December 23, 2012

Christmas Eve Eve Sunday Social

Today was truly a day of rest day...as in I barely made it off the couch! It was a busy/stressful/yet special week for teachers. The week began with a lot of fear, a lot of questions, and a lot of hugs from my babies. Yesterday culminated in one of the best days I've ever had. My students, co-workers and I spent the day serving in our inner city, meeting the children we had adopted for Christmas and giving them their Christmas presents. So much love, so much joy. The BEST start to the break ever!  I was so proud of my students, many of whom are recipients in similar programs, to make this dream a reality. Ms. Wright loves you so much!

On to a Christmas Eve Eve Sunday Social with Neely
Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Michigan Black Bear, Peppermint Stick, Cookie Dough

2. What is your favorite smell? Chocolate Chip Cookies Baking, Allure by Chanel, New Babies

3. What is your favorite TV commercial? Ummm since owning a DVR...I'm not sure :-)

4. What is your favorite day of the week? Friday!

5. What is your favorite way to waste time? Netflix, Blogging

6. What is your favorite article of clothing? My grey zip up jacket, Sweaters, Yoga Pants, Skinny Jeans, Scarves, Knee Socks, Boots....Layers
Merry Christmas All!
 

December 15, 2012

Sandy Hook School

Along with most of the nation, I've had a hard time dealing with the news of the Sandy Hook School Shooting. Friday's events shook the image of school as a safe haven for students, teachers, and parents alike.  I am so sorry for the loss of those 20 beautiful first graders and their 6 heroic educators.  My love and prayers go out to the Newtown Community and will continue to do so in the coming days.

Several of my teacher friends and I have been posting this quote on facebook, and I believe I will use it in my classroom on Monday to help my students deal with this news. In the midst of this dark time the stories are coming out of heroism, our nation is coming together to support our brothers and sisters, prayers are being said, love is being shared. Will our country begin to heal?
Kathleen

December 9, 2012

Sunday Social- Christmas Traditions



I'm sorry for my lack of posting- I've been working 70-80 hour weeks lately. Can you say Christmas performances, Grades due, Parent Teacher Conferences, December Craziness? I'm thinking in list form currently so the Sunday Social Link Up fits the bill.
Sunday Social


1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials? 
Old School: White Christmas
Christmas Comedies: Christmas Vacation, Elf, Christmas Story (I want this box set)
Sappy TV Specials: The Christmas Shoes trio

2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do? 
I volunteer year round as a Youth Group Leader, but at Thanksgiving I served in Inner City Detroit dropping off Thanksgiving Baskets at various homes and serving in a Soup Kitchen. For Christmas I am adopting a child in Foster Care. How I wish that it was more that buying them necessities and a gift or two. I can't wait to adopt to grow my family!
 

3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays? Definitely an American Girl Doll- Molly!

4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays? Pointe Shoes!!! I attended a boarding school to train professionally for dance my last two years of high school. I'd sometimes be in my Pointe Shoes 8 straight hours a day so Christmas was stock up time. Oh...and I definitely needed a few bottles of Jet Super Glue to make my shoes last longer!

5. Item you begged for the most and never got? Power Wheels Barbie Jeep. The parents thought it was too dangerous....and too expensive I'm sure.


6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? We always go to Christmas Eve Mass as a family, and have dinner/movie together at home. When we were younger we each opened 1 present: always new PJs and a stuffed animal. Last year we started a tradition of a Christmas Eve Party at my Godsister's home. So thankful we got to spend her last Christmas with her. 


What are your Christmas Traditions? Link up with Neely at Some Days are a Complete Waste of Make-up. 



November 29, 2012

Ladies and Gentleman


We've been practicing being ladies and gentleman in 5th grade. 
It's time for the latest edition of "funny childisms!" This year's class is full of them :-)

"Ms. W. if that shirt were white, you'd look just like an angel." "Yeah, you're beautiful!"- my boys

"I'm NOT a lady, I'm a YOUNG lady....oh. Well I'm a lady in training."

"Dude, just admit you crashed into her to get to the pillows first and apologize. She's a lady."

"Guys, we have (table) points right now. Let's be men and not lose them by doing...well you know."

"Be like Bridget everyone, we can be Saints now, DUH....I mean, why of course!"
(I'm going to be telling Bridget's story soon- she's my Godsister who earned her wings in October. You may have seen her mentioned in the news with the "Manti Te'o Letter" article.)

"That was NOT me, that was a girl, gentleman don't let it rip."

November 27, 2012

Morrow's Nuts

Morrow's Nuts is Back and Better than Ever!

Recently my dad became partners with the owner of the Morrow's Nuts Franchise. Morrow's has been around since 1866, at one point with stores across the US. Maybe you or a relative remember the delicious smells of Freshly Roasted Nuts and Hand Made Chocolates? If that makes your mouth water as much as mine, you're in luck! Morrow's has just opened a brand new online store at www.morrowsnuts.com! Find them on Facebook here.

Check.it.out. Seriously, you'll thank me. Morrow's has amazing specials and gifts for the upcoming Holiday Season. I love that almost everything you purchase can be customized directly to your tastes. You can build your own gift baskets, tins, boxes, and more and have them wrapped and shipped anywhere. The website is easy-to-navigate, with software to "drag and drop" whatever treat you want into your box, basket, or tin. They have awesome retro tins and candies as well.





Hungry yet?

Morrows is offering a special discount code to the readers of Grace Falls Like Rain. Enter the code "Grace12" at checkout for 10% off your ENTIRE ORDER. Hurry and check it out fast, this code is good through December 3rd. Enjoy your treats,


Kathleen

November 25, 2012

Sunday Social

Happy Sunday!
To celebrate re-igniting my blog (and to postpone grading papers), I'm participating in a link-up: Sunday Social @ Some Days are a Complete Waste of Makeup! Enjoy the randomness...

Sunday Social
1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life:
Teacher
Choreographer
Camp Counselor/Recreation Director
Office Assistant

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over:
Only 4? Well here are 4 of my favs...

Life as We Know It
A League of Their Own
Sound of Music
The Blind Side

3. Name 4 places you have lived:
Michigan
Illinois
Virginia
Canada...for a summer dance camp

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods:
Ice Cream
Diet Coke
Great Harvest Bread's Irish Soda Bread
Mashed Potatoes

Clearly...I'm a health nut.

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you:
Cell Phone
Credit Card
ID/License
Remote (I'll keep you guessing on that one :-)

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation:
Europe- Amazing Backpacking Trip in College (Maybe I need to do a post on it)
Caribbean Cruise
NYC- to see friends in Broadway shows
Honduras- mission work is my kinda vacation

Want to Link Up Next Week? Here are the "We are getting into the Holiday Spirit" Questions: 
1. What is your favorite Holiday season tradition?
2. Do you have a certain Holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?
3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have
4. Favorite Holiday song?
5. Favorite Holiday dessert?
6. What is on your wish list this year?

Have a Great Week,

Kathleen

November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

I decided to resurrect my blog after my...14 month hiatus! I've been actively following all my favorite blogs in the realms of teaching, adoption, DIY, etc, however, I've missed having my own little corner. Last year was my first year teaching in an Inner City school and I had a tough group of kiddos. I dropped the blog and a few other things in order to have more time to focus on my career and service. I made it and came out smiling at the end :-).

I am so thankful for last year. While it was an incredible challenge, it prepared me so well to work with a special group of kids at a great school. It has made this year run so peacefully, and even seem, gasp! easy at times. Stay tuned for some posts on what we've been up to in Room 306!

To close, I leave you with my top 10 list of what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving:

1. My Lord who always provides and showers me with grace and mercy

2. My Family- amazing Parents, 3 talented Sibs, and yes, even the Furry Sibs

3. My friends- especially those I don't see often when when I do it's like we've never been separated

4. My faith community- Word of Life

5. My career- Inner City Performing Arts School- perfect!

6. Adoption- I have been personally blessed through adoption and can't wait to adopt my own babies

7. Our Freedom- thankful for my cousin Max who returned from a successful tour of duty

8.  The Arts- our world needs it. I've been so blessed to get back into dancing/choreographing lately

9. Good Health- I've been surgery free for 2.5 years wow!

10. Bridget Smith- my hero and Godsister who is now a Saint in Heaven. Love you baby girl!
http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/manti-teo-notre-dame-comforts-parents-of-dying-girl-with-letter-grief-cancer-102512

Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day!
I'm Back,