Quote of the Day

Imagination is more important than knowledge...
~Albert Einstein

I love this quote and all it implies...

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Finding My Balance

When I decided my word for this year would be balance I wasn't quite sure how I was going to go about getting a better balance between all the hats I wear. So far it has just sort of organically morphed its way into reality.

For the first time since I have been teaching I am leaving my planning and prepping and record keeping to my time at school only. I am not staying late, but I am trying to be a better steward of every spare moment I get. I am using my before school time, after school time, and any time my students are working without me to get myself set up for the following week or weeks. We are more than half way through the year and many of my materials are already prepped to get me through to the end. All without me neglecting anything. I am so pleased to be able to leave my plan book and teacher bag at school over the weekend!

This past weekend I focused on my home and my family. Together we were able to clean up and clear out some things. We even made a run to our neighborhood park when the sun broke through the fog. Not once did I think about stuff I needed to do for school. Home was all about home!

I am grateful that I am finding more balance between home and school. They are not being intertwined and tangled. Believe me, that makes for a much happier mama!

I am linking to Gratituesday with Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 1-23-11

The best laid plans often go awry. I mean to sit down and let you all know what's going on around here and then "wham!" another week has passed and here we are back at the menu.

I guess I just need to schedule blogging in with my other "to dos" for each day. If it's on the list it will most likely get done! So I guess I have a new plan...

We are all hoping the sun decides to come and hang out some more this week. My heart is so much happier when the sun is shining. I feel a weight released and I am just smiles. It is such a nice feeling!

We'll be using up some of the leftovers from the freezer for easy meals this week. I have been trying to be much more mindful about getting leftovers into the freezer right away. K and I are tired of throwing old food away, so it is up to me to figure out what works for us. So far I have found once I make something that holds up well in the freezer I bag it up right away. We might not have leftovers in the fridge, but we have easy dinners in the freezer! I am trying to make sure all of our grocery money is used wisely.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Here is what we have planned to eat for this week:

Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit

Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Meat and Crackers, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars

Dinners:

Sunday-Leftovers

Monday- Grilled Cheese, Soup, Salad

Tuesday- Pulled Pork (freezer), Corn, Rolls, Salad

Wednesday- Enchiladas (freezer), Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Salad

Thursday- Breakfast for Dinner~ Waffles, Bacon, Orange Juice

Friday- Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Beef Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Rolls

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.


Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 1-16-11

Well if there is anything I am consistent about posting it's our menu. You all must think that's all that goes on around here...hehehe. Another busy week has come and gone with many things being accomplished.

Master bedroom painting ~ check! ( I will be posting about that soon, it's beautiful!)
Getting through the first week back from break ~ check!
Spending some time with my sewing machine ~ check!
Giggling with my monkeys ~ check!
Hanging out with my honey ~ check!
Keeping the house picked up ~ check!!

I guess I just need start sitting down more regularly to capture these moments that make up our crazy life. I'm feeling the writing urge so you all may just start hearing more from me again!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Here is what we have planned to eat for this week:

Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit

Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Meat and Crackers, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars

Dinners:

Sunday-Breakfast for dinner~ K's AWESOME Omelet

Monday- Tri Tip, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli, Salad

Tuesday- Tacos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Salad

Wednesday- Chicken Pot Pie, Salad

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken, Broccoli, Buttered Bread, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.


Until next time,

Back to School Again

Life was not all buttoned up and tucked in yesterday. My boys and I did really well getting ready for school and falling back into our routine, but when I got to school my day had all sorts of twists and turns.

I get into my classroom, no heat. Lovely. I head over to the thermostat and it is 52 degrees. Thank goodness the temporary button was working, so I was able to get the heater going. The challenge is remembering every two hours while I am supposed to be teaching to hit the button again. Nice way to start the day.

I get everything else set up and head to the office. I'm getting a new student. Okay, I figured that would be happening since I had 2 spots open. Strike that you're getting 2 new students. Cool, now I will be full so no more changes. I like the sound of that! I take the two new students with me to meet the rest of the class and start our day. Right away one of the newbies starts talking out and being a bit loud. I had to squash that habit right away.

We run through some lessons then I set the rest of the class to work independently so I can assess my two new charges. Things did not go well at this point. Both of these babies are far below where they should be at this time of the year in second grade. My heart sinks. I am frustrated and disappointed that they are both going to be struggling along with the group I already have that struggles. Nice.

I get resources set up for my two new students and find out one of my other students is moving so tomorrow I will have new student #3! Geesh!! I am hoping he will not be behind also, but unfortunately with kids that get moved a lot he probably will have gaps.

So today I am trying to keep a positive attitude and get my game plan ready to get these kiddos caught up! I am grateful for all of the tricks and tools I have discovered to help these kids. Maybe I will be able to push them up to where they should be, or at least a lot closer. It is what is, or so I keep telling myself!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 1-9-11

We are back to the grindstone this week. I love that we have 3 weeks off at Christmas, but going back to school is hard! I'm not sure any of us are ready, but it is what it is. We've been getting everything set up for a smooth Monday morning, so hopefully we will all be on track for a good day.

Not much planned for this week, but K has some side jobs to do so that is a very good thing! We started painting our master bedroom and bathroom this weekend, it's almost done. I cannot wait! I will post pictures when we are finished.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Here is what we have planned to eat for this week:

Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit

Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Meat and Crackers, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars

Dinners:

Sunday-Breakfast for dinner~ Pancakes

Monday- Kielbasa, Ranch Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday- Spaghetti, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread, Salad

Wednesday- Grilled Cheese, Soup, Salad

Thursday- Chicken Tenders, Creamy Mac-n-Cheese, Salad

Friday- Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Fajitas

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.


Until next time,

My Word

I have have been thinking all week about what my word should be for the year. Productive, grow, learn, intentional, better, all great words but not what I was going for completely. So what did I come up with you say??

Here it is....

I know. It's been staring me in the face every time I get on my blog! I am in need of finding balance in my life again. I have been on a quest to do so much that I am going a little extreme at times. I have been trying to get so many new things set up in our lives that I kind of missed the point about making the changes in the first place. Making my family's life better all around.

My family has been through some challenging times the last two years, but we are better for all of it. Well mostly better, some of the challenges I could have done without!

What we need now is balance. Balance between our school lives, our home lives, computer time, creating time, and being together time. I think all five of us are guilty of too much computer time, so I think we need to balance it with more together time where we are active and interacting with each other.

Finding a new rhythm will not be hard if I make it a priority in creating a better balance in our home. These days of the five of us all together are going to be gone before I know it. I want to make sure K and I are doing everything we can to make sure our little men (well Z is not so little) are ready for all the obstacles and challenges they will be facing.

Leading by example has been my parenting MO so far. According to my grandma we have done a great job with the boys, but I know there is still so much to teach them. I want them to know that balancing all your responsibilities is completely possible. You just have to make it happen!

So my friends I am striving to find better balance in my life as we begin the journey of 2011. I have no idea what is in store for us this year, but I am hopeful that a little bit more balance will make it a great year!

Until next time,


Linking to Finer Things Friday

Reflecting

As we all begin 2011 I keep reflecting on all the things that happened in our lives during 2010. Looking back I think 2010 was a rough year for my family emotionally, but a stellar year for us to grow and learn and become closer than ever.

2010 began with the worry that I would be losing my grandmother. It was a blow that I was not expecting. Her health has been a roller coaster ride for my entire family. She is still kicking and my family had the pleasure of being her caretakers for a couple of days last weekend. Her spirit is shaken, but she is hanging in there!

We all thought we would lose my grandmother, but instead it was my grandfather that passed away. He had just worn himself out taking care of my grandmother for so long. He is at peace and he is missed everyday.

The summer of 2010 was a good one. We began the season with a quick beach trip to see some friends. The boys discovered surfing and boogie boarding and K and I learned we need to take our wedding rings off when we hit the beach! K was so sad to lose his ring, but things like that happen. The overall trip was awesome and I renewed my love of San Diego!

Our school year began with a bang. The boys excelled in their classes and I struggled with students who were not even close to being ready for 2nd grade. This school year has been a huge struggle for me. I am trying to make the best out of a bad situation, but it is a major challenge some days!

The beginning of the school also brought great joy and excitement and sorrow and heartbreak in the span of a week. We have been wanting to add on to our family for quite some time and in August we thought that that time had finally come. I was overjoyed at the prospect of having another baby, but my joy was quickly replaced when I miscarried. It all happened so fast I don't know if I even really processed everything. Some days I catch myself daydreaming about being pregnant. I never thought I would ever lose a pregnancy, but it did happen and I stinks!

My sewing has been my savior in relieving stress and keeping me occupied! I have been able to make some extra money too! I am hoping in 2011 my sewing continues to help us financially and me emotionally. K has been working on a website for me, so maybe I will be selling my goods on the web this year and not just locally.

We have really looked at our finances in 2010 and we have a pretty good idea of what we want to do and how we can do it. K is continuing his job hunt. We have reduced our bills quite a bit, so he doesn't have to find a super high paying job. I am hoping he finds something where he can use his talents and be truly happy. I know there is something out there, we just have to keep looking.

Our 2010 was a bumpy ride, but we hung in there and made it through stronger than before. I am hopeful that 2011 will be better for us and that we will all continue to thrive.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 1-2-11

Well, this year is off to a good start and I think we are all on board to keep working on making healthy choices for our meals. I just watched "Food Matters" which is a film about why nutrition is so important in maintaining health. It was pretty much common sense stuff, but it was a timely reminder. I am looking forward to preparing more whole foods for our family this year and expanding our current diet! I need to remember the importance of feeding my family good foods even when I have had a long day in the classroom.

K and I have also decided it is worth the time and gas money to head to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods once a month (along with Costco) to get our groceries. Finding good foods and customer service is becoming harder in the town we usually shop in, so the change will be for the best. We will continue using the farmer's market on Saturdays for our raw milk and produce needs until our garden is producing again. I think making good decisions and supporting good companies with our dollars will benefit all of us in the long run.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Here is what we have planned to eat for this week:

Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit

Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Meat and Crackers, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars

Dinners:

Sunday- Chicken and Dumplings, Salad

Monday- Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread, Salad

Tuesday- Tacos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Salad

Wednesday- Beef Stew, Potatoes, Carrots, Rolls

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Marlboro Man Sandwich, Onion Strings, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.


Until next time,

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has an amazing year ahead of them!

I am looking forward to what 2011 has in store for my family. Our 2010 was a bumpy ride, but I learned a lot about myself, my family, and just what we're made of during those trying days!

Here's to fresh starts, love, laughter, and happiness in the new year!

Until next time,