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.

Father’s Day June 17, 2012

Saturday morning, Jayden and I got up to head out Father’s Day shopping. Billy had to work so it was the perfect day to do this. Billy had said he was wanting a nail gun. Jayden and I tried to tackle the task with some online reviews, but who knew Lowes had so many!!! They were from $20 to $500 … I have no clue about tools!! (but I can teach your child math like no other!) I call up our good friend Brenda to find out what she knows. Knowing Brenda (or Aunt Brenda as Jayden would say) I know she can help.
Brenda tells me she doesn’t know much about nail guns but she would get a Dewalt because that’s the best brand. We talk about and decide that I should do a gift card to Lowes so he can pick his own. Another benefit to a gift card is that he gets a discount at Lowes! Brenda helps us decide that $200 should cover it!!! THANKS Brenda!!
Before we left on our shopping adventure, we saw a little girl from our neighborhood. Her family is amazing and do such great work for the Lord. Right now her mom is in Africa on a mission trip, she doesn’t know what to do about Father’s Day. I asked what she wanted to get and I would get it for her. She didn’t really know. I suggest a gun range pass for her daddy to practice more. Billy has been helping her daddy learn to use a gun. She thought that was a great idea! So after Lowes, we go pick up gun range gift cards. The guys will like that. Plus the little girl was so excited when I took the gift card and Father’s day card to her!!

While we were picking out the Father’s Day card, Jayden picked out a nice blue (daddy’s fav color) WWE wrestler of Rey Mysterio. 🙂 Jayden just knew Dadsy would love it!!

Jayden and the gifts

Daddy loves the Rey!!

Reading the Family Guy card

Daddy loved all his presents from Jayden!! Now we all have to make a trip to Lowes to find that special nail gun!!

Joy of Friendship June 4, 2012

Today Jayden is having a friend over to play. I love listening to Jayden and Logan play. Their conversions are so precious, and they truly have an amazing friendship. Neither has to entertain each other, they don’t have to play together, and they work out their own disagreements. Watching and listening to them I appreciate the joy of their friendship and love for each other.

We had to take our car to the shop for repairs, and Jayden first question is “does Logan get to come?” 🙂 Of course I tell him and we load up.

They both listened very well as we changed cars 3 times!! Once we got the actual rent-a-car, I felt they earned a trip to McDs.

At McDs, they quickly ate their nuggets because both were just dying to hit the playground! Aww!!! The joys of being young!

Children are a precious gift from God. I love seeing the world thru their eyes. The trust and faith they have in one another is amazing! I pray that that same faith and trust will be with them throughout their lives!!

Mother’s Day May 13, 2012

Nice, calm, relaxing day!!

We woke up and took the car to get the damage looked at. It was very simple and easy! The Allstate rep looked the damaged over, figured out the damage total, and printed the check. Now we can make an appointment to get the car fixed!

Then back home to relax and take it easy!In the afternoon, we decided to walk around at the outlet mall for a bit. Looked in several stores, enjoyed the weather, and bought Jayden a couple of shirts.

We were going to eat dinner but the restaurants were way too crazy!! I figure I am a mom everyday so the big dinner could be another day!

For Mother’s Day, my family bought me a very nice diamond bracelet!! I was surprised since I didn’t know they had went shopping!!

Red Hawks Game

Saturday was a wonderful day! Billy and Jayden went to the movies with Cliff and Andrea to see “Avengers”. I decided against going because I am not much of a movie person. While they were at the movies, they dropped me off at my classroom to work. Tammy decided to join me to visit. Cythnia stayed for a bit too.
After the movie, my family picked me up to eat with our friends at Harry Bears. Yummy!!! As we were leaving, someone decided to grab a hand full of pickles for the road!!

Then we headed to the RedHawks game. It was a new adventure for all of us.
The weather was perfect for a baseball game. We all got RedHawks hats for attending. Jayden informed Cliff that you had to be an “old man” to drink beer and he wasn’t old enough! The things kids say!!

Reading with Daddy May 10, 2012

I am so excited that my son loves to read and learn! Jayden loves books of all kinds. He loves to be read to and read to you. Lately, he has shown so much interest in trying to sound out words and make up the story. When he reads to us most of the words are actually made up by following the picture. That is great though!! Reading starts that way and turns into reading the correct words. I need to get busy putting words around our house for him to begin learning. He is ready for some beginning sight words!!!

My Karate Kid May 9, 2012

Well, Jayden is still in love with karate. We went last Thursday and he was so excited to see what he was going to get to do. He tackled the ‘angry horse’ – I think that’s what it’s called.

This time the other coach taught, I worried it might change the way Jayden participated. Yeah!! It didn’t!!

Friday, he was so upset because it wasn’t a karate day. Poor guy wants to go every day. I hope he still likes karate in 6 months since we signed up! 😉

Aww … My babies in class May 7, 2012

Today was the first day of teacher appreciation week and I had a wonderful day! I love having a job where my (classroom) babies and my parents are mostly supportive. I have a wonderful group of kiddos and parents this year.
Today, the students were supposed to bring their teachers a flower. I took pictures of several of mine. Here are some pictures!!

This time of the year is a time to reflect on all the knowledge that the students have gained throughout the year. This time is an emotional time as I am ready for the school year to be finished and ready for summer break, but I will miss seeing my (classroom) babies. I can’t wait to see all the success they bring in their futures!!

Unconditional Love April 23, 2012

Is there a way to feel unconditional love without being a parent? A friend of mine asked the question and made me wonder. I believe that the only way to truly feel unconditional love is to be a parent. Yes, your other family loves you but a love from a parent to a child is unconditional. A parent loves a child without expecting something back in return. The joy of being a mom is feeling that unconditional love between you and your child!!!