I Couldn't Have Written It Better!

Can you believe what I overheard when I walked up behind a group of 4 fifth graders talking in between class during summer school? If I could have written a perfect scene, I couldn't have written it better!

Four 5th graders talking, Teacher (that's me) walks by with a listening ear, boys don't know teacher is listening behind them...and action: (click)

"I don't want summer school to be over!" boy one exclaims.

"Me either." cousin of boy one states.

"I would stay in here, even during recess if I could." boy three bodly says.

Boy four shakes his head up in down in agreement, without saying a word.

Teacher walks on speechless pretending she never heard the conversation but smiles from ear to ear when she gets to her desk.

WOW...are you kidding me? They don't want summer school to end? These are students who have not been successful at school, people, or they wouldn't be in SS in the first place.

To say the least and to borrow a line from Dr. Suess, my heart grew two sizes that day!

What a blessing! Do you remember my earlier post about looking for your present everyday? Found today's!!!!!

I <3 Ron

As many of you know, I want to marry Ron Clark.

He is amazing in every possible way.

The problem is, he doesn't know me...well, we met briefly and I told him "I hadn't ever heard of you until today and now...I love you!"

His response in his southern drawl?

"Well that was a quick love!"

I do love him...I love what he stands for and I love his passion.

If you don't know I love him already, now you have a good idea...

He was Disney's Teacher of the Year, and Oprah's first Man of the Year, or something like that...but he is a superstar in the world of education and well, I love him.

I am teaching summer school this year and I have thought about him many times over this short period. My kids need his wisdom and they need my love...and I am going to try to give them both.

I guess I was passionate enough about him over the course of these last few days because my students have now renamed me....

So, here I am...meet the real MRS. McCLARK (wink!)

Daily Gift

"Look for your present, God gives you one everyday!" says my mom...she lives it.

You can call her right now ask her what her gift was today and without missing a beat she will answer you...it might be the red bird in the bird bath just outside her window or a phone call from a friend right when she needed it or a swarm of butterflies migrating to the south right over her head...anyway she looks at it, God gives her a gift everyday. She looks for it and then tells Him thank you, every time.

I love that she raised me with this attitude. It makes me appreciate the little things and it pulls me up when I am bogged down with the minute details of life.

So I wanted to share with you just a few of my gifts this week:

This sunset greeted me as I walked out of the local grocery story one night last week. Feeling blah and doing the regular chores of the week I walked to my car, bags in hand. I saw this masterpiece. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it took my breath away:


Shopping with my daughter and her picking this poster out to hang on her wall. What she has learned at 13 years old...it amazes me...I was twice her age before I got how important this is:


Holding my friends new babies. I was able to visit two different friends this week. Each of them had new sons. One is 2 weeks old and one is 4 months. Oh the smell of newborns with lotion and powder and the sounds they make. The newborn grunt is so sweet and only lasts but a short time. It was music to my ears:

Like I said, these are just a few. Have fun looking for your present everyday...it will make you smile.

Sharing a Funny!

So working a long day of summer school and wanting to come home and "chill" I decided to do just that and read some of my favorite blogs. In doing so, I found the funniest video and laughed so hard I cried. I hope you enjoy it because I have to share. I just love the 80's!

Just One Day?

1. Today was day 2 of Summer School. I am teaching 5th grade reading and LOVE it...5th graders are way cool kids.

2. HUGE storm blew threw our town where literally the rain was a downpour and blowing sideways with lightning striking the ground all around us...but the storm lasted about 4 minutes.

3. Darbie almost has her back handspring and I got to see her practice tonight with her team...way cool, especially for someone like me who trips walking a straight line.

4. So You Think You Can Dance was overridden by the weather coverage...better watch out...The McCloud Girls would watch that show in the middle of the tornado if we had to...Guess I'll try to You Tube the first hour.

Addicted to Blogging! I mean writing...

So why didn't you all tell me I would love blogging? Is that word in the dictionary now?

I wish I was an author for a living. Well, I am a writing teacher, so I guess in a way I am an author for a living.

Just sitting behind this computer and writing brings joy. Maybe during this "semi mid-life crisis", I should take a writing class. Or I could just read a mentor text by Shannon Hale. She always inspires me. Read just a blog of hers and you want to be a better writer immediately, never mind her books.

I am taking a photography class as of tonight and I have homework, so when I have completed that homework I will post for you to see. I have more things I am planning on doing this summer such as taking an art class and a dance class. I won't master either one of these things but I have decided that becoming a master at crafts has kept me from pursuing them at all.

I saw a quote tonight at the store speaking of basketball that stated "You miss 100% of the baskets you don't shoot!" So, I may not have a high percentage of baskets while painting or dancing but at least I am going to shoot for fun this summer. I will keep you posted on the classes!

40 years old, here I come.....I won't go down without a fight!

Greater Love!

Just got back from Oklahoma City, OK to visit and hug my bother in law, Jerry, before he leaves for Iraq. Pride swells in my heart and a tear in my eye.

He is a Navy "SeaBee" (Construction Battalion) and has about 12 days left before he ships off and two months left in the states to train.

https://www.seabee.navy.mil/index.cfm/1499

I am so proud of him and his service to the best country, USA!

I am free because of Jerry and many like him. To be that unselfish and self sacrificing just amazes me. I am so thankful for those who can do this hard job.

Jesus said it best, as He always does when He said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Thank you, Jerry! And to those unsung heroes like my sister that stay brave and hold down the forts so that their husbands can go off to protect our country.

God bless you guys and God bless the USA!

Why Blog?

So I continued to ask myself this question, and then, on my first day of Summer Vaction, I asked "Why Not?"

It's my goal to make the posts short and sweet, but those who know me are already laughing out loud. I have never been able to tell a short story. But details make it fun and so you may get a few too many here in My Little Corner of the World.

My Corner is located in what I believe to be the BEST place in the world to live...TEXAS! I'm not biased, it's just true.
My corner is shared by my amazingly funny, always beautiful and sometimes sarcastic daughter, Darbie. For those analogy buffs, here goes:

Jodie is to Darbie; as Lorelai is to Rory.

We have super fun together and she is, I am sure, already teasing me for saying "Super Fun!"

Laughter is the main noise heard in our home along with TV, texting, music and worship. We love God. Jesus is our best friend and the Holy Spirit is welcome anytime.

It's not always perfect, but we smother ourselves with grace and move on.

Another population in our corner of the world are our 3 cats...Callie, Julia and Benny. Poor guy, he is the only male and I don't think he likes it. There are a few spiders that live outside on the porch and I can't talk myself into killing them, see they eat the other bugs and I like that!

I told you short and sweet was my goal but I will often times fall short of that...so we may try for long and loving.

I will keep you posted on the comings and goings and meanwhile...you have a wonderful day...or as someone I really respect use to say

"Make is a great day or not, the choice is yours!"