AGATE Annual Spring Conference

I am attending AGATE's annual spring conference this week. My principal graciously allowed me to come, knowing that it would help me with my independent study for my last master's class. I am attending the special Parent's Institute as the parent facilitator from my school. I learned a lot of things about being a parent advocate for a gifted child (even some things I didn't know about from my coursework). That may come in handy for my own kids as well. For example, did you know that the University of Missouri allows high school students to take their full selection of online courses for free?

John is attending the conference with me. At first, he was just going to take personal days. But, another general education teacher from him school district that was supposed to come canceled, and he got to come as a conference attendee as well. Our first "teacher" conference together.

Some highlights included staying at the Peabody (formerly the Excelsior where we stayed 13 years ago for John to take the Bar Exam - - and funny, thing - the February Bar Exam is going on this week! John said he doesn't really want to take the test again!) and seeing the Peabody ducks. We also got to see the Governor (don't really know if that was a highlight or not since I didn't vote for him, but he was a good speaker).

Snow Day = Work Day

We have definitely had our share of snow days lately. More snow than I can remember in a very long time - like maybe since I was in elementary school! We've gotten two snows in the past week and half with about six inches each time. This year, my school district didn't have any built in snow days. And while many people are starting to freak out that we'll be in school during the month of June, I just remind myself that we're almost always still in school during the first week of June; it's not really that big of a deal. I would LOVE year round school and like having time off during the fall and winter - - not just in the summer. Of course, snow days aren't like regular days off. You can't really plan in advance to go on vacation for a long weekend of snow days. (Well, maybe we could . . . )

This year's snow days have all been a HUGE blessing to me. I have so much work to do for my graduate classe (two independent studies). And now, I have my comps to prepare for. All that in addition to lesson plans, grading papers, chauffering kids to piano, basketball practice, the dentist, etc. Instead of lounging around with a book or watching movies on the snowy, cold days, I have put myself to work. Today was pretty productive. I finished the rough draft for two of my four comp questions, and I completed a power point for a 50-page chapter in my pscyh book for one of my independent study classes. Being able to work on grad work all day (because I'm actually caught up with lesson plans and grading) really helps to alleviate some of the stress of what sometimes seems like an insurmountable task.

What did the kids do? Yes, they watched some tv. Each kid had a turn on the computer and a turn playing Wii. Each kid played for a little while with Jacob's ipod touch. (Yes, Jacob willingly shared his Christmas present!) But, Jacob also finished his homework for the entire week and Samuel logged more than an hour of reading time. Hannah played for a long time in her room. So, they seemed to have a great day as well. And, wonderfully - - they all went to bed early!

Comps

Ok - somebody's going to have to talk me off the ledge. I just got all of my information for doing my comp exams. I thought I would be going in to take a 3-4 hour test, answering 3-4 questions. Now, I found out that I have 30 days to answer questions I've just received and that I have to schedule a defense and go and meet a committee of three professors (that I may not have ever even met!) and defend my answers! I don't like this. I don't like this at all! Isn't there another option? I may have to go back to drinking Maalox from the bottle.

My questions aren't too bad, but now I basically have to write four papers, using APA (which let me be clear - - I HATE!) and citing sources. I thought I was just answering questions to a test! Oh well. My classmate has convinced me that I can do it. We'll see. I guess I'm going to start working on it asap. My 30 days started today.

Opportunities

How many times have you gone out of your way to witness to someone? Me - not so often. I've had the opportunity over the past few weeks to talk with/share with a gal from work. God gave me the the courage to talk about belief, faith, and salvation. I know the courage came from Him because I was pretty scared to do it. He also gave me the wisdom to ask my big sister for help. Boy, is she good! We asked our friend to meet with us so that we could really talk. What a sweet time of fellowship it was this evening. To find out that she had already asked Jesus for salvation was a huge blessing. To see her hunger for Him and for the Word was inspiring.

Pray for someone's salvation today. Pray for the courage to witness. I hope to not be so scared next time.