• 7 a.m. call to tell me she is free tonight
• student interviews: "What is the best part of 2nd grade?" "Having you for a teacher!"
• excitement over stickers, working hard for them
• brought to and from school by my husband
• a letter in return
• fresh mozzarella
• Scholastic orders, earning bonus points for my classroom
• a ride in the Juke
• spending too long in Michaels, as usual
• using coupons

late night Home Depot run, a cart full of wood!
(thanks to the kind old men who were oh-so patient with us)

• light streaming through the tear-dropped window after the storm
• huddling under a kid-sized umbrella with three of my students during dismissal
• successful centers without an extra adult in the room, adding lots of drops to the bucket
• family Skype date over dinner, seeing her tiny smile
• special deliveries, brightening their days with new jewelry
• too much mint-oreo ice cream

• all fairy tales edited
• fixing mistakes
• a box arriving on my porch, dividing up the goods
• delicious vegetarian chili
• one less load of laundry to do
• husband making my lunch for tomorrow

• all-school worship in chapel, with a lot of movement!
• parents and teachers helping to fill in for my absent aide
• talking through ideas with my mentor
• #7 donut
• husband making dinner for the 2nd night in a row, and prepping for tomorrow's meal - what would I do without him?
• helping a friend so that she can (hopefully) sleep better tonight
• support for my initiatives

• a special kindergarten aide that was quick to fill in where needed
• a student briefly falling asleep on his desk - not so cute in high school, but totally adorable in 2nd grade! 
• 19 once upon a times - the beginnings of fairy tales
• a silly text message that made me smile
• enjoying a few rare after-school moments-of-silence-without-interruption in my classroom
• dinner prepared by my husband
• a brisk walk on a warm night - gotta love Indian summers!
• free trial on Hulu Plus
• a new season of the Amazing Race - how did we miss that last night?!

• a cousin who asked to come to church with us again!
• a motivating message about money
• enjoying our Sabbath together, taking a few hours to go apple picking!
• a scenic drive to Warwick, NY -- more leaves changing colors as we headed north
• crisp and delicious apples
• blue skies, beautiful views from the high point of the orchard
• warm cider donuts
• listening to him sing along in the car

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

• sleeping in, not waking up to an alarm
• 2 new windows in our bedroom
• being productive, getting a head start on the many days of sub plans I have to write before the upcoming family wedding
• catching up with cousins from Boston
• out for dinner with our grandparents
• a mom who misses me - stopping in to visit with my parents and brothers, laughing so hard that we have tears in our eyes

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

coming home to a dozen roses, just because he loves me

• eggs for breakfast on a weekday
• a parent that is willing to come to school not once, but twice to help out in various ways
• playing games with students during well-earned free time
• grading papers and easing head-aches in the company of 2 amazing teachers
• getting take-out
• all members of a.j.e.less designs together again! doing our thing ... making cards while we share life's stories
• planning for another house party in November
• seeing the early morning hours on the clock as we drink wine, eat ice cream, and never stop talking

• "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard
• students working quietly when my principal decided to stop in - perfect timing!
• successful first day of centers
• all families making an appearance at back to school night, listening as students gave tours of our classroom
• 2nd grade faces scrolling on the screen
• positive feedback from students' parents, just what I needed after a day of feeling weary and "not good enough"
• coming home to dinner and tomorrow's lunch made by my loving hubby
• a recent dessert favorite - mixing up a shake!

• rain holding out until after my brother's soccer game, watching from the sidelines with family
• an aide who is willing to stay late to get the job done
• no student letters going home today
• sweet compliments from students and parents
• doodles on their spelling tests that bring joy in the midst of grading
• larger photos on the facebook newsfeed -- it's the little things, right?

• typed student paragraphs about kindness, getting help to make it happen
• laughing with colleagues in the faculty room
• meeting in the same spot this time! after-school Starbucks drinks and quality conversation with a friend
• tails wagging when I walked in the door
• evening stroll with my husband

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

• so many willing parent volunteers
• discovering that all of my family was in the same place at the same time
• listening to moving 9/11 testimonies
• confirming my new jewelry order
• his arm around me at the end of another day

• relaxing morning in my sweats
• chocolate chip pancakes
• feeling the sunshine on my face
• well-done and meaningful EC Community Celebration/Convocation Service
• performances that give me the chills
• seeing familiar, friendly faces
• checking more wedding tasks off the list
• programs looking great
• my husband's paper - done!
• celebrating with strawberry smoothies

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

• a change of scenery for a week
• two lovable black labs
• laundry on the same floor
• enough food to last, no need for grocery shopping
• finishing up last week's design project
• guilty pleasure: mac 'n cheese
• beautiful soon-to-be-autumn morning, perfect for a walk with my husband
• pizza with the boys
• furniture shopping with my brother/new neighbor
• no glitches with the printer

• beautiful day for recess! didn't even mind having recess duty
• adorable note from a student (my favorite line: "Mrs. Beverly, you are so pritty. Nowunder Mr. Beverly marryed you.")
• a chill in the air, breaking out the socks and long sleeves
• seeing my husband all dressed up
• breaking out my scrapbook gear after too long a stretch

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

• the kids looking their best for picture day
• hair feeling healthy and a little less bulky again
• catching up with a friend on the phone, sharing some silly 2nd grade fill-in-the-blanks
• I am special because ... I am a reptile guy.
• I am special because ... I use mouthwash.
• My friends say I am ... cool. I say I am ... hansum.
• time for two episodes
• church bells, with an amazing sunset background

• 2nd graders helping one another
• making a delicious dinner for 3
• loving the new TV more now that it has a nicer stand
• accomplishing all of my grading even after taking a night off yesterday
• learning about readanybook.com
• seeing my husband for more than a 1/2 hour at the end of our night!

• sweet and straightforward compliments from students
• students completing work -- no left to dos!
• "hamburger paragraphs"
• decorating the hallways with their finished products
• the help of 2 aides for the day
• arrival of our new TV stand
• a good turn-out, complete with teachers, friends & family
• free jewelry
• way too much chocolate chip cannoli dip (thanks again for the recipe!)

• a real trooper! a tired student with a broken wrist toughing it out all day, even writing with his left hand
• a fellow teacher and friend willing to cover my recess duty on short notice
• being on the same page as my mentor, getting our grading done in the company of each other
• a night of silly TV and laughter with friends
• a good recommendation
• reading Sunday e-mails on Mondays, a pick-me-up at the start of a new week
• witnessing a cycle of love at Starbucks
• Woman #1 goes to pay and realizes she has misplaced her wallet, she begins to panic and wonder where it could be
• Woman #2 stands behind and offers to cover the cost for Woman #1
• Woman #1 politely declines as she is in a rush to leave the cafe and find her missing wallet
• Woman #1 searches her car and finds her lost treasure, comes inside to pay and tacks on the price of a gift card for Woman #2
• Woman #2 is pleasantly surprised when the daughter of Woman #1 delivers her gift of love
• Both women exchange thank-yous and that-was-so-kind-of-you's
• After both women have left, the baristas comment on this "cycle of love," obviously not a sight they see every day
• I leave with my pumpkin spice frappuccino (and way too many calories) and continue the cycle of love by sharing this beautiful story with you! What an inspiration to show God's love and grace, even in small ways, each day.

• remembering this day ten years ago:
• holding hands around the flag pole at ECHS and praying for those in harm's way
• running to my cousin's side to find relief, thankful my world-trade-center working family member was traveling on business at the time
• mom showing up at school to check on me, taking me out early so that we could be together when so many families were torn apart
• her arms around me as we watched the dark smoke billowing into the beautiful blue of a forever-changed skyline view
• our whole family searching for answers as we stared at the news, praying for strength, comfort, hope, and God to bring good in the midst of devastation
• and a few weeks later... seeing my mom's inspired idea and the work of many hands come together in an amazing "Concert of Hope" 

• continued prayers for those affected by such an unforgettable day
• a cousin coming to church with us, and loving it
• enjoying food and conversation with church family
• feeling the cool breeze of fall approaching as we walked to and from church
• all the info I need for creating wedding programs, including a free online template
• Skype date with a friend that will always be my "roomie" even if we never share a room again
• a movie that I have been waiting and waiting to see

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Grandpa's "pups"

• sticking to my goal of getting school work done on Saturday
• checking out new tile and cabinets downstairs, it's coming together!
• designing a beautiful family album
• family get-together at my cousin's engagement party
• little cousins who say whatever is on their mind and make us laugh
• cuddling on the couch and enjoying our big screen

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

• "Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman, teaching the words of the chorus to my students (along with motions of course!)
• an extended break to end the work week, going to love Fridays
• fresh bread, trying a new recipe with my hubby - another success!
• finding simple and inexpensive wedding programs
• spending hours with a good friend whose time is hard to come by
• laughing and talking so much that I can't even finish my drink!

• learning more about my new group as they each shared their "Me Bag"
• a break in the rain! sunshine peeking through the clouds, making way for outdoor recess
• spotting blue skies as I left school
• a husband who loves to cook! his agreeing to make dinner so that I could take a walk, grade papers, talk with a friend, and ... relax
• putting my feet up
• more of my favorite show

• simple and straightforward 2nd grade prayers
• basement still dry despite another day of rain
• visiting a small friend, him taking my hand
• "bucket-filler" certificates
• a peaceful, longer-than-it-should-have-been lunch
• successful math centers, lots of correct answers!
• getting work done at school (even if it means staying late) so that I can enjoy down time at home
• inspirational stories that melt my heart

• waking up from a good night's sleep, anxious nerves surpassed by confidence and excitement (grateful for two years of experience, and a relaxing weekend before go time!)
• diving back into the swing of things, smooth transition
• 19 new smiling faces
• "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud, ending our first day with all students "in the bucket"
• indoor recess coverage
• checking in on a select few rookies, happy to hear positive reports
• 7-8 year old giggles during story time
• "2nd grade is the best grade!" - student comments after just one day, I hope I can keep them coming!
• home cooked meal with family, complete with a glass of wine to celebrate a successful first day
• my husband getting out of class early, sharing with one another about our new beginnings

• catching up, clean house before life gets busy again!
• a wedding favor, happy to use my creativity to make their big day memorable
• a cool drizzle while running home
• new artwork on the walls
• gaining confidence in the kitchen - was a regular Betty Crocker today!

recipe #1: create your own pasta salad

recipe #2: mom's banana bread

my new dinner recipe of the week:
rotini w/ cranberries, arugula, & almonds

• back in church after missing several weeks, seeing new and familiar faces
• breaking of bread, remembering His sacrifice
• gathering with families from church for a meal and lots of laughter
• a silly machine
• caramel and chocolate syrup drizzle on a freshly baked cake
• coming up with motions for a fun song that I plan to teach my class (and maybe my whole school?!), practicing for an audience of one
• setting a cut-off time, spending quality time with my husband before the day is done

• relocating lesson plans
• one last lazy, hazy day on the beach at Green Pond
• quality time with two upstanding women
• first time at Qdoba
• my husband's contagious joy
• Labor Day sales
• searching for the perfect fit
• enjoying our new purchase!

• a mentor I can call with any little question
• back-to-school shopping with mom
• 40% off sales
• discovering a new store, falling in love with everything inside
• spotting "serve yourself" TCBY at the same time, treating ourselves to an afternoon snack
• a birthday celebration for my not-so-little brother
• far too big a candle on his piece of cake
• the words & laughs that come out when playing catch-phrase
• a disc in the mailbox
• introducing my husband to my new favorite show

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

• egg & cheese on a bagel
• a long walk in the sunshine with one of my best
• diving in for a dip to cool down
• coming home to a rearrangement of furniture, making room for an upcoming purchase
• dreaming of new ways to decorate
• pizza & conversation with the in-laws
• a movie with good perspective