Christmas 2008

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone, and that 2009 is only hours away. Though times are tough for many families across our country (including ours), we had a very blessed Christmas celebration. As is tradition, we spent Christmas Eve at my husband's aunt's house, where we ate delicious Guatemalan tamales - these are 150% better than those made with corn husks. Normally, we would stay up until midnight before we opened gifts, but having two small children makes that a little tricky. The kids opened their gifts a little early, and we headed home around 11:30pm. Needless to say, Neftali was very excited, and it was difficult to get him settled into bed. Christmas morning was delightful as we watched the boys open their remaining gifts. Neftali is truly a pro, and Solomon caught on quite fast! Then, Emilio's family came to our house for breakfast. We ate, and laughed, and relaxed, before paying some friends a visit. Finally, we brought my husband's two cousins over to the house later Christmas night for a good, old-fashioned slumber party (he was the only guy!) and stayed up until 4am watching movies. What fun! We were totally exhausted the next day, but it was definitely worth it!

Solomon's newest move!

Check him out as he tests out his legs!

Just call me 'Master'...

Now that the pomp and circumstance is over, I can focus in on my last 'assignment' before sending of my initial license application. I am wrapping up my ELD portfolio, recording my voice reading some simple stories in Spanish for the Spanish Literacy program at a local elementary school, and preparing to write up a lesson series that I'll teach in January. Then, in early February, I should be receiving my teaching license and diploma in the mail. I am praying to be very busy with substituting, especially since there are only a handful of Spanish-speaking subs in our district - not enough to adequately service the Spanish immersion school I have done my student-teaching at. Emilio and I are praying for direction as to where to start this next chapter of our lives. We feel the Lord might be leading us north to the suburbs of Portland. My brother is there with his family, and it sure would be nice to be close so that our kids can grow up together. We'll see what happens. In the mean time, we are waiting and resting...and recovering from a chaotic season.

Graduation

I cannot believe that as I sit here typing, I will be graduating in just over 24 hours with my masters degree. Well, I won't officially be receiving my diploma and teaching certificate until late January. But I am still adjusting to the reality that the hardest part is over. I have one more day in my ELD practicum. Then Christmas break (hopefully with some snow). Then New Year's (2009 already?). Then three weeks in my final student-teaching placment. And THEN I will be a REAL teacher! I am praying that I will be busy substituting so that I can start paying off those nasty loans! I feel pretty confident that I will be busy, since there are only a handful of Spanish-speaking substitutes in the Eugene/Springfield area. But before all of that, I am looking forward to being home with my boys. Neftali wants to go with me every morning as I head out the door. I have definitely struggled with leaving my boys behind as I pursue my degree. But I know in the long run, I will look back and be so glad that I did this. Besides, I am the first person in my family EVER to graduate from college - not to mention with a masters degree. Needless to say, I'm pretty proud of myself and this momentous occasion. Merry Christmas to me! :o)

Growing up so fast!

Solomon's first haircut

Where's the beef?

Solomon is already eight months old. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. He already has four teeth and is working on a 5th & 6th! He has been eating a few solids, loves playing and interacting with his big brother, sits up like a pro...the next step is crawling! Emilio was changing him last week and he said to me, "Honey, Solomon isn't a little baby anymore. He's practically a toddler now...time to make another one!" I laughed away the thought of another baby this early. But it is true that Solomon isn't a little baby. He is changing before our very eyes. What a delight to see the miracle that each child is as they develop and mature into little people!

On to the next adventure

As Thanksgiving approaches, my first student teaching placement has just about wrapped up. I taught my last lesson on Friday, and tomorrow I will administer the final assessment. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, I am hoping to be able to visit some other classrooms at my school and in the area. My mentor has encouraged it greatly, as she says that I'll never have the opportunity to do so once I get my own classroom (or at least, it will be much harder!). I am sad to think that I will be leaving the kids I have been working with for the last three + months. And they seem as though they might just miss me too. Last Friday, several of them were asking me why I had to leave, and if I was going to be around in the spring. Pretty cute.
I will be doing an ESOL placement in December, assisting and teaching non-native English speakers. Then, we walk at graduation on December 19th. But I will have one more placement back at the school I'm at now for three weeks in January in first grade before I actually get my master's and teaching certificate. I can hardly wait. I am so ready to begin this exciting new chapter in my life as an elementary teacher. I always thought this was something I would end up doing...and I'm relieved to know that it truly is my passion. Now I just need to land a job!

Balancing Act

Well, as I'm sure you may have imagined, I have been absolutely overwhelmed with student teaching. I did 100% of the planning for the month of October, and though it went well, I am completely exhausted! What a learning experience. I learn something new every day, and this experience has reinforced some principles that I already knew were true - time management is CRITICAL! (even when you don't feel like writing a lesson plan, DO IT!); be FLEXIBLE (if something isn't working, through it out and re-work the plan); and don't ever stop learning! I can see how it might be a challenge to keep up with the latest in technology and teaching ideas. But if the district offers workshops that will help sharpen your skills, go to them! They are probably the only opportunities you'll have to stay up-to-date. Besides, it's not like you have a bunch of free time after you get home to do your own researching. All I do (at least it seems like) is get home and do more planning! But I DO enjoy it. It's just difficult right now finding a balance between my graduate program, lesson planning, and my family. If I were only a student (single with no kids), I know it would be a different story. But some times I just want to come home and crash, not think about the laundry, dishes, or preparing dinner. But I can't completely replace my wife and mother hats for my student hat. I need to find a happy balance between them all. And that might be the most difficult piece of the bigger picture. But I'm slowly finding my way.


In celebration of fall and harvest time, we did take the kiddos to the pumpkin patch to select pumpkins. I wanted Neftali to experience the hay ride, and wandering through an ocean of orange gourds. It was so much fun, and even though rain was forcasted, it was the absolute perfect day! I love this time of year!

Changes

Week three has come and gone, and I feel like I've been in the classroom for years. The kids are so great, and I miss them dearly because I had to be absent Thursday and Friday due to some sick kids of my own. I am just grateful that at this point, I didn't have to have lesson plans written for my mentor teacher to teach. When I begin to teach full-time, and something prevents me from showing up, I will have to have lesson plans ready for her for every subject as if I were planning for a substitute. Good practice, I know. But terrifying! So this week was a freebie and I didn't have to worry about that. Whew!

My boys are recovering quickly, but they have passed it along to me. I tried really hard to avoid getting sick, but when you live in close quarters and love on your kiddos, it's nearly impossible. Solomon is also cutting not one but TWO teeth! I cannot believe it! He had his six month check up and weighs nearly 18 pounds. I just couldn't remember that Nefty was that chubby, but he was. I think the thing that makes the difference is that Solomon (even though he looks longer to me) is 2 inches shorter than Nefty was at this stage. That explains the serious chub! He also tasted so infant cereal for the first time. He is so interested in food, but wasn't sure about the cereal. Of course, cereal is way different from a steak! But he's moving right along and growing like a weed. There are still moments when I cannot believe that I am the mother of two boys. I have children! Not a child, but children! Wow....

...and I'm feeling it. My 30th birthday is right around the corner. I sure hope my hubby is planning something sweet for the big day. I wanted to go to our ladies retreat with church at the Oregon coast - an absolutely beautiful place has been reserved and it would be amazing. But he won't let me go, since this is the first birthday in several years that he's not at a soccer game or hunting. So I have high expectations. We'll see how he does! :o)

Week 2

Well, I began teaching my work sample last Monday. Day one was pretty messy, because I had packed too much into the pre-assessment lesson. But though things got off to a rough start, Tuesday was a new day. I was able to adjust and modify the sequential lessons, and things smoothed out for the rest of the week. I am learning that time management and flexibility within a lesson plan is ESSENTIAL for a successful day. I feel like I am slowly getting a grasp on these two things, as well as the every-important classroom management techniques. I am definitely beginning to gather my thoughts as to what techniques and educational elements I think I'll try when I have my own classroom. I will continue my work sample this week, as well as pick up a writing activity as part of the literature component of the curriculum. I love being with the kids, and I am so grateful that my mentor trusts me with them. My time with the students of room 7 is going to go all too quickly! Next thing I know, I'll have a class of my own!

One week down...only 14 to go!

Wow. What an incredible first three days of school. I can't believe how well things went. I feel so excited and ready to jump right in to teaching - which is a good thing since I start my geometry work sample on Monday! I will spend the next two days putting the finishing touches on the introductory lessons. I am encouraged because I have already received good, positive feedback from my mentor. She let me teach an activity already - and it took 3 days (instead of the the 1 that I had sort of had in my mind). If there's one thing I'm learning quickly, it's that you really don't know how long an activity is going to take students until you do it (or unless you have many years of experience under your belt). I am thrilled that once the students and I got over a few hurdles together, they got into the activity and did a wonderful job. And guess what? After only three days, I have already received three drawings for "Senora Menendez"! I love my kids and I'm looking very much forward to planning more each day. By the end of the month I'll be teaching full time, and then phasing back out so that I am finished in Annie's classroom by the end of November.

I am really missing my babies while I'm away. But I know they're in good hands. And I'm still trying to figure out the childcare arrangement for the next several months. Right now, my hubby's cousin is watching them. But she goes back to school the last week of September. Their 'grandma' Elena can watch them 3 days a week (what a blessing she is!) but I still need someone to watch them for the other 2 days. What to do? I have been so fortunate to not have to send them to daycare, and the thought of it pains me. But I guess if it's only a couple days a week, it won't be so bad. It will be so much easier once they're school age! Then I could see them at school! Maybe...

Revelation

My classroom (well, not officially...)

My desk (Sra Annie and I will share)

The computer center

A better view of the computer center (notice the colorful bulletin boards in the background - I did those)

My mentor Annie. We will be a great team!

Oh my goodness. It's only been one week - without students - and I am already exhausted by all of the preparations that go into getting ready for the first day of school. It is such a reality check. Just like anything else, you can be an expert on something via book research, but until you actually begin to put it into practice, all of the research is not concrete. My mentor and I have been busily attending workshops on implementing new math standards, how to incorporate technology in the classroom, and creating an inviting and exciting class environment. We also sat down with my program supervisor to discuss what will be expected of me from the University in order to satisfy the student-teaching requirements. Basically, I will begin to take on one subject at a time until I have the entire day's schedule of subjects. I'll then teach full time for three weeks (maybe more) and then gradually give the subjects back to my mentor as I ease back from my teaching duties. I should be completed with my teaching time, including the works sample on geometry that I have created, by the end of November, a little faster than many of my colleagues. I will have another placement of 90 hours in December to satisfy the requirement for my ESOL endorsement, and then one final placement for three weeks in January. Then, I will have my masters degree and teaching certificate two weeks later! I am so proud to be the first in my family to have graduated college - the first to get a bachelors, let alone a masters. It has been a long, sometimes painful road. But what a feeling of satisfaction to look back and see that when I put my mind to something, I will accomplish it. There may be hurdles to jump over and obstacles to dodge, but if I stay strong and discipline myself, keeping diligent to complete each step one at a time, I WILL cross the finish line. God is so faithful!

Back to School

Today was the first day of in-service. I still can't believe that I am here. I am so excited (and a little nervous) about teaching I can hardly stand it. Tomorrow I'll be joining my mentor at a math workshop. From now until winter break, I am her shadow and will do pretty much everything she does. Today we worked on some more classroom preparations and talked briefly about one element of the work sample I'll be teaching. I am looking forward to later in the week when she and I will me with my program supervisor so that all details will hopefully be worked out and I will feel like I have a better plan of when I'll be teaching, what my role as student-teacher involves, and what my mentor's role involves as well. The reality of being so close to finishing my master's is still overwhelming...I nearly started crying in the car on my drive to school this morning. It has been a long - and not uneventful - road. I cannot believe that the end is so near. I am ready. Here we go!

Take two...

I have bravely decided to try a regular exercise regimen...again. I don't know how many times I've tried...and then failed. But this time, I feel like it's going to last. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm one month away from turning 30 years old. Who knows? But I was watching the Olympics and saw a little clip on Dara Torres, the oldest medaling swimmer in Olympic history (or something like that). She really inspired me. She looks amazing for 41...thanks to her staff of trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, etc. Since I can't afford all of those 'helpers,' I am going to have be consistent and disciplined in my 'training.' I'm not shooting to compete in the Olympics. I am only determined to battle AGE. She is a determined warrior, but I'm not succumbing to her inevitable grasp without a fight. Besides, Solomon and Neftali love going for walk-jogs, I can't disappoint those who generously invested in my awesome double jogging stroller, and I'm sure I will need some sort of stress reliever once school starts up. What better solution that exercise? Wait...school starts next week! Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready...better go for a jog.

Home Sweet Home

We got back Sunday evening at around 8pm after a delightful, yet tiring, three night-four day camping trip with my brother and his family. It was my brother's first time ever camping with his wife and four kids. What fun! I love watching our kids play together. Maybe it's because he and I never had the opportunity to play with our cousins when we were growing up. Do we even have cousins? Who knows...but I am so thankful that my sister-in-law and I are such good friends, and my brother and husband get along well. There really aren't many things much more important than family. Except Jesus.

The Menendez tent, and the kitchen

We camped along the John Day River in eastern Oregon. Beautiful high desert country. I am so bummed that I wasn't able to take pics the first night during an amazing thunder-and-lightning storm. It was absolutely incredible! But instead of being able to sit back and watch, we took some safety precautions and loaded most of our valuables - including the kiddos - into the car (after just unpacking them!) and then crawled into the back of the van to wade the storm out. Of course, when we were ready to watch from the inside of the van, the storm had pretty much passed. Oh well. Just try to imagine the most brilliant bolts of lightning lighting up the WHOLE sky with all sorts of colors. Breathtaking.

The beautiful scenery surrounding the river below

Nefty and his cousins (Ben, Nefty, Sam, and Roman from L to R)


Nefty learning how to shoot (yikes...)


Solomon thoroughly enjoyed his very first camping adventure!

Brotherly Love

It continually amazes me to watch my boys grow, both developmentally, emotionally, and socially. The other day, Neftali sat down next to Solomon in his little bouncy chair and the two just started chatting at each other. It was so precious! You could see little Sol's face light up with joy as he listened to his big brother. His mood was highlighted by his squeals of delight. Even though he's only 4 1/2 months old, he seems to have a powerful bond with his brother, and then understand each other so perfectly. It truly is amazing! Solomon's face lights up whenever he sees Neftali, as well as Neftali delighting in his little brother. I pray their bond continues to strengthen as they get older, and they might truly be the best of friends.

Monday...

Well, here we are at the start of another week. Only two more weeks (four more classes) before I have a break. Then, it's off to in-service, and then the first day of school! I can't believe it's already here. I am thrilled and terrified. I know it will all go well, but until I am actually in the classroom and getting to the know the kids, it's very nerve-wracking!

Last night, my sweetie and I had a date - our first since Solomon was born. We went to see the new Batman movie. It was really good, very action-packed. It was nice to get away from the house. Both of the boys were in bed before we left, so it was easy to rest assured that they'd be fine while we were gone. Not that I really worry that much anyway. But it helps. :o)

Today, I am trying to be productive and get some house-cleaning done so I can drive to Portland on Thursday to spend the day with my sister-in-law. I sure wish my brother and his family were closer, but I guess I can't really complain because Portland is a lot closer than California!

I've been feeling somber lately, thinking about how much I wish my mom were here so that her grandbabies could meet her. There are too many times when I wish I could talk to her, to go have some girl time, to play a game of rummy or just give her a hug. She truly was my best friend, my mother, my sister, my mentor. I miss so much my heart hurts. Will this sadness ever go away? I know she is in a much better place, with her Savior - where she wanted to be, and without pain. But I wish she could have stayed here with me a little longer. Maybe spending time with my brother and his family when we go camping in a few weeks will be just what I need to lift my spirits. Or maybe I just need to peek in on my sleeping babies...that always brings a smile to my heart.

Terrible twos???

I'm not sure if the phenomenon of the 'terrible twos' is real, or if it is just something that is sort of expected by the parent so the child's behavior seems worse than normal...but either way, Neftali is going through some sort of developmental change. He is so short-tempered, and it's his way or the highway! And last night, he refused to go to bed...even when Daddy and I (and Solomon) were climbing into bed at 10pm! Maybe he's just testing our limits, or going through some sort of jealousy issues...it's not too clear. All I know is that parenting is becoming a little more challenging (not that I expected it to be a breeze or anything) and Daddy and I are just trying to be extremely patient and reassuring. Solomon, on the other hand, is the most content, happy baby ever born. He wakes up with a smile on his face, and practically goes to bed with one too! I pray he stays mellow and happy. Both of our boys are a tremendous blessing - if they're not infecting us with their contagious joy and excitement, they are challenging us and helping us to build character!

Babies...

Here are a few recent pics of my growing boys. Solomon has his four month check up tomorrow - I can't believe it!! I can't wait to see how much he weighs. From left going clockwise: Nefty eating one of his favorite veggies; Solomon trying to call his cousins in Portland; and Nefty, the proud big brother.