A Bracelet For Hope

My colleague, Monique, has a sister who's battling cancer.  I have never met her, but have heard about her illness throughout the years...the hospital visits, chemo treatments, and the fight to survive. She's also a teacher and Monique told me it really disappointed her that she could not return to the classroom this year due to her health.

I promised Monique I would make her a bracelet to symbolize her struggles and the fight to not give up. That was more than a year ago. Now she's not doing so well, and her family has decided that hospice care is the next step.

I made sure I visited the craft store this weekend to purchase the supplies and complete the project that's been on my heart. I'm hoping these pink ornaments, and the iridescent spacer beads with hues of blues and greens, and a cancer charm, along with a handwritten note...from one stranger to another...will somehow convey the sentiment that she matters, her life matters, and she is thought of.

Do you know someone who's suffering with cancer or another disease? What do you say to someone who's terminally ill?

Sometimes...there are no words. Sometimes you just do what you are moved to do. And you pray your small gesture brings a little comfort, perhaps a smile, and definitely some hope.

What Really Matters - A Lesson to Remember

As I reflect on this past week, I can't help but realize that stress is really self-imposed. I have known this fact for a while, yet it hasn't helped me in the past to deal with actual stress. And I'm not talking about the stress that comes from a health condition, or the stress that comes from unfortunate situations...like losing a job, or having your family break apart. I think those situations are legitimate causes of stress. But what I'm talking about is the stress that comes from day to day life...from WORK and PEOPLE specifically.

There are some people who always appear happy and upbeat...no matter what's going on around them. I wonder, are these people always that happy?  Or do they sometimes shut themselves in a room when no one's around and cry?

Some people do have a great outlook on life. All the time. And that's what I'm striving for. I want to be happy and LAUGH in the midst of chaos and adversity. That's what I'm striving for. Life will throw you for a loop. It will. It's inevitable, but I want to live a life that's meaningful and stress-free...the majority of the time.

When I think of all the times I have lost sleep over a situation or a deadline, and it was all for nothing! Really. Has that ever happened to you? Does that happen to you often? That should tell us something. We put ourselves through stress, and for what reasons?

Things will get done. Deadlines will come and go. But what really matters is your health, your family, and your ATTITUDE. So as the deadlines continue to add up, as the work load continues to increase, and as people continue to be people, whether they're happy, sad, angry or negative...I'm going to try to be happy and take each day at a time...STRESS-FREE.

Have a happy, relaxing and stress-free weekend!

Chalk Talk Thursdays - Fear Not

Today I and 30 other teacher leaders got to leave our classrooms and have a ton of FUN!

We met at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek and worked on some team building activities. It was a perfect day, and the weather was just right. 

After getting into three small groups, we had a chance to talk, and connect, and laugh! Once our group activities were over, the real fun began with a ropes course.

I was a little fearful this morning about our planned activities. I am not a thrill seeker by any means. There was talk of a zip line that was so high off the ground, it made me nervous! Luckily, there was no zip lining today, and by late morning I had worked up enough nerve to tackle this course. 

I was proud of myself.  I made it all the way to the top, and that's a big deal for me especially since I'm afraid of heights. That's the thing about fear. Sometimes by giving into our FEARS, we talk ourselves out of  opportunities we can grow from. 

The ride down was way easier.

The next time we do this...I will challenge myself and do the zip line! I really enjoyed today, and I'm even happier I didn't let my fears hold me back. I'm totally looking forward to doing this again!

Mondays With Roller

There's something special about Dunkin' Donuts that gets this little guy so excited! So after meeting with Buddy Roller's teacher today for a parent conference, The Hubs and I took him to one of his favorite places to nosh on some good ole donut holes.  His favorites are the glazed ones, but today I had him try the pumpkin holes, and judging by the following snap shots I took, I think he's found a new fave.

By the way, the Roller is doing well in school, with math his top subject. Go figure, the apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree as his dad is "mathematically talented." All in all, he's off to a great start this school year. We're still working out the kinks when it comes to self-control for this free-spirited five year old who's full of personality and charm. But he's in good hands. He's got a teacher who loves him and encourages him to be his best every day, and that I'm thankful for.

That's all I have today.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

You Had Me At Grand Central

It happened more than twenty years ago.  I don't remember all the details very well...except for one.

He attended my high school, and it was hard not to notice him. He was captain of the basketball team, and he walked around with such arrogance, yet there was a side to him that seemed almost familiar and comforting to me. At first glance, I assumed we were from different worlds. He was American. He was already a part of the school, and he "fit in" while I was just trying to "figure out" this new culture, this new school after literally just moving to the states from Jamaica. We had swim class together and had really only exchanged a few words.

Then this.

It was 1990 either in the summer or fall.  I thought it was the summer at first, but now I remember wearing this obnoxious red coat I used to wear back then which leads me to think it was fall.  I'm not sure.  My sister and I had traveled from Connecticut to New York on a train to spend some time with our aunt and cousin. We were at Grand Central Station, the largest train station in the world, and it was busy as I guess it always is. And although some details are sketchy to me...this I remember as if it were yesterday.

I was on an escalator going down. More than 750,000 people pass through this station on a daily basis, but it so happened that I only had eyes for one. He was sitting on a suitcase at the bottom of the escalator, and it seemed as if time stood still and all the hundreds of thousands of people who were there...somehow didn't exist anymore.  Our eyes locked from my ride at the top of the escalator all the way down.  It probably only lasted 10 seconds, but those 10 seconds was all it took for me to know he was the one. We never spoke to each other that day.  As soon as I got off the escalator, I melted into the thousands of commuters who were scurrying to get to their next destination.  When we returned to school after our break, on a windy day after school, he asked me for my number. And the rest, they say, is history.

Looking back 20 years ago, we were so young and naive and had no idea what life would have in store for us. Today marks 12 years I've been married to The Hubs, and it has been an enlightening journey so far. One that's been unpredictable at times with raging storms that threatened to take away the human spirit when The Hubs faced a major health battle. One that's been celebratory, thrilling and challenging all at the same time with the birth of Buddy Roller and all that brings with raising a family and trying to balance it all.

And through it all, we know things don't always go as planned. We were supposed to be going out tonight for a romantic dinner, just the two of us, but last night Buddy Roller had a temperature and we had to adjust our plans. We'll do dinner another night, but today it's just us three together, and that's okay. I've enjoyed the ride so far and can't wait to see what the next 12 will bring.

Chalk Talk Thursdays: Cool

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines cool (adj.) as of the very best kind. That very same word was used to describe me, yours truly, by one rambunctious former student.

As I was standing in the hallway this morning for my usual morning duty, he appeared out of nowhere. This is how the conversation went. I'll use the name Joe for privacy reasons.

Him: Hello Mrs. Cooke.

Me: Hi Joe, how are you?

Him: I'm doing well. I'm doing good this year. I got a 90 on my last test.

Me: That's great! Are you still a great writer? Last year I remember how good your writing was.

Him: Yes (this time smiling sheepishly).

Me: Who's your teacher this year?

Him: Ms. Lausier.

Me: How are things going with her?

Him: She's cool. I mean she's nice, but you are cooler.

Me: It's okay Joe if she's cooler, I won't mind.

Him: No Mrs. Cooke, you will always be my coolest teacher.

Me: Wow thank you Joe, that's so sweet of you. You made my day.

Him: (really smiling now) Okay Mrs. Cooke, have a good day.

Me: See you later Joe. Make sure you visit me later this year and let me know how you're doing.

Him: Okay Mrs. Cooke. Bye.

And then he walked away and disappeared into the sea of faces and middle school students on their way to homeroom.

Wedded Wednesdays: Date Night

Do you and your spouse go on dates? How often? Once a week? Once a month? Do you get a chance to get away from the kids and life and just be together alone with no distractions?

I think it's one of the keys to having a great relationship.

I do miss those days (BK - before kid) when The Hubs and I could get away and spend some quality time together. I think the last time we had a true rendezvous was over the summer while we were in Connecticut visiting my mom. But with family far away, it's nearly impossible to go on regular dates. So Mom, if you're reading this, and you decide to move to Georgia, you would most certainly be helping me out.

This coming Sunday, The Hubs and I will celebrate 12 years of being married. I'm excited because we will be able to go on a true date. I've made reservations for dinner, and I can't wait! And because we don't get to do this nearly as often as we'd like, I'm sure I will really appreciate our time together that much more!

And since we're on the subject of dating, I've always wanted to try a dinner mystery, painting, and even this with The Hubs.

Chalk Talk Tuesdays

Whether positive or negative...our words have power. This was clearly revealed to me this week.

One of my students this year started out really quiet in class, but after about two weeks of school, he started becoming a behavior issue. He wasn't completing his assignments, and he was failing quizzes and tests.  After pulling him out of class one day, he told me he doesn't understand what he's learning. He said everything went in one ear and out the other.

I managed to change his schedule, and got him put into one of my smaller classes. I called home to get some support, and I spoke with my assistant principal to get even more support. Eventually we scheduled a parent conference, and then he started coming in for tutoring sessions.

With just a few days of tutoring, he managed to pull his grade from a 23 to a 83! Wow! You should have seen the look on his face when he saw the huge increase. He was pleased.

I asked him, "Why did you tell me you didn't understand what you're learning? You are clearly capable of doing this work."

It's because when I was in fifth grade, a boy told me I was dumb. And I believed what he said.

When he said those words, my heart sank. He believed those words he had been told and carried them with him for almost two years. Kids can be so cruel to each other.

"You are not dumb. You are so smart! Never let anyone tell you any different."

I hope he heard me, and I hope he believed me.

"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble." 

Yehuda Berg

And check out this video on the power of words...

Food For Thought

As I was getting dressed for school this morning, I was listening to NPR as I typically do. I heard an interesting report that says looking at pictures of food can, to some extent, make you feel satisfied.

I so disagree!

According to "new" research, that I'm obviously not buying, some volunteers were shown many, many pictures of salty food and they found that they enjoyed these foods less and less.

Salty food...I'm no fan of, but show me pictures of any delicious looking meals and desserts and I start salivating right away. In fact, looking at pictures of food only makes my cravings that much more intense.

Case in point...

I don't know about you, but every time I watch the Food Network...Barefoot Contessa, Giada At Home and especially Diners Drive-Ins and Dives...I actually want to eat everything I see!

So... are these pictures making you feel satisfied and less hungry?

Uhmmm...I'm actually feeling like I could eat a good meal right now!

And don't forget dessert! Are you hungry yet? I know I am!

Sunday Comics

I love listening to Buddy Roller speak. He is very entertaining, and he loves to talk with his hands moving up and down and all around. I also love the sound of his voice. It's amusing how he stretches out the syllables of his words, and his inflection changes as he is explaining anything, really, from a 5-year old's perspective. Does your little one do that? 

Just this week we had the cutest conversation. Though it was very brief, it tickled me silly.

Me: What's that sound?

It's Daddy upstairs.

Me: What is he doing up there?

Maybe he's turning into an elephant.

Me: No way! What do elephants eat?

Leaves from trees. And then they take a mud bath.

Me: Why on earth would they do that?

(Laughing) They do...otherwise they would get very hot.

(By the way, I love the use of his word "otherwise".)

Me. And who told you that?

I saw it on Wild Kratts!

And there you go! Who said watching TV wasn't any good for children?

The Best Stage Ever?

As a mom watching Buddy Roller grow from an infant to a toddler, I naively approached each of his milestones thinking this is the best stage of his life ever. And then I found myself thinking that exact same sentiment when he started eating solids, and when he took his first steps, when he started talking, when he became potty trained, when he started Pre-K, when he joined his first soccer team, and the list goes on and on...

Wedded Wednesdays

Do you remember your wedding day as if it were yesterday? When you look back at your wedding pictures, are you as happy now as you were then?

I have mentioned before that marriage is hard work, yet it can be very rewarding. But you have to do the work, every day.

So The Hubs and I have been doing this new thing for about a week now. I totally stole it from a blog I frequently read.  It doesn't take a lot of time, but it does force you to reflect on your day and your marriage every day. And it's totally worth it!

All you have to do are five things. Tell your spouse two things you're grateful for, two things that made you happy that day, and one reason you're glad you're married to that person. That's it! It's so easy and it'll go a long ways to filling up each other's love tank.

Try it!

Have a Terrific Tantalizing Tremendously Transformational Tuesday

We haven't talked since Saturday. For us, that is a long time. With our kids back at school and well, LIFE, things are busy. I was thinking of her this morning and the next second my phone was ringing. It was her! My BFSF!!! Go figure, we are several hundred miles apart and yet we are connected just like that! Gotta love our relationship.

We only had a few minutes as I had just made it to work. I was dragging this morning and she was there for me. She asked how I was, and I told her, "I'm fine, just trying to balance. Just trying to balance. That's all." I, just like many other moms out there, am just trying to balance work, being a mom, wife, finding time to exercise, yada, yada, yada. It's hard, and I would think by now it would be a little bit easier. And then I thought, we, moms, must be doing this to ourselves.  Certainly God didn't intend for us to be toiling around like this. I think I'm on to something...will have to look into this toiling thing some more and find the key to balancing it all.

Anyways with just a few words, my BFSF had me laughing out loud. It was just some simple words but told in a sisterly loving way that only she could say that would have the effect it had on me.

So in the words of my BFSF....have a terrific, tantalizing, tremendously, transformational Tuesday!!!!

And right now I'm thinking of this moment in time, two years ago when The Hubs and I drove 12 hours to Miami to see this special lady to celebrate her 40th birthday.  Love this girl!!!

Mondays With Roller

Do you have an effective way of waking up your kids in the morning? And by that, I mean a way that actually works and gets them up and out of bed...with no tears and no fussing.

I've been struggling with this since Buddy Roller was a toddler. He is NOT a morning person, and he does not understand that if we're late, he will miss the bus, I will be late for work, and yada, yada, yada. In the past, I have tried jumping on his bed, even driving the plethora of his toy cars over his body in hopes of waking him up in a fun way. I have tried bribing him with a short game of Subway Surfers or Angry Birds on my cell phone. That only worked for a few days!

In fact, it seems just when I come up with a clever idea, the novelty of it wears off and we are back to tears and moans and groans.

Not so, though, this morning.

We tried the online bomb timer. It was a huge hit! Once you access the link, you should also scroll down and click on "classroom timers" for more kid friendly and entertaining countdowns.  Buddy Roller actually saw me use it yesterday as I was planning a lesson for my kids. He thought it was the next best thing. He got so tickled silly when time was up and the bomb went off. And so after he woke up this morning, we set the timer and off he went to brush his teeth and get dressed. I've never seen him get dressed so fast AND be in a great mood all at the same time!

I'm hoping this novel idea won't wear off any time soon. If that happens, I guess I'll have to resort to dressing him in his sleep. And that will be no fun for anyone.

If you have a funny story of how you wake up your little ones or have any good strategies that have been working for you, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Family Football Traditions

Do you remember how old you were when you watched your first football game? Who or what made you become a fan?

To be really honest, I'm not a huge fan of football. I'm not even a fan of football. But with the start of football season upon us, I can't help but know this fact because of The Hubs. He is a fan. He watches the games on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays, and he's even gotten Buddy Roller excited about the season. He got the whole family Giants t-shirts, and we all wore them for the first time today.

For as long as I've known The Hubs, he has always loved the Giants. He told me the story of how as a young kid growing up, he remembers going into his father's room one day to find him watching TV. His dad was watching a football game and the Giants were playing. That was the team his dad was rooting for. And that's how The Hubs became a Giants fan. What started as a time for The Hubs and his father to bond and spend time together, has now grown into a tradition that has carried over to this family with The Hubs and Buddy Roller.

So no matter how good or bad the Giants are this season, it doesn't really matter. Some traditions never die. And I'll do my part to keep this one alive in this family. Go Giants!!!