tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21771161169559076292024-03-05T15:21:46.817-08:00Life {Im}perfectedNavigating parenthood...and maybe doing the laundry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger352125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-1198406157158594832018-02-22T18:17:00.001-08:002018-02-22T18:17:15.305-08:00On the eve of 5Dear Jackson,<br />
<br />
I rarely update this little blog anymore, but for your birthday, dear Jackie boy, I come back to this little space of the Internet reserved for our family and I commemorate your birth. When you were born the doctor said you were born like Superman, shoulders square (we can discuss your payment plan for the damages later) ready to take flight. Looking back, that description fits you perfectly. You are hero obsessed, always cheering on the good guys and taking down the bad ones. What's more, though, is you are always looking forward, ready to take flight. You are all personality. Every inch of you exudes emotion and feeling and I so love that about you.<br />
<br />
When you are happy you are SO SO SO happy. You light up a room. Your dance moves are epic and watching you dance brings me so much joy because you just let music move you. You tell me you love me no less than 100 times a day, in little out-of-the-blue moments that always catch me by surprise. I hope you do that until forever because it's my favorite. You love your sisters in equal measure and take care to watch out for them. Even though you aren't the oldest, you are the biggest, and I truly believe you would take down anyone who dared hurt Lily or Harper. Despite your protective nature, you look up to Lily like she's a goddess and live for 4pm when she gets off the bus. I know Harper can cramp your style sometimes (9-month-olds are so needy!), but it's always big bro-bro to the rescue when she is crying or needs a snuggle-hug. You've loved little Harps since before she was here and your gentle nature with her is heart melting.<br />
<br />
This year has been a big growing year. You're counting, and reciting the alphabet, and learning to spell and read. You are make huge strides in pre-K and are very much looking forward to Kindergarten in the fall. You sweetly ask if Lily will hold your hand and walk you to class and in my heart I whisper that I hope you will ask her to hold your hand forever, through everything. You are curious, and talkative, and that means I am asked a million questions I rarely have answers to (thanks, Google).<br />
<br />
My only boy, my sweet middle child, you are sunshine in so many lives. I cannot believe that you are already 5 years old. It seems like just yesterday we were shocked at your birth weight and nervous to bring you home to a crazy 2 year old sister. I hope you keep saying silly things and making up funny stories and singing crazy songs. Our world can be a scary place, buddy, but knowing that you are in it means that it is all the better. Keep shining my little superhero. Here's to 5!<br />
<br />
Love, Your mama<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-56819856857735809892017-08-14T17:35:00.003-07:002017-08-14T17:35:22.278-07:00My dearest little Harper,<br />
<br />
I never blog anymore, so I haven't written nearly the number of posts about you that I have about your brother and sister. I have your monthly pictures, but no monthly updates. You were born nearly 4 months ago, but there's been no birth story.<br />
<br />
So what have I been doing?<br />
<br />
Well, I've been staring into your big, blue eyes. I've been smiling at you, just so you'll grin back. I've been breathing in your baby smells and committing each detail of your baby-ness into my memory because you are our last baby. You don't sleep very well during the day, but have been a great night sleeper since the second week of your life. You have these delicious rolls on your legs and arms and have this adorable double chin that you've had since you were born. You squeal and giggle and coo because you have already figured out that getting a word in around here is a challenge and you need to start early if you're going to a word in. You are the apple of Lily's eye and will be forever protected by Jackson. You like to grab my hair while your nurse. You also seem to like me a lot because you cried for basically everyone else until about a week ago. You are a little angel right here on earth and I am so happy to be your mama.<br />
<br />
So you may not have the number of blog posts dedicated to you that your brother and sister do, but know that my time has not been wasted. I've been loving on you. Soaking up these early months of your life before you aren't a baby anymore. I've been sharing the pride and joy that Lily and Jackson just exude when the see you. You complete us in every way. I am so glad you're here.<br />
<br />
Love, Mama<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-77259364128795032222017-02-24T18:35:00.002-08:002017-02-24T18:35:55.874-08:00Jackson is 4!Dear Jackson,<br />
<br />
It's hard for me to believe, but you are officially 4! You've been looking forward to turning 4 for months, and now you are a certified 4 year old. You are the shiniest star I know. You are sweet, silly, sensitive, and goofy. You have so many friends at school, who, as you lamented, "follow me around too much". You are just so funny that other people are attracted to your personality. You are a little lover through and through. You love your sister, mommy, and daddy. Right now, though, you really love the baby. You love to see my belly and talk to the baby and give him or her hugs and kisses. You whisper "love you baby" and "Hi! I am your big brother!" at least once a day. I know you will be the sweetest, most protective big brother that any sibling could ask for.<br />
<br />
This year you have really come into your own. You are certainly not a baby anymore; you are a kid through and through. You love to play outside; right now you love to swing, play baseball, and play any kind of chase game. You aren't very interested in learning to write, but you enjoy going to school. Your favorite things are Batman (and other superheroes), Paw Patrol, Power Rangers, and Trolls. You've watched the Troll movie about 50 times since you first saw it a week ago and you always tell me that love is in our hearts. Batman has been your love for over a year now, and it doesn't seem to be letting up. You've really opened a new world to me, as I was not very familiar with much about Batman (or any other hero) beyond the very basic stories I knew from children's books and movies. You still say funny things like panpakes and yogrit. You love to eat buttered bread and even suggested it as a good birthday dinner idea. You are a little obsessed with your hair and can't stand when you have duck fluff sticking up.<br />
<br />
While you seem to be growing up so quickly, I still see traces of your baby self when you climb in my lap and nuzzle your head in my shoulder or when you fall asleep on the sofa. I couldn't imagine a sweeter boy. You make my life so much funnier and happier. You have boundless love for your friends and family. I love each surprise your bring into our lives. I can't remember my life without you in it, nor would I want to.<br />
<br />
Love you stinkeroodle mctoodle!<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-65809774162355601632016-11-06T10:02:00.000-08:002016-11-06T10:02:18.050-08:00Summer/Early Fall WeddingsThis year we were lucky enough to attend 4 beautiful weddings. Two of the weddings--my cousin Greg's and Tom's cousin Lauren's-- were trapped in the camera. I can finally show off some of our summer travels!<br />
<br />
In July we traveled to California for my cousin Greg's wedding. We spent about 24 hours in San Francisco before going north to Guerneville. We stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast on the Russian River. The pictures really do not do justice to the beauty of our surroundings.<br />
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In September, Tom's cousin Lauren got married at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Southern MD. Being the proud Loyola Alum that I am, I basically geeked out over the location. The area was gorgeous and we had an awesome time celebrating!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyZAO72dUgH_XZ_IFLD2EjQ_3h26BEvEuS23iFWuZomkdV0_OausRjwYPclNJIdBPR0jFyMjbs6VtKzt99RYXmfxuMy_2XGP7sMfeTa1eUJTNz_EU1JEHUXbocBrZEyKCnnwzmMvM5XZo/s1600/IMG_3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyZAO72dUgH_XZ_IFLD2EjQ_3h26BEvEuS23iFWuZomkdV0_OausRjwYPclNJIdBPR0jFyMjbs6VtKzt99RYXmfxuMy_2XGP7sMfeTa1eUJTNz_EU1JEHUXbocBrZEyKCnnwzmMvM5XZo/s640/IMG_3026.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kneelers were all embroidered! They were beautiful!</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-13015498488501562232016-11-06T09:47:00.002-08:002016-11-06T09:47:14.154-08:00HalloweenWe have a camera cord, so now pictures will come fast and furious! This year for Halloween we continued our tradition of trick-or-treating with the Hohlfelds. It's a fun tradition and the kids have a great time together. A few of the best shots from the evening...<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-6501496942925647352016-11-05T18:35:00.000-07:002016-11-05T18:35:13.795-07:0017 Weeks Pregnant with Baby B #3Well, I am almost officially halfway through this pregnancy, so I figured maybe I would blog about it. I haven't blogged lately because I like to include pictures, but I cannot find my camera cord anywhere. This is a problem. Once I find that cord I will update everything that's happened between August and now {this will likely culminate in an EPIC photo dump}.<br />
<br />
To catch you up-- in early August I found out I was pregnant. Things were fine for the first 4 few weeks. Just short of week 5 the morning sickness started with much more vengeance than it did for either Lily or Jackson. I wasn't at all sick with Lily, just tired. With Jackson, I experienced some morning sickness between weeks 6-13, but then it subsided. This time I full one threw up once day. I was nauseous most of the time, and was completely exhausted. It probably didn't help much that all of this coincided with the opening of the school year. The result: the first trimester trudged along (and I mean trudged). I was sick from 5 weeks-15 weeks. I still feel sick when I wake up in the morning, and generally need to eat immediately. I cannot tolerate coffee with caffeine {sadness}, and some days cannot tolerate coffee at all. I have only gained about 2 pounds up to this point, I think because of the sickness and because it's hard to eat a lot at meals (I am not complaining about this...).<br />
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There are some perks of being almost mid-way through. I got to hear the heartbeat at 14 weeks. A beautiful 160 beats per minute. On November 16 we have our anatomy scan. We are not finding out the sex of the baby this time around, but I am just as excited to see the baby. We decline the genetic testing, so this will be our first peek.<br />
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If this baby follows in his or her siblings' footsteps, there will be some sort of surprise. Lily had <a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/choroid_plexus_cysts/" target="_blank">choroid plexus cysts</a>, which resulted in follow-up scans (the cysts did go away). Jackson had an <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/articles/echogenic-fetal-bowel" target="_blank">echogenic bowel</a>, which also resulted in follow-up scans. It, too, went away. The doctor attributed it my body being a good body to scan. Apparently, some women can have more detailed, brighter ultrasounds than others, which can result in the fetus appearing brighter in parts of the scan. This history of surprises does make me nervous. It helps that both potential problems were resolved in subsequent scans, but there is still some nervousness there.<br />
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I am also starting to feel some movement from the baby. It's not consistent yet, but it's definitely there. This is my absolute favorite thing about being pregnant. I am looking forward to stronger movements, so the kids can feel the baby on the outside. They have been so excited about having a sibling. Jackson likes to kiss my belly and say, "mommy, I love babies!" Today, Lily exclaimed, "God, thank-you for letting mommy have another baby!!" They are just so happy this little baby will be joining us in April (I will update this once they realize that newborns cry a lot).<br />
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We've started planning out what we need (very little), what we have (a lot), and what we can give away (also a lot). We will have some adjustments to make to the house-- need to convert Lily's room to Lily and Jack's room-- and we need to update the nursery. I got the cloth diapers out and sorted; they just need to be washed (later, closer to my due date). We also sorted through all of the baby clothes and tried to figure out some storage system, so we can be prepared when the baby is born.<br />
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Overall, I am very excited for everything to come. I am trying to savor every part of this pregnancy because I know it will be the last one. Three kids is the limit in our house, so I want to enjoy everything I can about being pregnant and, eventually, in April, having a newborn. I feel so lucky to have such a great support system of family and friends who are also excited to share this journey. Like Lily said, thank-you, God, for letting mommy have another baby! I am certainly very grateful.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-18243126160358724022016-07-14T19:15:00.003-07:002016-07-15T05:19:06.475-07:00Black Lives MatterThere have been a lot of loud voices lately saying, why do only black lives matter? All lives matter! Well, friends, I can tell you why, right now, there is an urgency regarding black lives...because they really haven't mattered. Yes, my white friends, the lives of our black friends haven't mattered. They didn't matter when we brought them over on boats and held them as slaves, they didn't matter when the Founding Fathers espoused freedom and equality and went home to plantations filled with slaves, and, this may be news to people, but, even as our nation elected its first black president, black lives still didn't matter.<br />
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We are kidding ourselves if we think we live in a society that values equality. When you look at a black man and wonder, before anything, if he is a thug or a criminal...When a black woman has strong opinions and suddenly she's an angry black woman...When parents choose not to send their child to "that school" because they have "heard things", but really the school is predominately black (and therefore bad). When these things happen we are reinforcing the deep rifts that our system was built upon.<br />
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I am setting aside anything involving police violence here because even without those murders, black lives haven't mattered nearly as much as those of their white counterparts. Unfortunately, white privilege allows us to not worry so much about it and, foolishly, say things like all lives matter (even when we don't mean it-- I've seen many people blow off (and say terrible things about) refugee lives, immigrant lives, etc...).<br />
<br />
As an educator, my role is so important in helping my students navigate their role in this movement. I worry because it is, sort of, a leaderless movement. I look to the Civil Rights Movement as an example and see leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. The demonstrations, sit-ins, and protests were well orchestrated and organized. The leaders were calculated in their movements and messages. It's not that the current movement doesn't have a message--it does--but I worry that without a few strong leaders the movement won't be as strong or unified as it could, <i>or should</i>, be. Either way, I want my students to feel empowered. I want them to feel like their voices can be heard and that they are valued. I want to give them literature, essays, poems, and speeches from which they can draw strength and power. <i>I want them to teach me. </i><br />
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My eyes are wide open as we negotiate these turbulent times. I am an eager student of the time and, I hope, can be a sounding board for my students as they work to make sense of their role and their identity within this movement. #blacklivesmatter #mystudentsmatterUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-25682852584124247352016-06-19T19:37:00.000-07:002016-06-19T19:57:16.278-07:00On the Eve of 5...Dear Lily,<br />
<br />
Tomorrow morning you are going to be five. FIVE! A whole hand. On Father's Day, five years ago, I went into labor with you. I had to stop eating my dinner, my delicious dinner, because my labor got so strong that I knew, quite certainly, that we would be headed to the hospital. The next morning, at 6:09 am you were born, you made me a mama.<br />
<br />
Lily Bean, this year has been an insane year of growth for you. You started writing so many new words, identifying how to spell things by sounding things out, and started to read. You are a whiz with numbers {you did not get that from your mama} and you can count things so quickly just by glancing at them. You loved Pre-K, and, while I know you are more than ready for Kindergarten, you are very anxious to start at a new school. You are so ready for school, though, and I think once you get started you will love it.<br />
<br />
You are a little social butterfly. You love your friends and have so much fun playing with them. Your favorite things to do are play with dolls, build villages with Little People, and play outside with your neighborhood friends. You love Barbies, American Girl dolls, and baby dolls of any kind. You re-discovered a love of swimming this summer when you jumped into a pool at your friend's party. You are kind and sensitive and inquisitive. You are also impatient and quick to a temper {the good news is, that temper only comes out at home, and you are a sweetheart at school}.<br />
<br />
My Lily girl, I hope you will always be confident, loving, and strong. Five feels like the big time. Kindergarten--real school--is about to happen and the world will start to feel more complicated. I want you to know that your intelligence, confidence, and strength will get you through anything. I love you so much and I cannot wait to see where five takes you!<br />
<br />
Love, MamaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-41667173592898651202016-06-05T17:53:00.001-07:002016-06-05T17:54:16.984-07:00Lily Graduates!Almost a week ago Lily graduated from Pre-K. I am insanely proud of my girl and everything she has accomplished this year. She has grown leaps and bounds with her writing, spelling, and word recognition. She is a whiz at math and anything with numbers comes easily to her. Her teachers say she is very sweet and kind to her classmates, which makes my heart proud. She is truly ready for kindergarten!<br />
<br />
The graduation itself was adorable. Each family had a table with a balloon, a class picture, a collage the teachers made for each child, a dog to get signatures from classmates, and a graduation picture. The kids processed in and stood on stage to sing graduation songs. Afterward, each child received a certificate. The school did a luncheon for all of the families, which was also fantastic.<br />
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We are sad to say goodbye to Lily's preschool. She loved it, and her teachers, so much! I am so pleased with how prepared she is for kindergarten, but saying farewell to her friends will be hard. She does have a summer session to attend, so she can hang on to preschool for a bit longer. I am sure as summer comes to a close she will be sad and worried as her days at her new school come closer, but we will cross that bridge when it comes.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-728375128658451312016-04-18T18:20:00.001-07:002016-04-18T18:20:08.339-07:00A Wedding Deserves a Post!I never post much (at least now, life is too busy), but my brother and his wife Sara celebrated their wedding this past wedding and I decided to write about it! The weather was perfect, the ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was fun. I miss the wedding weekend terribly! I could write about how much I love my brother and how happy I am to officially welcome Sara to the family, but I decided to post a few pictures and leave a copy of the speech I made at the rehearsal dinner.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Overly cautious. Timothy has also always been overly
cautious. When he was little, maybe 3 or 4 years old, Timothy told my parents
that Santa should leave the presents on the front porch because Santa was a
stranger. Overly cautious. Later, as a teenager, when I was home on a holiday
break from college, at around 2am, I heard doors downstairs being aggressively
shaken. I thought someone was breaking into the house and was instantly
startled. That person breaking in was only my brother checking to make sure all
of the doors were locked by shaking them. Again, overly cautious. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAashxtHOKuhkK07Z75hXZfo0parq30JUVH4p8su_YLy-1PIPl1WlzSJJY1wJSoAsCg52KGL1BRmb0LqnPRIhI3lFqYjQKvj2oMQ7QYNvFvacLvHpV-9O305VHKTZ0lJTrjT5LdJiQcCV/s1600/13048222_10100420246878882_7677893278684207110_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAashxtHOKuhkK07Z75hXZfo0parq30JUVH4p8su_YLy-1PIPl1WlzSJJY1wJSoAsCg52KGL1BRmb0LqnPRIhI3lFqYjQKvj2oMQ7QYNvFvacLvHpV-9O305VHKTZ0lJTrjT5LdJiQcCV/s400/13048222_10100420246878882_7677893278684207110_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theresa (my cousin) and her date, Jackson. He is in love and made the googly eyes to prove it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perfectly right. Another particular trait of Timothy’s. He
didn’t ride a bike until he was 10 years old because he needed to do it
perfectly right. He was always quiet as a little boy, the silent “T”, who, I
suppose, didn’t want to talk until it was perfectly right. He also took hours
to get ready to go out with his friends, until they called out “Juliet!” He had
to look (and smell) perfectly right. While being overly cautious and perfectly
right may not seem like they fit together, really, they do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSXpe00mVdA7F93QPo6fmOXupY-7WPflhGrJBZ6pOzROjBUXpsZTmyiIm8jIDjpwRdPLWkRHoY34MNvudQTrY5uNwHY97aHqp-EtmZR6gQL0UxUPJpYKXKbwi6d6r7YMysbUWdhbtfu-N/s1600/13041269_10100420247308022_7110579971480391052_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSXpe00mVdA7F93QPo6fmOXupY-7WPflhGrJBZ6pOzROjBUXpsZTmyiIm8jIDjpwRdPLWkRHoY34MNvudQTrY5uNwHY97aHqp-EtmZR6gQL0UxUPJpYKXKbwi6d6r7YMysbUWdhbtfu-N/s400/13041269_10100420247308022_7110579971480391052_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and brother. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, when we were in high school, we had a conversation
with our friends Lexie and Topper. Timothy was asked if he ever told a girl he
loved her. He said no because he wasn’t going to say it unless he really meant
it and it meant something. Again, cautious and right. Years later, I heard him
tell Sara he loved her, and I knew. He was perfectly right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Ghj6jncdLpQF6oQMLU5XTuyYNmR8EqxDR068fV6qlbFD4dcAAR-JNdh35VPURlU7oX4QyP8AQwjcvgx5fQxw2TRni1AJEfGTKC52Q2FW716BZgPOW10nwtXa5MLPOjqNfjcgmE7vqAH/s1600/13007131_10100420266200162_2126453066652643985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Ghj6jncdLpQF6oQMLU5XTuyYNmR8EqxDR068fV6qlbFD4dcAAR-JNdh35VPURlU7oX4QyP8AQwjcvgx5fQxw2TRni1AJEfGTKC52Q2FW716BZgPOW10nwtXa5MLPOjqNfjcgmE7vqAH/s400/13007131_10100420266200162_2126453066652643985_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking down the aisle. They did a perfect job!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Timothy, I am so proud of you. You took the time to do things
your own way. You may not have always garnered praise for your way (I seem to
recall your English teacher admonishing you about a crooked bulletin board, to
which you responded, “well, it’s not your bulletin board, is it?”), but you’ve
done things your way, in your time. I love you more than you probably know, and
I am so happy to stand by your side this weekend as you begin the next chapter
in your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd7JuZli6FfejcZkkcfZ72EdAxfO-MXx84dpsjlufy8I-6l7KfGKZiKzHqqa7aRDGEdirftlLQxeIufnB4bk0XRQfKIwBaIUkykEzD5P5giUmkNhLNNoI-8fAAQCjs3_WbPQR3vAKcyXj/s1600/13040927_10100420245975692_2694430790913357927_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd7JuZli6FfejcZkkcfZ72EdAxfO-MXx84dpsjlufy8I-6l7KfGKZiKzHqqa7aRDGEdirftlLQxeIufnB4bk0XRQfKIwBaIUkykEzD5P5giUmkNhLNNoI-8fAAQCjs3_WbPQR3vAKcyXj/s400/13040927_10100420245975692_2694430790913357927_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal Dinner Crew. Lily and Jackie love Gram and Pop!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Sara, I am so excited to call you my sister. While having a
brother has brought me great joy, I have always wanted to have a sister. You
fit into our family “perfectly right” and I am honored to stand by your side as
you officially become part of the family. You are already aunt Sara to Lily and
Jackson; they love you to the moon and back, and, to them, you’ve always been
their aunt. Thank-you for loving my brother and giving him so much happiness.</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX23Z10mhPrZrDVoKs66Ax0G0BUKixEGAky3TtXeU_ZHmYnCgiQSIexR6M6fZ1ANrcdtLmnzQIIx_SYpp_OUVE206ZonpKy7ZR9LFdqS4Wka6Qr2me7qanYS4Hc9xGmV49GdHYt4rT2Bt7/s1600/13029702_10100420246794052_4242544422917405992_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX23Z10mhPrZrDVoKs66Ax0G0BUKixEGAky3TtXeU_ZHmYnCgiQSIexR6M6fZ1ANrcdtLmnzQIIx_SYpp_OUVE206ZonpKy7ZR9LFdqS4Wka6Qr2me7qanYS4Hc9xGmV49GdHYt4rT2Bt7/s400/13029702_10100420246794052_4242544422917405992_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily and Aunt Sara-- the stunningly beautiful bride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am sure that, at this point, Timothy is nervous that I might do something that is characteristically Emily and talk for the next hour, but I won’t. I will leave you two with this—in marriage sometimes you will need to be cautious, but sometimes you need to take risks. Very often things won’t be perfectly right, but you will slowly realize that when things are imperfectly right that they are the most joyful moments. Here’s to Tim and Sara!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JTGN2UhhEO6G1ZhHab6yUhLKmOjW9rvTQw_Od9GrTTfQaeompy9I_EG3Ycr0hSM5Cm-Keb2wPHv8JHDZiRzRx81XBzc94hSvYfSkGztFIgriskB8PtcC6K3RVQ9SqdT8Ay-B5cCgOUpU/s1600/13041327_1198192196858821_7205857895501645901_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JTGN2UhhEO6G1ZhHab6yUhLKmOjW9rvTQw_Od9GrTTfQaeompy9I_EG3Ycr0hSM5Cm-Keb2wPHv8JHDZiRzRx81XBzc94hSvYfSkGztFIgriskB8PtcC6K3RVQ9SqdT8Ay-B5cCgOUpU/s400/13041327_1198192196858821_7205857895501645901_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Tom prior to the reception</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-62961085107576076072016-02-22T18:20:00.000-08:002016-02-22T18:20:08.175-08:00On the Eve of 3...Dear Jackson,<br />
<br />
Before I run off to review interview questions, I wanted to take a minute and write down my "eve of" birthday letter to you. I can't believe you're 3 tomorrow. My baby! How can you already be 3? This year, the year of 2, was a big year for you. You got rid of your paci, started school, and were potty trained. You went from toddler to kid right before my eyes. I can't believe you aren't a tiny baby in arms anymore; though, honestly, were you ever tiny?<br />
<br />
You are just a magnificent little human. Your personality, while quiet at first (you are shy around new people), eventually fills a room. The faces you make absolutely slay me and you say the silliest things. Right now, your favorite phrase is "you tell me", as in, "Jackson, how old will you be?"..."Mama, you tell me!" You are still working on getting colors totally straight, but really, you can't be bothered with the little details, you have too many bad guys to catch and punish!<br />
<br />
Speaking of catching bad guys, right now, Batman is YOUR MAN. You are very into the ideas of good and bad. You are a good guy. Joker is a bad guy. You like to HIII-YAAA us {insert karate chop} or attack us with swords. In addition to the Batman love, you are enjoying trains, cars, and trucks. Despite the "boy" things you like, you also love to join sis and play dolls (though, sis usually gives you Barbie's dog, Taffy {you pronounce it "Tappy"} to play with.<br />
<br />
You can certainly be a rough and tumble guy (I am fairly certain you will be the first with stitches...), but you are also the sweetest boy. You love to snuggle. You love holding "hams" (hands). On a whim you will say, "Mama? I love you to the moon and back!" You are sweet to your sis {most of the time} and go running to her when mommy and daddy won't give in to your cuteness--"I just need SIS!" Lily is always there with a comforting hug, a "there, there, it's ok", and a "let's go play in my room!" reassurance.<br />
<br />
Your favorite food: Peace-A-Pizza; Favorite Dessert: Probably Pez; Favorite Show: Batman; Favorite Toy: Batman everything!; Friends: Audrey, Ms. Julie (you love your teacher SO much!), Amelia, Jacob, Lily, Andrew, Abby, and Charlie; Favorite Color: Blue: Favorite Song: Anything from Frozen (usually with some made-up words thrown in); Favorite Sport: baseball (like daddy, and you are really good!)<br />
<br />
In Peter Pan, Tiger Lily says, "Peter Pan is the sun and the moon and the stars!" And surely, my Jackie-boy, you are the sun and the moon and the stars. I love you far beyond the moon and back. You filled spaces of my heart that I didn't know existed. Every moment that I get to watch you grow is a joy and a blessing. You came into the world "like Superman" (doctor's words...your shoulders never turned), and now you are saving the world from the bad guys. I love you so much. Daddy loves you so much. Sis love you so much. Thanks for making our lives better. Happy {almost} third birthday.<br />
<br />
Love, MommyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-33582987714967850772016-01-03T17:16:00.002-08:002016-01-03T17:16:51.681-08:00Back to School {2016 edition}Well, winter break is over. Usually, I am all doom and gloom and sadness, but this year I feel content, and that is a wonderful feeling. We had an extremely relaxing and fulfilling break. A few days ago I told Tom that this was the first break where I felt like I got to enjoy myself and relax. The kids weren't sleeping in really late (and Jackson still didn't sleep completely through any night...), but we had time to enjoy our friends and family and were able to recharge with our kids. It was perfect.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvyeQ-MVZgzpQ2danE8Nw43wMvSYx33JhlKaaOiLdkp4q7TSaKDzM6jD-WccMTa2bXGXd1Jxw8-XlhNqL25qRcNyK9KeMKRGximrtiPPJAaV9mAhAvnKywcoEP9Kx82_CkhQxxUoZB9ff/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvyeQ-MVZgzpQ2danE8Nw43wMvSYx33JhlKaaOiLdkp4q7TSaKDzM6jD-WccMTa2bXGXd1Jxw8-XlhNqL25qRcNyK9KeMKRGximrtiPPJAaV9mAhAvnKywcoEP9Kx82_CkhQxxUoZB9ff/s640/IMG_2073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may be biased, but this kid is basically the cutest human ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQQlCXhit_bXJ5pxtsyy4KnGCXWJr5_9lyjtnabULfWh9o51iOnIZo5VlHNCk0mbWtAPBmJHRHNmJkbqeuv0FNmZjwAQ7BiWU-P4U767ML-v6vElMXeVFkRRUPfUIWPdq9VuvLSFCI8co/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQQlCXhit_bXJ5pxtsyy4KnGCXWJr5_9lyjtnabULfWh9o51iOnIZo5VlHNCk0mbWtAPBmJHRHNmJkbqeuv0FNmZjwAQ7BiWU-P4U767ML-v6vElMXeVFkRRUPfUIWPdq9VuvLSFCI8co/s640/IMG_2078.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go CAPS!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hf7YyeGULPJzVQnkK2eYSSAKL3GOTa_FaFrVO2JzSL_FRfs5ADDfdE7vkhH4hoIFc0n6oPlYJJ1vQ_DQEF3XSYF5R7tboqZQ1HdRXxUETa_q7fnlKx0WmcHmfLy9sbfw86wojNSreebk/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hf7YyeGULPJzVQnkK2eYSSAKL3GOTa_FaFrVO2JzSL_FRfs5ADDfdE7vkhH4hoIFc0n6oPlYJJ1vQ_DQEF3XSYF5R7tboqZQ1HdRXxUETa_q7fnlKx0WmcHmfLy9sbfw86wojNSreebk/s640/IMG_2081.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got snowman decorating kits, but we have no snow, so we decorated Jackson.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG12p1l7I6XltmT9bVa7xVkjz4Ha9krxiBV7rzj-JisnoXvJQC97rRzvvs7C2wYesGyWYk3WL6okQh7UEPWHn8GwDAuFQR-16QBFZAPzjxI8LsXqiVrbHvYY8KYD95FCiWpGNXcgsqe0k/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG12p1l7I6XltmT9bVa7xVkjz4Ha9krxiBV7rzj-JisnoXvJQC97rRzvvs7C2wYesGyWYk3WL6okQh7UEPWHn8GwDAuFQR-16QBFZAPzjxI8LsXqiVrbHvYY8KYD95FCiWpGNXcgsqe0k/s640/IMG_2082.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to stop talking to take pictures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1mAkRLmpfjiCLYDXio46l031k1E82TZiFg-nwC0xMO_LHgNCNm7eJ51IgSC6xNNZofEBvPWDiA2kjPTguEvTbVS6Exrg6NBqb-SvKs4YsddtzunlYK4S1YGhAX9VFql8IsfsiLC_Laex/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1mAkRLmpfjiCLYDXio46l031k1E82TZiFg-nwC0xMO_LHgNCNm7eJ51IgSC6xNNZofEBvPWDiA2kjPTguEvTbVS6Exrg6NBqb-SvKs4YsddtzunlYK4S1YGhAX9VFql8IsfsiLC_Laex/s640/IMG_2089.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, I may be biased, but she is breathtakingly beautiful. And I helped create her. WHAT!?!</td></tr>
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As I enter a new year, I am looking forward to getting back into the routine. Tom and I are both doing a wellness challenge at school, so I am looking forward to getting back into a workout routine and some healthier eating habits. Lily and Jackson are both excited to get back to school tomorrow, which makes the transition back into work that much easier.<br />
<br />
In just 2 weeks second quarter will close and we will be halfway through the school year. I can't believe how quickly this school year is flying! I will be taking my last graduate class this spring, and can officially take the Praxis in ESOL this summer (if I choose to do that).<br />
<br />
Mostly, though, I am looking forward to March when my work wife comes back. I know she will be sad to see her maternity leave end, but I am looking forward to seeing her again and dressing alike totally accidentally almost every single day.<br />
<br />
For now, I will be writing 2015 on the board, on paperwork, and on assignments until about April.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-45951625871751355082015-12-31T19:06:00.000-08:002015-12-31T20:18:06.833-08:00To you, 2015I used to blog, and then, you know, things like life happen and blogging doesn't seem so important. It is my favorite way to capture what is going on in our lives, so I figured I would write a quick 2015 recap to ring in the New Year.<br />
<br />
This year saw Lily turn 4, Jackson turn 2, and Tom and I celebrated the big 3-0. Jackson started the party train with a birthday party during a snow storm in February. He celebrated with a Planes themed brunch and, despite the snow, most of our family made it to celebrate.<br />
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Tom and I celebrated our birthdays with a joint gathering of friends at Fogo de Chao. It was delicious and we had a wonderful time with friends. Lily turned 4 in June and we celebrated at home with friends and family. Her birthday was Peter Pan/Tinkerbell themed and mostly involved jumping in her new bounce house.<br />
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Professionally, work was insanely busy. I was the nominated for BCPS Teacher of the Year as the teacher from my school. That was a huge honor and felt incredibly validating as our administration makes the decision about who to nominate. In the late spring a group of us decided that we needed to take on more work and we pitched an enrichment period. It was accepted and this year we are piloting it! It is amazing and overwhelming and exciting. I coached what will be my last season as a volleyball coach (at least for the foreseeable future). It was a tough season, but I coached the best group of girls that I could have asked for. I am working on my ESOL certification. I am taking department chair courses. The job is busy, but it's wonderful.<br />
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Personally, I am thankful that 2015 was a year of happiness and health for me and my family. We had a smooth transition to pre-school for Lily (fingers crossed for kindergarten for next year) and Jackson loved starting 2-year old school. My brother and his soon-to-be-wife settled into their new house and are working to make it a beautiful first home. We traveled to Austin, TX for a work trip (though, when you get to travel on work trips with your husband, it doubles as a getaway). We enjoyed another summer at our beloved shore house. My parents and grandfather are healthy. My friends welcomed new babies, some after long roads and losses. God was good to us.<br />
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If there was one sad spot in an otherwise lovely year, it was the loss of Marge Kenney. I still feel like I could pick up the phone and make a lunch date with her, but I know her love and lessons will always live on in her girls. Her loss was cutting; Mrs. Kenney was a light in the world that went out too soon.<br />
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So here's to 2016. To love. To happiness. To health. To a healed world. To faith restored. To peace.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-18997717300973810222015-10-04T19:04:00.000-07:002015-10-04T19:04:52.103-07:00Busiest Week Ever? Yes.This is the busiest week ever. No joke. I woke up with a cold (thanks, Jackson!) and now get to plow through spirit week, testing week, Homecoming week, pep rally week, fighting it off. Add in volleyball, grad class, and teaching...and, well, it's going to be a long week. Thank goodness for weekends. Right? Well, this weekend was equally as busy.<br />
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Saturday we were up at school building Homecoming decorations with SGA. We had between 10-15 students show up. They moved all of our decor to the closest mechanical room, put together most of the decorations that could fit through doorways, and they generously entertained my children. Emma, who Lily was extremely excited to see, allowed Lily to follow her around. Remy happily glittered a poster with Lily. They let Lily help with the Homecoming banner. Jackson was getting a cold and he mostly followed me around like a little lost duck. Kenisha bought the kids Popsicles. When people wonder how I can do everything I tell them: my parents, my husband, and my really awesome students.<br />
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Today I took Lily to Target. Then, came home and tried to catch up on as much grading as I could. I did get most of it finished between hugs and snuggles from Jackson who has a full on cold. Tom took Lily to my parents to dinner, while I stayed home with the sick boy. We worked on arts and crafts, had dinner, and he took a nice bath. He went to be quite easily, which was lovely. Now, I hope he (and Lily) sleep well. I need them to stay healthy!<br />
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Here's to a busy week! I am looking forward to a fun spirit week.<br />
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Oh, and, our new enrichment program launched on Friday and it was, simply put, amazing. Big things are happening this year...and it's awesome.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-51738133653449729882015-09-27T19:10:00.003-07:002015-09-27T19:10:41.135-07:00{Finally} FallIt's finally fall! This weekend, we greeted autumn with outstretched arms and apple picking. Lily had soccer on Saturday morning, we went to my alma mater's Homecoming festivities, and then we went apple picking with friends. The best part of the day, by far, was apple picking.<br />
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We went to <a href="http://www.baughers.com/" target="_blank">Baugher's Farm</a> and had a near perfect afternoon. It was overcast, so it never got too warm and here was a cool breeze. It was essentially the best sweater weather. Lily and Jack were so excited to pick apples! They were equally excited to see baby Sam. Their love for him was evident on their faces in all of the pictures.<br />
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Today was a more trying day. Neither kid slept very well and Lily threw tantrums all day long {I wish that was an exaggeration}. The whole thing was exhausting for her, and me, and I am glad the kids are nestled in bed and I have a little time to myself.<br />
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Tomorrow begins the first of a slew of 5 day work weeks for me (I know, teacher life). It's the last week of September, though, October begins on Thursday and I am looking forward to everything that the month will bring!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Sam, you have her heart. Oh Jack, you are a giant 2 year old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the look of some serious Sam love.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my girl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorites.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture makes me insanely happy. That is his whole personality right here. Also, he is 2...<b>that shirt is a size 6</b>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the tractor {school bus seats and all} to the orchard!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehD4SexWuZzCi4rWhUXqxR-n8Yk-8fqAY0cIcBZDCdlTLitmhoitBurG9fR_1skVOkzcyCxpkXr933lrwhWwYzuCJufk61X68HvZ4NvbS0isrxJ6_-2oWsTBpNATgVr7RJceQZnBbxwr6/s1600/12032689_10100768758404171_8448173092893375053_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehD4SexWuZzCi4rWhUXqxR-n8Yk-8fqAY0cIcBZDCdlTLitmhoitBurG9fR_1skVOkzcyCxpkXr933lrwhWwYzuCJufk61X68HvZ4NvbS0isrxJ6_-2oWsTBpNATgVr7RJceQZnBbxwr6/s640/12032689_10100768758404171_8448173092893375053_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love her so much. Wish all her days were just this happy.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-90231557920613831562015-09-21T18:40:00.002-07:002015-09-21T18:40:59.797-07:00Just a quick check-in!Hey guys! I am still here! I am just in busy, back-to-school mode. This mode won't end until after the fall season is over, which is when busy, holiday mode will kick in. Why are things so busy you ask? Well, here you have it...<br />
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1. Volleyball season is well under way. This occupies most of my extracurricular time at school from mid-August-mid-November. I have a weird relationship with coaching. I love volleyball, and I really enjoy being with my players (they are just the nicest group of girls...who may have cried when we one our first game today...not set...we didn't win the whole thing...just one of the games...). The girls really make coaching worth it. The part I don't like so much is being pulled away from home and my own kids. Luckily, my players embrace my family as much as they do me as their coach and Tom happily brings the kids to home games.<br />
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2. SGA is busy with homecoming. We plan spirit week, homecoming, and the festival. And all of those things will be happening in just over 2 weeks! EEP!<br />
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3. Enrichment. I am working with a group of teachers to plan, launch, and run our first enrichment program. Enrichment is a weekly club period that meets, so students can participate in a club as part of the school day. We polled students and found that many would like to stay for clubs, but can't, due to work obligations, siblings who they need to watch, sports, or transportation. We wanted to make sure every student had access to a club, so that he/she could find a place to belong. Our dream is starting to become a reality and it is, seriously, one of the most empowering experiences I have ever been a part of. I am so proud of the teachers who worked to see this through.<br />
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4. Lily has soccer, which isn't a huge time obligation, but it's an added weekly event.<br />
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5. School is starting, so things are always a little busier and crazier. Getting to know students, getting to know schedules, etc...can be a task!<br />
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I am not saying all of this to complain. I am happily busy. I like feeling like I am making a difference in my school by being able to offer my time to things that I enjoy doing. I feel very lucky to have such supportive co-workers, friends, and family members who allow me to do what I love and be the teacher that I envisioned myself being.<br />
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That said, I will welcome a breather when November rolls around...just in time for the holidays! Fall is, seriously, my favorite time of the year and I am happy that it is well under way. I may get around to updating this thing in another month!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-22091417642448677172015-09-09T17:45:00.000-07:002015-09-09T17:45:04.190-07:00Lily starts preschool!Our girl had her first day of preschool today. She is attending the same school that she has been attending since she was 2, so it wasn't a particularly different or difficult day for her. Preschool will definitely be more school-like than any experience she has had yet. My mom took pictures of Lily before school with a chalkboard that I decorated for her. Of course, I wrote the wrong date on it (so I corrected that error when I got home...). Lily loved her class and teacher. She recited the rules for me, and she even had a little homework. She is extremely excited for Friday because it will be her first show and tell. She is ready for school and so excited for this experience...and I am so excited for her!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHJDpU3spSATbwrNV2iyaHCs8Z6jkaiqFYFKvzfg58A0QSnbhjfyiygv3Cumpqtv7OF5S55MwHlX9qnFQS1EcRvHkI6oJWhvwhw6JwBG_yZXpOMXyG0AQwxw6ZzjMAFfUWeN4RMO8fv0O/s1600/11953407_10100337685936672_7870175978953515619_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHJDpU3spSATbwrNV2iyaHCs8Z6jkaiqFYFKvzfg58A0QSnbhjfyiygv3Cumpqtv7OF5S55MwHlX9qnFQS1EcRvHkI6oJWhvwhw6JwBG_yZXpOMXyG0AQwxw6ZzjMAFfUWeN4RMO8fv0O/s640/11953407_10100337685936672_7870175978953515619_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After school. Corrected date. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBXCfT1GEjMnQJZhrl4lxVtV60HMAcHAlJTnIIefNq-sVcBi_n_j-DPyEa3OHg8CBRY2kzEUnxAvP2VDqLgz-JJOE9c81Zvip_Zda-_mpFIt1Vyuun2MI7pZOiHElQstekuB4ww_ljteG/s1600/12000808_10100337685632282_6790704506582028839_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBXCfT1GEjMnQJZhrl4lxVtV60HMAcHAlJTnIIefNq-sVcBi_n_j-DPyEa3OHg8CBRY2kzEUnxAvP2VDqLgz-JJOE9c81Zvip_Zda-_mpFIt1Vyuun2MI7pZOiHElQstekuB4ww_ljteG/s640/12000808_10100337685632282_6790704506582028839_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before school. Notice, the wrong date. Way to go, mom.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-76900119392261667812015-09-03T18:57:00.002-07:002015-09-03T18:57:46.601-07:00Is this a post mid-week confession?I am curious: do parents of BCPS students realize the cost to retrofit a school with A/C (and get building up to code to do those renovations)? I am following all of these big A/C debates in school and I am wondering a few things:<br />
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1. Where do people think millions of dollars can appear from to get A/C?...<br />
2. What has changed since I was in schools without A/C? (because there wasn't some crazy public outcry when I was in school...there were fans, water bottles, and some very warm days...we just dealt with it)...<br />
3. One argument I've been reading is that kids get dehydrated. I regularly hold volleyball practices in a gym that isn't air conditioned. Temps are definitely in the 90s, plus the girls run around. I am very good about giving water breaks, but I also tell the girls they need to drink more water at home to work on prevention. Don't parents know to keep kids hydrated at home to work on preventing dehydration before it begins?<br />
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This just seems so #firstworldproblem to me. There was a time, not so long ago, when A/C wasn't in any building...anywhere. Have humans changed that quickly that we can't cope when it's hot?<br />
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I am genuinely curious. I just wonder if we get so accustomed to technology that we forget how to human (in more ways than just this one...).<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-82251853571984330712015-08-30T18:21:00.000-07:002015-08-30T18:21:01.320-07:00Welcome to my room!Learner centered is the buzz this year, and Sarah (my work wife) and I are embracing it. We had a little conversation last year about alternate seating and it grew into actual practice in our rooms. I finally got around to taking some after pictures, and I am just getting around to putting them on the blog. My students are enjoying the room (I think!). Their favorite things, so far, are the core balance cushions I got for their chairs. They inflate and they can sit on them and wiggle a little to get energy out during class. They are great for quiet writing because it takes unfocused energy and allows students to concentrate on writing. I got 5, but so many kids use them, I may need more!<br />
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Anyway, without further ado...my room (well, my room and the English room of about 130 students!)!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYKc3oiyqH49LD22NG4HCY77pJZzJOj5mBRLb-h8KvucVyN6z6R_KCQlP3TaSrzxDgCQiZTtbrXkUTxyBu-mGFUMfSEocUXCmzgz4lAPu2EUNYNLhXek7tc6dyVZzAt9bf8jQ_91QXrub/s1600/20150824_103916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYKc3oiyqH49LD22NG4HCY77pJZzJOj5mBRLb-h8KvucVyN6z6R_KCQlP3TaSrzxDgCQiZTtbrXkUTxyBu-mGFUMfSEocUXCmzgz4lAPu2EUNYNLhXek7tc6dyVZzAt9bf8jQ_91QXrub/s640/20150824_103916.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When students walk in the room they can see the date and day (A or B). The bathroom pass is on the board and the papers for the class are on the small table.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht33Oz-GvOSdO6fAjeKmsfUVrCc2LrJwk5Y5SLT4xncdL7furvzrW9cMUEF8MBh91bnF9tlewr_pkuDJ9VWoEtZvP8zdBnpGDpUzTJd4n1MC_Hhrx8yGQAxVIPmC7bGmcWGsZUMF9U_ntk/s1600/20150824_103821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht33Oz-GvOSdO6fAjeKmsfUVrCc2LrJwk5Y5SLT4xncdL7furvzrW9cMUEF8MBh91bnF9tlewr_pkuDJ9VWoEtZvP8zdBnpGDpUzTJd4n1MC_Hhrx8yGQAxVIPmC7bGmcWGsZUMF9U_ntk/s640/20150824_103821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The board for class agendas and homework,</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB6sAwxBDLp5JHjEIbFPXEdPLonxPRYqU73YqoIR11c-iPMslRUIAeNySNevat7tpjhn8_VE9FlxK4H0JX_iXXOpRA7f-hQj5jCaMwjXd4QcbgZ6opb1qcK1yaIsWs3gGP2YbYEYXaiX-/s1600/20150824_103826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB6sAwxBDLp5JHjEIbFPXEdPLonxPRYqU73YqoIR11c-iPMslRUIAeNySNevat7tpjhn8_VE9FlxK4H0JX_iXXOpRA7f-hQj5jCaMwjXd4QcbgZ6opb1qcK1yaIsWs3gGP2YbYEYXaiX-/s640/20150824_103826.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading area. A few bean bag chairs, a lamp, an area rug, and 4 clipboards on the wall to use if a student is writing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IHbwX1NVlqMO8jRM_lbThcrKIYTruN9L87VCQ6EQ15DIjdjvbtVh8qT2Eds1Yfj8PaDZkZQPRDcC2F-OH5b0qKXdoQYluQEihW-ppOiKIjF3UI7LbzdllwBTDs_oLcMKy5Tm1RtMVsRn/s1600/20150824_103905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IHbwX1NVlqMO8jRM_lbThcrKIYTruN9L87VCQ6EQ15DIjdjvbtVh8qT2Eds1Yfj8PaDZkZQPRDcC2F-OH5b0qKXdoQYluQEihW-ppOiKIjF3UI7LbzdllwBTDs_oLcMKy5Tm1RtMVsRn/s640/20150824_103905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole room.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJUMd9RNqt7EeymTvNjeL32Q5iTIav6q21GhHEp-6xVSN4cKEEQnhQUHhpoy8z_x4H2NWMvfslyronlqDS72vOMeLzZxxIKCKNCzXmxH1Rx3ceqj5ke4rB8_hKTyKonfLCLrzkw6he2wy/s1600/20150824_103815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJUMd9RNqt7EeymTvNjeL32Q5iTIav6q21GhHEp-6xVSN4cKEEQnhQUHhpoy8z_x4H2NWMvfslyronlqDS72vOMeLzZxxIKCKNCzXmxH1Rx3ceqj5ke4rB8_hKTyKonfLCLrzkw6he2wy/s640/20150824_103815.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back corner. Teacher computer (no desk!), storage for students' supplies, a computer for student use, reference posters, and other student resources.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlBVQNPrYama9us0Ay3L1wP5vwOFt-Bh4UeH26HvxudTFmOPyCfqvkQZVHANJfYUxgJbku2Y1lhRcoFDfuNN3_Mn8CVWoA8BvXIjjNzs0U1TxEvNoj5kDfPo_-5_EGhUZMnJvl5z2dBts/s1600/20150824_103807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlBVQNPrYama9us0Ay3L1wP5vwOFt-Bh4UeH26HvxudTFmOPyCfqvkQZVHANJfYUxgJbku2Y1lhRcoFDfuNN3_Mn8CVWoA8BvXIjjNzs0U1TxEvNoj5kDfPo_-5_EGhUZMnJvl5z2dBts/s640/20150824_103807.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English 9 board for I can statements. Also showcases our GRIT program.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2O34y6tBmbXNVirAHq5k4f8_hPhfKZ49dlxqgwmtcOzbI1ApyExcjr1wHYc_5ZS4nF3ez4OzQKcUqaNasS1n3w__TmejDQglheSFRBrCKSp-7puN8RPJB3OA1yphH-QCKCUeEodloB1yk/s1600/20150824_103802+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2O34y6tBmbXNVirAHq5k4f8_hPhfKZ49dlxqgwmtcOzbI1ApyExcjr1wHYc_5ZS4nF3ez4OzQKcUqaNasS1n3w__TmejDQglheSFRBrCKSp-7puN8RPJB3OA1yphH-QCKCUeEodloB1yk/s640/20150824_103802+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another reading area. Looked so cozy in the sun. The pink storage units are for bags filled with markers, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, etc...for each table group. The kissing pumpkins are a student project from 2 years ago. It depicts Proctor and Abigail Williams dancing on Elizabeth Proctor's grave...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NgNeTSXmC3OsflQH7UTVxm5a3sXexPHkcFPBhu1eUZ9doyIzoimu_jG7doVsp-wr1x6dYaAoSOLhNOA1fvJURswrGsTLBDHEKtbhLzRWhbQvSu6sn7x95dsfa4EscpBp1kR5PYP_-moA/s1600/20150824_103750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NgNeTSXmC3OsflQH7UTVxm5a3sXexPHkcFPBhu1eUZ9doyIzoimu_jG7doVsp-wr1x6dYaAoSOLhNOA1fvJURswrGsTLBDHEKtbhLzRWhbQvSu6sn7x95dsfa4EscpBp1kR5PYP_-moA/s640/20150824_103750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goals bulletin board...we haven't written goals yet.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOkn5FQOgimRpFRAgMHXdYxuNJrz-B7o20oIHhtMMzhRejGcDwZRaTSoDSWWZquGAv7ZWvOyemIbLBuFNPD45w8agbNjX6PWhDrcAo9TS9AkWWnAb3Hbnhi_Z0KXniNNzzKj458F5mIkx/s1600/20150824_103731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOkn5FQOgimRpFRAgMHXdYxuNJrz-B7o20oIHhtMMzhRejGcDwZRaTSoDSWWZquGAv7ZWvOyemIbLBuFNPD45w8agbNjX6PWhDrcAo9TS9AkWWnAb3Hbnhi_Z0KXniNNzzKj458F5mIkx/s640/20150824_103731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite area! Hanging file area, objective area, and info bulletin board. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwb4fdu2gjHjIoBwSJ-pvLtQp1v29IeiMp9j8WBP3a6zKsxJP85x4c-Qp7tfIOCBRWdsZuXiGjNYl4-KpFekXmbNzBEtHhaYnyxOrYBjvzl8ruXyhOQtguf1Qc9M9etxaEULbXhJzOnrI/s1600/20150824_103742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwb4fdu2gjHjIoBwSJ-pvLtQp1v29IeiMp9j8WBP3a6zKsxJP85x4c-Qp7tfIOCBRWdsZuXiGjNYl4-KpFekXmbNzBEtHhaYnyxOrYBjvzl8ruXyhOQtguf1Qc9M9etxaEULbXhJzOnrI/s640/20150824_103742.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The OM letters were given by the principal for commitment to the school. The gold seals are for various programs I facilitated.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilyWxPFWl14-avt6QqeAWTWsfGWM-Mcaz-Q6HJEhflOt8sYzFDBbNwZALYwH49XEZ8Ye_-uQDiMFa9JZzqxQ54xmFJDj2B3ry1SAXrRH3E7rw-2hQJ85AOpp4JnEWr6zWhZNOlL1gxwD_/s1600/20150824_103726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilyWxPFWl14-avt6QqeAWTWsfGWM-Mcaz-Q6HJEhflOt8sYzFDBbNwZALYwH49XEZ8Ye_-uQDiMFa9JZzqxQ54xmFJDj2B3ry1SAXrRH3E7rw-2hQJ85AOpp4JnEWr6zWhZNOlL1gxwD_/s640/20150824_103726.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously. This just makes me happy. Nerdy teacher happy. BUT SO HAPPY.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-72372003255878852082015-08-16T18:51:00.003-07:002015-08-16T18:51:27.637-07:00Bye Bye Summer 2015So, I sort of paused the reflective teaching challenge, but it's for good reason...I've been enjoying my last days of summer vacation. Friday we went to the National Zoo and hosted a get together with friends, yesterday we went to the family shore house, and today we played outside. This morning I got to spend some quality time with my computer while I took the final exam for my grad class. The hardest class I have ever taken is OVER! Of course, my next course starts in a week and a half, but that's at least a week to get my bearings at school before the class begins.<div>
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This summer has been wonderful. We didn't have a formal vacation, but we spent a lot of time with our kids and enjoyed being home. We went to the shore a lot, explored playgrounds with friends, played in the yard, did some gardening, ventured to Austin, read a lot of books, and just had fun. Being a summer stay at home mom is definitely fun. I am grateful that I get to have two worlds to enjoy-- my world at home and my world at work. The summer felt short, and it was, just 8 weeks, but they were 8 enjoyable weeks. I am sad to say goodbye to the summer, but I am also happy to say hello to school and autumn and a schedule (oh thank goodness for a schedule!). Saying goodbye to Lily and Jackson tomorrow will be hard, but I know they are excited to see grandma. </div>
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Here's to summer 2015! Welcome fall!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-46376470734265177342015-08-13T18:50:00.001-07:002015-08-13T18:50:10.125-07:00Reflective Teaching: Day 11How do you envision your teaching changing over the next five years?<br />
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Wow. Tough question. If I could envision what technology will look like in five years, what the landscape of education will look like...this question would be easier. I know these things for certain: I want to continue to learn and grow, 2. I want to include more technology in meaningful ways, 3. I want to stay current, 4. I want a truly learner centered environment in my classroom. I think creating a learner centered classroom will be an evolving process over the next five years. It will unfold slowly as I discover what learner centered looks like in a high school classroom. Over the next five years I want to continue to push my students by engaging them in discussion and debate. I want to learn to be more fearless and embrace positive chaos better. This school year is sure to be one where my style of teaching changes. I am planning on trying so many new things that I am hoping my classroom looks completely new and different to those coming through.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-13645709844351041882015-08-12T18:55:00.002-07:002015-08-12T18:55:23.755-07:00Reflective Teaching Day 10 (1/3 of the way through!)Still no room pictures. I am sure you are all waiting on the edge of your seats for those, but I still haven't transferred them over...<br />
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Anyway, moving right along to..."What is your favorite part of the school day and why?"<br />
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It's going to sound typical, but I love the end of the day. The reason why, however, is not what you might think. I think the typical answer would read something like, "because the day is over! FREEDOM!", but I look at the end of the day differently. When the day ends my day isn't over. I move from teaching to coach class, or meetings, or practices, or advising a club. The end of the day is the time when I decompress. I regroup with my colleagues and go over my day. I recall my successes and my not-so-successes (they aren't usually failures, but sometimes things just don't go the way I planned!). I hear about what my colleagues did. I might run through plans with my grade level team (so, Sarah). The end of the day gives me time to center myself and settle myself. I get ready for the events of the afternoon and the next day. I clean up my room. Change my objectives. I get ready for my next new start. This is the really wonderful thing about teaching. Not only do I get a whole new school year EVERY year, but I get a new start EVERY day. That's pretty magical.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-78251881101503745292015-08-11T19:25:00.001-07:002017-02-24T18:37:15.481-08:00Day 9: About me.Today's task is a long one. For Reflective Teaching Day 9, I need to:<br />
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1. Share five things about myself<br />
2. Share four things on my bucket list<br />
3. Share three things that I hope for this year (as a "person" or educator)<br />
4. Share two things that have made me laugh or cry as an educator<br />
5. Share one thing I wish more people knew about me<br />
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Here we go...<br />
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1. Five things about myself...<br />
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<li>I have 2 beautiful kids, Lily and Jackson. They are my motivation to be the best teacher that I can be. I want to be the educator that I would want them to have.</li>
<li>I coach the varsity volleyball team. I coached for 3 years before I had Lily. I am in year 2 of my second stint as coach.</li>
<li>I try to be a runner. I have gotten better about running as I have gotten older. I am going to be running in a team relay in October.</li>
<li>I function best when I am on a schedule. This might be one of the reasons why I love teaching so much.</li>
<li>I met my husband at work. I also met my wife there. (This is only sort of a joke.)</li>
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2. I don't even think I have a bucket list...but these are the things that I would like to do before I turn 100...</div>
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<li>Visit more states. I don't want to say all 50, but I just wanted to see more of the country.</li>
<li>Travel to Europe. Specifically to England. Specifically to stalk literary sites.</li>
<li>Be happy, always.</li>
<li>Keep in touch with the people I love. (So, maybe the last two are a little lame and aren't really concrete things to go do, but as I was doing this I realized I don't have some long list of things I feel like I HAVE to do.)</li>
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3. Three things I hope for this year...</div>
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<li>That my learner centered classroom works beyond my expectations.</li>
<li>That I stay balanced at home and at school.</li>
<li>That I get Jackson fully potty trained and sleeping in his bed all night long.</li>
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4. Two things that have made me laugh or cry as an educator...</div>
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<li>One crying moment: I had a really tough co-teaching experience that just wore me down. I was carrying my load and the co-teacher's load and it was just a huge burden. I definitely broke down crying in my classroom when that was happening.</li>
<li>One laughing moment: A lot of things make me laugh. One moment isn't particularly educational, but it is funny. When I was pregnant with Lily one of my students who was sitting in the front row of the room blurted out, "OH NO! I am in the splash zone!" I replied, "What do you mean, splash zone?" He replied, "If your water breaks! I AM IN THE FRONT ROW!" I told him I would get him a raincoat.</li>
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5. I wish more people knew that I work so hard at my job because I believe the students who I teach deserve a fair chance at a good, solid education. I also believe that each student who I teach needs an adult in his/her corner. Sometimes balancing my job and my home life means late nights and long days, or dragging my kids to school for another function, but I believe it's worth it. I don't believe I am sacrificing one thing for another by being involved at school. I love my work. I love my family. I am so lucky that I can make both worlds work.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-69582928061669992362015-08-10T19:05:00.000-07:002015-08-10T19:05:05.472-07:00Day 8 of Reflective Teaching...and no pictures yet...Write about one of your biggest accomplishments in your teaching that no one knows about (or may not care).<br />
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I really had to think about this one. Probably my greatest accomplishment was being named the OM Teacher of the Year this past year, but after that was in the newsletter, most of my colleagues know that (although, you all might not know that!).<br />
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I think my biggest accomplishment was getting through my 11th grade class this past year. It was a tough class. I had a really challenging 11th grade class of mostly boys. They all knew each other, they were all (mostly) friends, and they liked to push buttons. It took the entire year to really figure out how to best handle those guys. I worked so hard for that class. I changed lessons, modified EVERYTHING to try and break through to them. By the end of the year I had kids asking to be in honors. I moved at least 3 students up to honors, and I am happy to say, almost every student passed (the ones who didn't were attendance problems)...and they didn't just pass with Ds...they passed with Bs and As. There were days when I felt like I could walk of of my room in tears, but I pushed through each class and worked my hardest to teach them. In the end, it all worked out. I forged some really solid relationships with some of my students, which is really the greatest accomplishment. I think my biggest accomplishments and successes are the ones where I can break through with a kid. Those are the moments that truly count.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177116116955907629.post-5422155620207787562015-08-09T19:25:00.002-07:002015-08-09T19:25:59.159-07:00Reflective Teaching: Day 7Guess what? I still haven't uploaded those pictures! I am clearly on my A-game with this...<br />
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Because of my lack of picture uploading, I will move on to the next Reflective Teaching challenge. My reflection today: What's in your desk drawer, and what can you infer from those contents?<br />
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Haha. This makes me laugh. Which drawer? What time of year? When I was pregnant with Jackson, I tore through my desk in the office and cleaned it out right before period 1. I didn't finish. I had to leave it a mess and go teach. I did finish during period 2. Nesting at its finest.<br />
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Anyway, that wasn't the question. If you look in any of my desk drawers you will find some assortment of the following:<br />
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Paperclips<br />
Post-it notes<br />
Pens<br />
Markers<br />
Pencils<br />
Binder clips<br />
Hall passes<br />
Staples and Stapler<br />
Tape and dispenser<br />
Tide To-Go Pen<br />
Gum and/or mints<br />
Tums<br />
Tylenol or Motrin<br />
Stamps and ink<br />
Stickers<br />
Ruler<br />
Calculator<br />
Keys (coaching keys, usually)<br />
Masking tape<br />
Chapstick<br />
Hair product<br />
Small brush<br />
Band-aids<br />
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I am sure I am forgetting things, but you get the gist. I have a lot of school supplies and a lot of medical and beauty aids. So the school supplies are fairly self-explanatory...I teach...I need things to write notes on, to write with, and to generally keep the administrative side of my job together. I have medicine because sometimes you just don't feel well, but you still need to get it together and work. And, secret, it's easier to go to school sick than to make sub plans. If I can pull it together, I will be at school. Most of the beauty products come out when I have parent conferences or back to school night. After a long day teaching I generally need a touch up before meeting with parents (or other important people). The Tide-to-Go is because I spill things. The Band-Aids are because I get a lot (and I mean a lot) of paper cuts.<br />
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Now, I do have all of the things I need, so I suppose you could say I am always prepared; however, they are in total disarray, so I am a little disorganized. I find my desk drawers are where that ends. I try to keep (and generally do keep) everything else fairly organized and in place. At the beginning of the year, my desk drawers are usually clean and organized, but they devolve over the course of the year. Honestly, I rarely venture in them unless I really need something. The things I need (pen, classroom key, ID, etc) are in my bag or around my neck. If they aren't...that's means I left them at home...and that is when I really have a bad day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0