coffee, always served up with a smile! :)

3. Hope, hope, hope. Our God, who provides it all! I don't know how I'd be able to do anything without being able to see that glimmer of hope in all things. (Plus, I just love the word glimmer.)


[Also? I am thankful for Francine Rivers, for continuing to write books! I just reread her last book, written in 2003, and she publishes a new one just in time! I just ordered myself a celebratory gift - her latest, Her Mother's Hope - due to arrive on my doorstep on the postmark due date of my portfolio. Can't wait!!!]


Back to work...the final push! :)

sunrise on the gossie boots

God gave me a beautiful sunrise this morning, just to encourage me. And I needed it! It has been a really stressful week at work, and that rainbow-streaked sky was sheer perfection in reminding me that it's all in His hands. I had a big observation by someone from the county this morning, and even with a few technological difficulties, it went pretty well. Of course, it helped that 3 students were absent - it's always nice to teach a smaller group!

I am wearing my birthday boots (thank you ASP!) and loooving the warmth they bring, especially since my feet are used to the cold from the classroom floor tiles seeping in through my thin flats. I feel a bit like Gossie today. Which, by the way, is creeping up to be one of my very favorite children's book series! It just makes me "awww" on every page!

Look how cute! Unfortunately, I couldn't find any pictures of Gossie in her red boots on Yahoo.

4 and 3 bits

1. There is something so satisfying about a toasted bagel with butter & honey paired with a cup of coffee. Since my travel cup is leaky and unreliable, I've become a pro at transporting a mug in the car.

2. My gas tank is full. Makes me happily itch for a road trip.

3. This morning, on the way to school I saw 2 full flying V's, followed by 4 geese flying in a perfect slash. Like this: \ Where was the other half? / ? If I understood geesese, they were probably squawking, Wait for uuuuusss...

4. I haven't talked too much about my class this year yet. I'm still getting a feel of what they're like. But I must say, a couple of them made me laugh today.

:: One of them proudly showed off her new coat to me. She said, "It's a "hi kitty" coat!"

:: The same little girl also giggled to herself and told me, "My mom tells funny jokes." So intrigued, I asked, "Like what?" She quickly rattled off, "Knockknock. Who's there. Banana!" (class erupts in laughter.) I'm still not sure why it was so funny...weirdo kids. :) Anyway, I asked, "Banana who?" and she made up an ending, "Banana in the water" and burst out laughing.

:: The other day, for our literacy campaign kick-off celebration, all the teachers came to school dressed as literary characters. I dressed up as Daisy Head Mayzie (from a lesser-known Dr. Seuss book), and fashioned a headband with a large fake daisy sticking out of it. Today, one of my boys marched into school with a flower for me (probably plucked out of someone's garden...oops...) and presented it to me as if it were sticking out of the top of his head too.

adoption.

This keeps on popping up everywhere for me. Over the weekend, I reunited with a good friend who shared her heart to one day adopt babies from all over the world. Last week, I read a book(which I absolutely love) to my kids. It basically has the same theme:


This is the sweetest story about what a mom is really about...regardless of whether the child is yours biologically or not. I'm nearly brought to tears reading it, and I'm not even a mother! I'm reminded of my very simple thinking when I was little and first learned about adoption. I remember thinking, "Why doesn't everyone just adopt? It doesn't make sense to keep having children when so many kids are already without families..." It's not so easy...but something to pray about, for sure.