Today...

My eyes have been opened. A bit of clarity has stepped into my clouded sky.
Things are beginning to make more sense. Questions are being answered.
A sense of understanding myself is diminishing the voices of condemnation. My vision is not so dark.
The tunnel is long but a distant light is visible. There is hope that things can be different.
Foreign concepts standing in front of me showing themselves to be truth. Asking to be woven into my fabric.
Change is possible. Healing is available. God IS big enough. I have to hold onto that..I've come so far.
Forgiveness is out there. Second chances do exsist. Patterns can be broken.
God can restore. I can be made whole. I am not a lost cause.
I can learn to love. I can realize I'm worth it. I can realize I cannot do it alone. I need help.
Unsure of what tomorrow holds, but with a heart of peace,
I stand in the sun today.

Ducks & Disney Cruises

I work with kids teaching gymnastics classes and the kids always say things that make me laugh. Here are some cute and comical things that make me love my job!

* We make "trains" (lines) to move from place to place during class. While making a train, a 4yr old said she wanted to be the "bagoose." (caboose)

* We teach the kids to do a hang on the bar where they put their feet up between their hands and hang upside down. I asked what it was called and a 3yr old said, "Its a basketball hang!" (Its really called a basket hang.)

* I have three siblings in one class and they were taking a month long trip. I talked to them about it during class and told them I was exited to hear they were going to Germany. They said to me, "No, we are going to EUROPE!"

* In a dance class the theme of the week was "Prince & Princesses." We asked the girls what princess they wanted to be. They began to tell us and one 3yr old said, "I want to be a duck."

* During "3 Cheer for Chores" week we were talking about how we can help around the house. A 3yr old told me that he helped Mommy, but when he was a teenager he wouldn't.

* A 4yr old noticed another child in the class had her ears pierced. She seemed a bit jealous about this, so I asked her if she felt jealous. She said, "Yes." and then quickly said, very sassy with her hand on her hip, "But, I'M going on a Disney Cruise!"

To party or not to party...

My birthday is in a month and a half. I'm tossing around the thought of having a party this year. I'm not sure if I want to but on the other hand I think it might be fun. I've had parties in the past and not many people came. I'm not so sure that won't happen again. So, I'm a bit weary of planning another one. I've made a list of potential guests and now wonder who would actually show up...
So, if I do decide to have a birthday celebration, what kind should I have? A small gathering or a huge bash? Dinner or just finger foods? Should I have a theme? What would be super fun? A costume theme? Alcohol or not?
E-vites or snail mail? Much to think about.
Any comments or suggestions?

Valentine's Day Limo Surprise

It being Valentine's Day, I would like to share a special memory of a Valentine's Day many years ago...

When I was in college I was in a long distance relationship. On our first Valentine's Day together we were 14 hours and 5 states away from each other. I was in my dorm room waiting for a pre-planned phone call from him and there was a knock on my door. When I opened it, there was a man holding a huge box with a red bow. He told me to get dressed, pack a bag and meet him downstairs. He also handed me a casstte tape. I put the tape in the stereo and my boyfriend and I's "song" began to play. I opened the box and there was my prom dress. I did all I was told and headed downstairs not knowing quite what to expect.

As I walked down the stairs, I saw him outside. I thought I was going to fall down the stairs I was so overwhelmed. There he was and I couldn't get to him fast enough! He walked to me smiling and embraced me. I was shaking and crying. He asked me if I was ok and his voice was shaking too. It was incredible!

As we let go, I saw the limo behind him. There was a huge crowd of students around the limo and people were laughing, cheering and some girls were crying.
We walked hand in hand towards the limo. When the driver opened the back door, my best friend appeared along with his best friend. I was so taken back and surprised!
We all climbed into the limo and drove off as everyone watched. It was fabulous! It was like a movie scene and a dream come true.

We drove to V.A. beach and went to a resturant for dinner. When we arrived at the table there were boxes of chocolate and a teddy bear for my B/F and me. The resturant was so nice and the table over looked the marina which was lit up with lights from the boats. It was so beautiful and romantic.

After dinner, we went to a fancy hotel and stayed there the entire weekend. It was like a fairy tale. It was so special and an incredible experience. It was a Valentine's Day fantasy that few ever get to be a part of in their lifetime. I've never forgotten it or have any ever compare to it!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Funny Bone

My elbows are giving me pain again...I've been diagnosed with tendinitis in both elbows a couple of years ago. I even had cortisone shots to help with the pain. That was no fun. It did help, though. I've been pain free for a while, but now that I'm teaching gymnastics again the pain is returning. Its not as severe as it has been in the past, but I'm wondering if it will continue to progress because of my job.

They ache alot during the day and hurt at night while I'm sleeping. If I keep them bent for a long time while I'm asleep, I wake up with horrible pain. Straightening them back out hurts so much! I've started taking aleve before bed. I'm not sure if it helps.

I have arm straps that I used to wear to give support and alleviate pain. I think I should start wearing them again when I'm doing anything that requires lifting. I'm also contemplating going back to the orthopedist and getting more cortisone shots. At least I have health coverage now and have the option of getting treatment!

The WOW Factor

So, for the past six months we have been receiveing WOW Reports at work. A WOW Report is a comment from a parent on how we, as teachers, have WOWed them or positively influenced their child in class. There was a box for parents to leave a comment at the front desk. The gym owner would read the WOWs and then email them to us. At the end of the six months we were going to have prizes awarded for the best WOW Reports.
Well, the results are in! I won second place! I won a set of really cool tumbler cups. I think knowing I won second place was better than the actual prize. :)
Getting the WOW Reports was a huge boost for my self-esteem. It was nice to know that I do my job well. It always made me feel good to read about how my teaching is making a child happy. Its good to feel appreciated in your job. My heart is very much in my work, so to know it shows is wonderful to hear. All the comments were heartwarming, but I think this one was my favorite.
*From Esther Hanson for Monica: "I just wanted to write down some amazing things about Teacher Monica. Miss Monica has been teaching my daughter, Elysia, since this past summer. I knew Miss Monica was very much liked by Elysia as Elysia would always talk about Miss Monica even after days of not seeing her. As I watched them interact I realized that one of the things that make Miss Monica great is her 110% full attention to her students--she is always smiling and she seems to really care about her students' progression. At the end of each class she would give us a verbal "progress report" for Elysia which was always positive and encouraging for Elysia. I would guess that Miss Monica cares as much for Elysia as Elysia cares for her. Thank you to Miss Monica--she has been a real friend for Elysia!"

Elysia and Me @ Harvest Fest

Weekend of Worry

So, this weekend I had a bit of a scare. My sweet Buddah kitty was not feeling well. I came home Saturday afternoon and noticed she didn't meet me at the back door like she always does. Her normally empty food bowl was full and she was laying in the same place on the floor when I left for work that morning. She had her head down and would not respond to my touch. No purring, no rolling upside down and no meowing. She was super lathargic and didn't follow me around like usual. I had to carry her to her food bowl where I tried to entice her to eat some wet food. No such luck. I put her on the couch with me to keep an eye on her. I was very worried and scared. I've lost three animals in the past three years, so my heart was very afraid.
She slept under the bed Saturday night. She always sleeps on the bed with me. I worried through the night about her. I mean, its hard to know whats going on when she can't tell me what feels bad. Its a very helpless feeling.

Sunday morning when I woke up and got out of bed I heard her collar bell jingle as she came out from under the bed and followed me downstairs. Good sign, I thought. Still no go on eating but at least she was moving around on her own. She started to respond more when I loved on her. Purring a bit and trying to stretch out and be sweet. She climb up in my lap while I was on the computer and stayed there. She ate about two bites of wet food while I sat and petted her later on in the afternoon. She seemed better, but was not her usually spunky self. I began to relax when I felt her sleeping on the bed with me in the middle of the night.

So, its Monday and she seems all better. She ate the whole plate of wet food and has been walking all over me while I'm on the computer driving me crazy. I am very happy to have her back to normal.
I'm not sure what got into her, but it upset me terribly. She is a big part of my life and I love her very much. I don't want to imagine her being sick or not around anymore. I sure hope this doesn't happen again. I know I will be watching her closley for the next couple of days just to be safe.

New Semester...

Things at work are starting to settle down a bit. Things have been pretty crazy for the past two weeks. We started the Winter/Spring semester and have had much going on with learning a new schedule, trial visits, having many brand new Funny Bugs (3yr olds who have moved up from a parent-child class to an independent class)and having a beloved teacher (and friend) let go. Many adjustments to be made. Some good, some not so good.
There have been so many trial visits I feel like I cannot keep them all straight! Trial visits are great because they are potential new students, but can be a tad stressful. OK, maybe more than a "tad". There is alot of things to be done for a trial visit other than just teaching a great class...it can be frustrating to find the time to do everything. I just do the best I can and keep moving forward.
I did get some good news at the last staff meeting. My co-worker, Katherine, and I had the highest conversion (trial visits that enroll) for the Fall semester. We will be treated to dinner by our Gym Director. Nice. That made me feel very proud of myself. I needed that self-confidence booster.

Katherine and I showing off on the balance beam :)