I shouldn't have said that!

Okay, so I admit it. I said something to a class today I never should have spoken. But I must add, don't judge me, please. You're not in my shoes teaching this particular group of 8th graders. Add pregnancy on top of that and it's a potent combination. I had had ENOUGH today. The disrespect, the backtalking, the not working, the messing with items that aren't theirs (like my thermostat), etc. I couldn't get a class to shut up. So when I finally had their attention (and it took awhile), I said something to the effect of, "If we can't learn to keep our mouths shut, get our work done, and listen, then I can make class a living hell." Now, yes, I know that wasn't appropriate, but again, I reiterate that you're not living this day in and day out. So there, it's out.

No MS

So thus far I've had NO morning sickness. However, for the past few days I've felt so crappy. I'm nauseated and can hardly stay awake. Today I thought I was going to have to rush out of my class. I get to where I'm starving hungry, so I eat something (trying to be conservative), and then I'm afraid it's all going to come up. Sometimes I just wish it would! Okay, time for a Sprite.

My Kidney Bean!

Meet Madyson Grace or Hayden William! We're about 7-8 weeks along; the dr. said we're closer to 8. I love my kidney bean!

Heartbeat

We got to see our baby and hear the heartbeat today. What an amazing experience. I did shed a tear, and David squeezed my hand so tightly! We'll be getting our first pictures up soon. He/she is about the size of a kidney bean. I can't wait to feel Mady Grace or Hayden move in the coming months!

Baby Ainsy

I'M GOING TO BE A MOMMY!!! That pretty much says it all. David and I go Monday to the doctor to see exactly how far along we are, due date, etc. I'm so excited and scared out of my mind. What a joy and a blessing to be a mother! If things go as expected, I could be a mommy before the next Mother's Day. AAGH!!

More info to come as we know it!

In a box

I simply wanted to quickly share how 8th graders do live in their own box and have no concept of time/the past. Yesterday we watched the film "Charly" based on the book "Flowers for Algernon". Charly is a mentally retarded 37 year old who undergoes an experimental operation to make him 3x smarter. It works...for awhile. Then he retreats back to his former self; a state I think he was happier in anyway. But I digress. One scene shows Charly in his room taking a soda out of his refrigerator/icebox. One of my female students looks at me and asks, "Did they have refrigerators back then?" (This movie was set in the late 1960's, mind you.) When I nodded yes, her eyes got very wide and she simply said, "Wow." We just really have no concept of time or history. Oh, 8th grade is fun.

I hate Progress Reports

I hate Progress Reports. All these parents who don't care any other time suddenly are all into their child's grade and performance. Where have you been for 4 1/2 weeks? Oh, and the best part is those parents who give me attitude. Umm, where were you when I called and sent notes home? Do parents honestly just not care anymore? I can't tell you how many parents I've spoken with that really have no clue. Or one who is bribing her child with $20/week if he's good. Okay, well, that's all fine and dandy except that it's all based on his own opinion! The mother isn't asking me! Whatever.

So I have a deal that I won't accept incomplete work, but I'll take late work for a point deduction. I'm thinking that might have been a mistake because now once parents have seen progress reports they want their children making up all this work that's not graded or they have 0's for. I don't give homework often, but these kiddos are lazy and that's mostly what they're missing! Yep, I hate progress reports.

Made a girl cry...

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I made a female student cry yesterday. It was such an odd day to begin with: starting on a Wednesday after a holiday weekend and a hurricane day added on to that. The kids were absolutely nuts. Anyway, I noticed notes circulating the classroom like crazy. It had been happening for some time, and I was tired of it. Plus, I was simply curious what was in these! So taking a cue from an idea my mom shared with me some time ago, I picked up the notes (already freaking the students out) and then handed out envelopes. Yep, they addressed these to their parents (and they try stupid stuff, like leaving out information. Hello! I can get it at the click of a mouse. This is simply to make them crazy.). I might at some point actually send these notes home, but this time was simply to get their attention. And boy, did it work! When I went into the cafeteria at lunch, one of the girls that had been writing a note was in tears. She also came to me later and we talked. This young lady gives me attitude all the time, and maybe, just maybe, I broke her. At least for a little while. Now we're down to 2 days left this week. I have to go to Hattiesburg Saturday for my monthly alternate route meeting. Whoo-hoo. And then next Tuesday I have a meeting in Vancleave. Oh, the fun of meetings and giving up afternoons and weekends.

Anti-climatic

So...Gustav ended up being fairly anti-climatic for us here on the MS Gulf Coast. However, I'll take the prep and protection over the devastation and utter loss. We only lost power for about 3-5 minutes. I used the downtime today to update my MySpace, if you're interested. I used yesterday to make a verb complements powerpoint. Fun times. We're off tomorrow so the administrators can assess the damage at the schools. I assume we'll go back Wednesday; I'll have to put my room back in order. The rest of this week ought to be interesting. I'm sure quite a few students will be missing for a few days, especially my Keesler kiddos. Normally a 3 or 4 day weekend would thrill me, but I've been so antsy and there's not a whole lot we can do. Most places closed early yesterday (even the casinos! Shocker.) and were definitely closed today. Thankfully, only branches and pine cones are down all over, and our ditches are flowing steadily with water. Other than that, it's almost like we just had a severe thunderstorm graze us, not the outer bands of a hurricane.