1st graders LOVE to read!

I went to Value Village last night and picked up books for my first graders. At 69 cents a book (buy 4 get 1 free), it was a simple decision to buy gently used books that I knew the kids would love. Check out their sweet faces!

Happy Friday -- December 10th!

Good morning! It's December 10th and just one more week of school. I'm celebrating with my first graders today by giving out books that I purchased at the thrift store. Such great books for 69 cents each. They will be thrilled to take them home.

Easton turned 3 weeks old. He's such a sweet spirited little guy. I can't wait to spend more time with him when school is out for Christmas break.

Easton Dean Bellamy

The sweetest little boy was born on November 18, 2010. Easton Dean Bellamy weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long. We are 100% totally in love with him! I am already enjoying being a grandma. Congratulations, Brad and Jen.

Overdue update!

Good morning! It's a definite fall morning here in Spokane. After enjoying a beautiful Indian summer, today's weather is rather cooler and damp. But that hasn't stopped us from planting tulip and daffodil bulbs, transplanting lilac bushes and planting two new shade trees!

I am teaching in a wonderful first grade classroom this year. It's a very sweet change from teaching 6th grade. (I know how to do 1st grade math! Smile...) Although it's not a permanent position, I'm at Bemiss Elementary (Spokane Public Schools) until Christmas break and feel blessed to be a part of this school. I've so connected with my kiddos -- 18 girls, 7 boys -- and they've stolen my heart. My favorite quote from one of the kids is "Mrs. York, you're one lucky lady to be able to use an electric pencil sharpener!"

Other news from the homefront:

Jen says there's no room at the inn for Baby Easton and she's getting kicked in the ribs quite often. We're excited to meet Easton sometime next month! She and Brad have been busy with Goldendale's football team, getting everything prepared for Easton's arrival and enjoying married life, too!

David continues to work for Pennacle Investigations and going to Whitworth @ night. He's loving the same classes I took at Whitworth; some of the professors are the same so he's following in my footsteps. David and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary over Labor Day weekend by being tourists in Seattle -- Pike Place Market, Alki Beach and Lighthouse, Seattle Mariners game, IKEA. A very fun and relaxing weekend!

Ian is looking for work (if you know of anything, let us know!) and he's helping out in my classroom as a volunteer.

The four legged kids keep us laughing with their antics. Never a dull moment. We did lose one of our cats -- Gretel -- so we're trying to decide if we'd like another friend for Hans. Thinking it might be nice to have an already spayed/neutered cat to add to the family. We'll see!

Amazing Recipe Site

I have NOT been disappointed by any of the recipes on this site. You will LOVE all of the recipes Mel shares http://www.melskitchencafe.com/

My absolute favorite is the Lemon Sugar Topping Blue Berry muffins!

You can also find Mel's Kitchen Cafe by clicking on the button "My Kitchen Cafe" on the left side of my blog. ENJOY!!

A Few Weeks in Paradise

I left Spokane on July 1st and returned July 15th. Between those two days, I had a lot of miles to cover. From Spokane to Phoenix to all parts of Florida and then a return trip to Spokane via Phoenix, it was an adventure filled two weeks! My favorite two phrases were "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." My cousin Gigi and I devoured two cheeseburgers in one day in Key West, the last one being the best at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville! An amazing two weeks of travel, laughter, sunshine, beaches and HOT temps.

Pictures coming! I was home only one night before heading to Goldendale to help out Jen and Brad with the Mexican Fiesta Golf Tournament. It was definitely Margaritaville in Goldendale -- we served lots of margaritas to the golfers. Fun weekend and I'm glad I'm back in Spokane to relax before the home schedule gets crazy again. I've got some job searching to do so I can hopefully have my own classroom this fall.

PS Baby Bellamy is pretty cute on the ultrasound -- it's a boy! Easton Dean Bellamy is due mid November. I'm having fun thrift store shopping for him.

A bit of this and that!

Hi, everyone! Since the last posting, much has happened. I'm going to just do bullet statements to make it short and sweet & then I'll fill in details later.

• Jen's bridal shower was wonderful.
• The wedding on May 30!!! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. (The official date on the marriage license is December 17, 2009 -- they did their wedding European style. They met with the Justice of the Peace in December and had the wedding celebration with family and friends on May 30, 2010.)

• I finished teaching on June 17th with my subbing for Mead, Medical Lake and Spokane School Districts. It was a great year of experience for me and I eagerly await news to know if I've been selected for any of the jobs I've applied for in Spokane.
• No job for this summer so I am off playing. I leave on the 1st for Mesa, AZ to spend time with my longtime girlfriend Wendy. Then on the 8th, I fly to Ft. Lauderdale to spend time with my cousin Gigi. I know...it's going to be H-O-T but I plan on keeping cool the entire time or be in the water. I can't wait to fly out of Spokane and get away for a few weeks.
• Lots of other little things happening this summer so I'll be back and forth out of the house in Spokane until mid August.
• Jennifer and I have spent this past week thrift store and yard sale shopping. Baby Bellamy is due November 19th and I'm sooooooooooo excited about being a grandma. I can't help looking at all of the cute baby items that are for sale. Jen and Brad hopefully get to find out the sex of the baby on July 1st. I get to be there for that special moment, too! (ohh, the fun danger of knowing if it's a girl or a boy....more shopping potential for me!)
• And that's it from the peanut gallery for tonight. Stay tuned for more details and pictures.

What's new in your little part of the world? I want to hear!

The end of my long term guest teaching position....

My long term teaching job is coming to a close. It's caused a lot of different emotions these past few days, mostly one of happy sad because I realize how much I grew to love these 6th grade students and how much I tried to give my very best to their education. I move on next Thursday, back to Michael Anderson Elementary on Fairchild AFB, to teach 2nd grade for two days and then back to Spokane Schools to teach Kindergarten and 2nd grade. It'll be quite a change for me. Still looking for that full time position, whether it be in Spokane or somewhere else in WA State.

Tomorrow is Jen's bridal shower in Goldendale. I called her today to ask her what she wanted for a gift. Guess I'm not very creative on giving my daughter a gift from the mother of the bride. However, she'll be happy when they make coffee each morning. She told me they want a tent, which is funny because that's what my mom and stepdad gave David and me for our wedding present. Hmmm, perhaps we'll have to be on the lookout for a great tent to go with the portable dishwasher we're purchasing them for their wedding present. Talk about practical, huh?

Time to close up the computer for the night. I really don't like Friday nights because it's a very quiet time and I'd rather be around people, laughing and visiting. Tonight, though, I'm okay with it. It's been a very long 4 day week and I'm going to head to bed, read a little bit and be ready to leave Spokane at 6 AM. I'm going to enjoy my time as Mother of the Bride!

Learning to Trust Myself

Happy Easter Weekend!

I was looking through "More", a magazine for those of us over 40. Sometimes there's some pretty amazing stuff in here, other times I just laugh at it.

This morning I found an article entitled "Learning to Trust Myself" and my curiousity was peaked. I seem to always doubt myself and I'd love to learn the secret of being ok to trust myself. As I started reading the article, the author describes her pursuit of finding out what was wrong with her.....imagine my amazement to read that she has MS and she's 45 just like me.

It's been 9 years of my diagnosis of MS. Thanks to the wisdom of my drs and continued great care these last nine years, I'm doing well. I've worked hard to be informed and make sure I have control of my medical life. Learning and looking out for yourself is important because you're the only one who really matters when it comes to your own health!

Read more.... http://www.more.com/2024/13465-trouble-path-to-an-ms

Sunny Saturday morning!

It's a beautiful day here in Spokaloo. I started out the morning by going to the gym and then to the Petite Chat bakery where I picked up some a-m-a-z-i-n-g chocolate croissants and two loaves of bread. From there, it was home to get a cup of coffee, check email and correct more 6th grade papers. I'm hoping that this project will be done soon so I can go outside and enjoy. It's only supposed to be 55 but just the feel of the sunshine is amazing!

Laughter, Joy and His Love

Tonight David and I went to see comedian Ken Davis. What a hoot! We laughed so much. Ken shared one line with us that really made me stop and think. "Joy under the influence of His love." Yikes!

I found this quote "Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you." Eileen Caddy

Gratitude, joy, laughter and His love.... ahhhhhh, what a great mixture and I'm going to put them into plan tomorrow as I go to work with the 6th graders. It's gooing to be a great day!

Mother of the Bride dress

I did it...I purchased my "Mother of the Bride" dress today! I'd tried on this dress when we were in Renton over New Year's weekend and fell in love with it. I wasn't quite sure if it was THE dress since it's actually a bridesmaid dress, but the mom dress selections were definitely not my style. So, I waited and then went today to look at some dresses here in Spokane. The one dress was at the shop to try on and I'd found another one by the same designer on the website to look at. Of course, that one wasn't available. I managed to get the salesperson to let me try the bridesmaid dress on (I think I confused her because she kept asking, "you're the mom? not a bridesmaid?" Apparently moms aren't supposed to wear these dresses and I was breaking protocol? I'm not quite sure....but I tried it on anyways.)

Jen had measured me when we were at the store in Renton so I knew already what size I needed. (Her brief job as a Bridal Consultant paid off!) But I had today's consultant (who kept calling me HON) measure me again....I kinda liked the measurements; my weight loss and hard work has paid off! I couldn't decide if I wanted Victorian Lilac or Black for the main color so when I realized that I'd need a size 10, I knew that the dress I'd tried on was it. The dress was mine....off the rack, in the perfect size. No waiting, no alterations needed (unless I want it shortened to tea length), mission accomplished!

99 days to go to the wedding ....and just shoes & accessories to still buy. No problem, right?

Mid week check in

I'm halfway through my 7th week of teaching! Boy, is it always a learning experience for me. I was subbed out today for a grade level assessment think tank meeting. I am definitely ready to apply what I learned to my teaching and making it intentional to benefit my students. Seeing reading and math scores made me really sit up and notice where the kids are in their learning. The kids say that I already push them to succeed....they're going to see a little bit more of it, but they will show their excellence in learning as we go through this together.

Here's a picture I just found of the Beagle Boys and me. My half sister Mattie took it last spring. Enjoy~

Needing some color!

I saw this title on another blog and knew it was true of me, also. We've been blessed with not a lot of snow but I need color after so many gray and gloomy days! Here's what I'd like:

sunshine!!

yummy strawberries

tulips galore (Tulipfestival.com)

daffodils

What brightens your little corner of the world?

Gratitude Friday

Happy Friday! Here's my list for the week....

1. sunshine on the wintery days! It felt so good yesterday to be outside with the sunshine. We've had a mild winter and even though the groundhog saw his shadow this week, I'm okay with 6 more weeks of winter if it's like this!

2. bagels and cream cheese! My favorite breakfast food at the moment. Soft, fresh bagels that are toasted and spread with strawberry or raspberry cream cheese. Yum!

3. Kleenex! I have a cold and it's causing all sorts of havoc. So, the box of Kleenex is my friend this week. I'm wondering how I'm gong to give the spelling test this morning so that the kids can understand me!

4. my 6th grade teaching team! I have the BEST teaching team to work with. They have taught me lots and I'm glad to have them by my side each day. It's been a tough 5 weeks, but I'm learning day by day. (and we've all decided that we definitely believe in prayer in the public schools...I don't think we'd make it each day if there weren't praying teachers and people who pray for us, too!)

5. my 6th grade classroom! I probably would choose a different grade level if I could, but these students have taught me a lot about grace, perservence, the art of counting to 50 or higher to keep from getting upset and how to laugh at myself (because if I don't, they will!) Even though it's been a tough 5 weeks, it's also been a joyful 5 weeks. I'm looking forward to the next 7 weeks with the kids.

I'm off to Starbucks to get a venti vanilla latte before heading to school today. I'd love for you to join me for a coffee!! But if you can't, have a great Friday and let me know what you're grateful for today.

Lessons Being Learned....

The past three weeks that I've been in the 6th grade, I've been learning a lot of lessons, some good and some bad. The last two nights I've read a few tips for helping me become a better teacher. Read on....

Taken from 2 Sisters' Daily Cafe Tip of the Week : "I Am Still Really Smart!"

Don't you savor those moments when you see a former student... How delighted I was to hear those words from Maleesha - "I am 6, and I am still really smart!" You are the one who has the power to tell your own Maleesha the truth -- she (or he) is really smart, and will only get smarter if shejust believes it. I look down the lists of standards, skills, and minutia we're expected to teach every day. It takes a Maleesha to pull me away from the papers I'm delivering to the office and back to the most important work you and I do -- we help students believe in themselves, and show them in tangible ways every day how much they are learning, and how smart they are. Who is your Maleesha this year? Have you told her how smart she is today? Have you helped him take pride this week in a new skill mastered?

From Chicken Soup for The Soul "A Wrinkled Piece of Paper"

As teachers, we strive year after year to help our students feel successful. We do the best we can to find ways to make them achieve their goals and grow as individuals...David knew that someone thought he could learn and that someone had listened to him.

Wowie, here I go into my 4th week of teaching at Ridgeview. The kids have really been challenging me with their behavior so tomorrow I will go in with these thoughts and be prepared to listen to my students and tell them how smart they are!

Sunday night....

...and I get to sleep in for two more days! I have lots to get done before Wednesday's really important day at school. I absolutely love teaching 6th grade, just a tad bit challenging to learn everything and keep it all together. I found this saying tonight as I was cleaning up my office...it's the feeling right now.

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on!" Thomas Jefferson

All you need is love....I want to leave a legacy!

Remember the Beatles' song "All you need is love"? That's what I think each day when I go into my 6th grade classroom. I love these kids -- some of them come from tough backgrounds, some have a blank looking stare all day long -- and I show them love in so many different ways. I don't even think they're aware of it. But I do know that I am making a difference in their lives each day!

This week has been easier than last week. Although I think I keep adding more work to the pile of "To do" as I learn more and more about the requirements of a sixth grade teacher (today I taught about common sense and manners!) I'm beginning to see why full time teachers get weary. However, I choose to put in the long hours because I want to be prepared and organized. The kids reap the benefits, too!

I'm a pretty simple teacher -- I expect the best from them! I love the song "In the Blink of An Eye" by Mercy Me. The one line "if I give the best of me, that becomes my legacy" has become my motto and I'm sharing it with the kids. I won't be in their classroom but for a small chunk of their 6th grade educational career. And as Nicole Nordman says it so nicely "I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough?"

I hope the kids see Jesus in me as I'm with them these next few weeks. If you think of us, be praying! After lunch is the hardest time....I don't know what happens but they come back different kids after lunch and teaching becomes difficult! I am so thankful for the hot cup of coffee right out of the coffee pot -- it keeps me going.

What a wonderful Monday!

Today was the first day of my long term subbing job at Ridgeview! I had a wonderful day and hoping the students did, too. This class is known for its noisiness, etc. so today they were ecstatic to get compliments from other staff members and the principal on how quiet they were in the halls. Of course, a little bribing on my part has never hurt (5 gems in the jar for quiet hall, 5 more gems if they get a compliment) The gem jar has a long way to go to get filled up, but they earned lots today! I think it was difficult for them to be without their regular teacher, coming back from a 2 week vacation and getting settled into a new routine.

I floundered a little bit, had the biggest butterflies this morning, got flustered a few times. But all in all, I LOVE being part of this classroom and the Ridgeview community. The verse from Esther about "for such a time as this, you have been created" has come to mind lately. I feel very blessed and humbled to be in this 6th grade classroom. I'm learning a lot from the kids! (in fact, I need to go figure out the answers to a 9 grid math paper so I know the answers!!)