I left (a piece of) my heart in Florida...

“Life takes you unexpected places; love brings you home.”

As students were being dismissed for our week-long vacation from school, I had a good laugh when I overheard one of my coworkers:

Co-worker: "Florida? All of these kids are going to Florida, but no one's actually FROM Florida..."

Me: (to self) Lies...There just aren't that many of us. 😇

Lucky me, though, that I was able to head HOME to Florida for spring break. The weather was absolutely beautiful, offering sunshine (except for the day when my sister and I did our marathon training run, when it did, of course, rain) and temps hovering around 80 degrees.

While there was work to be done for grad school, I did have some time to relax and not worry too much about looming deadlines. There was plenty of time for visiting with family, watching movies, celebrating with high school friends, sipping coffee, running, and taking in the sunshine...

ice cream... :)

My thoughts EVERY morning...

These kiddos grow SO fast!

Vacations and visits always come to an end too soon. While it's exciting to come back to finish up the school year (both for grad school and teaching), it's hard knowing I won't see my parents till June, other family till August (thank goodness for my sister's wedding to make that happen!), and friends till...? But I thank God for the time I do have and am grateful for all of the people who have joined me along this journey of life.

Now, back up in cold country, I leave you with this thought from Oliver Wendell Holmes:

Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

No matter where I go in life, Florida (and the people there) will always have a piece of my heart...

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays...

Oh, the weather outside is...

Well, it's definitely not frightful - not here in Florida, anyways. It's much warmer than the weather we've been having recently in Chicago. (Thank goodness for that!) In fact, it makes me think of that Irving Berlin song that goes "Off with my overcoat, off with my gloves..." - so nice to put those away for 2 weeks. While being a far cry from a white Christmas, somehow I don't mind it so much this year. Sunny and 75 (or even 80) - bring on the sunshine! "All I want for Christmas is Florida sun" (pardon my shabby lyric adaptation - changing lyrics is kind of a habit with me).

Regardless of temperature and type/lack of precipitation, spending the holidays with family and friends is the best present anyone can ask for. This past week during prayer intentions in my middle school classes, my heart was warmed when students stepped outside of themselves to remember those who have no home or family to share this special time with, especially in the cold of the Chicago winter. Sometimes, though they can appear self-centered and immature, they surprise me with bits of wisdom, critical questions, and thoughtfulness. And those moments are ones to be treasured, indeed.

Only a few more days until Christmas - hard to believe, isn't it? The time seems to fly by faster each year. And since we'll be running about here and there visiting various family and friends these next few days, I don't know if I'll get to post before the big day, so in that case...

Merry (early) Christmas!

And, just for fun, in case you missed it a few years ago, here is "The Story of the Nativity" (the 'digital' version).

The House That Built Me

Even though it's been a pain in the butt for my dad to fix up his parents' house since my grandpa died, I think I understand why he wants to keep it. If you listen to Miranda Lambert's The House That Built Me, the realization might hit you too - memories are hidden in every nook and cranny of that house. And even though some things about it look a little (or even a lot) different now, it doesn't take away the times we've shared together there. And since my dad is a pretty nostalgic guy (which is probably why I usually am the same way), the house is something he isn't quite ready to give up. (And for that I am grateful.)

(Note: If that song hits you any way close to how it hits me, make sure you have a tissue box handy.)

Sometimes it takes a place to make you realize how very special certain people have been (and continue to be) in your life. And one such place for me is my grandparents' house because, in many ways and for many summers, it did build me.

And so, allow me to ask you to reflect on this - Has there been a place that's built you?

I "stole" the following pictures from my sister/grandpa - I know they won't mind...

More Gr8 Reads

*NERD ALERT!* One of the greatest things I LOVE about vacation is the number of quality books I get to catch up on amid the grading, Pinterest-surfing, running, visiting, and relaxing.

This Easter break has been no different. These are the two children's books I thoroughly enjoyed over my first two days of break:

1) The One and Only Ivan --> I sat down this afternoon after a nice brunch with my family with the intention of reading only a few pages of this book. As I turned the final page about two hours later, I realized just how captivating the story is. (Only after I had finished the book did I discover the novel is based on a true story.) It is uniquely told through the eyes of the "ape at exit 8" with a wonderful cast of characters, rounded out by two sweet elephants, a young girl who befriends the animals, and Bob the mutt. This book might seriously be my class's next read aloud - after we finish Wonder, that is.

Do yourself a favor and watch the book trailer on the website. And then, go ahead and get a copy - rent, borrow, buy... And then, set aside about 2 hours worth of time, sit back, and enjoy.

2) Hold Fast --> After the author Blue Balliett came to our school for a visit with the kiddos, I went to Barnes & Noble online and ordered this one, her latest book. It (like her other books) is set in Chicago, and it actually delves into the issue of homelessness (especially for families and children) while providing a most intriguing mystery. Blue Balliett always employs these great mathematical puzzlers and riddles that are solved by characters (and the reader) along the way. (I honestly think I liked this book more than Chasing Vermeer.) I'll be passing this book along to my co-workers and then our students too. It may provide a great segue into discussing the real problem of homelessness in our city, and maybe the students can start thinking of a part they may (one day...or now) be able to play.

Well, I do think I've exhausted the children's books I brought with me. Next up, I have How Children Succeed and The Good Pope: John XXIII and Vatican II - The Making of a Saint and the Re-Making of the Church. I also have about 15+ books to choose from on my Nook. But first, I think I'll need to do some scoring of student mystery book assessments and Social Studies assessment booklets...

        

And, of course, tomorrow being EASTER (!!!), I think I will honor the day of rest and celebrate Jesus' Resurrection with my family. Hope you have a blessed Easter too.

(By the way, this is an interesting post about Popes Francis and Benedict: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/theanchoress/2013/03/27/the-quiet-menace-fixating-on-francis-missing-the-point/)

How do you spell H-O-M-E?

Let me pose today's Living the Eucharist (Lenten Journey) question:

If home is future, and not only in the past, what home do you envision when your journey comes to an end? What memory or place says home to you most powerfully?

To be quite honest, I have been blessed to feel "at home" in many different places - my home where I grew up and where my parents still live (obviously), but also USF for college (especially the Catholic Student Union), Notre Dame (for the ACE program), Phoenix (where I did my ACE placement - especially my school), and now Chicago.

Although, I admit, Chicago took awhile.

But what makes these places home to me?

1- Home is the people, most definitely. It's having family and friends to share in the good (and hard) times. And it's about people who are genuinely there for you. Here in Chicago, I feel at home, especially around my fourth grade team, my friends from Church, and my sister & ACE friends. They are people I enjoy spending time with and who make me feel at home through their actions, kind words, and times that we share.

2- Home is where there is a strong sense of welcome and belonging. I feel this with my students every day. And I felt it in Arizona too. (That's why I think I maybe am really called to be a teacher.) And I feel it with my parish here in Chicago - from the young adult activities to the small groups I've participated in to the weekly volleyball - I feel included. And I feel loved.

3- Home is hard to leave. Most recently (well, it's been nearly 2 years now), I cried - no, more like sobbed - quite a bit when I had to say goodbye to my friends, students, and co-workers in Arizona. They had all become my family, my home away from home. And it was almost unbearable to leave. This makes me think of a quote I love that I came across awhile ago on Pinterest:

Yeah, home is kind of like that.

4- Home is where God's presence is evident. And let me tell you something - after days like today that are much needed respites from the craziness that this week had originally promised, how can I not find God's presence with me?

And when all of these add up, how can you help but feel that you are home...


Now, there's just one thing more...Along the lines of home, here are 2 songs that I find to be very poignant and beautiful. Enjoy...