We are enjoying quiet time here at Fort Cedar today. Our Christmas celebrations have finally wound down and now we are having fun with all of the many gifts we have been blessed with the last few days. Our festivities began on Christmas day with the Williams family. We celebrated at our house this year and as hostess, crock pot chili was stress free. My sweet SIL and MIL made such delicious desserts and candy. Then we all went to the movies and had a great time together!
Christmas at my Mom's house with aunts and uncles and my cousin EE was peaceful and nice. We ate my mom's special meatballs and EE's crescent dogs along with other holiday treats. The picture above is my Mom's beautiful tree this year and in the background is a painting of me done just a *couple of years ago.
Christmas with Dad and L was also blessed, fun and stress free. We tried out a new pizza place that is literally three minutes from our house. And...it is fabulous! So nice to have a great place so close to home. Another movie was on the agenda again. We don't go to the movies often throughout the rest of the year so it is an especially fun treat.

It seems that everyone this year was seeking calm, simple celebrations. We really did not miss the large dinners and were able to spend time on our favorite holiday snacks and our family and friends. And while not the focus or the reason we all checked off many items from our wish lists.

So now on to the new year! With a renewed purpose and spirit, I am looking forward to 2011. I am still working through my resolutions and will post more later. But for now, we have a few days left before returning to school and I intend to savor every moment! Hope your holidays were blessed!

With a joyful heart,
Gigi

The Red Room

I could feel the air cooling and the voices begin to fade. I followed the woman, small and kind, down the hallway. The walls were heavy with their burden of black and white photos of ancestors long gone but not forgotten. At least not as long as the woman lived. She was joy and love and family in one small package and she always remembered. She didn't live the privileged life of the others, hers was harder, truer. Her life was blessed and she was the first to claim it.

On we traveled, my youthful excitement growing with each step. It was my turn to visit the room. It was a red room with crimson carpet and dark furniture. The door was always closed so it was cold. It was messy but only in the way of a great heaped treasure. All manner of beauty lived there. There was the shining promise of wrapping paper, bits of Christmas, and bits of vintage. There were real antiques that belonged to real people...my people.

She would scrabble around in the treasure until she uncovered the reason for our visit. It was never the same but always warmly familiar. It might be a bite of candy or chocolate. It was exotic nuts or fruit. It was a special gift from sisters who lived in faraway places, sisters who lived like royalty in my little girl imagination. And there in the red room...all of a sudden...was CHRISTMAS. It was sharing a secret treat, just me and the woman. For that moment, I was the chosen, in on the most sacred of rituals, sharing in the most delightful treat ever dreamed of by man. It seemed as if the world was just for us...for that moment.

We returned to the warmth and volume of family. The journey shorter this time. A return to laughter, food, and sweet packages under the tree. But now, the contents of those beautifully wrapped surprises didn't matter. With her sparkling blue eyes, Granny had already given each of us Christmas, with our very own brief visit to the red room.

Hope all of you are having a blessed Christmas.
Remembering with a joyful heart,
Gigi

Christmas Break is almost here!

There are only 4 1/2 school days left until Christmas Break and we are all ready! Big C has been home since Wednesday and just driving back up for finals as they are scheduled. Little C had his Christmas band concert on Monday night and the eighth grade band sounded amazing! The holiday gatherings and parties have started and even though I would like to snuggle in and read it is very fun to spend time with others this time of year. There is even a tiny dusting of snow on Fort Cedar this morning! Really lovely, sunny and cold. This week will be a crazy one at school as we finish up the semester with finals and celebrations. One of my classes will be celebrating tomorrow with Sra. Wms coffee cake. I really did assign a lot of work this week and they rose to the occasion!

I have really been enjoying some great blogs and gathering lots of ideas for the new year. I want to have more substantial and important resolutions this year...yeah yeah lose weight and keep my house clean...really? What would God put on my list? How can I be more obedient and Christ like? What will make a difference to the souls that call Fort Cedar home? Maybe those two things fit and maybe they dont? Where should I invest my time? my talent? Can I set and achieve resolutions that bless others? What sort of resolutions are really important? Just a few directions my mind is heading...

Spending more time reading my Bible and in prayer
Listen more
Ask people questions
Be graceful and dignified
Control my emotions
Be mindful of spending
Make do with less
Eat fruit and vegetables
Drink water
Read
Use the good stuff today

Oh I dont know... it always seems to come back around to me...but I will be working on a plan.
Until then, I need to put the pilgrims away and put the nativity and village up! Oh yeah and make coffee cake and cheese ball for a party tonight! Please share with me your plans for the new year! I want to hear what you all have to say...What are your plans for 2011? What will you talk about? what will you read?

With a joyful Christmas heart,
Gigi

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving...This is such a wonderful American holiday. Of Course I am thankful for a wonderful husband and two really great sons. Also loving parents, and so many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends make my life really blessed. But this morning I woke up thinking of other things..
1. HEAT-This was my first thought today. I am thankful for a warm, safe home with heat, air conditioning and electricity and running water. These luxuries are not available to many people in the world this morning. Ok, I know what you are thinking...but this really was my first thought this morning :)
2. CLEAN KITCHEN- I am thankful that I had time at home yesterday to make my kitchen nice, clean and inviting. Which leads me to...
3. FOOD- I have so much abundance that I have to constantly work at not overeating! During my time in Ecuador I saw people each week on trash day...searching for food. I dont have to do that...perhaps I will remember that through the holidays.
4. CAREER- I am so thankful that in this trying economic time I have a steady paycheck. I also have a job where I can build up tomorrows leaders. I don't always act like it...but I am not sure I deserve the blessing that is my job...the greatest one on earth...TEACHER!
And finally....
5. TECHNOLOGY- whew! Who woulda thought? I don't consider myself very tech savvy...but I do own an ipod, a smart phone and a computer. I have a blog, a facebook and a twitter. I can connect with so many people and ideas any hour of any day! It really is amazing!

I hope you are living a blessed turkey day today!! Some wintry weather might fall on Fort Cedar today but we will be cozy and together!

Living joyfully,
Gigi

Back to school!

The summer went so fast! Little Cs baseball, the trip to Costa Rica for Big C and I, my surgery, my conference...wow! Bob and I also celebrated our 21st anniversary on Thursday, I truly love him more today than I did 21 years ago. He is a perfect blessing in my life.
I am feeling good and my 6 week check up is Monday. I still can't quite grasp how much better my life and health will be without the worry and stress that I have lived with for the past 3 or 4 years.

Big C is getting ready to head off to Evangel University next weekend. We are busy trying to get all of the things he will need organized. He will play 9 rounds of golf in 5 days for qualifying school and play in an invitational on the 6th day! Whew! glad he is young and strong!!
His doctor is St. Louis is starting him on a new medicine and it potentially has some undesirable side effects. However, it also has some potentially life saving side effects as well! I am trying to turn it over to God but I am still worried about him being away from home and dealing with those issues. But, I have faith that God will send him the right people in the way of roommate, trainers, coaches and teachers.

Little C will start his last year of junior high...8th grade. When did my little boys grow up? I don't want to wish time to move faster but I can't wait for him to be at the high school with me!
He is busy getting a lengthy list of school supplies and getting ready for another banner season in cross country! He is working on a list of CDs for me for my classroom. His tech skills amaze me!

Bob is gearing up and excited for his new position this year as PE teacher, hands-on science and some beginning band all in the middle school and junior high. After 15 years in one position he is ready for a new challenge.

I have taken on some new responsibilities at school this year as well. I will be the coach for our positive behavior initiative and a mentor for a first year teacher. I am excited and feel energized to accomplish the goal. I am also making some big changes in my classroom including grading policies and teaching strategies. The conference I attended last month was motivating and caused a paradigm shift in my thinking. I think the change was brewing and the conference pushed me over the edge!:) I will definitely need prayer this year...it is easy to be motivated and excited coming off of summer vacation but to keep the momentum and ideas flowing about February...that is the challenge!

I have been participating in the Bible in 90 days challenge. Today is day 34 and it is getting better and better. Some days it is really difficult to read all of it, but somehow God always brings it to my mind and provides a way to get caught up.

I hope everyone is enjoying these last days of summer! I have to go dig out my school clothes and some real shoes!

With a joyful heart,
Gigi

¡Pura Vida!

Summer is flying by here at Fort Cedar. Big C and I just returned home from Costa Rica on Friday. We had an amazing trip. I took 15 students and 3 other adults on an educational tour...Costa Rica Coast to Coast. It is always so exciting to watch students experience travel for the first time, to see them practice the Spanish that I have taught them, and share those funny travel stories. Bob and little C have been, like always, living the baseball dream. Now that I am home I am really looking forward to enjoying some lazy summer days with iced tea on my front porch.

So here are some pictures from Costa Rica....I will post some of little C next week sometime.

My birthday is Sunday and my surgery is Tuesday so it will be busy here at Fort Cedar!

With a joyful heart,

Gigi

Oops! I cant rotate these pictures :)

Yep! It is still winter here at Fort Cedar! We are having another glorious snow day. I know some people don't like snow days. They say they would rather be out of school early in the summer when it is nice. But for me, I love this chance to stay cozy and warm, to make delicious comfort food and read. I have a pot of chili simmering on the stove and the snow is still pouring down! I am trying my hand at a made up veggie chili....not sure yet!

I have been a little more productive today than I usually am on snow days. I have cleaned my kitchen and packed away my dishes...yes packed them away. Ok, so I am having a very hard time keeping up with kitchen chores through the week, then I am faced with a big mess on the weekends. So, here is my plan, inspired by another blogger,everyone picked out 1 coffee cup,1 glass, 1plastic tumbler and 1 bowl. I left out 4 plates and that's it! I was surprised that everyone went along with this...but none of us like a messy kitchen. I will keep you posted on how it goes!

I hope you all are staying warm and safe wherever you are!

Enjoying Fort Cedar with a joyful heart,
Gigi

Whew! I made it!

I made it through our first week back! It was really terrific to see all of my students and hear their stories of Christmas and snow. I will admit I was pretty tired by Thursday! I believe this semester is going to be fabulous. It is scary and thrilling to know it is Big C's last semester of high school.
I am enjoying my Bible reading...this really changes my perspective each day. One of my colleagues told me about his devotion one morning this week. "You know my devotion this morning said to rejoice in the Lord, not in my surroundings, not in my work, rejoice in the LORD!" I have held on to that everyday. I am seeking to fulfill His purpose and not seek my own comfort or agenda and the funny thing is...I am happier. I am looking each day to praise God for the good things, because they are always there.
Hope you all are having a joyful weekend and looking for quiet moments.

Rejoicing in the Lord,
Gigi

Catching up is hard to do!

Ok so make sure your coffee or tea mug is full this might be long!

The seasons have definitely changed here at Fort Cedar! We have had a busy and stressful fall. We have had lots of changes at school this fall and they have really sapped our energy. Big C has been busy with college stuff...filling out applications and writing essays. I think he has made his decision....and the winner is....Evangel University! I am thrilled that he wants to attend so close to home and now we will just continue to pray for the opportunity to play golf at Evangel. Little C finished his first cross country season and is now lifting weights after school. Bob and I are adjusting to the changes required of us to be the best we can be for our students!

In November I was blessed with a trip to Rome! It was my second time there and I had a wonderful time! It was a conference for teachers that travel with students. It was such a nice time to be with adults...I didn't have to count heads once! Now don't get me wrong, I love traveling with my students and watching them grow and change and marvel at God's great creation, but it was a joy for me to just take in the view and have some time for my own thoughts!

Of course we went to all the hot spots! The Colosseum, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain but I did a few things I had never done before. We visited the catacombs, which was a creepy but interesting experience. The reason travel thrills me so is that even if you have been somewhere before, each visit brings its own excitement.

I made some great friends and special memories. I was in Rome for 3 full days and returned home to another conference! I landed at the airport, ate some fast food with Bob, Big and Little C and Mom and then back in the car for a 2 hour drive. When I reached the conference location my colleagues aka wonderful friends were standing in the parking lot, in the rain, waiting for me! I thought I would cry after such a tiring 30 straight travel hours to see them standing there!

In December as we were preparing for the holidays and looking forward to some much needed time off we were heartbroken with the loss of our faithful companion, our dog Skippy. He had a cancerous mass on his spleen. He almost made it to his 9th birthday. Skip was a lovable and loyal dog and we loved him very much! It was a very difficult time and we miss him everyday! Our toy rat terrier Molly would whine and wander the house looking for him, which of course was difficult to watch. We decided that we would show her as much attention as possible and take her with us whenever we could! We were not ready to add another dog so soon but God had other plans for us, which came in the very small package of a rescue dog named Holly! She is a yorkie-shi tzu mix and very sweet. She has brought healing for man and beast at Fort Cedar! Molly was terrified of her for the first few days, but they are the best buds now!

We had a very relaxing Christmas break, which is still going as we are on our 4th snow day! We celebrated Christmas day with Bob's family. We had all kinds of goodies and 2 kinds of warm soup! and way more presents than we deserved! Bob's dad didn't make it due to weather and we really missed him. We spent time with Dad and Linda, delicious sandwiches and a fun time at the movies on Saturday and had a great dinner with Mom and Frank on Sunday. Our New Years Eve was our usual fun time with our friends, lots of food and just enjoying each others company.

So, here we are, enjoying our extra time at Fort Cedar and wondering when we will start our new semester! Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment so that I know you were here! I hope you are having a blessed start to 2010!

With a joyful heart,

Gigi