Straight As, Field Trips & Valentine’s Nails: Week Five

Week five found us all busy as usual.  The girls helped me make some homemade play-doh. I forgot how easy and simple it is.  We ended up making several batches in various colors.  I continue to try and expose Matthew to various sensory experiences even though we are on a long break from therapy.

Valentine’s Day was right around the corner.  Bella is our resident artist and never passes up the opportunity to create.  She made this darling unicorn glitter bag to collect Valentine’s.  I showed my love for Valentine’s Day by getting pink nails and had a little heart painted on each ring finger.

I was extremely proud of Luke who ended up getting straight As this first semester of his Sophomore year.  He actually brought up his Chemistry grade from a B+ to A- all on his own by asking his teacher what he could do.  I am seeing such maturity and growth from him this year.

Bella had a field trip to plant trees with the City of Vancouver.  They were working to plant trees to help bring back the salmons natural habitat to this small stream.  Matthew tagged along and they both got to ride in the BIG bus.

In case you were wondering, Barbie is still living her best life over here.  The girls found out that Grace’s iPhone works in the holder that is meant for Barbie’s TV in Bella’s Dream House.  We all got the biggest laughs that Barbie was watching Life in the Dream House, while in her own Dream House.  Toys these days are so crazy in what they can accomplish.

Matthew’s picture was chosen as the cover photo for the Special Needs Parents Group that I am apart of.  I was really excited to see that.

I finished the day subbing a half time job at Matthew’s school (not in his class).  I enjoyed my time in first grade.  I remember why I love the littles!

Substitute Teaching, Siblings and Potty Training: Week Four

Do you have a goal(s) for yourself?  Things that speak to you that you are passionate about?  Mine is teaching.  Teaching for me has been a rocky journey.  Some years it was an amazing experience, and some years it was hard, messy and exhausting.  There have been times I swore I would never teach again.  However, this past year, I was able to remember and realize why I became a teacher.  It really started when I began walking Matthew to his class each day he had preschool.  We would walk past all the kindergarten and first grade classrooms.  I would peak in the large windows and admire the brightly colored classroom rugs and décor, and all the little desks/tables arranged just so.  I couldn't help but realize that it spoke to me, that teaching was more than just a career for me but a calling.  So, before Christmas, I began the paperwork process to become a substitute teacher with both the Evergreen and Battle Ground School Districts.  I had my first sub job a day after my paperwork was all processed and I was approved.  I still have dreams of having a classroom again.  Maybe someday I tell myself.

I enjoy those rare moments when all the sibs get along at the same time.  I took the girls out to lunch at the Spaghetti Factory, and found the boys playing guitars together.  Luke called themselves the "Rock and Roll Brothers".  They keep me on my toes and always laughing.

Mimi took us out to lunch after church on Sunday.  They love their Mimi!

This guy....so opinionated and so full of ideas.

I've been enjoying making fun activities for him to try now that we are on a break from therapy.  Most of them have been a hit.  He LOVES to stamp.  And he will stamp EVERYTHING!

We finished up week four trying some more potty training and failing miserably!  Anyone have any tips? Tricks? Miracles?  Seriously.  You think with kid #4 I would have this down by now.  But NOPE!  Not.Even.Close!

VIPKID Teaching Work From Home Update (6 months Later)

You guys...I am just a few days away from my six month anniversary at VIPKID!  What an incredible six months it has been!  I thought I would give you all a little update about my first months at VIPKID. 

First off...I was hired in the middle of January, which is quite possibly the worst time for beginning to teach at VIPKID due to the start of Chinese New Year.  It was a very slow start.  Although, because I was very part time, it didn't bother me.  In January I taught a total of six classes. LOL.  February I moved along and taught 35 classes.  That was just enough to hit the first bonus of an extra .50 cents a class.  I was thrilled.  The following month I taught 63 classes and in April 73 classes.  In the month of May I taught 96 classes!  This was a major victory for me!  I am so happy to have found something that I can do entirely at home, and mainly while my kids are sleeping.  My job takes little time away from my babies, and I have little to no stress associated with my position.  I work the days and the hours I decide.  Yes, there is a sacrifice because I get up early a few days a week.  But, I have come to love the quietness of those early hours, and enjoy my time that I spend getting a glimpse into China.  It always amazes me to hear the honking of cars in China, seeing the sun set while the sun here is rising. 

VIPKID is really a fun place to work.  They have all sorts of incentives, contests, bonuses and they truly care about the people who work for them.  I have had fun digging out my teaching materials to see what I can use to teach my Chinese students.  I have built up a small clientele of students who regularly see me, and even a couple of students who exclusively see me.

Technology is amazing.  This is a view from my app on my phone.  It is wonderful to be able to look at my schedule and classes from my iPhone. 

My desk will typically look like this after my morning classes.  We have fun, sing songs, practice words, play games.  Lots of props and high energy is needed.

Recently, I moved my desk and set up downstairs.  With the kids' doors closed and their white noise machines on they cannot hear me teaching downstairs.  It has made my life a lot easier to be out of our walk in closet.  I can finally breathe!  This is a picture of my new set up.  VIPKID has brought me a lot of joy and given me my love for teaching back.  I always tell people I NEVER would have imagined myself working for an online company.  VIPKID is totally legit.  I've been paid every month on time, and I enjoy teaching my special little ones on the other side of the word.  It is only one computer trip away. 

If you would like more information on how you can become a VIPKID teacher please feel free to contact me @ misscarissa@hotmail.com   I would love to share more with you.  If you apply you can use one of the below codes or link.  They both work.  This is not a multilevel marketing company, however, if you are hired, I get a little monetary bonus.  I just signed my second contract and look forward to another six months with this awesome company!

VIPKID WEBSITE

copy and paste into sign up page:

referral link:      https://t.vipkidteachers.com/?refereeId=3266666referral code: 01Y0KQ 

Back To School Blessings!

Last Wednesday, the kids headed back to school.  I think I was more nervous than anyone else.  This has been truly a battle of my heart (the kids going to public school and me being ok with it).  Through all the uncertainty these past couple of months, one thing was always constant, that Mark and I had peace about them attending public school.  We couldn't explain it...and didn't know why...but it was PEACE.  

Wednesday morning, when we dropped them off, we began to get a glimpse of the picture that God saw the entire time.  Luke's teacher, Ms. Kari, is a general education teacher with a special education endorsement.  The school formed her classroom to serve students like Luke who are on IEP's.  Not only will Ms. Kari be with them the entire day, but usually a special education teacher will be in the classroom providing instruction as well.  This is moving from the pull-out model for services to the push-in model for services.  I am very excited about this prospect.  I also LOVE the way she is designing her classroom to fit the students and her homework policy is to help form her instruction and not for perfection.  I am excited for what this year holds for him.  

Grace's teacher is a jewel too.  Her name is Mrs. B.  She is cute and calm and organized, and basically if I could have cloned myself as a teacher....it would be Mrs. B.  It is a comfort to know that each day Grace is being taught by a teacher that has a lot of my teaching traits.  Grace already has lots of friends and was the "Star Student" on Friday.  I got some information on the PTO and I am thinking about joining to be involved with the school.

In other news...Miss Bella is eager to begin her school education and I found her one morning (after the kids had gone to school) up on Grace's bed reading her a book!  She is soooo funny these days and expressing herself with screeches, screams and grunts :) oh and a few words too!  She's been my work out buddy these days at the gym on the track...conversing with grandmas and grandpas walking the track too.  We also started her playgroup at the library this week.  She love the other "babies" and checked out her first book from the library.  I am enjoying spending some time with her.  I am really starting to this as a "gift" and an incredible one at that!!!!

Letting Go....

Sorry to have been MIA for a bit.  The bout of diverticulitis was more painful and took about a full week to recover.  I have since finished my massive amounts of antibiotics and have healed nicely, although they say it takes a full 2 months for things to be completely healed on the inside.  I was lucky to have gone in right away.  Now to work on prevention.

Even though I have been sick and not feeling the best it didn't stop this mama from going to our annual "Clark County Fair."  Sure I was slow and didn't have my usual energy but I wasn't about to let my kids down.  This past Thursday we took the kids to Long Beach to the kite festival.  It was AMAZING!  (pictures to come later).  I have never seen so many kites in my life!  Mark bought the kids each a mini kite and we went to a park and flew kites for hours.  It was the simplest trip but it was very much LOVED!

The kids are getting ready to start school in a couple weeks.  I can hardly believe that summer is almost over. They received their teacher assignments in the mail.  They start August 31.  Luke is going into 3rd grade and Grace into 1st.

This fall will be the first time in a long time that I haven't prepared a classroom.  You see...there is NO classroom, no job, no prospect of job.  It has taken me nearly 3 months to decided to LET GO of it.  To stop worrying and trust that I have NO idea what God's plan is, but I am TIRED of fighting, pleading and worrying about something in which I have no control.  I have had the most difficult time LETTING GO of my identity that is wrapped around the word "TEACHER".  Somehow I think LETTING GO of "teacher" is like LETTING GO of a part of myself.  But I decided that it is time to LET GO and focus my attention on Luke, and Grace and Isabella....and instead of being a special education teacher....I am going to the special education mom.  In some ways I feel that I am in a foreign land with NO classroom to plan, lessons to write, meetings to go to, supplies to buy for "my students".  Instead, I have bought supplies for my babies that will go off to school in a couple weeks, organized clothes, tutored subjects, bought lunch boxes and spruced up back packs.  I have started to make plans with my sidekick Miss B.  I have toddler library time picked out, and my big job of the year won't be transitioning 12 kids into my classroom, but transitioning an 18 month old to stay in the gym child watch so I can work out sans children. :)  I am already thinking towards fall, decorating for fall and slowing down to participate my own children's education rather than being the educator for others.  Perhaps by LETTING GO of "teacher" I can discover the BEAUTY of the gift being GIVEN to me.  It's time to surrender MY plans and seek NEW ones.

"Titles"

I have to admit...I am struggling a bit.  I know mostly I write about the kids (or in particular Luke), but today my mind has been consumed by me (selfish I know).  Not consumed by what can I buy for myself, or time by myself, but really wondering what am I supposed to be doing?  I know it sounds like a silly question...duh..your a wife and mom...etc...etc... But what am I suppose to be doing for this next school year?  My mind works in teacher years (so this fall will be the beginning of a new year).  I DON'T have a class or a classroom for the fall. I don't even have any prospects.  I have been trying, and even went on a disastrous interview, but let's be honest...there isn't much out there right now.  Then I start to think....should I even have a classroom next year?  What is it that I should be doing this next school year? Usually nearing the beginning of fall I know exactly the path I am going down....

for awhile it was teacher....

or foster mom....or foster parent mentor...



then it was teacher again...

last year surivival mode....but what about this year?

I am struggling to find what I am supposed to be doing.  Sometimes I feel a lot of pressure to use my education since I worked so long and hard for it.  It is true...I feel a lot of pressure to teach...but maybe it isn't the season for teaching.  I had thought I was going to home school the kids, but that wasn't the right decision either for this year.  Maybe I am just looking too hard.  Maybe right now I just need to invest in my kids and let go of my other titles (which I have to admit is difficult for me).  I think (and I am just being honest here) that I find a lot of my self-worth in my titles, and when I don't have a title..ahhhmmm (like "teacher") I am not really sure what to do with myself.  I know that God is trying to teach me something in all this.  I know that I should look to HIM for my value and not find value based on what "title" I have.  But I have to admit...that is difficult for me.  I am not really a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of girl.  I like to know the plan...I NEED to know the plan.

But somewhere I keep hearing "maybe this is the season for not having a plan."  Yep...surrendering to the unknown and having FAITH that God, who sees the whole picture, will direct my path.  My dad used to preach an illustrated message about how we only see a very limited view of our lives and how God has the view of the entire picture.  That sort of reminds me of what I am feeling now.

Oh...how I MISS my dad.  Church has never been the same without him.  Sunday's continue to be the most difficult day of the week for me.  How do you change something that you did for 22 years of your life.  I admit it has been a struggle.  Sometimes during worship time in church currently, we will sing a song that my dad sang all those years leading worship, and I close my eyes and just listen.  And in my mind I can picture my dad in his gray suit playing his guitar.  I miss the simplicity of how he ran church.  He had such a love for people for his family....

Anyway... Psalms 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God."  And while I am in the midst of figuring out what path I should be going down, I will pray for direction and that I will find my value based on who I am rather than "my title".  I think more than anything else...I just want to use my time doing something that matters.  There are so many people doing incredible things in service to others...like my cousin Shauna who started "Pantry Packs" to feed students in the school she works out over the weekends.  How simple and important is that?  She saw a need and she did something about it.  I am inspired.  Or others that advocate for Orphans and Widows or others that advocate for children in Foster Care..etc.  I just want to do something that changes the world.