A month of firsts (and hopefully some lasts)

Some fun and not so fun things that have happened lately:

- Gave the TAKS test

- Almost passed out during the TAKS test, had to go to the ER for super low blood pressure – continued to fight this for about 2 weeks as my b.p. continued to drop randomly – much fear and anxiety as I prayed asking God to control the blood pumping through my veins…

- Got 2 new students – one who the Lord blessed me with for only 1 month instead of all 10 months (oh.my.goodness this child stresses me out)

- Maya grew a whole lot, lost her baby teeth and is learning more commands

- Went to happy hour with girls from work – I really am blessed to have good friends I work with, who support me and make me laugh

- Watched Pumas (soccer) games as Javi yelled at the TV and Mavs games as everyone else in Dallas yelled (Go Mavs!)

- RIP braces October 2009-April 2011 :D

- Went to Houston for a high school friend’s wedding (actually friend since 1^st grade although she and I fought a lot at first - she had glitter crayons and wouldn’t share with me!)

- Finished the “exciting” books of Leviticus and Numbers, started devouring Deuteronomy and loving it!

- Ate chicken cooked on a can of beer – yum!

- Felt really appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week with all the candy, cards, flowers, and hugs

- Discovered Words with Friends – Javi says “stop playing that silly game!!” bc I play it a l l t h e t i m e

Looking forward to being the *hopefully* math and science teacher of 3rd grade next year! (i say hopefully because i still haven't signed a contract)

Left Maya alone for the first time - we're home now and she's acting funny (aka super sweet and obedient -- reflection post coming soon)

funny thing happened

Yes the stress has hit the fan this week, as predicted in the previous post. It was heightened by my unexpected new student we'll add to my list of impulsive ADD-type students in my class (in case you were counting that's 6 out of 19 now). And then, l a u g h t e r.

When: after the dog park
Where: sitting in traffic
The scene: listening to Bob Marley with the windows down

Girl in next car: Do you smoke?
Me: No, sorry. (thinking she's looking for a lighter, although that would be awkward in traffic)
Girl: Not cigarettes?
Me: No. (geez, I said no)
Girl: Not the other thing?
Me: No. (ooooh I get it) ... We just like Bob Marley.
Girl: Oh so you do smoke.
Me: No.
Girl: Not cigarettes but the other thing.
Me: No.
Girl: But... how can you like Bob Marley and not smoke the other thing? *drives away very confused*
Javi & I make the drivers behind us mad bc the light has turned green and we're laughing too hard to notice.

Ahhh, only in Denton. (Or California.)

calm before the storm

It is Sunday afternoon. one of my favorite times. currently i'm lying in bed (not feeling too well) with a belly full of my fast food indulgence (hey, i ate salads all week!). We broke our only golden dog rule and snuck her into our bedroom and Maya is sprawled on top of Javi awkwardly as they both lightly snore together.

*sigh*
the calm before the storm.

April will be a whirlwind of a month. Not just because of the TAKS test, every 3rd grade teacher (and student's) worst nightmare, and not just because of the countless meetings to have to scramble to get accommodations for students in writing before the test so they can receive them on the testing days. The whirlwind isn't just about work, although this does add to the to-do list. No, the whirlwind comes with (hopefully) some definition.

Tomorrow we meet with a lawyer to discuss our options as far as Javi's immigration status, current and future. We are hoping that now we have heard from the state of Texas that I do have a job next year we can get some good facts about our options. With gas prices going crazy we just can't afford to have Javi come and go every 6 months and we would love to have some extra income but can't until some paperwork is underway (or so we think...once again hopefully the lawyer will clear all that up for us).

Also I will hopefully be getting my braces off soon (not a moment *too* soon) and will be getting food allergy tested for the first time in my life. I know there's something I'm allergic to because of my recent strange reaction and my commonly swollen "Angelina Jolie" lip that comes and goes as it pleases. I'm a little nervous though because my mom is severely allergic to preservatives and because I haven't been able to figure out exactly what causes my reactions it could be something similar that is in everything. As long as they don't tell me that I'm allergic to fruit, wine, or chocolate I think I'll be okay ;)

I'm excited for changes, for guidance, and for light to shine on our path so we may walk clearly and with wisdom.

what we want, what we get

Listening to Dave Barnes (love him!!) and chuckling at how true his lyrics are for my life right now...

sometimes what we want isn't what we get

sometimes what we get ain't really what we want

As you may remember I decided last month to begin intentional month-long prayers for javi, myself, and our marriage. March was for humility. God is a generous God. sometimes i forget this.

The rug has been pulled out from underneath me in several big life circumstances. If I were to list them all here it would just be overwhelming - but trust me, it's hard gritty dramatic life stuff. This has sent me into a spiral of reflection, reaction, and repentance.

It's a daily battle between my emotions and human thoughts vs God's sovereignty and control. It's a daily battle between my trust in the victory and sufficience of the Cross vs my unbelief.
And it's a daily reminder of Who is in control.

I am like the grass.
I am like the wind.
I am like the grasshoppers.
I am but a lily in a field.
I am chaff blown away.
I am nothing.

I

am

nothing.

I know nothing.
I control nothing.
I can fix nothing.
I can heal nothing.
I can save nothing.
I can assure nothing.
I can plan nothing.

God alone is on the throne.

everything we have, everything we've got -- it was given

ain't a thing we need that heaven forgot -- it was given.

"O God most high, most glorious
The thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me,
For I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed,
but Thou art for ever at perfect peace.
Thy designs cause Thee no fear or care of unfulfillment,
they stand fast as the eternal hills.
Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint.
Thou bringest order out of confusion,
and my defeats are Thy victories.
The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows,
to leave every concern entirely to Thee,
every sin calling for Christ's precious blood..." (Valley of Vision prayers)

heavy hearted

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger and need
My God is a God who provides

^{Jer 31:25} "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

^{1 Peter 1:6-7} In all this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—
of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—
may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

^{Ps 34:1} I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

^{1 Cor 15:57-58} Thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

this has been a hard time.
a time of grief and sorrow.
a time of learning how to trust on the Lord.
a time of rejoicing in the grace of the cross.
a time of learning about the Victory of Christ.
a time of refining faith.

You know you own a dog/puppy when:

- Your blog is all about your dog
- You tell your students to "come" "stay" "sit" or "don't bite me" (that last one is a joke but lately, I wouldn't be surprised...)
- Your husband and you talk about the dog's bowel movements every time you talk
- You pray to ask for a servant's heart when the dog whines at 2am
- You become very clean only so the dog won't eat any of your stuff
- You find dog treats in your pockets while at work
- You bleed from over-zealous dog play
- You research all different kinds of dog breeds to find puppies that look like your mutt
- You have "dog" pajamas and pajamas you actually allow to enter into your sheets
- You finally make friends with your neighbors of 7 months (they have dogs too)
- You show off your dog's picture to any passerby who didn't ask

but how could you not adore her? she's just so cute!!

Maya

Javi and I are taking that "next step" in our relationship -- we're getting a puppy! I've wanted a puppy for a very long time - (6 years now) and my super persuasive arguments and eyelash batting have finally won out. Saturday morning we went to the Denton animal shelter and picked out the most beautiful and (probably) intelligent dog there.
(sidenote: I say probably because we don't have her yet. But like any good dog mom, I have high expectations... that will probably be dashed quite soon)



Javi's dog experiences were with big, strong, slobbery, macho dogs who had lots of room to play outside. They were rough and tumble outside dogs that were fun to run around with. My dog experience was a 13 lb mini dachshund who loved to lie in front of the fire and bark at birds. So of course, our hopes for our sweet Maya are quite different.

I have already dog-proofed the house, used the phrase "that's not good enough for my puppy", and have fretted a lot about her training. Javi, on the other hand, has continued to repeat to me "it's a dog" and has lost no sleep over her soon-arrival.

Things are about to get very interesting around the Elizalde house...here's to puppy training!