School

I simply love the classes I am taking.  For sure, I am a lifelong student at heart.  I love the knowledge, the strategies I gain, the interaction with other adults and the insight as I grow to better understand my role as a Gifted Specialist.  I found my "niche," as they say, and the more I research, learn and grow as a professional, the more I love what I do.  It's a good fit.

I have also grown to understand my own character and the experience I myself had in school as a student who learned differently, bored easily and struggled interpersonally in some ways until college;  why I always felt "different" than my peers and why I chose the companionship of those much older than myself from a very young age.   I was "typical" for the students I work with - atypical for a homogenous population that didn't differentiate until high school. Like my students, I "see things differently" and "feel things differently."  I also understand why logic and reason supersede emotion in my life.  It's the way I'm wired and for the very first time, I have an understanding of who I am.

I had to laugh tonight in class.........in jest, no one wanted to play a game against me.  Apparently, I always win. :) (?!?!?!)  It would have been so great to have this same knowledge when I was a kid, an adolescent.........someone trying to fit in. 

What I really appreciated though, was the comment my instructor left on my paper.  Simply, he stated, "I love reading your insights and understandings of your students.  You have a real "gift" of knowing them from the inside out and they are lucky to have a teacher like you." 

Would I have found this career had I not moved?  I doubt it.  I would still be a reading specialist or a special education teacher somewhere - loving my job.  In a million years, I never thought this would be the way I would "make a difference." 

Big gifts do come in strange packages!!!!!!

Finally.....time for a real update!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  We sure did.  There is nothing better than time with family and good friends, a few days off and great food.  UGH!!!!!  I feel like I gained 10 pounds just cooking!

The kids are all well and wonderful.  Seriously, I have been so blessed with this family that I once dreamed about.  Jammers is just months away from high school and is such a good kid - with a perfect 13 year old attitude.  Liney.....so responsible and conscientious.  I seriously cannot believe how this kid has grown.  Puddin' is doing so well she has been mainstreamed for some of her major subjects.  She's not only kindhearted and warm, but a hard worker and a good person.  The Boy is my current, full of life, ball tossing handful.  I need eyes in the back of my head for that one - or I will surely be hit in the head with a football or something else in the vicinity to toss at a moments notice.   FUN for a change, but MAN..........I don't know much about this stuff, but I can NOW toss a mean spiral and duck better that anyone else you know - and catch a ball without putting down the spatula!!!! :)

We sure did enjoy having our big clan here for my most FAVORITE holiday of the year.  Great fun......lots of laughs......and hard to say good-bye.  Dad will be here for a few days right before Christmas and the kids are excited to see him.  This is a bit of a juggling act on this end as my brother doesn't quite "get" the whole thing.  Dad will get his Christmas with the kids........that is a priority....and on Christmas we will be at the movies or renting movies.....something calm and lovely together.  We are all okay with that - my brother is a bit confused.  I feel it would be better to have them here separately.......Dad needs his time, Bro needs his,  and I want mine.  We're still trying to figure out the whole thing, but for sure, the kids will have their Christmas with Dad.

Okay......so I know some of you think I am crazy, but I'm not.  I have spoken to numerous council over the years about this situation. 

In summary........
First of all, and most importantly......whether you agree with me or not.......this is the father of my children and they were born out of love.  In fact, they are the greatest gift I have ever received.  I would not have them if not for him.

Secondly, I will never reject their father for they are 50% him and to reject him sends the message that 50% of them are also rejected.  (AND, I NEVER rejected their father at all, so why would I send that message?!)

 Thirdly, while not conventional, we are still a FAMILY and we shared many, many memories together.  It is important for them to know this and to continue to create new ones........for them to have security that we both love and cherish them and have their best interests in heart. Some of the worst advice I ever received was divisive, confrontational and wrong.  Counsel showed me otherwise.

Lastly, we ALL want a Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!  Who can deny that?!

I'm thrilled for my kids that they will have this special time with their father.  It sends the message I want them to hear - they are a priority, they are loved and we appreciate them.  It is special for them and the best of all gifts they could receive.  It's right.

Life happens........

Sad good-byes to oh-so-good times with family and friends.  It's been a LONG and WONDERFUL weekend filled with fun, surprises and many, MANY laughs.  So long 'til next time!

Not quite sure what to say about this one.  Apparently, I have a "stunt window!"  (Thanks to a whole lot of money and wonderful service by Ford, it was fixed before the rare rain shower that day)

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After Thanksgiving "sale!"  Fresh turkey on sale for $.49/ lb.  Get yours while supplies last!

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"Mom!!!!!!!  Look what I found!!!!!!!  Look how much I "growed!!!!!!!!!!!"

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Thank you, Aunt Syl, for the wonderful chocolates that made my family cheer.  Love goes out to you as you replace 2 hips.......four times.....one three times over.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you  - we just love you so very much!  All those on board.....keep this angel in your thoughts....send everything positive her way.  She is my earthly ANGEL !
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Send the same energy to my forever Father-in-Law, Milt who spent his Thankgiving in the ER.  Bless his heart.....he sounds as wonderful as ever.  LOVE HIM!!!!!  (nine lives this man has.......thus our cat shares his name !)  Hoping for a January visit from these two very, VERY special people.  Hold them close.
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And to our Minnie.........she broke her hip.    BIG HUGS FROM THIS FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!   You were the grandmother I never had.  You filled my young heart.   A great pillar of srength - a true matriarch.  Send some of your energy her way too.
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Didn't exactly realize how much was on my mind until I typed this post.   Send all of your positive thoughts to these so wonderful people........wow!
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Good People......

I simply LOVE this couple.  They make me laugh, are so damned smart and have lasted........for 18 years tomorrow.  I didn't realize this was an anniversary weekend until tonight - my bad,  We met when they were newlyweds.......a long, LONG time ago.   We had out first children 12 days apart - Sammy was first. (She adds!) I so enjoyed hearing about their courtship for the first time tonight.  

We so

LOVE having them in town - and they are frequent visitors.  These are good people!

Happy Anniversary to one of the best couples - and friends - I could ever know.

We LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Yeah.....We're GOOD!!!!!!!!!

Never got out of our jammies today.  

Turkey soup on the stove, turkey salad in the fridge, turkey sandwiched with stuffing and cranberry sauce for lunch, board games AND  a beautiful tree!!!!!!!  So fun!

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I've received a few great emails throughout the holiday season....

My favorite reads: When life breaks down, when we break down, there is no science, no hard and fast rules.  We just have to feel our way through.

My second favorite: Nostalgia makes the past look better. Sentimental feelings get in the way, Moving on includes looking nostalgically back at the past.

Thanksgiving Memories

TeHe......

SUPERFAMILY......UNITE!!!!!!!!

Worked a full day - all week!  By 8:30 tonight we........
Baked two pies from scratch
Brined a turkey
Prepared stuffing
Made a modified sweet potato and apple casserole with streussel topping
Watched two movies
Picked Uncle up at the airport
Fluffed and folded the last of the laundry
AND............
cleaned the house!!!!!!

We ROCK!