Community

Community is something I think about a lot whether it be a church community, neighborhood, or my own classroom community. In my classroom I have spent a lot of time promoting a community that encourages learning yet is also a safe place, which is something a lot my kids don't have. The older I get the more important a neighborhood community is to me especially living in an actual neighborhood. It's something that I enjoy living and being involved in. This evening I saw an amazing story about a family from Grafton, WI. The story followed the community as they rallied together and redid the house of a single mother - who had triplets - 2 of the 3 children were confined to wheelchairs. The best part was they asked for nothing, were told they were just going to get their floors redone and their doorways widened - and they were happy with just that. The story was amazing, especially due to the numerous volunteers, many of whom were fighting their own unemployment and house loss themselves. While this wasn't to the "Extreme Home Makeover" Standard it was still amazing. Hope you enjoy the clip: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/ns/dateline_nbc It was one of the most inspiring story I have heard in a long time.

Spring has been sprung

Well I have failed miserably at keeping up with this blog but at least I am trying to post more than once a year:) Today so far has been a great Saturday...Dave and I were able to take an awesome 2 hour walk with Elsie. It's funny because we have been holed up inside for so long that I forgot what it was like to walk in the sun without ten layers on. You know that you are in Wisconsin though when you see someone with shorts and a t-shirt on and it was on 40 degrees....crazy I know but after months of weather in the teens 40 suddenly feels like 60. I love Saturdays like this where Dave and I just talk and walk. It's funny we have been married four years and yet we can walk for 2 hours and talk the entire time:) Pretty much why I love my husband - I will never say our relationship is perfect because no one's is but I can honestly say that each day gets better than the one before. Other than that life has been pretty busy - we have had a lot of people visiting lately - Jon and Callie - Dave's brother and his wife, my brother twice - which I love that he lives in Chicago - Nathan when are you and Emily moving closer, plus we have been to Chicago, me to Michigan and my mom coming next weekend. Plus we are trying to figure out a road trip destination for Spring Break - the joys of being a teacher:) Hopefully we will have some exciting news to share in April as well - no we are not pregnant but it would be a huge life change - keep us in your prayers - we hope it works out:)

Christmas Time 09

Well - it's 2010 - hard to believe. I have been thinking about blogging more and have decided it will be one of my many resolutions this year:) I usually don't like to blog because I don't think I am that great of a writer but i am over that now....so bear with me. I was driving this afternoon to my school. If you don't know me you need to realize that I work at an urban school with high school students who have pretty much nothing. I was thinking how excited I am to see them on Monday - I know crazy since they drive me crazy but after 3 years those kids are my kids. Anyways I was thinking of how blessed I was this year for Christmas. I have an amazing husband and 2 wonderful families. We got to see both this year and it was wonderful. I could care less about gifts but I love seeing my families:) It got me thinking though how one of my students said Mrs. Watson I hate Christmas because I don't get anything at all. This killed me because I hate that she thinks of Christmas that way and that she is right - she won't get anything. My goal though as I have been renewed this vacation is to show my students that they don't need the material things.....it's about things more important than that. So if you are reading this I hope you had an amazing Christmas but that you also are reminded of the true reason for the season.....:)