I did NOT know that!!!

*The last two weeks have been eventful to say the least. I have been visiting my family a few hours away every chance possible. My older sister had massive brain surgery yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona with the best surgeon in the world. My family spent the weekend before eating, laughing, crying, and spending time together. My 3 year old nephew's comment: "Why do you hafta live far away?!" Sometimes I really agree. Especially in times like these...However I know I am here for a reason, doing work that I am supposed to do--and the following stories affirm that! :)

*Although things in my personal life are somewhat falling apart, my classroom has been a HAVEN. My husband is in test week so he has been very occupied with studying like crazy. His comment tonight was: "Tell me when you write your blog so I can find out what's going on in your life". Lol That's a little dramatic, but I have been kind of alone--my house is a wreck, but my sweet students have been very comforting to me!!

*I have been teaching them how to count by 10s, 5s, and 2s. During Calendar, I asked if they could count to 100 by 1s. One started to count: 1, 11, 21,....haha. Cute

*I was working with my Small Reading Group today during centers and was teaching the sight word "come". We then started to read a book about where food comes from. "Where do French Fries come from? They come from Potatoes.", etc. We then read this page: "Where does milk come from? It comes from cows." One student looked at me totally concerned: "UN UH!!! I did NOT know that!" :) She will never drink milk the same!!

*At recess today, one of my students said: "Mrs. You see these leggins I'm wearin? And my skirt?"
Me-Yes. You look so cute. Student-"I wore them cuz I knew you would." Me-How did you know that?
Student-"You wear leggins and skirts a lot. Just wanted to dress like you". :)

*Student-"Mrs. Did you see my red shirt? It's your favorite color, huh!? I told my mom I wanted to wear red cuz it's your favorite." Love them!

*When my kids turned in their homework, one of their writing sentences said: "I went to church and we talked all about Jesus". SO thankful for the Lord's influence in my kids' lives!

*In another small group I was teaching the sightword "these". We were practicing sentences with the word "these" in it. We decided to write "These are my friends." Then I told them they could draw a picture of their friends next to their sentence. "I'm going to draw Mrs! She is my favorite friend!!"

*Probably the sweetest thing my class has ever done: Another teacher knows a 5 year old who has cancer. She asked teachers to have their students make cards for him. I decided it would be a fun activity for Friday afternoon. Then I decided to add my sister in there too. I told the kids that I knew 2 people who were very sick and who had to stay in the hospital and lay in bed all day. (Their faces were full of concern!) I asked them how they thought those 2 people felt. They all responded that they must be really sad. I asked them if they wanted to make cards for those people to help them feel better? They really wanted to. I told them there was a boy and a girl and they could choose which person they wanted to write to. I asked them if sloppy writing/drawing would make someone happy? A resounding "NO!" was the answer. As I walked around and watched them write/draw their cards, I saw: "I am so sorre you are sic", "I hop you get beter real soon", "You are bootiful", "Git well", etc. I was brought to tears. Their pictures were equally sweet. I told them they could talk while they worked. What I heard: "M. is going to LOVe this card. It's going to make her real happy." "When she opens this, she is going to start smilin real big!" I can't tell you how much healing this brought to me!!! One student asked me: "Mrs...what color is M. Is she white or black?" Me-Does it matter? Student-"Yeah! I gotta know how to color her on the card!" :) lol

*My aunt/grandma gave me granola bars to pass out to kids in my class who need more food. She collected a LOT! I have started to pass them out 1 to each kid as the kids leave for the day. They are VERY grateful. :) Thankful for people who are so generous to my kids.

*One of my black students, pointing to the palm of her hand: "Mrs! Look! This part of my hand is kinda white...like YOU Mrs! :)"

*At library checkout, my kids were picking their books out. When they brought them up to me, I asked them what book they chose. They were reading me the titles. Then as I walked around as the kids were looking through their books, I heard one of my kids reading her book. READING THE WORDS to herself. It continues to amaze me.

*As I said, my sister had brain surgery yesterday. I wasn't sure how my teaching would be that day. I only told a few teachers at my school and they have been GREAT. But I didn't tell my principal the exact day...she came in to observe my math (She has to do a few unannounced observations of my teaching as a new teacher)....I was teaching the HARDEST game with addition. But it went so well. After the lesson, she told me that she was so impressed-she said she even tried to trick the kids as she walked around, but wasn't able to! :)

*I found out that my district hasn't allowed my school to have as many teachers next year. I am the newest teacher by far and of course would be on the chopping block. My principal/school is doing everything they can to save my job, but still it's a little concerning. Ever since I found out, I haven't been taking a single moment for granted. I can't say how much I adore my little ones!!

*Every week on Friday, I announce a "Star Student" and give that student an award. Then that student can bring a toy to "Show & Tell" on Monday and a poster to fill out about themselves in the hallway. One of my funniest students was the "Star" this week. He brought a WWE fighting belt or something. Usually the child shares a few things about the toy and then answers 3 questions from other students. I promise this student would have gone on about his belt for 30 minutes if I would have let him. It was SO funny to watch him answer questions. Kids would ask "Do you play with it outside?" His frustrated answer would be: "I TOLD you...You can't PLAY with this--it's a WWE fighting belt...", etc. It was hilarious.

*"Mrs...Do you wanna know my Catch Phrase?! IT's What's Up, Doc?! I also like to say: What's up lady?!"

*When I went home to see my family last weekend, at church I was struck by how much things have changed in my life. In college 2 years ago at this time, my worries/concerns were SO different than they are. My world view was VERY different . Praise the Lord for growth and new life! SO thankful!!

*‎"In the early church,if there  is a rebirth is would affect our economics and how we care for our neighbor. If we have two coats, weve stolen one ...there are people cold on the street! We dont have a right to hold more for ourselves while others are in need!!!" AMEN!!!


Praying for a LESS eventful week this week and for rest for my dear sister. May Christ be closer than ever to her!!!


:)