Updates

We have been busy!
The older my children get, the more busy we become.

Isaiah and Jeremiah recently entered a Martin Luther King Essay/oratorical contest. Both boys had their essays chosen to be read. They did an outstanding job. Isaiah wasn't completely satisfied or happy with himself because he did not win this time. A few years back, he came in 2nd place. I told him that I was proud of him for taking the time to write an essay and for getting up in front of over 200 people to read it. But I am also glad he got to see that there are so many intelligent people in Beaver County and that these are the kids he is going to have to compete against in the "real" world. Sometimes going to a small school has its downsides. Rochester is so small and Isaiah is one of the top students. He usually doesn't have to work too hard to be the top, which isn't always a good thing. He got to see some students at the contest really go all out and give a magnificent performance. All in all, I think this was a great experience for my boys.

Thanfully I had enough insight to call on Grammie to watch Corynne during the speech contest. That was wise of me because we ended up being there for four hours! I wish I was joking about that! Four hours! I am so happy that Cory bought me an Iphone for my birthday because I played scrabble for about 3 1/2 of those 4 hours!!

I had a wonderful birthday. We celebrated on Veteran's day, though, because we had a busy day on the day of my birthday. Cory took the kids and me to breakfast and then the mall for shopping. (Jeremiah needed new shoes!) Then he surprised me by stopping at the Verizon store to buy me an I phone. My contract has been up since April, but I wasn't sure what kind of phone I wanted to get. And I was too cheap to pay the data package fee every month. I gave in and I am so happy because I absolutley love love love my new phone. I just have to stop being addicted to scrabble!

Isaiah is starting basketball. Jeremiah is still enjoying football being over. Corynne just informed me that she needs something to do for the winter...she needs a sport or something to play..she said. That is funny to me. I told her I have lots of stuff she can do and none of it requires me playing taxi cab driver!

We are refinishing our basement. Well actually my Uncle Chris is finishing our basement! I am so excited. We are going to have a laundry room, a furnace room and a living room/ Jordan's bedroom. Corynne is moving into Jordan's room. I am so happy that she is going to have her own room. She's been rooming with her brothers for far too long now. The only thing I am concerned about is her decorating ideas. She wants a black carpet and lime green walls. Since there is no way that is happening, we have to think of another color scheme! She's too funny.

Cory is doing awesome in school. So far he has a 4.0! Go Cory! Isaiah, Jeremiah and Corynne also ended up with straight A's for the first grading period. I am a very proud mama!

Work has been nuts. My classes are huge. There are no extra teachers for help. My students have many mental health issues..more than I have ever seen in 16 years of teaching by the way. But regardless of those variables, I am supposed to increase my student's reading scores from 54% proficiency to 81% proficiency. Needless to say, I am praying very hard!

I am confused as to why all of sudden we are seeing a rise in mental health issues. I recently went to a training and I spoke to some other teachers from Beaver County. They also said that they are seeing an increase in these issues. I wonder why??

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am thankful for many things. I think I will make a separate Thanksgiving post! It is always good to count your blessings!