Teachers

This morning I was a test monitor at Jack & Camryn's school. The class room I was in to help was a 3rd grade class. The teacher in that class is a favorite of both Sydney & Camryn. They both had her in 3rd grade. As I sat there watching her give instructions to the class I was so thankful that my girls have had the opportunity to experience her wonderful teaching and then I started hoping that she will she still be there when Jack reaches the 3rd grade because I would love to have him experience great teaching. You can tell by just watching her with those kids that she is there for the kids and really wants them to learn and takes time for each one of them. As I looked around her classroom I sat there wishing there was so much I could do for the teachers here at this school. You can tell that she puts a lot of her own money into her classroom like new books, etc...Thank God for teachers like Ms. Anderson who really make a difference.

Reflection

I know it has been awhile so be prepared for a long one.

Everything has been going great in my life and I have gone about my days almost like a robot, meaning, same routine everyday. I am not one to take a liking to change.

For 2 weeks everything had been thrown off course. You see a couple months ago I found a lump in my breast and being that I am only 33 and have no family history with the exception of my Dad's uncle having breast cancer years ago (not considered family history because he is not immediate family) I ignored it. Well, Several weeks ago it started hurting so I thought that I should at least mention it to my Dr so I did. Long story short is that he sent me to a breast surgeon, she did ultrasound, mammogram, and another ultrasound and turns out all is well. I didn't even need to get a biopsy which she told me before mammogram that she was pretty sure she will need to biopsy it. I just have to go back every 6 months for her to recheck it to make sure it hasn't changed in size or shape.

Needless to say, sitting, waiting and wondering if your life is about to change forever makes you reflect on everything you have done and want to do with your life. I found a renewed appreciation for my life and all of the people that are in it especially my husband and all 3 of my wonderful children. I would like to share a little bit of my experience with you.

Last Friday as I sat in the Dr office waiting for my name to be called to hear what challenges I will be faced with I sat and talkd to few ladies. Everyone sitting in that office is either fighting breast cancer now or has fought in in the past and one ladie who is fighting her 2nd battle with it and she was only in her late 30s/early 40s.

I was talking to one lady who is in her late 30s and she was just diagnosed the week before and had just completed her 1st chemo treatment the day before. I was listening as she discussed with the other young lady about how her mammogram came back normal and the only way she was diagnosed was by MRI and PET scan and where she bought her headwrap as she has started chemo and will need one soon and they were discussing about how many treatments before her hair would fall out and which chemo meds out of the 3 that she is taking would make her sick and make her have horrible nose bleeds. All the while I was sitting there praying that I will not have to go through that and praying for both of those women and that they both will win thier battles and not have to fight it anymore.

When the nurse finally called my name to come back, as I sat in that room waiting for the Dr to come in I just kept praying and reflecting on my life and how I have lived it and how it could possibly be changed forever. I was thinking of how many things I take for granted like how I always tell the lady that cuts my hair "just do whatever you want, it"ll grow back", or how when Jack wants me to play with him and I'm tired and really don't want to I always tell him "I will in a min", or how when the girls are talking like they seem to ALWAYS be doing, from time to time I just tune them out, how I could love my husband a little more and show him more often, and how horrible I treated my Mom and Step Dad while I was growing up. The list goes on and on.

In the end, I go to bed every night and wake up every morning thankful for the life, family, friends, and health that I have and I am blessed to have every second of MY life!

Day 2

Day 2 had it's challenges! The morning went well. Went to work and got a lot of tasks accomplished. The afternoon went great! Grant and I spent some time together and we had a great time. Every time we have some quiet time just the two of us it just reminds me of why I love him so much. He is a great man and he does so much for our family. The evening, however, was the challenge for the day! I am getting the kids back on their school schedules since school starts Thursday. The girls went to bed with no problems or arguments. Jack was the challenge! He is so used to laying down with me and playing with my hair to fall asleep that when it was time to go to bed he was up at least 10 times, he was yelling and crying. So, I embraced the challenge and in the back of my head kept thinking "how can I look at this in a positive way and not lose it?". Don't get me wrong, I did get upset with him and I did a little bit of yelling on my own! I have learned that by yelling back at him and getting so upset at him for not listening was just going to make him not listen even more. I did ask Grant to take over at one point just so I could get myself together for round 2! I am trying not to give in like I would usually do and keep a positive attitude about the whole situation. It is hard but I know it has to happen to see results. Below I have listed the 3 most important positive things that I focused on for day 2.

1. Having quality one on one time with Grant is very important to our relationship no matter how much I miss the kids or feel guilty about not including them. It strengthens our relationship and I am just thankful that our kids can look at our relationship now and see the bond that we have and use that as sort of a guide in how relationships work.

2.It is ok to be stern with your children. If you keep your cool with them they will be better at listening and following through with what you ask them to do. 

3. Structure builds character, teaches children to appreciate you (later in life), and they gain more respect for you as a parent. Children and adults need structure!

I think I'm getting the hang of this. I really thought I was going to lose it last night and forget about how I can look at the situation in a positive way but I did it. I found the positive! I guess that's all for day. I'll be bloggin' again tomorrow!

Day 1

I have decided to start this blog because too many people focus on the negatives in life (including myself) so starting today I will write about the positive things that have occurred during my day. It is much easier to complain about everything that has gone wrong and it is much harder to remember and be thankful for the things that have gone right. Basically, I am going to train myself to become a "glass is half full" kind of girl! I have always done things the hard way and nothing has ever been easy for me so I have become the hard, calloused, pessimist of the group. I'm tired of having that attitude as I can see it rubbing off on my children as they grow older. I want to do this not only for me, but for my family as well. I guess we'll see how it goes.

1. I have a great family. My husband supports me in whatever I choose to do in life. My children really are great kids! My parents have forgiven me for a lot of trouble and heartache that I caused them throughout my teenage years and we have such a great relationship now.

2. My husband and I have the ability to work together and not bite each others heads off. I only work during school hours which allows me to be there for our children and be more involved in their lives.

3. I have a car, house, and food on our table which during these times in America makes me even more thankful.

I guess that's about it for now. Will blog again tomorrow.