New News!

This was the morning Tom and I found out we were expecting. I purposely wrote down that quote because with pregnancy talk circling around us, an image formed in my mind about the kind of mother I want to be. I want to be an outgoing and fun mother just like mine. My mother, Diane is seventy years old and still believes in acting silly and laughing constantly. In my opinion, some people in the world are just too mature and need to loosen up!

Feeling Blessed

(Photo: Pinterest)

Today is just one of those days I just feel so incredibly content with the career path I have chosen. When it comes to the world of teaching, a teacher never knows what kind of day lies ahead. I can have this easy work day planned in my head and suddenly something unexpected can occur. Back to my day....before my students arrived, I had an early morning visitor. One of my former students expressed how much she missed me. We chatted briefly and I smiled after she left because I somehow created a positive impact on that student.

The bell rings at 7:50am and just as I'm about to greet my homeroom students, I have a student from another class rush into my homeroom with tears in her eyes. She told me that she couldn't finish her homework because she found out her cousin collapsed in gym class and is in a coma. It is just like her to still be concerned about her school work while she is experiencing intense sadness...

She is a straight A student and her mother should feel blessed to have a daughter like that. Through her tears she told me what happened to her thirteen year old cousin and she said "Mrs. K. I couldn't stop thinking of your quote when I found out about her." That touched me tremendously. Sometimes I feel like my students are not listening and then I have a moment like this one that proves me wrong. She told me that she trusts me and I told her something that she didn't know. As she stared at me with a puzzled look upon her face, I explained how her recent essay helped me with something major that is going on in my life.

Currently, a very close family member of mine is having some early signs of dementia. This student wrote a photo essay about her grandpa and his battle with Alzheimer's disease. While reading her photo essay, I was a bit taken aback and had to pause while I read one of her lines. I'd rather have him around without knowing who I am, then not have him around at all. I smiled because through all of my frustration with my family member forgetting things that I find so simple, my student made me realize that I am STILL incredibly blessed.

I Heart the Winter

(Photo: Pinterest)

With all this complaining about winter on the news and internet, I can't help but smile. Yes, I agree that long commutes and the extreme cold can be a battle, however I feel blessed to be able to experience all of the seasons.

Everyone needs to embrace the change and remember that snowfall is only temporary. Here are some reasons why I love winter:

Various colors and patterns of scarves, gloves, and fuzzy hats

Hot chocolate!

Looking outside of my window and admiring the calm and peaceful view

A fireplace and a book make the perfect couple

Wardrobe change-boots, heavy knit sweaters, and stylish peacoats

Christmas and Valentines Day-the sweetest holidays

Staying in more and putting my social calendar on hiatus

A plush, comfy throw while watching a movie

Eating comfort foods to satisfy and warm the belly

Going to games and watching the triple B's; Bulls, Blackhawks, and Bears.

What do you love about the winter?

Happy New Year!!

One of my dearest friends sent this to me. I wanted to share this email with all of you because if we all begin or continue accomplishing the following--we will be starting off 2012 in the right direction!

HANDBOOK 2012

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2011.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her
mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems
are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like
algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come....
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Thankful

(Photo: Flickr)

With Thanksgiving around the corner people always tend to think of the bigger things they are thankful for. Have you ever thought about the little things that make your heart flutter? (Or, the things that make your stomach do a little flip flop)? Even if only for a second--you have to admit that giddy feeling makes you feel incredibly blessed.

Simple things can be overlooked, but for me even the tiniest moments of life brings me happiness.

Such as..

Sitting by the fireplace with my cozy pajamas and shearling slippers.

In the morning, hearing Frankie filled with excitement because he is anticipating his daily walk with Tom.

Watching Tom take Frankie on his morning walk and graciously fighting the vicious weather we are sometimes unfortunately given.

Just seeing Frankie. (Yes, its that simple).

Free shipping.

When I come home from work and see an order placed near my front door.

Pink flowers and hydrangeas anytime of the year.

Finishing a book and then choosing a new one from my mini library.

Smelling the aroma coming from the kitchen thanks to my husband's delicious recipes.

Hearing my mom's laughter when we are talking on the phone.

Dinners with girlfriends that consists of comfort food + good conversation.

Looking up at my students and still loving my job (even when I'm completely drained and in desperate need of a day off).

Feel thankful for the small things that make your face form a quick smile and make you feel as if you have an internal glow. What little things make you happy?