Summer break already?

Well, it's the last day of school, which means summer break! Woohoo! This year has been, well, a roller coaster. I have loved and hated it. I even doubted that I was cut out for it. But now, after my first full year, I would honestly recommend it to everyone. It is the best job out there. Stressful, frustrating, and sometimes downright awful- but awesome. I have met some of the most awesome kids and I can't wait to see where life takes them! I was a little sad today. I really will miss my kiddos. All 120 of them. Okay, maybe not ALL of them, but most. I have become quite fond of them. Throughout the school year I learned so many things about myself. Here are a few:

• I need to laugh at least once every hour to have a great day.
• I am not that patient.
• I have no self- confidence when it comes to teaching.
• I am able to adapt to all sorts of things.
• My talent is literature- not grammar.
• I don't encourage kids enough.
• I work too much. I need to learn how to take a break without feeling guilty.
• Staying out of the teacher's lounge is not always a good idea. It's nice to work with people I can call friends,
• Eating in the teacher's lounge is not always a good idea. Negative teachers tend to bring me down at times.
• I can't do everything. I need to delegate.
• I am not as organized as I thought. :)
• I wouldn't make it to school on time without my sweet husband helping to get all my stuff together.

I really could go on forever. I have never learned so much on one year. It was my first year of teaching, coaching, being a wife, and living ten hours from home. I have so much to say about coaching too, but that will come another day.
Now for the summer! I plan on learning how to sew. I know, weird. Coming from me at least. But I really would like to be able to hem my own pants, make my own curtains- ya' know- the important things in life. I already made a super cute wreath that I will post pics of next week. I need to finish my scrapbooks. I am about a year behind. I would love to read tons of books, too!

"Every girl needs a cute purse, red shoes, and a good place to be alone with God."

4 More Days!

Oh my, oh my

I have two bits of news. One is a complaint and the other is an announcement (and no, I am not pregnant).

Complaint: We have two teachers retiring this year and one leaving. Word on the street is the newbies will get rooms- not me. Stupid. That's all. It may not even be true, but still.

Announcement: No Peace Corps. I know, I know. The last time I wrote about this subject I was "ecstatic", and indeed I really was. It was very exciting at the time, and at the time I really did feel God leading me to apply. I still don't doubt that he was. However, the past few weeks I have felt unsure and very pessimistic about continuing the application process. In fact, I have put off and put off the second part of the application. I am usually on top of things like this. I really dislike irresponsible people who can't meet deadlines- but I was becoming one. I couldn't work up the desire to take some of my quality time and fill out another application. It wasn't that I had more important things to do- I just didn't want to fill out the second part. I didn't understand. I kept praying about it and really started to feel that this was not where God was leading me. I don't know why I felt led to apply before- maybe it was a trust thing- but I knew for sure that at this point God was leading me away. So the time came to where I had to tell Chris. (I hadn't talked to him about it yet, because this was his idea and I didn't want to disappoint him.)

Sunday night came and we got to eat dinner together- which is unusual for softball season apparently. I started crying (poor Chris)- and just kept saying this is the hardest decision I have ever made. He understood, and had actually been feeling the same way. It's great how God works in each person! Chris already thinking he didn't want to go was a huge blessing because I already felt like I was ruining his life dreams. I know it sounds like I am being completely dramatic- and think what you will- but this was a huge deal for us to even consider, finally apply, and then back out. We aren't usually ones to "quit".

So, after much MORE prayer, and many pro and con lists, we have withdrawn our Peace Corps application. It's not for us right now. Does this mean moving back to Arkansas? We don't know. It means moving wherever the jobs are. I just know that I have never felt such a burden lifted. It was truly amazing how confident I felt the next morning. Which was a wonderful reminder that we made the right decision.

Have a great day!

A Book Worth Talking About

As I have talked about before, state tests kind of suck, but I understand the necessity. On that note, Indiana has given the ISTEP test to high school students the past few years. Students are tested over English and Math, and have to pass the test in order to graduate without a waiver. Obviously, not every student passes the test. For those who don't, there is something called remediation. I teach a remediation class to Juniors and Seniors who have trouble passing the test. Side note- Indiana no longer does the ISTEP, but has joined many other stated in giving End Of Course exams for English, Math, and Science. So, my class is made up of wonderful students who struggle with English- making my job difficult. To get them interested in a book is hard, and when I find one, it's definitely worth sharing.

So here it is:

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, hit home to my students for many reasons. Speak deals with depression, school, teachers, friends, boys, and rape.

Speak is told through the eyes of a freshman girl who is struggling with all of the above. She takes the reader on a journey of her first year of high school, allowing us to feel what she feels. The book is sarcastic, funny, sad, random at times, and frustrating. It stirs up emotions in the reader that any good book should.

My students connected to this book because they have all, at one time or another, felt like outcasts. They related to the story in many different ways. Though this book is not one I would teach in a regular class, it is one I will continue teaching in remediation.

And I recommend it in general. Very good. :)

It's that time of year!

Well, it's here- it's finally the end of the year! And let me tell you, it's busy! This week consists of 5 softball games, 1 awards assembly (with awards for student council as well as my classes), Senior Night for softball, one of our most important softball games, Student Council elections, and the school picnic of which I have been left in charge of (thanks to my StuCo responsibilities). Oh yeah- AND the End of Course Exams for my sophomores! I am biting my nails with worry. I wish they understood why this test is so important...

On the bright side I am making a wreath with help from a few sites and friends. I am excited to have time for a craft this weekend!

I am also having books and breakfast with my seniors on Friday- yum!

I am honestly getting sad about my last few weeks with my classes. I have grown to love their company, humor, and even moodiness. I never thought I would be sad to see the year coming to an end. It's interesting how I have learned to adapt to being a teacher. I think I will stick with it for at least a while longer. Hopefully next year I can remind myself of this. :)

"Don't hold back a kind word or a loving deed- they have God's blessings all over them."

"Anytime is a good time for a quiet prayer and chocolate."

Katie's engagement!

One of my very best friends, Katie, got engaged on April 10! Her fiance invited us to meet them in St. Louis so we could be a part of such a great event. He proposed at the same place he asked her to be his girlfriend- a bar! Also significant because that's where they met. I think a wedding in a bar would be a blast- but I guess it's not up to me. ;) It was a perfect proposal and her rind is beautiful! Here are a few pics from the weekend!