One Year {#SOL16 Day 31}

Whew!

I can't believe that the writing challenge 

is going to be over today! 

Part of me seems like I just sat down

on my first day and attempted to try something new!

Little did I know, I would have so much fun writing 

and connecting with other writers from all over!

My post is symbolic of today in many reasons!

First of all, last year at this time

my husband and I were very much stuck.

We had sold our house in November,

and had plans to build next to my parents. 

It fell through. 

To say I was devastated is an understatement.

We were at square one again, 

and not sure where to go or look.

We started the house search once again. 

We found nothing.

Then we would find something, 

and it wasn't what we thought. 

We put in offers on a few things, but

they weren't what we really wanted. 

Until we found our lot that we 

currently live on. 

I was making a picture book today

of our building process. 

I contacted my cousin to ask her to send me some pictures. 

You see, she was with me and my son, when

we strolled up the driveway at my parents house,

and my husband shared the great news---

"We got an accepted offer!!!"

She had no clue what was going on,

but pulled out her phone and started snapping 

picture after picture. 

I realized today while making that photo book,

that March 31st was the day that we found

out we were going to get our lot to build our house.

TODAY!!!  

So weird??!!  Yes, and no!

I believe that things happen for a reason. 

Yes I was down and really not sure 

which direction to turn.  

This was the second time we had put an offer

in on this piece of land, and it was our last chance. 

And. We. Got. It!!!!

It's so cool that today was that day exactly

one year ago where this dream started. 

It's so hard to think that I've been living in

this house since September 5th now!

Not a very long time, but it does feel like forever!!

What a cool thing to figure out and remember today!

Today is day 31 of the Slice of Life writing challenge! I'm so thankful that my coworker Jennifer encouraged me to join! It's been a great ride, and I'm looking forward to sharing more as time goes on! Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to communicate with me, and share with me. I truly loved each day of this!

Passion through Photography {#SOL16 Day 30}

I spent some time looking through some photos today while I was playing with my computer.  I know that I've talked about photography being a passion of mine. I wanted to take a little time to share some of the pictures that I have loved over the time that I've been taking pictures. I also want to thank each one of you for taking the time to read what I've written over the last month and encouraging me on my sharing, writing, hobbies and passions!  I am so excited that I have been able to be a part of something like this! I look forward to where this will take me in the future!

Adult Time {#SOL16 Day 29}

So, I'm barely making this post today..

I had such a full and wonderful full day 

of break with family and friends today!

We had a fun playdate with a past 

coworker and her daughter this morning,

finally finishing the last boxes to be unpacked 

in the basement during nap time,

and a small impromptu dinner party with 

great friends this evening!

The night was capped off with a little coloring 

session and wine for me with a friend. 

It was relaxing, fun, a great time

for conversation and bonding. 

This friend of mine is always there for me.

I feel so lucky to have her in my life. 

I have to say though, that I don't get to spend

a lot of time with her. It's mostly because of 

my schedule, but she is always there no matter what. 

She cheers me on with my new workout routine,

it always there to build me up when I need it,

and make me remember that I am enough when 

I need the reminder. 

We colored.... talked...laughed...drank wine.... and enjoyed some adult time!

I didn't get to quote finish the second one tonight, 

but hopefully tomorrow I will get the chance to. 

Have you tried the new adult coloring craze yet???

I recommend it, unless you can't 

possibly by any more coloring materials. 

I have spent a lot more on special coloring tools!!!

:)  It's all worth it! 

Interactive Teaching (#SOL16 Day 28)

Right before Spring Break,

we had Ma and Pa visit our 3rd graders at school. 

They have come for several years now, to kick

off our end of the year pioneer simulations. 

Ma and Pa are pioneers who are 

getting ready to hit the trail to head West. 

They come to school to teach our kids

the basics of packing up a wagon. 

They learn about reasons pioneers traveled West,

what they needed to pack 

and how the journey would have been 

along the way for them. 

The looks on their faces, and the

questions that they asked were priceless!

They are so excited to get their own

pioneer identities, occupations, families

and begin to hit the trail on their own. 

We have many STEM and interactive

activities planned along the way, 

but while learning about the regions that the pioneers

traveled through and the hardships that they 

faced, students will get endless opportunities

to research, read and explore on their own

all about the pioneers. 

This is what they use to outline how big a wagon would be.
Then students can see how small of a space they really have.
Then students themselves get into the 'wagon' as items. These
three girls are Ms's organ. They later have to take it ou
because there isn't enough room.

I even got in on the actions!  It never fails, 

every year, I get put on this lift for fixing the 

wagon and a student has to lift me up!! :)

What do you do in your classroom to keep 

student's attention for the end of the year?

This works great for us, and our kids

always talk about it... for years to come!!!

First Easter/Last Easter {#SOL16 Day 27}

Happy Easter to all of those who celebrate!

I had a truly wonderful day full of 

love, family, worship and reflection. 

This Easter was very different than ones

that I've had in the past. My parents

are in Hawaii, for a much needed getaway,

and today was the first time we've had Easter

 without either of my grandparents. 

Last Easter was the last time that I 

got to see and spend time with my grandmother. 

I know that the dates were different,

but I've been replaying last Easter in my

head over and over. I keep looking back on pictures

hoping that one of them with her would magically

be not blurry.  They all still are. 

It's weird how that happens. We had the most beautiful

day outside in the sun last year. Hudson was about 1 

and we were surrounded by family. So much family!

It was a great day.  She got Hudson three trains

from the Thomas show that he still plays with so

much to this day. He loves trains. 

We couldn't stay long, as we were on baby time...

but it was a great time!

We kissed and said goodbye and left

just like every other day or holiday or event previously. 

Is was the last time we saw her. 

That is hard to think and look back on. 

Today was hard, however ended up being magical

and one of the most wonderful days 

we have had as a family.  

We all still come together, to laugh, share stories,

eat, and keep traditions alive. 

It felt so good!

This lamb cake was always a part o our celebrations!
My grandmother would make one each year for Easter
and also for each of my aunts and uncles (8).
We had one today! :)

Today is the 27th day in the Slice of Life writing challenge. It's coming to an end, but there are still so many things that I have left to share, so I'm excited to keep writing with this wonderful community of writers. 

New Traditions {#SOL16 Day 26}

We've been in our new house since the beginning of September. 

It feels like we've been here forever,

but as we're about to celebrate Easter tomorrow,

I am reminded yet again how little time we've been here. 

We were able to have our very first family Christmas this year 

in the new house, which was amazing!

I didn't even think that we were about to do our first Easter 

in the house until this evening while I was prepping. 

Let me rewind just a bit----

Hudson was born in 2014.  

He was early. I had just had my last day of school,

before I was going to enjoy my spring break and at least 2.5 

weeks until the baby arrived. 

WRONG!

I woke up the next morning, 

and was having contractions 5 minutes apart

since almost the very beginning. 

Although I was in denial, we proceeded to the doctor

and then finally the hospital.  It was a Friday. 

Good Friday.

A few short hours later, and some scary moments,

we were parents to a tiny little 5 pounder.  

We spent 4 long days/nights in the hospital,

including Easter.  So it wasn't ideal, 

but Hudson spent his first Easter in the hospital,

and we spent our first holiday as a family 

in the hospital!

We put our house on the market a month later,
and it sold quickly, so we moved into my parents
house with a 5 month old and nowhere to go!
We stayed with them for about a year,
before we finished building and moved into our home now.

When we moved out of my parent's house when

our house was finished, we started having our firsts
as a family!!! With this being Hudson's 

third Easter, it never really dawned on me it would 

be the first one in our new house just the 3 of us. 

We had such a great time dying eggs together,

he is at such a fun age! 

We got to lay out eggs and surprises tonight for him

to wake up to tomorrow. 

These moments and memories are just beginning

and I"m trying to make a mental picture of 

anything and everything I can. 

I know it will go by in the blink of an eye. 

What are some of your favorite Holiday Traditions??! 

Landscapes {#SOL16 Day 25}

I'm slicing on the road today.

I'm spending the day with my college girlfriends in Madison!

I'm super excited to be on the go today,

and the SUN is shining bright!!!

This morning, before I left, we woke up 

to the most beautiful scene. 

Ice covered trees. 

I instantly took out my camera and took a million few

pictures of what I saw. 

I also had so much fun playing around with my pictures

on a fun app to spice things up a bit. 

This last one is not filtered with anything. 

It is just straight from the camera!  

Oh I love waking up to surprises like this....

and it was melting quickly!!!

See ya later, Winter!

(Hopefully)

Today marks day 25 of the Slice of Life writing challenge with the Two Writing Teachers! Almost to the end of the month.. I can't believe it!

A Snowy Day??! {#SOL16 Day 24}

I am done with school for Spring Break.

I'm excited.

I'm looking forward to sleeping in. 

I'm wanting to have a PJ day.

I'm exhausted. 

I sat today and at school from time to time watching the rain... again!

All I could think about was how tired I was. 

My kids were crazy today,

as another weather system blew in. 

Snow.

The 4 letter word of the hour right now. 

Snow. 

I am stunned, even though I shouldn't be...

After all it is the Midwest. 

One day we're in the 60s, and the next there is snow!

Snow and Wind. 

A lot of Wind.

As I left school today and was pelted in the head

with that white stuff,

I couldn't help but smile a little....

How exciting is it to live where we live?

I mean, we get all 4 seasons, and each time they come around,

it's totally a different story. 

Almost like the days in a school year....

So although I don't look thrilled, 

as I got home safely and spent time with my family,

I couldn't help but look outside,

and be thankful for where we live. 

Today marks day 24 for the Slice of Life Writing Challenge! 

I'm excited to be here! :) 

Drizzle Drizzle Drop {#SOL16 Day 23}

The clouds rolled in through the night

and not a sliver of sun was in sight. 

As we waited and watched

for that Spring rain to start,

I couldn't have been more happy

to not see it as snow during this part. 

I sit at my desk, and look at the gloom.

Why does the beginning of Spring, appear to start with such doom?

Each year in the Midwest, we're teased with the warmth,

Just enough to feel slighted when it doesn't continue to come forth. 

We get our hopes up, and all at once,

the forecast shares rain and/or snow 

inevitably coming in with a weather low.   

I can only hope as break approaches,

we have time to relax and soak in the light,

though the rain and snow, 

seem to be the only thing in our sight. 

Drizzle, Drizzle, Drop

Drizzle, Drizzle, Drop

The rain looks like it doesn't want to stop. 

Writing with a Purpose {#SOL16 Day 22}

This Spring at the school I teach at, we are having a writing celebration!
I'm so excited to share with you what we've been working on.
This week things are starting to really come together, and I'm so proud of their work!

Last year we did something very similar, so students knew a lot more 

about it this year coming into it, which was great. They were already excited about it and I also was thrilled with how many of them wanted to share their stories from last year.

Background: 

Last year, our amazing ESL teacher brought a great idea to our writing committee. 

Her idea was to make cartoneras as a school to showcase student writing. 

She had done this in another school she taught at, and thought it would be fitting for us as well. 

Cartonears are cardboard books.We created the Star Center Cartonera, which is our own 'publishing house' to make these wonderful pieces.  

What is a Cartonera? 

A cartonera is a cardboard book, that was first developed in Argentina in order to support the cardboard collectors in that area.  They wanted to support the people who collected the cardboard, recycle it and then help people in need of reading materials at a low cost.  They would recycle the cardboard and make books with it.  By using this material, they would be able to make books more cost effective for people to own.

Steps:

1. First we had students pick a piece that they've written from their writing treasure chests.

(My kids have done a ton of non-fiction writing this year, so I did encourage them to pick one of those stories, but it was not mandatory. 

2. We took time to edit and revise their pieces both in small groups with me and with other students.

3. Students made final copies of their stories on our special cartonear paper.

4. In art class, they got to design and create their covers for their stories. They were able to use all different forms of materials!

5. We did illustrations for the pages in their books and also made an "About The Author" section for the back to share with their readers. 

My students are just about finished up with their stories now!
I'm really excited with how they turned out. 

For more information, or to participate in your own cartonear project, read Heather's blog post here.