My Baby Girl is 8

Today I reflected on the day my beautiful daughter came into my life.  It was a great day.  We waited so long, and even when it was time, the girl didn't want to come out! But a little surgery can get any baby out!  She has made my life so rich.  I truly do not remember what my life was like before.  And not only has she been a blessing in my life, but I truly believe she has made the world a better place, just by being Calah.

Yesterday we had her birthday party.  When we started discussing it, she said, "Mom, I want to donate my presents again to the children's hospital"  She has done this the last two years.  I am so proud of her.  She has a really big heart and she wants to help the children at the hospital because she feels bad that they had to leave all their toys at home.  So when planning her party, I am willing to go on the bigger side so she has some things to give.  Calah wanted to have a sledding party, but with the winter that we are having, there was no way I could promise her snow.  So we had it at the bowling alley.  She invited her entire class, her dance class, and some friends from out of town.  To say that it was controlled chaos is an understatement.  But it was fun.  We had pizza and cupcakes, and everyone got to bowl.  I have to give a big thank you to my friend, Michelle, who so generously painted faces. She did a beautiful job!

Awesome!  I know!  Anyway, Calah's friends were very generous to the children at the hospital.  We are headed over this week to drop them off.
Then, in my crazy desire to give my child the best birthday I could, we had a sleep over.  The initial guest list was close to 12 girls, but we ended up with 7.  We had tacos for dinner, crafts to keep them busy, and a movie to help them go to sleep.  There was only one little bickering, and that was resolved when I offered to be punished for letting it happen.  They informed me I had to go to time out for 35 minutes because that is how old I am (At least I know that other parents are doing the same thing we do, time out for the number of minutes that you are old).  The found the timer that we normally use and set it for 3 minutes and 50 seconds.  I did not correct them, but they did protest when the timer went off way too soon (in their opinion!).  But at least the bickering was over!

After a movie, the kids finally settled down.  Just to be up crazy early this morning.  But we got everyone fed, clothed, and packed up.  After they left, we took Calah out to lunch and then home for a family nap.  Unfortunately, the aftermath of the slumber party needed to be picked up, but soon enough it was present time.  Chuck and I are so proud of Calah donating her toys from the party to the hospital, that we like to do something special for her.  So.....her American Girl doll Rebecca now has a sister, Molly.  I did think that it might be more fun to play with two so they could have conversations.  And for Christmas, Santa had brought a bunk bed, so they each have a space.  She is really happy.

It was a good day.  I love my little girl so much.  I know parents always say this, but it is hard to believe it has been eight years.  Eight wonderful, glorious years.

Taking Care of Myself

So this past week I have been sick.  And instead of running myself into the ground like I normally do, I went to bed and stayed there. 

It started last Sunday in my chest and I knew I was in for it.  So Monday I went to doctor's.  Here is what they told me.  First it will take your voice, then, after the antibiotics where off, you'll be exhausted and get a deep cough in your chest that will last for about four weeks.  Lovely, huh?  So much to look forward to.  So, I got a shot of antibiotics and went home to bed.

Tuesday I took  a nap and went to bed early.  Wednesday, bed early.  Thursday, bed early.  I did make it to work everyday, but it was push.  Fortunately, I have an absolutely wonderful husband who made dinners, lunches, and took care of the kids.  I didn't go to the pool on Tuesday because I didn't want to push myself too hard, although I did finally find my motivation (when I went to the doctor I found out how much weight I have lost...YAY!).  This week I have had more sleep than I have had in a long time.  And it totally paid off, I am finally starting to feel better.

Friday night Chuck and I relaxed in preparation for Saturday.  A day of cleaning!  After letting the house go all week, it was a day long necessity!  But we got it done, and today is just a relaxing day with a little laundry and school work to do.  But at least I am feeling better.

In need of Motivation

That is me.  I am in desperate need of motivation.

Usually this is the time of year that I am in full planning mode for Calah's birthday party.  I love planning both kids' parties, and in the winter I usually need this party to perk me up and get me going.  But for whatever reason this year, I can't get going.  The bowling alley is booked, but that is it.  I need to get the invitations out yesterday...literally.  I like to have them out two weeks before the party and it is two weeks from today.  So that is late.  I plan to get them out Monday, but I haven't even started making them yet.  And here I sit.  Then there is the rest of the party to plan for (cake, gifts, favors, etc).  Not to mention, every year I make a memory video for each of the kids' birthdays and I haven't even started Calah's yet.  Still, even will all this hanging over my head, I can't seem to get motivated.

This isn't the only area I have been unmotivated in lately, although it is the most urgent.  I have continued to go to the pool and swim, but I'm not pushing myself like I should.  I have good ideas on workouts and then talk myself out of them on the way to the pool.  All I really want to do lately is sleep.  I want to continue the weight loss I have started, I want to push myself, I want to get better and swim faster, but we all know that wanting isn't enough.  I need to do it.  I try to console myself by saying "at least I got in the pool and did something"  or "it is like I ran 4 miles", but if I am going to be honest, that is not enough.  I need to work harder.  I'm just not motivated.

My house is suffering again.  Sure, it's not filthy, but it's cluttered and there are many closets, dressers, and bins that need to be cleaned out.  No motivation.  My mail table stares at me every evening, irritatingly messing.  The movies are a disaster.  The kids' papers from school are in a pile waiting to be sorted.   And yet, I sit here. 

Where did my drive and motivation go?  I know that we are busy all week and need weekends to unwind, but I still need to clean my house and do the laundry.  And get a few other things done, too.  Nothing seems to get me going.  If anyone has any ideas...I'm all ears.  But in the mean time, I think I'll hold the couch down.

I work with Amazing Teachers!

I have amazing collegues. 

A couple of weeks ago, our National Honor Society hosted a dress exchange.  Basically, girls donate gently used formal dresses and we sold them for $5-$20.  This is our third year and we do it for multiple reasons.  We are hoping to provide low cost, nice dresses for the girls at our school that may not be able to afford them otherwise.  We donate the money to the local woman's shelter.  When it is over we keep the really good ones for the next year, the rest we donate to Goodwill or the Adoptive Family Network. And my students get a chance to lead and organize a project.

Anyway, back to my collegue.  The left over dresses are in my back room.  So I had a fellow teacher come in and ask if she and a student could go through the dresses.  This student had been unable to make the dress exchange, and......didn't have any money to buy a dress.  After trying on a few dresses, she found one she loved.  My friend and collegue told this beautiful young lady that she should have the dress she loved, and that she would buy it for her.  Meanwhile, she picked out another dress for another student who needs one.  This wonderful woman, who is a single mom herself, is so generous and gracious that she is willing to buy dresses for her students so that they can have a nice time at the prom or sno-ball.

For the record, I also know these young ladies and probably would have given them the dresses.  And the money doesn't go to me or even to the National Honor Society.  It goes to the women in our community who need a safe place to stay.  So, whatever she gives me for the dresses is fine, I told her it was up to her.

This is what I am talking about when I talk about how much teachers give.  It's not just about the reading, writing, and 'rithmatic (and let's face it....the super cool science!), it's about the students.  It's not just paper, pencils, and school supplies that we dip into our pockets for, it is coats, shoes, and in some cases, prom dresses to make sure that our students are warm or have a complete high school experience.

I would also be remiss if I didn't give kudos to one of our special ed teachers who is developed a soup kitchen with her students.  These students are using practical skill that they will need to survive in the real world.  They are learning cooking skills, math skills, and communicating skills.  They come and sell the soup to the staff every week. The money they earn (I think) helps them to purchase Christmas gifts for their families and pay for tickets for them to go to prom.  These are student who do not have much.  They would never be able to afford these things on their own.  I think this is amazing. 

Thirdly, our school also had a dinner last week that was a fundraiser for juvenile diabetes.  It was planned and organized by two classes of students.  Their teachers (one of which is a friend of mine) did a great job of helping them learn planning and preparation skills. 

I know there are so many other things that are going on in our school and so many other teachers that are giving so much to our students, more than an education, but a chance.  In a place where more often than not, we wonder what is going on and how we are ever going to make it through another day, it is nice to remember that we have an amazing staff that does amazing things with our students.