Inspiration and Motivation

Parents don't make mistakes because they don't care, but because they care so deeply.  

T. Berry Brazelton

It is a good rule to face difficulties at the time they arise and not allow them to increase unacknowledged.  

Edward W. Ziegler

We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better.  

Sandy Escobido

"One of the biggest lessons Head Start has taught us is how important it is to involve family members."

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' remarks on opening the 1st National Birth to Five Leadership Institute

(Oct 2011), Washington, DC.

Personal Childhood Web

There are many people that have come into my life over there years.  When I think back to my childhood there are people that come to mind that continue to impact my life today with the impressions they made on me when I was younger. 

My Parents - My Mom and Dad have always been there for me and continue to be there for me today. They always wanted me to have a better life for myself then they did growing up. Not only did they provide for me but they taught me life lessons like setting a goal and being able to obtain that goal. They taught me that nothing comes for free and that if you want something you have to work for it. My parents have also instilled in me how to be the best parent I can be to my own children.

• My Uncle and Aunt - My Uncle Nick and Aunt Dee have always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.  They always were there to support me growing up while attending my activities like my t-ball games and dance recitals.  They were also the ones that would take care of my brother and I if my parents went out of town.  They nurtured and provided for us.  The impact they made on my childhood still impacts me today.  I want my own children to know they have people in their lives that will support them and take care of them. 

 

• My Grandmother - Lola was always there for me growing up.  When my brother or I got sick she would come and take care of us so my parents could go to work.  She loved cooking for us and introducing us to our culture.  She also allowed me to explore the outdoors and develop skills for surviving off of the land.  I love being able to share cooking expriences with my daughter.  I also like teaching my daughter and son different aspects of our culture that my own Lola taught to me. 

Personalizing

This is a picture of myself and my family from May 2013.  

My husband is holding our brand new baby boy (born in March 2013) and our daughter is three years old. 

This drawing was done by my three year old daughter.  She drew this picture while I was working in my office.  She showed it to me told me a story of what she had drawn.  It still amazes me how children can go from drawing scribbles to all of sudden going to drawing objects that now look like something.  She was very proud of herself when she drew the "people". 

 

I have many favorite children's books that I enjoy reading. Right now it is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. This book brings back memories from my own childhood but it now also one of my daughter's favorite books. We love to read this book together. I love that it is teaching her rhyming and the lesson of trying new things before saying you do not like it. 

 

 

I have been going back to this quote over the past year in both my personal and professional life.  It's just a nice reminder for me that I need to keep looking forward...

 

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.

~Author Unknown