Here we are a couple weeks into summer and I already feel like it has slipped away in a blink of an eye...I guess that's the way it goes:)
In the last couple weeks, Hayden has learned how to tie her shoes and ride her bike without training wheels. Wha?! All within a day of each other. It really hit me when we were at the T-ball game and Hayden was running out in the field and I asked if she needed me to tie her shoe. She looked at me and said, "No, I can do it." And she did. And I wanted to shed a tear. She's growing up so incredibly fast I feel like I can't do anything about it. She has become my helper at home, cleaning the bathrooms and the dishes and even vacuuming without me asking. The other night I heard the vacuum cleaner and she told me, "I didn't want you to have to do it later tonight, so I'm doing it right now." That right there was precious.
Colt has also been changing quite a bit. He has always been my all-boy, no emotions-just matter-of-fact. Lately he has been showing such a soft, sensitive heart. Still all-boy, but man does he have a sweet spirit. He loves his Sissy very much...to the point that he ONLY wants to play catch with her at T-ball and is very protective of her. He wants so badly to be her best friend and do EVERYTHING she does. His feelings get hurt very easily lately. It breaks my heart sometimes to see what makes him upset.
Easton is still the easy going boy...so content with life and in his own little world. Although he is still our little tornado, he just smiles and life is just grand. And man, his smile...that will make anyone's heart melt. I have found with him, when he needs to be disciplined, all you have to do is look at him and he breaks down....so not like my other two:) I am pretty sure he is THE most cuddliest (is that a word?) in the world. And he will cuddle with ANYONE. He knows no stranger. For real.
This will be the third week for Summer School. I have been really enjoying it...I love still being connected to my students over the summer. I have also am all moved to my new classroom over at East. The kids have done an amazing job letting me get everything done. They have had their moments, but all in all everything has gone pretty smooth. I laugh because if I didn't have my three kids running around the classroom and getting out EVERY SINGLE thing, I could have had it all set up within 2 days:)
Nic has been staying busy with basketball and work. I am so proud of that man. He is on his way home right now from a weekend away at Indiana State for a tourney for the girls. He is doing great things for that program and I hope that the girls see his love for them as a coach and how much he believes in them.
All in all the summer is off to a great start...we leave for Hilton Head on Friday...FINALLY!!!! Don't worry, everything is already packed and waiting by the door:)
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Bittersweet Ending to a Great School Year
Well, today marked the last day of my first year back to teaching. It was bittersweet. I am SO ready to just spend summer with my babies and my husband, but at the same time I had to say goodbye to 22 of my kids that I spent 173 days with. These kids have taught me so incredibly much this year...about compassion, understanding, love, patience, and so much more.
I will miss them terribly.
It is weird to look at my classroom right now. No kids' work hanging on the walls, no anchor charts hanging (or laying) around my room. Nothing on lockers. Nothing on bulletin boards. All the tables in the middle of the classroom. Nothing on my counters. Nothing in my "to do" bin.
I remember when I first entered this classroom for the first time. That overwhelming feeling of fear and excitement all rolled into one. I remember thinking, "how on earth am I going to decorate this room?" "Will the children like it?" "What kinds of things am I supposed to hang on the walls for a kindergarten classroom?"
You see, although I have taught 3 years previous to this year, it was in a total different environment. I had grown up in the halls of ECA. I knew the teachers. It was a comfort for me. My student teaching was done in a second grade classroom, so I knew what to expect going into my first year of teaching in second grade.
This time around it was a totally different ball game. I had 28 kids coming to me that first week. Three quarters knew NO English whatsoever. All they had ever known was Spanish. How was I supposed to teach to THAT many kids when they understood ZIPPO of what I was saying. Thankfully, another teacher, one who grew to be a great friend, saved us and we went down to 23 students. Throughout the year I had lost 3 students and then gained another 3 along the way.
I was sure that I had gotten in way over my head. Somedays I wanted to give up...felt that I was failing them. Maybe someone was more fit for my job. But I can tell you one thing right now...God knew that this was EXACTLY where I belonged. He knew that I needed those sweet children as much as I needed them. If I would have given up, I wouldn't have see those very same 6 year olds learn EVERY SINGLE letter and sound...some students knew 0 letters or sounds at the beginning of the year. I wouldn't have gotten to see these precious kiddos start putting sounds together to make words and eventually read a whole book by themselves. I wouldn't have been able to see them write sentence after sentence about what they were learning. I wouldn't have been able to watch each child interact with the others and grow into these amazing little people. I wouldn't have been able to watch the students who didn't speak English the first bit of school talk EXCESSIVELY in English to their friends. I wouldn't have been able to witness ANY of this if I would have given up...if I would have walked away...all because I was "scared" of failing them.
When you are in the midst of something like teaching, you sometimes wonder if it is all worth it. If what you are saying is being heard. If what you spend hours upon hours preparing for will even be accepted. Because you see, when you are a teacher, you are not only that...you are a mother at times, comforting a child that is having problems at home. You are a nurse, fixing up a scraped knee. You are a cleaning lady, cleaning up messes the CORRECT way when the students leave. You are a safe place. In the end, you find that all those tears that were shed during the school year were worth it. Every single tear.
I also learned that it is ok to mess up. I have learned forgiveness from my students. I have learned that sometimes, as a teacher, you don't always have the answers. I have learned that sometimes life is messy for these innocent children and sometimes you can't do a darn thing about it. I learned that students come, and students go. You miss the ones that leave, and you pray that wherever they go, they are protected and loved, and you gain another child to your life when a new student walks through your doors. I have learned that it is ok to just be honest with my kids. I don't have to "pretend" to be ok 100% of the time. I have learned that it is ALL about the children...not a competition between co-workers...who has the best readers, or the cutest decorations, or who has the best writers. It is about those 22 individuals that you look at in the eyes every single day and pour your heart into them, teaching them...math, writing, reading, calendar, social skills, life.
Yes, I think I will keep my job....for a LONG time...but now I know why teachers get summers off...for the mental stability:)
Now it's time to put all my attention onto my family. Let the summer begin.
I will miss them terribly.
It is weird to look at my classroom right now. No kids' work hanging on the walls, no anchor charts hanging (or laying) around my room. Nothing on lockers. Nothing on bulletin boards. All the tables in the middle of the classroom. Nothing on my counters. Nothing in my "to do" bin.
I remember when I first entered this classroom for the first time. That overwhelming feeling of fear and excitement all rolled into one. I remember thinking, "how on earth am I going to decorate this room?" "Will the children like it?" "What kinds of things am I supposed to hang on the walls for a kindergarten classroom?"
You see, although I have taught 3 years previous to this year, it was in a total different environment. I had grown up in the halls of ECA. I knew the teachers. It was a comfort for me. My student teaching was done in a second grade classroom, so I knew what to expect going into my first year of teaching in second grade.
This time around it was a totally different ball game. I had 28 kids coming to me that first week. Three quarters knew NO English whatsoever. All they had ever known was Spanish. How was I supposed to teach to THAT many kids when they understood ZIPPO of what I was saying. Thankfully, another teacher, one who grew to be a great friend, saved us and we went down to 23 students. Throughout the year I had lost 3 students and then gained another 3 along the way.
I was sure that I had gotten in way over my head. Somedays I wanted to give up...felt that I was failing them. Maybe someone was more fit for my job. But I can tell you one thing right now...God knew that this was EXACTLY where I belonged. He knew that I needed those sweet children as much as I needed them. If I would have given up, I wouldn't have see those very same 6 year olds learn EVERY SINGLE letter and sound...some students knew 0 letters or sounds at the beginning of the year. I wouldn't have gotten to see these precious kiddos start putting sounds together to make words and eventually read a whole book by themselves. I wouldn't have been able to see them write sentence after sentence about what they were learning. I wouldn't have been able to watch each child interact with the others and grow into these amazing little people. I wouldn't have been able to watch the students who didn't speak English the first bit of school talk EXCESSIVELY in English to their friends. I wouldn't have been able to witness ANY of this if I would have given up...if I would have walked away...all because I was "scared" of failing them.
When you are in the midst of something like teaching, you sometimes wonder if it is all worth it. If what you are saying is being heard. If what you spend hours upon hours preparing for will even be accepted. Because you see, when you are a teacher, you are not only that...you are a mother at times, comforting a child that is having problems at home. You are a nurse, fixing up a scraped knee. You are a cleaning lady, cleaning up messes the CORRECT way when the students leave. You are a safe place. In the end, you find that all those tears that were shed during the school year were worth it. Every single tear.
I also learned that it is ok to mess up. I have learned forgiveness from my students. I have learned that sometimes, as a teacher, you don't always have the answers. I have learned that sometimes life is messy for these innocent children and sometimes you can't do a darn thing about it. I learned that students come, and students go. You miss the ones that leave, and you pray that wherever they go, they are protected and loved, and you gain another child to your life when a new student walks through your doors. I have learned that it is ok to just be honest with my kids. I don't have to "pretend" to be ok 100% of the time. I have learned that it is ALL about the children...not a competition between co-workers...who has the best readers, or the cutest decorations, or who has the best writers. It is about those 22 individuals that you look at in the eyes every single day and pour your heart into them, teaching them...math, writing, reading, calendar, social skills, life.
Yes, I think I will keep my job....for a LONG time...but now I know why teachers get summers off...for the mental stability:)
Now it's time to put all my attention onto my family. Let the summer begin.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
End of the School Year
Here we are, heading into the last week of school for the year for this year. In a sense, it has seemed like the LONGEST year ever, partly to the extremely long winter, adding of school days, and adding an hour onto each day for the last 2 months. In another sense, my first year back to teaching is already almost over. Now that's hard to believe.
I am thankful for this year, though. Thankful where it has lead me and how it has shaped me. I almost feel a sense of pride for knowing that I CAN be a full time working mother, a wife, and a teacher all at the same time. But then that pride is crushed when I realize how many times I have failed this year miserably at all three:) It has been a learning experience for sure. Some days I felt pretty good about how I was balancing all of life....others I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide...feeling like I just couldn't do it all.
I can tell you that I am extremely thankful for Nic. He has been an incredible husband and father, picking up my slack...bathing the kids, making dinner, taking children to practice with him, letting me sleep in, doing laundry, cleaning the house. Yes, he has been wonderful.
I am just looking really forward to this summer...recharging, just being with my kids and focusing on them and Nic with all my energy as well. I will be teaching Summer School but it is one day a week for 7 weeks.
Here are some things that have been going on these last couple months:
*Colton and Hayden have started T-ball at Osolo Little League and are on the same team. Hayden is number 5 and Colt 2. They are loving it. Colton is like a magnet to the ball. No matter what position he is playing, he runs after the ball each time and 95% of that time he gets the ball. They both have been hitting without the tee, so that has been fun watching them.
*At the beginning of May, ECA had their annual auction. My dad ended up buying us a German Shepard puppy who was 5 weeks old. The owner suggested taking her home for one more week so she could ween the baby from the momma. So, that next Friday, Nic picked her up and brought her home to live with us. It has been quite the 3 weeks, but she is doing really well. Her name is Samantha. Obviously, the children fell in love with her right away. We are still working on the non stop nipping, but she is starting to sleep through the night and does great staying with us in the yard. She is precious, that's for sure.
*Having a puppy means potty training the puppy. Well, apparently, Colt thought he would help out with this process by showing her how to do it. So, he has now taken to peeing in the yard as well. Seriously?? Well, the other day I was in the bathroom getting Easton ready and Colt came in. He was butt naked....with poop everywhere...on his feet, legs, butt, stomach, and even on his face. I wanted to throw up. After the initial shock and gagging, he had explained that he pooped outside. like the dog. In the rocks. Disgusting.
*Nic had this past week off from work. His relaxing turned into taking care of a sick little boy for one of the days. Colt came home from the sitter on Wednesday, crawled up on the couch and fell asleep. He slept until 8 the next morning. I tried several times to wake him up. Around 6 we noticed his cheeks a red we have never seen before...so we took his temp. 103. Not exactly the numbers you want to see on a thermometer. It took A LONG time to get it down to around 100 and I made Nic sleep with him to make sure he was ok. When he woke up the next morning, he was complaining of his right side hurting. Nic took him to the doctor and they tested him for strep, UTI, and checked his appendix. All ok. Apparently there is a virus going around and it knocks you down for about 24 hours. He is still not acting quite himself but at least he is active.
*Hayden's last day of preschool is tomorrow. Enough said.
*Nic and I joined a Life Group at our church at the beginning of the school year and man has it been a blessing. Every day I wake up and can't believe where God has led us in our marriage and in our family. He is a faithful God. And I thank Him for His mercy, love, and forgiveness every day. We serve a might God, my friends.
*Easton...what can I say. He has sure grown into his little personality. And man, is he a FLIRT. He is the sweetest little boy. When he smiles, he has 2 little dimples that just melt me...every time...even when it's a smile because he has completely emptied his plate on the floor. He does try to keep up with Hayden and Colton and is now standing up for himself. He makes me laugh every day and just gives me so much joy. He still isn't really talking...but does say "ouchhhhh," "duck," "doggie," and of course "dad," and "no." Still no mom. Blah.
Well, the Bachelorette is on so I must get going:)
I am thankful for this year, though. Thankful where it has lead me and how it has shaped me. I almost feel a sense of pride for knowing that I CAN be a full time working mother, a wife, and a teacher all at the same time. But then that pride is crushed when I realize how many times I have failed this year miserably at all three:) It has been a learning experience for sure. Some days I felt pretty good about how I was balancing all of life....others I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide...feeling like I just couldn't do it all.
I can tell you that I am extremely thankful for Nic. He has been an incredible husband and father, picking up my slack...bathing the kids, making dinner, taking children to practice with him, letting me sleep in, doing laundry, cleaning the house. Yes, he has been wonderful.
I am just looking really forward to this summer...recharging, just being with my kids and focusing on them and Nic with all my energy as well. I will be teaching Summer School but it is one day a week for 7 weeks.
Here are some things that have been going on these last couple months:
*Colton and Hayden have started T-ball at Osolo Little League and are on the same team. Hayden is number 5 and Colt 2. They are loving it. Colton is like a magnet to the ball. No matter what position he is playing, he runs after the ball each time and 95% of that time he gets the ball. They both have been hitting without the tee, so that has been fun watching them.
*At the beginning of May, ECA had their annual auction. My dad ended up buying us a German Shepard puppy who was 5 weeks old. The owner suggested taking her home for one more week so she could ween the baby from the momma. So, that next Friday, Nic picked her up and brought her home to live with us. It has been quite the 3 weeks, but she is doing really well. Her name is Samantha. Obviously, the children fell in love with her right away. We are still working on the non stop nipping, but she is starting to sleep through the night and does great staying with us in the yard. She is precious, that's for sure.
*Having a puppy means potty training the puppy. Well, apparently, Colt thought he would help out with this process by showing her how to do it. So, he has now taken to peeing in the yard as well. Seriously?? Well, the other day I was in the bathroom getting Easton ready and Colt came in. He was butt naked....with poop everywhere...on his feet, legs, butt, stomach, and even on his face. I wanted to throw up. After the initial shock and gagging, he had explained that he pooped outside. like the dog. In the rocks. Disgusting.
*Nic had this past week off from work. His relaxing turned into taking care of a sick little boy for one of the days. Colt came home from the sitter on Wednesday, crawled up on the couch and fell asleep. He slept until 8 the next morning. I tried several times to wake him up. Around 6 we noticed his cheeks a red we have never seen before...so we took his temp. 103. Not exactly the numbers you want to see on a thermometer. It took A LONG time to get it down to around 100 and I made Nic sleep with him to make sure he was ok. When he woke up the next morning, he was complaining of his right side hurting. Nic took him to the doctor and they tested him for strep, UTI, and checked his appendix. All ok. Apparently there is a virus going around and it knocks you down for about 24 hours. He is still not acting quite himself but at least he is active.
*Hayden's last day of preschool is tomorrow. Enough said.
*Nic and I joined a Life Group at our church at the beginning of the school year and man has it been a blessing. Every day I wake up and can't believe where God has led us in our marriage and in our family. He is a faithful God. And I thank Him for His mercy, love, and forgiveness every day. We serve a might God, my friends.
*Easton...what can I say. He has sure grown into his little personality. And man, is he a FLIRT. He is the sweetest little boy. When he smiles, he has 2 little dimples that just melt me...every time...even when it's a smile because he has completely emptied his plate on the floor. He does try to keep up with Hayden and Colton and is now standing up for himself. He makes me laugh every day and just gives me so much joy. He still isn't really talking...but does say "ouchhhhh," "duck," "doggie," and of course "dad," and "no." Still no mom. Blah.
Well, the Bachelorette is on so I must get going:)
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