Good Morning!

Ever since I was first blessed to be a mommy, my absolute favorite time of the day is in the morning. The sweet smell of my little boys will eventually be gone OR I will no longer have the privilege of being able to cuddle them. I am not sure which one will come first, but, when it does, I will be looking forward to other special moments I will get to witness.

The satisfaction of needing a wet comb to fix my boys' hair in the morning is indescribable. Maybe it is because they sleep better than I and I can vicariously live through them? Or maybe it is the sign of one less whine or "no, Mommy!" or meltdown during the day thanks to their solid nights' rest?

Thankfully, I have a job that allows me every holiday with them and the summer months. But today, while the rest of my school building went on, Daddy and I stayed home to accompany our oldest to his preschool picnic.

Double bonus for me...I got to enjoy the morning! Check out the crazy hair!

What Goes Around, Comes Around...Is it OK if I help it around?

My little man, S, came home from preschool telling me that one of his friends asked him to be mean to a little girl in class because that little girl did something mean to "friend." When I asked S what he did, he told me (proudly) that he called his classmate a "meany" but then apologized and tried to get all three of them to play a game together. It worked.

Too often (more often than I am ever willing to admit) I repeat to myself, "What goes around, comes around." Ok, well, that is not such a bad thought, right? What is not so graceful of me is when I want to help said attacker feel that "comes around" part a little quicker, like sticking my foot out nonchalantly as that person walks by or getting the last word, even if it ends with the tone "na.na.na.na.boo.boo." I have witnessed and experienced the saying from both ends, but when I have just been treated unfairly or watch as another person, stranger or not, being treated unfairly, I want to give it right back in a passive-aggressive sort of way. 99% of the time I do not, but boy, do I think about it!

No wonder today's youth feel so confused and conflicted. We teach (and practice) kindness and helpfulness and want no good deed to be left unrewarded, but then expect the bad to just roll off. Except of course, if you are being bullied. Then stand up for yourself and your friends and family or a stranger while simultaneously practicing the cliche, what goes around, comes around.

Be a leader. Set the right expectations. Set the right boundaries.

Can You Believe Your Eyes?

Ever since I began teaching seventh grade (seven years ago) a countless amount of people have suggested I start a book to include all of the unbelievable things I have witnessed and heard: unbelievable and often inevitable unless you have taught or teach middle school. These suggestions have come from co-workers, friends, parents, family, neighbors, and students alike and while I am seven years tardy on the idea, here I am. Better late than never.

Certainly, this blog will not be a place to only include real-life scenarios that may or may not result in your jaw hitting your lap or rolling on the floor laughing, but a place to lay my thoughts and words. My poor hubby's ears can only take so much.

I have had internal monologues about starting a blog; after all, I do not have a special platform, an extra-ordinary life, a heartache, or any creative bone in my body. So, why would I start a blog? Except, of course to give said hubby's ears a break? My life, while quite worthwhile to me, is probably not of much inspiration to others. I get up, go to work, come home, do laundry, start dinner, play with my kiddos, do baths, walk the dog, grade papers, watch schmuck on tv, then go to bed. Repeat. Times 5.

Do I find joy and laughter and love throughout the day? Absolutely.
Do I love my life and all who are in it? No Question!
Do I find time to take care of myself? Duh...I'd go nuts if I didn't!

So, I guess by blogging, I can reflect on those precious gems throughout the day and can share them with you!