I brought a kid home with me

I always knew I would be bringing students in if I could, but I never thought it would become a reality until today. One of my kindergarten students is staying at my house this weekend and her two siblings are staying with another teacher.

Their family has been through the ringer. Momma abandoned the family in December. Daddy can't get over it and drags the kids out searching for her when they should be in school. Dad has been unemployed until today and they got evicted yesterday. My heart breaks for the pain dad must be feeling but he needs to pull it together. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves his kids. I hope he can use his time this weekend to get it together and take time for himself.

Please pray for this family. Pray that dad would know the hope that is found in God alone. Also, if you feel compelled to donate anything, it would be welcome. The children are in need of clothes and hygiene items (pre-k boys items, k girls items, and 2nd grade girls items). I can get specific sizes if you're interested.

Let the parades begin!

Tonight is the first parade of the 2011 Mardi Gras season. Mardi Gras season means good food, little work, and a lot of time to hang with friends. I can hardly wait! One of the most memorable times from last year's parades was when a rider on the third level of a float pointed at me and proceeded to slingshot something down to me. I caught the flying purple material and lifted it up to see that it was a pair of purple, lacy panties. Awkward...especially since it was an old man that threw them to me. Here's to hoping that I don't get thrown any panties this year. :)

Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Yesterday feels so far away

Today was a total bust. 1) I found out I'm getting 3 new kids, two have been in school the whole year and no one knew they had an IEP. 2) I have to write report cards after only being here for 3 weeks. 3) A parent brought me to tears out of sympathy for their family situation only to find out later that he totally lied to me. 4) One of my kids put his hand down a teacher's pants.

But tomorrow is a new day...

Feelin' the love!

What a wonderful day! There is no other place I would have preferred to be than with my kiddos. They all generally had a good day. One of my third graders did not have such a hot day but we had an excellent talk about how we can make the rest of this week better (and some prizes he can work towards--that always helps). Then I came home to the wonderful smell of flowers that I bought for myself and went out with one of my roommates to a wine bar.

"How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He would give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure."

(How Deep the Father's Love for us by Stuart Townend)

I like sweetie pie...

That's what one of my kids proceeded to tell me while waiting in the lunch line this week. The next thing I know, he's calling me sweetie pie all day. These are the moments I treasure. I have to force myself to remember those moments when I'm cleaning poop off of a child's entire body. It still makes my stomach churn just thinking about it. I'm no stranger to these kinds of behaviors and I know that's what I signed up for, but sheesh--please, no more poop. I would also love just one single day where one of my kids is not sent into the hall for vulgar behavior. I am spending so much money on things to reinforce his good behavior and I haven't even received my first paycheck yet. I'm so glad for a long weekend (we have Friday off) so I can work on some intervention plans for my kiddos and make next week a success.