Not So Casual Words

Many times, we open our mouths and speak, with little to no thought to what we are about to say. We let words fly, good and bad, with no caution. I call these words, casual words, but as a teacher, no words are casual. We think our students are not listening, but they are. Throughout the confusion of the day, we forget that although we have hundreds of students, they only have a handful of teachers. They remember what we say much better than we remember what they say.
We think our friends don't really care how we sound or our tone of voice, but they do. I consider myself a good listener. I rarely forget anything that anyone tells me, although I do forget to do things without my "Blessed To Do" list. I call it a "Blessed To Do" List, because even when I don't always feel like completing it, I am blessed to have the health and ability to complete those tasks.
As I continue daily to claim all the freedoms God has given me, I think I need to carefully scrutinize the words I am about to use on a daily basis. I want to make sure I choose the best ones for my family, friends, and students. I have talked so much since school has started that I have been hoarse for the past month.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 4:29. It says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." My challenge this week is to no longer use casual words, but chosen ones that will lift you up and benefit those who listen.

On a Roll

I just had to post a few pics of Rowe showing off his rolls. Wouldn't it be great if rolls were always cute!

Happy Eight Months Little Dude!

Rowe turned eight months old a week ago, and this has been the best month yet. Each month keeps getting better and better. I am in no hurry for him to grow up any faster though. He is speaking a new language now. He is using syllables such as dadada and bababa, and even mamama. Mamama means "more" not mama, we are pretty sure. He "sings" when music is own and loves the sound of his own voice. He screeches when we whistle and loves to growl like his lion. The growling just started this week. Today a new bottom tooth is peeking through and the point of a top tooth has broken the gums. He has been a little ill this past week with the teething.

I weighed him last night and he was a whopping 25 pounds, but he is really long too, not just fat. I love all that surface area to kiss. He eats four five ounce bottles a day and sometimes only three plus a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a #2 veggie and a #2 fruit for lunch, and a #2 dinner and a #2 veggie for supper. His favorite is eating his puffs while I am getting his meal ready.

He loves staying at Nana's and Pop's, but cried for the first time when I dropped him off one day last week because he was not feeling well. He reached his little arms for me and looked at me with huge crocodile tears streaming down his round cheeks. Mine started flowing once I got out the door.

He was sleeping in his crib every night, but our air conditioner leaked into his closet and room, so he has been sleeping in his pack n play in our room the last couple of weeks. We could have put him back into his room a week ago, but we love having him in our room with us. He sleeps all night and hates to be woken up in the mornings. He thinks just about everything is funny, and smiles with his mouth wide open. His favorite toy now is his Tigger. Thanks Nana. Thanks Brayden for introducing Tigger and Rowe.

Chasing Freedom

From the world looking into the lives of Christians, many only see rules, restrictions, and the "Thou Shalt Nots." The truth is that we have a freedom that goes far beyond any rules or restrictions. It is not always evident in the lives of Christians, therefore the world is clueless to this freedom. We have been given more than just freedom from sin and hell. We have freedoms that I many times never claim.
God offers us the freedom to live worry free lives, if we just trust Him and His will. This is a freedom I am chasing daily. I have yet to surrender all the worries that weigh on my heart. They are small as worrying about the dust under the couch and as large as the worries that come with having a child. I am not saying that nothing bad will ever happen. I am just saying that when you know that God that sees the entire picture and knows what is best for us, we should accept whatever life and many times the devil throws at us, and turn it into an opportunity to glorify God or show others His power.
God also offers us the freedom of peace of mind. We know that this world is not our home, but we are passing through with a purpose on our way home to heaven. No matter what happens to us in this life, it is temporary and eternity will be wonderful. Our time spent here is only a fraction of a centimeter long and our eternity is longer than a million miles.
So today, I choose to chase freedom. I will refuse to let my mind fill with worry as it has almost every minute of everyday. I accept that God loves Lee and Rowe far more than I could ever love them, and that is a great assurance that they are in good hands.
Sometimes I just have write (type) things down in order to hold myself accountable.

Latest Pics

Lee has been practicing with his duck call all week, and Rowe is immitating him. It is really funny to hear throughout the day quack and quack. He is already being turned a little too country too early. He is such a happy baby!

I hope you enjoy the latest pictures.

August

The month of August has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster. Lots has happened and lots of pictures have been taken. I started back to school on August 1st. I have not mentioned it yet, because I have had such a rough start. I am firm believer that my attitude determines more than my environment, but I was questioning that belief some this month. It has gotten better, and we are all adjusting slowly but surely. Rowe has had a difficutl time with us waking him up so early in the mornings. He doesn't want to be messed with until he is ready to get up on his own. Lee gets him up, fed, ready for the day, and loaded in my car. I am taking him to my parents' this year instead of Lee since he can't have a big car seat in his work truck. Therefore, I have to get up thirty minutes earlier, and I hate waking up as much as Rowe!!! I only hit snooze three times this morning. Lee has been working really hard this month and suffered from heat exhaustion a couple of weeks ago. He was very sick, weak, and super skinny for a while. He has regained his strength and appetite, and the weather has actually gotten a lot cooler. I have not been this exhausted since I was pregnant. No, I am not pregnant, but I am still adjusting to early mornings and later nights. I am not complaining at all. I am grateful to have a job that I love, a son that loves sleep as much as I do, and hard working husband. I am very blessed and count these blessing numerous times throughout the day.
My grandmother has been in the hospital for almost two months and had major surgeries. My mom has been traveling back and forth to Jackson, so she has been sick from the traveling and is trying to take care of my grandmother when she is already in bad health herself. Mamaw is doing better and will be living at a rehab center for the next month, but is still in pain. Please pray for my mamaw and my mom. Dad is taking mom back to Jackson at the end of the week, but hopefully they will both feel well and can enjoy their visit.
I just wanted to get all of this out of my head before it was full and there was no more room for new stuff.

Gillis Gang of Columbus, MS

I was doing some research online and did a search on gangs in Columbus, MS. Well, you'll never guess what popped up. You guessed it, MY BLOG. Apparently, The Gillis Gang is a Google find when you are searching gangs in Columbus, MS. But don't worry, we are not in a real gang. We are too vain to get tatoos and love our hair too much to cover it with bandanas. Plus, the only lifetime committments I am making are to God and my family. I hope I am not offending any of my readers. I just thought this was too funny of a search resutlt not to share. Have a good weekend.