I'm a Pretty Honest Person

I won't lie... I'm pretty honest most of the time. I'll tell people anything really. I'm pretty much an open book and I don't have too many secrets. Most of the time I am happy and enthusiastic. There are days, however, when the stress of my life gets to be too much. Stress? You may ask. What kind of stress could you possibly have? You know, I've found the saying is true, "the grass is never greener on the other side." Really- there's just different grass. This time last year I was long-term subbing, hardly getting by, and stressing like CRAZY over finding a full-time job. I was living on no money and wondering where my next meal was coming from and how we'd ever be able to pay all of our bills... but, God answered my prayers and I found a job. Now, my days are filled with other stresses- deadlines and more deadlines, long days, busy night, tons of kids, teacher drama, and the toll of driving nearly an hour each way for work. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful beyond belief for my job. I do tend to have complaints sometimes but I know in my heart I am thankful for even the things I complain about because it means there is a roof over our heads and food on our table and gas in our cars... and a little left over to buy a new shirt every now and then. The husband has a job and all is well with the world. Yeah, right. Budget cuts. Oh budget cuts. As if my world isn't crazy enough. I don't really think I will lose my job, but that is always a possibility. It's really a possibility for anyone these days. As the year is winding down and the stress continues to build, I find myself wondering if I'll still be employed next year. No one has given me a reason to think I wouldn't, but I think that because I worked so hard to get this job I am terrified I will lose it. I have worked so hard this year and I would hate to have to walk away... to be forced to leave. You know what I would miss the most? The one thing I thought I'd hate... the hugs. Those kids are lovers. They just love to hug you and smile their big smiles and they want to know they're loved and welcome. And they are. Strange, how your life can be so drastically changed in less than a year by children. They've really made me a better person. They truly have. So, I'll take the stress and the fear of the unknown (because, that's really all it is ) and I'll hug my babies and savor the moments. The grass may not be greener, but the sun is brighter and "my kids" have changed me for the better.

Don't Know Who said It... but it's so true.

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many years you have lived.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I've learned that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon