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.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First time . . .

Julia and Adam invited Craig and me to dinner this afternoon.  DINNER?!! What??  
They wanted to try out their new grill and we were the proud recipients of their efforts.  It was an amazing time watching them scurry around their kitchen together, timing everything so the meal would be perfect.  I was impressed, to say the least!

Julia prepared potatoes for the grill . .  . lots of potatoes!   :)

Adam perfectly formed the hamburgers!

There were fresh green beans and corn on the cob!!!

The proud couple and their new grill!

Adam trying his hand at grilling . . . Craig supervising over his shoulder

Taadah!! The delicious dinner beautifully served on the sun porch.

Can you believe it?? ...Julia even made a delicious chocolate cake for dessert.

It was a delightful afternoon ~ ~ the dinner was delicious.  Watching the new bride and groom work together in the kitchen warmed my heart!  I was very proud of their accomplishments!

After dinner, Julia was spotted clipping coupons!  WHAT??  What has happened to my daughter!  Coupons?  Who would have thought she'd be interested in coupons !   You go, girl.

2010-11

Summer is coming to an end, and our 2010-2011 school year is gearing up.  As I reflect on the past two months of summer, I'm reminded of many happy memories.  My heart and mind will never forget the two beautiful weddings uniting Jonathan and Sarah, and Julia and Adam.  We are so blessed.

As I mentally prepare for the new school year, I'm reminded how excited and nervous my new students come into the classroom. It's my mission and pledge to create a warm and loving environment for them to pass through their 4th grade year.   A lot has been written and researched about the power of positive and negative words, moments, and interactions. 

When I read the article, The Magic Ratio of Positive and Negative Moments by Patsi Krakoff I couldn't help but think of the students in my classroom. How many of our children come to school each day with their 'buckets' empty? What can I do to not only fill their buckets, but provide them with an environment that provides the Magic Ratio of 5:1 -- five positives to one negative interaction.

I want to be positive and encouraging...I want to be a 'bucket filler', and I want to be the teacher my students look back on and know how much I cared about them.  I don't want to be a 'should-of, could-of, would-of, teacher.  

I'm off to a great 2010-2011 school year! Wish me luck.  :)

Louisville #3

Leaving Louisville is always very difficult for me! I've never been a fan of having my children live long distances from me . . . and 6 hours by car is too far! I know, I know . . . they're grown up and married, BUT, I'm certain they still need their mother for something!!!

Anyway, on our trip home, God sent me a beautiful sign ~ a beautiful rainbow. The day was dreary, and I was feeling dreary, but looking out and spotting a perfect rainbow warmed my heart! (If you look closely, you can see there was a double rainbow!!) I know Jonathan and Sarah are placed there for a reason, and God has blessed them beyond words!I was encouraged as we drove north to Michigan. The sun came out, and the sky brightened, and God confirmed to me that Jonathan and Sarah were in their perfect place!