The Miracle of Life

This afternoon Kevin and I went for a ride on the 4-wheeler. Kevin had to feed the sheep. When we got there, I noticed that there was a lamb that had just been born. Well, we were not there 2 minutes, when the mama sheep starting having another one! This was the first time I had ever seen a sheep or live animal that I can think of have a baby. The mama starts to clean off the one that just came out. Kevin and I go to the horse barn to get feed for the sheep. When we come back, a different mama sheep was having a baby. This one was having trouble. Mr. Tim had to step in and help her get the baby out. Then we found out this was her 2nd one. So within about 20 minutes, we had 4 little lambs born. By the time the last lamb was born, the first one was able to walk around. They were so precious! I wanted to jump in and hold one, but the mama sheep needed their space. I didn't have my camera with me,but I am sure most of you wouldn't have wanted to see, but it was a very clean sight to behold compared with human child birth as so what I have seen. Anyway, now we have 11 little lambs. I think a few more are still to come. Then in March, we should have some more.

School Break Again, and again, and again

Yes, that is correct, last week we had 3 more break ins! When I went to school on Monday, I learned that over the weekend we had another break in on Saturday night. They broke into two 4th grade rooms and got one of the teacher's lab tops. (The lab top was a school lap top, so it will be replaced, thankfully). *The other lab tops and cameras that were stolen from the first break in were not able to be replaced by anyone, so it was a big lost for them. Well, then Tuesday morning, I learn that someone broke in Monday night. They tried to get into the classroom next door to me. They didn't break the glass this time, but they tried to chip away at the lock on the door, were not successful. I didn't hear who else they tried to break in to and what was stolen. Then, I learn on Friday, that they broke in yet again, this time to one of the resource teacher's rooms (she wasn't broken into before but the other rooms had been) and stole her lab top. And I am also willing to bet that when I go back on Monday, it will have been broken into once again. I think that those that did the major break in a few weeks ago, are different people than the ones that have been hitting the school this week. The sad thing is that all week, the police were suppose to be keeping a close eye on the school, obviously not! They do have a security system with cameras on the way, when it will get here I don't know. But in the mean time, I don't know what they will do. The principal told us Friday afternoon that if we have anything of value to either take it home or bring it to her and she will lock it up in the vault at school. I had some school t-shirt money that I had collected, so I did take it up to the office to be locked. I didn't want to take it home with me and I didn't want to risk leaving it in my classroom. I just don't know. It makes me mad that someone keeps doing this, but it also makes me mad, because I feel like there is more the school district or police could do to stop this from continuing to happen. Its absolutely ridiculous and whoever is doing this needs to be stopped! And what I don't understand is why they waited until school started when it was empty all summer long and could have of really cleaned out the place. Because each time they don't take any money, only lab tops, not even the regular computers. Not that I want to have more things stolen, but I just don't understand what they are looking for except to upset everyone.

Hollywood Remembers

Everyday that are many actors/actress that die in Hollywood. Many are for careless reasons and reasons that that person could have of helped. Many of those that die, are what I would consider young, meaning in their 20's. I am not a person that keeps up with who is the newest "It" person in Hollywood or the latest gossip, but every now and then, there is a story or person I should say that catches your attention, and their death tugs at your heartstrings. The person that has caught my attention lately is Patrick Swayze. Most of you remember him and is probably the most famous for his role in "Dirty Dancing". I remember when that movie came out, I was about 6 years old ( and no I didn't see the movie then) but I remember my mom watching it. Her favorite part was the end when Patrick (Johnny) comes back and dances with Jennifer (Baby). Last night, ABC Family was showing the movie in honor and in celebration of Patrick Sawyze and his career in the entertainment buisness. After watching it, I be came curious about his life and started looking around on the computer for more information about him.

He was born in Houston, Texas. He met his wife at age 18 (Patrick) and she was 14, in his mom's dance studio. He was married to the same lady, Lisa Niemi for 34 years. June 12, 1975 (My parents were married July 26, 1975). (A rare thing, not just in Hollywood anymore). They lived on a ranch in Los Angeles, called "Rancho Bizarro." Everything I can find, seems that he was a really descent, good guy. The thing that really got my attention about him, was that he and his wife, never had children. They were never able to have them under their own power. His wife, had 2 miscarriages, but never a successful pregnancy. At age 53, he was considering adoption, but never went through with it. I don't know why, but here's a few quotes from him.

“I don’t know what the key to a 30-year marriage is. I suppose it’s about keeping love alive, learning how to fall in love over and over again, not taking each other for granted, forgiveness, trust. Whatever it is, it works for us.”

I was born to be a dad and we have the perfect life for kids," he says, wistfully.
"We are still thinking of adopting, but you have to consider the child and not yourself. Living on a ranch teaches you a great deal about the cycle of life and, if you adopt a child, you have to be certain it is for the right reason."

"That's one thing I'm not gonna do, is chase, is chase staying alive. I'm not, you know, you'll spend so much time chasing staying alive you won't live, you know? I wanna live." ( thought this was a true and powerful quote from him).

I guess, I just find it sad that it seems like both him and his wife wanted children of their own very much. I don't know why they waited so late and now it's too late. He was a very talented. He even sang the song " She's like the Wind" from in the movie "Dirty Dancing" It's sad how quickly he went down and changed. (1952-2009)

Class Website

I have been working on updating and making changes to my class website. I finally finished this week. There were some new things that the district wanted us to add. I have pictures on there and the newest thing is a blog-where students and parents can make comments and ask questions. (I do have to approve the question or comment before it will show up on the website, you never know what a child or parent will write to you). You will have to check it out.
http://jpmccormick.weebly.com/

New Baby Sheep are Here!

We have new baby sheep again! It's been almost a year since we last had some baby sheep. We found out that sheep have 2 litters a year then it's about a year before they have another litter or baby I guess. Last weekend, there were twins born. This morning Kevin called me and said there was another one born. This one was a boy, the others one was a girl and they haven't been able to catch the other twin to find out what it is. Kevin walked right up and pick this little guy up. I got to hold it. It was just absolutely precious! I love the little lambs. We should be having some more soon.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Labor Day at the Lake

This weekend was our last weekend for the boat at the lake and maybe our last weekend at the lake until next year. Kevin and I met my parents at the lake for the weekend. My grandfather (Papa) came with them Friday night. On Saturday, my uncle Bob and my aunt Ann came down along with Keith, Felicia, Emily and my aunt Susan and uncle Dan. I didn't know until Friday afternoon that we were going to have this many people join us. We had a great time! The weather was perfect. It was nice to see my family and spend time with them. Everyone left Saturday night, so Sunday it was just the 4 of us. We came home Sunday evening.

Today, (Monday) I haven't done much of anything. I haven't felt the best today, allergies I think, so I have done a lot of sitting around. I did manage to cook supper, grade some papers, and a little bit of laundry done, but nothing much other than that. Kevin had to work today, but thankfully he got to stop at a decent time today and it right now enjoying the Florida State game, while I am suppose to be finishing up lesson plans. ;0) I am glad we have a 4 day week this week. I wish we did every week, but at the same time it's hard to believe we are in the 4th week of school. Last week was a very hard and long week. I hope this week goes by faster and is much better. So far, everyone down here is staying healthy and well, except for allergies. I pray it stays that way. Not many of my kids have been out for major sickness. My mom gave Kevin and I our flu shots this weekend, so I hope we both can stay well.

Are you ready for some Football?!

Yes, it is here once again, that glorious time of the year. No, not Christmas, but Football season according to my husband. Kevin lives for Carolina Gamecock football. He is depressed when the last game ends and is over joyed when the first game begins. Every year he says that he wishes football season was all year long. I on the other hand am so thankful it's not. And I am also thankful that this is the only sport and team that he really cares anything about; he's not a sports fanatic like I know some guys are. Even though he has watched his share of Braves baseball and he will watch any other college football game that comes on tv. Anyway, "Christmas" began Thursday night at our house. Kevin celebrated by watching the Carolina game and the blue field game, sorry at this moment can't remember the name. I celebrated by falling asleep at 8:00 on Thursday night and woke up about 9:00 when Kevin told me to go to bed, he said I was snoring too loud for him to concentrate. :0) Abby followed. I really don't mind. This is his only hobby. I hope that this year he will get to go to at least 1 or 2 games. He didn't get to go to any last year, but he was a very good sport about it. I bought Abby a little jersey to wear for the games. Kevin told me that he wanted one too. At least for this weekend we were both happy because Carolina won and Clemson won! GOOOOO Tigers! Today I put out our "House/Divided" flag in the yard, similar to the one I have on here.

My computer wouldn't let me fix Abby's eyes so they didn't glow.

3rd Grade Funny

Despite that many days of teaching are spent where you can hardly remember what happened in the last 5 minutes, your name has been called at least 20 times by the same child, you never have enough time for a "decent" lesson, you stay stressed out and at the end of the day you realize you near even took time for a bathroom break because during your "planning time" you had to make copies, call parents, sit in on meetings, prepare things for what will come after your "planning time", and when you sit down after the kids leave, it was the first time you were able to sit all day and take a breath.....there are some funny moments. Last year I shared a few things that happened and I will try to again. Working with children, you just never know what they will do or say. I have two 3rd grade funnies to share that happened yesterday and today.

First Funny: Yesterday. One of my students had an early dismissal in the afternoon. So I told her that she had an early dismissal and she needed to get packed up. She continued to just sit and daydream. I came over to the child 3 different times telling her to get packed up, someone was waiting on her and she needed to go. She finally gets up to get her book bag. She comes back to her seat with her book bag...on her HEAD! Her whole head was inside her book bag and she was walking around with it on her head. (*Never have I seen this before.) So I come over to her to tell her to take the book bag off her head and get packed up. She finally gets everything packed up and goes to the door. She opens the door walks out and comes back in. She says "no one else is out here" (meaning there were no other children because she thought it was time for everyone to leave). I said "Yes I know, you have an early dismissal it's not time for everyone else to leave. And not joking or trying to be funny, this is my brightest child in my class and she is in the gifted program too! I was like oh my gosh! I couldn't get her for anything to understand the importance of hurrying up and leaving.

Second Funny: Today. One of my most demanding of my attention children, came up to me after lunch saying he had a cut in his mouth and it was hurting. I told him that I was sorry and the nurse had already gone home for the day (this was in the afternoon) and for him to have a seat. A few minutes later I look at him, and he has a band-aide trying to put it in his mouth to help "fix" his cut. (*Never have I seen that one before either) But in case you don't have kids or don't know, a band-aide can make anything "magically" better. I mean it, they think a band-aide could solve anything. Back to my story, I was like, no! A band-aide can't go in your mouth. Throw that away. I'm sorry you have a cut, but a band-aide isn't going to help.

Wow! and it's just Wednesday!