Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Frazzled Mom/50th post give away


No I have not fallen off the face of the earth but I have fallen off the land of blogville and have missed it terribly. I think I have been online maybe 2 hours in the past week and most of that was trying to find great pictures for my classroom's job chart. I posted a while back about the opportunity I was given to teach one of the two 4-K classes at my children's preschool. Although I have a degree, having babies and staying home with them has been my classroom. I have not actually had my own classroom. I started with the other teachers this past Monday to get our rooms prepared. They had so much stuff at the school to decorate the room with but of course since it is my first classroom I wanted to put my own touches in the room so I have gone OVERBOARD in getting the room ready. I have to say I am not all about the traditional primary colors either. Now of course the kids need to know them and learn them but I do like a lot of other colors as well so some of my decor might be called a little rebelish(a word I think I just made up) We have some pillows in the reading center that have seen much better days so I am going to pick up some animal print material and my sweet MIL is going to make some new pillows for me, I think the kids will love them. Ladies after this week of lesson planning and room preparing I have to tell you I really had no idea how much work these teachers put into their rooms and lesssons. I also thought (especially at preschool age) that when you went home that was it. Well you have to earn a certain number of training hours outside of class time. There are staff meetings, cpr training, open houses, programs, all taking time outside of the classroom. If you have a kiddo in preschool or any grade for that matter, thank them, I mean really let them know how much you appreciate the work they do. The preschool is in a church and the church does not want the classrooms to look like school rooms on Sunday mornings so we have to remove some items and we are limited to the wall space we can use. At first I was disappointed that I could not do more but after this week I'm thinking that is the best rule I have ever heard. I am tired and the kids have not even come yet. They come tomorrow and though I am tired I am equally as excited to meet all their sweet little faces. I have prayed for each of them as I have cut out their name tags. Today as I sat in the room I prayed over the room, for the children, and all the parents of the children. I want to be a blessing and not a burden to each family. I will have to let you know how it goes. They are coming in groups over the next two days. The first official week starts next week.


Now I mentioned in my last post that I would be having a give away in honor of my 50th post. Well this is it. Number 50!!! I am so excited that my sister got me started blogging because I have loved it. I guess it can be tempting at times to make your life seem more exciting than it is but I have not come across too many blogs that are that way. I have read a lot of stories about struggles, marriages, parenting and there is a lot of pain and raw exposure. Knowing that other people are going through valleys and reading about how they get through them is so encouraging to me. I don't mean to say I am ever encouraged by some one else's pain I am encouraged that I am not the only one. I also am encouraged by those who share their love for going to yard sales and thrift stores and turning a once drab find into something beautiful all at a very low cost( no pretending there). As I blog and share pictures and glimpses of my life I have become very reflective and thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given me. So I want to thank all of you bloggy friends for keeping " it "real.

I do not have my digital camera so I will not be able to show a picture of the gift until Fri. or Sat. but I will begin today and anyone who leaves a comment beginning today with this post will be included in the drawing.

Blessings

16 comments:

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Hey sis,
How exciting. I know they are gonna LOVE you. I'll be praying that tomorrow goes smoothly.

I'm so glad that you started bloggin! I know you have encouraged many people in your 50 posts and will continue to do so in your next 500!

Love ya
Sandy :)

Shelly said...

You are hysterical! I'm cracking up at your love for thrifting - amen girl :)

And bless your weary bones. Take some photos of the little room for us too whenever you find that camera, m'kay? I'd love to see it!

I just know the Father soaked up the aroma of your prayers for those children...what a precious offering that was to Him.

And PS - Thank you for your love and prayers in this transitional couple of weeks for me. And for giving me blog grace when I haven't been able to keep up with barely even my own right now!

Bless you beautiful one!

Sandy McTier Designs said...

I'm not trying to enter twice or anything I just wanted to tell you that you've been tagged with a name game ~ check it out it at my blog and play along if you will!
San

Anonymous said...

You sound soooooooooo excited!
Congrats on your big 5-0!
Praying for a peaceful and FUN tomorrow...

Jennifer in MS said...

Yay! Please count me in! And what a sweet post about blogging! I'm amazed myself at the wonderful people I've met because of this new thing called "blogging"....well, it's relatively new to me! I've enjoyed it so much and I just appreciate your words concerning it!

Good luck with your new class! You sound like such a wonderful teacher! You will be a blessing to the lucky little ones that get you!

Adele said...

A big thanks goes out to your sister for her influence to start you blogging. I can't tell you what a blessing it has been for me to find your blog. I think we are kindred spirits. :)
You are going to be an awesome teacher. I can tell your heart is in it and you have definitely prayed over it. I love that you have prayed for each precious child by name. A parent could ask for nothing more from her teachers. You are going to do great! I will be praying for you, my friend.

Kim said...

I absolutely agree with all of the other ladies...you ARE a BLESSING! I know you'll be a GREAT teacher and I'll keep you and the children and their families in my prayers. Count me in on your give away. Good luck! Hugs ~ Kim

The Price's Wife said...

Glad you're back...I feel the same way, LOVE reading about everyone's lives. LEt us know how your new class goes!

Alice J said...

Hi Linda,
You have been tagged by Sandy McTier's art student, AliceJ. Check out my blog at Alice's Creations on Sandy's blog. It's called the "name game" You can see what Sandy has been teaching me and her other students.
I love the title of your blog! I am a christain too. I use to be the church librarian in a baptist church. Still go to church there but the people just aren't interested in reading. And I have picked up on Sandy's art classes.
Now check out my blog and play the name game.
God Bless,
AliceJ

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

Uhhhhhh, okay. This is pretty awesome. I didn't know you were having a giveaway. How ironic as I was coming over to congratulate you on winning the giveaway from Des at Peeking Thru the Sunflowers! And now that I've done my duty (didn't want to appear to be a sore loser, you know!), I'm going back to read your blog some more. And, while I'm rather famous in my humble little circle for being the Unluckiest Human Being Alive for Contests, please enter me in yours anyway. I like to feel like I having given up hope completely. lol

Mrs. Jones said...

Teachers should be paid hourly! My mother and brother are teachers, so I have always been aware of the extra hours that go into teaching. Fortunately, as time goes on, you do spend less time on the things you do the same every year.

I'm so glad you have a blog, too. Your posts, more than anyone elses, inspire me and lift me up. It is nice for me to hear the wisdom of a mother of 3, someone in the same boat as me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

Anonymous said...

Hey Sis...Congrats on your 50th post. I'm still a lurker...don't have the time to start one myself. :)
Love you
Deb

Justabeachkat said...

Linda

I've been out of town so I'm just "catching up" on my blog reading.

I sure know what you mean about being frazzled! At times, things can be so overwhelming!

Congrats on your 50th post!

Please enter me in your contest. I'd love to win.

Hugs!
Kat

Jill said...

I know your room will look wonderful and I hope the school year is a blessing for you.

Andi said...

I think it's great that you and your sister both blog! Love her wedding picture...she was a beautiful bride!

Mrs. Jones said...

My mother and brother are teachers, so I always saw the behind-the-scenes work they do. It seems like it ends up being double the class time.

Hope all is well with you. I've been busy (not quite as busy as you), so I haven't been able to stop by as much as I like.

Love the picture of the boys at the top of your blog. They are a handsome group.