My One and Best Dad

10. Daddy is always ready to listen. Even if it's boring. Even if it's about the 10th guy that year, and it's only July. He even asks questions like it matters. He's actually usually the first person to find out about a crush. This fact alone makes me feel so loved. He listens to everything I say like it is so important.

9. He LOVES his family. He's excited for all of the good things that happen in your life. Whenever something great happens to me, I can't wait to tell my dad because I know that he will help me relive the excitement all over again. He loves to watch his kids succeed.

8. Not only does he celebrate with us, he mourns with us. You don't get a "Cowboy up" speech from dad. You get real sympathy. Sometimes that's more important.

7. He's funny. Not only does my dad make us laugh, but I think we all love watching him laugh. He laughs really hard and makes the best faces. He still seems so boyish when he laughs.

6. He's a show-off kinda dad. I want people to know about him and meet him because, well, he's pretty good-looking. It proves that I have good genes. He still jumps on the trampoline everyday. He works out. Still has tons of energy and no glasses (even though he needs them).

5. Daddy taught us the Gospel and has high expectations for us, but still loves us when we don't live up to them. He doesn't ever give up on us. And he assumes the best.

4. He still dances with my mom.

3. If someone has to wake me up in the morning, I want it to be him. My mom used to flip on the light and yell my name. My brothers would hit me with a pillow. I wasn't yet grumpy when my sisters still lived with us, so I don't remember. But daddy would come quietly start talking to you. At first you wouldn't say much, but then you'd start answering his questions, and before you knew it-tricked! You were awake.

2. He has never-ending excitement.
1. He makes me feel like I'm his favorite. I don't know if I am or not. He might make each us feel that way, but whether it's true or not, it matters more that I feel like it.

I'd Rather Be Out on My Bike

I like to ride bikes. A lot. I can't actually pin point the exact reason why, and don't think I ever will. For every different season of life, there is a different reason to ride. For every different mood of the day, there is a different motive to keep going.

I've ridden to get away from the stress of school, to forget about work, and to block out thoughts. I’ve ridden to relieve the pain of heartbreak and to celebrate the joy of finding someone new. I've ridden to get in shape, to stay in shape, to lose weight, to get fast, to gain endurance. I've ridden with friends to enjoy their company, to share my life, to listen to theirs, to share my woes, and to listen to theirs.

I've ridden to be alone, to bask in the solitude of an empty road. I've ridden to the sound of nothing but the leaves in the wind, to the sound of my own heart beating, my own breath gasping, and my own chain squeaking. I've ridden to the sounds of Ben Folds, Beyonce, Wicked, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Colbie Caillat, and U2.

I've ridden away from people, places, problems, and feelings, and ridden into strange places, new places, new people, and strange people. I’ve ridden to gain clarity. I’ve ridden to make tears stop. I’ve ridden till I couldn’t ride anymore.

I've ridden longer and farther than I ever thought I would. I’ve accomplished feats I never dreamed possible. Ridden faster, further, longer, over bigger hills, down steeper hills, around lakes, and around mountains.

I've broken skin, wheels, and handlebars. I've torn jerseys, shorts, and socks; scraped knuckles, wrist, legs, arms, stomachs, shins, paint, and saddles. I've ridden into physical injury, with only scars now to remind me of the pain. I've ridden into emotional healing, with only memories now to remind me of the pain.
Riding has taught me to be tough, has taught me to persevere, has taught me to take pride in my abilities, and humility in my shortcomings. I've worked hard, I've slacked, taken the hard road home, taken the easy way out. I've gone the extra mile, climbed the extra hill, felt the pain of exertion, and appreciated the joy of relaxing.
I've ridden to train, to get fast, to finish long events, to sprint, to practice handling, to practice riding with no hands, to get a tan, and just to get away.

I ride to think. I ride to ponder. I ride to let my mind wander. I've had my best ideas while out pushing myself... and my worst ideas.

I've ridden to get away from pain, ridden to feel pain, and ridden in spite of pain. I've ridden to prove to myself I could, ridden to prove to others I could, ridden for noble reasons, ridden for foolish reasons, ridden out of humility, ridden out of pride. I've been out there during the highest of highs, when it felt like the even the top of the world was under me, and I've been out there at the lowest of lows, when I felt like nothing was worth living for.

I've ridden myself into who I am. Riding has allowed me to shape, mold, build, and rebuild myself into existence. Out on my bike, I am able to deal with life and cope with what is real. Out on my bike I have been who I was, am who I am, and will be what I am to become.

Riding has made me who I am and taught me what I know.

And that is why I would rather be out on my bike.

Where It All Goes Down...A Little Classroom Tour

Summer is over. I think I'm okay with that. Still deciding. I happen to like school lots. So this is where I'm going to be spending the majority of my life for the next 9 months. I'm not really a theme girl. I'm too indecisive. I get sick of it, and I change it which takes lots of time and keeps me from getting other things done. However, I love the movie Up! though, so I thought I could use that as a theme. Still...it's pretty subtle. This is as close to a theme as I will probably ever get.

This is my window display with the kids names. I know the movie says, "Adventure is out there!" and has balloons, but planes are so much cuter.

I just like it.

Non-Fiction Library

Literacy board- Don't worry, I add to it as the year goes on.

Science board. Hopefully this encourages me to do more of it. 2nd grade science can be pretty lame, but we'll see.

Math- again, not complete. I usually use it for vocab words and anchor charts throughout the year.

Cubby closet- Always a mess.

Chapter books.

Part of the Fiction Library

Calendar Wall- I might be the only teacher in the world who doesn't like pocket charts. I hate the way they look, but I guess they are convenient and slightly expensive, so since I already own them, I might as well use them.

Explorer of the week

Word Wall

This is a noble effort in teaching my kids to not be too loud. They have no clue what a soft voice is. Their voices are always on a 5 unless they are speaking in front of the class in which case they are on 2.

Behavior Board. I love this thing.

Where they turn in paper, get pencils, put their "caught-ya's", and get some math stuff.

Carpet area- so much easier than a big fat rug.

I just like my globe and my frog.

This window has the most beautiful view. The only problem is half the time the sun is so glaring that the kids will be blinded if the shades are open. The frames are mostly family pictures.

Their cute little people. I have 30 ADORABLE students this year. I love them!