I have lost count in days....

Dear Jenny,

I am so sorry, I have lost count in my days as to what number i'm on. So many new things have happened it's been ridiculous...

From watching a romantic proposal at work,
To traveling to a new city
To seeing bears and wolves
To petting an albino bison....

It has been an adventure.

My husband took the week off and wanted to go on an adventure.  A normal 5 hour trip, took us 12 hours and some minutes.  We drove Route 66 and went through Kingman, heading on in to Flagstaff where we had the most delicious burger at Diablo Burger....

We have been trying little stops here and there and having the greatest of adventures! This is what being a family is all about.

How can I describe the cabin? Cute, quaint? So  much fun! One TV... So we as a family played "Trivia" Jenga... You had to answer a trivia question before you could pull the Jenga cube... my son had a blast, it was his idea... He is incredibly creative.

I am beyond blessed and forgot how much fun it was to laugh and just enjoy our company... Honestly, our kids rarely figh

t and if they do, believe it or not the younger one gives up first... They are chill, which is making this trip that much better.

I've missed my family.

When work becomes the focus sometimes you lose sight of those around you... Jenny, I truly missed my family.

Until tomorrow or later today.. HOPEFULLY, unless we are having too much fun!

Day 26 and 27

Dear Jenny,

Wow... just wow.. working on changing my view of things has really helped me get through a negative attitude. Trying something new everyday and being conscious of it has helped with not only my moods but seeing things from a different light.

Friday I changed up my classroom, changed my view point, and started coming up with new ideas to help my kiddos.  I found that they were more focused and willing to work on things to understand.  Saturday I had the chance to go to two holiday parties.  I stayed on my weight watchers points but went a bit over it.  As frustrating as it was, I forgave myself, which is something I never do.  I'm my hardest critic.

Overall, it has been a super busy holiday season, finding the time to log in has been incredibly difficult, but i'm trying to make a habit of it.

Talk to you soon!

Day 24 and 25

Dear Jenny,

I haven't written in a couple days as my computer monitor has finally bit the bullet and blanked out.

I have had quite a few new things going on in the past 2 days.  My son was in his play and he did a phenomenal job. It was quite a good play despite all the negative situations that happened.  I can't tell you how amazed I am by my son daily and his confidence. He is definitely a kiddo I admire.  What was new about Monday, is that I found my fitbit and started using it, hooking it to my weight watchers app.

Yesterday and today I have been seeing how close my friends are to me, as well as my daughter who has her fitbit.

I went and was observed today, and then when and observed other teachers... They are amazing math teachers. I swear, if i would have had the chance to work under any one of these amazing teachers my math ability would have been much better.  This is definitely a first for me, not to observe other teachers, but get the chance to watch high school teachers at work.  Pretty cool stuff....

Since doing this, I have worked really hard on continuing a positive outlook and looking for new things daily have really made me aware of my surroundings...

Until tomorrow...

Day 23, Christmas Spirit

Dear Jenny,

Do you remember our Christmas gatherings, and how much fun they would be when we would go to Mom's side on Christmas eve?  We would always get to open all our gifts and the best would come when Santa would bring the best presents ever the next morning....

I love Christmas.  I love the smell, the hot chocolate, the stupid holiday movies... I love it all.  So my husband realized that instead of gifts this year, I would want my entire house decked out in holiday stuff..

He started that yesterday and it is coming around nicely.... I have my parents ornaments, and even your baby ornaments on my tree... "Jenny and Elizabeth" are placed throughout the tree. It is so nice and it is a first, to have my family ornaments on my tree...

Kate even wrapped her first angel tree gift yesterday... we were discussing the math of it and finding the volume of it.

I actually planned for my week pretty well and am looking forward to today... oh and I lost weight over the weekend, that is definitely a first too...

Until tomorrow..

Day 21 and Day 22.... Whoops Skipped a day

Dear Jenny,

It has been a very busy weekend.. Which is typical right before the holidays.  My son is in a school play as Tiny Tim, and my daughter just finished her last football game where she completed a pass and pulled the flag.

Friday, my firsts was my husband being kind enough to take my daughter to basketball practice.  That is a first for basketball since he is in school it was a nice break, and my son and I watched Christmas movies.

Saturday, my kids have wanted to play D and D so I pulled out my old board and started a campaign with them.  This helps with my storytelling.. as I have never done one, just participated in them.  Kids are hilarious... they are incredibly impulsive and I realized my whole campaign had to go out window and start a new one based on their personalities.... It was rather amusing

My mother gave me all our ornaments from growing up and we put those on the tree... That truly made me so happy. :)

Until tomorrow...

Day 20... A new mindset

Dear Jenny,

Sometimes saying, "Well this is the direction my life must take.." sometimes has the feel of a disk that has been put on repeat..

1. Wake up
2. Write
3. Get kids up
4. Get kids and self ready
5. Go to work
6. Come home from work
7. Make Dinner
8. Take Kids to sports
9. Collapse in bed...

Do it all over again. That's so normal, that's so everyday... that's so... lucky and blessed for me.. You didn't get that opportunity and yet it sticks with me.

My kids are beautiful, they are healthy, they get good grades on their own, and are athletic.  My husband works hard and goes to school. So why am I just... bah-humbug?

I think the misconception when you are trying new things, is it should be exciting new, it should be something that pulls people in.

I'm not trying to pull people in, i'm trying to recognize daily something new I've achieved, or recognized.  I will rack my brain... One thing I did new that I always did when I taught 5th grade but not with my 8th graders is I derailed from my curriculum.  Sometimes these books are just insane.... well I took a leap and derailed my book from my 8th graders to teach them something fun while hitting all my standards!  It seemed to work, and I was able to connect to them why things worked the way they worked.

I really am still trying to differentiate my classroom and it is rough, I want kids to learn at their own pace, but also need to push them... I need one goal and to stick with it.  This is my biggest issue, I start with a bunch of goals and lose interest...

Well yesterday, I made up my mind to stick with one goal for the classroom, and always answer "I'm doing great!"  I'm trying to mess with my mindset... I want to have a positive attitude, I find myself going to the "Dark side" quite often.

So yesterday I had an epiphany that not everything needs to be so exciting when it's new.. it can be as simple as a  mindset... Today i'm going to "execute" the negative thinking and bring in positive thought plan.

Until tomorrow..

Day 19 A pomelo?

Dear Jenny,

So I wanted to discuss a new fruit that Katie (my daughter) and I tried.  It was called a Pomelo.  It smelled heavenly and my daughter asked if we could try it. 

Sure... Why not! Something new.

Oh my...... it tasted... interesting! if you like grapefruits, this is the fruit for you!  It is large and green but smells like an orange! 

Yesterday we also sat and watched silly christmas romance movies.  We had a cup of hot chocolate and then drank some tea... It was fabulous!!!

It is late, so I will write more in the morning! Have a blessed evening.

until tomorrow..