Job Changes... or better yet, JOB CHANGES!!!

So I haven't really posted much about my job lately since this is a public blog and any old person could happen to "stumble" upon it and read what I've said (if you know what I mean). Not that I don't have stuff to say because trust me, I have a got a LOT to say! ;o) Long story short, this school year sucked. In fact, it was the worst out of the 10 I've been teaching. We have pulled Chase out of dual language (8 weeks without a teacher did not show us support for that program so thanks, but no thanks) and had seriously been debating on what our future held. Do I ask for a transfer to a new school? Do I stay with the district I've been with for the last 10 years and is the only one I know? Do I try to go elsewhere? Do I leave teaching all together? I have lost way too much sleep over this and was stressed to the max. All I did know, was that I could not handle another year like this last one. I was literally wishing our lives away because I was living for the weekends. I don't want that for me or my family!

Turns out there was no need to worry as somebody up there already had it all worked out for me! Last week I was transferred to a different campus (and it's the only other one I've taught at in the district) and moved DOWN to 1st grade (sweet)!!! I can not tell you how relieved I am. I absolutely LOVE my new principal and am so looking forward to a year that I will actually enjoy my job again. Chase is a little nervous about a new school and new friends, but I know that he is going to be just fine! Thank you LORD for watching over us and reminding me that I truly am blessed!! (And if this tells you anything about the campus I'm leaving, I was person #16 to leave this year for one reason or another, so very, very sad.)

****I am grateful for
1) blessings from above
2) a year to look forward to!
3) a friendly, positive principal (thank you Lord!)
4) 1st grade... finally back where I belong
5) smiling when I think about the things to come

Wordless Wednesday - Growing like weeds!

How are they growing so fast????

****I am grateful for
1) two wonderful, loveable, healthy kids
2) air conditioner, we're already above 100 degrees in TX and it's not even July... yuck
3) job changes next year, can you say awesome??!?!?!
4) Duchess comes home on Friday!
5) drive through pharmacies, did I mention how hot it is here?

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in town!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in town. I either got super lucky or someone up there really knew what he was doing when he gave Jeff to me as my children's Daddy. How blessed we are!!!! We love you Daddy!!!!

Also a Happy Father's Day to my wonderful father-in-law, Joe. I love him like a father and am so thankful to have him in my life and as a grandfather to my children! Again, someone up there really knew what he was doing!

****I am grateful for
1) my wonderful husband and totally awesome Daddy to our children
2) a father-in-law that has shown me what it's like to have a father figure in your life and is the ideal grandfather for our children
3) my grandfather, although this is our first Father's Day without him, I'm so thankful for all the memories I have
4) a day spend with family
5) my mom, who was not only my mom growing up, but had to play the role that a father normally would too... and she did a pretty good job I might say!

Wordless Wednesday - Pizza Night!

****I am grateful for
1) two big kids having an awesome time at church camp this week
2) 6 months from next Monday we'll be at Disney World!
3) summer vacation
4) air conditioner, it is gonna be a hot Texas summer
5) cousins

Officially a 2nd Grader!

On the left is Chase on his first day of first grade, on the right is Chase on the last day of first grade. Notice the HUGE smile and thumbs up?!?! Where has the time gone and how did my baby get so big, so fast????? I am so very proud of him. Despite having a pretty tough year due to some issues that caused his class to be without their teachers (he had an English teacher and a Spanish teacher) for 6 and 8 weeks, he still rocked this first grade. He ended above level in reading and got 5 awards: A/B Honor Roll (for the entire year), Citizenship (for great conduct), Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Award, Music Award, and a PE Award. Now how awesome is he??? Just totally impressed with this little guy. I've always said that he is destined for great things and this is just another confirmation of that.

On a different note, we did make the difficult decision to remove him from the dual language and put him into a regular classroom next year. After the "incident" where his class was without teachers, we just didn't feel it was handled appropriately and that the class suffered greatly. So, long story short, he will no longer be in the program. It's always so tough teaching at the school where your child is because you see so much more than the average parent. Not saying you see bad stuff, you just see what's going on every day. I'm not worried one bit about him going into the regular classroom and he'll just learn Spanish later on down the road.

We are already enjoying our summer and staying quite busy. We've hit up Chuck.E.Cheese's, cleaned a lot (of course there's still a lot to go), and played in the little pool out front a couple of times. Oh, and we've watched LOTS of Disney movies. Good times, baby, good times!!!!

To close, here's a picture of my and my favorite little dude on our last day. Have I mentioned how much I love this guy?


****I am grateful for
1) summer vacation
2) the rain that we just might get!
3) the smell of fresh cut grass
4) watermelon
5) a cleaned off table (if only it would stay that way)