Weekend Getaway!

Hello, everyone!

I have just returned from our family weekend getaway. We drove down to Ft. Walton Beach and Destin Florida. We took Braydon to the Florida Gulfarium, Destin beach, Hard Rock Cafe, Big Kahuna's Waterpark, and finished off at Fudpucker's. Braydon's favorite show at the Gulfarium was the dolphin show, but once they sprayed him with their salt water he commented how "mean" that was (by then he had enough). The beach visit was very nice and as you can see there were blue-green waters (oil free). Big Kahuna's was the best! We played in the sun so much. Wading down that lazy river sure was relaxing! To end our trip we stopped by Fudpuckers and had burgers. Braydon especially liked holding one of the gators. It was after all a short and sweet weekend getaway! (See for yourself.)

Crazy for computer time!

I call my family crazy for computer time. My husband usually just logs on to search for games, check out the current sports reviews, and read about new news. I log on to check email accounts, complete course work, and create Smartboard lessons with online games and activities. On the other hand, our newest member to this technology era is my son. Within a week (mind you) he has mastered the handling of a mouseless laptop. He is now very comfortable with using the space bar, left, right, up, and down arrows too! We let him log onto PBS, Disney Clubhouse, Starfall, and other read aloud sites like KOL which is a preschool playground site that hosts games, movies, and stories (my favorite). I too see the addiction though! Look and see!

Reading during the summer!

I am not sure how many of you all are reading during you summer time, but I was amazed at my findings yesterday. I went to a small water park near gulf shores with my son and looked around at the families there with their children. There were five other families nearest to my son and me. Each had two adults (whether husband and wife, sisters, or family/friends). There were three out five of the adults in each "household" were reading books. Absolutely astonishing. This is a water park and children are having a great time. I thought how pitiful it was that I didn't bring a book, but that wouldn't be very safe for my son since my husband was at work, not there with us. Needless to say, I was actually jealous! Oh, well...better luck next time. Hope everyone finds some time to read this summer-not too much time is left!

Wedding time!

Well, I guess today made it official. This is the first time I have had anything to do with my sister's wedding. She and Joey will tie the knot on October 30, 2010. Since it's a fall wedding, the color scheme is pretty dark (dark red, deep purple, etc.). Don't get me wrong, the flowers are gorgeous and plans are coming right along. So, what part did I play today? Well, trying on dress after dress has to count for something. We finally found one red apple dress we all liked (yes, all the bridesmaids were there in sync). It is an off the shoulders dress, floor length, and has a sash much like a belt (at a loss of words for what they're really called). Anyhow, we still have to meet to find shoes and all other accessories, but we'll save that for a later date. I am exhausted and now need to rest. We've been gone since 9 am this morning! Will keep you posted on the progress!

Walking

Well, I just finished my evening walk. I usually walk around 7 pm. It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk my neighborhood four times. I walk in each cul-de-sac and through the front side. We have about thirty houses in our neighborhood and most all of our neighbors are friendly. It makes for a nice walk, by the way. Everyone always waves to each other as we pass by and we always watch out for each other and their kids. If you were to calculate about how much walking I do... it is approximately two miles. It feels great though to get the heart rate up, legs streatching, and constantly moving. I usually bring Braydon along for the first lap. Since he is three and cannot ride a bike to keep up with the fast pace, he rides his John Deere. He puts that thing on high speed and sometimes I have to jog to keep up. I enjoy it though because it's a mommy and me knida thing too. Besides, my husband is very supportive and keeps Braydon happy while I finish out my evening walk. If you don't have a place you like to walk, then I encourage you to find one. I find it very refreshing!

Why prepare?

As much as I hate to admit it, it's winding down time. The summer days are drifting away. I think about what all school work there is left to be done. Only a final in my other class, but tons left to do with this literature chat. Then, I think about what I need to be doing in order to get ready for the next school year. I have not been to organize my room, nor get my files ready, and I have got to get started! I know the reason I need to prepare... I must be ready! I have scheduled a make and take session and a smart board workshop for next week. Also, I guess I will save the last week of July to dedicate myself to working in my classroom.

Decisions, decisions.... want to play with son, want to sleep in and visit with friends and family, but much more to be done!

Why are you doing this?

My husband asked me this same question again this morning, as he has several times in the past. He means... why do I book a full schedule of events for one whole day. So, I will tell you what all we did and of course, why! I first started out with the Grand Bay watermelon festival. I grew up in Grand Bay, and it's a tradition to attend the festival. There we ate plenty of watermelon, searched all the booths for things of interest to buy, and had Braydon on every ride possible (train, pony, large jumpers) and even went in the petting zoo. Braydon had a great time and that means I accomplished my mission there! After leaving the festival, we loaded up back at the house and headed off for the lake. Here is where I took some selfish time for myself to soak up the sun lying by the water. Braydon and Lowell (hubby) splashed around in the fresh water for about two hours and I held on to peace while thinking of nothing but the sun! Again, mission accomplished. The day progresses with a cookout at mom and dads and then the we finished off the night with the fireworks show at the Grand Bay convalescent home. So, thinking back to him asking me why am I doing all this? It's tradition and it's fun for me, Braydon, and as he admits... himself too! Happy 4th of July to all...enjoy!

Why rush the summer?

Students may not be the only ones ready to go back to school. (parents? teachers?) So many of my co-workers (mind you... they are not taking college courses though) are spending these days cleaning and organizing their rooms. They are also working on files for the next year as well as planning what needs to be done at Make N' Take. Well, I am just trying to get through these two summer classes (what, four more weeks?). But as I realize there are just a few weeks left to these classes, that just means that school is next. I will only have a few days to prepare for the school next year. WOW! I am not ready for this! So, for those trying to rush the summer...why? It's stressing me out!

Hard Work

I know a lot of our classmates are talking about all the hard work they are doing this summer. You all are not alone. This is my first semester to take two classes (summer semester at that). I decided to take it nice and slow for my masters. I am not saying it was the best decision I ever made, but I will make it within due time. I started out right after undergrad with classes, so there was no lapse there. I took off my whole first year of teaching because I thought it would be difficult getting my first group of kids and trying to handle a class too. On the contrary, that was the best group of kids yet! Not to mention I had three room moms and a full time Friday volunteer. Since then, I have taken one class after another and dread that I have four more after this semester. I will take one this fall, one in the spring, and then two next summer while working on comps! Everyone around me keeps telling me... "It will be over before you know it!" I have even heard, "I bet you can see the light at the end of the tunnel." (Yeah, it's a train hitting me head on right now!) As for the meantime, I will make do with giving it my 110%. Some of my closest friends often ask, "Why do you stress out so much over this work?" and "It doesn't have to be perfect!" Well, to me since my name is attached to it... yes I do. I would expect nothing than the best from my students and I think that is what I am doing with my college studies.

Why can it be so important?

I took my son to the Watermelon Patch the other day. They host open play as well as family classes we've attended. Well, as Braydon was running around playing with some children my eyes wandered to this wall with a new hanging. On that wall was a poster size photo frame with a "teacher quote." I get hooked on quotes (as you can tell through previous post and the headline of this blog). I actually found the same quote on www.teacherheart.net. So, I urge you all to think about why this quote can be so important and see what you come up with!

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."

Fun in the sun!

Hello everyone!

I have been out of pocket for some time. We have been having fun in the sun at a local water park. We went to spend some time with my co-workers and their children. They had a blast splashing in all the water while us teachers had a good ole' time lounging by the pools. I am posting some pictures for you all to see how wonderful our day was. Not only have we been having fun in the sun, we went to see Toy Story 3 and went to play at Nana and Pop's and Me-Maw and Paw-Paw's. Truly fun in the sun, right? Why not, it's summertime!

Kids are Kids!

Good morning everyone!

As I think about what to tell you I'm up to now... I thought about all the play dates I've arranged for my son. Summer time is our fun time even though I am bogged down with USA classes and a few workshops. I keep telling myself, "What is worth it if I don't equate my time as he is growing up?" He's only going to be a kid for so long!

My three year old and I play alone usually on Mondays. We read books, color, play with bubbles, play dough, sidewalk chalk, play in the sprinkler and other fun stuff outside. He goes to a "private" school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (my class days) so that I can study at home before my night class. There he is raised with the same group of kids he started out with; ranging from 3 mths. to 5 yrs. We love it there. He has music time, play time, story time, nap time, home cooked meals, swimming lessons, and of course they are on a curriculum plan (though not state mandated, ha ha). Wednesdays and Fridays I try to catch up with friends and family to let him play with others his age and see people we haven't seen in a while. This often means getting away from the house and relaxing! Then of course, Saturdays and Sundays are family days... Daddy works M-F so we make up for lost time!

Why are you so happy?

As you all know my post is centered on the question of why. Well, I thought back to this past weekend and someone asked me, "Why are you so happy all the time?" I responded with, "Why shouldn't I be?" I have a wonderful set of full-time parents (still raising this 26 year old... ha, ha), a loving husband who sticks with my OCDness and other insane attributes, dedicated siblings who forgive all my shortcomings, my son who thinks I am faultless (boy wait till he grows up), a church who welcomes me with open arms, and so many friends and family who surround me (keeping me busy- the best part of the day).

Sorry for not posting before now, but I had a wonderful birthday Friday, which included shopping ALL DAY and my crayfish boil that night. Saturday we continued to shop, hung out at my parent's and husband's parents houses. Sunday we celebrated Father's Day by first visiting my father-in-law's home church, BBQ cookout for lunch, and then a fish fry at my mom and dad's place. I truly forgot what my house looks like! Glad to be home now though! Again, why are you so happy? What's not to be happy about?

Choices, Choices, Choices...

When I started this blog, I surrounded myself with questions of why. Well, today as I plan an activity for an upcoming presentation I found myself pondering why there are so many choices of what I can do! I am to the point that I would rather my choice to be taken away and someone just tell me what to do. (Well, not really... I just want to create something fun.) I can come to a conscious decision on one game versus another and then I wonder, but what if? Why do I do this to myself? So, I am deciding to make it final and stick with it. Either way, I am sure it will be fine. I am wondering is there anyone else out there that talks themselves of things like this? Why do we do this?

Why Celebrate a Birthday?

Guess who's celebrating a birthday? That's right, me! On Friday! I thought about what to do for my birthday and just as always... came up with the some plans. We are going to have a crayfish boil here at our house. I invited my family, my husband's family, and my closest cousin.

I usually don't celebrate much for my birthday (my son's on the other hand... big difference). This year I thought, "Why not?" So, I am going to shop for some new diamond earrings, arrange for a haircut appointment (do something new), and indulge myself with a family crayfish boil!

I hope to post some photos... "see" ya soon!

What's your challenge?

I just heard a great message preached this morning by a guest speaker in my brother's church. We are visiting here in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the preacher announced, "Why don't we accept our challenge?" Of course, the message was for accepting our challenge as Christians to witness to others, but no matter whether you are thinking spiritually, academically, or healthy... I ask you... "What's your challenge?"

I would like to know what some of you all are up to. Maybe you are working on something you are soon to accomplish. Maybe some of you are holding fast to your New Year's Resolution. If any of you are working on a challenge; how's it going?

Why add on???

When trying to decide what to post today, I thought about what all I have going on... too much, that is! I think about all the roles I play: mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, student, friend, acquaintance, etc. I thought about what else there is to add on. I think about why do I do all this to myself? And we wonder where the stress comes from? In reality, I know I would be dead bored if I didn't involve myself as I do. I love it all... going, going, going... all the time! So, I'm going to get ready for our trip to the beach tomorrow morning, then down to Louisiana for a three day visit with my brother. Totally excited!

Why teach?

How many of you have ever had someone ask you what you do? Well, the first thing that comes to my mind when I am asked that question is... I teach. Then, stand back and wait for the response! Most of the time I am shocked with "Why do you do that?" or "I don't have enough patience for that line of work" or better yet... "They couldn't pay me enough!" So, I've decided even though teaching takes patience, it is not the best paying job, and I question why I do what I do sometimes in the classroom I don't think I question the fact that I am a teacher. I am doing what I love to do and it comes from the heart. Teaching is just a part of me and if I lose it, then I have lost part of myself. Besides, how many other jobs are there that let you play with children... just for fun?

Bill Page

Most of you may have never heard the name Bill Page, but you can goolge him if you'd like. He is an educator, like us! I like to view his quotes, and most of them are worth sharing. One that I found recent enough is at the top of my blog, just under the heading... read it for yourself. So, again I want to know why it is we do what we do. I think about being a teacher (a major part of who I define myself as) and hope I am not the slow learner Bill Page was talking about. See me as a teacher; hope you enjoy the picture!

Why?

The topic of my blog post is "Why?" I first thought about the question why do we do what we do? I guess my immediate inspiration came from my three year old son who constantly asks friends, family, and myself... "Why?" See for yourself, why.