Assessment and Beautiful Blogger Award

Assessment time:)  Before staying at home, I was a teacher.  As a teacher, you introduce a subject and then practice the skill in different ways in order to catch all learning styles. You "go deep" in Bloom's Taxonomy (basically make the kids think, not just memorize). You try to make it fun and engaging, deal with discipline issues and then of course it is time for assessment.  Most of my students had learning disabilities so this task seemed even harder at times.  Most kids are somewhat nervous at test time, but I can tell you that teachers are too (at least the good ones).  Why?  They are being tested too.  Did they teach well enough?  Did they do everything that they could...was it good enough? Are they "getting it"?

It's time for me to take a look at how things are going.  A quiz if you will, certainly not a unit test.  I will be working on this unit for a while. 

So, I began this journey two months ago.

Here are some things I have tried and how they are going:

Thumper Rule: If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.  This one is going fairly well, I think.  I would give myself a B+.  I apologize when I say something that is "not nice"...I am still having trouble with tone of voice sometimes, but it is usually in direct response to Levi's tone.  I get defensive really easily.  I will have to work on that.

Driving: I used to tell Levi how to drive, where to drive, how he could drive better.  It's no wonder really that he just let me drive most of the time...I was trying to do it anyway:)  I would say that I get a 100 for this one:)  Slap on a sticker and call me happy.  When we are going somewhere...he drives.  We really didn't talk about the change, I just did it.  I automatically go to the passenger door.  Now, I will be honest with you...sometimes I have to look out the side window and not at the rear end of the car in front of us.  Also, we live in a very busy city and I know a lot of shortcuts and ways "not to go", but unless he asks...I do not tell him how to get there.

Vulnerability and Walls:  Not much to say here...I am trying.

Proper Wife Attire:  Laughing a little at this one...if it was up to Levi...I would just be naked.  Our compromise is working nicely.  I trashed the holey and/or frumpy pjs for cute matching tanks and boxers...girly ones, not boy ones.  I try to "dress up" at least twice a week...yes, I could do that more, but this is a work in progress people...give me a break.

Transparency:  I did tell Levi about my blog so that is a start. That was causing a lot of stress for me in the beginning because I felt like I was hiding something from him.  I tried to tell him some things with a notebook since our communication sucks and hasn't really gotten that much better, but he never wrote in it.  I haven't given up hope on that, but it just sits on his nightstand.  Don't get me wrong...I don't think we have to talk about everything, but I don't want to be just roommates either.

Steamroller conversion: This is in it's infancy but is showing promise.

Control: This one may take a lifetime:)  I have a whole post on this one, maybe several.

Side benefits observed from making the following changes:

Sex...often and amazing.  There was a week there after I gave him the notebook that we didn't have any...worried me a little.  Maybe I put to much pressure on him.

When we were trying to decide what Levi's name was going to be we almost called him Octopus man.  When we are settling down to sleep, in the middle of the night, or in the morning...my dear sweet Levi transforms into an octopus.  It used to drive me a bit crazy as I do not like to be bothered when I am sleeping.  He likes to play...sometimes in his sleep!  I used to elbow him or do the protect the boobs move.  He often falls asleep with his hands on my breasts...He asked me the other night if it was bothering me...I said no, they are yours.  You would have thought I had given him a million dollars.  He proceeded to roll me over and show me just how much he liked that they were his:)  If I am half asleep I will still sometimes attempt the block, but he gently and firmly grasps my wrist and moves it. 

He also doesn't ask me to do things in bed...he tells me.  If you had told me a year six months ago that I would think this was hot...I would have laughed in your face.

A more confident man.  Not only in bed, but in our relationship as well...he is becoming a Mr. Bossy...I know, I know...I wanted him to pick up those damn pants.  He has turned down several social things here lately that I am a bit sad about, but he also knows how stressed I get trying to prepare for these times and I get it...but I am a very social person and I am often stuck in the house with a toddler.  The weird thing is that even though I was disappointed, I was also relieved.  He released me from my guilt over turning someone down.

There you have it: my year end assessment:)


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Sis over at Delightful (Passionate Christian Marriage-she still has one, she just changed her focus a bit) nominated me for an award...don't laugh...I was honored:)



Y'all know that I don't really like to do these things and I will completely understand if you don't want to participate...I will not be offended...but she called me genuine...it's been a while since I received such a wonderful compliment:)

Beautiful Blogger Award Rules:
The idea behind the Beautiful Blogger Award is to recognize some of the bloggers we follow for their hard work and inspiration.
1. Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
3. Tell 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award, and comment on their blogs to let them know.
7 things about myself
1.  I have never been skiing...of any kind.
2.  I don't like closed in spaces with lots of people...For example, I don't mind elevators, but crowded elevators freak me out.
3.  My favorite vice is procrastination.
4.  I don't run...unless I need to grab a toddler from running into the street, etc. 
5.  I can't sew...not even a button...not going to win any Martha Stewart awards.
6. I am the messiest cook ever...according to Levi...but the food is good:)
7. I hate oatmeal.
Beautiful Blogger Award Rules:
The idea behind the Beautiful Blogger Award is to recognize some of the bloggers we follow for their hard work and inspiration.
1. Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
3. Tell 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award, and comment on their blogs to let them know.
The 7 bloggers I nominated
Sunnygirl at Aimless Ramblings - always has uplifting sunny comments and great stories
Susie at Her Mischief Managed - quite the cheerleader
Lillie at At Ian and Lillie's Place - hysterical, honest
Wilma at Barney married Wilma - big heart, real
Lucy at Lucy's Lunacy - just an absolute cutie
Elisa at Elisa's Will - optimistic, encouraging
Mrs. Yes at I will never say no in 2012 - inspiring

This was hard narrowing it down to just 7, I read so many wonderful blogs and learn so much from all of you.  Thanks!!