It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas has come and gone again. I hope you experienced a day full of laughter and love shared among friends and family. Our day here at the Herbert residence was wonderful. We opened gifts as a family in the morning, shared lunch together, and then spent the rest of the evening with my grandma, aunt, and cousins. There were several games of UNO Flash played, many cookies consumed, and Christmas dinner eaten in the bathroom while I straightened Sara's hair and Stacie painted her toes...for no good reason really! It was a fun day- perhaps best experienced, now, through the pictures snapped to capture the moments forever.

The Herbert Sisters

ALWAYS classy........

Or not!

The Ennis Family

Sara didn't actually give me tampons.

She just felt it necessary to wrap my gift in the box.

Dad got a remote control helicopter.

Just what he's always wanted!!!

and then he crashed it into a snowbank!

Oh, you know, just a self portrait.

(this is one of about 20 taken)

My mom gave the dogs my Christmas bear!

Good thing it was entertaining.

The Mankowski Kids. <3Playing UNO Flash.

Quality fun for everyone.

never a dull day

Well, it's pretty safe to say that I will never have another boring weekday afternoon again. My job is going well. I certainly have my moments when I ask myself 'what the heck did I agree to?' But, for the most part, I'm really happy and excited that I'm in the classroom. The kids are quickly finding their own special ways into every part of my heart. I walked into the classroom today and about 8 kids ran up yelling "Miss Stephanie! Miss Stephanie!" as they wrapped their tiny little arms around my legs, I heard one girl say "Miss Stephanie, we love you!"
I was asked about 10 times yesterday "Miss Stephanie, are you really our teacher?" I started believing it around "yes" #9. It was also show 'n tell yesterday. Madison forgot to bring something in. It's okay. She decided to just show us her extra set of clothes she had with her (it was picture day and all the girls were in fluffy dresses). She showed us her soccer sweat pants, her cool matching shirt, and then, yes, her extra pair of underwear. LOL. hilarious. a girl with no shame. I love her.
And today, as Miss Elizabeth read us a story, Devon sat cozily in my lap. At one point he turned around and pointed at me. And said "my mommy has some of those." I said, "oh, a pretty necklace." Devon shook his head and poked my boob- "those." ahahaha.
I have a handful of students with learning and behavior issues of one kind or another. There are definitely going to be some challenges. But the opportunity for me to grow and learn is so great and I believe in each one of my students with all I've got. It's an interesting chapter in life. I have absolutely no idea where it will lead, and for the first time, when it will end.

Tomorrow night is our Christmas program. It'll be a great time to meet some of the parents, the other teachers, and SANTA!!

and let me last mention that I, of all people, managed to find a job that still allows me to sleep 'til 10am.
That's right. be jealous. (until i start pulling the early morning Starbucks shifts)

Manamana

This is either a dawning of a new day or a rarity- but, I my friends, am awake. (in more senses than one) But today, I simply mean its 6:30am and my eyes are actually, physically open. I don’t even have to leave for work until 8:30. I KNOW. I’m sitting here, my hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee, letting the steam rise to warm my nose, and blogging. Who the crap am I?!

I worked in Vernon Hills yesterday and was exhausted when I got home. I fell asleep on the couch watching Greys at 8:30 and never moved. I didn’t see the ending and I didn’t get to see Barbara Walters talk to the 10 most influential people of ’08. I slept in my work clothes. I know- ridiculous; but probably a good thing because it’s supposed to be in the negative degrees today. I’m definitely not in the mood to go back into work. It was much more exciting when it was my only income and a lifeline for my survival. But the people are great. I’m getting a bunch of awesome product, and its temporary employment. I’ll survive.

I start teaching/orientation on Tuesday for my job at the daycare. I’m hopeful. I don’t really know what to expect. There are so many thoughts when starting a new job. Will I be good? Will the kids like me? Will I like my co-workers? Will they like me? Where will this opportunity lead? But then I remember- God’s already got the whole story written and he hasn’t left me disappointed yet. I’m sure I’ll have my days. Who doesn’t? But I’ve chosen something I believe in and can be passionate about. It might not move me out of my parent’s house as soon as I’d hoped (but that’s what the early shift at Starbucks if for! Imagine me- up at 4:30 am. LOL. There will certainly be no blogs then!)
Today this is special. Next month, I’ll probably be ticked to have to wake up before the sun. I’ll choose to enjoy today.

Have a good one.
In hope. In joy. In love. In Christ.

Miss Stephanie Enters the Real World

I just accepted a job teaching Pre-K at a school here in Kenosha. I start Tuesday. YIKES! I guess I’ll enjoy my last day of FREEDOM. I’m working down near Chicago again Thur-Sun at Learning Resources. They develop and sell educational toys and teacher resources- how appropriate- I’ll even get to work for product one day. And on Mondays I’ve been watching twin 1yr olds from 7-5. I’ll definitely miss these days. But I’m very excited and ready to take on this new challenge. I think, more than anything, it will be an awesome learning experience for me. And I’ll make sure the kids learn a thing or two along the way!