Missing moments

So, today has been a emotionally tough day for me. Without going into any of the yucky details. I just want all of you out there to take a close look at all the important people in your life and really love them. Reach out and touch them, squeeze them, and stare into their eyes and let them know that you love them. Drink in their laughter and store it deep within your heart. Stop what you are doing, get down on the floor with your little ones and play. Relish the tender touches and sloppy kisses from your children.
Today is only here for today....LOVE!

sledding

I forgot to post our sledding trip. We went to Castle Island (just a mile from our house) with our neighbors and friend Gina with her daughter Chloe. We all took our turn flying down the hill and had great time!!

Winter Break

Boston has this very bizarre week vacation known as "winter break"!! Yes, it is in addition to Christmas holiday and Spring break!! So last week, I packed up the kids and flew to visit with my dad and Sandy. We had a blast! Dad took a couple of days off to "play" with the us. We went to an indoor water park, went shopping (of course), and visited the Air Force Airplane Museum. Brenden is finally tall enough to go on some big kid rides at the water park and rode a pretty scary ride! You lie face first on a mat and go flying down a tunnel to a huge slide into a shallow pool-lane. I was really impressed that he took on the challenge. Annie went under water (on accident) and came up sputtering, "I did it mom!" The museum was entertaining for all. The kids love seeing planes. Shopping was..well, shopping. Dad was kind enough to make all my favorite meals with no complaints!! Brenden beat dad boxing on the wii as well as taking Sandy in tennis. All very funny to watch!! The best part of the week was being together and making new memories.

Happiness Journal

I have had the pleasure of having many influential women in my life. When I was a "new" teacher in Chicago, I meet a woman who has stayed dear in my heart. She and I don't have the strongest friendship but I do count her among my friends. She once told me about her "happy journal" that she kept with her friend. Basically you keep a journal of all the things in life that make you happy and trade it back and forth with a loved one. It really makes you count your blessings. My sister and I began one back in 2004 and it kinda fell to the wayside. After reading her blog and finding out that she's going strong, I decided that I needed to pull mine out and give it a go. You see, I have been feeling pretty stressed and low this week. I'm not really sure why but it's there waiting for me when I lay down at night. With all that's happening, I need to remember what I do have and not what I don't. My very own free therapy.

I found it!!! I read it all and now sit here with tears streaming down my face. Somehow my father got it and added his own happiness thoughts to mingle between mine and my sister's rambling thoughts.

I begin writing tonight with this first thought. Happiness is...husband who has bath duty tonight!
Little sister look for it soon!!!

Purpose...yours or mine

So, I have been teaching for almost 8 years now and I often wonder if I'm doing anybody any justice. You've read about many of my students and how they seem to lift my spirits just when I begin wondering if I'm doing my job well.
This week has been one of many questions for me. Should I continue with the KIPP interview process (face-to-face interview next week), try to wait it out to see if I can hold on to my current position, really put my heart into the application for the Boston Principal Fellowship, or look outside of Boston to find a suburban job? It's been pretty stressful for my whole family. I write all this because one of my students located me. I taught Sami my 3rd year of teaching while in Florida. I worked in a small charter in school that was pretty unique. I taught a combined 4th/5th class of 30 students with another teacher. While I have continued the friendship with the other teacher, the students grew up and on. Until last week!!! Sami was (still is) a very special student for me. She was a very bright little girl trying to find her place in it all. She could get frustrated but was generally very happy. I braided her hair everyday and we had "mom therapy" (this is what the other teacher and I called Sami's daily climb into my lap during lunch). I had high hopes that this little girl could stay strong and make it. Well, she has. Sami has an amazing sense of innocent energy with boundless hope! She is now a junior in high school with her goals set towards acting. I believe that this young lady will achieve all that she wants!!
This is why I teach!!!