Boy Am I Tired!

I got back from my Teacher Academy yesterday around 2:00, but I was so tired that I crashed on the couch at about 4:00 and didn't hardly move until 9:00! I learned a lot, ate a lot, laughed a lot, and got excited about science for my classroom. We had a full agenda of classes, mostly working with other teachers on our grade level across the state. They fed us every 2 hours, and I bet I gained 10 pounds. The fourth grade content was electricity and magnetism, which is the physical science strand of science for 4th grade in NC. We did lots of exploring both concepts and how they are related. I brought home a huge box of items and ideas to use in my classroom and share with my team at school. Over the next 2 years, they plan to have an earth science component and a life science component which will cover the other strands of science that I teach. They also expressed they would love for the same schools/representatives to return for both strands. They even said they would accept us 1st. I can't wait!
Callie was excited about me being home. I'm sure it wasn't because she wanted to see the surprises I had bought her! Terry was pretty happy too, although I didn't get him a surprise. (I'll leave it at that!)
Woo! Hoo! Clint and Cassie are coming home today! I am soooo ready to see them young'uns. Terry, Callie, and I are going to meet them at the airport this evening. I can't wait to see Cassie's pics. We will be in a hurry to get Clint's clothes washed, because he is going to the beach for a week with a friend on Sunday morning. We will be meeting him and his friend at the beach in a week, and they will be staying with us for the week.
Today, Callie and I are going to a local church where a summer enrichment program is being held for struggling students in our city. The program is sponsored by the church and local businesses, but it is ran by our school board and my principal. One of my friends/team members is teaching at the program and needs a substitute on Monday. She has asked me to sub for her, and I am going to check out the facilities and meet the kids. After that, we are going to see Space Chimps at the movies with that same friend and her daughter. (That will help us pass some time until its time to get Clint and Cassie from the airport.)
Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Playing Catch-up

I have been a bad blogger lately. On Monday, I went on a little retreat with the ladies on my grade level. One of our teachers retired after 33 years, and we wanted a time to fellowship and relax with her. I am going to miss her. She brings so much to our grade level. We call her Miss Hospitality because she never forgets a birthday, anniversary, or any other occasion. Another lady on our grade level has a family member that has a house in Seven Devils, NC, and she offered it to us for free! I didn't take pics, but it was beautiful. We watched movies, slept late, played cards, pigged out at Daniel Boone Inn Restaurant, and laughed a lot.
I returned home on Wednesday and scrambled around trying to get all the last minute items for Clint and Cassie's trip to Puerto Rico. Then, I spent most of the day Thursday packing Clint for PR because he had to work all day, and then he had banjo practice. Thursday evening we went to the church to weigh in their luggage and have one last meeting. Following the meeting, we took the kids to eat at Fatz. Clint let Cassie choose where we ate because he figured it would be her last meal for a while considering she's such a picky eater. Wasn't that sweet!!
Early Friday morning, Callie, Bailey, and myself took Clint and Cassie to the church for their long awaited trip. (I have pics but they are on the camera that is in PR right now!) After their departure, a friend of Callie's came home with us for the day. I took the girls to Mickey D's for lunch and to the movies to see the American Girl movie. (good movie) After the movie, I realized that I had locked my keys in my car. I guess I was being punished for smuggling Dollar Tree candy into the theatre!! My mom went to my house to get my extra key, and by the time she brought it to us it was time for Callie's friend to go home.
Callie was invited to a birthday party last night, also. I decided to stay with her at the party since Terry was cutting grass at home, and I had been on the verge of tears all day due to sending my older kids to a foreign place. I figured if I stay it would keep my mind occupied. The party girl's parents had rented a huge water slide for the kids to play on. They had a ball. Except...when Callie blacked her own eye with her own knee! (I would show you a pic except both of my cameras are in PR.)
Today, I am gathering my things for a trip I am taking to Hickory. My school was selected to attend the NC Teacher Academy for Science, so they are sending 1 teacher per grade level, and I was chosen for 4th. It is an all expense paid trip, and I will also be getting a stipend. I will be there from Sunday evening until Thursday afternoon. I have mixed emotions about going. I want to go and learn, but I want to be here with Callie too. Pray for me, I am having my own little pity party this weekend.
Well, I guess I have caught all 3 of my readers up!! Callie is begging to go swimming , so I think we will go to my mom's for a dip.

Why a public school teacher?

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

This verse brings to mind the reason I am a public school teacher. People often ask me why I spend so much time working at school and working on school especially since the pay is not much. The truth is my mind never truly stops thinking about the children I am serving. To me, school is my mission field. Currently, I teach 4th grade, and I know this is where God wants me to be. I believe that, even in a public school, children should feel safe, loved, and successful. Teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic is not all I do as their teacher. God has given me the opportunity and responsibility to act as their mother, nurse, and counselor while they're in my care. And while the state puts pressure and mandates on what these kids should know, their basic needs, beginning with love, are the most important things to me. Many of these same kids attend our bus church, and although I don't work in the bus church, I am blessed that people I know, love, and fellowship with are also getting a chance to impact their lives. Its not very often that the parents of these children say thanks or give you a pat on the back. However, my work is not in vain. That look a kid has when he/she gets it, or that hug he/she gives, and when a kid sits with you at recess just because he/she can, or even that note a student writes to you when you have not had a good day is reward enough for me. I thank God for the opportunities he gives me.

Another Party

Yesterday, we were invited to attend a reception/4th party for Terry's cousin and his new bride. The man had been a widower since his 1st wife died several years ago. He has 3 grown children, several grandchildren, and 3 brothers with grown children and grandchildren, too. His mother and Terry's mother are sisters (Terry's mom past away 5 years ago). There were 11 brothers and sisters in Terry's mom's family, and they remained very close. With all that family, not to mention the bride's side and friends too, you can imagine how many people were at this party! It was a huge shindig! It started at noon and lasted until midnight. We decided to get there at about 3:30, because we wanted to stay for the fireworks. When we arrived they had several things going on. There was karaoke, a dance floor, swimming in the amazing pool, games with prizes, jumping in the inflatable moon bounce, hamburgers and hot dogs, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and an ice cream bar. The kids swam for a while. Later, there was roast beef and turkey croissants for supper with fruit, desserts, a mashed potato/sweet potato bar, and crackers with all kinds of spreads and cheeses. Needless to say, we ate and ate and ate! They also had a band that night and a beautiful fireworks display. The kids spent most of their time swimming and eating. Cassie and Callie kept getting out of the pool and jumping in the moon bounce and then getting back into the pool. It rained quite a bit while we were there, but it didn't stop us from having a good time. As we pulled out of the driveway, Terry told the kids,"This is how the other half lives." I'm glad we're not the other half, because I would be as big as a barn! Hope you had a good 4th.

Clint and his friend, Cory, cooling off in the pool.

This table was filled with all kinds of candy for the kids.
This was the ice cream sundae bar. I think Cassie and Callie visited it 4 or 5 times!
A dessert table
The prize table for the game winners
Terry's cousin has a music room and these are just a few of the instruments that were in it.The girls swam almost all day and night. This was taken after the fireworks. They are swimming with one of their cousins.

Happy 4th of July

Last night, we went to my sister's house for a little cookout that she hosts annually. Usually we don't know many people there, but we always have a good time. My brother-in-law cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, and fish, and my sister had all kinds of goodies to go with it. The local mall fireworks show was last night too, and both of my sisters and my momma live right behind the mall. That gives us a great place to view the fireworks, without having to fight the traffic and crowd. Here are some pics from the cookout and a few of the fireworks.

Terry chowing down!

My sister, Jaime, the hostess

My momma

My other sister, Melanie

Clint and his best buddy, Cory, feeding their faces!

Callie being careful with her sparkler

Cassie waiting for the fireworks.

Today we are going to a wedding reception/4th party. Terry's cousin got married yesterday, and he is having his celebration today. Lots of Terry's family will be there. We missed the annual family reunion in April because Callie had shingles, so this will be like a reunion for us. Have fun today and be safe.

Shopping and Church

Today was not very eventful. The kids and I rode to the outlets to do a little shopping for their mission trip to Puerto Rico. Clint only ended up working half of a day, so he went too. During this trip, Clint actually got more than Cassie, which is very unusual. Usually he can't find anything he likes. He has crazy ideas about what he thinks looks good, not to mention he is color blind. Things we think look really nice, totally repulse him. Even though he is hard to please, I would have to say, he sure is a good-looking fellow (He is mine though!) . By the time we got home, it was time for Cassie to be at orchestra practice at church. Speaking of church, our associate pastor preached a good message about relying on God. After church, the girls brought a friend home to spend the night. Boy, are they loud! As of now, we have no plans for tomorrow other than Clint and Terry are working. (Poor thangs!) Oh, you want to see a picture of my handsome son? I'm glad you asked. I just happened to have a few!

Clint at the music store inside of Dollywood

Clint and Cassie at this year's SIGMA Banquet

Clint with his banjo, have I ever told you that he's a fine banjo picker?

Boomerang Bay

Callie has been sick ever since she came back from camp. She is still hacking up a lung today, but both of the girls want to go to Boomerang Bay at Carowinds for the day. We have season passes and haven't used them much, so I think we will go today. Poor Clint and Terry are working today. Too bad, we will miss them!