Class picture

Meet the new second grade class, so far a loud, mischievous bunch, but I'm already very attached to them. 

One week in, eleven more coming up

Well, today is a week from the official start of school. It hasn't seemed to drag at all, but for some reason it seems like longer than just one week! Right at this moment though I kinda sorta feel as if I've just run a marathon, and have a few more to run before the day is out!

With an entire new class, and half of that class completely new to the school, this past week has been full of groundbreaking things, and I feel as if I just keep repeating the same twenty things over and over and over again. One day they will figure out the concept of raising their hands, waiting to be called on, not shouting out answers, following directions, that now means NOW, and when is a good time to use the bathroom versus when it is a bad time to leave the room for five minutes!

I have to say, in spite of all that, I am enjoying my new group so far. I've seen some good things, and plenty of bad things, and I'm sure that it won't be long until this new group of kids becomes just as dear to me as any other that I have every worked with.  

I'll try to post a picture of my new treasures soon, I just have to remember to bring my camera to class. No promises that my memory will decide to kick in...but I'll do my best! :) 

First day of term!

     Twelve new faces in my classroom! It was quite an interesting day as my new second grade class and I were feeling each other out. I'm not sure that we've figured each other out yet....we've got plenty of time to do that though!

     Today went well overall...a lot of information covered, expectations, rules, and a tour of the school. I guess I'm ready and excited for a new school year. 

     It broke my heart though to watch my old second grade class follow their new homeroom teacher into their classroom. While I'll still work with them half of the day, I'll really miss them! I'm sure by the end of this year I'll feel the same way about my new second graders! I love being a teacher! New year here we come!

There's no place like home for the holidays!

I had a wonderful time at home with my family, Chris, and other dear friends and future family (!!).  I'm

 so grateful for the time that I got to spend at home...these pictures don't even begin to do the last three weeks justice. 

The whole family together for Christmas!!!

I was so glad that it snowed while I was home....I don't miss the cold though!

It was so awesome that I got to spend time with my adorable nephew!

I said yes!

Well....I might not have blogged about this right away, but on December 15th Chris took me to my favorite spot in the whole wide world (by the Hudson River at Vanderbilt) and asked me to marry him. I always thought that when I got engaged I would calmly and collectively give some sort of romantic speech, but as it turns out I just hurredly took off my gloves, put the ring on my finger, and quickly said "YES!".

Chris and I are really excited to get married....but we know that we still have a lot to do before that happens. A few more days and I'll be heading back to Africa for another year, and Chris will be working and finishing up college.

Seeing him everyday has been such a wonderful thing, and I'm not sure how we're both going to survive, but I guess a lot of prayer and love and skyping will do the trick.

I have never been so excited about anything in my life, and I can't wait till the day I get to marry the love of my life, Chris Blue.

I'm going home...

     Well...the last few days have been a blur as we've finished school, packed the kids up, and now I'm getting ready to go home for a visit as well! I've been running around like a chicken with my head chopped off trying to get my house clean, my school responsibilities finished, pack my bags, spend time with people, write thank you and Christmas cards...the list goes on. :) Somehow though, God has been providing the necessary time to get everything done, my suitcase is halfway packed, and I am starting my long trip home tomorrow morning! I can't wait!

Six days and a wake up....

     Well, in less than a week's time I'll be back in New York State....it's pretty crazy to think about that. I've almost finished all of my work for the term (just a few more awards to prepare before tomorrow), and have only one more busy day to get through which is Wednesday, the final day of term. 

      I've been receiving count down emails every day from my little sister, and Chris has been counting down for a while now! Even though I see the number every day, I am still surprised that there are only six more days (I'll be home on the night of the seventh day) till I'm finally home! I'm so excited to see everybody!