Little Boy

February 28, 2015

Pleading with tears streaming down your little face.
"YOU PROMISED!"
My heart aches because someone broke their promise...
I know it wasn't me. I wish I could repair the chinks in your armor
you've put on too soon.

Pure snow flakes streaming - you caught a glimpse at the door.
"Oh! It's just snow!" you said brightly and you were innocent again.
Your childlike outburst won me over.

Little friend- streaming down the hall with your fast legs.
You shined with "ten more---ten less."
Let's uncover your strengths, treasures.
I promised I'd love you no matter what choices you make.

I'll keep my promise.

Day 7: Ten Favorite Foods

Day 7 of 31 - Ten Favorite Foods

I always joke there are two things Janas are good at: eating and sleeping. Mostly I say it to be funny but also, I enjoy both things. Like many people, I associate food with happiness and making memories.When I get together with friends, we get a bite to eat. Birthdays, Easter, family cookouts, there's always something delicious to eat.  Although I come from a family of good cooks, my favorites are simple. So without further adieu, my ten favorite foods...

1. Chicken
2. Steak
3. Sushi
4. Peanut Butter and Jelly with Cheetos
5.Cheeseburgers
6. Greek Salad/Caesar Salad/Mixed Green Salad
7. Pizza
8. Bread - rolls, baguettes, waffles, biscuits, etc.
9. Beef Fajitas, nachos, burritos
10. Grapes, Bananas, Peaches

See? Nothing revolutionary. Probably even a lot like a kid's list of favorite foods. What are some of your favorites?

Day 6: 3 Personality Traits I am Proud of...

Day 6: 3 Personality Traits I am Proud of...

 There's really no way to complete this challenge without feeling like a fathead. I guess I'll jump right in and tell you 3 personality traits that make me great.

1. Honest reactions and Honest Answers
I cannot lie nor do I want to lie. If you want the truth, ask me a question then look at my facial expression. It always says what I'm thinking before my mouth does.

2. I have good manners.
Whether at QuikTrip (local gas station), at work, at church, or at school, good manners are important. Manners matter when holding doors. Yes ma'am and no sir aren't reserved for elderly only. It applies from the youngest pre-k students at school to anyone you see out and about. Manners help my communication with students and parents. They help with coworkers. And that old saying, "You catch more bees with honey than with vinegar" is true. If you're polite, people are a lot more willing to help you or just plain be around you. So YAY manners!

3. I have a big heart.
People are important. Friends are important. Family is important. Students are important. I rarely come across a person I don't like and when I've decided you're my friend, you are. I feel things deeply and wish I could fix problems. I worry about my students a lot. I know I was made for teaching. I think people are fascinating and there's almost always room for another friend.

Seriously, no way to write any of that without feeling super gloat-y. What are your favorite personality traits?

Day 5: My guilty pleasure

Day 5: My guilty pleasure

I asked my husband what he thought my guilty pleasure was. "Oh, you have a lot of them. You like booty music. Any songs about booties, but I feel like they're not really guilty pleasures because you don't mind talking about it."

True story, ya'll. I do love a good song about booties. First of all, it's funny. Call me juvenile, but it's plain hilarious and I don't know how anyone can be serious when they're singing about booties. So funny! Second of all, booty songs usually have a good beat. The truth about me is there's no way I can dance inappropriately so booty songs are just silly in my book.

May I present to you.... my "guilty pleasure"

Jana's Top 5 Songs with Booty References

1. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-A-Lot

       2. Bootylicious - Destiny's Child





       3.  B Double O T Y - Tone the Chiefrocca on America's Got Talent




       4. Country Girl Shake it for Me - Luke Bryan


      5. Cutie Patootie - Eden Wood



What's your guilty pleasure? If you don't understand my love for booty songs... well, I'm gonna be like Taylor and ...

Day 4: My Earliest Memory

Day 4- My Earliest Memory

As an early childhood educator, I know research shows the first two years are the most critical in development and growth. That being said, most people don't remember anything from their first two years of life. I know I was dearly loved and my mom spent lots of time talking to me and took me everywhere. I know when she complained about her back hurting, my daddy fussed, "Well, wiiiiife, if you'd put her down your back would feel better." I know I never lacked for quality time with a loving adult.

My earliest memories must be between 3 and 4  years old. I remember standing on my bed looking in a mirror to cut my bangs. I had a sense of foreboding, a quickening in my chest, knowing it was something I shouldn't be doing. I remember going to the zoo with my parents and my big brother. My brother and I were really good pals. I remember wearing my swimsuit outside to play with tubs and buckets of water in the driveway. The obvious thing to do when swimsuits get wet is take them off. (I jest because that's what I did.) I remember being flogged by a rooster.

There's an abundance of pictures from my childhood, so I can never tell where the picture end and the memories begin. One thing is certain; my earliest memory is love.