Passion and Priority

The best advice I ever received about parenting was from a woman I have never even met. A friend shared the wise words from a woman in her book group. The advice was this- only volunteer for things that give you more time with your children, not take you away from them.

As a working mom, I have really taken this advice to heart. Originally I thought I would be actively involved in their school PTA or other committees. That is how I pictured myself as a mom.But this advice has stuck with me and has helped make certain decision very easy. Going to PTA meetings takes me away from my kids. Coaching soccer gives me more time with them. Pretty simple formula and it has really worked for me.

With that said, I am fairly passionate about my job and education in general. When I see injustice (in any aspect of life really) I want to act.There are things happening that make me want to take major action. I don't really like hearing "about" things. I would rather hear them myself. I like to ask questions and get things clarified. Our current board has caused much controversy in the district. I am not clear about what is accurate and what is fabricated. I do know that the more I hear, the more I want to get involved. My soul always lets me know when it is time to act. Right now I am still able to do my job the way I want to. There are definitely more hoops to jump through because of certain processes put into place, but I can still do it.

I have never believed that change is impossible. I am a firm believer that when you don't like something the way it is, you have power to advocate for change. I also know that my first priority is my family and I am not willing to change that. Maybe I would feel more urgency if I saw that my students were being affected. It's hard. I remember this feeling when I moved schools. My old school knew my work ethic and understood when I stepped down from committees and such because I had a new baby. When I moved to the middle school no one knew me or my "team player" attitude. It was so hard for me to sit in meetings and not volunteer for things when I was new to the staff. But, with a 2 and 1/2 year old and another baby on the way, I simply wasn't willing.

So, thank you Random Woman with the Fabulous Advice. When I have tough decisions to make, your words make my choice for me. And every single time I have heeded your wisdom, I have not regretted it.

Josh on Fire

Remember Readers,
The main purpose of this blog is to keep a record of life in our family. It does and will include funny stories, milestones, growing pains, and celebrations.
BEWARE of this post as it includes much celebration (aka- bragging).

Anyone who knows Josh, knows he is one of a kind. I have felt so proud of him recently and I wanted to write about it.

Josh has an equal passion for sports and the arts. Recently, he became involved with a player from the Warriors (his FAVORITE team), Kent Bazemore. Kent has hooked up with Josh's non-profit to work on a program that brings arts to troubled youth. We got to attend a fundraising event where Josh and Kent worked together to raise funds through jewelry sales. Steph Curry came and Josh got to meet him and I got to chat with his wife. So, so cool.

I always love going to work events with Josh. Although it doesn't happen often, I always enjoy observing him interact. It is obvious he is well respected and well liked and what wife doesn't want to see that?

A few months ago, Josh was asked to audition for a show. He hasn't done theater since our mid twenties. Long story short, he made the show and has spent the last month in rehearsals and will spend the next month doing performances. I got to see his first show last night. He. Was. Fab. It was so fun seeing him up there, doing a superb job. I was filled with pride.

The other day he was driving to work and saw a woman on the side of the road waving her jumper cables. Josh turned around to help her, knowing he would be late for work. He pulled up and the woman told him she had been standing there for 15 minutes trying to get help. As he connected the cables, he said it was clear that this woman lived in her car. They chatted for a few minutes and as he was about to leave, he asked her if she needed any money. She started to cry and said that she never asks, that she never wanted to be "that person." Josh drove away yet still wondered what else he could do for her. He had no idea and was still thinking about it when he told us the story at dinner.

Josh is someone who is always getting better. Right now, at this point in life, he is on fire! What an amazing model for me and our kids.

I adore the guy. What can I say?