And here we go ...

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to write a quick update on the last week! I have officially started my position at FXW and could not be more excited. These past few days have been filled with so much emotion and as I sit here tonight writing this (exhausted and with very sore feet haha) I can truly say that the career highs and lows of the last nearly 2 years have been all worth it.

A quick highlight was an amazing all day PD on the Mind Up curriculum. It was truly life changing and it is all about the social emotional component of our curriculum, teaching to the heart of a child. 2 parts of the curriculum are about positive psychology and gratitude. I am literally being required to teach things that most teachers only dream about! I don’t know how this happened but I am truly thankful that it did!

My co-teacher has been phenomenal. She is such a great balance for me and I have already learned so much from her. I am beyond excited for our adventures to start this year! We had our Parent Night last night and got to meet many of our little friends today and all I can is say is … SCRUMPTIOUS!!!

Well, that is about all I can say at this moment because my eyes are quickly becoming heavy!  But I will end with this Kafka quote that I feel sums up so much ahaha… "There are some things one can only achieve by a deliberate leap in the opposite direction."

 

Best Wishes,
Kate

Turkeys and Skunks and Zebras ... Oh My?!

Hello out there!

I just needed to write about my amazing trip home. I feel that there are key moments in our lives, sometimes big and sometimes small, that have such an impact on who we are and allow us to gain insight and perspective about what the next phase should or could be. I feel that my trip these past 2 weeks did just that.

This was the first time that I went home with no real agenda other than to take a deep breath and regenerate for the upcoming school year. I started reflecting on a lot of things, from the recent past all the way to what seems like ancient history and one thing became abundantly clear, I have become so bogged down with things that have no real meaning in my life due to a variety of factors. So, what to do? Well, I unplugged in many of ways and literally can’t express what an amazing and positive effect it has had on me.

Not to sound trite, but as I drove through what I believe to be God’s country (New England), I was left in awe with what an amazing life I have and the amazing people I have in my life. There have been people that have come and gone, all who have served some cosmic purpose whether big or small, to get me to this point in my life and more importantly,  the people that are left standing with my and are forever by my side.  I don’t know what I have done right to have them by my side but I sure am glad for whatever reason that they are here. I just was left with this feeling of gratitude for the things I have been given in this life and I know at times I have not deserved it and yet here I am with this life.  I think I need to find some outlet here in Chicago to channel my fortune into the betterment for others … I don’t know what that exactly looks like yet but I am on the lookout!

My husband and I had an amazing long weekend rendezvous in New York City, the birthplace of our love. We reconnected in this blissfully understated cocoon of love, stolen kisses, hugs, gazing at one another and purely existing together amongst the chaos and unparalleled energy of the most amazing city in the world. I never imagined I would find someone that I would long for the way I do for Shannon. I realize that there are moments I miss him when he is in the next room (kind of like I do now) and want to be with so much and yet I am able to be me, the real me, at all times and he loves me, me, the real me … wow! We got to see some friends and missed others but the beauty of NYC is that it is there with all these people we love and we hope to be back soon!

Mom and I got to have special mother/daughter/puppy time! Our days were filled with laughter, driving through the mountains, exploring small towns, walks, a trip to Connecticut and a Sunday afternoon with Matt Brown as we toured West Hartford!

I really dig doing a highlights list, so I leave you with some from the last 2 weeks …

·         Tilly in the country

·         TURKEYS

·         Small town America

·         Mountains

·         A zebra … ask me for the story lol

·         Late night walks with my mom

·         Tommy, my parent’s 83 year old pianist neighbor who serenaded us!

·         Drinks with the love of my life at Rink Bar, while gazing at the spot we got married

·         Nights cold enough for a sweatshirt

·         Hildene

·         Skunks

·         Tilly being loved by all she came in contact with and I just love to see people smile like that

·         Ken, an old man in the most amazing cowboy shirt wearing who feel in love with Tilly and told me about his sister that lived in the mountains and a bear would come to her door!

·         Dartmouth, the town of Hanover and watching a great independent film with mom

·         Homemade ice cream

Well, that is about it. I feel ready to take on the school year. This trip reinvigorated me in a way that I haven’t felt in a very long time and I am so very thankful for it. But, nothing replaces the feeling of walking through the door to my beloved husband! I am so excited that fall is around the corner and I think there may be some exciting new things coming up! We all hope everyone has a wonderful and safe rest of their summer! xo

Best Always,

Kate

 

Here is a glimpse at some of the amazingness haha!