Keeping up with the Georges

So it's said that most people try to keep up with the Jones but not me, I'm trying to keep up with the Georges, Kim George to be exact. Kim is a team mate of mine at school and a rockstar teacher. The girl has a wealth of knowledge and an insane work drive and dedication to the profession. She even sacrifices her lunch time to have a book club with her kids. Kim has about 10 years on me, but alas they never stops me from trying to keep up with her. Like day for instance, I went over to house to plan with her. After 5 hours we ended up with a week of reading plans, but no math or writing plans. It's hard work trying to keep up with Georges!

Because I think Kim is so great, I'm trying to follow her once again. Kim has concocted these grand plan that we should move up to 4th grade together next year and team teach. She talks this great game about how we could move with our kids and already know where they are so we could just pick right up in August. She also reassures me that it will be awesome because she could teach the reading/writing and I would teach the math/science, that way there is less planning and we could teach the subjects that we love. Confidently Kim sent an email to our principal proposing this grand scheme and waiting impatiently for her reply. When no reply came, we went to her office to discuss the matter and she seemed baffled that we would want to move. In the end, her response wasn't negative but rather a "we'll wait and see". To date, we are still waiting to see what the final outcome will be.

Honestly, the possibility of a change makes me excited about next year. Many of you know that I haven't been happy with teaching and while I still don't think it's my passion, I believe this change will make it more exciting. While I am a creature of habit most of the time, I do get tired of doing the same thing over and over. I love rearranging the furniture or changing my hair cut, so why not spice it up and change grades. I've been in 3rd grade now for 3 years and I need a change! So what happens if my principal says no...I really do think I will be crushed. I've siked myself up for this and now if it doesn't happen I don't know what I'll do. Maybe I'll check out the classifieds this summer. :)

Introducing...

Ethan Michael Windley! He was born Feb. 16th, 2007 at 5:10 pm. He was 9 lbs and 5 oz and 21 inches long! Proud parents, Matt and Cheri Windley, are both doing great but are tired. I wanted to pass along one of his first pictures for your viewing even though Cheri would not allow me to take her picture.


PS read my post below...I need your thoughts.

You're going to be a pastor's wife?

I've been asked this question many times this week by the people that I work with at school. Immediately I went defensive and was like, "What is that supposed to mean?" Evidentally I don't give off the pastor's wife persona so it got me thinking of course as to what a pastor's wife should be. I would love to know your thoughts out there.

To be honest with you, I don't really think I am the prim and proper pastor's wife who is always dressed up. I don't play a musical instrument or sing, and I don't have a lot Bible verses memorized. I can't name every character in the Bible or offer tons of great wisdom.

But what I am is real. I like to talk! I love to listen to people's stories and offer a shoulder to cry on. I also wear my heart and my mind on sleeve, and I'm not real good at keeping secrets (I'm an open book really!) I do have a weakness for gossip, which I'm working on though. I care about people and I care about their salvation. I want them to know Christ and I would more than happy, I would be estatic to help them become closer to Him.

I'm really worried now about how does my life reflect Christ. Do they think I couldn't be a pastor's wife because of my actions? I know I complain, I know I raise my voice, and I know that sometimes I may say ugly things but I'm just being real. I love the Lord with all my heart and I love that the Lord has called us to the ministry but I'm worried as to what I am doing to promote the kingdom. I mean one colleuge even said to me, "You might want to go ahead and tell Jeremy to find a new wife before he tries to get a job." I MEAN WHAT IN THE WORLD?! (Ok I have to be rational here and realize that some of these people are not believers so I have to take it with a grain of salt. )

I am excited about supporting my husband in his role as a pastor. I want to be a woman that the church feels like they can turn to for support and guidance. I want them to know that I care for them and I am there to love on them and help them further the kingdom. I just want to be real!