TOP TEN THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN 9 WEEKS OF BEING A TEACHER
1. How to eat lunch, help 3 or more people pick out a book, and get ready for my next class all at the same time.
2. How to "hold it" from 7:00am until 10:00 pm at night.
3. Kindergartens are fun.
4. Hearing the words, "read it again" being said simultaneously by 26 kids is awesome.
5. That the phrases like "Yankee Doodle" and "ABC" make kids spontaneously respond in song. So funny!
6. Kids think I am funny.
7. Epitaphs are good way to get kids to write poetry. (Here lies Dave who chased a bear into a cave.) They love it.
8. That I can be stretched pretty thin and still function on a semi-successful level.
9. That I can memorize about 500 names in a 9 week period and remember the faces that match them.
10. All the hard work, mental drainage, and physical beatings are completely worth it.
This is the real life story of a girl who became a wife and mother and who is trying to seize everyday living under God's grace and by embracing this verse... "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BIG surprises and BEST husband ever!
Oh my goodness! Wes just gave me a huge surprise. First, Jewel, my favorite singer, is coming to Biloxi in November. I knew he was going to buy tickets for me because he told me, but what I did not know is this:
He secretly arranged for my entire family to come to the coast that weekend to go to the concert with me and to celebrate my sisters' birthday.
I absolutely did not believe him when he told me. I am so excited. It is going to be great fun! Thank you so much, Wes. I love you! :)
Until next time. . . . .
XOXOXOXOXOXO
He secretly arranged for my entire family to come to the coast that weekend to go to the concert with me and to celebrate my sisters' birthday.
I absolutely did not believe him when he told me. I am so excited. It is going to be great fun! Thank you so much, Wes. I love you! :)
Until next time. . . . .
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Friday, September 11, 2009
Behind
I know I am a good bit behind in my blog posts. Not too much has been going on besides work and sleep anyway.
I will try to hit the highlights:
- Never mentioned, Wes got a new truck about a month ago.
- Went to Tupelo to visit my sister, Angela, had a BLAST!
- Went to KO and visited the parents.
- Made a new website for my school; check it out at http://www.gulfportschools.org/SCHOOLS/AAE/Anniston_Elementary/index.htm
- Had a HORRIBLE experience with a veterinarian in Gulfport.
- Moved Lillie and Ivey outside because nothing I tried kept them from using the dining room as a litter box. :( (Really they just live in the garage now, and I put comfy blankets out for them, a water fountain, and other luxuries outside cats don't afford. LOL)
- Painted wooden letters for a teacher at work who is having a baby! I hope she likes them. See pics below.
- Going to the USM ballgame tomorrow, if it doesn't rain. Southern Miss to the TOP!
XOXOXOXOXO
Thursday, August 27, 2009
STREP THROAT
Those 2 words sum it all up!! A week ago, today, my throat starting hurting a little. I went to bed as soon as I got home from open house, starting taking Tylenol Sore Throat Friday morning, and actually thought I was being proactive about staying well for my kiddos at school. Well, I was WRONG!
A little RnR over the weekend, did nothing to help me feel better. Sunday, I was miserable. I stayed up all night long coughing. However, excessive coughing at night is not unusual for me so I was not extremely alarmed, I just felt really bad. I went to school on Monday morning and left pretty much immediately to go to the clinic where I was diagnosed with strep throat and told to stay home for 2 days.
I head home, lay down on the couch, and proceed to feel absolutely terrible. I don't ever remembering feeling that bad ever. My body ached so badly that I could not even really sit up. Wes comes home from work, takes my temperature, it is 102.8, and calls the ER. They say, "don't bring her in, just give her Motrin." He does and the fever drops, but doesn't go away. We sleep in separate beds to prevent Wes from catching it.
Next day, still have fever of 101 for most of the day. Finally, around 3:00pm fever breaks and I feel 1oo times better instantly.
I never knew strep throat was such a doozy! I am still sick: coughing, sneezing, weak, etc., but I returned to work Wednesday. Thankfully, I am on the up side of down!
Until next time. . . ..
XOXOXOXO
A little RnR over the weekend, did nothing to help me feel better. Sunday, I was miserable. I stayed up all night long coughing. However, excessive coughing at night is not unusual for me so I was not extremely alarmed, I just felt really bad. I went to school on Monday morning and left pretty much immediately to go to the clinic where I was diagnosed with strep throat and told to stay home for 2 days.
I head home, lay down on the couch, and proceed to feel absolutely terrible. I don't ever remembering feeling that bad ever. My body ached so badly that I could not even really sit up. Wes comes home from work, takes my temperature, it is 102.8, and calls the ER. They say, "don't bring her in, just give her Motrin." He does and the fever drops, but doesn't go away. We sleep in separate beds to prevent Wes from catching it.
Next day, still have fever of 101 for most of the day. Finally, around 3:00pm fever breaks and I feel 1oo times better instantly.
I never knew strep throat was such a doozy! I am still sick: coughing, sneezing, weak, etc., but I returned to work Wednesday. Thankfully, I am on the up side of down!
Until next time. . . ..
XOXOXOXO
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Back to School
I must start blogging more often because once I sit down to blog there is so much to write about I can't possibly remember everything I want to share.
School started Wednesday, August 5. It was a great day, probably the best day I had all week even if lightening struck our school right at dismissal. Our principal handled the situation with confidence and efficiency unmatched by many people. As far as my first experience as a teacher goes, I am having trouble with the ending of class. I have 40 minutes with each group of students and I am not giving them enough time at the end of the lesson to choose books, close the lesson, and line up before their teacher arrives. I have some solutions to this problem that I am going to try starting Monday. 40 minutes goes by so FAST! I am having a lot of fun getting to know the kids and making friends with my colleagues. I not only want to mention those things, but I want to say how grateful I am for my assistant. She is a life savor, and I would be buried in work and unable to move my shoulder due to stress without her guidance and unending willingness to help to me.
Lillie and Ivey have been quite adventurous this week. One day, I came home to a dead lizard in the hallway. The next day, I came home to a bird in the living room. The day after that, I came home to a strange black and white cat in the sun room. Needless to say, the outside door is no longer open when I am not at home. In addition to the lovely friends they made this week, one of them (still trying to catch the culprit) has decided to make the dining room their litter box. It is so frustrating because we have been here for 2.5 months and not had a problem at all. This must stop immediately, or they are going to become outside cats much to their dismay.
I saw Julie and Julia this weekend and was much inspired to create a 365 day challenge to blog about for myself. I have a couple of ideas, but I am still trying to decide. I came up with a book series idea about a year ago and just as I type this I am getting a good idea. Look for more on that later. :)
Much to my own dismay, I have not been in my pool for over 2 weeks. Work and rain have keep me inside. It is an extremely sad situation that I know all of my non-pool owning friends have wished upon me after their ever so thoughtful Facebook messages. I hope you all are happy. (just kidding;).
Wes is loving his schedule. He gets to leave for work after me, he only teaches 1 class per day, and he gets home before me. I came home to him napping one day, how wonderful for him, and Friday, I came home to him vacuuming the house, how wonderful for me! Plus, he packs my lunch every morning and makes the breakfast. He has tons of energy and smiles abound from him. All of these things make me happy.
This is going to be a full week, 26 classes, 3 meetings, and whatever else comes along. Here's hoping you all find blessings in the things you do this week.
Until next time....
XOXOXOXOXO
School started Wednesday, August 5. It was a great day, probably the best day I had all week even if lightening struck our school right at dismissal. Our principal handled the situation with confidence and efficiency unmatched by many people. As far as my first experience as a teacher goes, I am having trouble with the ending of class. I have 40 minutes with each group of students and I am not giving them enough time at the end of the lesson to choose books, close the lesson, and line up before their teacher arrives. I have some solutions to this problem that I am going to try starting Monday. 40 minutes goes by so FAST! I am having a lot of fun getting to know the kids and making friends with my colleagues. I not only want to mention those things, but I want to say how grateful I am for my assistant. She is a life savor, and I would be buried in work and unable to move my shoulder due to stress without her guidance and unending willingness to help to me.
Lillie and Ivey have been quite adventurous this week. One day, I came home to a dead lizard in the hallway. The next day, I came home to a bird in the living room. The day after that, I came home to a strange black and white cat in the sun room. Needless to say, the outside door is no longer open when I am not at home. In addition to the lovely friends they made this week, one of them (still trying to catch the culprit) has decided to make the dining room their litter box. It is so frustrating because we have been here for 2.5 months and not had a problem at all. This must stop immediately, or they are going to become outside cats much to their dismay.
I saw Julie and Julia this weekend and was much inspired to create a 365 day challenge to blog about for myself. I have a couple of ideas, but I am still trying to decide. I came up with a book series idea about a year ago and just as I type this I am getting a good idea. Look for more on that later. :)
Much to my own dismay, I have not been in my pool for over 2 weeks. Work and rain have keep me inside. It is an extremely sad situation that I know all of my non-pool owning friends have wished upon me after their ever so thoughtful Facebook messages. I hope you all are happy. (just kidding;).
Wes is loving his schedule. He gets to leave for work after me, he only teaches 1 class per day, and he gets home before me. I came home to him napping one day, how wonderful for him, and Friday, I came home to him vacuuming the house, how wonderful for me! Plus, he packs my lunch every morning and makes the breakfast. He has tons of energy and smiles abound from him. All of these things make me happy.
This is going to be a full week, 26 classes, 3 meetings, and whatever else comes along. Here's hoping you all find blessings in the things you do this week.
Until next time....
XOXOXOXOXO
Monday, July 27, 2009
Blogging about blogging
Things are moving at full steam ahead. I start teacher workdays tomorrow. 2 days of novice teacher, 2 days of new to the district, 1 day of Essential Pieces, 1 day of Anniston development. That is enough PD to last me awhile.
Well, speaking of professional development, I have been reading a book about using blogs and other technologies in your classroom. It is extremely informative, and I am glad I read it before starting a blog at my school. However, it has taught me that the what I do and most of the bloggers that I follow do is not blog but journal. Blogging is actually about reading something that interest you, writing about how it impacts you or others, and then providing links so that others can research or read about the topic, also. I was so happy to read this because it makes blogs perfect for schools. It is all about reading, thinking, and writing!
I also discovered from reading this book that the fastest growing population for Internet use is between the ages of 2-5. Well, isn't this is an eye opener for educators? If is sooo necessary for us to get on the bandwagon and start teaching our students how to interact in this global/digital environment. (Here is my soap box: It is only unsafe because we are not teaching our children how to use it safely. Don't we tell them not to get in the car with strangers. It is the same concept). The problem is that most of us are in uncharted waters because we have just recently begun to use these tools ourselves. For me personally, it is quite overwhelming. Here is the link to the book I am reading, if any of you are interested in using this in your classrooms or libraries.
Well, in addition to working hard at the library. :) many fun things have taken place, lately. 1. I hung red polka dotted curtains in the library (pictures later) that my lovely mother made. They look fabulous. 2. I created a reading area in the library with a HUGE blue rug accented with books. 3. I finished painting the growth chart for my good friend Sarah's baby girl (pic below). 4. I read My Sister's Keeper by Piccoult. It was so good and surprising, now I am ready to see the movie! 5. My in-laws cam to visit for the weekend, and we had a really great time.
Until next time. . . ..
XOXOXOXO
Well, speaking of professional development, I have been reading a book about using blogs and other technologies in your classroom. It is extremely informative, and I am glad I read it before starting a blog at my school. However, it has taught me that the what I do and most of the bloggers that I follow do is not blog but journal. Blogging is actually about reading something that interest you, writing about how it impacts you or others, and then providing links so that others can research or read about the topic, also. I was so happy to read this because it makes blogs perfect for schools. It is all about reading, thinking, and writing!
I also discovered from reading this book that the fastest growing population for Internet use is between the ages of 2-5. Well, isn't this is an eye opener for educators? If is sooo necessary for us to get on the bandwagon and start teaching our students how to interact in this global/digital environment. (Here is my soap box: It is only unsafe because we are not teaching our children how to use it safely. Don't we tell them not to get in the car with strangers. It is the same concept). The problem is that most of us are in uncharted waters because we have just recently begun to use these tools ourselves. For me personally, it is quite overwhelming. Here is the link to the book I am reading, if any of you are interested in using this in your classrooms or libraries.
Well, in addition to working hard at the library. :) many fun things have taken place, lately. 1. I hung red polka dotted curtains in the library (pictures later) that my lovely mother made. They look fabulous. 2. I created a reading area in the library with a HUGE blue rug accented with books. 3. I finished painting the growth chart for my good friend Sarah's baby girl (pic below). 4. I read My Sister's Keeper by Piccoult. It was so good and surprising, now I am ready to see the movie! 5. My in-laws cam to visit for the weekend, and we had a really great time.
Until next time. . . ..
XOXOXOXO
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Oregon Two: Too Long It Has Been
Okay, so I have a lot more pictures from Oregon to post. Most of you have probably already seen these on Facebook, but for those non-facebookers, I am posting some here. Oregon is a beautiful state with tons of resources and unusual people. It is worth visiting, and I am looking forward to sharing it with my family next summer.
Until next time . . . . . .
Wes and I visited Crater Lake (a volcanic mountain that blew its top and created a very deep and frigid lake), drove to California and immersed ourselves in the Redwood Forrest, then drove up the Oregon Coast, stopping at several beaches along the way. We also made a couple of pit stops at rivers along the way. Here is our photo story.
Until next time . . . . . .
XOXOXOXO
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