Life and Times of the Sharp Family

Okay, so maybe bliss is too strong of a word. Okay, so bliss is definitely too strong of a word. But I had this feeling today in seventh hour that a lot of the tension and turmoil that was associated with my first semester seventh hour class was mysteriously gone. Last semester, I dreaded every day's seventh hour.  The kids were emotionally draining, apathetic, challenged, intentional non-learners, and sometimes downright annoying.  By the end of the day, I would feel like I could be scooped off of the floor with a spatula. But today, it was quiet...er.  Almost peaceful.  I didn't lose any of the troubled students from first semester, but my class size did decrease dramatically.  My classroom was almost humming with the focused (that's right -- focused! ) learning that was taking place. I daresay it was even fun.  Even for them. I'm thankful for our fresh start to the 2nd semester in our 7th hour class tonight. Thank God for 7th hour bliss! ...

Tonight, we made chocolate chip cookies.  Colby has a secret trick that he uses on me all the time.  If he wants me to cook or bake something, he first acts like he is going to do it first.  Then, he asks me something about the recipe and I offer to just do it, because in the long run it would probably be easier, faster, and turn out better.  It's his way of getting me to make what he wants when he wants it. Tonight he used it on me for chocolate chip cookies. I don't do a lot of domestic things well, but I am a pretty decent chocolate chip cookie-baker.  I had Breslin and Dharia help me tonight.  They were so cute in their little aprons trying to stir the batter, or as Breslin kept saying "Measure and mix, measure and mix". I am thankful because it gave us some time to spend together having fun and laughing together, and it reminded me of my mom teaching me how to make cookies.  The chocolate chip cookie recipe was something she gave to m...

40 days I have been at this, and I have been avoiding naming my husband as something I'm thankful for. That sounds bad, but I don't mean it that way.  He is just such a huge reason to be thankful that it seems overwhelming and ridiculous to be grateful for him in just one post.  Therefore, I made a decision that it was okay to be thankful for Colby by stating a specific reason relevant to that day in the post. So, today I am thankful for my husband's dependability.  I was thinking today as I was driving home from a gymnastics meet how lucky I am to know that he was at home playing with my kids and loving them.  I knew that he would be taking good care of them while I was away.  I feel so fortunate to know that he is here without fail for us as a father and as a husband.  I can always count on him.  I know many people in my life who do not have the security of believing in their gut that their spouse or significant other is the...

Today after school, a bunch of us teachers decided to do a little "Professional Development" at the local chicken wings sports bar establishment in Jackson.  It was a good chance for us to blow off a little steam, have an adult beverage, toast to the new semester, and share our best first semester final exam time stories (exams finished up today). My favorite came from Mr. A, who teaches freshmen World History and also Government for juniors and seniors.  Apparently a freshman in his World History class finished taking his exam and came up to turn it in.  As he did, he asked Mr. A, "Wasn't there supposed to be a map part on this?"  Mr. A replied that yes there was supposed to be a map part...and didn't he do it on the test?  As it turns out, this freshman had taken the entire Government test by mistake and hadn't even realized that he was taking the wrong test. Classic. What's even funnier is that this student then complained about having to ta...

WHAT?  A nap? Yes! And I feel like a new woman. Thank God for a nap! Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to get some extra sleep.  Thank you for giving me a husband who offered to take care of the kids so that I could sleep and have some quality time with them tonight.  Thank you for revitalizing me today.  Continue to revitalize me throughout this week and over the weekend.  In your name I pray, Amen.

"Ryan" was a student in my chemistry class.  To say his life is rough would be an understatement.  His dad committed suicide when he was four years old.  Throughout the semester, he has been in trouble with the school and with the law.  He has spent time at a juvenille detention center of his involvement with the selling and usage of recreational drugs.  His home life is tumultuous, he struggles academically, and he does not always make the best choices. Needless to say, his performance in chemistry was not stellar.  I did my best to help him when he actually did attend class, which was not regularly.  I also would compliment his lovely artwork that he covered his notebooks, folders, and assignments with.  I could understand that chemistry was not his number one priority, what with some of the things he was dealing with in his personal and home life.  Still, it made me cringe to see his grade slip, slip, sliding past the point of no re...

Tonight I am thankful for AJ's new hairdo.  So thankful, that I decided to get in touch with my inner English 9 student and write a haiku: Silly ponytail Poking up like spring flowers Makes me laugh and smile Lord, thank you for my sweet little AJ, for her growing hair and healthy little body. Thank you that her crazy ponytail could bring out some of her silliness and bring joy to the people around her tonight. In your name I pray, Amen.