blessed {sol 3.30.16}

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Since before 2009, I've had quite a few instances thinking that I'd like to find a church to call home. Then, last July, my friend Bernadette mentioned that her boyfriend was going to attend classes for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at Old St. Patrick's Church in the West Loop. So I asked, "Hey, can I come too?" Berna was more than happy to have me tag along.

We started RCIA back in September, sessions every Tuesday, which led to our confirmation at the Easter Vigil this past Saturday night.

My parents came in for the service and a visit. I thought I would be nervous for the ceremony, but after getting to Old St. Pat's, I just felt such a sense of calm.

The service was beautiful. Our choir is amazing, and Father Hurley is the best priest I have ever had the experience of spending time with at a mass. He's funny, down to Earth, and takes the gospel and makes it meaningful for us in 2016.

My favorite part is always this, when Fr. Hurley asks the congregation to raise a hand and help him bless all of us. The first time this happened, at another sacrament earlier in the year, I didn't know it was coming and was overwhelmed with a feeling of such happiness that I totally started crying. This time, I was just happy and so, so thankful.

Feels good to call Old St. Pat's home, and I'm so thankful for the new friends I've made in the process.

And if that weren't enough, Ryan proposed to Bernadette the following Monday! So happy I was able to be there for this little Easter Sunday of theirs!

currently february

Friends, it's February! I'm so happy to say sianara to January. The weather was sucky, I got in a car accident, and some other things that were not my fave. But February is here and it's time to start fresh and look forward!

Thanks to Farley for bringing us all together again! Hop over there and check out her new blog design, so so cute! Here's what's up on my end:

Listening to....the news - It's Iowa Caucus day!
This isn't too much, is it?

Seriously I'm totally #FeelinTheBern over here. I think he really needs to get Iowa tonight if he's got any chance at taking the whole thing, so hopefully all those people are out doing the Caucus. Also: idk exactly what caucusing is....anyone? Buellar?

Loving...my job, Literacy Coaching!
Few things: 1. Annie, another coach in our district, tagged a few of us in an article on Twitter and it was really good. It talks about how coaching happens one conversation at a time. Then, 2. today, I had a conversation like that and it was awesome. It makes me so happy to feel like I can help make a difference!

Thinking about...The Chicago Marathon...?
I recently started going to Old St. Pat's Church downtown Chicago and I just love it. In addition to feeling so uplifted at Mass, and learning so much through RCIA, they have all these awesome programs, including one to train runners for the marathon. I think yes! Any marathon runners out there? Thoughts?

Wanting... New shoes!
So I got a gift card for Tieks for Christmas (thanks sister!) and still haven't bought them because of some unforeseen expenses, but soon, very soon. I will be getting myself some ballet pink Tieks and I also want some new running shoes. I'm going to give Asics a try this time, after a lifetime of running Nike Free. Anyone run in Ascis? Do you love them?

Needing...umm...nothing?
Life is good. The days are getting longer, it hasn't been terribly cold, and I'm not digging my car out of snow! And speaking of my car...

Swooning...New Car!
So my car accident - made a crappy car a hopeless mess, so I took a payout on the damages (accident not my fault!), sold my car to CarMax and then my amazing parents chipped in a little bit of money to their poor teacher daughter (ok, I'm not poor, but I'm not sitting on a huge savings, either!) Anyways, now mine is a beautiful, smells-like-new-car, all electronic and high-tech, shiny, sleek, 2016 Civic:

I've driven all of the 53 miles this car has gone (except 6) and I just love it. Feeling very grateful for family that continues to support their grown daughter. I only hope one day I can do the same half as good as they have! Love you, family!

So that's where I'm at right now. What's new with you? Be sure to check out Farley's blog and link your Currently up, too!

i delight in you

Friends, I don't think I've told you, but I started the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) with Old St. Pat's Church in Chicago back in September. I'm baptized Methodist, but decided I'd like to learn more about the Catholic faith and I love it!

Tonight, I went to mass and the homily was all about how God delights in us. The whole thing was just so uplifting and it got me thinking about how much I delight in the work I'm called to do each day. And in with that being said --

To my former students, my first class, those kiddos who were there as I was finding my way as a new teacher...

I delight in you.

To my students at Heritage, the ones who spent a loop with me for seventh and eighth grade; the kids who were there with me as I learned to teach reading and writing as a Social Constructivist and the Holocaust and Social Justice studies, the students who created projects to raise awareness or money for various causes...

I delight in you.

To Team Heartless, the team who continues to keep in touch, to have a breakfast all together and reminisce on our memories, talk about our present, and dream for our futures...

I delight in you.

To the teachers I work with each day at Emerson: for our planning meetings where we construct meaning of the standards and of our curriculum; where we share stories of our students that surprise and validate the work we do...

I delight in you.

To the new teachers - those in my building, around D100, and beyond: for your passion, your energy, your fresh new ideas, your openness to collaboration, for the friendships you've allowed to grow with me...

I delight in you.

To the teachers who came before me: you know the ropes, you have perspective and a knowledge I can't touch; thank you for sharing that with me, helping me to see things I may not have yet, for being patient as I learned the lessons all teachers are destined to learn...

I delight in you.

To my team who shares an office with me; for the times you've been there to help me solve a problem, just listen, share a resource, or give a hug...

I delight in you.

To the students of Emerson, the ones learning to read with me in Guided Reading, the ones being a little too loud during indoor recess, the ones reading with flashlights under their desks, and sharing their writing at an Author's Chair...

I delight in you.

To the Literacy Coaches: you are the friends at my side who inspire me and teach me and allow me to make mistakes and then show me the way...

I delight in you.

To the teachers in my PLN: those who are real friends I've made in real life, some are friends who I only know because of Twitter and Instagram, some are near, others are far, but all are those who keep me on my toes wondering how I can continue to grow in the company of excellence...

I delight in you.

To my Literacy Idols, Atwell, Fletcher, Calkins, Gallagher, Kittle, Lane, Fountas & Pinnell: I would never have made it to where I am without the work you've done and shared as you came before me. It is my hope that I can share your work with colleagues and deliver the kind of instruction you model, and for that...

I delight in you.

To my blog readers: you come over here to BigTime Literacy where I mostly ramble on about fluffy nonsense, but who, none the less, have become my friends through writing...

I delight in you.

Happy Sunday Friends!

Who or what are you delighting in on this long three day weekend?