Saturday, September 25, 2010

So This is What it's Like

It has officially been forever since I last posted. Things have definitely gone from crazy to crazier! I started my new job as a 1st grade teacher at Cumberland, which is the main reason I haven't blogged in so long. My life has virtually been dedicated to my job 24/7 for the last month. Don't get me wrong I love my job, but I never realized how much time and effort it took to be a teacher. I finally know what it's like and why all the teachers I know are always exhausted and never stop working. I've posted some final pictures of my classroom for you all to see. The kids love it!

The view into the classroom from the door



The calendar area and computer center-there are now computers on the long table




The front of the room with my SmartBoard-this thing is the best invention ever!




The reading corner-the kids love the tent!




My desk




Part of the back of the room



The year has gone really pretty great so far. I really can't complain much. The first day was crazy, but the kids all survived and made it home alive. The second day was by far my worst day due to a note from a crazy parent and one of my boys got on the wrong bus to go home. Luckily, that night we had tickets to see Jeff Dunham at the State Fair, so I was cheered up by the time I went to bed that night. It was a great show and we definitely laughed until we cried. He's a hilarious guy and Walter did not disappoint. As for the crazy parent-she still sends me a note almost daily and is constantly concerned about her child and his academic progress, which makes me realize she is going to be on my back all year long. If that's the worst that I've got out of my 21 kiddos, then I think I'm good. I only have one girl that is truly challenging for me to handle every day and I'm working with her mom to try and get something figured out for her. All in all, it's been going good. I'm getting more and more confident in my routine and what I want to do and accomplish each day, as well as the kids. I finally got 2 student computers Friday, so I was really excited. I was promised these the first week of school and that clearly did not happen. The corporation is great and my principal totally has my back 100% which is a relief. I have a great building mentor, Kathy, who has given me so much and helped me out more than I could ever thank her for. I'd definitely be lost without her. We had our first field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo on the 16th and that went really well. The weather was perfect and the zoo was not packed at all. I was totally nervous and expecting to forget something, but it went without a hitch. I had 8 parent chaperones which is amazing! I didn't even have to take any kids which was a nice break.


Guitar Man opening for Jeff Dunham




Walter




Peanut and Jose the Jalepeno

Like I said, work has consumed my life-so I haven't really had much else go on. I haven't seen my husband much, which he is okay with because that gives him more time to go golfing without me getting mad because he's gone all the time, since I'm gone too. He's been great helping out around the house and coming into my classroom and helping me with stuff. I actually think he's come in at least every weekend for a little while on the days that I've had to go in. He's awesome! He even got me my new wedding band that I've been wanting. It's a band exactly like my original one, except now I have one on top and on bottom of my engagement ring. He definitely spoils me. So I figured I'd finally break down and let him sell his truck. So if you know anyone that wants to buy it, we're selling it for $7500. He's been wanting to get a 4 door truck possibly with a back window that goes down...for the dogs of course. Everything is always for the dogs. They're spoiled too. My poor dog has a benign tumor on his ear. We noticed a small bump about a month ago that just kept getting bigger and bigger. Of course, I started freaking out so we took him to the vet and found out that some dogs just get them and they will go away within 3 months. So basically we just have to deal with it and wait for it to fall off. It doesn't seem to bother him so that's the good news.

As some might know, Kyle and I have been trying to start a family since last November without success-obviously. So I made an appointment with the OBGYN to discuss what are options were. I went to a completely new doctor since my original OBGYN moved to Lebanon. I really like the guy and he got started with some tests right away, which I was grateful for. Not really sure what the tests were, but I know they were basic and just required my blood being drawn. We go back on the 6th to go over the results and run some more tests. He was good with explaining everything to us. I had Kyle go so that he could kind of see what goes on at the appointments and hear what the doctor has to say. He just thinks I'm full of it sometimes so it was interesting for him to hear everything and realize that I'm not overreacting and giving him false information. He's super excited about the "sample" that he will be asked to give at some point. I try to remind him that it's all for the greater good and our overall goal. I'm hoping that it's nothing to serious and can be an easy solution. I'm trying not to be too pessimistic and more optimistic but it's hard. It's hard when it's something that you have absolutely no control over and can't just make it happen. Hopefully we'll have some answers soon.

I'll keep you posted.

Hope everyone is having a great start to fall-my favorite season!