Perspective on Happy Matters!

Perspective on Happy Matters!

via The Joyful Mother

Domenic turned to me just a few days ago and said "You haven't been blogging recently!" Not a beat went by and I said, my blog is called Happy Matters. I only like to write when I'm happy!

Then I realized that I've been doing a poor job at being myself!

Maybe thats unfair. Maybe I need to cut myself some slack. Maybe it's my wonder woman role I like to assume! Maybe it's being self-absorbed! 

I like to think of myself as a bright, cheery, positive, silver-lining searching, happy, helpful, "I can tackle any challenge!" person! 

And I've been struggling....with all of it!

Brightness dims quickly
Negativity seeps in
Happiness and smiles 
     take back seats to frustrations and sighs
There's struggle to find silver linings
I'm not helpful to others
And I'm feeling like I'm losing daily challenges!

*I feel like I need to write that my life is completely balanced! There is no need to worry! My children are wonderful! My husband is amazing! Our families are healthy and amazing! I am just a control freak and things haven't gone as planned the past few weeks in one teeny tiny area of my life! 

Unfortunately, to a fault, I let this area of my life absorb me often. 

So yesterday I went to get my hair done and while the dye (to cover my extreme grey hair) was sitting I decided to catch up on reading the blogs I subscribe to. 

Little Miss Momma is one of my most favorite blogs around right now! She's a mother of 2 boys who writes about her adventures and her meltdowns of being a woman, wife and mother! She's way craftier than me! She's a stay at home mom! But I feel like we have so much in common. Often I'm reading her words about her experiences and I forget they're not my own. 

So I'm sitting in the hair chair and I'm reading about one of her bad days and her rescuing another mom from a tough moment and her story about why she blogs, and  tears start to stream down my face...in the hair chair! She wrote, 
I like to be positive.

Not unicorns and princesses positive,
but I like to find the silver lining in all of life’s lessons.

When I have a bad day,
I write about it.
And by the time I’ve finished the post,
I’ve usually found that silver lining.

And I thought...I need to go home and write! Enough of this feeling sorry for feeling challenged! I was inspired to write about my challenges to help myself find the silver linings!

Then I came home, told Domenic about what happened and we laughed about what a crazy person I must've appeared to be!

I sat down on the couch after putting the boys to bed, checked facebook and a friend posted this as their status...

I know I'm lucky for many reasons. This is a good time to remember to remember. - N.M.

And so I'm back! Writing when I have the time! 

Writing about my adventures, my struggles, and my happy matters!

September 11th...

September 11th...
A day to remember..

     Where you were....
          Who you were with....
               What you watched....
                    How you felt....
                         Everyone's story is different....
                              And none will be forgotten!

I say my prayers 11 years later 

for the little boys and girls

and the husbands and wives

who had a parent or a spouse

 be a hero that day! 

Never forget!

The real to do list....

The real to do list....

When I'm feeling so overwhelmed I can't possibly sort my thoughts to make a coherent or manageable to do list....

I find this!

BREATHE!!!!!!

Everything will always work out!

Always!

And always Sing 1st!!!!

(With ice cream not far behind!)

What a week...

What a week...

Sometimes this is easier said than done!

It was quite an eventful week!

Everyone had their first days of school!

Most importantly....

Luke's 1st day of 1st grade at a brand new school!

(He did great!)

And Nicholas's 1st day of Nursery school!

(He loved it!)

It was overwhelming at times!

Exhausting at times!

And wonderful at times!

I loved walking through the door each afternoon 

and hearing about the boys days! 

All the little adventures and activities that filled their days! 

As I was preparing to begin my 10th year of teaching, 

I was confident and excited!

My first day left me feeling challenged and defeated!

I put on a smile, 

pushed my worries into my back pocket 

and promised to try harder tomorrow! 

My baby sister said it best...

Only 1 way to go from here! UP!

 I so agreed!

Still I tried to not dwell on my daily adventures 

(adventures they were indeed...unexpected and spontaneous)

and I focused on being there for my boys!

Asking about Luke's day...

checking in on if and how he was loving his new school...

He was loving it!

The science lab is his favorite!

His teacher taught him about fluency! 

(such a big word coming out of his little body)

And he was making new friends!

Asking about Nicholas's day...

checking in to make sure he was being a good listener 

and making new friends!

He was and he was!

Domenic's days were wonderful, as usual!

I'm sure the girls love him!

I know I do!

I'm writing about remembering the little things 

because there's a good chance 

my days will be tougher than my nights 

for at least the 1st few weeks 

as we get into our routine as a family!

I need to remember that 

no problem is big enough to get you down all day

and when my day is over

I still have 3 men that need my love, patience, 

understanding and cuddles!

And those are the things I'll remember!

Hello Monday...

inspired by 

Little Miss Momma's Hello Monday

who was inspired by

Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday

So here goes mine.....

Hello waking up feeling super overwhelmed and anxious of all the unknown of a new school year...

Hello goodbye kisses and "Mom I had a happy summer!"

Hello really important morning coffee...

Hello dust, dirt, sweat, rain and really pretty new classroom...

Hello brand new cleaning supplies...

Hello boxes....and goodbye boxes!

Hello happy working music....

Hello old friends & new ones too...

Hello a feeling of accomplishment...

Hello most amazing welcome home hugs!

Hello delicious dinner 

cooked by my amazingly wonderful hubby!

(made extra delicious as no microwave = no lunch)!

Hello football practice with an incredible proud little boy!

Hello more sweat and more dirt from the playground!

Hello watching Nick chase an adorable little friend!

Hello bath time and hot shower...

Hello treats...

Hello finishing a summer book....


AAHHH!!!!!

This week I need to remember to take 1 day at a time as I say...

Hello brand new school year...

Hello brand new students...

Hello to 2 brand new schools for my boys...

Hello to 3 brand new teachers 
who I hope they will grow to love!

Hello to supporting my hubby 

as he says hello to a new position...

Hello to welcome back orientation for Luke...

Hello to smiles, laughs, stories, treats, 

and some fun with the boys at night!

And Hello to Friday...which will be here before we know it!

Then Hello to a 3 day weekend!

Pee-Wee Football...

Pee-Wee Football...

So this fall, it looks like I'll be playing the role of 

"Football Mom!"

While neither Domenic nor I played 
many sports in high school, 

we've encouraged him to try different team sports for exposure to see if there was something he was really into! 
We did 2 seasons of t-ball and a season of soccer. 
As the seasons begin to change, 
we always ask Luke if he'd like to give something a try...
either something he's done before or something new. 
We've always said he should try 
anything he thinks might be fun!

Well you could have knocked Domenic and I over 
when he came home from school one day in the spring 
and said he wanted to try football. 
With shock and a few probing questions 
to see who from his class had planted this seed...
Luke responded, "You said I could try anything!"

"Well..Luke...Yes we did...

Ok..we'll see if we can get you signed up."

Cut to tonight!

His 1st official game!

So darn cute!

Right?

They won! 

HOORAY!!

They crushed the other team!

35 to 14

They had warm up music pumping out of the announcer's box!

Each player got announced!

(Ok so they said #14...Luke Minasey...

but he ran down the field excited nontheless!)

He had fun playing!

We had fun watching!

And Nicholas is now so badly 

wanting to be like his big brother!

It was great!

Of course, it hasn't been smooth sailing!

Practices are 4 times a week for 2 hours at a time!

He sometimes doesn't want to go...

because I think he'd rather chill on the couch than be in the heat with pads doing calisthenics.

He's not a terribly big kid...

Actually, he's tied with another player for 

smallest guy on the team.

Most of the players have at least 1 year experience playing.

So Luke is carving out his spot as Most Improved!

Going from knowing just about nothing about the sport....

to being able to hold his own on the defensive line!

He had to do push-ups during warm ups for going off-sides.

But last practice we walked off the field and he said...

"That was awesome!"

My heart smiled!

Not because I'm eager to be a football mom...

Or because I like the thought of kids tackeling each other... (cringe)

I just want what every mother wants....

I want my child to be happy!

While he's still wondering how much time is left at half time, 

tonight at the end of the game, he said he loved it!

And so for this season, 

I'll be playing the role of "Football Mom!"

I don't care if he never plays another season...

as long as he doesn't quit...

doesn't get hurt...

and is happy!

I do have a feeling this other little man may not be far behind!

Happy Fall!

Why I Love Teaching...Teaching Myth's about Summer Vacation

Why I love teaching....
Teaching Myth's about Summer Vacation

via junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com

(This is not a post about why teachers are over or under paid 

or whether or not we deserve many perks 

including a 2 or 3 month vacation!)

Many teachers quickly pack up their classroom's in June, 

turn in their keys, 

and peel out of the parking lot excited 

about a few months of freedom! 

I, like many other teachers, feel a sense of accomplishment 

and closure as June rolls around! 

A sense of accomplishment for all 

that was planned and learned,

meetings that were had,

paperwork that was completed,

problems that were solved or compromised upon,

goals that were met,

and progress that was shown!

There's a small sense of closure in the effort 

that was put into forming relationships...

with staff members...

with administrators...

with parents...

but most of all with students!

It's a sense of closure for most teachers that spend 1 year helping, supporting, teaching, leading, motivating, 

and loving a group of students!

A sense of closure that this group of students may move on and reap the efforts of another teacher the following year!

A sense of closure that you will receive a new group of students that you will be able to devote yourself to the following year!

My life as a teacher has sometimes looked a little different!

As a teacher of multiple grades, I often form special bonds with a very small group of students that sometimes carry over for multiple years! 

I am fortunate to observe a child grow and overcome obstacles that sometimes take more than a years time!

Each June, I often feel like I've accomplished a great deal 

but always wish I could have done more!

I don't often feel that closure that comes from saying goodbye to a group of students moving on to the next grade.

Until now!

For the 1st time in 10 years, I will not have any returning students to my classroom. Besides 1 year where I switched positions and went from teaching middle school to kindergarten and first grade, I have always had at least 1 student returning in the fall from the previous year!

This June there was lots of closure!

(Not to mention lots of tears!)

I hugged each of my students

told them how proud I was of what they learned 

and how independent they became

and I made them promise to visit me next year!

This June, I tried to promise myself I would recharge!

My 10th year of teaching was going to be 

a bit different from the rest!

This summer brought so many exciting events!

(read here)

In addition to various vacations,  

I spent some time on house projects!

I laid a new floor in the kitchen, 

hallway, bathroom, and laundry rooms!

(It all flows together!)

I painted the wood door, trim, and window white

in our master bathroom!

I redid closets and organized the attic!

In addition to getting sweaty with projects

I read 6 books!

(more than I've ever read in 1 summer)

We went to the zoo, the swim club, and many, many movies!

It's been simply an amazing summer!

So I as sit here on the eve of my last 

(sorta) 

night of summer vacation

(it's the weekend..

and then a week of prep...

teacher days + unpacking!)

one might think I might feel a sadness 

about missing this life we've lead for the past few months!

Except I have a secret!

I NEVER STOP THINKING ABOUT MY CLASSROOM!

:)

Teaching for me is so much more than a job...

it's even more that just a profession!

For me...It's part of my soul! 

Part of who I am!

A piece of me thats temporarily lost 

when I'm not in the classroom!

It's a even if I won the lottery,

I would still have to teach feeling!

Of course I LOVE summer! 

And I'm not sure I would want to teach somewhere 

that had school year round!

The time Domenic and I get to spend together 

both being teachers is amazing! 

And the time we spend collectively 

as a family is simply invaluable! 

Every moment is cherished!

But I never stop thinking about my classroom!

The noise...The friends...The amazing ideas...

The faces..The smiles...

The laughter...sometimes the tears 

but so many more smiles!

I can not describe how excited I get 

when I receive that welcome back packet! 

Or when I go out and buy my planner for the upcoming year! 

(This date gets earlier and earlier each year! 

This year I had it on my birthday. 6/14. 

Just for the record we ended school 6/12.)

This year is going to be like any other! 

I am blessed to have a brand new amazing group of students 

to help, teach, support, and love!

I am blessed to have amazing friends 

and teams of teachers to help share ideas and students!

I am so eager to get into school,

begin unpacking, 

and breathing in the moments of another spectacular year!