Finding "Me" again.

Hello folks,

Yep, it's been a while. School in FINALLY out. The last day of school left me an emotional wreck. I cried when my boys left me. I cried when one of them brought me a used candle to say thanks for caring. I cried when I cleaned my classroom because I realized that the year is over and I made it. I cried because my first year is done and I have made a difference in the lives of these children and their families. I cried because I am very tired. I cried because I truly love what I do. Enough crying.

Now it's time to get outside and enjoy this summer (before my summer classes at UCCS begin). I am weeding the garden and plan on tilling it and planting veggies. Our neighbors next door are coming over for some Russell BBQ this evening. Yesterday, we went to Elitch Gardens. We have planned a camping trip and a trip to Carlsbed Caverns for later this summer. It's gonna be busy, but I can't wait to catch up with my family and friends. I feel like I have been living on a foreign planet the last nine months. I am back home and plan on finding "Me" again.

Happy day all.

Happy Mother's day

Just a quick and happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. I was treated to toast in bed, cards and chocolate. Doesn't get much better than that.

School is absolutely crazy and absolutely amazing all at the same time. I have not had time to breathe, much less post a blog. I hope to catch up soon.

Happy day.

Just another day.

I am very tired folks. I have had a crazy, busy week. We are missing Pookie as we sort through his belongings and decide what to do with his assets. We find ourselves just wanting to be quiet with each other so that we can just be. I think all of us are trying to get used to the idea of Pookie being gone.

School is winding down, but it feels like it is speeding up all at the same time. I am up to almost nine students. I love those kids, but man am I tired. It's friday, but I have to get up tomorrow and go to class. I feel like I have a whole lot on my plate right now. I have learned so much this year about so many things. Mostly, I have learned a lot about myself. Do I love my job? Yes. Do I hate my job? Yes. Most of the time, it is not the kids that cause me grief. It is the managing of the adults that work in my program. I wish adults could just be adults. We had fun at school tonight as my team and I participated in the staff talent show. I played "Blue Danube" on my violin, while my paras and my colleagues played birthday horns. It was cute and it brought us closer together. Laughter is such a good thing to share with your co-workers.

The girls are doing great. Becca is almost done with fourth grade and Laura is almost done with seventh. There are days where I totally connect with my girls and days when I think they are from another planet. Oh the joy of hormones. Laura is helping me take my students to Special Olympics next week. I am so proud of her and I love the fact that Laura is willing to work with "my" students. We will take the kiddos to Special Olympics on Thursday. I am planning an opening ceremony at school for them on Wednesday.

Well, I must be off to bed so I can get up and go back to school. Oy......