Hibernation

Why can't I get off the couch?

I am fully aware that my couch dwelling will be paid for with hours sweating at the gym. My clothes are tight, and I am feeling lazier by the day. Of course the dogs are thrilled I am spending so much time on the couch, they settle in, one my lap, one usually up by my neck. We are in a warm huddle buried in a heavy afghan. I can't possibly disturb them and get up go out in the cold and wind to exercise! They are accomplices in my lazy behavior for sure.

We finally got a real good snow, it was awesome for the boys, Chris said it was the best day of his life, and it was the most snow he had ever seen. Bryan and his teenage buddies weren't too cool to have fun in the snow either. Jim helped Chris build a big snowman, but I stayed in, I thought making hot cocoa was a much better idea!

Of course, we do live in the South and the next day the snow was just a memory.

Lessons from Teaching

Many times when I leave work early to go teach a religion class I am muttering under my breath, why do I bother, this is such a hassle etc. but last night made it worthwhile.

One of the little boys in class, 7 years old with a distinct lisp, had a night to remember. We were having a class competition, sort of a Jeopardy game about what we have been learning all year. I was totally impressed with how much these children have learned in my class. It came down to a tie and for the tie-breaker we asked if anyone could recite the Act of Contrition, a prayer they have been studying, with many difficult words in it, I even have trouble remembering it. Well little Riley stood up and shyly started to recite it in front of the class, it was so cute and as he got closer to the end and realized he had done it he put his arms up in victory, all the kids on his team cheered, it was so precious! When his mom got there to pick him up he was on top of the world, he said I am the hero of my class. I thought, this may stick with him for life, I am so glad I got to witness it! It certainly made my day!