I WON!!!!

For the first time in my year and a half of blogging...I have won a blog award! Thank you BB from Miraculously My Own for choosing me to win this award.

Here are the rules:
1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.

For my 7 things:

1- I watch entirely too much television on Thursday evenings...so sue me! Survivor, Grey's Anatomy, The Office and The Real Hosewives of Atlanta!
2- Most of you know this, but I will cry at the drop of a hat. Good news, bad news, public or private, I am a cryer...and proud of it!
3- When Clint and I go to bed at night, he sings me silly songs...he is not a great singer, but I love it!
4- When my sister Dani and I were little, we had a nightly saying: "Night Dani" "Night Sami" "Love you" "Love you too" "See you in the Morning" "k". That was it...nothing deep, we said it just like that...every night. I miss it!
5- One would think, by looking at the blogs that I read, that I am in the process of adoption. I am not, but the process is amazing to me and I have a new outlook on life after venturing in to the adoption blog world.
6- When I cook, I pretend I am on the food network, with my own show...yes I even talk...:)
7- My sister Dani and I have an unspoken tradition, that when we are at a concert...separately...we call each other to let the other person hear. I secretly think it is just to make the other jealous...it's fun!

Now Announcing my picks for creative blogs:

H at Confessions of a Waiting Mommy (Newly chosen Adoptive Mommy!)

Danielle at Sure Looks Bright (Stories of a Homeless Rescue Mission worker)

Elizabeth at My Ramblings (Sister far away in Germany)

Sarah at Life Sweet Life (New blog friend on the adoption journey who just found out she is pregnant)


Well this was fun! Thanks again!

Until next time,
Sam

Mama Don't Play

Since I teach Science and History, a huge part of learning these subjects is review, review, review. We have a Science test Friday so in one of my crazier moments I decided we would play “Trash Can Basketball” during my three classes of Science. I have played this game every year that I have taught (yes, even during preschool). The students LOVE it. Some LOVE it a little too much. They take this game very seriously and get very worked up when things are working for them or working against them. The students tend to get a little rambunctious and things sometimes get a little noisy. Today was no exception.

It was fourth period. I had explained the rules for the 10th time. The students know that they only get three fouls. Three fouls and game over. Fouls are given for the rowdiness of it all. This fourth period class is CHALK FULL of…boys. Loud, boisterous boys. I love them, but it doesn’t work in my favor when trying to control a class review game.

Anyway, at one point in the game, they were about to receive their 3rd foul. As I turned to grab the marker to put it on the board, one young man we’ll call “D” decided to yell out to the class “Shut the Freak Up!” It worked alright. Everyone got silent, dropped their mouths, then started mumbling under their breath. I was not really shocked, it was only a matter of time. I sent him to the hallway.

I spoke to him of the seriousness of the matter. I asked him if when he heard people talking like that, was his first though “Wow..they must really love Jesus.” To which he responded, No. I went on to say how only he can control HIS reactions and I will control the class. He knows that if he does this again….referral…detention….not good.

I also took the liberty of emailing his mom! Within 3 minutes I had a reply with an apology, 4 phone numbers of where she can be reached and an invitation to inform her of ANY further trouble and the promise that she would take care of it tonight.

I smiled! I LOVE having parents on my side (sadly, they are fewer and fewer these days)

I thought that was it. I was pleased.

Until.

During Study Hall about an hour later, “D” gets called to the office. I send him. About 2 minutes later, there he is, WITH his mother, standing in the hallway apologizing to me. She took time out of her day to come let him know that “Mama Don’t Play!”

Thank you Mama!

Until next time,
Sam

One phone call can bring us to our knees

Saturday for me was just like any ole Saturday. I slept in, watched an episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta (guilty pleasure...don't ask me why) and waited for my man to wake up.

We went on our merry way to the YMCA for a tour, stopped by the farmers market for some fresh veggies (don't know why I just NOW discovered this place...amazing!), and went to the shoe store for a new pair of kicks. We came home, ate lunch and worked on the wireless internet for about an hour. Finally got that to work, watched the Georgia Bulldogs get their butts kicked and sent my hubby off to work.

Laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning and organizing, cooking supper, jamming out to music and just enjoying the day.

Clint and I sat down to a hearty meal of baked spaghetti and breadsticks..yum. We popped in an episode from Season 5 of the Office and were laughing along.

When.

It.

Happened.

My phone rang. It was one of my closest friends, Holly.

I ran to the guest room so I could pay full attention to the conversation at hand. I hadn't talked to her on the phone in quite a while. I knew she was just getting back from the Beth Moore Conference, so I was all excited to hear how that was. I seemed to be the one doing all the question asking when finally I could tell she was ready to get to the point. She starts telling me how things on their plan weren't going their way...I started getting angry, even punching my pillow. I was mad.

I finish listening to her, and I hear these words: "We are having a baby in January"

To this I stupidly reply: "You're Pregnant?!!?!" To which Holly says "Yeah, Samantha, I am 6th months Pregnant and no one knows"

Oops....WE'RE MATCHED!!!!!

My friend is having a baby! A baby boy. I am THRILLED for them...THRILLED!

When she and I got off the phone, I couldn't help but cry...I mean CRY! I cried out to my Savior...the one I have been praying to for the past 15 months, and he heard me. He heard me! For the past 15 months I have talked to him on a daily basis about my friend Holly. My husband and I have prayed for them together. And now, all I could do was Praise Him.

I am so thankful.

After my cry fest I made a few phone calls...my bff Karen, who is also friends with Holly (Karen's reaction is a whole new post in itself), My sister Danielle, My mom, Amber, Betty and I texted my Teacher's aid from last year as well as my sister in law. All of these women rejoiced with me!

I can honestly say, this experience is unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life...and I am a better person for it for sure!

At this point, I will continue my prayers. I will pray for this sweet baby boy who is one of the lukiest little guys I will ever know. I will pray for this amazing woman who is giving her child an amazing life. I will pray that the paperwork goes the way it should. I will pray for Holly and Donnie, their siblings and their parents. Most of all, I will pray that the Lord's will be done.

Thank you Jesus...Thank you!

Until next time,
Sam

Life is Good!

Life is good.

Things in the Thompson household are rolling right along. It is hard for me to believe that it is actually October…the 8th of October at that. We are quickly approaching my most favorite time of year. I love the Holidays so very much! I mostly love them due to free time and family time! Yay!

Tonight Clint and I are going to the Third Day concert in Tallahassee. I am so excited. We have had these tickets for quite a while! The beauty of it all is just getting to spend time with my husband other than the normal 1 hour dinner break. I am thankful for those, but I cherish the special out-of-the-ordinary days so much!

Next Sunday night our Sunday School class is having a get-together where there will be a pumpkin carving contest. Watch out! Clint and I carved our first pumpkin together last year, and I know that the end result of that pumpkin would NOT win a thing in any kind of contest. SO, I am searching for ideas and helpful hints in the area of pumpkin carving!

This Saturday we are planning to get up early and take a tour of the YMCA. To be honest, I need help. We have been watching The Biggest Loser for the past few weeks and every time I turn it on, I get the guilty feeling. I have always been the “big” girl and have pretty much pretended to not be bothered by it my whole life. But…I am. I am the biggest I have ever been and it is scary. I have tried everything in the book to lose weight, and the only thing that worked was exercise and watching everything that goes into my mouth. I have been successful before, and know I can be again. Clint is also going to be going with me and working out too. Pray for us that we will stay strong and think happy thoughts when we want to quit. I don’t want this to be a weight loss blog, but hopefully you will hear nothing but good things.

School is going okay. I really do like Middle school and the students I teach, but the organization of the department leaves a lot (A LOT) to be desired. I know this is only the second school I have taught at, (third if you count my internship) but sheesh! It is 2009 and we are TOTALLY connected with email in every room, but somehow, someway, I (along with the other 6th grade teachers) still manage to be left out of the loop. It is quite frustrating and needs to get better before I let my pains be known!

My family is doing well. I REALLY REALLY miss my sisters. It is funny how growing up, you cannot picture life without them (even though life without them sounds good at the time). Growing up you feel like things will never change and will always stay the same…good and bad. But my how they change. I long for the days of pajams and movies and family trips. I miss it! Elizabeth still has a couple years left in Germany, but seems to be enjoying it. They are in a tift with their landlord right now which is making things a little miserable for her. Danielle is doing so well in Colorado. She really likes her job, has found a wonderful church and has made lots of friends. I was doing well until she sent me a picture of her new hair cut…I loved the hair, but I got so sad. I miss her! Katy is working like a crazy woman. She works for a new apartment complex back home and is wonder woman there. She has just made a huge step into the real world by moving to an apartment with her boyfriend. Regardless of my feelings on the situation, I love her and want the best for her. I miss her! I am contemplating a trip home the weekend of Halloween so maybe I will get to see her. I wouldn’t mind seeing my sweet sweet niece Allison Joy! I love that kid!

Well, I think that about does it. My next post should include pictures from our concert tonight and maybe a few from Homecoming week.

Love to you all!

Until next time,
Sam

1 funny 1 vent

Last Friday I mentioned to my students that Clint and I were moving to a new apartment and we prayed for the move during Bible class. When I got back to school on Monday, I had a student say (in the “blondish” way of a 6th grade girl) “So, Mrs. Thompson, now that you live in an apartment, you get free breakfast right?” “Um, No, I don’t live in a hotel!” It was quite humorous!

That was my funny, now here is my not so funny/vent!

When a student fails to do their homework, the handbook says they get a zero. Period. No make up work, no notes from mom….a ZERO. On top of that, there is a place in the handbook that talks about being unprepared for class…that gets a detention. So, if you don’t have your homework you get a Zero and a detention. The zero doesn’t do much for the student…they don’t see the trouble a zero brings to their average and usually they have plenty of grades to make up for that zero. BUT…the referral for a detention…buddy that works. They tear up, get quiet and guess what….they do their homework the next night. I don’t enjoy giving the referrals simply because I am the one that has to stay late in order for them to serve their detention, however I GET IT! I get the point of a detention and I get the fact that we are trying to train them to be responsible.

WELL….last week, this horrible act of a zero and detention happened to a student whose dad just so happens to have a little bit of “power.” I like the man don’t get me wrong, but he has another thing coming. Since his sweet son didn’t do his homework and got a zero AND a detention…daddy decides to throw out the rule of the referral. Just THREW IT OUT! SO I had to back track and ended up having to explain to 15 FIFTEEN parents that the detentions their children had served were no longer going to happen. Absolutely ridiculous. SO now, a kid doesn’t do their work….no biggy. It’s just a Zero!

I am still contemplating going to the higer ups….we shall see!

Thank you for letting me vent! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Until next time,
Sam