Mindful Monday

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in your own sunshine.~Ralph Waldo Emerson


This quote really made me think. Sometimes I just need to get out of my own way and really hear the compliments and enjoy the good things in my life.

We have recently had a lot of visitors at my school. I had at least 15 principals from NY city watching me teach a lesson. We are an NUA (National Urban Aliance) demonstration school. We have been a part of NUA for a while so these strategies are just part of the way I teach. All these principals were coming to see what we have been using that works. It was overwhelming but we got such positive feedback about how impressed everyone was by us. We also have a new reading program and more people were coming in to watch and make sure we were doing it properly. Gone are the days that teachers just close their doors and are on their own. The woman actually leaned over in the meeting and said that there are great things going on in your room. That same day the director of reading was in my room taking pictures of student work to show other schools and told me how impressive the work I was getting from my students was. The next day I got a note from a parent telling me that she was so happy that her daughter was in my room and that she wanted me to know that her daughter told her that I inspire my students to learn. I think that was the best out of all of the comments that I'd received. As a teacher I rarely get feedback. It really feels good to hear that you are doing a good job.

Then I had a wonderful weekend with the family just spending time together. Can you tell they are related? Which ones are sisters? In fact, there are twins in the group too. I often think they could all pass for sisters. My weekends have been helping me unwind and realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. They are my sunshine.

I'm shreding

On Saturday my husband were out separately at the same time. We both came back with the same item for me. It was the 30 day shred. I've wanted this for quite some time now and he usually doesn't buy my anything to do with losing weight for fear of insulting me so I thought I was safe buying it. I guess great minds think alike. This is only day three for me but I can do twenty minutes of anything. Let's see if I am still saying that on day 20.

I've also been doing weight watchers now for four weeks and I am happy to say that I am down 11 pounds. I am really loving their new points plus program. I mean look at Jennifer Hudson. She looks amazing. It really does work!

I have always struggled with my weight but after having babies it became even harder. Yes I realize that my babies are now 3 and 6 but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Is anyone else shreding or want to join me? We can cheer each other on :)

My Valentine's Day plan

Since we are stuck inside again I figured it might be kind of fun to get started on our valentines. Between school, daycare, girl scouts and I'm sure there's more, we have quite a few valentines to give out. I couldn't decide between the two so we'll just do both. Check out the links on the pictures to see the instructions. I also started thinking about what else I have planned for that day at least the food part. Come on now that is the most important part. We are starting the day with pink pancakes.

I'll pack a heart shaped peanut butter and jelly for lunch.

Not sure about dinner but for dessert we'll do heart shaped brownies. I really think that everything tastes better when it's pink or shaped like a heart on Valentine's Day

What are your Valentine Day plans?

A letter to my mother

Dear Mom,
Happy Birthday! You would have been 64 today and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. Sometimes it's with a smile when I think of a special memory which I find seems to happen more often now. I can talk about losing you to people without breaking down every single time. I am grateful for every minute I had with you but I still get so mad when I think about how many more we were supposed to have. I see you in my girls, in how they act and what they say. I wish you had more time with them because I know becoming a grandma was one of the happiest and proudest moments...both times.

I worry about dad and know that he misses you just as much as me and probably even more. I try to invite him over and he comes but he never stays very long. I wish he would. I also try to watch out for my brothers and know that you are watching over them. We will be celebrating a college graduation in May and I'm so proud of him. I know you would be too. I always feel that you are with me in my heart. I think about your words of advice and hope I still make you proud. I like to share pictures and stories with my girls and let them know the person that you were. That is what makes me saddest is that they lost their grandma. They will know you through me.

Love always,

Kathy

Now for some more snow

Wow! This has been the snowiest month ever. Even though we are all shoveled out...thanks to my husband. We aren't going anywhere. It's a jammie day today. We'll be watching movies, coloring and baking today. There's no place I'd rather be right now :)

Snowy days

So it's been snowing like crazy in Connecticut! We have had two days off from school which does not happen often. I can't remember the last time there was snow like this. Not since I was a kid. I mean seriously the snow is up to Alyssa's knees. We did go out for a little bit but my girls did not last long. Honestly neither did I. I like to look at it but play in it not so much.So afterwards this is how we ended up. Sharing a snuggie, eating some popcorn from our new air popper and watching a movie. Could they be any cozier? Hope you're all staying warm.

Feeling stressed and sleepless

I want to be this girl. So relaxed and carefree but come on realistically do I have time to lay down in a field and just do nothing besides the fact that's it's winter.

I don't really know what's on my mind. It could be work, the issues that the company my husband works for is having and will probably be out of business in the next few months, or that January was my mom's birthday and I'm missing her. Whatever it is something is not letting me sleep.

Seriously the site that I found the non-stressed girl on did have some good tips. Some were very simple but still those are the ones that I tend to forget. Here's a quick list:
keep a journal
exercise
enjoy some music
laugh
comfort yourself with rituals
take some me time
celebrate friendships
play
meditate
take a bath
There's a few more but these were things that have worked for me in the past but are easily forgotten.