Giving Thanks

My List of Thanks

thankful that I still believe dreams come true
and all it takes is to jump, believe, and trust.

thankful for two girls who make my life crazy,
fun, and filled with laughter.

thankful that I look into 22 pairs of eyes each day
and know that they need me and I need them.

thanks to the mom who taught me that being me
is a great thing.

full of thanks for an aunt that checks on me, loves me
for me, and always knows when I need just a little
something extra.

thankful that I listen to my heart more than my brain.

thankful that I can see life through eyes
that are filled with happiness.

thankful for new friends and old friends and my best friend.

thankful for the ability to laugh at myself

thankful that I've had another year to live my life
filled with love, laughter, and luck!

Love to Learn

A teacher as a
learner,
is an interesting thing...

She is used to constant
m
   o
     t
       i
         o
            n.

Sitting is not easy
in fact
it
can
get
D I F F I C U L T.

But learning
is
vital
for
her
and her
students
to
g
r
o
w.

Conferring With Readers and Writers

Ahh, I have still been searching for the best way to confer with readers and writers.  I was surfing on different teacher blogs and came across a great idea of using labels to keep the notes.  I wish I could find her blog now. :( 

When I confer with a student my job is to teach a min-lesson within that moment that will go with him as a reader or writer.   

Conferring is a time to do the following

1) Build rapport.
2) Research the teaching point.
3) Compliment
4)Teach
5)Send to read or write.

 I am really loving my lables.  They fit Avery 8660 .

Conferring Labels

A Better Day

Wrapping up conferences and spending the weekend with the people I love the most helped me to realize that even though I am still yet single...my life is perfect the way it is.  I have fabulous girls that are meeting their goals and pushing forward with their life.  I hope they see me for who I am; the one who loves them and wants only the best and is willing to sacrifice what ever it takes to ensure that they have everything they need.

Fall arrived full force today bringing rains and COLD weather...however yesterday I was able to capture day in the sun.

I am so glad that I didn't choose to allow fear to consume me and not try it on my own.  I am relieved that I have friends and family who stand by me each day.  I will not allow others to make me feel inferior.  I am happy.

Sticky Notes With Second Graders

So I've been gradually introducing sticky notes to my second graders.  All my students are currently working on individual goals set by their interest and me guiding them to what I think they need to work on.

They are keeping track of their thinking and then sharing with me.  What have I seen as a result? Excellent retellings of their text!!!!

I am so excited because this is an area that they are expected to master by the end of second grade!!

Sticky away!!!

Fenced in Friendship

Oh to have the innocence of a child when it comes to friendship. Gracie and her Mister Friend next door haven't let a fence stop them from becoming fast friends. They play every afternoon throwing the ball or chasing the dog or seeing who is the fastest runner.

This made me think of my own life how friends come and go. How connections you think are real....really aren't.

I'm a very trusting person and will give people the benefit of the doubt, but I don't want to be doormat.

Since we are all adults why can't a person say, "You know...I thought we were going to be friends, but I can't really stand being around you." Does the honesty sting a little of course, but it sure beats the angst of wondering what did I do? What did I say? What can I do to make you respond to me?

Let's face it our society is all about what can you do for me. And truly if that's why you want to be my friend then you need to go elsewhere. Because baby, I'm worth it. I stick by friends and support them. I love then with all my being. If that isn't what friendship is to you...then adios.

The Arrival of a New Season

Fall isn't a time that I would normally say is a time of rejuvenation.  In fact this fall I would say is a reprieve.  A reprieve from the heat at last and a reprieve from feelings. 

I am someone who things she is too busy to feel, to love, to venture out.  I play it safe.  Or at least I did.

Summer is a blissful time. My summer was spent fulfilling dreams. Realizing there are more dreams in my heart that need to be cultivated.  Dreams are just that dreams.  Reality hits with the arrival fall.  Well, maybe I should say life arrived and reminded me that dreams are what our heart hangs onto to get through the dailies of life.  As an adult who is almost 35 I am realizing my life is half over with things undiscovered;  I want to find a balance of reality and my dreams.

 My decisions as a young adult were done in what I thought was surrounded in love.  My decisions as a middle-aged (OMG,  how I hate that word) adult can't be based on what ifs or regrets.  The facts are I am an adult with 2 little ones that miss their mommy after one day away.  So my dreams too are going to hibernate because the facts are my life isn't about me.  I can't make my dreams happen alone.  I am not going to apologize for who I am anymore.  I've done that for far too long.

i am a girl who gives her heart away to easily
i am a girl who feels so deeply that her whole body aches
i can't change who i am
someone already tried
accept me for who i am

i am a giggly girl
i am passionate
i won't change who i am
because there is nothing wrong
with who  i am

i am daring
i won't hide anymore
Fall is here.