WOW! It's been a long time since I last posted. I've been VERY busy with work and just staying sane with everything else in life. We got our first bout of snow on the 22nd of January. I was very disappointed and at one point quite unhappy to learn that it was inconsequential because our district rarely closes on account of snow/sleet/ice. Especially the next morning when I realized that I'd have to take public trans to work which would make me late. Since then we've had a 2-hour delay this Tuesday. YAY!

Marianne has been living with us for a full month now and I'm quite thankful God has brought her here. She has such a unique, pleasant and calming personality and is a joy to be around. I think she fits in quite nicely to our community! Here she is with Laur and Ky eating marshmallows they roasted over candles.


Like I said, I've been pretty busy with work. I got my first observation last month and between trying to teach to the standards, demonstrate teaching/learning and keep up with paperwork, I'm also trying to improve on two things that were pointed out-updating my word walls to support literacy by aligning them to our curriculum as opposed to the Dolch word list and incorporating centers more in my lessons as evidence of differentiation. That being said, I'm always busy with work or thinking/planning for it but I do enjoy working with my kids and coming up with ways to help them learn and enjoying watching their excitement as they learn. I think my camera this Thanksgiving was one of the BEST investments I've ever made. It's been so handy in documenting my work.

I also just started working at the pregnancy center again and am making a point to regularly attend Small group. I was so swarmed with the newness and requirements of my job that I had stopped volunteering and sometimes skipped small group this fall because I was so tired or overwhelmed. It's so interesting to me how at the end of a long day God has been faithful in using these ministries to rejuvenate me and keep me going. I love working at the center and the opportunities I have to share my faith with many who've never heard the Gospel clearly. Small group has been so encouraging and the Lord blessed me with such a wonderful group of loving and inspiring women.

On Friday, I found out that in preparation for the test our ESL students need to take within the next month I really have to step it up. So I've got a lot on my plate juggling showing growth from my observation feedback, teaching to the standards, supporting teachers in inclusion, preparing my students for testing as well as myself to administer these tests.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to drive out to a river and go for a nice long walk with Laur. Although the weather has been quite frigid lately, it was a beautiful, sunny day.

There was magnificent scenery, it was nice to be outside in the sun and I had a good opportunity to reflect on what God had been trying to teach me lately about doing things wholeheartedly for Him.