Giving Thanks - Day 20

I'm thankful for the 94% I got on my test last week in my Calculus class.  Seriously, even though I took this class 14 years ago (holy crap, 14 years ago??!?!), I don't remember learning half the things we are learning.  It isn't hard necessarily, but lots of long problems that take a page or so to do.  Anyways, last weeks test was the longest and hardest so far, but I did well on it.  And that doesn't even include the extra credit take home part we turned in today.  Our professor says that if we ever miss a test, she takes the lowest test score we received and uses that for the missed test.  So, if we do well on the first 3 tests, we technically don't have to take the 4th test and she'll use our lowest score for it.  That way we can use all our time to study for the final the next week.  This is my lowest score so far, so looks like I'm not going to be taking that 4th test.  Phew....one less thing to worry about.  3 more classes to go....well, until January when I start Calculus II.

Giving Thanks - Day 19

Today, I'm thankful for the way my parents raised me.  They taught me to value my education, the difference between right and wrong, common sense, common courtesy, how to be respectful and show respect, how to be a good friend, how to own up to my mistakes and grow from them, how to work for what I want, to follow through with commitments, to be my own person - I could go on forever.  Although some of these may seem like obvious things a parent should teach a child, doing those things well, as a parent, isn't always easy.  I know that raising kids in the 21st century is a bit different than it was "back in my day", but come on people - quit making excuses!  With a poor economy and many outside stressors to families these days, I know it isn't easy, but teaching your children these basic values is FREE!  Spend time with your kids, be a good role model for your child, teach them these values!  Too many kids these days don't realize how difficult the real world is and want something for nothing.  Today at work, I saw way too many situations where students were being just plain lazy, making excuses for everything, wanting a good grade but not willing to do any work to earn that grade, and being just plain disrespectful.  After I got over my initial frustration, it made me realize how much more I appreciate what my parents instilled in me.

Giving Thanks - Day 18 (and some pictures)

Today, I'm thankful that Troy is back home from his hunting trip.  Of course I wish he was a bit more successful, but he didn't have any luck even seeing any bucks.  And although he saw a ton of doe, he didn't get a doe tag.  Note to self: Get a doe tag next year too!  The boys were great for me this weekend for the most part and this isn't the first time I've been left with them on my own, but its always good when he returns home.  Back to normal.  Plus it let me get some things done that I couldn't get done without him here.  My OCD-self mowed the lawn and picked up all the leaves.  Yes, Troy said he'd do it later this week, but it was beautiful outside and there is something a bit soothing about mowing the lawn.  Plus, I love, LOVE, love how nice the lawn looks right after it is mowed.  And the fact that all the leaves are picked up makes me happy too.  Yes, I know, a bit OCD, but at least I admit it!  Now if only our neighbors would do theres because I'll be a little ticked if all their leaves come in our yard.

Anyways, I know I haven't been too good with updates on the boys lately, but to be perfectly honest, not much has been going on.  Since Halloween we've been hanging low around here - which is totally fine by me!  For those of you who want some recent pictures, here you go:

When I push them around the basement in their new cars, they are good at showing me
1 finger meaning that they want to be pushed one more time

Even as the weather has gotten cooler, they still love being outside.  When I went to get the boys the other day, they had to take a stroll (or slight run) down the street before getting in the car.

They were mesmerized, as they are with any truck, when the FedEx truck stopped at a neighbors house.  They just stared and watched as he drove by.  He even honked for them as he passed them and they just loved it!

They still love the play kitchen at Boogie Babies.  Looks like we'll have to find them one for Christmas!

I don't know what these are called, but I'd like to get them too.   They love climbing and walking all over them.

Our little readers!

They LOVE playing with the iPad and now that I have the iPhone, the other one demands that when one has the iPad.  It's only fair, right?  What's even funnier is that they know exactly what apps are for them.

During today's Lions game.  Logan is signaling the touchdown!

He thought he was so cute (and of course, he is!) so he kept doing it and making sure daddy watched him!

You can't say these boys don't like push/riding toys!  And these are just the ones in the basement!

That's it for now.  I'm looking forward to a 3 day work week and a house full of family on Thanksgiving.  Hopefully everyone has a great week and Thanksgiving weekend.

Giving Thanks - Days 16-17

Day 16 - I'm thankful for such light traffic over the past two days.  It must be due to the start of hunting season and less people headed to work, because I have gotten to work and back home in record time.  If only it was like that on a daily basis...ahhh...  Okay, enough dreaming!

Day 17 - I'm thankful for an easy, uneventful trip to the grocery store today.  I know that sounds silly, but since Troy is up north hunting, I took the boys shopping with me today.  Yes, I've done that in the past, but never to buy so much.  Not only our normal food for the week, but all the goodies for Thanksgiving that we are hosting, too.  Luckily the store wasn't too busy and the boys were awesome, so we got in and out in an hour, without bribing them with a treat or having to move the cart so fast that they wouldn't have a chance to try to shimmy themselves out of the buckled seat.  This very proud mama rewarded them after their nap with a trip to Boogie Babies until dinner, and they loved it!

Giving Thanks - Day 15

Today I was approached by a parent after school, in the parking lot, with a request.  It was a parent of a student that I taught last year.  She was a 7th grader, but advanced in math, so she joined my 8th grade class.  I've had a good relationship with both the mom and the student, mainly because of how good this student is in math, and the fact that I'm an advocate for her to be pushed to higher math even though I don't teach her this year.  Well, unfortunately, she is in a bit of a funk this year and she is letting her sassy attitude get the best of her, getting her in trouble more than she should be.  The reason for this parent to approach me had nothing to do with math, but to tell me that since she knew I had a good relationship with her daughter, she was hoping I could pull her aside to talk to her and help her tame some of her emotions to get her through the year successfully.  Some of the situations that she was explaining to me that have happened to her daughter in the past week were ones that I actually side with the student too, so I know where she is coming from.  She just needs to learn how to respectfully, appropriately, handle situations that she doesn't agree with - and her mom wants me to help her with that.  

So, today, I'm thankful to be able to build those relationships with my students and their parents.  I am thankful that parents trust me with their children, to know that the parents of my students can come to me to ask me to talk to their child, to guide them in a way that will help them be successful, not only academically but socially too.  

Giving Thanks - Day 14

Today I am thankful for a night where all I am going to do is relax and catch up on my recorded shows.  After a busy week last week, a busy (yet fun) weekend, and a test that I took yesterday, I am demanding nothing of myself tonight.  I think I deserve one of these days once in a while!

Giving Thanks - Day 12-13

A bit late from yesterday, but:

Day 12 - I am thankful for an easy Monday at work.  Anyone who is a teacher knows that you never know what you are going to get when you walk in your classroom for the day, especially teaching Middle School.  The kids might have an off day (especially after returning from the weekend), the lesson might not go as planned, etc.  Plus on Monday, I have lunch duty and any teacher who does that knows its not one of our most exciting tasks as a teacher.  So, despite any of these possible issues that could've affected my day, none of it did and it ran as smoothly as it could have.  Now lets hope the rest of the week goes this way...

Day 13 - I will be thankful when my Calculus test is over with tonight.  The material isn't difficult but many of the problems are very time consuming.  Then of course if you make a mistake, you have to start the long tedious process over again.  Needless to say, most of my nights since Wednesday last week have been spent in front of my Calculus book either doing the assignment that is due today or reviewing the 8 lessons that are covered on today's test.