Life is Still Good...

...but I'm ready for Jesus to come back!

A few months ago a position came open in my school district for a curriculum coordinator. After some encouragement from different colleagues, I went ahead and applied. I mainly applied so that I would regret not applying after they hired a new coordinator. I applied on a day that my students were extremely frustrating...culminating with a student yelling, "Why are you so mean?!?!" I walked straight to my computer and started the process. Over the next few weeks...I had so much fun with my students. High School kids still make me laugh....they don't care about my class...but they make me laugh. So after opening the email asking me to schedule an interview multiple times...I finally emailed back that I was going to stick to the classroom. My kids this semester have intrigued me and humored me...and had some extremely interesting conversations. Some conversations disappointed me and I was sad for a few hours...some made me smile and made my next class ask what was going on...and some just baffled me and made me hurt for the kid. They might be 15 and 16 but they are still kids who think they are grown-up and who, unfortunately, have to deal with some pretty grown up things at home. Jesus come back!

Yesterday at about 2:30 I was told that I needed to be in a meeting for a special education student that had only been in my class for two days. The meeting started when school started and we were told it would only take a couple of hours (even though we had lawyers involved more people than I've ever seen around our conference table). So...I arrived at 9:00...we started at about 9:40...and we finished at 2:30. No lunch...a couple of breaks...and a sub with no plans for the afternoon in my room. I left the meeting wondering what the world was coming to. The hate felt from the parents trying to help or rectify a situation was so strong...the accusations were tough to sit and listen to. And I left wondering what the world was coming to. Jesus come back!

So I got back to my classroom for the last 10 minutes of one class and then my last period. Because of the day I had not wanting to get my classes off schedule from each other...we were just going to have a free day. So one of my students asked if we could watch Pocahontas. What?? Really?? Sure! So I played the movie while they played games and visited quietly. I had two random but fun conversations with two students. At the end of the day I read the sub notes...and all of my classes had done so well with her. Leaving school today, although frustrated from how I had to spend the school day, I was reminded that I really do love my job. Even if I do get yelled at, cussed at, and disrespected often...deep down...I love it.

Because of the kids I have had this school year I have some great stories...and some of them are DOOZIES! So that I don't forget them, I'll be writing them down here. Most days I wish I could video tape all the kids (mostly boys) who walk into my room. We just stand in the hallway and laugh...cause that's all I can do!

I started a business...what have I done?!?!

Haha! I still can't believe I signed on for this...but at the same time I am SUPER excited to see where it can go!

Here is a compilation of information from emails and conversations... I would LOVE to share this with you guys! 

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My home group leader contacted me a few weeks ago about joining her on selling Rodan + Fields skincare products.  I always get emails from friends who are trying to sell products and they continue to have party after party...and I did not want to do that! Well...Rodan + Fields is not a party company...it's not an inventory business...

It is an anti-aging skin care line (not makeup) company created by the same doctors that created Proactiv…It’s a clinical line, not cosmetic…So it is not makeup but skin care products that actually treat different issues going on (wrinkles, sun-damage, eczema, pimples, etc.).  The company doesn’t host parties…but we do start off with a business launch party. 

Here is the link for the invitation. I am pretty sure most people who read this blog don't live in the metroplex...so I'm sure you can’t make it…but thought I’d send it anyway! 

http://tinyurl.com/kq6pn84 

P.S. Paperless Post (www.paperlesspost.com)  is a great site to send invitation that are more private than evite and look a little nicer. I'm pretty excited about learning about Paperless Post.

 If you would like to just look at the products, you can visit my products site…and even walk through the solutions tool to see what products would be best for you! If it intrigues you, DON’T order from that site. I do have a way to save you 10% and get FREE shipping. J Look through my site whenever you have a minute. reneecole.myrandf.com

Second, I wanted to let you know about the business and see if you might be interested in joining me on this venture!  Please read it knowing that I truly just wanted to share because I can see what a blessing this will be for me and maybe could bless you, too. I would LOVE that!

The Rodan + Fields brand has been around for over a decade (used to be sold by retailers) but they recently brought it to direct sales to expand their market. It is a VERY different approach to direct sales in that we don't have to host parties and we don't have to stock inventory... And since R+F is new to direct sales, there are tremendous opportunities. But at the same time, since it was sold in retailers it already has an amazing following and the reputation of the doctors behind it (esp. because of Proactiv).

I was not looking for anything like this when my friend Emily approached me about joining her team.  I originally thought "no way" because I couldn't imagine adding one more thing to my plate... but then I watched her and in a matter of 2 months she had already started paying both of their car payments from this business!  As I started looking in to the company, I was even more impressed.  Anyways, I thought of you guys because I think each of you would be awesome at this business and it would be a fun way to continue to work with you after the girls leave me at Vines!  This is a great way to bring in supplement income with very little hours a week!  Most people do this job alongside of full time jobs... and they say the busier you are the better because it truly is lifestyle marketing!  I’ve only been doing this for a few weeks and am ready to get things really going after my business launch! Since I am not coaching next year, I am excited to have another way to supplement that coaching stipend. All of the ladies that I have talked to only spend about 3-5 hours a week on their business. Once people use the products, they really do sell themselves. So seriously... I wouldn't even bring this up with you unless I really believed it was a great way to supplement the income.

If you have the slightest intrigue, I would love to visit more... maybe a chat on the phone!  If you would like to do a little more research on your own, I included a couple of helpful links for you. After reading this short little description, if you have no interest whatsoever, NO WORRIES!  I would rather have brought it up and have you tell me "no way, Jose" than for one day you ask me why I never told you about it.  

I hope this doesn't come across too random or forward, but I hope you are encouraged to know that I genuinely would love for this to be a blessing for you as it has been for me!

Renee Cole

reneecole.myrandf.com - Award Winning Clinical Products
reneecole.myrandf.biz - Independent Business Ownership

http://youtu.be/pLMbk6DwenU - Rodan & Fields Story    

http://tinyurl.com/RFProductOverview - Products and Business Philosophy Overview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFhQ-jgXpzE-  Success story!

Good Singles Day....

So I'm not all about online dating...I'm not all about the set-ups...I'm not all about blind dates.
So....for some reason the Singles Link Up on KellysKornersblog.com intrigued me...and then my mom asked a friend of mine about it...and that's all it took I guess...and I'm thinking that NOTHING will come of it!

But...tonight was good! I got a lot of my friends to write a posts for each other...so I got to write about one of my really good friends and then one of my favorite co-workers. It's a lot of fun to write about other people in order to post about them on a blog! I've been on the computer for 2 hours just trying to find the right words and the right pictures. So fun!

So as much as I don't enjoy the upcoming "Single Awareness Day"...which by now it really doesn't bother me...and I'm pretty sure I will have volleyball practice that night anyway...today was a GOOD Singles Day!

Good busy and sick couple of days...

So...I woke up Monday with a cough that was just annoying. By the end of the day, it started hurting...and then by midnight I realized I wasn't gonna get any sleep...took some mucinex...got ready for school but felt horrible. Before I walked out the door I requested a sub through the online system. I only needed one for the morning in order to go to the doctor to get some meds. I showed up to practice with the worst headache I've ever had and body aches and chills. Last time I felt like that I thought I had the flu but it ended up being a sinus infection....so I assumed this time it was the same.

When practice was over, I went to the office to check on a sub. They were running around crazy. The first thing I heard was, "Renee Cole is out too." When they saw me, they proceeded to tell me that I needed to stay because there were not enough subs in the building. I was frustrated and starting to feel even worse knowing I couldn't stay any longer. I left the office fighting back tears. I then realized I only needed two periods covered...since I had to be back for a couple meetings and a parent night. As I was asking that, the tears just started coming...and they weren't stopping.

Long story short, I guess the tears meant "I am really hurting" and the girl I teach next to took over covering my classes...the girl I coach with got my meetings taken care of...and my assistant principal took over the parent night. I work in a good place with good people. One of my engineering kids went to the parent meeting to talk about my classes...our counselor said she was super impressed. I have good students.

I have the flu. Tamaflu is good stuff. I feel lots better!

I have a sub for tomorrow to go talk to middle school kids...as I have been thinking about the timing in this...I think The Lord might be wanting me to trust Him in filling my classes (just like he did this year) by simply praying. So...I might just have another sick day and be ready to go on Thursday. Yeah....that sounds really good.

Good Start to School

School started off great this semester....it definitely helped to have two weeks away!

However now it seems as if I had my classes for a month now....rather than just four days! The week was busy and full...but good!

Monday started off with a depressing note of the weigh-in at Weight Watchers...but it will be good. Eating and working out has been really good this week!

The rest of the week was full of school, volleyball/basketball, and the 30 day shred video. So getting up, Friday morning I was tired and not extremely motivated about going to school....and The Lord decided to show off! This is a pic from a stoplight by my house....picture doesn't really do it justice...but it was a super good start to the day!  (Will have to load picture later)

Now....volleyball tournament and my first visit to a new home group Sunday night! Looking like a good weekend!!!

Good Time to Start Over...

I was thinking as I drove to a good friends' house in Nashville (which is a very boring drive by the way...) that now would be a good time to start again at trying to be positive and focusing on the good in the days ahead. So...starting on the first...I'll be back! :)

Life is Good...

Ready for the random???

Good weekend...
This weekend was my first weekend off from volleyball in over a month. Finally! I can't say I did anything super exciting...but it was good to not have to spend the gorgeous day inside a warehouse gym!

Good Monday...
Monday definitely felt like Monday...but we only have four work days this week so it was a better Monday than normal...

Good stormy Tuesday...
In case you didn't see on the news, Dallas had some tornadoes touch down today. Everything missed Plano...but not before we spent a couple of hours with our 5th period classes. I'm not saying that I enjoyed that by any means! My 5th period class is my hardest class. Some of them are disrespectful, mean, not self-motivated, and immature. But some of them are just lovely! They actually all have their moments. However, after about an hour and a half I don't think any of us were very lovely. I not-so-quietly reminded them that they could be sitting out in the hallway on the hard floor leaning against a cement wall, but instead they got to sit in my classroom in a chair and play on the computer. The grass is always greener I guess. Anyway...what made Tuesday good was that because of the storm...volleyball practice was cancelled. A night off! Wahoo!
I had a lot of work to get done for some things I volunteered for as well as a lot of grading. Because of our stormy lock-down and now my night off...I got almost all of it finished!

So...so far...it's been a good week!
Life. Is. Good.

Good Spring Break...

I didn't spend spring break quite like I thought I was going to. Instead....I traveled a lot...and enjoyed most of it. Here goes my review of Spring Break.

I headed down to Houston the Friday we got out of school for a volleyball tournament.
The girls played well on Saturday but we didn't play again until Sunday afternoon. So...I got to spend a couple of hours reading and enjoying some coffee and treats before we had to head to the gym.

I got home late on Sunday night, I repacked a suitcase, and headed to bed.
I caught an early flight to the airport Monday morning to head to Arkansas. We didn't know how much longer my sweet Granny Joy had left with us. Long story short...I missed seeing her by about 5 minutes. But...I was able to stay in town until Thursday and have a whole lot of sweet family time. My sister wrote a sweet blog about Granny Joy the other day...try to read it here.
Monday afternoon my cousin's daughter had a track meet, so all (including Papa) went to watch Alex run. Little Sophie and Gabby played on my phone and created this picture...

So...Thursday afternoon I flew back to Dallas at Love Field. A friend picked me up at 5:45 and somehow (well...the Lord had to have just cleared the traffic) we made it to DFW by 6:30 to catch my 7:20 flight to St. Louis. One more volleyball tournament for Spring Break.

We didn't have the best tournament...but the girls had fun and I think we all learned a lot while there.

We got home at about 10:00 on Sunday night. And that, was my spring break.

Good Countdown...

This school year at times feels like it will never end...but then sometimes I feel like it is flying by! We are in the countdown for Spring Break. I don't know why I am not overly excited about Spring Break this year...but I think it might have something to do with the fact that Skyline Volleyball planned out my Spring Break for me. :) I get to head to Houston as soon as school is out on Friday for our volleyball tournament Saturday and Sunday. Then...so that I can see my family just for a little bit, I will head straight to Arkansas (yikes...that's gonna be a long drive...will have to make sure I get some podcasts downloaded to my phone before then!). I can only be there for about a day and a half...as I have to get back for a couple of volleyball practices...then it is off to St. Lois! Three full days of volleyball with my little 10, 11, and 12 year old girls. Crazy!

I have been missing home lately. My grandmother isn't doing very well, and I feel like I'm the only one that hasn't gotten to spend any time with her or my grandpa lately. So...I'll soak it in for the day and a half I get to be there!

Somehow (it must have been the Lord because I couldn't plan like this) two of my three different classes are working on a project that will take them the entire week. So...that only leaves planning for one class all week. Fabulous!

Anyway...it's a good countdown and fun to realize how close my "break" was!

Life. Is. Good.

Good Leap Day...

For some reason I had to write the date a lot today...and it just seemed weird to write February 29th.  But it was a good day...Life. Is. Good.

Nothing too great or anything that stands out...but it was a good day.
I like Wednesdays...

1. It means that I get to wear jeans for the next two days of the work week.
2. I have a scheduled run time with my training partner so I don't have to fight my own rationalizations as to why I'm too tired to go workout.
3. I love the 3 shows I record on Wednesday nights...not gonna let you know what they are...but I like relaxing and watching.
4. We are now on the downhill side of the work week.

Life is good on this Wednesday.

Good Tuesday....

It's was actually a great Tuesday considering how bad Monday was.
I have one class that is extremely tough. There are a few kids who want all of the attention. And because they require more attention, they take away from time I can spend helping the other students...

Long story short...one was extremely bad when he came into class, and eventually led me to taking up his phone, iPod, and headphones. As I was about to take up the paper he was working on, he decided to inform me that he was starting a petition to get me fired. Well...as a teacher we know not to take what teenagers say personally...but that one was a little tough. Maybe students don't really like my class, but I've never had a student want me to lose my job. I emailed his dad and let our Dean of Students know.

This morning I went in and talked to my Dean...she said she could keep him in ISS (in school suspension) for two days instead of coming to my class. My class worked so well...I got to go around and help individuals...I felt like a real teacher with real classroom management. I loved it. Let's just say...today was GREAT!

I was so tired yesterday that I searches for an engineering video for my engineering classes to do today...oh yeah...we watched a video on the engineering of roller coasters.

Life. Is. Good.

Good Sunday...

7 Mile Run...check!
Fabulous Word at church....check!
Great lunch with new and old friends....check!
Good update from my grandfather....check!
Productivity and too much money spent...check!
Clean apartment...check!

Now to finish watching Amazing Race and the Oscars...now that's a great night!
Life is good.

Good Weekend...

The weekend started on Thursday night as I headed south on I35 to Austin. Some fellow teachers and I were heading south to attend a conference about the engineering course that I have been teaching. Engineering...sounds pretty boring...but we actually learned a whole lot, laughed a lot, and of course got a little bored. After spending the day on Friday with a bunch of engineers (or engineering teachers), I headed down to New Braunfels to visit some friends. I love it down there...mainly because those friends are about of low-maintenance as I am.

We went out to dinner at the Gristmill in Greune, TX....So great!

We talked and told stories over dinner for a couple of hours. Then we went back to there house...played a game (Q-Bitz...try it!) while a couple of the girls started filming their "documentary"...I'll let you know when that movie is released. Hee Hee

We then stayed up for a few more hours telling extremely funny stories and convincing one of the girls to write a book on all of the funny stories. There were many hours of laughter!

This morning, we stayed in our pj's, played a few rounds of Survivor Trivia (at which I was terrible!), and finally got ready to go out to lunch at about 1:00. Such a good lazy Saturday.

Life is good...and it was such a good weekend!

Oh...and I still have Sunday to go! :)

Day 189-199...Grateful for a Lot...

So Papa...here's the recap.

I realized today how long this past week has been...and how not that long ago I was at home for Christmas. Gosh...it seems like a long time ago.
Here is a breakdown of how my last 2 and a half weeks have been.
First...just so you know...I hit a stressful time with basketball and club volleyball...so coming off of that, here's my grateful list.

Day 189...Grateful for my good college friends. I got to meet up with some girls from college while I was home for Christmas. I actually crashed their dinner plans...but I loved getting to visit with them. It was so great to get to see them and catch. We laughed a lot. It was good.

Day 190...Grateful for my family. I think my grandpa counted 25 people gathered in his house on Christmas Eve. It's always a fun time...I love visiting with everyone, hearing about the kids, and laughing and eating a lot. I realize that not everyone gets together with all of their extended family each year as we do...and I definitely feel blessed. Somehow we still all fit in one end of my grandparents living room for a picture. Here is the 2011 family Christmas picture.

 

Day 191

Day 191...Grateful for family...again. We spent Christmas day in pajamas, playing with new toys that Caleb received, and one at a time catching a cold from Caleb! It was a great relaxing at home.

Day 192...Grateful for Dad! My dad's birthday is on New Years Eve....Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

Day 193...Grateful for a New Start. A New Year means a new start...not that I feel like I need to start anything over...it just always kind of feels like you are turning and page, breathe a sigh of relief and start again on a brand new year. I'm grateful for that new start.

Day 194...Grateful for hot water. My hot water heater went out on the 31st. Because of the holidays, most people, other than teachers, were off on the first and the second of January. So, my apartment complex' office was closed. So...I submitted the maintenance request to be taken care of on that Tuesday. Well, somehow the message got sent to the maintenance guy that it was my heater. I received a voice-mail explaining how I need to turn the heater up higher than the temperature in my apartment in order for the heater to come on. Oh....THAT'S how it works. Duh! I called him back. He said he was going to fix it. I cried when I felt the water the next morning. Ice cold. Well, I immediately called the apt office...and needless to say...I had hot water when I got home. I was so thankful!

Day 195...Grateful for the fire department. It was actually the same night that I got hot water back...someone on the other end of my building broke the sprinkler on the walk-way. Fire alarms going off all over the building. We were only standing outside in our pajamas for about 10 minutes before 2 fire trucks showed up. Thank you fire men.

Day 196...Grateful for a sick day. I caught Caleb's cold while at home for Christmas. I couldn't shake it. Finally...the sinus head ache was too much. A sub picked up my sub request and I got a sick day! Steroid shot. Antibiotics, Steroid pack. A day to relax. And now I feel SO MUCH BETTER.

Day 197...Grateful for a Razorback win! I love watching the hogs. I love getting to tease all my students at school about how good my team is this year. Also, during the game, one of my former students posted something on Facebook about the hogs (WPS or something like that). Two of them kept doing that each game day. So I commented back and asked why they cheer for the hogs. Here's the dialogue.
Student: WPS
Me: Why do you and --- cheer for the Hogs?
Student: --- went to Arkansas because of you and I didn't go there because of my Multimedia teacher.

We continued to comment back and forth throughout half-time. I was the Multimedia teacher and they were some of my favorite students. It was fun to hear from them and then end the evening with a Razorback win.

Day 198...Grateful for a good run. I'm doing a half-marathon training program with a friend. We are doing a run-walk program for the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon. We are only on week 3...and I was only able to do one of the runs during the week because I wasn't feeling well. However, Saturday morning we had a fabulous 4.5 mile run. We both felt great and I felt great afterwards.

Day 199...Grateful for Scott. I mentioned stress with Club Volleyball. The girl that I was supposed to be "assisting" on a team has been sick...really sick. She hasn't been there yet and we started the first week of December. I didn't want to be head coach, the parents didn't want me to be head coach (only because they love Amber so much), and they kept hoping Amber would be back each time they showed up to practice. Well, they had Scott take over the team for now until Amber gets back. Scott didn't know any of the kids or parents and is a great head coach. The girls were excited to have a "named head coach" and so were the parents. We had our first tournament this weekend. The girls played great for their first tournament...and Scott was great. There is no way that I want to be the head coach...and Scott is doing a great job with the girls. I'm pretty grateful for his help.

And there is my super long update on my last few weeks.

Day 188...Grateful for my Favorite Teacher Gift...

I loved getting this gift today!
I had been getting so much food and candy from kids...that this Christmas ornament was so fun to open!

Day 187...Grateful for Zoe's...

I met a friend for dinner on Monday. Erin and I went to the Amazon together last summer and haven't seen a whole lot of each other over the last year and a half. Her life is completely different...and will soon be flipped upside down. We were supposed to meet at a different restaurant, but it was closed. So...Zoe's Kitchen was where we ended up. We even ran into two other friends that we don't see too often...it was great night at Zoe's!

Day 186...Grateful for "Betsy"...

The last two weeks have been extremely busy and pretty stressful.
We took our basketball teams to a tournament in Denton. We brought the A and the B Teams in suburbans. The girls split up and I have 7. I was fortunate to get the "sweet and calm" girls. We had a great time...and they endearingly named the white suburban "Betsy"....because of how great they were...I was very grateful for Betsy.

Days 181-185...Grateful...

Well...seeing as this week was Thanksgiving...it only seems fitting to just be grateful.
Thanksgiving break has been spent mostly in the car for the last few years...but I'm grateful for the people I get to see once I drive there!

I drove home on Tuesday night so I could sleep in on Wednesday (and actually not have to drive for one day).

Wednesday, my mom and I got to visit with my Aunt Kay, Papa, Granny Joy, and then two of my cousin's kids (Gabby and Drake). As always, I'm grateful to get to see them and to be at my grandparents house for the short time I was there.

Thursday, my parents and I took off for Memphis for the day. This is about the only time each year that I get to see the family on my dad's side. I love the Cole family and, although the drive is tiring, I am grateful to get to visit with them on Thanksgiving day.

Friday...we headed up to Bentonville. We got to play with Caleb (who is finally eating a little bit), cuddle with Emily, and watch the Razorbacks suffer a loss with my sister and brother-in-law. Good times...and another car ride back home. I am grateful this year that I didn't get the stomach bug like I did last year.

Saturday...I headed back down to Dallas. I went to one of my friends' houses and watched the Baylor vs. Texas Tech game. It was fun to search through Pinterest and find fun craft ideas with them. I'm grateful for fun girlfriends to watch football with and visit with.

Sunday...I love my church! And I love the friends I have made at church! After church we went to lunch...and then headed off to Michael's to try to find the items needed to make all the crafts we had seen the night before. I am grateful for a good relaxing Sunday (full of craft making!).

Day 180...Grateful for my Mom....

Today is her birthday...
I love you mom! Know that I am grateful for you...for your example growing up...for your constant support...and for your constant prayers that I know you are praying. I love you!

And here's our "Camp Travis" birthday song just for you mom!

Today is the day, it's a very special day!
Today is the day and we wanted to say...

Hoop-Diggy-diggy-diggy!
Hoop-Diggy-diggy-diggy!
Hoop-Diggy-diggy-diggy!
Ha! Ha!


Hoop-Diggy-diggy-diggy!
Hoop-Diggy-diggy-diggy!
Hoop-Diggy-diggy-diggy!
Ha! Ha!

CT is the place that you want to be on this very special day in history!
Hugs and kisses you won't want to miss...
So let's celebrate with a big-ole-kiss!!

Love you!

Day 179....Grateful for Today...

Can't say why...I'm grateful for today. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. Just a good day with no stress and an early bedtime. :)

Grateful for today.