Every day that I haven't written- makes it harder to come back and write... So much has happened that I don't know where to begin.
When I started this blog (which really started as mass e-mails) so much was happening that I HAD to have an outlet. There was just way too much flooding my brain and I needed someway to release it.
Thankfully, life has gotten easier. I'm a little less stressed and a lot more encouraged, so writing hasn't been as necessary. To me, anyway. I hear many of you need me to share with you : )
Where to start.... I guess where I left off. We did go on a second field trip- this time to an elderly care facility and it went really well. We walked about 1/2 a mile to the center, participated in 5 nutrition centers and then walked home. The kids had a good time and enjoyed the change of scenery. So did Mrs. Gentle : )
That day was also very special because my two cousins were able to come to school. Katie and Emma, 6th and 5th graders, respectively, came to school and enjoyed my kids. Katie read to many of kids and Emma colored with my girls. It was a very special and sweet time. They are my two favorite kids in the whole world!
After that, it was Spring Break. It was wonderful. One day I went shopping with my mom, mother-in-law and aunt. Ross took a day off and we went hiking and had a picnic lunch. I had a minor procedure to find out what was going on with my tummy and the doctor concluded that my colitis is in "complete remission." That sounds like good news to me!
Since then, school has been crazy, but good. So much has to happen before the end of the year! My kids have learned so much, but there is still much to learn. We are singing God Bless America in a school wide performance in a few weeks and are looking for other fun things to do as the days get warmer.
Thanks for sticking it out with me. This year has probably been the best challenge God has ever given me and I am so thankful to have you walking it with me : )
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
One Down, Only One More to Go!!
At 2:30 tomorrow- my spring break begins. It doesn't really feel possible....
Today was the 1st of our 2 field trips. It was.... nervewracking. We went to our feeder highschool to watch our junior highers perform Fiddler on the Roof. It was a very good production. The kids did a really awesome job. My kids did about as well as they could, considering the circumstances : )
We were on the first bus to the school, which meant we had great seats, but the kids had to sit in them for 20 minutes before the 1 1/2 hour long production. It might have been the longest 1 1/2 hours of my life : ) No--- it's just different than sitting in the cafeteria for a production or an assembly. I couldn't move around very easily.
While the actors did a fine job, some of them weren't very loud and we had terribly squeaky seats. So 1st graders with the wiggles did not help the situation!! And I have a number of students with sitting issues- anyhow, it was eventful.
Although I have never seen Fiddler on the Roof, I found it intriguing that I knew all the songs. The kids loved the singing parts- but had a hard time focusing during the speaking parts.
Tomorrow, we are off to the elderly care facility. I really hope that goes well. We are walking- and I am not quite sure how long it will take-- and how much whining there will be : (
When we arrive back at school, Mom and Dad will be waiting for us- as well as Katie and Emma. It should be grand fun!
Tomorrow night we're meeting up to celebrate Ben's birthday and Katie and Emma are spending the night.
As for Spring Break- my goal is to get some rest and to get some stuff done around here!!
Thanks for your prayers and support : )
Today was the 1st of our 2 field trips. It was.... nervewracking. We went to our feeder highschool to watch our junior highers perform Fiddler on the Roof. It was a very good production. The kids did a really awesome job. My kids did about as well as they could, considering the circumstances : )
We were on the first bus to the school, which meant we had great seats, but the kids had to sit in them for 20 minutes before the 1 1/2 hour long production. It might have been the longest 1 1/2 hours of my life : ) No--- it's just different than sitting in the cafeteria for a production or an assembly. I couldn't move around very easily.
While the actors did a fine job, some of them weren't very loud and we had terribly squeaky seats. So 1st graders with the wiggles did not help the situation!! And I have a number of students with sitting issues- anyhow, it was eventful.
Although I have never seen Fiddler on the Roof, I found it intriguing that I knew all the songs. The kids loved the singing parts- but had a hard time focusing during the speaking parts.
Tomorrow, we are off to the elderly care facility. I really hope that goes well. We are walking- and I am not quite sure how long it will take-- and how much whining there will be : (
When we arrive back at school, Mom and Dad will be waiting for us- as well as Katie and Emma. It should be grand fun!
Tomorrow night we're meeting up to celebrate Ben's birthday and Katie and Emma are spending the night.
As for Spring Break- my goal is to get some rest and to get some stuff done around here!!
Thanks for your prayers and support : )
Friday, March 6, 2009
Mrs. Gentle Returns from the Dead
I knew it had been a long time. I didn't realize it had been this long... Sorry, guys. The past few weeks have been tough- really tough, but looking back, they've been good, too : )
I don't know what to tell you, exactly, just that the kids were testing me with my discipline- they've all gotten to know each other so well that they always have someone to talk to while I am teaching and they know each other so well that everyone knows how to get on everyone else's nerves. Eek! It's a scary place to be : )
I've definitely had days when I come home and tell Ross I'm not going back the next day and mornings where he has to drag me out of bed.
Yesterday and today have not been like that, though. They've both been good- with an administrator observation that couldn't have gone better and assessments that are showing me that my kids are progressing. Hooray! All this hard work is doing something for somebody. Woo Hoo!!!
This upcoming week will be crazy as we have 2 field trips! (Teachers- do not mock me, this was not my fault...) Thursday the whole school will travel to the local highschool to see our junior highers perform Fiddler on the Roof. It should be fun : ) Friday we are taking a walking field trip to a nearby elderly care facility to interact with the residents there. That should also be a great experience : )
Please pray for both of those. For safety and for good behavior. Oh, about two weeks ago, I had a professional development day during school and had to call in a sub. She left a note saying it was her best sub day that year and had walked around the school telling teachers, staff, and administrators how wonderful my plans and class were. That was a big boost!!
I need to go to bed now. I know it is only 8:00- but I am tired. These kids wear me out! The good news is that I am all done with my school work- so I can relax this weekend! We're having a big birthday bash for Ross, Ben, me and some cousins tomorrow at our house. It should be a domestically delightful day : )
Praying thanksgiving for you and that you are blessed!!
P.S. Oh, yeah. My job is secure. I'm still on board for next year. I guess that is what I wanted : )
I don't know what to tell you, exactly, just that the kids were testing me with my discipline- they've all gotten to know each other so well that they always have someone to talk to while I am teaching and they know each other so well that everyone knows how to get on everyone else's nerves. Eek! It's a scary place to be : )
I've definitely had days when I come home and tell Ross I'm not going back the next day and mornings where he has to drag me out of bed.
Yesterday and today have not been like that, though. They've both been good- with an administrator observation that couldn't have gone better and assessments that are showing me that my kids are progressing. Hooray! All this hard work is doing something for somebody. Woo Hoo!!!
This upcoming week will be crazy as we have 2 field trips! (Teachers- do not mock me, this was not my fault...) Thursday the whole school will travel to the local highschool to see our junior highers perform Fiddler on the Roof. It should be fun : ) Friday we are taking a walking field trip to a nearby elderly care facility to interact with the residents there. That should also be a great experience : )
Please pray for both of those. For safety and for good behavior. Oh, about two weeks ago, I had a professional development day during school and had to call in a sub. She left a note saying it was her best sub day that year and had walked around the school telling teachers, staff, and administrators how wonderful my plans and class were. That was a big boost!!
I need to go to bed now. I know it is only 8:00- but I am tired. These kids wear me out! The good news is that I am all done with my school work- so I can relax this weekend! We're having a big birthday bash for Ross, Ben, me and some cousins tomorrow at our house. It should be a domestically delightful day : )
Praying thanksgiving for you and that you are blessed!!
P.S. Oh, yeah. My job is secure. I'm still on board for next year. I guess that is what I wanted : )
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Good News
Thank you to anyone and everyone who prayed for my doctor's appointment today. It was good. For a couple reasons. First, I weighed a couple pounds less than I did two weeks ago. Secondly, my blood pressure was normal- whereas the last time it was high (due to waiting room anxiety...) Thirdly, the doctor has decided that he wants to do a test to see what's going on inside. Although inconvenient, it will not be traumatic and will give us definite results. The test is scheduled for the Tuesday of my Spring Break. I felt better right after leaving the doctor's office, because I felt like I had been given an answer. Unlike last time, where I was just more confused. There were no tears today : )
As for school, the kids were harder on me today. I had to send a boy to RTC for mooning another boy in the bathroom. And this kid is a GOOD kid. I was very disappointed.... And another conference had to be rescheduled. I have a 2 out of 5 record right now. Oh, well. That means I have 9 tomorrow and 11 Thursday. Ugh! We're lucky if that doesn't give me a tummy ache...
So I need your prayers to continue- for strength and endurance and also prayers of thanksgiving- I am grateful for the upcoming weekend and that God is good all the time :)
As for school, the kids were harder on me today. I had to send a boy to RTC for mooning another boy in the bathroom. And this kid is a GOOD kid. I was very disappointed.... And another conference had to be rescheduled. I have a 2 out of 5 record right now. Oh, well. That means I have 9 tomorrow and 11 Thursday. Ugh! We're lucky if that doesn't give me a tummy ache...
So I need your prayers to continue- for strength and endurance and also prayers of thanksgiving- I am grateful for the upcoming weekend and that God is good all the time :)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Marvelous Monday
I have fantastic news. Today was great! The kids behaved so well. We learned a lot. The day went quickly and smoothly. My tummy did not hurt at all!! I had a grade level meeting after school. The lady who causes all the strife was not there. We laughed and smiled at our grade level meeting. It was a miracle- and it was fun- and I am looking forward to next year.
Only bad news- I had two conferences scheduled for today and they both set me up. Ugh! Oh, well, at least I got to come home earlier : )
Here's to a Terrific Tuesday (and no more no shows)
P.S. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Please pray it goes well. I'm a little bit nervous-- except I felt good today. Maybe I am getting better...
Only bad news- I had two conferences scheduled for today and they both set me up. Ugh! Oh, well, at least I got to come home earlier : )
Here's to a Terrific Tuesday (and no more no shows)
P.S. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Please pray it goes well. I'm a little bit nervous-- except I felt good today. Maybe I am getting better...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Smile, Things are Getting Better : )
I haven't written in a long time and I think I better, because things are looking up : )
First, my tummy has been doing strange things. The blood work came back ALL good. Which means the indicator that shows inflammation came back fine. Which means my colitis is not acting up. So why does my tummy hurt? Got me. Today it feels good and happy- but I am free from the bondage of school : ) I'm enjoying my Facebook social life and looking forward to a birthday luncheon and a girly night with my mom-in-law. No need for stressful tummy aches now....
However, the last few days- the aching has been bad. But, I've had some serious sinus drainage too. Maybe my tummy is full of junk. I don't know. I do know, however, that this blog is mostly about teaching and not health- so I'll move on : )
Oh, wait, in just a second. On Wed I went to the doctor for my well woman visit and talked about planning a pregnancy (insert giddy girl laughter here). It looks like we'll be going off the pill in September. Hooray babies!!!
Okay, back to school. The week was good and bad and everything in between. I had a formal observation by my assistant principal that went fantastic. Couldn't have gone better. Thanks you, Jesus! I've sent multiple kids to RTC for things like- flipping me off, cheating on spelling tests, crawling under bathroom doors and locking them and I sent my Spanish only student because I was tired of him smacking people. Does this sound like what happened when you were in first grade. I hope not.
Well, now I must get going to that birthday celebration. Just wanted to check in and let you know that I am well- in body and spirit and that God is good.
Please pray for this next week as it is Parent Teacher Conferences. And then, for Valentine's Day/ President's Day weekend-- Ross and I are going to Sedona. Hooray romantic fun!
First, my tummy has been doing strange things. The blood work came back ALL good. Which means the indicator that shows inflammation came back fine. Which means my colitis is not acting up. So why does my tummy hurt? Got me. Today it feels good and happy- but I am free from the bondage of school : ) I'm enjoying my Facebook social life and looking forward to a birthday luncheon and a girly night with my mom-in-law. No need for stressful tummy aches now....
However, the last few days- the aching has been bad. But, I've had some serious sinus drainage too. Maybe my tummy is full of junk. I don't know. I do know, however, that this blog is mostly about teaching and not health- so I'll move on : )
Oh, wait, in just a second. On Wed I went to the doctor for my well woman visit and talked about planning a pregnancy (insert giddy girl laughter here). It looks like we'll be going off the pill in September. Hooray babies!!!
Okay, back to school. The week was good and bad and everything in between. I had a formal observation by my assistant principal that went fantastic. Couldn't have gone better. Thanks you, Jesus! I've sent multiple kids to RTC for things like- flipping me off, cheating on spelling tests, crawling under bathroom doors and locking them and I sent my Spanish only student because I was tired of him smacking people. Does this sound like what happened when you were in first grade. I hope not.
Well, now I must get going to that birthday celebration. Just wanted to check in and let you know that I am well- in body and spirit and that God is good.
Please pray for this next week as it is Parent Teacher Conferences. And then, for Valentine's Day/ President's Day weekend-- Ross and I are going to Sedona. Hooray romantic fun!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Please Pray : )
I have this condition called Ulcerative Colitis. It's not fun, but for the past few years has been under control. Lately, it's been acting up. This could be due to excessive amounts of stress (stress, what stress??)
Today, I finally called the doctor's office, and was able to see him this afternoon. He took some notes, upped my medication, asked for a blood sample, and wants me to come back in 2 weeks.
I cried on the way from the doctor's office to the lab. It seemed like the appropriate response.
Would you simple pray that I would know and feel that God is with me during this time? I know he's in control and is going to work everything out for good, but I want to feel it in my heart and have it guide my choices.
Thanks for your support and prayers. I couldn't fight the good fight without you : )
P.S. Read Psalm 20. Ross read it to me last night and it helped.
Today, I finally called the doctor's office, and was able to see him this afternoon. He took some notes, upped my medication, asked for a blood sample, and wants me to come back in 2 weeks.
I cried on the way from the doctor's office to the lab. It seemed like the appropriate response.
Would you simple pray that I would know and feel that God is with me during this time? I know he's in control and is going to work everything out for good, but I want to feel it in my heart and have it guide my choices.
Thanks for your support and prayers. I couldn't fight the good fight without you : )
P.S. Read Psalm 20. Ross read it to me last night and it helped.
25 Random Things
So there's this thing going around Facebook, where you are supposed to write 25 things random things about yourself. Here's what I published :
1) After meeting Jesus 17 years ago, I am still falling in love with him and learning to trust Him every single day.
2) I've wanted to be a teacher since the summer after kindergarten. I've wanted to not be a teacher since 3:00 on August 11th, 2008- 8 hours after starting : (
3) It's really not that bad, but let me tell you, things are NOT always what they seem.
4) I love to write and want to write books someday.
5) I wish I had more courage. I'm so afraid of rejection...
6) I love laughing with friends over things that aren't funny : )
7) I love children. I love the things that they bring out in me. They make me feel courageous and strong.
8) I want a baby in the worst way.
9) God has taught me SO much about forgiveness in the past year and all I can say is that He has forgiven me for so much more than I could ever have to forgive another for.
10) I graduated valedictorian of my highschool class and summa cum laude in college, but I still can not figure out those dumb math problems where people are driving towards each other at different speeds...
11) I love to cook and entertain. I think it would be fun to own a bed and breakfast someday.
12) I have the most amazing husband and I know that God designed and saved him for me.
13) I miss teaching Pioneer Girls.
14) Freshman year of highschool, I prayed that God would show me how to be patient, and He has done a good work in me (through many challenging experiences, of course)
15) I think I could make a good interior designer. I know how to make things look elegant and balanced.
16) I probably have the best family situation a girl could ask for. Two awesome married parents. Four living grandparents. A great relationship with my brother. And wonderful in-laws.
17) I taught a kid how to read the word "insect" today and it felt amazing.
18) I have never drank alcohol. I figure I'm doing fine without it... why start?
19) I love to shop for groceries and gifts.
20) I used to love rainy days, and then I became a teacher...
21) Sometimes I look at Ross, and I feel like I know him inside and out. Other times, I feel like there's still so much to know.
22) I took photography classes in highschool and would really like to take pictures again. (Not snapshots, pictures : )
23) My birthday is on April Fools Day. It only sucks a little bit. This year, I will turn 23- which seems like such an odd number...
24) I want two kids or four kids. Ross wants three. This is our only major marital conflict.
25) I could write 100 more things... and maybe, someday, I will : )
1) After meeting Jesus 17 years ago, I am still falling in love with him and learning to trust Him every single day.
2) I've wanted to be a teacher since the summer after kindergarten. I've wanted to not be a teacher since 3:00 on August 11th, 2008- 8 hours after starting : (
3) It's really not that bad, but let me tell you, things are NOT always what they seem.
4) I love to write and want to write books someday.
5) I wish I had more courage. I'm so afraid of rejection...
6) I love laughing with friends over things that aren't funny : )
7) I love children. I love the things that they bring out in me. They make me feel courageous and strong.
8) I want a baby in the worst way.
9) God has taught me SO much about forgiveness in the past year and all I can say is that He has forgiven me for so much more than I could ever have to forgive another for.
10) I graduated valedictorian of my highschool class and summa cum laude in college, but I still can not figure out those dumb math problems where people are driving towards each other at different speeds...
11) I love to cook and entertain. I think it would be fun to own a bed and breakfast someday.
12) I have the most amazing husband and I know that God designed and saved him for me.
13) I miss teaching Pioneer Girls.
14) Freshman year of highschool, I prayed that God would show me how to be patient, and He has done a good work in me (through many challenging experiences, of course)
15) I think I could make a good interior designer. I know how to make things look elegant and balanced.
16) I probably have the best family situation a girl could ask for. Two awesome married parents. Four living grandparents. A great relationship with my brother. And wonderful in-laws.
17) I taught a kid how to read the word "insect" today and it felt amazing.
18) I have never drank alcohol. I figure I'm doing fine without it... why start?
19) I love to shop for groceries and gifts.
20) I used to love rainy days, and then I became a teacher...
21) Sometimes I look at Ross, and I feel like I know him inside and out. Other times, I feel like there's still so much to know.
22) I took photography classes in highschool and would really like to take pictures again. (Not snapshots, pictures : )
23) My birthday is on April Fools Day. It only sucks a little bit. This year, I will turn 23- which seems like such an odd number...
24) I want two kids or four kids. Ross wants three. This is our only major marital conflict.
25) I could write 100 more things... and maybe, someday, I will : )
Monday, January 26, 2009
If I Get Interrupted One More Time...
I'm going to have to shoot somebody : )
No, not really. But I may scream...
Last week was really hard because the kids could not seem to contain themselves. They were constantly excited about something. Now, excitement is good. Passion and enthusiasm are gifts. But self-control is a greater one. So is having a patient teacher who is willing to teach you self control. That is why there aren't many 1st grade teachers...
So last week, I felt like I was battling with the kids and their lack of control. I honestly don't think I was able to say four sentences in a row, without getting interrupted. Do you know how hard it is to teach like that? Do you know how difficult it is to give directions? It's near impossible.
This morning, I woke up and was so grateful for a new day and a fresh start at school. Things were going to be different. Or so I thought : )
First off, today was our 100th day of school (can you believe that? I don't know if it feels longer or shorter...) The kids were excited about that, because in kindergarten, the whole day is devoted to this celebration. In first grade, we don't have time for that. I had set aside some time after recess to do a project with other first grade teachers and then planned my math activity around the number 100- but that was all. However, just the number was enough to get them started.
Reading actually went quite well this morning. They were eager to read a new big book together and a new introduction story in their basals. We're moving right along, talking about describing words and how we can use them- when an announcement comes on. "Teachers, please excuse the interruption. We are now ready to begin bus evacuation. Will our kindergarten and first grade classes please proceed to the front parking lot? Thank you."
I literally stared at our overhead speaker. "What?" I groaned and then had the kids line up. We get out to the buses, and the kids were ridiculous. They didn't want to sit still and listen, and the bus driver wasn't doing a very good job of keeping their attention. Then it comes time to evacuate, and I get stuck sliding 75 kids out the side door of the bus.
We go to recess, and then to the other teachers' rooms for a "quick" 100 day activity. It went for 45 minutes and we still didn't finish before lunch. Then we go to lunch and I go back to my room and realize that I haven't been there in over an hour and a half. Where has the morning gone??
Lunch ends and I go to pick up my class. I recognize a parent on the playground and remember that I had talked to her on the phone last week about some concerns I had about her son and how he often cries because he misses her. On the phone I suggested her maybe coming to pick him up a little early from afterschool program or stopping by for lunch. (The phone call itself could be worth a blog... the little boy is from a divorced home and is at school everyday from 7 to 5.. poor kid...)
The boy comes up to me and cries about some kid that wouldn't share with him, so my boy hit the other boy. Oh my goodness. It just gets crazier by the minute.
We go inside, and the mom needs to talk to me- for ten more minutes. Then I have a chance to teach my kids a new procedure (in ten minutes) and it's time for them to go to reading class. Geez!
I get those kids out the door- instruct my others to get out their whiteboards and (make a guess) the fire alarm goes off! The kids scream, I swear (no, not really : ) we head outside and I wonder where all my other kids are...
It turns out that this is not a drill, but the alarm went off somehow (no, fire though) but we had to stand outside for 15 minutes so everyone could be found and so the fire department could come and investigate.
How much time have I lost now? Who knows??
We return to class for fifteen minutes of instruction, then it's off to music for 45 minutes. I pick them up and they sing me this cute little song that went on forever...
Then it's back to the classroom to count 100 goldfish and 100 M&M's and then they go home and I'm wondering how the day could have gone on for so long and have us accomplish nothing...
Oh well, tomorrow is a fresh start, right?
No, not really. But I may scream...
Last week was really hard because the kids could not seem to contain themselves. They were constantly excited about something. Now, excitement is good. Passion and enthusiasm are gifts. But self-control is a greater one. So is having a patient teacher who is willing to teach you self control. That is why there aren't many 1st grade teachers...
So last week, I felt like I was battling with the kids and their lack of control. I honestly don't think I was able to say four sentences in a row, without getting interrupted. Do you know how hard it is to teach like that? Do you know how difficult it is to give directions? It's near impossible.
This morning, I woke up and was so grateful for a new day and a fresh start at school. Things were going to be different. Or so I thought : )
First off, today was our 100th day of school (can you believe that? I don't know if it feels longer or shorter...) The kids were excited about that, because in kindergarten, the whole day is devoted to this celebration. In first grade, we don't have time for that. I had set aside some time after recess to do a project with other first grade teachers and then planned my math activity around the number 100- but that was all. However, just the number was enough to get them started.
Reading actually went quite well this morning. They were eager to read a new big book together and a new introduction story in their basals. We're moving right along, talking about describing words and how we can use them- when an announcement comes on. "Teachers, please excuse the interruption. We are now ready to begin bus evacuation. Will our kindergarten and first grade classes please proceed to the front parking lot? Thank you."
I literally stared at our overhead speaker. "What?" I groaned and then had the kids line up. We get out to the buses, and the kids were ridiculous. They didn't want to sit still and listen, and the bus driver wasn't doing a very good job of keeping their attention. Then it comes time to evacuate, and I get stuck sliding 75 kids out the side door of the bus.
We go to recess, and then to the other teachers' rooms for a "quick" 100 day activity. It went for 45 minutes and we still didn't finish before lunch. Then we go to lunch and I go back to my room and realize that I haven't been there in over an hour and a half. Where has the morning gone??
Lunch ends and I go to pick up my class. I recognize a parent on the playground and remember that I had talked to her on the phone last week about some concerns I had about her son and how he often cries because he misses her. On the phone I suggested her maybe coming to pick him up a little early from afterschool program or stopping by for lunch. (The phone call itself could be worth a blog... the little boy is from a divorced home and is at school everyday from 7 to 5.. poor kid...)
The boy comes up to me and cries about some kid that wouldn't share with him, so my boy hit the other boy. Oh my goodness. It just gets crazier by the minute.
We go inside, and the mom needs to talk to me- for ten more minutes. Then I have a chance to teach my kids a new procedure (in ten minutes) and it's time for them to go to reading class. Geez!
I get those kids out the door- instruct my others to get out their whiteboards and (make a guess) the fire alarm goes off! The kids scream, I swear (no, not really : ) we head outside and I wonder where all my other kids are...
It turns out that this is not a drill, but the alarm went off somehow (no, fire though) but we had to stand outside for 15 minutes so everyone could be found and so the fire department could come and investigate.
How much time have I lost now? Who knows??
We return to class for fifteen minutes of instruction, then it's off to music for 45 minutes. I pick them up and they sing me this cute little song that went on forever...
Then it's back to the classroom to count 100 goldfish and 100 M&M's and then they go home and I'm wondering how the day could have gone on for so long and have us accomplish nothing...
Oh well, tomorrow is a fresh start, right?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Comfort Food
Last weekend, I was looking through my new Real Simple magazine that is completely devoted to comfort food. I love the magazine and I love to eat : ) so I was pretty excited. On the editor's page, the Chief Editor discussed how comfort food is universal, right? Like everyone thinks macaroni cheese and beef stew are comfort foods. Apparently, this is not the case- so she went around the office polling people.
Some of the answers included lattes, chocolate pudding and coconut cake. These totally do not count as comfort foods in my book. First, desserts are delicious, and may be called upon to relieve stress, but are not comfort foods. These must be hot dishes that are only served in the winter time, because mother never dared to turn the stove on in July. They must also have a bit of a casserole-like flair...
So, I'm thinking this in my head and all the sudden it comes out my mouth "What! That is soooo not a comfort food!" I'm sitting next to my dear husband who turns and gives me the infamous "Who are you talking to-- it's not me, is it?" look.
So then I ask him. What do you think of when you hear the words "comfort food" and do you know what he said???
You.
I told him I think that was the nicest thing he'd ever said to me... even though he didn't have a clue.... I thought it was so nice I made him comfort food the whole rest of the week : )
Some of the answers included lattes, chocolate pudding and coconut cake. These totally do not count as comfort foods in my book. First, desserts are delicious, and may be called upon to relieve stress, but are not comfort foods. These must be hot dishes that are only served in the winter time, because mother never dared to turn the stove on in July. They must also have a bit of a casserole-like flair...
So, I'm thinking this in my head and all the sudden it comes out my mouth "What! That is soooo not a comfort food!" I'm sitting next to my dear husband who turns and gives me the infamous "Who are you talking to-- it's not me, is it?" look.
So then I ask him. What do you think of when you hear the words "comfort food" and do you know what he said???
You.
I told him I think that was the nicest thing he'd ever said to me... even though he didn't have a clue.... I thought it was so nice I made him comfort food the whole rest of the week : )
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Running Down 19th Avenue
This happened on Wednesday. I changed my status on Facebook to say "Mrs. Gentle didn't know that chasing run-away kids down 19th Avenue was part of her job" I got a bunch of comments/questions/etc so I wrote this note to explain the happenings. I quoted it for you here:
"Okay. So this is what happened...I'm standing at the parent pick up area of the parking lot after school, helping kindergarteners into their cars when I hear a tiny voice say "Mrs. Gentle, where is Breanna going?" I turn around, identify the tiny voice and say, "Huh?" "Breanna, why is she walking in the street?" I follow the little girl's finger and see Breanna walking along Orangewood- very quickly.
Slightly perplexed, I ask a kindergarten teacher to cover my duty while I investigate. I start briskly walking along our school parking lot towards the girl. She's headed right towards the bus bay and I figure someone there will stop her. But no, I get to the bus bay, frantically search for her and then see that her brisk pace has now led her past the crossing guards and she is headed south on 19th Avenue.(Ross is telling me that you are probably disappointed to discover that this kid is not really running away, just walking alone on a busy street. Oh, well, here comes the exciting part...)
Seeing the little girl, walking right along the busy cars, looking as if she is trying to get away without being accosted (and doing a fine job of it so far) I take off running. (This is the exciting part.) I do not run. I speed walk- but I do not run.
However, at this point, all I am thinking about is this little girl either being a) run over by a carb) being snatched by a strangerc) really trying to run away and having no idea where she is going.So I run as hard and as fast as I can- past the clueless crossing guards, counter the speeding SUV's, while screaming her name at the top of my lungs- looking like a crazed woman (which, working with these kids, I probably am becoming...) I finally get her attention (and probably some others' too). Then we have this great stand-off where I am screaming her name and demanding she come back to me, while she stares at me dumbfounded. Now I'm preparing myself for her to really run away and me to really have to run and make more quick decisions.
But she came to me and very calmly told me that her mother told her to walk home just like how she walks to school (six year old, female, by herself, and a little clueless at that).Oh, my gosh. So I escorted her back to the parent pick up line, where her day care van picked her up and I was left wondering what would have happened if that little voice hadn't said my name..."
"Okay. So this is what happened...I'm standing at the parent pick up area of the parking lot after school, helping kindergarteners into their cars when I hear a tiny voice say "Mrs. Gentle, where is Breanna going?" I turn around, identify the tiny voice and say, "Huh?" "Breanna, why is she walking in the street?" I follow the little girl's finger and see Breanna walking along Orangewood- very quickly.
Slightly perplexed, I ask a kindergarten teacher to cover my duty while I investigate. I start briskly walking along our school parking lot towards the girl. She's headed right towards the bus bay and I figure someone there will stop her. But no, I get to the bus bay, frantically search for her and then see that her brisk pace has now led her past the crossing guards and she is headed south on 19th Avenue.(Ross is telling me that you are probably disappointed to discover that this kid is not really running away, just walking alone on a busy street. Oh, well, here comes the exciting part...)
Seeing the little girl, walking right along the busy cars, looking as if she is trying to get away without being accosted (and doing a fine job of it so far) I take off running. (This is the exciting part.) I do not run. I speed walk- but I do not run.
However, at this point, all I am thinking about is this little girl either being a) run over by a carb) being snatched by a strangerc) really trying to run away and having no idea where she is going.So I run as hard and as fast as I can- past the clueless crossing guards, counter the speeding SUV's, while screaming her name at the top of my lungs- looking like a crazed woman (which, working with these kids, I probably am becoming...) I finally get her attention (and probably some others' too). Then we have this great stand-off where I am screaming her name and demanding she come back to me, while she stares at me dumbfounded. Now I'm preparing myself for her to really run away and me to really have to run and make more quick decisions.
But she came to me and very calmly told me that her mother told her to walk home just like how she walks to school (six year old, female, by herself, and a little clueless at that).Oh, my gosh. So I escorted her back to the parent pick up line, where her day care van picked her up and I was left wondering what would have happened if that little voice hadn't said my name..."
Craziest Week Yet
Okay, maybe it's not as crazy as that first week when I mixed up the Luis's and tried teaching in a classroom that was 90 degrees. But it was pretty darn close...
Monday was a blissful day. I woke up with Ross at 6:00 am and got right to work on the house. This is embarrasing, but it hadn't really recovered since Christmas. There were still remnants of gifts, packaging, decorations, etc. strewn about the house. And there was a bunch of school stuff that needed to sorted that hadn't and I couldn't remember the last time I mopped the kitchen floor. So I did all of the above and more : ) And it was miraculously so uplifting. I am woman-- hear me run the vacuum cleaner. Yes, a clean house is the road to pure bliss...
That afternoon, Ross' mom met me and we went shopping for various gifts and went grocery shopping (my two other favorite pasttimes.) Then I came home and made French toast for dinner (because I wanted to...) And just for fun, I served breakfast for dinner in a cocktail dress. You guessed it, because I wanted to. And that is what made Monday beautiful I worked very hard and had fun and blessed my husband- but did it all of my own volition. I like choosing what work I am going to do : )
Then Tuesday comes around and I HAVE to go to work. (Okay, I could choose not to, but I am not ready to choose those consequences...) I get home from work on Tuesday, totally wiped out, and the phone rings. It's my sweet principal calling to ask if everything is okay. Because I looked "just slightly sad" when she say me that afternoon. Isn't that sweet? I convinced her that I was alright, promised her that if I wasn't I'd tell her, hung up the phone and suddenly became not all right- when did teaching become such a chore??
Wednesday comes and I can't get the kids to stop talking- and yelling at each other- and being all kinds of bad. I just keep breathing deep. And then, I experience the craziest dismissal ever. You can read about it here...
Today I had to call an emergency class meeting because I was tired of kids literally screaming at each other "You shortcutted me!" "You're doing it wrong!" "You're too loud!" (That's my favorite one- when they're screaming at the top of the lungs that the other kids are too loud. ) We talked about using a calm voice when speaking with others- using I statements (I don't like it when you cut in front of me. I'd like to show you how to do this, etc.) and I explained to them again why I must discipline them. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow.
Oh, yeah, the big news of the day. I have a new student. He just came to America in December and speaks no English. He's been in kindergarten for the past few days because we didn't have any paperwork saying what grade he was in. He's sweet and cute- and part of the reason why the kids were crazy today. Please pray for him and me and us.... I have 10 English language learners already (crazy...) but all of them speak some English. Teaching someone a brand new language is kind of intimidating...
So, that's that. Tomorrow is Friday, thank the LORD!!! I am looking forward to resting, recooperating and planning. Next week, I'm going to be more prepared...
Monday was a blissful day. I woke up with Ross at 6:00 am and got right to work on the house. This is embarrasing, but it hadn't really recovered since Christmas. There were still remnants of gifts, packaging, decorations, etc. strewn about the house. And there was a bunch of school stuff that needed to sorted that hadn't and I couldn't remember the last time I mopped the kitchen floor. So I did all of the above and more : ) And it was miraculously so uplifting. I am woman-- hear me run the vacuum cleaner. Yes, a clean house is the road to pure bliss...
That afternoon, Ross' mom met me and we went shopping for various gifts and went grocery shopping (my two other favorite pasttimes.) Then I came home and made French toast for dinner (because I wanted to...) And just for fun, I served breakfast for dinner in a cocktail dress. You guessed it, because I wanted to. And that is what made Monday beautiful I worked very hard and had fun and blessed my husband- but did it all of my own volition. I like choosing what work I am going to do : )
Then Tuesday comes around and I HAVE to go to work. (Okay, I could choose not to, but I am not ready to choose those consequences...) I get home from work on Tuesday, totally wiped out, and the phone rings. It's my sweet principal calling to ask if everything is okay. Because I looked "just slightly sad" when she say me that afternoon. Isn't that sweet? I convinced her that I was alright, promised her that if I wasn't I'd tell her, hung up the phone and suddenly became not all right- when did teaching become such a chore??
Wednesday comes and I can't get the kids to stop talking- and yelling at each other- and being all kinds of bad. I just keep breathing deep. And then, I experience the craziest dismissal ever. You can read about it here...
Today I had to call an emergency class meeting because I was tired of kids literally screaming at each other "You shortcutted me!" "You're doing it wrong!" "You're too loud!" (That's my favorite one- when they're screaming at the top of the lungs that the other kids are too loud. ) We talked about using a calm voice when speaking with others- using I statements (I don't like it when you cut in front of me. I'd like to show you how to do this, etc.) and I explained to them again why I must discipline them. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow.
Oh, yeah, the big news of the day. I have a new student. He just came to America in December and speaks no English. He's been in kindergarten for the past few days because we didn't have any paperwork saying what grade he was in. He's sweet and cute- and part of the reason why the kids were crazy today. Please pray for him and me and us.... I have 10 English language learners already (crazy...) but all of them speak some English. Teaching someone a brand new language is kind of intimidating...
So, that's that. Tomorrow is Friday, thank the LORD!!! I am looking forward to resting, recooperating and planning. Next week, I'm going to be more prepared...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Today in One Poorly Grammated Sentence
Um, so today was long and exhausting and the kids would not stop talking and I kept getting interrupted and my tummy hurt and my temple pounds when I bend over and I kinda feel like puking but I'm home with hubby now and he makes me happy so I think I am going to make it, maybe...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
19th Week: DONE!
Can you believe that I've been at this for that long? My goodness. What have I gotten myself into...
I can honestly say that last week was the best week I have experienced in teaching. The kids were great. They have grown sooo much since that 1st week - and even since that 18th week : ) They have progressed so much and I am proud to say that I have been a part of it. They can read! And they can write! It's so cool to be part of a child's emergent literacy. I am happy that I am doing what I am doing.
But, I am also tired... Today, I've been busy swimming through my grading and lesson planning for next week. Not to mention all the stuff that has to be done around here- like laundry, meal planning and scrubbing toilets. This working woman stuff is not for sissies...
Thanks so much for all your prayers and encouragement this week. Can I ask that they would continue?? They mean so much and do so much for my attitude- which is a blessing to me and my students.
Oh yeah, the auditors never came, but I feel like what I was doing to "impress" them really was just good teaching and I plan on doing it again next week- with just a little less stress : ) Thanks for being faithful in lifting that up as well.
Have a blessed weekend!!
I can honestly say that last week was the best week I have experienced in teaching. The kids were great. They have grown sooo much since that 1st week - and even since that 18th week : ) They have progressed so much and I am proud to say that I have been a part of it. They can read! And they can write! It's so cool to be part of a child's emergent literacy. I am happy that I am doing what I am doing.
But, I am also tired... Today, I've been busy swimming through my grading and lesson planning for next week. Not to mention all the stuff that has to be done around here- like laundry, meal planning and scrubbing toilets. This working woman stuff is not for sissies...
Thanks so much for all your prayers and encouragement this week. Can I ask that they would continue?? They mean so much and do so much for my attitude- which is a blessing to me and my students.
Oh yeah, the auditors never came, but I feel like what I was doing to "impress" them really was just good teaching and I plan on doing it again next week- with just a little less stress : ) Thanks for being faithful in lifting that up as well.
Have a blessed weekend!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Pray for Tomorrow, Please!!
I have a headache. It's not my kids' fault, though. I promise : )
They have been incredible. I am not kidding. They have gone through a transformation. Socially, developmentally, morally- it's gotten SO much better! I am thrilled. Last night, I was grading some their writing pieces from Monday morning. I was using a rather specific rubric to grade them and found that the vast majority (like 20 out of 23) are on grade level for writing. Like, they've already met the benchmark for the end of the year. I have no idea how that happened- but I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing : )
They also completed an estimation activity that two months ago would have had us all highly frustrated and near tears. But not so today. I am so excited about how far we have come. Literally, we. They in their maturity and I in mine :) Maybe I can make it through another five months of this adventure.
So far, we have seen no district people but all of our indictators are saying they will be there tomorrow. Please pray that everything goes well and that no one has a heart attack. Seriously, I am more worried about staff health than I am about the success of the observation. All of our teachers are doing great, they're just deathly worried. And I wish they weren't : (
Our staff meeting today went relatively well, but was still emotionally and physically exhausting. We had to review our school's academic mission and then write out our core values. That task is actually appealing to me, but others were worked up about the observation and some were so picky and bitter about wording that it was ridiculous. I was happy when it ended, and made it my mission to get out of school as quick as I could.
Now I think I may take a nap : ) Probably not, I've got stuff to do and a shrimp dinner to make. (You can pray about that, too... I've never made shrimp before). Lastly, you can pray about my tummy. It has been doing better the last few days but just felt gushy today. I want to feel whole : )
Love to you, wherever you are!!
They have been incredible. I am not kidding. They have gone through a transformation. Socially, developmentally, morally- it's gotten SO much better! I am thrilled. Last night, I was grading some their writing pieces from Monday morning. I was using a rather specific rubric to grade them and found that the vast majority (like 20 out of 23) are on grade level for writing. Like, they've already met the benchmark for the end of the year. I have no idea how that happened- but I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing : )
They also completed an estimation activity that two months ago would have had us all highly frustrated and near tears. But not so today. I am so excited about how far we have come. Literally, we. They in their maturity and I in mine :) Maybe I can make it through another five months of this adventure.
So far, we have seen no district people but all of our indictators are saying they will be there tomorrow. Please pray that everything goes well and that no one has a heart attack. Seriously, I am more worried about staff health than I am about the success of the observation. All of our teachers are doing great, they're just deathly worried. And I wish they weren't : (
Our staff meeting today went relatively well, but was still emotionally and physically exhausting. We had to review our school's academic mission and then write out our core values. That task is actually appealing to me, but others were worked up about the observation and some were so picky and bitter about wording that it was ridiculous. I was happy when it ended, and made it my mission to get out of school as quick as I could.
Now I think I may take a nap : ) Probably not, I've got stuff to do and a shrimp dinner to make. (You can pray about that, too... I've never made shrimp before). Lastly, you can pray about my tummy. It has been doing better the last few days but just felt gushy today. I want to feel whole : )
Love to you, wherever you are!!
Monday, January 5, 2009
My 2nd 1st Day of School
Well, today went as good as it possibly could of, I think : )
I got to school super-early, because there was quite a bit of stuff to be done before the kids got there. I went outside to get in my car and was certain that it was 4:00 in the morning. It was sooo dark!!
When I went to pick the kids up from recess, there were only 6 in my line! Slowly, they filtered in and I ended up having 22. Not a bad number at all.
My kids were mostly well behaved, cooperative and quiet! I'm trying not to get too attached to the last one. They were mostly very sleepy, too. Sleepy brings quiet....
One of my boys did have to be sent out of my room. He shoved a teacher in the lunchline and then threw a basketball at the PE teacher's face. Our PE teacher is super lax and said that it wasn't really that big of a deal... I, however, would put up with no such thing.
The worst part of my day, was dismissal. Go figure! I was on official duty at parent pickup. First, I started talking to a second grader who was pretending to beat someone up and the boy wouldn't talk to me or follow directions. He'll be in RTC tomorrow morning... About twenty later, I notice a kindergartener crying. I walk over to console him and tell him that his mother should be here soon when he explains that, actually, she won't be, because he should have gotten on the bus.
Oops. So I walk him to the front office to call his mother. Mom asked if I could send him on the bus with his older brother. I said that was just fine. Seconds later, this man appears saying that the boy is his kid and he is going to take him home. We then asked the man for his ID and he says he forgot it. I say that the man can't take the boy then and he flips out. He starts yelling and saying that it's his kid and we can't keep him from taking him. And we can call the police if we want, but he's taking him. Somehow, in all this mess, the boy has let himself out of the office half-door and is holding his dad's hand. So they just walked out the door together. Our office manager ran out after him and took down the license plate number and was ready to call the police. I was quite nervous, too, since the mom didn't mention anything about dad coming to pick the boy up.
All ended up being settled (somewhat), mom called and said she had asked dad to come pick up the boy and that they'd had enough issues with our school and that she may just withdraw him. Whatever... the boy was safe- well, if you call living with crazy parents safe...
This all lead to an hour long duty which meant I just left school and had a perfectly even 10 hour work day. So I am tired...
And- we found out for sure that we are going to be observed sometime this week. The state is definitely coming, which means our school is definitely stressed. Please pray for peace and competence. We need to do really well on this observation.
Thanks to everyone who prayed for me today. It was felt and appreciated : )
I got to school super-early, because there was quite a bit of stuff to be done before the kids got there. I went outside to get in my car and was certain that it was 4:00 in the morning. It was sooo dark!!
When I went to pick the kids up from recess, there were only 6 in my line! Slowly, they filtered in and I ended up having 22. Not a bad number at all.
My kids were mostly well behaved, cooperative and quiet! I'm trying not to get too attached to the last one. They were mostly very sleepy, too. Sleepy brings quiet....
One of my boys did have to be sent out of my room. He shoved a teacher in the lunchline and then threw a basketball at the PE teacher's face. Our PE teacher is super lax and said that it wasn't really that big of a deal... I, however, would put up with no such thing.
The worst part of my day, was dismissal. Go figure! I was on official duty at parent pickup. First, I started talking to a second grader who was pretending to beat someone up and the boy wouldn't talk to me or follow directions. He'll be in RTC tomorrow morning... About twenty later, I notice a kindergartener crying. I walk over to console him and tell him that his mother should be here soon when he explains that, actually, she won't be, because he should have gotten on the bus.
Oops. So I walk him to the front office to call his mother. Mom asked if I could send him on the bus with his older brother. I said that was just fine. Seconds later, this man appears saying that the boy is his kid and he is going to take him home. We then asked the man for his ID and he says he forgot it. I say that the man can't take the boy then and he flips out. He starts yelling and saying that it's his kid and we can't keep him from taking him. And we can call the police if we want, but he's taking him. Somehow, in all this mess, the boy has let himself out of the office half-door and is holding his dad's hand. So they just walked out the door together. Our office manager ran out after him and took down the license plate number and was ready to call the police. I was quite nervous, too, since the mom didn't mention anything about dad coming to pick the boy up.
All ended up being settled (somewhat), mom called and said she had asked dad to come pick up the boy and that they'd had enough issues with our school and that she may just withdraw him. Whatever... the boy was safe- well, if you call living with crazy parents safe...
This all lead to an hour long duty which meant I just left school and had a perfectly even 10 hour work day. So I am tired...
And- we found out for sure that we are going to be observed sometime this week. The state is definitely coming, which means our school is definitely stressed. Please pray for peace and competence. We need to do really well on this observation.
Thanks to everyone who prayed for me today. It was felt and appreciated : )
Friday, January 2, 2009
As the Break Comes to a Close
I started typing "mrsge" in my browser window just now and I actually had to finish writing the whole long address, because Internet Explorer has forgotten how to get to my blog. Perhaps it has been too long since I last wrote...
A lot has happened, too. I've had a great two weeks off from school, celebrating Jesus' birth and enjoying the family and friends that God has blessed me with. It's been a little stressful, too. I can't lie. Although hosting and gathering are great fun and wonderfully fulfilling for me, they also require planning and hard work. But it's been a different kind of hard work from school, so I have enjoyed it.
For the first week of break, I didn't want to talk about school at all and I made it my highest priority to enjoy every minute of being off. As this week has progressed, those feelings have intensified and I've become nervous about next week. I enjoy this freedom so much and it seems like there is so much work that needs to be done here at home, let alone at school.
Today has been better. I looked over lesson plans that I have written, analyzed some scoring data and wrote out Daily Reports. All seems well and I think I can swing back into it pretty easily. It's whether or not it will be any fun...
Ross and I have had countless conversations lately (literally, it seems like its an underlying ongoing conversation) about school and about the disappointment and "let-down" that I have felt this past semester. I've wanted to teach since I was in kindergarten and 17 years is quite a long time to develop expectations and dreams. Unfortunately, it only takes 17 weeks to deflate them...
While I am somewhat eager to go back to school, to see how much the kids have grown and to see them through to the end, I must admit that the magic is gone. My eyes are no longer blinded. This is a rough job that not everyone can do.
,
But for some reason, roughness and all I know I was called to it. Although it seems like this dream has brought more sadness than joy, it is where God wants me to be at this moment. So my New Year's Resolution regarding school is to enjoy it-- to find every little morsel of hope, joy and growth and to embrace it-- to see God at work in me.
Each new year, my grandmother asks the LORD to give her a verse for each of our family members. She then writes them down and gives them to us. It is a special keepsake for the year, to look upon the verse, reflect on it and see how God is working that truth in our lives. I will end this post with my verse for 2009. Please reflect on how God is going to work this truth in your life as well.
Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
No God. Not even school : )
A lot has happened, too. I've had a great two weeks off from school, celebrating Jesus' birth and enjoying the family and friends that God has blessed me with. It's been a little stressful, too. I can't lie. Although hosting and gathering are great fun and wonderfully fulfilling for me, they also require planning and hard work. But it's been a different kind of hard work from school, so I have enjoyed it.
For the first week of break, I didn't want to talk about school at all and I made it my highest priority to enjoy every minute of being off. As this week has progressed, those feelings have intensified and I've become nervous about next week. I enjoy this freedom so much and it seems like there is so much work that needs to be done here at home, let alone at school.
Today has been better. I looked over lesson plans that I have written, analyzed some scoring data and wrote out Daily Reports. All seems well and I think I can swing back into it pretty easily. It's whether or not it will be any fun...
Ross and I have had countless conversations lately (literally, it seems like its an underlying ongoing conversation) about school and about the disappointment and "let-down" that I have felt this past semester. I've wanted to teach since I was in kindergarten and 17 years is quite a long time to develop expectations and dreams. Unfortunately, it only takes 17 weeks to deflate them...
While I am somewhat eager to go back to school, to see how much the kids have grown and to see them through to the end, I must admit that the magic is gone. My eyes are no longer blinded. This is a rough job that not everyone can do.
,
But for some reason, roughness and all I know I was called to it. Although it seems like this dream has brought more sadness than joy, it is where God wants me to be at this moment. So my New Year's Resolution regarding school is to enjoy it-- to find every little morsel of hope, joy and growth and to embrace it-- to see God at work in me.
Each new year, my grandmother asks the LORD to give her a verse for each of our family members. She then writes them down and gives them to us. It is a special keepsake for the year, to look upon the verse, reflect on it and see how God is working that truth in our lives. I will end this post with my verse for 2009. Please reflect on how God is going to work this truth in your life as well.
Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
No God. Not even school : )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)