Go shawty, it's yo' birfday

Seriously, who doesn't love birthdays?!

Actually, I know quite a few people who don't enjoy their birthday at all.  From the time I was born, my mom (and dad) have instilled in me and my brother a rather large love for all birthdays, especially our own.  Your birthday is the day that the good Lord decided to bless this world with your presence -- why not celebrate?  My mom always decorates the entire house with personalized birthday posters, streamers in my favorite colors, and a delicious (and beautiful) cake/cheesecake.

My own birthday was this past Tuesday.  It was my first birthday out in the real world, which honestly made me feel a bit anxious.  I was blessed to be able to spend the weekend before in Ohio with my parents, partly to celebrate my birthday early.  While I was there, I opened my presents, ate as much delicious cheesecake as I could handle, and ate my favorite foods.

On Sunday, I woke up to my entire house decorated with red, white, and blue streamers (because I'm a Patriot :)) and several personalized posters.  Please keep in mind that I was leaving to head back to Chicago in the early afternoon.

                

                                                         
As if this wasn't enough, my mom also put together a little "birthday kit" to take back to Chicago to use on Tuesday.  It included:

A pajama shirt to wear on the eve of my birth.

A birthday crown and some chocolate chips
to add to my eggo waffles in the morning.

A cupcake and candle to put in my lunch.

Streamers to hang outside of my room.

 Needless to say, I used the entire kit and documented it via instagram.
                                              

Basically, my parents are the greatest.  I am beyond thankful for them every day.  They are the best earthly, physical representation of God's unconditional love, or agape, that I know.  They willfully love me without ever really expecting anything in return. My birthday is just one day a year that this love is super apparent, but their support and love is available to me (and others) every day.  They have been nothing but encouraging and giving my entire life and I have no doubt that this will continue throughout my adult life.  Everyone deserves to have an earthly representation of God's love and it is my prayer that we continually recognize those people in our lives and to never take their presence for granted.  When you figure out who those people are for you, let them know and thank them!

classroom encouragement

My students are busy taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) this week.  I had planned all last week to make something cute to encourage my students to do their best.  Unfortunately, my scatterbrained mind totally forgot about that idea until Sunday night around 9:15 when I was talking to my mom on the phone.  A quick Pinterest search led me to this:

I, of course, wanted to make it my own.  45 minutes later, I was printing these bad boys out (and adding the extra gum):

Classic Katelyn -- having brilliant flashes late (for me!) at night.

Believe it or not, I really think it helped my students to keep up their positive attitude throughout the week.  The snow day on Tuesday probably helped them out too. :)

strive to be happy.

One of my favorite authors, Shauna Niequist, posted this on her blog last summer.  Sidebar, if you have never read her two [soon to be three!] books, I highly recommend that you head to Amazon and pick up a copy of each.  Here: I'll even give you the links: Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet.  Her newest book, Bread and Wine, comes out April 9, and though I have not read it, I can guarantee it will be amazing.  Her musings and wisdom about life are incredibly relatable; I am sure this will not be the only time I reference her work on this blog.  I often feel like her words describe my soul, which is comforting to know that there is someone else in this world who feels the same about a myriad of topics.  

Back to the poem.  After I read it, I immediately copied the poem onto a "sticky" on my computer home screen.  There is so much truth in this poem, and different parts of it have been an encouragement to me over the past year.  I am now sharing it here so that it can encourage you!

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story. 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser

persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. 

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism. 

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass. 

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy. 

Max Ehrmann, 1927.