Flip- Flops

Today was our Staff Celebration/ End of the Year Party.......

I am always a sap...

I am the first one to cry at anything...

(seriously, just about any movie with a touching story and boom, water works)

Today I cried, I wasn't the only one, but maybe I was the first one to start.

It wasn't tears of not having a job next school year,
 but not being at a place they I have called home for four years.
Jackson Elementary

Our school is a unique school.

I once heard our school referred as the cumbiyah school.

A school where any teacher could ask another teacher for help and they would receive it,
no questions asked.
A school where everyone, okay most, say good morning to each other with a smile
or if you are lucky enough to pass by Carol, a big bear hug.
A place where I have made the dearest friends,
friends that I will have for a life time.
A place where I get to work with my sister-in-law on the same team.
A place where we sing songs or play a game at major celebrations.
A place where my boss gives us Feel Free Fridays.
What's that?
When you get to go home when the students go home,
you don't have to stay until your contract time.
Sweet, I know!!
A place where we dress up like our boss on spirit days, and he is flattered.

A place when you walk into your room you might have a little gift waiting for you,
just because they know how you feel.

A place where I began as a first year teacher and took on the biggest challenges I had ever faced.

Here is the quick background to my 1st year:
I was once an involuntary transfer, I transfered from one school to here.
I first thought it was the end of the world, but soon learned that the grass was greener on the other side.
I was lucky enough to have the honor of teaching 3 classes that year.
(If you want to count inter-session then 4 )
We were year around, if you wondered how that was possible.
Yep, a month of sixth grade then transferred.
Two trimesters of 4th grade.
The last month and a half a combination of 4th and 5th.
I didn't think I could handle any more change, then I switched grades.
I was placed in Sixth Grade.

We have all probably heard before that we are our on worst critic, but really how could I have been successful with all that change that was going on???
I received praise from administration, coaches, teachers, friends and family, and I appreciated it more than I could ever express, but the best praise I could receive was from my students.
That is what kept me going.
That is what keeps me going!!

 I have been a Sixth Grade teacher for three years now.

 I am quite proud of that title.

Darn proud of that title.

Several times I have asked myself why do I keep this title?

The answer is always simple, the students, my students!

When people ask me how many kids I have, I always say 34 and a little girl.

I am always a teacher,

when I go home, when I am shopping, when I am out and about...still a teacher.

I have a hard time turning off that switch in me.

 I am a mother first.

Please don't get that mistaken.

I love being a Mommy and getting to teach my beautiful girl about this amazing world.

Next school year, I do not have a teaching job in the classroom, but rather in my home.

I believe that there are still over 200 RUSD employees who do not have jobs next year due to budget cuts in California and I am one who is affected.

This is change, but it can be positive.

Madeline and I are going to make the best of the situation. 

So, back to today. 

At our "we will miss you- not good bye party"

we wished 3 great teachers a happy retirement,

8 teachers( myself included) we hope you have a job next year,

1 assistant principal, we hope you have a job next year too, and
2 (Outstanding) office assistants, we hope you have a job next year as well.
Depressing.
I know.
But again our staff made the best of it,
we ( as in the ones without jobs next year) were given flip flops.
Kathy, who I idolize more than she will ever know, wrote this great poem.
I wanted to pass it along

Flip- Flops
by Kathy Kashak

When you start to see the flip flops out, you know its summertime
Just kickback, relax, enjoy yourself vacation- at its prime

So grab a pair and slip 'em on. Its something we all do
Cause the flop is so laid back- not like a teacher shoe

You may not go to Maui, Laguna, or Cancun
But in those funky flip flops you'll sing a happy tune

Wear flops to shop and flops to mop. Wear them all the time.
And on a retirees budget the price is sublime!

Anyone can wear 'em. It really takes no skill.
Unlike the job of teaching with flops you simply chill.

Relaxing in your flip flops while laying by the pool
You're reading trashy novels- not a single thought of school

Everybody likes flops on Jackson's way cool staff
'Cause these are the folks who know 'bout fun and really love to laugh.

Retirees, we hear you're fond of the humble flops.
And once your free those teacher toes you just don't want to stop

Now you deserve each minute of R and R you've earned
For teaching oh so many kids: for all you've helped them learn

Now the same holds true for newer teachers with challenges one or two
Flip flops are just a symbol for taking simple joy with you.

'Cause wherever you go, whatever you do it's corny but it's true
You'll always walk with each of us- our soles will follow you.

Today we salute one and all for sharing all your gifts
We hope these simple words and flops provide a little lift.

Now mellow out and free your toes. Just put aside your woes.
Let's all enjoy the simple things and party like real pros.

How could I not love my school?
I am trying my best to embrace these new flip flops.
I will put my faith and "sole" into the Lord as I start a new journey.

P.S. If you read this far, thanks.
This was cheaper than paying to sit on a couch.
I really could say so much more, I didn't mean to leave any thing or anyone out.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day keeps getting better and better!!

I  am completely content with just getting a card

(although family never keeps it at that)

it is just the best knowing that you are a mother,

I have pure satisfaction just by seeing my little girl smile.

You can see through the pictures below how my precious little M has changed and grown into an even more beautiful, amazing, and funny little being.

I keep saying little, but I think I have to use that word as much as I can with her, she is growing and changing so quickly, right before us.

These pictures are in my parents backyard in my sister's planter.

The flowers sure like to grow there!

The black, pink and white outfit was just last year's Mother's Day and the blue floral dress is today!

Thank you to all the UNBELIEVABLE mothers in my life!

I have the best Mom, Mother In-law, and friends who are Mommies,

you all inspire me!!!

And a special thanks to Madeline, who makes it so easy to be a Mommy!

Show N' Go

Every year there is a car show that we cannot miss:

Show N' Go!

Our family belongs to a car club named "Old Farts."

Yes, that is a silly name, but an amazing bunch of car crazy people.

M's Nana and Papa volunteered many hours to help put this show on.

The Riverside Rotary Club also works closely with the club to put on the event that shows a thousand cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.. 1,000 vehicles that can park to show off their car and then go cruise the streets of downtown Riverside, which are nicely blocked off for the car show.

This picture is of M riding with Jake in her Papa's Chevelle.

They were apart of the opening parade of cars.

M did not like this very much at first, but.....

 she warmed up to it!

******Before you think I am a horrible mother,

 please note that the car never went faster than 5 miles per hour!!

Now Jeff on the other hand, probably didn't stay under 5 miles per hour in Brad's car.

The next day, (yes this was an ALL weekend thing, Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday)

M brought out the inner model in her again...

getting ready to go back to the show.

I don't know where this hold your hands together pose came from? 

It is pretty cute, I caught her striking this pose many times.

Beautiful downtown....

M and Mommy...

by the way, she is starting to call me Mommy, 

the typical name for me is Momma.

The family shot

I like the background in this one.

A littl' black and white

Pretty flowers, 

M says something close to "wower" for flowers

She is running for Jake.

She can't read, but I am sure if she could it wouldn't stop her.

Please let me play on the grass.....

Different area, same cheese ball

Jake's car won an award....

Top 40 (out of 1,000 cars)

Yeah!!!

He has had this car since he was 16 and it is a lot of fun.

I will have to give the Elky some blog love another time.

This year they gave out an award and wanted to recognize the children, 

M and I went out and got a couple pictures taken while helping pass out this award.

I wasn't prepared for it, felt funny next to the trophy girls, but I am sure they were checking out my cute little girl instead of me! 

I will have to see who snapped a closer picture of us.

Well, Show N' Go, 

the weather was perfect,

the people were nice,

the cars looked amazing,

it was long,

we had fun,

we will see you next early May!

Sun Diego

 This is not a typo, 

I know, I admit it,  I am a horrible speller, 

but we love to call San Diego: Sun Diego.

If our family wouldn't disown us, we would move there in a heart beat.

M loves to play on the slide or as she calls it "side."

We got some great pictures of her, it warms my heart seeing her happy.

These pictures are from the park close to Jeff and Jenn's.

 

This park is really beautiful.

We let M run around and be a little model for Mommy.

Her outfit is Juicy Couture, 

( I don't even own anything Juicy)

must be nice to be spoiled by her Auntie.

These photos were taken in front of Jeff and Jenn's, so sweet.

Pass It Along, Pray!!

I got this wonderful idea from The Goat, and thought how could I help spread this powerful idea?

I know that everyone is different in how they pray...

I usually pray silently, but always enjoy when someone asks me to share a prayer out loud.

My wheels are still turning on how I can get a prayer group going, 

and thought that you should be thinking about how you can participate too.

Whether you decide to pray with a group or individually

Who couldn't benefit an extra prayer or two??

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Matthew 18:19

Please pass this along in one way or another, step out of that comfort zone and show your faith!

Keep me posted in how you will be honoring this day!

Loyalty!!

Anyone who owns a dog knows how a dog is much more then a dog;

they become your family!!!

Fourteen years ago my childhood dog Carly had a litter of 12 puppies,

we were allowed to keep two of them.

My sister chose Alli and I chose Molly.

Well, without going into great depth and sorrow,

my family had to put down Alli.

She was a loyal, loving dog who made our lives greater!

She lived a long, happy life and is now no longer suffering.

I believe that all dogs go to heaven and Alli will be reunited with my sister Megan.

Remember to love your dogs a little more, 

their time on Earth always seem to never be enough!

Oh My......A Little Treasure!

Oh my, I was looking at my old posts that I never finished from last year

( I was fed up with my old slow computer, so I took a break until we got our new computer)

and I was surprised to see these precious pictures!!

I can't believe how time has gone by sooo fast and how she can change sooo much!

I couldn't resist posting

M is 12 months old in these pictures.

Jake took a day off to play in Laguna with M and me.

This was a beautiful day!

M is telling the Summer to slow down, we are having too much fun!

Can't wait to take her back to Laguna this summer!!