It's official

I'm going to be a...
I know it's weird for me too, but I signed my contract this morning. Starting in September I will be a co-teacher/assistant in the 3 year old class at a church here in town. The preschool is 3 days a week for 3 hours. Owen will attend Mother's Morning Out at the church while I teach. I'm excited about this new opportunity and look forward to how God is going to use me and what he is going to teach me through this experience.

(PS I posted 3x today! Keep strolling down for cute pictures of Owen.)

A Year in Review

One thing I love about keeping up with a blog is that I am able to go back and see how the Lord has worked in our lives. 2008 was an amazing, exciting, but also hard year for the Cox family.

The year started off hard as I was in the midst of a major discipline problems in my classroom. I was constantly upset and frustrated for a handful of males students. Later the situation would escalate and led to many conferences with my principal. She would later give me a poor review and ask a behavior specialists to come in to assist me. This was by far my hardest year of teaching.

January also brought the beginning of Jeremy's job search. We started off by following a lead to Charlotte. Though we were offered the job, we feel very confident that we were not supposed to be there.

February brought the best news of all...we were expecting our first child. The blog the next few months was potporried with updates on my belly and the baby growing inside of it.

May brought a month of graduations. My brother graduated from ASU and Jeremy graduated from seminary. It was a huge milestone for both of them! We celebrated by taking a family trip to Williamsburg, VA.

This year was also the year of weddings. This summer we went to 8 to be exact. We were really excited for all our family and friends but it was exhausting..and expensive!

I spent the summer sewing and preparing for Owen's arrival.

Jeremy searched and interviewed for jobs all year and finally at the end of July accepted a job at Nash Community College. The job was not church related and was back in my home town...totally different than anything we imagined. We were grateful for the Lord's blessings and now can see how His hand worked through the whole process. (Jeremy is now enjoying his new position and have adjusted to life in a small town.)

In July we also celebrated our 4 year anniversary. It was our last one kid-less!

August brought a new teaching position for me. I moved into a specialist role as a technology teacher. It was an awesome position and perfect for the state I was in (big!).

September brought the early arrival of our beautiful baby boy. He is such a joy in our lives and we couldn't imagine our lives without him now. As you know, his birth was easy but the days following were very hard. He is now healthy and strong and growing like a weed!

October 31st we bought our first home! We feel like such grown-ups now! We spent most of November unpacking and organizing.

The holidays were great and we enjoyed all of Owen's firsts!

What an amazing year! We can only praise God for His many blessings and provisions. I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to work in 2009! Happy New Year!

My new classroom

I'm sorry for the infrequent posts lately! With school starting back and my job title changing so last minute, I have had a lot to do. We have now made it to Friday and through the first week of school (well at 3:45 we will). I am teaching technology and I see 5 classes a day for 45 minutes grades 1-5. The 4th and 5th graders are so confused as to why I'm teaching computers because many of them had me when they were in 3rd grade. It's been a fun adjustment though, yet somewhat boring. I have said the same lesson 20 times already and will have to do it 10 more before I see the first round of kids again. I like the freedom though of not having to plan so much and not take work home. It's been great for me as I've been super tired. Getting back into the grove of things as been hard when you have been less mobile all summer.

For your viewing pleasure, I have included some pictures of my newly redecorated computer lab. This is where I spend my days now!

This is the sign that greets them at the door.

The view from the door. As you can see, I have two carpets on the floor where the kids sit when they first come to clas. My laptop and LCD projector are on the cart; I use these to guide the lessons.

My paper station. There is a mailbox for each teacher along with office supplies.

My desk beside the clock showing the school time.
Oh The Places We'll Go this year! You can't see it very well in this picture but the street signs have all the technology objectives and each class I see is driving a little car on the road. You may notice the colored cups on each computer. These cups tell me when the kids need help. They change them depending on what level of help they need.

Overall, the year is off to a great start. The teachers are excited about having me in this role and I'm excited for the change. I promise to start blogging more...there is lots to catch you up on from a baby shower in Boone last weekend to putting an offer on a house. We have a wedding in the Outer Banks this weekend so I'll try and update you on it all after the weekend. Have a great Labor Day!

A new position

This has been weeks in the making but it's not until today that it came to fruition.

A couple of weeks ago I went to school to get some information from my principal for the website and she asked me how Jeremy's job search was going. I told her at that time that Jeremy got a job in Rocky Mount, then she proceeded to ask me if I was resigning and moving. I told her no that I intended to work until the baby came but after that I didn't know what we were going to do. At that time, I saw that we had still had the technology teacher position open so I suggested to her that I could fill that position and she find someone else to teach 2nd grade. This way the kids would have less transitions. She thought it was a good idea but she wanted to think about it while she was on vacation.

Once she returned, she liked the idea and had figured out who could replace me. In the meantime, another 2nd grade teacher came in to resign and put a kink in the plan. She took my replacement and filled the other teacher's place. Now she had to put out a search and interview for my position. Last week we finally hired a great lady and everything looked set. That was until this week when two women by the same name tried to get a job in Wake County. Our recommendation got kicked to the curb because they thought the woman had already gotten a job at the high school. Finally everything got settled but our applicant was stuck in the hiring process. As of yesterday, we weren't sure whether or not she could get approved in time to start teaching on Monday. This would mean that I would have to teach 2nd grade. I was stressed to the max because all week long I have been preparing the computer lab and getting ready for technology classes. The 2nd grade classroom was not ready and I had already moved all of my stuff downstairs or back home. I hadn't thought about 2nd grade at all!

Today all was made better though as I walked through the front door and was greeted by my principal. My replacement was at school and in the classroom! HR had made an exception and had sped through the process and allowed her to come to school without going to orientation first. PRAISE THE LORD! He is so faithful and works out everything for the good of those who love Him. Many prayers have been answered in this situation.

I am really excited about my new position as a technology teacher! I love the content area and I love the fact that I won't have to leave a classroom of full of 2nd graders behind. Let's just hope we don't hit another snag before school starts on Monday. Ok lunch break is over and back to work on lesson plans for computer class!

What's new with the Coxes?

Today was haircut day, which is always a fun day for me. I love getting haircut and getting a new style. While I didn't intend to get it cut this short, I'm satisfied with the results.


A couple of weeks back I showed you this bag and told you that we had ordered it to use as a diaper bag. We thought it would be a more gender neutral bag that both Jeremy and I could both carry. Well once it arrived, I wasn't as impressed with it. It's a great bag, but not what I wanted in a diaper bag. So I returned it to REI. Last week, I began to search for new bags after looking around the nursery at church. I did some investigations and found this brand I really liked but they were more than I wanted to spend. That's where Ebay came in. I got this bag for HALF of the price of the original and it still has the tags on it! It came in the mail today and I'm super happy!

In that same post, I told you about our stroller system being recalled so we picked out another one. Well last week we found out that the problem had been fixed and they are now back on the market! I'm excited because I liked our original stroller better. You can see it below. Some other new things...Jeremy has a job interview on Monday for a graphic design position back in my hometown. I'm excited for him but honestly not excited about it's location. I'm not thrilled about moving back to RM if he gets the job. I have enjoyed living in the Triangle since I left for college. I love all it has to offer, esp. our church and the stuf to do! If this is where the Lord is calling us, then I will go willingly. My desire is to serve and glorify Him.

Many of you have asked about his interview that he had a few weeks ago. It has been 2 weeks since the interview and he called to follow-up on Monday and they said they had one more week of interviewing and would possibly make a decision next week. Please continue to pray for this situation. Summer seems to flying by and the weeks until school and the baby come are coming closer. I'm scared that the time will come when I have to start a new grade level and pack up and move all while being pregnant. Please pray for us!

Behavior Management

For the most part, this blog has been light-hearted and just about surface things. Today however it is not. I am going to be very open and honest in this post and reveal my inadequacies. It's not easy...

This year of teaching by far as been my hardest. I have always struggled with behavior management because I have tried to show my kids love and compassion especially since many of them do not get it at home. In my hopes of doing this, I usually stick myself in the foot by not being consistent or stern enough with the kids. This has hurt me this year more than any other year as I have a couple of really hard kids.

Evidently the administration of my school has taken note of this and have spoken to me about it. With final evaluations coming up, I was given a letter that stated I need to change my ways or my evaluation would reflect it. Needless to say, I was very upset. Many times this year, I have asked for help (at the point of tears most of the time, which later on I figured out that the pregnancy hormones were also to blame!). They offered suggestions and I took them back to the classroom, but many of them were not concrete ways to make a huge difference.

So when the letter came, detailing all my faults, I was rather taken back. I went to both administrator to discuss it with them, which left me feeling like failure as a teacher. They discussed the amount of discipline issues and office referrals these 3 children had this year compared to last year and they felt like if they had been with a strong disciplinarian then they would have been more successful. They also said they had been there to help me and they had offered me workshops and assistance. They also told me that I needed to show significant growth before final evaluations or I would be put on a sort of probation next school year. WHAT IN THE WORLD!? Of course, I cried and began to worry as to what this would mean to my teaching career. My assistant principal was worried that it may affect me receiving tenure this year. Also this letter was now to be put in my HR file in the county office for every future principal to see. I was devastated. What a way to start Spring Break, uh?

To this day, I still feel as though I being treated unfairly. These children are very difficulty and have emotional issues that stem outside of the classroom. All 3 were referred to the counselor for anger management and two of them have outside assistance for the behavior. They get in trouble in other classes, like specials, but yet it is my fault. Second, the administration has been in my class, once, maybe twice. Both of my observations this year have been with my math class, who are a collection of kids from each 3rd grade homeroom. The only picture they have of my class has been what I have told them or what they have observed in the hallway. I know that I am to blame for some of it. I know that I haven't been as consistent with them as I could have been. I didn't demand respect from them or out of them in the beginning of the year like I should have, and now it's biting me in the butt. But still... Everyone else who interacts with these kids during the day, know what I am up against. Even one of my parents, sees it when she comes in on a weekly basis. I just don't know what to do.

The administration has now sent in a behavior specialist in the county to come and help me, because that's how big they think the problem has become. The specialist is an incredibly kind and helpful guy, who has been very encouraging to me. He has observed in my class and feels like I am doing much better than they give me credit for. He thinks that the letter is ridiculous and wrote something on my behalf. He has come in a couple more times to observe and meet with me and every time he is very complimentary. I feel good about his comments, seeing how he goes all over the county to help teachers.

Yesterday I found out that my final evaluation is this coming Friday, just two school weeks since receiving the letter. Originally I was told it would be towards the beginning of May. I ask you...how can you show significant growth in two weeks? I am afraid to ask anything about it in fear that they have already made up their mind on me. When I asked my peers for advice, they said I should refuse to sign the evaluation until they give me more time and actually come and observe in the classroom. The behavior specialist is very optimistic and thinks that there is no way they will mark me down on my final, but I on the other hand, am not.

Will you please pray over this situation? Please pray that I would be respectful to my superiors even though I feel like I am being treated unfairly. Pray that my new strategies will be effective and make a huge difference in the class. Pray also that I would be able to form relationships with these boys that would help them respect me more. Pray also that I would put my full trust in the Lord with this situation. It is all in His Hands and I need His strength and wisdom to make it through.

(Thanks for reading all the way to the end...I know it was long!)

What I Did on My Spring Break :)

Many times I make my kids write about what they did over their break so this my..

What I Did on My Spring Break:

For the first time ever, I have not wanted the weekend to come. This week off has been so great that it makes me dread going back to school. Here is why this week has been so great....

1) I've gotten to hang out with many old friends. This week I have had coffee, lunch, and dinner with a variety of friends that I don't usually get to see and it has been fabulous.

2) I have slept in every morning until about 9!

3) I have gotten to rest and watch MANY episodes of the Gilmore Girls from my new boxed set.

4) I haven't had to do school work or deal with students!!

5) I have gotten to spend more time with my husband!

Spring Break has been wonderful and makes me yearn for summer! Only 9 more weeks!

This week though the Lord has really been speaking to me about how I have lacked joy in my circumstances. I have let my circumstances change who I am. I wonder what my friends and co-workers think we they look at me? Do I reflect Christ in my life and the hope I have in Him? I feel like I don't. I know the reason is that I have shifted my priorities and have put my time in the Word on the back burner. Sunday in small group the ladies discussed how we can tell when our time in the Word has been lacking because our temper, patience, and joy is affected. It is so true! This quarter I want to try and wake up earlier or go to school later so that I can spend time with the Lord before school starts. I need to start my day with Him instead of ending it (when I'm sleepy and marking it off my checklist for the day). Please help keep me accountable to this!

In other fun news, my brother got his first job this week! After graduation, he will be moving to Charlotte to work for a financial planner. He is excited about the position because he already has a relationship with the owner (through his current internship) who is also a believer. Also by moving to Charlotte, he is able to live with one of his good friends, therefore sharing the bills. Congrats BP!

Please keep praying for Jeremy's job hunt. He has sent out TONS of resumes and we haven't had any call backs. Graduation is quickly approaching and our lease is soon to run out, so we really would like to know the next step.

Ok that's enough for now..

Spring Break has begun!

Spring Break has officially started and we've been busy ever since.

Friday night we went to Betsy and Brian's wedding. Betsy and I have taught third grade together for 2 years at Forest Pines. Sadly I don't have pictures to post yet because I forgot my camera and I'm waiting on someone else to send me theirs. I'll post them later.

Saturday we went to Chapel Hill for my sorority's alumni lunch. During my 4 years at UNC, I was a sister of Phi Beta Chi, a Christian sorority. I loved the girls and the sisterhood and was excited about going back to visit. For once I felt really old! I didn't know any of the current sisters and most of them won't graduate until 2010! It was fun though and I really enjoyed hearing about what is going on the sorority now. Plus we had yummy food at The Carolina Inn and I got to see lots of old friends. Here is the big group picture of alumni and active sisters.

Sunday after church I met Mom and Dr. Pat in Smithfield for some outlet shopping! Mom was really sweet and bought me a couple of pieces of maternity clothes including a cute dress for the summer. We have 7 (yes, 7!) weddings this summer so I'm definitely going to need the dress.

Today I've been busy washing dishes and clothes and will go to RM for the afternoon for my bi-annual dentist appointment. I've been a slacker and never found a dentist here in Raleigh. I'll eat dinner with mom and dad before coming back. Tomorrow is my next doctor's appointment and breakfast and dinner with 2 different fun friends.

It's going to be a fun week! Yay for not having to go school all week!

ACC Day

Yesterday was the first official day of the tournament. But today was the first day I really cared about. Because Carolina typically plays the noon game every year, I have had to come up with a way to watch the game at school. Easy...incorporate it into your lesson plans and you can watch it.

This morning, I divided my kids into 5 of the ACC teams and they made banners to cheer on their team. Afterwards, they did all ACC basketball word problems which we used for our math basketball game. Here at lunch, we are watching the Heels play FSU while we eat. This afternoon we'll write basketball poetry. The kids are really into it yet they talk too much for my liking during the game. I would show you how cute they are but for security purposes, I better not show them.

Let's hope that UNC can pull out the victories this weekend and secure their #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Have a great weekend! GO HEELS!

"She should find another profession"

A parent actually said this about me this week to my principal. This parent was extremely fired up when the assistant principal called to tell her that her son was once again in the office. Her son was ridicuously rude to me and another teacher and then went into a fit of rage. He was throwing things, hiding in a corner, and yelling. When he finally calmed down, he refused to any work and draw. At my wits end, I finally got a parent to watch my class so I could write him up.

The assistant principal retrieved him from class and interviewed him while his mom was on the phone. This mom hates our school already thinking that everyone is against her child and in her words "our administration is the rudiest, most condensending woman I've ever met and I have asked that they not talk to my child without me present." Funny thing is, I would probably describe her and her child that way. She then questioned the way I handled the situation and said that if I can't handle her son then I should find another profession. As you can probably tell, I was hot! I cooled off and then called her back giving her my spill and she finally retreated her meaness. She didn't realize how much of a tyrant he was being and she confessed that she didn't know what to do with him. Hello there is the problem!

But on that same note, I was trying to find another position. I heard I was a good candidate for the job so I was getting exciting. Today I found out though that I didn't have the required amount of teaching years to even be considered. BOO! Why do I need one more year of service to be more qualified? I have taught in this county for almost 4 years...doesn't that experience matter? Sorry I'm venting... I just REALLY wanted this position.

In other news, Jeremy has been asked to come interview at a church for a graphic artist job. We'll travel to Charlotte in February for that. I'm a little nervous about it honestly. Most of the time Jeremy does job interviews by himself and I hear about them later. This time around, I'm on display as well. Any suggestions from those of you who have done it before? I would love your advice.

Ok enough for now...report cards are calling...a teacher's work is never done.

Week in Review

So my blogger stalkers have commented on my lack of posts recently so I guess I should update.

Black Friday I went out shopping with my mom, aunt, and cousins. We didn't get much shopping done but we did take this picture with Santa. It took numerous takes trying to get everyone to keep their eyes open.



It was hard to go back to school this week but I have to say it is getting better. The new class started on Thursday and what a difference 3 kids make. While I still have many difficult children, having only 20 kids is wonderful! Our new team member is great and we seem to have a lot in common which makes things very easy.

The semester is coming to end for Jeremy so he is busy writing papers and studying. He has registered for his final 3 classes!! He will take one in the January term then 2 in the spring...then its graduation!!! Jeremy has "senioritis" so please pray that he can persevere to the end.

My birthday is Wednesday but we celebrated last weekend with the family because Mom is in Paris for the week on business. Jeremy and I will celebrate on Wednesday with a visit to the Cheesecake Factory.

I think that's it...really our lives are uneventful these days. Hopefully this next semester will bring more updates as Jeremy looks for a job and graduation approaches. Thanks for checking in on me nonetheless and continuing to stop by through the lack of posts. :)

You're Not Mean Enough

My principal told me this today. In the last post, I told you that my principal vowed to help me solve some of the issues that were going on in my classroom. Because every kid knows who the principal is, she sent her intern into do an informal observation. Of course, the kids showed their true colors so she got a true picture of what I deal with on a daily basis.

Today we had our post conference to discuss her intern's findings. My principal listened to my positions and then pointed out some areas of improvement. One area she said is that I'm too nice to the kids. She says that I expect them to do what I say (DUH! who wouldn't think someone would do what they ask esp. when you are the adult and they are a child), but she says I don't have enough follow through when a kids misbehaves. She says I'm not mean enough.

I would agree with this because I feel like there are very few options I can use as a consequence. The consequences I do have are not affecting some of these kids who are always giving me trouble. They don't care that I call their parents or that they have to walk part of their recess. They simply don't care! As for being mean, I would agree that I am not mean enough. I'm not mean by nature...I want to love on these kids and show them Jesus as much as I can (without saying it). Many of them don't have that love and support at home and I want them to feel like they have it at school. I'm just confused on how to do both...how to be firm but loving.

In thinking about this, I am so worried about how I will be when disciplining my own children. Will I be too much of a softy? Luckily I have an amazing Savior who is there to offer guidance and support. In addition to him, I have a terrific husband who will be there to support me and help. As I've told him, I feel like the Lord has used this stage and teaching to teach me how to be a better parent.

Ok so fast forward two hours after the conversation with my principal, one of my problem child decide to have a huge outburst because I asked him to move to the back of the line. He blows up yelling at me in the hall, stomps up the stairs, and refuses to come into the classroom. Needless to say, I was hot! I was very unprofessional in my tone with him but I had had it with his fits of rage...and I was out to prove that he wasn't going to do this anymore. So I put my foot down and called the office to come and get him. I proved my point as he spent the rest of the afternoon in the office. The kids from that point were scared because they had heard my tone and by golly we had a calm afternoon for once. So maybe being mean does work...

They are making me crazy...

This has been the craziest most stressful week. My students are having a difficult time getting along and following directions. They are disrespectful to me and to each other. They don't respect my authority and feel like they can talk back and argue with what I say. They have anger issues and want to hurt themselves or others. Then there is their parents...one accused me of letting my kids evangelize in class, one of hurting her child on her purpose. It just never ends...

I feel helpless. I don't know what to do. I've learned to pick my battles but there are so many. I feel like more of a firefighter than a teacher. I've talked to my principal, the school counselor, the psychologist...everyone offering their sympathies but never a real solution.

I'm sorry to complain..

I survived..

the first and second day of school for the 2007-2008 year. After the craziness of last week I knew tht this week would be no different and I was right. Yesterday there were still big chuncks of the school that were incomplete, ie the kitchen, the gym...so we had to make due. No specials and lunch was shipped over from another school. Kids got lost in the halls and a bus got in a wreck and was over an hour late. But we survived, finally getting the last kid out the door at 5:30. Just in time, for our debut on WRAL. It was quite an exciting day!

In the end, I only ended up with 23 out of the 25 kids and boy are they a crazy bunch. I have about 6 ADHD kids that are just bouncing off the walls so it's going to be an interesting year.

I miss my babies from last year though they at times drove me crazy. I look at them now so big and mature and long for them back in my class. I forget how young they come in and how much they truly grow in a year. I know eventually I will grow to love these too but its hard to remember that right out of the gate. So if you get a chance, please pray that God will give me wisdom, strength, and patience for this group and that I will love them as Christ does. Thanks!

Madness

That is the only word I can think of to describe the last 3 days. Tuesday afternoon as we were leaving our meeting, we found out we could finally get into our building on Wednesday morning at 8. Being the anxious person that I am, I was there at 7:50 ready to move in and get started. Knowing that Meet your Teacher night was at 5:30, I put on my IPOD, shut the door, and got working like a mad woman trying to make my room look presentable. At 2:30 we got the message that we had not been approved by the fire marshall to let children occupy the building. Because of this, we had to change our meet your teacher to another location..the building across the parking lot. Needless to say, it was mayhem when parents and kids got there and they realized they weren't going to be able to see the building. We did offer a consolation prize though and gave them the opportunity to come back today to see the building.

Personally I was happy b/c the building was not ready. There are a 100 some workers still there painting, fixing, pour concrete...it's a mess and honestly I'm surprised that we were open today. It came down to the wire. It's still not perfect, but we're moving on...school starts Monday and I'm still not prepared so I'll be at school tomorrow...on Saturday.

Ok I'm so tired...I'm off to bed but first wanted to send another Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband who has endured all my craziness this week. I love yoU!

We're still waiting...

Today marks the end of teacher workday #2 and we're still meeting at the high school. We got word today that the fire inspector came today but he found a couple of problems that must be fixed before he would order a certificate of occupancy. He is given the contractors until Wed. morning and then he would come back. Originally we were told we were moving in on Wed. so this seems to be a set back. Please join us in praying that the workers could easily fix the problems and the inspector would come back earlier so that we could get in to prepare for the kids.

On the flip side of that, we found out our schedules had changed and now I am back to having a normal lunch time.. yay for 12:05! I also have a special everyday which is wonderful! Also while these 2 days have been no fun in meetings, it has been a good time to get all the meetings out of the way and be able to plan as a grade level. If only we could get to our files, it would be even better.

Here is the latest picture of the school. We are the building at the top and N. Forest Pines (the year round school) is the one on the bottom.

So please continue to pray for us as we wait..somewhat patiently! :)

Webmaster

This summer I have taken on a new role at school: webmaster! Being married to a graphic designer, I have come to learn a little bit about graphics and web design. Our school website was in need of a little TLC so I volunteered to take on the task since the current webmaster didn't know a whole alot. Finally after 4 weeks and almost losing the whole thing, I now present the new Forest Pines Drive Elementary website.

It is finished!

PTL as BP would say...(that's Praise the Lord) this year has finally come to a close. At 3:45 today I hugged the children goodbye and sent them on their ways, as the teachers did a little dance and cheer in the hallway. As I look back, the year went by really fast on a whole though at times the weeks crept by. New school, new team, new rules but all in all I enjoyed the year.

Appreciated

This week was Teacher Appreciation week at my school. The kids were very gracious and brought me flowers, candy, and gift cards. It was all very sweet and much appreciated!

Next week is the last week of school (finally!). I have 3 moms who have been weekly to help us out in the classroom. As a thank you for them, I took the above picture of the kids spelling out thank you. I'm going to frame and mat it and let the kids sign their names. I just thought I'd share it with you since it was so stinkin' cute!(Click on it to make it bigger!)

Worn out

Coming out of a 3 day weekend, you think I would be more relaxed and ready to take on the world of 3rd graders again. Boy was I wrong!

First thing this morning I had to be in a student support meeting then we finally received our end of grade test scores. For those of you not in the teaching world, these scores are a big deal. They show how much your students have absorbed from you over the year and as a whole, it determines if your school met their No Child Left Behind and annual year progress standards. A lot of sweat, tears, and time go into these tests even if they are a dumb one time measure of a child's ability. Overall my kids did well though I was a bit disappointed because a few of my kids didn't live up to their potential. Some didn't pass and some just squeaked by. On the whole, everyone of my students made growth and our grade level did an awesome job. As a human, I compare myself to others sometimes unjustly. One of my peers had great scores and now I've been bummed about my own because they are not as high as hers. We all want to be successful at what we do, and it's time like these that I don't feel successful. Self-doubt really comes to play and I know its the hand of the devil but still it's hard to fight off.

Well after this huge confidence builder, we had field day. My kids have been together for a little too long and they know how to push each other's buttons, and today was no exception. Instead of helping each other and working cooperatively with one another to complete the tasks, they were at each other's throats. They were all trying to be the chiefs and nobody was listening to anyone. Needless to say, we didn't win the sportsmanship award. Below are some pictures of them at their stations. (ok I tried but blogger won't let me!)

The day was just long...then I had to go tutor. I'm home now and finally had dinner and it's time for more work. June 7th can't come fast enough!

Praise the Lord though for my awesome husband and his amazing homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream. It made my night! He's finally home now after going to prayer meeting. P.S. Our chuch is going through some cool new stages, which you can check out on our pastor's blog. www.jdgreear.com.

Ok off to my school work.