Eggstra-Special Easter

There is no shortage of Easter activities for kids this time of year...

Priceless Expressions

Southern Style Biscuit Benedict

It's the weekend, and we decided to stop at one of our favorite haunts, Flying Biscuit Cafe...

Praising Him in the Storm

I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

- Casting Crowns -

It's been a rough few days. 

I'm on spring break, and I was looking forward to some rest and mental distance from work. Instead, I've been spending the past few days caring for a very sick Buddy Roller who suffers from asthma. If you have a child with asthma, you can relate.

It started on Sunday. He woke up with a fever and cough. The fever has lasted three days now.  So has the cough. We've been to the doctor, and he's on a slew of medicines and breathing treatments.  But it seems this thing just has to run its course. 

He's been cranky, clingy, and needy. He has not been eating nor sleeping well. As a result, I've had some sleepless nights myself. I think I'm becoming cranky. The days, it seems, have all blended into one. This morning I actually had to go in search of what day it actually is. I have lost track.

As I was getting Buddy Roller dressed this morning, I really wanted to cry. I am tired, but most of all, I hate seeing my child sick. It just breaks my heart to see and hear him cough all day to the point where he can't even finish a sentence. But as I almost gave in to my tears, I was reminded to praise Him. 

When we face challenging times, so often our first reaction is to complain, blame someone else or worse, take our anger out on an innocent person. I've been there. But today, thankfully, I remembered to praise Him. I took Buddy Roller in my arms and I praised God and thanked Him for all the blessings we have.  As I listed blessing after blessing, one by one, speaking them out loud, I truly felt better. 

As a Christian, I know not to let the storms of life get the better of me. I'm grateful that this morning I remembered to give thanks and praise to the One who truly takes it all away. 

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

- Casting Crowns -

Top Ten Obsessions

Here are ten things I'm obsessed with...at the moment.

1. Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue
I just love this fragrance.  This scent is light, clean, and fresh. I could inhale it all day long. It reminds me of being on the beach, and walking along the shoreline with the sand slipping between my toes.  It's irresistible and perfect!

2. Bvlgari Aqva
I recently bought this cologne for The Hubs. He's been asking me for a while to choose a fragrance for him. Similar to Light Blue, this is a welcoming fragrance. I could snuggle up with The Hubs and smell this scent forever. Really. It is not strong at all, yet it's masculine, pure, and clean.

3. Author and Illustrator Bill Peet
I love stories by this writer and artist. I read them to Buddy Roller all the time. There are so many titles to choose from and there are many wonderful lessons from each story to teach your children. Buddy Roller and I snuggle in bed each night for story time. We look forward to reading any book by this author and there is always a discussion afterwards about the lessons we can learn from the animated characters.

4. LEGO Juniors

Even before he was old enough to play with them, Buddy Roller has always been fascinated with LEGO toys.  When he was three, we gave in and bought him a LEGO Ninjago set, but he was too young and easily lost the building bricks. On a recent trip to The Lego Store, we came across LEGO Juniors, in particular, Batman: Defend the Batcave. This line of easier to build LEGO toys is perfect for tiny hands and fingers.  It was so cool watching Buddy Roller go through the many pages of easy to follow instructions. He put this together all by himself, and he has spent countless hours taking it apart and putting it back all together again.  We're looking forward to getting more.

5. Salley Hansen Insta Dri Fast Dry Nail Color

This fast drying nail polish comes in a variety of vibrant and beautiful colors.  When I need a color change and have no time for the salon, this is my go to nail polish.  It dries really quickly as the name implies, no false advertising here, and I get a salon finish in a fraction of the time. Try it!

6. Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara
Over the years, I have tried many brands of mascara that you can find in the drugstore. Call me frugal, but I can't see myself spending more than $10 on mascara. Once I was in Ulta, and I saw a mascara that promised length and volume for $20.  I was really tempted, but I did not give in. Then I came across Maybelline's Illegal Length Mascara. It's everything I need and runs just under $10 depending on where you purchase it. It gives me volume, length, and there's no clumping. It's a keeper!

7. Tarte LipSurgence
A previous lover of lip gloss, I have ditched my old ways and have truly become a huge fan of Tarte LipSurgence.  I got really tired of my hair getting stuck to my lips whenever I wore a lip gloss. Once I found Tarte, I have not gone back.  Tarte gives me just enough color, plus the moisture my lips crave with a hint of mint. As a result, my lips are hydrated and never dry. I do splurge on these as they cost $24, but they're worth every penny!

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8. The Settlers of Catan - Android and iPad Version
I wrote in previous blogs that I am totally hooked on this board game. Now I can take this game anywhere as it's now on my smart phone and my iPad.  If I have some free time, I'm playing this game.  Whether I'm in the checkout line at the grocery store or waiting at the doctor's office, playing this game makes the time go by too fast.  I have never looked more forward to waiting than I do now.

9. Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
These are so good, and you cannot have just one. They are the perfect snack, crunchy, sweet and sinfully addictive. There are several choices to choose from, and these are a great and easy way to entertain.

10. Honey Nut Chex Cereal
Use this cereal as a topping for yogurt and fruit and you have a healthier choice for a snack. I was first introduced to this creative and healthy snack by the cafeteria at my school. They mixed vanilla yogurt and fresh cut strawberries topped with this versatile cereal.  Try using mandarin oranges instead (one of my personal faves), blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, or any other fruit.  For breakfast or dessert, this is a delicious and healthy alternative.

Chalk Talk - Awkward!!!

As a middle school teacher, I often get lots of visits from my former students who have gone on to high school. I truly treasure these visits as I love hearing updates from my students and, selfishly, I finally see the lives I have helped to impact.

Today, I got one of those visits, but it did not turn out the way I would have wanted.

Writing on my white board, planning ahead for my next lesson, I heard a voice, "Hi Ms. Cooke!" I turned around and saw three students standing in the doorway. I walked towards them.  One student I had not taught, and the other I definitely recognized. But the third one, though somewhat familiar was different in a way I couldn't quite figure out at that moment.

"Don't you remember my name?" the student asked.

Oh how I wish I could remember every student's name! I have been teaching for over five years and, each year there are about 120 students, or so, on my roster. But forgetting a name was not the problem. What happened next was uncomfortably painful.

"Kevin?" I guessed. 

"She's not even a boy!" scoffed one of her friends.

Silence.

Awkward. Silence.

I immediately, and not very discreetly at all, gave her the once-over to try and find some clue...any clue...of what I had obviously overlooked.  I found none.  Her hair was super short, she was wearing a t-shirt, athletic shorts, sneakers and a book bag. 

It's moments like this that make me wish I was really witty and had a comeback to save the day. No such luck.

Then I remembered her name, first and last. I said her full name out loud, and we mutually hugged. I asked her how things were going in high school. We talked for a minute, and then she was on her way.

I remember teaching her. She had long black hair back then, and she was really quiet in class. About halfway through the school year, she went through a change and cut her hair really short, and I guess kept it short all these years.  

Hours later as I reflect on what happened, I just pray I didn't offend her. That's the thing that has bothered me the most. I have replayed the awkward moment, again and again, in my mind, and I have tried to figure out what I could have done differently. Next time, I will just have to spend more time talking and listening before making any assumptions.

I'm hoping I'll never experience another awkward moment like that ever again!