I Love You Because

Sofia wanted a snack before bed and Chris gave her a handful of cereal but on one condition: after each bite, she needed to say why she loved her mommy. What resulted, we never could have anticipated.

Mom, I love you because...
~You make good meat.
~You let me play outside.
~You're the best at rubbing my back.
~You give me hard stuff to work on and I like to learn new things.
~You're the best science teacher.
~You make the best food.
~You play the best shows.

I would love to add commentary to each of her statements due to the hysterics we ended up in. However, the simplicity of her statements are worth preserving just as they are.

She is my little dear. And I love her too. :)

Sick Day Slow Down

I left work early today and came home not feeling well. I shouldn't have gone in the first place but I talked myself into dressing up extra nice to fake my way through the day. Hey, if my outward appearance looked somewhat pulled together, my mind and body would shortly follow, right?

Nope. Not today. At all. I felt like absolute crap and there was no way to fake my way out of it.

When I finally gave myself the permission to go home, it was amazing. I place so much pressure on myself to give to others. Today, I was reminded that sometimes, I need to give to myself too. I came home, rested on the couch, napped, and grabbed a few groceries (on my own!!!) before picking up the kids from school and daycare.

I'm already feeling one hundred times better than I did this afternoon. And for this, I am thankful.

My Minivan is Hot

I drive a minivan. And I rock it.

The last few days of work have been pretty tough. I often struggle with how to deal with some of the baggage my students have to handle on a daily basis. Frankly, I am in awe that as many of them hold it together as well as they do. It's hard to be a teenager sometimes. 

This afternoon as I was driving home thinking about some of my students, I rolled down the windows, turned up the music and let the day ease away. With a clear mind I realized suddenly, I am super thankful for my minivan. (It's not completely disconnected...stay with me.) Each day, my car serves as my place to decompress, think, talk on the phone, eat a snack, listen to music (though not always of my choice!) and play silly games with my kids. My minivan, which I dreaded driving for so long because I was "too young to drive one" (seriously, could I have been more of a brat?!?!?) has served as much more than my transportation from Point A to B. This car has been an integral part in maintaining a positive mental health from day to day! 

Whoa. A minivan. I drive one. And I love it. 

The best "van" photo ever! :)
Sofia - Age 3, 2010

A Moment Is All It Takes To Fall In Love

There they were, snuggled face-to-face, in a sea of pillows and blankets. Their skin looked like porcelain and their lips the perfect shade of pink. Breathing softly, Nico and Sofia were so peaceful. Suddenly, I felt guilty for being upset that they had woken Chris and I up in the early hours of the morning. Seeing them so delicate, so perfect, in the early morning light made me realize that sometimes, we all just need a good snuggle with Mom and Dad.

This morning I was given a reason to pause and fall in love with my children all over again in just a single moment. And for this, I am thankful.


***On a side note, I contemplated taking a picture but didn't dare risk waking them in their adorable state.***

Motivation Schmotivation

I am seriously lacking motivation today. Last week really took it out of me. Third quarter ends on Friday and I'm still staring at a stack of grading to finish. I hate grading. I'm always behind.

Today, I am really thankful that my schedule is returning to somewhat of a normal routine. Normal means predictability, control and less anxiety for me. All of these things result in less stress and less stress means more energy.  Any logical person would then conclude that more energy would mean a return of motivation. That is what I'm hoping is going to happen to me! Hey, a girl can dream right?

...but if I'm not the recipient of a motivational spurt, at least spring break is only 4 days away! :)

It's Good to be Green...

...and White! Michigan State has moved on to the Sweet Sixteen yet again! Wahoo! They are so much fun to watch and I LOVE being a Spartan in March. :)

I am most excited about seeing one of my students come through with his end of our "who makes it further bargain -- MSU or UofM". A Spice Girl's dance is going to provide for some serious entertainment this week in my science class!

I think I'll play the fight song as students walk in tomorrow...

That Was Scary, Granmary!

Today, we are SO thankful that Chris's mom is okay after a bizarre and pretty severe biking accident along a biking trail near her home in Kentwood, MI. After 12 stitches around her eye, a cat scan to rule out a concussion, and some major TLC from David, Mary is home resting and recuperating.

We love you, Mary and are praying for a speedy recovery!

Two Days Too Long

I got an email this morning from Chris with nothing but a subject line that read, "I miss your blogging".

Two days is too long to go in between posts! I even feel this morning like I am missing something - out of step. I need to post each day again. It was rejuvenating and was the way I found my center each day.

Thanks for the kick in the pants, honey. For you, I am thankful.

It's a Good Life

I spent the afternoon chasing after toilet paper rolls across a gym floor and having shaving cream put in my hair in front of 900 students. Now, I'm making a Sponge Bob Square Pants taco kit.

I have a good life. :)

Literally

Sofia: Pleeeeease can I have one more chocolate kiss?
Me: No more candy, honey. End of story.
Sofia: Awwww, but I LIKE stories!


Even when Sofia's negotiating, she's still adorable. And for this, I am thankful. :)

Delegations

I've learned a valuable lesson this week: I can't do it all. Well, duh. I knew this, but putting it into practice seems much more difficult that it would seem.

This is always a super, crazy time of year. Next week is the week our school takes the state's standardized test. It's also the week that, upon completion of 4 days of testing, we have a school-wide assembly for students and staff to play, laugh and blow off some steam. For the last several years, I've viewed this week as "Assembly Week" instead of "Test Week". (Don't worry, when I admitted this sheepishly to my principal a few weeks ago, he chuckled.) This year, I am still in charge of the assemblies and there's been an added twist...an extra day!

5 assemblies in 5 days for 900 kids. Oh yeah, and I'm back in the classroom full time. I needed help.

I assembled a group of teachers to create a planning committee and boy, have they ever been amazing! They are full of ideas, help and most importantly, willingness to take on jobs and responsibilities.

This week has been tremendously stressful but I can't even imagine what it would have been like without the help of my co-workers. I am unbelievably grateful for them!

Hello Pillow

It's been a few days, I know. I've been tired. Really tired. I just took my 6th dosage of my Vitamin D treatment this weekend. Halfway done. I've got to start feeling better soon...

There were a few shining moments throughout the weekend that I will be definitely sharing in the next day or so when I can seem to hold my eye lids open past 9 p.m. :)

In the meantime, I am so very grateful for my pillow tonight. My soft, delightful, fits-just-so-perfectly-around-my-neck pillow.

Ahhh

Safe and Sound

Sofia went on a field trip today with her kindergarten class. While walking, Sofia turned her head to look at something while her group kept walking and turned the other way. Before she knew it, she was all alone, in an unfamiliar place. Thankfully, she had remembered the conversation we had recently about what to do if she were to ever get lost: stay put!

She did just that and a few minutes later, one of the teacher assistants found her. I was so proud of how Sofia handled herself today. I'm sure it was super scary for her and yet she didn't shed a single tear.

She's amazing and she's safe and sound. For this, I am thankful.