Oh my goodness! I had no idea how long it had been since we had done an update! There is so much that we have to cover; I will try to cover the highlights. It may take me a while but if you feel like enduring the lengthy post, more power to ya! Away we go!
Since I posted last I got an amazing teaching job at Remynse Elementary. I taught 2nd grade last year and loved it so much! I had a class full of amazing different talents and personalities. I had my challenges and my stress for sure, but I loved it. I think the entire year hit me over the course of two experiences.The first was during the last week of school I was giving my students their end of year gift. I had gotten each of them a chapter book that I thought they would enjoy and I wrote a note to them to go on top. I sat in a circle on the floor with them and talked about how I remembered meeting each and every one of them. I asked them what some of their favorite or most memorable parts of the year were and we shared some memories. I gave them each their gifts and just watched them open it. I loved seeing them all excited about their books. It was a good moment to have with them. The last was in the last 15 minutes of our year. We had just done the sixth grade clap out and there was music playing over the loudspeaker. I spent that last 15 minutes dancing with my class in my nearly empty classroom. That final dismissal bell rang and my kids took their last bit of materials; I got a hug from each of them on their way out the door and then they were gone. I was sitting in my classroom that was no longer colorful or covered in work or student mess. I couldn't even help it; I closed my door and started to cry. This was the first group of kids that were mine. I wasn't a student teacher anymore, they were my class and I put my heart and soul into everything I did for them. That class will always have a special place in my heart.
At some point around January (maybe?) I found out that I was being surplussed(spelling?) which basically in teacher land means that the coming group of second graders wasn't big enough to need as many teachers as we had. But I still had a contract so I would be placed somewhere in the district. The idea of that made me nauseous. I loved my school and my administration and my team; I hated the idea that I would be leaving because of numbers. I got a call from my principal a month or so later asking if I had been placed yet. When I told her no she told me she thought she could keep me at the building but she had to act fast. A couple hours later I had a new contract to sign to stay at the same campus but teach Kindergarten. So this year I have 19 kinder babies. They keep me on my toes, give me lots of hugs, test my patience on occasion, and make me laugh. All of which are exactly as it should be.
Over the summer Glen worked really hard at Leslie's and I tried to keep myself busy with the sudden lack of things to do. My best friend Kassy and her hubby and kiddo moved to Texas over the summer (finally...YAY!) But after working hard at Leslie's, Glen had an opportunity to interview with the same company that Francisco (Kassy's hubby) works at. He got that job and has been working there for a little over three months and he is really enjoying it! Personally, I appreciate the regular 9-6 hours and getting him to myself on the weekends. YAY twice! He is learning a lot there and enjoys those he works with. Over the summer Glen and I went to the Webb family reunion, my first one ever. We enjoyed catching up with his side of the family. I haven't spent much time with them, so it was fun getting to know them. Now we are working hard and spending time together as much as we can. He is still working on growing his business; it's a consistent work in progress. We also celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. Each year we learn a little more about how to make our relationship work and about each other. I am grateful to be married to someone so different but also so compatible.
We have had a year full of changes, as well as ups and downs. We find ourselves incredibly blessed and enjoying our life here in Texas. We look forward to spending Christmas with our family and starting a new year.
