for the teachers out there

So, I'm in school.

Yea, It sounded like a good idea when I was lying on my hotel bed watching the 3rd episode of SVU for the night.

I thought I could do something more useful with my time.

I thought it would make being away from my family easier.
Yea, um...Oh, what I would give to be watching the 3rd episode of SVU on the USA channel tonight.

Actually, except for the occasional international trip with bad wifi, it's not that bad.

It keeps me busy when I am away from home and (for the most part) I enjoy the classes.

Recently, we had a discussion board where everyone shared their favorite educational websites. Since my current version of education is not really kid related, I didn't have many resources to share.  I decided to enlist the help of some amazing ladies who recommended a few great sites. Which led me to find other great sites that I was able to share in my post!

A couple of my classmates shared some sites that I had not seen before...so I thought I'd share them with you!

The Cornerstone

This site is full of classroom management resources, advice and ideas.

Web English Teacher

This site appears to have lots of resources for English teachers and students.  They offer links to different resources for pretty much anything related to an English class.  I was surprised to see the amount of resources listed under Children’s Literature. If you teach English - check it out!

ThinkFinity

This site might just be one of my new favorites.  I already subscribed to their RSS feeds, so we shall see where it takes me. Their Speaker Series looks pretty interesting, I'm going to have to watch one in the near future.  They also have a section about Today in History. (lower left hand side of page)  It seems pretty cool!  This is one of the feeds that I subscribed to - gives me some quick reading when standing in line waiting to board a flight!

ReadWriteThink

Another cool site for reading / English teachers.  Did you know that November was National American Indian Heritage Month? Well, it is!  And, thanks to readwritethink.org - you can get lessons and resources about this Heritage month by simply visiting their website.  (I’m saving this for when the little one is slightly older)

WoNdEroPoLiS/

The name says it all.  Who doesn’t want to go to Wonderopolis?  

{If, by chance, you thought or said "me", then you should probably not read this blog.}

You will probably not find me entertaining at all.  

If you agree with me that Wonderopolis sounds fantastic, then you can stick around.

I first read about this site on Ann Voskamp's Everyday Learning Links.  If you haven’t read her list yet, I’m terribly sorry, but you are missing out on a good thing.  Go check it out!

ArtsEdge

Are you teaching about music, art, culture, visual or theater arts?  This is your site.

QUIA

Teachers can create their own activities like quizzes, games, calendars and surveys and students can access shared activities to help with reviews.  These activities can attached to your textbook so you can make sure that it covers everything you are studying.  I haven't had much time to peruse the site, but it was highly recommended by a classmate.  It seems to be a great site for parents and teachers alike.

What are some of your favorite educational, teaching, classroom management or kids websites?

Christmas will soon be here!

So - a Christmas special is in order!  This Christmas special is fun and educational. 

When I first ordered the DVD's I was worried that my little one might not be old enough to sit through them.
I was very, very, wrong.
Even though it was created for older little ones, my 2 year old loved it!



Have you ever watched any of the other videos from What's in the Bible? 
They are A.MAZ.ING.

Right now, they are having a sale - you can get all of the videos AND the full length Christmas video for a great price.  Click here to check it out!

Hi from Anguilla (and a book giveaway)

Updated:  

What seems like decades later, the girl who wrote this post was able to get back on the computer to post who random.com chose to win Beautiful Outlaw.

"All my Monkeys" - it's you! Please send me your mailing address so that I can get your book in the mail to you!

To all those out there who are wondering - hand surgery is not as easy as one might expect it to be.  Turns out you use your hands a LOT more that you realize and having one sliced open really makes writing, typing, dressing, eating and life in general...a little harder. 

But, the hand is healing and the other one is prepping to be sliced in a few weeks.

Original Post:  

I've been in Anguilla for about a week. 

I am staying at the Viceroy and it is fantastic.

All of the employees are beyond friendly and the property is ridiculously a-maz-ing.

Beautiful pools, yummy restaurants, a cool rock wall and couches in the tennis courts. 

Yep, it's pretty awesome!

If you are ever thinking about visiting an island - you should stop thinking, buy a ticket to Anguilla and stay at the Viceroy. They even have an awesome area for kids!   

(They are currently adding a water fountain play area and a tunnel for kids to crawl through. Yes, I said tunnel.  Fantastic idea, right? I would have been all over that when I was little! Who am I kidding?  If my little one was here, we would both be crawling through that tunnel!)

My training is going well and I've been able to get most of my schoolwork completed! 

Yea for wifi that works!

 The water here is ridiculously blue and the waves are amazing.  

Actually, amazing doesn't even begin to cover it.  

They aren't as big as waves that you see in surfing magazines, but they are big to me! 

But, it isn't the size of the waves that keeps me mezmerized. 

What amazes me is how they don't stop. Ever.

Last month, I was blessed to be able to attend the Ransomed Heart Captivating Advanced retreat with some friends.  While at the retreat, we were able to hear John speak about his new book, Beautiful Outlaw.

I bought a copy while I was at the retreat, intending to read it when I got a chance.  I started reading it on the plane...and actually stayed up that night to finish.  I loved it! 

One of my favorite chapters in the book is about God's love.  To make a point, John compares God's love to the ocean waves.  When I first read it, I loved the visual picture.  Then, when I was on the cruise and saw the waves, 

I remembered that illustration and it made me smile.

But, the waves here - In Anguilla?

These waves make my heart smile.

As you will see, in Anguilla, around this time of the year, the tide rises. 

They call it "ground sea" because the sea tears up the ground underneath. 

The waves are more intense, more heavy,
continually dumping enormous amounts of water on the beach.

What amazes me is how the waves don't ever stop.  

(I'm sure someone can give me some great scientific reason for the continual wave motion, but I'm just fine being amazed...and knowing that it happens because God created it that way!)

Waves in Anguilla from daysofgratitude on Vimeo.

A huge wall of water crashes onto the rocks and the beach and then the water slips back for a moment.  The area seems full of water. 

But, more water just keeps coming. 

With each wave, I am moved with how it continues to dump 

more water, again and again.

These waves are heavy and full and they just don't stop.
Even when there seems to be enough - more pours in.

Just like His love for me.

Would you like to have your own copy of Beautiful Outlaw to read?  Just leave a comment and I'll randomly choose a winner on November 11.   
(Unless I can't access the internet next week- in which case the winner will be chosen on November 16)

The Muppets go to College! (ish)

As a kid, I was obsessed with Sesame Street.  I especially loved the Muppets.  Miss Piggy was my favorite, but Kermit ran a close second. And then Grover...and...well, you get the picture.

Now that I have a little one of my own, I want him to be able to enjoy a muppet here and there as well.  But, as an adult who has taken way too many classes, I tend to read into and pay too much attention to what is being taught to my little one underneath the actual words.  And, I'm not always okay with those subliminal messages.

Then, last weekend, when I was at the Relevant Conference, I met a really great gal who works with What's in the Bible. What's that, you ask? 
Until last weekend, I had not heard of it either  - which is kinda amazing, since I tend to be obsessed with finding new things for the little one.

Anyway - long story short - It's pretty fantastic!  Fun movies for little ones...videos that seems to resemble what would happen if the Muppets went off to DTS or Southwestern...

And, right now they are running a special!  Do you have kids? A Niece?  A Nephew?  Neighborhood kids who hang out at your house cause you are the cool mom?  Dogs who like to watch TV?

You should probably get these DVS's for them! Click on the box on the upper right hand side to take advantage of their sale price!

Here is a quick view of their newest video - "Why do we call it Christmas?" - Enjoy!

My favorite artist and a few photos

Tonight, while I was waiting for my school website to allow me to login, I scanned through my instagram feed. It's fun to look at pictures...each one has a memory attached. It also keeps me from being frustrated that I can't log in to take my test.

I noticed one trend throughout the feed...many of my photos tagged #1000gifts are nature. 
Yep, I'm a pretty big fan of the most fantastic artist to ever exist.

So, I took photos of all my #1000gifts photos...didn't want any of you to miss out on them!  

Happy Wednesday!