My Cup Runneth Over

Friends, life is good today. Well it's good all the time but today just feels extra great.

So, I was at Spencer today and actually had a really awesome day. Definitely the best one yet.

First, we had our split 6th grade class. most of the kids are pretty good, but I've been pairing up with Antoine the last few times since he needs a little more attention. Today we were finishing up poems made up words clipped out of magazines. Little Antoine has a very short attention span and got distracted several times throughout class, but he did make a nice little poem called "America Speaks". So that may have been a magazine headline, but it's still cool. He made an interesting little poem about our nation and wealth. I'm frustrated that I can't remember more of it now, but I was really proud of him. He could have made much more progress, but we're all about baby steps.

The next class was a full-size class of crazy little adorable first graders. As the kiddos started walking into class, several of them came up to me and hugged me. Ah, so precious. And one girl even said "You look pretty, Miss Clarissa!" Either she's learned to suck up from an early age or she's just precious. I'm thinking the latter. Anyway, poor little Montrell was having a rough time (crying under the table). So I asked what was wrong and he was just so upset that he couldn't draw a star. I coaxed him out from his hiding place and taught him how to draw a 5 pointed star just like my mommy taught me (thanks Mom!). He was soooo excited. Then little Montavius next to him wanted to be cool too (draw a star) so I taught him too. He was really good at it and just smiled so big when he got it. And he gave me two high-fives. It was so adorable, melted my heart.

The third grade class was a little rough, but ok. Nothing real notable to say about them today. Then the 4th graders came in to paper meche their masks. I guess last week I must have miraculously made an impression on this kid Demeon (dee-me-on) because he came in all grouchy and then got really excited when he saw me. WHAT. It was pretty cool. And he even made me something special (my first little handmade token from a student).  I have no idea what he was trying to do, he probably just glued some scraps together and called it awesome. But hey, it made me happy!

Lastly, I came home to the most wonderful care package from my parentals (warm clothes, yay!) and the lovely Linda Heidebrecht. It's just so great to have ya'll as cheerleaders. Even when I felt like a good day at Spencer was never going to happen, you still reassured me that I am making a difference. It's still hard to believe sometimes, but today was such great evidence that these kids actually do give a rip.

Thanks for all your love, support and prayers! May you all have little glimmers of hope today as I did!