Life and Times of the Sharp Family

I got to go to a concert tonight with my husband and dear friends.  We saw Need to Breathe at the Spring Arbor University Fieldhouse. In short, it rocked. In addition to their immense musical talent, the band was exceptionally entertaining to watch live.  Their music flooded my soul and made me feel alive. Beyond this, I cannot express in words how grateful I was to be able to experience this concert tonight.  It was truly something that I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank God for Need to Breathe! Lord, thank you for giving us the opporutnity to see Need to Breathe live in concert tonight.  Thank you for their music that glorifies you and inspires me.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I remember that we live in a house on a river.  It just doesn't seem possible.  The Mill Race river runs north-south literally 20 feet from our front door, and the Kalamazoo River finds its infamous "fork" just off the southwest corner of our property. Tonight I was feeling so lucky to live on a river.  There were so many people out enjoying the lovely evening in Reiger Park, which is directly on the other side of the river from our back yard.  They were walking their dogs, fishing in the river, or just sitting on its banks with their toes dipped in.  The thing that they packed up and left their houses for tonight is literally in our backyard.  Tonight, we spent a huge chunk of time on the swing, holding AJ and watching Bres and Lou Lou pick up sticks and chuck them into the river.  Of course, every time that Breslin got even a tiny amount of water on his clothes, he freaked out until he either stripped...

I had so many nice surprises on my birthday today.  I love to be pleasantly surprised, and today was full of fun and unexpected events. 1) When I walked into my classroom, I saw that the birthday fairies had visited over night.  My room was strung with colorful banners and streamers all proclaiming the arrival of my birthday.  Which leads me to... 2) Upon the very obvious fact that it was my birthday, my student were almost all very sincere about making sure they made it a good day for me.  A couple even went as far to make me a birthday card in another class which they signed and left little notes on.  It gave me warm fuzzies on the inside.  A surprise, indeed! 3) My aunt called my classroom on speakerphone and sang "Happy Birthday" to me in front of the entire class. 4) My assistant principal sent out an email to the entire staff with a poem that was an ode to me on my birthday.  It was flattering and very cool. 5) My dad sent a gift to my ...

I got a pretty vicious email from a parent during school today regarding a simple misunderstanding her student and I had yesterday.  I know that I am far from perfect, so I had no problem with humbling myself and calling this parent to apologize, but the whole conversation left me feeling low about myself as both a person and as a teacher. Historically, I have a hard time letting these sorts of situations go.  I wish desperately that I had thicker skin, but I just don't.  I am so grateful that God knows my heart and knew that I would need encouragement in light of what happened.  On three separate occasions after receiving this email, He sent a person into my path to lift my spirits through a kind word of reassurance.  I won't say that it made everything completely better--I haven't stopped thinking about it nor have I fully relinquished my feelings of inadequacy--but I do have a healthier perspective from people that I trust...

As I was pulling in the driveway this afternoon, I noticed that my neighbor's magnolia tree had tightly closed buds all over it.  Pointing straight up into the sky, they made me smile to think that soon the tree will be an explosion of pink and white blooms.  But, right now, they are a symbol of hope and anticipation, the beauty of what God has in store. Thank God for the magnolia tree! Lord, thank you for the beauty of your creation.  Thank you that for everything there is a season.  Thank you for the renewal and revitalization spring brings, for the hope new buds symbolize.  I pray that you would help me to appreciate fully your power to make all things new.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Did the title throw you?  This is Colby.  Alaina isn't feeling the best today, so I asked her if I could post while she got a little extra sleep.  I apologize for not being the witty, clever, engaging writer that she is.  Everyday I write in front of 25 fourth graders, and they usually are not too impressed.  That is enough of a disclaimer. Today, and everyday I am thankful for my wife.  This post could go on and on, and get all sappy but I have decided to give you 10 quick reasons of why I am thankful for her. 1. She let me name my son Breslin. 2. She is my best friend. 3. She helped me find the Lord. 4. She always believes in me. 5. She is still smokin' hot! 6. She makes the best cookies. 7. She has a wonderful family. 8. She is a perfect mom. 9. She makes me laugh. 10. She never quits. My wife is wonderful.  I guess that if you are reading this you would have to agree with me, otherwise you wouldn't be reading her blog. ...

My mom and my grandmommy (maternal grandmother) make the BEST deviled eggs in the whole wide world.  Today I got to eat them at our Easter supper.  For that, I am so thankful! Is it weird to anyone else that a food with such an unfortunate name is so popular at Easter? I am also grateful that I got to see my love for these delicacies passed on to Breslin and Dharia, who each ate an egg at dinner this afternoon and both gave their overwhelming approval. Thank God for deviled eggs! Dear Lord, thank you for the excellent supper with family today and for the loving hands that prepared it for me and my kids.  Thank you for family traditions and the chance for my kids to experience them too.  Thank you for Easter -- for what it means to me as a Christian and for the opportunity it presents to be with those I love.  In your name I pray, Amen.