Protector

Saturday night I did a photo shoot for a Mardi Gras party. When I left, I headed toward the interstate that would deliver me almost to my front door. I was on my happy little way...until I missed the interstate exchange.

And ended up in a not so safe part of town.

At 11:30 at night.

Did I mention that I was completely unfamiliar with where I was?

I was in a panic, heart racing, every single convenient store was closed, barred, locked up. Few street lights. Please tell me you've NEVER been in a similar situation!

I called H and he delivered me safely to the interstate. (Thank you, God, for cell phones!)

I was telling my sweet students this little story today. How scared I was because I was lost. How it felt to not know where I was, etc. Several students were twittering. After all, it IS a little funny to know that an adult was so scared!

However, one of my students was looking more and more worried.

Finally, he piped up and said, "Mrs. Benson! You should NEVER have been on that road by yourself so late at night!!!! It is dangerous. People get SHOT there!"

Have I mentioned that I teach SECOND GRADE???? What in the world does an eight year old know about people getting shot?????? And aren't the roles reversed here? Shouldn't I be the one protecting him and not the other way around?

My heart grew two sizes that day. (um...this day).

And then I got this note in my box:

"I choose Mrs. Benson as the rotary teacher for March. Mrs. Benson was my second grade teacher. I appreciate not only everything that she taught me, bu also that she never gave up on me. She always had time for me and she always encouraged me to do my best in everything I did. She loved me and cared about me." (Former student who is in 5th grade this year and has matured into the most amazing young man.)

My heart almost thumped out of my chest as tears coursed down my cheeks. I stood in the office and sobbed as if my heart was in a million pieces.

There are mornings when I detest getting up. I grumble about dressing M and sending her off to be in the care of others. I miss her tremendously during the day and wish we were together. But, friends, that note is exactly why I do what I do. I teach so I can make a difference just like that. That note was a career maker. I can live off that high for years.

My heart grew two sizes today.

Project 365, Week 8

Did I miss a week? Should I be on 9????

Here you go.

February 14, 2009 is in previous post...I got confused!

February 15, 2009 February 16, 2009

February 17, 2009

February 18, 2009

February 19, 2009

February 20, 2009

As I look at this week, I realize that I really haven't changed much as a photographer. That's disappointing. My goal this week is to work on point-of-view. Change it up a little, you know? Perhaps if I give myself a goal every now and then, I really will improve.

How was your week?

Hosted by Kimberly

Yesterday

Monday:
2:00 PM. 2 1/2 hour nap.
7:30 PM. Early bed time.
Excellent sleep all night long.

Tuesday:
1:00 PM. 3 1/2 hour nap.
7:30 PM. Early bed time.
Good sleep all night long.

Wednesday:
2:00 PM. 3 hour nap.
7:30 PM. Early bed time.
8:00 PM. Singing.
8:30 PM. Reading.
8:45 PM. Giggling.
9:00 PM. Daddy goes in to remind her to sleep.
Turn the CD on again.
10:00 PM. Singing, reading, giggling.
10:30 PM. Repeat
11:00 PM. Repeat
11:30 PM. Repeat
12:00 AM. Repeat
12:30 AM. Silence. Precious silence.

Today:
6:30 AM. Alarm goes off. Is it that time already???
Exhaustion.
Yawns.
Giddiness.
Yawns.
Circles under eyes.

Tonight:
7:45 PM. Bed time.
8:00 PM. Silence.
9:30 PM. Mommy is going to bed.

MBS: Hint of Spring

H and I spent one beautiful night in the north Georgia mountains--chilly, foggy, snuggly. Every tree was bare.

Except one.

It contained just the tiniest hint of spring.

Project 365, Week 7

A little late this week.

February 7, 2009

February 8, 2009

February 9, 2009

February 10, 2009
February 11, 2009
February 12, 2009

February 13, 2009

February 14, 2009

Hosted by Kimberly

Born in the USA

Have fun with this one folks.
Let me know if you decide to play!!
1. Put your MP3, iTunes, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag your friends

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Praise the Lord

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Only He Has the Power (Musicale)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Treat Me Nice (Elvis Presley)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Sing, Mary, Sing (Jennifer Knapp)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree (Amy Grant)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Tubthumping (Chumbawamba)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Money (Pink Floyd)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Hey, Baby (Bruce Channel)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Fishers of Men (The Christian Children's Bible Song CD)

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Mountain of God (Third Day)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Watch Out, We're Here (Jock Jams Cheerleading CD)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
One Year of Love (Queen)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Mystery (Indigo Girls)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Everybody (Back Street Boys)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Don't Worry, Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
A Hazy Shade of Winter (Simon and Garfunkel)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy (Big and Rich)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Rocket Man (Elton John)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Blue Avenue (Elton John)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
State of Grace (Billy Joel)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
In the Midnight Hour (Billy Idol)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Born in the USA (Bruce Springstein)

DISCLAIMER: H and I share an i-Pod. I don't even know half these songs!!! ARGH!!!

Let me know if you play along. No tagging tonight.

He holds us tight

The funeral festivities are over.

I'd like to sleep for a week.

What I'd like to do more is take H away for a week and just protect him. Hide him from the pain and hurt that has flown around this town in the past 4 days.

There are times when I don't honor H for all that he is, for all that he does. Heck, there are times when I don't even recognize what he does for us.

Not this week. He's been in the spotlight too often for me not to recognize how amazing he truly is.

He looked at the face of evil and smiled kindly.

He hasn't screamed one time.

He's been patient and kind.

The Lord has given H grace that is not his own. The Lord has held H tightly and given him the strength he needed to deal with all that has happened since Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

There is nothing sadder to watch than children grieving the loss of their father and dealing with family drama at the same time.

Thank you, Lord, for holding H so tight this week.

Prayer Request

Please pray for H. His father passed away this afternoon.

Project 365, Week 6

I got a little sick yesterday, so M and I are staying home this weekend. I don't want to spread any more germs.

January 31, 2009
February 1, 2009

February 2, 2009


February 3, 2009

February 4, 2009

We have a lot of blue love hanging around this year for Valentine's Day. M has decided her favorite color is blue, so I let her paint blue hearts. I tried to squeeze in a little pink and red, but the effect is more Fourth of July than Valentine's Day.

February 5, 2009 (my ISO was set too high! A lot of noise in this picture)

February 6, 2009 (Again, high ISO)

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Hosted by Kimberly

Project 365, Ideas

I'm sitting here relieved that we once again have enough money to pay our monthly bills. Does anyone else stress about that??? We were SO poor when we got married that I got very good as robbing Peter to pay Paul. Now we always have enough money, but I still get stressed!

Oh, I digressed. Now that I'm elated that I'm done paying bills for the month, I remembered the cool kit that got me all inspired for Project 365 again this year despite my dismal failure last year. I also remembered that Creating Keepsakes came up with a list of 365 pictures you could take this year. I was so motivated by the list of ideas. After 35 successful pictures, I'm running short on ideas. How many time do you want to see my kid? So anyway, I searched around and found the list. I wanted to share it with you in case you were beginning to run low on P365 ideas.

365 Days, 365 Ideas for Photos

Let me know if you find that helpful. I've noticed that my photos are not quite as artistic as some of PADers. At first I was intimiated by that. I decided that my approach is just fine. I'm doing this to document a year in our lives, so I want my pictures to reflect US. I hope by taking a picture a day, I become a better photographer. But my goal for the year is to document who we are. What we do. Our lives together.

Home today

I'm home from work today with a VERY sick husband.

I'm praying and TRUSTING that M and I don't get it.

I hate cleaning up when someone is sick.

YUCK!

ETA: Does anyone know what to do if you can't keep phenergan down?

My Best Shot: Princess

Here she is in all her glittery, shimmery highness.

Her royal attire lasted only a blink in time, but it will never be forgotten.

Princess M. Ruler of the Benson Household.

My Best Shot. Maybe not technically my best shot. But definitely one of my favorites.

What's yours?

For other royal pictures from this week, head on over to Mother May I? There is always much to tempt the senses.

My Princess

A bunch of little girls.

Princess crowns.

Nail polish.

Make-up.

Birthday presents

Cake.

Giggles.

My princess.

Don't you love the "smile?"