Teaching

Tuesday started another week (well, 6 days) of class for me. I only have one graduate class after this! I have learned a lot the past 4 days, more than I thought I would, if I can be honest here. What an enormous responsibility teaching is. I have known this, but the past couple days have really put that into perspective for me. Next Wednesday I will be returning to my base placement (3rd grade, in a public school). This is where the first 3 month of my internship were spent. Those kids have been heavy on my heart this week, especially the "tough" ones. I think about the things I have tried that have worked, and not worked, and how I can change myself to meet their needs. I think I have almost cried everyday. I am so blessed to be in this profession, and I don't think I will ever know to what extent. 

Kids are my passion. I love to see them light up when they finally understand. I love to hear their answers to questions that I had never thought of before. I love their questions. It is so fun for me to watch them interact and work things through. 

We read the book Molder of Dreams by Guy Doud-if you haven't read this, pick up a copy-it's an easy/quick read. He talks a lot about the people in our lives that mold who we are, and as the 1986 National Teacher of the Year, how he has been able to influence the lives of others. AMAZING! He states in the epilogue "You just never know who's life you will touch." (I think that is quoted correctly) His book also helps you to think about the every day people you come into contact with. I have not had a book make me think so much in a while.

As I ponder the things I have learned over the past few days, I am overwhelmed at the great responsibility I have to my students. I am also full of excitement as I continue my journey as a teacher. 

No Pictures of Christmas

As Sam and I loaded up the car with Christmas presents and luggage for WV, and getting all those last minute things, we decided to pass on the camera, as I could not find my "point and shoot" and Sam did not want to bother with his AMAZING cannon rebel. This was a choice I regretted as soon as I walked in my in-laws' door. My mother-in-law bought a new tree (Sam was not happy about this), but it looked really good in their new front window. She had beautiful decorations all over the house and it looked like the perfect country Christmas house. I would be able to prove this to you, if we had taken pictures, but you will just have to imagine it for yourself. 

This was my first "McGhee Christmas." Sam and I have celebrated 5 Christmases together now (can that be true!?!?) The first 2 years we were dating and did Christmas separately with our own families and the past two were celebrated in Tennessee together and Colorado with my family. 

We had to do a "modified" McGhee Christmas this year, as we woke up a little later than they usually do. We opened presents as a family and then got ready to visit the extended family. We had a meal at the grandparents house, with Sam's aunt (who we are so thankful to celebrate Christmas with this year, after her awesome recovery from cancer this summer) and her family. We then went to the other grandmother's house with lots of extended family (my mother-in-law is the youngest of 7). Not all of the siblings were there, but the house was full with lots of children playing and laughing and the family was together under one roof.

It was a long day, but a lot of fun. My family did a much smaller-scale version of Christmas, especially when we moved to Colorado, and I had never experienced so much family in one day. Despite all our differences, frustrations with each other, or other things we get hung up on, family is important to have especially around the holidays.

This was my first Christmas that I did not spend with my immediate family. Money, time and distance got in the way this year. After 22 years of doing Christmas the same way, it was a little different for me not to be in Colorado with my family. I miss them.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

.....Well, sort of. There are no snow covered trees or anything in Tennessee (yet) maybe this will be the year. But, there are red cups at work, we've been listening to Christmas music, and tonight we put up the tree. This is probably my favorite time of the year-and these are a few of my favorite things...(the sound of music reference is for Donna)

people are nicer

the crisp cool air is refreshing

the music is great

cuddling up on the couch with a blanket

decorating for Christmas

seeing family

Christmas plays (especially the ones at church put on by the kids)

As far as music goes-Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas CD is my favorite! It is the best CD to sing to, clean to, and get ready for Christmas to. I thought I lost it, but I found it this afternoon and listened to it probably about 5 times today while I was cleaning the house. 

I just love Christmas-the expectancy, the good spirits of everyone you come in contact with and the best gift that we could ever ask for-the birth of our Savior! 

There are only 19 more days until Christmas!!!

November List

Since I have had so much going on this fall, I decided I wanted to change some things, learn some things and do some things in November, so here is my list:

1. Learn how to crochet (which I learned on Saturday)

2. Cut out sugar from my diet (still working on that)

3. Scrapbook (probably with online photo websites)

4. Jump-start my MK business again (anyone who wants to have a party, let me know)

5. Keep my house clean (still working on that too)

6. Try new recipes (let me know if you have any good ones)

I feel like I had a lot more "November Projects at the beginning of the month, but now that it is the 17th, I'm not sure much more can be added and achieved in November. I might have to start a December list soon. 

My Niece/Nephew

I want to preface this blog by saying that I hope Shawn and Sara aren't mad, but I felt compelled to write and to share with others.

My brother and sister-in-law are adopting!!! They have been on a waiting list since spring, and have been preparing for their newborn to join their family! As I read their latest blog, I started thinking-how patient people they are. Awaiting one phone call to totally change their lives. I am also anxious to be an aunt! And I may be 1400+ miles away, but I will spoil them!!! I admire them for staying so positive and preparing. My sister-in-law is more of a planner than I even am!

I wanted to share this with whoever out there reads my blog. If you have any advice, encouragement, or just want to watch a beautiful story unfold-please read their blog! Also, there has been an article in their town about them and their preparation. You can read it here! 

I also wanted to say this:

Shawn and Sara are two amazing people who I admire more than they know. They are so strong, and care so much for each other and their children they have yet to meet. They are both teachers who are passionate about their students and love what they do. I love being around them and playing games, acting like kids, sledding and spending holidays together. They are two people in my life I wish I got to see more and hate that we are so far apart. I cannot wait to meet my niece(s) or nephew(s), and patiently wait with them, praying that God will bring them their baby soon. 

Beauty and the Beast

You guessed it, Sam and I dressed up as Beauty and the Beast for our church's annual Trunk 'n' Treat! Belle is my favorite and I have the whole movie memorized-and yes I sing just like her! Sam's costume was fun to make-he was really into it, and I was glad he wanted to dress up with me! 

Sights of D.C.

Well, before Melvin got sick, we did get to see Washington, D.C. Sam had never been, and I had only been once before, so here's a glimpse of what we saw...

Iwo Jima-this is one of my favorites, because as you walk around it, it looks like they are raising the flag. I just think this statue is amazing!

The Pentagon Memorial-dedicated September 11, 2008. They used limestone from the building that they saved from where the plane crashed into the building and wrote the date of the attack on it. The benches have each person's name on them. As you read their name, the way you are facing tells you if they were in the building, or in the airplane. The youngest person that died was 2 years old-her sister and parents were with her. The memorial is beautiful and artistic and a wonderful way to remember those who lost their lives on that terrible day. 
My Parents!!! We got to meet up with them because Dad is contracted to D.C. through December-Mom flew in for a long weekend. It was really nice to see them and have "tour guides" around D.C.
Gardens at Mt. Vernon-apparently our first president was quite the gardener! The acres around his house are beautiful and the gardens are still used today!
Mt. Vernon-what a beautiful house! The "stone" is actually wood painted with sand thrown on it to look like stone-I was impressed. 

I must say, I don't think there is enough time in a year to see everything in D.C. but it is an awesome place to visit and learn more about our country's history.

More to come.....