Grades: Who Needs 'Em?

See these two kids? I love 'em to pieces and yet they can frustrate me to pieces too. As their mom I feel responsible to make sure they are doing well in school. I also would like them to take responsibility for doing their very best. I cannot prompt them every day. They've got to own it.

So I back off and hope for the best and pray for them to do their best. Then the new grading system comes along and has thrown me (and other parents)for a loop. So I check their grades on line and I cannot decipher how they are progressing, but encourage them to hand in missed assignments and follow up with their teachers as to how they are supposed to finish their Learning Targets to complete the Power Standards.

Report cards come home and I see F's and I's. "Face palm. Head shake." I'm so frustrated. Now I have to take away privileges and begin close monitoring. I pray that my kids will have a desire in their hearts to be responsible not only in school, but with chores at home.

I know that grades don't define my children, but school is a way to help them show what they've got and find for themselves how well they can do when they apply themselves and be proud and thank God for an education and opportunities.

They did have better grades in math than in the past so I'm so thankful we've made progress there. They each had at least one "A" and 2 "B's" so I am pleased about this. Feel free to give ideas and advice on how to encourage my kids and how I can cope with where they are in their lives right now.

I am giving this over to God because He has it all in control and I need to let go and let Him do His mighty work in their lives.

A Walk Down Memory Lane, September 29, 2009

Come for a walk with me down Memory Lane!
And if you have a "Memory Lane" post, head on over to Scottsville to join in on the fun!





I am five years old here and my mom made this dress. I like this dress alot, still. We wore dresses to school every day. If it was cold, we wore pants underneath just until we got to school. Then we had take the pants off so we were just wearing our dresses.

There's that Toni perm again and look at my bangs. Mom used to cut them. I must have wiggled too much and she had to keep evening them out until there wasn't much left.

Well look at me here! I'm one year older and I look the same. I do have some new teeth though.

Mom didn't make this dress, but I loved it. I loved it so much that after we bought it (late summer) I couldn't wait to wear it. I came down early one Sunday morning with it on and my mom & dad were in the kitchen. Mom asked why I had the dress on. I answered, "Cuz it's Sunday." Both mom & dad responded that it wasn't Sunday it was a weekday and we had to go berry picking. I was so disappointed.

Mom took us berry picking in the berry farm fields to earn extra money. We would go pick for the whole berry season. Raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. That was a long season for a kid my age. I do not like picking berries to this day. I like eating them though. I appreciated what the money could help us buy, my new dress.

The First Day of School, 2009

These have been dusted off and actually used this week. This is good news. The teachers and the school board came to a happy compromise and school started Tuesday, September 15th, 2009.

These two kids got to go to school after eleven days of waiting. They were very happy. My son looks a little tired here. I think that he thought he could maintain a summer routine of staying up late. I think morning came early for him on this day.

My daughter was up early and ready to go. She had layed her outfit out the night before and asked my advice. Something she rarely does. I think she looked rather cute. The black hat she's wearing is sequined. Gotta have some bling.

I'm so happy they are in school and that I'm working steady for now. I call them every day after school to see how their day went. It feels strange, but I think it's gonna be okay. God has carried us every step of the way and I am so thankful for that.