Venting...

Lately there seems to be an upswing in complaining/blaming teachers.

Can I just say as an authority in the matter that teachers choose to teach not because we hate children, not because we want them to fail, not because we couldn't think of a higher paying job...

We teach because we love kids.

That does not mean we pass them because we like them and fail them because we don't...
I doesn't mean that we never let them experience consequences of their own actions.

It does mean we do our best to provide a safe nurturing environment in the midst of other hormonal, anxious, sometimes mean -spirited, children...

Which is to say our job is challenging.

If and when we screw up it is not because we are not Christians

If and when don't agree with you regarding what you want us to do it doesn't mean we are heartless...

It means we are trained professionals doing our very best to educate and inspire.

If your not a teacher you can't possibly understand how challenging it can be at times....or rewarding.

It would be oh so helpful if more people stood behind the teacher. 
Thank you to those who do!  You are appreciated!

Frychik

Wise Words

Life is flying by and before we realize what happened Christmas will be a memory.

As we rush around checking off our impossible to do lists here are some wise words to ponder...

 

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" ~ Dr. Seuss

That Dr. Seuss was a wise one...

Frychik

I Scream for Ice Cream?

So, Jeff and I went for a walk Sabbath afternoon and came home to this...
Josh was very excited to show us what he had found in the freezer...
yes, freezer, not freezerS and not even the big freezer in the garage but the freezer section of our fridge...

I am amazed that all of those fit in there...

I wouldn't have been surprised if say 5 were in there...
I'm a bit dumbfounded that there were 10...

The problem is not that we are addicted to ice cream...its actually the opposite...
we don't really eat much ice cream and therefor I am always thinking we are out when I plan for company and pick up some...

The fact that I have had this thought 10xs in the past few months concerns me...
So if anyone is craving some ice cream come on over...
I also have 2 bottles of Hershey's chocolate syrup in the fridge...

Frychik

PS - we did manage to get rid of 4 - 3 were unopend and the other 3 were mostly full without ice crystals (in case you were wondering)

Girl Card...

I have discovered I enjoy playing the "girl card" when it is convenient for me.

It took me several years to appreciate the benefits (and not be defensive) of my feminine side...
I was busy trying to prove that I could do anything a man could...
Then one day I got tired...

I am now satisfied that I can do anything I put my mind to...
I am now wiser and with that wisdom comes the knowledge that I don't have to prove myself anymore...
I have also realized it is VERY important to teach our men to be strong.

I would much rather be married to a man or raise sons that will come to my aid then be married/raising men that sit on their behinds not feeling needed.

When I was small my god-mother sent my brother and I two plaques for our rooms.
One was for me about girls being made of sugar and spice and everything nice...
and boys being made of something and slugs and puppy dog tails...
I can't remember the rest of the poems but I do remember the message...
Girls are sweet and boys are...made of slugs and puppy dog tails.

My point being that the men are for the icky stuff and the heavy lifting...and that's ok
They like it that way.

So I play the girl card when I can.
Heavy lifting and three men in the house = girl card
Spider on the wall = girl card
Clogged toilet = girl card
Cutting down the Christmas tree = girl card

Or course now that my two "little ones" have grown to be "men" I have much more opportunity to play the girl card.

However, it is important for our men to be "well-rounded" and therefore important for them to understand that the "girl card" does not mean "womens work"

So they must learn how to cook and do laundry and understand that compliments and flowers are an important part of life.

However, I have discovered them playing the "boy card"
laundry on floor next to empty hamper = boy card
Can't find anything = boy card
Seat up on toilet = boy card
I forgot (fill in the blank) = boy card

Actually, I love the three men I live with!
I am proud of them and who they are growing to be.
They amaze me with their kindness and protectiveness

I am a lucky girl!

Frychik

3 Days

I've just ended a 3 day self sequestering
My goal was to write my 20 page research paper
On the 2nd Amendment...

Day one was slow and frustrating
Day two ditto...
Day three was more productive and over all I feel better about it...

This Masters program is a long road
I'm impatient...

Today I head back out into the real world...
Today is Headstart party at the school.
Gifts will be delivered!
Songs will be sung!
Santa is coming!


Also, my Christmas cards showed up in the mail!
Less than 48 hours after ordering them
All 100 of them!
I ordered and paid for 50...
They sent 100...

When does that happen?
Get double what you pay for and/or expect?

Have a super terrific productive day!

Frychik

A List

1.  I took the day off to write on my research paper

2.  My paper is due in 3 weeks

3.  That means it's 3 weeks until Christmas

4.  I ordered my Christmas cards last night

5.  I hope to have them to you before Christmas...we shall see

6.  I haven't bought a single gift

7.  It took a week but thanks to Josh we finally have our Christmas lights up outside and they are pretty!

8.  We still don't have a Christmas tree :(

9.  I made homemade soup last night using Judy's mom's recipe and it was a hit!

10.  I don't like writing research papers....


Frychik

Christmas Banquet 2011

Big, big, huge, sigh of relief.

Banquet can be checked off my to do list...

Look at these two!

Aren't they adorable!

Ty was so excited about his first "date"

He opened her door

Told her she looked "amazing"

Gave her flowers

Made her laugh...

Look how color coordinated these two are...

He of course is a gentleman as well

He enjoyed getting all spiffed up for his girl

Its just so sweet to see my guys trying to impress the ladies

They will make fine husbands one day...

...Far, far away...

Our banquet room turned out really nice.  I loved the green satin on the tables along with the candle light

It truly is fun to see the kiddos all dressed up in their finest...

...on their best behavior

Laughing, talking, taking pictures...

...making memories of their high school days

A picture from outside.  The trees look like they have snow on them...but they don't.

This picture cracks me up...

They are leaning towards each other...

...but sitting very far apart...

hmmmm, I wonder what a "body language expert" would have to say about that?

We played games...

and handed out prizes...

The kids hung out and visited...

admiring each other's attire...

It went by so fast and in fact I think we needed more time...

It's so hard to judge.

Some banquets seem to drag on and you think "oh man this will never end"

This one flew by and I thought "shoot it seems too short"

I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear what kids have to say

Was it worth it?

Both of my boys said they had fun and I'm pretty sure they would tell me if they didn't like it...

That's good enough for me :)

Frychik