I AM FROM

The worst part of earning my Master's Degree is that I have to go to school on Saturdays.  I really don't like it when the alarm clock starts singing on my day off, but it won't last forever. :)  Anyway, today was the first class for "Literacy Across the Curriculum".   Dr. G started the class by explaining that in order to truly teach literacy to our students, we need to know about them, their personal lives, and their prior knowledge.  Makes sense, right?  She gave this great example of writing a poem entitled "I Am From" that would give us great insight into our students' lives.  Then she dropped the bomb - we had to write one and SHARE IT!  So, here it is. . .

I Am From
by Heather Hall

I am from Mom's well used Bible, chiming grandfather clocks,
and unique antique furniture with stories to tell.

I am from phone booths that really work, a claw-foot bathtub never used,
and a home overflowing with love.

I am from grapevines with sweet treats, trampolines,
and my favorite place to be alone - the pond.

I am from where everybody knows you whether you know them or not,
and childhood friendships that last forever.

I am from  Ma and Pa, Granny, a precious church family,
and Acts 2:38.

I am from, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"
and every nights line, "Is your homework done yet?"

I am from Mom's famous meatloaf and banana ice cream
and family meals around the table every night of the week.

I am from album after album with thousands of photos
turned in to new scrapbooks with precious memories to treasure!

In God's Time

The past few months I've had a hard time understanding why life has to be so hard. Last night, as I was yet again trying to make sense of things, I realized that it's not mine to understand. This is God's business. He knows what's best for me and Andy. As difficult as life can get, I do trust that He has a bigger plan than I can see. I'm putting my trust in God and waiting for his time!

One more time?!

As Kellye and I watched the kiddo's on the beach today we couldn't help but wonder if this just might be the last time all three of them would be willing to hold hands and jump the waves together! For them to be so close is truly a blessing, but as the teen years approach I'm afraid that the simple joys might turn into more "grown up" activities - like jet skis! (Oh my!!)

The first time we took them to the beach Caroline was just a baby! She refused to touch the sand. Andy and Gracie spent hours digging in the sand and running up and down the beach. The next year, Caroline decided to touch the sand and Gracie and Andy decided to jump the waves. Gracie wanted Grandad to hold her hand as she squealed and jumped each wave - and you know he did so with a huge grin on his face. He held her hand for what seemed like hours one year - her jumping and jumping and jumping! ;)

Andy thinks that he HAS to run on the beach. Of course, he ran today just as soon as his feet hit the sand. One day down and 6 to go on this adventure!

First Day of Graduate School

I was up early this morning! I had enough time to cook some breakfast (a boiled egg and some coffee) and spend some time on the back porch reading and studying notes from Wednesday night's church service. Chet Atkins instrumentals played on the kitchen radio. Yes, it was a calm and peaceful morning. It was my first day of graduate school - what a perfect way to start off a new adventure!

The decision to go to graduate school has been a tough one. I've wrestled with the idea for a while, thinking that I wouldn't do it. Let's be honest, the reasons not to do it are plenty: single mother with little spare time, high demands at work, cost, and the fear of not being smart enough! But as I prayed and thought about it more, I began to see some positives: the opportunity to make me a better teacher, learning about how other teachers teach, spending time in a constructive manner, making new friends, and (hopefully) setting an example for Andy to work hard and be the best that he can be.

I had a great time today! I realize that this isn't going to be easy, but if it makes me a better teacher, then it will be worth it.

Andy loves playing his guitar! This past Tuesday was his first recital. I was so proud of him. I couldn't help but cry while he was giving his peformance.

One of my favorite things in the world is when a student comes to me and has read a new book (all on their own) and wants to share it . Recently, one of my sweet students brought a novel to me and said, "You just have to read this book! Will you read it aloud to the whole class?"Of course I had to make sure that it was appropriate to read, but once that was done, I agreed.

Every day after lunch we gather on the rug for read aloud time. This is not our regular reading time, but rather a calm and relaxing time of day that I read to them. It's amazing how this small part of our day has enhanced our classroom! My students can't wait to claim their spot on the rug and listen to our current read aloud novel. Some of the stories we've read have sparked unbelievable conversations. Talk about some real character ed going on!!!!!

Anyway. . .the title of this novel that was brought to me was The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. (She is the author of Because of Winn-Dixie.) I could immediately tell that this was going to be one of those "cliff hanger" books for my kiddo's. Every day they would beg for me to keep on reading, even at the cost of losing some recess time. As I read, I wondered if they were truly "getting" what the story was all about. The underlying theme was deep in nature.

Several days into the novel, one of my students proclaimed to the class that he didn't completely understand something about the story. To my delight, another student jumped in and totally explained the correlation that he was not connecting together. She may have even explained it better than I could have! My heart swelled up with pride! Wow ~ they got it! They, the entire class, understood the "deeper meaning" of the story.

Now, the crazy thing is, I'm convinced that the story was for me. It was about the heart of someone that been broken - experienced love, loss, and had found a way to love again!

Sweet, sweet day!

Today has been a day full of sweet surprises! This morning at church, my precious church family had a surprise graduation ceremony for me. I was so touched, that all I could do was cry! (I'm sure that someone has some pictures that will be shared.)

I thought I was going to a graudation party for Jon this afternoon. He thought he was going to a party for me. . .thus the picture! Kellye was explaining to us what was going on! Jon and I were both surprised!

Our friends and family "roasted" us for a little bit, and then we had a bbq meal. I must say, my "roasts" were much sweeter than Jon's! ;) Our cakes were so cute! " She may be slow. . . but she finished!"

I am so thankful for my family and friends that shared this special day with me! I love all of you!

I am blessed!