tests

This has been a week filled with tests for me. At work, my students are in the midst of taking our state standardized tests. This is a hard week for them, and for the teachers who have worked all year long to teach them and guide them. In the months leading up to THE TEST, teachers prep students for this type of test, the type they are not used to. Grownups remember them...fill in the bubble, erase your answer completely if you wish to change it, use a #2 pencil. The kids have been stressed, but we do plan fun stress-relievers to help them get through the hours of quiet and silent sitting and my "fake teacher voice" as I read the state-issued script. Real life doesn't offer too many clear directions as the ISAT tests do. I have not found any script for how to answer my son's questions about why his teacher hasn't chosen him as Star Student yet, or why yet another fish has died in his aquarium. I see no ability to "erase completely" when I catch myself participating in gossip sessions that may not end up harmless or snapping at my 3 year old when I'm crabby. These are daily tests for me: Patience, and obedience. My DH has been tested quite a bit this past few months trying to balance home time, work challenges, his brother's needs and all that we're doing to get mom's house ready to sell. Another test. Another balancing act. However, despite all our daily tests and stresses, we really have so little to complain about. We have our jobs, but many of my friends are losing theirs next week. We have our house, so many around our town have had to sell theirs. We have good friends and this weekend we celebrate our baby's 3rd birthday. (that's another blog!) So for tonight, I won't worry about how to prep for my next test, but I'll be taking comfort in knowing that I can pray, ask God to help me, kiss my husband and babies good night, get a good night's sleep, and start over tomorrow with my #2 pencil and a new answer sheet. :)