One Day At A Time....

Its almost Christmas. Another year has mostly come and nearly gone. I realize that my blog has been sparse over the last couple years. That's what happens when you become a teacher. You give so much of yourself that you sometimes forget or don't have time or energy for the things that you used to enjoy. Does that mean that the last couple years have been miserable? No! I've embarked on my career as an Intervention Specialist (special education teacher for those not in the academic world). I've had the joy and pleasure of spending the last year and a half teaching a unique group of students at a unique type of school. Has it been easy? No! Teaching is not for the faint of heart, weak in spirit, slow to think or low on energy. Has it been worth it? Definitely! Seeing my students succeed even when they didnt think that they could? Knowing that I had a direct hand in helping them to become better? Making a student smile when they have come in on a Monday morning after a rou...

A few years ago, I took a trip. Alone. And on this trip, I learned a lot about myself, others and the way agency works.  I learned I can do hard things. I learned I can go out on a limb, even if I don't know how strong that limb is. I learned how important it is to spend some time alone. I've learned how much fun it can me to meet new people. I've learned that no matter how awkward people try to make it, you can't make someone do something they don't want to do. And over the years, I've learned to be ok with that.  I did learn some unique things as well. I relearned my love for a cappella as I spent many hours in the car. I learned how interesting it is to go Black Friday shopping by yourself. I learned that I can watch 3D movies without getting motion sick. I learned how much I enjoy IHOP pancakes. I learned I can entertain myself for hours with a camera, a tripod and a beautiful college campus.  In the 5 years since this trip, the...

I am grateful to a living Heavenly Father who hears and answers my prayers and early morning pleas. Upon waking up this morning, I was in some state of anxiety about work. I said a prayer and asked that my mind be calmed and it was. I know that Heavenly Father knows me and loves me and wants me to be happy.

It's now time to play my favorite game.... How do I feel right now? I'm feeling alright. It's Sunday night. The anxiety of not knowing what I'm doing tomorrow is starting to set in. I'm still learning to plan ahead for the week. That in combination with having my planning period at the beginning of the day (seriously, it's 30 minutes after my kids arrive in the morning) I tend to do most of my planning either right before or right after my students arrive for the day. I'm feeling excited. I was asked by my administrative team to be one of a team of teachers from our school attend an education conference in Florida in June. I'm excited to FINALLY be able to visit the sunny state of Florida. I am also relieved. I am grateful that my principals see the potential in me that I still am looking for in myself. One would think that if they were not looking to keep me at the school, they would not be spending a pretty penny on sending me to the conference. ...

I started reading some old blog posts and found that in the past, I liked to answer random questions about myself and figured I'd give it another go! Today's list is written by Lori Thayer and was posted here. Would you rather… Watch Star Wars, or Star Trek? Definitely Star Trek! I've watched several of the series already! Read on a Kindle or paperback book? Neither. Most of the books I "read" are audiobooks. Go to a play or musical? Musical Go to the theater or a movie? Movie Hike or bike? Bike. Definitely! I can't wait for the weather to be consistently warmer. (It was 60 degrees here yesterday!) Wear jeans or chinos? Jeans. Honestly, I have no idea what chinos are. Have a Margarita or Pina Colada? Neither, I don't drink alcohol. Drink a glass of Guinness or Fat Tire? Again, neither, I don't drink alcohol. Crash with friends or stay in a hotel? Hotel. My friends would frown if I took their bottles of shampoo and soap from their bathroom...

Oh man! 5 day work week after several 3-4 day weeks. I love my work family. We are crazy, hard working, fun loving teachers who look out for one another. One of the best compliments was given to me today by my mentor teacher: "You guys are one of the best groups of middle school teachers we've had." From the perspective of a first year teacher, that means a lot. I am still unsure. I have days, like several this week, when I struggle. Knowing I've got a group of fellow "first-ies" to joke with, throw things at (poop shaped pillow, chocolate and a purple colored pencil) and decompress after a day of major shiz flipping, helps me cope.

It's been one of those days when I am extremely grateful for my family. Working in any school setting, you are going to come across students who do not have the same family structure and support that you grew up with. Today, this was made even more apparent. To say I was speechless this afternoon is an understatement. I knew that these type of situations happened, but never fully realized that they would happen to/about students that I care about.

Random middle school kid: "I knew it was a bad idea to shave my arm".... *facepalm*

I'm sorry for the randomness of my last post. I was having an "off" day and needed to say a bit of what I was thinking. It's been known to happen from time to time. Being single in a world so focused on who's dating who is depressing some days. I have to force myself to see the best in being single without losing sight of the ultimate goal: eternal marriage. There are days when this is super hard. I am grateful for friends who include me, regardless of my marital status.

I thought about you today. I wonder how you are. I miss our conversations. I miss you. I miss how I felt when we were together. I miss how I felt when I saw you across a room. I miss your kind words and the feeling of your hand in mine. I miss laying near the bank of a river and enjoying a sunset with you. I miss kissing you.