Today...

Today was not my favorite!  At 7:10am, I entered the doors of my school with a happy, positive, perky attitude, but it didn't take long for me to decide I'd rather be home, under my covers. 

The copy machine got jammed...really jammed. 

My students were excited to celebrate a little boy's birthday more than they were excited to complete their five paragraph essay.  "What do you mean 'paragraphs'?  Indent??? What is that?"  Really!?  Is it really that difficult?  Do they NOT know the MEAP is coming in 2 weeks!?

I came home at 5:00pm. Exhausted. Hot. Tired.  Craig was golfing. Again. Grrr...   I decided to go to kickboxing to relieve my frustration.  What a perfect end to a troublesome day.  Instead of kickboxing, our teacher decided to do 'drums alive' (which is difficult to explain).  I totally enjoyed beating my little drum sticks on my exercise ball, moving, dancing, and banging!  Little sweet faces appeared on my ball as I drummed, drummed, and POUNDED!!  Phew...I'm feeling better. 

Now, Grey's Anatomy. 

Tomorrow is a new day!

U of M and MSU

This adorable puppy is so tolerant of her Mimi!! :)
I think she's sad she got left behind today.

Today is a big day for Julia and Adam, and ME!  Julia and Adam went to Ann Arbor to watch the Wolverines play at 11:00am.  After that game, they drove to East Lansing to watch the 8:00pm Spartan game.  They left this morning donned in blue and gold, but their trunk was filled with green and white to make the quick switch.

Why is it a big day for me?  I get to babysit my granddog, Bella.  She was dropped off early this morning in her blue and gold jersey - - ready to spend the day with Mimi!!  I wrapped her in her special blanket and rocked away!  :)  She makes me happy!

Well, I must run and get Bella dressed in her 'green and white' for the next big game.  Go M.S.U.!

I think she's a little embarrassed  U of M got scored on so many times!  Oh well, MSU will do better!

1st week back

I'm about to complete my first week back to school.  ...ugh...After 31 years, you'd think I would have this 'back-to-school' stuff down to a science.  Each new year brings new smiles, new problems, new challenges, and new love.  I look out at my 30 bright little smiles, and I'm amazed at what they know and what they will learn over the next 176 school days.  My job is not only to teach them, but I must equip them to be responsible adults...not an easy task.  I may not teach them everything, but I will teach them to think. To wonder. To dream. To make a difference. To reach. To strive to BE.
I love...
...their enthusiasm
...their curiosity
...their imagination
...their willingness to take a risk
...their innocence
...their questions
...their tenacity
...their giggling
...and their hugs!
I want to be the teacher who doesn't simply teach from the driven curriculum, but from her heart.  I want to inspire.  I want to encourage.  I want to teach!!  Here's to 176 more school days 'till summer! :)

Labor Day Weekend

Craig and Don had made a big golf date on Friday, so it seemed only fitting that Diane and I make plans to have lunch together. We choose our favorite...Bar Louie, in hopes of sitting in the outside area to catch up on our past week.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't cooperate with our plans, but we snuggled into a quiet booth inside, and it was wonderful chatting and enjoying our Farmer's Market Pizza.  

 Friday evening, Craig and I headed west to Pentwater, as Don and Karen had invited us to celebrate the long weekend with them.  Craig and I were ecstatic to join Denise and John and Don and Karen in some Labor Day fun!  The weather did not cooperate with our beach plans, but we found lots to do in the rainy, windy, cooler days.  Honestly, it was just a treat leaving Genesee County for the weekend! :)  Time spent together with friends is priceless and so memorable.

We biked a wonderful trail

We went to the Country Dairy in New Era - - delish sandwiches and ice cream

 

 

 

And we witnessed God's beauty.