The Kids

When all the kids are together there is going to be a lot of laughs, usually some tears, some games (old and new), time to relax, lots of running around, some adventures, usually a walk somewhere to explore and play, lots of eating and snacking time, talking time, questions that need to be answered and most importantly a huge amount of love.  My niece and nephew were here for the weekend  and our time with them is few and far between. 

I am grateful for each and every moment I get to spend with them. 

On the Go

I am grateful that I am busy and on the go.  I have a vehicle that gets me from point A to point B.  I am able to help others get around and that makes me feel good. 

I just watched the movie UP (Disney/Pixar) and it has such a moving stroyline (no pun intended).  After a very mentally, emotionaly and physically exhausting week it was great to see a movie that inspired me at the heart and soul level.  Just where I needed it. 

Go see the movie.

My Job

I am grateful for my job. There are some days full of endless meetings, whining kids, annoying emails and countless oher things that can get me down, but today while doing report cards today at the end of the quarter...I love my job even more (yes the paper work surrounding report cards takes a lot of time) because the gains my students have made is really amazing. I loved seeing their progress and knowing they are growing up.

Baby Steps

I am grateful that I can realize that a baby step is still a step. And when that step is forwars, side ways or even backward...I am grateful that I am making some sort of effort.

Ability

I am grateful I have the ability to keep going on...and hopefully in a positive direction.
At home, on the track, at work, with my kids...I am grateful I have the ability to go forward.

Bubbles

I am grateful for bubbles.
The bubbles on Zac's face in the bathtub.
The bubbles he blows in...well anything (cup, tub, straw...)
I am looking forward to blowing bubbles with him this summer!

My friend Hayley

I am grateful for Hayley. She is a teacher friend who happens to also be a friend of my sister's from highschool. Anyway, she has agreed to help me out with my new adventure of running a 5K in two months. Whoo-hoo! So, along with my sister (I know I am so lucky) I have two trainers. Hayley was encouraging, thoughtful, pushed me and gave her time to help me out. Thanks Hayley!

Family

I am so grateful for family. I sit here any my aunt is on the couch, my cousin is on the other couch with my husband and my boys are snuggled in their beds. So grateful for family near and far.

Just Grateful

Not sure why, I am just grateful. I look around my home and I see so much, my family is so busy and alive with life. I am grateful for the bigger picture that is my life.

The History Keepers

I am grateful for my friends who I have known for years...like 30 years or more. And that is saying a lot (since I feel so close to 40 now). These friends in my life are solid people who accept me, remember old times with laughter and tears and who hold my history...our history! Heather, Jamie, Kari and Melanie...love ya!

Sister

I am grateful for my sister.

As I write this I am wondering if (like when I posted about my mom) I write a post about her now...what will I do later in the year?  I can figure that out later.  This post is about my sister now.

She is kind.  She is funny.  She is nice.  She is a good cook. She is loving to my boys.  She has a connection with Carlos that is thoughtful.  She loves her cats.  She is a good teacher.  She is an athlete.

I like that she takes the time to train me.  She puts in the effort to show me new moves, strengthen my core and work my fat butt.  She is nice about it and never hurts my feelings.  She stays positive and keeps me positive about my long journey.

I love that she became a teacher.  Back in the day she would sub for me...that was the best.  I miss those days.  I think she should leave the middle school life and come on down to the elementary level!  That would be fun.

A mi me gusta mi hermana porque cuando estabamos en Mexico, hablabamos todo el tiempo in Spanish and English (Spanglish) and had so many private jokes and things that only remind us of Mexico.
Ahhhhh....Mexico....

Did I mention that she was one of my coaches during Zac's birth?  I would like to think I could have done it without her...ha...but it made the labor a lot better (not easier!), but better with her by my side.

I am very grateful for my sister.  My much younger and taller sister.

I love my seeeeeeeeeeeeestor.

My Dog

I am grateful for my dog.  She is sweet and full of energy.  She sleeps at the foot of our bed on the floor and I love hearing her breath in the middle of the night.  He doggie dreams make her yelp too...it is just too cute.  She loves my boys and allows them pet, pull, grab, love and hug her all times of the day.  She is sometimes not in the mood and lets them know, but for the most part she is lets them have their way with her.

Cloie Elizabeth Lomas was born in August of 1997.
I purposely spelled her name different (Carlos named her) and then she is named Elizabeth after our great friend Beth.  (It is a compliment!)

It seems like a lifetime ago (before house, before kids) that we went to the Humane Society in Salem to get her.  She was so small and sweet.  We knew we had to bring her home immediately.
She has moved with us three times.  She has met each child and given each of them a healthy lick of approval.  (She really is CJ"s dog now more than ever)

She has done all the things that puppies do (bite, dig, scratch, tear, pee).
She has done all the things that dogs do (jump, run, wrestle, play).
She does not fetch very well and hates when I touch her with my feet.
She has always had so much energy.

She is getting so old.
She is so gray.

We love our poochie Cloie.

Teaching

I am grateful that I am a teacher.
It may sound cliche.
It may sound too broad.

But it is true.

Today my student teacher started.  She fabulous. I am so grateful for her.

I am grateful that she has the same passion for teaching that I AND that 11 years into my career as a teacher her passion re-ignites the parts of teaching that I have forgotten.

I love the art of teaching.  It is still alive and well in my classroom.

Cousin

I am grateful for my cousin Brian. 
He is
fun,
thoughtful,
nice,
funny,
caring
and a great cousin.

His visits out to Oregon can only mean that we will talk about old times, try to remember what we all did last time he was out and some project will get started (and hopefully finished). 

My kids love him and he cares about them so much...he is always up for a game of wrestle, a board game, card game, swimming or whatever they are into at the time.

I love ya, cuz!

Beach

I am grateful for the Oregon coast.  It is so stormy at times (like now) and yet in the summer can be so calm and blue!  I love that it is always an adventure as to what is in store at the coast.

Laughter

I am thankful that I have friends that can make me laugh and laugh and laugh!
Laugh until I cry.
Laugh until tears are streaming down my face.
Big, giant belly laughs!
Thanks peeps!

Location, Location, Location

I am grateful that I live where I live.

We live less than an hour from the always changing Oregon coast.
An hour from the busy Portland metro.
A few hours to the snowy summit.
And all the adventures and events and experiences they provide.

Life is good.

Nice People

I am very grateful for nice people.

Nice people are everywhere and I am grateful that when I bump into them.

Music

I am grateful I enjoy some variety of music. I like to
Listen to it
Sing along
Dance and sway
And basically have fun with music.

My tastes in music can be narrow and precise, but I do venture ou sometimes.

I am grateful for my friend Brian who has the time and patience to introduce me to new music.

Groceries

I am grateful my husband does the grocery shopping.

I make the list.
He shops.
I put the stuff away.

I am so very grateful.

Sweet

I am grateful for the sweet smell of my sons' hair.
CJ's hair is straight and thick. He is constantly making sure it is all brushed forward. His hair smells sweet-musty and I am grateful he let's me run my fingers through it and kiss the top of his head.
Zac's hair is fine and curly. It looks just like mine did when I was his age (people tell me and I've see pictures). His little curls smell sweet and light. I do laugh at the occasional food we find in there! I can only really play with his hair when he sleeps...otherwise his is too wiggly.
Love my boys. Sweet.

Handyman Husband

I am very grateful that my husband is a such a handyman. Stuff around the house gets done and he knows how to do it well. I know that not everyone has a handyman for a husband...their husbands have other talents I am sure but I am very grateful for my handyman.

Friends

Is it too cheesy to say I am grateful for friends? This early in the year? This early into my 365? I don't think so!! I might even be a bit more bold later in the year to name the friends I am grateful for...time will tell. I can just now say that lide would be good and OK with friends, but I consider my life grand and awesome because of my friends! We are very blessed!

Sometimes it is really hard to find something

Today has been a long and hard day. It is not hard to find something to be grateful for...it is just hard to find something amongst all the stressful and crazy stuff that went on today. It is like the bad is bigger than the good. And just as I am sitting here typing this I know there is a bigger good out there and that I have so much to be grateful for...it is just that on a long, hard day and - am tired....ok, enough of my excuses. I am grateful for my family. They help me back from the bad days. Thanks family.

Cooking

(Again I am thanking my mother for this)

I love to cook. 

I like cooking for myself, my family, my friends, people I don't know.
I like watching cooking shows.
I like reading cooking magazine.
I like buying cookbooks.

I love to cook.

My grandma didn't really love cooking.  She enjoyed certain recipes and making them for us, but she was not an outstanding cook. She made cheesecake on special occasions.  She would make us corn-surprise on our birthdays.  Like I said, she was good, but didn't really enjoy it.  Not that I ever saw anyways.

My mom likes cooking.  You can tell she enjoys the art of arranging. plating and displaying the food.  It always looks fabulous.  I am grateful that she taught me that the presentation is just as important as the taste.

My sister enjoys baking.  She makes the best cookies and pies and cakes.  She has all the gadgets and fun stuff that make it enjoyable. 

I am grateful that I like to cook (and bake a little bit).  Carlos is the baker in our family. 

The Curls on my Baby's Head

I am so grateful for my baby (that will most likey be another post). 
I narrowed it down to the the curls on his head.  

They make me smile.

I love them smelll of them...with his lunch smeared in them, early in the morning, freshly washed and when he is all cuddled up with me at bedtime. 

His curls tickle my nose. 

They make me smile.

Children's Literature

I am grateful for children's literature.
All sorts.
Picture books, chapter books, fiction, non-fiction and everything in-between.
It should be no surprise, I am an elementary teacher.
There are a few that I like more thank others, but it is hard to remember all the names while I am typing here and not in the moment of planning and reading for my students.

The reason I am choosing to write about this today is because my son is knee-deep into Harry Potter.  He is on book 5 and loving every minute of it.  He and his Dad have been reading for the past 3 years (on and off) and now that CJ is a 5th grader, he and his Dad are enjoying talking about the finer points of the series.  Carlos and I are having a hard time not revealing the ending books!  I do love those books! 

I like that since my son is older now and my students know CJ (he goes to the same school I teach at) that it has been fun sharing what he is interested have been/are over the years with my students.  Anyway, I have been reading some great children's lit. Our fabulous librarian is always recommending something to me (she says she has a stack of 20 books by her bed at all times)  and I enjoy every book she has given me. 

I have to admit, I have been mostly concentrating on picture books the last few years, but this summer I ventured into chapter books.  Shamefully I have to admit that I rarely remember author names (but I am happy to remember most titles!)  I should buy some small notebook or something? 

Remembering Mrs. Rossi--tear-jerker, lovely and sweet
Cryptid Hunters--fast, fun, adventure
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane--kind, friendly, mysterious
Gooney Bird Greene--cute, funny, helpful

These are just a few, I know, but if I went on...well I would go on and on and on and feel like I need to start another blog just to list great children's lit!  I am sure that has already been done!

So, JK Rowling has inspired yet another reader (my son) and yet more conversations (between my son, my husband and I (not to mention my mom and sister and I)  Did I mention that my sister and I would wait until midnight on the eve of the new book releases to get our copies?  We have seen almost all the movies on their opening night?  And...that after I speedily read book 6, she was a still reading and as we would soak up the rays in the backyard I would read to her?  That was fun. Seriously.

Maybe I will be a children's author some day? I have always had the storyline in my head about clouds.  Hmmm...something to ponder at a later date.

Must get to reading!

My Students

I am a teacher. 
2nd grade.
Dual language.
Spanish/English.

Been at this for about six years.
Love it. 
(OK, some days are harder than others, but I do love my job/career)

My students.
I say them as plural, because as I write this I think of:
individual students, groups of students, certain classes and some students that were never in my class but I got to know them anyway. 

I do really care about them.
I love that they are always such a mix of the good, bad and ugly.
I get to find out about them and discover more and more on a daily basis.
It is fun and exciting.
They teach me as much (if not more) than I teach them.
They are funny.
They make me laugh daily.
They have made me cry.
Sometimes I leave the building bursting with energy...sometimes I have just enough energy to get home to the couch.
Sometimes I am so excited about a lesson or unit I am thrilled and stoked to teach...other days getting out of bed in the morning just may kill me.

I am so thankful that I have more great, wonderful and inspiring days. 
I am so thankful for my students that bring me all these highs and lows.
And even though it is a roller coaster...I LOVE IT!   

Thanks students!

(note: this is a very hurried post) 

Mama, Mommy, Mom, Mother

Is is too early in the year to be thankful for my Mom? 
I feel as if I write about her now then later...
what if she does something really cool?
And I will need to be thankful for her all over again?  HA!

Just kidding.

I am thankful for my mom any day of the year.
She is quite the woman.

The list of things she has done is long and complicated and multi-layered and intertwined with
so many and so much...but that does not compare to the things she does in the present.

Let me start with...I know my mom really well. 

I am thankful she does so much and all the time, but I am going to write about why I am thankful for her...how she impacts my life. 

Selfish?
I think not. My blog. 

I am thankful for my mom because...

• she makes my family dinner...and most nights cleans up too!  What a treat for me, full-time mom, wife and teacher.

Thanks Mom!

• she knows my kids...she knows what they like to eat, what they like to play with, who they know and what they like to wear, how they can help her and she loves, loves, LOVES them to pieces.

Thanks Mom!

• she has accepted and loved my husband from the moment he was my boyfriend...and she will tell you even before that because he was my brother's friend first! 

Thanks Mom!

• she loves me...she really does.  And I am a little like her.  OK, maybe a lot.  We put up with each other. We love to shop, eat and drink together.  (different order depending on the day)

Thanks Mom!

I am very grateful for my mom. 

Healthy

I am so thankful I am healthy.
My hubby and my baby are sick.
CJ and I and working double-time...cleaning, cooking and running around getting what my boys need/want. Right now I am blogging for the first tome from my phone while my baby sleeps in my arms. I think we will be here all night.

Rain

Crazy at it may sound, I am grateful for the rain. 
I love how it sounds at night...hard rain against the windows and the gutters overflowing.
I love the smell of rain...new rain after many days of sun...resh and crisp
I love to watch the rain...sideways, downways and sprinkles.

I don't need to go into the many wonders of rain and all that is does for us on this planet...we all know. 
But, I do love to get all my gear out: umbrella, hat, gloves and raincoat...ready for the rain.

When I have traveled to Mexico I remember the rain being warm, but so much more wet and almost violent.  It came hard and fast, flooding the streets and drenching all in its path.  I didn't mind that type of rain (I would not want only that type all the time though); I do love the variety of rain we get here in the Pacific NW. 

So, there you have it.  I am grateful for the rain.

I guess this is a good thing. 
We will have mostly rain for the next four months.