One More Time for the People in the Back

I love reading everything Pernille writes! It is educator GOLD!! When I see something like this it gives me so much hope! If you have any questions or confusion about reading in the classroom, READ THIS POST! Thank you Pernille! ❤️

Pernille Ripp

I don’t think that I can yell any louder.

How many times that I have repeated myself on this blog.

How many times I have repeated the voices of those who speak the words loudly, of those who spoke the words long before I ever did.

I don’t think I can say it in other ways than I have, but I suppose one more time for good measure.  For the people in the back of the room, or for those who just showed up.

If we want to help kids like reading we need to surround them with books.

If we want to help kids like reading we need to give them time to actually read.

If we want to help kids like reading we need to create a community of readers.

If we want to help kids like reading we need to help them develop their reader identity.

We…

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It’s never too late to become a reader! by Angie Moore

It’s never too late to become a reader! by Angie Moore

It’s never too late to become a reader! by Angie Moore

— Read on nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/its-never-too-late-to-become-a-reader-by-angie-moore/

Settling in…

I think I’m finally settling into this semester. It hasn’t been easy, and I’ve finally realized that I actually DO need to spend the extra time reading and studying. But it’s also important to take some time for myself and my family. After three surprisingly awesome hours studying for my next science exam, I decided to ‘take the night off’ and watch a movie. It was amazing! Today I was up early and got to watch the teenager play Zelda while listening to a podcast. I’ll be settling back into homework this afternoon for a bit, but the short purposeful break was exactly what I needed.

16 years ago

My life forever changed. I became a mom.

This beautiful, gentle, sweet and loving soul entered our life.

It was a terrifying first week but he was a fighter and here we are… 16 years later.

He is funny, sarcastic and so very smart.

He is our throwback music kid, a fan of all things the 80s, classic rock, and playing his guitar.

He is a quiet, gaming, Nintendo fanatic, and a bookworm. His (my) copies of Harry Potter are worn to tatters from repeated readings.

He keeps me in the loop for current events, sharing his newfound opinions and thoughts as a seeker for social justice.

He has the biggest heart.

He still has that little boy smile.

Happy 16th birthday my not so little peanut.

Overwhelmed…

Last week I began a new semester of college, in addition to my regular busy life. I’ve been a full time college student for a year, and while it was challenging, and stressful, I was able to complete each semester successfully, and even managed to enjoy the majority of my classes. I’m not so sure about this semester. I’m a perfectionist and have ridiculously high expectations for myself and this semester will completely challenge that. I’m taking half of my classes through Ferris, and the other half through LCC, and surprisingly it’s the LCC classes that are already giving me the most difficulties. Nothing is worse (of COURSE there are worse things, but at the moment, in my own little universe there isn’t) than being a 40 year old adult taking a science class with a group of 20 year olds and immediately feeling like a complete idiot. This is the first time in 2 years where I have truly and honestly considered just quitting. Do I really need this degree? Do I really need the MLIS? Do I really need the increased debt? Do I really need to take 4 days each week away from my family? Not to mention all of the time spent studying? 10 hours per class is what the instructors say.

No. I don’t NEED to do this…But I WANT to. I want this. I can do this. I’m so much better than this self doubt and Mom guilt. I need to get over the worry, the perfectionism, the feelings of inadequacy and just do this… no matter how hard, how much time it takes, or what I have to give up to do it.

I CAN do this.

*Thanks to my friend Eryca for sharing the quote from Ann Voskamp…it steadies my soul ❤️

Sunday is my favorite day

Lazy, cozy morning

Snuggled on the couch

Drinking coffee

Reading stacks of books

Quiet reflection

Late breakfast

More coffee

Preparing for the week ahead

I love Sunday

Today’s picture book pile

Whole30 approved bacon & spinach feta eggs

(Brunch for the week. FYI-eggs double when they bake!)

So many thoughts…

so so so many thoughts in my head tonight. Random ramblings…

Eating healthy… but can I please have some chocolate?!

Getting active-can I really do 6am yoga 1x a week?! Is it ok done something just for me when I’m already working and going to school full time?

Redoing my school libraries (yes… libraries… I have 2) So many ideas!! Not sure where/how to start!! I want to be a finisher… not just a dreamer/big idea talker.

Am I doing enough for my students?

Full time (14 credits!!!) this semester starts on Monday…3 nights and every other Saturday will be spent in school… and the homework!!!

So many books I want to read but so many textbooks!

Am I doing enough for/with my own kids?

why was I sick the entire break?!? I need another week at home with my family. More sledding and snuggling and movies and lazy on days.

Will I ever have a grasp on time management?

Will I ever be organized?

Will I ever finish cataloging and processing my new library books?

What am I going to do with my classes this week? What books will I read? What can I do different to connect better?

I wish my boys still wanted to be tucked in and read to.

Did I read to them enough?

Am I expecting too much or not enough from them?

Why does my brain do this to me? Always anxiety filled when I have extra time. Will a regular schedule help?

3 nights away from my family every week! That hasn’t happened in years! Not since my retail days… 2010? 2011? A long time ago.

Will it be worth it? How much will I miss out on? Do they really understand? Are they really ok with it? Is it worth it? Maybe I’ll quit until they’re out of school…2024? But I’ll be done by then too if I keep at it…

Osso what?!

Since it’s my last day of break and I was finally feeling human, I made this AMAZING Osso Bucco for dinner and it was a total family win!

I served it with some ‘cauliflower rice’ and the family added some crusty bread.

The only ‘modification’ I made was using two cans of diced tomatoes vs the fresh because it’s Michigan, and good, real, fresh tomatoes are impossible to find.

The best part was using two beautiful pounds of sirloin tips from the 1/2 cow we purchased this fall from our neighbors... it was beautiful and cut like butter!

Try this recipe out if you’re looking for a hearty beef stew, paleo, whole30 or otherwise. (No finished pictures because we ate it all!)

Combining something new with a favorite

On Tuesday I made this banana muffin recipe… I even made my own almond flour out of almonds. I did not use any sweetener, and they were so-so… I did love how moist the centers were, I’m sure that was due to using 6 eggs (!!!)

The boys each took a bite and declared them unedible….so I have been eating one or two a day so I don’t waste them. They are incredibly filling, and two alone could be a breakfast since each one has 18 grams of protein!

So I’ve decided that the next time I make them (because if the basic recipe is good, I will try it again with a little adjusting) I am going to add the cinnamon & nutmeg combination from our favorite banana muffin recipe that I’ve been making for years. I still remember trying this recipe the first time… who would have thought that something so different than my parents’ classic banana bread recipe, my all time favorite,  would be such a hit with my little picky eaters?!

Have you ever tried either of these recipes? If you are NOT eliminating sugar and grains from your diet I’d totally make the 2nd one…they are the best!

Comfort food favorite​

The one thing that I missed the most while doing the Whole30 (besides a glass of Great Lakes Red each evening) was oatmeal. I could eat oatmeal every single day. Not instant, although Maple Brown Sugar is almost like a guilty pleasure, but real oatmeal. They only take a few minutes to make and they totally warm my soul and fill me up until lunch. All grains are a no go on the Whole30 plan, so that’s why I’m not doing a “real” one again,  just a modified, clean eating, kind of plan. My favorite way to eat oatmeal is to add a big scoop of brown sugar and milk, but I have learned to eat them many different ways, classic, cold, overnight, etc. Today’s lunch is oatmeal since it is still winter break, I’m still sick and I am in need of some stick to the ribs comfort food.

This version has an egg (thanks to my friend Susan ‘s  recommendation) walnuts, raisins, Mexican vanilla, coconut milk, and a tiny pinch of cinnamon and brown sugar. It tastes almost like dessert, custard, or pudding. It is not sweet, but delicious and creamy. Now I think I am off for a nap!

Ingredients…forgot the vanilla!

Look how creamy the egg makes it!

Yum!