A New Journey

This week I finally packed up my classroom (with the help of my loving husband and great mother's helper - Hailey). 

This is how I've struggled with the decision for the past few weeks (maybe months..)

"I want to stay home and will do anything to stay home." - This was the first two months and the sixth month.

"I want to work because I am going crazy at home." - This was at 2 months and 3 months.

"I want to stay at home because I am missing out and I don't like other people telling me what MY baby is doing." - These thoughts came after running summer camp (it was a great "test" and I was fortunate I have my mother-in-love and hubby watching B).

"I want to do both. Can't I just wear the baby all day and have a pack an' play in my classroom? Why don't we have part-time or job sharing in my county?" - These thoughts continue to float through my mind. I have voiced them to my principal about a million times now. He's a patient man.

After a LOT of deliberation, my husband and I decided (together) that I would take a year "off." In other words, I'm not going to be in the classroom full time for the 2014-2015 school year, but I did not resign from the county. I am also tutoring, among other things, for some cash flow.

Naturally, the next step was to pack up my 8 years of teaching supplies, books, and decorations. I, however, was putting it off. I was nervous (still am). Why?

- I LOVE my job. Teaching has been my life for eight full years and 3 intercession years. It's all I know. 

- I work at a fantastic school! I love the staff and environment at CCE. It definitely became my home and those of you who are teachers know it's hard to find a school you love.

- I am not going to have a consistent paycheck. Let's face it. This is downright scary! Hence, my new adventure, which I will get to later. 

- I am going to miss actually checking things off my to do list, having the option of a quiet lunch, talking with adults during the day, professional development, the look on my students' faces when they make progress, and morning coffee in the hall. 

On the flip side, I'm looking forward to:

- Teaching Beckett new things every day

- Growing new relationships with sweet "mommy friends."

- Getting back to things I used to enjoy like cooking, baking, and crafting.

- Starting a new adventure as a tutor and teacher resource creator (I've always done both, but now I get to grow them into, what I hope, will be a part-time job). I also needed to do something other than the "mom thing" for my mental well being and for the sake of our bank account. 

Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/thesophisticatedteacher

http://www.thesophisticatedteacher.com

To become a stay-at-home-mom or working mom is not an easy decision. I know for some it isn't a decision at all, so I feel fortunate that we are able to try this stay-at-home-mom thing for a year. I am not sure what God has in store for our family after this year, but I am excited to find out. 

So, after a few meltdowns, many packed boxes, and countless discussions with my husband, I am jumping into this new adventure with two feet. Eek! 

It must be true.....

A couple months ago I saw a commercial mocking the internet and how everything "published" on the internet is true. It was funny and I think most people said to themselves, "Ha, this is funny because many things aren't true."

Haven't seen the commerical? Here it is!








Unfortunately, I feel as though many intelligent individuals are falling into the "internet is always true" mentality lately. Mostly because of Facebook. I'm not ragging on Facebook. I'm an avid user and post one too many pictures of my little boy (such a cutie pie - at least I think so - sorry for blowing up your news feed). I do have one pet peeve though: articles that float and are not true. Let's take a couple recent examples...

No Ice For Dogs... 
http://wendtworthcorgis.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/no-ice-water-for-dogs-please-read-asap/

First of all, it was posted in 2010 and someone just decided to start recycling it on Facebook. I had about ten friends who posted it. I got worried, but before posting it I did research... Guess what? It's not true. Not even close.


Have you seen this recently?

So many of us were super excited, yet another let down! No FRIENDS reunion I'm afraid.. Pretty harmless prank, but I was totally bummed when I researched and found out the truth.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/23/friends-reunion-not-happening-courteney-cox_n_5196673.html


There are a bunch of other examples out there about HPV vaccine, raising money for people who aren't sick (Facebook isn't matching anything friends), and even Amber Alerts that aren't real (sad - I know).

Why am I posting about this? I'm not at all faulting my Facebook friends for wanting to trust their friends who have posted these things. I get it. You probably assume your friend wouldn't have posted it if it wasn't true and maybe they did their homework. Logical. Again, I GET IT.

 The problem is we are no longer researching things for ourselves. This scares me. Not because I think everyone will stop giving dogs ice cubes (although my dog would be pretty sad), but because it means we aren't teaching our kids to research. If we, you know adults/teachers/parents/etc, aren't doing our homework, then our kids aren't either.

My thoughts aren't just about the posts on Facebook, it is about our culture. Our willingness to believe almost anything, no matter the media outlet. I am worried we are forgetting to think critically and to question things we hear and see. So, all I'm asking is that we at least do a little research before we jump to conclusions and I am not at all faulting any of my friends who posted any of the stories floating lately... just a reminder to check it out first. 

6 months old ... or Beckett's half birthday!

1/2 of one year....

6 months....

I. CAN'T. EVEN. BELIEVE. IT.

I feel like I say this every month, but time DOES fly! My big boy is growing like a weed! We don't have his six month appointment until the 22nd, but I stepped on the scale wihtout him and then with him, so I am figuring he is about 17 lbs...

He loves eating everything and anything ... except peas! :) So far he likes...

• Avocados
• Bananas (even in little finger food bites)
• Green beans (a favorite)
• Apples
• Squash
• Oatmeal (mixed with pretty much anything)
• Sweet potato
• Pears
• Peaches
• Apple, Banana, Strawberry combo
• Rice Puffs in sweet potato and apple cinnamon flavors
• Tater tots (in small pieces of course)

.......and anything he can try to swipe off my plate :)

 He is sitting up so well now and loves playing on the floor with his toys, and Bella's tail. :)

This purple sea lion is his absolute favorite toy!

He had four BIG firsts during his sixth months (among many others):

1. Went to Frying Pan Park and encountered farm animals. He loved the sheep and the rabbits the most.
2. He rode in the shopping cart like a big boy.
3. He sat in a high chair at Panera like a big boy. 
   
4. He went to the community swimming pool.

He loves interacting with other babies now and has play dates at least once or twice a week. . .

 He goes to stroller strides with mommy (a workout routine .. google Fit4Mom Ashburn .. it is great)!

He aged out of his SwimKids swim lessons (tear)

He is SO close to crawling! He rolls constantly and can push himself off and scoot just a little. I am sure he will be all over the place soon enough. :)

He takes two big naps: a morning nap for about 1 - 2 hours and an afternoon nap for 2 - 3 hours. Some evenings he takes a cat nap for about thirty minutes (during which time Jeff and I actually try to eat this thing called dinner). He goes to bed around 7:30 or 8 and wakes up between 4 am and 6 am to eat. Then he goes back to bed until about 8 am. I am so thankful he loves to sleep in because I am definitely not a morning person!

Simple Sides

Sometimes I think I over-complicate dinner.... anyone else? Thought so!

Here are a couple simple sides to keep in your back pocket (especially when you have young kiddos running around).

Tasteful Green Beans

What do you need?

• Greenbeans (frozen are fine)
• Crispy onions (you can find these by the croutons)
• Almonds slivered (1/2 cup)
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Pepper

What do you do with those simple ingredients?

• Steam green beans
• While green beans are being steamed, take the salt and pepper (how much depends on your tastebuds), and almonds and put them in a pan on medium. Let them cook, gently stirring them until green beans are finished steaming.
• Add green beans to pan and cook for another 3 minutes.
• Remove green beans and almonds and transfer to plate. Top with crispy onions to taste.

Parsnip Mashed Potatoes

What do you need?

• 3 - 4 large parsnips
• 1 bag of gold potatoes (remember they ARE part of the dirty dozen, so go organic)
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk
• chives (to taste - fresh is best)

What to do?

• Peel parsnips and potatoes
• Boil parsnips and potatoes for 15 - 20 minutes (you should easily be able to mash both with a fork)
• Drain parsnips and potatoes
• Add milk, butter, sour cream, chives, salt, and pepper to potatoes/parsnips and MASH
•  Serve warm :)

Both are great with salmon