tiny literature fairies

This picture from my walk with Diego pretty much sums up how I'm feeling today. 

Full of life & vibrant colors,

a "the-sky's-the-limit" kind of mentality.

The air begets change. 

(And a word like 'begets' comes out of nowhere; did I even use that correctly?) 

The reason:

My most challenging student who can barely sit still for 30 seconds

READ SILENTLY IN CLASS TODAY.

For a full ten minutes.

AND THEN

proceeded to tell the class (without my direction) that the book he's reading is "really good" and then he talked about it for 3 minutes.

Even though he didn't raise his hand and just kind of verbally vomited into 

the empty space of the classroom

I was frozen in place as I watched something take place in this child's face

as his peers listened to him in silence. 

And it wasn't because he was telling a joke or making fun of someone. 

It was because he had something valuable to say. 

ABOUT BOOKS.

And then, other students started talking about how they liked their own books.

(This was the class that left me in tears two weeks ago, and I'm not talking about tears of joy...)

Tiny literature fairies flitted about the room playing songs of joy on their minuscule golden violins. 

To have this kind of breakthrough in week 4? 

Well, we have some work to do and I'm convinced it's going to be the

best year yet

Football Season

It's back! 

I've been counting down the days.

(Well, not really.)

What's there not to love about making a 

big ol' breakfast after waking up late

on a Saturday morning,

plopping down on the couch and waiting for 

Lee Corso to make his pick? 

Or having an excuse to pound tailgating food 

like it's your job and

to wash it down with an 

ice cold beverage of choice (or maybe 4?)

There's nothing like wearing orange and blue

with pride (even if they're expected 

to have a sub-par season) 

especially when you're

in a custom's line in Portugal and you hear 

"Go Gators" from the family two rows ahead.

and it's even know to go out

and pretend that you care even the slightest bit

about the Jags

if it means more food, icy cold beverages,

and good company.

Even Diego gets into a game once in a while...

This post was brought to you by a porch drinking session with myself

while the hubs does manual labor in the waning sunlight. The air outside promises chilly weather to come, even if it will be two more months. At least the mugginess has taken a break for the time being. 

Oh, and remember this little guy?

Yeah. I planted it in the ground. It's a mammoth tree now and it's all up in the grill. Literally. But we have papayas!

it was a good day

My heart is full from this day, so much so that I found myself moved to tears while soaking it all in. 

It started with my littles in the library... one of my major goals as an english teacher is to hook my reluctant readers on books. So when I look out at a library full of my kids, and they're all ACTUALLY reading?! I feel a certain sense of accomplishment.

Fast forward to the end of the day-- a sweet, timid girl who has the voice of a tiny baby bird and is so shy she can barely look you in the eyes lingered after class, sheepishly smiled at me and said, 

"Mrs. Checchia, why are you so happy all the time?"

It was the first time I'd ever seen her face lit up.

I laughed and told her that life was too precious to not be happy all the time... and I probably drink too much coffee (but I REALLY wanted to tell her that my joy is solely because of God's grace in my life but alas, not able to do so! :) Her comment meant so much... and solidified my purpose and reasoning for being back at our school, lovin' on my kiddos. 

And finally, an impromptu Gainesville trip to help my sister-in-law with the next phase of her life!

Cheers to new beginnings, tiny apartments and no source of income. 

Send some prayers her way for a job and a bit of direction :) 

I couldn't help but drive by the pink house on the way home, and as I did so a wave of nostalgia hit me full force as I thought about how it wasn't that long ago we were in college trying to figure out life. Well, I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I've found it's not as carefree as the Pink House days with its Justin Timberlake dance parties and roomie sleepovers... hanging out with Michael late into the night but sending him home because he wasn't allowed to sleep over... hurricane parties and living with sisters and walking down to the park to swing...

oh college life. I took you for granted. 

God provided a changing kaleidoscope of colors to entertain me on the drive home... windows down and Fleet Foxes blaring. 

Life is good today. 

And we're back.

Hmm, I dunno. Just needed a break, I suppose.
And life took over, with school starting and whatnot.

I interrupted a lovely friend's class today to bring her manna from heaven (a.k.a. boston cream cupcakes that I slaved over last night) and she stopped what she was doing to tell her sweet 6th graders how cool I am. As they looked up at me with bright-eyed wonder plastered on their faces, I thought, "Dang. I AM pretty cool." Anyways, she asked if anyone had a question for me, and I received a few, "What do you teach?" and "What's Odyssey of the Mind?"

But one strapping young girl asked, "Do you like to write?"

I hesitated and started to answer, "Why of course, young, impressionable sweet girl."

But then Della called me out and said to be honest... and the honest answer was, "Currently, only if I'm blogging!"

And as a result; a post. (I'm sure everyone has given up on this by now, but I'll start back up, maybe.)

While I could revisit the joys of teaching and the first couple weeks of school, the tears already shed and the mini-celebrations over fantastic poems written by students, I'll hold off. It's my dang fifth year of teaching; go look at one of my other posts from the first week of school from previous years and I'm sure it'll be the same.

Instead, I'll praise the man who has my heart:

(First date! I snicker every time I see this picture...)

We talked about high school over dinner tonight with his parentals and it filled my heart with joy... our shared history, the past adventures and ones to come. I'm a lucky girl and am so proud to call this guy my husband.

I have good feelings about this year. It's gonna be epic. 

This is me right now:

Absolutely perfect beach day this morning. The water was just right, the sun shining just-so, and the company splendid. I ran some errands which included loading my truck to the brim with mulch. Unfortunately it's raining and the mulching will not get done today (oh darn) so I guess I'll have to drive around with the fragrance of Christmas trees for a couple of days. No worries. 

Knowing that the return to real-life looms just around the corner (Friday!!) it's like I'm preparing for hibernation. Except I won't be sleeping for months; I'm storing away rest and relaxation and the opportunity to do absolutely nothing if that's what I darn well feel like doing. I've been like this for the past couple of weeks, actually. Not quite productive, but not a lazy sloth either. I've worked out quite a bit, read lots, and tackled a few projects here and there. But I've also slept in. And sat on the couch. And gone to the beach.

Well, I'm ready, I suppose. This is going to be the best year yet, because I sure as heck am NOT going to allow myself to fall into abysmal despair like last year. So what? It's just a job. And a job I am going to pour my heart and soul into this year. 

And with that proclamation, I am going to get out of bed now and do something with myself.