Rest is Holy

This verse popped up in my journal last week.....I needed to hear it. 

When I was younger the idea of Sabbath was simple....time to rest and not be stressed. The "Sabbath Day" meant, simply, Sunday...a day for church and family. Now though, at 28 years old, the idea of rest, and in particular "Sabbath" has a whole new meaning for me. Genesis 2 speaks of God taking the seventh day of the creation narrative to rest and how He looked upon all that he had made and "saw that it was good." Too often when I look at this passage, I take the standard "yeah, yeah, I need to rest. God, the creator of the universe did, so surely me, a 1st grade teacher and wife can also take the time to rest, maybe even take a bubble bath or a nap. Got it." However, only recently have I begun looking at the second part of what God did: He looked upon it all and "saw that it was good."
God is the ultimate perfectionist, after all, he created a world that runs perfectly, divinely. He created the sun, moon, stars, every creature from a caterpillar that masterfully morphs into a butterfly to flowers that bloom each spring no matter what winter frosts threatened their existence, to us, humans. I'd say that's pretty darn perfect. But aside from what God does (rest), it's also notable what He doesn't do: mess and tinker. Rest and then pop back up into the stressful world come Monday morning. Rest purely for sanity's sake. No, He sits back and admires His handiwork and sees that it is good. Good. Not "okay," not "it'll do," but good.....holy even. I'm not saying what any of us does is perfect or deserving of our consistent admiration or self praise. It is important, though, to reflect and appreciate a job well done. To see how far you have come and be glad, to recognize the goodness.
 On our journey to get closer to the heart of God, let us acknowledge that God commands us not only to stop but to also to stop and smell the roses. Rest is not just a chance for us to rest our weary bodies, minds, and hearts (although rest does do that....isn't it nice and necessary to just "do nothing" sometimes?). Instead rest invites us to pause, look around, and see the good. Only then can we fully and freely rest, knowing He truly has the whole world in His hands. What a fine and cozy place to rest indeed.

Lately

Hello!

    What a busy whirlwind week it has been! The elementary grades had their Christmas performance Wednesday night so I was at school for a grand total of 13 hours that day. Let's just say I fell into bed when I got home. I really do enjoy teaching during the holidays (teaching is a loose term, "surviving" would also work). The kids all left yesterday and wished me a Merry Christmas. Sorry, little ones, there's still 5 days left. We can do it. 

 There is honestly nothing new to report besides:

-We brought cookies to our new neighbors and felt very "grown up." 

-AJ cooked us a delicious meal this week.. And then he also left me the sweetest love note on the dashboard of my car. He's a keeper. 

-We are really enjoying our new place and are making a list of things we want to do/buy and are tackling it one month at a time. This month we want new bed pillows and a floor lamp for our bedroom. It's been really fun making it our own cozy space. But the trouble is, I was already a home body and now I just am one even more! A Keurig and a K cup assortment, a stack of library books, and I might just become the Boo Radley of Riverton, Utah. I finished "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto" and it was the first book in a long time where I was genuinely sad it was over. This was a beautiful book (like all Mitch Albom reads). I have my sights set on some reads this holiday season, especially Lena Dunham's book. I know I'm late to the party on the whole Girls thing, but that show is brilliant. I finished all 4 seasons in 2 weeks and love love loved it. 

 I made a new crockpot meal last week that was awesome. Meatball Soup  We bought a Costco sized bag of meatballs and then realized that was probably not necessary for our household of 2. I anticipate many more dinners using these bad boys in the future. 

We had our work Christmas party yesterday.....gotta love a good white elephant. In case you were wondering, I brought a cake pop pan and came home with some Cap'n Crunch Christmas edition cereal. So all in all, winning. The hubby is stirring and I'm trying to convince him to ditch the gym in favor of a brisk walk with me this morning. It's a beautiful day and I'm excited to live it. Happy weekend, friends. 

12 Days of Christmas (Teacher Version)

To all the elementary teachers out there. We are warriors each and every day and I am so thankful there are people like you out there who "get me" and this bright, fun, out of control, hopeful world we inhabit each day. It's their world, we're just living in it. Merry Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas my class gave to me a story about their Elf on the Shelf (I know the names of all these little bastards, and do. not. care. that "Twinkles" turned your cereal milk green).

On the second day of Christmas my class gave to me 2 adorable hand drawn cards (ok, I know I shouldn't keep them all, but look how they spelled "speshal", cuuuuute!)  and a story about the Elf on the Shelf.

On the third day of Christmas my class gave to me 3 Costco pack of Clorox wipes (we can never ever ever have enough), 2 adorable hand drawn cards, and a story about the Elf on the Shelf.

On the fourth day of Christmas my class gave to me 4 arguments about Santa's legitimacy that I had to shut down (Please don't let this be the year a child overhears something in my class that dashes holiday dreams and requires therapy for life), 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand drawn cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the fifth day of Christmas my class gave to me 5 hits of the snooze button (driving to work in the bitter cold darkness when the whole world seems to still be asleep is pure hell), 4 arguments about Santa's legitimacy, 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand drawn cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the sixth day of Christmas my class gave to me 6 gloves on the floor (and a half dozen stuck coat zippers, I do most of my cardio releasing children from the death grip of North Face puffers. Guess you'll have to get married in that one day, kid), 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of Clorox Wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the seventh day of Christmas my class gave to me, 7 great Christmas read alouds (damn you, Polar Express, we BELIEVE!), 6 gloves on the floor, 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the eighth day of Christmas my class gave to me 8 additions to my seasonal mug collection (if you ever need a mug, I'm your girl), 7 great Christmas read alouds, 6 gloves on the floor, 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the ninth day of Christmas my class gave to me 9 beaming parents in the front row of the Christmas show (I love to see the amount of curls and hairspray involved that night), 8 additions to my seasonal mug collection, 7 great Christmas read alouds, 6 gloves on the floor, 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the tenth day of Christmas my class gave to me 10 barking coughs (in a 2 minute period, like I legit think a lung might end up on the floor. Please keep your child home. Thanks), 9 beaming parents, 8 additions to my seasonal mug collection, 7 great Christmas read alouds, 6 gloves on the floor, 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards and a story about the Elf on the Shelf.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my class gave to me 11 kids that say "see you next year" on the last teaching day of 2015 and think it's the funniest most clever thing ever and that no one's ever heard it before. 10 barking coughs, 9 beaming parents, 8 additions to my seasonal mug collection, 7 great Christmas read alouds, 6 gloves on the floor, 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of Clorox wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my class gave to me over 12 days off from a job that makes me laugh (and cry, and stress, but mostly laugh, because it's crazy but I love these little people so much), 11 kids that say "see you next year", 10 barking coughs, 9 beaming parents, 8 additions to my seasonal mug collection, 7 great Christmas read alouds, 6 gloves on the floor, 5 hits of the snooze button, 4 Santa arguments, 3 Costco packs of wipes, 2 adorable hand made cards, and a story about Elf on the Shelf!!!!!!!!!!

It's December

Hi There,

   It’s the 4th and I am just getting around to doing monthly goals. In the words of my favorite feline, Pete the Cat, it’s alllll good. What was on my radar in November?

1. Finish all Christmas shopping! Accomplished! And wrapped! I know there will be a few last minute things and there and that’s ok. Since we’re in an actual neighborhood now should I plan on neighbor gifts? If you are not from Utah then you are truly missing out on some glorious puns. Here’s an old Desert News article if you need some examples of typical Utah neighbor gifts. This is real, people, and happens every holiday season. The further South of downtown you are, the more likely you are to experience this phenomenon.

2. Read 2 more books. Slacker alert! I am pages away from being done with “Sister Season.” It’s good, sort of slow. I got some awesome new reads at the library and can’t wait to dive in.

3. Move into our new house!! Done! And it feels so good.

4. Declutter. Done. My closet it a bit emptier but it feels good to clean things out. And that just means I need to hit up Tar-jay come spring. Cardigans and printed flats, come to me.

5. Get back into my YouVersion Bible studies. I am working through this great Advent one now called “Waiting Here for You.” Each day features a different hymn, a prayer, a devotion, and a passage, it’s a good one.

     6. Workout outside on days that it’s nice. Yeah, I did try this one. I will opt for the outside if the       sun is out. If not, it’s 30 minutes on the treadmill watching Food Network or HDTV.

     7. Let people know I appreciate them. I sure hope I did this. Looking for the grateful is not just a November thing and I’m trying to weave it into daily life. This one is never fully “accomplished,” just worked on day by day.

December Goals…..are you ready…..really???

…….......

…………..

Simple: Enjoy the season with family and friends, give with an attitude of gratitude, enjoy our December trip to Oregon and try not to gain ten pounds on staff room goodies and appetizers. Nothing huge or itemized, but that’s not the point now is it? Happy weekend, friends!

It comes every year....

Christmas? Bing Crosby on the radio? Salvation Army bell ringers? Ribbons and trees? Yes, yes, yes, and yes, but also.....kid germies. They are real and when the weather gets cold they strike with a vengeance. I am home sick today with pink eye. Gross, I know. My eye was bloodshot and watery on Monday and I was in denial that it was anything serious. I had a classic Leslie "I don't have time for this" moment. But you know what? I need to take care of myself and dragged myself to Instacare this morning. Yep, it was conjunctivitis. The good news is, I don't feel bad, so I watched approximately a dozen episodes of Girls (yes, after being told by nearly all my friends that I need to watch it, I finally did and am loving it), filled my prescription at Target (and had a damn good time browsing while I waited for it), and finished my Christmas wrapping. I hate being away from school....yes because I love the kids but also because I'm neurotic about my classroom tidiness and it typically looks a tornado hit when I'm not there to bark orders to that "no one's leaving until you each pick up 20 scraps off the floor!!!!!" Other than that, this week has been pretty chill and I have hair and nail appointments scheduled for Saturday and honestly can't wait. I've been listening to Mitch Albom's new book "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto" in the car and am enjoying it. It's a liiiitle hard for me to concentrate while driving, but hopefully I'll get used to it because what a sweet way to "read" more good books. And I need to keep my hearing in tip top shape, you know, if my eye goes out.

PS) It's Britney's birthday today. Let's all have a cupcake and/or cocktail to celebrate!

Thanksgiving Week & Our New Home

I think everyone was looking forward to the holiday break! You know that tired where you think to yourself: I'm not sure I can go on another day without an epic nap, an enormous glass of wine, a sweat sesh in the gym with Adele blasting or all 3? Yeah, that. Wednesday morning we slept in (ohhh yeah!) and then headed out for some errands. We went to breakfast at the always delicious Penny Ann's Cafe and to a few other places. We ended up seeing an afternoon movie at the redone theater close by with reclining seats. I know a few other theaters in the valley are doing this but I had never been to one. It was delightful! We saw the Julia Roberts movie "The Secret in Their Eyes." It was ok, not awful, but more of a "dollar movie." Speaking of movies, we went crazy setting up recordings on the DVR of new movies because we get HBO now. Well, Wednesday evening we settled in to watch one, and the TV wouldn't work. Neither would the internet. WHAT?!? We called Comcast and they said the next available appointment would be Saturday morning. Boooo. But guess what? We called the number for the Comcast guy who installed it for us and he came right over on Friday. 3 hours of fruitless attempts at fixing it, he discovers this weird little cable plug in the closet that had come undone (probably when I tossed a broom in the closet). Problem solved. Adventures of the first week in a new home, I suppose.
  Thanksgiving morning we headed straight to our old house and cleaned it up. I mean deep clean. Like "please give us back our security deposit" clean. We brought home a few miscellaneous things we had over there and then came home to relax and get ready to go to my family's house for the big feast. I am so thankful that my mom said since we had just moved not to worry about bringing a side. We did bring Chex Mix, though, because it's a Steele family tradition. We ate a lot, laughed a lot, and celebrated being thankful and together. Libby (my sister) and I had the itch to do some Black Friday shopping. Nothing major like waiting in line or shoving people over (the fact that stuff like that happens makes me so angry) but just to go out and see what was happening. We brought our dad and AJ along for the ride. ALL of Old Navy has half off so I scored some good things there. Target was pretty crowded and picked over. We weren't going full on Black Friday so we were home by 11:00. Friday I hit the town to find some deals at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, back to Target, then I did the bravest thing I've ever done: went to Costco on Black Friday. It was nutty but AJ was at home so I felt free to browse every aisle and try every sample (God love my husband, but the thing he hates more than shopping is browsing. It happens to be my specialty).
Today we are having my fam over to show Libby our new place and tomorrow is going to involve wrapping my head around the fact that there are three weeks of school until Christmas break. It'll be a whirlwind, but bring. it. on.

Here are some house pics for your viewing pleasure. There are definitely more things we want to add like curtains, more things to hang, but this is the jist. We are really enjoying it.

I love that cool blue accent wall 

Our wonderful realtor got us this the day we closed :) 

Carrie Underwood, AMA's, natch 

I saw this in Quilted Bear and just loved it for our bedroom! 

I love using this little tray instead of a coffee table. The best part is we can move it around or away even if we have people over. 

This room has all of AJ's Oregon State stuff in it and the bench from our wedding, books, luggage, kind of a catch all room 

guest room. We've dubbed it "Purple Rain." One of these days we'll repaint that. I do like it more than I thought I would. 

guest room

master bedroom 

front hall 

Thankful.

The word "thankful" doesn't even begin to cover it. Let's flash back to Thanksgiving week 2009. I was drowning in grad school work and trying to get the hang of teaching. I had about 9 roommates in an old convent on Chicago's south side where I lived with other teachers in my grad program. There was a lot going on and I lot of adjustments I had made in the few months since I had graduated from Gonzaga. The very day I was going to fly home to Utah for Thanksgiving, my car got broken into at my house (it was broken into just 3 weeks prior at school. There they stole my GPS. This time it was my stereo). I called work in a panic, hoping to make it in time for our Thanksgiving feast I had planned with my class. I drove to the other side of town in the snow and got my shattered window replaced and made it to school just in time for the feast and made my flight that afternoon. I distinctly remember exhaling with gratitude as the plane took off...leaving the craziness behind and going home. Life is not as chaotic now as it was then. There's still to do lists and the stresses of life, but holidays used to make me anxious. Anyone who has lived away from home might know what I mean. It's like you have two lives and you return home to your old high school bedroom for short bursts and get comfortable and cozy and before you know it, time speeds up and you're on the plane headed back to your "other life," whether it be at college or for your life that you've established not near home. There was so much to pack in and do and experience while you were "home" and there was pressure for it to feel perfect and just right. Nah, not anymore. I realize this sounds cheeseball, but once you adopt a life of gratitude, Thanksgiving isn't merely a day to celebrate all you're thankful for, it's a day to celebrate that you HAVE been giving thanks for a whole year and are about to embark on that journey again. It's not a meal, or Black Friday shopping, a beautifully decorated table, or even a trip home, away from the stresses of "normal" life. Thanksgiving is a way of life. And oh yes, I am thankful beyond measure for my husband, my family, our new house (!), my job teaching, health, freedom, friends, and love. But I'm also thankful for the hard times, the stressful times, the less than perfect times. Those times make the 2015 Leslie even more thankful and joyful. Let's raise our glasses to another year in the business of gratitude and for the realization that life is so very sweet when we pause and say thanks.