Life and Times of the Sharp Family

I had to rush out of school today.  I felt stressed and flustered, and I had about 8 million things I knew I would have to finish before I returned on Monday.  I headed to a baby shower, which was a wonderful time, but the whole time, I had the sense of looming tasks hanging over my head like a big black cloud. I decided when I got home tonight that I would put my nose to the grindstone and get as much as I possibly could done tonight before I went to bed. I'm proud to say that I knocked it completely out.  I'm done. Now, I can enjoy the weekend without stressing about how much I have to do or dreading the actual doing of it. It's a good feeling, and I'm thankful for the strength and stamina God provided to help me push through and get it done. Thank God for being DONE! Lord, thank you for helping me be productive tonight.  Help me to soak up the time I have remaining this weekend because of this.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight, I was brushing Dharia's hair and putting it into 2 braided pigtails before bed (to keep it from getting all snarly during the night...it makes mornings a LOT easier). AJ decided she wanted to have her hair "bwaided" too, and pestered me about it the entire time it took to finish Dharia's hair.  I complied, and the girls were so excited to have matching hair that they ran downstairs to show Colby. I am so thankful that my girls can experience the frienship and excitement of sisterhhood.  I am grateful that sharing a bedroom has (so far) been a wonderful adventure for both of them. Thank God for matching hair! Lord, thank you for my girls and for the friendship they share.  In your name I pray, Amen.

With our girls now sharing a room bedtime reading has become a time where we get to read a book with our girls all cuddled up together as opposed to reading to AJ in her room and Dharia in her room. It is great fun. Currently their favorite read is hello! HELLO! Check out the book trailer below. Lord, thank you for giving us time to read to our girls together. Help us to soak up these moments. In your name we pray, Amen.

I have a favorite sweatshirt that far outshines all of the other sweatshirts I own.  Its a tie-dyed, zip-up, relatively lightweight hoodie that I bought several years ago from an artist at the East Lansing Art Fair.  It's rarely washed, and it's always hanging on my closet door, ready to be pulled on over whatever I'm wearing.  Any time I put it on, it feels so nice, and I love the way it looks.  It's really silly, but I am thankful for it.  It's a luxurious comfort that I love and brings me happiness every time I wear it. Thank God for my tie-dyed hooded sweatshirt! Lord, thank you for the means to purchase clothes that keep me warm and that are aesthetically pleasing.  Thank you for small things that you place in my life that bring me joy.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight, Colby and I got to do something we've never done as parents before: we attended our child's school Christmas Program.  Breslin has been very excited about the songs he has been learning in music class from Mrs. Fitz, who he adores.  I knew the songs were catchy and included choreography, but I didn't have any idea what we were about to see on the stage when we hurriedly took our seats in the center of the Western Community Arts Center this evening. First, the entire program was of a much higher quality than I was anticipating.  It was less of a random assortment of songs and more of an actual musical.  It was obvious the kids knew their roles and dances and moved about the stage with purpose...like clockwork.  I would honestly be surprised if my high schoolers could follow directions like these kids did. Second, I was caught off guard by the pride I felt in watching my dear son sing and dance on stage with a hugely animated little face, executing the choreograp

I've never had a sister, so I don't know what it's like to live with one.  But I do enjoy watching my girls be sisters, and I know that deep down, they are each other's life long best friends.  It's pretty cool and very special. Now, in addition to the giggles, conversations, and play time they share, they also share a room.  Colby and I took some time today to clean out the girls' rooms and consolidate them together. We thought that it would be nice to have a room set aside as a designated "play room", so we figured we'd give it a try.  At nap time today, the girls talked and giggled for a while, but eventually settled down and slept.  Tonight, they changed into their pajamas and read bedtime stories together.  I am so thankful that they have the relationship they do and that they are excited about this new adventure living together. Thank God for co-habitation! Lord, thank you for the friendship my girls share.  Thank you that they are

I have been watching Raising Hope on Netflix lately, especially at night after the kids have gone to bed.  I enjoy the characters, the writing, and the show's general levity.  Tonight I wasn't feeling well, so I laid on the couch and watched episode after episode.  Watching the show also managed to take my mind off of the issues that have been weighing heavily on my heart and mind today.  I'm thankful for the break from reality the Chance family provided for me today. Thank God for Raising Hope! Lord, thank you for a fun show that helps me to get my mind off of things.  Thank you for giving me the time and freedom tonight to veg out on the couch in front of the TV.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today I got up early and braved the crowds and craziness with my mom in East Lansing. Normally, I have a hard time with crowds of people, but I wouldn't miss Black Friday with my mom if I could help it. First, on the drive up to my mom's house, I always listen to Christmas music on home.fm, as they begin playing Christmas music 24 hours a day on Thanksgiving Day, but I am usually too busy making dinner to notice. This morning I sang along to the Christmas Waltz and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Then, once I get to my mom's, whether it is 4 am or 7 am, she always has some Christmasy coffee brewing for us to drink as we drive to the mall. Have I ever mentioned my mom is the Parking Whisperer? No matter how crazy the parking lot, we will always find the best spot if she is driving. We head into the stores armed with every conceivable coupon knowing we can make as many trips back to the car to drop off loot as we'd like. Once we find ourselves in the s

When I first read this title, it looked like My Thanksgiving Mentos.  This is not a post about chewable mints, people. I always stress out a little bit (okay, quite a bit) about cooking THE turkey for our Thanksgiving meal.  I mean, that's a big deal for this domestically-challenged girl.  Every year I freak out that it will be underdone and everyone will end up with salmonella poisoning or it will be overdone and we'll be sitting around the table like the Griswold's in Christmas Vacation .  This is the fifth Thanksgiving I've hosted, and I can say that I am becoming decidedly more comfortable with the process.  I didn't even do a "practice turkey" last week, as I've done in the past -- much to Colby's chagrin. Today, I had the chance to reflect on my growth over the past five years, and I realized that much of my success is due to the nurturing and encouragement I've received from my Thanksgiving Mentors. This is the title I'm givi

Today I cleaned my house from top to bottom like a mad woman.  It feels so unbelievably good to be sitting in a house that smells nice and that I know is deep clean.  In my frenzy, I was able to clean the front porch pretty well too, which got me to thinking that now might be as good a time as any to hang up our Christmas lights. Christmas lights have been a pretty sporadic event for us in the past.  Some years we put them up, some years we don't.  Some years we want to put them up, but all of our lights are dysfunctional.  Some years we put them up and they stay up until the end of February.  You get the idea.   This year, Colby and I bought brand new white lights on white cords that don't look janky on our white columns.  I hung them up and down our clean front porch.  When the kids saw them tonight, they went all kinds of crazy and I'll admit that they look beautiful and add a decided festivity to the house. And you know what?  If they stay up until February, I wou

AJ had a nasty fall at daycare today. I got a call at 4:30 this afternoon saying that she had taken a tumble and was favoring her right wrist, which was swollen. My youngest child is extremely accident prone, and if I had to put money in which one if my children would be the first to break a bone, I'd put it all on AJ without hesitation. So I wasn't really worried until she cried the entire ride from daycare to swimming...that is until she passed out. When I went to get her out of her carseat she screamed in pain. When I looked at her wrist it seemed even more swollen and red than before.  She's normally pretty tough, due to her frequent run-ins with falls, bumps, trips, and complete wipe-outs.  But this was definitely not normal. I decided to have her looked at.  I called my dad, who was willing to watch the rest of Breslin and Dharia's swim practice and rushed off to the Oaklawn ER.  AJ patiently snuggled with me and endured her X-rays like a champ.  By the tim

Tonight I am thankful for my Google calendar.  I know that probably sounds pretty dumb, but it has saved my hind-end parts many, many times.  When there is something going on or something that I need to make sure gets done by a certain date, I immediately schedule it into the calendar because I can create it so that I am reminded by on my phone, by email, by computer pop-up, and/or a text message.  Believe me, sometimes I need all of these reminders!  I can't tell you how many times I've woken up to one of my little reminders going off on my phone about something I completely forgot about.  I still don't always make it where I'm supposed to be or accomplish what needs to be done, but I seem a lot more responsible because of this Internet-based calendar.   As an added bonus, I can input events or tasks either online at school or home or with my phone no matter where I am.  I can only imagine if I had to carry around one of those little paper calendar things where you h

Tonight my dad stopped over just to give me some Airborne, because I mentioned to him on Friday night that my throat was hurting.  I also told him that I was nervous I was getting sick, because it seems like I always get sick on Thanksgiving break and I really didn't want to this year.  He remembered that I said that and came over late tonight with some of this medicine that he swears wills squash any sickness before it really starts.  I so love having my dad close by.  Today we went to church together and had lunch afterwards.  It was wonderful.  Having him swing by to bring me Airborne just reminds me how blessed I am to have him living here in Albion.  When he left, I was  thankful that he was so considerate, but even more grateful just that he's here, and that late night Airborne deliveries are feasible. Thank God for some Airborne! Lord, thank you that my dad was so sweet to think of me today.  Thank you that he is close to our family and for all the hanging out

I had my kids ALL TO MYSELF today.  We woke up, watched cartoons, and ate breakfast in our jammies.  Breslin did a crossword.  Dharia and AJ played with Play-Doh.  I sipped on coffee and marveled at how cool my kids are.  Then we went to Kids 'N Stuff.  I love taking my kids there.  It's a fantastic place and if you've never been, you should really go.  Seriously.  But only if you have kids.  Otherwise, you shouldn't go because that'd be weird.  Since it was a lovely, sunny morning, the olders rode their bikes and I pushed AJ in the pink car.  We spent a couple of fantastic hours playing. Breslin built all kinds of things.  AJ and I sat in a comfy chair and read book after book.  Dharia colored pictures and dressed up in costume.  And then there was the air wall: When we got home, we ate sloppy joes and veggies and then we all laid down for a nap. When we got up, we loaded up the van and went to see Wreck-It Ralph at the Bogar The

I'm so thankful that it's Friday that I didn't suck too bad as a teacher today that I have a couple of friends at school who I really love being around and talking to that I got to pick up Breslin off of the bus at the high school because AJ ran to me like she hadn't seen me in a month when I arrived at daycare because I got to eat white chili at my dad's house, which is 7 blocks away that I got to see my kids experience their first ever Christmas parade that when Dharia ran into the street because she was so excited to see the lights for the parade the person in the oncoming vehicle stopped that I didn't have a heart attack that every time AJ saw a snowman in the parade she acted like a 13 year-old at a Justin Bieber concert that my three kids shared two hot chocolates surprisingly well that I got to hang out with my dad tonight that my dad offered to carry Breslin on his shoulders back to the car that I was able to find my phone that fell out o

I've had a couple of Spring Arbor University students in my classroom since the start of the school year, observing me.  It's really no big deal, as all teacher education students must spend a certain number of hours observing in a classroom of their major or minor before they can become candidates for student teaching.  I will say, however, that every time I look to the back of my room and see them furiously scribbling notes in their binders, I wonder if I'll be the center of discussion at the next Methods Course meeting, like "Oh my gosh, you wouldn't believe what this teacher I was observing at Western High School did.  What. A. Freak." Anyhoo, these particular students are on the cusp of their student teaching experience and must teach 2 lessons in my classes before they can meet all of the requirements.  So, they both went today.  The first taught 3rd and 4th hour, the second took 5th and 6th hour. They were terrific.  Both students were well-prepared

Tonight, my kids got to do a lot of swimming. Breslin and Dharia are currently a part of the "Albion Aquacats" program, which means they now swim from 5:30 to 6:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays, and will continue through the end of February. Note: AJ would love to be an Aquacat as well, but they have a rule that children must be potty-trained before they can join.  It's seems twisted to me that AJ seems to understand this and wants, more than anything, to be able to use the toilet now.  Whatever. Anyhoo, AJ still got to go swimming tonight, because my dad swung by about a half an hour ago and offered to take her to open swim at the college with him.  I guess the college is okay with swim diapers.  Regardless, AJ was thrilled to be able to go swimming with her grandpa.  I think she had been feeling left out and this made her feel pretty special. I'm so glad that my kids have the opportunity to do something so healthy and fun tonight and that they will continue to b

Every year, I write a grant so that I can take my advanced chemistry seniors to Albion College.  It's one of my favorite days of the year. Disclaimer: Even though as an Alma Scot I was trained to hate the Britons, Albion has grown on me during the five years I have lived here.  Not only is it my hometown, but the faculty and staff at Albion College have been generously helpful in my efforts to expose my students to life beyond high school. Dr. Metz, one of the chemistry professors at Albion College, graciously sacrifices time out of his busy schedule to talk to my seniors, even going so far as to treat them to a general chemistry lecture, as though they were freshmen taking a first year chemistry course.  It is always an eye-opening experience for them seeing the breadth, depth, and scope of a 1 hour class at the college level.  Dory Lerew, who works in admissions, always sets us up with student-led tours of campus and a hearty lunch.  Even though I know that, for most studen

For the first time in our lives Colby and I were on the parent side of the table during parent-teacher conferences. We were both nervous and a little excited to hear what Breslin's teacher had to say about his progress. Conferences went great, and we could not be happier with our little man. We feel blessed that he gets to spend the school day with a teacher that is perfect for our son. Lord, thank you so much for blessing our son Breslin with such a fine fine teacher. In your name I pray, Amen.

 I saw this picture today on Facebook from Yakima Racks, and was profoundly moved:   I am so thankful for the veterans in our country. I am grateful for the service and sacrifices they have given so that we can live in a place that is free. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Thank you veterans.  Thank you from the bottom of my typically ungrateful heart.  Thank you for what you've done for the millions of people in this country who were pretty much strangers to you. Thank you for making this country a safer place to raise my children and to worship my Savior. Thank God for veterans! God, thank you for the men and women who have served our country and thank you for those who currently serve.  Thank you for the sacrifices they made that give us the incredible freedoms we enjoyo today.  Please help me to honor that sacrifice and to remember the huge impact they have had on my life.  In your name, Amen.

Tonight, I got to see about 50 of my high school students perform Grease on the stage of the Western Community Arts Center.  It was incredible!  The singing, acting, stage design, and live band were superior to what I could have ever imagined.  I felt so happy and proud for these young kids who worked so hard, pouring so much of themselves into this production.  They did a fantastic job. The super cool part that I kept thinking about is that this is something they will remember fondly about high school for the rest of their lives.  And I was there! I am thankful that I have a job that is so multi-dimensional.  Not only do I get to know my students in the classroom, but I get to be a part of their lives in other ways too, like students council, coaching, and attending events like this.  It's cool.  It's late and I could say more, but I think I'll err on the side of conciseness tonight.  I know that doesn't happen very often (unless Colby is posting for me), but &qu

After school today Colby and I got to go out for a quick dinner together and watch some of the Michigan State basketball game. It was fun to see the new Spartans play their first college basketball game. The game didn't end up the way we would have hoped, but it was fun to see a new group of Spartans running around on the court. Lord, thank you for giving Colby and I an opportunity to start our weekend off with a little time together. In your name I pray, Amen.

A month or so ago, I was in South Haven on a miserable, rainy Saturday afternoon while they were having their weekly farmer's market.  Under the blessed pavilion was an assortment of wildly colorful fruits and vegetables, the delightful aroma of freshly-baked bread, made-from-scratch chips and salsa, and then in the middle of it all, Curvey Girl Soap. I am a huge fan of homemade soaps and buy most of my supply for the year from "Saponify" in my yearly sojourn to the East Lansing Art Fair in May.  I think that I love the "Saponify" brand in that the name comes from the chemical reaction used to make soap (nerd alert!), the soap is super softly-luxurious, and the Bay Rum scent is my all-time favorite. The fresh, lemony scent of my Curvey Girl Soap is becoming a close second, however.  It has waned down to a sliver of the bar it originally was, so I thought I'd better express my thankfulness for it before it is completely gone.  It's a nice change of pa

Today I was thankful for all of the traffic that I encountered on my way to a professional development. No, seriously.  I was. It gave me...perspective, which, let's be honest, is the gift no one really appreciates immediately.  It sort of implies that you needed it.  Like getting gum for Christmas.  Or a bra.  WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME? Normally, I am on the road so early in the morning that I don't have a whole lot of trouble with other drivers.  The roads are relatively quiet.  I don't have to wait to turn left onto M-60.  Or right for that matter. So I'm grateful that my normal commute is what it is -- that is, not like today.  Because today's perspective will allow me to better appreciate my trip to school tomorrow...and in days to come. Thank God for traffic! Lord, thank you that my normal experience of driving to school is not what I experienced today.  Thanks for giving me some perspective.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I came to pick up Breslin from piano lessons today to see him sipping on some hot cocoa in my aunt's kitchen.  She was already into the next lessson, so Breslin was just chilling on his own, working on some homework and drinking his hot chocolate.  When I told him it was time to go, he was devastated.  He didn't want to go without finishing his drink, but at the same time, I needed to get Dharia to gymnastics in Battle Creek--stat.  We didn't exactly have time to sit around and watch Breslin daintily sip down the rest. In a moment of rare clarity and innovation, I dashed to the van and grabbed my coffee thermos that I take to school every morning.  I poured the cocoa into the thermos and Breslin happily followed me out to the van.  When I dropped him off at grandma's house, I poured the cocoa into a new cup and he was thrilled that it was still hot.  The grin he gave me as he wrapped his little hands around his new cup of hot chocolate was something I'll never for

My girls love to play dress up.  Included in their bin of toys in Dharia's room are princess, ladybug, and pumpkin costumes, several tutus and a collection of sparkly butterfly/fairy wings.  Oh, and then there's the Barney costume. For some reason, it remains one of the more popular options with the girls, and Barney makes an appearance at least once a week at our house. Tonight, AJ had on the bottom half of Barney while sporting a very Gilligan-like bucket hat. We started calling her "Barnigan". One thing that I feel so thankful for is that my girls seem to be somewhat intuitive to the feelings and needs of the people around them.  They are more empathetic and compassionate than what I would expect in a 2 and a 4 year-old.  As crazy as it might sound, I think that Barnigan was an example of this.  Barnigan read books, played tag, dusted (!), and colored pictures tonight. Every time I looked at her, she made me giggle. It was as though she was making an

Today was the first ever "Hello, Yeti!" Klunker-Cross and 5K Trail Race.  The Klunker-Cross cyclicsts started the event off by completing as many 1 mile loops as they could in a 30 minute period.  Then, the runners tackled a muddy, hilly, root-infested course that wound through the back-woods trails of the high school. My colleagues and I, who dreamed up the event at a beginning-of-the-year in-service, have been working incredibly hard over the last several weeks to get everything ready and organized for the event.  It was designed to generate funds for the Western Runners Club, which supports the cross-country and track teams at Western Middle and High Schools. And as of last night, only 18 people had pre-registered. We were able to cover our costs, but were concerned about the lack of interest.  After all, we thought we on to something pretty fun and exciting! Dharia, AJ, and I took off early this morning to get to the course and set up.  We put out pylons for the r

Today, Breslin went to a football birthday party for one of his classmates. I was a little worried about Breslin at a football party. He hasn't shown a lot of interest in the sport. I am happy to report the party was a huge success (Breslin even scored a touchdown).     Lord, thank you for allowing Breslin to have such a great time at his friend's birthday party today. In your name I pray, Amen.  

Since there were no students at school today, we had time set aside for lunch that was longer than the typical 20 minutes we spend wolfing down whatever we can.  I decided to get my workout during this time, which meant that after school and this evening I had more time to get some other things done.  It also meant I could hang out with my family not worrying about how I was going to cram in a workout.   For 45 minutes, I worked up a great sweat doing an Insanity video in the lab area of my own classroom.  Afterwards, I changed back into my school clothes and went back to my meetings for the afternoon feeling energized and accomplished.  Now, I can hang out with my husband on the couch with my feet up and bask in the feeling that comes from welcoming a nice, long weekend. Thank God for a lunch workout! Lord, thank you for the gift of time today.  Thank you for giving me the chance to get a workout done during lunch and for the extra time it gave me with my family at home.  In your

My friend Liz and I go way back.  We became friends in middle school, but became especially close in high school, where we were both very serious members of our highly successful cross-country team.  As any of you who have run cross-country should be able to attest to, those ties bind tightly.  Anyhow, Liz is an amazing person for more reasons than I could possibly hope to list here.  But you should know that she is an incredibly talented runner (she runs and WINS marathons), a great listener, and someone who has an infectious enthusiasm for life.  Liz has lived in far away places for quite some time and I have missed my friend.  This week she is visiting her parents, who still live in the district.  She called and asked if I wanted to go for a run today.  I was thrilled to be able to spend time with my friend during her visit, so I accepted her invitation without hesitation! Today was a beautiful fall day, and I was so thankful to run and laugh with Liz.  We spent the entire run