The Other Half of the Calvin & Hobbes Duo

This little guy is such a sweetie! He also loves Whitney like crazy!

Just Dance

Crazy Cat

This is 1/2 of the most bizarre cat duo I have ever seen.  Here is Hobbes with Jordann - this cat actually loves hanging upside down!

Patiently Waiting for an Afternoon Walk

Photo Journal 2012

I have been inspired to revisit my blog and create a photo journal for 2012.  My goal for 2012 is to "simplify."  The picture for today is an image of my walk on a beautiful January day.  Instead of a typical cold, snowy season we are seeing temperatures into the 50s and lots of gorgeous sunshine!

A New Season of School Has Begun

     School has officially arrived and, although the heat of summer remains, our family has said farewell to lazy summer afternoons and welcomed the rigorous routine and craziness of a new school season.  As I look back over the last few months, I realize we have accomplished a great deal:

I  I graduated with honors in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.  All I can say is, “Wow!"  It was an extraordinary amount of work and I now have such great respect for the elementary educators who choose this field of work.  It takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to meet the needs of diverse students in a large classroom setting.  As fall arrives, I find myself at loose ends as I have been unable to secure a teaching position.  It feels rather strange to not be attending classes for the first time in several years.

    

           Whitney completed her first semester in a public school setting and graduated from 5^th grade.  It was a difficult transition to enter public school at the age of 10 and make friends that understood her different lifestyle.  I am so proud of you for sticking it out, Whit!

     

           Jordann completed her first semester in a public high school and graduated from 9^th grade.  It was a complete change of pace as she was also required to balance friends, a large homework load, an innovative project, and community service.  Great job, Jordann!

v        Shelby completed her first year of college at a community college, completing three semesters.  Amazing job, Shelby!  She will soon be transferring to a large university and pursuing her passion of health & nutrition.

v         Megan completed her scheduled classes at a community college and has almost all of her core classes finished.  She has transferred to a large university and will be pursuing a degree in finance.  This is a huge change from the secondary education degree she had planned on acquiring.  Unfortunately, job prospects for an education major in our state are very limited right now and the future does not look promising.  Good luck, Megan!  I know you will be incredible at whatever you choose!

Jordann and Whitney will continue their education at a phenomenal charter school for the 2011-2012 school year in our local school district and will be in grades 10 and 6, respectively.  Megan and Shelby will continue pursuing their bachelor’s degrees over the next year, and I will try to provide some semblance of balance.  It reminds me that we will need to take time for the most important things – the “little” things in life…

The Real

It is in reading a book- one made with paper.
In savoring warm tea, noticing subtleties.

In feeling the rain on your skin. In walking slowly and noticing…
the sky, the air, the sounds of the world,
the minute details seen only when you take the time to look.

It is in looking into the eyes of your children- undistracted, truly seeing them.
In allowing their beautiful, simple world to be yours too, for a while.

It is in baking from scratch
or making anything from nothing.
In appreciating the raw ingredients,
and experiencing the process.

It is in calling a friend on the phone, or meeting for coffee,
rather than quick words hastily typed… or simply “liked”.

Sometimes it is online, in bits that are mindfully created.
But mostly it is off-screen, real-world, touch-and-feel, face-to-face.

It is human connection.
It is tangible and tactile.
It’s creation and mess and beauty.

It reminds me that life is precious,
and time fleeting,
and it makes me eager to re-prioritize my time,
and spend it living real life.

 

(Source:  Author Hanna Mayo posted on http://thecreativemama.com/)

Winter Update

This last semester has flown by so quickly! I have completed my internship for student teaching and will have one final semester before I have finished the requirements for my elementary education certification. I really did not think the day would be here so rapidly!

I finished my internship in a 3rd grade classroom with an educator who has been teaching for over 20 years. I have been able to reflect about her teaching style and know the techniques I will take with me and those I will leave behind in her classroom. I am always amazed at the distance many teachers keep between themselves and their students. I built a successful relationship with each 3rd grade student and will greatly miss them as I finish my semester with another mentor teacher.

I have recently been transferred to a 6th grade classroom and it is a completely different world with these students. The particular teacher I will be working with feels very strongly about the mental and emotional health of her students, so it will be intriguing to work with the students in this atmosphere. I have always believed that educators should teach the whole child and this classroom will give me ideas as to how to approach this philosophy and be successful.

The time I have spent in these classrooms has given me a chance to compare and contrast my own method of educating my children at home. I can honestly say that I am providing my children a comparable education at home. I did not realize how many methods I have learned over the years that has given me an advantage with student teaching. It is a great feeling to know that my children will have the knowledge to help them excel in life and be well-adjusted citizens.