Literacy Learning Zone

PEACE More than two-thirds through this year (thank God!) ... And as I was walking the other day, I started reflecting on my one little word for the year:  PEACE. We were vacationing in the beautiful state of New Hampshire as the new year began. I was enjoying some precious alone time riding up to the top of the green run at Crotched Mountain. (All the others were aiming for higher elevations.) Through the repeated quiet rides up, enjoying the crisp winter beauty, PEACE called to me. I wanted PEACE this year. I needed, required, desperately craved PEACE -- to slow my pace of life and enjoy some quiet, down time. And then take time to treasure these moments. Image Credit: @PositivelyPresent Well. Did God ever provide me with the biggest opportunity of PEACE , or what?!? Yes, there were many moments of chaos and stress, but I still held tightly to PEACE in my heart and in my home. The gift that we were given to be together for over two months as a family of four. To focus on PEAC...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ I've been patient. Probably too patient. It's just about February and I haven't officially connected with my one little word to help guide me through this new year  ... that is now a month old. I've tossed about words just as many of you have as well. Words that peak my interest. Words that light a little fire. Words that bring me joy. Words that speak to my soul. In the past, my one little words have been safe words. Nothing daring and bold. Nothing that caused me big actions. ...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ My twin six year old daughters know about "one little words." Last year, I was on a mission to live out happy. Happy this and happy that and just the word happy was plastered wherever I could possibly remind myself of my one little word.  Even the wallpaper on my phone. (Notice my one little word from 2016 to the right. -->) Last week when the girls returned to school, I was happy to hear that as I was contemplating my one little word for the year, they were also thinking about a goal fo...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Happy New Year! Happy everything!  I love the excitement that a new year brings -- a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to try again.  January rolls around and my hopes and dreams explode with new opportunities.   I also love the idea of inviting a little word into my life.  One little word that I can focus my thoughts around throughout the year.  One little word that I say daily and visibly display as a constant reminder.  One little word that provides positive hope, energy, and enthusiasm.  One little word tha...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. I decided to take some time off from blogging over the last couple weeks.  I needed a break.  I was not feeling worthy of sharing words.  I just needed to breathe.  Live life.  Enjoy the moments of now. Even though I knew that I was missing out on holiday celebrations, slices and stories, and one little word selections. But I just can't keep up with it all.  And I am okay with that too.  I have "let it go ..." My one little word was right there, waiting for me.  I never really thought too much about it.  But it's the reminder that I need in all aspects of my life these days ... ...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers I'm in need of a mind release just quickly writing what's weighing heavily on my mind, body, and soul. But so much is personal -- Between the struggles of being a giving and nurturing wife trying to be a patient mother wanting to be there as a friend striving to be a supportive colleague hoping to be an inspiring teacher. And because it's personal -- I am so good about keeping all that stuff bottled inside, where it's safe between only me and God.

March Slice of Life Story Challenge  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! It's been a long month.  A busy month.  A fulfilling month. This month I -- watched students try their best read hundreds of slices wrote as many comments tried to see any signs of spring enjoyed a date night transitioned the girls to big beds started potty training and wrote -- a lot about the girls. This last week was a long spring break week.  A busy week.  A fulfilling week. This week we -- played and giggled spent time with Grammy and Grampy practiced potty training went to the library finally played outside celebrated my birthday ate lots...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers Whew.  I missed you all, but I needed those couple weeks off.  Days away from writing, twittering, blogging, social media mediums-of-all-kinds. (Well, except Pinterest.  I just couldn't stay away.) It was good for my soul to do a little missing. I was emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted.  It's that season of lows as a teacher (any time before a long break) crashing into caring-too-much-about-everything and then the unthinkable at Sandy Hook. My BIG problems didn't seem so big any more.   I'll be forever changed. I took my two w...