Miss Frizzle or Miss Viola Swamp?

Today I received some rather distressing news. A friend of mine had apparently talked to one of my students very recently and was told that I was a "strict, mean teacher who didn't discipline students who interrupt and I assigned too much homework."

....

Am I really that terrible? Granted, this is coming from a 10 year old who cannot seem to keep his or her finger out of his or her own nose. But still, I can't help but feel a tinge of hurt in hearing these words.

Ever since I was called to be a teacher, I've always wanted to be like Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. She was the cool teacher who dressed funny, had a lizard, and took kids on great field trips. Hands on learning, all the way! But have I instead turned into a Miss Viola Swamp from Miss Nelson is Missing? Was my Miss Nelson (my good, sweet teaching side) too weak to control my classroom, so I had to pull out the meaness of my own "Miss Swamp?" I hate this feeling. I'm not ready to accept being "the mean teacher." It's great to be "the cool teacher" because everybody is excited to see you. However, my class isn't mature enough to do all the really cool stuff yet. It's really too bad.

I guess I don't really know where I'm going with this. I tend to blog more when Rick isn't home, because I have no one else to talk to. Does the fact that I base my life philosophy on children's picture books make me crazy? Who knows? I'm not really going to change the way that I teach, but it doesn't make the hurt go away. So,... if I start wearing all black all the time, stop brushing my hair, and paint my face white--Just look out!

God Bless our Law Enforcement

God Bless all of you men and women who are out there enforcing the law and keeping us safe. I don't think you get this enough, so here's my contribution:

THANK YOU!!!

Glutton for punishment?

This is what I want to be like. Cute and really buff! HA! (That'll be the day).
Some of you can probably relate. Our lives are running at a comfortable pace; everythings fine, but perhaps we get a little bored once in awhile. So to keep us busy, we take up a project. Things start getting a bit more complex, but it's okay. We still have a little time. We can fit in one more thing. Then, all at once, our lives are super busy and someone asks us to do them a favor by helping them out. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!! What have we done?! We've just volunteered our lives away!
....But hey,... at least we're not bored.
If this is you, please know that you have a someone who can sympathize with you here (I'm talking about Tiffany, Rick... I'm not so sure about). The important thing that I need to remember is that even though life gets really busy, I need to keep that time with God sacred. No cutting corners. That's the only way that I'm going to survive this. Also, making time for family and realizing that they are on my side. I tend to forget that, in my maniacal business.
Having spilled my ramblings onto the internet, I am now off to class, then to call a parent, and then to reading a book, and then to bed (yes, that is my night, lame as it is). Farewell!

Rick's Lament

Rick has recently said to me, "I don't really care for blogging." The he quickly added, "but it's okay for you." Now what am I to say to this? Do I simply stop, because my husband is being a jerk about it (aka, being a butt). Or do I simply snub my nose at him and continue as though it doesn't bother me? Personally, I enjoy keeping in touch with everyone and enjoy writing down my random thoughts so that anyone who might be remotely interested in my ramblings can know what's up. So right now, I respectfully stick out my tongue and blow a raspberry at the love of my life. The I post my blog because that's how I "roll."

Still alive and kicking

Yeah, we're still here, just a lot going on. Between switching computers, house hunting, and school starting all over again, there just hasn't been enough time for blogging. Not that it really matters. I'm still trying to figure out how to get pictures and COOL STUFF on here (LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE) *that was meant to be said with a jealous sneer, add your own sound effects.*
School is well underway and I'm just barely going with it. I knew this was going to happen to me. Last year I started out with a small class of three students and they were perfect! I actually had to encourage them to talk in class. Some people would say, "Oh, but it's great that you get to start out with such a small class." WRONG!!! I was good and ready for a class of up to 25 kids when I graduated college. However, last year (even though it was TONS of fun) my classroom management atrophied (see, I'm smart. I use big words). So now here I am starting all over again. Ain't that a peach?
BUT... I'm not here to complain. I actually need to turn it all back to God and say, "Thank you." Thank you Lord for challenging me in so many ways. There's a saying (I got it from Conan the Barbarian) that says, "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger." That's how I feel somedays. But I'm doing a job that I love; working with fantastic people (our last staff party was an absolute riot); and making a impact in the spiritual lives of children. What could be better than that?
Rick is still on the ferry, but there's no telling how much longer that will be for. We've been praying continually that he will be able to stay on through the winter. Time is running out and we can't help but feel a little nervous. I have absolute faith that God will always provide us with exactly what we need. I also know that sometimes He stretches us pretty thin. So,... prayer is ALWAYS gladly accepted.
Having blathered my peace, I'm going to go to bed and try to sleep off this cold that's trying to come on board. Blessed be His name! (even when we travel through the wilderness).