Thursday, May 9, 2013

Blogging A to Z Reflection

 

I joined the A to Z blogging Challenge not too long before it started. I really enjoyed it last year. This year I wanted to have my posts planned and have a theme. All my posts were done and scheduled before April 1.  It was great but left me feeling a bit disconnected from the Challenge.

Last year, I spent all day with the letter of the day in the back of my mind. That meant I also spent the day with the Challenge in the back of my mind too. Sometimes while visiting a blog I got the inspiration to finish my post. That didn’t happen this year.  Next year I will do a combination of planned posts and daily written ones.  Maybe that will help keep me thinking more about the Challenge.

I did love having a theme. I will do that next year too! While on the subject of things I loved –I really loved having the codes to give me an idea about the blog before I checked it out. I hope that will be part of the Challenge next year.
 
I found several new friends by checking out blogs and gained new followers. I was reminded of some friends I met last year during the Challenge.


All in all, I feel this year was a success. I’m glad I participated again. I am looking forward to next year!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday Thoughts

from pinterest.com




The A to Z Challenge is over and we are back to regular Sunday Thoughts. Stop back by for a A to Z Challenge wrap up!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Take time to thank a teacher you know!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday Thoughts (in a new way)


Usually on Sunday I post a quote. Since I am participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge and posting a quote everyday (one for each letter with Sundays off); I thought I would go a different direction for the Sundays in April.

 

I have so many things to be thankful for and in keeping with the A to Z idea; I thought that posting Being Thankful A to Z would work! Here's the last few things!
 
U is for understanding. I have a very understanding husband I ask a lot of questions. He is very patient and understanding.
V is for veterans. I am so thankful for the men and women who protect our country and their families who sacrifice so much to allow them to serve.
W is for worship. We are lucky to live in a country where we can worship according to the dictates of our conscience.
X is for eXcitement. I am glad for the excitement we have in our life. It isn't a lot (which is great) but just enough!
Y is for Yay! for the Minute Clinic! (It is connected with CVS stores if you haven't tried it yet!) We have had some sickness at our house this week. Of course sickness often gets worse after regular doctor hours. So the Minute Clinic was our next option. So glad it was available and able to help!
Z is for zest. We have many things that  add zest to our life- friends, family, jobs and much much more!
(Sorry this got published unfinished. We have decided that from now on only one person in our family can be sick at a time. Yes- you can laugh!!!)

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Sunday Thoughts (in a new way)


Usually on Sunday I post a quote. Since I am participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge and posting a quote everyday (one for each letter with Sundays off); I thought I would go a different direction for the Sundays in April.

 
I have so many things to be thankful for and in keeping with the A to Z idea thought that posting Being Thankful A to Z would work! Here's a few more. Stop by next week for a few more!


O is for Open Adoption. We are blessed to have an open adoption with Alex’s birthmother.  Open adoption is different for each family but for us we know each other, have visits when it works for us, text and email often (I’m not as good at texting. I tend to have a lot to say and I like to edit. Texting doesn’t work as well for me. But I am working on it!)

P is for prayer. I am thankful for all the prayers offered in our behalf.

Q is for quiet. I am thankful for those quite moments during the day (well mostly in the evening) that I can sit quietly and think.

R is for Reading Recovery. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have gained and the children I have worked with since being a Reading Recovery Teacher.  Reading Recovery is an individualized program for struggling first grade readers. I get to work individually with four students and teach them the things they need to be a better reader.

S is for sappy movies. I love sappy movies. A channel had Christmas movies on all the time in December. It was wonderful. I love a happy ending! They are a great escape and reminder that things do work out!

T is for telephones. Growing up my family was far from cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. The phone helped us stay connected. it still does. I live far from my brothers and sisters and parents and with phone calls we can stay close.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sunday Thoughts (in a new way)


Usually on Sunday I post a quote. Since I am participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge and posting a quote everyday (one for each letter with Sundays off); I thought I would go a different direction for the Sundays in April.

 I have so many things to be thankful for and in keeping with the A to Z  idea thought that posting Being Thankful A to Z would work! Here's a few more! Stop by next week for more!

G is for grass. Jake is from Arizona. He enjoys a yard with desert landscaping. I love grass and greenery.

H is for Husband. I have a wonderful husband. He is so supportive and helpful. Jake has so many wonderful qualities (maybe next year’s A to Z. . .) that it is hard to know where to start. I will say I am lucky to have him.

I is for the Internet. The Internet is so powerful. There are friends to be made; information to be learned; ideas to be shared.  I have learned so much from others sharing their stories and talents. I am thankful they shared.

J is for a Job. I am so thankful for the job I have. I love teaching and seeing the lights come on for children. I am especially grateful for the chance to be a Reading Recovery teacher. (More about that in R) Jobs now are not easy to come by so I know how blessed we are to have this one!

K is for Kids Shots. We have had them take Alex's picture and our family pictures and they turn out great. The prices are reasonable too!

L is for the library. I love to read and can’t afford to buy all the books I want to read (and where would I put them?) The library is like having so many more books than I do!

M is for mom. I am so blessed to be able to be a mom. It is an opportunity I didn't know if I would ever get to have. I am so thankful Alex's birthmother chose us and gave me the honor of being a mom.

N is for November. I am thankful to have a whole month to think about being thankful and November is also National Adoption Month.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Sunday Thoughts (in a new way)


Usually on Sunday I post a quote. Since I am participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge and posting a quote everyday (one for each letter with Sundays off); I thought I would go a different direction for the Sundays in April.

 

Several people left comments about enjoying the positive nature of the quotes I have posted so far. That got me thinking. I have so many things to be thankful for and in keeping with the A to Z  idea; I thought that posting Being Thankful A to Z would work! Here's the first few! Stop by next Sunday for a few more!

 

A is for adoption and Alex. We are so blessed and honored that Alex’s birthmother chose us to parent him. We hope that to have the opportunity to adopt again soon.  

B is for birthmothers. Adoption is not an easy choice. (but there are no easy choices in an unplanned or crisis pregnancy situation). I am thankful for the birthmothers who share their stories in with others. I am thankful for the strength.

C is for Christmas. I enjoy the decorations, looking for gifts for others and especially the feeling around that time of year. It is wonderful to have the Christmas Spirit all year but I am thankful to have it for the month of December at least.

D is for my Dad and Mom. My parents sacrificed a lot to raise my brothers and sisters and I. They were at everything (soccer games, piano recitals, art shows, back to school night etc). They try hard now to be at as many things as they can for the grandchildren.

E is for elections. We are lucky to be able to vote so easily. Going to vote is safe and usually the only problem is the wait in line.

F is for friends. I have so many friends both in real life and on the Internet that helped us on our adoption journey. Several helped me get the blog started. One helped with the first meeting. Many prayed for us as we went through the adoption process.