Yep...I am going to be a Teacher...here's why...

Why on earth would you become a teacher  in today's world? Do you know how much teachers make? You will be living on the poverty level. Do you understand how political teaching has become? It is no longer all about teaching the child but about passing state mandated tests. Do you know how difficult working with parents is? My school is on the verge of being shut down and then I have to look for a job, do you know how hard it is to find a job in teaching these days? Have you heard that most teachers don’t make it past five years anymore? There is just too much stress on the profession that people leave. Have you thought about doing something else? Anything else?

As a mom with five children who is reentering the world of schooling to become a

teacher, the previous statements are what I hear on a routine basis. When someone asks me

what I am going to school for and I say Elementary education I receive a look of sorrow. I

personally know a lot of teachers and even teachers have said teaching is pretty rough these

days. While some might be surprised as to how difficult the teaching profession really can be, I am not and I believe this is my advantage. I have been in the schools for seven years now. I

have always been a highly involved parent who develops friendships with my teachers and so I have heard the complaints and struggles they deal with. I know that teaching is not “coming up roses” and “happy songs” everyday and I am prepared. I am prepared for long hours and parent melt downs and stress from classroom management failures. I am prepared.  I feel I have an “inside” knowledge that will help me overcome the usual pitfalls and because of this

understanding I feel I will be an amazing teacher, which is what has lead me hear today, to

learn to teach. 

Teaching has not always been my passion. When I was a young girl I wanted to be a

teacher and then my views changed. When I first started college at sixteen I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. Several years ago I reentered school again for an interest in nursing.

Neither subject held my passion and I always looked back at teaching. What I am drawn to in

teaching is giving kids a chance. Because I want to teach early education I probably wont

prevent a kid from joining a gang or dropping out of school, but I might. My goal is to instill in them that one person believes in them and that an education will be a lifetime of success. Some children don’t have someone in their lives who tells them they are worthy, they are smart. I could be that person. If I make a difference in just one child’s life my whole career it would be a success.

Another reason teaching has become such a strong pull for me is because of my own experience with an amazing teacher. As I previously stated I have five children. My middle son, Colby, has special needs. Last year Colby started kindergarten, this was very scary for us. Colby had previously attended two years of preschool and received services there but kindergarten was a big jump. Colby has Apraxia of speech and some learning disabilities. He hasn’t always had clear speech and often people have left him out of activities or events, probably not consciously, but I noticed and so did Colby. Because my older two children were already in school I spent the entire year before Colby started kindergarten scoping out the teachers. I decided on a very animated, affectionate teacher named Mrs. Gilbert. Little did I know she would change my whole life and Colby’s. When you have a child with special needs you are dominantly the only advocate for your child, Mrs. Gilbert joined me in Colby’s fight for services. She found ways to include Colby in everything while also tailoring his works towards his needs. He was encouraged to speak in class and was included in the class videos. She fought for his right to get services at the school and stood with me and supported my choice to have him graduate kindergarten. This year when Colby started first grade she went and worked with his teacher on how to develop learning plans specified to help him succeed. She didn’t stop caring because he was no longer her student, she had invested in Colby and was not going to let that investment fail. She was and is the example of an exemplary teacher who did make a difference, a huge difference in a child’s life…and mine. 

When Colby graduated kindergarten I decided that I owed something back, It was now my duty, my pay it forward to become a teacher and give back what my child had received. I am willing to spend an entire career to hopefully make the same difference in another child’s life. This is not just my passion for myself but my thank you to Mrs. Gilbert for changing our lives.

 

In the end there are many reasons why someone chooses the path to teaching. Some ideas are naive and may change as the person actually begins in the profession and some ideas are inspiring. A

Finally, I want to teach because teaching is one of the last few real professions where inspiration can unfold and I want to be apart of that experience…as much as I can.

I survived Halloween...give me my kit kat bar...

Halloween this year was a bit chaotic...to say the least. First of all it was on a Monday, that blows. Secondly I had major PTA events back to back Friday and Saturday night plus our normal chaos AND my husband worked the entire weekend. I am amazed I didn't rip my arm off and beat myself with it from shear mental confusion and exhaustion. 

There were also a few things different about this Halloween too...I wasn't as fat as normal and I chose to celebrate that with a mild street walker esque ensemble. The fact that the lady bug skirt I was wearing lit up to showcase what looked like a million sperm on my thighs was just icing on the cake. There was also the wonderful circumstance of my husband working all weekend and my having to take five, yes five, small sticky humans door to door roving for gum gums and licorice. I took this as an opportunity to check out my neighbors and make pointed threats to the children that if they don't listen to me I am taking them right back to the house with the dead cat smell and stale pretzels...I am always looking for ways to "encourage" good behavior. 

After we all put on our costumes (for the 4th time mind you) and ate as much of a healthy meal as a kid will eat on Halloween we ventured out into the dark, pillow cases in one hand, sanitizer in the other. We were the unstoppable Ulm's or at least unstoppable for an hour. 

2 hours later...2 meltdowns down...2 more to go...we arrived back home. I was exhausted and surprised I hadn't lost anyone. We had 5 HUGE bags of candy and I could already feel my thighs bulging up again. I slid off my sperm skirt, crawled into bed, and Thanked God my husband was home so I could pretend to be asleep and then sneak out to watch TV. I survived the longest  Halloween weekend ever and I was going to celebrate that...with some trashy TV and a bag of kit kats. 

I want to be Sydney when I grow up...

Nine years ago tomorrow I gave birth to an amazing little girl. Nine years ago today however I was extremely unamused with her. Thus the story of Sydney Taylor and I was born...

I previously posted my love for Avery and how I had several losses before his birth. That being said when he was about 9 months old I was feeling awfully tired and sick...a lot! Having believed the old wives tale that you cannot get pregnant while nursing I was quite shocked to discover I was indeed pregnant. When we went to our first doctor appointment to see how far along I was (no period to guide us) I just about fell off the table when the ultrasound showed a baby...yes a baby...not a deformed peanut...an actual little person! How did she get there? When did this happen? I was so completely exhausted with 1 child this had to be another son of god! I do not, repeat do not, remember having the energy for anything that could have led to this.

Here I was 20 years old, pregnant, and completely scared to death. Avery was an easy baby so that did calm my nerves...but 2?!? I think this is why God chose this path for me. Being younger I believed I knew everything and I started to believe raising 2 kids under 2 would be a breeze...needless to say youth is wasted on the young...

Fast forward 5 more months and there I lay on my couch waiting to fall asleep but filled with excitement for my scheduled c-section in the morning. As I watched some trashy tv show I felt a weird feeling in my stomach...and then my back...and then I realized I WAS IN LABOR! WTH?!?!?! David did not believe me at first and then finally decided to rush me to the hospital when I started lying on the floor wailing in pain. We all know I am a hypochondriac but when your wife is 10 months pregnant and clutching the couch like a bull ride gone wild I think hesitation is best left to the wayside. 

When we get to the hospital they too agree I am in labor and tell me I went from 0 dilation in my doctor appt earlier in the day to 4 cm now. Because of my previous c-section and what not they decide to stop my labor so until they can get an O.R. ready. This was wonderful, no, not at all. I was allergic to the medicine and went into convulsions while still experiencing labor...awesome. I was then rushed into an O.R. where I laid naked while they prepped me. Now for my first c-section my doctor was out of town and another doctor stepped in and apparently he left his signature on my body because as I lay, naked mind you, on that table the medical team commented on my having a Dr. Gordon bikini c-section scar...nice. Do they not realize that besides one time in college laying naked on a table is not my M.O.? I do also have to add here that when we later watched the video of Syd's amazing birth we discovered that while I was naked on a table having people discuss my bikini line incision my husband was outside in scrubs making faces and some sort of cone head people tribute on our camera...classy.

After a short surgery a beautiful baby girl was born. 7lbs 15oz and perfect. She nursed easy. She barely cried and she was the apple of Avery's eye. She had come as a huge surprise and on her own damn time but she was perfect. 

I have always felt a child's personality can be traced back to their birth. Avery's birth was long and complicated like Avery if you ask him to do something...anything! Sydney came when she wanted to, some might say punctual, and after a bit of a fight with me. She also came when I was prepared and knocked me on my ass...this continues to today. There are many days with her where I still feel naked on a table with people commenting on me. I don't know how many people will admit they wish they had the chutzpah of their child but I will. That girls has balls.

Sydney is the most hard working, punctual, determined, ornery, loving, kind, and dedicated child. She surprises me every day with her abilities. She is also strong minded and will go up against me in a heart beat...she is actually one of the only people to go toe to toe with me in our family. She will also defend her siblings to the end. Never cross a loved one of hers. I pity the first boy to break her heart.

Nine years ago I never imagined I would have 3 more kids after Syd but I wouldn't be the mother to them that I am if I didn't have her. She makes me want to be a better version of myself. If I had, had half of her talents and determination as a child I would have gone far...but I suppose in the end I have...Thank you Miss Sydney Taylor for letting me be your Mom and all the glory that entails...

Avery...

Every Mom loves their kids for different reasons. They also love different kids for different reasons. You never love one child over another but you do have a different connection to each. My connection to Avery is different on many levels.

When I was a kid I always wanted to be a Mom. When I met my husband I tried to have kids right away. I think I mentioned before that I got pregnant rather quickly. I was over the moon. I read every book, went to every doctor apt and when we went to find out if it was a boy or girl we found out something much worse. It was a girl. She was very sick. After a long week of lot's of doctor appointments and tearful nights we had to discontinue the pregnancy. My life was in danger and she was too sick to ever survive. I was 5 1/2 months pregnant and 18. I have regretted that decision every day of my life...and always will.

I got pregnant again 2 months later. I lost that baby at 6 weeks. At the time I figured God was punishing me for my earlier pregnancy. It was very painful.

Determined to have a baby I got pregnant again immediately after that. This time the baby was healthy. This time the baby was a boy. This time it was Avery.

I got down on my knees every day and prayed for this baby. In May of 2001 my water broke and after 24 long hours of labor I ended up with an emergency c-section. I had a huge, gorgeous, healthy baby boy.

Avery was the first baby I nursed. The first baby I laid with for hours just staring at. He was the first person to call me Mom. I have cherished these moments with all of my children but you always remember your first.

Avery is sensitive. He is funny, smart, loving, kind. He loves sports and reading and he is very mindful of right and wrong. He still gives me a hug and kiss in front of his friends. He sits with his little brother Colby and does home work. He feels pain when someone he loves his hurting. He is an awesome kid...and somehow he is my kid. 

He has also been through a lot. He has had broken bones numerous times and a split eye once. He has a heart murmur and an undiagnosed seizure disorder. He lost his hearing in his right ear 3 years ago. He has also had a tumor in his arm that almost prevented him from ever playing sports again. Just this past year he was hospitalized for Mono and the doctors were concerned he had tumors attached to his liver. Thank God he didn't but it was a long road.

In the past 2 years of his own health issues he also watched his grandmother battle cancer and his grandfather suffer a stroke. He spent an entire year in counseling and suffered from daily panic attacks. Watching my child suffer was more painful than anything I had ever known...or wish to know.

Have you ever held your child in your arms and tried to explain God's reasons or that everything would be okay and not to be scared all the while terrified yourself? Sadly, I have.

Avery can't ever be counted out though. He will always overcome. He has the spirit and the determination to go great places in this world and I know he will too.

He is an amazing kid who doesn't need someone spreading lies about him or gossiping about him. He's suffered enough. We just went an entire month without a panic attack. It's been a long road.

I don't know how to take away any pain he has suffered but I will do everything in my heart to try.

I always thought God punished me for losing my first baby, and sometimes I still do, I have had 4 miscarriages, but when I look at Avery, Sydney, Colby, Rusty, and Shelby I know he didn't.

God took away but he gave me so much more...and he gave me the best first child to start my journey that I could have ever asked for...

16 months going on 4

Shelby believes she's 4. She believes she can do what her 4 year old brother can do plus more. She has no interest in "baby" things. She does not want to play with baby toys. She does not want to sleep in baby beds. She is a 4 year old trapped in a 16 month old's body.

Examples for the skeptics out there...She refuses to drink from a sippy cup even though she can't really drink from a regular cup. She would apparently rather spill all over herself than be seen drinking from a baby item. 

She takes off her diaper the moment she pees to alert me to her need to be changed. I tried to explain to her that I'm more of a "couple" pees Mom and it's better for the environment any ways but she just rolled her eyes. 

She's always on the phone calling people, or tweeting about her poop...it's all very over my head. 

She does not want to be "left out" of any family event...period.

However my all time favorite is that she believes we are having debates about her choices. "Shelby do not climb on that table, Shelby do not take off her outfit, Shelby you cannot go outside ALONE!" her reply..."Mom, Mom, Mom, MOOOOOOOOM, Googoo, blah blah...Dad.

1 broken bed = 2 aspiring gymnasts...

My bed is broken. Not in a "I have 5 kids" good time broken but more of a "2 little monkeys jumping on the bed" broken. 

Sydney and Colby are apparently prepping for the 2016 Olympics and my very own comfy rest place has become their training ground. 

To say I am amused is an understatement.

Yesterday was a pretty grueling training session apparently. When I crawled into the sweet land of nighty night, well after I should have mind you, I was greeted with squeaks, cracks and I am pretty sure a moan from the mattress herself. 

When I awoke this morning, well before I should have mind you, it was my very own back letting out the squeaks, cracks and moans. 

I would post a picture of lady lullaby (that's what I call my best friend, the bed) but she has asked for no photos please.

Apparently a bed can only take children making or gymnastics, but not both. 

We will be "putting her down" soon but before we do I am going to make those little shits train everyday. Someone, somehow is going to get some kind of a medal out of this and if it ain't me it's going to be one of them....

You have 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Countdowns are big in our household. We have the infamous yelling while slowly counting down. Which is a personal favorite because it evokes fear and a timeframe. 

There is the holding my hand up with all five fingers extended and then counting down quietly, this is mostly used in public and getting down to a closed fist is not an option. 

There is the walk by countdown in which I start counting as I just walk by a room where I believe arguing is partaking. 

You can also have the 2 count, count in which you really only have to start with 1 and the child knows getting to 3 means loss of...well anything in close proximity to Mom

Counting has become our recourse because honestly it's "inappropriate" to spank and time outs are not feasible for a 10 year old, even with a dunce hat on.

I find that counting to five has actually become a strange habit for me. When I am in public I am constantly counting my children, which is five. I don't even know when I am doing it. It's almost like a strange turrets tick or Rain man scenario. 1,2,3,4,5 repeat 1,2,3,4,5 yeah yeah five, alright five. You'll see me at the pool counting to five repeatedly and then raising my hand in the air and counting backwards from five. It's no wonder people stare. Throw in a sixth child and I'm at a complete loss. 

Counting has even become a working strategy for me outside of my children. Scenario A. Person cuts me off on the road, count to five instead of chasing them home and driving by repeatedly to evoke fear (as if small woman in minivans evoke fear). Scenario B. Husband comes home and naps on the couch because he's "had a hard day at work"...count to five instead of "accidentally" spilling ice cold water on him. 

There are many upsides to this ability to count.

In the end something I learned in Preschool has really managed to help me in my day to day life. If only the other things I learned in pre-k would apply so well. Everyone could use a little more nap times, sharing and freeze dancing in my opinion at least...1,2,3,4,5 end