This weekend, the Johnson family celebrated the end of another school year. Although there is still a little work left to complete, these children are so excited about the end of this year. As most of you know, almost all of Russ's side of the family homeschools. Each year, there is a kindergarten, eighth grade, and senior graduation ceremony. This year, our family had a kindergarten and senior graduation. Russ had to work all weekend, so I went to represent. And, I'm so glad I did! Graduations are a very big deal in my family, and we never miss one! It is the one time that all the extended family comes from near and FAR to celebrate (and weddings, of course!) . I wouldn't have missed these for the world!

Friday night, Leah graduated from kindergarten. She was so cute in her blue cap and gown. The children all came in together, recited Proverbs 9:10, and sang "This Little Light of Mine" with motions. It was precious! There is NOTHING sweeter than young children singing together! I loved it! Finally, each kindergartener received his/her diploma. They were all so excited!

Leah's drawing of us together...notice that she drew her cap and gown?

Leah came back to sit with the family for the rest of the ceremony. She and I enjoyed drawing pictures and looking at her diploma. She was so proud.

Aunt Megan and Leah

Saturday night, Will graduated from high school. The Corinth ceremony was similar to Tupelo's ceremony. All the kindergarteners came up to get their diplomas. Then eighth graders and seniors. One thing I loved about these ceremonies was how the parents were able to present their children with their diplomas. Very sweet! Grace went onstage with Jenny and Jeff to present Will's diploma. She adores her big brothers!

I was also pleasantly surprised to see a couple more graduates that I knew. Russ's cousin, Leanna, had a son graduate from kindergarten.

Joey

Our minister of music from our home church also had a graduate! She was so excited to see Daddy.

Brianna and Daddy

Will gave the closing "Thank You," and we all headed to the reception following.

Will closing the ceremony with "Thank Yous."

Elle, me, Russ's mom, and Will

I'm so glad I was able to be at both of these special graduations! Russ is so sorry he missed it, but I hope these pictures will make him feel like he was there. Congratulations Leah and Will! We love ya'll!

Ch...Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes!

Time may change me, but you can't trace time...

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I'm so excited about the new changes on my blog today! I've been singing David Bowie's "Changes" all day in my head as I check my blog on my iPhone just to look at it again! Ha! I have been super busy this week and weekend, and I can't wait to update you on everything. But, until then...enjoy my new summer look and grab my new fantabulous button!

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Special thanks to Danielle, the Design Girl, for making my new look so wonderful and easy!

Dude

Yesterday afternoon, my family lost a beloved family member...our family dog. Dude became a member of our family about 14 years ago. Let's see...that would have made me 12 years old, I think. Wow! You may remember me mentioning a while back that Dude's stomach had twisted last year. Yes, just like on Marley and Me. Since that time, Dude has become much weaker. Arthritis made him slow. Back tumors made his legs weak. But, his love never failed.

I'm pretty sure a dog is one of God's ways of showing us how to love one another. No matter what happened that day or what tomorrow holds, a dog's love is unchanged. Maybe dogs are His way of giving a glimpse of how He loves us. Dude was my dad's best friend. He was a loved dog, and he loved us.

This past weekend, our hometown was hit by a horrible storm that caused some major flooding. Dude did NOT do well in storms. My parents had to give him an anti-depressant during storms to keep him calm. We think the storm this weekend just did him in. Monday night, Dude couldn't stand on his own...not even with help. The Vet came by to give him a shot. Apparently, this didn't help. The Vet thought Dude's kidneys were shutting down, and my dad was forced to make a very difficult decision. But, below you will see that Daddy did Dude one last favor. I have read this several times today. The first time on my way to work, when I performed the "ugly cry" free of charge. Another time just before I typed this...and I am still crying. I talked to my mom today and just felt heartbroken.

Please take a minute to read Daddy's letter to Dude (taken from his Facebook page). If you are a dog person, you will need Kleenex. Please keep my family in your prayers. It's amazing how these loyal animals become such precious members of our families.

"A Tribute to an Old Friend"

I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur. Never once did you mess up the house or chew your way through my shoes. You never liked to be dirty or wallow in the mud, but loved to chase me through the sprinkler, to play Frisbee and ...football when you were young and strong and noble. What a great receiver you were! To ride in the Jimmy (what eventually became known as “Dude’s car”) was such a joy!

As you got older we felt safe and slept soundly knowing you were protecting us by your presence. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging just to say, “Welcome home. I missed you.” You never had a bad day, and I could always count on you to be there for me.

When I sat down to watch TV, you would stand by my chair, or lay at my feet looking for attention or just content to be close. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head or scratch your chin and to sleep with your head over my leg.

As you got older, you moved around more slowly. You would bark from the bedroom to let me know that you were ready to go to bed and waiting on me to join you.

Then, one day, old age finally took its toll, and you couldn’t stand on those wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again. You just looked up at me, as if to say you were old and tired, and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one last favor.

I had told you that you would have to let me know when it was time…and today you did. With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last ride in “Dude’s car”.

I sat by your side in the floor with your head on my leg, scratching your chin as we waited for your faithful and compassionate Vet to prepare to release you from your pain.

You lifted your head, tired eyes momentarily wide open, and looked at me as if to say, “Thank you for taking care of me.”

And I thought, “No, thank you for taking care of me.”

I love you and will miss you old friend.

Not Me Monday

It's Monday?! Already?! Where did my weekend go?! I definitely feel like I did NOT have a weekend! There are so many things that we did NOT do...so we should have had some down time, right?
Let's see...

Friday night, I did NOT attend our school's Spring Bling Fashion Show after a long week of being around these lovely children. Nah. If I had attended, I would NOT have made Russ sit on the very first row all alone so that he could get good pictures. Who would ask that of their hubby? NOT me!

Since we did NOT go to this fashion show, we certainly did NOT see this 1980's comeback modeled by a former student strut down the walkway. Am I old enough to recognize a comeback? Absolutely NOT!

And, of course, I do NOT love these kids to death! I do not constantly hug, tease, and laugh at them. Nope! NOT this teacher.

I did NOT enjoy myself thoroughly! No! I never enjoy coming to watch these kids show off their personalities. And I do NOT enjoy taking their pictures over and over and over again!

My parents did NOT drive four hours just to come watch this fashion show. I do NOT still ask, and sometimes expect, my parents to come watch "my events" just like they did when we were at school. My mom has NEVER told me, "You know I'm there every time you poop!" Nope! Not my family! And, after the show....if they had come, that is....they did NOT drive two hours to Starkville the next morning to load a moving truck only to return that same day to move my sister into her new apartment. My family never runs the road like that!

Seeing as how my parents did NOT drive to Jackson, to Starkville, and back...there really is no need to even consider the idea that they moved Kristin and Lee into their apartment in the POURING RAIN! Nope. There is NOT a dark cloud that covers any member of the Coon family (that would be my mom's side), and Kristin did NOT inherit that cloud gene. They certainly did NOT arrive before the rain to find the security guard, who held the apartment key, gone to the donut shop. Rent-a-cops certainly don't fall into the cliche of eating donuts on the job! And, I did NOT arrive to this chaos and begin singing and dancing in the rain! I care much too much about my hair to do such a thing as that.

After moving into the cute apartment, we did NOT load up complete with our sweaty, rainy, and tired bodies and head to Stix for a wonderful hibachi meal. Lee's dad certainly did NOT suggest that we get there before dinner time because of our "cuteness." We always care about our looks and smells around here!

After hibachi, we did NOT all load up and make stops at two Lowe's before finding the three rugs Kristin liked. At the second stop, Mama and I did NOT stop a guy wearing a Jim Hill t-shirt to tell him that Mama graduated from there. He did NOT inform us that he was the head football coach, and it certainly didn't make Mama's day seeing as how she was once the mascot! Ha! This head football coach would NEVER leave and come back into the building to give Mama a complimentary t-shirt. That's it. It ended there for sure. Because my dear mother would NEVER begin singing the Jim Hill High alma mater for this man leading him to join in. And, of course...I would NEVER ask this perfect stranger to pose for a photo op. I'm always taking pictures sparingly!

During all the chaos and activities of the day, we did NOT all 7 sit in a little apartment and watch as Kristin and Lee put finishing touches around the room. We didn't follow any instructions or each have our own "list" to complete.

And the next afternoon we NEVER think about food. I mean, really. Can't you tell from reading this blog that we do NOT eat out. Ever. So, we did NOT take our sleepy selves down to Cracker Barrel for a delicious breakfast/lunch combo! It was NOT yummy! Not. At. All.

Like I said...I did NOT feel like I had a weekend. It was NOT so busy that my two days off flew by.

Not me!

Oh No!

This post has absolutely nothing to do with my sister, but it is the perfect expression for our morning. And, since I didn't take any pictures of the morning's events...this picture will have to do. Ha!

I heard the words, "Oh No!" a few too many times this morning. For those of you who have known me ANY length of time...you know that mornings are not my best time. In fact, mornings are just about my worst times! I love the beauty of a morning. I do. But, I also LOVE the cozy feeling of my pillow, mattress, sheets, and comforter in the morning. I sleep through about thirty minutes of alarm time, which explains why I set my alarm one hour before time to get up. After I finally hear the alarm (30 minutes later), I will snooze for another thirty. Sometimes, I turn it off without knowing it, and I oversleep completely. My most vivid memory of this happening was this year when I FINALLY walked in the door to school at 8:30! I woke up at 8:05. It takes 20 minutes to get to school. You do the math! So, you can see that I cherish my mornings in bed.

Today was not one of those mornings. Nope. I was up. Early.

I couldn't quite nail down the exact time this morning when I heard it first. "Oh No!" It was Russ. In the shower. I heard the shower curtain open. I heard "Oh No!" again. I laid there thinking. Should I get up? Nah...I'll just listen to see if it's anything serious. Finally, I asked what the problem was. Russ informed me that we were out of towels in the bathroom. And wash cloths. I do realize that the help meet in me should have jumped up with a smile on my face and taken my man a nice fluffy, perhaps even warmed in the dryer, towel immediately. Please don't hate me. Because I didn't. I just laid there and joined in saying, "Oh No!" I listened as my sweet hubby dried off with what was probably a hand towel seeing as how that's all we had in the cabinet. I do have clean towels. In the dryer. Just so you know. I fell back into a blissful sleep. Not too deep, but enjoyable.

Russ came quietly to my bedside to kiss me goodbye as he rushed to leave. He was running late. I began to doze off when I heard it again.

"Oh NO!" This time much more pronounced. I laid still. "OH NO!" Even more pronounced. I heard the door opening and closing and opening again. Finally, I asked what had happened.

Are you ready?

"The bird. It's in the house. OH NO!" There it was. The fifth time I had heard those words. Remember that mama bird who lovingly laid her eggs in her perfectly round nest in our front door arrangement. Yep. That's the one. She was in MY HOUSE!

So, I got up.

I got up to see my husband in scrubs waving a couch pillow around the living room with the front door wide opening calling, "Come here bird!" Ok. I know. Picture perfect opportunity. But, I'm gonna just tell you that I was scared of the bird! I stayed behind the door only occasionally peeking out from the crack. I did tweet the situation to see if anyone had any suggestions. I'm sure no one was even up at this hour. I surely wouldn't have been if it weren't for all these darn "Oh Nos!" The next time I peek through the crack, I see that my smart husband has moved on to a towel. I watch through the crack of the door as Russ flails around this hot pink towel while the bird flits around from the ceiling fan, a wall shelf, sits on a picture frame, the door, a door facing, into the kitchen, and the dining room. This mama bird wasn't panicked. She just enjoyed her little tour through our home. Maybe she's looking to buy. Russ, however, wasn't interested in selling. You see, he was already late. And, he is still saying, "Oh no!" as he leaps around the house swatting in the bird's direction. Finally, the bird lands on my kitchen counter. I know. GROSS! Don't worry, I've cleaned it. Anyway, at this point Russ is ready to throw in the towel. So he does. He throws it right on the mama bird. She is trapped by the mighty leaping doctor. He carries her outside and lets her go. All is well.

Again, I should have come out running to my hero's side shouting in a high pitched voice, "My hero!" and leap into his arms. But, again...I didn't. Remember...it's morning. Not my best time. I did think it was hilarious, and later texted him to let him know that he was my hero. Just so you know.

Yes, it was an eventful morning. I was up. I didn't oversleep. Thanks to two not-so-fun words...

"Oh No!"

Talent? Not So Sure...

So, our school put on a TEACHER Talent Show on Friday afternoon! Yes, that's right. Remember when I said that I may not have used my good judgment by volunteering my talents? Well...I'm not so sure you would call it talent, but I certainly volunteered something. Ha! We had a variety of "talent" ranging from beautiful piano playing, cafeteria staff cheers, principal "cheerology", assistant principal and friends stepping, and young guy teachers rapping. At the end of the talent show, we thought we would prepare the students for the upcoming fashion show. So, I took part in the "Teacher Fashion Show: What to Wear and What NOT to Wear!" OMG! Hilarious!
I totally wore my Easter egg hunt attire plus a few other accessories! The kids really loved my new Converse shoes and my colorful hair twist accessories.

So, we modeled to "I Look Good." Don't know it? Go look it up! You should have seen us "warming up" in the hallway while the rappers were doing some Soulja Boy. Yes, I think I'm trying to do the Stanky Legg here!

Just look at them cheering me on after making a fool of myself doing the Stanky Legg! Our big surprise? Well, the superintendent of ALL JPS schools showed up in a "pop-up visit!" In the MIDDLE OF THE SHOW!! You should have seen the faces on all the teachers and the principal! Priceless!

No reason to fear...

Dr. Edwards joined in and showed off his rendition of the Stanky Legg! The kids went wild!

The teachers had the BEST time (after all the butterflies flew away!) and the kids had a blast too! It is times like this that we really feel like a family! So fun!

Mrs. Williams (music teacher), me, and Ms. Sasser (librarian)

My class? They were proud!

Sharing a Little of Me...

Today was a quiet day. A little rain. A lot of clouds. A little sun.

It certainly wasn't a quiet day for everyone in this area. Devastating tornadoes ripped through various towns today. We were under a tornado watch all day. Homes were leveled in Yazoo City and other towns destroyed in parts, and I pray that everyone is okay. I also pray for them as they rebuild their lives after this disaster.

For us, though? It was fairly quiet. Russ had to work this morning, but surprised me by coming home before noon! Luckily, I had just returned from a trip to Krispie Kreme and was able share a few donuts with him as a reward. Ha! We talked earlier in the week about going by the Mississippi Museum of Art to view my school's exhibit. If you follow my class blog at all, you know what I'm referring to. My class worked so hard on this project, and my dedicated coworkers worked overtime to create the perfect exhibit to represent our school. I was very proud! And, since school is my life...aside from Russ and Farley...I wanted to share a little of me with my hubby.

Posing with Uncle Jed and Sarah Jean-handmade by Mrs. Land and some of our students

Several schools in the district worked with local artists as a way of integrating arts into the curriculum. There was a variety of art: visual, performing, culinary, musical, etc. Our school worked with a local theater group to infuse performing arts into our curriculum. We wrote, produced, rehearsed, and performed scenes from two of our summer reading books: Talk About a Family and Uncle Jed's Barber Shop. My class performed Talk About a Family. They were SO proud of their work up on display! I was just as excited! I think this was an experience they will not forget. I wanted to show Russ their hard work, and I wanted him to see some of the other exhibits as well.

I do believe the air was out or something, because it was H-O-T and humid. Poor Russ didn't complain once...even though I know he was dying! He looked at everything and acted totally interested. Ha!

Sitting at our picnic scene in Talk About a Family

Russ reading some of the journal entries my students wrote during their experience

After taking it all in, we moved on to a few other exhibits. Russ constantly had his eye out for anything to do with photography. There were a few schools who worked with local photographers to create photos of portraits, landscapes, and abstract. They did a wonderful job!

We somehow ended up also walking through an Expansion of the Muslim Culture exhibit. Not sure how that happened, but it was hot and stuffy and made me feel icky. Russ read up on everything, so he could teach me. I'm pretty sure we were the only people in that exhibit at all. And, we were in there for a total of 10 minutes probably! Ha!

When we left the museum, we considered going to the Natural Science Museum or the Planetarium. However, we decided on a movie instead. I suppose we were feeling intellectual today, because we ended up seeing Disney's new Oceans movie.

It was very interesting, and I learned a lot more about the wonders of creation I have yet to see! God's handiwork never ceases to amaze me!

Overall, my Saturday was relaxing and fun. Just sharing a little of me with the hubs, and enjoying some time at home together.

Out of the Mouths of Teachers...

MckMama always has fun blog carnivals, and she is starting yet another one! It's actually called "Out of the Mouths of Moms," but seeing as how the only children I have are the 25 fourth graders I spend 8 hours a day with, I think I'll change mine to "Out of the Mouths of Teachers." Play along if you like and change the title to suit you! I really wish I kept a running list of the things that my students say and the things that I find myself saying that I never thought I would. Some of the things that have come out of this teacher's mouth lately:

"Please don't make that smacking sound when I correct you! I am not a piece of chewing gum."

"Please stop that smacking! I am not in the mood to be kissed!"

"Yo, yo, yo! Everybody listen up!"

"I understand you are upset that I won't let you get on the computer, but I would appreciate it if you would not sigh so loudly and blow your morning breath on me. Thank you!"

"What is so funny about Idaho? Oh. [smirk] We are discussing the name of a STATE!"

"Kenyada, did you want to hold Quintarrius's hand? No? Well, why are you walking beside him and not behind him in line?"

"Where is your belt? At home? Go get Pops's old necktie to tie around your waist then."

"I am NOT ten years old, so please do not speak to me like I am."

"O.M.G!"

"E'rbody in the class put your finger on the decimal!" (to the tune of "Tipsy" by J-Kwon)

"Uhh...step out of line and tie your shoes. We are not thuggin' in my room."

"Girls, the bathroom is not a beauty salon. Get out!"

"I do not need to know every time Tatyanna gets diarrhea after lunch. Thank you for the concern. But, that's enough."

"I mean, I better not even hear your eyelashes blink!"

"Since when have we become Library Lunatics when I drop you off in library?!"

"Seriously?!"

"Do not talk back to me. I could squash you like a cockroach."

"Aaahh! Everybody watch out!!! Sherrina's eyes may just roll right onto the floor if she rolls them any further!"

"Oh no! Do I need to call the doctor? Okay. I was just wondering because you seem to have a twitch in your shoulders." (during an 'I don't care' shrug of the shoulders)

"What is the root word of laborious? Yes, labor. What does that mean? Well, it could mean having a baby. But, it also means hard work. That is probably why having a baby is called labor. It's hard work!"

"No, that is not what joint means. Look at the sentence. It is referring to a doorway. And how do you know what that is anyway?"

"No, she's not pregnant. She is getting married because they are in love. You don't have to be pregnant to get married!"

"I am not a word. Please stop looking at me, and look for your answer in the passage."

"Honey Bunches of Oats, please sit down for the twentieth time!"

"Oh, I'm sorry to bother you. You just let me know when you are finished talking. Then, I will continue with our lesson."

"Why are you just sitting there after I asked you to clean this mess up? Would you like me to take your picture first or something?"

"Well, that is why your shoe is on top of the school roof. Because you have no shoelaces in. Go ask your mom to bring you a left shoe please."

"I love your voice, but let's save that humming for music class. Thank you."

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Oh, the life of a teacher...and the sarcasm you inherit with the job! Ha ha! It keeps you sane!

What's come out of your mouth this week?

Spring Fever

We have SPRING FEVER!!!

Do you? All students have this innate urge to drive everyone, including and especially their teachers, crazy! Yes, it's beautiful and pleasant outside. Yes, the sun is shining. Yes, the birds are chirping. Yes, it looks fun. But, YES, we have to prepare for the MCT2 coming up in a few weeks! Have you ever tried to contain 25 fourth grade boys and girls and try to analyze and go over sample test items during the months of April and May? Do NOT try this at home! It is not safe or fun! In fact, it makes you sick. Apparently, it causes Spring Fever.

To help alleviate some of that fever, our school has planned "Friday Fun" activities for the students on Friday afternoons. This Friday...well, I'll just leave you with a sneak peek.

I'm pretty much thinking that I may have shown a lapse in good judgment by my decision to volunteer my talents.

But, I know that with this SPRING FEVER and this MCT2 prep, my students deserve whatever talents we teachers have. So, like I tell my students..."13 more days of FOCUS!"


Put on your "Focus Face" and deal with it!

By the looks of this, our students aren't the only ones with SPRING FEVER!

Nesting...

Somewhere there is a mama bird who has worked tirelessly and without blemish to create this perfectly round and perfectly placed nest in our front door arrangement. Somewhere there is a mama bird who is waiting on my sweet husband, puppy, and me to quit making noise so that she feels safe enough to come back to her nest. Somewhere there this a mama bird who is nesting...waiting on these baby birds to hatch.

Somewhere.

I saw this mama bird. I saw her because when I arrived home after a four hour drive on Sunday night, I opened the door only to be nearly knocked out and scared to death by a burst of feathers and flapping! My husband? No, he did not care to check on my jumping and screaming self. His reaction was, "Be careful! Don't bother the birds!" So, wherever you are, mama bird, you apparently have a safe place here. My husband would never let me harm you. And, to be honest, I really like your eggs. They look like some of my Easter candy. Mmmm. Maybe I should see if we have any left.

Enjoy your nesting!