The Kohlmans

Dear Ambition, Thank you for coming to visit on the first day of summer. Your presence today has inspired me to: -work out -weed all of the garden -paint a bookshelf -organize my 7th grade resource pile -cut out most of the 100+ (at least it seems like that much) linear feet of laminating lying on the living room floor -go to the library -make enchiladas -sew the border on a quilt -repair a tie -sew a button on some pants -iron four pairs of pants that may or may not have been on the ironing board for a month -start on item #16 on The List And all after sleeping in 'til 9:15. Please feel free to stay all summer long. Love, Megan

Knowledge is power. And so, in the interest of empowering each of you, a list. Everybody knows: I should probably get this shirt. Seriously. Lemonade tastes better in glasses (as opposed to the free plastic Bethel College cups we normally use). All burgers need a mustard smiley face. Brad is a spoiled teacher. (A case of cans and an eight-pack of bottles in the basket. Plus chocolate.) Sun tea is just good. These guys are brothers. Justin likes cake. And that's about it. Barb likes to sit next to whomever is opening a gift - and "help." Roses are beautiful. I might get another baking job (these baseballs were my second ever). Seriously. A teaching coworker gave out my name. We'll see. These binders are the best. And, I am a nerd for having a favorite binder. Also, I may have no idea what I'm doing with this seventh grade stuff, but if my stuff looks good, I can definitely fake it. Right?! (But just so you know, the seventh grade novels ...

Next year, I teach two blocks of 7th grade LA on the north side and one block 6th grade LA on the south side (where I am right now). I get an hour and a half for lunch/"plan"/travel (it takes five minutes from one parking lot to the other, with school zone lights flashing) plus my requisite plan period, which is the sweetest part of the deal right now. The second grade level (7th) is new and slightly stressful. But I will work with great people in both buildings, so that eases my anxiety a little. I have two classrooms. I have a lot of things in my current classroom, like lamps and pillows and books and pictures (not only teacher posters on the walls but also real pictures in frames, like people put on the walls in their houses). So now I have to find a lot of things for my other classroom; I refuse to move half of it because I've worked really hard to make my room feel not so classroom-ish. Five more days, 15 more research papers, 65 more tests, 65 This I Believe...

after the rain you can look to the sky again the clouds will give way to the light of the sun after the rain you know that you've made it through and you'll finally see the joy from the pain after the rain "after the rain" -aaron jeoffrey

Details about which school and what grade are still to be worked out, but.... thanks to the Kansas state legislature's one cent sales tax increase passed on the 95th day of their 90-day session.... and thanks to my principal for fighting for me because I'm a great teacher.... I will be working full-time in Andover again next year. I'll work on a post with more details/thoughts/reactions/reflections later, but I'm too excited right now.

Dear mom (aka Valerie), Thanks for being a good mom my whole life long... plus those years when you had twins before I was born. You love me no matter what I say or do (or said or did). You taught me that it's okay to have a messy house all the time, as long as you're happy. You taught me that cooking and baking are easy - "if you can read, you can bake/cook." You encourage me and support me even when I know you probably think I am nuts. You patiently answer my silly questions anytime I call. You taught me that reading is the best boredom-cure ever. And you let me think I was being sneaky by reading in bed after you tucked me in, when you could see the light from my window all along. You let my imagination run wild. For years. And never said a thing. In fact, you still do. I hope someday , if I'm lucky enough to have some kids, that I can be as good a mom as you. Love, Megan

My new favorite song...

Today's my mama's birthday. She taught me just about everything I know, which makes her an awesome mama. Happy Birthday, mom! Hope you're having a great day!

"Give thanks for the unknown blessings already on their way." (unknown)