To My WOE Family...

I'll never forget the anxiety I felt as a student teacher. There I was, a senior in college completing my final student teaching assignment. After this, graduation. I was so close to experiencing true "adulthood". However, I felt as far away from that moment in life than I ever had in my whole college career. I would be going into someone's classroom and not only learn from them, but also have to show what I have learned and teach to kids I did not know in front of someone I did not know. It is a terrifying experience, especially for a shy perfectionist such as myself.

God blessed me abundantly. I quickly got to know my teacher (master teacher, really) and she put my anxiety aside. I soaked in everything I could from her and the team I was working with. I blossomed in those 7 weeks as a teacher, professional, and as a person. I fell in love with the school, with the kids, with the faculty. It felt like home. Thank you Vickie Stearman, Aretas Brookings, Lisa Bumpus, Larry Ellis, and Kathy Hamilton for being a part of my early experiences at Western Oaks and putting up with me as a student teacher in 2nd Grade.

The blessings continued. Although I was preparing to interview at another school that afternoon, I was pulled in to a quick impromptu interview at the end of the school day at Western Oaks. All through college I had said, "I will never NEVER teach 1st grade. I do not want that responsibility of teaching a child to READ, I can't do it." God has a sense of humor. Mr. Eichelberger offered me a 1st grade position. I was very unsure at first, this was the grade I had sworn away from. However, I so loved this school and I knew this is where God wanted me to be. I said, "Yes".

I started my first year in 1st grade in August of 2005. There were so many up and down moments. The definite ups - I was working right across the hall from one of my best friends, Amber, I made lots of new friends, I had GREAT mentors (Ann and Vickie), I built relationships with my students and my student's families, I was not just part of a work place...I was part of a family.

I continued to teach in 1st grade, in the same classroom for the 7 years. This summer, I interviewed for and accepted a position as a Literacy Coach...at two other schools. While I am beyond thrilled and excited about this, it breaks my heart to leave my WOE family.

I turned my key in yesterday. The same key I used for 7 years. The same key that let me into a classroom where I transformed from a young and timid teacher to a confident and (somewhat older...) teacher. I learned about heartache in this room, the power of a smile, the importance of unconditional love, the irreplaceable feeling when you see a child learn, and I learned how much I loved 1st grade.

As I walked out of my room for the last time, millions of memories were going through my mind...among those memories is when I remembered where I was standing when my husband proposed to me (along with the rest of my class). It is just a room, but it is a room I will never forget.

I had so many teachers (and a principal) I looked up to that helped me along the way. I can't think of one person in that building I will not miss. Each person has a memory that I will hold on to. So many moments of laughter, shared tears, moments of support, shared victories....I could go on and on.

Western Oaks Family, you all mean so much to me and I thank you so much for all you have done for me and my family these last 7 years. Even though I move on now to some place new, you all will always be on my heart and mind.

I am so glad I was there to be a part of WOE's 50th! What an awesome celebration that was.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

All Day Domestics...

Well, I guess I should say all day being domestic. Quite the domestic feat happened today. Laundry soap was made, dish detergent was made, AND I made Lil' Man a pair of pajama pants.
The best part about this day, all my accomplishments set aside, was getting to do this with my mom and my sister. We had a blast. I'm sure my poor mom is heading back home right now with a slight headache caused from my sister and I. :)
Mom helped Megan sew some curtains for her classroom. She also helped my sister and I sew pajama pants for our little guys and, might I add, they are matching pajamas. Yeah, very cute.




After our sewing, we gathered all of our ingredients to make our dish and laundry detergent. Meg and I both now have two containers of good homemade detergents. Dishwasher detergent on the left (white) and laundry soap on the right (pink).
Recipe for dishwasher detergent:
Dishwasher detergent




In between our projects for today, we all (my dad, mom, sister, nephew, brother-in-law, husband, son and I) went and ate at 5 Guys Burgers...mmm. Except that the jalapeños were a tad too spicy for me. I had to ditch them...fast.
I am so glad my dad and mom decided to come up and visit. It was fun to see them and I am thrilled with what we accomplished today. Of course, Lil Man and M loved spending time with their Papi and Abuelita (tita, as Lil Man says).
Now, I am settled in watching some gymnastics and swimming going on at the Olympics. GREAT weekend.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Let The Games Begin

Oh, the Olympics. I love to watch the Olympic games. I love everything about them. I love the competition, I love to cheer for my country, I love the memories of watching them as a little girl, I love seeing the passion of the competitors, I love hearing some of their life stories...I am thrilled that I am getting to watch them, right now, with my little boy. (can I say "Mr. Bean" and "Chariots of Fire" was one of my favorite parts of the opening ceremony)

My favorite part of the opening ceremony is watching all the competitors come in with their country's flag (Parade of Nations). It always gives me goosebumps. How awesome to get to represent your country in such a manner.

The summer Olympics are, by far, my favorite. Don't get me wrong, I love to watch the figure skating, skiing, and what not. BUT....the summer Olympics are where it is at for me. Among my favorites to watch - swimming, track & field, and gymnastics.

Growing up, my sister and I used to look forward, every four years, to these Olympics. We used to pretend we were one of the American gymnasts or a gold medal wielding swimmer. We also would pick out the men we would cheer for. Naturally, the men on team USA were our first choice for the gold medal, but we thought it wouldn't hurt to cheer for who we wanted as our silver medal finalist. These men, of course, would be good-looking and muscular. We also would pick out our future husbands while watching the Olympics. For this, we usually picked from the gymnastics group of men...however, we did venture into the men's swimming group a time or two.

There is one guy who stole my 13 year old heart, back in 1996. Is it odd (creepy) that I still remember him?

Alexei Nemov. Yes, he was Russian.




But, look at him!!!!




Every time the summer Olympics were over, I would pick what sport I would compete in. I always chose swimming. I would go and practice my swimming in the pool everyday. Whether it be the butterfly stroke, the backstroke, or synchronized swimming, I practiced every day....for about a week or two.
So, now that you know what an Olympic nerd (or just nerd) I am....I hope you enjoy these 2012 summer Olympics as much as I will.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad