A New School Year and a New Job

The new School year began on Wednesday, August 22nd for me. I have a new job this school year, I am teaching 3rd grade at Oakwood Elementary in Preston! Two days into this year and I am loving it! The faculty and staff are great, and so friendly! I feel so accepted and supported by them.
 I admit, I had a small panic attack the day before school began and I wasn't even finished prepping my room and lesson plans. But I reminded myself that I had help, that I wouldn't be alone, I have a supportive husband and family, my mentor (SOOO grateful for the mentor program), friends, co-workers, and a lot of faith, to get me through whatever this year may bring.  So here's to a new school year. I am looking forward to having structure and a schedule in my home again. It is going to be a busy year, but I have come up with some things that I think will get us through the busy and hectic days with a little less pain and frustration. I think I will share them in another post...if I have time.

The entrance to my classroom. 

Have a great school year to all students and parents of students!

Grace is Three Years Old!

Grace's birthday was a little different this year, we were out of town at a reunion and forgot to bring her presents, so we celebrated it twice. Lucky girl. We did cake and balloons on her actual birthday, and presents and cake (again) Sunday after her birthday. She loved spending the whole day with her cousins for her birthday and the present thing didn't even seem to faze her, so I think she had a great birthday celebration.

Cake On her birthday (Aug 18th)

Gracie at Three:
Gracie is such a fun girl! She loves all things "girl:" fingernail polish, dresses, bows, baby dolls, EVERYTHING! She has the cutest little lisp when she talks, and she talks with such animation and expression that even the dullest of sentences is a performance. She is so outgoing and accepting of all people, she will make friends with anyone and anything! (Just ask the homeless guy she made friends with at our garage sale a month ago...seriously) But her favorite people are her cousins (and second cousins, Carly and Makenzi) she loves, loves, loves being near them. Grace knows what she wants, and she thinks she can get what she wants. Temper tantrums are just a part of who Gracie is, and we are learning to cope with them. Gracie is a helper: she loves to help mommy cook and clean, she loves to help daddy fix and tinker, she loves to help Seth do everything. Above all, Gracie has a joyful spirit! She can whine and tantrum, but she easily forgives and moves on. She has the brightest eyes and the happiest smile, and at the end of a long day, they can make everything just fade away into non-importance. I adore her. I am so grateful she is mine!