The life and times of a teacher!!!!!

Wow Wednesday-Friday must have been the 3 days from h@!%. The issues I had with these 2 parents, are things I've never dealt with. No matter what i've done this year, for these two it just hasn't been enough. Despite having an entire webpage for my classes, full of reviews, class notes, powerpoints, etc. I just haven't made the information readily available for them. By Thursday morning i was in tears, which streamed off and on through friday afternoon. Sometimes in anger we say things (in my case they came as emails/voicemails) and dont consider that the person on the other end has feelings as well. For the msot part i think this was the case. One of the parents was very apoligetic, post rude comments, and for the other well... we will have to wait and see Monday....

I've always heard that if you can survive the 1st 5 years of teaching then your in for life. Well it dawned on me today that I'm at the 4 1/2 point this semester and its been a doozy. (I began teaching in Jan 2005. I was hired one month into student teaching). I seriously was at the point of thinking... Maybe i need a career change??? Maybe a grade change??? Maybe a school change???? maybe i need to become a desperate housewife, they seem to have a good thing going!!!

But then i received an email from a parent thanking me for all that I've done, and how i've gone above and beyond to help her daughter. So often we fuss and complain when people, resteraunts, etc are doing a bad job. But how often do we say job well done. When I worked for Barnes and Nobles (in college) my RM said, It takes 10 good comments to replace 1 bad comment.

So as someone who takes their job very personally (i'm not sure how a teacher couldn't) please tell people when you see a job well done. That may just have been the "pick me up" they needed that day!!!!

p.s. it also helps that i work with an amazingly supportive team of teachers, admin, and family. Between my co-workers, team leader, and Asst. Principal, hubby (who offered to trip anyone else who hurt me this week), and parents i'm not sure how i would have made it this week !!! it's nice to know that your not alone

Our future babies...lol!!!!

Ok so this is too funny... its a website called makemebabies.com... you've gotta try it.

Since all of our friends are pregnant or having babies there's been alot of talk about what everyone's kids will look like. We got to talking about this website. And although we arent pregnant yet its kinda fun to figure out what our ids may look like, so i thought i'd let you all preview little Langston (girl) Or Channing (boy) !!!!

Ok so beside the fact that they will have a receeding hairline (lmao) and extremely short fro hair, i think our babies will be pretty darn cute. Infact, Langston sorta looks like my neice Ryleigh. What can i say we have good genes. Note: whenever i play with this website we get some pretty odd some times alienish pics, but i think these are kinda cute this time... what do you think????

You know what else would be cool is for people with babies to make a baby and see if they look anything alike!!!!!!!

New year... new us

Sorry its been so long but things have been busy around here. I've been losing my mind prepairing for science fair, both looking forward to the inaguration day and witnessing history, and we both have been working very hard to get healthy.

We've been eating right and working out (well he has.... i dont really do the gym... lmao). I'm so proud of us. one of our resolutions was to move towards the life and future we want for ourselves and our children. We've made it a point to only buy healthy food, and to try to go to church more regularly, and just live our lives as good role models for our "one day" kids.

Amazingly, these changes have helped us both as a couple and indiviuals. I honestly have found a new clarity in thinking and just day to day life. I've learned not to sweat the little things and to understand that there is no understanding of God's master plan.

What I can do is try to look for inspiration in my surrounding and experiance and hope for the best!

Happy New Year & Anniversary

Well... we have officially entered 2009 and what an amazing trip the past year has been. We spent NYE with some of our friends and family and had a fabulous time. We have set many resolutions for this year, individually and as a couple. We cant wait to see what 2009 will bring but will definately keep you posted!!!

Here are some pics from NYE 2009

A Very Hard Day

So today was a hard day for me....
It all began around 6 pm last night. i came home from shopping to find that Bella was missing. Sean and i drove around the neighborhood hours looking for her and couldn''t find her. Needless to say we called our the local shelters, contacted the homeowners association, and had posters made. But haven't had any response yet.
For those of you who dont't know, I purchased Bella the Feburary after Sean propsed. She is a very important part of our family and i have been crying quite a bit today and yesterday.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE....

I have been having some back pain for a while now. Today i went to the doctor to find out that i am in the early stages of scoliosis. i didn't really know much about it, besides knowing that it means you have a crooked spine. after reading up on scoliosis alot of things made sense, upper back pain, fatigue, the knot between my shoulder blades. I start therapy tomorrow and based on that, the doctor will decide what else is needed.

So with all that ... Today really sucked, but i try to remind my self that is could be worse. at times its hard to imagine it getting worse, but it could be worse. I just try to keep faith that GOd has many plans for me, and while i may not understand them, i must trust in him.

Our One Year Anniversary

I cant believe we are just 9 days from our one year anniversary! This time last year, I was going from one store to another looking for last minute bridal party gifts or looking for goodies to stuff baskets for our out of town guests, and a little Christmas shopping here and there. It was such a hectic week. I told my mom I felt like i had nothing to do this year, after such a a crazy 2007.

Anniversary Plans~

We originally planned on attending the Dallas/W hotel rocking NYE, and go big. But after some thought, why spend $400 on our anniversary??? It was more important to just be together and take in the importance of the day. With that said, we have decided to stay home, maybe go to the corner bar around 11 and ring in the new years then come home and relax.

New years day, my parents are hosting a dinner for us and our wedding party and close friends and family. We will probably watch the wedding DVD, eat the top of the wedding cake (hope its still good), and just reflect on what this year has been for us.

2009 Plans~

As a couple we have decided the 2009 is the year of the baby!!! well baby making!!! wait that's kinda graphic.... oh well you get the point. Ideally, we would like to get pregnant in August or September, so to avoid taking maternity leave. (for those of you who dont know, teachers dont get a traditional maternity leave, we take disability. which means partial pay and up to 3 weeks with out pay :S ) So having the baby during the summer would be more convenient, plus i wouldn't have to leave my students for 2-3 months! So we will keep you posted on that scene. We also have both decided to get healthier. i know that sounds like such a typical resolution, but its very important to us that we are healthy so that we can enjoy life with young children.

Well I hope everyone has a very blessed Christmas and a happy new year!