the past...um...three weeks...

Oh man, I think I'm a naturally bad blogger  :(  sorry!

I'll try to hit the highlights of the last three eventful weeks here.

I left you with our memorial day celebration.  Since acquiring the weight set, Mr. H and I have used it religiously.  We are both noticing changes in our body composition.  It feels so great to be getting back in shape!  YAY!

June 8th marked the last day of school for students this year (I know, middle of summer right?!)  which means June 17th was the last day for teachers.  I am now done with all professional development hours for the summer and have a fairly good handle on what I'll be teaching next year.  WOO!  A lot is changing next year...  Not only is our district beginning the transition to Common Core (more on that in a minute), but I have moved building and also changed what I'll be teaching.  I'm still at the same school on paper, but my classroom has been relocated to the annex building, which also houses the Tech and ESL departments.  It will be a major adjustment but one I'm looking forward to with excitement and anticipation.  I'll also be teaching more difficult math--kind of exciting.  I'll be the main teacher of Algebra 1 and the only teacher of Geometry.  Exciting?  Scary?  Sure!  Now, about that Common Core stuff.  Common Core is a new, national standards-based movement in American education.  The vast majority of states have adopted the new standards and are beginning to implement new curriculum.  The learning standards are much more intensive than the current standards in most states.  The new standards focus more on depth of understanding and transferability of knowledge, rather than mere resuscitation of facts.  While this is great on paper, most students (and parents and teachers) in America are so used to "easy" schooling that it will be a major paradigm shift.  In the short run, it will also mean more students failing as they are forced to develop study habits and put much more time into their school work.  Currently, teachers are feeling much more pressure than parents and students (most probably don't know anything is happening...).  We are reevaluating all curriculum that is being taught, covering different material and looking for real-world ways to make that material meaningful.  It could be awesome, but it's definitely going to take a lot of work.
Wow...that was long...did I say concise and just the highlights, oops!

After school got out, Mr. H and I celebrated our 2nd year anniversary!  How I love that man and how time flies!  Monday, June 13th we both stayed home and enjoyed a relaxing day together.  Fabulous!

 

For a couple days last week (like our anniversary) and so far this week, I have been enjoying my summer vacation!!  I think I definitely chose the right profession.  Having days off when the weather is beautiful is just wonderful.  I love having the freedom to do as I please alllllllll day long, on most day that is.  I like having a good balance of productivity and relaxation.  For instance, yesterday I mowed the yard, cleaned out the pool (oh, another good story coming up!), and cleaned the kitchen--all before lunch!  So after lunch, I took a load of stuff to Helping Hands, got a Sonic drink, and read my book beside the aforementioned pool.  Today I have worked on school materials, made a WalMart run, and watched plenty of Wimbledon.  Perfect mix of productivity and relaxation  :)

So the pool--which a few of your have seen mentioned on facebook and asked about.  No, we have not installed a beautiful pool in our backyard, keep dreaming.  See, I don't usually swim much in the summer; I just enjoy reading by the pool/laying out and jumping in for a quick cool-off when I get too hot.  For some of you who know where we live, you know we have a neighborhood pool.  Perfect?  not so much.  I have found out throughout this past school year that we share our neighborhood (and therefore neighborhood pool) with many of my students--yay, right? *enter sarcasm*  I don't really want to go sun bathing in my cute little swim suit to the serenades of "Hi, Mrs. Hester!!"  So, I sunbathe at home in the absolutely fantastic pool my sweetheart bought me.  

Yep, it's inflatable.  Yep, it's in our backyard.  Yep, it has the potential to be trashy real easily.

Yep, I LOVE it!

In other news...

Two days ago was Father's Day.  My daddy is currently working abroad so I wasn't able to see him.  I was, however, able to talk to him thanks to the magic of Skype.  I have been extremely blessed to have the daddy I do.  He has always made me a priority in his life and I have no doubts about how much he loves me.  Since a picture speak a thousand words, here are just a few of the many pictures I hold dear to my heart.

And for the other awesome parent, my momma, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!  In an effort to keep things short and sweet today (HA!) you can read a little more about my family here.  Simply speaking, I pray to be half the amazing woman that she is.

Well, that was definitely not concise.  Oh well.  I think I covered the highlights!  And I'll make you a pledge, I promise to not let my blogging get this out-dated and out of hand again.  Yeah, who am I kidding, that probably won't happen!  Enjoy your summer!!!