Fourth Grade

I have this picture on a self behind my desk in my classroom. 

It's me - at recess - with one of my best friends from growing up. When I came across this picture from a billion years ago I had to pop it in a frame and have it in my classroom as a reminder that I was a fourth grader once too. It reminds me and makes me think, "what kind of teacher did that little girl want and need?" and then I try my hardest to be that teacher for that little girl and therefore the best I can be for the present fourth graders right in front of me. It's my motivation. 

Mr. Rogers once said, "I think the best thing we can do is think about what it was like for us and know what our children are going through." Here a clip of that interview here. 

 

Sunday is a Mini Easter

Every Sunday we go to 8:00 AM Mass at our church. Scott and I love early mornings at church. When we had a little family we always went to 10:00 AM. It was more a 'family' Mass and our family and girls thrived there. We met our best friends there. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the 10:00 Mass. 

But since 8:00 is crazy early for a 22 and 19 year old, we 'bribe' them with a brunch after. We have to leave by 7:35 AM but we are home by 9:20, and can be eating by 9:30. Some Sundays are simple, some more elaborate. 

This Sunday Scott cooked up a batch of his amazing waffles. I made tea lattes. I poured real maple syrup into creamers and heated it, and it was so lovely. 

It's our way of honoring the holy day that Sunday is. I've heard it said that Sunday is like a mini Easter each week. So our little feast feels just right!

 

Anna's Last Day

Yesterday Anna finished her last day at her elementary school as a math tutor. She pulled students in first grade through fifth grade for small group instruction and extra support. She tested students, reported to the principal in weekly SST meetings, worked closely with teachers, and the students had the scores at the end of this school year to prove that intervention works and Anna made it happen!

I am most proud of Anna for loving the students she worked with particulary students who stuggle emotionally and who are low in math. Many of her students have issues such as ADHD, low self-esteem, tricky home live and behavior issues. She loved them, helped their teachers, and put her whole heart into her work. 

She is meant to work with children and I am grateful that she is following the call that God has on her life. She is serving him when she helps the children. 

She did this almost full time work with she was a grad student at Fairfield University (about an hour away) three evenings a week in a three year progam for School Phychology. She balanced both work and school with care. She is loved by the students and staff at her school and I couldn't be more proud! 

Although it would be wonderful for her to have the summer off (as I will in about nine more days), she is enrolled through her three year program for two summer classes. And of course she will work this summer as well. 

I have found that the twenty-something age can be a bit challenging. No longer a child, graduated from college and move toward adulthood. It's a time when almost adult children still need support, mentoring, a listening ear, and love. Often their hours are different than they used to be as a child and it takes some creativity to find the time to connect. But as a family we made it a priority and we did it! 

Anna, I am so proud of you this year. Never would we have known what God had in store for you even a year ago. I am grateful for His call on your life and for you listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit to guide you. Look what He has done for you and through you. 

I have such a peace as your mama knowing God has a plan for wonderful things for your life. ❤️

Anna writing gratitude notes to very single teacher she worked with in her school. 

Abigail is 19!

Way back when I started this blog she was so little, just 3 years old! I never in a million years thought I would be blogging when she was 19 years old! 

I'm so proud of this little blog of mine; a place where memories, pictures and thoughts have been kept for so long. All of the birthdays are here, right here in this space and the way I felt about them in the narrative right along with them. 

Well, this little 3 year old is now nineteen. She is everything I thought she'd grow up to be. And everything I never imagined she would be all rolled into one and I am just so grateful to God for the blessing that she is. 

There were balloons and birthday pictures of course! 

and even tulips and lilacs from our garden. 

Love them so much! 

We celebrated with a birthday dinner (her favorite, chicken pot pie) 

There were presents of course and an homemade cake! 

She always make the best faces when she opens presents! 

A few days after her birthday she had a sleepover with her best high school friend who was also home from college for the summer. 

We wish you abundant blessings sweet girl. We love who you are becoming and can't wait to see what God does next! 

Other birthday posts: 

Turning Seventeen 

Turning Sixteen 

Turning Sixteen trip to NYC Turning Sixteen trip to NYC 

Turning Fifteen 

Turning Fourteen

Turning Thirteen

Turning Twelve 

Turning Eleven

Ten is here

Nine is here

Eight is here

Seven is here

Six is here

87!

My Dad turned 87 today! He's the same, the exact same as always. Strong, intersting, encouraging, and my Dad!  

Breakfast Out

My favorite meal to eat out is breakfast. I'll take a cozy homey yummy main street breakfast place over a fancy dinner anytime! We went with my parents a few weekends ago after Mass. It was cold and pouring but we had the best time, and I am grateful! 

 

It's Getting There and Thoughts About Blogging

Pre Blog Post Thoughts ~ I think I'd like to blog more often. I actually think it will be easier than once in a while. Let me explain (or let me think it out loud in this space). My blog sort of started to be the "big things" in life

• graduations
• college move ins
• holidays
• vacations

But then those blog posts are b i g  and they are harder to do (more pictures, more thoughts}

But little blog posts of day to day are easy ~ a simple picture of two, a simple thought. 

I think if I think 'smaller' on this blog than big events, big posts, I'll like this space of mine better... so here goes... 

It's Getting There 

We always have a house project going on. I hate the mess but I love the planning, dreaming, and of course the outcome. 

Mother's Day ⬆

Recently I've been craving wallpaper, really wanting it. But Scott does not. Last year he did wallpaper a tiny off the kitchen bathroom for me. I found two rolls of tiny flowered wallpaper at a thrift store. And it looks so lovely in there. But he hates the wallpaper process and even more worries what will happen when I change my mind. (He's right, I do change my mind a lot over the years)

So for this Mother's Day project, he's painting the family room. It's my Mother's Day present. (Each year I get to choose a project we don't NEED to do but my heart WANTS to do) 

I've been wanting to try the 'made in England' Farrow and Ball paint. I chose a cozy color and I love the way it's coming out. 

The walls are done and now he's doing the trim in a buttery color. The room will be totally different and I can hardly wait to decorate for Christmas! I think all of our greens will look so much better in here than the white trim! 

Trim on the left = bright white old trim / Trim on the right = new buttery color trim 

Okay, so I DID it! I did my first, 'it's not a big deal' 'little thoughts', 'who cares about perfect pictures' post!