Friday, January 23, 2009

Finally Friday!

Sometimes the short weeks (MLK day on Monday) are actually the longest in the life of a teacher. I believe it feels this way, because the routine is messed up. However, I do love that it is Friday and I get to be home for the weekend!!

It has started to get cold again here in Iowa, so not many people are headed out. I really could use some friend time, but the cold weather is not helping. I could use a beer or 3, but I don't like to drink alone. Andy isn't much for drinking these days. Oh, well. I guess I will just go to bed early and get up with the Baby in the morning!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

stroller strides

One of the best decisions I have made since having Jackson is joining Stroller Strides. Stroller Strides is an exercise class for moms and their babies. I have not only helped myself get back in shape after baby (even before), but I have also made great friends! It is a wonderful hour 3 times a week where I get to spend time with Jackson while getting to know other moms. We are able to connect about our babies and share ideas!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Pictures











I am going to try to imput a couple of pictures into my blog. We'll see how it goes....










Jackson and Spooky hanging out... he will laugh for minutes just looking at her!

Okay, I think I have to change the picture layout, before I put them in the blog... but I tried something new today... I'm going back to watching Lost... it's a hard show to follow, because you really have to pay attention. These days I have the attention span of a 6 month old. :) I haven't sat down and just watched TV in ages... I always have something else to do. Facebook, email, and now blogging just a few of those things.








Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The 44th President

Just like with all new things... I am kind of going over the top with the "blogging".... maybe it's normal to post twice a day.

Today I watched the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States. It is the first time I have ever watched an inauguration for 45 minutes. It was interesting to say the least. I was able to share this historical moment with 24, 5th graders, too. They were so cute and in awe of the whole thing. I thought it was important that they share in this moment in history, because some day they may want to know where they were....


Although I don't agree with President Obama on most issues, I have deep respect for someone willing to take on such a tremendously important job. Boundaries have now been crossed between colors and I can only hope that there will be less victimization because of it. Our country has taken a huge step into the 21st century by electing an African American as president. It is my hope that now we can start referring to people as Americans, period.

Our country is amazing in the fact that we elect our officials and that transfer of power is peaceful. We are beyond lucky that we live in such a free state. We can show our differences of opinions and no gunfire is needed. We may have differing opinions, but when push comes to shove people stand up for their country.

God bless America. God bless our new president. God bless you.

Hard being a working mommy

I think the hardest part of being a mom comes each Monday (or Tuesday) that I go back to work. Every morning I leave my house wishing I could just stay home and cuddle, play, and take care of Jackson. It has gotten easier since I have returned to work. The first few weeks back felt like torcher! But now I can leave and I rarely get teary-eyed. Although, each break in our regular schedule seems to put me back into the "stay at home mommy" mode. I have so much fun when Jackson and I are at home doing things together. Life feels more relaxing and calming when I am at home.

I feel like my days are so tight when school is in session. I get up, rush to get ready, go to work, rush home to pick up Jackson, get dinner ready, feed, bathe and get him to bed. Before I know it it's 10pm and I still have laundry to fold, dishes to put away, and school work to complete. I could use about 2 hours more per night to sleep, too! The weekends are just as scheduled... it feels like we always have something going on. We have tried hard to stick around home this January. We were out of town most weekends in December, so we needed a break. But it still feels like we spend so much time rushing to get stuff done! I have been doing well at getting my errands done on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon so I don't have to worry about them during the week. That has freed up a lot time!

So, to remedy some of my homesickness... because at this point staying home is not an option... I am looking into my other options. First, I can try to transfer to a new school that is closer to home with in the Davenport School District. This of course is ideal, because I would not have to learn a new system. However, I have low senority and getting into a school on the East side of Davenport is highly unlikely. So, my next option is to apply at other school districts. Which I will be working on in the next couple of weeks. I have to think about my family first and for my family me being 25 minutes away from home is just too far. I love where I work and the people I work with... it's a hard choice!


Mommy world is the hardest but best thing that I have ever done. I love my son and husband more than I could have ever imagined before now! Andy is always so helpful and really does more than I could ask. He has taken to fatherhood and loves it!

Back to the grind... the inauguration is on soon. My students are excited to get to watch the excitement.

Monday, January 19, 2009

First Time Blogging

Well, I have been thinking about blogging for awhile now... I think this will help take over the journal I am suppose to write for my Healthy Momma Challenge. I need to do some journaling for myself and I think this could work out... of course there are some things I won't want to necessarily share with everyone, but maybe I can figure out how to make those things private.

Jackson and I are playing right now. He is finding everything on the floor that he SHOULDN'T be putting in his moutha nd I am putting toys in his hands. I guess all I can ask for is that he is NOT putting the cat in his mouth at the moment. Although Spooky doesn't mind, it kind of grosses me out. There he goes for the cat...