Perfect end to the week...

I was nearly brought to tears this afternoon....

My ED (emotionally disturbed) kiddo and usually MAJOR behavior problem had a PERFECT day!!
Chris* is a 5th grader that has daily tantrums, crying like a baby, melt downs...everything imaginable.  He has a BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) and checks in with me every morning and every evening.  We've only have him for 2 weeks and have already seen improvements in behavior (Mindy and Stephanie may disagree with me...but compared to how he started...it's been good girls!)  He came to my room this afternoon with his behavior chart COVERED in checks  and smiley faces!!  Not a single bad comment! I squealed...literally squealed in the hallway and gave him a huge hug!  I went crazy! I let him pick out several prizes from my box, and then proceeded to "show him off" to everyone in the school...my teammate, his teachers, the principal, the bus duty staff (who dealt with a meltdown yesterday)!! I mean I was marching down the hallway with his paper in my hand! By the  time I finally got him to his bus line I was near tears!!

Poor Mindy and Stephanie have been doing such a great job handling his melt downs, tantrums, crying, throwing things....so shout out to them!  They are such an amazing 5th grade team! Amazing classroom management and ability to work with students of all types!  I have LOVED working with them this last year and am excited for another! I love watching them teach and interact with the students!

The troublemakers in our school tend to be my favorite...I think it's because when they DO make progress it is always SO big! And to be able to deliver positive to a kid that is used to always hearing the negative and how terrible they are is so rewarding! I have some wonderful kiddos that I feel like I've gotten through to and the hardest part is always when they have to leave me.  These kids are usually the ones who move in and out of schools frequently...you just never think anyone can do as good of a job as you.  No one will love them or invest in them as much as you.  I had a family come through our school last year.  5th grade girl who has been on anti-depressants since she was in 2nd grade and was supposed to be in 6th.  A 3rd grader with what is currently just labeled as ADHD (but needs a psych eval).  They were taken from their mom by CPS and have been living with the same woman for the last several years.  I think they have now been to 12 different schools!  They are never in a school long enough for anyone to get to know their situation and work with them. I poured so much into them, especially the 3rd grade boy.  When his new school called for his records the first week of school I volunteered to hand deliver.  I spoke to the school about him and then got to see him!! Another tearful moment!  He was soo excited to see me and gave me the biggest hug!  I think of those two often. 

I could easily take home several of the kids that have crossed my path over the last few years.  One of the most important lessons I learned during student teaching is that you have to leave it all at work.  I can only control what happens during the 8 hours they are in school...I can not change anything in their home environment, I just have to make those 8 hours an escape and a place of comfort.  I work very hard to separate my personal and work life.  Always a challenge, but prayer and wine help! ;)

Speaking of...looking forward to spending an evening out with Miss Katie tonight.  I normally pass out by 8 on Friday nights, but this week has been soo great! I somehow still have lots of energy! God has just pointed out so many blessings to me this week and revealed that this is in fact where I need to be.  He has control...I just need to let Him take it!

Ok...gotta stop...I'm getting teary-eyed!


I hope everyone has a blessed week!

*Names changed for confidentiality

More Blessings

New addiction! I saw the commercial this week and did an impulse buy at Wal-mart.

I sure did polish off the rest of that box of Wheat Thins and will probably go buy more tomorrow just so I can finish off the cheese! haha!

And what goes best with cheese and crackers?!?

Wine of course!!

 So the one on the left is from the Naked Winery near Portland.  What is it about new/special wines that we wait forever to drink them?  I brought 4 bottles of wine back with me from Portland and have yet to drink any of them! I think it's because I spent more than $10 on them...makes me feel like it needs to be a special occasion!  The wine on the right however is what I actually opened...$8 at Sam's and another new addiction! It's delish!

Several years ago my sister and I took a road trip to Hot Springs, Ak (don't go to the bath houses unless you want to be bathed by Shaniqua!) and I bought my first red bottle of wine that I liked.  I didn't open it until this last year, and it had spoiled.  We can't keep waiting around for special occasions, we have to make them.  I have decided that I am going to make a reason to open those bottles this weekend.  I have so much to celebrate and be thankful for....why wait around for a special occasion when every day is a gift worth celebrating!  So with that said...who wants to join me for some fantastic wine this weekend?  I will cook and provide spirits!

So my day...after hearing about it, you will wonder why I am wanting to celebrate! haha!
Wanted to beat my head against a wall as I watched some of my 6th graders bomb an open book reading test! I mean I can't teach common sense and we've been working on problem solving skills for 4 years...I then watched my 5th graders bomb a place value test...I mean can it get any easier?! Oh and to top it all off...One of my 6th graders that I have had for 4 years came into my class and
"Can I go get a drink?"
"No" (continue teaching dividing with decimals)
"Can I go see the nurse? My head hurts again?"
"No, you'll be fine."
"Can I go to the nurse, I think I'm going to throw up?"
"No, you'll be fine" (pause for a moment...this all sounds like deja vu...this kid DID throw up in my room last year...but I think he is just trying to get out of work).
"Uh...You're in 6th grade now, if you feel sick you can make it to the trashcan"
(I was pretty sure he would just go to the bathroom, fake throw up so he can go home...they have all tried it with me)
About 10 minutes later...runs for the trashcan.
I am quite proud of myself...I did not skip a beat and kept teaching my lesson...mid sentence without looking away from the board told him to carry the trashcan with him to the nurse.

This is the sign of a truly seasoned teacher...correction truly seasoned SPECIAL ED teacher.  I've been drooled on, peed on, cleaned up poo, changed a 17 year old's diaper...it's a glamorous life, be jealous!

PS For all of you well seasoned Bloggers...I have advertisements on my blog now, does this mean I can expect a check soon?!? haha! that would be wonderful!

I hope everyone has a fabulous evening and rest of the week...I'm serious about celebrating with friends this weekend!!

Just a good day

Today was a terrific day...and for no apparent reason.  I guess it's that feeling of peace about where you are in your journey and contentment with your life.

I walked into school this morning carrying WAY more than I can hold (but I refuse to make two trips) and spilled my water all over the hallway in front of my room and there was an ear piercing alarm going on and off for about an hour. You would have thought it would have been a "case of the Mondays" but instead I just laughed it off and cleaned it up. I only had one group to finish planning for the entire week! I also left school today knowing that I was done planning and had all my materials for the rest of week.  It is just such a great feeling to finally feel like I am ahead of the game. I have become super organized and so I am able to do so much more with my lessons and be better prepared.

Therapy with Jake* went wonderful as well!  My supervisor came to go through files and observe and I had the opportunity to show off all the cute things he's learned.  I love doing therapy with Jake because it doesn't feel like another 2 hours of work at all. He absorbs everything so quickly and is so stinkin cute so I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I leave. 

The simple joys in a teacher's day:
Alice* my kindergartner with AU had ZERO meltdowns today! yay!
I got to use the bathroom....more than once!
I got to eat lunch sitting at my desk, not walking down the hallway
My lessons went without a hitch

Things are just going right for the first time in a long time, and I only have God's timing to credit it....not some guy,  I finally feel freedom from the need to be with someone, to take care of.  On pintrest today I saw a quote: "Having faith in God is having faith in his timing"  This is so very true...nothing happens by coincidence, it is all a part of a plan much bigger than us.  God has shown me this time after time.

I know I rambled a lot tonight, but that's kind of where my thoughts are...all over the place.  I am ending my great day with a glass of wine outside in this gorgeous 80 degree weather with the puppies. The distant sound of other families outside in their backyard and kids being called to come in as the sun goes down.

Life doesn't get much better than this.


*Names are changed for confidentiality

Fail...or not?

I did not do anything with the pallet except remove it from the back of my car (an accomplishment all in it's own). I did however run "errands" for 4 hours.  I found many Goodwill and Thrift store finds.  I then made a trip to Micheal's, which was another mistake for my wallet!  I found sooo many great finds and can't wait to complete some of them!  Needless to say I won't be getting any lesson plans done tomorrow! haha!

Goodwill purchases:

Chandelier $9.99

Silver "frame" missing the backboard $3.99--mount on the purple wall in my room so the color shows through or scrapbook paper/pictures in the holes and hang in the bathroom

Jewelry box with missing knobs $5.99--sand, repaint/stain, new lining, new knobs

Block shelves $5.99--Sand and repaint

A&M metal sign $9.99 WHOOP!--Hang it outside with my other one (duh)

Men's shirt $2.99--try the skirt made out of a men's shirt project I found on pintrest

Thrift Store purchases:

Wall hook (for my flags outside) $1.99--to hang the Aggie sign!

Mason jar $2.99--make into a soap dispenser for the kitchen (I love the worn metal lid)

2 children's books (not pictured) $2--for my kiddos!

Sandpaper, new foam brushes, spray paint, and chalkboard paint...oh my!

I have been wanting to play around chalkboard paint so I'm excited!! The flowers are for barrettes and/or headbands (yellow for school!)

Breast cancer awareness flag--walking in the 3-day in November!

I have been eyeing a pile of stuff next to this house for a week...I finally got the guts to knock on the door and ask about it (my sudden motivation came from the Picker Sisters, which I am completely addicted to now!)

My car full of my finds from the day! (There's wine somewhere under there...made my monthly trip to Sam's for dog food, coffee and wine)

This is what I got at the yellow house

There were 2 of these, but the 2nd one is in pieces (on top) I figure I can do something with these!

Bench or box out of the broken drawers, maybe a chair...who knows!!

In the back there is what I am guessing used to be a shoe rack--I'm going to paint it and hang in the laundry room as a drying rack

There are some cheap plastic molded pieces I found that are not pictured...they are a terrible faux gold color.  They should be great as wall scones after a little paint.

I can't wait to complete each of these projects and share them with all of you!

One man's trash is soon to be my treasure!!

I am off to get sushi with Katie...we've gone 2 whole weeks without seeing eachother and I am going through withdraw.  Pretty sure it will be a late night with her and then I'm coming home to get started!!

Hope you have enjoyed your weekend...we still get one more day...whoo-hoo!

Sunday Project: Pallet shelves

Driving home the other day I spotted a pallet on the side of the road.  I sure did U-turn and pull over on the little 2 lane road that leads to my neighborhood. I had just worked 13 hours, but mustered up my last bit of energy to load this thing.  It was a little worn, which is perfect! The great thing about pallet projects is the worn look of the wood, almost like barn wood (which I am determined to one day have).

So...turns out those suckers are heavy!! I pictured just walking up and tossing that thing in the back of my highlander, not the case.  I provided entertainment for several commuters that afternoon as I attempted to hoist that thing into the back of my car!  Success...but it's still there a week later! haha! 

I am determined to do something with it today!

I found a multitude of pallet projects on pintrest...so let's see what I can create.

Laundry Room

Stencil letters on the wall...it will be a long time before I do that again!
If you do decide to stencil letters on the wall here are some tips:

• Use a level to draw a guide line with a pencil
• Tape the letters on the wall with painter's tape to hold it in place
• If the wall is textured use the stencil as more of a guide and "hand paint" the letters.  I attemped to just 'sponge' it with a foam brush...disaster!)
• Used regular craft paint for this project
• After it all dries, use a foam brush to create smooth lines

Trash to treasure: side table

I might have found this outside of someone's house on trash day...it looked like a cigarette had burned inside and it was missing the top...

Glued the drawer back together
Sanded
Painted white
Polyurethane top coat

I was going to make a shadow box in the top, but have decided that my wood skills are not as advanced as I thought!  It is still sitting in my garage until I decide what I am going to do....Suggestions welcome!

Before

Mid-project...

Repurposed Magazine holders

I have been using a set of pass me down x 100 ugly brown magazine holders in my classroom.  Since I finally had some time to myself this 3-day weekend, I decided to give them a makeover!
I will post how I use them in my room later this week.

Free project:
1. paint with craft paint (these were a terrible dark brown so it took 2-3 coats)
2. cut scrapbook paper the length of the back spine and front
3. apply thin layer of modge podge to where you want scrapbook paper
3. use a credit card/id to smooth
4. a coat of modge podge over the entire thing

Determined to get organized this year!

I teach resource, which means I am usually planning for several grade levels and subjects each week.  I have tried a new organization system each year and this year it is survival that I stay on top of things:  with 2 jobs, 50+ hour work weeks and no longer able to stay at school into the wee hours of the night.

A file folder for each grade/subject each day of the week.  I just grab the folder(s) I need--with all the papers/manipulatives inside.

This is also perfect if I have to call a sub last minute...everything is there!

I aslo have an absent folder for each grade level.  As I am passing out assignments I immediately write the absent student's name on the paper and place it in the absent folder.  This way I don't forget who missed what assignment/days.



My space

My corner of the classroom (which I share with 2 other people)

New schoolyear...new classroom

My classroom for the 2011-2012 school year:

Organized library bliss

Math Wall with interactive place value chart (velcro)

Reading Center/Wall, Science and Writing



Hallway display



Canvas sketch paintings

Original inspiration: found at Hobby Lobby

I needed something bigger (and cheaper)

1. Bought a package of 7 canvas' from Micheal's for ~$20

2. Painted all the canvas' black

3. Sketched what I wanted to paint with pencil (if you are lacking artistic skill...you can also use a project to project the image and then trace)

4. Using the tip/edge of a small foam brush I traced those lines with white paint. Don't try to make it perfect...make short strokes so it will look as though you painted it with no guide!

Viola! You have an original masterpiece!

Coffee Table/Personal Transformation

I LOVED this project! I completed this several months ago while going through a rough time.
I have experienced a lot of change recently and I think that the transformation of this coffee table symbolizes what I have been through.  Before I could complete the project I have to first sand away the old and smooth the surface, then give it new life.  I also love the transformation from dark to pure white, which is what we become after making the Lord a part of our life....pure.

 I LOVED this project.
$15 find on Craigslist

Sand the furniture.  If you would like to restain the piece then strip the varnish first.  I was going for a worn look and wanted a little of the wood to show through. Use an electric hand sander for the top/bottom and a piece on it's own to get all the nooks and crannies. I bought a few different kinds of hand sanding foam blocks....Doing it on my own by hand was best.

 Paint the color you want...be sure to make all the strokes the same way (the direction of the wood grain is best).  I did 2-3 coats of white, allowing 24 hrs dry time between coats.  I topped with 2 coats of polyurethane to give a wipeable surface. 

If you want more interest in your piece, you can always modge podge a favorite scrapbook paper that matches your decor or pictures then cover with the polyurethane.

A New Beginning

I am new to blogging and feel like a little background is needed about me.  I am an Elementary resource teacher from Texas.  And have recently taken on a second job (thanks to budget cuts) doing ABA in-home therapy with an adorable 2 year old with autism!  A little over a year ago I went through a divorce, at 24.  Though God never causes us pain, he does turn it into something beautiful.  With the help of my family,  friends and faith I have survived the last year and am looking forward conquering anything that comes my way in the future! My form a therapy lies in creating.  I love taking "old" or "used" things and turning them into something beautiful.  I think this is a recent obsession of mine because of what I have experienced.  At first I felt like 'used goods' but God has transformed me, much like I transform the crafts that I make. This blog is for projects with a few funny stories from my kids and dating experiences sprinkled in.