Thanksgiving 2012 November 22, 2012

Well …. Thanksgiving 2012 has come and gone. I had a wonderful thanksgiving meal at my home with my husband, son, cousin, and her son. The day was absolutely wonderful. I feel completely blessed to have these people in my life. However, this is the first holiday where I haven’t heard from anyone else in my family. (I did text with my oldest niece this morning) As the day comes to a close, I realize just how important I am valued in my family. I am grateful that I found that out today and made it through this holiday. There will be many more of these holidays to come.

As an adult, I have come to realize that people come and go in my life. The different events that happened this past summer are not the types of come and goes I ever pictured. But I can not allow any person to tell me that I am a ‘bad mom’ or a ‘bad aunt’. Yes, I make mistakes at being a mom and aunt, but I am not a ‘bad’. These are hurtful words that I can not forgive. I have to trust that as time continues, holidays will become easier.

I am very thankful for my true family and friends that make my days special.

It’s that time! August 12, 2012

Well tomorrow summer is officially over for me. It sounds sad to some, but I am super excited to meet all my new kindergarten students!! My classroom is almost finished and seems to be coming together nicely. Bring on the Kinders!!!

Real Friends … July 20, 2012

This summer Tammy and I have gotten more prepared for next year. We have completed a math journal, ran off memory book templates, science journals, writing prompts, ABC creations, and so much more. I am so thankful to have a co-worker who is not only my co-worker but also my friend and cousin.
When I took the job at my school, I didn’t know who my co-worker would be. Of course, hoping we would meet and get along great is what you want. It is always a plus when you have someone to bounce ideas off of and plan with. I got so much more! While talking we found out that we are cousins. My grandma and her mom grew up in the same town just a mile apart.
During all the mean less drama this summer, she has been there to listen to it and talk me through it. As I have done for her. Some say friendship is a two way street – very true both have to meet in the middle to work. My friendship with Tammy is just that. We both pull our wait in the friendship.

Friendships

During my trip to DC with the Oklahoma teacher’s union, I got to know more people from my school district and can call a few more of them friends. I enjoyed walking between the conference center and our hotel every day and chatting with Stephanie and Kari. (Thanks girls!!)

During the conference, Vice President Biden came to speak with us. Last year the line was a 2 1/2 hour wait to get to our seats. We were asked not to brig bags, but many people did. This year to help with lines there was a ‘no bag line’ and a ‘bag line’. Stephanie, Kari, and I decided to take the chance and carry our purse into the conference. Well … It was a great decision!! Our ‘bag line’ was so short!!!

While waiting for Biden’s speech and everyone to get in and take their seats, a delegate from California came to talk with us. She teaches 2nd grade and had taught the 1st graders that were going to be her students a lesson over “Flat Stanley”. The students then made themselves like a flat Stanley. She asked if we would take “Flat Linda” back to one of of classrooms and take pictures of her with students. I now have Flat Linda, but we took a few pictures of her at the conference.

Flat Linda loved hanging from the chair!

Flat Linda also loved Subway!

My family and my fellow union members (friends) also went to watch the fireworks on the 4th by the Washington Monument. It was amazing go be in DC for this holiday!!

Billy and Jayden before it started.

Kari, Stephanie, and I (with the boys peeking in!)

Brenda and I before the show

Jayden during the fireworks

One of my favorites

The fireworks went on for such a long time. They were beautiful and continuous.

Overall, my trip to DC was outstanding! I made memories with my family, my friends, my union (at local, state, and nation level). I am thankful to be in a profession that I love and to work beside others who love it! I am a proud member of the teacher’s union!

Family in DC July 7, 2012

During my trip to DC, my family enjoyed a few days of site seeing and many very hot walks!! We arrived two days early to enjoy some family time before I had to hit the meetings. Most of our adventures were amazing and than a few were not so amazing!

We enjoyed eating at five guys. Thank goodness the guy told us to only order one order of fries for us all!

We saw the coolest pop machines at Five Guys!!

Our hotel was nice, but had some strange things going on. For example, no ice machines, you had to call and have house keeping bring up a bucket of ice. There were no pop, water, or snack machines, but the hotel gave us free bottles of water. Our hotel had nice, big wine glasses which my family used for ice cold water!! Jayden loved using the glasses!! He thought it was so cool that the glasses were so big and had a stem for him to hold! Fun times!!

Before the conference, we have an area where you can register for drawings, drawings, and more drawings! I chose not to enter them this year. Also, in that area there are tons of free things for us. We enjoyed looking around the booths and spinning the wheels for prizes. Within the expo this year, there was a mini golf game. Jayden and Billy decided to try. Billy helped Jayden aim the golf ball to protect everyone around.

Then we watched to see if it went in the hole!

What a great trip we had!! We saw some amazing sites! We had many long, HOT walks. Now hopefully at home we can enjoy so actual sleep!!

Jayden and I being silly on the trip!!

Tattoo June 28, 2012

My good friend (and neighbor) and I decided it was time to get the tattoos we had been wanting. We chose a shop close to our homes which was amazing. The tattoo artist was so honest and straight forward and we both appreciated that.
I had wanted a star piece on my wrist but he said it was too big for the area I wanted it. He told me it would all run together and I wouldn’t like it after it was all said and done. So I changed back to my original plan and decided that I would get my son’s name on my wrist.

The stencil before the tattoo

I love the way the tattoo looked as a stencil; the font was amazing. The tattoo artist said I would like it more on because the ink would be so clean and clear.

Getting the tattoo!

He was absolutely right! It looks better than I could even imagine!

After he was finished

The next day when I woke up, I was a little worried about the site of my tattoo. (I have others but I can’t remember the days after getting because it’s been so long.)

Day after before I washed the blood off

Luckily, my husband remember and said it is supposed to be like that. Go clean like he said and put the meds on. And of course after all that it was back to perfect!
I still have the star tattoo that I love and want. I am not abandoning the idea because it will look amazing and has so much meaning behind it. So for now I will save up a but more money and go back! My husband also wants a tattoo now. I am thinking for his birthday that’s what I will give him.

RIP Bon Bon June 26, 2012

My family visits the zoo quite often. I LOVE the zoo and always have. We all have our favorite animals to see and we try to visit those areas. My son loves to see the elephants. I love the apes and chimps. It saddens my heart that Bon Bon – the ape passed away yesterday.the last time we visited the zoo and saw Bon-Bon, he wasn’t in a good mood. He gave us the finger. Boy, did we laugh though!!

RIP Bon-Bon

The last time we were there we decided to ride the tram. Normally, we just walk around; we hadn’t rode the tram in such a long time! Today was the day. As we started the ride, it was rocky. A little girl was trying to get on as the tram was pulling away. Crazy mom was letting her daughter try! Then as we turned the first corner a child walk super close to the tram. After that it was a smooth ride!

Jayden’s first time on the side!

After the tram, we decided to go down to the sea lions area. We normally don’t go that way. Down there Jayden’s legs became a bit tired so he needed a ride.

Nice ride Jayden!

It became lunch time and we were all very hungry! We decided to try the restaurant at the zoo. It was so nice and cool inside and a nice break from the heat. Jayden had a hotdog and Cheetos. Billy had a cheeseburger and fries. I had a salad with ham. Yummy!! We all were in much better moods once we ate.

Before going in to eat!

As we were leaving the restaurant

As we were getting ready to go we had to smash a penny for our book and go to the gift shop. Jayden and I think it’s must to go into the gift shop! Daddy doesn’t.

Jayden and Daddy at the Zoo

Pondering friendship June 24, 2012

As I am sitting here today after a wild, crazy morning with a amazing friend and a hot, adventurous time with my family – I am thinking of many ‘friends’ that have come and gone. If a person passes through your life but leave are they really a friend? Or are friends someone that you continuously keep in touch with? How much time do real friends allow between talking before they aren’t truly friends anymore?

I have always loves this quote from Winnie the Pooh. Pooh has some amazing quotes about love and friendship. Back to the pondering … I am thinking that if someone was a true friend you could go to them in times of trouble. The length of time between talking would probably depend on the strength of the friendship and the people involved.
I have many friends that I talk to thru text messages quite often that I know if something was wrong I could contact them. Then I have other ‘friends’ that I know I could never count on.
Moving from Lawton, a place I really felt like was home, taught me a lot about friendship. I have found that I handful of true friends in Lawton. Here in the metro, I am thinking I have about the same. How many true friends do most people have? Or need? Does anyone truly stay friends with people from grade school or high school?
Hmm … Again just pondering friendship today.

To a few select friends, I find that we never seem to lose contact. These are the people that continue to communicate with me over time and knows when to ask if everything is alright.
Hmm … How many people in your life would the next quote fit?

Remember not to take those few for granted! Tell them you love them, say your sorry when you need, and make the time with them count!! 😉 I have a few people that I need to let know I care!
Have a great day!!

Thinking … June 22, 2012

So much as been going on in my life this summer and it’s been so busy.
I have been working on creating a math journal that allows the students to work on the common core standards all year long. I started with the easier items and continued to the harder ones. I can’t wait to use it in the classroom. I really feel this practice each week will help the students with understanding the objectives and doing so on their own. The journal is almost finished!
I have also continued training to become a CASA. At this point, I am finished with all the training and will be sworn in on next week. Hopefully in July, I will get my first case and be on my way to helping a child(ren). Jayden and Billy will be able to come watch me be sworn in!!
My husband has built me one shelf for my classroom and is going to do another soon. (I hope) I have to get the paint or sealer to seal it so it will last longer. I have been watching and collecting more items for my classroom. I can’t wait to have my room all set up like an actual early childhood classroom!! While on the mission of gather new items, I have written 5 grants to try to help.
As if I need anything else to do, I recently signed up to sell Uppercase Living. I have fallen in love with this product. I would love to have more opportunities to sell to my friends and family. But Billy and I have been wanting some for our house, it was a better deal to sign up to sell. I can’t wait!!
Recently, I stated dieting – hardcore. I have lost 5 pounds as of 2 days ago. Trying to stay off the scale a few days so hopefully it’s more.
One of my dearest, closest friends has been in the hospital. Today, Jayden and I visited her. She looks wonderful!!! She will be able to go home next week!! God really has been watching over her during her 60+ days in the hospital.
Another of my dearest, closest friends has been moved as principal of one school to another. Not a move she wanted to make. There are reasons behind it happening; I hope she is able to find happiness in her new adventure. I pray that the students at her last school receive a principal at least half as good as she was. (she still is) I have so much respect for her as a principal and friend!!! Love ya Breeze!!
While all these wonderful things have happened, I have had sad moments too…. I try not to harp on those and remember that things happen for a reason. Everyone has sad moments. We must continue on with life and learn from those times.

Focus June 19, 2012

Today we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at karate. Jayden was so excited to go today. Before karate we have the talk about trying everything the coach tells us to do and trying our best. Sometimes my precious child doesn’t want to try new things until he has seen other do it. I try to encourage him before class so he is prepared for new things.

Once class begins, Jayden always try to find one of his favorite coaches to stand by. He seems to choose the same coaches.

Here he is locking it up! And of course beside the coach! 😉 First they pretend to be some animals – bear and dinosaur.

Obstacle time! He loves this part of karate. He loves doing the obstacles to get to the bag to kick or hit whichever they are doing.

Again, excited after doing the obstacle!! He is doing so well at following the directions.

Tonight they learned to tell bullies to stop. He loves the part where he pushes the coach an the coach falls!!

And this is what happens after a full lesson at karate!!!