September and summer memories

Hello friends!! I have really missed you and I have missed posting too.  I blinked and August was over.  I tried to rewind but somehow I still ended up in September!!  How about you?  Do you find that as you get older time starts moving exponentially? 

I look at my life and remember how when I was a kid time could not move fast enough.  I remember being bored and not having a single thing to do. I remember as a teen things were moving faster but still not fast enough and then in my twenties it started to speed up even more...almost out of control.  Now I have to figure out how to schedule everything in...the activities, the driving, homeschooling, teaching, crafting, my design work, my shift working husband, the list goes on.  Don't get me wrong, those who know me know I like living in a constant state of "busy".  It takes me 3 days into a vacation before I can relax.  I try to do housework, help out or do anything other than sit.  By about day 3 I can pull out a good book and sit still for a period of time.  I also love to play card games or simply chat with others.  We truly had an incredible summer of geocaching, star gazing (especially the August meteor shower), swimming, boating, driving, reading, fair-going, weddings, gardening and family time.  I am so thankful that I have had some time to meet with both family and friends.

Here are some of the books I read this summer...

So Long; Insecurity by Beth Moore
I started reading this book in late April after I attended the So Long; Insecurity you are a bad friend simulcast at a nearby church.  I was moved by Beth's words (I always am; her Bible studies are my favourite!!!) and decided to buy the book at the event. I started it the night I returned bu unfortunately I was only reading about 12 pages a week between May and June because it was the end of the year and report cards were well under way.  What I really appreciated about this book was Beth's ability to share how all women are affected by insecurity to some degree.  Sometimes it's nice to know you are not alone.


The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephanie Meyer

Well I have to say that a couple of years ago my friend Sara convinced me to read this story about vampires.  I kept telling her I was NOT interested in vampires or stories about vampires and that truly it would be a book I'd end up using to light the campfire.  I got the book in August and put off reading it while I prepared my school year in September.  By about mid October I picked it up and read about 30 pages...then 130 pages...and suddenly I had to finish the book.  I ordered the other 3 in the series and within a month (keep in mind I was busy with report cards etc) I had read the most pages I had ever read in a month and a half in my entire life.  Yes, you guessed it the Twilight Series.  Mindless fun reading!!  I love all the books but especially Twilight.  I fell in love with the "love" story.  Suddenly it took me back to the early dating years with my now husband (ok so there was no vampire stuff...just the courting process).  So it will come as no surprise to learn that one of the books I read this summer was The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

I just started reading this after my trip for "teacher training".  I have seen it on the shelves for years and have been meaning to pick it up but up until now have not.  I have only read about 50 pages but the message is deep and has stirred something within me.  Our kids are becoming more disconnected from us (parents) and more connected to peers and the outside world.  If you are looking for a way to connect with your children on a deeper level, a level with respect, a level with understanding, a level with unconditional love I highly recommend this read!  Another great one that I read several years ago (and VERY eye opening) is called

Hold Onto Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter more than Peers by Gordon Neufeld

I was never more aware of the influences in our society until I read this book.  As a school teacher I have seen many types of interactions among children.  I respect their need to be with others but in our high tech world and "busyness" our kids are looking for attention in all the wrong places.  This book grounded me and in many ways may be the reason I am now homeschooling my son and why I will likely homeschool my daughter in the future.  Of course you don't have to homeschool your kids to make the principles in this book work, instead you just need to slow down and listen to your kids before it is too late.

In the next few weeks I will be organizing my school year.  I meet or talk with my homeschool families about what their year looks like and draw up a student learning plan that outlines the learning outcomes they will meet, the goals they have for their children, the activities and strategies they plan to use, the evaluation and assessments they will implement and the resources they will be using.  In addition, I work with students who need special education assistance and I create IEPs (individual education plans) as well as draw up a plan and budget for the resources they need to meet their learning outcomes and purchase new resources and curriculum.  I also have the pleasure of working with students who receive learning services support (the students who don't get funded as special education students but who nonetheless require strategies and support for their learning).  I have the pleasure of working with students who struggle and who are gifted.  The best part about teaching is that no two students are alike.  It is my absolute pleasure to ensure that each of the students I work with (including their parents) have the best supports in place to create a fabulous learning environment where their needs are nurtured.  On top of all the fun above, I have the pleasure of home school my son again this year.  I have learned a lot in the past 1.5 years of homeschooling him.  Most days are hard but regardless of the day I have to be thankful.

I am pre-posting a card for tomorrow so for those of you who have been anxiously awaiting something paper craft related the waiting will soon be over LOL .  I have some projects in the works and of course PTI release time is around the corner ;)  so it won't be long before you are bombarded with new paper crafts from me again.  If only I could find more time in the day!

Wishing you all a fabulous September.  May it be abundantly rich and full of adventure.  Talk to you soon.

Alli