Becoming Becky...

I've gotten several questions inquiring why I decided to leave classroom teaching when I seemed to love it so much. Here's my vulnerable answer...

For three years, the focus of our family's life was my teaching career.  Although I taught at wonderful, private, Christian school, I confess I didn't balance home and work, at all, not even slightly!!!  I LOVE teaching (and feel it's my God-given talent) so it was easy for me to pour my heart and soul into my "classroom".  I taught 1st grade my "first" year back and 2nd grade for two consecutive years.

During my teaching tenure, Rob and Josiah were EXTREMELY supportive.  They both (and many others) went above and beyond to show their support for me and my lofty classroom endeavors.  I can't even begin to relate how patient Rob & Josiah were!

Josiah would go to school early and stay late.  Because of my drive and focus, he didn't have the opportunity to join in extra curricular activities or enjoy friendships and play dates outside of the walls of school.   Rob took over most of the parenting duties and all of the cooking duties, as well.  After working 10-12 hours at his full time job everyday (4am-??), he would immediately come to school and be my "helper" the rest of my school day.  Both Rob and Josiah stayed to help me clean up, correct some papers and help prepare for the following day.  We'd arrive home around 5pm and I would nap until Rob waked me up for supper. Then, I would be with Rob and Josiah until they would go to bed and I would continue correcting papers, preparing lessons, etc... until quite often, 2-3 am. On the weekends, they helped me drag everything home and I would work nearly non-stop until Monday morning.

I literally became a workaholic and because I was doing the Lord's work, I convinced myself, everything was a-okay. I thrived on my students enjoying school so much that they were sad when the school day ended.  I was motivated when parents spoke words of affirmation.  I loved helping other teachers find joy in teaching.

Unfortunately, Josiah and Rob were often left begging for my attention and affection.  They grew weary when I'd half haphazardly spend time with them or break yet another promise of "not working" as hard this weekend. There was always another activity, unit, email or classroom Facebook post that "required" my attention. Gradually our family's happiness seeped into a quiet puddle. Not only that, but I completely abandoned friendships, as well.

You are probably expecting I had a nervous breakdown or that some huge turning point or catastrophic event caused me to reevaluate my priorities.  Thank goodness God spared me, our marriage, and my family from such a life-altering event.  Rather, I slowly realized my selfishness and became emotionally and physically tired of the insane pace I was keeping.

Although I knew God and my family wanted AND needed me to resign from my teaching position, doing so was agonizing for me.  As I worked through the decision to quit, I was forced to slow down and examine the current state of my life.  I became uncomfortable in my own skin because I found the real Becky was hiding behind teaching triumphs and trials.  I had lost sight of who I was and was created to be outside of being "Mrs. Thompson".

It may sound strange, but I was apprehensive to quit because I only knew how to be "Mrs. Thompson".  I had forgotten how to be "Becky".  I was overwhelmed by the facades I needed to crumble and baggage I needed unpack to find who I really was.  But, at the same time, I was also sad that I worked so hard to become a wife and mom, yet I wasn't taking time to actually enjoy being one.

As our family considered me quitting, we quickly realized our family was meant to home school for this season of Josiah's life.  Home schooling is allowing us to reconnect as a FAMILY.  We can spend oodles of QUALITY time together and Rob and I finally feel like we are raising our son, TOGETHER!  Of course, I am not only able to enjoy being a mom, but also I can still be a teacher.  I love investing my time and talent into Josiah and ONLY Josiah (instead of putting him and his needs & wants on the back burner)!  Rob and Josiah are overjoyed that the kitchen is once again my domain. We are thriving on having a slower more meaningful pace of life.

Best of all, I am slowly becoming Becky...

Day 1 & "Classroom" Tour

Josiah's official 1st day of 5th grade was on September 2, 2015.  

In typical Josiah and Becky fashion, we started our school day "late" in the day vs. early.  We started at 11:45 am.  Now for you naysayers and Type A personalities, no worries, we will be starting a normal school schedule after Labor Day.  But for this week, I followed the advice of other home schooling moms and we've enjoyed half days to get us back into the groove of learning.

We had a super, first day together!  We both set academic and personal goals, enjoyed devotional time outside under our big maple tree, saw a hummingbird at our bird feeder, created a prayer bucket, took Max for a walk (PE), played a math game together and I taught Josiah the ins and outs of interactive notebooks (or also sometimes called lap booking or note booking).   Overall, we spent 4.5 hours learning, which included math, vocabulary, grammar and writing.  

Queue the highlight reel-- Josiah will share a bit more about our home school room and his first day highlights.  If the PLAY button doesn't work, just click here:  Josiah's Home School Room Tour. 

Thanks for following us! 

Pushing "RESET"

After a three year hiatus of not buzzin' on my blog, I'm back!  

In fact, our family is pushing the RESET button. We've decided HOME is where MY heart is!  ALL of us missed me being home, so we are in the midst of refocusing our lives and I am lovin' being a stay at home mom, once again. 

However, I'm not spending my days alone anymore...Josiah is with me and as of yesterday, we departed on our HOMESCHOOL adventure!  

So, stay tuned and follow our blog if you'd like to walk alongside us as we venture out into the great unknowns of homeschooling and "tween"hood! :) 

Currently... (Edition 3--Summer 2012)

Practically the whole summer has gone by without a bit of blogging....sorry followers!  Shame on me! I feel so bad, BUT I've been a little pre-occupied... 

Right after my surgery, I interviewed for a teaching position at Christian Center Elementary and was offered a full time 1st grade position!  So, I (er....WE-- the whole "fam") have been busy as bees getting ready for ME to go back to school.  I'm truly just "giddy" with excitement!

Our family fell in love with Christian Center Elementary when Josiah attended school there as a Kindergartner.  However, due to a variety of circumstances we weren't able to send him there last year (for first grade).  Although Josiah loved riding the bus to and from public school each day, it was a tough year for him & us...we truly missed the school, families, friends, teachers, and culture at Christian Center!  So, when God dropped the opportunity in my lap to apply for a job at CCE...I immediately jumped on it!  In fact, I literally finished filling out my application in a hospital gown during pre-op :) 

I'm so thrilled that God has given me this opportunity!  First grade is my "sweet spot" so I'm anxious to serve and honor Him by teaching my little first graders!  I give thanks that not only has God provided the resources for me to go back to teaching, but also that He has restored my health so I can return to the classroom! (Side note:  As of yesterday, all my "labs" show that all of my blood levels are within NORMAL range.  Yep, that's right friends & family--- I'M NORMAL!!)  ha ha

Since I was offered the job, I've hardly sat idle one moment! So here's just a bit of what I/we have been doing to prepare for back to school.  

• First up, I had to renew my teaching license so I took 3 classes to accomplish that!  If you want a peek of what teachers learn and do in their classes just click on this link to view one of the assignments I submitted for my online Differentiated Learning graduate level class, in which I had to create a "before and after" unit on place value, showing the difference in differentiating instruction to meet students' varying skills and learning styles..  (Note:  The link is large and cannot be scanned for viruses).  I also attended a phenomenal conference led by Jill Eggelton, in which I became better prepared to teaching oral language, reading, writing, spelling and phonics. During my third class, I learned about a variety of  websites that help teachers extend technological learning in their classrooms.  All of the classes were so beneficial in helping me get back into the groove!

• I've sat endless hours at my computer researching activities and organizational tips to renew my mind and fill my files with FREE ideas to make me organized and learning more engaging for my students. 

• After making myself completely overwhelmed, I finally had to break out the post-it notes to brainstorm and organize my wandering thoughts.  I use this brainstorming method often (usually on a smaller scale) because it really helps me focus.  The day I "went to town" with my brainstorming...Rob commented, "I wondered how long it was going to take you to pull out the post-its!".  I brainstorm these types of list when going on vacation, house cleaning, make ahead/freezer cooking, Christmas, etc...  When I have a lot of little tasks that need done, this is the best way I find to do it.  Using post it notes makes it easy to "move" tasks into categories and then I write or type up a master list from that.  

• Trips to the teaching store to buy 50% off bulletin board supplies equalled lots of punching out for Josiah :) 

• And all my math, literacy and Bible preparations and printing equalled MEGA amounts of cutting for Rob!  Here is a look at his "office".  I'm really thankful the Olympics are on right now because that makes him more willing to sit and do all my "cutting" :)  He refers to this task as his "2nd job!" :)

• As of Monday, I was given the "green light" to move into my classroom :)  Here's what it looks like....needs a lot of TLC, organizing, and color huh?   :)  But, I thought it would be fun for you to see before and after pics, so I'll post "after" pics later in August.  I'm centering everything around an ocean/beach theme so it will be a SUNNY and BRIGHT classroom. 

BEFORE

So that's a peak into what is currently going on in our lives.....SCHOOL, SCHOOL, SCHOOL!!  I report to school on Friday, August 17th and Josiah goes back to school on Wednesday, August 22nd.  So little time, so much to do!! But I'm not doing it alone....I'm so extremely grateful for so many of my family members that have helped me with this journey--- punching out, cutting, providing ideas, building, gift certificates, and babysitting! 

Plans For a SeNsAtiOnAL SUMMER

I'm BAAAAACCCCCCKKKKK!!

Since the beginning of April I have been suffering with extremely low iron counts.  This is very unlike me, but I can sum up the past 3 months in one sentence-- lots of bed rest, an ER visit, probably 20 doctor & lab visits, blood transfusion, five iron infusions (& counting), and a partial hysterectomy. 

So that's what I have been doing in your absence!  But, I'm happy to report I am feeling much better and healthier, which means we are finally ready to kick off summer at our house!  I definitely owe Josiah some fun given all the boredom he has endured at the doctors, hospital, and home!

Just like last year, I have planned lots of special activities for us to enjoy so we squeeze every bit of fun out of summer!  We call these activities our Summer Bucket List!  I incorporated lots of new ideas with the ol' standard activities that make summer, well, SUMMER!

Here's a glimpse of our Summer Bucket supplies :)

Here's a link to see our list of summer bucket activities! 


I changed how we are picking & choosing activities.  Last year, we randomly drew an activity out of a bucket.  However, Josiah didn't appreciate the "randomness".  There were very specific activities that he wanted to complete ASAP.  Because I stuck to the rules, he became frustrated and eventually uninterested in the bucket list.

Therefore, in an attempt to complete each and every task before summer "kicks the bucket" AND keep Josiah engaged ALL summer long, I have adjusted our picking-n-choosing format! 

I color coded each activity, cut them out on heavy cardstock, laminated them and put them on the frig.  So, now Josiah can choose any activity he wants and once we complete it, we move it to the "TA DONE" section on our frig :) 

Refrig-- To Done & Ta Done!

There is only one summer bucket rule:  He cannot pick a same color activity 2x in a row!  He has to pick a different colored activity each time, to help keep things a little varied :) 

Of course, there can't only be fun....We've been assigning Josiah specific chores/tasks that he must complete each day, as well. 

This is our first time formally assigning chores and paying Josiah an allowance for completing them.  He is being paid $.25 per each task completed and paid his accumulated weekly allowance on Thursdays. He won't be paid for some of the chores like brushing his teeth, however, if he doesn't do these tasks, $.25 is subtracted from his weekly allowance.

I created task cards vs. daily task lists, so I have been able to "manipulate" what I need help with, needs done, etc... Plus, each morning he will be "surprised" by his assigned chores!  Here is a link to Josiah's chore cards! 


These are our plans for a successful, sensational SUMMER!  We'd love to know yours!!

Sweet & Sour Salad

Sweet & Sour Pasta Salad

I had a request for this recipe today, so I thought I would share it with everyone vs just one :) 

This recipe comes straight from my mom's cookbook!  It is one of my favorite salad recipes! 

It's a perfect salad for your a spring/summer cookout or potluck!  But I also like to serve it at a bridal/baby shower because it's so pretty & colorful and yields about 16 servings+. 

The best part....it keeps well for a couple of days :)

Helpful Kitchen Hints (including 3 surprises)

I'm always happy to learn about a shortcut or tip that stretches our family's dollars further or simply makes life less complicated.  For example:  laying out your clothes the night before, rotating toys, having a menu plan, etc...so today I'm sharing kitchen, food, & eating tips that just might make your life simpler.

I created a printable shopping list (organized by category) that we keep on the fridge at all times.  As we run out of items we immediately add that product to our list so we can always depend on a well stocked pantry.  Feel free to share and make copies of it for your own personal use! 

Gracie & Josiah

Kid Kitchen Tips

• Cut food into kid sized bites using a pizza cutter .  These are just a few things we cut with a pizza cutter:  spaghetti, pancakes, hot dogs, chicken nuggets/strips, quesadillas, bologna, and cheese slices.  We learned this trick from my brother Rick :) 

• School Lunch idea-- Josiah doesn't care much for cold sandwiches when he takes his own lunch.  Therefore, I sometimes send milk, cereal and fruit for lunch.  I send his soy milk in a spill-free bottle and put cereal in a Tupperware bowl.  But, for those with kids not requiring soy milk,  your kids could just use their lunch milk to pour into their dry cereal. 

Saving time & money makes every one happier!

Money & Time Saving Tips

• Buy fresh herbs in a squeeze tube.  My favorite brand is Gourmet Garden.  You'll find these in the produce's refrigerated section at a major grocery store.  Time to time you need fresh herbs (like basil, ginger, Italian seasonings, etc...), however you only use a couple of stems and the rest ends up spoiling.  Not anymore....just buy a $5 tube of herbs and it will last for several months!  Plus, you don't have to spend precious time washing and finely chopping the fresh herbs either.   

• Whipped Cream in a Can.  I love a yummy, frothy Starbucks latte but they are spendy!  So from time to time I splurge on a can to add the creamy yumminess to my morning coffees or hot chocolate to treat my craving more economically.  It's also fun to add a dollop of whip cream to your pancakes, waffles or ice cream sundaes. 

Food Saving Tips/Stretches with 2 New Recipes

• Use leftover grilled chicken or steak to make quesadillas.  
• I use leftover rice to make family fried rice.  (Find recipe here).
• Leftover mashed potatoes makes the following hamburger pie recipe super quick to whip up.