Self-Reflection....

I realize that I only have one follower (K, I adore you) so this post is sort of self-indulgent...however, I need it.  I have to sit back and reflect on who I am and who it is that I truly wish to be.  These things are partially one and the same. 

1.  I am a teacher.  I want to be a better teacher. 

2.  I am a friend.  I want to be a better friend. 

3.  I am a dork.  I want to be a dorkier dork. 

How hard can those things be, really?  Turns out, they are INSANELY difficult. 

1.  I'm going to really have to focus and practice not only being true to myself, but also being to true to those around me;  including the beautifully sweet munchkins in my clasroom.  As a child advocate, as a teacher, as a human being I have to protect them and I have to make sure that they are successful & safe.  Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs demonstrates that safety must exist before learning and "self-actualization" can take place.  Upon self-reflection, I need to amp-up my bravery meter and speak out on behalf of my children so that they can reach the tippy top of that hierarchy and be the best that they can be.  Not until then, will I be a better teacher. 

ADVOCATE

2.  In order to be a better friend I have to be a better me.  Self-reflection, time to relax, getting out of my quiet little solitary conmfort zone, and reaching out to others will make that possible. 

TRUST

3.  Becoming a dorkier dork means I have to keep that bravery meter up and stop being afra

id to put myself out there.  New opportunities, new adventures, and bigger laughs won't come until I'm willing to dork it up. 

DORK-IT-UP

4.  There isn't a number 4... I just felt the need to end on an even number.  Dorkier dork.  Yup. Definitely got that part covered!  :)



Colorado.....



Dog park somewhere near Boulder.... was a beautiful, windy, and cold experience but I'd love to do it again. :)




Bestie taking pics of a tree at the dog park.




Grady and Babe




Something somewhere on the way home from CO.  Dirty lens and filthy windshield... LOL




Downtown Morrison, CO




Gorgeousness.... taken from an open car window.





This made my day in Red Rocks...he's blurry but beautiful and man was I happy to see him!  :)



New...

 

New beginning.  New hope.  New faith.  :)

Look at my sweet little boy.  He's 13 and blind as a bat but when we put him in the backyard and bathe him in the bright sunlight, his kitten face and baby eyes show themselves again. He's the man...

Susan's Art and Sketchbook Blog

Susan's Art and Sketchbook Blog

love love love the beauty...

Spring Break :)

This Spring Break has been a time of friendship, reflection, gettin' dirty in the yard, and sleepin' late... I have so needed this time.  Thank heaven for the shining sun, my bestest friend in the world, and the little bitty chainsaw that took out a hateful tree.

I <3 Spring Break! :)

Snow in 2010 :)

Well, it has been quite awhile since I've opened the blogger but... I'm compelled to play with pictures of the gorgeous snow and share them. Hard to believe this happened in North Texas. My area got about 10 inches of gloriously fluffy pure white flakes of happiness... what fun! :)

New Year

Well into the new year and I'm feeling confident that it will all work out just fine! :) Its been a year of ups and downs but I've managed to stay on the upside. We've celebrated Valentine's Day, 100 days in kindergarten, Dr. Seuss, had a wild rodeo and even partied like a rockstar at the homestead. Good times!

My kids have been wonderful and the classroom feels like a great big family. I couldn't be more pleased with their progress, both educationally and emotionally. What a team they've become! I'm so proud of them!

Now begins a new educational venture with a master's degree and re-learning how to learn as an adult. I know I can do this. I know I can. Gnomey will help me!(Repeat that ten times with hands raised to heaven and maybe it'll be true.) Only time will tell... and I'm so very much enjoying my time.

Oh this year has started out great and I know its just going to get better. Change is hard but I have a great, energetic, and sweet class of kids... I'm lucky. Things could be SO much worse and sometimes I just sit back and enjoy the happiness that surrounds me.

Our trip to the Pumpkin Patch was the greatest and rainiest field trip of all time. I can't wait to go back. :)

October Aspens

There is something about being in the mountains that makes you feel so small. I want to go back and stay awhile. There was endless beauty and a peace I haven't known in years.

Thank heavens for digital images... 300 pictures and a million smiles!