Comfortable with being Uncomfortable

Things have been pretty uncomfortable in the Childress house lately. I was driving to tap class this morning and realized that for the past 6 weeks I have been in a state of non-comfyness. However I had an "a-ha" moment today and realized that I am comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Here are some of the things that are uncomfortable.

1. Tap class-I love Saturday mornings. It is my time. I get to the dance studio, put on my shoes and dance with 30 other adults. It is hard, and I am terrible. Today I learned how to buffalo. I find myself practicing steps throughout the week. I will be at the copy machine and my feet will just start going. It is frustrating because in my head I am so much better but in actuality the connection from my head and my feet are not getting along-it's a whole west side story/jets and sharks war going on. I will let you know who wins....I am signing up for the fall semester. I am going to conquer this battle.

2. Noah-He is our miracle. After two miscarriages, we got pregnant and waited to see if the pregnancy would be viable. Then into my second trimester we were told that Noah might have down syndrome. We decided not to do testing because we were already in love with him. My whole pregnancy in the back of my mind I thought Noah would be born with downs. Then he was born, and healthy. At his first year appointment our pediatrician wanted to have Noah tested for Autism because Noah wasn't pointing and vocalizing yet. Three weeks later Noah wouldn't shut up. We have continued with the autism screenings and so far he is not on the spectrum. We are in a constant state of unknown with him, but whatever happens we are all in. Noah is the tasmanian devil with blonde hair, big giggles, and fancy dance moves. I have never met a 19 month old that can run faster, or jump higher. He keeps us guessing, he is full of mysteries, and being his mommy is awesome!

3. Scabies-yes I have it. Don't worry I am not contagious. I have been treated. No-I don't know how I got it. Did I have it with no insurance-yes. Did I live in misery-yes. As soon as my insurance kicked in I went to the doctor and got gnarly medicine. YES-I went to my new job, and started a new school year looking like I had scabies and my arms were UGLY. No-I don't have a picture to show you. Yes-I am feeling much better. Over the fact that I have scabies yes. Can I laugh about it now-almost, and I have the scars to prove it.

4. Work-Starting a new job after being at the last one for 9 years was rough. 2 1/2 weeks in I love my job. My students are amazing, the 7th grade team rocks, and I am getting acclimated to my new digs. This week we were surprised by the 7th grade parents with a catered lunch. They sent a card telling us 7th grade teachers how happy they were with the opening of the school and the work that we are doing. Another awesome surprise was one of the parents who I hadn't even met yet gave me a Hunger Games poster for my classroom as welcome gift. She had heard how much I loved the series from her son, and hooked me up! My classroom, lesson planning, rolling out the program, is all a work in progress. It is constantly a whirlwind of learning at work, but it's all good.

I am working on living peacefully in a constant state of discomfort. It's kind of like having hemorrhoids but being on a red carpet at the oscars-you look amazing but underneath that fancy dress you are a mess. Everyday gets a little easier, and a little less painful:)

I'm jealous of myself!

hi party people...I have been so stressed out the last two weeks that I decided to take a moment to reflect and be thankful. This new job I got is amazing, however it is insane-but in a awesome way. I am so stressed that my body has literally broken out into hives. So in addition to meeting new people, writing curriculum, setting up my classroom I am wearing long sleeves and pants to cover up my body. They probably think I am such a weirdo. Well....I am. When I reflect on being thankful I am reminded of a particular spring break where my girlfriends and I went to Florida. When we pulled up to the beach house that we were staying at my friend Rece screamed "I'm jealous of myself!" So in the spirit of being thankful I am "jealous of myself" for the following reasons...

My husband-he is such a gift to me. He makes me laugh, he is my best friend, and I wouldn't want to tackle life with anyone else.

My little Noah-I love that Shannon and I created him. He is perfect, joyful, and loves to dance.

My faith-I love that my family can worship together at Eastlake church. It's amazing.

My mother in law-She is such a help and blessing to me. She is a wonderful example of what a mother's heart is.

My Sisters-In all the craziness, they know me. I love them and even though we are far away we abuse our phone plans daily.

Family time-going to the park, walks, coronado concerts, dance parties, dinner time, going to disney, car trips, reading stories, snuggle time in bed.

Sarah H.-amazing. bacon.

The Taylor girls-laughter, memories, growing older, these friendships have lasted the test of time.

The Eastlake girls-parties, playdates, and pee your pants laughter.

My tap class-i feel sparkly.

A good bath in my soaking tub.

My bed

pizza

glitter

hearing someone laugh

My new work team-it's like the three of us were meant to work together.

My students-they make me feel like I was born to teach.

going to target.

new school supplies

my home. -i love every angle, and room of our home. It's my dream home.

swimming with noah

riding my bike

my dvr

my morning routine of quiet time with God, eating breakfast, all while the boys are still sleeping

My life is not by all means perfect but if you don't take the time to sit, reflect, and be thankful then you will lose yourself. I mean Oprah says that we should always take the time to be thankful-she is the queen.

My last week at Montgomery...

*this blog is from my class blog to my kids*

Hi Everyone!!!!
So I have my first day yesterday but I won't meet my new students till the 20th. I thought about you all alot. Thank you for making me feel so loved this week. The cupcakes, food, cards, gifts, and letters were so special and I will treasure them forever. I will put up all my new gifts in my new class. Ray-I decided that I would wear my new necklace on the first day to make me feel brave:)

Karamel red velvet cupcakes! yummy:)

Cupcake party!

The boys eating cupcakes!

My little Josie<3

Thumbs up Zidane!

Cupcake party!

My 8th graders came to say good bye:(

Group hug!

1st and 2nd period.

4th period.

5th and 6th period.

I will miss the best way to start my day:)

My favorite Neufal.

My 7th grade girls!

Kenny pre-hair cut

Kenny's new do!

The best way to end my day!

Zidane!

Cha Cha Cha!!!

Max and Juan and who is the awesome lady in the background!

My 5-6 girlies!

Anxiety with a capital A!

In the book of Ecclesiastes God talks about a season for every activity. Man-am I in a season right now. I have lots of activity, and lots of anxiety. God must be talking to me. As I write this I have a rumbly in my tumbly because this week begins the week of big changes, and my tummy gets nervous with big change.

Two years ago we moved to our home here in Eastlake. It was so exciting for Shan and I to move into our first home. I was super pregnant so I loved moving in because basically I just bossed everyone around and waited for our furniture to be delivered. The only down side to that was I was going to be commuting about 40 minutes each way to work. In my heart I knew that some how things would have to change. Then we had Noah, and he rocked our world. I mean he is amazing, hilarious, and the perfect blend of Shannon and I. Sometimes we just trip out about how Noah came from both of us. Back on track-so I have been really praying about trying to figure out how to work down here, so that once Noah goes to school we would be on the same schedule. I LOVE my job, and I LOVE Montgomery but I knew that eventually for our families sanity I would need to work closer to home.
Thus the season of-praying, and waiting for the Lord to give me the balls to look into switching districts.


Then last school year I started looking into switching districts. I learned that I would lose all my tenure, take an initial pay cut, and that it is virtually impossible to get into the districts down here by my house. I talked with numerous teachers, neighbors, and even the human resource department and got no where. So I emailed a principal at one of the two elementary schools in my neighborhood and asked if I could be on the SSC (school site council) as a community member. It's a committee that goes over school budgets, overseas school events, and the other school committees have to report to the SSC. He graciously allowed me to join.
Thus the season of-sitting silently, listening, and learning about my neighborhood schools. God is pretty funny because if you know me-I am not quiet. This was a particularly difficult season for me to accept.

This school year I continued on the SSC. Every week I would check the job boards and there was nothing. Then the news came out about all the budget cuts and layoffs. I had been with my school for 9 years and even I was being excessed. I was told I was being excessed in February. It was upsetting but I knew that I had to just trust and be patient. Then in April my principal called me and said that I would be able to stay at Montgomery. I was so excited and happy!
Thus the season of celebrating and breathing a sigh of relief!

There are two school districts down here. One is elementary, and the other is the middle/high schools. Once spring break was over the job boards were released. I just looked at them for fun to see what was out there...There was nothing in the middle/high school district except math and science. We all know that if I taught math the students would be officially dumber, plus I am not certified to teach it. However there were 80 positions in the elementary district. I decided to see what would happen if I applied for them. I wasn't really into it because I love middle school and the thought of teaching elementary kids was not pleasant. I mean I would totally make them cry. I felt the holy spirit telling me it was time and to trust God. So I applied for 19 upper elementary positions cursing the whole time.
Thus the season of obeying.

About mid May I started getting phone calls, and going to interviews. In my heart I was doing this for my son, but I kept begging God for the plan. I went to 6 different interviews, and at every one of them I would pray for discernment before hand. Every time I could not see myself working there, or I would turn down the position. I figured that I would use the experience of interviewing to get my name out there and get a feel for the district. Then it happened. There was a post for a 7th grade English position. I was baffled as Chula Vista is a elementary district and all the schools at k-6. This position was perfect and the school was exactly one mile from my house. I immediately applied and didn't hear a thing for 1 month.
Thus the season of-listening, chill out, shut up, and stop worrying.

Then I was in my car and got a phone call. Of course I illegally answered my phone and almost screamed when they asked my to come in the next day for an interview. The next morning I went got to the interview and heard that they were interviewing about 40 others for this position. The panel had 10 women, and they told me I had 20 minutes to answer the 8 questions. My heart was pounding so loud, and I was a sweaty mess. They kept me in the interview for 56 minutes. Then the principal called me two days later and offered me the job.
Thus the season of-sweatin it out, and rejoicing.

Then the anxiety kicked in. I would have to leave my school, lose my tenure, tell my boss, take a pay cut, and most importantly tell my kids. My new principal knew what a sacrifice I was making so she called me in for a special meeting and told me that she would do whatever it took for me to feel comfortable accepting the new position. She even told me that Noah would be able to come to school here. I couldn't believe it. Last week as the news started to spread around school I started getting really sad. My students started crying, I was crying, and stressed out. Plus I started packing 10 years of teaching and storing it in my garage. I did take the time to make a cute new sign for my classroom.
Thus the season of-sadness, and a achy back from moving.


This week is my last week at Montgomery. My last day is on Thursday, and I start at my new school on Friday. No summer break for me as school starts on July 20th. This new job is too perfect for me. I am literally starting a new middle school within a school-the team of teacher's and I are going to be trailblazers. It is every teacher's dream to start a school from scratch. I am beyond excited about it, but I will definitely be leaving a piece of my heart behind. I have alot of anxiety about the new changes. Will I make new friends at my new school? Will they like me? What are my students like? What the heck am I going to teach and how am I going to teach it? When will the construction be done so I can move into my new classroom? (I will be more than happy to accept helpers for move in day)
Thus the season for-dreaming, questioning, sleepless nights, and saying goodbye.

So I got this brilliant idea that I would ride my bike to school. Shan got me a bike this weekend, and I named her Tiffany. I rode it home from the Trek store, and then today I did a trial run to work. I rode there and back in 21 minutes. It was hard. There is a big hill, and I was super sweaty when I got home. I should look great at work all sweaty. I will be known as that crazy granola teacher that sweats alot.
Thus the season of-getting my butt in shape.

I am really excited and scared and I am sure that I will be blogging about my new adventures at my new school. It is so exciting and I feel so blessed. I told someone the other day that I couldn't even have written this teaching position for myself because it is too perfect. I do know that it is going to be a great adventure.

Ecclesiastes 3

¹ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

There is also a time for eating pizza on a stick!

a love letter.

At the end of every school year I find that I get a little sad. As a teacher, I get super attached to my students. They are like an extended family to me. On the first day of school I always tell them that we are a family and that we are stuck together. They may roll their eyes at me but my students know that our classroom is a safe, fun, creative, and crazy environment. We support each other, make each other laugh, and even cry together sometimes. Here is a sprinkling of my kiddos....

I call this group the asian invasion. They are my 7th graders that I have had the honor of teaching for the past two years. I love them so much. Hieu and Kenny just may be the smartest boys I have ever taught. Hieu is ever the overachiever and cannot even stand being on vacation because he feels that he always has to be learning. Kenny is so silly one second, and the next he is downright serious. Naufal literally races me to class everyday. This class meets after lunch and Naufal always finds me in the teacher's lounge to walk me to class except he likes to race me. He wins everyday. (wink, wink) Jackie is so inquisitive. He loves to ask questions. Josh just likes to giggle. My girls are so sweet. Sarah has been here two years, yet speaks perfect English and her video blogs are hilarious. Kaitlin and Josie are the cutest little girlfriends and they have really blossomed over the past two years. They are amazing writers. Samantha is the tall beauty that is so shy but extremely deep. She once wrote an essay that made me speechless. The asian invasion is amazing-I don't know what I will do when they are 8th graders.

Cassandra is so passionate. This year has been extremely difficult for her as her mother was murdered. It was on the news and made big headlines. She was so resilient through it all. This is a young lady who writes brilliant poetry and recites it with tears streaming down her eyes. I have really pushed Cassandra this year because I believe in her potential.

Antonia is my little Taylor Swift! She is amazing. This year at our class holiday party she brought her guitar and serenaded us the whole time. It was outstanding. She started out the year barely speaking, and now she is singing, and making the class laugh. Antonia is a 4.0 student that is serious, but has such a playful side.

Max is amazing!!! I can talk books with this kid, movies, video games, and life. He is mature beyond his years, and I can only hope that my little Noah would be as awesome as Max. This kid got me into The Hunger Game series and he continually challenges me to be a better teacher. He is a natural leader, has integrity, and his laugh is awesome.

Jacqueline is my little sweetheart. Every morning she comes in and says, " Good Morning Mrs. Childress". Her little face makes me melt. On top of that she still makes me crafts, and draws me pictures at an age in middle school where other kids think that is nerdy. Her gentle spirit is a welcome breath of fresh air in a crazy silly boy dominated class.

Karamel is my creative inspiration! This girl comes to school everyday with some kind of outfit or accessory that she has made. I am jealous of her style, her chill attitude, and brilliance. She is a friend to everyone and not afraid to be original.

OMG! Will and Michael. These two are mischievious, and always in trouble. They get in trouble with their parents, the teachers, the admin, just about any adult-yet they are hilarious and I love them. They are true buddies. They beg me to sit together all the time. They have taught me that true friends really stick together.

they say a picture is worth a thousand words...

As I was cleaning up my computer the other day I ran across some pictures that literally made me laugh out loud. The following pictures are mischievous, silly, and have a hilarious story behind them. Everyone should document those moments that make you immediately have a fit of giggles, or make you want to call your friend and say...remember when we..

sexually harassed teachers on the 8th grade cruise?

I bought that amazing tee shirt to show you my love, but it back fired because everyone thinks I am a lesbian.

We went to an 18 year old's 80's birthday party and danced and had more fun than the 18 year olds?

We rolled deep like mexicans riding in a trailer after a hot day in Lousiana?

We were the water wenches, laundry ladies, and grocery gals on the house rebuilding trip in Lousiana?

I took this picture to Costco and printed wallets and gave them to all my gals!

You got the ultimate nanny photo!

I came upstairs to the ultimate surprise of my boys taking a bath.

We threw you the best divorce/panty party ever!

Seriously-this pic doesn't do the fun zone justice. Just know that it is fantastic.

Rayna at Regula's wedding-stole mass quantities of bubbles and literally fell out of the chair laughing...talk about a pee your pants moment.

I realized that every time there was a wedding, or girlie get together I have at least one photo of wine spillage, or beer spillage on a pretty dress:)

We went on a cruise- Wooooooooo-hoooooooo! That filipino dude could jam some journey!

We went on the shortest camping trip ever.

My shoes broke in china town and you bought me blue flip flops from Walgreens, and this guy was thrilled.

Random dudes sang to you and we were slap happy and sleep deprived in New York.

You drew a series of chocolate mustaches on me-thus our love for the mustache.

We went camping ONCE and all of sudden we were going to buy a chinook or a yert. Plus we did a starbucks run in the morning.