Finally!

Yes, I am finally updating my blog. I know, it has been months since my last update, and to my five or so readers, I do apologize. :) Things have been a bit on fast forward since I began student teaching, which was in February. I was placed in a middle school doing 6th grade math. In addition to student teaching, I am also still taking a class in the evening...so you may can understand my lack of visit to blogville!

So, I have to say that student teaching has been an experience. I have definitely learned that different schools run differently and can have a completely different atmosphere than others. I went into this field knowing that I, beyond a shadow of a doubt, wanted to teach middle school. Yep, even though I was called crazy (like I didn't know that) on many occasions, that is what I wanted to do. Well, I now would much rather teach in a fourth or fifth classroom than middle school, and have already taken the GACE and am just awaiting those results. It's interesting how you think that you know exactly what you want in life until you actually live part of it. Not that I had not had any experience in the middle school. I mean, I worked in drop-out prevention for seven years in a middle and high school, but I realized one day that I was much younger then than I am now.

I also realized that the students have changed over the years. Why? I'm not sure, but would love to have the answer to the question that has been on my mind for a very long time. The lack of respect is incredible. When I was in school, everyone knew the "bad ones." Now, everyone knows the "good ones." I so do not understand why children have the attitude of "you have to earn my respect." Ummmmm...when I was growing up, and even now in my household, you respect me because I have more wrinkles and because I said so, end of story. I dread the day that Mary Kahlen picks something up from school from some little "earn my respect" kid, comes home and tries to use it on me. I'm guessing that will be the first day that I offer to call DFCS for her, because just as Madea says, "if they offer to call for you, they are crazy as hell." That would be me, as a matter of fact, I'll take her up there...it's only a couple of miles up the road. Anyway, back to the topic...mouthy children. I just pray that the Lord will give me the strength not to put my hands on any children who temp me. That will be my daily prayer. I will also pray that the Lord allow me to think before I speak when a parent calls me to complain that I am not being nice to their child...ummm...yep, I've already failed at that one, but look, I'm a work in progress. I wonder if that would hold up in court as a defense????

As my favorite prayer goes...

Dear Lord,
So far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over indulgent. I’m very thankful for that.
But, in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed. And from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot more help.

And, of course I could not end this post without an updated picture of our little angel. This would be the most recent "look" that we are experiencing. I had a teacher friend to look at this picture and say, "you better slap this look off of her face now or you will be looking at it for the next fifteen years!" But it's just too cute, don't you think?