So, friends, I’d love to hear – what are you trusting? For whom or what are you grateful? What’s inspiring you? How are you having fun?
Breaking Up With Red: #SOLSC21
I am officially breaking up with red, and it feels like a crisis.
Texas in National News – Again: #SOLSC21
My beloved Lone Star State has made it to national news yet again. Today, I am relying heavily on mentor texts because I don’t really have words to say.
What They Wish We Knew: #SOLSC21
I assigned this thinking I’d mostly read letters that would lead me to reply notes of encouragement. It turned out to have the opposite effect. It reminded me that our presence matters. Our attitude matters. Our sincere joy at engaging matters. I am COVID-life exhausted. I am COVID-life, pregnant-life exhausted. But I’m going to keep showing up because it matters.
31 Days: #SOLSC21
It’s the first day, and my first year, of Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge 2021. While blogging every single day in March seems like a daunting task, I’m excited to join the writing community!! To those who have participated in the challenge for years – thank you for your guidance. To those who are joining for the first time, too – we got this!
Slice of Life: Texas Snowpocalypse
My love notes were written to objects like the car heater, to the blankets, to the headlamp, to the gas stove; they were also written to my 18 month old, my husband, my mom. It is amazing how intentionally writing gratitude or seeking joy can change your perspective, especially during challenging times.
Slice of Life: Birthday Blessings
With my birthday falling on the Sunday after the break, we planned a mini getaway/birthday celebration/babymoon trip three hours away in San Antonio. I cannot remember the last time Kyle and I just sat. In a coffee shop – okay, two coffee shops. To read. To enjoy coffee.
Slice of Life: Passionate, not yet Courageous
Despite the nerves of sharing and the inner critic who causes me to second guess clicking “publish” on blog posts, I am passionate about growing and connecting. In the future, I would like to see myself as courageous.
Slice of Life: “You is not dumb”
“Princess, you is NOT dumb. Maybe you do dumb things, but Princess, you. is. not. dumb.”
Slice of Life: To the barista who gifted me unexpected joy
A couple of weeks ago I ventured to get us coffees through the drive thru and was shocked at being asked my current read while sitting there waiting for two lattes, arm hanging out the window.
Slice of Life: Happy birthday, hubby!
Thanks to Ethical ELA’s Open Write, I was brave enough to draft a poem on my hubby’s birthday yesterday to celebrate his life and how we’ve grown while also using my 2021 One Little Word.
Slice of Life: Where I’m Going
While it seems a bit presumptuous to declare and decree where I’m going, some things are absolutely certain. As I survey the phases I know I am – or will be – embracing, I recognize that I move forward with hesitation. But I know I am not alone because I am loved and supported.
Slice of Life: Notebook Nonsense
I declared to Kyle that I would remain an Erin Condren notebook fan forever because it’s the only paper I can trust. Since the notebooks are a bit pricey, I may have dramatized this as a desperate need in order to continue nurturing my writing habit (therefore, my sanity).
Slice of Life: Self Love Al Extremo
Sitting outside on our first tiny apartment’s patio grading essays on a Saturday morning, I firmly decided I’d fake the hell out of self-love.
Slice of Life: Toddler Raised in Quarantine
Not even a year old and, in my dangerous thought traps, my child would turn into a recluse – FOREVER. While I may have been a little nervous as a first time mom, I’m incredibly thankful that we’ve had so much uninterrupted time watching Elías develop right before our eyes. What’s an unexpected blessing you experienced and/or received during pandemic quarantine?
Slice of Life: Quirky Questions
I’m often teased for asking a plethora of invasive questions, but I’m learning this curious part of my personality, when done strategically, is an excellent way for others to open up. Maybe I should start off with quirky questions first, though!
“One Little Word” November Reflection
November provided me the opportunity to gain perspective in three key areas of my identity: motherhood, teacher, and writer.
Gratikus: Part IV
It’s a wrap! While I skipped days here and there, this gratiku project was a fulfilling way to end each day. When I made “lofty” writing goals over the summer, I was writing gratitude sentences every day in my planner; then, back to school hit.
Gratikus: Part II
But here I am, trying to stick to my word of posting the week’s gratikus each Monday. Messy, unfinished, tired.
Gratikus: Part I
Thanks to this gratitude haiku (#gratiku) challenge, I am able to continue writing every day with a focus. Not only is it powerful in forcing myself to recognize daily moments of gratitude, but it’s short and fun, too!
TGIF! Week of July 27
The weeks don’t always simultaneously coincide with the end of a month, so it feels like closure today. Tomorrow begins a new and exciting month, as well as the month I most associate with school. I feel I am closing the chapter of summer, and beginning to wade into the waters of unknown learning.
Multifaceted Me: Part V
Every time I brainstorm what it means to be a mujer it seems the identity is difficult to separate from other relationships. A woman as a daughter, as a wife, as a sister, as a girlfriend. But what makes a woman a woman?
Multifaceted Me: Part IV
As a kid, I would gather my cousins as my students and administer tests I spent hours creating before they arrived to “play.” I would take attendance, teach a concept, write on the chalkboard, and even grade their assignments with the all-powerful red pen. I’ve always known I was born to be in the classroom.
Multifaceted Me: Part III
It was my assumption that I’d become a mom the day my baby was placed in my arms. However, I was in love, fiercely protective, and beaming with pride the moment it was confirmed that a little human was being formed inside me. It was unbelievable how deeply I felt for someone I had not met yet.
TGIF! Week of July 20
Back to school is right around the corner, and while opinions abound, the fact is this: teachers in my district return July 30, students return August 6. Here’s to the last full week of summer 2020!
