The first week of school is behind me, and I can honestly say that I more than survived!
My 14 (will be 15 soon) little duckies blew me away with how quickly they learned our rules and procedures! Some of us (teachers) have picked up the "whole brain teaching" method, and it has made teaching fun again!
If you haven't heard of it, Google some videos of teachers using whole brain teaching in their classrooms.
Here is a math lesson using whole brain teaching! I cannot wait to see how this works in my classroom!
Whole Brain Teaching
My kids at school, in two days, had memorized our 5 rules, and can repeat them to me at the drop of a hat!
"The 5 Rules"
They love using mirrors to learn, and have a smile on their face when they respond to me saying, "Claaaaasssss?" God bless whoever came up with this whole brain teaching phenomenon! It has made my world, and my students' world, a happier place!
What It Looks Like
I cannot wait to share all of the fun things we will be doing this year! It is definitely going to be full of learning, and, best of all, full of fun! Blessings to all of you that are teachers! I hope you have as great a year as mine has started out to be!
Blessings,
Ronna <><
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
Past Times
As I was typing the title of this post, I realized that depending on the emphasis you put on the words, it could have multiple meanings. Times of the past. Favorite Memories. Lessons learned. All sorts of philosophical topics could stem from that one title.
But not this one... the title "Past Times" today stands for things I do to pass the time. This by no means includes my day to day activities of playing with Lettie, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc. This is my by-myself-time, doing-what-I-feel-like-doing, no-one-needing-me hobby. I mosaic. For some, that means nothing. For others, it means "Why would you consider that relaxing? It's so tedious." For me, it means I get to sit down, relieve stress, and focus on one little piece of glass at a time.
Here is my most recent piece.
For this piece to just be 6" tall, you'd think I finished it in no time. Well, considering I can only work when my 15-month old daughter that likes to "help" is otherwise occupied or asleep, it took a considerable amount of time. Months to be a little more specific.
Each piece I make for someone whether it be paid for or just because I felt like making it, it is a blessing. It's a little piece of me that I send to them. It's my stress relief, my time to think, and my crafty side getting to shine through all in one.
I love the busyness of my life, don't get me wrong, but to get to sit still for just an hour at a time is a blessing that I love to share.
But not this one... the title "Past Times" today stands for things I do to pass the time. This by no means includes my day to day activities of playing with Lettie, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc. This is my by-myself-time, doing-what-I-feel-like-doing, no-one-needing-me hobby. I mosaic. For some, that means nothing. For others, it means "Why would you consider that relaxing? It's so tedious." For me, it means I get to sit down, relieve stress, and focus on one little piece of glass at a time.
Here is my most recent piece.
For this piece to just be 6" tall, you'd think I finished it in no time. Well, considering I can only work when my 15-month old daughter that likes to "help" is otherwise occupied or asleep, it took a considerable amount of time. Months to be a little more specific.
Each piece I make for someone whether it be paid for or just because I felt like making it, it is a blessing. It's a little piece of me that I send to them. It's my stress relief, my time to think, and my crafty side getting to shine through all in one.
I love the busyness of my life, don't get me wrong, but to get to sit still for just an hour at a time is a blessing that I love to share.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Limitations
As a woman, I wear a lot of hats. Mommy, wife, teacher, friend, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, etc. Those hats all require different parts of me, but none of them is more demanding than the little person that lives in my house.
This little angel is quite verbal, and is very good at letting anyone around her know what she wants, needs, or expects. Her favorite word right now is "Up," and it is frequently used. If you ignore her, expect a meltdown.
Last Monday, I had a golf ball-sized lump removed from my right breast. A biopsy had been done on it in May, and the doctor said that it was benign. They quickly followed that statement with the untimely but... it could become malignant over time, so it needs to be removed. I was ok with all they had said so far... it's a simple day surgery, you'll get to go home that same day, etc. All was right with my world until they said, BUT you will have some limitations. They told me that I would not be able to do anything strenuous or anything that could cause the incision to reopen for at least 2 weeks. No jumping, running, lifting, exercising... wait, no lifting? What is the weight limit on that no lifting limitation? I told them my daughter weighs 24 pounds. Can I lift her? No. Which means "Up" is not an option.
How do you get a 14 month old little girl to understand that Mommy can't "Up" right now? You don't. Luckily my mom (or Mimi as she is called when she comes to our house), came home from the hospital with us and stayed through Friday. She could pick her up and hand her to me, and that went pretty well. That got me almost through 1 week. I had another to go. What do I do for the 2nd week? Well, my husband's grandmother (Grammy as we call her) said she could keep her for the 2nd week in Amarillo. Great! Wait... I will be away from my baby for a week? Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice. When my mom left to go home, she took Lettie with her to Grammy's house.
Needless to say, day 1 was rough. That's putting it very lightly. Thanks to a good friend, day 2 was much better. We're on the countdown to when our sweet angel baby can come home, and this mama is determined to get this house in order (without lifting) by then!
Side note: My surgery went well, and I'm feeling fantastic! My pain is practically nonexistent (until I lift), and I call the doctor tomorrow to make sure all my results came back benign!
Last Monday, I had a golf ball-sized lump removed from my right breast. A biopsy had been done on it in May, and the doctor said that it was benign. They quickly followed that statement with the untimely but... it could become malignant over time, so it needs to be removed. I was ok with all they had said so far... it's a simple day surgery, you'll get to go home that same day, etc. All was right with my world until they said, BUT you will have some limitations. They told me that I would not be able to do anything strenuous or anything that could cause the incision to reopen for at least 2 weeks. No jumping, running, lifting, exercising... wait, no lifting? What is the weight limit on that no lifting limitation? I told them my daughter weighs 24 pounds. Can I lift her? No. Which means "Up" is not an option.
How do you get a 14 month old little girl to understand that Mommy can't "Up" right now? You don't. Luckily my mom (or Mimi as she is called when she comes to our house), came home from the hospital with us and stayed through Friday. She could pick her up and hand her to me, and that went pretty well. That got me almost through 1 week. I had another to go. What do I do for the 2nd week? Well, my husband's grandmother (Grammy as we call her) said she could keep her for the 2nd week in Amarillo. Great! Wait... I will be away from my baby for a week? Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice. When my mom left to go home, she took Lettie with her to Grammy's house.
Needless to say, day 1 was rough. That's putting it very lightly. Thanks to a good friend, day 2 was much better. We're on the countdown to when our sweet angel baby can come home, and this mama is determined to get this house in order (without lifting) by then!
Side note: My surgery went well, and I'm feeling fantastic! My pain is practically nonexistent (until I lift), and I call the doctor tomorrow to make sure all my results came back benign!
Monday, June 2, 2014
50 years
My husband made a comment at my parent's 50th anniversary reception this weekend that really made me think. He said, "Can you imagine us 48 years from now?"
Talk about mind blown.
I started thinking about all the things my parents have been through in the last 50 years. 3 kids, 10 grand kids, many moves, job changes, retirement, and so much more. The different eras that they experienced, and all the changes the world has gone through in that amount of time.
It just makes me think and wonder about what Bobby and I will go through in the next 50 years. Our 50th wedding anniversary will be in 2062. Let that sink in a little bit. So many questions enter my mind. How many kids will we have? Where will we live? How will the world be different?
The one thing I can guarantee is that my husband and I will be together 50 years from now, Lord willing. Our love for each other will grow and we will learn more than we ever thought possible!
I am thankful for the example my parents have set for us and our family. It means more than anything material that could ever be given. They are a blessing, and I am looking forward to watching their example for many years to come!
Talk about mind blown.
I started thinking about all the things my parents have been through in the last 50 years. 3 kids, 10 grand kids, many moves, job changes, retirement, and so much more. The different eras that they experienced, and all the changes the world has gone through in that amount of time.
It just makes me think and wonder about what Bobby and I will go through in the next 50 years. Our 50th wedding anniversary will be in 2062. Let that sink in a little bit. So many questions enter my mind. How many kids will we have? Where will we live? How will the world be different?
The one thing I can guarantee is that my husband and I will be together 50 years from now, Lord willing. Our love for each other will grow and we will learn more than we ever thought possible!
I am thankful for the example my parents have set for us and our family. It means more than anything material that could ever be given. They are a blessing, and I am looking forward to watching their example for many years to come!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Mommy Land
Everyone has heard the phrase "Being a mom is the most rewarding job in the world, but also the most frustrating." Well... I didn't truly understand that until I got out of school last Friday and was officially a full time stay-at-home mom. True, I stayed home with her last summer too, but she wasn't walking, talking, and all over the place.
I love watching my little one explore and learn new things every day, but watching how frustrated she gets when she can't communicate her needs is excruciating. Since being home, I'm having to relearn my child and her needs and wants. Our routine from after school until bedtime was flawless by the time school was out, but I knew nothing about her daytime schedule. It's hard realizing you don't really know your child as well as you thought.
I rode my bike with her in the bike trailer behind me this morning. She loves to be outside, and I desperately need the exercise! We went to visit a friend and her 1-year old son. Lettie loves to be with other children, and that has by far been the hardest thing for her to get used to since being at home all day with me. We talked about everything under the sun, but mostly about our children. It is so refreshing to find that my frustrations are not only mine. They are shared.
Some of the women that I see on a regular basis make mommy-hood seem so easy. Effortless even. Being the perfectionist that I am, it's difficult to watch those mom's and it makes me wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I have to remind myself constantly that I am doing the best job I can, and that Lettie's worst day is some child's best day. I have to remind myself that she's only 13 months old, and the things that she is learning and doing are not only new for me, but for her as well.
"Being a mom is the most rewarding job in the world, but also the most frustrating." Those words could not explain it any better.
Blessings,
Ronna <><
I love watching my little one explore and learn new things every day, but watching how frustrated she gets when she can't communicate her needs is excruciating. Since being home, I'm having to relearn my child and her needs and wants. Our routine from after school until bedtime was flawless by the time school was out, but I knew nothing about her daytime schedule. It's hard realizing you don't really know your child as well as you thought.
I rode my bike with her in the bike trailer behind me this morning. She loves to be outside, and I desperately need the exercise! We went to visit a friend and her 1-year old son. Lettie loves to be with other children, and that has by far been the hardest thing for her to get used to since being at home all day with me. We talked about everything under the sun, but mostly about our children. It is so refreshing to find that my frustrations are not only mine. They are shared.
Some of the women that I see on a regular basis make mommy-hood seem so easy. Effortless even. Being the perfectionist that I am, it's difficult to watch those mom's and it makes me wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I have to remind myself constantly that I am doing the best job I can, and that Lettie's worst day is some child's best day. I have to remind myself that she's only 13 months old, and the things that she is learning and doing are not only new for me, but for her as well.
"Being a mom is the most rewarding job in the world, but also the most frustrating." Those words could not explain it any better.
Blessings,
Ronna <><
Monday, May 26, 2014
Life...
The last two years have been a whirlwind. I got married, moved to a new town, started a new job teaching first grade, found out we were expecting, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and am now trying to live my life and help my husband guide our little family in the direction God wants us to go. It is not easy.
Recently, while my husband was getting a tattoo for his birthday, I started looking at ideas for a "what if" tattoo. I found the verse Proverbs 31:25. This verse was like God was shaking me into realizing that His way and my way were not in sync. I was not clothed in strength and dignity. I was clothed in weakness and selfishness. I did not laugh without fear of the future. My world was consumed with fear and worry about what was coming.
Our little girl turned one in April. Raising her this last year has been the most difficult thing I've done in my life. There were so many ups and downs and arounds that I had a hard time staying afloat. If it hadn't been for Proverbs 31 women in my life, I probably wouldn't have made it. They showed me a real life example of what a Proverbs 31 woman looks like, and taught me how I can make it my own and still glorify God. They showed me my strengths and taught me how to build myself up where I am weakest. I pray that my daughter will grow up with that same influence in her life. I also pray that I myself will be one of those influences.
This blog will be a mix of what my life looks like. It will include inspirational events, successful recipes, fun projects with my first graders, and little tidbits here and there that I find interesting.
School's out for summer (yes, I just broke out into song... I know you did too!), so you will be seeing some of my side job. In the midst of summer workshops, spending the days with my husband and daughter, and working on my classroom for next year, I make mosaics. I will be sharing projects that I have completed for customers, along with projects that are for sale.
Keep an eye out for specials that I'm having on ready-to-ship products, along with coupon codes! Right now, I have a triangular shaped mirror for sale on my Etsy shop (Search: Mosaics by Ronna) that is 20% off with the coupon code MEMDAY20. This offer is good through May 31!
I have made blogs in the past that have fallen through the cracks. I hope this is not another one of them. I love for people to share their thoughts and ideas. If there's anything you want me to post about, please let me know! The more involved people are, the better chance this blog has of staying alive!
Blessings,
Ronna <><
Recently, while my husband was getting a tattoo for his birthday, I started looking at ideas for a "what if" tattoo. I found the verse Proverbs 31:25. This verse was like God was shaking me into realizing that His way and my way were not in sync. I was not clothed in strength and dignity. I was clothed in weakness and selfishness. I did not laugh without fear of the future. My world was consumed with fear and worry about what was coming.
Our little girl turned one in April. Raising her this last year has been the most difficult thing I've done in my life. There were so many ups and downs and arounds that I had a hard time staying afloat. If it hadn't been for Proverbs 31 women in my life, I probably wouldn't have made it. They showed me a real life example of what a Proverbs 31 woman looks like, and taught me how I can make it my own and still glorify God. They showed me my strengths and taught me how to build myself up where I am weakest. I pray that my daughter will grow up with that same influence in her life. I also pray that I myself will be one of those influences.
This blog will be a mix of what my life looks like. It will include inspirational events, successful recipes, fun projects with my first graders, and little tidbits here and there that I find interesting.
School's out for summer (yes, I just broke out into song... I know you did too!), so you will be seeing some of my side job. In the midst of summer workshops, spending the days with my husband and daughter, and working on my classroom for next year, I make mosaics. I will be sharing projects that I have completed for customers, along with projects that are for sale.
Keep an eye out for specials that I'm having on ready-to-ship products, along with coupon codes! Right now, I have a triangular shaped mirror for sale on my Etsy shop (Search: Mosaics by Ronna) that is 20% off with the coupon code MEMDAY20. This offer is good through May 31!
I have made blogs in the past that have fallen through the cracks. I hope this is not another one of them. I love for people to share their thoughts and ideas. If there's anything you want me to post about, please let me know! The more involved people are, the better chance this blog has of staying alive!
Blessings,
Ronna <><
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