She gets it.

Do you remember how I told you about the mama that wrote her little boy a note to be an amazing friend?  And about how inspired I was by that tiny message?

She did it again.

This morning was a little rough.  The kids are so out of their routine, and were so super-sleepy when I woke them up this morning.  Getting ready and drop-off went smoother than I expected, but I was sad that our extra time together was over, and I was missing my adorable children when I got to work.

And then I got an email from my mama friend.  She'd come across someone else's blog post, and felt like it said exactly what she wanted to say to me - so she forwarded it my way and added that I do amazing work.

See for yourself - click here to read the post.

I read it during indoor recess and before I knew it, I was crying.  Not big splashy tears because my, that would've been embarrassing, but I definitely had to get a tissue and wipe my eyes.  My horrible mommy-moment outside of Hannah's classroom came racing back - the way I'd felt like I'd failed.  Like every day I'm there for other peoples' kids, but I couldn't get to her Christmas sing-along on time.

This mom...she gets it.

I felt so appreciated.  So I sent her a link to the blog post that I'd written about her, and we marveled about how good we can make each other feel if we're willing to be a little vulnerable and tell people what we're really thinking.

Our mommy-hearts are full today.  I hope yours is, too.

San Antonio

It's 4:17 am, and I am wide-awake.

I'm pretty sure I haven't gotten this much sleep in years, unless my eye was injured or I was really, really sick.

It's pretty amazing how when you are in a new town, staying in a hotel room, and without your family, you're exhausted and ready for bed before 10, and then wake-up feeling completely refreshed at four.  I suppose that six hours of sleep is probably my norm, but at home, I don't feel completely refreshed when the littles wake me up at 7 and we go, go, go until Jack goes down at nine.

With children, it is a different world.

But still, even without that waking-up completely refreshed feeling, it is definitely a much happier world - I miss my family!

Their smiles and giggles and hugs - that's what I miss.  Thank goodness Daddy and Grandma are sending me pictures while I'm away!

I am here, in San Antonio, for the 58th Annual IRA Convention (International Reading Association).

There are so many educators in this city right now, it is unbelievable to me, and somehow, the locals can spot us and our areas of teaching very quickly:)  Just last night, I was walking on the Riverwalk with Kimmee - we were on our way to dinner, and one of the hosts at a restaurant said, "Come on in teachers - maybe you can learn me something!"

We were headed to another restaurant, so we waved and said, "No, thank you!" and told him he was correct about the teacher part, and then as we walked past, he shouted, "Elementary Education, too!"

And no, we weren't wearing our badges.  

I guess they can just tell.  I don't mind oozing elementary education teacher, personally.  Kinda makes me smile...

The city is very pretty - it makes me feel a little European (maybe Venice or France?) which is strange since we are oh so close to Mexico.  I think it's the water way and the dining outside; I imagine - I've actually never been to Europe.  In fact, this is the furthest west I've ever been in the United States.

Later today, we're going to take a Riverboat tour, and I'm excited to hear more about the area.  

We're learning a lot of great information to bring back to our team.  It's very exciting, but it's also things like this that make me desperately want to go back to the classroom.  Maybe once Jack gets to first grade - maybe then I'll be ready.

I think I'm going to get to meet Lucy Calkins today - I'm so nervous!

Yesterday I met Curious George - I was not nervous then, but the picture came out pretty good, and Jack thought it was awesome after I sent it to Brad.  

Later that night, over the phone, Jack asked me if I also got to meet Donald Duck.  I think he might think I'm at Disney World without him.  I told him I would never go meet Donald Duck without him:)