09/13/12

I have to share this funny moment I had with my son.

I am continuing to learn that parenting is as much of a learning journey as the growing up years are themselves.  We are all growing up!  haha.....

Last week Wesley was trying to get his Cross Country stuff together during the morning.....

When I asked him where his stuff was, I heard him go into the laundry room.  All of a sudden, I heard a crash.

I knew exactly what it was.

My dear Wesley had jerked his shorts off the rod we use to hang up our clothes to dry.  Instead of the shorts cooperating, the rod broke, fell down, and clothes on hangers went everywhere.

I knew this even though I was 2 rooms away. It is that Mom "sixth sense", you know.

I had to stifle a grin.

How could I get mad... even though I really could have done so?

I walk out to find him.  He is no where to be found, but clothing is all over the washer, dryer, cat litter box, floor, etc... 

I call out to him and find him in the garage.

He was trying to straighten out the broken and bent rod.

I looked at my growing son at that moment and saw my little boy.  I saw a little guy who was trying to make things right even though his "world had come crashing down around him."

I just smiled and said for him not to worry.  The Lord was just wanting us to get a new rod, that was all.  I did say he had a lot to clean up, but I walked away laughing to myself.

This is what parenting is about.

It is sharing the glorious moments and the mishaps in life that teach us valuable lessons.  I have grown up right along with my kiddos.  I am thankful for what I have learned in the process of teaching them.

If we can do it with a smile and with a bit of humor, it can make life much more bearable.

Especially when you are in Middle School......

09/12/12

Sigh.

I am going to whine again.

Please forgive me.  You know how I HATE whining.

This new chapter of our lives has me in a bit of a spiral.

I wouldn't call it downward.  I am excited for all of the things that are happening.

I would just call it.... spiraling out of control in a sideways kind of a way.

My house has not been cleaned.... really cleaned in a month.

I see no time in the near future to get it done.

Organization is in this house, but at the same time it isn't.

I am feeling the affects of not being able to spend enough time with the Lord.  I miss my summer Bible study time.

We are all busy, busy, busy.  

Isn't that amazing how quickly *things* that are all well and good can get in the way of the stillness before the Lord?

The other night I finished my devotions and normally I try to read a bit.  That night, I knew I just needing the soothing balm of music from the Lord.  I plugged in my MP3 player and asked the Lord to give me what I needed.... and He did.  It was wonderful to just lie in bed and listen to the "still small voice" of the Lord as He guided the songs that were played.

Here is one that came on and I have posted it on here before.  I think it fits with how crazy things have gotten for lots of us lately.

09/11/12

REMEMBERING TODAY.

September 11, 2001

09/10/12

If someone had told me Friday that I would have two new pets by Sunday night I would have laughed...

Now, I am all about some cats and would have a slew of them if I could afford them all.  I have always been a cat person.

On Saturday, Steve mentioned out of the blue that he thought it would be good for us to have a cat or two at the barn area to help get rid of mice.  

Outside cats?

Hadn't thought of that in years!

It took me back to all of the barn cats we had growing up and how I tried to love on every one of them.

On Sunday, I was scrolling through Facebook on my phone and saw where one of my students got a kitty for an early birthday present.  I was oohing and aahhhing over it when I scrolled down to find out that the kitty came from some of our distant relatives and they were FREE.

Free is good, peeps..... so good.

I told Steve about them and he said we could go check them out.

So, last night we went.....

and there were two left.....

and we brought them BOTH home.

Look carefully at their forehead area.... they both have an "M" there.  We knew then that the names had to start with "M!"

Meet Macy.  

Just in our little bit of time with her we think she is the spunkier of the two.  However, that might change.  She actually drank a little milk.  I thought it was so cute how I could capture her tongue smacking.  :)

Now meet Marbles.

She is fluffy and seems to be "calmer", however she has hissed a time or two in getting to know her surroundings.

They are both too sweet and cute.  I could just eat them up... and so can the kids.  Steve loves the kitties but sports were calling his name.  He did get the crate out of the attic, fixed them something to eat and made a litter box.  :)  He shows his love in different ways.  :)

We are keeping them inside for now in a crate.  They are so small that they would not do well in the garage just yet.  (Of course, that could also be because the kids and I realllly want them to hang out with us for a bit so we can play with them and get to know them.)

Sampson (Sammy), Isabelle and Molly have new friends/sisters. 

Sammy is dealing with them OK, but still not sure.  He slept with me all night, which is unusual, and worried me to death this morning.  I thought he was out of food, but when I saw his food bowl was full, I knew it was because he didn't think we loved him anymore. haha! He has nothing to worry about....

 Isabelle is pouting and does not like it because she thinks she is "Queen."  Molly hasn't officially met them yet so the jury is still out on her, but as much as she loves Isabelle and Sammy, we don't think there will be a problem.  :)

 

I now allow Molly to come in the house at times.

Do you think I'll be able to let them stay outside only?

Time will tell.  

Shhh..... don't tell Steve.

09/09/12

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

09/06/12

So let's talk about exercise....

I have, thankfully, been able to continue mine since school has started.  I have been determined.

Some days I am doing all I can to get through the exercises, but overall I can see such a difference in my stamina!

As you know if you have been reading my blog for a while, I LOVE Zumba.  It has its moments of confusion with the dance steps, but I think I have come far in the almost 3 months of doing it.  I can go from loving it to dreading it in one song change.  haha!  It is nice to have it change up every song so nothing is the same. 

I have also gotten into a new program called Walk at Home.  These are DVD's and I have the one where I use weights.   Leslie Sansone is the instructor and she is great.  I have found that holding 2 pound weights while working out is a bit more challenging than you would think!  haah!  I am working on toning muscle and helping that heart rate. 

It is nice to do these on opposite days to give me different workouts for my body.  I had to buy some dance shoes in which to do my Zumba.  My regular tennis shoes are too heavy and have too much tread for home and carpet. 

What I love is that Wesley and Mikayla cheer me on when I exercise.  I appreciate the encouragement!

I do not have problems with sweating during these workouts.  Just sayin'.

Unfortunately, I have seen no weight loss so I am not quite sure what is up with that, but at least I am toning muscle and doing it for my health.  I am trying to figure out where I need to change to improve that.

So... if you want to get going on an exercise program where you don't have to leave your home.... try these out.  Zumba comes on DVD's, too.

09/05/12

We have been doing a lot with technology in our classrooms this year.

We have learned about different websites and things that I never knew existed.

Our white boards can now be turned into "smart boards" with something called a Hover Cam.  This device has been HUGE in the classroom for visual learners.  I can put whatever I am teaching or the paper we are discussing up on my white board and we can work problems just like the kids see on their papers or it helps visual learners grasp what is expected more easily.  Everything is enlarged so everyone can see it.  It allows me to let the kids work for their learning instead of me standing up in front sounding like the Charlie Brown teacher all of the time.  haha.

Powerpoint now has a little addition you can download to it called "Mouse Mischief" where you can use multiple mice in the classroom to play games or do learning activities with the kids.  I bought wireless mice and the kids can compete against each other.  Again, this is all projected up on to the white board.  My students are loving it!

Quizlet.com is another wonderful tool that we have been taught to use.  You can use this for anything for making flashcards and learning.  I use it for my kids to review before a test.  Wesley and Mikayla have used this for reviewing in their classes as well.  Anyone can use this! 

As you know, I have already been using lots of Powerpoints in my classroom (still not finished with those, either, by the way...).  I put my Phonics charts on Powerpoints and use it for games and review with the kids.  It is really shaking up the day and helping things not feel so monotonous.  (Not that I would ever want my room to be THAT. haha)

I still believe strongly that kids all need pen/paper exercises and running around outside like a chicken with their heads cut off to have a well-rounded education. :)  Kids still need to be kids without being glued to a computer/electronic device.

Balance is best.  :)

I am sure we will be introduced to more over time.  I am embracing this technology.  It has opened up my classroom in ways I never thought possible.

09/04/12

We have been preparing for the fair at our house.... in the middle of everything else.  :)

I made chutney for the first time this year and it is pretty great tasting stuff. 

Chutney is originally from India and is used with any kinds of food.  A lot of people add it on top of chicken/pork/fish.  

I chose to make mango chutney.

Little did I realize that there is a certain way to cut a mango!

I thought I would give you all a lesson today in case you didn't know how to do so.  

First, hold the mango in this position.... "up" is how I think of it.  Remember, I teach second graders so I have to be really simple in my directions.  :)

Next, you cut down the center of the top until you can feel the seed.  The seed is actually SQUARE and fibrous!!  Pretty neat, I think.  :)

Once you feel the seed, you take your knife out and cut a little to the right and left of the center.  You want to avoid going through the seed.

Do you see the whitish spot in the center below?  That would be the seed!

After you cut the sides, you then cut the "small" sides beside the seed.  Do your best not to get that seed!

This was where I was a bit confused at first.... of course, I was confused a bit before Kevin taught me.  (No comments, peeps...)  

You take a paring knife and cut lines through the mango while it is still in the skin.

Repeat cutting lines the opposite way until you have cubes.

Press underneath the skin to make the cubes "pop."

How cute is that?

After it is "popped" you just use your paring knife to cut the mango out of the skin.  

I have cut so many mangoes in the last two weeks that I think I am a pro at it now.  

At least enough to post this tutorial on my blog.

Did I make you want some mangoes?

09/03/12

I realize I have still been a bit MIA.

May I explain again why?

MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Oh. my. goodness.

I knew we were going to have some adjusting and changes but didn't realize just how much!  I *thought* we were pretty organized around here. 

Since we have been in school *someone* has lost his glasses, his Bible and is not quite sure where most of his clothing might be.  Thankfully we have found the Bible and clothing.... his glasses, not so much.

Don't get me wrong... I truly am empathetic and sympathetic.  We have gone from one classroom all day to changing classes, having a locker, having Cross Country practice every day, and also just joined a Lego Club on Wednesdays.  I know his plate is quite full.

He loves it, but it has been a challenge.

My other sweet person has done better in the adjusting party, but SHE IS A GIRL.  I always knew there was a difference, and I have seen it.  However, I am reallllly seeing it right now.

What are we still working on at our house?  This would be for ALL OF US.

.....encouragement to do our best in all things.

......keeping water, gatorade/sports drinks in one place and not all over the house.

......making sure homework is done/finished/complete/organized/ready for the morning.

......finding our home again.  I thought the papers would be less but I was wrong. 

...... making our jams/chutneys for the fair.  (More on that later)

....... exercising 5-6 times a week.  (More on that later, too....)

....... learning all there is to know about computer programs.

....... surviving without our house becoming like the hoarders on TV.

So, there ya have it.  I am really going to try and get back to my normally scheduled blogs.  I will do my best.  Just know, if I am not on here it just means I have sunk in the sea of Middle School for those days.

09/02/12

Psalm 46:1-5b

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: