A Turning Point

I just had to document this momentus occasion. I am actually sitting at my desk, and my kids are working at theirs. I have only had 5 kids come up and try to tell me something, but for the most par they are all working on their math projects. I am beginning to feel like we are turning a corner. They are starting to do so much more on thier own, and don't constantly need me walking around answering questions. They can handle 2 or 3 directions at a time, rather than step by step hand holding. I am getting glimpses of them as second graders...oh how I miss second grade. But, all in all, I don't dread coming to work anymore. This year I had started to worry if I was slowly loosing my fire for teaching, but I think it's just this group of kids that has kinda worn me down this year. With the little deliquent gone we have gotten so much more done. It's horrible to say, but I don't come to work dreading what I will have to face that day. Don't get me wrong, I still have the kid that throws crying fits, gets stiff and rigid and says, "Why does this always happen to me, I still have the huge kid who calls everyone else names, and I still have those kids that I litterally have to say thier name 8 bajillion times a day to keep them on track, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think they will be ready for 2nd grade. It's a small miracle.

(P.S. Sorry abou the lack of pictures with each post, but all the pictures online are blocked by the school district, and we have been internet free at our apartment for over 6 months now, so pictures, are and will be a luxury until we can either a)afford internet b)"borrow" from a neighbor or c) move to a place with free internet! Sorry!)

Happy Birthday

Just a quick shout out to my wonderful mother-in-law Stacy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We (and the little one especially) hope you have a fabulous birthday.

Thanks for being such a fantastic mother.

We love you!

A little time to breathe...

My little delinquent is no longer in my class. He got expelled, which esentially means he just got moved to another school. Over the course of the last few days I have gone through so many emotions. From feeling like I've failed to feeling relieved that maybe I won't have quite so many issues to deal with for the next three months. It's amazing how much different my class is with just that one student gone. We do miss him, but at the same time, yesterday I was able to get through a whole lesson without having to put someone at the "safe spot". It's not to say I still don't have my "challenges". This year has been a learning year for sure. I never knew how trying a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds could be. I think I've cried more this year than I have in the previous 3 years combined. But I think I have also grown more. I'm still not convinced that 1st grade is my favorite, but for now it's do-able. It helps when the sun is shining outside, and the kids actually go outside for recess. Only about 57 more days with kids. Only about 12 more weeks of school left. In the words of a great literary character "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"

Four Hours in the ER..oh FUN!

Yes, yesterday we spent four hours in the Emergency room. I had a first grader that was very mad at me today, and decided to kick his pregnant teacher in the stomach. Luckily I was not hurt, but I was so shocked I turned to him and said (in a very calm voice), "You just kicked me!". Needless to say, everything checked out fine at the hospital. I'm pretty sure my little growing boy just kicked him right back. (He kicks me everyday!) So I get to go to an expulsion hearing, yippee. It's definitly been an interesting year. Only 3 1/2 months left to go in this crazy school.

It's a.....

We are having a BOY!!!

( and I have one very excited husband to prove it!)

New estimated arrival date: July 25th

We will be moving back to Utah in June, and are so excited to be closer to family!

Now I can finally start really shopping!

A little update

I think it's about time for a little update. First, and most exciting, I actually had a snow day on Friday. It was about 6:15 a.m. when my phone rang. On the line was the Superintendent saying that "Due to weather conditons, school has been cancelled for today." Poor Taylor was dead asleep until I yelled, "YES!". Needless to say, it was kind of a lazy day, but it was so nice to just relax, especially since my dear little first graders had been kind of a mess that week.

I could really get used to this 4 day week thing. The week before last we had Monday off for Inservice, this week the kids have early release for 3 days for conferences, next week I get Wednesday off to go to First Aid and CPR training, and then the week after that I have inservice on Friday, and Presidents day on Monday. Two weeks of full school and then a four day week, followed by Spring Break. Unfortunately after that It's 5 weeks straight, but then it's the end of school (CRAZY!)

In other news, we get to find out what flavor of child we are having in two weeks! I am so excited. I don't know how people go all nine months without finding out! I've already found some options for strollers, carseats, pack and plays, etc. but I want to wait to find out the gender just to make sure. Taylor has been so sweet thoughout the past 5 months. He talks to the baby and makes sure I'm comfortable, that I've taken my vitamins, that I get to bed early, and that my cravings are all satisified. Like Saturday, we had planned to use our gift card to Olive Garden, but I suddlenly had a craving for a cheeseburger and fries, and my wonderful husband, despite his desire to be healthy, ate at Freddy's Steakburgers with me. That's love folks!

One thing we haven't done is taken a belly shot. I've always been self concious about that area, and now I'm supposed to show everyone how big I've gotten? Considering I'm almost 20 weeks, I'm nowhere near where pictures tell me I should be, and the doctor keeps telling me I'm "measuring small", I think I'll hold off on showing the world my "chubby" belly for a little while longer. Though, today I am wearing a maternity shirt and I've had 4 people tell me I've "popped out". We will see.

On Taylor's horizon, he still isn't feeling better from the beginning of the month so it was back to the doctor. They put him on another round of meds, so hopefully he will be getting better soon. He has a job interview this week, and we are praying that it works out. We need to start the "baby fund." We are doing good, half of us are healthy, and we haven't frozen in this ridiculous weather, so we consider ourselves lucky and blessed!

A Storm's a Brewing

There's a storm coming. Want to know how I know? No, I didn't go to meterology school. No I didn't even watch the news....I have 22 personal barometers (a.k.a First graders) , and with the crazy/insane way they've been acting I know a STORM is coming. Heaven help us these next two days!