Today is my husband, Jason's birthday. He is 32 years young and doesn't look a day over 21. I am so happy to have found him and have him in my life. Sometimes to others, it might not seem like we're a lovey dovey couple. He's fire (Aries) and I'm water (Pisces) so together we make it work. He drives me crazy sometimes, but I love him very much and can't imagine my life without him.
I love you sweetie...always...happy birthday!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
April 17, 2010
Today our family went to have our 4D ultrasound done. It was an amazing experience. A regular ultrasound is cool, but the color 4D is even more impressive. I couldn't believe how well you could see the features of our daughter. She is so cute! It's amazing how she functions being that cramped in the womb! Her feet were above her head most of the time. She looks like the best of both of us.
Afterwards, we went and had dinner with both sets of parents and our niece Katelyn. Famous Dave's is always good. Gavin had a meltdown because he couldn't go home with Nana Dee. He eventually crashed ten minutes later on the way home.
It was really a great day. I recommend this ultrasound to all pregnant women. It was amazing!
Afterwards, we went and had dinner with both sets of parents and our niece Katelyn. Famous Dave's is always good. Gavin had a meltdown because he couldn't go home with Nana Dee. He eventually crashed ten minutes later on the way home.
It was really a great day. I recommend this ultrasound to all pregnant women. It was amazing!
Friday, April 16, 2010
April 16, 2010
I had a good time with my BFF yesterday. I saw my first 3D movie, "Clash of the Titans." The movie wasn't as good as I hoped it would be, but we had fun anyway. The only downside was I was swollen until very early this morning. It felt like the air conditioning was not on in the theater, which contributed to my swelling.
When I got home, I watched one of my Netflix movies, "Good Hair," a documentary on the lengths that women of color go through to obtain good hair. I had no idea that women will pay thousands of dollars for weaves. They look nice, no doubt, but it's just hair. However, I have learned through the years that women's self esteem is wrapped up in their hair. This is true for all races. I lost all my hair a few years ago when I had to have part of my thyroid removed. It didn't bother me, it actually felt quite liberating to shave my head. I would do it again, but Jay would divorce me. Men like long hair. Period. Give this movie a chance. It was funny, but thought provoking. It's Chris Rock!
I couldn't sleep, so I watched my other Netflix movie, Valkyrie. It was ok, but Tom Cruise could have done so much better. He didn't even try to do a German accent. The History Channel's program on Valkyrie was better. Skip this one, unless you can't sleep and have nothing better to do.
When I got home, I watched one of my Netflix movies, "Good Hair," a documentary on the lengths that women of color go through to obtain good hair. I had no idea that women will pay thousands of dollars for weaves. They look nice, no doubt, but it's just hair. However, I have learned through the years that women's self esteem is wrapped up in their hair. This is true for all races. I lost all my hair a few years ago when I had to have part of my thyroid removed. It didn't bother me, it actually felt quite liberating to shave my head. I would do it again, but Jay would divorce me. Men like long hair. Period. Give this movie a chance. It was funny, but thought provoking. It's Chris Rock!
I couldn't sleep, so I watched my other Netflix movie, Valkyrie. It was ok, but Tom Cruise could have done so much better. He didn't even try to do a German accent. The History Channel's program on Valkyrie was better. Skip this one, unless you can't sleep and have nothing better to do.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 14, 2010
Not much has happened today. We finally have the hardwood flooring in the garage, which makes it a few steps closer to actually being in the house.
Baby Julie has been moving around quite a bit today. I think she's getting cramped in there...
Baby Julie has been moving around quite a bit today. I think she's getting cramped in there...
Race to the Top Article
Ok, I have just read the Race to the Top article in today's Tennessean. It amazes me that 40% of the total $430 million is going to two districts-Metro Nashville and Memphis. What about the other school systems in our state? These counties have enormous income coming in every year through various taxes and industry. Yet in the county I live and work in, the newest building is thirty years old. Our students cannot compete with the larger districts. The larger districts have more access to technology and newer teaching strategies because the money is there.
Even more disturbing, one of the spokespeople for Metro Nashville schools believe that money needs to be spent on how to make schools and districts work better by better understanding test data. Are you kidding me?! Our students are tested to death. Gone are the days where learning is fun and meaningful. Now it's teach the test, pray they pass, or lose your job. Our schools are turning out more and more kids with no critical thinking skills or quantitative reasoning skills. If they can't memorize it, it is not meaningful. If they do not receive a grade or reward, it is not worth learning.
In my humble opinion, all this Race to the Top stuff is about more money to develop more tests and drive good teachers into different professions. Teachers are pressured to have excellent test scores instead of being pressured to engage their students in life long learning. More and more students are dropping out of college because post secondary educators are expecting students to have critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills. They cannot compete and they are not even functioning at grade level. My fellow teachers can affirm this. It gets worse every year, but the answer to the higher ups is to develop harder tests. What happened to getting to know the student as a person, not a number?
I would love to get feedback from anyone on this topic.
Even more disturbing, one of the spokespeople for Metro Nashville schools believe that money needs to be spent on how to make schools and districts work better by better understanding test data. Are you kidding me?! Our students are tested to death. Gone are the days where learning is fun and meaningful. Now it's teach the test, pray they pass, or lose your job. Our schools are turning out more and more kids with no critical thinking skills or quantitative reasoning skills. If they can't memorize it, it is not meaningful. If they do not receive a grade or reward, it is not worth learning.
In my humble opinion, all this Race to the Top stuff is about more money to develop more tests and drive good teachers into different professions. Teachers are pressured to have excellent test scores instead of being pressured to engage their students in life long learning. More and more students are dropping out of college because post secondary educators are expecting students to have critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills. They cannot compete and they are not even functioning at grade level. My fellow teachers can affirm this. It gets worse every year, but the answer to the higher ups is to develop harder tests. What happened to getting to know the student as a person, not a number?
I would love to get feedback from anyone on this topic.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Question of the Evening
I am going to try to pose at least one question everyday. Tonight's question of the evening is: What are you reading right now?
To answer my own question, I am currently reading "Hunted" one of the House of Night books. It is pretty good so far. Normally I can read a book this size in one evening, but I have slowed down since I am on bed rest.
I would love to hear from you!
To answer my own question, I am currently reading "Hunted" one of the House of Night books. It is pretty good so far. Normally I can read a book this size in one evening, but I have slowed down since I am on bed rest.
I would love to hear from you!
April 13, 2010
I really never gave much thought to blogging, but I have lots of opinions so why not put them out there? I hope to use this to help my own sanity since I am on medical bed rest for a while. For those of you who didn't already know, my husband and I are expecting a little girl around June. I have two children, Gavin and Natalie, that I adopted from Guatemala before I met my awesome husband. They are both five right now, Gavin is older and will be six in July. They both start kindergarten this year, an exciting, yet nerve racking time for mom.
So this is my first pregnancy and first biological child. People have actually asked me if I would show more favoritism to Julie (the baby) than Gavin and Natalie. I love my children equally and I know that Jay (my husband) will too. Everything has gone very well with my pregnancy up to this point. I haven't gained too much weight, I had very little morning sickness. I was actually just tired a lot. The swelling started in my ankles and legs, then moved to my hands. I started getting terrible migraines that would not go away. So as a result, I am on bed rest. Bed rest sounds like a good idea, but it's really boring. Being away from work and my students is hard. I really like the people I work with too.
With all this being said, I encourage people to read what I have to say, leave comments, etc. Lord knows I need good suggestions for movies and books. Currently I am reading the House of Night series. I am almost finished with what I have, so feel free to leave comments.
So this is my first pregnancy and first biological child. People have actually asked me if I would show more favoritism to Julie (the baby) than Gavin and Natalie. I love my children equally and I know that Jay (my husband) will too. Everything has gone very well with my pregnancy up to this point. I haven't gained too much weight, I had very little morning sickness. I was actually just tired a lot. The swelling started in my ankles and legs, then moved to my hands. I started getting terrible migraines that would not go away. So as a result, I am on bed rest. Bed rest sounds like a good idea, but it's really boring. Being away from work and my students is hard. I really like the people I work with too.
With all this being said, I encourage people to read what I have to say, leave comments, etc. Lord knows I need good suggestions for movies and books. Currently I am reading the House of Night series. I am almost finished with what I have, so feel free to leave comments.
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