CARTER GRAYSON COOK

Isn't this the sweetest thing ever! Carter Grayson Cook at home from the hospital!Look at that precious baby sleeping!
It looks like a little of the pain that has been on his face for the last year is disappearing! Daddy and Carter are going to be together alot.
You got to love it!

Grand-dog

Yes, we have a grand-dog. Lily was brought to the clinic to be euthanized. The vet Drew works for would have none of it! He said Lily was curable and it was a relatively cheap treatment.

So my animal loving son and his bride feel in love with Lily. Perhaps it was the way she followed him around when he fed animals on the weekend, or that innocent look. Which ever it is, Lily is now one of the Hestad family. We've never had any type of dog besides a border collie, so this is new. Lily is funny, she hiccups after she drinks and follows her new masters around where ever they go! She also is the most adorable thing at the clinic, so she goes to work with Drew everyday!

Monday

Well nothing like a Monday. Actually, today went fairly quick. I actually left my room and made 2 phone calls that had to be made. After school we started a tutoring program, we have 12 - 5th graders and it was great. F and I split them for 30 minutes at a time, she does math and I do reading.

Writing skills have fallen off since the break. I wish we had taken the test before the break. Nothing of substance was written today. Wednesday I am giving a mock test again. This time I am giving three prompts and we will see how it goes.

Last night I discovered that I had not gotten my textbooks for my next class and I thought I would die. (class started officially today) But I got home and called and they are overnighting them to me! YEAH!

Lists are working for me right now.

Living in the Moment

My devotion today has to deal with living in the moment. Boy, that describes me. My feelings are always right out there. The message in the devotional had to do with being totally connected with God at all times during your day. Not to pigeon hole God into a specific time! I read this before I am fixing to move into a new phase of live....lists.

Yes, it has happen living in the moment for me now means that so many things must be accomplished during my day. So here goes....

Monday
1. Call on Matt's class ring, see if they will deliver it on Tuesday when they come and save me $10.
2. Call about mammogram that insurance isn't paying for?
3. Work after school program to 4:15
4. Boys 4:30 dentist appointment.
5. Attend meeting at 4:30 at JES
6. Cook supper
7. Do a load of laundry
8. Wash dishes
9. Spend an hour reading research based literature...
10. Make Tuesday's list of things to do
11. Go to bed and read another chapter in John Grisham book.
12. Try to sleep!

ANNOUNCING!

Oh Happy Days...announcing the arrival of...

Carter Grayson Cook

8lbs. 7 oz.

22 in. long

He cried and the whole room cried with him, even the doctor. (Jackson couldn't cry because of his illness) He arrived at 1:00 am this morning and managed to keep everyone awake until he decided he was ready for a nap at 7:00am. My brother is suppose to send a picture ASAP, so we can all get a look.

PS. Ya'll help me come up with a unique gift. He doesn't need anything like a normal baby, Kate had baby showers with Jackson. Something special!

Learning

My new classes start next week - yes, I said classes, I'm enrolled in two this time. (Let's just see if I can lose my mind.) One of my profs lives on a yacht in Marina Del Ray, her sons still live in Oklahoma on the family farm. She posted a picture of herself and she looks totally cool! The class is designed to study the effects of educational change on leadership roles. Now I'm digging this one! Personally, now that I have finished statistics, I think people should stand and applaud when I enter a room. It was horrendous!

If you have not checked out the Jackson Progress-Argus online version please do so. I haven't bought the paper since starting my doctorate. Anyway, Cheryl Hildebrant has a delightful article in there. SBB, with all your travels you'll love this.

Today I must find someone to look at the dishwasher. It has an issue and I hate doing dishes! Also, I am off to supper with the newlyweds tonight.

Monkey, having been someone who has had their share of funerals - the day my mom was buried it was 102. I almost passed out! But all of you be forewarned you must attend my funeral. F has been instructed to have fried chicken and karaoke!

Devotions

I've started the new devotional book by David Jerimah. It is a 40 day devotional called, "Signs of Life." Today, I am depressed and sad. Today's devotional said, "Can you imagine if there were no Christmas lights?" Well instantly I thought that is my spirit today. So nothing pithy today in my comments, just gloom. I can't imagine how sad it must be for Sarah to bury her husband on such a miserable day.

Another Busy Day

Got up fixed the men breakfast burritos and then started cooking. I made a Pineapple Gooey Butter Cake for Mrs. Tyus. Tracie and family got chicken and dumplings, cornbread, and cheesecake brownies. Then for the H-clan it was chicken and dumplings, cornbread, and peanut butter heaven. Took the boys lunch and stayed for two lunch breaks. Talked to a couple of the G-man's teachers. Visited with my friends. Checked Gabe out early. Went to DQ (yes, I had a Reese cup blizzard). Went to look at a house. Delivered food. Went to funeral home. Now off to church.

Tomorrow I am working on tax stuff! Yuck!!!!! If I have any luck at all Friday will be all to me! At some point this nasty house must be cleaned!

Check it out

Pioneer Woman has a name the phote for a $500 gift certificate. Let me tell you this one gets me! I even went to itunes and bought the old Holly Dunn song, "Daddy's Hands". Of course there is the George Strait song, "Cowboys Like Us" Or how about "The Best Day". Is only she would put up a picture that would take my favorite one, "Crank it and Spank it" (you say this when a ride is going extremely well!) Surely I could win with that one!

The Bucket List

Today as I was wasting valuable time (that could be spent cleaning the house) reading blogs, I noticed someone had put up a bucket list. So I thought this might be interesting for us to attempt. However, I am probably closer to this than my counterparts. So here goes:

1. See my children grown
2. Go to New York City
3. Go to Washington DC
4. Not feel the need to worry about money
5. Spend a month at the beach in a house
6. Own my own ranch
7. See Dan's dreams come true
8. Finish my doctorate
9. write a book
10. enjoy each day like it was the last

Okay, what about you?

Another week off

My last paper has been posted. I now have 24 hours completed on my doctorate! In July I can apply for my 6-year pay!!!!

So to celebrate this week off from school and work, I intend to spend some quality time with John Grisham. I've already read a couple of chapters, so I want to sit aside a day to finish it this week!

I want to relax and not worry for a whole week! We shall see.

What Makes A Great Teacher!

As you know my world has been in a tail-spin since it occurred to me that the 5th grade writing test date had been moved to March 5th. So this week in a mad dash to review strategies and types of writing this week we have concentrated on Expository writing. Here are some samples:

To me being a great teacher is easy. Just three simple qualities please me.
First, if a teacher is nice to me and cares about me, I will do the same back. For example, if I listen in class and try my hardest on a test a teacher shouldn't get mad at me.
Another quality I like about teachers is if they like teaching and know what they are talking about. Teachers shouldn't have to look in text books for the answers they should know it by heart.
My last quality that makes a special teacher special is the way they look at you when you tell her something or asks something. A special teacher should listen to you and understand what you mean.
All of these qualitis that I described makes a teacher special to me.

The next entry I don't think likes my class very well! See what you think
Have you ever had a spcial teacher? I have. There are an abundance of qualities one must have to be a good teacher.
One quality is sterness. If you are not stern, your students will run wild and get hurt. One also must be kind. If you ar not kind, your students will disrespect you.
Another quality of a good teacher is giving homeowrk. If one does not five homework, your students will forget the lesson and you will have to reteach it. Hence, wasting a day which will cause you to fall behind. Hence, causing trouble with your plans.
The last and probably most important quality is organizaiton. If one isn't organized you will lose things, which causes trouble. Such as a waste of time looking for something.
In my opinion, these are the qualities of a good teacher. You may disagree with some of them. You may even think I left some out, that's ok.

SBB stills has a following. Her mini-me wrote this entry:
Have you ever had a teacher in your life that was special to you? I have, she was my second grade teacher.
First of all, my second grade teacher was my favorite teacher becasue she was like my second mother. I wish she was in my family, that would be so cool!
Second, my second grade teacher was my favorite teacher because she taught me a lot of things. Not just about subjects in school, but about life, and how to live up to what you want to do with your life.
Another reason why my second grade teacher was special to me is she was someone I could look up to and talk to. She helped me out and made sure I understood.
Finally, my second grade teacher cheered me up and she was proud of me. So now I better behave because one of my fifth grade teachers talks to her and can call at the click of a button.
So do you have your favorite teacher in your life that is special to you. If not hopefully you will get one.

Now this is my blog, so her goes my favorite of the day!

Do you have a special teacher? I do. She is special because she is funny, not mean, and she protects people. (I do remind you of superwoman don't I?)
She is funny by telling us funny stories in her life. Also, by making up funny stories. That is why I think she is funny. (Well I was voted class clown in my senior superlatives!)
Is she mean? No. First, she is one of the sweetest teachers I have ever seen. NExt, she is one of the most generous teachers I have ever seen in my life. Finally, she is the nicest teacher and person. (Who is this young one who sees the real me?)
Does she protect people? Yes. When somebody tries to fight me she comes over there and breaks it up. That is why I love her. (Give me a minute to straighten my halo!)
That is why she is my most favorite special teacher. Everyone should always have a favorite teacher. You should remember them forever.

Guess who got an A! Actually when he gave it to me, I wanted to cry. I looked at him and it was like he had written the greatest love sonnet ever written. Folks, I wish everyday was that special.

Happy Valentines Day!

YUCKY!

Today, I feel yucky! I would like to crawl back into bed and forget about everything. I just have a lot of drainage, sore throat, and that yucky feeling. Dan said, "Don't try to go to church." Okay, but what about the paper due by midnight, the childrn coming over after church for lunch, and the house that can never stay picked up.

Of course, I'm glad I woke up and had the opportunity to make breakfast for this crew and lunch for them all. Our friend, Lisa Johnson is still in a coma, this is now 14 days. They are thinking of moving her out of ICU when a room in the traumatic head injury unit opens up. You never think that in a routine day, your life could change forever. When and if she wakes up who knows how long she will be unable to work, or if she will ever ride a horse again. All very strange.

Next weekend I have a horseshow. I know I've got lots to do before then. After the paper today, I've got to do a couple of article reviews then I'm done.

Why I Teach

God has ways of reminding you why you do a thankless job everyday, today was my day. In 5th grade we have a precious student. I just love him to pieces. I knew that DFACS had taken him away from his mother and he was living with Dad and step-mom. During the course of this school year he has mentioned things about the way his step mother treated him. Not allowing him to speak. Sending him to his room. No love or kindness shown toward him at all. He cried over Thanksgiving wanting his mom to come get him.

Well today he got sick at school. His homeroom teacher told him she would call his Dad and he's like... NO. Strange indeed. Well by lunch we got the counselor involved, he wouldn't come lay down in my room or anything. The counselor called the Dad and he was at work. She mentioned some of the things we had heard him say and the Dad says, "YES that was correct, but they were in counseling and it seemed like things were better." Folks, this baby has painted the bleakest picture of a homelife you can imagine. Precious child! So in essense we are the most love he gets everyday.

Let me tell you I didn't want that baby to ever get on the bus. He could live with any of us. No wonder he hangs on our every word and hug. My heart has been broken and my spirit must come to terms with this one. How can it be? Oh, most of them that we see, just get tough and mean after years of this type of abuse. But, he longs for a hello and to talk to us. He's always up and wants to say something. He's the child you end up telling to sit down. No more...he can talk to me...I so wanted to pick him up and hold him today, like I did my boys when they were sick, until they got too big! (they still want to lay there head in my lap when they don't feel good).

So tomorrow I will go to work and I will try to find more students who need kind words and to be loved. And while they probably won't pass the CRCT, I will make an impact on their lives to the point they know that they had someone once in their lives who cared.

Does Anyone Remember...

Does anyone remember when teaching was fun? I know some of you came of age as a teacher with NCLB, but there are those of us who can remember. Those long ago days when you weren't trying to accomplish individual interventions per child, but you had time to teach and reteach until they got it. You had no standards just an old-fashioned scope and sequence that those crazy textbook companies made. Gosh, that's how we were taught! And teachers spanked students when they misbehaved. Your parents would have never made an excuse for your disrespectful behavior. They would have taken the teachers' side. I miss those days.

Today, I had two interventions before we got started, the morning was spent with one of two missing actual teaching time. Then there was Beta Club meeting at 2:00-2:30. Interspersted with various interventions throughout the day. Gosh, I wonder why they can't read and write. Because we are bound by a state test that tells students either you do this today, no matter what is going on...our you are a failure. Oh yeah, if you can't pass the test we will blame your teacher. She only had 180 days and you in the class for about 3 hours out of the day, and she should know how to make you learn when your parents can't make you mind!

Okay, I'm off my soapbox for a day or two. The writing test is only 4 weeks away and we are out one of those weeks. Most students don't even know how to write a good sentence. Of course when you have those who still can't tell you what type of sentences exist it is a bit difficult.

Add to that I now need to tutor after school for free, and have continual parent conferences. (2 just today and then sat down to do progress reports.)

On a happy note I love the GIANTS!

Sunday Happenings

Well went to church to teach Dan's Sunday School class. Decided to skip service and go get groceries. I went over to Covington to the Super Wal-Mart and bought a ton. Of course my back that was going out is now out, after loading all the groceries. Still I got good deals and Matt needed undershirts and underwear. So mission accomplished. I'm going to try and only by groceries every two weeks. This usually doesn't work, they just eat two weeks worth of groceries in one. However, if I can pull of this miracle of God I will be cutting down on the grocery bill. YEAH!!!

Still no change today in our horse trainer friend, Lisa Johnson. We continue to pray; however, I know that she would not like it if she could never ride horses again. Pray for her.

Five Love Languages

The website I put in my answer to Monkey's comment is off a bit. Try this one and see what happens.

http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/30sec.html#love

Venting!

Yesterday at 6:20 before I left school I received an email that ended telling me I was sharp, condensending and mean hearted. So as I have pondered these comments let me just get a few things off my chest. Perhaps if I write them out I will not feel led to come off on someone Monday morning.

1. I am taking a class that makes me want to hurt people. I am not a mathmatician by any stretch of the imagination so statistics has been difficult.

2. My husband received a job offer the end of December for a job in Hilton Head. I have had to deal with the thoughts of uprooting my family (again). It has been extremely stressful for me to think of leaving a place I feel comfortable and secure. (DAN TOLD THE MAN NO)

3. Then I have gone through a month in which Satan has pulled out all the plugs on making my life financially difficult. (While I'm trying to take statistics)

4. One of Matt's good friend's brother received 2nd and 3rd degree burns over his hands and face.

5. A horse trainer we have known for years was kicked in the head by a horse and is currently in a coma. (4 and 5 occured on the same day)

6. I am having one of the worse teaching years of my life. Documentation is hard when you have 15 kids that you need to document, it is nearly overwhelming. Then throw into the mix that their reading average is about 3.0 (this has come up since Sept).

7. If the above wasn't enough, on the 24th of January, I first noticed a strange spot on my left breast. If you know my history, you know how that made me feel. I went to the doctor Thursday night and they said we would treat it as mastitis. In 10 days we will make the decision if that was it or I need more test. While playing armchair doctor, I've read that this could be inflammatory breast cancer, that is usually always terminal (because women wait too long). I had just had a mammogram on the 11th, but this type of cancer would not show up on a mammogram. (READERS CHECK YOUR BREAST MONTHLY) Anyway, now we wait and every twing of pain is sending me over the emotional edge.

8. Oh, let's not forget that my second job - horse show secretary - is heating up.

So have I been condescending and sharp probably. Mean spirited that is not a word that usually describes me. I guess I feel bad because all this stems from me giving my kids a Rifka party (where they eat bananas, chocolate, and ice cream---next year we are cooking bread during the book too). This was in the lesson plans - spelled out. God tried to protect me and tell me to go ahead and buy it for the other team...but remember point 3. So my failure to listen to God has prompted someone to let me have it.

Hopefully, God has reminded me that when he tells me stuff, I need to listen hard and be obedient. He's only trying to save me from myself!