Hello Monday {Loving Fall}

Hello Monday!

A fresh week of beautiful weather ahead...

bye, bye summer...

you were a hot one this year!

Hello long list of to dos...

lots of things coming up...

I need to work on a plan of attack!

Hello busy classroom...

things are falling into place,

but it has been a challenge.

I say that every year according to my hubby,

it's probably true!

Hello lots of craft shows and a wedding...

being asked to do more shows is awesome,

I just wish I had more time to say yes to more shows.

Hubby's cousin is getting married...

bonus for me...

handsome hubby in a tux...

can't wait ;)

Hello speaking at our teacher inservice...

need to fine tune my presentation...

I've given it once before,

but this could be a bigger audience,

gulp!

Hello visitors in the classroom...

I hope my kids show the big wigs what they've been learning!

Hello new team at school...

honored to be asked to be part of a curriculum development team...

lots of changes in the air!

Hello random post!

Putting it all out there is good for my brain!

 

Hello everyone...

I sure hope you have a great week!

Until next time,

 

Hello Back to School!

Hello fresh new week!

Hello first full week of school...

I have been blessed with another great group...

the kiddos and I are going to have an amazing year!

Hello new responsibility...

I was asked to be a support teacher for a new teacher this year...

Kenny said he knows I would have helped her anyway,

but this way I get to add an official title to my résumé.

Hello crazy storm...

thunder, lightning, and pouring rain in August...

just wow!

Hello craft show...

next Saturday Amy's Monkeys will be part of a end of summer boutique sale...

so much to do,

but it's going to be great!

Hello homeschool...

the oldest two are doing great at home.

I love that they have the freedom to keep moving forward once they

have a concept mastered.

They are both keeping me on my toes!

Hello everyone...

how's the end of summer treating you?

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 {whirl}

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am so thankful it is Friday!

It has been a busy week for me!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I had to give a presentation to my fellow teachers this week...

I'd also tell you I am not a big fan of teaching adults...

but I survived and had a positive response!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you the wind was in the air this week...

that translates to crazy kids at school!  

We are doing test prep, so that is not a good combination.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I thought I messed up my sewing machine,

turns out replacing the needle made all the difference.

I am so bad about remembering to do that!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am so ready for a free weekend!

I need to seriously restock the freezer with breakfast goodies...

my poor boys have gotten the short end of the stick lately.

I will fix that!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd hug you tight and say your turn!

How was your week?

Until next time,

  Joining Alissa for Coffee!

Joining with Miss Casey

Joining with Amy

Coffee Date {pretty good}

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you this week has been pretty good!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you {knock on wood} that my new student

 is doing so much better!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I received a sweet gift this week.

I love friends that bless me with their talent!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am in the process of a ruthless purge...

closets, cupboards, drawers,

simplifying is so good!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you Kenny is amazing...

he jumps on board with my crazy ideas without complaining.

We are such a good team!

 My dresser inspiration...see her blog here

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my dresser makeover is going to be fantastic!

I've never loved the look of the dresser, 

but now I think I will.

Cute and functional = love

If we were having coffee...

I'd say your turn...

how's it going with you?

Until next time,

 

 Joining Alissa for Coffee!

Joining with Miss Casey

Coffee Date {rough week}

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I had a rough teacher week.

Transfer kid trouble, spring fever, and yucky assessments...

not a good combo.

Fun things planned for today,

we all need it!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am so happy spring break is here!

At 2:30pm today you will see 

a school full of teachers doing the happy dance!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my spring break to do list is long,

but I really want to accomplish everything on it!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I'm making my nephew's birthday cake

and I cannot wait to see his little fingers dig in!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I wish I could be at Luke's track meet today.

He is the school's standing long jump champion...

He's won it a few times and now he competes against the other city schools.

Sometimes working out of town really stinks.

I hope he has a great day!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am ready for resting and resetting my house...

come on 2:30!

If we were having coffee...

I'd squeeze you and say your turn!

How's life treating you?!?

Until next time,

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Joining up with...

 Miss Alissa

 Miss Casey

Coffee Date {survived}

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I made it through conferences!

It is a busy week and my voice pays for it

and I am so glad it's finished!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my transfer student is settling in just fine.

Everyone at the school has noticed 

his dramatic change in behavior.

Structure and routine were all that he needed.

So thankful for the support 

I have had this week to make the transition!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you Kenny has been 

on a house cleaning rampage 

and I LOVE IT!

I was planning on doing it over spring break,

but he has jumped on it already.

It is so nice to have clear spaces!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I have a bunch of sewing to do this weekend.

I've been prepping this week, 

so hopefully the sewing goes quickly!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I really want some new bedding,

but I have been hesitating to get it...

It's on sale until Saturday,

so I better decide quickly.

My current bedding is almost 6 years old and ratty,

so it's time.

So hard to spend the money,

but I know I will love it!

 Via Target

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am so glad it's Friday

and that spring break is almost here!

YAY!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you...

Bring on the weekend!

If we were having coffee...

I'd say your turn...

fill me in on your week!

Until next time,

 Joining up with Alissa

 Joining up with Casey

{lessons in grace}

When I chose grace as my word this year I wasn't sure what it was going to look like.

Was the grace going to be mostly for me or 

was I going to be giving grace to the people around me too?

I think I am getting my answer this week.

I agreed to let a kiddo that has been a super challenge this year

be transferred into my class.

About five minutes in I was asking myself what did you do?!?

This guy has been out of control for almost the

entire year and I am suppose to try to bring him back into line.

grace.

Grace  for me as I take a deep breath at my desk before I deal with him again.

Grace for him as I watch him adjust and try to find his place in my room.

Grace for my amazing class as they ignore his hollering and keep right on task,

frustrated I am sure, but being the kids I have grown to love this year!

Grace for all of us as we find our new normal.

One trimester left, we can all do this.

My neighbor teacher reassured me that 

he will fall in with the rest of the class in a week.  

I know it too, 

but it is hard to keep going with the challenges so far.

Poor kid doesn't realize his stubbornness

 is no match for my stubbornness.

I am a master!

We will find a balance.

I will give him grace as well as myself.

I am seeing my kids giving him grace already.

 Changes are hard, but he needed what I have built in my classroom.

Deep breaths and mini prayers.

I know it will get better, 

but for a while I am going to lean on grace for strength.

Until next time,

 

coffee date {just breathe}

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you this week was a whirlwind!!!!

Yes, four exclamations worth!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you school was crazy town this week.

A schedule change through all of us into a frenzy

and the kids were maniacs a bit wild!

We survived, I learned some new things, 

and my class learned a whole bunch of new things.

Today, maybe, we can breathe.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you my blue-eyed boy had a great birthday!

Bless his heart for wanting cheesecake,

this mama loves cheesecake too!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I miss my bestie deperately

and a 3 1/2 drive is very tempting right now to squeeze her neck!

We got some emails in this week,

but time together would be great!!!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am all ready for conferences.

It feels so good to have everything all set up!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I completed a couple of special orders this week.

Yup, right on top of the craziness.

It's so worth it to see the smiles!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I need to reset my house...

in a big way.

I am hoping I can get it done this weekend.

We'll see...

If we were having coffee...

I'd say your turn fill me in on you!

Until next time,

Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

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,

 

{teaching}

Thank goodness right?!?

By Thursday in the classroom you see teachers running a little thin...

tired, frustrated, worried, pushing.

Trying to get everything done for this week 

and planning for next week...

The cycle continues

week after week.

Then great things happen...

light bulbs go on...

whole classes are successful on the latest test.

Smiles and cheers fill the classroom.

That's what it is all about...

getting little people excited about learning 

and thinking.

So grateful for the changes happening in education...

kids are thinking for themselves again.

It is an awesome thing to be a part of everyday!

Until next time,

Hello Monday {Medicine}

Hello fresh new week...

 Hello medicine...

I'm a little wound up...

taking steroids to bring my immune system back from out of control super strength

 has made me a wee bit hyper.

My husband is getting a kick out of it...

my bed, not so much.

Hello natural living...
I am not a medicine taker at all...

tell me steroids and I'd rather pass, 

but the look on my doctor's face told me I didn't have a choice.

I am thankful I trusted her because my eyes are back to normal!!

Hello shop prep...

trying to get more burp cloths added to my inventory.

Lots of ironing involved,

but they are such cute gifts the time is worth it!

Hello grading test papers...

7-year-olds write the best responses on their tests.

I was laughing at their right,

 but not really what I was looking for answers.

 

Hello boys who make me laugh...

sneak attack hugs are my favorite boy thing!

 

Hello new week...

what do you have in store for us?

Hello everyone!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Until next time,

 

 

 Joining Miss Lisa for Hello Monday

 

Coffee Date ~ Goals

If we were having a coffee date...

I would be telling you about my goals for the new year.

I have many things I want to accomplish this year for my health,

for our nutrition, for our finances, for our businesses, for my career, 

for my children, and for our home and garden.

If we were having a coffee date...

I would tell you I need to lose some inches and get back to being more active.

Hard workouts and more bike riding need to find a place in my life again.

All of the changes at school have messed with my energy level and I'm not happy about it.

Since I have a handle on having such a bigger class now I really need to get back to exercising everyday!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you we need to up our real food game.

We need to have more veggies in our diet and focus on sticking to the meal plan.

I need to make sure to fill the basket with veggies 

when I am at the market and have good things to dip them in for the boys.

I would tell you I've gotten lazy about this and it has to change!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you we paid off two little debts last week and our car should be paid off by the fall.  I would also tell you I hope we can work hard and get it paid off way before that! 

Since Kenny lost his county job things have been tight, but we're learning more everyday about budgeting and weighing wants verses needs.  The faster we get this debt paid off the faster we can get old debts gone too!  That is exciting to me!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you Kenny is working hard to help build this new business!  His boss values him and they are both excited about the future of the company.  It is so exciting watching their enthusiasm! Someday they will be making a living doing what they love.  It's not paying much yet, but isn't that how all new businesses start?!?

I would also tell you I hope to build up Amy's Monkeys this year.

I am working to make good choices and get systems in place to help make me more productive.  I want to increase traffic and build my brand.  I would also tell you I would love to do another craft show event.  We had a blast at the last one and I learned so much! 

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you I am going to apply to teach in the town where we live.

This one scares me to death!  I am very comfortable at my current school, but commuting has just gotten to be too much.  I feel like the teachers at my boys' school are the cream of the crop and I am nervous about not being good enough.  I have to get over the insecurity and get my application finished up and turned in!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am excited about homeschooling Lukas and Zackery next year.

They need more and I am itching to search out the best ways to stretch their minds.

I want them to finally be challenged instead of just being given more work to do!

I am also excited Nikolas gets to finish up at the same school he began with in kindergarten.

That kind of stability is an awesome thing!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you about plans we have for the house.

New paint for the inside to lighten everything up is first on the list.  Five years of the current color is more than enough.  I'm ready for change.  If we can manage it I'd love to get the floors redone too!

Wood floors are my dream, but some of the laminates are so pretty and the prices are so much more affordable.  I would love to have floors that aren't so yucky, because builder grade carpet stinks!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you we need to tackle the backyard and get the garden situated.

With grocery prices rising we need to take advantage of this big old backyard!

It probably won't take much to get it in shape, but we need to start soon!

If we were having coffee...

I'd hug you and thank you for listening to me 

ramble on about my plans, hopes, and goals.  

I hope your dreams and goals come together too!

Until next time,
 


Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey