Check out Pinterest

Hey Guys!  I just got back from Florida and visiting Disney World.  My family had a blast, and I loved the wonderful time we spent together.  

I have been pinning away for the upcoming school year.   I am currently trying to get some ideas posted, so I can have a set of lessons for each grade level.  My goal is to have specific lessons for specific grade levels, so I don't repeat the same lesson year after year.  I want to keep my students engaged.  I have started posting ideas under the tabs of Kinder Guidance, 1st Grade Guidance, 2nd Grade Guidance, etc....

Counseling Hearts Pinterest

You get the point!

I am thinking of have a theme per grade level.  Like my 3rd grade Monsters!

More to come.  

My crazy brain is at work.

Creating

I am currently creating new pillows and decor to revamp my office space!

It is time for something new and fresh!

Did you think...

I fell off the face of the earth?
Well, I felt like it, but I didn't REeeeeAAAllllyyy!

I just became overwhelmed, stressed out, SWAMPED, flooded, and I sunk
in the "fun" world of state assessments.

I am sooooo thankful that Texas passed HB 5!!!

Maybe I can go back to being a counselor... (just joking)

I never neglect individual counseling students in the craziness of testing, but I would
absolutely LOVE to go back to being in the classroom; teaching guidance lessons to little
minds that soak up ethics, character education, and morals like little sponges at the end of the school year... So- thanks to HB 5 - I hope I get to do just that!

So, needless to say I had to put a few things on hold.
&&& my blog (that I love) was one of those things.

With all the new and upcoming changes with HB 5, overall, I am excited.
I am a little nervous about the new changes to graduation plans and the FACT that we will
need to reschedule scheduling until late July, but WE TEXAN counselors will survive, 
I WILL survive.

So without further ado, WELCOME back to Counseling Hearts!

Impact

Who was the educator that made you become an educator?

Grief Counseling

Here are a few of my favorite books from Barnes and Noble

to help kids understand and deal with grief, death, and loss.

When Dinosaurs Die

I miss you

My Grieving Journey Book

Angel Catcher for Kids

Being Sad When Someone Dies

When Someone Very Special Dies

Gentle Willow

Samantha Jane's Missing Smile

Tragedy

These past few days, I have been glued to the television watching coverage of the horrific event that happened at Newtown, CT.  As a school counselor, I cannot fathom the magnitude of this.  I cannot imagine dealing with such an event, and pray that something like this never occurs.  Not just at my school, but at any school.

ASCA has a great site for resources on Grief Counseling
http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=672

I would encourage you to visit and donate to one of the many sites that have been set up for donations.  The donations will help families for funeral expenses, counseling, and many other needed things.
Donations

{praying}

My Son

A simple conversation with my son, Braxtyn (6 years old):

Braxtyn: Mom, I've been thinking about who I will marry.

Me: Really? Because I think you are a little young!

Braxtyn: How do I choose?

Me: One day you will know who to marry.  Only God knows right now.  Mom, Dad, and God just want it to be a good Christian girl.

Braxtyn: A Good Christian Girl that is beautiful!

Long pause....

Braxtyn: And if she is rich, then that is even better!