Oops, I did it again....

get yer mind out of the gutter....LOL

I started yet another blog, this one related to my work! I'd be honored if you'd go check it out! It is called Reading's the Thing! There isn't too much exciting going on there...yet...but I'll try to link up to posts, etc. I find interesting and highlight strategies and products that I think are worth mentioning. There are TONS of great school-related blogs out there and I'm having all kinds of fun looking at them! I might get a chance to look at them quite a bit this week with my oldest son gone to 4H camp for the first time (sniff, sniff...I cried dropping him off, I'll admit it!) and my middle one going to day camp at KHK Martial Arts every day day this week! It is gonna be quiet around here with just me, Chris, and Robbie during the day! Chris and I are thinking about tackling painting the kitchen with less people in the house this week....we are going to look at paint here in a bit when we go out to lunch for our ANNIVERSARY!

Yes, 13 years ago we tied the knot! I can't think of a better spouse for me and daddy for my sons. I'm truly blessed and don't thank the Lord enough for him, but I really DO love him and think he's 'the bee's knees'!

So there is an update....hop on over and check out my blog, especially teacher friends, please?!

Have a great week!!

Have you seen them?!

My latest reviews, that is!! Hop on over to my review blog and see what I've tried out lately!

We've been keeping the roads hot! We just spent several days with Chris' parents, but now we're back home and gearing up for Vacation Bible School (woo hoo!) It will be a long week, but it will SO be worth it to share God's Word with the kids! I'm helping out in music this year, and am very excited about that!

I've gotten to enjoy reading some books for PLEASURE! Can you believe it?! It feels so good to have completed my goal of getting my Master's and becoming a reading specialist. At the same time, I'm excited to have a little more free time on my hands. Now if I can successfully complete the VRA (Virginia Reading Assessment) next month, I'll be one happy camper! I've already had one dream where I'm back in class and have forgotten to do my assignment for class...I knew those would start again! :)

Hope ya'll are enjoying the summer!

September 8: International Literacy Day

As a Reading Specialist, this is a cause very near to my heart. It saddens me to think that in this age of instantaneous worldwide communication that there are far too many people out there who cannot pick up a book and read it if they wish.

I find this startling:

Some 774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 72.1 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.

Folks, I know that if you are reading this, that you have not only basic reading skills but also basic computer skills. But so many people don't! Let me tell you something: IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR SOMEONE TO LEARN TO READ!! It is most definitely my 'calling' to help others achieve this goal. I have been very blessed to help offer this gift to first graders over the years, but for those who, for whatever reason, did not easily acquire this skill at 6 or 7 years of age, I'm doubly blessed to be now have the opportunity to help those who struggle with literacy.

Is there someone in your life that cannot read? Encourage them! Tell them that it is never, NEVER too late to develop this skill! There are programs and monies available out there to help! This is one 'epidemic' (to use an over-used term) that can be eradicated. Please do your part to help!

For more information, please visit here!

Guess what?!

I have known this for a little while, but didn't want to share the news until it was a 'for sure'....but I'm going to be filling a Reading Specialist position next year! I'm so excited!!! It will be at a different school than where I teach now, but it is a small school within our county system. The only 'bad' part is that our boys will be on the opposite end of the county from us, as we're going to leave them at the school where Isaac attends (and I currently teach), and Adam has registered there. We want them to stay within our community, since Chris and I both will be likely to change schools over the years.

Other than that, and being nervous, and hating to leave the school where I've taught for 12 years, I'm psyched! I never imagined a year ago that I might be in such a position today! God has ordained this in such a powerful way....from the nudges to go talk to our Superintendent of Schools about starting the cohort, to funding coming through when I thought it wouldn't, to having a position open up so quickly...I know that this is His will and His plan, and that erases all doubt from my mind about me being able to do it!

Isaac, however, could use your prayers. He's struggling this evening with the idea. I know that he's going to be fine, but it is breaking my heart listening to him crying and so upset. His Daddy is in there talking to him now. So if you could lift us up in prayer concerning this, we'd certainly appreciate it!

I'll definitely keep you updated on this new adventure in my life!