Yes, I'm Still Alive...

Oh my goodness! I wish I was better with technology. I am still having issues with my browser not being supported by Blogger anymore :(

Working and being a GOOD mom is hard. I feel like I give the best of me at work and then come home and give the rest of me to my little man and then there really isn't much left over for friends, the dog, husband, and lastly myself. It's challenging.

The last day of school is June 1st and I can't wait. Pretty much a month left to go!!

Here are some pictures from my iphone.....

Slacking

Now that I'm working it is so hard to keep up with posts. Blogger also changed their format and now I'm having a hard time maneuvering my blog. They are saying I need google chrome but my husband doesn't want it on the computer so I'm trying to figure out what to do. I am not that technology savy...have patience with me as I try and figure this out.I'm on my iPhone right now and I have no idea how to get my photos uploaded or even change my font. I hate when technology makes my life harder- it should be the other way around.

Christos Anesti!

Christos Anesti (Christ has Risen) is a phrase Greek Orthodox believers say to one another after the Resurrection. Orthodox Easter was this past weekend. It is such a beautiful holiday. Although I did give Noah an "Easter Bucket" and some plastic eggs with marshmellows, the "Easter Bunny" did not come to our house. We put more emphasis on the religious account of Easter. Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again to free us from sin and death.

I have included some photos from my iphone of Good Friday service and also of Noah.

The beautiful tomb of our Lord decorated by members of church.

We follow the tomb around the outside of the church to symbolize the procession that followed Jesus' body to his tomb. It's pretty cool to see if you never have before. Everyone holds candles and sings hymns.



First Time at a Park

This weekend was the first time Noah was at a park where he was old enough to go down a slide or swing in a swing. We have taken walks in parks before but were never able to actually do anything else.

At the bottom of the slide was sand. It took every once of "cool mom" in me to let him explore the disgusting public sand without looking like a hypocondriach. He had a great time and passed out in the car on the way home. Here are some of the best pics (modified of course with instagram, follow me at sincerelys)

It's very rare if I post a picture of myself with the baby and that's for two reasons. 1. I'm always the one taking the pictures 2. I don't feel like me since I still haven't lost this saggy tummy so I don't like people to see me in pictures. The pic below though turned out nice and is waist up. We were on our way to church for Palm Sunday.



Baby and the iphone

I use to judge people who did stupid stuff with their phone, like drop it in the toilet or the bathtub. I use to think, "How does that even happen?" well now I know. I was giving the baby a bath and taking pictures of him of course. He slipped and fell backwards into the water. I panicked (like a dummy) and reached in to grab him with both hands (one hand holding the iphone of course) I pulled both child and iphone out within seconds, baby is fine- just scared, iphone has an issue.

Obviously my baby is more important but I have to say...I'm pretty pissed at myself for doing something so stupid. I just got this phone and it was $150. (I got a discount for turning in my old phone) Everything works, except the sound. I can't play music or any apps that have sound. It still rings though so that's good. I didn't have insurance on the phone because I've never done anything stupid with my phone before to need it. So now, I'm stuck with a phone that doesn't work right because I am not spending another $200 to get a new one- ugh!!

On a more positive note, here are some adorable pictures of my little man from my iphone (yes, it still takes pics- thank God)

I look stupid in the next picture, but it was so cute of him to give me a kiss, that I had to post it.

One Week Down

We don't have school on Friday so tomorrow is the last day of the work week and let me tell you....

I really love teaching, it's an organic love and I don't have to think too hard, it's natural. We have tough days though.

I could go on and on, but parents are probably the worst part of my job. Let me start by saying there are some great families who instill values in their children and work with them at home, but I would say on average that is the minority.

It's scary how many parents are too busy to work with their kids. They blame the teacher's instead of taking responsibility for their parenting. They don't hold any expectations for their children and when that happens you get kids who are disrespectful, rude, defiant, lazy, unmotivated, mean, selfish, etc.

I had a particulary tiring day today because of one such child. She is labeled "Oppositionally Defiant" in layman's terms, she's an aggressive brat.

A great thing about teaching is that every day is different. I always start each morning fresh, so tomorrow is a new day. I just needed to vent that out so I'm sorry if  you are bored by my post today.

Back to the Grind

I have mentioned it before, but I am a substitute teacher for elementary schools. (I have been trying to land a full time position for five years and in my area getting a teaching job is extremely difficult.) This particular year, I have been blessed to sub because I was able to spend ALOT of time with my baby. If I had been teaching full time, he would have been with a babysitter all day, everyday, and I would have had papers to grade and lessons to plan- it would have been terrible.

My posts may be a bit sparse for the next couple months since I have been asked to finish the year for a teacher in second grade. Today is the first day. I have been in this room before so I am not nervous, but I always feel anxious in new situations. It will be difficult just coming in for the last two months, but I have had worse situations.

Wish me luck!