The Kohlmans

So, it's just dessert for the work day at Grandma's tomorrow. But I wanted to try something new. And fun. (Please don't laugh.) I was trying for this: So I made this: And ended up with this: I have some work to do before my cupcake techniques are perfected, and for some reason I chose one of the hardest ones in the book - but yes, you can hire me anytime. In case anyone's interested, the plans are in Hello, Cupcake . I want to use it more often, but Brad and I can't (read: shouldn't) eat two dozen cupcakes ourselves. And I just discovered that there is a sequel . I might be coveting it right now...

  This is my brother. His name is Daniel. (I'm not allowed to tell you my nickname for him. But it's good... you'd use it if you knew it.)   Anyway, these are pictures of my brother high jumping. Not very good ones, but he wanted to see them. (my camera was on aperture priority instead of shutter speed priority for most of them. oops.) He's a cool guy. A smart guy A nice guy. A strong guy. He laughs at my jokes. I'm very proud of my brother. And if you're interested in one reason why, you should pop on over to The Life of Daniel and read his post from yesterday. It's a pretty darn good one.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells and little men all in a row. There may not be any bells or shells, and there are definitely no little men, but our garden is growing very nicely. We took a gamble planting early (I'm not known for my patience) and it's paid off so far! Except for the failed strawberries, everything has come up and looks good. I think next year we might need a fifth garden bed... potatoes zucchini is my favorite - can't wait for bread and cake!

Do you really want to hear it today? I'm sure the honest answer is "absolutely not, Megan, we're sick of your whining. You could be a lot worse off..." And I know I could. I think of that reality every single day. And I am grateful to be healthy and have a job/paycheck/insurance for the next few months and a supportive family and a fantastic husband.... and so on and so forth. But this is your fair warning. You don't have to read it; I just need to get it out. After all, I'm not going to drive to your house and hogtie you to the computer chair (aside from the fact that I don't actually know what hogtying entails, I am not sure I have the funds to travel to everyone's spot in the world, though I would like to see each of you). I'll even throw a random picture of our "new" wind chimes from the farm in there to let you consider your options for a moment... I have never liked roller coasters. They actually rank right underneath "...

It's a lot easier to teach all day long when you start the day with this from one of last year's parents: Hello Megan - My family and I have heard news today that your contract will not be renewed for the next school year.  We are deeply disappointed to lose a talented, dedicated teacher like yourself.  My son has enjoyed your class and I regret that my daughters will not be able to experience language arts with you in the future.  He was crushed to hear that you wouldn't be back next year, when he knows many tenured teachers are not as capable as you are. I pray that you will land safely in a new position quickly and you'll be better off in the long run.  My husband has experienced a few layoffs and we know the pain and anxiety that go along with changes like these.  We have always landed on our feet and I'm sure you will too. Please know that you are appreciated, valued and that you will be missed at ACMS.  All my best to you! Make...

"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again." -Sarah Ban Breathnach I just had a revelation. I may have said in the past that waiting is the hardest part. But I don't think it is anymore. I think hoping is the hardest part. I was hoping, but I still lost my job... things still fell apart at the seams. Pessimism is an easy choice - if you start out with a dreary view, things won't get worse. Each day is awful, from start to finish, but it's easier to doubt, because in the end it may all turn out the way you expect. It is difficult to hope, to trust that our prayers will not only be answered, but will be answered in wondrous ways. Hope is hard, because it requires belief and trust and faith which are all challenges on their own. Hope is difficult because there is no certainty in it. But hope is worth it all, because sometimes the expectation that your h...

Do you ever have one of those days when you just feel like giving up? Like crawling into a hole and sobbing until you're so exhausted you can't sob anymore? Like going to bed and not coming out until, um, May? Good. I'm glad I'm not the only one.  It's been a long week. A hard week. An exhausting week. A..... well, you get the point. In the interest of "keeping it real," my last post may have been overly optimistic. Going to work is hard - not necessarily because I don't want to work or I'm upset/angry that I don't have a job there. It's more the whole (long-story) fiasco with my "leave bank" days that I completely lose because I'm getting RIF'd, which was my issue today. It's mostly the way that coworkers seem to be in denial that I'm leaving (there is a chance that another teacher will resign, in which case my job would be restored to .75, but at this point, if I find something else, I'm taking it. I...

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." -2 Corinthians 4:7-9 This morning, I laid awake in bed (I had the day off, thankfully), pondering my new knowledge; as of yesterday, I know that my position has been cut at the end of this year. I will not be teaching in Andover next year, unless someone leaves. These verses were at the forefront of my mind. I am clinging to them.   If you know me well, you know that I don't typically walk around quoting Bible verses or post them on the walls or this blog or my facebook status. It's just not me - I'm more of a quotations type of girl. But to a reader, all words resonate, and these feel more relevant to this moment in life than most I can find.    Surprisingly, all things considered, I am doing...

Meggie now claims a special spot in one of our flower beds. Someday, when the bushes and the peonies fill in, her place may have to be adjusted. But for now, here she is - where it seems she belongs. And just for old times sake, though I don't think I will ever be able to pass by her without laying a flower in her basket, even at 24... Now if only this could be a magical premonition of what news is to come for me in the next few days...

I've been struggling with what to write lately. Not sure if there's anything worthwhile running through my brain these days. Plus, I've been having a rough time keeping a negative attitude in check and would rather not spew that all over the page. So if you have any suggestions for blog topics or burning questions that you want answered, feel free to leave a comment... Settling in for what looks to be a rough week. Might need a reminder of what's right with the world. And one that some days are like that, even in Australia.

sunset self-portrait *mk God, fill me now; fill me with your loving kindness. Those who stay close will with joy their burdens carry. Here before you now; see, my hands are empty. God, fill me now with you. -Sing the Story