Why I Celebrate Mother's Day

I'm not gonna sugar coat it. This time of year is tricky. It would be easy to wallow in the coulda-woulda-shoulda, but what good does that do?

I celebrate Mother's Day because I have been blessed with a mother that loves me, nurtured me, and gave me an amazing beginning on this wonderful journey we call life.

While not a mom myself (details here), I also celebrate Mother's Day because of this:

"How ironic that Teacher Appreciation Week ends right when Mothers' Day weekend begins. I want to thank you for being more than just a teacher to our children. Because ONLY a teacher can understand when someone asks us, "Do you have any children?" what we mean when we say, "Yes, 25+." So Happy Mothers' Day!" - Joe Martin, Ed. D.

I've been blessed with hundreds of kids over the past 19 years of teaching. While I may not get to tuck them in at night or put them through college (silver linings, right?), I hope that I've nurtured them and helped give them an amazing beginning to this wonderful journey we call life.

Happy Mother's Day!!! :)

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Teacher Appreciation Week!

In honor of teacher appreciation week, I decided to post something I completely appreciate! :)

You've gotta love patio time after a long day!

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Weekend Wonderfulness

So, last weekend I just couldn't pass up some super fun 75% off bargains for my new classroom. I'm wanting to do an updated, fun vintage-y feel, black and white polka dot, kid friendly extravaganza. I think these little jewels will fit the bill:

How cute is the eye chart calendar? Love! And the "Great Job" is a chalkboard vinyl...and the notebook paper is actually a wipe off board. I think it will be great right by the classroom door for those constant last minute dismissal changes and such, don't you think?

I also began beautifying the back patio. It's one of my favorite springtime rituals. Keeping it all alive during the 107 degree summer weather is another matter...

Dianthus, Begonias, and Delphiniums...oh my!

Of course, the four legged children wanted in on the photo action:

Magnolia (Maggie B--the middle child)

Poppy, the herder of all, our oldest and most vocal baby...

The youngest of our brood, Daisy, was off chasing something, but I thought I'd share our best behaved child...ha!

And after a fun filled day of planting, shopping, hair trimming, and a spring pedicure I surely needed this:

Happy weekend, everyone! Enjoy! :)

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Not Quite Officially Official...

...but this sign:

will be hanging in my FIRST GRADE classroom next year! After much soul searching, I've decided to leave the "specialist" role and go back to my roots...where my heart is...with a room full of six year olds. I've been hoping and praying for just the right school, with a first grade spot to become my new "home". I've gotten the verbal thumbs up, so now I'm just waiting for it all to be signed, sealed, and DONE! I have so much planning and decorating to do!

Next year will be my 20th year to teach...seriously?!? I have no idea how that happened so quickly, but that, along with my happiness to have my own happy 22 first graders, is all the excuse I need to go nuts to create "The Happiest Place to Learn!". If anyone has cute black and white polka dot ideas, bring 'em on! Let the shopping begin!

Woo!

 

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I Might Be Rushing It a Little...

...but it's almost SPRING! For real! Just a few more sleeps 'til Spring Break, people! Can I get a WOO!?

This past weekend, I banished the hearts and broke out the bunnies.

I also actually pinned and MADE a project...seriously! It was a good weekend.

The "pinned" project (sold on Etsy for $28 plus tax and shipping):

MY version (about $12.00 for supplies with my teacher discount at Michael's...cha ching!)

Take a good look at the bubbly front door....the product of another project of mine...oops! It's getting a nice coat of paint this weekend, along with the rest of the trim on the house. Don't worry...I'm not painting it!

More spring in action:

I found the vintage look linens at Stein Mart (on clearance!) and have been waiting to break them out for spring. And yes, I keep the kitchen table set most of the time. Not sure that David likes scooting the place setting aside when it's time to eat, but I love seeing the pretty linens and dishes out on a daily basis. I mean, hey, if I waited for a dinner party to break out the fun stuff, well, it might never see the light of day.

Going green:

Ahhh, the changing of seasons makes me so happy! Hoping and praying that a few other changes come about...it's a time for new adventures, don't you think?

Happy (almost) Spring!!!!!

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A Little Crafty...

My sister Judy and I took full advantage of my mom's craft stash today. A fun time was had by all and some neat projects came out of it:

My mantle:

Judy's:

Mom's:

And another little project of mom's:

I made strawberry cupcakes for our treats...and a batch to take to school tomorrow. :)

I'm so glad we all live close enough to have fun afternoons like this.

 

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What Would We Do Without Google!

Today, I caught the tail end of a conversation that implied that people without children should take on more of the workload at school because "they don't have anything else to do". While it was said by a very sweet young parent who I KNOW must be overwhelmed by their new balancing act of home vs. teaching, it made me momentarily sad. Well, actually, it stuck with me the rest of the day.

My first reaction is to defend my time as being as valuable as someone who gets to go home and rock babies. But, they don't stay babies for long and they SHOULD be given as much time possible. I envy those baby rocking moments...probably as much as a new mom envies my ability to sit in my quiet house and have a glass of wine when I choose to do so.

Life is all about choices and trade offs. As much as I didn't choose this path completely, I have to recognize the positive and the negative...that's the balance in life. I DO try and take on extra activities with my babies at school because I DO have the time...and I love them! But I also have a family and a life outside of school. I've chosen to make my school babies MY babies. I hope it makes me a better teacher and person.

In my momentary funk, I Googled "family of two" for some inspirational words...and boy, did I get them:

"It's difficult to know why life transpires the way it does, whether we encounter infertility, divorce, job loss, a spouse's death, or any number of other troubles. But as Christians, we know the Lord—the ultimate Parent—has designed a special path for each of us. Some doors we open along that journey might bring joy while others bring disappointment, yet we know "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28, NASB). "

http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2009/september/familyoftwo.html?start=2

Just what I needed today! :)

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