Happy Birthday, Boss!!!

                                      

Today, it is my principal's birthday.  And, being that it's a snow day and I can't really say any of this stuff to her in person (not that I probably would), I decided to write her a blog post.  

Some people will take this is a big brown nosing, suck up session.  But, whatevs.  To each their own.  For the gifts that this woman has bestowed on to me over the past year and a half, I figured the least I could do was write a blog post to tell how much I'm grateful for her and how important she is to me.  On this day.  Her birthday.

So, actually, this blog will probably be more about me..and the impact my boss has had on me.

Some of you have heard these stories many times before, some of you haven't.  But, I'm bundling them all up right here as a tribute to an amazing woman... who for this post, will be referred to as Mrs. P.

Let's rewind back to two years ago.

To one of the lowest times in my life.  

It was the end of April, 2012. I remember it very well.  I was a teaching assistant in a school district I loved, and where I had my heart set on becoming a teacher.  I had worked my behind off since August of 2011 trying to prove that I was worthy of having my own classroom.  When I was asked to jump, I replied with not only the usual "how high?", but with "and how many flips would you like me to do in the air?"  You wanna talk about brown nosing?  I was the queen of it.  If there was anything that needed to be done, committees that needed members, after school commitments that I had absolutely no requirement to do, I was volunteering to do them all.  I pulled kids for small group work, I worked in classrooms alongside teachers, I would have given my right arm to have the sweet reward of knowing I had done all that to earn the coveted classroom.

But, when the jobs started to become available, I was passed over.  I had to fight for an interview, and they never went very well.  I was given the cold, hard dose of reality in realizing that it didn't appear like I was wanted in the school district I had put so much time and effort in to.  And it hit me.  Hard.  Causing me to become an emotional, depressed, wreck.

So, I started to broaden my horizons and look elsewhere.  After speaking to a substitute that was working in one of the classrooms, one day, he told me about this school district called "Mac County".  It's where he'd gone to school, and where he planned on working the following year.  A little research gave me the school district, and the realization that even though the district was in another state, it wasn't really that far from me.  So, I sent in an online application. Kinda, sorta, nonchalantly... thinking it wouldn't hurt to at least apply for the jobs posted.

The second week of May, I received a call from Mrs. P.  She asked if I'd be willing to come in for an interview.  She scheduled the interview for May 22nd.  The day after school was getting out for summer.  

On the actual day, I was nervous and excited. But, in all honesty?  I hadn't really given up hope that I was going to receive a call from my current principal offering me a teaching job.  I knew a position was coming available, and I just thought for sure she was going to give that job to me.  So, when it came to the interview in Mac County, I just decided to be myself and see what happened.  It wasn't like they were going to offer me the job on the spot, so I'd have time to figure stuff out.

When I got to the school, I was greeted by two women sitting in the office.  They were pleasant, and asked me to take a seat as the interview before me was still going on (it seems funny now, thinking back, that one of those women would end up being one of the people I am most close to now).  About ten minutes later, I watched a woman leave and a tall man greeted me and led me to a conference room.  In that room were four women and the guy that had led me in.  I was then introduced to the women:  The assistant superintendent for curriculum, the principal of the primary school, Mrs. P, the principal for another elementary school in the county, a fourth grade teacher, and the man was the assistant principal of the school I was in.

I honestly don't remember a whole lot about the actual interview.  I remember being asked questions and not feeling the usual fear I was used to feeling during interviews.  I was pretty relaxed, very honest, and just kept running in my mind to just be myself.  I made a few jokes, I explained some ideas, and then I remember hearing words I never thought I was going to here.  It was after I had asked my final question of how long it would be before they made any decisions.  The words came from the assistant superintendent "oh, I believe we are definitely going to offer you a job, it's just figuring out where to put you".  

I was then asked to take a tour of the building with the 4th grade teacher that was in the interview while they discussed the situation.

As I walked around that building, I couldn't tell you a single thing that was said to me.  I can't tell you what I looked at or where I went.  I just remember trying with all my might to hold back tears, and waiting to find out what they meant by "where to put you".  

And then, there she was.  Mrs. P.  Telling me she wanted to hire me right there and then as the new 4th grade teacher in her building.  She hugged me as tears sprang to my eyes.  And from that moment on, I realized I hadn't been spending that year as a teacher's assistant to prepare me for getting a job in that school.  I was preparing myself to get a job working in another district all together.  Another state.  At a place that wanted me for who I was.  For a person that knew NOTHING about me, and was totally OK with that.

The woman that took a chance on me when no one else would.

My first year teaching, I've never felt so supported or taken care of.  I was called in to Mrs. P's office several times throughout the year just so she could check in on me, and ask me how I was doing.  She asked me what she could do to make sure I stayed working for her... which was kind of a silly question.  I had made the decision on the day she had offered me a job that I'd go to the end of the earth for this woman.  All she had to do was renew my contract each year, and I was golden.

Even though I was so appreciative of her through my first year teaching, it wasn't until this year that I saw a side of her I hadn't seen during that first year.  All that year I had spent feeling nervous and shy around her.  Just wanting to make her happy, and making sure I was doing everything I was supposed to do.  

But this year?  It has been so different.

I've had lots of "situations" that I probably wouldn't have mentioned last year... due to it being my first year, and not wanting to come off as being a whiny baby.  This year, I've thrown caution to the wind and visited her office several times just to have a whiny baby fest.  And each time, she's given me a swift kick in the caboose.  She's reinforced my motivation, my passion, and repaired any damage that was starting to form.  Just with a few simple words:  Do What You Do!!  

What I love about her is the fact that she doesn't sugar coat.  She doesn't BS.  She tells me exactly how she sees it, and doesn't just feed me what I want to hear.  She scolds my self doubt and reminds me that I'm no whiny baby.  It's not very becoming of me.  I'm stronger than that, and I have to trust myself and be willing to take a few risks.  You have no idea how refreshing it is to have someone be so honest.  

She has reminded me that I can't always be like other teachers.  That I have a uniqueness.  One that was the main reason she hired me.  It was my ideas, my passion, and my willingness to never give up that wouldn't let me out the door that day without snatching me up.  

And she's taught me that it's OK to use the word NO once in a while.

There have been times I've gone in to the office just for a friendly chat, and have never been turned away.  She makes me laugh.  She gets me.  And even on days where she's super busy, her door has always been open.  

During the time of finding out about my mom's illness, she was front and center offering any support and help she could give.  Even going as far as keeping Jelly at her house for the night so that I could go to a doctor's appointment with my mom. 

Speaking of which, let's take a second to recap all that she's done for my children.

Mrs. P is one of the few people in that school building that knows the FULL story of Butter's past.  And not EVER has it ever phased her thoughts about him.  Not EVER has it clouded her judgement as how to "deal" with him.  The love, support, and kindness she's shown him made a HUGE impact on his school life.  For the first time since kindergarten, he loves school.  LOVES IT.  He's had to visit her a few times.  He's received a paddle to his behind a few times.  But, each and every time it's come from Mrs. P... it's hurt him worse emotionally than it did physically.  Only because it hurt him to upset her.  He felt like he was disappointing her...letting her down.  However, any discipline issue has been followed up with words of encouragement, support, and praise.  And even though he has left her office sad, he has always been motivated to do better.  

Let's talk Peanut.  That girl has always loved school, so she was a pretty easy one to add to the mix.  But, her first year was tough.  The new girl.  In a school full of kids that had known each other their whole lives.  She was the outsider, and it took a lot for her to acclimate herself to the environment.  And one of the biggest support systems Peanut had during that transition time was Mrs. P.  Peanut's personality reminds me a lot of Mrs. P.  Peanut has the upmost respect for Mrs. P, and like me, would go to the ends of the earth for her.

And finally, Jelly.  Oh, Jelly.  Starting kindergarten was supposed to be one of the most exciting moments in Jelly's life.  And on the first couple of days, it was.  But, then something changed in Jelly and excitement was replaced with fear.  She didn't want to go.  She didn't want to leave.  She would cry and beg me to stay with her up to the very second she got on the school bus.  Of course, she was fine once she got there, but the mornings were REALLY tough for the first few weeks.  Then, one day, Mrs. P stepped in to action.  I had to do a morning duty, so I'd left Jelly with Peanut to stand and wait for the bus.  Mrs. P sent Peanut on her way and had a little talk with Jelly.  Mrs. P stood there holding Jelly's hand and talking to her while they waited for the bus.  And that started a new thing every morning.  It was Mrs. P who she wanted to go out to the bus with.  Then, Mrs. P transitioned Jelly in to waiting for the bus with her 2nd grade son.  A boy who Jelly has become very close friends with.  And to this day, I take Jelly to the door and she waits with Mrs. P's son for the bus.  Alone.  Without me. 

Jelly has formed a very special bond with Mrs. P.  Jelly absolutely adores her.  She gets very sad if Mrs. P isn't at the school when she gets there at the end of the day.  And she asks me almost every day when she's going to get to stay at Mrs. P's house again.  

And anyone that knows Jelly would know that there's not many people Jelly feels that comfortable with.  So it's a VERY big deal to me that she has built the bond she has with Mrs. P.

At the end of the day, I couldn't ask for a more supportive, honest, caring, and loyal boss.  

Yet, this is the last year she's going to be my principal.  She has received an amazing promotion, and starting next year will be the new assistant superintendent of curriculum.  

When hearing the news, I cried.  And, I'll admit, they weren't tears of happiness for her.  They were tears of sadness for me.  What am I going to do without her?  Will I be able to have a relationship anywhere near the level I have with the new principal?  

I am happy for her.  She definitely deserves the job.  And, she's going to be an amazing assistant superintendent.  But, that doesn't calm the nerves I feel.  

She is my rock.  My reassurance in myself.  The person I know I can always turn to when the going gets tough, and gets the tough going.  

But, today, on her birthday, I want her to know I owe her more than she'll ever know.  She made my dreams come true.  She has reminded me over and over and over again how truly blessed I am to be working in such an amazing school district.  She has shown me friendship.  She has cared for my children as if they were her own.  

And for all of that, I can never truly repay her.

So, Mrs. P, I hope you have a fantastic birthday.  Enjoy the snow day, the time with your family.  Enjoy it knowing that you are being thought of and celebrated even though we can't be there to do it in person.

On the day where you should be receiving all the gifts, I want you to know the amazing gifts you have given me.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Snow Way!!

                                     

Well, after a fantastic birthday, I got to wake up to this stunning site this morning.  It's been coming down for a while, and is still coming down in giant, beautiful flakes.

Is a snow day in the cards for an extended birthday present?  We shall see as the day continues on, and the snow continues to fall.  At this point, my biggest concern is the difference a few miles can make in snow accumulation.  We may get 3"-5" here, but where I work may only get a dusting... so, they might still have school even though the roads here are slick and treacherous.

I have to admit, a snow day would be a great late birthday present.  Because even though we've had plenty of snow days already this year, I haven't really gotten any work done this weekend and having an extra day to get it done would be nice.  Yeah, I understand that another snow day would mean less days at school, less summer, all that jazz... but the way it stands right now, I'm not going to have any days off between the end of school and summer school anyway.  Plus, I work better under pressure.. so knowing that the amount of time I have to prepare my students for 5th grade is dwindling away will have me upping my game to make sure they are ready even though we're several days short of an entire school year.

But, right now, snow day or no snow day, I'm going to take my time and explain all the birthday goodness I got to experience the past couple of days.  I wrote a post yesterday about my "deep" interpretation of my birthday and what it means, but I completely neglected the awesome day I spent prior in my classroom with my kiddos.  And, now that I've had my actual birthday celebration, I can share that goodness, too.

So, Friday.  Day before my birthday.  I may or may not have let it slip one or five times throughout the week that my birthday was on Saturday.  And before I go on, I'd like to set one thing straight.  I do NOT talk about my birthday in the attempt to elicit gifts from my students or the people I work with.  I talk about my birthday because it's a day I'm excited about... and the general point is to let the kids know that the day before my birthday is going to be a fun day IF they behave and do their work.  Think of it as a bribe, if you will.  I mention my birthday a few times, mention the fact that I'd love to have a little party to celebrate, but only if the week goes well.  I also drop the hint that it would be a great birthday gift if they behave, turn in all their work, and they stay focused.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm already starting to panic that the AMAZING behavior I received this entire week was related to that little spill that I gave my kids.  I sure hope not.  I'm just going to pretend that the thought didn't enter my mind, and that the kids were amazingly well behaved because they had some kind of epiphany about taking responsibility for their education.

Anywho, back to Friday morning.  The kids are starting to make their way down the hallway heading to the classroom, and I start being greeted by my students with hugs and happy birthday wishes.  Then, a student hands me a gift bag, and then another, and then another hands me a giant chocolate bar, and then another hands me another candy bar, then a student arrives with a GIANT bag of chips for "the party", and then another student has a 2 liter bottle of Sprite in her hand.  

I was blown away.  

The next 20 minutes were spent with the students making birthday cards for me... at their request.

I opened up my gifts after I did attendance, and one gift contained a BEAUTIFUL handmade scarf, and the other was a little gift box with the words "You are special" on the front, filled with Almond Joys and Mounds, piled around a cute little teddy bear.  

Shortly after that, it was time to head down to our dodgeball tournament.  The county SWAT team arrived, and they arrived in style.  In camo armored trucks, dressed in their full SWAT gear.  The kids were blown away, and super excited.

Being that I'm a Student Council sponsor, I got to play with the SWAT members and the STUCO students against the class that had won the original competition.  

The game was amazingly fun.  The SWAT team put on a great show, and after a few members were hit.. they decided to switch teams and help the other side.  The rest of the school was sitting in the bleachers watching the action, and it was controlled pandemonium.  They were cheering and screaming and doing the wave.  SO MUCH FUN.

My class got the opportunity to join in the fun, as they had come in 3rd during the original competition. They all had a great time throwing balls at the opposing team... including a couple of SWAT members. I was out there, with them, running around and enjoying the fun.  

Here's my class with the SWAT team in full gear...

Once the games were over, it was back to class to try and get in some learning.  On the way back to the classroom, I checked my mail box and found a card and a bag of Russell Stover's Chocolates.  The card was from the staff, and it was super sweet.  It was pretty crazy once we got back in to the classroom.  Try and get a class to calm down enough after that much excitement.  Not easy.  But, I managed to do it.. and we spent the last 30 minutes before lunch doing our spelling test.

After lunch, we had a pretty relaxing afternoon.  We graded some papers, went over a few things from the week, and just "chilaxed".  About 30 minutes before the end of the day, my co-teacher arrived with a little surprise.  A giant tub of chocolate chip cookies, a card from the entire class, and a mug that said "World's Greatest Teacher".  And... cue tears.  How sweet, right?  My co-teacher had orchestrated the whole thing with the class during their specials time.  

So, I divided out the cookies, the chips brought by one of my students, and the soda that another student brought, and we just "hung out" and had a good time for the remainder of the day.  

I was so touched by the generosity and the sweetness my students displayed all day long.  

Here's a pic of the wonderful gifts and cards that I received throughout the day...

Once school was over, I spent some time making sure all of my copies for next week were taken care of, and then packed my bag to head on home.

Yesterday morning, I was woken up pretty early by my phone going crazy with messages. Birthday well wishes from my sweet besties.  I love them dearly, but I couldn't help but wonder WHY they had to wish me a Happy Birthday at 8AM on a Saturday.  Not that I'm complaining, of course... just being thought of at any time of the morning (even on a Saturday morning) is special and something to be thankful for.  

I did my usual perusing of Facebook and was blown away by the amount of Facebook birthday wishes I had received.  Twenty by 9AM.  That's pretty awesome.  And several more came throughout the rest of the day.

My mom arrived around noon, and we made the drive to the casino for my Annual Birthday Bingo Extravaganza.  First stop was the casino steak house for an amazing birthday lunner (late lunch/early dinner...doesn't sound as good as "brunch" but the same principal). The food was fantastic, but I'm pretty sure it's going to cost me on the scale tomorrow for my weight loss competition.  Oh wait.  Possible snow day.  Another bonus to that whole thing.

After we ate, we went and bought our bingo books and then headed out to the casino to enjoy the 30 minutes we had to wait for the bingo to get started.

Now, I will say right now, that I hate slot machines.  I think they are nothing more than money shredders.  Put money in, and 3 seconds later?  Money gone.  

Unless, of course, you actually win.  

Which I didn't do UNTIL I had shredded about $80 and was ready to call it quits and spend the rest of the evening mourning the loss of $80 and smacking myself in the head for being so stupid.  

I had gotten down to my last $20.. and yes, I had given myself $100 to spend on the machines.  NOT something I would or could do very often, and which is why the only time I do something like that is on my birthday.

Anywho, put the last $20 in to the money shredder... and with the first spin, I win $80.  Now, a smart person would realize they just won back the money they had wasted and walk away.  But, I'm not a smart person.  Not when it comes to stupid gambling.  I figure, I only gave it one spin.. why not have a few more goes.  I start watching my money dwindle back away, and once again when I think that I just need to stop I hit a bonus spin and win another $60.  Wash, rinse, repeat.  I'm back up to the $80 mark... a few more hits and BAM.. I hit the mini jackpot and win $218!!

Thankfully, that was enough for me to know better and I quickly hit the Cash Out button before giving it a second thought.  That gave me back the money I spent on bingo cards, the $80 I had spent on the money shredders, and still put me $50 ahead.  I'll take it!!

Then, Mom and I get started with our matinee bingo session, and she wins $150.  Now, the best part about playing bingo with my mom is the fact that we split any winnings.  Bingo winnings.  Slot machine winnings are completely separate.  

So, there's another $75 to add to my winning's pot.  

Then, I'll be danged, she wins again during the early bird session and scores another $50... which is another $25 for me.

I didn't have any luck all night playing bingo, but I had a blast nonetheless.

I wish I could say that I walked away with the full winning's pot in tack, but I was drawn in to the money shredders again, and shredded another $40.  But, I ended up walking away with an extra $50 than I had before lunch, bingo, evening snack, and money shredding... so I'm OK with that.  I had an absolutely amazing time, and it didn't cost me a penny.  In fact I got paid to have that much fun.  Who on earth can complain about that?  

I finally made it home around 1AM and went to bed.  

An absolutely FANTASTIC birthday.

Today, I'm planting myself on my computer and getting my taxes filled.  And working.  And relaxing.  And crocheting.  All while enjoying the snow that's falling down in droves right now.  We're up to about 3" at this point, and I'm pretty sure the prediction of 1-3" is a little off.  Especially since our current radar looks like this...

                                            

Yeah, pretty sure we're going to get just a little more than 3".  

All I have to do now is pray that my school town gets just as much, because I know for definite now that there will be no way I'll be driving to work in the morning.  The temps are not going to get above freezing today, and will be dropping down to about 12 degrees overnight.  It won't be white, fluffy snow in the morning, I can guarantee that.

So, now I'm going to try and not worry about what I might have to do if there IS school and I can't get there, but instead just try and enjoy my day.

Have a great, warm, Sunday, everyone!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

                                        

Today, I am 32 years old.  

In the past year, I have laughed, I have cried, I've screamed in anger, and squealed in excitement.  I've experienced times of pure happiness and bliss, extreme frustration, devastating sadness, and sheer love and joy.

I have tested the strength of relationships, and worked on building new ones.  I've gotten to know people in ways and forms I hadn't expected... both good and bad.  I've discovered new people that have my back, and have felt the blow of being stabbed in my back all by people I'd never expect it from.

So much has happened in the past year.  And every bit of it has melted together making me stronger, wiser, and grateful for the true blessings that have been bestowed upon me.

And not a single moment of it would I want to do over or erase, because at the end of the day it all plays an important role in making me the person that I am today and the person I am to still become.

I am not sad or upset about turning a year older.  I'm now two years in to my thirties, and not feeling the slightest bit of regret or disappointment.  I have had opportunities to experience things that some people twice my age have never experienced.  I look at my age as simply a number.  I have accomplished so much in the time on this earth, and still have plenty to do.  

I am still young at heart, and believe that I still have PLENTY of dashes to make on my life's tally counter.  

Life has given me so much, and still has a lot to offer.

Thirty one was a solid year.  An amazing year.  I finished up my first year of teaching, bought my first house, taught my first year of summer school, and started my second year of teaching.  I made some amazing new friends.  And did some serious repairing to family relationships that were starting to see signs of crumbling.

I have been a person to lean on, and have needed to do a lot of leaning on others.  

A few months ago, my mother was diagnosed with cancer.  That was, by far, the lowest point of my entire year.  But, in a way, it was also one of the highest.  It's sad and unfortunate to admit, but that disaster has and will continue to bring about a strength in my family that has been missing for some time.  

I watched and listened to doctors giving her the options and information about her disease, and seeing the inner warrior shine in my mother.  She is most definitely a fighter, and in a matter of a few weeks was standing toe to toe with the enemy, and blasted through the battle fields with guns blazing.  The cancer was removed, she went to healing, and is now going through the protocols to make sure it doesn't have the guts to return.

But, in those few weeks, I learned how much we take for granted.  How quickly a life can be turned upside down. 

Each day I dedicate to my mom... because life is DEFINITELY worth fighting for.

And now, the clock starts over.  Time to hit the reset button.  What is in store for me at 32?

I know there are going to be some drastic changes made at work.  I'm hoping to be taking on new adventures, trying new things, and continuing to develop myself as a teacher.

There will be drastic changes at home.  I have a child heading off to high school, and that will bring about it's own new set of adventures and will undoubtably keep me on my toes.  

I know that I want to make some changes with my family.  Spending more time with the people I love, and doing things together to create long lasting memories.

But, with all these things that I know about and expect, I'm also excited about the unknown.  What surprises and challenges will I face along the way?

My goal for myself this next year is to take life by the horns.  Try new things, embrace the new, and not back out just because I'm a little worried about possible outcomes.  Apart of learning and living is facing challenges even if they fail.  Sometimes the failures are just as important as the successes.

I plan on continuing to build the new relationships that have been blossoming, and taking myself out of my comfort zone with those new adventures.  No more standing on the sidelines waiting to be put in to the game, but just running out there and playing.  

I plan on digging deeper in to the relationships that have started to crumble.  Deciding if it's better to just cut my loses, or if they are worth fighting for.  

I plan on finding the balance between work and life...a balance that has been extremely hard to find.  

I don't want to spend any amount of this next year worrying about the family time I'm missing because I'm neck deep in work, and don't want to let the work get out of hand because I just want to blow it off and do something with my family.  I know there is a balance there, somewhere, and I just have to find it.

I want to dabble around with some new hobbies.  My crocheting hobby has been pretty lucrative so far this year, and I want that momentum to continue.  Keep making and creating, even if it's to store it all up to sell next fall/winter.

I want to try some gardening.  I have a blank canvas waiting for me on one side of my house.  A little garden area that has the potential of being such a beautiful place to sit and enjoy some peaceful time on my own.  But, first, I need to transform it in to the oasis I picture in my mind.  I've never been much of a gardener, but I'm willing to give it a go.

I want more social time.  Meaning girls' nights, and dinner dates with Hubby, and spontaneous trips to the movies with the kids.  Another balancing act between kids, Hubby, and friends.  But, again, worth the time and effort.

And, at the end of the day, I just want to be happy.  As happy, if not happier.  I have such an amazing life, and I just want to embrace the good.  I have a very bad habit of dwelling on the minor frustrations, and they begin to consume the parts of my life that are worth worrying about.  I don't want to do that anymore.  I want to learn to let more things go, not dwell too much, and just have an amazing year.

I have so much planned, so many hopes... but today I just want to focus on today.  My day.  

A day with my mom.  Doing like we do.  

Sounds kinda corny, but that's how I want to spend my day.  

I love my kids, I love Hubby, I love my friends... but, when asked what I want for my birthday?  

Just a day with my Momma doing one of my most favorite things:  Playing bingo.

It may sound selfish, it may sound weird... but this is MY day, right?  

So, it's time to get to getting on that.  

I want to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU for all the birthday wishes and love I've seen on my Facebook and through the text messages I've received this morning.  It makes a girl (yes, girl.. 32 hasn't taken that away) feel very special to see that people have taken the time just to wish me a Happy Birthday.  And for that, I am truly grateful.

I Wanna Play Dodgeball For My Birthday!!

                           

What a week it's been!  It started out with me in some fierce bad mood on Monday for really no reason, then my mood did a complete one-eighty, and I have spent the rest of the week floating around school on sunshine beams.

My students have been absolute ANGELS all week, and the only negative thing I've had to say all week is "OK, turn the volume down a couple of notches".  That's it.  No complaining about forgotten homework assignments, no disappointment speeches about work not being done or effort not being put in, no frustration over giving directions and then getting questions asking what they are supposed to do, and no standing in front of the class waiting on the students not paying attention.

It's been AMAZING.

I have loved every single minute of each of my days between Thursday and yesterday.  

And it feels so great that today, I'll get to reward them for their hard work by our class participating in a mini dodgeball tournament.

Do you remember a few months back, before Christmas, when the school did a Penny War to raise money for Shop with a Cop?  

Well, my class came in 3rd place, and the prize was a dodgeball game against the Student Council and members from the local police department, including the SWAT team.  Due to all the winter weather we received, the dodgeball game got postponed... and today, we will actually get to have the reward.

My class will play the class that came in 2nd place, and the class that won the competition will be playing against the SWAT/police team.  

I think it will be LOADS of fun, and I will be out there with them playing the game, throwing balls at people, and undoubtably receiving a few hits in return.  

I think it will be a great way to end out this amazing week, and an early birthday celebration... being that it's my birthday tomorrow.  The only downside will be having to wear sweats.  Well, that's not a downside, that's a big PLUS... except for the fact that I hate wearing sweats to work, because I don't exactly have the best figure to pull them off.  Especially when all of my school t-shirts are a little on the snug side around the waist.  But, I'll suck it up (no pun intended), and run my fat behind all over that gym to have the best time that I can have.

The game will throw a kink in my usual Friday routine of finishing up our reading unit, but I'm not that concerned about it.

There's a big possibility that we'll be getting more snow days next week.  The news is saying we're in for a MAJOR winter storm at some point.  Maybe starting as early as Sunday, but may not really impact us until next Friday.  I hate it when the weather reports are all so different and conflicting.  Pretty much every meteorologist in the tri-state area agrees that we're getting some snow, but they all seem to disagree on when it will hit, how much we'll get, and where the biggest impact will be.

I'm just going to sit and wait.  I'm not going to start my Black History Month unit until the week after next, and just extend this week's unit out another week.  The kids are just really getting in to their books and completing the activities I had prepared for them, and it's been a pretty hectic week... so it won't hurt to give them more time to really study the books they currently have.

With today's dodgeball game and an assembly yesterday morning, we'll be two days behind in the reading plans, so it won't hurt pushing the unit out another week.

Yesterday, we spent most of the morning in the gym for our monthly Terrific Tiger assembly, and that was followed by an AMAZING performance by the high school's Rhapsody and Rhythm show choir.  It was a combination of singing, theater, and dance all rolled in to portraying a historical event...and I was captivated by the show.

The first half was performed by the county's "Dynamic Divas", an all female show choir.  They performed songs to portray life for a woman during WWII.  I was completely blown away by the singing talent and choreography of the whole show.  After their performance, the co-ed "Rhapsody and Rhythm" group performed their show depicting life during the Civil War when women disguised themselves as soldiers in order to fight along side their men.  It was a moving, funny, and emotional show...literally ending with a bang in the form of a mini confetti cannon.  

The shows lasted about an hour, all together, and I could have sat there all day long watching them perform.  They were absolutely breathtaking... and now I want Peanut to join the group next year when she enters high school.  We'll see how that goes for me.

I can't believe that this time tomorrow, I'll be 32 years old.  Time sure does fly when you're having fun... and getting older.  And, it's my plan that I spend the last day of being 31 having a blast.  Dodgeball will start the party, and then this afternoon the kiddos and I will have a little class party and maybe some extra recess time...depending on the temperature outside.  

I want them to leave my classroom today knowing how much I have truly appreciated their dramatic change in behavior and attitude.  Their complete change has been the cause of my amazing mood all week, and it's only fair that I shower them with praise and appreciation for it.  My only hope is that they don't lose that momentum over the weekend, and come back to me next week still motivated, energized, and devoted to doing the best they can.

Well, I better get to getting dressed in my "dodgeball best", ready to face this last day of the week.  It will most definitely be a day of all play and no work.  Well, a little work.. but mostly play.  We've earned it this week, and I plan on celebrating my birthday with my kiddos having an absolute blast.

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!!

Since We've No Place to Go...Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

                               

This is a picture of my driveway at 9AM this morning.  My driveway is under there somewhere, although you can't tell due to the 5-6" of snow that's sitting on top of it.  

It's absolutely beautiful.  It's that thick, snowman building type of snow.  Butter and Jelly can't wait to get out in it and play... but being the overprotective mother that I am, I've asked that they hold off just a little while.  It's currently 18 degrees outside, and it's still snowing pretty hard.  I would like for them to at least wait until this afternoon when the temperatures get up in to the lower 20s.  

The snow is supposed to keep coming down until early this afternoon, but the temperature won't be getting above freezing until the middle of next week.  In fact, we're even supposed to see some negative numbers in the next day or so.  Brrrrrr!!!

As of right now, there's even more snow in the forecast for Sunday, but being that Sunday is still a few days out, I'm not going to really think about that until Sunday is here.

Thankfully, yesterday, I didn't have to drive in bad weather.  We all did have to go to school yesterday morning, even though every school in a hundred mile radius of us had closed...in Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Missouri schools were still in session.  At first, I was a little upset about it.  All the other schools were being proactive.  No actual bad weather had come in yet, but they knew it was coming so they figured it just easier to cancel for the entire day.  My school district didn't.  But, when we got to school they decided to do an early release at noon.  It was exactly around noon when the ice rain started coming down, and it wasn't until about 1:30PM or so that it started sticking to the roads, so everyone was able to get home from school safe and sound.  I left thinking the early release was a much better idea because we still got half a day of school in, and I don't think we have to count it as a snow day now.

We had only been home a little while when the call came that there'd be no school today, and if things keep going the way they are going right now, I very much doubt we'll even have school on Monday.  There's going to be about 7-8" of snow when it's all said and done, and with temperatures not even getting in to the 30s before Monday, I don't see how it will melt enough to allow for school.

Jelly had a great birthday.  She was able to be at school to have her birthday cupcakes, and have her class sing to her.  Then she was able to get home early enough from school so that we could make her birthday cake, and she could play with her new ponies that Mommy and Daddy got her.  Being that she loves to bake, I wasn't surprised that she wanted to make her own birthday cake.  The original plan was to make two strawberry cakes, put them on top of each other with strawberry icing in the middle, and then cover the entire thing with chocolate ganache.  However, because Momma waited a little too late to start baking, and we only had one cake pan (didn't think about that when I was at the store), she opted for a strawberry cake with strawberry icing for her birthday, and then today we're going to make strawberry cupcakes with the ganache icing just for fun.

                      

She got to pick what we had for dinner last night, and went with her absolute favorite...breakfast for dinner.  Biscuits, gravy, sausage, and bacon. I swear, that kid would eat biscuits and gravy every single day if we'd let her.  Once dinner was over, it was time for her to ice her cake and do the candles and singing.

                                 

Here she is with her finished cake.  She put some icing on her nose because she thought it would better show that she was the one to make the cake and ice it herself.  How she'd end up with icing on her nose, I don't know... but we all thought it was pretty funny.

                                 

This is while we were singing "Happy Birthday".  As you can see from the expression on her face, she's  gotten to the age where it's kinda embarrassing to sit there while people sing to you.  She was ready for that to be over before we even started.

                                  

She was so dainty when it came to blowing out her candles.  She wanted to do one candle at a time, despite the fact that wax was dripping all over the cake.  I tried to tell her that if she didn't blow the candles out all at the same time, she wouldn't get her wish.  That didn't bother her, and she flat out told me she didn't wish for anything because she already had everything she wanted.  Oh yes, that's my daughter.  HA!

                                   

Finally time to sit down and enjoy her creation.  However, because she had been testing and licking bowls and leftover icing while she was cooking, she was a little too full to eat the entire slice.  Which didn't surprise me.  She's always like that... much rather make the stuff than eat it.

Other than baking a cake with Jelly, I spent my day digging out my crocheting stuff.  I'd been meaning to do it for a couple of weeks, but a snow day was the PERFECT day to start my winter crocheting.  I even found an app that has tons of cute little creations I can make that don't require a lot of time.  My hope, like every winter, is to make a few things to sell and to give to my kiddos in my class.  I found patterns for infinity scarves, hats, ear warmer headbands, and I think that this year I'm going to try and make some flowers that are attached to bobby pins.  That way they can be added to the hats, headbands, and scarves without requiring me to have to sew them.  They can also be sold separately so that people can buy them and add them to stuff they already have.

In addition to the crocheting, I also have the first book in the Divergent series to read.  I've been dying to read them, and I made sure to pick up the first book last weekend.  Of course, Hubby just informed me that he bought all three books for his iPad so I actually have all three books available to read.  Plus, there are TONS of Christmas movies to watch.  It doesn't usually take long for cabin fever to set in with me, but I'm really thinking that I am going to enjoy my snowy weekend.  I have tons to keep me busy, and as long as the kids don't start driving me nuts because they are bored, I should be OK.

Speaking of Hubby, thankfully he didn't try and drive to work last night.  It always scares me when we get weather like this, because he has that attitude that he can drive in anything.  While it's true that he remains very calm while driving in bad weather, and has great control of the car...it still scares the crap out of me when he tries to drive on snow and ice.  There are a lot of crazy drivers around here, and just because he's quite skilled in driving in bad weather doesn't mean the people he meets on the road are.  I'd much rather know he's safe her with me and missing a day of pay than for him to get in a nasty wreck.

  

Right now, I think I'm going to grab another cup of coffee and get started on my snow day activities.

Have a great Friday, everyone!!

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Let me start out by saying that I'm a pretty horrible fiance.  For three years, I've been writing this blog and this is the first time I've written a post specially for the man in my life.  Probably because he's not a fan of me discussing my personal life with the world... but he just doesn't get how close the world and I have become.

It's even worse that I got up this morning, hobbled myself to my computer desk, and didn't even say a word to him for almost an hour.  It completely left me that it was his birthday, even though I knew when I went to sleep last night.  After a cup of coffee, it hit me...and now I feel terrible because I forgot and it took me so long to at least wish him Happy Birthday.

Hubby's not really that in to birthdays.  At all, actually.  He says countless times that his birthday is just another day, and he's not a big fan when I go and do something like make a big deal out of it.  Like, oh I don't know, write a big birthday post especially for him.

Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

Around 8 years ago, I was a single mother taking care of two young children, working a full time job, and trying my hardest to ignore how lonely I was.  I had been single for about 4 years..and was finally coming to terms with my position of mother and sole provider.  I'd been on a few dates here and there, but never really found anyone that caught my interest enough.

Rather than try and find a man to fill the void of adult interaction, I took up online chatting.  Back then, it was very popular.  I could do a quick search on Yahoo and discover a plethora of local chat rooms full of men and woman in the area who were just looking to chat.  Many nights I would have conversations with people at the other end of their screens as if I were in a bar or at a social mingling event - totally in my pj's with the TV playing and the kids nestled soundly in their beds.  It worked for me.  I didn't have to sit and stare at the walls after my kids were asleep and wallow in my self pity.

One night, I got to talking to one of the guys in the chat room.  He was funny, didn't ask me inappropriate questions, and we spent several nights private messaging one another.  I'm not going to say that there was some kind of magical spark right off the bat.  He was just a nice guy who I liked talking to.  We talked about jobs and our families and life in general.  And then he asked me if I'd like to meet him in person.

At first, I was a little thrown off.  I hadn't really made any plans to actually meet people from the chat room.  The chat room was my safe haven.  A place where I could mingle in total privacy.  But, we'd spoken for a while and I thought what the heck.

I'll admit, I broke the cardinal rule of meeting someone off of the internet.  I invited him to come to my house.  I know, I know.  It was a very stupid mistake... and dangerous for both my kids and I.  But, I was young and stupid and totally new at meeting people off of the internet.  Thankfully, I lived in a duplex complex - had neighbors on both sides of me...and thinking back, had something bad happened a quick scream would have notified someone to come help.  Hopefully.  Glad I didn't have to think about that.  Man, was I stupid, now that I'm really thinking about it.

Anywho, that's neither here nor there.  He came over.  To my house.  I will admit, the first meeting was kinda awkward.  He didn't really say much.  We chatted a little about the chat room, and then we got in to the chat room to speak to some of the friends we'd made in there.  He thought it would be kind of amusing to share with some of them that we were at the same place, chatting together.  Especially some women that had been acting pretty friendly towards him.  And, we spent a couple of hours doing that before he decided he needed to leave to go to work.

And then he left.

My first reaction would be that I wouldn't hear from him again.  He'd dodge my messages, go offline when I was online...that type of stuff.  He had shown no real interest in me at all - other than just being someone he could talk to in a chat room.  I brushed it off, because his almost cold shoulder had turned me off at looking at him as anymore than a friend also.

Then, about 20 minutes later, I received a text message from him: "I had a great time.  And, you're really hot! Hope we can do it again sometime".

I was shocked.  I guess I had totally misread his thoughts and actions while he had been there.  So, the next night he came over again....and then the next...and some nights we just talked for hours alone online.  We got a little more personal, a little more friendly, and within a couple of weeks we were making out like teenagers before he had to leave to go to work.

A few weeks of him coming over and chatting online seemed to be going really well.  I hadn't told anyone about our meetings - I didn't really know what our relationship was becoming.  He'd only ever come over once the kids were asleep, so even they didn't know I'd had a man in the house several evenings.  Then, he dropped a bomb on me that his brother (and roommate) was getting married and he was going to be homeless unless he found somewhere to live pretty quick.  Without hesitation, I told him to come live with me.  As a roommate.  Help me with some of the bills, have a place to leave his stuff... he worked 3rd shift, so he'd sleep while I was at work, I'd sleep when he was at work.

And the rest is, how they say, history.  We've been together ever since.

The first few weeks were...urm... interesting.  The kids were kinda thrown off by this guy suddenly in the house.  He was very nice to them...played with them...fixed them food and drinks when they wanted it.  I heard a lot of disapproving comments from people I knew about how stupid it was for me to let a man in the house without first getting him around the kids to see how he did with them.  But, within a month, they were totally accustomed to him being there.  In fact, one morning about two months after he'd been there, when he'd cooked breakfast for all of us, Peanut asked him if she could start calling him Daddy.  I was mortified.  I figured he'd be out the door quicker than a bullet.  But he didn't.  In fact, he just told her that he'd talk to me about it.

I thought he'd brush it off... but he didn't.

We sat down with the kids, and had a long discussion (as long as you can have with a 4 and 3 year old) and explained to them that he wasn't their daddy, but if they wanted to call him daddy - he'd be OK with it.  We told them that he was my boyfriend, and he would be living with us and he would help take care of them.  I was scared out of my mind that something would happen and my kids would get attached to this man, and then he would disappear suddenly... but I figured I'd give it a go.  They deserved a man in their lives just as much as I did.

And again... history.  He's been their dad ever since.  And, a few weeks after that incident, he surprised me by asking me to marry him.  No glorious proposal, just a simple question... "would you marry me?"  I, of course, agreed.  I even got to pick out the ring I wanted...which was awesome.  We've been engaged ever since, and one day I will commit to filling my end of the agreement and actually marry him.  But, my hesitation to get married isn't because I am unsure about marrying him - it's just the simple fact that I want all of our other ducks in a neat row, AND I want to look hot in a wedding dress.  HA!

I am fully aware of the mistakes that I made... but, thank goodness everything worked out.  And, I couldn't be happier with this wonderful man.  He's not just the man I love, but also my best friend.  Starting our relationship off the way we did was fast - but we'd spent a good amount of time just talking and getting to know each other.  We shared secrets with each other, our pasts, our ups and our downs.  We weren't strangers when we first decided to move to the next level - despite how fast it all seemed.

I had never been with a man that was so interested in how I was feeling or that wanted me to talk about it if I was upset or angry or happy or whatever my feelings were.  He refused to argue with me or fight.  Which was totally out of my comfort zone.  The only serious relationship I'd had prior was a violent one.  It seemed totally weird that I was now with a man that believed in discussing problems rather than duking them out.

In the 8 years we've been together, we've had our ups and downs.  But, not the normal ups and downs.  All of the ups and downs we've gone through together - mostly being on the same side of each.  We've had money problems, and living problems, and job problems... but all problems we've tackled together.  He was my saving grace when it come to going to school and bettering our lives.  He has sacrificed so much for the kids and I.  He wants nothing more than to find a better job for himself, a job that he enjoys as much as I enjoy mine.  But, he put that on hold.  For me.

We don't fight.  Ever.  We get disgruntled with one another, sure.  But there are no raised voices or arguments or tantrums.  We just talk.  We compromise.

At the end of the day, it may be Hubby's birthday - but I'm the one that got the real gift in all of this.  Him.  I couldn't have asked for a better man or father to come in to our lives.

I don't get the chance near enough to tell him how much I love him - or show him, for that matter.  I just know that I couldn't imagine my life without him.  He is my rock.  My lifeline.  My best friend.  I see us spending the rest of our lives together... because I just couldn't imagine my life without him.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE.

Thank you for being you.