Today I subbed for a first/second grade combo. As fun as it was (it wasn't really), I don't think I could ever do something like that. I would gladly teach them seperately, but never together. During my subbing, I took the kids out for PE and saw the kids that I had subbed for the previous week. They remembered me (even my name!) and seemed very excited to see me. Which made me feel amazing!
After I subbed, I went by Norris to get on their "high priority" sub list and to maybe visit some teachers, especially the teacher I long-termed subbed for last year. The second I walked in the door I was greeted by smiling faces from the ladies in the office and it made me realize how much I've missed working there. I got on their list (Yay!) and made my way to my old classroom. On my way there I heard some kids yelling "Miss Melton! Miss Melton!" and I was extremely happy to see some of my old students. I have to admit this first, I get really attached to things, especially kids I saw 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for four whole months! I won't use names, but A and C were some of my favorite students and I was thrilled to see them. I haven't seen any of that class since I was there the last day of school last year! The told me they missed me, asked me if I got married and what my new name was, how they didn't like their new teacher, and then C said....
"There is something missing from my classroom. (I asked her what?) Well... one your personality and two your stuff"
She also said, "Give my teacher your phone number so that you can teach us again! I want you to be my teacher again!"
My heart completely melted. How is that not one of the sweetest things? It was then that I realized that maybe I actually am a good teacher and this is what I was meant to do. Obviously I have made some sort of impact with these students. They remembered my name after all!
Kids say the darnest things, but they can also say the most amazing things that can touch your heart.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Kids say the cutest and amazing things!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Almost a whole month gone by without blogging? Shame on me!
Life, in a word, is perfect!
I fall even more in love with my husband each day. 
Every day I am reminded what an amazing relationship we have and that we are perfect for each other in ever way. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband. He works hard to support us and I love him so much for it. I'm truly the luckiest woman in the world.
Good news alert!
My sister and her husband have officially moved back to Bakersfield and I am completely thrilled! 
I have missed her so much! I know it sounds completely "corny" but I love having my family all in one place! <3
In other good news two good friends of ours got engaged (to each other).
Congrats to Shandy and Micah!
Two other friends also got married! Friends that I set up. Oh yes, I take credit (and they also give me the credit haha) I love it!
I have been subbing a little more lately. I absolutely love it! So far at least. There is such a great feeling about teaching children. They are so loving too. I receive lots of pictures and love being called Mrs. Tyson or Mrs. T. lol
One day I will have a real "grown-up" teaching job. Hopefully they will start hiring again with the economy starts to get a little bit better. (Crosses fingers)
I have been doing pretty good about working out. I'm determined to get into better shape. I need to work more on my upper body, but I've been kicking butt with my cardio. I usually just did the treadmill and burned around 250-300 calories. But now I go on the elliptical machine for about 45 minutes and burn around 600 calories. (Patting myself on the back). It may not seem like a lot of some people, but I think that is pretty awesome! I turn up my Ipod, mouth the words to the songs (I may look weird, but it totally works to pump me up), and push myself through the pain. I really hope that is starts to show soon.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Reflecting on 2008
2008 was a good year, but now that it is over it is time to reflect on it.
In 2008,
~ I was married to my high school sweetheart of nine years. Finally! Yes I know! Everybody says that, but we had a plan and we stuck to it.
~ I finally got real teaching experience that will help with my career.
~ I got back in touch with some friends that I had lost touch with and I lost a friend of many years.
~ Bought my first pet(s), Chinchillas! They are truly a joy and have such interesting personalities! They are interesting to watch.
Here is a month by month reflection of 2008!
I was determined to get into shape, to get organized, and prepare my life for my wedding. (I didn't work out the way I hoped). I started my full day student teaching and the last quarter until I finished my credentialing classes. I was stoked! I was put into a second grade classroom at my very own elementary school. It was hard at first, but I got through it. I was crushed when my supervisor told me that my classroom management needed work. (What did he know anyway?) But I was determined to improve myself.
I took over the class while the master teacher went on maternity leave. I was nervous. Me? Teaching a class my MYSELF? (Crap! How am I going to do this???). But I knew the kids, the rules, and how the class was run so I went into it with a tiny bit of confidence.
I celebrated my 9 year anniversary with Jonathan! Wow! I truly believe it is amazing that I have been with him for so long. It hasn't always been easy, but we've made it! I also finished my long term subbing job and I absolutely loved it. The job came with a load of stress and responsibility, but it was completely worth it for the experience. I really hope to do it again very soon.
I decided not to substitute and just concentrated on my wedding plans. I have to say, planning a wedding is one of the most stressful things anybody could ever go through. In between dress fittings, meetings with the photographer, meetings with the DJ, and the many trips to Cambria to meet with the baker, venue, and florist it was very busy for me. Besides, I was trying to get my butt into shape for the big day, but stress got the better of me and I wasn't able to look how I wanted to. (Oh well).
The beginning of this month was a blur up until the wedding. I was consumed with last minute details and making sure that everything was in order. I thought I was extremely well organized since I had mad a step by step guide for the people setting up the wedding, a checklist for everything I needed to take, and even one for Jonathan so he wouldn't forget. July 19 got closer and closer. We were blessed to have Jonathan's brother and his family come almost a week early to spend time with us before. I finally got to meet little Olivia and it was truly wonderful to have them there with us, even though I barely spent any time with them since I had errands to run. Jonathan's father came a few days before the wedding and it was quite the full house!
Our wedding was completely amazing and everything I could have hoped for. Everybody who cared about us was there and it was truly a beautiful wedding. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day (minus the sunburn that lasted the entire honeymoon). I am truly thankful for everybody who helped with the wedding and everybody that joined us on our special day.
The honeymoon was amazing as well. The cruise was a perfect vacation for us. We got to relax (and trust me, the boat made relaxing extremely easy with the gentle rocking back and forth). We met some awesome people too (I wish I would have gotten their contact information!). Visiting Mexico wasn't my number one place to visit, however, it really made me appreciate what I have.
During these months I went to a wedding of two close friends, celebrated turning twenty-four, had an awesome Halloween party, and started this blog! (All of which you can read in previous entries.)
These months of celebration and family time were just what I needed. My family has gone through some tough things this year with cancer affecting two members of my family. It was the perfect time to celebrate the fact that they are currently cancer-free.
I am truly grateful for everything that I have in my life.
I gained, lost, and loved in 2008. It was a good year and I hope that next year will be even better than last year!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas time
Another month has gone by since I have blogged. Really I don't believe that anybody reads this, but I like having it for me. I want to be able to look back onto my blog and remember events from the past. If anybody else reads it, I guess that is a plus.
December was a very eventful month for me.
We decorated our tree the weekend of Thanksgiving. Jonathan wanted to get it up right away (sigh...he's the best).
The next weekend we went on a trip to Disneyland with my family. It was long overdue and an amazing trip! I can't wait until we are able to do it again!
Jonathan also celebrated his 26th birthday with an ice cream cake from Cold Stone, dinner with me, and dinner with friends.
Before Christmas we had a very interesting dinner for my Grandma's Birthday. It was a great opportunity to hang out with my cousins who I rarely see.
Our Christmas was in a word...Awesome. There is nothing more important to me than spending time with loved ones. It was even better because my sister and her husband were here with us. They were not able to join us last year. We were on a budget (just like everybody else) but we did our best. It was a truly amazing Christmas and even more special because it was our first Christmas as a married couple (sigh).
