10 years...

If you're like me, you stop what you're doing every year on September 11, and think about the events that occurred 10 years ago (obviously never being fully able to really comprehend the magnitude of it). 

10 YEARS. 

Wow.

I always think about where I was and what I was doing on that day in 2001.

I'm generally glued to my TV every 9/11 rewatching video footage I've seen a hundred times.  Again--still being unable to truly comprehend how and why something like that really happened.  The bravery of the citizens in this country still amazes me.

It's unbelievable to think that my 2nd graders this year weren't even born when the events of 9/11 occurred.  While I didn't want to scare my students, I did want them to know and have somewhat of an understanding about this historical event.  I spent some time thinking about how I could introduce this topic to my students.

Fortunately, my school is having our annual book fair, and while browsing (& trying to refrain from spending $200 on children's books!), I came across this book:

"September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right"

I took it off the shelf, read it, and teared up immediately.   It was written and illustrated by 1st graders, so it's written in a way that my 7 & 8 year olds can understand.  It's such a fabulous book, and if you're a teacher or a parent, I highly recommend you purchasing it!  It 's a perfect way to explain to children what happened on that fateful day, and explaining to them that unfortunately bad things do happen sometimes, tomorrow always brings a new day!  (A children's book with adult-like lessons!).

One of my favorite radio stations, KLove, is encouraging listeners to make a promise to bless and love others today to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11/01. 

I'm in.  Are you?

"Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew."

-George W. Bush

God bless this great country!

it was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (but it could've been a lot worse!)

If you've ever read about the beloved Alexander (as a teacher, I'm a huge fan of this book!), you know that he just had one of those days--he woke up with gum in his hair, his mom forgot to pack dessert in his lunch, his friends were mean to him at school, etc. Nothing went right for him. Bless that sweet Alexander.

Yesterday was my "Alexander day".

To try to make a long story short, I hurt my ankle nearly 2 weeks ago, stayed off of it for a few days (thinking it was nothing serious), waited about a week, and then on Monday, I decided it was OK enough to go for a jog. Bad BAD idea.

I woke up Tuesday morning in way more pain than before and my ankle was about twice the size that it should be. I could barely even walk on it. I was able to get an appointment with an orthopaedist in Columbus, so I went yesterday to hopefully figure out what was going on. Unfortunately, I have a stress fracture. He's concerned that a particular bone in my ankle (I'm not the best with anatomy!) is injured, so I'm going back Monday to get an MRI done on it. If that bone IS fractured, I may have to have a cast. If it's another bone that's fractured (and he's hopeful that it is!), I'll just wear this lovely boot for a at least 6 weeks. Yes. 6 weeks. I'm sure I'm going to not enjoy going that long without running, but it could be so much worse, right?

That's not the only thing that made my day terrible, horrible, and no good, though.

My appointment in Columbus (about 30 minutes away from my house) ended around 5 yesterday afternoon, and as I hobbled out in my sexy boot, I noticed the rain and sleet and got a little concerned about the driving conditions. You have to remember something--I'm a Mississippi girl--so I don't do icy roads and such. Not my thing really. I really thought that if I just drove slowly and carefully, I would be just fine to get home. I had literally been on the highway for 30 seconds and witnessed multiple cars swerving on bridges and saw 2 wrecks. Again, I don't do ice, and was absolutely not willing to risk hurting myself or someone else! I knew I wasn't going to get home last night, so I called some dear friends of mine who live in Columbus (thank God for them!), managed to turn my car around, and stayed with them last night. They were so good to me and I'm so grateful for them ALL of the time, but especially last night. I was planning on taking a sick day today (did I really have another choice??), but fortunately, school was cancelled today anyway.

So...I hurt my ankle, was put in a "boot," and was unable to drive home last night (oh...and I failed to mention that I've got a sore throat and a not fun cold!). It was all kind of a bummer, but I couldn't help but think about what adorable little Pollyanna would say about this situation:

1. Be glad that you HAVE a foot and are able to walk!

2. Be glad that you DIDN'T drive home and get into an accident!

3. Be glad you HAVE such dear friends who graciously welcomed you into their home and took good care of you!

4. Be glad you HAVE an entire weekend to sit around and prop that foot up (in a warm house!)!

So, yes. It was a not-so-good day, but oh how it could've been so much worse!

Now...if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to watch "Pollyanna". In my boot.

Give-a-way time!

I've got another goody to give away! I have a nice, unused copy of Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for his Highest"! If you haven't read it, it's a WONDERFUL read and makes a great daily devotional for anyone. (The copy I have, however, is purple leather, so it looks a little feminine--it may not be the best gift for a male!). It comes in the original box, and as I mentioned before, it's never been used!

Want it for yourself OR to give away to someone for a gift?

All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know that you'd like to be entered in the drawing, and like my other give-a-way, if you give me a shoutout on YOUR blog, you'll be entered twice! (In your comment, let me know that you've mentioned it on your blog, so I'll be sure to enter you twice!). I'll announce the winner next WEDNESDAY, MAY 19!

So what are you waiting for??

TGIF!

recommendations, anyone?

As you can see from my beach ticker, I'll be laying in the sun in a little over 3 weeks! I can't wait!

Here's where I need your help! I need to take a good book or 2 with me to the beach. I'm looking for a light read--nothing too deep or hard to follow (please think about that before you recommend something, Claire and MSKS!). My goal is to not have to think too much while I'm there. :)

Note: 24 days until beach time means 21 days left until SCHOOL IS OUT! (14 school days to be exact! WOO HOO!).

good times in the 'ham...

I know my blogging absence has been greatly missed these past few days. :) I'm sure you have all been sitting at the edge of your seats patiently anticipating my next blog post to see what is going to happen next in the exciting and unpredictable life of Laura Tomlinson. I apologize for leaving you for so long. haha. :)
I spent the week with Claire in Birmingham and had a fantastic time. I will not bore you with every detail of our trip. I have, however, composed a list (bulleted for easier reading) of my favorite events of the week: Note: these are in NO particular order

• of course the obvious, good hanging out time with Claire
  
• seeing Marc Broussard perform at WorkPlay (he was fantastic!)


• the CD's Claire burned for me...artists include a little Johnny Lang, Eva Cassidy, Gavin DeGraw, and lots more. They are mostly songs I didn't know, and totally not my taste, but I must say, I'm enjoying all of them. Nice work, Clurry.


• the 2 new books I bought: "Battling Unbelief" by John Piper and "Beside Still Waters" by C.H. Spurgeon. Has anybody read either of these? If you recall in a recent post, I've been looking for another good devotional type book. I kinda knew what kind of book I wanted, I had just been having trouble finding what I was looking for. I ended up buying 2, as opposed to just 1, but as my brother-in-law Trey says "you should never turn down buying a good book. I will always say yes to reading." I'm excited about both of these purchases.
  
• the fabulous chicken salad Claire introduced me to at O'Carr's.


• the new ipod car-thing (I don't really know what it's called) I got on ebay. I've been wanting one of these so I can listen to my ipod in the car, but they're usually about $80 or so, so it really hasn't been a possibility. I'm getting a brand new one for $22 (that includes shipping!). I'm pumped. I hope ebay doesn't become a problem for me now. I'm pretty sure the one I'm getting is like the one in this picture, except it's black.

• Sonic blasts (how many of these did I have? hmmmm....I'm now 2 sizes bigger than I was before the trip).
• watching Claire attempt to eat a taco salad from La Paz (have you ever in your life seen a salad this size??) It was quite humorous and of course when she "finished," it looked untouched.

• ummm...sleeping... It's no lie that Claire and I stayed in bed until 12:30 one morning (well, afternoon really). AND to make things worse, we woke up only because the phone rang! I probably haven't slept that late since college...seriously. In our defense though, we WERE up until at least 2:00 am the night before though. Doing what? I'm not so sure. Don't judge us please. We work hard 9 1/2 (+) months out of the year. We deserve a little R & R. :)
  
• hanging out with Claire's little sister, Hailey. Are you jealous Heather?? :) She's living in Birmingham for the summer. It was so good to see her.
  
• watching "The Office" marathon with some of Claire's friends. Have I ever told you just how much I LOVE that show? I do have one problem though. I have the most difficult time choosing a favorite character. The show in itself is genius, but the actors are phenomenal, each playing their role perfectly. Let's think about this.... of course there's Michael, who truly is "The World's Best Boss" and who is so terrible you can't help but love him. Then Dwight, who I'm convinced would want to be friends with me. I just look at him and laugh. Of course there's Jim, who's the love of my life. Pam, who is so perfect for her part...I want to be her. Creed...does anybody else think he's as funny as I do? Kevin, who's hysterical. Toby, who I think is completely underrated. Stanley, who, like Dwight, makes me laugh just by looking at him. Of course that's not all of the characters, but you get the idea. I just can't choose a favorite. Can you?

Max had a blast too. He loves his "Aunt Claire!"

Look how cute this is. You have to understand, Max hardly ever snuggles with anybody but me, so Claire's a pretty big deal to him.

Me and Claire at Workplay.

Me, Claire, and Hailey at Workplay.

I now leave you with my new favorite picture of Claire. This picture in no way makes up for the NUMBER of horrendous pictures that Claire possesses of me, but it's a start. :) Enjoy!