End of the week.

Well, I finished the progress reports. Michelle wanted to know if they were hard. Yeah, they were in a way. It shows me how much work I have to do this year, but it also shows me how far my little ones have come. I have a great story to share. I have a kiddo who can't stand crowds and his third grade class was doing a reenactment of Ellis Island. He started in one classroom, which was a big boat. The next classroom was where you got your papers, the next was the health room, etc.. When my little guy was standing in the room that was the boat, he got claustrophobic and shouted "I don't want to go to America. Just leave me on the boat". It struck me as so funny. Perhaps there were a few immigrants who truly wish they had stayed on the boat.

Tomorrow, I am off to class in the am and then off to the hospital to visit one of the paras that works for me. She has kidney stones and has felt plain awful. Please keep her in your prayers.

I am wishing it was last weekend again with Jen and Julia here. This weekend is sort of a let down without them.

Happy weekend to you all.

Snow in summer

That's right folks. 3-4 inches in our parts today. Actually out where I teach school. Way less, but still snow, where we live. Fall starts tomorrow, so we have officially had snow in summer.

I had the best birthday, yesterday. Jen Janus and Julia came to visit from Tennessee. I miss Jen so much. She is such a healthy inspiration to me. She ran a half marathon on Saturday, while I got to watch baby Julia. Happy Birthday to me!!!!

Sunday I joined my good friend Nancy and Debra at Maggie Moos for lowfat fruit smoothies. MMmmm!!!! Becca made me breakfast in bed. Her first made from scratch oatmeal. It had absolutely no butter or sugar. Mm??? I love my little girl.

This week, I have meetings and more meetings as well as a day to myself to prepare report cards. Wow, what fun.

TTFN

Long week.

I tell you, this has been one tough week, but God has been good much and shown me much. I can never divulge all the things that go on in my classroom and in their little lives, but suffice to say, "life just isn't fair". I know that is why I am their teacher. The little guy that I thought I was going to lose is now staying. Praise God!! We are his only stability. I will bring him a soft toothbrush and toothpaste on Monday so that at least that part of him will be clean. Not all have bad families. My heart goes out to some of the parents and I am amazed at the work and progress some of these children have done because of their parents. It is proof that love can conquer. When I walk out of the building at the end of the day, I am emotionally and physically spent. I can rest knowing that the district has gotten their moneys worth out of me. I also look forward to the next day. As crazy as it is, this is where God has placed me and it is good. My team and I are changing these little lives for the better. They hit me, spit on me, scratch me, flash me, scream, run and totally act out. No matter, I am there. I still love them.

Last night, Tom and I took Laura out to dinner for a little talk. Yes world, Laura still believed in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. We set her straight. She was bumbed. She didn't cry, but you could tell that her little world became a little smaller and she sat across from us and grew up just a little. It was a moment that was bitter sweet. She is becoming a beautiful woman and at the same time, I sooooo want to hang on to my little girl. She promised not to let Becca in on it and help us with the secret one last year for her. My how they grow up so fast.

Seasons

Wow, what a service at church today. It really spoke to my heart. I have this one kiddo and his parents should not be parents. I love him and I see progress in his social skills. The problem is, the mom has moved him across town and out of my district. I may lose him. My heart has been heavy all weekend, just thinking about it. There was a woman, today, at church, who talked about having to give up her foster children, after having them for a year. She talked about mourning the loss and her heart breaking. She also said that God only gave those boys to her for a season and as bad as it hurt, that's all she was given. I got it. Just a season. Just a while in Mrs. Russell's class. I do what I can and then I MUST let them go. That's tough. It's what makes me a great teacher and it's what hurts me too.

Casey and his family came for brisket last night. Casey dressed out, but didn't get to play. The Falcons won 72-0. The doolies had to do pushups each time the Falcon's scored. That was a total of 410 pushups. Poor freshmen. It was good to be with Casey's parents. The more we see them, the more I know why we like Casey so much.

Laura, Becca, Tom and myself worked hard yesterday around the house. We didn't go to the Balloon Fest because we had the old BBQ going and then we found out they didn't lift off due to fog. It looked foggy this morning, so again, we didn't go. Of course they lifted off an hour late. We will try again tomorrow. Maybe try the balloon glow tonight.

Happy Sunday all.