Fall Frenzy and Comfort Food

I somehow gave into the notion that the further along the school year went the easier things would get. Well I hit week 9 and it seems the adrenaline that propelled me through the first 8 weeks wore off, and to say I hit a wall would be a gross understatement. If it was a wall I hit, it was the Great Wall of China. All of a sudden, I found myself completely overwhelmed, drained by long hours at work, trying to keep on top of things at home, and for the first time wanting to cry.

Have you ever been so overwhelmed and mentally overloaded that you feel yourself shutting down? That's how I felt Last Friday afternoon. I was sitting in a required half day planning session with the entire Language Arts "department"(even though they don't use that term in middle schools), and the sound around me and questions being asked of me started to sound like the noises you hear above you while you are swimming underwater. I felt like I was drowning, with grades due soon for exporting, parent conferences morning afternoon and night for 5 days straight, and the unknown up ahead for a new 9 weeks of currriculum and planning. The entire weekend I just wanted to quit. It was the first time I honestly just wanted to never go back.

I told myself that this is probably normal for a first year teacher, and all of a sudden the previous week's meeting with my principal in which he asked if I was "okay" because he didn't want to "lose me," all started to make sense. I was fine during that meeting, but Friday, during my emotional and mental overload, I suddenly forgot about my student loans, and had the sudden urge to head for the hills and never look back.

After school, I sat in traffic on my way to meet friends of ours that were coming to visit and go to one of Shane's games. On the way home I felt the desire to just bawl! I told myself "Michele, you are about to go meet people at your apartment, if you are going to cry, you better do it now!"

I started to allow myself the freedom, and was shocked that nothing happened! I didn't even have the energy to cry, and for me that says something.  : )

Thankfully, the Lord is faithful and never gives us more than we can handle, but often times gives us enough to either drive us crazy, or drive us into His arms. He is the rest that I need (along with about 9 hours a night), and He has daily given me the grace I need to handle each upset, twist, and turn, and enough strength and perseverence to survive each week. 

If you think of us in your prayers, pray that the Lord would encourage our hearts so that we could be an encouragment to each other. It can be hard when Shane and I come home each night completely spent, and at times discouraged to have anything left to give to one another in terms of support and encouragment. Football season is nearing its closing, which will help with time, but in the end, no matter what our schedules may bring the Lord must reign in our thoughts, and this is my prayer.


Here are some pictures of some recent attempts at comforting our craziness with food (that sounds so unhealthy...in an emotionally unhealthy way!) Fall is great for comfort food, and cooking is one thing that really helps me divert my attention from work and get to use some creative energy that has nothing to do with coming up with ways to teach grammar : /

I was so excited to discover these baby eggplants! A large Eggplant is always too much when I cook it as a side, so these were perfect!

 I tried something different with a tomato and artichoke based sauce. It was so good!

I was so excited to use the new GFree Penne that Kroger is now carrying!

In the middle of the week we decided to do breakfast for dinner, and I couldn't help but mix things up a little bit. I made Shane a breakfast sandwich based off of a fun fried egg idea I saw on Pinterest. 

I used some flaky GRANDS buscuits.

Using a cross-section cut of a Green Bell pepper, I fried up the eggs.

A little turkey bacon and some Colby Pepper-Jack. . .

Add the Fried Eggs and Wallah! I happen to not be a huge fan of fried eggs and runny yolks and such, but Shane enjoyed eating what I enjoyed making : ) We're the perfect pair : )

Glad it's the weekend, and so excited that within the next month I will be visiting my family in 2 1/2 weeks, and we will be visiting The Woodwards for Thanksgiving! We can't wait for the next few months and spending the Holidays with our families.

-M.W.