Sunday, April 24, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Dear Dale,
Remember last summer, when you said that our family needed to get outside to play more often? Well, I think I have the perfect idea. Let's get a trampoline for our backyard!
Playing outside will help us get into shape and stay healthy. Did you know that jumping on a trampoline is great exercise? Jumpers can burn up to 600 calories in one hour! Exercise will give us energy and will help us feel good too!
The kids love to go to G6, but it can get so busy! It's expensive too, especially when the kids bring a friend. Imagine all of the money we will save with a trampoline right in the convenience of our own backyard!
I know that you may feel worried about someone getting hurt. It's true that kids end up in the emergency room with broken bones after falling of their trampolines. Let's not let this stop us from having fun! We can take precautions to keep us safe. We can get a safety net for our trampoline! A net will keep us safe while we jump and flip on our new trampoline.
I also know how much you love our lawn. You've put a lot of time into keeping that yard of ours perfect and green. The kids and I promise to help you move the trampoline so that you mow beneath it. Pinkie promise!
I bet you can see yourself mastering the back-flip right now! Dale "Back-Flip" Williams! What do you say?
Sincerely,
Your Jump-Happy Wife, Amanda
Remember last summer, when you said that our family needed to get outside to play more often? Well, I think I have the perfect idea. Let's get a trampoline for our backyard!
Playing outside will help us get into shape and stay healthy. Did you know that jumping on a trampoline is great exercise? Jumpers can burn up to 600 calories in one hour! Exercise will give us energy and will help us feel good too!
The kids love to go to G6, but it can get so busy! It's expensive too, especially when the kids bring a friend. Imagine all of the money we will save with a trampoline right in the convenience of our own backyard!
I know that you may feel worried about someone getting hurt. It's true that kids end up in the emergency room with broken bones after falling of their trampolines. Let's not let this stop us from having fun! We can take precautions to keep us safe. We can get a safety net for our trampoline! A net will keep us safe while we jump and flip on our new trampoline.
I also know how much you love our lawn. You've put a lot of time into keeping that yard of ours perfect and green. The kids and I promise to help you move the trampoline so that you mow beneath it. Pinkie promise!
I bet you can see yourself mastering the back-flip right now! Dale "Back-Flip" Williams! What do you say?
Sincerely,
Your Jump-Happy Wife, Amanda
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Thursday, March 3, 2016
There is nothing like
raising a daughter. Her little dimples remind you of your own, blissfully mixed
with her father’s smile, and when you look into her eyes you see all the
possibilities of the world gazing right back at you. Your job in raising her is
undoubtedly one of tremendous joy, love and responsibility. In her lifetime,
your work will include endless diaper changes, late night feedings and kisses
on boo boos. Each act of devotion will shape that precious little life that you
would willingly give your own for. You want her life to be filled with purpose
and happiness. You read her books and comb her hair, but truthfully your little
girl’s journey into womanhood begins with the care and keeping of you. So as
you guide that precious girl, please remember to…
Take time for
yourself- I know that mommy guilt
will nag at you. It will plead with you to skip a workout, a coffee date with a
friend, or even an overnight getaway with your partner. Remember, always, that
you can care best for others when you have taken care of you. When that guilt
starts to nag at you, push it away. I know she is begging you to stay, but I
promise, she will thank you later.
Love yourself-
Your little girl will grow to admire you
more than Taylor Swift. She will try to be just like you, because you are her
best model for what being a woman looks and feels like. Teach her to love
herself by loving yourself. As you walk by the mirror, focus on your best asset
rather than your small flaws. Teach her to be comfortable in her own skin by
being comfortable in yours. This can be so hard, but try to work on it each
day.
Forgive- People
are fallible, every single one of us. It is easy to let hurt harden our hearts,
leaving us broken or jaded. Try to see the world through the perspective of
others. It makes forgiveness a much easier task. Know that we are all walking a
difficult path through life, and at times we stumble and fall bringing those we
love down with us. Understand, empathize, forgive and move on.
Strive for your personal best and don’t compare
yourself to others- Sometimes the accomplishments of others can leave us
feeling deflated. It’s easy to get stuck in our own heads, wishing we were
further along life’s path than we are. Don’t do that to yourself. Just don’t go
there. Who cares if that cute soccer mom (who also looks amazing in Lululemon
yoga pants) can juggle work, guitar lessons, BUNKO and family dinner? Hey! Did
you get to the grocery store before the toilet paper ran out this week?
Perfect!
Find your passion-Take
time to get to know yourself. What gets you up out of bed before the sunrises
on a Sunday morning? Pursue that! Find your passion; go forward with a smile
and a light that radiates outward toward those around you. Your enthusiasm will
inspire others to share in your passion with you, and will also encourage those
around you to find and share their own passions.
Be independent-
Know that having people in your life will bring you joy and fulfillment, but
also know that you will be okay to stand alone if you are ever forced to be in that difficult place. Educate yourself in any way that feels meaningful to
you. Know that an education makes you powerful and provides you the confidence
needed to overcome any difficult situation you may find yourself facing.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
The Three Most Memorable Days
Dog lovers say that there are three days in the life of your pet that you'll always remember. The first day is the day that you first laid your eyes upon her and knew that she was meant to be a part of your family. The second day is the day that you first noticed her silvering hair and her slower step, and suddenly you realized that you wouldn't have her for ever. The third day is the day that you stroked her muzzle and whispered good-bye, having made the heart-breaking decision to let her go. I am saddened and grateful that I had all three of these days with my dog, Juanita.
On the day that Juanita and I first met, I hadn't intended to bring home a new puppy. I had intended to bring home some new shoes. As I passed the pet store window, I saw Juanita, lazily napping while the busyness of the mall moved around her. Her fox-like ears twitched as she dreamt of the family that would one day be her own. The moment I saw her, I was in love. I'll just hold her for a moment, I thought, cupping her tiny body in the palm of my hand and taking in the sweet smell of her puppy breath. That moment became a dog's lifetime, because I never put her back down. Juanita was mine from that moment on.
Days turned to months, and months turned to years when suddenly I realized that my easy-going, sweet-spirited girl only resembled the puppy she'd once been. Juanita had traded in her favorite game of chase for a quiet, warm spot in the sun. She could no longer jump up onto my lap, and instead sat at my feet pleading with her eyes for help up. Her soft tan fur had been replaced by course white hair and the lump on her belly was growing bigger. This was the day that I knew that she'd be mine for only a little while longer.
On my last day with Juanita, I wasn't sure that I could make the decision to let her go. I sat watching her. Maybe tomorrow she would be better. She staggered up from her blanket, looking at me with tired, pained eyes. In that moment, I knew that tomorrow wouldn't be better. I knew that she'd be worse. I scooped her up in her blanket, and quietly drove across town to the vet. My stomache felt sick, and I wanted to turn back, but I didn't. I wiped heavy tears from my eyes and drove on, trying not to think about the next half hour. Juanita and I were ushered to a dimly lit room, where the hum of the heater matched her labored breath. I kissed her nose and thanked her for the thirteen years of memories that she'd given me. I said good-bye and I peacefully let her go, knowing that her memory would always be mine.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile that it happened."
Dr. Suess
Dog lovers say that there are three days in the life of your pet that you'll always remember. The first day is the day that you first laid your eyes upon her and knew that she was meant to be a part of your family. The second day is the day that you first noticed her silvering hair and her slower step, and suddenly you realized that you wouldn't have her for ever. The third day is the day that you stroked her muzzle and whispered good-bye, having made the heart-breaking decision to let her go. I am saddened and grateful that I had all three of these days with my dog, Juanita.
On the day that Juanita and I first met, I hadn't intended to bring home a new puppy. I had intended to bring home some new shoes. As I passed the pet store window, I saw Juanita, lazily napping while the busyness of the mall moved around her. Her fox-like ears twitched as she dreamt of the family that would one day be her own. The moment I saw her, I was in love. I'll just hold her for a moment, I thought, cupping her tiny body in the palm of my hand and taking in the sweet smell of her puppy breath. That moment became a dog's lifetime, because I never put her back down. Juanita was mine from that moment on.
Days turned to months, and months turned to years when suddenly I realized that my easy-going, sweet-spirited girl only resembled the puppy she'd once been. Juanita had traded in her favorite game of chase for a quiet, warm spot in the sun. She could no longer jump up onto my lap, and instead sat at my feet pleading with her eyes for help up. Her soft tan fur had been replaced by course white hair and the lump on her belly was growing bigger. This was the day that I knew that she'd be mine for only a little while longer.
On my last day with Juanita, I wasn't sure that I could make the decision to let her go. I sat watching her. Maybe tomorrow she would be better. She staggered up from her blanket, looking at me with tired, pained eyes. In that moment, I knew that tomorrow wouldn't be better. I knew that she'd be worse. I scooped her up in her blanket, and quietly drove across town to the vet. My stomache felt sick, and I wanted to turn back, but I didn't. I wiped heavy tears from my eyes and drove on, trying not to think about the next half hour. Juanita and I were ushered to a dimly lit room, where the hum of the heater matched her labored breath. I kissed her nose and thanked her for the thirteen years of memories that she'd given me. I said good-bye and I peacefully let her go, knowing that her memory would always be mine.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile that it happened."
Dr. Suess
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Saying Good-Bye
Grandma died on Wednesday.
We all knew that it was going to happen,
but when it did it surprised us still.
No one was ready, except Grandma.
She was ready to find peace from a body that pained and ached.
At her service they played her favorite song.
My Grandpa cried for his sweetheart.
My dad cried for his mom.
I cried for them all.
When Bob Marley sang out his last words,
we told stories to remember.
Stories of reggae and concerts
and trampolines and Bob Marley.
We laughed and we cried
and we remembered.
By Amanda Williams
In Memory of Mary White
January 27, 2016
We all knew that it was going to happen,
but when it did it surprised us still.
No one was ready, except Grandma.
She was ready to find peace from a body that pained and ached.
At her service they played her favorite song.
My Grandpa cried for his sweetheart.
My dad cried for his mom.
I cried for them all.
When Bob Marley sang out his last words,
we told stories to remember.
Stories of reggae and concerts
and trampolines and Bob Marley.
We laughed and we cried
and we remembered.
By Amanda Williams
In Memory of Mary White
January 27, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Teaching Writing to Primary Students
As a kid, I loved to write! I wrote reports, crafted my own fashion magazines, entered poems for consideration to Highlights Magazine, kept pen pals from around the U.S., and even wrote music for my clarinet. Writing was a powerful creative outlet that allowed me to express myself in many different ways. I saw myself as a writer and was inspired enough to believe that what I wrote mattered in the world. This is exactly what I want for my second grade students.
With these positive childhood writing experiences, one would imagine that my own writing instruction would inspire similar experiences in my students. I wish and hope that my teaching inspires students to believe that what they write matters. However, a wish and a hope won't get my students there. It's time for me to put my own understanding of the writing process front and center. It's time for me to grow. I know that something is missing in my practice, and now is the time to dig in and help my students (and myself) discover themselves as writers.
This is going to be A LOT of work, but I am excited and ready to learn. Here we go!
As a kid, I loved to write! I wrote reports, crafted my own fashion magazines, entered poems for consideration to Highlights Magazine, kept pen pals from around the U.S., and even wrote music for my clarinet. Writing was a powerful creative outlet that allowed me to express myself in many different ways. I saw myself as a writer and was inspired enough to believe that what I wrote mattered in the world. This is exactly what I want for my second grade students.
With these positive childhood writing experiences, one would imagine that my own writing instruction would inspire similar experiences in my students. I wish and hope that my teaching inspires students to believe that what they write matters. However, a wish and a hope won't get my students there. It's time for me to put my own understanding of the writing process front and center. It's time for me to grow. I know that something is missing in my practice, and now is the time to dig in and help my students (and myself) discover themselves as writers.
This is going to be A LOT of work, but I am excited and ready to learn. Here we go!
Even as a kid, I loved being a teacher! I'm "reading" to my little sister, Monica back in 1980. She was the perfect student! :)
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