Count on me….

Count on me….

       By Bruno Mars

I am so in love with this song right now!

I'll never forget the original catch of this song...

We were at a school wide assembly, 

on the last day of school with students, 

sending off 2 retiring teachers! 

As a surprise the music teacher taught this song to the entire school during their music classes!

Watching the words flash on the screen, 

hearing the students sing out loud gave me such chills...

This is why I teach!

Then I turned to see students with their arms stretched around each other swaying back and forth!

Then, as if my eyes came into focus, I watched as 3 of my former students smiled at one another, arms around each other, singing out loud with no reservation...

"Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah!"

I want to teach my students to Count on Each Other! 

I want them to know they can always Count on Me 

for anything they may need...

but observing them Counting On Each Other 

was utterly breathtaking!

Moments later...

as I wiped the tears of happiness and bittersweet pride away... One of my very best friends walked up to me

and we sang the tune along together...

admitting (with complete cheesiness) 

that it would be "Our Song!" 

Promising we count Count on Each Other...Always!

I love that I work in a place 

where I have friends I can Count on...

and friends that know they can Count on Me!

Now...for an entire day...

I've been humming the tune! 

I literally can't get it out!

I finish cleaning and packing my classroom...

Completing, copying, and filing my paperwork!

(hhhmm, hhhmmmm)

Still singing!

With my excitement high of the start of summer break, 

I get home and Luke, of course, 

knows the song and sings along!

And so...it's official!

Count on me is the 1st song added to the 

Summer 2012 Playlist!

My happy thoughts of those I want to count on me...

Domenic...

Count on me to celebrate your accomplishments, 

pick you up when you're feeling down, 

and always laugh at your jokes. 

Count on my to grow old with you as your biggest fan!

Teammate, partner, wife, listener 

and all my other special titles..

You're the love of my life! Count on me! 

I'll count on you for everything else!

Luke and Nicholas...

Count on me to kiss your boo-boo's, 

wipe your tears and noses, 

read you stories, 

help teach you life lessons like knowing right from wrong, 

losing gracefully and winning humbly, 

chivalry, overcoming loss, celebrating milestones, 

and I promise you can Count on Me to be your greatest cheerleader on any path you find yourself on!

I'll count on you to surprise me daily by your innocence, curiosity, smartness, and belly laugh uncontrollable laughter!

Mom and Dad...

Count on me to feel forever trying to fill your shoes! 

I wish I could bottle your wealth of experience to help me become a better woman, wife, partner, parent, 

teacher, sister, friend, human! 

I'll count on you to keep teaching me and letting me make my own mistakes to learn from!

Bernadette, Clare, and Catherine...

Count on me for anything, ever...

any time of day...for any reason!

Boys, jobs, kids, family, each other, money...

Count on me to listen, give advice, 

and let you make your own decisions!

I'll count on you for exactly the same!

All my closest friends...

Count on me to share your laughter 

and sometimes your tears! 

Count on me to try and be strong when you need me to be!

Count on me to celebrate your accomplishments 

and take on your joy as my own!

I'll count on you for all the same!

(hmmmm, hmmmm)

Still singing...

For everyone I know and love....

You can count on me, like 1, 2, 3

I'll be there....

Just ask! 

Summer break here I come!

Lessons learned in completing 9 years of teaching...

Lessons learned in completing 9 years of teaching...

via pinterest (luckyloo etsy shop)

There is absolutely no better job for me on the planet!

On the tough days, love them 1st!

Make friends with those you work with! Many times you're going to need someone to lean on in the moment!

Don't forget to breathe!

Laugh along with them...kids are really funny! 

(Even when they're not always trying to be)

Sing!

I want to be remembered for teaching kids to believe in themselves!

Always start a drawing my saying "Don't laugh at my picture..I'm still learning to draw!"

There's almost no better feeling than hearing a child yell with surprise, "I did it!"

Teaching kids that learning is fun is more important than teaching them isolated skills!

Being nominated for Teacher of the Year means absolutely nothing! (except it feels nice!)

Write thank you notes...to everyone you helps you!

Keep every thank you note that has meaning!

Remember your mantra:

~Breathe in the moment!

~Act the way you want to feel!

~Smile when you're upset!

~Pick up where you left off!

Keep in touch with former co-workers! 

They know where you started!

Don't be afraid to tell a child they are loved!

Teaching a child to read opens worlds of doors for them!

Talk to parents as you'd want to hear about your child!

Keep learning new things as a teacher!

Here's to many more decades of doing what I love...

Pineapple Turkey Pants...

Pineapple Turkey Pants...

via pinmarket

Nicholas' favorite saying right now!

We have no idea how or where it originated. 

We went through a short Sponge Bob phase 

that could have planted the seed for the pineapple. 

And while he doesn't eat turkey...maybe he thought turkey pants

was better than squarepants!

Who knows!

Regardless, this exceptionally unique and endearing phrase 

was created solely by my 3 year old!

Pineapple Turkey Pants

Goes great after I love you....as in....I love you, pineapple turkey pants!

Goes great after I'm sorry...as in...Oh pineapple turkey pants, I'm sorry!

Can be used as a salutation or prior to an persons name...as in...Pineapple Turkey Mommy! 

We hear it when he's silly!

We hear it when he's happy!

We hear it when he's frustrated! 

Any time of day....Any situation...

nothing makes me let go of all my cares and stresses 

and simply smile at such a cooky phrase! 

I will always love my little Pineapple Turkey Pants!

Happy Memorial Day...

Happy Memorial Day...

photo by Netti Alnquist

An official start to summer but more than that a time to think about those who are away from their families, children, and all their loved ones because of their commitment to fight for our freedom! 

Glad to be an American always tears at my 

heartstrings and brings tears to my eyes. 

Remembering my dad playing the song practically on repeat any patriotic holiday will always be one of my first memories of Lee Greenwoods song. I can remember sitting in the driveway in the backseat of my parents car waiting for until the song ended. It was always a favorite of his and quickly became a favorite of mine.

After 911 it was impossible to not have images flash through your mind any time you heard the song. I was 21 when the towers fell and the patriotism felt in those weeks and months will be a feeling I will not soon forget. 

Now 10 years later, you could have knocked me over as I overheard Luke humming the melody to this very song while working at his desk. I asked what he was singing and he responded, "Oh just a song we  are singing at graduation. It's called Glad to be an American. Wanna hear it?" I nodded with tears already in my eyes and listed as he sang a verse and the chorus. His sweet, innocent, perfect voice singing, 

"and I'll gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today, because there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.

Today may we all remember the greatest sense of patriotism we've experienced and know that our soldiers, current and fallen lived with incredible patriotism with everyday of their work!

God Bless the USA

Hello Monday…

Hello Monday…

Thanks Pinterest!

Hello Monday and sleepy boys..woke up to the boys

sleeping around me…quite rare with early risers!

Hello Monday and audio books and radio shows!

Hello Monday and working with friends!

Hello Monday and making kids smile!

Hello Monday with only 3 more Mondays left until summer!

Hello Monday and hugs from my boys!

Hello Monday and kisses from my love!

Hello Monday and running in the rain (especially when it’s

been far longer than I prefer to admit that I’ve gone for a run!)

Hello Monday and eavesdropping on my boys making each other laugh in the bath!

Hello Monday Nicholas asking me not to “yell” at his “big brudder Dukey”

Hello Monday and iced carmel lattes!

Hello Monday and Howard on TV!

Hello Monday and checking in with my happiness!

What you do every day is more important than what you do once in a while.

Hello Monday…but it’s ok! 

Hump Day of a long week…

Hump Day of a long week…

Thanks Pinterest!

Hump Day of a long week…

Still today I’m thankful for…

How sometimes nothings soothes me like a little mood lighting, a soft blanket and music in the background.

My 3 year old offering a compromise on what to do with the last vitamin… “I know Mommy…split it!” Why didn’t I think of that?!?!

Adele’s One and Only

  

Finger painting!

The most amazing snuggle with Luke!

A friend being blessed with a baby girl (who has 3 big brothers)!

My blog…6 posts and going strong!

Sharing everything with my amazing husband…even if it’s mostly stress right now! I'd share anything with him! J 

Take a minute to think about what you're thankful for!

Mommy's Weekend With the Boys!

Mommy's Weekend With the Boys!

Slow even breaths,

Extraordinarily long eyelashes,

Snuggles (and a bit of sweat),

 Sleepy “I love you’s” before really entering dreamland…

Daddy’s weekend away with the college boys 

equals 

Mommy’s weekend home with their boys!

picture taken 7/2011 in Disney World

To me one of the greatest mommy moments is feeling your child drift from wakefulness to sound sleep.

When the boys were newborns, I always loved rocking them to sleep, (Not in a crazy every night loved rocking them to sleep but when they were sick or overtired or restless) and as I felt the breaths become more even, I felt a sense of relief! (Ahh....He's asleep! Now I can head to bed!)

When the boys were toddlers, they often asked to be laid with (which often led to more chatting, singing, reading, etc. than relaxing or sleeping) but as I heard their breaths become more even, I felt a sense of accomplishment! (Yes!...I did it! He's asleep! Now I can go x, y, or z!)

Now as they are 6 and 3, they know they get to sleep in our bed when Domenic isn't home (I don't like sleeping alone and there's extra room for 2 of them without guaranteeing an elbow to the chest.) We watch a show, put on some music, say prayers and I listen as they drift to sleep. They ask to have their back rubbed and whisper half asleep "I love you's!" Except now as I listen to their breaths become more even, instead of relief or accomplishment, I'm filled with curiosity. 

What do they dream of?

What do they hope for?

Do they feel loved every second of the day?

I hope they dream with no limits!
(But they're probably dreaming of Disney World and Jimmy Newtron) 

I hope they hope for happiness and success!
(But they're probably hoping for cupcakes for breakfast)

I hope they feel cherished every second of every moment of every day!

(But I really think they feel loved everyday!)

Soon I begin to notice my breaths becoming more even as my eyes grown smaller and I drift off with my arms around them!

Sweet dreams to be had by all!

To the moon and back...