Dearest Betty

This morning my mom got a phone call from my Aunt Margret, "MARCIA!! Have you been watching 13abc new this morning?" My mom replied, "No, why? Is everything ok?" "BETTY Died in a house fire last night! I just saw it on the news!!" I knew when I answered the phone this morning that something was wrong with my mom. I could hear the frantic panic in her voice. I asked her what was wrong and she kept saying, "BETTY DIED IN A HOUSE FIRE!!" Ok, so now for some back up information. Who is Betty you asked? She is my second cousin. She lived with her mom 2 streets away from Will and I. Someone was driving down their street last night and noticed the house was on fire. So, they called 911. The firemen had trouble finding Betty and once she reached University Hosipital (MCO) she was pronounced dead. Thankfully, Aunt Sopie had a stroke a month ago and was in a rehab center so she is ok. Will and I drove past the house today and were just speechless. My heart aches for Betty's sister, Dorothy. Could you imagine getting a phone call like that?? The last time I saw Betty was at my cousin's wedding. I was given the opportunity to sit next to her at the reception. She always was so complimentary. I remember her telling me, "Your hair is just so gorgeous. How do you get it to curl like that?" She had a rough life, dealing with mental illness all of her life, but somehow she stayed strong. I am happy that she is with all of the Leonhardts, including her dad, Joey, and my grandma, Uncle Tom, Aunt Mary, and Grandma and Grandpa Leonhardt.

I think today really put some things into perspective for me, we just don't know how long we have on earth. Also, some people think they have such a hard life. Its time to think about what we have and how to cherish every moment. In a week my family will be going through another hurdle. I'm hoping and praying that things will go smoothly. So if you all could, please keep my family in your prayers!!:)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!

Hello to all!!! What a day today!!! First of all, I've been really pushing myself in the working out department. I go at least 5 days a week. Pretty much I freakin' love turbo kick. Yes, Dad if you are reading this my feet are leaving the ground at the same time LOL. In fact, there is one move that I have to jump and turn my body and do a 180 degree turn:P. I'm pushing myself to whole new levels and it feels so invigorating!! This morning I finally accomplished something that I had been wanting to do for a few weeks. I went to a turbo kick class followed by flippin fun (swim laps with flippers and in between each lap we do 12 pull ups). I always thought, "No, I can't do this it will be too hard. I know how turbo kick literally "kicks" my rear!" I was watching The Biggest Loser yesterday and I thought, "Darn it! If 300 + lbs are running then I can do it too!!" I'm happy to report that I did accomplish it today and it felt great. It will be my new Saturday adventure. What's the next hurdle??? I'm trying to gear up to run a little with Mellody. Again this has been another mind game, "There is no way I can run!! I'm too fat!! I'll die!!!" I'll let you know on my status of the running. I'm thinking about working with a trainer (she's my swimming instructor) and she is great. We talked a little about it today. We'll see. Maybe I'll start going on the tred mill (once I get my IPOD touch~hint hint Will:)).

I had an awesome dinner date tonight!! Will and my mom and I joined my good friends and their twins for dinner. I can't believe how big they are getting. THey will be 3 in June. It was so great to see their kids. To end my night I shall work on lesson plans. Yeah, you heard me lesson plans on a Saturday night. I am sooooooooooooooooo ccoooooolllllll LOL!

AUNTIE MAEGAN

So, I received the best news this week, "MY BROTHER IS GOING TO BE A DADDY!!!" I'm still in a bit of a shock. The way I figure it, we had a weddings 2 months apart, we might as well have kids 2 months apart!!! LOL Its kind of been frustrating though. Almost every time I tell someone the awesome news (big smile on my face) I get the reply, "Oh that is great. How are you holding up?? HOw do you feel about it?" Ummm lets see, I'm super excited and can't wait to meet my nephew or neice. How am I suppose to reply to that???? Then of course I'm told that it is human nature if I am upset. Again, remember that I had a huge smile on my face. At about this time I"m beginning to frown. I know that God has a plan for Will and I. Sure, it might be taking us a little longer to begin the family process but it hasn't even been a year yet. It will happen I know it!!! For right now though, I want to be focused on my brother and Jenica's happiness. Will and I are going there over Easter with the goose (my mom lol) and I can't wait to celebrate in person. I just don't know how I'm going to handle another neice or nephew being so far away though. Columbus sometimes feels so far away and I won't even dive into the Morocco distance LOL. I am so blessed to have all of my neices and nephews. "Maegan FARM" as Sam would say:). I have been thinking about so much this week and my students put it in perspective for me today. A student asked, "Mrs. Hudson do you have kids?" My other student replied, "No, (pointing at my picture calendar Sam is Mr. February lol) she has Sam. He is her nephew. and She also has a dog. lol" It just warmed my heart when she said that. I thank God for giving my family such blessings. So my reply to my students are, Yes, I do have Sam, and ray, and Zetta, and soon a baby seguine!!!" (I'm not going to lie, I'm hoping for maybe just one more baby to that list!!!:) Only time will tell. But for right now, Baby Seguine, I can't wait to meet you and share all the wonderful and yet hillarious stories of your Daddy. Your pretty lucky, you've got some pretty awesome parents. And to Christopher and Jenica, I love you so much and am so happy for you both!!!!

My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!!! This week I was reminded of what I have and how blessed I am. A friend of mine is ending her marriage and worse off she has cheated on her husband now twice. I had to reach down inside myself to find some understanding and not "judge" her. I have to admit it is eating me up inside. I'm pretty sure though she knows how I feel. I understand that ending your marriage is one thing, but to cheat twice in a year is something that I just can't condone. Through all of this I have realized what I do have. I have my "bff" and a husband. Will is amazing and I thank God that he has brought us together. It has been a pretty long road for us but I finally feel that we are at a good place with each other. Our bumpy road that we have traveled in the past has made us stronger than ever. I guess that is why marriage is so amazing, you end up growing together and become one. Well, he is definitely my one true love and as I sit here tearing up, the tears are of joy. I pray that my friend will find healing and that her family and children will be healed also. As Grandma Makoo (the name I called my grandma when I was little) always said, "Everything happens for a reason." I know there is a long road ahead for my friend and each day when I see here I will try my best to help her get through this awful time. Will, if you are reading this, I love you and will always love you.

Good night for now.:)

"Special"

Wow!! I didn't realize that it has been a bit since I've written on here. So what's new with me???? GRRRR Will and I are home today with a stomach bug. For people who don't know me, I HATE MISSING WORK!!! Let's see I think I've called to work at least 5 times!!! As my teaching partner said, "Maegan it is time to close the book." Ahhh yes I was going to get dressed and actually go into work. A side note: I am feeling much better!!! So why can't I go in??? LOL Juanetia also told me to go clean out a closet to keep me busy then. lol I don't know what I would do without her as my teaching buddy!!! You know we put the word "Special" in the words "Special Education."

So, on Feb. 5th will mark the one month of my changed lifestyle of healthy living. I've been going 5 days a week to the YMCA and have been cooking up a storm of healthy meals!!:) I'm pretty proud of myself that I have stayed so focus. Another side note: When I knew I was sick I first didn't want to miss work and then thought but... turbo kick is tonight... I've fallen head over heals for that class!!! We'll see what the belly is saying at 5:00:). So I'm down 18 pounds and 2 inches. It's something to celebrate. I realy love watching the biggest looser. I feel that if they can do it I can do it!!! It's also nice to have such awesome support from my buddy (you know who you are!) and hubby!!! I'm hoping for another good month!!! I know I can do it.

Well, Will is wondering what I am writing over here (he thinks I'm doing school work LOL No, that will be later. I have to get my lesson plans done for next week. Yes, I'm always at least a week ahead. Again I'm ridiculous LOL) Have a super week!

A Change is coming!!

Wow it sure has been a long time since I've placed a blog on here. So sorry Mike:)LOL. Man, where do I even begin!!! I feel like I'm always evaluating myself, which is a good thing. This past week was an evaluating week for myself. I'm always wondering if there is something else that I should be doing with my students to ensure that I am giving them the best services. I always feel like I"m doing some kind of changing. Of course as I begin to feel this way the anxiety comes flowing in like a waterfall!!! Thank god I work with my BFF!!! Somehow she always is able to bring me down a few notches. It took one student to really open my eyes and well, as my Grandma Makoo always said, "Well bless your little heart!" She deserves this. At the beginning of the school year she didn;t know her sounds, spoke in 3-4 word sentences, and had very poor vocabulary. I'm happy to report that now she is beginning to read and came into my room on Friday and said, "Yes!! Do we get to read today Mrs. Hudson? I love to read!" Hmmm I guess I must be doing something right!!!

Hopefully this week will be a bit better than last week's craziness!! Long story short: last year there was a water leak in my classroom causing black mold in my cabinets. So now all my stuff is in boxes in a crowded book room!!! Hopefully this time around the custodian will listen to me when I say they need to check behind my cabinets where the water was. My principal said that I need to whine and whine loud!!! Thank God I have my mom's (goose) influence to help me with that "JOE!" (Inside joke with the goose) However, my Aunt Nancy said that they have been whiners and it has seemed to never get them anywhere!! LOL

Let's hope A CHANGE IS A COMIN'!! :) Good night.

The Immaculate Conception

As I sit at my desk at work I just have to laugh...... I am reminded of why I have such a passion for teaching and my students. My brother always said I should start a book and perhaps that just may happen. Until then I will share it in my blog for all to enjoy.

My second grade group can be frustrating, fun, and overwhelming all at the same time!!:) I have three girls who all have 3 different needs. One is learning disabled along with a few behavior issues, the other one is developmenatally delayed, and finally an at risk student who is low in reading (and helps me to keep my sanity!!. Now, that you have a idea of their abilities I will move on to my story.

Sam and Ray gave me an awesome calendar for xmas. I put it up on my board and this month is Ray's month:). He is sleeping on my dad's couch, nestled with blanket and pillow. My one student asks me, "Mrs. Hudson did you have a baby over Christmas break?" It took everything out of me to not loose it!! She was quite serious!! I explained who was in the picture and that it was a xmas present.

About 20 minutes later we were doing the vocab word, shimmered. I asked, "What do you think can shimmer?" The next thing I know my one student is standing and shaking her top half like she is doing a latin dance!!:) Again trying to keep it all together, I said no, that isn't quite what we are talking about here. She was thinking of shimmy!!!

Whew!!! It was quite the eventful morning. I wonder what the afternoon will bring............