On anecdotes from Kindy

A quick anecdote.

When I was in kindergarten, I made my teacher a picture. I say made because I drew it on a paper plate, and it felt more like a creation than a picture. On the back, I wrote my name again and again, one under the other until the plate was covered.

When I gave it to my teacher, I explained there were so many names in case one of her cats scratched it and ripped off one of the names. I also remember telling her if they ripped off one it was okay, but if they ripped off all of them she'd just have to ask me for another one.

She brought me to the front and showed the class my artwork. She was so proud that I had written my name so many times. I just wanted her to know who it was from.

I like to leave the back of my worksheets blank so my kids can draw pictures. Mostly because I'm never quite sure what they're going to come up with, and it gives some of the slower kids a chance to catch up.

L is one of the kids who rarely sits still, is pretty much constantly moving and jumping, and has often has difficulties listening. But when I checked on her, I was shocked to find this all over the back of her paper.

She was SO proud to show me, and I made a huge deal out of how proud I was that she had written her numbers so many times (and so well!!). To be honest, I'm not quite sure if those are actually 14s and 12s or 1s and 2s and 4s, but at least they are EXTREMELY well formed! Go L go!!!

On Mother's Day, when you're not a mom

This Sunday I won't get any cards. No one will buy me flowers. And I probably won't wake up to breakfast in bed.

You see, I'm not an actual mom. I haven't carried a little person inside my body for months, nor filled out countless papers to bring my baby home.

But I have children I love as much as if they were my own. Some call me auntie, some call me teacher.

It's not that I don't want my own, but rather that God has told me it's not time (if it was, I would be writing a different story). But trust me, when it is time I'll probably be one of those terrible people who will update you on my pregnancy, whether or not you ask, and will show you photos of my little munchkins in all their mud-flinging glory, and will be accessorizing with a macaroni necklace and a couple leftover pieces of lunch still clinging to my hair. (I'm totally kidding, those kinds of people are my favourite!)

I already know I won't have it all together,  nor will I always be calm. I know that sometimes I'll lose my temper, take my frustration out on my husband and forget to pack my kids lunch. I won't always be the most loving or caring or compassionate or forgiving person I should or need to be. But I will have an abundance of love.

How do I know?

Because those sweet little faces that ruin my clothes, put dirt and paper and food in my hair, wipe their boogers on my hands, fill my phone and camera full of photos, who have their pictures taped to my fridge and tucked into my drawers and who frequent my prayers often are already filling pieces of my heart.

Because I know that when the time comes, the love I feel for these nieces and nephews and students and 'adopted' (besties' kids) nieces and nephews will only be a portion of what I feel for my own. Because I know it absolutely can't and won't compare.

So for now, I'll practice patience. I'll work on staying more attached to memories and less attached to things. I'll enjoy the fact that right now our family is a family of two and travelling is a lot easier. I'll enjoy sleeping in on a Saturday and being able to leave my crafting items out wherever I want. I'll spend more time with my husband just the two of us because it won't last forever.

Moms, you rock.

And almost-moms and wanna be moms (in whatever form you come), I'm with you. You rock too.

Happy Mother's Day!!

On hope.

Today, I am filled with hope.

I am hopeful for our one-day babies, whether they grow in me or another woman.

I am hopeful for my babies now- the ones I teach so much more than just English.

I am hopeful for our friends back home- whatever stage of life they're in. The ones who are married and childless, the new moms and dads, the students, the 'I'm still figuring out what I'm doing with my life' and the 'I've got this' ones.

I am hopeful that when our time comes to leave Taiwan I will feel peace, and not dissolve into a blubbering mess on the plane.

I am hopeful that when we return we will KNOW what to do. God was so clear about us moving here, I pray He'll be just as clear when we return.

I am hopeful that the things we learned here are shaping us into the people God wants us to be.

I am hopeful that my coworkers and students see me as someone to aspire to, not someone who REALLY needs to sort out her priorities.

I am hopeful my kids see the fruits of the spirit in me. (Side note: One of my coworkers told me he wants his students to learn English, but also be the kind of people who let others get off the elevator first. It made me think about what I'm teaching my kids, how I'm shaping them, and what kind of people they will be. I hope they're kind, and patient, and helpful and kind (yes, it needs to be in there twice) and the kind of people with integrity.)

I am hopeful the words I write and the photos I take inspire others,  not bring them down.

And I am hopeful the choices I make today have positive effects on my tomorrow.


What are you hopeful for or about??

PS. It kinda looks like we're trying to hug you!!

(One of the benefits of having a heavy camera- it sometimes takes two people to take the photo!?)