My brother is leaving tonight (1:00 AM, actually) for the Dominican Republic. He and a group of guys (plus a couple of women) from our home church, FBC Corinth, are doing some mission work there next week. They are working through SCORE International. Check out their website. The guys will be playing baseball with people from the Dominican Republic. They will share their faith as they get to know the players and others. This will be a fantastic experience for Dustin, and I am so excited for him and the rest of the group! Of course, the flight overseas will be long and nerve racking for some. But, God is in control! Who could be better?

Do you think the Dominican Republic is ready for "The Big Cheese?"
Disney World picture I haven't posted yet

Please pray for safety and for God to prepare the hearts of those in the Dominican Republic to hear what He has to say through these guys (and girls).

The group includes: Dustin Smith, Kendall Murphy, Jordan Gurley, Ben Woodhouse, Andy Timmons, Larry and Debbie Reid, Gray and Sarah Falanga, Scooter (not sure of full name - a seminary student from New Orleans), and Brian Reid is the organizer. There are also several boys from Adamsville going with the group.

I love you, Dustin, and I am SO proud of you! I'll be praying!

Here He Comes to Save the Day!!

When we went to Disney World, Farley stayed at a fabulous boarding place - Wee Paws in Brandon. They are always so good to Farley - so much that he frequently doesn't want to go home when we come pick him up. But this time, I had to take him because Russ was taking the Step (remember?). Anyway, I had never taken him before. It was TERRIBLE!! He was so pitiful. I couldn't even talk to him as I left because I was fighting back tears. I was crying before I even got to the car! I think I cried almost to Hattiesburg that night.

Needless to say, I was NOT looking forward to leaving him again when we go to Seaside Sunday. So, Farley's grandfather (my daddy) came to pick him up today. He and my mom will be puppy-sitting next week.

Daddy and Farley hanging out

Farley LOVES to go to his grandparents house!! My dad has a chocolate lab, Dude. Farley loves to play with him...annoying him, really! I'm pretty sure Farley gets SPOILED there too - just as grandparents should do!! In fact, as soon as Farley saw Daddy walking in the door, he went crazy and started playing rough immediately. He knows that is Daddy's favorite play mode. They play so rough together that Farley has drawn blood to Daddy's hands before - provoked, I might add!!

Farley sleeping on Daddy's leg...never far away!

I am so glad I will not have to leave my baby again! I know he will have one-on-one attention (probably too much) for a week. Thank you so much Mama and Daddy! We love you! Farley says, "You have saved the day!!"

Mrs. Johnson is Starting to Prepare!

I have not done my door yet!! This is from last year! (Just to clarify!)

Well, it is almost that time - SCHOOL TIME. I don't even want to think about it, to be completely honest! But, when we went to Corinth this weekend, my sister-in-law got me motivated (a bit) by showing me all her plans for homeschooling her FIVE children for this year!

I had already bought some of the materials I needed to prepare some things I like for my students to have...all I lacked was the work. So, today, I began! The first thing I did was buy a paper cutter. I am SO excited about this little device! If you are a teacher, you understand why. I use these things like CRAZY!! Usually, I get ALL my things together to take to the Teacher Resource Center downtown. I laminate, cut, and di-cut there - it's an all day process (sometimes two or three). It's just nice to have all that "stuff" done before I walk into the room. I can get more done. Anyway, I got this paper cutter for like $35 at Office Depot - I thought that was a great deal! It works great!


I started work on the students' FROG books. I started this last year and LOVED it! I bought each student a 1 inch binder with clear plastic cover to stuff a cover in. (Yes, I'm one of those teachers that spends all my money on my class!) My theme is "frogs," so a FROG book worked well for me - Fully Responsible Organized and Growing Students. I am a huge neat freak and wanted a way to keep my students organized (which was impossible before this). I take construction paper (cut to fit in the binder) and put preprinted labels on them - one with each subject - and laminate. These are the dividers. We put the FROG books together during the first week - the students get SO excited about this colorful binder that is THEIRS to keep! In each section, they have notebook paper for notes, and an objective checklist. As we cover topics, I have them "check it off" so they can see how much they have learned this year and how much is left. This was so exciting when we had covered 'almost' everything. It's almost like a countdown! Throughout the year, I will let them know what to add to their FROG books: relevant worksheets, notes I have copied for them, etc. They take FROG books home before tests to study. They love taking them home to show their parents because it's so colorful and "fancy." Hmm....good teaching strategy?! Whatever works! Then, they have everything in ONE place - NEAT and ORGANIZED! Yea! I won and they don't even know they are learning a valuable skill!

There are many variations of this binder. Some of it was a little much for me - and irrelevant for the students I service. The FROG book works for me. But, there are lots of good ideas to add if you like. Here is a link.

Dividers (I also have Science, Social Studies, and Class Information sections)

After working on the FROG books (everything ready to laminate), I printed the labels for a couple more things I just want them to have Day 1. Some people may call this obsessive, but I just like for some things to be exactly the same - and this is how I do it. I bought 60 spiral notebooks last week at Walmart for five cents each! I always do this, and I never regret it! You'd be surprised how many of my students come with nothing but a pencil. Plus, it only cost me $3. I use spiral notebooks for two reasons:
1) writing journal - Last year I began using IEW writing program (Roan, my sister-in-law uses this for her children...and I love it!) More on this later.
2) JAMS Journal - Journal About Math and Science (J.A.M.S) - My students use this every day for math. Before each lesson, I begin with "Fab Four" (four problems from different areas to review and keep them sharp on past material). This work goes into the JAMS journal. They also use this for science centers to record data. So, instead of having loose leaf paper all over the place, I can just say "Put that in your JAMS journal." I really enjoy this notebook!

Writing Journal and JAMS journal - ready and NEATLY labeled!

First day back to "school work" - FINISHED!!

I know I probably bored most of you! Hopefully, I may have given some fellow teachers some ideas - or motivation, at the least! I know I need all I can get! I'll post more pictures of my work and classroom as I get a chance.

The Square Cupboard

My friend, Jamie, is still hard at work getting her new shop up and running. The Square Cupboard will have its Grand Opening July 26 where Richie Watts from Good Earth Pottery will be there to sign his pottery. So, if you are in the Hernando area....stop by! I know it will be fabulous!!

Jamie moved from the Jackson area in June, and I miss her like crazy! But, I know she will LOVE the new location and store. This is what she has always wanted. Congratulations, Jamie! Love you!

Check in on her at her blog! You can see her and her sweet hubby working hard to get things ready!

Fourth of July Weekend at the Lake

We also spent the day Friday and Saturday on Lee's boat at Pickwick Lake. Kristin and Lee are getting ready to start summer school, so we enjoyed our last weekend to be carefree. We always have such a good time on the lake!! Thanks Kristin and Lee for inviting us!

Kristin and me

Lee gave Russ a chance at the wheel!

Happy Fourth of July

We celebrated the Fourth of July with Russ' s family. We had so much fun!! We went out to Jimmy and Roan's for food, fun, and fireworks! We took lots of pictures, but they have disappeared from the memory card!! So, I borrowed a few from Russ's mom and Roan, my sister-in-law.

Russ, his dad, and brother

Jenny's children + 1 friend

Clay, Olivia, and Russ

After eating, the children put on a show for us! They sang, danced, and played the keyboard and harmonica. They are so talented!

Clay, Julie, and Grace performing "Oh My Darlin' Clementime."

Russ and I even spent the night! We stayed up past midnight talking, and we woke up to a fabulous breakfast! Thanks, Jimmy and Roan! We had a great time!

On the Road Again!

Russ and I just thought we needed another road trip! See, we haven't been on one in a while! Yeah right!! We have traveled north to Corinth, our hometown, to visit Russ's parents and family for the 4th of July.

Russ, his mom, and Farley

Russ is taking this opportunity to play with his new camera. It's very neat! Of course, he won't let me take any pictures of him...so here's some he took of me.


We are planning to go to Pickwick and ride on the boat with Lee and Kristin tomorrow. Then, tomorrow night, Russ's brother and his family are having a 4th of July get-together. It will be a fun weekend with family!

Have a safe Fourth of July!!

New Video Clip

I just added the video from the 50's Prime Time Cafe to the Hollywood Studios post. Check it out! It's so funny!!

Disney World - See Ya Real Soon!!

What a fun vacation!! It's always sad to leave such a fun trip, but I'm so glad we were able to all go together. Thank you, Mama and Daddy for all our meals and welcome gifts! We had a fabulous time! I'm so glad Russ was able to relax and have FUN!! That was a long time coming! Now, Russ and I are counting down until our next trip to Disney World. It was good to go with adults. I'm sure it will be a little different once kids come in the picture! Ha!!

Disney World Day Six - Character Breakfast

On our last full day at Disney World, we had reservations at Chef Mickey - a character breakfast. Yes, we were probably the only table with 7 adults! When I made reservations, the lady asked how many children would be traveling with us. I said, "All adults - 7." She just laughed and said, "Sounds like fun!" We had a great time, and the food was so good!!!

The guys in front of the buffet

Mickey

Goofy

Donald

Pluto

Minnie

After our character breakfast, we had planned to go to Blizzard Beach, a water park. We rode the monorail and bus back to the resort.

Waiting for the bus to take us back to the resort

We decided to watch the weather (because it was supposed to rain sometime), and we would decide what time to go. Well, every single person fell asleep! We were exhausted from such a busy week!

When everyone finally got up, it was time for lunch. So, we decided to drive over to the Boardwalk to eat at the ESPN Sports Bar. It was very exciting! The restaurant has over 90 televisions and a huge big screen. There were tv's everywhere. They even had tv's in each bathroom stall!! Apparently, there was a Euro Final soccer game on. The entire restaurant was filled with German and Spain fans. It was CRAZY! They were yelling and cheering! We sat right in the midst of them and watched the game. It was the best soccer game I've ever watched...probably because of the crowd. The food was really good too!

After lunch, we went back to the room to freshen up and wait out a storm...and headed back down to Downtown Disney. We shopped around one last time. Finally, we ate at Rainforest Cafe. It was so good! Russ has never been to one. But, this one is the best I've seen!