the list goes on and on

This is just the beginning of God's blessings in 2012...

• colleagues I can open up to, sharing our hopes and dreams together
• a new look in the faculty room
• starting up our Monday night get-togethers again
• those rare, but sweet times when they work quietly without needing constant reminders
• finishing a book that I've had laying on the nightstand for a while
• a visiting student (who later made the choice to attend our school!)
• my class' participation in our school's praise chapel
• new lyrics to a familiar song
• encouraging words from parents and fellow teachers
• his offer to warm up the car even when he isn't going anywhere
• discovering the secret to delicious homemade pizza
• evaluating and learning more about our spiritual "styles"
• an adorable "Save the Date" card
• her reliance on God even in an uncertain situation
• a new episode of my favorite show after 3 weeks without it
• tuning to a new favorite radio station
• finding no cavities
• a belated Christmas present, seeing how much they enjoyed the meal we prepared
• fresh strawberries with cool-whip
• looking forward to a restful weekend away with family

a new year to strive for the same goals

I set out the current school year with lofty goals. I even wrote them out and posted them on our refrigerator where I would see them daily and have no excuse not to remember them. We are now approaching the end of the 1st semester, and as I look back on the goals I set out to achieve, I have mixed emotions. I am proud of my commitment to some of these goals, but yet embarrassed and disappointed in myself for not making others a higher priority. You  can probably assume which goals have been more difficult to achieve:

2011-2012 goals:

1. Avoid the computer before getting to school in the morning.
2. Carve out time for daily devotions and/or journaling.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week.
4. Do all weekday lesson prep at school. Only grading at home.
5. Lesson plan on Saturday mornings in order to leave Sundays free from schoolwork.
6. Commit to a time each night when we will both stop working, even if there is more that could be done.
7. Spend 1-on-1 time with my husband each night.
8. Make dinner more often. Try a new meal per week.
9. Make a weekly meal plan and grocery shop during the week to avoid the weekend rush.
10. Dedicate at least 2 hours a week to my creative side -- design, photography, crafting.

Maybe I set the bar too high? While I have been better about sticking to some of these goals than others, I have "messed up" on all of them at various times. Thankfully, I have not let my mistakes frustrate me to the point that I throw all of these goals out the window. Every day brings an opportunity to try again.

Though we have entered a new year, my goals remain the same. But for resolution's sake, I have added one more. 

Drink more water.

Hopefully this one will be more manageable. Though for someone who could go most of the day without thinking to take a drink, it's going to take some adjusting. I hope that by drinking more water, I will have more energy to do all of the above! 

I also encouraged my students to come up with goals for 2012. In doing so, I told them my ambition to drink more water. I'm still deciding if this was a wise move. Since then, I often hear the question ... "Mrs. Beverly, did you drink enough water today?" or better yet, the command ... "Mrs. Beverly, remember to drink your water!" I wouldn't be surprised if they simply start handing me my water bottle. They have also used my goal as an excuse for more frequent and lengthier trips to the drinking fountain. Nevertheless, they are much better than me at remembering my goal on a daily basis. (They can't remember to write their name on a worksheet, but they somehow remember to remind me to drink water?!) Perhaps I should tell them my other 10 goals? :)

the top ten of 2011

Happy 2012!


The start of a new year is a natural time to look ahead with hope and anticipation for what is to come. It is also a time to reflect on the ups and downs of 2011. Before falling asleep just after midnight last night (actually, this morning), I turned to him and asked ... "What was the best and worst of 2011 for you?"


We laid next to each other and threw out memories - the good and the bad. I found it interesting that the first things to come to my mind were some of the most painful moments of the past year. Saying good-bye to a beloved grandfather and great-grandfather within just a few weeks of each other. Spending two months apart during the summer. Grieving with others we care for as they also felt the pain and loss of cancer.


Yet it was not long before the wonderful memories and blessings of 2011 poured out in abundance ... a great reminder that though days may be hard, and though it will always be easier to focus on what is "not right," "not done," or "not fair," God continues to flood our lives with peace and joy. We just have to look for it.


I looked back through my iPhoto library from 2011 and here are the highlights. My top ten of 2011:

visiting her in Boston, amazing friends through life's ups & downs

our first niece, a healthy & happy baby girl

graduations for both brothers,
supportive family to "take me in" for the summer

an amazing opportunity for him to see the Middle East

all of us together for the first time since graduation

my husband's return from Jordan

committing to see each other every few months

gaining a sister

them being together,
two great neighbors!

one of several great Broadway shows

Christmas blessings

What a wonderful time of year to think on God's blessings, and the priceless gift of His Son!

• extending quiet reading time, enjoying the peace of silence
• having to stop every time they laughed while reading "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
• our refrigerator decked out with Christmas cards
• being spontaneous, going into the city for a Christmas concert on a "school night"
• making her day
• his giddy smile while making music
• reserved seats
• hearing that her interview went well
• a donation made in my name
• adorable kindergarten Christmas chapel
• out to dinner with cousins
• Google hang out, "reindeer mode"
• gingerbread man math activity
• being married to a "handy-man," on day one of his winter break we already had new blinds up in 3 rooms!
• my desk filled with gifts of all shapes and sizes - "open it, Mrs. Beverly!" - the generosity that flows at Christmas time
• seeing him play basketball, watching him score
• celebrating Christmas with family, beginning already on Thursday
• having time to see his family and mine
• reading the Christmas story out loud from my children's Bible
• holiday desserts: canollis, cheese cake, almond squares, and cookies of all kinds!
• smiles that come with giving and receiving
• new dressers (the drawers now close!)
• an experiment, making bruschetta together, turning out to be a hit
• family sitting in church with us
• imagining what it must be like to celebrate Christmas in heaven

counting down to Christmas, counting up my blessings!

• enjoying fairly "plan-free" weekends with less schoolwork and more of the once-a-year Christmas festivities
• eating breakfast downstairs, joined by Mom & Dad
• homemade coffee cake
• making and wrapping gifts for others
• smooth sailing when crowds and traffic were expected
• beautiful new Joann's store in Paramus
• hot chocolate made with milk
• his paper done, time with my love
• being in a sing-along mood
• week nights that feel like weekend nights
• borrowing season 2 of our recent show of choice
• sitting in the sunny spot
• a generous friend - a start to my camera fund, and more
• a good view when I eat breakfast
• feeling valued, dreaming of what the future may hold
• their excitement to learn cursive
• spontaneous time with a great friend after school
• catching up on life's stories with our small group
• baking, giving, & receiving way too many Christmas cookies!
• mild temperatures in mid-December
• beautiful poinsettia from my brother
• attending an important meeting, sharing updates with others
• "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
• small words that encourage, inspire
• holiday shopping at the PTO store
• not feeling bad about relaxing on the couch
• double date, 2 hours of bowling, ending with one of my better games
• stuffing his stocking
• out for dinner with our grandparents
• a Christmas tradition - driving around to look at lights, finding some unexpected surprises!

the list of God's goodness continues --

• voices blending in choir practice
• "Come Emmanuel"
• a reminder that God is always working to deliver His promises to us, even when we don't perceive it
• Christmas decorations, and a pine-scented candle
• making a meal for a family in need
• a stranger's "hello" on the sidewalk
• a break from routine, gaining tips and strategies at a teachers' conference
• celebrating with colleagues at our staff Christmas party
• opportunities for our school to practice serving others
• "decking the halls with dinosaurs," them lined up in the hallway, sharing their dino-mite work
• gingerbread kid ornaments, a tree covered in children's handmade creations
• finding Christmas cards in the mailbox
• surprise mint hot chocolate from my love
• talking with a great friend after far too long
• "miss you" texts from mom
• lunch provided at school as a thanks for what we do
• a mentor who thinks of me even when she is absent
• silly dinosaur Christmas story and sing-alongs
• leaf-print wreaths

• cards signed, sealed, & delivered
• help from other grade levels
• celebrating the birthday of our one-of-a-kind aide
• mini ice cream cupcakes
• time to craft, accompanied by Christmas music
• this year's new ornament, now on our tree!

more of God's never-ending blessings from the past week:

• our decorated Christmas tree
• church services in the dark for the Advent season
• not finishing my to-do list, leaving time to relax and reflect
• walk with mom on a beautiful day
• pumpkin pie leftovers
• having family so close by
• time to spend with a friend on her birthday
• cloudy pink and blue sky, slowly turning to darkness
• cooking with my husband
• working with E in our pj's
• making plans for a new camera
• our school secretary to the rescue! helping me with a paper jam
• unseasonably warm weather
• seeing them "get it" with 2 digit addition
• piano music playing next door, a soothing start to my morning
• his big smile, just because
• the scent of leftover birthday treats
• flipping the calendar
• marbles in the bucket
• making Advent chains, counting down to Christmas
• parents on the playground
• making dinner for my grandparents
• helping her decide on an outfit
• shopping for others, in store and online
• invitation to dinner
• Josh Groban holiday playlist on Pandora
• a doctor who went above and beyond
• party of 8