Today is my high school band director's birthday. As I wrote on her wall today wishing her a happy birthday, I was in awe of the amount of past students that had posted her birthday wishes. I lost count after about the 5th page! Ms. Ellison was an amazing teacher. She had some very unconventional methods sometimes, but she touched my life in a way that I could never fully explain. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. She saw something in me musically and encouraged me. Without her, I would not have had the wonderful experience of college band or the scholarship.
Now that I am an educator, I hope that I am touching my students' lives in the way that she touched mine. Thank you Ms. Ellison!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
It's OVER...
the benchmark that is! :)
So another year of benchmark is over and I am SO glad. I look forward to this time every year because there are so many fun things to do in the springtime without the stress of testing.
I know I have mentioned this before, but the group of kids that I have this year I have had for two years. They are a very special group of students to me...more so than they will probably ever know. We truly have become a family over the past two years and I am pretty close with several of their families as well. I'm pretty sure I am going to need some therapy when I have to send them on to 5th grade...just kidding...but it is going to be sad! :(
Anyway, one reason that I love this group is because they are very creative. I knew I wanted to do something fun tomorrow since it is the end of the week and testing is over. I wanted to show a movie, but I hate showing a movie just to show one. SO, I always try to connect it to something. I picked the Princess and the Frog. I checked out every version of the book I could find and the kids did a poster project which they LOVED. Well, my very creative kids decided that we needed to have a frog-themed day. One kid is bringing his pet frogs from home so we can "observe" their behaviors. They planned "frog" games to play outside like lily pad hop (with hula-hoops) and frog races with burlap sacks. We are also making some frog crafts. To stick with the frog theme, I decided to make some "frog" sugar cookies and "crowns". Josh and I had so much fun tonight decorating the cookies. I am looking forward to the fun that is to be had tomorrow.
Despite the stress that it sometimes brings, I KNOW with all my heart that I am in the perfect profession for me. I am very lucky!
So another year of benchmark is over and I am SO glad. I look forward to this time every year because there are so many fun things to do in the springtime without the stress of testing.
I know I have mentioned this before, but the group of kids that I have this year I have had for two years. They are a very special group of students to me...more so than they will probably ever know. We truly have become a family over the past two years and I am pretty close with several of their families as well. I'm pretty sure I am going to need some therapy when I have to send them on to 5th grade...just kidding...but it is going to be sad! :(
Anyway, one reason that I love this group is because they are very creative. I knew I wanted to do something fun tomorrow since it is the end of the week and testing is over. I wanted to show a movie, but I hate showing a movie just to show one. SO, I always try to connect it to something. I picked the Princess and the Frog. I checked out every version of the book I could find and the kids did a poster project which they LOVED. Well, my very creative kids decided that we needed to have a frog-themed day. One kid is bringing his pet frogs from home so we can "observe" their behaviors. They planned "frog" games to play outside like lily pad hop (with hula-hoops) and frog races with burlap sacks. We are also making some frog crafts. To stick with the frog theme, I decided to make some "frog" sugar cookies and "crowns". Josh and I had so much fun tonight decorating the cookies. I am looking forward to the fun that is to be had tomorrow.
Despite the stress that it sometimes brings, I KNOW with all my heart that I am in the perfect profession for me. I am very lucky!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday Musings
Not much going on with me tonight, so here is some randomness...
1. Benchmark started this week, and although it makes for a LONG day, I am very proud of my kiddos. I have learned that you really can't tell how they do while they are taking the test and it is better to not stress yourself out and just wait for the results in May.
2. Josh and I went to a meeting yesterday for a mission trip we are going on in May. We will be going with some youth from my home church, Elm Springs United Methodist, to Birmingham, Alabama. We are traveling with a group called YouthWorks. The best part is that my sister will also be going...I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I think she is pretty cool! ;)
3. Okay, this one is more of a vent...does anyone else find it really annoying when girls on Facebook complain ALL the time about their pregnancies? Now, I know that when I am LUCKY enough to be pregnant again, it isn't going to be great all the time. I know you get tired, and crampy, and swell up (just to name a few)...but SERIOUSLY, complaining all the time is so annoying. Anyway, I didn't mean to offend anyone....just please remind me of this if I start complaining too much next time!
4. My awesome sister-in-law and I are going to start to train for a 5k this Sunday....yes, you read that correctly...me, running! As funny as it is going to look (I have a waddling problem!), I'm going to give it a try. Amanda sold me when she told me the training schedule is called "from couch potato to runner". We will see how this goes!!
Anyway...enough randomness from me! Have a great week!
1. Benchmark started this week, and although it makes for a LONG day, I am very proud of my kiddos. I have learned that you really can't tell how they do while they are taking the test and it is better to not stress yourself out and just wait for the results in May.
2. Josh and I went to a meeting yesterday for a mission trip we are going on in May. We will be going with some youth from my home church, Elm Springs United Methodist, to Birmingham, Alabama. We are traveling with a group called YouthWorks. The best part is that my sister will also be going...I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I think she is pretty cool! ;)
3. Okay, this one is more of a vent...does anyone else find it really annoying when girls on Facebook complain ALL the time about their pregnancies? Now, I know that when I am LUCKY enough to be pregnant again, it isn't going to be great all the time. I know you get tired, and crampy, and swell up (just to name a few)...but SERIOUSLY, complaining all the time is so annoying. Anyway, I didn't mean to offend anyone....just please remind me of this if I start complaining too much next time!
4. My awesome sister-in-law and I are going to start to train for a 5k this Sunday....yes, you read that correctly...me, running! As funny as it is going to look (I have a waddling problem!), I'm going to give it a try. Amanda sold me when she told me the training schedule is called "from couch potato to runner". We will see how this goes!!
Anyway...enough randomness from me! Have a great week!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Back to life...Back to reality
Spring break has come and gone and boy was it WONDERFUL! Josh and I had an amazing time at Disney World. It was so fun to see Josh's reactions since it was his first time going. We had a very busy 7 days and I think we came away seeing almost everything. I am pretty sure it is impossible to see it all in one visit.
I have to admit that in the back of my mind I couldn't really believe that we were there. I had originally planned to spend spring break putting the finishing touches on a nursery and preparing for our baby. I know that God has a bigger plan for us and I just need to keep reminding myself of that.
So, now the dreaded benchmark test is next week and let me just say that I am SO ready for it to be over. I will say that I haven't been stressing myself out over it. If I have learned anything this year, I have learned that life is too short to stress out about things that are out of my control.
Anyway, that is about all that is new with me. Hope everyone has a great week!
I have to admit that in the back of my mind I couldn't really believe that we were there. I had originally planned to spend spring break putting the finishing touches on a nursery and preparing for our baby. I know that God has a bigger plan for us and I just need to keep reminding myself of that.
So, now the dreaded benchmark test is next week and let me just say that I am SO ready for it to be over. I will say that I haven't been stressing myself out over it. If I have learned anything this year, I have learned that life is too short to stress out about things that are out of my control.
Anyway, that is about all that is new with me. Hope everyone has a great week!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Relaxing Weekend
This has been a great weekend so far. This past week has been very busy for Josh and myself, so I am really enjoying some down time.
Thursday evening I went to my first miscarriage support group meeting. I have been wanting to go for awhile, but just hadn't made that step. the meeting was really great and I learned a lot about the grieving process. I left feeling like I am not crazy after all! :) Some days I feel so great and then something will happen that just triggers my emotions and I do a 180. I have also felt really awkward lately in social situations, which I also learned was completely normal. It was nice talking to other people who are dealing with the same emotions and feelings.
Friday after school I went out for a drink with a good friend from work and then Josh a I went out to dinner with Daniel and Amanda (Josh' brother and sister-in-law). We had a great time and great conversation. I absolutely LOVE Friday evenings because I know I get to sleep in the next morning!
Today we went shopping for some clothes for Florida. Poor Josh...he is never going to love shopping and I probably didn't help matters when I made him try on "man capris" (although it did make for a good laugh!). Tonight we are staying in and hanging out with my sister. Tomorrow is her 3rd birthday celebration and we are going bowling at Fast Lanes.
Anyway, sorry for all the rambling....I guess I better get busy with the lesson planning for next week...did I mention that I am VERY ready for spring break!?!
Thursday evening I went to my first miscarriage support group meeting. I have been wanting to go for awhile, but just hadn't made that step. the meeting was really great and I learned a lot about the grieving process. I left feeling like I am not crazy after all! :) Some days I feel so great and then something will happen that just triggers my emotions and I do a 180. I have also felt really awkward lately in social situations, which I also learned was completely normal. It was nice talking to other people who are dealing with the same emotions and feelings.
Friday after school I went out for a drink with a good friend from work and then Josh a I went out to dinner with Daniel and Amanda (Josh' brother and sister-in-law). We had a great time and great conversation. I absolutely LOVE Friday evenings because I know I get to sleep in the next morning!
Today we went shopping for some clothes for Florida. Poor Josh...he is never going to love shopping and I probably didn't help matters when I made him try on "man capris" (although it did make for a good laugh!). Tonight we are staying in and hanging out with my sister. Tomorrow is her 3rd birthday celebration and we are going bowling at Fast Lanes.
Anyway, sorry for all the rambling....I guess I better get busy with the lesson planning for next week...did I mention that I am VERY ready for spring break!?!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Happy Birthday Sister!
Today is my little sister's 18th birthday. I can't believe she is 18 today! It seems like just yesterday that she was entering high school, and now she is graduating in May. Time really does fly!
Alyson,
You are such a wonderful sister and friend. You are growing into such a beautiful woman, inside and out. I am so proud of all your accomplishments in your 18 years. Thank you for always being there for me, through the good times and the bad. You can make me laugh when all I feel like doing is cry (dancing for me while I was stuck in a yucky hospital bed), you listen when I need to talk, and you are always up for a good shopping trip (especially at 4 in the morning on Black Friday!) I love you so much and I look forward to all the memories that are yet to come (now I sound like a cheesy Hallmark commercial!).
Happy Birthday sister! Love you!
A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.
--Isadora James
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Fun Weekend
Well, it is Sunday night and I am sitting here wondering where my weekend went. It seems like they always go by way too fast. I had a really great weekend that started with going out with some great friends on Friday for margaritas. We had so much fun and it was a great end to the work week.
I got up early Saturday morning to volunteer at the Odyssey of the Mind competition. My school has a team and since three of the members are in my class, I was more than happy to help out. The team worked really hard and scored high enough to make it to the state competition. I am so proud of them because this is only the second year they have participated and improved so much from last year. The icing on the cake was when one of the members (who is in my class...I'm a proud teacher, what can I say!) won the award for Most Creative OMer. This is a huge deal because there is only one winner. I am so proud of Aleeyha and this is going to be a big boost to her confidence!
Saturday night, Josh and I went out to dinner with Daniel and Amanda and had a great time like always.
We have had a lazy Sunday, which has been nice. We went to lunch for my sister's birthday (the first of three celebrations!) and I have spent the rest of the day grading papers and lesson planning for the week. This is the most stressful time of the year for a teacher and I honestly can't wait for the state test to be over with! I always worry and stress so much about getting everything taught in time, but I have to say that it does feel a little different this year. I think the events of this year have really put things into perspective for me. Life is too short to worry constantly about how twenty-eight 10 year olds are going to do on a test they take one week out of the year. Don't get me wrong, I am doing EVERYTHING in my power to get my kiddos ready, but I have just decided to not let it control my life, like it has seem to do every other year at this time. Anyway, I won't even get started on my feelings about the test...that would be a whole different post! :)
Have a great week...hopefully the weather will stay nice although I hear it is suppose to be a stormy week...boo for inside recess!
I got up early Saturday morning to volunteer at the Odyssey of the Mind competition. My school has a team and since three of the members are in my class, I was more than happy to help out. The team worked really hard and scored high enough to make it to the state competition. I am so proud of them because this is only the second year they have participated and improved so much from last year. The icing on the cake was when one of the members (who is in my class...I'm a proud teacher, what can I say!) won the award for Most Creative OMer. This is a huge deal because there is only one winner. I am so proud of Aleeyha and this is going to be a big boost to her confidence!
Saturday night, Josh and I went out to dinner with Daniel and Amanda and had a great time like always.
We have had a lazy Sunday, which has been nice. We went to lunch for my sister's birthday (the first of three celebrations!) and I have spent the rest of the day grading papers and lesson planning for the week. This is the most stressful time of the year for a teacher and I honestly can't wait for the state test to be over with! I always worry and stress so much about getting everything taught in time, but I have to say that it does feel a little different this year. I think the events of this year have really put things into perspective for me. Life is too short to worry constantly about how twenty-eight 10 year olds are going to do on a test they take one week out of the year. Don't get me wrong, I am doing EVERYTHING in my power to get my kiddos ready, but I have just decided to not let it control my life, like it has seem to do every other year at this time. Anyway, I won't even get started on my feelings about the test...that would be a whole different post! :)
Have a great week...hopefully the weather will stay nice although I hear it is suppose to be a stormy week...boo for inside recess!
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