for a good cause

I am pleased to announce that our 2nd grade PBL project has been a huge success! The second grade students helped to raise awareness about endangered animals at our "museum," but also raised $200 for the World Wildlife Fund through their pencil sale and achieving their responsibility goals. I am one proud teacher!

a thousand little things

This song is perfect! Leave it to Point of Grace - a band I could not get enough of about 15 years ago! Though I haven't listened to them in a while, this song is totally going on my playlist because the lyrics could not be more fitting for what I try to live out on a daily basis. Thanks to Ann Voskamp's blog (again!) for bringing this song to my attention. Hope you enjoy it too!

a poem of my own

I read a poem like this one on a favorite blog where the author even provided a template for creating your own. The writer in me could not resist. Here's a peek into who I am and where I'm from.

I Am From…

Inspired by “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon

I am from well-used furniture, passed down from earlier generations,

from books on every shelf, blankets piled high and photos abounding on the wall.

I am from a multi-family home in a small town,

set not so far away from one of the greatest cities in the world,

a home where scented candles burn routinely and the love of family is felt throughout.

I am from the moss that grows between cracks in the driveway,

the large maple tree that blooms beautifully just outside the kitchen windows in spring.

I’m from clean rooms and weekly family dinners,

from parents whose love continues to grow

and “little” brothers who make me proud, and stand so tall.

I’m from hard workers and church-goers,

and from those who gather around the table.

I’m from “keep doing your best” and “remember your manners,”

and “I love you this much.”

I’m from sharing what we’re thankful for.

I’m from the hospital of a nearby town where all of us were born,

and a large pond where we often gather to enjoy the heat of summer.

I’m from brown and white brownies, and freshly baked banana bread.

From great-grandparents who loved one another since the age of 12,

despite illness, sorrow, and war,

a symbol of their love now in a ring of my own for decades to come,

worn on my left hand at all times to show the world where I am from.

how appropriate!

Saw this picture on another blog I follow and thought the phrase was so fitting and beautiful... I just had to post it here. Pretty much sums up my blog (and the attitude I've been striving for)!

Photo by Ann Voskamp
www.aholyexperience.com

giving thanks in all circumstances

• taking steps for a.j.e.less designs
• possible job opportunities, encouraging him through the application process
• a new season of The Amazing Race, watching with the neighbors
• more ministry opportunities at church
• being asked to sing at her wedding
• sunlight streaming through the blinds
• faraway friends stopping in for a visit, enjoying easy conversation
• soup delivery from The Seasonal Kitchen
• his successful surgery, lots of loved ones praying for the best
• spring-time temperatures in winter months
• a successful trip to the museum, enjoying the day with a mentor and friend
• another answer to prayer - her job offer!
• learning harmonies during praise team practice, blending well
• "If I Were President Paragraphs"

• her finding a new place, helping her get settled in
• a simple "thinking of you" text message
• spending time with my love after busy, busy weeks
• taking her out to lunch
• hearing him talk normally
• how he knows my love language: emptying the dishwasher, vacuuming weekly, mopping the floors, filling my water bottle, and so much more
• writing a note of encouragement, dropping it in the mailbox
• a chocolate chip cannoli reserved for me
• being able to pray with families at school
• making time for my creative side, completing orders for loyal customers

• mom's way of providing a meal for us, even if we can't come for dinner
• getting half price tickets
• seeing our adorable niece (and her momma), her infectious giggle
• pushing her in the stroller when the sun came out
• being helpful at a special boy's 1st birthday party
• taking our time on a peaceful Sunday morning, making waffles for breakfast
• laughing until the tears well up
• an exciting new purchase
• sharing a passage from a favorite book
• theme week at school, beginning with some crazy hair-styles!

• him bringing me my forgotten lunch
• our first check from The Depot
• signs pointing in the right direction, arriving on time
• learning new possibilities for using iPads in the classroom
• being a shoulder to cry on
• gaining answers after so much uncertainty
• thankful for the promise of a job in the coming year when so many are without
• girls' night out: tasty meal and spring shopping, mom's generosity
• needing nothing but a light jacket, feeling like we were in Florida a few weeks early
• prayers for a community in need

dreaming of a snow day

This week's current weather forecast for my local area:


Monday - Mostly sunny, high of 43 degrees F
Tuesday - Sunny, high of 44 degrees F
Wednesday - Sunny, high of 58 degrees F
Thursday - Partly cloudy, high of 67 degrees F
Friday - Showers, high of 59 degrees F


It's hard to believe this is "winter." Just a few days ago, I had to close the shades in my classroom when my students went crazy over snowflakes falling from the sky. Though I knew it would quickly turn to rain and melt before the school day was over, I must admit that the kid inside of me briefly wondered, "Is this it? Our first winter snow day? Will we need to have early dismissal? Wouldn't want those buses to get stuck in the snow!" Despite one student's prediction of 5 inches by lunch time, my initial forecast was correct. 


But the snow shower got me thinking ... what would I do with a snow day? The possibilities are endless!

• break out my neglected scrapbooking gear, cover my dining room table with supplies of all kinds, and craft the day away
• sleep in and wake up when my body wants to, rather than to an alarm (enjoy sprawling in the middle of the bed during the early morning hours while my husband is out making money by shoveling!)
• curl up on the couch in my pj's and finish reading the series I started months ago
• watch an unseen Netflix movie with my husband, or an old favorite that we own
• pre-make greeting cards to send out to loved ones throughout the remainder of this year, maybe even write in and mail a few
• find my Swiffer duster and actually put it to use
• spend time on Pinterest without feeling guilty
• bake something sweet and eat it while it's still warm, share some with our neighbors

Oh, what I would give for a snow day! But all I can do is dream... last year we had snow days in abundance ... this year is another story. Nothing but a rare October snowstorm, and the forecast looks like more of the same.


Yet, I don't want this to come across as complaining. I've never been the girl who can't wait to bundle up in layers and take on the slopes. I'm the girl who likes how pretty the snow looks when it first comes down (especially when it falls on Christmas morn) but doesn't love how the snow feels. I much prefer the warmer temperatures. So, though the teacher-side-of me is a bit disappointed she had to work every day in February, the rest of me could not be more thrilled that the thermometer reads above 40 most days lately.


This warmer, mild winter has not brought snow, but has brought many gifts nonetheless:

• plenty of outdoor recess opportunities
• being able to crack the windows in my classroom and my car
• less "stuff" for them to manage (no snow pants, boots, mittens, and hats lined up in the hallway)
• the regular smell of 7-8 year olds (rather than the soggy, wet smell that comes with playing in the snow)
• no need for scraping the icy windows in the morning
• a husband sleeping soundly next to me (as opposed to being out shoveling at all hours)
• plenty of street parking
• keeping curriculum on track, no need for readjusting due to missed days
• a dry basement, one that often floods due to too much rain or melting snow
• crocuses peeking out early
• motivation to exercise outside
• not having to work hard to keep the bottoms of my pants, shoes, and socks dry
• on time train schedules
• not having to worry about our car losing traction on snow-covered roads

I have come to realize that there are blessings in all seasons, even if they are not the gifts you expect. 

All of this to say that I would not be opposed to a snow day, but am equally happy to "skip" winter and enjoy all that spring has to offer!