I'm late to the party, but here it is: Happy new year to you all! I didn't realize how much I was looking forward to 2014 getting out of the way for 2015. 2014 had some amazing highlights. One of them being it marked a full year that my hubs and I were parents. Another one is I finally became an kindergarten teacher. I also lost 43 pounds. Oh, and I found out at the very end of the year that I'm going to be an aunt! However, there were some downs and I'm ready to leave them in the past.
My blogging has not be consistent and I am sorry to say the reason for that is that I have done NOTHING. I don't even know what to share because my little family got into such a routine that we got into a rut. This was my life for the past couple of months and it near drove me crazy! Ready for the snooze fest?
Wake up and get ready for work.
Go to work.
Come home, play with Baby Monster, get dinner ready, eat dinner and play with Baby Monster some more.
Get Baby Monster ready for bed.
Baby Monster goes to sleep.
Catch up on work that I wasn't able to finish at work.
Go to bed.
Do it all over again.
Are you catching z's yet? There is nothing wrong with this schedule or my life. I really do have it good. I have a great job, a great husband and a great kid; but I was beginning to realize that my family was sitting on the sidelines as life was passing us by. Maybe I desire too much, but I want my day to vary with some fun and exciting things. That's why I know 2015 is going to be our year, and it's going to be filled with many more exciting and wonderful moments than last year.
We ended 2014 with a bang by visiting Disney for Christmas, spending time with my family and having friends over for New Year's. I want to keep that momentum going. This is going to be the year of DOING. My husband and I both wrote down our New Year's goals and shared them with one another. We both want to achieve similar things and I think we are finally ready to really tackle them.
I haven't been this excited since waiting for my son to be born. I can feel the positive energy for this year pushing me and God letting me know I'm strong enough to make the changes I want to see. Yup, I'm going to rock 2015!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Friday, December 19, 2014
Christmas Spirit
Guess what today was! Alright, I'll let you know...it was the last day of school before winter break. We have just about made it through the half way point in the school year. It's become tradition this time of year for our school to have a pajama day as a reward for school wide behavior. It's a ton of fun. The kiddos get to wear pj's, enjoy a treat and watch a holiday movie. I've enjoyed spending time with my students at this event every year since I began teaching, but this year was extra special now that I teach kindergarten. They are still at that age when everything is magical and exciting. They were able to be kids today and it was a beautiful thing to observe.
What has touched my heart this holiday season is the love that my students have given me. Many of them wanted to give me something, anything, as a Christmas gift. Some sadly told me that they couldn't and others gave me something sweet, like a snowman ornament. While I enjoy the gifts that I received, I let my students know that the greatest gift they have given me this season was the chance to be their teacher. I'm completely truthful when I say this. The trust, faith and love they bestow upon me is amazing. Each "aha" moment from them when they finally figure out a skill they have been working on to master is a gift. When a student beams at me because they can blend the sounds in a word and can finally read it always brings tears to my eyes. I just get so excited for them when they are able to achieve their goals.
When you take away the stressful parts of teaching, the parts no one tells you about in college, and you focus on the moments when you are teaching, what's left is magic and reminds you about the spirit of Christmas. Everyday I'm thinking about others and how my actions affect them. I want to know how I can help my students to make their lives better in the long run. Once I figure it out, then I do it. That's what Christmas is about- focusing on blessing others and thinking about them.
I hope my students have a wonderful holiday season. Yes, I'm excited about break because I get to spend time with the Baby Monster, but I will miss my kiddos!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Enough is Enough
Well, I was going to write about my diminishing desire to keep up with my workouts, but I decided to watch Women of the Bible on Lifetime. It just made me decide to get over it. I need to drop the excuses, believe in myself and just DO IT! Women are strong human beings who have endured through centuries. I can endure a 20 minute workout and I can respect my body by nourishing it.
Poor me. Why me? Why aren't things going the way I want them to? It's no one's fault but my own because some where along the way to where I am now I lost something. My tenacity is gone. My hope has vanished and the fear has set in. It's time to start looking at myself like those around me see me. I am beautiful. I am strong. I am tough. I am enough.
Poor me. Why me? Why aren't things going the way I want them to? It's no one's fault but my own because some where along the way to where I am now I lost something. My tenacity is gone. My hope has vanished and the fear has set in. It's time to start looking at myself like those around me see me. I am beautiful. I am strong. I am tough. I am enough.
Monday, December 1, 2014
'Tis the Season
Going back to work, whatever your work may be, is difficult after a lovely vacation. Today was my first day back in the classroom after nine days off for our fall break. I enjoyed the time I had with my husband, son and the rest of my family. We had a movie night that featured Frozen and Malificent. We shopped at the mall as a family to find the Baby Monster a pair of new shoes because his feet are GIGANTIC! Mom and I baked holiday cookies. My week was filled with moments like these. So, to say I had extreme Monday blues was an understatement. The Baby Monster didn't make it any easier when he burst into tears the moment he saw me walking out the door. I had to wipe a few tears of my own away by the time I made it to the car.
Then, when I walked to my classroom door a pop of red caught my eye and the joy of the Christmas season made its presence known. One of the amazing teachers I work with delivered a small poinsettia to every teacher on my team. Right then and there I knew it was going to be a good day.
My Monday continued to get better when I picked up my kiddos and every face broke into a smile when they saw me. Just like that I couldn't wait to get back in the classroom teach. It's hard not to smile and feel jolly when children are all a buzz because they know it's December and that brings Christmas. But wait, it got even better!
During one of our lessons a student was working on addition word problem. Now this student was concentrating and hard at work connecting cubes to model an addition sentence. Then suddenly he stopped what he was doing, looked at me and said, "I missed you last week." My heart melted. Being a teacher feels like a privilege some days because I have the chance to earn the trust and respect of children who look up to me everyday and count on me to guide them. My Grinch heart definitely grew a few sizes within those moments.
My day was a perfect example of what the holiday season is all about. It's about giving, working to make others happy because you want to while spreading kindness and cheer.
It also means eggnog, which now completes my magnificent Monday.
Then, when I walked to my classroom door a pop of red caught my eye and the joy of the Christmas season made its presence known. One of the amazing teachers I work with delivered a small poinsettia to every teacher on my team. Right then and there I knew it was going to be a good day.
My Monday continued to get better when I picked up my kiddos and every face broke into a smile when they saw me. Just like that I couldn't wait to get back in the classroom teach. It's hard not to smile and feel jolly when children are all a buzz because they know it's December and that brings Christmas. But wait, it got even better!
During one of our lessons a student was working on addition word problem. Now this student was concentrating and hard at work connecting cubes to model an addition sentence. Then suddenly he stopped what he was doing, looked at me and said, "I missed you last week." My heart melted. Being a teacher feels like a privilege some days because I have the chance to earn the trust and respect of children who look up to me everyday and count on me to guide them. My Grinch heart definitely grew a few sizes within those moments.
My day was a perfect example of what the holiday season is all about. It's about giving, working to make others happy because you want to while spreading kindness and cheer.
It also means eggnog, which now completes my magnificent Monday.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Thanksgiving through the end of November
Wow. I cannot believe that November is over tonight and tomorrow is the very first day of December. The past thirty days have flown by. I'm always left in shock when a month ends because there are times when it feels like it drags on forever and then, whoosh it's over. So here it is- the wrap up to my Thirty Days of Thankfulness.
Day 27- I am thankful for the Thanksgiving holiday. As a kid I never really appreciated it. I enjoyed learning about the pilgrims and the Native Americans because that appealed to my heritage. Sure, whipping up butter and making pilgrim clothing out of paper bags was fun. Then there's always the food to look forward to. A Thanksgiving feast meant a delicious gold oven roasted turkey, whipped mashed potatoes, buttery corn, cheesy broccoli, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, steamy stuffing, and mom's pretty pearl onions; however there weren't presents! Lame. Every Thanksgiving morning I woke up to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which felt like an all day event. Surely the turkey would have been done once the parade was over and Santa made an appearance. My impatient youth didn't allow me to really appreciate the true beauty of Thanksgiving. It took moving 1,000 miles away from the family I grew up with to truly be grateful for Thanksgiving. That special Thursday in November means waking up to tradition and that feel good excitement of knowing a parade is starting that will instantly transport you to your childhood. Thanksgiving means truly being grateful for your parents who gave you all they could while growing up and never letting you down when the holidays came around. I never knew until I was old enough to catch on that we went without a lot of things. Thanksgiving means spending time with family near and far (through the phone) and loving every moment of it. It means the beginning of the Christmas season when all things seem magical and the possibilities are endless. As an adult and as a mom, I am truly thankful for Thanksgiving Day.
Day 28- I am thankful that I do not have to work in a grocery store on Black Friday and that I can sleep in.
Day 29- I am thankful for a mom who always gives me a pep talk and believes in me no matter what.
Day 30- I am thankful that God knew that I was ready to feel like I had more than I could bare and lead me back to church this morning. It felt like coming home.
So there you have it! Thirty days done and over with. My fall decorations are packed up and the Christmas decorations have come out. It's also the first day of Advent, which when I was growing up was one of my favorite times of year. My heart is singing and saying, "Welcome to the Christmas season!" So with that I am going to have sip of eggnog and head off into dream land.
Day 27- I am thankful for the Thanksgiving holiday. As a kid I never really appreciated it. I enjoyed learning about the pilgrims and the Native Americans because that appealed to my heritage. Sure, whipping up butter and making pilgrim clothing out of paper bags was fun. Then there's always the food to look forward to. A Thanksgiving feast meant a delicious gold oven roasted turkey, whipped mashed potatoes, buttery corn, cheesy broccoli, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, steamy stuffing, and mom's pretty pearl onions; however there weren't presents! Lame. Every Thanksgiving morning I woke up to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which felt like an all day event. Surely the turkey would have been done once the parade was over and Santa made an appearance. My impatient youth didn't allow me to really appreciate the true beauty of Thanksgiving. It took moving 1,000 miles away from the family I grew up with to truly be grateful for Thanksgiving. That special Thursday in November means waking up to tradition and that feel good excitement of knowing a parade is starting that will instantly transport you to your childhood. Thanksgiving means truly being grateful for your parents who gave you all they could while growing up and never letting you down when the holidays came around. I never knew until I was old enough to catch on that we went without a lot of things. Thanksgiving means spending time with family near and far (through the phone) and loving every moment of it. It means the beginning of the Christmas season when all things seem magical and the possibilities are endless. As an adult and as a mom, I am truly thankful for Thanksgiving Day.
Day 28- I am thankful that I do not have to work in a grocery store on Black Friday and that I can sleep in.
Day 29- I am thankful for a mom who always gives me a pep talk and believes in me no matter what.
Day 30- I am thankful that God knew that I was ready to feel like I had more than I could bare and lead me back to church this morning. It felt like coming home.
So there you have it! Thirty days done and over with. My fall decorations are packed up and the Christmas decorations have come out. It's also the first day of Advent, which when I was growing up was one of my favorite times of year. My heart is singing and saying, "Welcome to the Christmas season!" So with that I am going to have sip of eggnog and head off into dream land.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 15-26
Happy Thanksgiving! Turkey Day is here and I could not be more excited. A little more on that in a later post because I have to catch up.
Day 15: I am thankful for my friend, Mary. We've known each other since 10th grade and even though our schedules get busy and we go days (and sadly months) without talking we can pick back up where we left off like it's no big deal. That's a special friend.
Day 16: I am thankful for quiet Sunday.
Day 17: I am thankful for evenings spent with my husband after we both have had a long day of work, especially when he's not home for 8 days straight.
Day 18: I am thankful for the view out my window during any kind of weather. It's like my own personal living piece of art.
Day 19: I am thankful for my cats, Sammy and Mick. They have really started to embrace the Baby Monster. I love watching Mick try to give my son some cat snuggles.
Day 20: I am thankful for a sweet desert every now and then to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'm glad that the world has happy people in it because we need to that joy to hold on to.
Day 21: I am thankful for the few early out days I get because it means more time with my son. Those days are even sweeter when they happen on a Friday before a break.
Day 22: I am thankful for spontaneous days out with my family that lead to laughter and fun.
Day 23: I am thankful for a dish washer. Enough said.
Day 24: I am thankful for the time spent with my mother baking holiday cookies. The holiday tradition brings me back to happy childhood memories filled with warmth.
Day 25: I am thankful for the new tradition of meeting up at lunch with my co-workers, who are now friends. We do this one a month and it's something I always look forward to.
Day 26: I am thankful for my sister-in-law who was one of my best friends before she came a member of my family. We just get each other! I'm also thankful that it is Thanksgiving Eve!
Day 15: I am thankful for my friend, Mary. We've known each other since 10th grade and even though our schedules get busy and we go days (and sadly months) without talking we can pick back up where we left off like it's no big deal. That's a special friend.
Day 16: I am thankful for quiet Sunday.
Day 17: I am thankful for evenings spent with my husband after we both have had a long day of work, especially when he's not home for 8 days straight.
Day 18: I am thankful for the view out my window during any kind of weather. It's like my own personal living piece of art.
Day 19: I am thankful for my cats, Sammy and Mick. They have really started to embrace the Baby Monster. I love watching Mick try to give my son some cat snuggles.
Day 20: I am thankful for a sweet desert every now and then to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'm glad that the world has happy people in it because we need to that joy to hold on to.
Day 21: I am thankful for the few early out days I get because it means more time with my son. Those days are even sweeter when they happen on a Friday before a break.
Day 22: I am thankful for spontaneous days out with my family that lead to laughter and fun.
Day 23: I am thankful for a dish washer. Enough said.
Day 24: I am thankful for the time spent with my mother baking holiday cookies. The holiday tradition brings me back to happy childhood memories filled with warmth.
Day 25: I am thankful for the new tradition of meeting up at lunch with my co-workers, who are now friends. We do this one a month and it's something I always look forward to.
Day 26: I am thankful for my sister-in-law who was one of my best friends before she came a member of my family. We just get each other! I'm also thankful that it is Thanksgiving Eve!
Friday, November 14, 2014
Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 12, 13, and 14
It's short and sweet today since it's Friday and I'm whooped.
Day 12- I'm thankful for my Crockpot. Yes, you read that correctly. Some days can't be beat when you have had a hectic time of it only to come home and remember that your dinner is done because it's been cooking all day long. That takes one more thing off my to-do list and allows me to relax with my husband and son. I know my ancestors would have been thankful for a slow cooker too!
Day 13- I'm thankful for a body that functions like it should. My body my not be at my ideal fitness level, but it hasn't given out on me. It allows me to exercise, play tag with son, dance with my husband and hug my mom. When I get frustrated with my looks I will remember this.
Day 14- I am thankful for a best friend-turned-sister-in-law who is also a wonderful aunt and her equally wonderful husband. The Baby Monster received a special Halloween treat today complete with a trick-or-treat bag for next year and a set of fantastically fun Halloween books. The Baby Monster is blessed to have those two loving people in his life.
Enjoy your Friday night, ya'll!
Day 12- I'm thankful for my Crockpot. Yes, you read that correctly. Some days can't be beat when you have had a hectic time of it only to come home and remember that your dinner is done because it's been cooking all day long. That takes one more thing off my to-do list and allows me to relax with my husband and son. I know my ancestors would have been thankful for a slow cooker too!
Day 13- I'm thankful for a body that functions like it should. My body my not be at my ideal fitness level, but it hasn't given out on me. It allows me to exercise, play tag with son, dance with my husband and hug my mom. When I get frustrated with my looks I will remember this.
Day 14- I am thankful for a best friend-turned-sister-in-law who is also a wonderful aunt and her equally wonderful husband. The Baby Monster received a special Halloween treat today complete with a trick-or-treat bag for next year and a set of fantastically fun Halloween books. The Baby Monster is blessed to have those two loving people in his life.
Enjoy your Friday night, ya'll!
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