Thankful

     On Friday the nation was rocked with the horrible news of a tragic school shooting in Connecticut. All school shootings are tragic and gut wrenching, but this particular event truly stopped me in my tracks. I can't quite pinpoint why, but I'm thinking it's because it happened in an elementary school to students who are the same age as the students I see everyday. When you read what those staff members did to protect the lives of those kids they were entrusted to, you find yourself shaking your head in agreement. As I read the words and the scene plays out in my head I know that I would've done the same thing those staff members did. It's just simple, those kids in my room are not just students, they are my students. I've never met a single teacher who doesn't think the same thing.  At times like this though, we are forced to stop and rethink our priorities, AND change our attitudes. 

     This week before Christmas our district has a FULL week of school. Monday through Friday. I will admittedly  tell you I was a bit discouraged wondering how I was going to get my little friends to stay focused and keep their excitement about Christmas at a manageable level. Now, I will admittedly tell you that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else these next five days. I will take extra care this week and know how blessed I am with such a great group of kids. If I don't get a single point across to those kids all week, I still count it as a great week, simply because I am able to spend it with them.

      I will be thinking and praying for the staff, the families and all the lives that were affected by the tragic events. I can't even imagine their pain, and loss.

THE .... FLU...

Flu: 3 Binkleys:1

Jon, Elli and I all got the flu. It's miserable. A 20 month old child with the flu is possibly THE worst parental experience. Well OK now that I'm pondering it - it's probably not that bad, but in the moment it was horrible. She can't tell me she's sick, until the vomit is all over me. She wakes up puking, then we have to clean the bed. She wants chocolate milk so badly, and you so badly want to throw it out the window because of the smell. The only thing worse than a 20 month old with the flu? BOTH adults in the house also have the flu. She pukes, I puke, Jon pukes. It's a vicious cycle. 

We've been puke free for almost 24 hours (everyone knock on wood). My headache is now a dull pain rather than the pounding tribal drum that it's been the last 12 hours. I was even able to tolerate a little sunlight today. 

Harper has won the prize as the only Binkley not knocked out from this horrid experience. A HUGE thanks to Mamo Denise who took Harper and kept her while the three of us curled up in misery together.  This marks the first time in MANY years that either Jon or I have gotten the flu (because we admittedly refuse the flu shot) but it is important to note that Elli had her flu shot last week. Coincidence? I say no...