Been a long time

It's been so long since I last updated my blog.  I was hoping it would become a habit and something I would do on a regular basis.  Sadly, life took over in a big way and well the blog went to the back burner.  Between work, family, and daily responsibilities there was little time to even think about my blog much less write on it.  So now I return and hope that I can keep it up a little bit better, at least for the summer.

Right now I am happily enjoying my time with my son, Nicholas.  He is definitely keeping me busy playing blocks, looking at books, coloring, playing with puzzles, trains, going outside and generally running around all over the place.  And I thought I was going to be on vacation (phewwww).  But I wouldn't trade this for the world.  To be able to stay home and enjoy all of the little things he says and does is purely a blessing. 

Right now he is very much into his superheros.  He is so obsessed with the Avengers.  Absolutely loves everything and anything that has to do with Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor (or as he calls him Play, long story).  So I am constantly wrestling one of these characters he pretends to be.  It is quite an interesting scene in my house on a daily basis.  I have a feeling that if video taped with some funny music in the background the video would be a riot!  Ha ha!  Which makes me wonder do all parents look as crazy playing with their kids in the privacy of their own home?  How silly do you or your other family members look playing with the little ones in your household?

A Decision

For 10 days I have been going to the court house for my jury duty.  Finally today it all came to an end.  It was a difficult trial with the only evidence was witness testimony.  No physical or scientific evidence of any kind.  Just some people's word against others.  I learned a lot from this process.  I learned that we are very fortunate to have our judicial system, but that it is a flawed system nonetheless.  I learned that as much as people say they will not bring their biases to the deliberating room they still creep in.  I learned that no matter who you are, what oath you have taken or what job of authority you hold, you are capable of lying and being deceptive.  I learned what makes sense to me may not necessarily make sense to those around me, even if we heard the same thing.  I learned that I can hold my ground even if I am in the minority.  Most important I learned that trusting my instincts will always be the right thing to do and that I didn't convict an innocent young man for something he didn't do.  I don't know what will happen with the young man on trial, but I pray that whatever got him to this place will help him to get to a better place.  A place where he can be well and do good things with his life. 

Always listen to your instincts.  They will serve you well because they are rarely if ever wrong.  Can you remember the last time your instincts helped you out?

Creativity

Growing up I always felt like such a creative kid.  I dreamt up poems, stories, ideas and pictures in my head of so many different things.  For whatever reason as time went on and I grew up I began to let go of some of that creativity.  So now I wonder is it all gone?  Did I let it go completely?
I see my son so curious so creative in his play and it makes me want that back in me.  So I have been trying different ways to express that creativity.  I started to sew, make little crafts here and there and most recently exploring painting.  What I am missing is that confidence in myself to believe that I am a creative soul.  I want to believe that my thoughts and ideas are still worthy of expressing in some kind of artistic form.  Even if they don't come out perfect.  I continue to have this longing to create and make something.  How do I find that confidence to create and do so without reservations and doubts as to what I am creating. 
How do you create?  Do you consider yourself a creative person?  How do you express that creativity?

The Joys of Jury Duty

I'm sitting here at the courthouse as a "perspective juror".  Most people can't stand jury duty.  After all it takes you away from all of the crazy we call work and out of your normal schedule.  For me, that's exactly why I like it.  It's a day where I can go, sit and read to my hearts content.  Yes, I know there are people who have lots of work to do (I'm one of them) and that there is that chance you may get called into a trial and be here for days, but I think for most of us we go sit, maybe get called up to a courtroom, get dismissed and off on our way we go. 
So why complain get all bent out of shape because you got a day off from all the hustle and bustle?  Instead enjoy the calm, chat with a few new people and hopefully get some reading done.  In other words look on the bright side.  :)

Dinner Time

I recognized today how wonderful it is to eat dinner at the table with my family.  As my husband Cruz, my son Nicholas and I sat eating our semi okay meal (butternut squash just didn't come out quite like I expected), I realized that we have every meal at our dining table.  We sit, we talk, we watch the boy drop food on the floor as he learns to use his fork, and we eat.  It is such a simple activity, but it brings me so much joy to do it every day. 
Sure there are the occasions when Cruz has to be out of town or come home late from work and we have to eat with out him, but if at all possible we are always together around the table. 
I hope with time that this is one thing that doesn't change and that we continue to gather for all of our meals to enjoy in my delicious (sometimes) cooking and for wonderful conversations and family moments.  Who knew such a simple piece of furniture would matter so much.
What are your dinner time rituals?  Is it maybe time you started some with your family or friends?

Back to School

It's back to school time!  So now I begin to feel that mixed up feeling of excitement and dread.  Excitement because it is a fresh start, new students, and a chance to help more kids learn and flourish.  The dread I feel because of early rising, leaving my little boy, and the pressures of making sure that ALL of my students learn and flourish. 

I have yet to worry about my baby boy going off to school, for now it is just me off to school (aka work).  I am really hoping that this year will bring a lot of joy, hard work, learning, and passion from myself and the students.  I may not know my students yet, but I already know that I will grow to love them as I end up doing every year.  I just remind myself that I want and need to be the teacher to my students that I would want for my own son.

What do you hope for your children this school year??

Changes

Change is good and necessary.  Without it life would just be boring.  Part of of this blog is to challenge myself to make changes and then share them.  So this weekend I made a change that I thought I would never do.  As long as I can remember I have had medium to long hair until now.  Yesterday I headed on out to my stylist Shannon (great by the way) and had her cut quite a bit of hair.  I was dumbstruck when she was done and am still in the, "now what do I do with it" phase of getting used to something new.  So let me know what you think, good, ok, not so good, or let's just hope it grows out fast.  Thoughts?  What kind of changes are you willing to make to keep things fresh?