Proof That I am NOT Mrs. Cranky-Pants

Today I was asked to hand out a simple survey to my students - a survey put together by other teachers working on a presentation for our faculty meeting. We were asked to simply have the students to answer the questions as best they could and HONESTLY, have them turn the survey in without names AND I was not to look at the results. Once they turned them in, I was to have a discussion with the class about their thoughts. Now, when I first looked at the survey questions I thought, "Are you kidding me right now??" Questions regarding their thoughts on their school, who they turned to when they had questions, in a nutshell - 5 perfect opportunities for them say things that any teacher would cringe about! I will be honest, with the way this year has been, I was feeling like the discussion afterward would be very painful!

So, I give them a positive spiel about being honest, not to put their name on it, I won't be looking at their answers, blah-blah-blah, and hand out the survey. They went right to work, some really thinking, some not so much, some writing down comments and some even giggling. Once they were all turned in - I prepared for the worst. I was pleasantly surprised! The kids were willing to share their thoughts, explain their choices, ask each other questions and more. I spent the time really listening to them, agreeing with their thoughts, understanding where they were coming from all the while taking the notes I was supposed to be taking.

Midway through all of their sharing, I all of a sudden realized their perspective of how this year was going, was very different from mine! I see myself as having to constantly correct behaviors, constantly having to remind them to refocus, constantly having to ask them to stop with the chit-chat and listen carefully to the directions - because most of them don't and it means I will have to repeat myself at least once.... They didn't see any of this! They thought I was fair, it was easy to ask me questions, they felt like they knew what I expected of them... the list goes on. Now, I am not going to say that all of their answers were a dream come true, but when I was expecting the worst and received a "not so bad!" it made me smile a little...ok, maybe a lot! All of the hard work and pressure that I tend to put into my job - I am seeing that it really is starting to pay off.
YAHOO!!

a new year... a new blog!

I am not sure that I can even count how many things have happened since my last post - over a year ago! But how about I fast forward through some of the big stuff!

Last spring, my all time favorite Jenn turned the Big 30! And what did she want for her birthday one might ask... a super fun-filled night in Boston with her girlies! And that is just what we did!











The end of another 4th grade year came and went - and for the first time ever, one of my old classes graduated! They were my very first group of 3rd graders! So watching them graduate and head off to high school was wonderful and crazy all at the same time! (This year's graduating class will be my 2nd group of kids leaving Shaker - and I am already starting to prepare myself for their departure!!)

This summer was filled with summer camp, wedding planning, trips to Maine for some beach days, a girl's night with Tori and the legendary (ok, it's not legendary YET, but it will be!!) Great Granite Race. Two days of driving around New Hampshire following clues and testing friendships! There were some high points and some low points... but when it was all said and done - it was a weekend to never forget!!

Ah, yes... how could I forget!!?? The weekend that the girls and I went to the amazing Tori concert - we found out some REALLY big news! Our Stinka girl was expecting Baby #2!! Yahoo!!



This fall's big to-do was the long awaited Nevers Wedding! Finally! After a 4 year engagement, we finally pulled off the perfect wedding weekend! With the village of cabins at the Belle of Maine filled with family and friends, our wedding day was absolutely picture perfect! From the great company, to the flowers, to the photographer, to the attire, to the tent, to the food... I could go on and on... we loved every part of it!























After the wedding, it seemed like my life was a bit of a whirlwind! With new changes at school, a new class, new schedules, A NEW NAME, putting on a drama production with 3rd & 4th graders... I was ready to take off my teacher hat at the end of each day and head home to my family! After the holidays, I was able to breathe a little bit easier and start focusing on... well ME! I have been trying to eat better, drink my water, enjoy yoga each week, get back into my crafty stuff AND enjoy a little more time with my husband and my sweet, sweet babies.

We have only just begun this crazy little thing called marriage - and are looking forward to all of the great things to come!

So, welcome back to my journey - I refuse to promise a plethora of posts, but I do feel like this is a new start, a new year and lots of possibilities!

A perfect memorial...

Almost a year ago, my good friend DJ was killed while serving in Iraq. Although I would give anything to have him still here with us today, I have learned so much about the "Powers of Deej." From the moment his death was announced, an outpouring of love, sorrow, honor, respect and stories of his bravery, willingness to help and absolute hysterical personality started to surface. I have always known how great DJ was, but to see how many people he had affected in some way has been remarkable.
Last weekend I had the chance to run up north to take part in a very special dedication. DJ had worked at Cannon Mountain and upon his return was to become a Ski Patrolman/EMT - a very respected and difficult job. In memory and in honor of DJ, his friends/co-workers decided to rename the trail that he had spent so much time helping to clear-cut. The former Tramline Trail is now happily called DJ's Tramline. It is one of the toughest black diamond trails in the East, so it is very fitting that it be his. With the Color Guard, a proclamation from the governor, lots of family and friends, the dedication was so special. I know it doesn't bring him back, but I know he is up there with that crazy smirk of his doing some kind of Jim Carrey dance thinking how spectacular it is to have his very own trail!!

Oh NO you didn't....

Oh YES they did!! Can you believe those two girls? My two favorite girlies, Jenn and Melyssa, sent me this photo of Jenn in Washington meeting our baby Landon for the first time...without Auntie Jos!!

A bitch and a super cute baby...

Awwww...I am super jealous!!

(psst...Landon, do me a favor - make a super stinky poopy for Auntie Jenny. She will LOVE IT!!)
hehehe xox Auntie Jos

Wicked Bad Blogger!

It appears to be that I am a wicked bad blogger!! I like to think that the fact that I have not posted anything on here since July is simply a sign of being too busy...but really...it is a sign of being busy and maybe a tad lazy! I am not making any promises, but I would really like to make a better effort to be a better blogger and actually post more often! Not that I have some kind of super exciting life, but who knows, maybe wanting to post more often will make me want to go off and do things worthy of posting! hehehe

I have had so much happen over the past few months - beach trips, a visit to South Carolina, dog days and so much more. I decided I would simply get over the fact that I can't really play catch up...and move onto what is new and upcoming!

This fall has also been super busy. Getting back into school mode has been tricky - although I am having a really great year, I feel like I am having to be in several places at once. I am actually looking forward to the winter since everything seems to slow down a tad. (Now if only I could get do something about the amount of snow and cold air we have her in NH!) There are a couple things that I can't wait to share with all of you...
One thing is the return of my very best friend from elementary school. She and I were two peas in a pod, together whenever we could be. It seemed like one day she was there, and then all of a sudden, she was not there any more. I remember being absolutely crushed when I realized she had moved away without a choice. Now, almost 20 years later...we have reconnected! After her finding my on facebook, we chatted a couple times and knew we JUST HAD TO get together! It was a weekend of total girl talk and hanging out. Poor Ayden I am sure was bored out of his mind listening to us ramble on and laugh about the good old days. She is absolutely beautiful and just as fun as I had remembered. She has faced more obstacles than anyone her age should ever have and still has managed to create a normal life for herself - which I think is what she has always wanted. I am so proud of her! We actually had the chance to spend another weekend together only with the addition of her fantastic husband!! We spent the day in Boston with the them as well as Jenna and Corey tooling around the city and seeing Blue Man Group. It was a lot of fun and just as before, the time together went by WAAAYY too fast!! Oh well...we are in the works of coming up with another reason to get together soon!

Years and years later - and I am still much shorter than she is!! hehehe

Cheers...Where everyone knows your name! (Lorraine & Paul)


Ayden and Jenna ....


Pre-show drinks!!

The next big piece of news is that Ayden and I finally set our wedding date!! Can you believe that?? Almost 3 years later and we finally figured out that we CAN do this and that we actually still WANT to do this!! hehehe So, hopefully this will keep me busy and craft during our nasty upcoming winter season!!

Birthday Girl!

HAPPY BIRTDAY LILY PUG!

Lily turned one last week and we HAD to celebrate!

More fun party pics to come...Yes!! I did say party pics!!

Life's a Beach...

Awww, I do love those Coochs! I spent the afternoon at Ellacoya Beach with Kelley, Dylan and Dustin. Between the sand toys, the ducks, the seagull, the slide, the snacks and the many stick "rescue missions", it was a really fun day!