Grateful

Today, as I sat in church contemplating how dispensable I really am within my vocation, a woman behind me touch my shoulder.  I turn to her and recognized her as one of the mother's of a summer school student I taught last summer.  She said hello and paused.  I immediately asked her how her son was doing (he was in summer school because he was having serious reading struggles).  She said he was doing so much better.  She then said that she was meaning to talk to me for awhile but was unable to find just the right moment.  She then started to get teary eyed and proceeded to tell me how much she appreciated all I had done for her little boy, for her as a mother, and for the amazing job she thought I did when teaching her son.  I was quite flabbergasted at how sincere and grateful this mother was as she shared her feelings with me.  I thanked her for sharing with me and said it was perfect timing, that I was just thinking of how easily I could be replaced by another.  She then said some very sweet words and we separated.
I was left feeling so grateful.  Yes, I am dispensable....there are many great teachers that can, and would, step in if I wasn't able to teach any more....but while I am in the position at least I am able to make a difference in the lives of others.  It is a hard thing to want to have a family so badly that your very soul aches to know it's not to be so.....but at least there is some good I can play in this world.  I am so grateful to that sweet mother for reminding me of that role.  If I can't have my own kids right now, then I will be the kind of teacher I want my kids to have.  I will push, educate, empower, love and motivate every child that enters my classroom and heart.  I am so grateful for a career that allows me to be around children all the time.  I know they are so precious, vulnerable, and full of life.  So grateful for people who are willing to express their gratitude to others, it really does make a difference.

Babysitting

We were SO excited when our friends across the street invited us to watch their youngest child while they attended one of the sibling's soccer game (Playing soccer at the end of April can be pretty cold around here, especially with all of the wind)!   

The mother was a bit nervous when she dropped him off.  She informed us that she hadn't left him with anyone else yet, not even her mother, and was so grateful we would be willing to watch him for them and knew we would take good care of him!

 

We were elated to have the chance to dote on him!

  

We love kids and really enjoy playing with them, reading to them, and making them laugh!  

We also love to watch Lucy Lou's (our dog's) reaction.  Notice her below in the picture keeping a watch on Shay, making sure Shay isn't doing anything wrong. :-)  

For some reason as soon as an infant is in our home Lucy Lou becomes their "body guard."  She stays close.  She watches over them and what everyone else is doing to make sure the child is safe.  If for any reason she feels the child might be in danger Lucy Lou immediately starts to bark at the person who is causing the danger.  At times she is a bit overprotective but we love it!

Lucy Lou even retrieves any toys that are dropped before we can blink our eyes (as you can see her doing below)!  Too bad we are always having to clean the toys after Lucy Lou gets a hold of them .....no doggy germs are allowed near any child's face!

We can't wait to have our family grow and have a baby in our home!

Playing Games with the Folks!

Shay and I love to play games.  It was something we did a lot while dating.  

Here you can see my parents and Shay sitting around the game table. 

We are playing Settlers of Catan, a family favorite.  

If you've never played it we'd highly recommend ti!

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day With Family

I love to host parties!  

I enjoy coming up with ways to decorate the table for a yummy meal:

 

Since it is March and a time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day I decided to use the traditional two colors that represent the two main religions in Ireland (Green and Orange).

We purchased green place settings and added a alphabet code that helps one figure out their Leprechaun name:

When everything was made.....we had broccoli and cauliflower soup (since it is green), green salad, green soda, and my mom brought green jello....my brother, his children, and my parents came over to eat!

Shay and I LOVE spending time with our family!  We had a blast visiting and eating our St. Patrick's Day meal!

So Cute!

Shay and I have loved the opportunity we have had to teach the 3-year-olds at our church. Our hearts are so sad to know that today was our last day!

Our last lesson today was on the creation of the world. We had a great time discussing the six days of creation. The kids really got into the lesson!

Tonight I received a text from a good friend named Devri. Devri texted me to share this video of her son trying to retell what he had learned in our class this morning. We thought it was so stinking cute!





How we are going to miss our little guys!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day!  

On the way home from work today I dropped off a Valentine for my parents.  

Valentine's Day was so fun for me as a kid because of my mother.  My mom would always ding-dong-ditch a "Valentine" for us kids.  It usually was a book with some yummy treat.  I often find those "Valentine's Day" books as a teacher.  I will open a book to read it to my class and see that the cover page has a sweet Valentine message signed from my mom with the date (Of course it says, "Love Mom & Dad).  It brings such fond childhood memories back when I read those inscriptions. My mom would also make tons of Valentines treats and have us kids help ding-dong-ditch them to our neighbors and friends.  Well, my mother hasn't changed.  After dropping off their Valentine and racing away to my home, I walked into my house to find 4 chocolate cakes on my table.  I immediately knew it was from my mom!  I am so grateful for the amazing example of love and service she has shown me over the years!  I hope to become more like her as I "grow up!"  

Below you can see 2 1/2 left.....Shay and I already got our hands on a few. :-)

Once I got home it was time for me to quickly set up Shay's valentine.  This is what I surprised Shay with when he got home.  Shay loves to put puzzles together so I thought the puzzle would be the perfect treat for him this year!

When Shay walked into the house he was holding these roses, a card and chocolate.  He then of course had to come around and give me a sweet kiss and hold me close.  I love that Shay is so thoughtful and tender with me!  I couldn't imagine my life without him!

Happy Valentine's Day!

WOW!

At our school the younger graders celebrated the 100th day of school.  It is a great opportunity for us as teachers to hone in on the number 100 and its place value.  It also allows for everyone to have a fun time with items/games/activities associated with the number 100.

This year was a bit different from all of the other years I have taught school.  Yearly, students are asked to place 100 items of anything on a poster to celebrate the 100th day of school.  When I walked around the corner I saw this:

Upon a closer look, I had to believe my eyes:  Yep, those are bugs, dead cicadas to be exact.  

No, I am not sure who made this poster, but I have to give the parents a pat on the back for being...so creative. :-)  Shay and I can't wait to come up with 100 poster ideas!