I know it has been AGES since I've posted on here - but I have been updating another blog.

This summer I am serving as the Social Media Coordinator at the Pine Cove Shores in Tyler, Texas.  It is an incredible ministry - one that I am truly passionate about.  It has been a huge part of my life and I have loved having the opportunity to serve again for one last summer.  That is a wonderful blessing of being a teacher, I have free weeks to serve over the summer.

So, if you would like to keep up with the goings on of the Pine Cove Shores please check out my updates at:

http://www.pinecove.com/staffblog/author/abutts/ (my blog page)
http://www.facebook.com/pinecoveshores (Pine Cove Shores Facebook page)
http://www.twitter.com/pinecoveshores (Pine Cove Shores Twitter account)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and is staying as cool as possible!

Serving at the Feet of the Father,
Amanda/Sweet Cheeks*

*We have camp names at Pine Cove and so I am known as "Sweet Cheeks" there.  Just for the clarification :)

The Last Day

And it's OVER.

Not gonna lie, my kids were CRAZY today.  Who wouldn't be, you know?  They're getting out for summer, and as a kid, there was nothing, I mean nothing better than those 2 free months.  Then again, as a teacher, I feel the same :)

I thought I was going to make it without crying.  I was rushing around right before the dismissal bell rang and I thought maybe the preoccupation would keep me from crying.  However, as I was walking down the hall to the outside doors to wait for the carpool line (I was doing fine at this point - no tears) one of my girls whom I've had for 2 years turned around, red-faced, tears streaming down her cheeks.  I lost it.  Completely.  I started bawling almost immediately.  This was at 1:25.  I went back inside at 1:48 and was still crying.

Every time I would tell my kids goodbye, I cried.  When I told them to make sure to visit me next year, I cried some more.  When I told them to listen to the CD I made them when they missed me this summer, I cried.  And when their little faces were buried into me to hide their tears, oh boy did I cry.  I LOVE these kids.  If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, I just adore them.  I cannot imagine my life without them.

But let's backtrack a bit.  I said my kids were crazy, which was true; however, I'm pretty sure I caused it. Let's see:

- 7:45 (school starts)
    I had their end of the year gift on their desks.  That certainly riled them up - I knew it would.  I just wanted it to be a fun-filled day from the start, haha.
- 8:15 (donuts and orange juice)
     I bought donuts and orange juice for my kiddos this morning.  Nothing like starting off with some sugar - nothing says add to the craziness of the day quite like donuts.
- 9:00 (play outside)
     My 2nd grade teammate and I went outside with our kids and let them free play.  I bought them some stuff that they were dying to play with.  So, they had a lot of free time to just play - a rare occurrence.
- 9:35 (popsicles)
     What do you add to sugar?  More sugar of course!
- 12:55 (cupcake, Capri Sun, popcorn party)
     Yup, what's one more time of eating?

The day ended at 1:25 and the tears started flowing from both boys and girls in my classroom.  Honestly, I'm tearing up thinking about them right now.  I will miss them so much!  What a year.

The verse that I meditate on daily is "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work that you have been given and then sink yourself into that."  Galatians 6:4-5 MSG.  I pray that I succeeded in this.  It's a big charge, but that is my daily prayer.  Bring on the next 32 years.  I love this career :)

Making carful explorations,
Amanda/Ms. B

Tomorrow is the last day.  I've already cried twice.  Every time I think about "my kids" not being "my kids" anymore, I get all choked up.  It's not going to be pretty...

Tomorrow begins the last week of school for the year.  I cannot believe it.  3 and a half days left.  That is it.  My goodness, how this year has flown!  I'll sure miss these kids.

It's weird to think how long ago I wrote this.  I didn't know all of my kiddos at this point, I wasn't a part of their lives and they weren't yet a part of mine.  And in 9 short months, my life has been forever changed by them.  It has been a great year - looking forward to many more :)

Thankful at the feet of the Father,
Amanda/Ms. B

Only three weeks left of this school year and I cannot believe it.  Part of me cannot wait for summer and another part of me wants it to stretch as long as possible.

I had one of those "oh my goodness, how can anyone do anything but teach??" days yesterday.  Those are the best :)

The day started off with a bang, what with it being Children's Book Week and Friday being character dress up day.  I, along with 3 of my wonderful friends, dressed up as a Rhyming Dust Bunny, inspired by the hilarious book Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas.  We had a character parade around the school first thing in the morning and as I was walking down the Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade hall I truly felt like a celebrity!  I was waving and they were poking and tapping each other yelling, "Oh my goodness, the Rhyming Dust Bunnies!"  It was like living out the dream of being a Disney Princess, haha :)

Then we had D.E.A.R time (Drop Everything and Read).  I told my students that I would be reading on the carpet and that they were more than welcome to join me there, or just to spread around the room as usual with a pillow or stuffed animal (I have a plethora of both - I think pillows and stuffed animals make reading that much more enjoyable).  As soon as I got to the carpet and plopped down on my stomach to read, at least 15 of my students joined me.  We were all on the carpet, silently reading to ourselves for 20 minutes.  I had an overwhelming sense of joy just being there with my kiddos reading a book.  I read aloud to them every day, but it is a rare occurrence for them to see me reading a book silently to myself.  I can talk about how much I love reading, but for them to see it, wow.  They were silent for TWENTY minutes.  I barely had to do any correcting at all for behavior issues.  They were truly ENJOYING every second of it.  My kids then decided that we should have DEAR time twice a day, for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 in the afternoon.  I am happy to oblige - I love that they are loving to read!  Reading is truly a powerful tool, and I have only just learned that it has proved to be the perfect behavior management strategy.

I will cherish these last three weeks.  They will be fun-filled and BUSY.  We are reviewing so much of the curriculum in these last weeks and it is wonderful to see how much they have learned.  My little sponges :)  What a blessing of a job this is.

The Lord has lead me to this profession and I am absolutely grateful.  My heart for these children is utterly apparent to me, and I thank the Lord for this.  His patience, His joy, and His creativity inspire me and motivate me each day.  I am blessed, truly truly blessed.

Basking in the glory of the Lord,
Amanda/Ms. B

There are only 5 and a half weeks until the end of the school year.  The end of the year/last day of school is a bittersweet time.  It is when sweet summertime is literally right around the corner.  It is the time when my sweet angels leave me to enjoy their summer, only to return to school again as 3rd graders.  It is when I try to organize a few things to get them in order for next year.  And it is the time when I try to squeeze any and all focus that is left of my little ones out of them.

I have throughly enjoyed this year.  I have learned so much this year - especially from my kids.  I have learned that they grow up a lot in 2nd grade.  They have started to be more perceptive of things, which has been very fun to be a part of.

When I am feeling down, they notice.  Not only do they notice, but they hug me.  And not only hugs, but they ask how they can help.  Maturity has been starting to creep in.  I love when they make choices and say things in this new, mature way.

I am excited to see them continue to grow, and I am excited to (fingers crossed, I find out Friday!) stay in the same grade level.  I can't wait to hone in on things that I want to do better next year in the 2nd grade.  I can't wait to see my former students when they come visit me as they spend their days in their new 3rd grade setting.  I can't wait for my former students to tell me that they remember what an alliteration is and that Betty Botter simply can't escape their minds for the life of them :)  I also can't wait to have a precious new group of kiddos.

I adore my job.  I love the bond I get to make with my kids.  I love the impact I have on them, the notes that they write to me to show me of this friendship we have formed, and the promises of visiting me next year.  I can't wait to have a whole new group to begin a new year of adventures with.

This year has FLOWN by.  It's incredible, really.  Boy, I've had some long days, but I cannot believe the year is almost over.  It's been a good one.  I'll certainly cherish these 23 blessings I've had this year.  The memories will be with me forever - and if not, I have pictures to remind myself :)

Enjoying the rest of the year at His feet,
Amanda/Ms. B  

EASTER

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He has risen! Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' Then they remembered his words." 


Remember and rejoice!! Oh glorious day!


Rejoicing at the feet of a RISEN Father, 
Amanda