just the highlights

Yes, it has been a while. Instead of a long, boring post catching you up on what's been going on in our household, here are just the highlights of my little blog hiatus.

1.  We took a long weekend and spent some time in Brevard, Asheville, and Lake Lure, North Carolina.

Looking Glass Falls, Brevard NC 

Fly Fishing on the Davidson, Brevard NC

Chimney Rock, where they filmed The Last of the Mohicans.

Drinks at The Grove Park Inn, Asheville NC

2.  Spent Christmas in Summerville with my side of the family this year (we alternate every year).

snuggling with Birdie and her two ornaments she repeatedly stole off the tree.

Christmas morning beignets (ignore the no-makeup morning look)

Lucy helping G open his presents.

Lucy got a dollhouse

Christmas dinner: Frogmore Stew

3.  I went to my 10 year high school reunion. While it wasn't quite the turnout we expected, we had fun nonetheless. My bff Katie planned it and she did a great job. It was great to see some old high school buddies that I don't get to see often.

Katie, me, and softball buddies Alison and Erin

4. I'm taking a graduate course on Nature and Needs of the Gifted Student. Of course, my main reason for taking this course is for recertification points, but I am really enjoying it. I'm learning so much about gifted students and their needs. It is opening my eyes to the needs of gifted students, and the consequences we, and they, face when their needs are not met.

5.  My cousin, Blair, and her two children, Nate (6) and Emery (2), came to visit us last weekend. My Aunt Nita came, also. I love my family so much and love when they come to visit. We had a blast, and Lucy was so happy to see her cousins!

Nate at the park in the Lattimore jersey we got him for Christmas.

Lucy and Emery snappin' green beans for supper.

Cousins at Perfectly Frank's (as seen on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives)

red boots and curious george!

6.  My brother coaches varsity girls basketball at Summerville High School and just got his 50th win last night!  I am so proud of my big bro!

Sweet daddy & daughter moment after a game.

7.  I'm becoming an aunt to another baby girl in April. I am so excited! There are a few name choices they are deciding on, but Lucy's first pick was "Laundry."

Dr. Lucy will be delivering the baby :)

8.  I got crafty with my nails.

The color looks better in person (Essie "sand tropex" with "cute as a button" polka dots)

Okay, so maybe this wasn't a short post, but there was a lot to catch you up! And maybe #8 wasn't really a highlight, but I'm pretty proud of my first "nail art" attempt and wanted to brag a little.

I promise to talk to you all again soon...

Twas the Night Before Christmas Break

As I am sure everyone else is, I am disgusted by the horrific school shootings in Connecticut. When I heard the news, I had just dropped off my students at the buses to go home for the day. I always hug each one of my little ones before I put them on the bus, whether they like it or not. But when I heard this news, I wished I had hugged each one a little tighter for a little longer. 

I am awe of the courageous stories I am hearing of the teachers who were so brave in protecting the lives of their students. All I keep picturing is my little babies with frightened faces looking to me for answers. I know my babies are going to have so many questions on Monday morning, and I pray that I have the courage to answer them. I do not want this tragedy to cause them to be scared or feel unsafe at school, a place where they should feel the safest. It breaks my heart to think of this. 

I am going to hug my little ones constantly tomorrow.

All teachers know that the week before Christmas break is one of the craziest and most exhausting. However, it is also one of the most fun and exciting. Especially in elementary school, as they still have the excitement of Santa and the love of Christmas. 

I wrote this poem with the help of my kiddos last week. I've assigned each child a line, and I will record them reciting the poem to show to the parents at our Christmas party on Thursday. I have to say, this poem is pretty hilarious and they LOVE it.

All you teachers out there can certainly relate...

2C's Twas the Night Before Christmas Break

Twas the night before Christmas break,

And all through 2C,

Not a student was quiet,

Especially not sweet Kassidy.

The homework was turned in to the basket by the door,

In hopes that Mrs. D wouldn't assign anymore.

The children were restless, not listening to Mrs. D,

Not even quiet Patricia or sweet Pressley.

Arguments were starting: "I was here first," shouted Sandra Gail,

"No, I was!" replied Mason, "I'm going to tell!"

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

Everyone jumped out of their seats to see what was the matter.

And what do you think their sweet little eyes did see?

Mrs. D throwing a tantrum screaming, "These kids are driving me CRAZY!"

Her eyes--how they bulged. Her face grew so red,

Makena declared, "I think Mrs. D has lost her head!"

"What should we do?" asked May, "Our teacher is sad."

"You're right," said Colby, "She really has gone quite mad."

Mrs. D's tantrum continued as she started to sigh,

"Oh Gavin! Oh Tripp! Oh Madison and Eli!

Why won't you listen and do as I say?

Why won't Samuel and Gracie simply obey?"

"I know what to do," said Reagan while Mrs. D's eyes continued to bug,

"What Mrs. D really needs is a big, giant hug."

Will agreed, and so did Gabby,

Then Caleigh said, "I know something else that will make her extra happy."

"We all need to listen and do what we should."

"Yeah," agreed Serenity, "That will make Mrs. D feel really good."

So they all marched outside, with Sam leading the way,

"Excuse us Mrs. D, but we have something to say.

We've been kind of naughty, we know this is true,

But we promise to listen and do what you ask us to do.

We'll be good at home, and listen to mom and dad,

We know on Christmas day, that will make them really glad.

Mrs. D's face brightened, and her eyes started to clear,

Her students had told her exactly what she needed to hear.

And they heard her proclaim, as her eyes filled with tears,

"Merry Christmas, my sweet students, and a happy new year!"

#21

If you watched the Carolina vs. Tennessee game yesterday, then you saw the terrible injury received by our beloved Marcus Lattimore. 

Marcus is a wonderful person, a great role model, an inspiration to us all...and he just happens to be one of the greatest running backs in all of college football.

After suffering a terrible knee injury last season, there was speculation that it was career-ending and he would not be returning. And if he did return, he wouldn't be the same player as before.

He proved everyone wrong by his incredible work ethic and his undying faith in the Lord. He came back just as strong.

He's had a great season so far, and then this happened. I was at the game so I didn't see the slow-mo, up close of the hit that caused his injury. And I cannot bring myself to watch it, even though we have the game recorded. My friend and I cried in Williams-Brice Stadium yesterday. We cried for Lattimore's pain and we cried as we watched one of the most amazing examples of true sportsmanship displayed for Lattimore on the field.

I am praying so hard for Marcus, his family, and his teammates. This isn't even about football, this is about a great guy who deserves all the best in life and in his career. Please pray that he recovers and is able to continue his career. No matter what the outcome, God will continue to use Marcus in ways we can't even imagine. 

We love you, #21.

Fall means pumpkin bread and football

Well, hello there.

I'm back. 

If you're a long-time reader(and by "long-time" I mean about a year since I'm still pretty new at this) you know how much I love Fall. If you're a new reader, well, I love Fall. 

And, finally, the temps here in Charleston are lowering and it's starting to feel like Fall. And I'm loving every bit of it. Even standing at the door of my trailer learning cottage every morning greeting my kiddos in the crisp 50* chill is amazing. As long as I have my Pumpkin Spice coffee in hand, I'm one happy teach. Speaking of "learning cottage", I still owe you a "finished product" picture of my room. I'm actually pretty happy with the way it turned out. It's small and isn't perfect, but it's cozy and welcoming which is all I hoped for. I'll get on that picture after I clean my desk :).

Well, speaking of teaching and Fall, a few weeks ago I was completely burnt out and grouchy. I love my job, but you teachers out there know how stressful it can be with all the "extra" stuff that gets piled on our plate. So, what did I do to regroup and recuperate? Took a personal day and baked. What did I bake, you ask? Pumpkin Bread for my wonderful second grade team.

I was so excited to get in the kitchen and bake up some mini-loaves when I realized I didn't have eggs. Simple solution: Drive the 5 minutes to the store to buy some eggs. 

Lazy solution/my solution: Look up a recipe that does not require eggs.

And I stumbled upon this recipe from Joy the Baker. Her version is vegan, mine is not. She uses oil, I used Greek yogurt (hence the "non vegan" change).  Everyone said how much they loved it!

makes 2 loaves, or 4 mini-loaves

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups light brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

1 15oz. can pumpkin puree

1 regular size Chobani apple-cinnamon Greek yogurt 

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 350. Place a rack in the center of the oven. Grease and flour loaf pans and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flours, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.

In a medium bowl, carefully whisk together pumpkin puree, yogurt, maple syrup and water.

Add the wet ingredient to the dry ingredients and use a spatula to fold all ingredients together. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl well. 

Divide the dough between the 2 loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (30-35 minutes if using mini-loaf pans), or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven. Let rest in the pans for 20 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. 

I hope you all are enjoying Fall as much as I am! 

And, I leave you with some images of my favorite thing about Fall...

Tasty Tuesday--Senegalese Chicken Soup

It's finally a Tasty Tuesday post! And this one might be one of the best ever. 

I had a craving for Thai and this soup did not fail. Please don't let my terrible photo deter you from making this amazing soup!

Senegalese Chicken Soup
adapted from food.com

1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup curry powder
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 quart chicken stock
1 quarte diced tomatoes with juice
1 deli rotisserie chicken (or 4 cups cooked chicken), shredded
3/4 teaspoon red chili paste (found in the Asian foods section in your grocery store)
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 (14 ounce) can lite coconut milk
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
lemon juice, to taste (I used to juice of one small lemon)

1. Saute onion, garlic, and cayenne in oil until onion is translucent in a large stockpot.
2. Stir in curry powder and curry paste; saute 1 minute.
3. Add chicken stock and tomatoes in juice; bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add cooked chicken and red chili paste; simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Whisk in peanut butter a little at a time until incorporated; add coconut milk and stir to incorporate.
6. Turn soup to low and add cilantro and lemon juice; check seasoning.


I am telling you...this soup is restaurant quality!

Prayer Requests Needed

A family member of mine was diagnosed with leukemia in the spring. He is a sweet 12 year old boy who likes to go deer, dove, and duck hunting and bass fishing with his dad. He has a family who loves him and friends who miss him. He had a normal life of a typical middle-school boy until his diagnosis. Since then, he's been through ups and downs. He's had rounds of chemo, made it to remission, only to be re-diagnosed.

He keeps running fevers and his white blood cell counts are very low. His chemo treatments cannot be given until his blood cell counts get higher. 

Please keep him in your prayers. 

I don't usually post such personal information on here, but I believe in the power of prayer. So, if you're reading this post, please take a few minutes in your day to send up a prayer for Dylan.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Mark 11:22-24

I am alive...

sort of.

I mean, I am breathing, so I am alive in that way. 

But, I. Am. Dead. Tired.

Teaching a new grade level, implementing new common core standards, walking 3 miles every day at work (literally...I've clocked it. that's how far my trailer is from everything), and waking up at 4:45 every morning after going to bed at 11:30 every night has completely worn me out! I'm just waiting for it all to slow down. But who am I kidding...we all know that it NEVER slows down!

I will say that I am LOVING second grade. I would say the biggest adjustment for me right now is the difference in the maturity level from third grade, but I start each morning with my Joyce Meyer devotional and I swear, it reminds me take deep breaths and show patience and love with some particularly challenging/whiney little ones through out  the day...well at least until dismissal which is crazy every day. We'll get there. WE WILL GET THERE.

I promise I will do a real post one day. I am not even going to say it will be soon, but it will happen again one day. 

Today, however, I slept until 9:00 (4 1/2 hours later than a typical week day), I am enjoying my coffee in my PJ's with College Game Day playing on the T.V. And I plan on staying on this couch, in my PJ's, with something other than coffee in my hand, while I pull on my Gamecocks and 12:20! And I will love every minute of my laziness! Even if I am working on SmartBoards while watching. 

And tonight, I get to do this...

Can't wait to celebrate with Megan!