Welcome 2009

OK, so I’ve never actually made New Year’s Resolutions before. I’m usually a person who decides I want something and goes after it. There’s no waiting until a particular time of year to make a commitment. “Get it done” is more my style, but this year I’ve been thinking (dangerous, I know).

There are things that I keep hoping to do, but for some reason or another I don’t necessarily follow through. Call it procrastination. Call it exhaustion. Frankly, I call it laziness. So, this year I figured that I would put these things out there for all the world. It’s a bit harder to back out of a personal commitment when the world knows what you are supposed to be doing. We can count this as public and personal accountability, but here goes… My goals for 2009.

1. Say NO more often. This year, I would like to commit to less so that I can commit more of myself to the things about which I am most passionate. While I love learning and doing in all areas, I want to start to narrow my focus more.

2. Build my PLN. In the past few months, I have become an active part of an amazing PLN on Twitter. (Feel free to join in @kellyhines) Every day I get access to some of the best minds in education who have common interests, goals and aspirations for the development of global education. My goal is to continue to seek out the network of people that will enhance my abilities to serve my students, my own children and my school. I only pray that I can help others as much as I have been helped.

3. Build in one-on-one time with each of my kids each day. I don’t have grand thoughts as to an hour a piece because we all have busy schedules. My boys are growing up, and they are growing up fast. While we used to do so much together, they are developing even more distinct interests and personalities these days. I want David and Tyler to each be proud of who they are individually, and I want them to know that they are each special in their own way. As twins, they get “lumped together” enough. 15 minutes. That’s my goal.

4. Read more. I love to read, but it usually becomes a race for completion on vacations (last summer I read over 2o books). I want to focus on reading more “for fun” throughout the year. One per month is my goal. I’ll definitely keep track so you can keep me accountable. Do you have any suggestions for me?

So… here it is. My list for 2009. Think I can do it? I’m going to post this on my professional blog as well, hoping to capture the nagging of all my PLN and readers.

Help me out. Leave a message of encouragement or a book suggestion or an idea of who to stalk (oops, I mean follow) on Twitter or elsewhere to enhance my learning!

Awwww

Yesterday in the car, David calls from the backseat. "Mommy, Christmas is not even about giving. It's about loving."

I am thankful for those moments when I feel like I'm doing something right as a parent.

On Christmas

Another year has passed so quickly. It's hard to believe. David & Tyler are 5. They were reading stories to us this year. Where has the time gone? It's especially hard to believe since Wes is celebrating his first Christmas with us this year, already at 4 months old. It reminds of the fact that my boys were that small. While it seems like only yesterday, it also seems like so long ago. Watching the boys open their presents and light up at watching Santa on Norad has been a treat this year. The wonder and excitement with which they live leaves me filled with awe and inspiration, and even a bit of remorse. I'm adding some pics of our family time together, if nothing else as a reminder of what Christmas really means to me. Happy birthday Jesus. Thank you for my beautiful family.

Christmas Time Is Here

Tonight our church held an impromptu Christmas Pageant. No rehearsal. No assigned parts. It was perfect. With a narrator telling the story of the first Christmas, little kids and grown ups joined the story as it unfolded before us. It captured the heart-felt confusion of the time and the joy and wonder, as you watched children staring into the manger at the baby in complete awe. Songs were a capella and rang through the church like the voices of the angels themselves. We wrapped it up with a birthday party for Jesus. I couldn't ask for anything better!

School Work... school work

So, I just wanted to share that my students at school are doing some amazing things :) They are now participating in a class blog and our class wiki. Check it out!

http://hineshelpers.pbwiki.com
http://kellyhines.wordpress.com

Also, check out my professional musings at

http://keepingkidsfirst.wordpress.com

Happy Halloween! I hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween 2008!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Remembering things I don't want to forget :)

I always think I'll remember the funny things that my kids say and do... and then I don't. Maybe this will share some joy and help me remember!

1. Riding in the car not too long ago, Tyler kept passing gas in the backseat. Finally I was fed up and lit into him to stop, lecturing about manners and such. He looked at me, in all seriousness, and said "But Mommy, I have to let the air out."
2. Eating Chef Boyardee ravioli for lunch yesterday, David looked at me and said "This is just like my grandmother used to make." The funny thing is that it IS just like his grandmother used to make. Ha!
3. As I was heading downstairs from putting everyone to bed this week, David says, "Mommy. I have a confession to make." You can only imagine my fear. "I am disappointed in myself," he continues. "I shouldn't have been on 'cloudy' today at school. Tomorrow I will look deep into my heart of hearts and do better. I promise."
4. Going to bed tonight, I hear called down the stairs, "Daddy! Tell Tyler to be quiet! I'm trying to get my beauty sleep!"
5. Sitting at a local pizza restaurant last week, David picks up a large piece of pizza, holds it to his mouth and says "Come to Papa!"
6. Riding to school last night before football, Tyler says very dramatically, "There are 3 things that I hate." After a dramatic pause, he continues, "Rattlesnakes. Spiders.... and Mustard!"
7. The other morning, Tyler got himself dressed for school by putting on jeans and a collared shirt. We reminded him that the school says we can't wear jeans to school. He promptly responded with "No it doesn't. The school can't talk!" All we were missing was a head pop and a hand on his hip!
   

Baby Time

Well, I'm an aunt. OK, so how weird is that? I can't believe that my little sister (ok, so she's not so little but she'll always be that to me) has had a baby. Lauren delivered Wesley James McConaughay at 4:06 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2008. He was 8 lbs and 19 3/4 inches long. He is a gorgeous little man! Lauren and baby are doing fabulously. David and Tyler are so excited about their new baby cousin. What a blessing!

The New House

It seems like we've moved so much in the last 7 years. We haven't spent more than 18 months in one place. It's been tiring and frustrating, but I can't help but believe that it's lead us to here in Washington. I'm so blessed by the friends and experiences that I have had along the way. From the minute that we drove into Washington a year ago this week, it felt like home. Everyone greeted us with a smile and the charm of a small town. It's odd because we've been here a few times over the years, and we always commented on how we liked the area. The friendships that we've developed here are ones that I can't really imagine being without. It's like this has always been home, but we've just recently found our way. We've moved into the new place. The boys start kindergarten in August. Davy has laid the foundations for a successful football season - defining success as developing skills, molding men and setting goals for possibilities. I work with an amazing group of educators who I can truly call friends. We have found a great church that feeds our souls and nurtures our boys. What more can I really ask for?

Giving this a shot...

Well, here we are. Giving blogging a shot. I was totally inspired by a friend who has maintained an amazing blog about her life, family and friends. I have another friend whose Dad is keeping a blog to document the stories of his life. Hopefully, I can add some to my own life and be able to share in the lives of my loved ones through this form of expression.