Walking without papers!

How can things change so quickly?  Well....maybe I stirred up the waters?  The kids at my school were awesome Monday - Wednesday.  Thursday?  Things went south so quickly!!!! The only change we had was in the room. I rearranged things into more organized centers.

I put the reading area by the cubbies where the parents pick them up.

Here is our circle time...to the left is all the building materials...blocks, leggos, train set, lincoln logs, etc...

And to the right is Imagination Station...they have their Home living area with a kitchen set, babies, puppet show, cars, doll houses, etc...

 I think it is really cool! It worked out really well for the kids play time....but they were as wild as moose milk!  No listening at all. So they hardly got any stars. This morning they are getting books on manners!!!! lol!

Here are the sun's they painted. Some are so cute and some a bit scary! haha!

And they built sun catchers. That was cool!

I could have easily walked yesterday.  I was out at the playground mentally figuring out the bills and we could do it easily enough.  But then kids would come up and hold my hand or something sweet and I would forget about it.

I have decided today is going to be a good day no matter what.  I woke up at 5 and took my shower. I am having my coffee, the sun is beautiful coming up over the water, and it is so quiet and peaceful now. I love it. The day is going to be a good day.  Ice Cream cookies!

I love my hair. The stylist did a great job....exactly what I wanted. I will return to her.

It was just washed so the bottom is wet. lol!

Had a death in the family the other night. Pete's wife, Laura, passed away from cancer. They just diagnosed her and within weeks she was gone. It was everywhere...in her heart, lungs, bones. It was a nasty form of cancer that never even gave her a chance. She was such a nice person. The last time I saw her was last July at our home for Lanny's retirement party. (Pete is Lanny's cousin)  She was younger than me....has kids and grandkids. Such a big loss.  Praying for the family. There will be no service.

Well.... Lauren spent the night. Today her and Papa are picking her daddy up at the ferry. He's been on a work trip for a month. She is excited.  Best go....got some work to do! Have a great day!

first day of school... and more about mom!

Today is the first day of school for everyone around here...including my center! I had to get up really early this morning. Luckily, I slept good last night and in my bed all night for the first time in a while. No coughing fits. So 4:30 it is.... I am taking Andrew to ASB meeting and Lauren off to school. My new routine in the morning. :D It will be nice to see them in the morning. Then after work I will go see mom.

I went to see her after work yesterday. Most of you know.... I got a call from the rehab place that they called 911 and had mom sent to the hospital... she was lethargic and not doing well.  I got to work and it was SO hard to stay there while I had no idea what was going on with mom.  Libby would text me....but it was the waiting and not knowing and having 13 kids on my own that really sucked....and having no lesson plan for them! There was a 3rd grader, 2nd grader and a couple 1st graders thrown in the mix. Which actually made it harder!  So ya, it was a tough day.  I did get off at 4, thanks to Teresa, who closed for me!

Papa and I ran in there. First we had to stop at the rehab place and we picked up all her stuff! By the time I got to the hospital no one was there!!!!  Amanda had texted they were there and I knew Libby and Lois were. We walk in the room and mama was alone. I talked with her a minute, but they had given her a pain pill and she was going to sleep and I couldn't understand what she was saying except her stomach still hurt. I talked to Libby on the phone (again) and mom has a UTI among her bag of problems. Her heart rate and blood pressure are good.... as are her kidney levels.  So that is all good. Now lets fix her tummy so she will eat so she will get stronger so she will start physical therapy?  Or is she mentally done?  Every day is a waiting game.  The doctor had left so I couldn't ask my questions and the nurse never came in.  I just watched mom sleep and I could not stop the tears from flowing.  I asked Lanny if we could go...kissed mom and she said she loved me.... and tears kept coming from my eyes all the way out to my van. I got in the van and totally lost it. I cried so hard.  I think it was built up for a while....and the frustration of the day and not sleeping... it was quite a performance. Lanny just drove.... he knew I needed to do it

Got home and figured out my lesson for tomorrow and went to bed just after 8 p.m.  I did want to share a few pictures from yesterday.... these are all the kids I had:

Quite a crew, huh?

On the drive home last night the Olympic Mountains didn't look so great as there was smoke continuing over them....the fire must still be burning. :(   The picture isn't so great either...but I was driving.

Well... got more to to before I leave in an hour.

One more thing I want to mention that is so important to me.  I have received SO MANY emails, texts, facebook messages, and phone calls from people praying for mom and the rest of us, sending hugs and loves..... it  means the world to me. As I was going home last night I was thinking of all that have reached out....that have taken the time for us.... and I thank God for each person and ask Him to bless them.  I love you all!!!!!!! xoxoxo

still....no cat!

I love Saturday's. I would love this Saturday more if Punkin' was home. Dylan, Maddie and Lauren are out distributing signs and asking people in the neighborhood. We drove up and down every road several times. Praying and calling. When they get back we are going to Walmart and to my mama's. Going to do some retail therapy. I need it.

Yesterday after work when I picked up Maddie and Dylan from Grammie's... they had some crab for us and Dylan had picked these flowers for me!  I love Dahlia's!!!

 I also love "Chocolate Soldiers"!!!  You can only find them in the South! I searched online and cannot find any where to order them from.  Our family in Oklahoma can't find any either. I am sad.

Yesterday at school I got my newsletter done plus other things! The kids watched Wall-E and had popcorn!

 This little friend of mine got very upset because someone bumped his train track and then it was clean up time... and he just shut down. literally.  He curled into a ball on the floor. I had to carry him to my office and he still wouldn't look at me or talk to me. He finally fell asleep. Poor baby.

I'm not much in the mood for writing so I will let you read my newsletter to the parents instead. lol! Have a great day!

July 29, 2011

Friday

Dear Parents;

We are mailing the newsletter to you each month instead of weekly! We don’t want to bombard you with too much….but we want to keep you informed with what is going on in the center!

JULY

July has been such a fun month at the Children’s Learning Center! Even though the weather has not been very cooperative….we had water fun! We even had some parents join in when they arrived!

We went on a field trip to see a Magician and the next week we saw Reptile Man!  It was a long walk, but worth it!

We also took a field trip to Port Ludlow to a beautiful beach by my house!  The ground was wet so we didn’t get to do our cardboard sledding….but it didn’t rain on us while we were there!  And the children had so much fun beach combing and exploring and having a picnic.  A big highlight was riding the Martha and Mary bus! 

Speaking of wheels, during Wild West Week the kids brought their wheels to the school and we closed the parking lot while they rode around with their bikes, trikes, and scooters.

During Recycle Week Niko’s mom came and talked about Recycling with the kids!  It is never too early to teach the children to take care of our Earth.

The children made several trips next door to the Health Center having ice cream with the grandma and grandpas, bringing birthday cards, gardening, and they even had a tea party!

We closed out our month by having a Fun Friday!  The children cleaned up the play yard and were rewarded with little animals to take home!  We also wound up the week of Recycle by watching the move “Wall-E” and having popcorn! They loved it!

I have pictures to send to you parents….I have not forgotten them. I am just getting them together for you!

AUGUST

We have a busy month starting with Healthy Habits week!

Rest is important….so we are having Pajama Day on Tuesday, August 2^nd!!!  The kids don’t even have to get dressed that morning….they just come to school in pajama’s! Us too!

Exercise is important also, so the kids will be hiking Thursday the 4^th to the Library where the library is going to read to just our class!   

Cleanliness is another lesson they will be taught…and we will be getting a visit from the Tooth Fairy on August 4^th! Everyone will be excited to see her!

The second week is Music In Me week!

Monday the 8^th we are going by bus to **** Park next to the *****! There are many places to explore and crawl and climb and have fun at this park… plus a picnic! It really has nothing to do with music unless we sing on the way….but it was the only day we could get the bus. Lol!

During the week of music we will be visited the rest of the week by the Poulsbo Grade School Music Teacher, Mrs. Cyndi Gilman. She will be bringing her family with their many musical instruments! It should be so fun and educational!

Week 3 is called Lights, Camera, Action!

The children are going to be in a play! The play will be performed on August 19^th, Friday at 3:00! During the week we will learn about acting, stories, reading, and how fun pretending can be! 

The last week will be very special….it is called Me & My Family!

We are going to a Fairy Tale Carnival next door at the Health Center with the Grandma’s and Grandpa’s!

We are going to make scrapbooks of our families to take home!

We are ending the week with a family barb-b-que at 3:00!

We are very sad….there will be many children going off to Kindergarten. We have grown so attached to these children and they will be missed.  We will also be saying goodbye to Ms. Juanita at the end of August.   She will be missed by the staff and children! L

Ms. Hailley is doing a wonderful job with the children and there is mutual love going on here.

In the fall, she will be with Pre-K children.  We will be having a new teacher for the Junior Kindergarten class!  And Mrs. Lynch will return to teach a Kindergarten / 1^st grade class!  We are looking for great things to continue at Martha & Mary’s Children Learning Center! 

If you are interested in signing your child up for Hooked on Phonics, Dance Class, or Spanish Class...please call me and I will help you to the right person!

We have a brief survey to see how we are doing.  There is one in the classroom when you pick up your child. You may drop them off in the inbox next to my door.  And, please, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns……call or email me!  I love open communication!

Have a great month of August!!!! Hope is will be warmer! J

Joyce Black

Site Coordinator

Children's Learning Center

jblack@mmhc.org

360-394-4085

Screaming girls!

Well.... this has been the longest week ever.  I may be exaggerating... but I know my day isn't going as I had planned.  I cannot believe the unknown in our lives.  We are really trusting God right now because we would go crazy if we didn't.  I am talking about Papa's job.  He has been at Deb's (his higher bosses shop) this week.  Yesterday she was talking to him about taking an early retirement because they haven't been able to find a place for him yet.  That wouldn't be good. He is only 61 and he can't collect social security until next year.   Our bills will be paid off in April. We have been working so hard! His car is paid off soon... only owe $146.00!  At this point he isn't planning on getting out early. But .... God is in control.

Papa took today off and we have been talking.  Right now he left to get his hair cut. Hair cut and oil changes. Seems to be a constant around here.  He'll be changing oil in the cars tomorrow. He has a 4 day weekend.... that is sweet. We have games on Saturday to go to.... soccer. Still no Halloween party.  I tried to coordinate yesterday with Tara and Karla and still not a go. Oh well. Halloween sucks anyway.

I will see the grand kids today!  We're picking up Andrew and Lauren and meeting Karla, Tara and all their kids at Red Robin for a celebration lunch!  This is conference week so no school today or tomorrow.... and they all got amazing grades!!! I am so proud of my grand kids.  And their parents.... they push harder than I did.  My kids were smart but sidetracked.

My video for the day made Papa laugh!  It was the girls at Tara's playing... actually running and screaming. It is funny because our poor Maddie girl is the youngest and not the most coordinated (like her mom, mam, and grandma langager! It's a family thing) Watch your volume here!!!!

Well.... that is about all I got.  Some pictures... this was a yucky day... you can tell by the sky and darkness... all except for over at Cliffside. The sun was shining only on that area.  Cool, huh?

 Of course... my blog couldn't end without pictures of our Makoa boy.... who I share with all of you!

I thought he would be afraid of my doggy costume.  He loved it!

He loved cocoa puffs for breakfast... especially when I showed him the straw!

I'm trying to get him to hold his spoon right... to no avail.

But he loves the milk!

He brought cars over. This is his new smile when you say "smile".

He loves laying where Lauren slept!

Cheese! I think you've seen every tooth he has now! lol!

Giving some lovings..... love that kid!

 I pray you all have a great day today!  God bless your comings and goings! xoxo

Work, walk, walkman worship Wednesday!

I'm having a good morning! Papa surprised me and stayed home today!  I think he is pretty worried about his job.  Him and Steve are still going to their building.... but just cleaning. They don't have a job to do and no one has told them where to go!  So that is a problem.  The closure of his shop has to go up the chain of command and he is just praying someone up the chain will stop it.  Please pray too!
I am sitting here listening to my new mp3 player.  I have total worship songs on it and "How Great is our God" by Chris Tomlin is playing. Sweet. Sun is shining and Makoa will be here soon!  Andrew called and Norman suggested him for a youth leadership roll at the church to the higher ups!  What an honor. Andrew has grown so much in the Lord it is amazing.  He is so connected with God. Thank you, Father!

Yesterday was awesome too!  Started out with Makoa eating an Eggo again. He didn't want the strawberry covered bananas his mom sent.  He wanted eggo's.  Play time... then sharing my breakfast with him.  Then nap time. He slept for 3 hours.  When he woke up we took Toby for a walk.  Toby didn't like the help Makoa offered.  He doesn't like being on such a short lead.  None of us do... lol!  I had him from about 8 until 5:30.  I think that will be my normal hours now. Tomorrow I have off but he'll be back on Friday.  That boy cracks me up.  When I change his diaper he always says "poo"... and I say "no, wet!" ... and he laughs and says "wet".  Every time!  We have a fun meal time, play time, walk time, and a great nap time.  I love my job!

What I don't like is my eye infection. I have another one. My right eye is totally red and swollen and hurts!  I got up and put a hot washrag on it. Washrag.... our cure for everything.  Didn't cure it but made it better. ;D  The infections happen in my eyelashes.

Love this song ....
"Oh, no, you never let go through the calm and through the storm
Oh, no you never let go in every high and every low
Oh, no, You never let go, Lord you never let go of me!"

I love my Walkman.  Well, I am old and that is what I call it. I know it is an MP-3 player and like and i-pod, but I can't remember those names.

I haven't got that many requests for my new blog site.  I had a lot of followers! Maybe they all think I was talking about them.... the stalkers I wanted to get rid of. lol!  The only one of my kids that have asked for it was Heather!  Apparently Karla, Tara and Amanda don't care? Or don't notice? Oh well. I blog mostly about their kids so it is their loss.

I am listening to this song now..... one of my favorites:
"My Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior's always there for me. My God He was, my God He is, my God He's always gonna be!"

Here are my memory photo's from October 20, 1990  (thanks karla!) going on her first date with Jay Benham,  Brad & Tara, Zac & Karla. 

2007 Freezing cold at Riley's game!

 

2005 Lauren listine to music

Have a great day.....xoxo Here is my verse for today....good reminder.

Well.... I will leave you with something to ponder on....
I think this is pretty self explainable. We WILL be judged. 
Here are some clear facts from the Bible about the judgement:
Fact No. 1: Man must give account of himself on the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10,12).
Fact No. 2: All of us shall appear at the judgment. (Acts 17:31; II Corinthians 5:10)
Fact No. 3: We're to be judged by how we measure up to the word of God. (John 12:48; Revelation 20:11-13)
Fact No. 4: We need to get ready for the judgment day. (II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 12:36-41)
Now if Jesus is going to be the judge and his words are going to be the standard or rule by which we are judged it becomes very important that we learn what his words are. In the great sermon on the mount he said, "Not everyone who saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out devils and in thy name done more wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me you that work iniquity" Matthew 7:21-23. Those who do his will, will not receive this condemnation and punishment. What will you say at the judgment?