A few of my favorite things

 When the dog bites...When the bee stings...When I'm feeling sad...WAIT. This is not a Sound of Music song post!!!! I was thinking on the way to school the other day how so many little "things" I could say, "Oh, I just love ____________________"! I made a mental list and used it as praise and gratitude during my prayer time. When I got to school, I wrote a few down to remind me throughout the day to find things that I love about life, my job, friendships, etc...Today as I cleaned my desk, I found the list and it made me smile again, so I thought I would share. Here are some of my favorite things...

• the pallet of colors in the sunrise
• the feeling after my morning workout
• that first sip of coffee in the morning
• getting out the door early enough to NOT get behind a bus
• hearing Kiara's Christmas playlist through her headphones while I pray and have quiet time
• the spinning pen holder on my desk
• the desk calendar on my desk filled with my silly friend that always makes me smile
• an email of thanks for something little
• a student asking how they can challenge themselves more academically
• passionate people who show their passions
• google chats
• memes in google chats
• memes in general!!!!
• seat warmers in the car
• fresh snow covering the ground
• my office looking like an elf threw up Christmas
• sitting/relaxing to get my hair cut
• laughter!!!!
• tik tok and instagram reels
• having my whole family home for Thanksgiving
• Christmas lights in a dark room
• fuzzy socks in the winter
• warm blankets to snuggle

It's funny how we can take so many things for granted and feel like the world is so heavy. And it can be, don't get me wrong...But it is amazing that when we stop for a moment in our day to consider some of our favorite things, we can truly be thankful and find a smile.  What are your favorite things???

Life is better with laughter

 The title says it all, doesn't it?  Life is simply better with laughter. At the start of 2023 I had a friend dub this my year of fun. And it truly has been. That's a separate post than this one though that I will recap the year in late Decmeber or January. Lately (as in the last few months) I have become keenly aware of my laughter. I love to laugh. Sometimes even when things aren't all that funny. My bestie and my school family especially have helped me to expand my laughter and joy this year.  And I am incredibly thankful for that. In my day to day work there are some really heavy moments and those moments are filled with stress, hurt, compassion, and times my heart is ripped out for my students. But in the midst of that, I have found joy and laughter in a job that I love...with friends to support me...with co-workers that have become part of my family. This past week  Kiara had a meeting in the evening at school and I had one right after school so we didn't come home in between. I had all of these plans of all the work that I was going to accomplish during this time and while she was at her meeting. I had goals. But laughter and fun and adventure trumped all of that and I had an evening full of laughter. After my own meeting, my office became a hodge-podge hangout of a couple of colleagues and a few of Kiara's friends hanging out for the evening meeting. It was mix of generations...yes I was the oldest...and I just loved listening, interacting, and laughing...at each other, at myself, and at silly things. Instead of getting down to work, a friend/co-worker and I decided to venture off on a walk outside since it was so nice.  

When I say that we walked, most would think we just took a nice walk, chatted, and came back to school refreshed after exercise.  We chatted, obviously because we are both chatty, but the walk was filled with more than chatter...it was filled with laughter.  We: 

• ran into trash cans (well one of us did...)
• almost fell off the sidewalk (the other one of us)
• nearly got hit by a car when another car waved us on in front of them
• wondered outloud random things
• got stopped by a former (and current) student driving around who spotted us and knew it was us, even though it was very dark out
• imitated slow-motion running (which in reality is my running pace--which was funnier)
• had to stop to go inside to go to the bathroom, because the adage that you walk faster if you have to pee simply wasn't true for us.

THEN...we adventured around the school to places we hadn't really explored before because we are too busy during the day. While we are sworn to secrecy as to exactly where we explored...we laughed so much more as we:

• planned a podcast (we've been talking about it for awhile and even have a name)
• "practiced' the opening of the podcast
• explored possible topics for said podcast
• dreamed bigger into our own youtube channel (you guys...no one wants to see this)
• sang solos in the spotlight (well one of us did)
• took "live" pictures that turned out HILARIOUSLY
• checked out some vintage workout equipment
• learned that doors are how people get to different places (don't ask)
• peeked in like spys to the scrimmage basketball game (when we could've simply gone in)
• snuck some food from the FFA Thanksgiving feast meeting (we were invited...didn't just steal it)

After the meeting, another colleague and Kiara joined us where we continued to laugh to the point of floor laughing. If you don't know what this is, we are experts at falling to the floor because we are laughing so incredibly hard. Before it was time to leave, I ran to the bathroom. Upon my return my dear friends and daughter played a little trick on me...there may have been hiding under my desk and scaring the bejeebers out of me (which was videotaped--thanks girls), followed by major floor laughing and hysterics as we rewatched the video.

Some things we discovered:

• Never go on a run for a first date...that could be dangerous and requires the right attire (don't ask)
• Don't eat fried chicken on a first date. Trust us.
• Always check under your desk or at least be more observant of feet sticking out
• Work will still be there tomorrow...take the time for fun!
• It's ok to laugh at yourself. 
• An evening at school of doing "nothing" can be the BEST time.
• Our ab muscles got a great workout for the night.

What have you laughed about lately?  Take time to laugh because life truly is better with laughter.

Needing a reminder

It's wedding week! We are all so excited for it to finally be here and to welcome our new daughter-in-law and sster-in-law into the family. We are feeling all of the emotions and we are so happy for them.  

Allergies, lack of sleep, exhaustion, a few stressful work situations, a botched pedicure, among other things had me feeling all of the feelings and I found myself camped on the negative...looking at the things that have gone wrong instead of looking for the things that are oh, so right.  So tonight...I am needing a reminder. A reminder that God is good all of the time, through all of the emotions, ups and downs, celebrations, and messiness of life.

--Penn State game last weekend as a whole family get away before the wedding.

--GORGEOUS views on the way home from PA in the mountains

--Safety in travels and fun despite the rain that DID. NOT. STOP!!

--Celebrating my daughter-in-law-to-be's birthday on Sunday.

--Hair cut and highlights with my girl for wedding prep

--Friends that remind me to take care of myself, even if it means shutting my door to cry for a hot minute.

--Offers of hugs and prayers by text or google messages.

--Fresh coffee on a chilly afternoon

--Watching a student grow and learn through mistakes

--Friends that leave me out of group chats and talk about me, because they want to lift me up and do something so sweet. (My work family are truly friends and I'm so blessed)

--Marigold moments (my marigold crew knows)

--A bestie that takes a picture of herself riding on the back of a duck statue

--Heat pads and hot tea while relaxing

--A pedicure re-do for the wedding

--Seeing a normally somber student smiling and laughing

--Memes, giphs, and tik-toks that make me laugh

--Caramel apples and pretzels dipped in honey mustard dressing

--Laughter...I have grown to love laughter and am so fortunate to have a lot of it!!!!

--Sticky notes

--Breaking out in song randomly at work...and a friend that joins in with me

--Fuzzy socks when my feet are cold

--Bargain Lane and finding deals and laughter throughout the bins

--A short school week due to Fall Break on Friday and Monday

--Having my whole family at home for this last week before the wedding

That's really just touching the surface too...I could go on and on, but honestly, I've been reminded of all of my positives and have had a reset in my focus.  And that, my friends, was the whole goal.  God is good, all the time...and when we question it, all we have to do is stop and look for the good, for the joy, for the positive.  Be blessed friends and look for it!

Loving what I do

This week was a long one...lots of hours at school, some by choice to watch sporting events and some not so much by choice with meetings and "situations". My days were non-stop and I had a couple days that I didn't sit down at my desk or check my email until after 11:00 AM, which is very unlike me.  Another day I left school for the day well after school hours and still had 20+ emails that were unread, which is REALLY not like me.  One day an administrator stopped to check on me because he knew that it had been crazy busy for me and I said I was good. He gave me a look and I said "No, I'm really, really good!'.  I realized as I left school that day that I was indeed good.  Very good.  And that felt amazing! I even text a friend with this message: "You know what's awesome? Today was LONG and a LOT but I left feeling energized and purposeful."  As I drove home I waited for the exhaustion to kick in because it had been a lot that day...but it didn't.  Instead I was content and thinking how much I love my job. I truly do, even the hard parts of it. I can deal with a lot of heavy on a daily basis and trust me that not every day do I feel energized and puposeful. Some days just are hard and I'm wiped out and weary.  But even on those days...Man I love my job!  It is amazing to be right where God put me doing what He wants me to do. There is no other explanation. 

And my co-workers??? So thankful to call so many of them my friends. They are people I enjoy and love being around. I know I've mentioned it before, but throughout my teaching years, I was often an island...music teachers (or any "special"--I hate that name for it...but I won't go there today) especially in an elementary school are on there own.  Everyone has a "team" but specials are so vastly different and often on such different schedules, that I never really felt like I fit in at any of the schools I was at.  Meetings?  They would sit with their grade levels. Lunch? Often the same. Now that I am a school counselor, my position is vastly different and I have an office within the office and am surrounded by a team that works hard but still have a lot of fun together.  I feel like I have a spot. I'm not on my own island anymore. And I simply love it.

Life is short and I'm so glad that I took the plunge to change careers in mid-life. I love going to work again and even in my 4th year now...It feels fresh, new, and exciting every day.  Every day is different. Sometimes it is H.A.R.D. and there are tears and exhaustion. But even after those days, I'm ready to go back the next day to be with my co-workers, to love on my students, and feel a part of a team that is energizing and purposeful.  How stinking lucky am I?

The Birthday Police

When someone in the office has a birthday at my school, the tradition is to do treats to celebrate, so I knew that was going to happen, or at least assumed. But the Friday before my birthday (Saturday) this year, I got so much more than treats and I had an amazing laughter-FILLED day and some twisted, unexpected turns.  I actually have to briefly start the story Thursday night. I said goodnight to Kiara and headed to bed myself to read. A bit later, Kiara text me that she thinks her phone broke and then comes to show me that her screen is showing her apps very strangely, like they were running (think watercolors) down her screen. I told her we'd look at it in the morning as there was nothing we could do.  The next morning, she brings it to me and it is much worse, with vertical bars going through the screen. I tried restarting it to no avail.  I told her we'd have to go get it checked out later and we left for school. Pause on that portion of the story...

I walk into school about 25 feet behind my principal and there were students at the entrance who immediately greet me with "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Witmer! We hope you have a great day!". I asked them how they knew and my principal just smiled and shrugged.  As I walked into the office each person greeted me with a loud happy birthday. I got to my door and found this: 

Opened the door and found this: (The office ladies call ourselves the Golden Girls, each assigned as a person that eerily we are each like. And last year, I MAY have started a tradition of leaving cut-outs with silly bubble conversations for people, so the favor was returned.)

And then was made to wear this for the day...like MADE. Each time I took it off, it was put right back over my head, a little roughly, I might add! HA!

I was flooded with co-workers and students wishing me a happy birthday and had piles of gifts on my desk for me, along with a Dunkin Donuts coffee. I felt so loved. I could write a different blog on how special it is to me to work in a place that I feel loved, appreciated, and belong...but that's a different post. During our homeroom I had a student I'll call "Susie" come to see me and give me birthday greetings and a hug. This brings me back around to the phone.

Susie asks me why Kiara left her phone in my office. I picked it up to show her the now, much worse, screen. Susie asks if I tried restarting it and said "Let's try it again, just in case."  More people are stopping by and I'm chatting when all of a sudden I hear the sound of the SOS on the phone and the 911 operator!  Susie threw the phone at me and I told the operator that all was okay and that we were working on my daughter's phone because the screen wasn't working and that I was so so sorry about bothering her. She recorded my name, verified that I was calling from within the high school and we hung up.  We burst out laughing and proceeded to tell the other office staff what happened and I sent her back to class. About 5 minutes later, my principal, who can be a joker, sticks his head in my office and says there are two policeman there to see me.  I said "Ha! HA! Very funny!"  He told me he was serious and that they had asked for me by name. I.  Was.  Mortified.  They came around the corner and as I floundered showing them the phone and telling them what had happened, they proceeded to tell me it was a crime to give my daughter an old phone and just gave me an overall hard time over it. We were all laughing so hard but I was so embarrassed. Apparently when they came in, they had told my principal they were responding to a 911 call within the building and asked him to call me to the office (thinking I was a student)...when they all realized who I was, they decided to give me a hard time. I immediately had to go tell "Susie" what had happened and she was so embarrassed. I will never let her live down that she called the police and got me in trouble on my birthday (well...the day before). As I was down the hall, one of the staff came to get me saying I was needed in the office right away. I thought something was wrong and immediately started walking quickly and asked her what student was there that needed me. She stammered and stuttered and I realized she was taking me back to be sung to for the birthday treats time. As I turned the corner into the office, all of them were gathered to sing like normal, with the addition of my daughter, whom they grabbed out of study hall,  and two very nice police officers who stayed to sing to me! I invited the officers to share in the treats since I caused them to come out to check on me. Although they declined to eat any snacks they did hope that they wouldn't have to come back and see me again that day and told me to behave myself and upgrade my daughter's phone! HA!  

The rest of the day was filled with love, laughter, Mean Bean for lunch, football game with some of my teacher friends, and so much smiling and laughing.  I claimed this year as my year of FUN! And this day was definitely one of the highlights in a lot of ways.

Oh...and the phone upgrade happened the next day, on my actual birthday, which is an ENTIRELY NEW story and new blog post. Stay tuned for more...

Won't HE Do It?

I have worked more this summer than usual due to some circumstances with students as well as a new Counselor Connect that I started this summer, where I hold open office hours once every two weeks to allow any student to come in and chat, catch up, or seek counsel.  The beyond cool thing is that I have seen God move in mighty ways and it has brought me closer to Him and found me in complete AWE of the way that He works. Obviously because of confidentiality, I cannot disclose the specifics of how God moved...but man, if I could...you would simple be amazed. I have no doubt!!!

In one situation, it was very much an up and down (daily) situation that had me with sleepless nights, prayer-FILLED days, on my knees or walking miles in prayer.  I had NO control whatsoever which made me fully rely on my faith that God has ultimate control. Not going to lie that there were many days that I had to grit my teeth and pray to God: "I know you have a plan and You work all things for good, but right now, I don't get what you are doing. I don't think you are getting it right. Why would you allow these things?" And don't you know, that EVERY SINGLE TIME God answered and showed that He was good???  Not necessarily immediately...those were the sleepless nights, but without fail, and honestly in ways that had me scratching or shaking my head and saying "Well, won't He just do it?" There were times where I was sitting with hands covering my face crying out to God in anguish...and then times in the same position crying and saying "Thank you Jesus. You are amazing and so so good".  

We all have times that we doubt God's plan...at least if we are honest, right?  But this summer God showed me over and over and over that I could be honest about that doubt...I could come before him speechless, simply crying out "Jesus help" and He would show up over and over.  I had one day where I literally had no words and I was scared, frustrated, and honestly wanted to shake my fist at God over the unfairness. I literally had no words when I tried to pray...I just sat there.  But I KNEW that prayer was needed...so I hopped on my podcasts app and found a podcast that had prayers on different topics when you weren't sure how to pray.  So I laid on my bathroom floor and said..."I don't know what to say Lord, so let THIS be my prayer" and I played it. I ended up playing that prayer multiple times throughout that day and though the words weren't coming from my mouth...I know that God heard every single word as if it was and he showed up that day too. Over and over He showed up and showed Himself to be good and that he works in very mysterious ways...in HIS ways, not ours and definitely not how we think He will.  And when I say He showed up...man I wish I could share the details...only because sometimes it made me laugh out loud, cry out "Hallelujah" in the middle of wherever I was, and sometimes dropped me to my knees in awe.

Sometimes the confidentiality thing is TOUGH.  Because I need to process too.  I need wisdom and someone to tell me that I'm handling things "correctly"...God became that in a big way and He showed me a group of friends that I could text: "PRAY...just pray for _____________________ (protection, strength, wisdom, God's intervention)" and they would drop what they were doing, knowing no details at all...not knowing who was involved, what the situation was, if I was okay...and they would pray. And then they would follow up to see if there was resolution...if the need changed, how they could pray for me in the midst of it. (I have amazing friends by the way...I have a small crew, but they are mighty!!!) There is power in prayer you guys.  I have known that for years but this summer God showed me in mighty ways. You see, He showed me that when we don't understand the plan, that doesn't mean He doesn't have a plan. And sometimes it is WILD ya'll.  

So my take away from some of these situations this summer and some of my own personal struggles?  Just pray...when there are no words...He can still hear our groanings and the Holy Spirit intervenes. (Romans 8:26) He is working. His plan is perfect (even if it looks crazy to us). He works in bizarre ways that we can't predict...because when we seek His counsel and intervention....I have learned that I always can look back at the end and say...

"Won't He do it?"  Without a doubt.  He will. 

I'm still here....seeing His goodness

 Haven't posted in awhile and I've missed it.  My goal had been to write once a week for fun, or at least every two weeks...Life happens and I'm giving myself grace, but I have several posts that I've started in my head. Let'ssee...where to begin?

How about a little post of God's goodness that I've seen this summer?  Because, boy have I seen God working!  In fact a couple of the posts in my head are more specific and detailed and NEED to be written, but I'm trying to give myself grace and ease back in ;)  So, where have I seen God's goodness this summer?

*morning coffee on the porch

*slower paced days

*seeing Kiara (my daughter) grow and change (full blog post coming)

*seeing my son, Brock, and future daughter in law, Ashlyn plan their wedding and become doggy parents

*seeing my middle son, Grant working his butt off this summer

*going to the gym, sometimes as a whole family...sometimes just one or two of us

*my grand-puppy, Maddie! She is so much fun and then I can send her home!

*loud rock out/singing sessions with Kiara (from worship music to angry girl songs to country)

*time really relaxing in the pool

*time to listen to podcasts

*travel and adventure with my bestie

*worship on the porch not caring who can hear me (sorry neighbors)

*my non-cuddly cat that has started to love on me and snuggle (and the fact that I enjoy that is truly a God-thing!)

*breakfasts out with a friend to catch up

*snapchats and tik-toks shared from sweet co-workers 

*intense prayer times over a couple situations (full blog coming)

*a new to me netflix show that just makes me laugh...I love to laugh!

*hearing the birds sing every day and being outside so much

*peace and relaxation on my porch or on my back deck

*morning walks while Kiara walks sheep

*a new workout program that I want to hate but I secretly love it (not so secret anymore)

*seeing God work literal miracles in ways that I couldn't have imagined (full blog coming)

*time in the barn with my girl who is coming into her own with her love of agriculture

*starting/completing a summer program at school to check-in over the summer

*being nominated for a state award in school counseling

*morning coffee on the porch doing devotions (yes I know this was previously mentioned but I've seen and felt His goodness so much in these mornings)

*finding a mother of the groom dress that I LOVE for a steal of a deal

*meeting and enjoying time with our son's future in-laws

*my daughter's instagram messages that are sometimes silly and sometimes heartfelt

*snapping beans as a family on the porch (even the grandpuppy)

*time with my parents daily at the farm...so thankful for both of them

*time with Phil's parents who visited for the fair...so glad they were able to see K show

*excitement over a new apartment for Ashlyn (& Brock after the wedding)

There are so many more that I could probably mention.  It's been a good summer. I've worked more than I had anticipated, but I have seen God PROFOUNDLY during those times. I've also been able to take the time to truly relax and enjoy the summer. I feel refreshed and ready for God to use me this year. Where have you seen His goodness? I honestly would love to hear!!!

Be blessed and look for His goodness today. I KNOW that you will see it if you look.