Birthday....Birthday...Birthday!

I'm a little late in posting about Jaron's birthday. This ended up being a very busy week in the life of the Jonathan's. I'll blog more about that later but to Jaron!
My Baby turned 7 on Monday. I am not old enough to have a 7 year old!..Jaron had a great birthday. On Sunday we opened presents with Daddy and then went and saw ASTROBOY at the movies. Movies are a treat for us as we don't go that often. After the movie we went to Culvers to enjoy yummy frozen custard! We bought him some outside toys and it rained all day Sunday so he got to use his new toys on his Actual birthday! We had a fun birthday party over at Grandma and Grandpas house. Here are a few pictures from our house. I forgot to take the camera to Grandmas so those pictures are on her camera and I will post them when I get them.

All Right! A New Razor Scooter!
Fun little toys to go with our new Wii Remote and hover toy.

Getting to ride our scooter on a beautiful fall day.

This is AWESOME MOM!

Now that we have 2 scooters the kids don't have to take turns and can have fun riding around together!

Oh how we Laugh

Homework is my least favorite thing to do with my kids...I hate it.

Last night, Jaron did not want to do his homework. He wanted to watch TV and have it magically finish itself. Well, I don't believe in magic and I won't do it for him so we sat together and finished it.

The whole time Janea and I are making up silly songs for Jaron as he completes his work. And he laughed...he has this big belly laugh that makes the whole world smile! He laughed, and laughed and laughed and hour later all the work was completely done...

It would have gotten done faster without the laughter but we all had so much fun just hanging out together that I relish the time!

My sides hurt from laughing so hard!

Finding Joy in the Small Things

I can smile when I see my children interacting.

I can laugh at silly things they say or do.

I can relish a hug or an I love you spoken from a heart of love.

I can prompt for a Thankyou in order to teach a heart of gratitude.

I can be helpful even though I may be tired.

I can do things because they are the right thing to do.

I can be the wife and mother that God would have me to be!

I can Love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind!

Sometimes We Hurt

This week my heart has been hurting.

When you teach kids they become your kids.(or at least they do for me) You love them, you laugh with them, they can make you cry and they bring you joy. You have those moments where your exasperated but that goes away when they have a great day and you accomplish so much. And then May comes and you pass them on for the next teacher to experience the same joy that you felt. By May, you sometimes are more than ready for them to go!

Sometimes, the day you have to pass them on comes earlier than you would like. Families move, change schools, or have other circumstances where they have to leave your classroom. It never fails too that this is that special child that really has wormed their way into your heart and is good, sweet, and challenging all at the same time and you are disappointed that they are the one that is leaving.

This happened this week. One of the three girls in my class had her last day at school on Thursday. On top of that, another parent from another grade had caused trouble causing me to have to be the sub for the First and Second grade class and my students had to join other teachers instead of getting to be with me, so I didn't get to have that last day with my student. I did join them for the good-bye party at the end of the day and get my hugs and the like, but I didn't get to have my kids make her good bye cards and pictures, we didn't get to prepare the other children that one of their classmates is leaving, we didn't get true closure.

I am so angry inside right now. I am angry that another parent can't see past the end of their nose and realize that his child is not the only child in the world. We all want the best for our kids, we do, I am no exception. However, I approach school decisions with the mindset that I know that the school is doing what is best for the MAJORITY of the children that are entrusted to their care. It is not my place to complain about how the school is run. I would never impose my will on them. His decision to make an issue of something, where an issue was not needed, caused pain on many different levels. My students, me, and others will be affected by his decision.

So I am hurting. I am sad. I am angry. I am disappointed. I need to remember that God is bigger than this and He can take the hurt away. I need to forgive that parent who I am angry with right now and pray that he starts to see that his actions effect others. I need to head to school Monday, ready to jump into the day and meet the needs of the 9 children that are in my class and see that they do their very best!

DA DA DA DAHH!!!!

Super Teacher to the rescue....she can wipe snotty noses with a single tissue, take care of mild disputes without blinking and teach 3 grades all at the same time with no breaks during her day!

DA DA DA DAHH!!!

Super Mommy to the rescue...she can help with homework, cause big belly laugh giggles and have fun with her kids all while being super tired and not losing it!

DA DA DA DAHH!!

Super Wifey to the rescue...she can check on new licsense plates for a vehicle, cook yummy food and pumpkin bread for her hard working spouse and make sure everyone has clean clothes!

DA DA DA DAHH!!!

Boy I am really tired...but I feel good for what I have accomplished over the last couple of days! I don't usually brag on myself but I went around the classroom singing da da da dahh...and just had to share it on my blog...but now if you excuse me I am heading to bed! Supermom, teacher and wifey all need a good nights sleep!

Beyond Exhausted

This has been an exhausting week and it's only Tuesday.

I have been teaching my class as well as teaching the first and second graders.

I have been teaching during my normal planning periods.

I have been getting any breaks at all.

I'm super tired.

My Weekend Plans

I'm posting these in hopes that I will feel motivated to finish my projects this weekend. I'm hoping that I won't be filled with chagrin as to not having finished a project.

* Laundry washed, folded and put away.

* All dishes washed and put away

* Garbage cans emptied and relined for as much stuff as I need to throw away.

*Living Room cleaned, organized and vacuummed.

* Refrigerator cleaned out and the weird smell located and disposed of

* Groceries purchased, banking done, and all things put away.

* Meal plan with Dan to help him with meals this week.

* Start the kids homework packets

* Quality couple time for the man and myself.

H1N1 Information

Here is a link to a blog that has an interesting video warning of the dangers of the Vaccine for H1N1. I am not ant-vaccine for important things but I do feel that Flu Vaccines are not worthwhile for me or my family and this one is not worthwhile for anyone. Check out the post below for more information

Desperately Seeking Shelly: Because I Had To Share

God Laughs

I think that God laughs at the futility of man. Take for instance the weather.

For years we have heard about "GLOBAL WARMING" and how we need to do all this stuff to make sure that we don't overheat the Earth. That we are causing damage and destruction at a rate never before seen and that it needs to stop before everything melts and all animals die.

Don't get me wrong. I believe that man is a very bad steward of the wonderful creation that God gave us. We treat the Earth badly and have caused the destruction of many things and we don't treat it the way God intended. However the Earth has changed throughout history and we don't have any control over it...God is in control of ALL THINGS.

Now back to the weather. We are having the coldest October that I can remember. I am dressing in layers and warm clothes everyday. I am making sure that my kids are warm enough at the bus stop and am soon going to be getting them hats and gloves. So I think that God is laughing at all the fear of Global Warming and is giving us some very cold weather to deal with. We may be in store for a wet and cold winter this winter.

Makes me look forward to hot tea, warm blankets, warm socks and cozy jammies.

A Case of Bad Attitude

I'm facing a case of bad attitude.

I'm feeling a little underappreciated and so I am finding fault with others.

I'm convinced my attitude is the right one.

I know my attitude is wrong and sinful and needs to change.

I'm asking God for help with this feeling.

I'm having to remember that my faults are big and to take the plank out of my eye before I remove the specks of others.

I'm learning and growing.

Priceless

Cost to rent a school bus...55 dollars an hour.


Cost to enter the pumpkin patch 5 dollars a person.


Pain in joints, back and feet...cost of a bottle of ibuprofen..5 dollars

Thank you Mrs. Jonathan from happy content children and parents....Priceless.


It's days like today that while I hate the hassle of field trips and the planning involved, makes for a great day and a lot of great memories from my class. I love my job!

Some things I'm Learning

God is Bigger than Anything...some friends of mine have really been sharing ways that God is so much bigger and even though I know it...seeing it makes it so much more real in so many ways.

To call my challenges Blessings...puts a positive spin on a hard situation and creates an opportunity to see the good even in bad things.

Prayer is such a comfort to the soul. I have been praying for friends and families and it's constant, there is no AMEN at the end rather a continuous talk with God about the little things...giving it to him means that worry is less and the stress is less it's such a true comfort.

My little changes make a big difference on those around me. I can make a positive impact on those around me through the little things...sometimes a bigger impact than I thought I was making.

My children can challenge me to grow in new and hard ways and I am both moved and a little afraid of these new areas in life. As they grow and change I too have to grow, change and adapt.

Brr..a chill in the air...

Makes my feet really cold. The days are growing shorter, the temperatures are cooler and we are in the middle of a beautiful fall pattern.

The days get warm enough but the nights are nice and cool. Really good sleeping weather, really not good waking up weather but I am adapting to the cool mornings and trying to make it less stressful for me by laying out clothes and making the kids lunches so that all I have to add is sandwiches and cheese in the morning.

Last night I made homemade pumpkin bread with the pumpkin we pureed from the pumpkin patch...it's all gone already. I took one loaf to work to share, Dan ate an entire loaf by himself, and I shared a loaf with my parents. It was so good I want to make more already but I will wait till later this week.

The kids were awesome tonight. They worked on homework with out complaining and they are playing so nicely together. I am truly a blessed mom to have such awesome kids. School is going decently and life is moving at a rapid clip. I am so thankful for a decent paying job, a school where my children are doing well, and a roof over my head and a nice warm bed to climb into at night.

Dan is at work and we miss him but I am working on keeping him on his meal schedule...he's doing well at sticking to eating healthy and I am very proud of him. He's really working hard at it. He's shown real dedication and I think he is really seeing the benefits.

Well, that's a rundown...it's almost bedtime and I need to get the kids to bed. So I am off to do the mom thing...

A weird conversation

"Mom?"

"Yes, Jaron?"

"What Color am I?"

"Your white, just like me."

"Not too white right?"

"No, your just the right amount of white."

"Good...that's what I thought...."

End of conversation...back to business as usual.

Family Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Janea and Mommy and Mr. Scarecrow
Janea is getting bigger! She is so tall!

Jaron is approaching 7 years old!

The family dressed for Trick or Treat!

Janea and Jaron are raring to go!

Running around the pumpkin patch!

My fabulous kids! Sitting in the Pumpkin Patch!

Jaron loves October! My birthday boy is the pumpkin king!

What about this one? It looks good!

God's beautiful Creation! The beauty of a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch!

Soapbox

Excuse me for a moment while I have a soapbox moment.

*Steps Up*

I am tired of parents who do not parent their kids. There are 2 types of parents the overparent and the underparent. Their are other parent types too but I am not bothered by them so I am going to focus on the 2 that are especially bothering me at the moment. Most parents I meet do not fit into these categories but there are a few that I meet that I feel I really need to address.

First up the Overparent! They don't just raise a child, they micro manage them! Every little things is stressed and worried over. These children are growing up to be unhealthy emotionally smothered children. They can't do anything by themselves. They are afraid and scared of every little thing. They go crazy when given some freedom because they don't know what to do with themselves. These are the children that need help with every problem on a paper because they are afraid of getting it wrong. These children also will break down and freak out if anything in their "perfect" world is not perfect.

Secondly, the Underparent. This is the parent who feels that it is my job as the teacher to teach the child EVERYTHING that they need to know. These parents are the ones who take no interest in the things going on in the classroom. They never know what is going on and they are also the ones who are the most offended when I point out an area where there child is deficient. They allow their child to run the show. If the child wants something they may say no for a few moments but eventually the child knows that they can drive the parent crazy enough and get exactly what they want. These parents are also frustrated by lack of progress at school and refuse to work on anything extra at home since it must be something wrong with the classroom...not the child.

Parents, you need to learn that you are the PARENT...your child is resilient, loving, fun and a CHILD. You do not need your child to be your friend. They are your child, and they do childish things, they need guidance and love and if I offend you sorry but children need DISCIPLINE. It's not ABUSE its DISCIPLINE. The word NO never hurt anyone. Children need to be RESPECTFUL of authority. They need to know that they may not hit, scratch, kick or bite to get their way. They need to be GUIDED and Shown how to solve problems through talking and that SORRY doesn't fix everything but it's a good place to start. Playing with your child is important but so is teaching them to be a functioning adult. Don't pick up after them, teach them to clean up. Don't feed them...when they are hungry they will eat! Don't dress them when they are old enough to get their clothes on themselves...it may take extra time but they can do it. Parents, please parent your kids....they are only little for a while and you can't do everything for them for the rest of their lives.

I know that sometimes there are problems and concerns such as genuine disibillities and the like but these are the exceptions not the rule. Its important to help the next generation grow up to be competent adults!

*Steps Down*

Sorry....but this has been bothering me for awhile...had to get it off my chest!

Shaggy No More

Tonight, I went and got my hair cut. I got quite a bit taken off and my hair cut just cleaned up a ton. It's so much better! Feels much more manageable.

Janea went with me and she got an all over trim and got her ends cleaned up.

After our hair cuts we went over to target where we picked up a few things in the dollar section and then got Janea 2 new pairs of jeans and 2 new shirts for fall. Gotta love a sale!

We had a nice time as mother and daughter...don't get too much one on one time with my girlie!