God Grant me Peace!

I keep praying to God for patience and courage but yet again my patience and courage are being tested. The kids father in AZ is taking actions that require hiring a lawyer again. He is taking the kids for 9 weeks when he is only allowed 5 weeks this summer. So I need a court order to force him to make the change as he has refused to change the plane ticckets. Or I can refuse to let the children board the plane.

Please pray for me as I battle this and move forward protecting my children from what is wrong and protecting myself from being taken advantage of and victimized by someone that I don't want in my life or want to allow to control my emotions or happiness. I know that I will have to communicate with him so he cna know his children but I do not have to let him abuse me or abuse my children's happiness.

When they came home last year they were not my children, they came back spoiled and talking back. They mistakenly thought they were adults and could demand things of me and their Dad (step). It took nearly a month to get our world back in order. I cannot allow them to be gone so long- they wouldn't have any opportunity to have summer fun with Mom.

Frankly, I just can't imagine my kids being happy about being away from their home for so long. Just pray...

God said to turn the other cheek but he also spoke up and said why do you strike me I have done nothing to you. It is this thought that keeps me going and gives me the power and belief that I can and should fight for my children's best interest and not allow someone to walk all over us.

Valentine Dance

When you scrimp and save for years in college it takes awhile to get used to the idea you don't have to cut every corner in your pocketbook. Josh and I went out on Friday, the church held a couples Valentines dinner and dance. We had a lovely dinner, met some very interesting people, and boggied down to some great oldie tunes.

My favorite part of the evening was the 'twist.' Everybody can do that dance and WOW did it wear me out. It felt great to get out and have a real date. We go out plenty but it sure felt great to have a night of fun.

Sunday we went to dinner with some friends of ours. We plan on goinng out again but without the kids next time.

It feels great to have a social life and good friends. Try doing without a social life for several years and see how wonderful you feel getting out of the house again.

I'm looking forward to the weather warming up and taking the kids out hiking and out for picnics. There is a good place to feed ducks nearby that we haven't visited yet. We've talked about fishing too- that might be around the corner.

What is your favorite weekend get away?

Saying 'hi' from Ohio.

Our friend, Mike, is visiting from Ohio and we had him over for dinner tonight. It was nice to cook for a friend and not just family for a change. Believe it or not, I made meatloaf, yup that is right, meatloaf. A dish my mother never served when I was growing up. I am a cooking show junkie and frequent the foodnetwork.com for recipes. I found a fantastic recipe for meatloaf and tried it a few weeks ago. Yum-Yum! Let me know if you want a copy of my version that I tweaked. My co-workers ask for my recipes after every potluck, I must be doing something right.

Josh and Mike headed out to play poker with some of the boys. So here I am watching movies and finally talking to MY friends and family- even if it is by internet.

Love you all and thinking of you.

"Deep in the sea are riches beyond compare.
But if you seek safety, it is on the shore."
Saadi

What a day!

What a day- I've been sweating bullets over my current situation with the courses I teach. I just haven't been enjoying my sophomores and while I find plenty to please me, I am unhappy with the immaturity of my students. My seniors, on the other hand, are a pure joy and I have discovered many students that I adore and can motivate on the way to college or life. I am my best when I am motivating students to move forward to adult life. Sophomores just don't see past high school or beyond individual needs. What amazes me is how much better my own beautiful children behave as compared to 10th grade students.

Well now that you know about the sweating bullets...

The relief- I am being recomended to teach Honors English III (Juniors). Even if I am not approved there are several sections of junior courses opening up that I could assume and drop my 10th grade students.

YEAH!!!! No more instructing students that are more immature then my five year old. Only instruction of students as immature as my seven year old (wink).

Read-In

I had a career building day. African American Read-In was today and I managed to get over 300 students together to celebrate this event. Imagine students reading at the same time as millions (not exaggerated) of other students across the United States and abroad.

I really enjoyed myself- reading Uncle Remus folktales and Hughes' "Freedom Train." I am amazed by how wisely and carefully my students choose their selections. They sure impressed me. Let's hope I can continue up the momentum and stay charged.

I've sat down and written some of the comments my students made on their required response worksheets. Read the comments you will be surprised at how well the students engaged and how what we want students to learn really does happen. Here are a few...

"Very good." "'It's better to be alone then in bad company' my favorite quote'" Richard

"The story of Angelo is talking about how her life was hard and she had to deal with so many hardships. Talks about how women should not have to meet certain criteria to still be phenomenal." "It was very good and amazing." "It was very well read & extremely good." Christopher

"I like the poem, it has true meaning and real life things." Markas

"It tells us that miracles happen everyday and no one notices." "I like the way she reads it's clear and emotional." "I like her choices." Justin

"She talks about how people think a person is black but that in reality black is good, like black clothes are sleek and nice and black can describe a mood." "This was a good poem because it was inspirational." Keisha

"A student is writing an English paper and wants the professor to see him for any student not just a black one." "This is good because writing should not see color, just skill." La Keisha