Summer Reflections!

  As always my summer is tightly scheduled which probably contributes to the time flying by.  I'm now at the bottom of my to-do-list which always gives me a welcome feeling of accomplishment.  It has been a fantastic break!  The SREB conference was amazing.  It was thrilling to see over 100 people in attendance for my "H.O.T.S. for education" presentation on Friday, July 19th.  Thanks to all in attendance and for your comments and well wishes as I look forward to seeing you again next year in Nashville. We were even able to see Baby Beau on our return trip from Charlotte where he gave me a few precious chuckles.  So adorable!
 One of the BIG projects on my list this summer was to create a craft room for sewing, painting and projects.  Fortunately, my husband and son, Matt Wilkins, got on board to see this through.  It started with moving furniture, cleaning out drawers and closets, painting walls; then laying out the plan on graph paper, locating the cabinets and installation.  It's a dream come true to have this functional space all my own!

 One more week of professional development and then it will be back to the early morning school schedule. I must say, that as much as I love my time off there is something to be said for the productive work routine and getting to know my new students that I actually enjoy! Cheers to my 10th year of teaching! God bless and  be safe!

What a week!

  Our family had the privilege to host the newest member of our family for the week of the Fourth of July!  I had a thrilling moment when little Beau responded to me with a precious smile.  Oh, the pride of a grandparent!  We all enjoyed babysitting, having meals together with those memorable interruptions, laughing at the small "toots", tripping over baby "stuff" and visiting with family, neighbors and friends. It just can't get any better than that!
  Sadly, however, our dearest friend, Barbara, lost her battle with cancer on the Fourth of July!  She was the most adorable, stylish lady and I suppose it was fitting for her to go out with fireworks.  The services were beautiful. The comforting messages and lovely music helped to remind me that we are on earth temporarily and where our focus should be. Please join me in praying for her adoring husband, family and friends.
  At this moment I am preparing for the national SREB conference in North Carolina next week. Pray for safe travel and for me to reach other teachers with my presentations on literacy as it relates to Career Readiness.

Oh Happy Day!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 was a exciting day for our family!  The newest member of out family, Beau Reynolds, arrived at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  His dad came out with a pink and blue reversible hat to inform the waiting family and friends of his gender.  He teased us a bit with the pink showing and then lifted the blue side up high to announce "It's a boy" what a joyous time for all!
I had the privilege of staying in Huntsville for 9 days to help the new little family adjust to having a baby to care for.  It was a fabulous time to bond with the "little prince", prepare nutritious meals as requested from the cookbook From La to La, keep the laundry going, and drive mom and baby to first appointments etc. Beau is a precious baby, sleeping 4-6 hour stretches, eating well and just unbelievably calm.  What a tremendous blessing he is!
Please keep this new family in your prayers.

Where Has the Time Gone??

It is said that the older you get that time seems to fly!  Well, I am here to prove the saying is true.  My school year has just flown by with a challenging Fall semester and a really exciting Spring semester.

I was selected in February to be part of the Baldwin County Digital Renaissance technology team representing my school.  Our county is converting to Mac Book technology this coming Fall.  All middle school students will have the opportunity to use a Mac Book laptop "tool" to assist them in their school work.  Therefore, I am part of a team of teachers  who are attending trainings several times a month in order to help other teachers learn the new technology.  I feel honored to be a part of the team.

My FACS students and I have been working closely on an American Cancer Society sewing project this spring.  It was brought to our attention that cancer patients going through treatments could be comforted with the help of small pillows that are placed under pressure points.  So, the students have been very diligent in using their new sewing skills to make over 100  pillows. It has been a very rewarding experience for all knowing that maybe someone can be comforted by their hard work.

The newest and most exciting news is that I'm going to be a grandmother!  Yes, Dan and I are taking the next step and looking forward to meeting the newest member of our family.  After Christmas I became a ridiculous Pintrest fan. Combing the website for baby sewing project ideas and tutorials.  I've made everything I could find and spent hours in the fabric stores planning my creations.  It has been more fun than I could imagine and the baby is NOT even here yet! 

Praying and giving thanks everyday for the very big an exciting change that's coming our way in late May!!

Weddings are in the air lately and From La to La has been part of each gift.  The cookbooks are still popular after all these years! Thanks to all of you who continue to keep them in print!

Welcome Fall!

Well, thanks to a week of teacher work days, hurricane Isaac and the Labor Day holiday we are back to a  slow start this school year.  My students are fantastic even though my classes are larger.  It should prove  to be a very productive school year.
 
I'm looking forward to getting to know my students through the Family Scrapbook project that they are presently working on.  The scrapbook is a collection of their autobiography, an "About Me" survey and a Life Map graphic organizer depicting highlights of their lives.

At home we have been completing projects that I started at the end of the summer. Dan and I have been re-upholstering stools and chairs and I've been keeping the sewing machine humming.

I love a a chance for a new beginning!  Let us always remember the words of Solomon in Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Have a great Fall!

Schools Out for Summer!

I stepped out of school and into a busy fun filled summer! 

On June 7^th I began a twelve day Walking Tour of Italy’s Amalfi Coast with friends. We visited Naples, Sorrento and Rome. It was a physically challenging trip with gorgeous views of breathtaking scenery from mountain tops and cliffs.  Now, I can’t wait to make an Italian style pizza!

After a 24 hour trip home from Italy it was onto a restful fun filled week at an Alabama beach house with our entire family.  We enjoyed walking the beach, hunting for shells, capturing wildlife pictures, bike riding, water boarding and kayaking, taking naps and eating many leisurely meals around the table.

There’s just something romantic about a summer wedding! In June we were fortunate to be “guests of the groom” for a gorgeous wedding in traditional New Orleans style at the Sacred Heart chapel with the reception at Antoine’s.  How neat it was to see the street cars whizzing by and to hear the musical sounds of the quarter!

What fun it was to be a part of the monthly “Simply Salad” luncheon at my church, Eastern Shore Baptist!  I was asked to informally speak on how I use my unicycle as a teaching tool in the classroom and I seemed to thrill them by spinning around the room as a grand finale.  

I just returned from the Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB) national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana were I was a featured presenter.  I gleaned many novel ideas to take back to my classroom and thoroughly enjoyed presenting my literacy plans which requires using graphic organizers to help visually outline ideas before embarking on a writing assignment. I also spoke on sharing talents with students to open the doors of communication. I rode my unicycle for the audience as well as informing them of how unicycles can be incorporated in school physical education programs to promote excitement in exercise.  New Orleans in July is one of the hottest places on the planet but it was a fun filled week where we enjoyed fabulous food and entertainment.  I did carve out time to have dinner with my dear New Orleans friends where conversation was never lacking.

For the next few weeks of summer I plan to take it easy and relax at home and I pray that you can do the same!

They Are Here!