Yes, it's been eons since I've blogged anything here, but I believe that is due in part to the lack of "free time" I am accustomed to. There is no shortage on topics, however to blog about everything, I'd been here much too long, and who has time to write that much, much less captivate an audience who would read it.
We've had lots of activity going on in our family. Megan is anxiously awaiting her reports cards this week...we're thinking it's all A's, but you know what they say about "counting chickens before they hatch". To create a little incentive, we told her that she could go out to eat at the restaurant of her choice if she made all A's on her report card. This excited her so much, since she LOVES going to dinner and is always begging to do so. When I asked her where she might like to go, she named a few of her favorite places...."Chick Fil A", "McDonalds". Well, I probably could have gotten away with that, but it just didn't feel right, and so I told her she should pick a restaurant that we don't go to very often, and one that we can sit down at a table and have the Waiter bring us our food. At that thought, she decided she wanted to go to "the restaurant that had the peanuts you can crush and throw on the floor"....so LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE, here we come!
Just a couple of weeks ago I was able to leave and go on a trip with all the teachers to Pensacola, Fl. The purpose of the trip is two fold...one, it gets all the teachers away from the daily grind, and gives everyone a chance to relax, and bond with one another. I think that is a great reason why all the ladies at the school get along so well with one another, and they truly love and care about each other like family! It's helped to create a great working environment, which also works for a great school environment to the students! The second reason for going is to attend the teacher's clinic's at Pensacola Christian School, which is also the basis and starting ground for the ABeka curriculum that so many private schools use. I had been briefed by many of the teachers who'd been before, but nothing can prepare you for what you see inside a K4 classroom at that place! They were very well behaved children (could have been little robot's...not sure!), they were really obedient to the routine that the teacher in the class...and with 40 STUDENTS per class that is amazing! Yes, the teacher had an aide in there with her, but for the most part, the aide just stood off to the side of the classroom since the little robots....I mean, children, were so cooperative. One of the more amazing sites was watching these 4 year olds learn to write in cursive handwriting. That school doesn't teach print, they start off with cursive handwriting. The thinking behind that is because the cursive writing in a more natural way to write...which I can see as being true I guess...even when printing, you tend to want to connect your letters sometimes and make them all flow together. It was interesting to watch them learn from the teacher how to make certain letters. I did pick up a few tips for classroom management, and it worked out great for me when I returned and implemented them into my class. Overall, it was a great trip, and I am so glad I went! I got to make deeper friendships with the ladies I already know, and I was able to get to know the other teachers whom I had not had the chance to be around much. I really feel apart of "the team" now! (haha) And the best news is...the kids and Dad did just fine without me...absence makes the heart grow fonder!
So now, I'm getting back into the swing of things. Today I was called to sub for 2ND grade, which surprisingly intimidated me slightly....I just don't want to appear to be out of control and unaware of what is going on in front of a bunch of 7 and 8 year olds...but things worked out fine and in a surprising move... the teacher was able to make it in to class by 10am, so I was out of the woods by then! PHEW! The it was on to what I had originally planned (and much better equipped to deal with), my classroom. I am getting yet another new student tomorrow, and I had to go in on my off day and work in my class so that I can be prepared for him. I already had a new student added to my class last week, and that worked out great. He came in and fit our God designed puzzle perfectly! The best part is...NO TEARS! He is not a crier, and is most definitely an extroverted child. That is what I am nervous about for tomorrow with my new student...just when I get all the kids who are criers, used to being there...we're going to introduce another one! AAAH! Well, all I can do is pray and ask the Lord to handle the situation...and have FAITH that it will be handled!
"Faith is a mindset that EXPECTS God to act!"
I love that quote. I remind myself of that often. Faith is not words...just
saying you have faith is not enough. Faith is action. Faith is believing. Faith is a heart matter. Faith is a state of mind. I
expect God to act and handle my day tomorrow.
