End of the week...

It's Friday night, and here's the summary:

I love teaching this year. Wish I could teach four classes every year and still get full-time benefits. That would be cool. But short of that, teaching three writing classes and one English class is ah-may-zing!

My students are funny. Today two of the football players got me going about tonight's game. I was asking if they were ready for it, and they said there was no game. We went back and forth before one said, "We've canceled the game, and we're having a banquet. We're going to eat them alive." Ew... but I get it. Love the passion they have for excellence. They won, 35-14. Proud of them.

Zane's playing JV. Their first game is next week.

Volleyball is underway for Kelsey. She's a serving specialist. It's fun to watch her play. She's had three games so far. Tomorrow, she heads to an all-day tournament. Jimmy's on call, so he can't go out of town. I'm staying here too. We had a little drama earlier over how she'll get home, but a sweet mom-friend offered to either bring her back or have her girls ride the bus, if Kelsey is the only one not riding home with parents.

Zack loves school. His teacher is big on rewarding the kids with prizes... I think prizes and trophies are Zacky's love language (shout out to SD).

Jimmy is enjoying a season of the best of both worlds, working all day and coaching all evening.

Last year I had a tough year because I had a divided heart. I was torn apart by the schedule vs. my idea of what life should look like. It was hard. Very, very hard. Each day this week I have seen God's merciful hand in making my job half-time. I have cooked dinner every night (except tonight, which was a planned treat for the kids). I have done laundry. I have had quiet times. I have straightened up clutter, read books, slept more than three hours a night, and had energy and focus for heart-to-heart talks with the kids in the evening. God's plan is best.