School Gardens

Many of you know that I have been posting pictures or comments about our school garden.  I am in charge of this project after the torch got handed to me at the end of last summer.  This year I have only had a couple of kids faithfully come, but that makes it all the more special for me.  I can pour into these few kids more specifically than a huge bunch.

One young girl that signed up to be a garden mentor basically apologizes for existing sometimes.  I have continually told her she doesn't need to apologize for anything when she comes to the garden unless it's something very serious.  My secret goal for her for the summer was to boost her confidence and her ability to be bold.  On the day that I took her and another student to fair, I talked to them about what to expect and things they could talk to the judges about and my own fair days.  She did not apologize once and was so confident when talking to the judges that she was asking the questions too!

I love building relationships with kids in the school that I wouldn't normally come into contact with.  When we get back to school, They have one more adult to come too and trust.  When we get back to school, the kids will continue to talk about the school garden.  Its so great to interact and teach these kids in a non-academic setting and see their dedication and pride as the summer marches on.

School gardens are an amazing project!  Ours started 3 years ago with a grant.  I remember that beautiful spring day with a few of us staff members building the garden beds.  I helped out a little that first summer during summer school.  The kids were so excited to get out and get dirty and take home some veggies.  Last year, I signed up to come every Thursday to help.  I hauled August along and he loved being there too!  That's the beauty of this project.  It's not just for the kids that attend school there.  It's a benefit to the teacher's kids, parents who come along to help, and to other family members that come with the students.  All of these different individuals working together for a common purpose is so cool!

Many of these kids don't know how vegetables they eat on a day to day basis look in their natural form.  Some of the things we've planted the last couple years are new to me as well, so I'm learning right along with the kids.  I've never eaten egg plant before.  We grew it last year and the plant looked pretty neat with beautiful blooms.  This year we planted okra.  I still have no idea what it will look like on the plant, but the plant itself is huge!

I will continue to advocate for our school garden and encourage kids to come.  They need a connection that keeps going after school is out for the summer.  They need a connection to each other, and they need a connection to their food.  Every school should have a school garden!

#seniorhigh

I've tossed around a title for too long.  Maybe that was why its taken me so long to write about my week at camp.  I thought about Sweet Repeats, Look at the Ring I Made Today in the Craft Room, and others that I can't think of now.  And maybe, I just wasn't ready to write until now.

Sunday I was so glad to go to camp!  It had been 6 months too long since I had let the Valley refresh me to my core.  It was just plain too long since I had been back.  I didn't go back for the whole summer this year.  I had sadly reached that point where my age and all that comes with growing up was limiting my work at camp.  I had been saying since last year that I would hopefully be setting up my classroom and stuff this summer.  I kept saying that I would at the very least be back for Senior High.

Sunday I left super excited!  I wouldn't be talking to Dustin at all for the week, I would be back in the Valley, I would be the most focused on God I had been in quite a while, I would be surrounded by some of my best friends again, I would meet new staff, I would have campers, etc.  The closer I got, the less I could contain myself.  I was bouncing and singing and screaming and laughing and smiling so hard my face hurt.  Before I even put my car into Park, I could see Lu racing to me across the yard.  And then all the reunions started!  It was WONDERFUL!  I got to see all of my old friends, get embraced in so many hugs, and meet so many new staff that I would come to love by the end of the week.  Soon, Andy Ott informed me that I had reached a sort of legend status at camp.  Apparently, my name comes up a lot.  I am also in the first name/last name club with the likes of Jim Day.

I soon just jumped into the swing of things.  It was almost as though I had been there the whole time.  I found out I would have some repeat campers from last year.  I was living in Lower Level which is located in Tom and Camie's house.  I started to roam waiting for them to arrive.  They were excited to see me again.  Before I knew it, we had our opening, a little switch in campers, played a game, ate supper, had chapel, and the first night of camp was done.

Monday started with dishes.  My crew kicked butt!  I do enjoy the dish room.  I like to be the runner who brings the tubs back to be sorted and washed.  And then I jump in to help with other parts too.  The day progressed and soon, it was time to go to the Craft Room with Alison and Lu.  I don't know if they really thought that through...

I was beginning to get to know my girls and we were having a great time!  The week went on and I really began to develop relationships with them.  They are in high school and going through some tough stuff.  One of them is headed to college this fall.  I was really proud of her for opening up because she told me up front she often changes the subject to the other person so she doesn't have to talk about herself.  Each girl is truly amazing and I love them all dearly.  I am so proud of each and every one of them.

Anyway, the week went on with basically the same routine every day.  Lu, Alison, and I shared my blanket for TAG time, I was blown away by God's goodness, I began to open up about my struggles in the last 6 months, and I began to feel freedom again.

Tuesday was Lu's 22nd birthday.  Let's just say that by the end of the day I hardly had a voice...  We had a great day of presents, Mickey Mouse tattoos, singing T. Swift's song, and we ended the day with an ice cream party!  :)

The girl with the glasses on the right is Jordan.  I've known her for the past 2 summers.  I've chatted with her every time she has come.  She could NEVER remember my name.  I asked her if she could this year and she did!  I didn't even say my name when I said hello on Sunday!  This gave us a special bond this week.  She is such a sweet girl.  She does have some special needs and therefore finds a special place in my heart.  She constantly talked to me this week and it was so sweet!  I even got invited to a pizza party because she made it all the way through chapel!  :)

Wednesday was AWESOME!  Along with all the typical, I had supper dishes.  Our crew started off a little rough because everyone forgot and showed up late.  I mean everyone.  Even Alison and I, the seasoned veterans.  We did get done in really good time.  That night was a lipsincing/dancing competition between the teams.  Dayton was in charge of ours.  I felt pretty confident since he leads worship and just came from a men's choir trip.  I was not expecting what I saw.  All the teams were great, but when my team showed their stuff, I was crying happy tears I was so proud!  I couldn't believe the talent that all the students had this week!  We found out later that WE WON!!!  :)

Thursday was the talent show.  Again, I sat there in wonder of all the talent in these kids!  I had some of my JUMP campers up there, I had some past campers and current campers sharing there talent.  I was like a mom in the audience yelling "That's my girl up there!"  And yes, I might have been crying during a few...  I'm just so stinking proud of my girls!

And then it was Friday.  The last full day of camp.  I was already dreading Saturday.  Friday I finished the one-on-one's with my girls,  we had the usual schedule, we dodged hail in the morning, had awesome worship, I helped with the Tiki Torch Cafe, and I read my girls Max Lucado's book, You Are Special.  I do this every single week with my girls no matter their age.

Saturday morning came and I knew I would be a wreck.  I had to say goodbye to 9 beautiful, talented, amazing girls.  I had to say goodbye to the new friends I had meet and some of my best friends in the world. I would have to say goodbye to the full-time staff who love me and that I love dearly.  I would have to say goodbye to the valley that I love.  And I cried.  I said goodbye to Gwen and my JUMP girls.  I'm just so stinking proud of them!  And then one of them said I was one of the reasons they want to be a teacher?!  That didn't help matters at all.  I recovered slightly, packed my car, and then we had a staff meeting.  There, along with Alison and Anna, a past camper, we were prayed for.  I cried again.  I told Anna goodbye and then I started saying goodbye to the staff.  I bawled when I said goodbye to Debbi, Camie, and Sue.  It was time to go do some emotional eating at The Skinny Dip.  Lu, Alison, and I were dragging out our time there because of the inevitable goodbye with 3 best friends.  And there we cried again.  In The Skinny Dip parking lot all because God has placed us in each other's lives and it hurts so much when we are separated.  As I drove away, I made it to Postville before having to stop for caffine and then I broke down again, but this time in raw honest prayer.  And then I was good the rest of the way home.  Just me and the radio blasting Jesus tunes.  Just me reflecting on the awesome week I had just experienced.

I love each and every one of these girls so much!

TMHTS Pt. 2

Refer back to Teach Me How To Sew Part 1.  Yep.  That was over a year ago that we started on that project.  And now, I am proud to announce that it is finished.  The best part about it was the added bonus of my best friend's birthday and a double date night at the drive in!

I came on Thursday and we got right to work!  We got that quilt in the frame.  It took quite a bit of time to sew all the backing onto the wooden frame, but we got plenty of chatting done in that time.  Whit was all about the iron throughout this project!  :)  We started tying those red strings on Thursday night.  We got through most of it.

Friday morning we got up and finished tying before Whit went to work.  I stopped by and let her play dress up with me before she was off the clock.  We got everything out of the frame and all the extra fabric trimmed off before we headed to the drive-in movie theater with the boys.

Saturday was the finale!  We got up and I set up my sewing machine.  Whit helped pull pins and shift that humongous quilt!  The binding was half on, and let me tell you, it was looking good!  While Whit trimmed the strings, I trimmed off a little extra fabric.

Then, another lesson was delivered.  I taught her how to hand sew the binding!  I did the corners for her, but she did the rest.  She worked steadily through The Aristocats and Avatar.  I left for a date with Dustin and the quilt was almost finished.  I come back and she had it finished and was snuggled up underneath its warmth!  :)  Caleb was pretty proud to have it on his bed!  :)

And she's already talking about another t-shirt quilt project...  :)

A Thimble In My Pocket

Usually in the winter, you can find me with a thimble in my pocket.  I typically have a quilt in the basement and some embroidery work upstairs.  I work on both and I need a thimble for both and usually, I just don't know where I'll be, so the thimble will be close by.

The last two mornings have been bliss.  Grammy invited me up the Historical Society to quilt with the ladies.  They always have something in the frame.  I love going up there.  I don't do that much talking, but I love listening to them talk.  They are always chatting about who is where, what they're sick with, who moved where, who bought what at a sale, and it goes on.

And then we quilt.  We quilt beautiful designs into stunning fabric that has created artistic patterns.  We take dainty little stitches that stand the test of time as the quilt will get used.  I learn little tips and tricks to increase my skill.  I learn from these ladies who are some of the best in the business that is all to quickly diminishing.  I learn about past projects, current projects, and prospective projects they are working on.

I simply enjoy my time with them.  I know that all I'll ever need to bring is my thimble.  

I Accept

Last Tuesday I had 2 interviews.  One of the interviews was at the building where Dustin works.  As much as I love him, I don't want to work at the same building.  We've talked about it.  We talked about both sides of that opportunity, should it arise.  At the same time, he's waiting to hear back about climbing the ladder.

I went to my first one.  I don't feel comfortable disclosing the names of the school just for confidentiality reasons, but my Facebook friends know.  I got lost.  I had to turn around and ask for directions from a guy at Pizza Ranch.  The school is a little large and a little like a maze.  When the secretary told me I could sit, I turned and there was only a little person chair.  I asked if there was a bigger one and by the time I got back from the bathroom I had one there.  My nervousness was beginning to grow.  I was greeted by the principal and welcomed by the teacher who I would be co-teaching with if I got the job.

We sat down for the interview and I couldn't shut up.  They asked me about my past experiences and of course I talked in great details about them all and talked highly of so many of my students.  Naturally, I grinned and giggled like anyone who knows me knows I do.  I was given a tour and some good news to end the interview.  Because this job hadn't been posted and I had been contacted because of other interest in the district, there were very few if any other interviews to conduct.  I would be notified by the end of the week.  At this point, I was in love with the school and the prospect of this job.  The room is kind of a younger version of where I'm at now.

On to the next interview.  This one was a little weird for me because I knew the people conducting my interview.  They had to handle some of my discipline problems when I did all I could and had to continue teaching.  I laughed at some of the questions just because I knew they knew somewhat of what my answer would be before I spoke a word.  They told me the same thing.  I would hopefully know by the end of the week.

Prayer, prayer, prayer.

Thursday was the day.  I had just gotten home and picked up the phone saying 'Unavailable.'  The principal from the first school called me offering me the job!  I took it right away!  I started jumping up and down excitedly and all but bouncing off the wall!  She gave me detail after detail and soon, she was offering to help in the apartment search just to make sure her new employee was in a safe part of town.

I called Dustin, he called Grandma Schuett and his parents.  They called everyone else and I was getting calls back of congratulations.  I called Whit and told my parents.  Excitement was buzzing through the phone lines that night.

Friday, the principal at the other school started asking Dustin if I'd accepted the job at the first school.  He called him twice on Friday night and again on Monday.  Ya know, sometimes, it's just nice to be wanted.  This morning, I got the call from him asking if I took another offer.  I had to tell him yes.  I think he was a little disappointed he didn't get to me first, but I don't think I'll be disappointed with where I'll be at!

This weekend, Dustin took me to some graduation parties in his area.  When introducing me, he said my name closely followed by my new employment.  I think he's just a little excited for me!  :)

Commonalities

Finding that common ground.  Pick up on commonalities.  Common, common, common.  This thought has been drilled into my head in my years at UNI.  Bill, last semester, was the main driller.  Whenever I hear the word, I hear it in his voice.  Seriously.  

Never in my whole life did I think that the common ground with my students would be as easy as princess stickers, talking about the day to day, high fives and Mario.

I seriously love these students so much!  I mean, how many people can say they have made cupcakes with a student who is blind?  Or dirt cups for that matter?  I love what I do!  I love the people I work with!  They make every day just a little bit better than it already was.

Yesterday one of my students was asking me about what radio station I listen to.  I told him I listen to country and Christian music.  He is the soft rock kind of guy so he was a little disgusted with my answer.  Somehow, the conversation got turned to George Strait.  Go figure since he is my FAVORITE!  I like to consider myself a George Strait Junkie of sorts!  :)  Anyway, Evelyn is one of the sweet paraprofessionals that I work with.  She's kind of like my grandma at school.  She was saying something about having George Strait records that she'd have to look for.  The subject changed and I never gave it another thought.

Today in the hub-bub of the morning, Evelyn came in and handed me a flat bag.  I opened it to 2 George Strait records!  She told me I could keep them!  I geeked really badly!  It was all I talked about today!  I annoyed my students a little when they didn't know who he was and I played some tunes for them.  I didn't care!  I was too stinking happy!  Evelyn found that common ground with me, and look at where we are now!  It's huge when you can find something that really connects with a person.  Finding common ground with one of my girls was as simple as offering her princess stickers, but it's been a little slow up until about Tuesday.

Ah, common ground!  :)

Black Snowpants

Week 3 had its ups and downs to be sure.  By the end of the week, I had 2 snow days and two 2-hour delays.  I had 2 boys crying on Thursday.  I had 2 cold feet by the time I made it to school every day.  I had 22 students who love having a Mr. Potato Head in the room, and I had a chance to go home for the weekend.

Monday was scheduled to be a 2-hour delay.  I was on my way to school when I got a text saying school was closed.  Back home I went and spent the day on the couch continuing to recover from a cold and indulging in Disney movies with my best friend.

Tuesday was the only full day of the week.  The kids were wound for sound and we all were anticipating a snow day for Wednesday with the impending storm.  I currently despise indoor recess.  Those kids need to get out and throw some snowballs.  They need to be building forts in the mounds of snow that has been removed from the blacktop.  They need to have fun outside and scream and yell and do kid things instead of being inside playing with Legos and Twister and stuff.  Tuesday I implemented a new behavior management plan with the help of Mr. Potato Head.  So far, it's doing pretty well.

Wednesday was a snow day.  So much snow!!!  Whit and I had the slowest/longest Lord of the Rings marathon.  We had to take plenty of pauses since everyone was home and there was a lot of activity.  We had to help in the snow removal so we got outside for a little while.  Lynnae and I got to throwing some snowballs, and she was pretty close to getting put face first into a snow pile!

Thursday was a 2-hour delay.  They were wound for sound.  Again.  After lunch, one of the boys slipped on some snow pants and hurt his foot.  Those tears started pouring down.  Ms. Strupp to the rescue and I got him to calm down in right around 30 seconds.  All was right and well again.  The day went on.  My supervisor came in to observe how I was doing thus far in my experience.  It was then time to sent them home.  Getting ready to go has to be the most stressful, hectic point of the day.  I've been there 3 weeks, and I still have NO IDEA how the bus system works.  Anyway, as the students were all getting ready, one of the boys came up to me upset because he couldn't find his snow pants.  Naturally, he was looking for black ones.  EVERYONE has black ones.  I will never, ever get my kids black snow pants!  We still couldn't find them AND his bus was getting called.  The tears came and he wasn't ready to go.  Ms. Strupp to the rescue again.  After promising we would get it all sorted out the next day, he would have to go home without them that night.  I told him no tears to the reply of a couple more tears, a sniffle, and an okay.  "I can't find my boots!"  Ah, 3rd grade.  I love them all!  Teachers were given the release as soon as the kids left.  Everyone was heading into white out conditions.  It took me so long to get home!  This was my view.

Friday brought another 2-hour delay.  The roads were better as I drove to school, but I made sure to still take my time.  Friday brought my third math lesson in my gradual take over.  Friday brought more indoor recess, more squirmy children, and more fun.  The kids all love when I read.  You can hear a pin drop as I read because they are all so transfixed.  Right now, I'm reading The Trumpet of the Swan.  I am reading it a little ahead of them.  I never read this as a kid, so it's a good read right now.  I love them all, but I was ready to hit the road after school let out.  I planned with my teacher for a while after school.  I take over reading and writing next week, so I will have the mornings with me in charge.

This week has been crazy and wonderful!  So many great things happened.  These kids all keep me laughing and on my toes all day long!  It's hard to believe that I only have 5 weeks left with my wonderful 3rd graders!

 

This song basically sums up my week!  :)