Hello There!

I had no idea I would be taking the summer off from here, 

but if you follow my instagram you know we've had a busy summer!

Nik just got his cast off!  He was amazing through the whole thing!

For someone that had three broken bones, he sure was tough.

We were gifted a chance to repaint the interior of the house,

so we jumped on it!

But, if you give a mouse a cookie...

Seriously the painting led to decor changes

on a budget of hardly anything!

 Thrift stores, spray paint, and serious discount hunting have been good to us!

Schemes for painted kitchen cabinets and new back splashes 

are floating around in our heads...

It also led to major purging and organizing!

Which translated into we need to have a yard sale...

that is happening tomorrow!

I have never been so ruthless with clearing out in my life

and it's been awesome!!!

We are in love with all the changes,

but I feel like these changes were getting us ready 

for bigger changes in our lives.

Nothing official yet, 

but hopes and prayers for better opportunities 

could be answered in the near future!

The biggest change is that I am enlisting help to design a new blog 

to combine this space with Amy's Monkeys.

I'm not sure when that will happen,

but I will keep you posted!

If you made it this far you deserve a treat!

Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

Thankful and Relieved

 

Today I am thankful and relieved that all of the state testing is done...

more thankful that next year's second graders won't have to take a big test like that!

I am thankful for a band of parents that spoiled the teachers yesterday...

I am thankful for a principal that has set a great tone for our school...

I am relieved that my plans for open house next week are falling into place...

May at my school is psycho!

I am thankful my boys are usually so healthy,

and relieved Lukas is over his little sickness!

I am relieved that the end of the school year is so close,

it kind of gives me a push to get the last activities done with my kiddos.

I am thankful for all the little things that fall into place each day!

Until next time!

Coffee Date {busy}

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you this was a busy week!

I am so grateful for another three day weekend!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my school practiced a lock down.

What a crazy time to be a teacher, 

but our school rocked the drill!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I went on a great bike ride a couple of days go.

I cannot wait to go again.

Sunny forecasts are raising my spirits and my bike is ready!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my boys were loud this week.

Sunshine woke them up and they were "battling" 

every. single. day.

I love them, but there is no volume control.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I surprised the boys on Valentine's Day.

Donuts from the donut shop for a sweet breakfast.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you waiting and not knowing if there is a new job 

out there for me

is hard!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my decision to homeschool 

two of the boys next year is being reaffirmed everyday.

It's going to be hard and wonderful all mixed in one!

The best part is they are excited.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you to watch this kid's TED talk...

so good!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I sent handwritten notes to a few friends this week.

Why did I ever stop doing that?

It was so good to write a little note and send some love to special ladies!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you we'll be working on the garden this weekend.

Sunshine is here, so we have to take advantage.

Fresh vegetables in my backyard?

Yes, please!

If we were having coffee...

You would get a big hug and 

 I'd say your turn!  

Catch me up on you!

Until next time,

Joining Alissa

Joining Casey

This is Why

Second graders give their teachers notes and pictures all. the. time.

Every now and then you get one that is extra cute or extra sweet.

At the end of the year I always return the pictures to their creator,

but the one I got a couple of days ago is going to stay with me forever!

Translated from a sweet 7 year old girl...

"Do you know how I learned?  

Because Mrs. Perryman made it happen.  

If you want to learn how to do 

everything go to Mrs. Perryman's class"

If that doesn't make a teacher smile, I don't know what would.

All of the trials, challenges, and triumphs come down to this...

did I make a difference in the life of a child?

So, ya, I think I go the answer!

Until next time,

 

Coffee Date-Currently

If we were having a coffee date...

 you would surely notice my red puffy eyes...

I would tell you I'm going to see the doctor today, 

this allergic reaction or whatever it is

 is making me crazy...

I cannot figure out what is causing it!

If we were having a coffee date...

I would tell you the first week back to school was not bad...

and I still really dislike teacher inservices...

I'd rather be in the classroom with my kids.

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd show you my new jeans...

$2 at the thrift store and a little alteration...

makes me love them!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you about the boys having arguments 

about scientific terms in the kitchen...

I love my house of thinkers...

so blessed to have these boys.

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you we've been getting in more veggies

and I've hit the treadmill everyday...

working on my goals has been good!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you the new shop has had a lot of traffic...

I can't wait to get some sewing time in this weekend!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd hug you and say,

"Your turn.  Catch me up on you!"

Until next time,

 

 Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

Basketball

On Sunday I had the brilliant idea that playing some kind of sport with the boys would be a better way for me to get in some exercise and for us to have some time together.  

I decided basketball would be the best choice since we a) have a couple of basketballs and b) have access to courts close to the house and c) I loved basketball as a kid.

It was on!

Last night the boys and I hit the court for a little 2 on 2 action.  

Oh. My. Word.

I was laughing so hard!  

I have not really played basketball since college and the boys,

 bless their hearts, 

have no idea what they are doing!

We had a blast and I am certain we entertained all of the serious men playing in the next court.  

Best thing of all is that all of us had fun!

The boys already asked about playing again...that is huge for my non-sports kiddos.

I guess the fun part out weighed the crazy parent part from their previous experiences!

It felt so good to be playing and it was awesome seeing them listening, learning, and laughing together!

Do we have the next Michael Jordan or Larry Bird in our house?  Ya, not so much.  What we do have is a way for all of us to have some fun and time together.  Zack will be heading off to college before I know it, so every experience we can share is precious to me. 

 Making memories together, that's the best!

Until next time,

Joining Laura at Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

His Timing

Since Kenny has been out of work things have been a challenge.  After the panic passed it really has been a blessing.  We got amazing news on Monday that is going to help our lives and our attitudes tremendously!  I do not feel comfortable sharing the exact details, but it was something that makes me feel truly blessed.

We're still waiting for the right job to come along, but until then we can breathe a little bit easier.  We have learned so much about budgeting and waiting for things we would like to have for our home or the boys.  I have become the queen of making do with what we already have, re-purposing, and generally learning to be content.

I am really finding joy in my home and my life since I have been forced to reevaluate on so many levels.

We have plans and dreams and hopes.

Now we feel a burden has been lifted and so much of our challenge has been for a greater purpose.  Our boys are learning valuable lessons right along with us.  It makes my heart happy to have them going down a better financial path than we did.  I'll take the financial headaches we've had knowing that the boys hopefully will not have to travel the same path to gain control over their finances.

Things are looking up! 

We are truly blessed and I am truly thankful for His perfect timing!



Joining Miss Casey again sharing our hearts.

The Teenager

I know a lot of people that said, "Just wait until you have a teenager."  With the look of pain and regret firmly planted in their eyes.  Kenny and I scoffed at them because we knew.  We knew our boy and we knew our family.

Having a teenager for almost a year now has been a blessing.  This kid still talks to us, still wants to eat with us, still wants to go places with us.

You see I don't think it's the teenagers that change so much, I think it's the parents projecting their fears and insecurities about the job they've done so far.

 The mama and the teenager

We are not perfect parents, but we are parents.  We set boundaries and encourage exploration and creative growth.  So what did we wind up with, well I'd say we wound up with a kid who loves us as much as we love him.  To me that is the greatest success a parent can hope for when rearing these little humans!

Until next time,

This Teaching Gig

I am super thankful for where I am in my life right now.

Everyday I get to spend time with my boys and their amazing vocabularies.  I just love talking and listening to them tell their stories and tales of their busy school days.  It makes me smile to think that Kenny and I have guided them to be the men they are becoming, maybe a little too quickly for this mama's heart.  What amazes me most is the vocabulary we have helped them gather. 

People around us say talking to our kids is like talking to an adult.  I love it!  No baby talk around here, they were born as little humans and that's how we talked to them from the beginning.  It gives my heart such joy to continue to see them blossom.

Then I get the pleasure have the duty to go into my classroom each day.  It's no joke that this year has been a challenge. 

I am exhausted at the end of most days, but by the grace of God I am seeing progress in these little people in my care.  I about cried yesterday when one of my kiddos read a book on grade level and was able to retell the story beautifully.  Now mind you she was only reading kindergarten level when we began this journey in August.  The pride that was shining through her smile was amazing. 

Those moments are what push me to keep going to a job in a place that causes such a range of emotions in my soul.  Getting ready for report cards is always a little stressful, but getting to spend a few moments with each of these kids one on one proves that I am making a difference and pushing these kids down the right track.

My teaching gig is a pretty sweet deal.  I love teaching my own kids and to know my job right now is to help teach another batch of kids makes all the adult junk worth it!  Challenges will keep coming up, but I know that my children and my students will be prepared for whatever crosses their paths because I helped build their foundations!

Until next time,

Thankful

 

 There is nothing like a new school year to keep me away from blogging!  I have missed it, but quite honestly I needed to focus on my home life and new students for a while.  It has been a pretty good start to the new year!  I was so nervous about having 28+ students this year, but it really has not been too bad.  I have been blessed with a pretty mild group this year.  After struggling with super challenging classes over the past few years I was pretty anxious about what awaited me!

I am seeing challenges in the number of students, but hopefully I will be able to get everyone to where they need to be by the end of the year.  I wish I didn't have to have 28 kids, but I am thankful that I kept my job while so many others lost theirs.  It's a scary time in education, but I am determined to make the best of it!  If I can keep a good attitude I am positive I can make it through.  There will be lots of prayers this year, but I know the prayers I've made already are helping so much!

So today I am grateful for my job and for my new students.  I think we're going to have a pretty awesome year!

Head on over to Heavenly Homemakers to see what everyone else is grateful for today!

Until next time,

Summer

My days are about to change from the hum of my sewing machine to the buzz of busy kids filling a new classroom.  I am not thrilled that my summer vacation is coming to a close, but I am very grateful that I do get time of to regroup and refresh with my own monkeys for a couple of months each year.  This summer was spent mostly at home doing our own things.  Playing, building, sharing silly youtube videos.  We spent our days just being together without being on top of each other.  Fluttering between our individual activities to seeing what everyone else was up to in the house.

This is how we spend our days, working on something and then taking a break to check in with everyone else.  I love it!  We don't have to be in the same room of the house to be together, it's lovely.  I have extra chairs in my sewing space, so visitors are welcome to come hang out while I work on another project.  It's awesome to have a workspace I can share with my monkeys.

So now we are in the back to school mode.  Knowing our late nights and unscheduled days are coming to a close for the year.  We've slowly been checking on supplies and making sure everyone has what they need to start the new year well.  We are prepared even if we're not ready for the summer to be leaving us just yet.

I am carrying a hopeful heart for what the new classrooms will bring for all of us.  I may not want it to be time to move on, but I am up to the challenges and adventures that lie ahead.  Bring it on new school year, show us what you've got planned for us! 

Head on over to Heavenly Homemakers to see what everyone else is grateful for today!

Until next time,

Family

We were able to sneak away for a day to visit my grandparents who had come in from Arizona. It had been almost 6 years since I had seen them. My boys kind of remember them, but not well.

I think it was totally worth having a long day to be able to see the boys interacting with their great-grandparents! They giggled and talked and got to know each other. It was amazing!

L and N showing Grammy how to play a game on the ipad from my classroom


All the boys...love the big smiles!

This is the last set of grandparents K and I have left, so every day God chooses to let them stay with us is a blessing. After losing my other set of grandparents in the last year I am acutely aware of the importance of getting in as much time with the people you love as you possibly can!

Family shot...did you notice how tall Z is?!?

I am grateful that we were given this chance to visit! The smiles that it brought and the joy in lots of hearts will stick around for a long time!

Until next time,

Joining up with Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

Lovely

My youngest boy came in from the backyard and told me it was "lovely that we had dogs to play with". I wanted to melt. Such sweet words from an almost 9 year old boy!

We had a lovely weekend and I think we all felt it. I was able to get all my monthly grocery shopping finished Saturday and still had energy to break up the bulk purchases into the correct portions for the freezer. I love the beginning of the month when the pantry is stocked well and the freezer is full. There is security in knowing that I can feed my family well.

Sunday was a day of chores and working on outside projects. K has been working his tail off to tame our crazy backyard. With all of the rain we have had it wasn't a pretty picture! We are expanding our vegetable garden areas into some of our flower beds. We figured if we have to pay for water we might as well be watering something we can eat!

We planted some tomato plants, bell peppers, chili peppers, and some more herbs. My oregano and one cilantro container have been going nuts. I need to get out the dehydrator and get some of the oregano dried. We still need to plant a lot of other veggies, but that will probably have to wait until later in the week.

Sunday ended with K and I taking the dogs for a little walk around the neighborhood. While we were out we got to see the most beautiful sunset. Only in nature do you find such amazing colors! It was truly gorgeous.

I am so thankful that we have a plan for our yard, food for our tummies, and a nice neighborhood for evening strolls. We are truly blessed.

Until next time,

Linking up with Gratitesday at Heavenly Homemakers

Sick Day

Just so you know I H*A*T*E being sick.
Colds, flu, allergies it doesn't matter the cause.
I am an equal opportunity hater of being ill.

Well guess what found me Sunday? Yup, the nasty keep you in bed, make your head pound and stomach sick flu. I was not a happy camper, no sir re. Doesn't the flu know I am a mama and I have boys to take care of, things to do, and a house to keep? I realized trying to be superwoman wasn't going to help, so I rested and slept and let my body fight off the invaders!

But guess what, it only knocked me out for about 1 day because we have been working on building up our bodies by eating whole foods and using natural remedies when we feel a cold coming on. I really truly believe that little bug didn't hang around long because my body has really built up its natural defenses.

I am grateful today for the bloggy world and my friend B who opened my eyes to the importance of good solid nutrition as a main source for physical health! The flu might get in, but it won't be able to hang out long!

I am feeling a million times better today just in time to become a mama to an official teenager (more about that in another post)! Holy smokes!

Until next time,


~~~~~~~~~
Linking up with Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers

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,

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,

Friendship

Last week my school was rocked by the loss of a dear aide. She had become my friend and I loved seeing her smile everyday! She had been through hard times, but always stayed positive and kept moving forward. I am so sad for her friends and family because we all miss her very much, but I know she is no longer in pain and can truly be a guardian angel for her children.

I was blessed to have her in my life for 5 years and I will cherish all the talks we had for the rest of my life. Miss Diana you will be missed, but your impact on the lives of the students in our school will live on!

So today I am so very grateful for the time I had to get to know Diana, even if it was much too short.

Until next time,


Linking to Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers

Mr. Fred

K and I were out running errands on Saturday when I mentioned to him I had seen the SPCA trailer in front of the pet store. He quickly said let's go see. I am so glad we did!

Mr. Fred was up for adoption from the county shelter which just happened to be at the pet store too. The poor little guy was turned in my his owners because they were moving. I don't know about you, but that just bothered us a lot. We get pretty attached to our fur babies!

So scared Fred came home with us! He perked up a little right when we brought him home, but now he is just a super happy guy. He moves just like Roxie and they are having fun together. Our little Schnauzer boy is going to fit in great around here!

Until next time,

Proud Mama

Last week I had the privilege to go to an awards breakfast for my little boys. They were both chosen as student of the month for citizenship. Their teachers didn't even realize they had chosen brothers until the boys came into class and told them what had happened. It was pretty nice hearing about my boys being role models in their classrooms! I am so very proud to be able to share the moment with them. Taking the day off was totally worth it!!

Proud Daddy with his boys


Proud Mama with her boys

I am so grateful that we have instilled in our boys the importance of doing the right thing and being respectful. It shows everyday and it truly makes my heart sing! I love being the mama to all three of my boys!

Join me over at Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

Until next time,

Holding Hands

Last Friday night I took the little boys to their school for their annual fundraiser. We walked over to the school because I knew traffic would be a mess. On our way there a very cool thing happened, L and N wanted to hold my hand! Now for a 9 year old and an 8 year old to want to hold my hand made my heart melt!!

I was in love with my babies all over again! We sat down and had our dessert treat. L rubbed his head against mine and even snuck in a kiss or two. N was right there with him. I never would have thought they would be so lovey in front of all the other kids. It was just awesome.

I hope they will always want to give me a hug or hold my hand! I am so grateful to be raising boys that have such big hearts!

Until next time,

This post is linked to Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers.