Baby's Christmas Pics

I just love these pictures! I'm working on getting family pictures done.. I finally finished my classes at UTA. It is such a relief to finally be done. I am looking forward to student teaching full time in January and use all that I have learned. May is just around the corner! Sometimes it feels like it has taken forever to get here (6yrs) but then it seems like it went so fast. I am going to enjoy this break and just relax and enjoy the season!

Yay for UTA's Mid-Level Cohorts!

To all my mid level buddies: Yay! We are done with our classes! Look out student teaching... here we come!(actually we have already started our student teaching but in Jan we are working full time in our schools) I have had the awesome pleasure of getting to know these awesome people who are becoming awesome teachers! We truly are a family..We have laughed, cried, complained, and stressed together. It's not uncommon to find us on FB late at night and IMing each other for help on an assignment when we procrastinated and waited til the last minute to do it. Look out DFW area, incredible teachers will be on the lose come May 2010!

Fortune Cookie

Today Dan and I went to lunch and had Chinese food. At the end of the meal the waiter brings the traditional fortune cookies. We always laugh at these little snippets but today's was interesting. Mine said, "You will gain something you have always wanted". When we got home I had to check FB (yes, I am addicted) and noticed my education buddies were posting whether or not they had passed our state content exam. So I check mine...not available.. really? Then I found out I had to go to another website and there it was...my future.....I had to have Dan come in and make sure I was reading it correctly. The results are in....and....I PASSED!!!!!! We were both so happy we cried! I had been stressing over this test ever since I took it in Oct. That was such an awful weekend..Sam got sick..I took my test Sat morn and he passed away that night. I truly believed I had probably failed my exam. I am so thankful for the help I have gotten from my awesome hubby! This is his achievement too! I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and his awesome help, for I know I would not be where I am today without his love, his guidance, and his strength. My fortune cookie was right..I'm one step closer to getting what I have always wanted!

Happy 1st Birthday Braden Riley!

What a difference a year makes! Happy Birthday Sweet Pea! We are so thankful to have had Braden join our family one year ago today. Braden made his appearance a little earlier than expected and in a most dramatic way! On Nov. 4,2008 at 12:46am we were so thankful that mom and baby were safe and would be ok. Braden is walking, talking, and is in constant motion. He is stubborn (wonder where he got that from?)lol! and independent. He loves to walk and push things as he walks behind them. He loves books, but doesn't like to sit still while being read too ( hence the constant motion lol). Dan and I love being grandparents and look forward to more grandchildren in the future! Braden's b/d party is on Sat so more pictures to follow!

Goodbye Our Faithful Friend

Our beloved Samson passed away Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. He was diagnosed Friday with congested heart failure,but the vet said we didn't have to make a decision right now, so we thought we had more time. Saturday he wouldn't move, eat or go outside...as they day went on his breathing became more labored. I was able to hold him in my arms until he took his last breath...Sam was much more that a dog. He was a friend, a protector, a companion, he was loyal and loved his family unconditionally. He was always waiting at the door with his tail wagging when we came home. We are so very grateful for having him in our lives for 13yrs. We will miss you dear friend..You will live forever in our hearts. Until we meet again.....

I did it!

I have officially registered for my LAST semester at UTA!!! I also just sent my application in to graduate! I'm having mixed emotions now. I'm so excited to finally be done, but yet I'm nervous about my future. Will I be able to find a job? I do know I'm not ready to get a "real" job...lol! This Saturday Oct 31st I'm taking my content area test and so I'm stressing over this test! I know, I know this material but I'm a lousy test taker. I do know that my Heavenly Father would not have gotten me this far too have me fail this test. I really am looking forward to actually teaching full time and not just here and there. I did my informal lesson on Tues and I feel it went really well. I find out tomorrow what my mentor teacher thought of it!Oh my! 8th graders are different... but not so bad when you get to know them. Of course I'm still trying to learn their names and just when I do it will be time to go back to my previous assignment. My university supervisor did make a trip to the school I'm at and talked with my mentor teacher and told her to have me jump right in and start teaching! I'm wondering why she did that. It's ok since I love to teach! I think my previous mentor said too many good things about me and so she wants to see how I do with jr high kiddos. I just keep repeating my mantra---I can do this, I can do this, I can do this! Of course I am getting sick right before my test, but I still have to go Sat or lose my money ! I have been wrestling with a decision on whether or not I should change my name on the school record so it will match my teaching certification. I had to use the name of my DL to register for my test so it will match my certification. I know I have sooo many other things to think about but for some reason this is bothering me. My DL and cert will have Miller Elkins, but my diploma just has my middle name and Elkins. I just want to make sure I honor my mom for all that she has done to get me here....So, what do you think?

Stressful Week

This week has been crazy and stressful. Whitney came down on Monday and went to the Dr. for her asthma. (she hasn't had any trouble in quite awhile) The Dr.put her on the usual ; steroids, steroid shot, and breathing treatments. Tuesday came and she was not better, Weds she comes home because she really feels awful. So, Wed we go to the urgent care clinic (where all the patients are wearing masks) The short version of the story is the Dr. decides to admit her. Well, then we have to wait for the admit team ( team of doctors that go to the various clinics and approve admits. I forgot to mention we arrived and checked in the clinic about 10:30am and she finally got into a room about 9:30pm! That's right we waited 11 hrs for a room to become available! During this time they are giving her breathing treatments every 2 hours. Her O2 stats got so low she required oxygen! She really scared us this time. She was so sick and had no color at all. Then the 1st nite there she had the nurse from hades. She was rude and did not practice good sanitary skills. Whitney had to ask HER to wash her hands...But then she had several good nurses who took very good care of her esp. when I could not be there. By Friday she was doing a lot better and was finally responding to treatment. She got to come home today! Thanks mom for picking her up! She is still on steroids and breathing treatments, and she will have to take it easy for a week or so but she is sooo much better. I learned that it doesn't matter how old your kids are, they will always be you babies! Thanks to everyone who sent us prayers and good thoughts. Plus this week I started my 2nd placement which is in a 8th grade History class. All my teachers and my mentor teacher were so great about me taking off to be with Whitney. I went to a review for my English,Lang Arts and Reading content test. I'm hoping it will help me pass the first time I take it , which will be in 2 weeks! Yes, my test is on......October 31st! Some how that seems fitting! So between school, tests, and Whitney it has been a very long and stressful week.. tonight we are chillin, watching tv and being very thankful....

Cute Pics!

These are just a few of Braden's first birthday picture. Can't believe how fast he has grown.

Braden's birthday pictures. Our baby is constantly on the move. He can say "puppy", "baby", "ball", and his favorite "oh"! He is practicing his walking and will probably be running by his birthday!

Update!

As you can tell by my lack of posts this semester has been crazy! I made it through my elementary internship and I fell in love with 6th grade. I had the best mentor who has taught me so much. The kids were great! Today was my last day so in incorporated their review for the Benchmark tests next week into a game of Jeopardy. I had a few computer glitches and I made two mistakes on my slides, but all in all I think it turned out good. I'm curious to see what my mentor writes for my evaluation. I start Tuesday at the junior high! All I know is that I will be in a Social Studies class, but I don't know the grade! I will find out Tuesday! School, well school is school. For some reason the Education Dept decided to change things this year. I have 4 new teachers who have never taught education classes before. It has been really frustrating.If you read Whitney's blog then you know the health issues she has been facing. Now, I have done something to my knee/leg. I went to the orthopedic dr. and he said he thought it was one of three things: rheumatoid arthritis in the tendons/muscles etc. or tendinitis, or a stress fracture. So I go back next week for another x-ray. Until then I'm supposed to stay off of it as much as possible ( yeah right... esp when I have 90+ 6th graders and classes two days a week at UTA and oh yeah, where my classes are there is no close parking!) It is always something in our little world... Our baby is turning one on Nov 4th! Wow! Where has the year gone? He is soooo cute( I know, I'm a little prejudiced) but he is really cute! We had another addition or our family.. My niece had a little girl on Sept 26th. Miss Layla Lauren was 5 lbs and I can't wait to meet her! Our other new addition is due Nov 13th. My sisters are soo happy to finally be grandparents!

This is my niece's baby
shower.

My mom and Braden

Fall 2009

School has begun! Today was my first day in the elem.classroom. I have really lucked out with a mentor. She is great! She is very patient, kind, interesting, funny etc. There are 3 6th grade teachers and they have been so nice and friendly to me! I'm really looking forward to this year! Today the 6th graders in their homeroom decided on 2 rules they liked. Then all 3 classes came together and put together a list of 5 rules that they will follow along with the school's code of conduct rules. I found it very interesting to see what these little guys came up with. The top 2 were respect others and their property and be a team player and help each other out when needed. Other rules were no stealing and respect student's diversity. That one really blew me away! On the other hand, I had one student ask me what a vowel is. Now, really you do not know what a vowel is? Are you really in 6th grade? I didn't ask these questions , I just thought them. So I explained what a vowel is and how it is used. At some point I will develop a lesson plan and will actually teach the class! I'm nervous about that but I think I can do it. What really makes me nervous is knowing my mentor teacher and my university supervisor will be evaluating me! Nothing like being on display for all to see! I also started my content area classes today. I'm taking Literature at Mid Level Grades, Math (in mid level grades), Science, and Social Studies/ Diversity in Mid Level Grades. I am sure this will be a very busy semester but one I hope to learn all things I will need to be a good teacher. My Math professor said today that teachers are called and if you do not feel you have been called to teacher than you should find something else to do. I know that I have been called to teach. I know that this is what Heavenly Father wants me to do, and I know with his help and guidance I can be an awesome teacher!

Summer School is Over!!

Well, I made it through summer school! I got through my LAST math class and ended up with a C, which I will gladly take! Now I can say I am officially finished with my degree, all that is left are my 12 hours of content that I will take this fall. I meet with one of my mentor teachers on Monday so she can show me around and introduce me to the staff. And, to top things off Dan brought home a nasty cold last weekend and guess who got it? ME! So, now I am coughing, aching, fever, and pretty much feel awful and the worst part is I was going to see Branden, Sharla, and Braden today for a get together and now I can't go! I really do not want anyone esp the baby to get this crud. Oh well, if I can keep my eyes open I will have time to study for my practice test next Thursday!

Internship/Student Teaching

Today is a good day! I finally heard from one of the schools I will be doing my internship and student teaching at! At UTA you do part of your internship and student teaching in your lower grades and the other half in your upper grades. So, for me that means I will do my first half in a 6th grade Language Arts/Reading class. I talked to my mentor teacher today and she sounds so nice. I think we are going to get along great and I feel I will learn a lot from her. She is going to let me be as involved as I want and work with students on a one on one basis. I'm so excited but nervous. The second half of the fall term I will be at a junior high either 7th or 8th grade. I'm still waiting to hear from them. In the spring semester it will be the same thing. Half will be in the elementary and half in the junior high and I will be in the classroom full time (5days a week) but I will still be with the same grades and teachers. I like this because I will know the students and they will know me. Now, all I have to do is pass this math class and that will finally be behind me and I can move forward and finish my degree! Yay!!!

Mr. R.A.

Hello Mr. R.A. How are you? I was doing good until you decided to come for a visit. No offense, but you really are not my favorite person. You and I have been acquaintances for a long time. I remember the day we met for the first time. I was a young mother who just had her third child. I was so busy taking care of my family and working that I didn't notice you too much at first. Then you really got my attention when you started with my knees and made it so very hard to walk. I remember my mom had to come over in the evenings to take care of the kids and me. I was stuck on the couch with ice packs on my knees and pain pills in my body. The Dr's. figured out pretty quick just who you were. When I first heard your name I was confused and didn't know much about you and the horrible things you do to a body. It didn't take me long to learn all your little secrets and the mean tricks you play on a body. Sometimes I am so angry that you came into my life. I look back a see all the things I missed because of you. I missed soccer and football games with my children. I missed school programs because you couldn't wait to visit just one more day. I missed playing in the park with my family, I missed going out with friends and family, I missed cooking dinner for my family or brushing my daughter's hair, but no need to go on for you know what you have taken away from me. It hasn't all been bad. I have been able to watch lots of TV and read some awesome and inspiring books, I have a new appreciation for pajamas and now recognize ice as a staple in my home as well as my new friend. You have also inspired me to do some great things. Because of you I went back to college. Because of you I have made it through and I WILL graduate and I WILL be a teacher. You have helped me to become a better person, a person who can empathize with others, a person who has more strength then she thought she had, and a determined person. A person who sets goals and achieves them. I think the greatest thing you have taught me is patience. You have to be patient when you have to rely on others to do things for you. I'm not sure how our relationship will work when I go to work every day and do something I love. I really hope you are not too jealous. I know you will be an ongoing part of my life always. Because of you I have a husband that loves me unconditionally and because he was blessed with a great example of service he now takes good care of me when I an unable to do much. Because of you I have been blessed with children who think of others before themselves and are willing to help others (well, mostly.. it is a work in progress). Even though you will always be a part of my life, you will not control it or own it. You may cause me to have bad days when the pain is severe, but I know you will give me a reprieve at some point. So, as we enter a new phase in our lives, I wonder if you will change, or will I change? I believe that my Heavenly Father has led me down this path to teaching and I know between the two of us we will find a way for me to teach and a way to accommodate your visits. I have to give a shout out to my rheumatologist, Dr. Brodsky, you are the best!

Summer is almost over!

I can't believe July is half way over already! Where has the time gone? Whitney and I are busy with summer school, although she is taking more classes than I am) I am taking my LAST math class! Yay! But it is not as easy as I thought it might be... but Math has always been a struggle for me. I thought I was going to have a quiet weekend, just the dogs and me but..... I get to spend some quality time with my favorite father-in-law! I have the best time just hanging out with him, he is so funny! He is recuperating from breaking a vertebra in his neck a few weeks ago. His little dog, Blackjack decided to take off from the deck and Pop followed him and fell off the deck and hit the ground. Silly man waited for several hours before telling anyone and deciding he was hurt and needed to go to the ER. He is in a neck brace and may have to have a halo put on depending on how things heal. Hopefully we will find out next month when he returns to the dr. And...early Weds I got up to let my dogs out and tripped over one and my toe hit a box... so now I have a broke toe! Not much you can do about it but it really hurts esp. being up on it for awhile. I did manage to get the sink full of dishes done so that was an accomplishment! So , the two of us can limp around together! School is starting soon and I"m getting nervous. I found out the two schools I will be at this year and they are Pope Elementary and Shackleford JH. I have heard they are good schools so I"m hoping I get an awesome mentor! I can't believe it is finally here and this is my Senior yr! I can't believe I'm almost done! Now if I can pass my practice content area exam and my ppr exam! Guess UTA wants you to practice before you take the actual test... Wish me luck!

Crawlin Round

Our baby is crawling! It is so hard to believe he is 7 months old and is doing so many things! He loves to laugh and cracks up when you laugh at him! Whitney is home for the summer and is in summer school. I have a few more weeks till my session starts! I have been studying for my practice content exam that I take in August. I realized I really need to brush up on my Social Studies. Guess I will be checking out textbooks from UTA to study... Did I mention that I really do not like to study? I'm already stressing over this test. I am feeling the pressure of having to pass these exams... But the up side is this will be my last year (for awhile) at UTA! I will eventuatlly have to go back for my Masters but that will have to wait a few years. Must work and build retirement! Oh my! Am I old enough to have to worry about retirement?

Random Pics

Braden and his future 4-wheeler

Update and pics!

The graduate: Lynda

Branden, Sharla, & Braden

Braden and his great-grandpa Pop

4 Generations of Elkins Men

Mother's Day 2009

Thought I would update the ole blog! School is over till July! Yay!!! I am proud of myself I made two A's and 1 B! Not bad! Summer school starts in July but that is only 1 class and I'm hoping it won't be too hard. Whitney did awesome this semester and we are sooo proud of her. My sister, Lynda graduated from Dallas Baptist University with her Masters of Education in School Counseling! I'm sooo proud of her and she is a huge inspiration to me! Now I will have to get my masters too! lol! I had an awesome Mother's Day. It was just how I wanted it to be. We had a great cookout with the kids and Dan's dad, Pop. It was very relaxed and after eating we played a game of Apples to Apples and of course Whitney won! Well, next week is my last week of watching the baby. Laura will be taking over for me since I have summer school and this fall will be crazy once again with school and internship! She knows that I will be over to get my g-baby fix! I just love being a grandma! My sister Lynda will be a grandma in Sept! Her daughter Jessica is expecting a baby girl!!! Of course I have already started buying little girl things! I need a girl now!! That will have to wait a little longer, so Im told! But everything is on schedule for Whitney and I to graduate next May! Keep your fingers crossed it is not on the same day!! Later...

I think I may fianlly able to see the light at the end of this long tunnel called school. I am slowly working my way down my list of projects to do. I have 2 lesson plans done and 1 left to do,and only 4 more hours of tutoring left!!. I also have a website I am building in my tech class. I really like that class, there has been so many things I didn't know you could do on a computer or with a computer. Now I have to put all that info on my webpage. I will give the address when I have it looking better. I had planned on going to summer school (it's a math class) so I registerd at UTA for it and found out it was going to cost 900.00! See, if you want financial aid to pay for summer school you have to take 6 hours, but I only needed 3. So I checked with my advisor and sure enough there is a math class at TCC that will substitute for the class I need. It took me almost 2 hrs to register for that class! I had to get a transcript from UTA take it to TCC then get math department to approve it and stand in line twice just to get registered. I was sooo afraid I had done all this stuff and it would be full, but thankfully it wasn't and I got in!!!! Im so excited and this class only cost 150.00, the textbook was more that the class!. But I still saved $568.00! Whitney and I have been so excited to call ourselves SENIORS!!! ( well, technically we will be in the fall).
I would like to congratulate my sister, Lynda, she will graduate in May with her Master's Degree in school counseling. Way to go Sis, Love ya!!!!! and congrats on becomming a grandma in Sept!! I'm still watching my g-baby but Im sad because when summer school starts (July 6th). I will only watch him for one day a week ( which is ok, guess I have to share him with his other grandma)But I'm not sure if I will be able to watch him this fall. Internship starts and I will be in the schools in the morning 2 days a week and then classes for 1-5, and if the course load is anything like it has been this semester, there is no way I can watch him and do my internship (boohoo) I will just have to sneak over and get my kisses!

Happy Easter!

As you can see here are Braden's Easter pictures. Braden is the cutest baby and I'm still having fun watching him. I made it through spring break and I find myself back to the grindstone. School is too crazy (as usual). I register this week for my summer class and for my fall classes ( of my senior year)! I can't believe I am almost done! It seems like it has been a long time coming but then it seems like time has flown by. Hopefully I will find out what school I am going to be at this fall. For our internship we are in the elem/middle school 2days a week 8-12, then classes from 1-5 Tues/Thurs. Of course I will spend my summer studying for my content area exam and my ppr exam. Both I will take this fall! I am so ready to be done with school and to start teaching. Although I know there is a lot more for me to learn. The family is good. Dan is still driving and was able to take the weekend off. I think we are going out of town this coming weekend, he is keeping it a secret for now! Well... time to go back to bed! Later.

It's Spring Break Time!!

Woo Hoo!!! I am officiantly on spring break!! I'm so excited, my poor brain needs the rest. Unfortuntaly I have lots of school work to keep my busy for the week. I have to catch up on all my journals, and put together 2 lesson plans! One is with a group so thats not bad. Oh well, might as well get used to not actually getting a break because teachers really do not get a spring/summer break, do they?

Vet? of Teacher?

Here is the latest picture of Braden. He is up to 19.6lbs! His new nickname is Moose! So, I really think I should have been a vet not a teacher! These guys make the money... Whitney's dog Isabella developed a lump on her ear. So off to the vet we go...but...wait... I have been to the vet just about every week in the last 3-4 weeks. First, it was their yearly shots, then Landry hurts his knee, then Sam (the oldest at 12yrs) decides to have incontenince issues....go to the vet..... then Bella gets this lump...go to the vet...it turns out to be a blood vessal that burst, and she has to have surgery to fix it and she has a BAD ear infection. Now she has to wear this contraction to hold her ear up so it doesn't fall over...Seriously!! and the meds they all got, I need a loan to pay for all of this!!! School is crazy as usual. I have soo many projects that have to get done it is unreal!! And I thought being a teacher would be easy! Oh and this summer I have to study for my content and PPR test in the fall. One is 172 pages and the other is 72! Oh, I will be soo happy when this semester is over. Dan is still driving for Fed EX and loving it. Although he has gotten stuck in Tenn, Ohio, Indianna etc.. due to winter storms, snow and ice. He is ready for spring! We really are so thankful that Heavenly Father has been watching over him and keeping him safe. Later...

Mondays

Am I the only one who has had 2 Mondays back to back that were rough? It is the start of a new week, so it should be a good day filled with a promise of the week to come. This semester is already getting bad.I have so much extra work outside of class, it is ridiculous.This is the time to put all those years of being a mom and multi-tasking to work. It is 9pm and I finally got home from school and had dinner. I still have to do a resume, a webpage, a chart for ESL/Bil class, email the person over ESL/BIL programs in Arlington to set up tutoring time( which will be on Sats since that is all I have) oh yeah I still need a shower (sorry I know tmi). These days are quickly turning into weeks. Then I take care of Braden starting at 7:30am tomorrow!! I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! I also forgot to mentions that Dan woke me up last night about 4 and he was sick. I got to go visit our 24hr Kroger at 4:30am. It is a little scary to go to that grocery store and the only people there are the employees. Then maybe that would be a good time to go grocery shopping without the crowds and lines. Starting tomorrow I become a widow again till Sat/Sun. I'm going to stop ranting for now. Please forgive me for going on and on. I truly hope you have had a GREAT Monday!!!!

3 Months Later

Wow! What a difference 3 months make! Braden started out so small and now he is a butterball (I mean that in a good way)! He is smiling, coohing, and reaching for objects. Today I was holding him on my shoulder and he looked up at me and reached for my lips and nose while he is coohing and smiling. It was such a sweet moment between us. Mom and Dad swear he is laughing but I haven't heard him do that yet. I love taking care of him but sometimes it is hard when I have school work to do. But I know things will settle down and everything will fall into place.

New Year's News

Wow! I can't believe it is already 2009. So far 2009 has been pretty good. Dan now has a job!! We are so thankful! He is back to driving over the road. He is working for a new company that hauls for Fed Ex. ( wish it was actually fed ex then the insurance would be better ) He has dedicated run from Ft Worth to Columbus, Ohio
2x's a week and every other week he runs to Tenn. So he is only home for about 2 days a week. He was liking it until this week when he ran into Kentucky's ice storm. The truck got stuck in the snow (he wasn't driving it was his co-driver), then the lights wouldnt work, so they fixed that then the transmission went out and they were stuck in Indiana. He was stuck there for about 48hrs. Finally he was able to fly home early this morning. We have planned to go out of town and celebrate our birthdays! School started on Jan 20th. I am taking 12 hrs which consist of (1)Technology Applications for Classrooms
(2). Content area: Reading and Writing, (3) Literacy methods in Bilingual/ESL students (4) Math (geomentry). This is going to be a very busy semester. I also have to observe and work with bilingual/esl learners for 20 hrs plus I have create a web page and do textbook evaluation plus 2 presentations. I also started watching Braden this past Monday. I'm loving it! He is smiling and coohing and getting bigger, he is such a butterball! I also have been diagnosed as a Diabetic. It has been scary for my blood sugar has been high (around 3-400). So I having to take medication and check my sugar several times a day. I also have to change the diet. Which hasnt been to hard for I have been doing alot of the changes like eating sugar free and low carb diet. Our new puppy, Landry and I will become good friends as we both walk for exercise. Finally, we have a new computer and the internet!!! I have really missed it. Now I just have to find a printer and all will be well in my world.