Enjoy the Ride

We all know I love making to-do lists.  For anything and everything.  I love having my tasks organized, checking off the boxes, and knowing what’s left to be done.  Sometimes, however, I get so focused on accomplishing my to-do’s I forget to stop and enjoy the ride.

         Especially as a full-time working mom.

On Saturday, I went for my typical 7:30am run.  I had my head down, focused on completing my miles, music blaring in my iPod.  About halfway through, I turned down a path that leads into a wooded area.  For one reason or another, I happened to look up, and it was beautiful.  The trees were so full of bright green leaves, the sun was peeking out from behind a cloud, making these little jagged rays of light.  Sounds simple, but it took my breath away.  (Or maybe it was the running that took my breath away?)  Anyway, here I was, so focused on accomplishing my run… and I realized I NEVER look up to enjoy what’s going on around me.

And then, about a mile later, my iPod died on me.

        

Now listen – I CANNOT run without music.  It’s like my fuel, especially when it comes to rounding out the last couple miles.  But I didn’t have a choice.  And all of a sudden, I was not only running with my head up, enjoying all of the things to see, I was listening to all kinds of sounds other than country music… like the birds announcing the start of a new day, a child giggling in a stroller, and a woodpecker working on a tree.  Again, simple – but enough to give me pause.

I have to admit that becoming a mom has forced me to live in the moment MUCH more than I used to.  When I’m with my daughter, I’m 100% focused on each moment we have together, especially now that I spend so much time away from her at work.  I love lying next to her on the floor, watching her play and discover new things.  She seems to figure something else out each day – it’s incredible!

But the minute I’m not with her, I’m usually all about tackling my to-do’s… putting my head down and moving down my list to check off the next box.

 

During this time of the school year, we all have a tendency to get stressed out - and hey, can you blame us?  There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to accomplish everything asked of us.  And there's so much pressure to make sure our students have mastered all they need to learn this school year.  So of course we put our heads down and truck through these last few weeks, counting down the days.  But let's all try to find a few moments to pause here and there - enjoy these last few weeks of crazy.  And know that with every moment you keep your head up and ears open, you're making a difference in the life of a child.

On Sunday, I turned twenty-nine.  My last twenties birthday!  And I think it’s time for me to start being a little less to-do oriented, and a little more focused on enjoying the ride.  So here’s to a new year, and an improved me… A me who runs with her head up, and maybe even sometimes with her music turned off.

Don't Forget!
April 27th-May 2nd - Extend 1 Testing
April 30th-May11th - DIBELs EOY Benchmark
May 1st - EOG Administrator Training in Bass' Room, 3:45-5:15
May 2nd - EOG Proctor Training in Wiles' Room 11:30-12:15
May 3rd - Dorene Bates visits PLCs
May 7th-May10th - Extend 2 Testing
May 10th - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Class Spreadsheets Due
May 11th - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Classroom Check
May 14th-May 17th - EOG Testing
May 21st-May 25th - Remediation
May 29th-June 1st - EOG Retesting