Into the Unknown

There was a tornado that ripped across Missouri last May. It went through Carl Junction, Oronogo, Eldon, and Jefferson City. All cities that currently surround me and my hometown. It was the night before the last day of the 2018-2019 school year. The majority of the evening was spent with my podmate, Brittany, and her husband in our Middle School storm shelter. Once sirens had been stopped for a while, we went to Brittany and Graham's house to ride out the rest of the storms still going through. Eventually we decided we would wake up early, stop by my apartment before school, and go to our last 3 hours of the school year.

When we woke up the next morning, the rain was still pouring down. Brittany and I knew it would take forever to get to school, because the quickest routes into town would all be flooded. About the time we were ready to leave, we got the automated call from our Superintendent that school was canceled. We're used to snow days in the winter, and occasionally they roll into late March or early May. We had never had a flood day before. Even a couple weeks prior when there was flooding, students were just excused for being tardy. Just like that, our school year was over. Honestly, absolutely everything about school last year was challenging. Not having an official last day of school seemed to be a fitting end.

When schools started canceling due to Covid-19, and rumors spread that it could mean the end of the 2019-2020 school year all together, I immediately thought of last year without a last day of school. I think some schools, like my hometown, were lucky, they weren't in the middle of Spring Break, so they treated the last day before the Covid Break as their last day of school. Not here in Southwest Missouri. We're left going into the unknown. First, it was would we go back in April? Now, it's will we go back in May? Do we get a final good-bye with our students? Will Friday, March 13th (ironic?) be our last day of school for 2019-2020?

I know it's a weird thought, but in some ways I feel like God was preparing us last year for what was to come. Reminding us that a last day of school is never guaranteed, and there are other ways to cancel school than snow days. I also like to think God has a strange sense of humor. Not that He is laughing at our current situation by any means! I just think He sat back last May laughing at us saying how weird it was not having a last day of school and He thought, "Ha! You ain't seen nothin' yet. Just wait!" On the other hand, I also know He is a God who heals and a God who performs miracles. Therefore, I also know what He's capable of doing with and through the uncertain times we're sitting in. I'd like to think He's saying, "Just wait. You'll see. I got this."

We Will See You Tomorrow Night

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Freese (HR) vs. McGwire
Personally, I have to wonder, would I be as big of a Cardinals baseball fan had the McGwire and Sosa battle not happened during my pivotal, mind-shaping years of becoming a fan? I was 6 when the 1998 season started. Mark McGwire's 62nd home run was my first diary entry in my purple, Winnie the Pooh diary. I was in love. Both with baseball and the Cardinals. Because of the 2011 season, I met and became best friends with my still best friend, Brianna. However, if the McGwire season hadn't happened in my life, my Cardinals obsession, love for Mike Shannon and John Rooney's voices on the radio (listening to every single game during college on the radio in 2011), eat, sleep, breathe Cardinals baseball, even in the offseason, might not be so extreme. Both moments are life-changing in my love for baseball. I will never forget Joe Buck saying, "We will see you tomorrow night!" after Freese hit the walk-off home run in Game 6. I'll always remember running and screaming down my dorm hall, stomping down the stairs, and finding Brianna running to our dorm parents door (the moment still in the middle of happening), and greeting her with a hug, jumping, screaming, and spinning in a circle. But because of a dad who is equally obsessed with Cardinals baseball, showing me what The Cardinal Way meant as a fan at an early age, and experiencing the high of the 1998 season with Mark McGwire, it made it possible to have that special moment 13 years later.

Bring Back Baseball

Now for the right side of the bracket.

This 8 seed play play-in is a little easier than the other side. While I love Yadi and Stan is my ALL-TIME favorite Cardinal, nothing beats Lance Berkman's 10th inning World Series home run.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Edmonds vs. Berkman
I know Berkman is the 8 seed, but nothing can beat the dramatics of that moment. Cardinals were down to their last strike for the SECOND time that game. Not only was it their last strike, but that last strike would have made the Rangers World Series Champions. So it shouldn't be a surprise Berkman's home run beats out the NLCS home run of Jim Edmonds.

Motte vs. Waino
I wrestled with this match-up for quite some time. Both moments won the Cardinals a World Series Championship. I witnessed both live on TV. It came down to one thing. A strikeout. The 2011 WS had its biggest moments in Game 6. Almost anything after that game would have been lackluster. Not that winning a WS is lackluster, but nothing could compare to the drama of Game 6. The 2011 World Series perfectly ended with an outfield catch by, the almost MVP, Allen Craig. On the other hand, the 2006 World Series ended with a strikeout. There is a famous picture of Yadi and Waino screaming face-to-face in celebration. Yadi and Waino are also the Cardinals greatest battery mates of all time. With all of that in mind, I had to choose Waino.

Pujols vs. Gibson
Maybe I'm an old soul. Maybe my opinion would be different had Pujols stayed a Cardinal, although I doubt it. Gibson's 17 strikeouts in the '68 World Series easily takes the cake. He is easily the greatest Cardinal pitcher of all time, and some, me, would say of all MLB pitchers. He's a legend. Just ask the batters who had to face him.

Ozzie vs. McGwire
Whew. This one was hard. I hate that these two moments were up against each other. From a young age, all Cardinals fans learn the phrase, "Go crazy, folks, go crazy!" Ozzie Smith was a phenomenal, hall of fame shortstop. He was not known for being a power hitter. When he hit a walk-off home run to win game 5 of the 1985 NLCS, it was the perfect example of the underdog coming in clutch in October. Cardinals broadcaster called it beautifully. A true historic moment. However, I grew to love baseball because of Mark McGwire and the 1998 single season home run battle between Mark and Sammy Sosa. Once again, it's a moment I have written an entire blog post about.

ELITE EIGHT

Berkman vs. Waino
"They just. Won't. Go. Away." The call Joe Buck made when Berkman hit the 10th inning game tying homer. The Cardinals battled every single at bat in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings of Game 6. Joe Buck's call is one I repeat often. More than any other famous Cardinals catchphrase. While winning the 2006 World Series was special, it was the first in my lifetime, that series as a whole can't top the 2011 World Series.

Gibson vs. McGwire
Had the Cardinals chosen Bob Gibson's 1968 season, this decision might have been different. It backs up why I think Gibby is one of the greatest MLB pitchers of all time. In 1968, Gibson had a regular season 1.12 ERA. After the '68 season, MLB lowered the pitching mound. During the season, he threw 13 shutouts. He won all 12 of his starts in June and July, and each game was a complete game with 8 of them being shutouts. I think I've made my point. However, I have to go with McGwire's 62nd home run of the season. Not only do I have sentimental attachments to it watching it as a 6 and 7 year old, but in some ways it saved baseball. Allow me to honestly give credit to Sammy Sosa as well (he's a Cub so you know that's hard for me) because without him the moment would not have been as big. But I'll get to more on that later.

FINAL FOUR

Berkman vs. McGwire
Inside my heart is crumbling choosing between my favorite Cardinals baseball memories. It feels more like cruel and unusual punishment than it does a fun game. However, going back to my before mentioned statements about McGwire and Sosa saving baseball, I still have to choose McGwire. I know, without Berkman's home run, we wouldn't have a need for Freese's home run in the 11th inning, but hear me out. First, we have to go back to the end of the 1994 season and beginning of the 1995 season. The players went on strike in the middle of the 1994 season after playing 113 games. For the first time since 1904, there was no post season baseball and no World Series. The 1995 season then started late only playing 144 games instead of the usual 162. When baseball returned, fanbases had shrunk. In 1998, when McGwire and Sosa were battling for the single season home run record, fans of baseball, not just Cardinals and Cubs, were tuning in to see who would break the record first. I'm aware that had the home run battle not happened, something would have brought fans packing stadiums again eventually, but the 1998 season escalated that process.

Freese vs. Freese

Tonight we'll go through my choices on the left hand side of the bracket.

The 8th seed play-in was nearly impossible to choose, because I love Lou Brock and Slaughter's Mad Dash. However, I'll go with what the public chose, Fernando Tatis 2 Grand Slams. If I set my sentiments for Lou and Slaughter aside, I would agree with the public anyway. Tatis hit 2 grand slams in ONE INNING off of the same pitcher. That will most likely be a record that will never be broken in all of baseball. So I can't argue that it should make the Moment Madness final bracket.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Freese vs. Tatis
Needless to say it doesn't matter which 8 seed play-in moment makes it. It goes up against David Freese, 2011 World Series Game 6 triple. Down to the last strike of the World Series with the Rangers about to win, David Freese, the hometown boy from St. Louis, hit a triple to tie the game. Enough said. It beats Fernando's 2 grand slams.

Sutter vs. Waino
Once again, I have to go with Sutter, because it's a World Series winning moment. Waino vs. Beltran is a bigger moment in hindsight, because Beltran later played for the Cardinals.

Molina vs. Edmonds
This was a tough one and I could defend both options. However, knowing how the 2006 season ended and more vividly remembering Yadi's home run as the night Shea went silent. The Mets were winning game 7 of the NLCS when Yadi, not known as a power hitter, hit a 2-run homer that went on to win the game for the Cardinals. The Cardinals went on to win the World Series for the first time in 25 years.

Freese vs. Wong
While Wong's home run is a fond memory from the 2014 post season, no one in their right mind would choose that over Freese's home run to win game 6 of the 2011 World Series. He had already hit the triple to send the game into extra innings. He was hitting lead-off to start the 11th inning. What were the odds he was going to hit the game winning walk-off home run??

ELITE EIGHT

Freese vs. Sutter
I love Sutter, but Freese's triple is more memorable. A moment that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest moments in all World Series. I can still envision him coming up like a prairie dog after sliding into third. Even though I didn't see it happen live, because I was listening to the radio.

Molina vs. Freese
Yadi will always have my heart, but Freese hitting the walk-off home run will be a memory I will never forget. I've written an entire blog post about Game 6 and me running down my dorm hallway after quiet hours.

FINAL FOUR

Freese vs. Freese
I wasn't surprised when Cardinals Nation came up with the same outcome here. Can you tell St. Louis adores David Freese? The triple was great, shocking, and without it there would have been no need for the walk-off home run. However, the home run wins. The call Joe Buck made, honoring his late dad, the hall of fame, retired "number", long-time Cardinals announcer, Jack Buck, made the moment even more historic. "We will see you tomorrow night!" Chills. Goosebumps. Tears. A moment that couldn't have been predicted.

Take Me In for a Ballgame

"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd..." Yesterday was Opening Day, well, it was supposed to be. By now I don't have to explain why Opening Day of baseball didn't happen. There were no mile long lines waiting to get into ballparks, no aromas of beer, nachos, and hot dogs, no "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" being belted out during the 7th inning stretch. Windows are still being stared out (even more so now!) waiting for the ceremonial first pitch of spring. However, instead of moping and wallowing at what should have been, athletes and fans are being creative. MLB players were live streaming themselves playing baseball online. MLB, and Fox Sports affiliates, have been playing old games. MLB kindly chose Game 6 of the 2011 World Series while the Cardinals had David Freese live Tweeting for them throughout the broadcast. The show must go on, right?

The Cardinals Twitter account helped ease the pain of no baseball in many ways. My favorite was last week when they posted a Cardinals Moments Madness bracket. Since there was no March Madness this year, I have enjoyed filling out other types of brackets. This one might take the cake for being the hardest bracket I have ever had to fill out. There are so many great Cardinals moments, many with sentimental memories. Before being influenced by my thoughts and opinions, I'll give a day before revealing my choices. While we're left singing, "Take me in for a ballgame, take me away from the crowd..." maybe this will help ease the pain until Opening Day comes back again. And if you have never heard of one of the moments, you're welcome for providing you with a game to watch!

It's Not Okay To...

A follow up to my post yesterday with our list of "It's not okay to..."

It's not okay to...

1. It's not okay to eat raw bat meat. Stick to sushi.
2. It's not okay to stress about school work.
3. It's not okay to get frustrated with your parents about school work. We're all doing the best we can.
4. It's not okay to say, "That's not how my teacher does it!" There are multiple ways to do things.
5. It's not okay to use half the toilet paper roll in one sitting. No one wants to have to use paper towels.

What would your list be of thing it's not okay to do?

It's Okay To...

My guilty pleasure anytime we have a day off from school is to watch Live with Kelly and Ryan. Even in high school, I was eager for snow days so I could start my morning with Saved by the Bell and then Live with Regis and Kelly right after. 

To my delight, they are one of the many talk shows attempting to still go live from their homes. Thank you, technology! On their Monday show, Kelly and Ryan did a segment of "It's okay to... It's not okay to..." during the present times. Some were funny, and some were slightly more serious. I thought it was clever, and some of them gave a good laugh. You can watch their version here.

My podmate (fellow teacher) and I decided to come up with a list to share with our students while we are out of school.

• It's okay to do school work in your PJ's. It's also okay to have a daytime and a nighttime pair of PJ's.
• It's okay to go days without showering. But make sure you wash your hands!
• It's okay to miss school. Even if it's just because you want to be out of the house or because you miss your friends.
• It's okay to stay up until 3am playing Fortnite or binge watching Netflix.
• It's okay to give yourself multiple recesses for multiple hours on end. Now's the time to live out your wildest dreams.
• It's okay to rewatch old sporting events (ahem, St. Louis Cardinals), even though you already know the outcome and even though you've seen Game 6 of the 2011 World Series a dozen times already.
• It's okay to enjoy your time away from school and time with your family.
• It's okay to be happy MAP testing was canceled. Even though your teachers are sad, because you were going to KILL IT!

Tune back in tomorrow for our "It's not okay to..." list.

What would be on your list of "It's okay to..."?

A Thousand Words

A picture is worth a thousand words. Tonight I’ve been working on a project for my students to help with tomorrow. Or maybe just an activity for them to do while stuck at home. I’m still not quite finished, but couldn’t let midnight hit and not have my post done. My drawings will be added later. How is it possible I’m busier being back home than I was at my parents with people around?!

Back to the Future

Tomorrow I go back to reality, the future I’ve been avoiding but knew was coming. The land of internet where blogging will be easier to do. A place where I can catch up on my friend Nellie’s blogs I’ve so greatly missed over Spring Break. Reality, also know as home, will seem a littler different than what I planned to go back to. Until then, I’m enjoying every last minute with my mom and dad. So I’m ending today’s post how I always tell my students not to end their stories. The end! 

Disney Madness

An update to the March Madness Disney/Pixar Edition. Apparently, my family has some admiration for Lady and the Tramp that I didn’t know about. It should also be noted that when I did the tournament with my mom and dad, they were not in the same room. My brother-in-law was also not with me when he filled out his. Great minds just think alike!

Mom:

Jungle Book

Lady and the Tramp

101 Dalmatians

Lion King

Dad:

Jungle Book

Lady and the Tramp

101 Dalmatians

Monsters Inc. 

Jess: 

Beauty & the Beast

Lady & the Tramp

Aristocats

Lion King

Adam:

Toy Story

Aladdin

Mulan

Lion King

Mine:

Toy Story

Aladdin

Mulan

Lion King

Birthdays on the 21st

Once upon a time, there was a girl who lost her Granny on her 21st birthday. A few days later, her best friend drove over 400 miles to be at the funeral. The friend also turned her Granny’s old cat earrings into matching cat pins to wear at the funeral. That girl is me and my best friend is Emily. 

Flash forward 4.5 years, God answered my prayers when Ainsley was born in Arizona during my 3rd annual spring break trip to visit Emily. I thought that meant I would always get to celebrate her birthday in person, but no one could have predicted what Spring Break #6 would bring. One day, Emily, Bart, and I will tell Ainsley of the time we were going to celebrate her 3rd birthday at Disneyland, but 3 days before we were set to leave the world shutdown (allow me to be slightly over dramatic for a moment). 

Of all people, I know the sorrow of a drastically changed birthday celebration. On the flip side, I also know celebrating late means extended birthday fun which I fully intend to do when we get a redo on our Disneyland trip. I also know, if anyone knows how to make a drastically changed birthday a little bit sweeter it is my friend, Emily.

To My Darling Students

My Darling Students (and Their Parents),

🍎 By now you’ve heard school has been canceled through April 3rd. Our “if and only if” situation we talked about before Spring Break has now become reality. While some of you are excited about the cancelation of school, I think it’s safe to assume most of you are missing time with friends. If you’re like me, it’s not going to take long before I miss my routine. As we all work to navigate this time of uncertainty, I want each of you to know a few things. 

😢 First, I want you to know you are missed. I miss coming in each morning to your sleepy, still trying to wake up, yet lovely faces, the stories you’re whispering to classmates that you think I can’t hear, and even reminding you to move your lunch magnets down. I miss your happy, sad, grumpy, annoyed (yes, even the eye rolls), smiling, and excited faces. 

💜 Secondly, you should know you are loved. For all of the things mentioned above and so much more. Mostly I love the way you look after and care about your classmates and celebrate each other’s victories. 

🙏🏽 Most importantly, you should know I am praying for you. At the start of each school year, I send out requests to my friends and family. They choose your number and anonymously pray, alongside me, for you all school year just as they are now.

💻 Lastly, we need to get to the business side of things. Teachers meet sometime next week, I think. Right now, I know as much as you all know. Isn’t it ironic we just listened to the article “Snowed Out” and now we are actually looking at the possibility of E-Days? Until I know more, I need you to do something for me. If your parents are still out working everyday, tell them thank you. If your parents are working from home, tell them thank you. And if your parents are/will be doing educational work with you, tell them THANK YOU and be extra patient! We’re all just doing the best we can. 

🥴 If you’ve made it this far, I’m proud of you! Until we have more answers, I hope you’re all staying safe and enjoying your time off. I can’t wait to see your beautiful/handsome faces again soon!

Sincerely,

Miss Bever

Uphill Both Ways

We could ask what if, or we can celebrate what was. We’re celebrating!

I read that on an Instagram post by UCLA Gymnastics today. The current senior class of college gymnasts could easily be considered the best class NCAA has ever witnessed. Unfortunately, their senior year of competition was cut short. A few of the well known girls being Maggie Nichols, Kyla Ross, and Madison Kocian. They have all been elite gymnasts, competed at Worlds, and Kyla and Maddie were both gold medal olympians. My heart is sad for them and all of the others missing their final Nationals competition. My heart is sad for any and all seniors, high school or college, missing out on “lasts”. 

However, I appreciated UCLA’s approach. There are always what ifs we could ask. It’s a great life lesson even though currently in the thick of it, it’s a grief they have to bear. One day, they’ll be able to tell their grandchildren about the time everything shut down. It will be their version of our grandparents, “back in my day we had to walk to school in the snow, uphill both ways!” Truth be told, it feels like we’re all trying to sprint uphill both ways in the snow. 

However, until that day, when we can all look back on this with a different viewpoint, we celebrate what was accomplished and try to push away all of the what if’s. 

Through the Window

If anyone were to ever question where my occasional bursts of rebelliousness, or my daredevil attitude, comes from, I would quickly say it’s from my Gramy. She is the furthest thing from a stereotypical grandma. Up until a couple years ago, Gramy was going to watch Gangster Squad and Dunkirk in theaters with her fellow widowed friends.

About 4 years ago, I started calling her every Wednesday night. Sometimes we talk 15-20 minutes, other times it’s 2 minutes (I always know when I’ve interrupted dinner. Priorities. I get it!). 

Today was phone call day. She lives in an assisted living place in my hometown, and they are currently on lockdown. Even the residents are supposed to stay in their rooms for the most part. Since I’m out of school, I called her way earlier than normal. In true Gramy fashion, she told me her friend Norma had come by her door to say hi. Grant decided to invite Norma in. When one of the nurses walked by, she caught them and kicked Norma out of Gramy’s room. My Gramy and I had a good laugh as I told her I wasn’t the least bit surprised she was caught breaking the rules. In all of the chaos of an ever-changing world, it is nice to know some things never change. 

Gramy was in need of a couple things, so my mom and I made a Walmart trip for her. We are able to drop things off at the front door, and the nurses deliver packages to residents. While at Walmart, I found a package of Easter Gel Clings and snuck around the side of Rock Island to stick them on my Gramy’s window. We talked through the window for a few minutes and I went on my way. Now if my cousins go see Gramy, they will know where to find her. And hopefully, the clings will brighten her day when she sees them out her window. 

Regardless, I know one day, I’ll think back to this memory and it will brighten my day. And in true Gramy fashion, it will provide me with a chuckle. 

I Still Believe

Long ago, in a land far, far away... just kidding. Long ago, in Camdenton, Missouri, the local Christian radio station, Spirit FM, used to put on a summer concert series called Crossover Christian Music Festival. The first night was always gospel music and the next two nights had the big names in contemporary Christian music. Tickets were a pretty fair price considering the acts they had playing. Over the years I got to see artists such as Toby Mac, Big Daddy Weave, Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Sanctus Real, Mandisa, Newsboys, Building 429, and Barlow Girl. I’m certain I am missing a ton of names, but you get the point. 

One of my favorite artists growing up was Jeremy Camp. I still vividly remember his concert at Crossover. I’m sure it’s weird, but I also remember thinking how huge his arm muscles were. I think today, I would compare them to Matt Holliday’s. My parents let my sister and me stand in line afterward to get his autograph. Somewhere at my parents’ house, buried knee deep in developed picture envelopes, is a picture of us standing across from Jeremy while he signed our photo. 

I remember from way back then, even before seeing him in concert, that his wife had died months after they got married. I don’t remember the year we saw him, but I think it was 2-3 years after his wife passed. Fast forward nearly 15 years, around last Spring Break, I found out they were making a movie about Jeremy Camp. To add to my excitement, KJ Apa, from Riverdale, was playing Jeremy. I could not wait. 

I had been anxiously awaiting the release of I Still Believe, however, I wasn’t sure when I would get to see it since it came out right at the start of break. I suppose that can be added to my list of making coffee out of lemons. Since my trip was cancelled, I was able to go see the movie. (The trip itself was quite memorable. There were 7 of us, seated at opposite ends of the theatre, because we were practicing safe social distancing.)

Whether you love Jesus, or not, I recommend seeing it. (They are working with Lionsgate to come up with a way for people to rent it online!) Even though I know the ending, I needed tissues. It’s a beautiful story of love, more importantly, unconditional love. It’s a story about it being okay to question why God allows things to happen, but in the end coming out on the other side of pain stronger than when you started. From a long-time fan, I also found the timing of him writing some of his biggest hits to be interesting. 

I’m thankful for all of the memories of long ago I have from Crossover Christian Music Festival, and that I was able to see Jeremy Camp. I’m thankful for the new memory of Jeremy Camp, and Melissa’s story, and getting to do something normal during such a crazy time in our world. 

Making Coffee Out of Lemons

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 

Hopefully, if you’re like me and your current plans have been altered, you’re choosing to make lemonade out of the extremely sour lemons disguised as the Coronavirus. As I write this, I should be in a car with my dad on my way to St. Louis, ultimately on my way to LAX and Disneyland to meet my friend Emily. Instead, I’m stuck in mid-Missouri for the week feeling as though every plan I’ve made for the year is uncertain. 

I woke up to my mom telling me my dad had made extra coffee for me. Usually when I’m at my parents on weekends, my mom makes the coffee and on weekdays I make my own. She said my dad seemed really proud of making coffee for me and she wanted to make sure I knew it was him. #girldad

Furthermore, some of my Spring Break plans for today weren’t changed. I had scheduled to dye my hair over a month ago, and that plan wasn’t busted. More importantly, Tessa went in on her day off. I got to spend 3 hours disconnected from the world, in great conversation with Tessa, part of it reading my new Cardinals magazine, and came out with a new look. Afterward I went to our local coffee shop, conveniently co-owned by Tessa’s husband, and got to take my mom, whose school never has spring break, a coffee from Brew Brothers. 

While there are other places I’d rather be right now, I’m finding my lemonade. Meh. Let’s be real, I’m figuring out how to make coffee out of lemons. And my new goal for the week is to have Brew Brothers coffee everyday as long as they are open. If I were in California, I’d be spending more money than my $3 Americano from Brew Brothers. Plus, now I get to support my local community. I won’t complain about that. If you see me in the next few days, you might hear me say I should be at Disney with Emily, but also know that I’m fully present and enjoying myself right where I am. 

March Madness

March Madness has become an all too true name this year. Unfortunately, there is not an actual March Madness bracket. Amongst the many traditions I currently have falling apart, for the first time in 8 years, (I think, we’ve lost count), my friends and I are not filling out brackets. We did our best to fill the void of competition by filling out our own Disney/Pixar movie brackets. The following is the Final 4 of my friends and family who have filled it out with me. 

Mine: Toy Story, Aladdin, Mulan, The Lion King

Brianna: Toy Story, Aladdin, Up, The Lion King

Jory: Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Up, The Lion King

My Dad (I learned I didn’t raise him very well, so he has skewed our data): Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmatians, Monsters Inc. 

What movies would make your Final 4?

God Found Us

Yesterday, I was frustrated. I didn't care about the start of Spring Break knowing my plans had become vastly different. I was annoyed with the people in mass hysteria of the unknown, or to be more accurate, the people who had lost all common sense. Let me correct that again... The adults who had lost all common sense.

This is one of the many reasons why I teach. I find it much easier to give kids grace. They are kids. I expect them to do crazy things without reason. However, a lot of times they end up restoring my faith in humanity. Yesterday was no exception.

This week lived up to its hype with Daylight Savings, Full Moon, Friday the 13th, and the week leading into Spring Break. To top it all off we'll have a before school meeting about the coronavirus outbreak just for kicks and giggles. And to be sure we end Friday with the right dose of crazy, go ahead and throw in an intruder drill, followed by a fire drill, followed by an internet safety assembly.

Did I mention I was already frustrated going into school on Friday?

Around 10, when we finally got settled back into class from drills and the assembly, the office buzzed down for a girl in my homeroom. Next thing I know I'm being handed a note and a large reusable bag is being placed on the desk by my door. I finished my lesson and finally took time to read the note my student had handed me. 

God knew what I needed yesterday. Although I wrote yesterday about perspective, He knew I would still need His whispers throughout the day to remind me to trust Him. I know I have had students who were adopted, but I have never had a "Gotcha Day" celebration in my class. I thought it was cool, and very special, that my student wanted to celebrate such a big day with her class. Plus, to be so open about something so personal at 12 years old impressed me.

We celebrated, ate Pringles, drank Kool-Aid Jammers, and I read the book, God Found Us You, her mom sent. More like, I choked my way through reading the book her mom sent in. Our class had a really good discussion on adoption and my student happily shared a little snippet of her life with us. I emailed her mom after school thanking her for letting us celebrate such an important day. Her reply back was the perfect way for me to go into a Spring Break I had no longer been looking forward to.

What started out as a day of me being annoyed by the world, ended with me being grateful. I'm glad God doesn't cast us aside when we get angry, but it's in those moments that He chooses to find us. Do I always let myself see him in those moments? Absolutely not. But yesterday, I'm glad I did.

Thundercats Are Go!

Perspective.

One of the many lessons learned during my trip to the Congo was how one event can cause many different perspectives.

Before we ever left the States, we had a major bump in the road. While we had sent off for our Visas in plenty of time, there is no such thing as plenty of time on "Africa time." The embassy, or whoever is in charge of the Visa approval letter in the Congo, was taking its sweet time with our letters. We knew when we were finally able to send our passports to Washington, D.C. the money order had to be filled out perfectly and we had all paid extra, so once our passports had Visas in them, they would be overnighted back to us. Deep breath. We had a week before leaving. We would be fine. (To put this into perspective, this usually happens 4-6 weeks before going on a trip, not ONE!)

I believe 4 out of 7 of us got our passports, with Visas, back without hiccups. However, my dad and 2 others had signed their money order. To be fair, banks like this to be done, the Congolese embassy did not want this done. Needless to say, 3 of our team members had to pay even more to overnight a money order to D.C. We were now within days from leaving and 3 of our team members didn't have their passports.

Lucky for us, we live in a small town. A couple days before leaving, the Post Office called my parent's house to let my dad know a package had arrived just before they closed. The Post Master was going to deliver it out to the house. She by no means had to use her personal time to deliver it and could have easily waited until the next day. She also had no idea the amount of relief her simple phone call had caused. We were all grateful.

Our team had been texting nervously for several days. Joyous texts went out each time another team member received their passport back in the mail. Thundercats were now a go! We would all be going to the Congo!

We had joked the whole way about how nerve-wracking it was waiting on our passports. But it wasn't until one morning when doing a devotion with Tresor we talked about the different perspectives we all had from the experience. Okay, I learned the different perspective the rest of the team had in contrast to mine.

The rest of the team saw it as whatever will be, will be. If we were meant to go on the trip, everything would work out. Or it could be God's way of saying there is some reason not to go. We don't always understand why God says no, but we trust Him to lead us where He wants us.

I, on the other hand, saw it as God, with a confident head nod, saying, "I got this." As though He was flailing His arms in front of us whispering, "Trust me." He was diminishing any anxiety going into the trip by showing He had everything in His control the entire time. All we had to do was trust Him.

Yesterday, sometime between washing my hands and checking the status of Disneyland for the billionth time, God reminded me of last summer. 

Right now, I am sad, mad, frustrated, heartbroken, annoyed... any feels of that nature, I am currently feeling. Not because I don't get to go to Disneyland or California for Spring Break; I'd like to think I'm not that petty. Those feelings come from not getting to see my best friend. It's become a tradition, what was going to be 6 years next week, for us to meet up during Spring Break. I haven't seen her since last Easter. Since then, she's had a son, who at this rate could be over a year old before I meet him. Furthermore, as of 2017, Spring Break perfectly falls on the birth(day) of her daughter. This could mark the first year I don't get to celebrate Ainsley's birthday with her. All the feels. However, in a still, small voice, God reminded me last night, "Just trust Me. I got this."

Even while I type this, I don't know what Spring Break is going to look like. I know I'm not going to California Monday night. I know I'm not going to Boise next week. I do know, whatever Spring Break holds, God has a reason for changing my plans even if in the present moment I'm a little angry at those plans.

Perspective.

Prayin' for Daylight

The end.

Rascal Flatts are coming to an end and currently on their farewell tour. They will forever be my favorite country band. I hadn't listened to country music for a handful of years and their album Feels Like Today brought me back to it in 8th grade. During my junior and senior year of high school, I met my mom at her school at the end of the day to make a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks to get their new CD at Target on release day. I'm not sure if she knew it, but it became a tradition to get their new CD's with her.

Finally, in college, I had the opportunity to go to their concert in Springfield. My sister and I have both always loved Rascal Flatts and their Nothing Like This Tour is a memory we were able to share together. My brother-in-law, Adam, also came which was huge considering he is absolutely not a fan of country music. Actually, I think he bought us the tickets. Chris Young and Luke Bryan were the opening acts. I knew more of their songs than I realized going in that night.

In honor of the Flatts and the special place they will always hold in my heart, here is a list of my favorite song off each album. A few albums get two songs, because they deserve it and they are songs I always play first when I listen to that CD. If one of the songs gets stuck in your head, you're welcome.

• Rascal Flatts (Tied for my favorite album, I could choose most of these songs)
• Prayin' for Daylight 
• Some Say
• Melt
• Mayberry 
• Feels Like Today (co-favorite album, once again, I could choose almost every song)
• Fast Cars and Freedom (The song that brought me back to my roots)
• Here's To You
• Me and My Gang
• What Hurts the Most (I cried watching this music video)
• Still Feels Good (Started the Target tradition)
• Take Me There
• Unstoppable (I couldn't leave either off this list)
• Close
• Summer Nights
• Nothing Like This
• All Night to Get There
• Changed
• Hot in Here
• Rewind
• I Like the Sound of That
• Back to Us
• Kiss You While I Can

Rascal Flatts, you will always hold a special place in my heart. I will be listening to your old music on repeat for years to come while praying for daylight that one day you have a reunion. Until then, here's to you!

Life on Mars

My running posts are over. You're welcome. Although, I ran 5 miles this evening. My fastest pace of 2020. Now I'm done.

Monday we had an early out. Our principal had us clean out our pod closets. (Hallelujah! We've wanted to for so long, but ain't nobody got time for that!) Our pod was unused for a few years, which meant our closet became the storage for any unwanted items in the school. We carried out 3 custodial size trash cans of junk.

We also discovered we have a plethora of disinfectant supplies. While the rest of the world sells out, have no fear, students at WCMS will be perfectly sanitized. Unless my pod teacher and I decide to sell them to make money for our London trip this summer...

Tuesday I had my students listen to a 6 minute audio about how to avoid Coronavirus. Afterwards a student came up to me and asked, "So if the coronavirus is still around in 10 years, will we all have to move to Mars?"

Yes, yes we will...

My kids... Either I have been paying more attention the last 2 weeks, or they have been saying the darndest things the last 2 weeks! Maybe a combination of both. I should have had the girl look in our pod closet at all of our disinfectants. That would have reassured her we wouldn't have to discover life on Mars.

I'm 100% That...

A few things I never plan to do in life:

1. Eat at Waffle House
2. Eat cottage cheese
3. Watch The Office or Parks and Rec all the way through
4. Run a 5K, or any type of race

I've made it my life's goal to never eat at Waffle House. I won't stop others from enjoying it; I just don't want to eat there.

I once accidentally drank expired chocolate milk. It was soured and lumpy. I don't need to relive that nightmare by eating cottage cheese.

If you like those shows, I don't judge you at all. Good for you. They aren't my cup of tea, please don't judge me either.

Never say never.

Sometimes things you once thought impossible, become possible. I am accustomed to hard work. I've worked hard to accomplish a lot of things in life. Sometimes the little things, like making it to church on time, are great successes. Sometimes, it's the culmination of 4 years of hard work resulting in being the Salutatorian of your high school class. Or it's 3 years in the making, plus 10 months of studying and competing, to place 3rd in Parliamentary Procedure at FFA Nationals.

For people who know me, it might seem silly for me to say, but I think completing a half marathon has given me the greatest sense of accomplishment in my life. Not that I discount any of my other achievements. They all required a lot of my time and effort, but those all came easier, more natural, to me.

To put it into some perspective, Beth ran 190 miles while training for our half marathon. I ran 545 miles. No, that is not a typo. Even with all of my extra miles, I still only beat her by 2 minutes. Did I say I'm not a natural born runner??

Beth still convincing me I'm a runner.

 I learned if I set my mind to do something, even if it's hard, I can do it. I gained perspective for my students who struggle in school. How many times have they tried, put in extra work, and failed, but keep trying? Meanwhile, other students don't even have to try to get good grades. (Guilty!) I also learned why people put stickers on their vehicles with their race lengths, and quit judging them for it. 

RUNNING. IS. FREAKING. HARD. AND. THEY. EARNED. IT.

Sorry, not sorry!

Beth bought me a 13.1 sticker for my car as a thank you for being crazy enough to motivate her to run a half marathon. (Why these aren't awarded at the finish of a race, I will never know.) Needless to say, I proudly display my 13.1 sticker on the back of my car. I must admit, while putting it on the back windshield, a small part of me felt like I should be playing the opening line to Lizzo's song, Truth Hurts. If people see my sticker and think that, I understand. That was me once, too. I now know the amount of work that went into earning my 13.1 badge of honor.  

I also might, possibly, kind of, sort of, be ready to admit that I'm a runner. Maybe. 

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

13.1 miles
ran the ENTIRE time

6 months of training
5 years, if you wanna count when I started running

A little blood
only from the Tsunami run

A TON of sweat
halfway self-induced, doesn't help I run during the hottest time of day

And a few tears
NOT from the Tsunami run, that made me laugh
I cried my first 7 mile run when my app gave up on life and quit tracking

Britt made a "runner's number" that
said CHEERLEADER.

There's not a lot to actually write about from the race. I mean I could come up with something, but I ran 13.1 miles in a little over 2 hours. People cheered, Brittany came and watched, and Beth and I both finished without stopping to walk. My main goal was to not let a marathoner beat me. The winner of the marathon beat me by about 5 seconds. I call it a success. Past that it wouldn't be an entertaining story to tell.

I'm thankful for the people who drove around me while I ran instead of hitting me, especially in Eldon where there's no shoulder on the HWY for me to move over. Lastly, I'm thankful for the people who waved at me. I always take it as though they are cheering me on. I'm also thankful for friends and family who listened to me talk about running for months. Last, but certainly not least, I'm thankful for a friend who challenged me to do something I never dreamed in a million years of doing, nor did I think it was possible. The blood, sweat, and tears were so worth it.

A House of Cards

Sometimes my stubbornness results in stupidity. On the other hand, it also forces me to not give up when things get hard. Once school started, Beth and I did a lot of our long runs together on the weekends. When it came time for our first 10 miler, she beat me to it. I had a busy school week ahead, but I was determined to make time for a 10 mile run.

Thursday was the only day that week when I had time for a long run. I had mentally been preparing myself all week, and I was ready. The weather was not.

I probably opened my weather app 100 times that day. Each time, hoping the forecast would change. After school came and it appeared as though I was getting my wish. It had rained off and on all day, but there was a break just as school ended. My weather app made it seem like more rain would hold off until later in the evening. I didn't want to ruin my mental preparedness for 10 miles, so I decided to go for it. Besides, I figured if it rained on race day, I would be ready for a run in the rain.

About two miles in the heavens parted and the rains came down. Not a light, misty, feels refreshing rain. A torrential down-pour, soaked in 10 seconds kind of rain. But I'm stubborn. I was already soaked. What was the point in quitting now? Unlike Taylor Swift in Sparks Fly, I was not going to be a house of cards in this full on rainstorm. Behind me, to the west, I could see the sun still peaking out from behind the gray, rain clouds. I took it as my sign from God to keep going. (A sign, or justifying my stubbornness... potato, poh-tah-toh).

Yeah, I know, cute.
My celebratory picture
I sent to Beth after
finishing a rainy 10 miles!

While I may choose to do stupid things, I'm also a cautious person. My mom drilled into my head from a young age to ALWAYS be aware of my surroundings. Therefore, when I'm running I take extra precautions in being aware of traffic. I was on extra, high alert while running in the rain.

However, I would be curious what passersby were thinking when they encountered me on the road. I know I was a sight for sore eyes! The rain was sticking in my eyelashes causing me to blink a bajillion times per second all while my mascara smeared down my cheeks. My shorts and tank top were clinging to my skin as I occasionally tried wringing water out. To make it all worse, my socks were wet and my shoes were squishy. And in case you were wondering, using a soaked tank to dry off raindrop filled eyelashes does not equate success. I was a running circus.

Somewhere between miles 6 and 7 the rain finally let up. The heavens parted and angels were singing hallelujah! Well, I was at least. Although I think the rain had distracted me from the overwhelming idea of running
10 miles.

The rest of the run was uneventful and forgettable. My stubbornness paid off though. I made it to my goal and was another step closer to 13.1.

Running in a Tsunami

If you are a teacher, or know a teacher, then you know October is crazy, to say the least. August and September, everyone is getting back into the groove of school. October is the end of 1st Quarter (that explains a lot right there), Parent/Teacher Conferences, Red Ribbon dress-up week, Halloween Parties, etc.

Now if you are a baseball fan, or just a person who doesn't live under a rock, you know October is Post Season. Unfortunately, if I had been training for a half marathon in 2016, 2017, or 2018, I would have been golden. Not in 2019 though! After 3 years of drought, the rain finally poured, October Reigned. We were back in the Post Season.

My three worlds had collided for a perfect storm to create a completely crazy Caitlin. It didn't take long into October to solidify this fact.

October 3rd. The Cardinals played the Braves at 4. Not ideal. I couldn't run before the game, but give it 3-3.5 hours, 7:30 would be fine to run. When 7:30 hit, we were entering the 9th inning of a tied ballgame. It was also starting to get dark. Both of my stubborn sides (I get it from my mom and my dad) ignited for the decision to take a risk. First off, I have the MLB app on my phone with access to KMOX radio. Second, I have very limited data to use amongst my family, but it starts over the 7th of each month. The risk of paying my dad $15 in overage fees was worth it. Third, I knew if I waited any longer it would be too dark to run. So out I went.

It didn't take long into my run for the Cardinals to get on base in the top of the 9th. I was running like a complete lunatic with my arms above my head and fists pumping into the air. That was my pose for the majority of the top of the inning as the Cards went onto score 4 runs making it 7-3 going into the bottom of the 9th. Man, we had this game in the bag, I was getting a quick 3 mile run in, and all was right in my World.

Tsunami alert! Carlos Martinez, aka Tsunami, was coming back to the mound to close out the game for the Redbirds. We had a cushiony lead. Let's get 3 quick outs, I'll finish running my last mile, and take this series back to the Lou.

Not so fast... The Tsunami walked Hamilton and Acuña Jr. homered. 7-5, no outs. Meanwhile, I'm on the straight stretch, ready to round the corner and head back up the hill to my apartments. Albies grounded out to 3rd. I step over the speed bump, round the corner and head up the hill. Carlos pitches, Freeman hits a home run, and the game is 7-6 with only one out. Oh come on, Carlos! As Freeman hit the homer, there's a car entering the driveway to the apartments. It was mostly dark out by now, so between being blinded by the car lights and distracted by Carlos coming close to blowing the save, I forgot to watch out for the 2nd speed bump. Don't worry, it found me instead. To add insult to the present injury of the game, the next thing I knew I was catching my fall with my knees. I never even had a chance to stutter step and catch myself, however my feet hit the speed bump was perfect enough to not know until I was already down. Just as quickly as I fell, I popped myself back up and finished running the tenth of a mile to my apartment. Once inside, it didn't take long for Carlos to come up with the last 2 outs and for me to find both knees covered in blood, the palms of my hands scraped, and myself laughing on the living room floor from all the chaos.

The things I do for my Cardinals... I learned it is probably best for me not to run and listen to a Cardinals game. While the run started out great and I was killing my pace, you never know when a game can change in a split second and I might find myself knee first in the asphalt. However, I now have a cool scar on my knee. When I see it, it reminds me of the Cardinals making Post Season for the first time in 3 seasons as well as the time I did what I once thought impossible, running a half marathon.

Still in Kinshasa

It became a running joke amongst my team while we were in the Congo for Tresor to remind us, okay just me, that we (I) was *still* in Kinshasa. Kinshasa is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We visited several municipalities, Kinkole, Kisenso, and Duale, to name a few. Most took 30-60 minutes to get to from our hotel. Duale, where the farm is located, is up a mountain. It took us 2 hours to get to the farm and 4 hours to get back. That's the day the joke started, because I thought surely we were no longer in Kinshasa. I was wrong. I finally learned Kinshasa, the capital city of the DRC, is approximately the size of Connecticut. We truly were never leaving Kinshasa until the plane flew us out.

We had only been in the DRC for a few days when Tresor asked our team if anyone wanted to join him in the morning for a run. I never thought those words would be music to my ears. There were only two of us who volunteered as tribute. I knew from past conversations with Tresor that the place he considered the most beautiful in the Congo was also where he ran. I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to run, and I certainly wasn't going to miss the view.

The run itself was nothing significant. I tracked a whole 1.5 miles, far from the 5 I ran before leaving the U.S. The setting, on the other hand, is one I don't believe will ever be beat. Tresor took us to the loop where all of the Ambassadors live and at the end of the loop is where the DRC President lives. So not only is it beautiful, it's also probably the safest place in the entire country. Guards and police were everywhere. We saw several fellow runners while we were out, and I do believe every single one of them could have lapped me. Actually, I think I probably could have taken on the Chinese Ambassador, he was pretty slow.

Luckily, we asked Tresor before snapping this picture.
We were about to take it in front of the President's house,
which is illegal.

Don't worry, the ambassadors' residents was not what Tresor considers the beautiful part. Although their houses are the fanciest in all of Congo. The Ambassadors live along the Congo River, formerly the Zaire River, and the 2nd longest river in Africa. Across the river is Brazaville, the capital city of Republic of the Congo. Aside from the Vatican City and Rome, Brazaville and Kinshasa are the closest capital cities in the World. Nowhere else can you look across a river and see another country's capital. It was surreal. It gave me goosebumps. I saw why Tresor considered it the most beautiful spot in Kinshasa. While I may have never made it out of Kinshasa, on our run I did finally SEE outside of Kinshasa.

Control Yourself

On 24 April 2019, my friend and co-worker, Beth, sent me a message and asked what the odds were that I'd run a half marathon with her in November. That folks, is the day I committed myself to the mad house. As much as I tell myself I'm not good at running, and am convinced that I am not a runner, I also don't run away from a challenge.

There were 6 months to prepare for a half marathon and I was already consistently running 3-4 miles. I would have Beth to motivate and encourage me. It might be possible.

I had 3 initial fears.

1. The arch of my foot would start to fall again.
2. I was going out of the country, most likely nowhere to run, for 2 weeks in late June/early July. 
3. I wouldn't be able to run the entire 13.1 miles come race day.

The first one I knew I could control and chose to learn from my mistakes. (Insert eye roll, because I have to admit I messed up.) Once I knew I was fully committed to this half marathon thing, I went and bought my first real pair of running shoes. I know, I know, like 5 years too late, but they're expensive. So I did my research, took my mom with me to Academy to try on several pairs, and landed on navy and purple Brooks Ghost. Secondly, Beth and I made a schedule to pace ourselves. I didn't have to go out the next week and run 10 miles everyday! 

A sneak peek of the Congo River view

My second fear, and I know it sounds cliche, but I decided to trust God. Logically, I also knew once I came back from the Congo I still had 4 months until race day. Beyond that, I controlled what I could. I left on a high note and made sure to run 5 miles the day before leaving for Africa. To my surprise, and a story that will get its own separate blog post, I got the chance to run once while in the DRC. I'm not sure any run will ever top that one. How many people, especially Americans, can say they have ran along the Congo River? 

That last fear was the biggest hurdle to get over mentally. I've said before, I like to do things knowing I'll be successful. In cheerleading, I always knew I would eventually learn the dance, cheer, and stunt. In gymnastics, I knew it might take a lot of hard work, but with time I would land the front handspring, round-off back handspring. One day, I knew I'd be stubborn enough to not let my hand fall on an aerial cartwheel. The same went for band, FFA, and academics. You get the point. Running was a whole new ballgame for me, and one I didn't know what I was capable of doing or not doing. Yet again, I controlled what I could control. Practice, practice, practice. For the next 6 months, I would run like a half crazy person. Whatever happened the day of the race, at least I would know with confidence that I had prepared myself.