1st Trimester Tummy

So here I am in the first days of the second trimester in one of the few pairs of pants that still fit me. Fortunately I have discovered these wonderful elastic bands that are just right for too tight pre-pregnancy pants or too loose maternity clothes. So I confess, I've been walking around with my pants unbuttoned (some of them even unzipped!) with my wonderful "tummy tube" holding them on while giving my belly some breathing room. What will they come up with next?

Fruit

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Well, we closed off 1st semester of the 08/09 school year today. One more to go: my final semester.

Even before the pregnancy I had been struggling with my choice of profession. Everyone says that 5 years is the burn-out rate for special educators, but I was convinced that was just "most" people and not me. I was gonna go the long haul. And I still may, who knows what the Lord might have me do after raising my child/children. All I know is that my job, as well as any educator's job, is exhausting. I'm just mentally and physically TIRED. I'm tired of my lessons falling short of what they could be because I don't have time with all of the IEP's, progress reports, grade checks, meetings, etc. I'm TIRED of the students on my caseload not getting my full attention and concern because of lessons, grading and the everyday duties of a teacher. And I'm really TIRED of trying to jazz up Ohio Graduation Test prep. when the knowledge and skills my students really need to prepare them for life after high school are nowhere to be found on that test. Those have been my thoughts about life as a special educator in a nutshell.

Now on to the more positive part. I have to say that those "this is why I teach" moments have been few and far between. However, I experienced one this week. Last year (let's call him "Joe") hated me. He hated that I didn't let him sleep in class. He hated that I called on him just as much as everyone else. He hated the expectations that I tired to hold him to. And he hated that I was pretty consistent with all of it. He could have cared less about English, but the one reason that made him want to pass: he couldn't bear the idea of having Mrs. Martin again. Fast forward to one year later after Joe failing my class. At least this time around I would know what to expect, but half way through the semester, Joe surprised me. One day he pulled me aside to ask about his grade and what he could do to change it. The solution was simple: keep your head up and do your work. Joe started staying with me during extra help and even after school. Talk about change of heart, mind and attitude! There was no explanation for this sudden motivation other than, "Well, I realized that if I'm gonna be here, I might as well do the work." Ya think?! The rest of the semester you might as well called Joe's grade The Millennium Force. I would say Top Thrill Dragster, but there were many more hills than that. If it weren't for the absences, there would have been no argument. Going into the exam this week Joe was well aware of just how borderline his grade was and I think we both knew that the exam grade just wasn't going to help. Regardless, on his way out the door after the exam, Joe says to me, "Mrs. Martin, I just want you to know that without you, I wouldn't be trying this year."

Thanks, Joe. I needed that. More than you will ever know...

New Things in '09

A month before the new year began, Ben and I discovered that 2009 would hold much more than vain aspirations and good-hearted strides toward being better friends, neighbors and family members: we are to be parents of a child that God is knitting together inside of me. Is there a word for this feeling? I can think of several things that have been swirling around in our hearts and heads, but I don't think there is one way to describe exactly what this miracle of life means to us. Surprised? Yes. Overjoyed? Yes. Nervous? A bit. And while we tread this ground will all of our posts be about the pregnancy and the baby? Will I have anything else to say? I certainly hope so! While I'm sure I'll be tempted to be consumed by this child, I want to stay in touch with the real world. Any readers out there who have found the key to this balance? Anyone else have the same concern? Stories and suggestions welcome.

We did see our babe this week via ultra sound. A cute little nose protrudes from his/her profile. Absolutely miraculous. How can it be that God would bless us so?

So It's December

Despite our lack of blogging, there really have been some things going on. Let's see... Some highlights of November were Sara's trip to Chicago and 27th bday, the beginning of fun holiday parties in December, and more updates to come. We hope you are enjoying your Christmas season and reflecting on the gift of Emmanuel during this time!

Check

Check it off the list; Ben accomplished a life long dream this weekend by running the Columbus Marathon. He and Matt have been training the past several months and their hard work paid off. While he trained separately, Doug joined Matt and Ben the day of the race giving us another person to cheer for. As a spectator I kept thinking two thoughts: How do these people do this? and Why do these people do this? While running a marathon is not my idea of a good time, I'm so proud of my husband for this truly remarkable feat. See pics here.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition- Toledo

Well, for anyone who didn't hear, Extreme Makeover Home Edition was in Toledo about 2 weeks ago. And if that's not exciting enough, a family from Washington Local Schools was chosen for the show! This particular family has 11 boys, 5 of them adopted from Haiti and inner city Toledo. I had Joadson (Joe), in the bright blue shirt, in class 2 years ago. You can see the before picture of the house behind them; I don't know how they did it. There wasn't even a basement! The show will not air until November, but I walked down to the site with some co-workers one afternoon and took some shots of the close-to-finished product. What an amazing thing and such a boost for the pride and unity of Toledo.

Swallow the Sea

Hello friends,

Things are starting off very well for the fall for both Sara and I. Fall is always my favorite season, crisp air, changing leaves, hoodies, Black Swamp, football...some of the many things I love about the fall--how about you?

Just wanted to pass along a little music review. One of my favorite artists Matthew Perryman Jones has released a new album recently, Swallow the Sea. 10 excellent tracks that rock and roll with a little depth. I've seen MPJ in concert several times and he is always nice enough to say hello and give a big hug. So yeah, excellent music, cool name, big hugs--you should consider buying his music. (and if this isn't inspiring he & wife have a new daughter--so help feed her!)