My advice to you...

When I found out that Christi was going to do a linky with advise for those who are feeling overwhelmed,
I thought... well that's me, so I'll read the advise:)
But the longer I thought about it, the more I realized that many of us (ok, me)
just need to get back to the main thing.

I know that for most of us we have so MANY school things that completely bog us down
and then our personal stuff added to it can just be overwhelming.

I get it...RtI packets that need to be caught up AGAIN,
can you say, "meeting every day of the week,"
grades need to be updated,
my report is late for the committee that I'm in charge of,
I have pick-up duty,
copies, laminating (love that one), phone calls, scheduling,
THE test is coming up and my salary depends on it,
and then the homefront...
kids that need a ride to dance, picked up,
church activities, practice of some sort,
dinner to cook, on and on and on and on......
I think we all feel it.

So here is the advise I give myself that I'll pass on to the overwhelmed, overworked, tired, sick and tired, and the ok but complaining anyway group (of which I am a member).

Live in every day, in every moment.
Stop looking ahead and behind and take a look around at today.
Stop looking at the mound that needs to get done
and the stack that never made it to the top of the list.

What or better yet, WHO is in your path right now?

Get back to the main thing, which is your kids.

On those days when you are overwhelmed by the "job" put your kids first again.
The ones that God put in your classroom this year, right now, today.
Yes, the ones that are driving you crazy,
yes, the ones that are making you wish for summer or a new career.
Give them a second look.
Look under that wild behavior and see what they are really saying to you.
Love them like mad and let the paperwork come (or go) as it will.
That stack will always be there, but your time is limited with your kids in one way or another.
There are some special, special kids out there that we are meant to love and help along their way.
I think if we would really focus on the child, then his/her RtI packet would be a little easier to fill out because then it's not about paperwork...it's about a child.

One moment at a time, one day at a time.
One child at a time.
What more do we have anyway?

And while we're working on our perspective here's one for you.
This sweet little boy's name is Cole.

Cole is not really interested in our paperwork right now.
He's a little boy who is fighting cancer and needs some support.
Please take the time to go read Cole's story on my friend Karla's blog.

 In the bigger scheme of things we have precious little time with the kids we've been given.
When you are feeling bogged down or overwhelmed or discouraged, take the time to look around. Somewhere, somehow, for someone you were meant to make a difference:)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28