A Giveaway you don't want to miss!

I have been absent from blogging because it is that time of the year!
That time when....
~I wonder, "Will I make it?"
~I think, "Who's bright idea was standardized testing in the first place?"
~I can't fathom how I made it through the day.
~I notice a few more wrinkles, greys, bags when I peek in the mirror.
~I crash before my children on Friday night.
~I treasure weekends more than ever before because I cannot get everything done during the week.
~I know that with hard work they can do it, and it won't be long before I am planning to say goodbye.
I know it will all work out, but yikes there are days that I simply have to shake my head in disbelief.
It has been a really tough week. Behaviors are out of control, my kids are turning prematurely in to teenagers, and they are losing their minds. This week I was told my answer was wrong because there wasn't a 23 cent coin, they forgot about pennies! Another told me, that they didn't want to solve my math problem because they would rather talk. Even scarier, a few seemed shocked when I told them I wouldn't help them out with the answers on upcoming state exams. A few even came up with a plan of, "I won't tell, it will be our little secret." Really?! Needless to say, I am not their favorite right now since I reminded them that only hard work would lead to a passing grade.

Source: http://flippincomics.com/the-dangers-of-shopping-while-math-stupid/

So as I cope with the stress and the bumps in my path, I am focusing on planning instead of blogging. February is extra stressful because we are now prepping for our writing test, which will be here in a few weeks. No more month countdowns, we are down to weeks. Ahhhhh! Yep, the stress is heavy, so I need to balance my life - pick and choose what to do and keep chanting, "We can do it!"

Ok, thanks for letting me vent there! I hope you are not encountering the same level of stress, but something tells me I am not alone. If you are feeling the pain like me, I hope that you are able to vent, work out your stress, and you are reminding yourself that you will be successful, you are amazing!

I also wanted to take a minute to share the news about an awesome giveaway with you. Kelly over at An Apple For The Teacher is celebrating a huge milestone and has several huge prize packs - many are winner's choice.  Swing by, show her some love, and enter the giveaway.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend and  find some time to relax!

Currently February

January flew by, of course it did not zoom in and out unnoticed. Frigid and wet would be two words that would accurately sum up that month. Not sure February is bringing much warmth, but at least is means we are a month closer to spring!
January brought me a big birthday, but honestly it is not February until I start to feel older. This month we will celebrate my oldest son's birthday. His birth is loaded with memories and as I look out at him, I can tell that time is really flying.
I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade for her Currently party. 

 Most of my comments are pretty self-explanatory. For example, I know I have been slacking in the blogging department. I have been busy with my boys, grading papers, and taking care of things at home. It seems that when I spend time on one project, something else gets neglected. Balancing home, work, kids, and hobbies is a constant challenge.
So what is the truth and what is a fib?
I really did audition for Teen Jeopardy. My mom and I went to Boston for the auditions, it was a wonderful weekend. I bombed the initial trivia test. My mind went totally blank, and out the door I went! It was worth the effort. Just the other night my son told me I should be on the show, "Well honey, once I tried out, but I did not make it. I am a happy couch contestant!"
I really do cartwheels for my students. They have to earn it, if they all pass their writing exam I will do many down the field for them. I even did one the year I was pregnant with my youngest after we got our state reading and math exams back. I am really hoping to do some this year. As long as I am able, it will be my trademark.
I am a slow runner, and it really isn't my favorite activity. I want to love running, it just doesn't float my boat. So I will stick to T25, and video workouts. Or let me loose on a trampoline to bounce away my stress!
Don't forget to check out the other posts on Farley's site, they are always interesting and I love getting to know my fellow bloggers through the fun party!

I am posting the link to Carol Garden's  giveaway as well, good luck, I hope one of you gets to claim the awesome prize pack!

 

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Have a wonderful weekend!

 

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