Grateful Journal: July 29, 2011

We have been trying to surround this little boy with books from the beginning. He is really starting to take to story times and loves to look intently at the pictures. This makes my teacher heart melt.

I am jumping into a new teaching job (and across state lines no less). It is an exciting change and my new school seems wonderful (I even got a hug from one of the teachers there upon arrival). Despite my excitement to try something new, it is also very difficult to leave a very dear community and very dear friends. I have learned so much from the teachers, students and staff at my school and am so grateful that I get to take those experiences with me as I begin a new adventure.

My father-in-law saved the day this week! I had to move my classroom quickly and he kindly agreed to help me move about a million books, bookshelves and carpets on Thursday. Having his help (and that of my friend Melanie and my mom's superb babysitting services) made what could have been a very stressful day, a smooth one. I am so grateful for kind and generous family members like him!

Summer has finally arrived in Portland and it is spectacular!

To celebrate three months of Jack, I had my first glass of wine this week in over a year.

Oh wine, how I have missed thee.

Grateful Journal: July 15, 2011

Jack and I spend most of our afternoons hanging out on the carpet smiling at one another. When in your life do you get to spend two hours laying on the ground

with a big goofy grin on your face? Well, I guess when you are a new parent. 

Our little sparrow smiles at me, smiles at himself in the mirror and is totally smitten by

some of the new tunes we've been listening to (see below).

I love the lilt of this woman's voice, so does Jack.

Sometimes it is nice to jazz up your water. My favorite summertime drink (aside from wine, which I miss very, very much): 2/3 water, 1/3 lemonade, 2 ice cubes.

It's all in the details.

This man is special. He makes me smile. He makes me laugh. He grounds me. He makes our family whole. I love him. I am so grateful I get to walk through life with him. 

Not the Carly Simon song, but rather the feeling of anticipation in the air. There are some changes ahead for me. Normally I have a love/hate relationship with change, but I am trying to embrace it this time and enjoy the feeling of anticipation that comes with taking a risk.

Grateful Journal: July 1, 2011

Jack has discovered the man in the mirror! I am not sure he knows who that cute little boy staring back at him is, but he sure likes to smile at him, talk to him and sometimes, give him a squeal of approval. The work he does with the mirror fascinates me to no end.


My mama is so wonderful! She is so honest about motherhood, shares what she knows and listens to me vent about what I don't. She has been such a generous and validating mama, I love her so.  

Hazelnut has shown up in a few indulgent treats this week, including hazelnut ice cream and hazelnut/chocolate gelato. I know, I know, but it's summer. 

My friend Nicki and I went to see a concert at Edgefield, one of my favorite venues. Even though I was exhausted, missing Jack and leaking breast milk, it was so nice to be out. Bluegrass tunes, picnic blankets, summer rain and that handmade hazelnut ice cream I was speaking so fondly of made for a lovely evening.

Rian was out of town this week (we missed him!), so life was a little wild around these parts. On top of the daily chaos, I got a creepy computer virus. I lost it. Luckily, I have the kindest family. I called up my brother-in-law and he came over without hesitation, valiantly fighting the nasty computer virus for several hours. He won! He saved my computer (and a bit of my sanity). He is also the best uncle to Jack (as documented above).  

Grateful Journal: June 24, 2011

In our class (I teach second and third grade), we keep grateful journals. A few afternoons a week we take the time to write down what we are grateful for and why. I find this makes us, students and teacher, take pause and find some good in the moment. It can turn around even the roughest of days for my young students, but also fills our classroom with gratitude. Some of my most special memories as a teacher are from grateful journal sharing. Kids can be so kind and forthright, they remind me to strive to be the same. Here is a peek at my grateful journal for the week (the home version):

 

1. Kya is one of the most loving dogs I've ever met (and she's not afraid to show it).
She has gently embraced the newest addition to our family with open paws, sweet, sweet girl, she is.

2. These little ears are in tune with so many exciting noises lately and they are pretty cute, to boot.

3. Rian doesn't understand why I don't just eat regular chocolate (i.e. in bar or truffle form).
Chocolate chips have been my favorite chocolate to sneak from the baking cabinet since I was young.
Forbidden chocolate is the best chocolate.

4. Flowers on the table in the afternoon glow make me happy.

5. Jillian Michaels, oh how I have missed thee
(you really didn't want to see a picture of me doing side lunges, did you?)!