Cute Joke

Question: What kind of candy does a happy farmer eat?

Answer: Jolly Ranchers

Life...

Well, life has been very hectic lately.  Last week was the end of the first nine weeks and everyone knows what that means... report cards!  I had never done them before, so I was a little bit nervous about writing comments on each one...  I ended up feeling much more confident about them than I thought I would.  I have a really good class, so thankfully, I only had to write "improvement" memos on a few of them.  We'll see what happens when they go home (Friday). I have a feeling some parents will want a conference because I didn't give out too many conduct honor role awards.  I wasn't going to give out the award to 20 students... that, in my opinion, takes away the honor.  It needs to be the very best students... those select few I never have to get on at all.  If I have to say, "Sit in your seat."  "Get back in line," etc.  I feel like they don't really deserve to get it.  My peers agree.  We'll see what happens.  

Writing report cards and averaging grades made me think back to my college days (a whole year or two ago)....  they never taught us what to say on report cards or what percentage participation should have when averaging grades.  They did a great job of teaching us what to do when one of our students can't read or when one of our students misbehaves.  

Unless you're a teacher, and even then, you probably have found this post very, very boring... and for that, I apologize.  You also may be wondering why I'm home and not at school...  that's because I have to go to a funeral today.  A friend from when I was in elementary school died unexpectedly over the weekend in a car accident.  I can't imagine the pain and suffering her family must be going through right now.  

Please continue to pray for my grandfather.  If you could pray that he gets some sleep and can breathe more easily, my family would really appreciate it!  Also pray for my mom and my aunt as they are very worn out.  

Thanks!  Have a great week!

Photo Ramblings

We just had a Father Daughter Banquet for the girls/dads at church.  My dad was the speaker, so I was able to attend with him.  It was formal, which the girls loved.  This is the picture they took of us when my dad first arrived.  The night really went well!  Everyone had a great evening of food, fellowship, and fun.  Isn't that one of the reasons why we're Baptists?  (obviously, j/k)

David was the MC at the Father Daughter Banquet.  We had to get at least one picture while I was "formal."  

We've also renovated our yard!  It looks SO much better.  Here's a "in progress" picture.  Sorry I don't have any before or after pictures.  In the area where there's no grass, there was a HUGE bush.  We've been wanting to get rid of it for ages, and we're so glad that we did!  We just put sod where the enormous bush had been.  

On another note...

The grandfather that had the stroke in August was in the hospital this week.  He'd been feeling very weak and short of breath recently, so a doctor friend of his suggest that he go to the hospital to see what was wrong.  He was only in the hospital for two nights, but during that time they were able to determine that his heart was consistently in atrial fibrillation. There are apparently various types of AF and he has the type that slows your rhythm down rather than speeding it up.  For this reason, the pacemaker/defibrillator that he has implanted within him did not "shock" his heart back into the sinus rhythm.  They were, though, able to shock it back into rhythm using the device in his body.  Amazing, isn't it?  

Please pray that his heartbeat remains normal.  Also pray for my grandmother.  She's having a difficult time while they're going through this situation.  

Teaching is going well.  Next weekend is a long one, so that will be really nice!  As I've mentioned, I really do enjoy and love my job and my students; but I have to get up much earlier than I would prefer.  An extra day to sleep in is something to which I look forward!  

Hope you have a great week!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

12.16.06 

12.15.07

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. 

~Proverbs 17:6

I don't think either of my parents read this blog (but maybe I'm wrong), but I just wanted to say that I'm so thankful for both of them!  Needless to say, parents probably have a more extensive impact on a person's life than anyone else.  They're there at all those important milestones: a first birthday, learning to ride a bike without training wheels, the first piano recital, etc. However, in my case, my parents helped make sure I met even more important benchmarks: They took me to church and taught me about my wonderful Saviour.  They were excited when I trusted Jesus Christ.  They taught me the importance of sharing the gospel with a lost and dying world.  They instilled in me the importance of reading my Bible every day.  The list could go on and on.  

There are so many people with fathers who aren't involved, fathers who don't care how their children spend their time.  I could have had one of those dads.  Praise the Lord that I didn't!  I had a father who corrected me when I needed it and always showed  (and still does) me that he loved me!  

Thanks, Dad!  I love you!

Cute Gift & Conversations from Third Grade

Isn't this pumpkin adorable!  One of my students brought me a gift bag today, and this is what was nestled inside.  It's a fake pumpkin painted in a really stylish way.  I wrote the student's name and the year on the bottom so that I'll always be able to remember who gave it to me.  I love decorating for fall!  

And here's another conversation from third grade:  

Setting:  We'd just finished a reading assignment, and students were to complete their handwriting and then have D.E.A.R. ("Drop Everything And Read) until everyone finished.  

Student # 1:  raises his hand until I walk by and talk to him.

Me:  what's up?  

Student #1:  Well, I've noticed that Student #2 isn't really doing his work.  I was wondering if I could stop reading and just keep an eye on him for a while?  Would that be okay?  

Me:  Struggling to keep my composure; I'm cracking up on the inside.  How about you leave that to me and you get back to reading?  

Student #1:  Well, okay, but he's really been doodling over there.  

Obviously, student #1 was paying just as much attention to the task at hand as student #2.  Isn't that hysterical?  This little guy really does say whatever's on his mind!  

Reasons I Enjoy Weekends

While I honestly do LOVE my job, my student, and teaching in general, weekends are a nice reprieve.  Here are some reasons I enjoy them:

1. I get to spend more time with David. 
2. My cell phone gets to ring rather than vibrate.
3. I'm not asked 300 times a day "when's lunch?"
4. I get to sleep in!  
5. My house gets neater.  
6. I get to do church stuff.  

There are many, many reasons I love the week days but right now, I'm very glad it's Friday!  

Checking In

Mrs. So-And-So was wearing that "scandalous skirt" again today... eagerly awaiting a response from Student # 1.  Also, SO happy that tomorrow is Friday!!!  I love my job, but Friday's are nice!