The Dreaded Dress Uniform

At the boys' school, every Monday is designated as a "Dress Uniform" day, where the boys have to wear very thick, navy blue pants and a very thick, oxford shirt.  While I've obviously never worn it, the uniform seems incredibly uncomfortable.  Add to that the Florida heat and it's enough to make even the parents a little craz(ier).  So, when Warren had his last dress uniform day....it was met with both excitement and anger.  Warren was understandably beyond excited; Harper.....not so much, as it was only the last dress uniform day for 5th graders, not Kindergarten through 4th grade.

After the last dress uniform day, Warren was able to donate his dress uniform to the school "repeat" shop in exchange for a NUT (No Uniform Today) pass, which meant he wouldn't have to wear a school uniform at all that following Monday.

Meanwhile, the school hosted a Chick-Fil-A spirit night that Friday.  And on Monday, those students who brought in the receipt from the spirit night were able to get out of the dress uniform and at least wear uniform shorts and a comfortable, dry fit spirit shirt.  However, if you didn't make it to the spirit night, you had to wear your dress uniform.

Because the 5th graders were done with their dress uniforms, there was a bit of confusion among the "first time 5th grade moms" as to what that meant for the rest of the grade levels.  So, I texted one of the teachers, who happens to be a personal friend (and will remain nameless, unless she moves out of teaching Kindergarten, where she was when she taught Harper) and asked her if the other students were supposed to still wear dress uniforms.  She replied "Technically they are, but didn't you go to Chick-Fil-A?😉"  Ahhh, brilliant!

So, I went to Harper, saying "Good news buddy!  Friday night was Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night, so you can wear your shorts and spirit shirt."  He just looked at me with this completely appalled and a bit disappointed face.  Then my 8 year old put me in my place.  He said "But mom, we didn't go to Chick-Fil-A.  And I just don't feel good about doing that."  You can only imagine the thud I heard as my heart hit the floor!

(And I won't go on to tell you that "said Kindergarten teacher" then went on to tell me I should convince Harper that she had an extra receipt he could borrow.....because some might think that's unethical.  I see it as "that's how much these Lincoln teachers love our kids!")

So, here is Warren on his last day in his dress uniform.  And here is my honest little man, one week later....while Warren was in his NUT pass and most other kids were in their comfy spirit shirts and shorts....Harp wore his uniform, one more time!

Confidence

I love music.  I love how music can make you feel.  I love how a song can hit you at just the right time!  Those who know me well, know how powerful music is to me.  Songs speak to me.....they provide me comfort and peace.  Thursday was no exception.

This year, I have been working through our school district's Aspiring Leaders program.  After successful completion of the program, applicants are then considered qualified to apply and interview for Assistant Principal positions.  It's been a long road, but last week, I completed and passed the written interview and was notified my oral panel interview would take place Thursday, April 26th at 4pm.

I was beyond nervous.....like "throw up" nervous.  I spent most of my evenings studying and preparing the sample questions we had been given.  I worried about who would be in the interview, hoping and praying it wouldn't be people I knew....because that's always awkward.  I knew ahead of time that I would have at least one regional director in the interview, but I didn't know who.  Of course I worried about who that would be and just hoped for one in particular.  I took a half day just so I could chill out, calm down and mentally prepare.

As I showered and got dressed Thursday, I repeated the same prayer.  I asked God to calm my fears, and give me the right words, but above all, I prayed that he would give me peace.  Peace that comes from knowing the journey would end exactly as it's supposed to.

I got in the car and began to drive away, but not before I turned on my radio to Joy FM.  My boys will tell you that Joy FM is all I listen to.  And I will admit, a lot of times they play the same songs over and over.  I should've known Thursday would've been different.  When I turned on the radio, I heard a new song....one I had never heard before.  And I can honestly say I've never really "heard" God speak to me......but Thursday, I truly believe He spoke to me through this new song that "just happened" to come on as I started my car.  The song is called Confidence, by Sanctus Real and the verse goes like this:

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den

Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness

Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense

So I can face my giants with confidence.

As I listened to the song and took some deep breaths, a calmness came over me as I literally drove off in tears....confident!  When I arrived at the interview, I checked in and sat down to wait.  I was about 15 minutes early, so I was surprised when I heard my name called shorty after.  But I was even more surprised when I looked up to see the one regional director I was hoping for!  Familiar smiles bring such comfort!

After the 5 panelists introduced themselves, we started the interview.  Shortly after we began, the door behind me opened and a sixth panelist walked in.  Because my back was to the door, I couldn't see who was coming in....but you can imagine the nerves welling back up.  As I turned around, I was greeted by yet another familiar smile!  My best friend (of over 20+ years)'s brother!  The three of us spent a lot of time together in college and when I saw his big smile, I was, again, comforted as it took me right back to those days.

I felt good as I left the interview...I felt confident.  I was proud of myself for "facing my giants" and I was confident that whatever the results were...I would end up right where I would need to be.  Oh, and get this.....in an interview (just to be clear......for a public school assistant principal), I was asked the perfect question which allowed me an opportunity to share about my role as a servant leader...within my church!  Coincidence?  


*And just in case you're curious how the story ends....I passed my oral interview, so as they say "I'm swimming in the AP pool!"  

Let's Get Em

Anyone who knows Harper, knows he is a funny kid.  He's smart and tough.  He's independent and, like his mother, not incredibly compassionate.  But, tonight I saw a completely different side of Harp.  While I love my job most days, others can be trying.  I deal with a lot of different personalities and like any workplace, not everyone gets along.  Most days, I get to be a cheerleader for our teachers as I find ways to support them.  Some days, I feel like a psychiatrist.  Others, I feel like the mother of 65 little children.  But, the last week or so, I've felt like a little kid being pushed around on the playground.  Tonight at dinner, I was telling my family about this particular situation.  I told them I felt like I was being bullied by another teacher.  And without missing a beat, Harper rolled up the sleeves of his jacket and with a sweet look in his eye, he looked across the table to Warren and said "Do we need to beat em up for you, mommy?  Let's get em Warwen."  I quickly pictured my life 10 years from now.  This same little boy.....10 years older.  He has my back now...I have no doubt he'll have my back then.