Challenge Accepted: Blog Every Day in May

I realize that my blogging life lacks consistency, so I thought, "What better way to jump back into it than to take on another blogging challenge?" And, that's when I found this one.


The topic for today is "the story of your life." Well, I am still working on it..., but I would like to share a special part of my life that is unfurling as we speak.

On December 26, 2012, my husband and I found out that we are pregnant! Now, I am 22 weeks pregnant with our little boy, Judah. I am now 5 1/2 weeks along, but Judah is positioned right in front (and "standing" on my bladder), so I have been showing since the 3 month mark. He is also a mover and shaker. I feel his little kicks frequently throughout the day, and although I have been warned that the kicks and elbows will later become uncomfortable and even painful, they make me smile, and as a teacher, it has been difficult at times not to stop class and announce, "Judah is kicking RIGHT NOW!" So... it is our - my and Judah's - little secret, at least when he does it during the middle of class.

And, as for my pregnancy beauty sleep, I have been trying to get much of it, so... good night for now!

Happy New Year!

It has been quite a while since I posted any updates. However, I know 2013 is going to be quite an exciting year, and I'm sure that I'll make my way on here more. Everything in my life, from home to school to work, is changing in exciting ways all the time, and my life is becoming very eventful. I will certainly share more news as the year progresses.

Weight Loss Wednesday: Update #5

As part of the Slim Fast 3-2-1 plan, I choose three 100 calorie snacks per day. One yummy snack that I've discovered is Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Kettle Korn 100 Calorie Minibags. They are convenient and delicious!

Weight Loss Wednesday: Update #4

Starting a weight loss plan is usually the easy part for me. Sticking to it for an extended period of time is the tricky part. For now, my efforts are still going strong. I am proud to say that, starting on May 30, I have been going to the gym at least 5 days per week. One aspect of this that has helped me to go regularly and maintain a level of excitement about getting my workout in has been that I go with my husband. Having a gym partner is also motivating because if I don't go, I'm not only letting myself down but someone else as well.

My workout of choice is using the elliptical machine, which I like much better than the treadmill because it cushions the impact on my knees. However, 2 days per week, I use weights to do side bends, I use a workout ball for crunches, and I use an ab machine for crunches. I have been using an elliptical that has upper body handles to exercise my arms as well as my legs, and I select the full body workout mode. I enjoy keeping track of my heart rate as I work out, and I also use the google books app on my phone to read while I work out. Separating my mind from the monotony of repetitive movement actually helps me stay focused. The first week, I started out with 30 minutes daily of elliptical. Last week, I bumped it up 45 minutes, and this week, I have progressed to 1 hour, which is how long I plan to exercise from now on.

This is week 3 of my gym workouts. In addition to the going to the gym, I have incorporated another element to my weight loss tool belt this week. On Monday, I started the Slim Fast 3-2-1 meal plan, which is to eat three 100 calorie snacks a day, replace two daily meals with a 200 calorie shake, and to have one 500 calorie meal.

Getting fit and staying fit are a challenge, but I am making efforts to stay motivated and make some changes in my daily life to improve my physical fitness. What do you do to stay healthy?

This weekend has passed by all too quickly. I hope the next 3 weeks will do the same. I am currently teaching summer school writing, and I spent a few hours today scoring pre assessment essays. Let's just say that these students have definitely earned their spots in summer school. My task is to bring these bright and shining stars to proficient writing level (as determined by the state mandated writing rubric, of course) by the end of July. Please say a prayer for the kiddos... AND for me because, believe me, we are all going to need it.

Currently Reading...

... Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. My husband gave me this book for my birthday back in March. Through this busy fourth quarter of the school year, I have managed to read half of the book, and now that summer has finally arrived, I am reading the second half. It is well written. The characters are genuine, realistically flawed, and believable. The frame story is seamlessly woven into the main plot. On many levels, this is a great book. Gruen is not only a talented storyteller but a skilled writer.

Thanks!

This year, I was one of 1,282 bloggers who joined in the April 2011 A-Z Blogging Challenge. We made it! Thanks, Elizabeth Mueller for doling out the awards!

Inspiring

I can imagine a dozen scenarios to fit this image. Can you?

Z is for Zealous

I was zealous when undertaking this A to Z April Challenge. My goal really was to keep up and blog every day. However, life happens, and post-teaching exhaustion took hold. Although I got behind schedule, I was able to catch up and get in a post for all 26 letters of the alphabet by the end of April. I enjoyed the challenge and meeting other A to Z bloggers along the way. Thanks to everyone who visited my blog during the challenge. I hope to join in again next year!

Y is for Yolk

I knew this picture would come in handy one day! I take pictures at random, and one morning, I liked the color combination of the egg white and yolk when scrambling eggs for breakfast.

X is for Xzavier

This is a student who struggles with learning and comprehension on a daily basis. I have been working with him all year and trying different strategies to help him "get it." Sometimes I judge my teaching abilities by the achievement and growth of the Xzaviers that enter my classroom.

W is for Wisdom

Wisdom: "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retaineth her." (Proverbs 3:18)

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.... She openeth her mouth with wisdom.... A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own words praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:10-31)

In the third chapter of Proverbs, I find it interesting that wisdom is personified as feminine.

V is for Violence

While I am catching up on my A to Z blogging, my husband is playing Call of Duty, a pretty violent video game. War, bloodshed, dramatic music... oozing testosterone.  Not sure that I can stay in this room much longer.... ;-)

U is for United

Tennessee teachers and supporting laborers (including groups like Teamsters, Machine Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and others) marched in Nashville to oppose change in education policies that were created to change tenure procedures and prevent teacher labor unions from organizing together and bargaining with local and state governments.

T is for Turtles

My husband and I got these turtles when were in college. We purchased them in a beach shop in Florida when they were golf-ball size. Now, they are the size of my hand with fingers spread wide! We had them for about 5 years, and then last year, we gave them to my friend (a biology teacher) to put in her daughter's room. They are red-ear sliders and do not require much upkeep aside from feeding and aquarium maintenance. They respond well to people. When we would walk into their room, they would swim to the side of their tank to meet us. It was sweet.

S is for Summer School

I have decided to teach summer school writing classes this year. Summer school will last for one month, so I will still have a few weeks off. It will be worth it. In fact, I think this is how I'm going to fund the iPad I've been wanting....

R is for Reading, Rest, and Relaxation

This is bliss to me:

Q is for Quidditch

I read the Harry Potter series when I was in high school and even stood in line to purchase the last few books. My husband didn't get into it at first, but once he started reading the books, one of the first parts he told me sparked his interest was quidditch. He is a sports fan, and he enjoyed reading about this sport imagined by J. K. Rowling. This impressed me because it shows me that, as an author, Rowling is able to appeal to a wide audience of people. I am not so in tune with the sports scene as my husband, so that was definitely not something that stood out for me in the books.

Something that seems odd to me lately though is that there are now college teams playing a version of quidditch, and I'm not very fond of this idea. There is even an International Quidditch Association. Hmmm....

P is for Photography

I love taking pictures and photo-editing. I frequently use my digital camera and smart phone to take pictures whenever inspiration strikes, and digital picture frames are a blessing because I would never have enough money or space to print and display all the pictures I've taken.

The picture above was taken last weekend during a walk in the park with my friend. My dog ran to the end of his leash trying to get to this tree, and we looked up and saw this squirrel checking us out.

Weight Loss Wednesday: Update #3

- 4 pounds

Better portion sizes, more water, more fruit and vegies, a glass of milk per day, and yummy yogurt parfaits... making progress... slowly but surely....