Grants

The McMinnville Education Foundation awards grants to teachers. 

I am grateful for this organization! 

Motivation

Where does it come from?  Why does it take motivation to be motivated?  (Didn't make that up, got it from someone)

It has been nice to be motivated by others lately.  It keeps me motivated.

Clean House

Ready for the week.
Laundry done.
Dishes done.
Clean, clean, clean.

It makes me happy.

Gutters

My husband cleaned the gutters today.

He is the best.

Our gutters are squeaky clean. 

They both serve more than one purpose.

I appreciate them both very much.

Girlfriends

Last year Bethany, Kari and I all went out the day after Thanksgiving.  We did some wine tasting, evening shopping, eating and basically whatever we wanted with no husbands and no children. 

This year...same thing.

We always have some catching up to do so there is no down time.

I am thankful for these two ladies! 

Thanksgiving

There is so much to be thankful for; the usual...family, friends, health, happiness.

But I am also thankful for the ups-and-downs, the not-so-great moments and the failures.  They too shape my life and provide for some interesting opportunities to grow along the way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Niece

She is amazing.
She is smart.
She is beautiful.
She is loving.

I appreciate her willingness to play and love her baby cousin.  She loves him so.

Meet the Parents

I like meeting my student's parents, their families...where they are from.  It is actually fun and informative.  I love seeing how the families interact; the family dynamic up close and personal. 

I am very grateful and appreciative that 22/25 families showed up; 2 no show/no call and 1 call to reschedule. 

Thank you parents!

Amanda

I am thankful for my new running partner...she drags my butt out even in the freezing cold, rain and possible snow.  2.75 today!

Nothing

Nothing too exciting today...slept in, breakfast, coffee, nap, TV, magazine, nap, work a bit, dinner...Very relaxing and very non-stressful!  I can appreciate these days of leisure! 

A Great Saturday

A walk downtown, some coffee, good conversation and yummy lunch with some great friends. I am very grateful for this wonderful Saturday afternoon.

Movie Night

My wonderful, great friend Bethany came over for some homemade popcorn and a cheesy chick-flick!
Thanks for a great night of conversation and relaxation!

Great Group

I am currently teaching a bunch of OSU students. I appreciate their honesty, humor and willingness to put in some hard work. I am grateful for the job, but also the opportunity to interact with some great soon-to-be-teachers!

Mighty Hunter

He has returned...and thankfully without a very large animal strapped to the truck and gratefully all safe!

Toy Story

I remember watching Toy Story over and over when CJ was a toddler...now that the 3rd and final movie it out the saga has ended.  It was bitter sweet.  A very nice movie and a wonderful ending, but an ending none-the-less.  I am grateful for the time spent with CJ over the years talking about the movie, reminiscing, quotes and inside jokes and lines.

You have a friend in me...

Cousin Zach

He makes me laugh. 

I am grateful for him. 

He also bought me a few beers whilst I was in CA visiting.  I owe him.

Guess I will have to go back to CA.

Muddin'

It sure is fun to go out muddin' and have fun in the great outdoors.  But what I really like, and what I am grateful for...is that Heather's husband is really careful and really crazy at the same time!  We sure had fun on the Doodlebug. 

Rainy Day and Old Movies

It does not get much better than this...I am very grateful for a warm house, kids playing, baby napping, soup simmering and just some nice relaxing time.

Quick Day

I am grateful for a quick day sometimes as much as I am grateful for a day that goes by slowly...I know that at times life seems to go by too quickly and I don't seem to appreciate those quicker days, but at times a quick day is nice.  It is nice to get home and just be with the family. 

Thank You

To all those people out there, past and present who put your life on the line, put your best forward for this country.  Thank you.  I am grateful.

Teachers

I love, seriously love, adore and truly respect the teachers I teach with..can I say, especially those on my grade level team?  They are awesome! 

Then you combine them with my teacher friends at the school we are collaborating with for our CFA's and wow...we are a great bunch!  Awesome!  (the teachers...not so much the CFA's!)

Cuddlybug

At 10-years old...he still likes to cuddle up.  Did I ever mention that he couldn't say "snuggle" when he was little, so he would say "nuggle"...and we still do.

Love that kid and I am soooo grateful he like to snuggle up with his old mom!

CJ's Teacher

Once again CJ has a great teacher!  He is so happy this year and as a 5th grader...well I can't believe that he will not be coming to school with me every morning. 

I am so incredibly grateful for his teacher this year...she is the perfect combination of elementary and middle school; so perfect for his 5th grade year!

Lounging

Grateful for couch time...enough said. 

Clean Garden

Garden, yard and all the "stuff" is all cleaned up and ready for the winter!  Yeah!

I am so grateful for the bountiful harvest we had, the gordeous blossoms and leaves and I hope it has a nice and restful sleep over the winter.

See you in the Spring!

Half Day

I am a bit grateful for a half day to do grading, but it is just a another half day that students are not in school.  I really think that we need to extend the school year and the school day...I am probably one of the few teachers that think that, but I really do believe it! 

If I were queen for a day....
work 8-5 with an hour lunch!
students from 8:30-3:45ish...
Work until July 1st
Paid inservice the last week of August (whole week)
Start school the day after labor day

Running Well

Amanda is running so well and it has been really amazing going through this program with her.  I am so grateful for her support and willingness to tackle running so much!  Miranda also has been really thoughtful and supportive as we run and work through this program...again. 

I am really grateful for both of these ladies!

A Night of Relaxation

Just sitting on the couch, catching up on DVR'd shows and just chilling all by my self!  That is wonderful!  I love a quiet, peaceful house with my boys are tucked in bed and sleeping softly! 

A Good Night's Sleep

What a difference a good night's sleep makes!  Refreshed and ready for the day.  I am sure grateful for my comfy bed and a deep sleep! 

Cup O'Joe

Am I really grateful for a cup of coffee today...not really.  But, I am really grateful that my friend Julie M. sent back the Math books I lent her a few weeks ago with a thank you card and an instant coffee single from Starbucks...because today when the staff room was out of coffee and I had just returned from a field trip out in the pouring down rain, tired, wet and grumpy...well, that single Starbucks was just sitting on my desk, waiting for me! 

Oh, thank you Julie.  I appreciate your kindness!