....You're the inspiration...

Can you hear Chicago playing in the background.  Love that song!

Once again you bloggers out there have inspired me. 

During the summer I love to spend some time each day reading teacher blogs--saving, printing, laminating, and filing your amazing ideas.  You are the most creative people I know and really make learning fun for your students.  I know this even though I've never been in your classrooms because I have fun and often get giddy (Read: teacher nerd high) just reading about them.  Then the school year comes and I get caught up in the business of classroom set up, lesson plans, grading, managing, and all of the other "volunteer" opportunities you know we all do that's not part of our job description.  Not to mention being a mom of my 2 babies and wife to my hubby.  My brain moves too fast to be creative during the school year.  I'm exhausted when I get home during the week and I really have *tried* to keep my weekends for the family as much as possible.  That's why I love summer.  Well truth be told, one of the MANY reasons I love summer.  I really don't mind working during the summer--as long as I can do so in front of the TV in my running shorts and t-shirt (or jammies--let's be honest, some days are like that!)  .  Any preparation I can do when I have nothing else "schooly" to do is not "work" for me. 

This year has not been different.  I have 17 very high maintence children in class.  There are no "average" kids and they all have vastly different needs.  It's been....overwhelming.  This is the first time I've questioned my career choice.  I'm thankful I've been teaching long enough to simply pull from the files this year but I've really missed revamping and making things more exciting.

Enter Christmas Break:  "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  The perfect time for a break when you're burning the advent candle at both ends.  You're ready for a break.  Your kids are ready for a break--and a break from each other.  The downtime has been wonderful.  My house is clean, the laundry is washed, dried, folded AND put away, no schedule, no expectations, naps during the middle of the day, read 3 books...I think that's what heaven will be like.  I've been lazy, I've been happy, I've been relaxed.  My husband calls this "Summer Wife".   I've also been productive.  I've caught up on blogs, I've finished shopping, wrapping and gifting, cleaning up from said gifts, written thank you notes for all of the sweet things my students gave me, I've planned a baby shower, and my crowning achievement:  I've planned units for the next 6 weeks! Thanks to my teacher bloggy friends, for the inspiration.  I'm using some of your activities, I've adapted some to fit the needs of my class, I've made my own units after seeing how you chunk some of the standards together. 

You are amazing.  I'm looking forward to getting back to school on Wednesday to start again.  It's amazing what some rest, relaxation and reflection can do...

The Move

I'm feeling reflective today, so here's a post about what brought us to this station in our lives.    

We moved from California to Texas in July of 2009.  San Diego is a beautiful place to live, but it was unrealistic for us to make it there without debt looming over our heads.  We had been talking about moving to Texas for many years.  James' ENTIRE family lives within an hour of where we lived and I loved having family so close.  It was nice to have them so involved in Katherine's life.  Even though we talked about moving closer to my family, I didn't think it would happen.  But, around Easter time of 2009, we decided that it was time.  It was absolutely necessary to make this move.  We were leaving on total faith that God would guide us.  Neither of us had jobs.  We didn't have a place to live.  I'm not even sure we had gas money to get out there.  But we had to get out of California before we were drowning in debt and all but lost our credit rating.  A few weeks later I heard about a job opening at a school in Houston.  I applied, interviewed, visited, got the job and made the move all within 8 weeks.  I pulled out of the driveway of home in which I brought my daughter home from the hospital, in tears, followed by my husband driving the moving truck, at the end of June.  

        Diaper Changes ON the car when the rest stop 

bathroom is too dirty to think about taking my baby into. 

 

Everyone is less stressed knowing we're moving.  

Since it was such short notice we packed up and moved to Houston without getting a chance to look for a house to live in once we arrived.  We lived in a hotel room with 2 cats, a dog, and an 18 month old for 3 days. 

Home Sweet Hotel Room

Katherine in her "bed" at the hotel room with her "shi, shi" (Fishy)and "Pachie" (Paci).

We had some realtors from the church that graciously took us around to look at houses and made things happen quickly.  We were in a house, had hot water and electricity by July 4th!  

 

Katherine in her new chair at her new house.  

 We look back at the events that led up to our move often,and though I miss our San Diego family terribly, we recognize that this was God leading and providing all along the way.

I have my dream job teaching second grade (the golden age!), I now have 2 beautiful children, great friends, and we are comfortable.  It's nice not having to stress every month when the bills come in and I love that I'm only 3 hours away from my parents.  I love that my kids now know their Gram and Papa and that THEY are involved in my children's lives.  

  

Another reason we love Texas: The Bluebell Ice Cream Factory!

Houston has been good to us for the past 4 years, but I don't see myself raising my kids here for the long haul.  We're now contemplating a move to Austin in the near future and are fervently praying for God's guidance in this situation. 

 

We love the country--more specifically, lounging in a hammock in the country.

Spring is in the Air!

I have fond memories of being outside most of my childhood.  We walked to school in any weather.  We played outside in the rain, and when it was cold, and during the heat of the summer.  I did my confirmation homework sitting in the big tree in the back yard.  I want that for my kids.

Now they're at the age in which they can entertain themselves in the back yard for extended periods of time thanks to a turtle shaped sand box, a swing set, a tricycle and a playschool car.  Katherine enjoys picking wildflowers (weeds) too.  Today the house was in desperate need of a deep cleaning so I sent the kids outside to play and told them not to come in until I called them.  I was able to clean the kitchen, bathroom and MOP THE FLOOR... and let it dry before they came in.  This is a big deal.  I no longer have to wait until bed time to do such chores.  Previously, if I wanted to do this task, it usually ended up looking more like an impromptu Ice-Capade show. And while I secretly (sadly) do find the kids slipping and sliding on a wet hilarious, they did not seem find the humor in it. 

Spring is my favorite season.  Maybe it's because I welcome the skirt-wearing-weather after a cold winter.  Maybe it's the fresh smells of dirt and newly planted flowers.  Maybe it's the excitement of the rodeo that comes to town.  Maybe it's that this love of the outdoors I had as a child, still resonates with me now.  Whatever it is....WELCOME SPRING!