My Mom

I thought I'd take a minute to tell you about one of the most important people in my life. First of all, I have the BEST family in the entire world. Now I know everyone says that, but I really mean it. I am an only child so our little family has always consisted of me, mom, and dad. And I don't think it's humanly possible to have had better parents or a better upbringing than I have. I know I don't tell them enough, but they are my bestest friends and the most reliable, loving, supportive people I've ever known. I only hope I have and continue to make them proud because I know I am a reflection of them, and they deserve to be shed in the best light. Thank you mom and dad for being the best.parents.ever.

When I was in highschool, my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She fought hard, went through rigorous amounts of treament, and came out cancer-free. Throughout it all, she never lost her smile or upbeat personality. My mom has once again had a rough couple of years of late. After I went to Virginia Tech, my mom found a job she loved, enjoyed, and was incredibly talented at doing. About 2 years ago, she had to have back surgery due to some nerve damage and unfortunately had to quit her passion. No one could have handled the dissapointment she must have felt with a bigger smile or better attitude. She truly is the strongest person I know (although, my Dad is right up there for the way he's always taken care of us both, through good and bad). This past month, my mom hasn't been feeling very well. Last Sunday, she ended up taking a trip to the ER. They found her to be severly anemic, with some blood clotting and a great amount of fatigue and weakness. The doctors have helped get her on several meds to help her get well, and she will hopefully be going home tomorrow (unfortunately, without a cause determined for her symptoms). Throughout everyone my mom has been through in her life, she has never deterred from loving me, supporting me, helping to take care of my dad and dog. She has maintained great friendships and never, EVER takes pity on herself. I can only hope to be as strong and resilient as she is in the future. Please take a moment and pray that everything works out well for my mom and she is back in good health in no time. No one deserves a break more so than her... I love you mom!

Out-Of-Town Gift Baskets

Andy and I are approaching the 4 month mark until the wedding... so I am beginning to get a little more detailed oriented. Most of the "big" stuff is contracted and deposited.... assuming we wrap up our DJ this week. So recently I began thinking about our MANY out of town guests we are expecting to come to the wedding. Andy and I have a lot of family from other states, and many of Andy's college friends from Clemson still live in South Carolina. So we would love to do some type of gift basket with goodies and favors for those people who make the trip to join us on our special day. I know I have lots of married friends on here who may have some advice, and even for my friends who aren't married but have been to weddings... I need your help. What kinds of things should we include in our welcome baskets to be placed in their hotel rooms at the resort? What would you like to have waiting for you in your room upon your arrival for an out of town wedding?


Here's a few cute ones I've seen out there...

 Right now, I am definitely planning on including bottles of water, advil (for the morning after!), packets of tissues, sunscreen, chapstick, a map of the local area, some sort of snack. I would also LOVE to do a mini-basket or baggie for the families with children staying with them that might include some juice boxes, crayons and coloring books, and some treats.

As I begin to look at the little details that go into wedding planning, I can see my stress begin to rise jussssst a little... Here's to hoping I stay relatively cool, calm, and collected for the next 4 months!

Teaching Moment

Today was one of those days. One of those great, rewarding, memorable days in my kindergarten classroom. One of my students, a little boy, came to kindergarten this fall with no preK experiences, no English language skills, and a late September birthday, making him almost an entire year younger and a year less experienced than some of his classmates. To be blunt, there is no way he was ready for a full-day kindergarten. The boy can't even sit still in his chair for more than 30 seconds (and still can't to this day, might I add). His learning has been challenging for both him and me as he continues to learn the English language. There have been several times thus far this year where I legitimately wondered if he would gain ANYTHING from this school year. I have met with his parents, I have discussed my concerns with other teachers and even administrators. But today... today was different. Today he showed me that not only can this little boy learn something this year in kindergarten... but he DID. And I couldn't have been prouder of him (or myself for that matter, I did give myself a little kudos!)

While writing in journals today, this little boy who inconsistently identifies the 5 letters that make up his name (let alone any letter sounds), actually identified 3 letter sounds and the letters that correspond (and even a blend!)! I mean, I was shocked. Typically, we share the pen when writing... and I use the term "sharing" generously, because I usually end up having to show him the letters and emphasizing the sounds and recording in his journal. I was on cloud 9!

Later in the afternoon during math time, our math specialist was in leading the class in a patterning activity. This boy had been redirected MANY times to sit quietly, not shout out, and pay attention to the lesson. Then, all of a sudden, as the teacher starts laying pictures in a line on the carpet, I hear him counting out loud.... 1, 2, 3....the whole way to 8! Now, some of you probably think counting to 8 is nothing to celebrate. But for this boy, it is! He has a difficult time counting in sequential order without skipping numbers. But he did it today! I was so excited to overhear this and see his hardwork paying off today, I didn't even mention to him the fact that he was shouting out when counting instead of raising his hand :)

Now, this little boy will repeat kindergarten again next year, because he is not even close to being prepared for first grade. He will need more support and guidance to support his language learning and skill building. But today, I was a proud teacher!

150 Days Until I Do...

Who can believe there is only 150 days left until the big day?! I sure can't. I haven't even begun to hit the panic button! Being so busy at work has at least prevented me from stressing about the wedding! Here's an update on where we stand with 150 days to go!

Done

• Sparkly engagement ring insured & properly sized :)
• Wedding party selected
• Ceremony & reception site booked: Lansdowne Resort 
• Save-the-dates & Invitations, including inserts, ordered & received
• Bought my wedding dress!
• Bought my bridemaids' dresses 
• Rehearsal Dinner location booked: Tarara Winery 
• Photographer booked!
• Officiant selected
• Contract done on block of rooms reserved at resort
• Scheduled food taste tasting for May 2010
• Date & place for my first bridal shower (courtesy of my MOH Rachel Astrow!) 
• Save-the-dates mailed!
• Rehearsal dinner details, catering & favors done! (Courtesy of Andy's wonderful mom!)
• Videographer booked
• String quartet for ceremony & cocktail hour booked

In-progress

• Finalizing contract with officiant
• Florist designs
• Meeting with and booking a DJ
• Flower girls & Jr bridemaid dresses pricing & ordering

Need to do

• Register for gifts (Hoping to take care of this over my spring break)
• Book honeymoon (Andy WAS 100% in charge of this one... but now I'm involved because we can't decide on a location)
• Get shoes, veil, jewelry
• Hair/make-up person
• Book engagement photo shoot for springtime 
• Groom & groomsman tuxedos (including ring bearers)
• Bridesmaid gifts
• Wedding favors 
• Table labels... we are putting our own special twist on table numbers; Place cards
• Out of town guestroom baskets
• Dinner menus & ceremony programs