Before and After... A New Life (part 2)

The title comes from me feeling like our life is now and forever more set into two categories.. before the accident and after. It is still surreal how easily one moment in time can truly just change everything.

In my last post, I gave some of the details of the injuries we survived. Three of us are mostly back to normal. Abbie is a little different. Abbie suffered an  atlanto-occipital dislocation injury. It is also know as an internal decapitation. OUCH!! Wikipedia says this: This is generally fatal, since it generally involves nerve damage or severing the spinal cord. Thankfully Abbie's accident was not fatal and did not severe any part of the spinal cord.

Here are a few pictures, in order, of Abbie...

Before the accident 

My poor baby!! This was at the scene I believe. 

Abbie is wearing a non invasive halo. Thank God they didn't have to put the screws in her skull

. 

Riding a therapeutic bike at the Children's Center.

Whiskey the dog came for a visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This next photo is when Abbie was getting out of the halo into some new hardware. The man you see pictured, Jonathan, is amazing. He helped Abbie with love and kindness, even when she was cranky! He came to see her numerous times while she was at the Children's Center, fixing her brace, trying his best to make her comfortable. He is simply a gift from God.

Abbie and Jonathan, the OU orthotist

The new brace. She looks happier here than she has in months!

Dressing up as Dr. Who for a friend's birthday party. She sure was excited. She still has her brace on here, and looks larger than life :) But in reality she has lost close to 10 lbs throughout the whole ordeal. 

YES!! Yes, this is Abbie with NO BRACE!! PRAISE THE GOOD LORD. 12 weeks later, the brace is off. Her neck is healing. She has been set free, with only a few restrictions. 

Abbie's amazing recovery is not over. She still has far to go, but the miracle God has performed through her is just evident. Look at her long giraffe neck :) You can't see the scar because it is in the back of her neck. It's about 5" inches long (that's what brothers are for... measuring the scar! HA!)

Sometimes it's hard in our lives to stop and really think about the things we have to be thankful for. I challenge you to do that today, right now. Because truly, in the matter of moments, your whole life can change.. for the better or worse.. and maybe a little bit of both at the same time. I, for one, am so grateful that I had God with me throughout this whole process. And the best part is... He will continue to be with me forever!!

Before and After...... A New Life (part 1)

I have never liked reading someone's blog and hearing how they are so sorry for not posting. Well, I now understand. It has been awhile for me, and truthfully I have no idea who even reads these posts :)

On March 15, 2013, my daughter, Abbie; my son, Philip; and our exchange student, Eva and I were all so pumped for Spring Break to start. We were all ready at about 4:30 to FINALLY get on the road and head to Chicago. The plan was to just drive until Philip and I were too tired to drive, get a hotel and then finish the ride in the morning. We were on our way to see John, my oldest, at college and to see my brother and sister in law, Kevin and Glazia. I think I told every one I knew we were going. I had posted on Facebook, even spent time counted down the time. Now, just in case you don't know, I grew up just outside of Chicago. We weren't just going to Chicago (which is awesome on it's own), but in my heart and mind... we were going HOME.

So we jumped in the roomy mini van, and headed out. Bought some gas just up the road then got on the turnpike. Listening to music, eating snacks........ I am sure you know where this is going.... Approximately 34 miles from home... we were REARENDED by a semi. WHAT!?!?! Yes, yes we really were. No joke!!

This is a real true picture of my mini van after the accident.

We survived ONLY by the grace of God.

I really have been somewhat busy these last 3+ months. Philip suffered a severe concussion and 18 staples in his head. Thankfully he is doing great. Eva broke a bone in her foot, dislocated and fractured her elbow. She has since gone home to Denmark (oh we miss her!!) but the doctor declared her a healed "perfect" patient before she left. I am still sore and have a swollen right leg (it's about 4 inches bigger than my left.. no joke!). Abbie, however, has not been as fortunate. Well, she is so fortunate. She is indeed a walking miracle!! I'll post more about her and her recovery tomorrow......

So, if you missed me... now you know what has been happening........

The weird thing is... we are on summer vacation and I am feeling like it is time to go back to school. I know I know, I sound crazy! HA!! But I have been out since March 15th, so it is somewhat understandable. I just hope and pray I can be somewhat productive between now and when school starts... maybe tomorrow.. after my nap :) HA!

Some of my favorite times

Every year I try to do activities with my students outside of school. This has been a great way for me to build relationships with all my students, especially those that are hard to reach. Building relationships with our students I feel should be top priority for all teachers. The famous unknown quote:

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world" really makes me stop and think about these lovely children in my care, daily. 

This year I took many to Braum's the first time around. They had earned a free ice cream coupon, so the adventure was very light on my budget. The students had a great time. It sure is fun to talk and enjoy them without any school stress going on.

Fun at Braum's with some of my favorite students!

January 2013 started my new round of adventures, and I was able to take 3 students to Pizza Hut with me. This time around they earned free pizza coupons, so they were able to order their own pizza with whatever topping they wanted.

Two sweet girls out on the town for dinner!

I love when my daughter Abbie tags along. This young man is not in my class, but another fun "tag along" this time. He brings a special joy to my heart!!

What are some things you do to build relationships with your students? I would love to hear!!

Will Rogers

Not having grown up in the great state of Oklahoma, Will Rogers has never been a person of interest to me. Until this week this is. Oklahoma has recently changed their teaching standards and now third grade teaches Oklahoma history. Personally, I thought this is going to be great, to learn all the history of the state along with my students. Yeah, well, it's not all that exciting. Until this week.

The students were quite attentive the whole time. 

So what happened this week, you wonder? We were treated to a presentation by Dr. Doug Watson, a Will Rogers expert. He came out to our school yesterday and spent about an hour talking to the students about Will Rogers. He did rope tricks, using his lariat.

Roping tricks

He talked of how he (Will) had to ask his wife 3 times before she agreed to marry him. Will made over 70 motion picture movies, most of which were silent. He was born on Nov. 4th (happens to be the same day as a boy friend I had... and my students found that to be GROSS!! HA!).

My class and "Will Rogers"

We spent some time after writing thank you letters. This is by far m favorite. "Out of the mouths of babes"...as they say. 

"It was sad how Will Rogers passt away but I took it like a man!" 

Here is another good response: 

We have to end on an illustration :) I love third graders!

If you are interested in learning more about Will Rogers, the man and legend, visit the
Will Rogers Memorial Museum.

December was an exciting month is our classroom. I feel blessed we are able to celebrate Christmas, though not the real reason behind it.

Here are some of the lessons and activities that happened in our class:

We were secret elves to our Kindergarten Rocket Buddies. Every day we secretly sent a note and a fun surprise to their class. The notes all started with...
On the 12th (descending order) day of school before the Christmas break, my secret elf gave to me.....

What fun for both classes. The last day we barged into their classroom to deliver gifts to each students. We were pleasantly surprised to get a gift back from them, too.

Check out the fun!

Two cuties in their pj's!

Brothers and Buddies! Very exciting :) 

Student decorated this gift for one of their buddies! Isn't it beautiful :) 

Opening gifts is always fun!

I always feel so blessed as a teacher. December was no exception!

Benchmarks

(this is from October, I didn't realize I had not published it! and now we are getting ready for the second benchmark!)

Whew.. most of our benchmark testing is over for the first nine weeks. I have 2 who still need to finish tomorrow with the special ed teacher. While this is a stressful time, I really like having the data to look at and use.

It's hard for third graders, because they have never really taken a big test before. Using bubble sheets (I always want to call them scantrons but I am thinking that is not "politically correct") is new to them. Being totally quiet for an extended period of time is also new. I understand the big push in stamina for students, I just wish younger grade teachers would catch on.

The best thing is that our district has subscribed to Mastery Connect. Have you tried it? You can find it at www.masteryconnect.com.  You put your test in, the answers and align it to your state standards.Next you take a picture of your bubble sheet and it scores it automatically for you. It is amazing. It then scores it and you see instantly how your students did individually and as a whole class. I never knew it could be so easy!!

Coming back to third grade sure feels like I have come back home! While there are definitely bumps in the road, it feels good to be home.

The Top 10 Things I Miss most about Chicago (area)

I was a lucky kid. I grew up just less than 20 miles outside of Chicago in Bolingbrook, Illinois. At that time, Bolingbrook had only about 27,000 people (thank you Wikipedia.. I look smarter than the average bear now!). Today Bolingbrook houses over 75k!!! Amazing

I went back "home" this past fall to get my oldest, John, settled in at Wheaton College. He is a freshman and seems to be doing ok (thanks for asking!).

It really is as nice as it looks. 

I, on the other hand, am feeling homesick. For many of the past 20 (I hate admitting that, makes me sound old.. but I am not!!) years, I have not felt homesick for the area at all. But starting Thanksgiving 2011, I have been.

I want to share a list of what I miss most. Let me know your thoughts on what you miss about your hometown!

10. The way people talk. Never really realized it but having heard it, as well as some phone calls I have had with strangers lately, I miss it! Weird!! I know.... But I will tell you if I ever move back, I'm not giving up the y'all I have come to know and love!!

9. The beef sandwiches at Portillos. No way to describe how the gravy seeps into the bun and makes it just soft enough....yet not soggy. The rest stays harder, crunchier, for that just right taste!! A trip home wouldn't be the same without it.

8. The drivers. What?!??!!! Yes, the drivers. While they do seem to be more aggressive, they also are more polite. I noticed people always waved when you let them in ( no! not just with one finger), they seem more likely too to let you in. I like that!

7. Burritos. Football sized. Made by true Mexicans. No other explanation necessary!

My mouth is watering just thinking about the taste of this. Mmmm 

6. Life long friends. One of my best friends are from there. Well, she now lives in Vegas, but she can appreciate all that I know and love there. One of the best blessings this year is that John has met my high school best friend's sister, Annette. Annette and her family have somewhat adopted John. He is a part of their family now, they pick him up for church, have spent time with him, and truly seem to be loving him. This seems to go with #5 but not all went to high school with me, and how can you limit the amount you want to count the true blessings of friendship!

This is my friend, Ronni. Doesn't she look great!! She is the one who lives in Vegas, and while deciding which photo to choose, I figured one that shows her beauty (not sarcastic attitude) would be best. She is also a popular blogger. You can check her out here. 

5. High school friends. Believe me when I say there is nothing better than hanging out for the night with some friends that you have known over 25 years. The laughter, even some tears, just make you feel like your heart is home.

Some of my best friends, in life. 

4. Family. I am so fortunate to have a best friend in my brother and his new wife Glaiza. Growing up, yeah not so much, but today he really is one of my best friends. I also have a great cousin that I always try to connect with when I am lucky enough to be in town!

3. Always something to do. The museums are interesting enough that you could often and still enjoy them. The lake is amazing all year long. Once I went and was able to walk out on it all covered in ice. Train rides in and out are great for people watching. Lincoln Park Zoo is free. The Morton Arboretum is amazing. The list goes on and on. (I don't find Oklahoma City to be exciting, at all!!)

Arboretum, so peaceful
(photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum)

2. Chicago style pizza. Whether it is Uno's, Giordano's, Lou Malnaty's, or any others.... Nothing compares. Many have tried (trust me, I've tried many who claim to be just like theirs), but none have succeeded in even coming close!! I personally prefer to go to Uno's downtown; it's just fun!!

Waiting just builds the excitement!

1. A few months ago, my number one would have been different, but now that John is in the Chicago area, he is the person I miss most there. I am so proud of him. I am so looking forward to seeing the plans God has for him in his life. I do, however, have to admit that I am slightly jealous of him being there. I hope he learns to love it there as much as I do!