The Little Things (9.19.2019)

A kindergarten student and I have been taking walks. The intended purpose was for his benefit, but it has been a nice reset for both of us. Yesterday morning I was able to share breakfast with one of our little learners, and it set both of us up for a successful rest of the day. There are a number of students who enthusiastically wave in the backseat of their cars and yell, “Good morning!!!” each day. I love the moments when a smile lights up a student’s face after they are given a compliment or made to feel special. 
​When I was feeling a little under the weather last week, I received a number of emails and texts from you all checking in on me. Your smiles, hugs, laughs and jokes (even Quinn’s bad ones) brighten my days. The little surprises you leave and notes of encouragement mean the world to me.

The weather has been AMAZING this week. On Wednesday night, there were tons of monarch butterflies flying around at the beach. It was absolutely breathtaking. I was positive my evenings at the beach were over, but we've had a number of "bonus days".
Early morning snuggles and a selfie with my pup. Hearing my little Kermit bark and wag his tail after he’s not been feeling well, and seeing my Lapua Westeros chase his Kong in the backyard brighten my day. I was able to FaceTime with my nephew a few nights ago, and it warmed my heart to hear him say, “I love you, Aunt Sam.”
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the things that bring us down— in the things that are hard. When we take the time to recognize the little things- a snuggle from a pup, a child holding your hand after having a struggle in the classroom, a hug from a friend- we fill ourselves up a little more. It gives us the positive energy to keep going.

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