Offical Foster Parents!

Well, we got the news Saturday! We are official foster parents.

Pre-service classes, home-studies, recommendations, biographies, and paperwork- they are all behind us and there is an unknown amount of time before us- full of possibilities and opportunities.

I guess this would be a good time to share why we decided to embark on this adventure...

Nick and I got married June 30, 2007 and in July of 2007 people started asking us when we were going to "have kids". We wanted to enjoy our time together for awhile- at least till after I finished my masters degree. As my graduation date (May 2011) came closer, we started to feel the pressure to think about expanding our family. We knew we wanted to return to Africa, where we took a mission trip in July 2010. We also knew that God had blessed us and we needed to open ourselves to Him.

We live in a small two bedroom home. Our guest bedroom has held each of our nieces, a few extended family members and friends, and a couple boys from Uganda traveling with a children's choir. It was time for us to consider opening a door for God.

We opened that door by signing up for foster classes in August 2011. God has been with us every step of the way, and while we still don't know if this is "for us"- we are continuing to trust that if we put our faith in God, He will continue to show us what is right.

If you could keep us in your thoughts, we would appreciate that. It would be such a blessing to have your support while we seek to find if this is right for us as a family.

Thank you in advance.
May you be blessed.


 

I will follow you!

Yesterday I was reminded of one of my favorite classroom moments this year and I just had to share it again...

We often listen to Christian music during silent work times. During journal writing, the Chris Tomlin song "I Will Follow" came on. A couple of my sweethearts quietly started singing, "Where You go, I'll go". Then I heard a couple more quiet voices join in, "Where You stay, I'll stay". A few more picked up, "When You move, I'll move". Then of course (holding back soft tears) I had to finish with their precious voices, "I will follow You! I will follow You!"

I am so blessed to spend my days teaching and learning from dozens of the little ones God loves so dearly.

This week, we completed a project that I have done with each one of my classes. At the end of the school year, students make a hand print poster to take home with them to remember our second grade class. Each student picks a color for their hand print and then goes around the classroom making their "mark" on each poster. After they dry I add this poem in the middle:

"Now I lay me down to sleep
I count these hands instead of sheep
and remember all the friends I made

when I was in second grade."

I hope that my students will look at that poster and remember the love, laughs and learning we shared together. I know I will think back and remember all 19 blessings.

How is God blessing you today?

Summer Birthday Party

With a June 15th birthday, I remember what it was like not to be able to celebrate your birthday at school. Therefore, during the last week of school I like to host a Summer Birthday Party. Today was our party and once again my students' parents were so creative and generous to help make this another special party.

One mom made these awesome individual cakes in a jar. They looked like the colored sand jars kids like to make! 

Students really enjoyed using sidewalk chalk in the parking lot! 

To top it all off, another parent sent these awesome goodie bags!

I often have mixed emotions in the last week of school. We have a lot of fun, but I also feel sad that our time is almost over. Today I had a "proud teacher" moment when my students opened their goodie bags and loved the notebook and pen they got. Just another one of those moments when I felt blessed by being a blessing. Stay tuned! I'm sure I will have many more "last week" moments to share with you.

What is your favorite end of school year memory?

Crazy Hair Day

As I get used to my haircut, I am reminded of my students' shock last time I donated my hair - in fact - One of my students whispered to me that morning, "Mrs. H, is it crazy hair day?" Don't you love the innocence and honesty of children?!

Taking my donation to the post office. Thanking God for this opportunity.

It's been so good to hear stories this week. I love how there are so many people in this world, but with one haircut and one conversation the world gets a little bit smaller and becomes a more helpful, loving place.  

If growing your hair out isn't your "thing", I would encourage you to step out in some way. Sign up for a benefit walk or pick up litter in your hometown. If it doesn't lead you to meet someone or hear a good story, I promise you will still feel good about doing some thing for someone who can't thank you or repay you.

Do you have a good idea for an "anonymous act of kindness"? I would love to hear about it! Please, please post below!


Let's be a blessing and be blessed!  

Beautiful Lengths

In middle school, I heard one of my classmates would be missing school due to surgery to remove a tumor. In that moment, I was led to pray for that student's health. My mind also began to wonder about what she was facing. Later, when I heard about "Wigs for Kids", I began to grow my hair out.

That student soon became my best friend. She never lost her hair and thankfully I never lost her. I have, however, continued to grow my hair to donate once every two to three years. As it becomes long, heavy, and frustrating to care for, I think of all the people who are loosing their hair or wishing it would grow back. For the last few weeks I have considered it a blessing to care for "their wig" as I looked forward to my "cut date".

This weekend, I was blessed by a hairdresser who cut my nine inch ponytail and gave me a free haircut for donating.  Do you have a donation story? Have you ever considered donating your hair? If you are able, I would encourage you to feel the blessing and be a blessing.

Warning: Your first time may not be your last time ;)

Day before

One more ponytail

Right after the cut

Day after

Until next time- Be blessed!

(and if you have a story- please share!)

Right to Read Week Rocks!

If you read the former post, you know this week we are "Reading through the Decades" for Right to Read week. It has truly been a blast through time! Monday was 50's, Tuesday 60's, Wednesday 70's - today the 80's... you get the idea. Monday we enjoyed hula hooping, Tuesday we tried tie dye, Wednesday we made hemp bracelets, and today we were blessed with a distance learning presentation back in time. Check out the pictures below for a snapshot through our week.

Here's an update on our timeline through the stairwell. This is the 60's. 

                 

Wednesday was groovy! 

I was so proud of my boys! We got to spend quality time learning how to braid and they did such a good job!           What a blessing!!

      

On the second floor, we made Pac-Man decorations for the hallway. It was so funny to hear a few of my students say they play Pac-Man on their parents cell phones. Then (thanks to a few awesome parents) I was able to show my students one of the first cell phones people used to carry around in a big bag. Remember!?

The staff had a lot of fun dressing up, but I think some of the students are really having a good time too!

 

Tomorrow we wind down with the 90's. Then it's back to 2012 on Monday to finish out our last two weeks of school.

Thanks for joining us!!

Reading Through the Decades

This year, our Right to Read week theme is Reading Through the Decades. Here are a few pictures I've taken. Enjoy!

Monday was 50's day. Check out the Pink Ladies jacket I borrowed!

Each area of the building is decorated by decade.

Our students really enjoyed decorating and dressing up for the 60's and 70's.

The board in the cafeteria, with senior pictures of our staff, has been a big hit!

Last Friday, we had a kick-off for our students to learn, from some of our staff members, what it was like to be a kid in each decade. Throughout the week, students are researching facts about each decade to add to a timeline that travels through the stairwell. Their new learning and inquiring minds have been a blessing. Stay posted for more information and pictures from this week's events!

We have all been blessed with a past. Be a blessing and share your story with someone you love!

Welcome!

Greetings and thank you for stopping by!

I feel each day there is an opportunity to bless others and to be blessed. I am currently being blessed by my second grade students as we are savoring our last month of the 2011-2012 school year. I am looking forward to being a blessing on our July Mission Trip to Masindi, Uganda, East Africa. When we return, my husband and I will be opening a door for God by being foster parents. Then there is always next school year to look forward to :)

I believe love is an action that produces blessings. Here you will find a journey of blessings from my second grade classroom, our mission trips, future foster parenting adventures and all of life's little blessings along the way. I also hope to bless you with stories, challenges, ideas, and more. In the meantime, feel free to check out the links on the right to learn a little more about what's close to my heart. Until next time...

Be blessed with happiness,
Mrs. H