...and this is why i do what i do.

if you've been reading this blog or you happen to be one of the people who so graciously allows me to vent to you, you know that my idealist notions of what i thought education would be have proven to be incorrect. i work sun up to sun down in a very stressful environment and i constantly question whether or not i'm irrevocably screwing my students up and preparing them for epic failure. all the while, i have experienced the phenomenon of being not only a teacher, but a parent and social worker to kids who say things like, "ms. sowder, you're having a bad hair today, aren't you? your hair looks really messy today" - "wow, you're going to be 25 next week, you're soooooo old!" - and my personal favorite, "ms. sowder, it looks like you're going to have a baby."

i cry. a lot. sometimes, i get chewed out by parents. sometimes, i get lost in all the standardized testing these kids are required to do. still not completely sure how to work the dang copier; thinking about pulling an office space "michael bolton" move and beating the snot out of it.

ALL OF THAT BEING SAID...my birthday was this past week and a funny thing happened. i received 18 handprinted little cards, an array of "treasures" (junk that is suspiciously missing from around the house), and hugs all day long. "WE LOVE YOU MS. SOWDER!!!" they screamed, as they huddled around me and almost knocked me over like a bulldozing offensive lineman.

so you know what, my kids can't write perfectly, they're still getting the hang of subtraction, whoever teaches them next year will probably not look favorably upon me, but those kids know they're loved and they know that someone believes in them. i am trying to continue my journey to live one of my fave quotes by ms. maya angelou. "people will forget what you said. people will forget what you did. but people will never forget how you made them feel." gotta keep going...thanks for all of the encouragement!

venue is booked!

yes sir, we have found THE PLACE to host our summer nuptials. i am happy to announce that we will be getting married at the trois estate in fredericksburg, texas. i am over-the-moon happy about this place and it is truly like a dream. though i didn't have a wedding planned from the time i was a little girl, i did always know that i wanted to get married in the hill country and i wanted it to have a spanish influence. wouldn't you know that this enchanting village was modeled after my favorite mexican city - san miguel de allende?!? es perfecto :)

geeze louise, carrie underwood...

you sure know how to cause a tear to roll down my eye...this NEW VIDEO is so appropriate :)