I was honored this weekend to be a part of my sister in law's wedding. It was beautiful and perfect. The day couldn't have gone any better. I am so happy for both of them and their future together. The ceremony went off without a hitch. (well at least a hitch that the bride and groom noticed which is good.) I may or may not have had to leave halfway through the ceremony due to almost fainting. I hadn't eaten much throughout the day, the lights were so bright and it was so hot on stage, topped off by standing still in high heels and being 19 weeks pregnant--it just became too much, and I started feeling hot, and sweaty, and clammy and I knew that I was going to pass out if I didn't sit down, and soon. The crowd got blurry and black, and then I remember Megan (bridesmaid Megan, not the bride) trying to take me down the steps and I knew that that was not going to end well, so we went into one of the rooms by the baptistry. She made sure I was okay, and then Josh showed up and told me how pale I looked and clammy I felt. Then he got me some ice water and we went outside to cool off, and things got much better from there.
On another note, Eden did her flower girl duties like a pro, even though she never threw any of the heart shaped book pages to the ground. She marched down the aisle like she had done it a hundred times...and then proceeded to scream and cry when she didn't get to come up on stage with mommy. Of course everyone in the ceremony could hear her, even though she was in the lobby. The reception was great too. The food was delicious and everyone had a fun time dancing and reconnecting with friends and family.
This wedding weekend wore me out, so I am looking forward to a three day work week and then a long weekend in Gatlinburg. Looking forward to resting and taking in the beautiful scenery, hiking, shopping, eating at the Melting Pot. I. cannot. wait.
After we get back from our little vacation, more excitement is in store. No, not going back to school, although I do love teaching my fifth graders. On the Monday that we get back, we get to find out if Baby #2 is a boy or a girl at our anatomy scan. I am really thinking boy, because of how totally different this pregnant has been, but I guess we will have to wait a week to see.
I am remembering each day to thank God for all I have to be thankful for, which is so much. My family. This little blessing growing inside of me. My job. Fall weather. Hot coffee. Quiet moments. God is good and I am thankful for his blessings.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
The End is Near 2013-2014
The end is near. 4 more days until the final dismissal of the 2013-2014 school year. 4 more days until school is out for the summer....finally. The final day of third grade for my students. The final day of my third full year of teaching third grade for me. I can see that the end is near in their inability to sit still as they on their grape chairs, as they try with all their might to focus, I can tell by the glazed over look in their eyes, as their minds are drifting to summer things; swimming and going to the park, Holiday World and grilling out, 4th of July. I hear it in their voices as the voice level in my classroom goes up, and up, and up, "Which pool do you swim at?" "Are you going to summer school?" "I'm gonna be at the Y every day." "I'm gonna play video games for eight hours straight." I see that summer is almost here in their short shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. I can tell that it is near by the Venti iced coffee that I thoughtlessly ordered this morning, to help get this teacher through. I never order a Venti. The end must be near.
It is truly bittersweet for me. This year more than ever. Each year, I come to truly love and care about the sweet kiddos in my class. They are my 20 babies. They are special. They are smart. They are talented. They have gifts. And talents. They are silly and bubbly. They have learned. And grown. And succeeded. I wonder, have I told them that enough? Have I shown them? Have I been everything I could for them as their teacher? Do they know what they have taught me, not only what I have taught them? I pray that they do. Will they remember me when they remember 8x8? Will they remember me when they read, just for pleasure? Will they remember me when they find figurative language in poetry? Will they remember me when all of those things fade, and they have jobs and families? Will they remember me with special thoughts of third grade. I pray that they will.
This year, it is truly bitter sweet. As I say good-bye to 20 9-year-old faces eager for summer break, I get to shout, "It's summer!" to one joyful one year old who will be thrilled to have her mommy home. I envision summer days full of swimming in her baby pool, reading book after book, popsicles and ice cream, long walks, CMOE, sidewalk chalk and painting, the list goes on and on. This summer will be gone in the blink of an eye, just like this school year is.
It is bittersweet for sure.
It is truly bittersweet for me. This year more than ever. Each year, I come to truly love and care about the sweet kiddos in my class. They are my 20 babies. They are special. They are smart. They are talented. They have gifts. And talents. They are silly and bubbly. They have learned. And grown. And succeeded. I wonder, have I told them that enough? Have I shown them? Have I been everything I could for them as their teacher? Do they know what they have taught me, not only what I have taught them? I pray that they do. Will they remember me when they remember 8x8? Will they remember me when they read, just for pleasure? Will they remember me when they find figurative language in poetry? Will they remember me when all of those things fade, and they have jobs and families? Will they remember me with special thoughts of third grade. I pray that they will.
This year, it is truly bitter sweet. As I say good-bye to 20 9-year-old faces eager for summer break, I get to shout, "It's summer!" to one joyful one year old who will be thrilled to have her mommy home. I envision summer days full of swimming in her baby pool, reading book after book, popsicles and ice cream, long walks, CMOE, sidewalk chalk and painting, the list goes on and on. This summer will be gone in the blink of an eye, just like this school year is.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Sweet Little Moments
Last week, my dad was flipping through 6+ photos of Eden eating her first chip. (A whole grain tortilla chip, which she loved!) , and he jokingly said that if I take that many photos of her first chip, he's anxious to see what I do when it's actually something important, like maybe her first time walking, first day of preschool, high school graduation, wedding day, etc., etc. (He definitely was not complaining, as he is one who requests photo of her on the daily---the man really needs to be on facebook!)
It got me thinking. Yes, I fully admit that I am a little camera (well, iphone camera) happy. I love to document the little moments that are special to me (the moments that I am sure have my facebook friends rolling their eyes and thinking, seriously, another photo of her daughter smiling at a cheerio or crawling around the living room.) But, it makes my heart happy to document the little moments of her sweet little life, as these little moments go extremely fast. I've heard it said that time spent behind a camera turns into moments that were not treasured and that are hard to remember, but I disagree. I love having the photos to look back at and reminisce, while also living in the moment of, wow, look what she can do today!
Yes, I realize the little things that Eden is doing are things that many babies, okay, all babies before her have done. I get it, but they were not my baby. I love looking the video of the first time she laughed as we poked her belly and tickled her chubby little baby thighs. I'm glad that we have the video of when she learned how to play peek-a-boo with a pillow and the picture of her little butt as she crawled in the bathtub (although, that one won't be posted to facbook..you're welcome) I'm thankful to have the picture of her smiling up at me bundled up in her snow suit on a snow day and the one of her sitting criss cross on the living room floor patting her puppy.
I also love the sweet little moments that can't be captured by a photo. Like teething in the middle of the night that calls for cuddles in mommy and daddy's bed, yelling momomomom at the top of her lungs on an early morning Target shopping trip, playing peekaboo behind mommy with a stranger while eating dinner at Zuki, kisses to every baby that she sees. I love these moments with her. I love them, captured or not. On that note, it is time for this blog post to end, as sweet Eden is no longer content with her corn snacks and sippy cup. She is ready to play a game of I drop it. You pick it up. Repeat. Over and over.
It got me thinking. Yes, I fully admit that I am a little camera (well, iphone camera) happy. I love to document the little moments that are special to me (the moments that I am sure have my facebook friends rolling their eyes and thinking, seriously, another photo of her daughter smiling at a cheerio or crawling around the living room.) But, it makes my heart happy to document the little moments of her sweet little life, as these little moments go extremely fast. I've heard it said that time spent behind a camera turns into moments that were not treasured and that are hard to remember, but I disagree. I love having the photos to look back at and reminisce, while also living in the moment of, wow, look what she can do today!
Yes, I realize the little things that Eden is doing are things that many babies, okay, all babies before her have done. I get it, but they were not my baby. I love looking the video of the first time she laughed as we poked her belly and tickled her chubby little baby thighs. I'm glad that we have the video of when she learned how to play peek-a-boo with a pillow and the picture of her little butt as she crawled in the bathtub (although, that one won't be posted to facbook..you're welcome) I'm thankful to have the picture of her smiling up at me bundled up in her snow suit on a snow day and the one of her sitting criss cross on the living room floor patting her puppy.
I also love the sweet little moments that can't be captured by a photo. Like teething in the middle of the night that calls for cuddles in mommy and daddy's bed, yelling momomomom at the top of her lungs on an early morning Target shopping trip, playing peekaboo behind mommy with a stranger while eating dinner at Zuki, kisses to every baby that she sees. I love these moments with her. I love them, captured or not. On that note, it is time for this blog post to end, as sweet Eden is no longer content with her corn snacks and sippy cup. She is ready to play a game of I drop it. You pick it up. Repeat. Over and over.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
On Being a Teacher Mom
Today as my third graders loaded up their foam trays with chili, cheese quesadillas, chips, and corn, and headed back to our classroom for lunch before our early dismissal, one of my third graders asked me if I was excited to be leaving early. I responded, "Well no, I wanna be here at school, teaching you.. "Really?" he asked, "Wouldn't you rather be with Eden," or something along those lines.. It made me think.
Before I became a mom, I was a teacher. I have been known to say things along the lines of, "I could never be a stay at home mom. I love my job way too much." Then came Eden. Before I had Eden a normal day for me was arriving at school at 6am, teaching until 2:05, teaching after school until 4:30 and getting things ready for the next day until 5:00 or 5:30. I ate, slept, and breathed school, teaching, and my relationships with my kiddos, and I loved every minute of it.
When I was 24 weeks pregnant and my doctor advised me to stop teaching until after my little one arrived, due to high blood pressure and fear of preeclampsia, I was devastated, to say the least. I couldn't imagine spending weeks away from my students before my little girl arrived, and I had a hard time giving up control. It was a trying and stretching time for me and God taught me a lot about trusting him, being patience, and having peace in his presence.
After Eden arrived, I enjoyed every minute with her, and I treasured the days of being a stay at home mom. Maybe it was for me after all. . . . Thinking of going back to school and leaving Eden at daycare left a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. How could I be a teacher and be her mom. Would I ever stop thinking about my baby while I was at work? Would being a teacher be what it was before?
Today, the fact is, I am not just a teacher, and I am not just a mom, I am a teacher-mom. I feel that it is the profession that God has called me to. Sure, being a teacher is different than it used to be. Now, I drop Eden off at daycare to arrive to school as early as possible, so that I can leave as early as possible, while still being organized and prepared for the next day. I take a bag full of school work home, papers to grade while she naps, lessons to plan, printing to do. I am still a teacher. I still cherish the relationships with my class, love their excitement when I bring in donuts or make slime during fun friday. I still get excited when a child moves up a reading level or when a light bulb goes on in math. I love sharing my life with them, and I love how they beg me to share pictures and stories of Eden.
I love how my two important jobs have intertwined. I couldn't have known a year ago, how great, and how rewarding, being a teacher mom would be.
Before I became a mom, I was a teacher. I have been known to say things along the lines of, "I could never be a stay at home mom. I love my job way too much." Then came Eden. Before I had Eden a normal day for me was arriving at school at 6am, teaching until 2:05, teaching after school until 4:30 and getting things ready for the next day until 5:00 or 5:30. I ate, slept, and breathed school, teaching, and my relationships with my kiddos, and I loved every minute of it.
When I was 24 weeks pregnant and my doctor advised me to stop teaching until after my little one arrived, due to high blood pressure and fear of preeclampsia, I was devastated, to say the least. I couldn't imagine spending weeks away from my students before my little girl arrived, and I had a hard time giving up control. It was a trying and stretching time for me and God taught me a lot about trusting him, being patience, and having peace in his presence.
After Eden arrived, I enjoyed every minute with her, and I treasured the days of being a stay at home mom. Maybe it was for me after all. . . . Thinking of going back to school and leaving Eden at daycare left a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. How could I be a teacher and be her mom. Would I ever stop thinking about my baby while I was at work? Would being a teacher be what it was before?
Today, the fact is, I am not just a teacher, and I am not just a mom, I am a teacher-mom. I feel that it is the profession that God has called me to. Sure, being a teacher is different than it used to be. Now, I drop Eden off at daycare to arrive to school as early as possible, so that I can leave as early as possible, while still being organized and prepared for the next day. I take a bag full of school work home, papers to grade while she naps, lessons to plan, printing to do. I am still a teacher. I still cherish the relationships with my class, love their excitement when I bring in donuts or make slime during fun friday. I still get excited when a child moves up a reading level or when a light bulb goes on in math. I love sharing my life with them, and I love how they beg me to share pictures and stories of Eden.
I love how my two important jobs have intertwined. I couldn't have known a year ago, how great, and how rewarding, being a teacher mom would be.
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