The Hodgepodge-iness of it all

Today was a hodgepodge of activities, including, but not limited to, running, napping, "teaching," visiting, dining, and reading.

It sounds like a lot, but trust me, it was a pretty relaxed schedule. It was probably too relaxed - I need to get going on those middle school curriculum maps.

One thing religion-related that I did manage to get done was a rough draft of a list of Saints we will focus on each month as a school community this upcoming school year. In that respect, I did learn a few new feast days and months this morning. We'll be hitting the mostly well-known ones this year, such as Francis of Assisi, John Bosco, Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph, Mary, and a couple others. Maybe in future years I will be able to suggest more of the lesser known saints. (Or, we can just keep focusing on all the ones in October - seriously, how can there be so many great ones in one month?)

I suppose I should just start tomorrow with 6th grade and go from there - let's see how much I can organize and get done...

Mass is in a little bit - looks like it's about that time to get my daily dose of God.

Real Fathers

"It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father." 

- Pope John XXIII

I love this quotation because it speaks volumes. (Plus, it's attributed to Pope John XXIII who was a pretty cool guy.) If we take time to really think about what Pope John XXIII was trying to say, it doesn't take long to realize the emphasis he has put on fathers being present and strong role models - it's something that, sadly, our world doesn't see enough.

I am so blessed to have such a real (and wonderful!) father in my life - he has shown me and my sister countless times over the years how to work hard, how to take time for family, how to make sacrifices, how to spend time doing the things you love, how to laugh at yourself, how to think out side the box, and how to be a strong model of faith. Over the years I probably never said it enough - Thank you, Dad. I love you. 

(And, Dad, I hope you get a chance to play and watch some golf today...You'll be happy to know Marisa and I watched some of the U.S. Open yesterday - good stuff.)

Happy Fathers' Day to all you dads out there. As you go about your day-to-day, remember the wise words of Pope John XXIII...

P.S. Check out this article on St. Joseph (the ultimate role model of a father) from America Magazine.

Pin Away

So many great pictures I've found on Pinterest lately...Here are a few:

...And there are many more.

Can you tell it's summer for me yet? Way too much time on my hands...hmm...better turn to that curriculum map soon...

The Hard Times...(A Student Rationale)

Here's an excerpt from a student's thank you note:

"...And I'm sorry for every headache I've caused, every time you wished I was part of the other class. But, like I said, the hard times make us stronger. That's probably why I have such big biceps."

Had to chuckle at that one.

But, if this statement is true, I can't help but wonder why I don't have larger biceps...

(Borrowed) Wednesday Wisdom

"I would like to become tolerant without overlooking anything, persecute no one even when all people persecute me; become better without noticing it; become sadder, but enjoy living; become more serene, be happy in others; belong to no one, grow in everyone; love the best, comfort the worst; not even hate myself anymore." 

- Elias Canetti

Never Work a Day in Your Life

This student poster is now the background on my phone - it serves as a reminder of viewing teaching as a vocation, not a job. It is something I truly love; therefore, I'm not really working, am I?

I am so grateful to have had my group of 21 4th graders this past year - we've had our ups and downs, but we made it. And today, they were so generous with their notes and gifts of gratitude.

Here are some of my favorites:

- In an acrostic poem, one student wrote for O (in Miss Foyle), "obliviously fun" - I think she meant obviously, but I can see how oblivious might work too.
- One student gave me a cactus, which reminded me of my time in Arizona. (And it also made me quite excited because I will be less likely to kill that kind of plant!)
- I received a few delicious treats, including peanut butter/chocolate kiss drop cookies, sour gummy bears, and non-pareils (like snowdrops I buy at the movie theater but better because they are Ghiradelli).

I feel so blessed to be able to get up each morning and spend my day doing something I enjoy so much with such lovely co-workers and students.

I'm loving it!

Good Morning

After hitting the snooze button on my alarm for the umpteenth time this morning, I sat up in bed and prayed these three simple phrases:

 I love you.

I need you.

I thank you.

And then I briefly repeated each phrase one at a time, and I followed each one with a specific qualifier that seemed suited to my day. (So, as you can imagine, most of the "qualifiers" today had to do with the end of the school year.)

The group of phrases is straightforward, simple, and short. This is definitely a new habit I am going to work hard to keep.

Happy Monday...