Christmas Jar 2012

This year’s idea stemmed from an experience I had at school this week. I had a student tentatively approach me with tears streaming down his face. He whispered to me that he hadn’t eaten in 2 days and could he please have one of the study snacks and he would pay us back the next day. I gave him several snacks and told him not to worry about paying it back. I told my kids that night and we gathered several snacks from our house for me to keep at work for students who are hungry. Around this same time I became aware of Waypoint which is a shelter in Cedar Rapids for women and children who are homeless, living in poverty, or victims of domestic abuse. They have a HUGE list of immediate needs. We talked about it as a family and decided this was the way to go. We had so much fun going shopping for food and household items and then delivering them to the shelter that afternoon.

Grace Notes Dec 2011

Linn Mar Jazz Orchestra Dec 2011 #2

Linn Mar Jazz Orchestra Dec 2011 #1

Excelsior 8th Grade Jazz Band Nov 2011

Top Ten Happenings of the Week

Top Ten Happenings of the Week

10. Marisa had her winter orchestra concert this week.

9. Alayna made the Physical Fitness Honor Roll at school- the only one in her class that made it.

8. Marisa performed with a small group called Poleduris Ensemble at the “Get in the Spirit” show choir extravaganza.

7. Alayna was awarded another PRIDE certificate at school.

6. Four of us were sick this week….booo!

5. Kayla got to dissect a pig. She said hers was speckled and cute. She busied herself with all the paperwork so the rest of the group could do the actual dissection. She doesn’t believe she has a medical future ahead of her.

4. I thought I got my 1^st death threat at work this week. Turns out a student left a note on my desk asking me to put a book on hold for her. The title? "Wish you were dead"! Scared me to death, especially since about an hour before that a HORRIBLE scary fight broke out between 2 girls. It took 4 male teachers to hold one of the girls back and she ripped the shirt and pants almost completely off one of them. The cops were called in and they supervised the cafeteria for lunch. See? I wasn’t too far off thinking I was threatened!

3. Alayna had her Grace Notes concert this week. She did an AMAZING job on her solo! Bob will post the video for you to see. I was so proud of her and how brave she is.

2. Bob and I have been doing weekly dates every week which is something I really look forward too. This week we went to Pancheros for dinner, Cold stone for dessert, went shopping at Kohl’s, and then did the grocery shopping at Walmart. Then we came home, huddled up with the kids downstairs, and watched Survivor. What a stupid season!

1. Tyler found the perfect outfit for Ugly Sweater day at school this week.

Life itself is not something we need to understand. It is simply an experience to be enjoyed, with no other purpose than that. (Unknown)

Ok I was kind of a sucky blogger this week. We did have tons going on but I didn’t take pictures and was off in LALA land I guess? I have been working hard to put all the primary stuff together for the new year and it has taken HOURS, but its starting to come together and look awesome. Anyone here is our week in a very tiny nut shell!

*Marisa had an Orchestra Concert with the jazz band. Bob and Kayla went to go see it and said it was wonderful.

*Tyler has found his “inner artist” probably inspired by his birthday twin, Uncle Jonathan. When he brought this drawing home from school I was so surprised because it was beautiful and he had spent so much time on it. He didn’t get it from me, apparently my bees look like cockroaches and even my stick people are crooked. But he has been working with the art teacher and I think he has some real talent!

*Alaynas school choir sang at the LM Boys basketball game. That girl has no fear. She auditioned and got a special small solo in her upcoming concert this week.

*We are all FINALLY starting to get rid of these colds. It’s a beast I tell ya!

*I want to say again how much I love my job. It seems so odd to say that after complaining about my jobs the past few years and coming home in tears most days. This is such a refreshing change and I may stay here the rest of my working years. Too bad it doesn’t pay more-maybe I need to look into lottery tickets? Anyway, everyone thinks Im crazy when I LOVE tyo sit and process, cover, and shelve books all day. I am always SUPER busy there and rarely have a break to breathe and then I come home and read at night and I just LOVE it. I am almost done with my kick butt series project and honor book project. Ill try and take pics but it wont do it justice.

Ill be better about pictures this week….