Powerful Community of Women

I think the community of women is a lot like rain. There is a little drip here and another there--almost unnoticed. And then there is a puddle, a creek, a stream, a rushing river, and powerful ocean wave that can move anything. It all starts with just a little drip. It can nourish and enrich a little seedling or move an entire mountain. This, to me, is the powerful community of women.

Saturday was another Brave Women's Breakfast. I was so struck by what I'm learning about community with women.

I'm learning. . .

It's more about the intention than how many people show up.
It's crazy how much we have to share with each other. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of the parts.
It's surprising how similar our stories are, regardless of age, places we've lived, income, etc.
We can do things with the support of other women we could never do alone on our own.

Every time we meet I feel inspired and supported by other women--so powerful

We've started hiking the Buckeye Trail--a 1,400 mile trail all around Ohio. We've finished about 1 1/2 miles! I can't wait to see how far we get together.

Where do you find community? How are you supported by community?

The Appeal of Art: Toddler vs. Adult Conformity

I recently went with my husband and son to the Akron Art Museum to see and amazing M.C. Escher exhibit. It's fantastic!

We've all seen the Escher art that makes its way onto calendars and posters, but I saw so much more. I was completely drawn to pieces I had never seen before. I was also struck by how much art a 2 year old can absorb. On the way to the museum we talked about what colors he would want to see at the museum. Blue, and green, and yellow. Although he did not mention pink, he loved the pink "Q" sculpture. We actually bought a postcard to take home. We played "I spy" with pieces. Can you find the bird? Do you see a fish? Can you find the nose on this sculpture?

He looked so intently at art. He was super good about holding our hand or being carried and not touching any of the art. He wasn't nearly as impressed with Escher as he was by the big pink "Q" and other colorful pieces. It made me think about how subjective art really is. I'm also stuck by how he clearly knew what he did and didn't like. I hope he can stick to his own opinions and avoid conformity for as long as possible. I hope.

Half Full Sort of Day

I really like this campaign at Arby's--on the cups it says, "It's going to be a glass half full sort of day." This really got me to thinking about how seeing the glass half full is a choice. I've known people who looked wildly successful, but chose negativity and pessimism most of the time. I've known people with a terminal illness who lifted my spirits with their optimism and positivity.

When the tough times come it can be tough to see the glass half full. Sometimes it seems downright impossible. But at some point it is a comfort to know that I have a choice.

Are you having a half full sort of day?

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there who is impacting the life of a child.

This photo is back from the beginning of February, but my guys just downloaded it and used it as part of a gift for me. I LOOVE this photo. Sam is pulling me in for a kiss because of the great heart cookie.

I always thought I'd feel different about being a mother. I always thought my life would be different as a mother. I thought I would still have my mom for support. I always thought I would be a stay at home mom. Like most things in life, motherhood has not turned out the way I expected. It's not better or worse, it's just different.

It's given me a different perspective on life, how I use my time, how I look at the world, choices I make. the future, and so many other things.

How do kids change you?

A Great FREEBIE!

To honor all amazing teachers(of anyone and any topic), I'm offering a great FREEBIE over on braveteachers.com The offer ends Saturday, so hurry over.

I'm really please to present this great resource:

You will receive for FREE my first Brave Teacher Kit called "Heal Your Brave Teacher Heart With Affirmations." This is a 20 page PDF packed full of reasons to write affirmations, suggested affirmations, ideas for artsying up and making affirmation cards or notebooks. This kit includes 30 affirmations ready to be cut out and stuck on your cards. I can't wait to share all the goodness with you.

So if this sounds like something for you, sign up, and I'll send this great practical resource from my little email box to your little email box next weekend.

What Do You "Need"?: A Toddler's Perspective

The moment of my day that filled my heart with the most joy occurred in the couple minutes before we sat down for dinner tonight. My husband warmed up some real leftover mac and cheese and whipped up some dill buttered carrots. It smelled sensational. I'm standing over the stove scooping this onto a little plate and saying to the 2 year old in our family, "Are you ready for some macaroni and cheese and yummy carrots? Without missing a beat he says , "I NEED CANDY!" I kid you not. I need candy.

I find it very easy to confuse wants and needs--not just when we are two! Often the things I really need I've convinced myself I just want, because it's okay to have unfulfilled wants. It's much tougher to have unfulfilled needs.

What do you really need today?

Surviving Standardized Testing

Another year of standardized testing has just finished! It's tough on kids. It's tough on teachers. What do you do to make it less overwhelming? Here are some of the things I tried this year:

• We did 3 weeks of review and hit topics that aren't covered or barely covered by the curriculum our district mandates.
• We had 2 days when we switched with other teachers, so kids had a variety of review activities.
• Kids made affirming posters to hand down the hallway.
• I covered poster in our classroom with affirmation posters I made.
• I wrote everyone a personal note of belief in their abilities to succeed.
• Kids arrived on the first day of testing to new pencils, erasers, sharpeners, mints and bubblegum. Along with a note explaining the importance and meaning of each. (i.e the 4 leaf clover was all the luck they needed!)
• To sweeten the week we took extra recess, popsicles, and no "real" homework.

I'm excited to get back to getting ourselves ready to move on to 5th grade. In our district that's a particularly big deal because fifth grade is at the middle school.

How do you survive standardized testing?