Venting

I rarely talk about my job on this blog because I would hate for any parents to stumble upon this blog and be upset by anything school related. That being said, I have to vent. I will be leaving out details because I feel it is unfair to the student to say anything more.

Ten years of teaching in low income schools can become emotionally exhausting. Seeing children growing up the way they are, in the homes they are, is hard for me. I often want to wage a war against the parents of these children. That's where I'm at now!

I have this Little Darling, who is 9 years old. She is being neglected, I'd love to tell you more so that you could stand in my army fighting for her, but that's all I can say. I've had parents in for meetings, I've given resources, I've put procedures in place at school to make my Little Darling more successful. And nothing is working. The parents think we are harrassing them and I just want to scream at them to do their f***ing job and I'll stop. I've called SRS a lot this year. I've even sat with "my army" of school personel to make a group SRS phone call. And nothing is working. I just keep getting letters from SRS saying they aren't going to investigate. Now the parents are screening our school phone calls and things are getting worse, a lot worse. I'm about to unleash my wrath on the next person I speak to at SRS! When are they going to do something about this? How bad does it half to be? How could they let this continue happening? If this were their children how would they feel?

Bottom line, our system is broken, it's been broken for years. It's failing our children and I feel helpless.

Pause for Reflection

I love the holiday season, it is so warm and friendly and it's also a great time to pause and take a little time for reflection. Looking back at myself last year, I was unhappy, irritable, sad, and very quiet. Both my professional and personal life had me frustrated beyond belief and I had a very bleak outlook for the future. And although things were rough, with a lot of heartache and a little faith I'm in a good place now. Actually, not just a good place, a better place than in years. I have many things this Thanksgiving that I give thanks for:


1. To my husband: I've shared half of my life with you and this provides a kind of comfortablity that is necessary for a shy girl like me. You know it all about me, the good, the bad, and the ugly and you don't judge me for it. You push me, sometimes I don't like it, but I know it's good for me. You provide for our family, sometimes I really resent how much you work so I constantly have to remind myself you do it for us. You make me laugh and lighten my sometimes very serious mood. The struggles we've had have taught us valuable lessons, most importantly never take each other for granted.

2. To my mom: I love you. You attempted to raise Courtney and I basically by yourself while trying to hold down the fascade of a happy family. You taught us to be strong, independent women who could do anything a man could do and do it better. You taught us to cook, a skill which I find necessary each day. You taught us about forgiveness, even when it isn't deserved. You taught us the importance of friendship. I admire your strength and courage as you embark on a new journey.

3. To Madelyn: You taught me how to be a better person. Words don't express how much I love your little chubby cheeks and funny little personality. You amaze me with your knowledge and zest for life. I love that your girlie and yet sporty too. You love animals and reading which truly warms my heart. I hope that your life is full happiness and adventure. I love being your mom.

4. Faith: My relationship with God is something I've put on the back burner for years and often add it to my New Year's Resolution. But this year was different, I needed faith. I cannot begin to tell you how hard it is to lean on God through the rough patches when you have no faith. Fortunately, He is awesome and showed me the way. While going to church regularly is still a stretch for me I do read from the bible and spend time praying each day. I attribute my new found faith to much of the strength I've had to have throughout the year.

5. Our Family and Friends: Matt and I are blessed with lots of extended family and several different circles of friends. I would consider most of them the kind you could call in the middle of the night and they would come running to our rescue still dressed in their pj's. You all bring different strengths and qualities to our relationship. I wish that each of our busy lives allowed us more time for friends and I love each and everyone of you.

6. Our Health: We are so fortunate that God continues to bless each of us with good health both physically and emotionally. Over the past year the diagnosis of thyroid disease and Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome nearly sent me over the edge, I am thankful that both of those are fully treatable with a couple of prescriptions. We continue to hope that another baby will be in our future.

7. My Job: Honestly last year was rough, like "I should find a new career" kind of rough. And although things aren't perfect this year, I do have a beautiful class. I am enjoying them more than I have a class in a long while. I love that my job has security and offers my family some flexibility.

8. Our First Thankgiving Success: This year we hosted our families at our house and a success it was! Wonderful company with lots of quality time, good conversations, and lots of laughs. The food, oh the food. Beautifully smoked turkey done by my wonderful husband, all the fixings and side dishes to go with it, and spiked apple/pear cider. And then there was the desserts. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, turtle cheesecake, and blueberry marble cheesecake, all of which were purely decadent. We even did a little Black Friday shopping. It was a lovely weekend!

There are many more things that I am thankful for including all of those that read this blog. Here's to a wonderful holiday season!

Awesome Read

The book club I'm in read The Hunger Games last month and I was instantly hooked! The book is labeled young adult fiction and is an easy, fast read that keeps you turning pages to find out how it will end. The story is set in a fictionalized place called Panem, which was created after the destruction of our nations, and paints a very gloomy picture for it's residents. Katniss, the main character endures horrifying challenges which keep you rooting for her to win and gain revenge. After you're finished with this book, you'll need to keep reading to see what the future for Katniss, her family, and her love is, so check out Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have it all: family hardships, love, alcoholism, perserverance, and cruelty. I know you'll love them!

Soccer Again

We decided to attempt soccer again this year! We formed a team with the same friends that we played with in the past and if you don't remember how that season went, click here.

This season was success! Our kids were older, stronger, wiser, and followed directions so much better. Madelyn loved it! She jumped out of the car each time, ran way across the field to find her team, and left Matt and I in the dust! So much progress! She evened scored a goal the first game!! Most of the time she was totally into the game and went after the ball at every chance. Sometimes she got a little distracted singing or watching her friends.







When it wasn't their turn to play, Gabby and Madelyn cheered on their teammates, loudly, very loudly!

Baby Evelyn, chillin at the game kept her mommy running out onto the field after her most days. She just wanted to keep up with the big kids!

Playing goalie, not our strongest position, but she enjoyed it.

Our whole team did so much better this season listening and following directions. We even got to practice plays!

Look at that stride!

The Girls, Gabby, Lilly, and Madelyn. They have so much fun together! To many more successful sporting seasons together!

Halloween Fun

Let the Halloween Festivities Begin... That is how I felt this year! Starting with the Trunk or Treat event at Matt's YMCA. It was a bit chilly that evening so my little miss wasn't so excited about walking around the parking and getting candy! I was a bit shocked but not going to complain. So we headed indoors for some halloween themed fun complete with spook house, pumpking bowling, face painting, and of course inflatables. This is where we spent most of our time and since it was a huge event, I'm talking people EVERYWHERE, I was a little afraid to break out the camera.Next up, pumpkin carving time! I ended up super sick so Matt and Madelyn had a little fun with some neighbors carving a kitty on our little pumpkin.Then there was a mermaid. We had bought cute costume of Ariel that was ripped at the collar when we took it out of the sack and of course I couldn't find another one in her size. So, voila, a semi-homeade Ariel costume! And she LOVED it! I keep hearing, "Mommy, you're the best sew-er ever!" I was so proud of her going to all the houses by herself, saying trick-or-treat, and thank you. Candy is the best motivator! We met up with some friends later and ended up with an enormous bag of candy which we are still rationing!

Now that the chilly November air has set in we are gearing up for the holidays. I love this time of year!

Fall Fun

Fall is by far my favorite time of year!! I love the crafts, the colors, the smells, and the yummy treats. Here's a few of the things we whipped together around the Eaves' household in the last few weeks.

I bought these little wooden halloween decorations for Madelyn to color and she went nuts over them. She promptly sat down and colored all 5 of them in on sitting.





You gotta have a glittery pumpkin!



And a handprint butterfly!










Yummy ghosts and spiders to give away to friends. I think I spent the most time working on these while she and Matt sampled!

Halloween pictures coming soon!

Tired Dancer

We enrolled Madelyn in a dance class about a month ago and she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES it!! And so does Mommy! She looks so stinking cute in her little black leotard and skirt with pink tights and ballet slippers! Dance is on Thursday which is also a preschool day for her so this is what usually happens about five minutes out of the parking lot after class. All the moms usually sit in the waiting room and watch through a window but tonight is watch week for parents. So more on dance coming up soon!