First Day of School

Thanks to my good friend, Jen, who organized my entire room so well last year, AND to my mom for spending a day setting up my library, unpacking boxes and putting things back in place, I was more ready for the first day of school than ever before!

(Had to include this picture of Mom and Kelly!  This was taken on a much needed lunch break!)

I was more ready than ever, but probably spent more time than I have in the past several years being nervous.  After thinking about it, I think I've just been afraid that it's going to be another tough year.  The past two have been rough to say the least.  Don't get me wrong, I've still loved each and every one of my students and I have many precious memories, but there's been enough challenges in these past two years to really make me re-evaluate what I'm doing. 

Many of my friends that I used to teach with have gone on to different things: principals, TOSA's, stay-at-home mom's, and remedial math teachers.  Why am I still here?

I recently heard that around your tenth year in your profession, you really begin to question if it's something you want to do for the rest of your life.  That's been true for me. 

No matter how it sounds, I'm certain I still love teaching.  I still love working with the kids.  I still get excited to teach about Missouri history or to introduce a new book to a student.  I still love my job ministry.

Satan is just trying to defeat me.  He wants me to look to my left or my right and get caught up in what others are doing.  He wants to distract me from running my own personal race.  His goal is to discourage me and rob me of the joys of teaching.

I'm determined not to let that happen.  I know that I know that I know, this is exactly where God wants me.  It can be an extremely difficult job.  But, anything worthwhile is usually hard.  I have a much bigger obligation than just educating students in reading, writing, and arithmetic.  I have the chance to share the love of Jesus.  A chance to show 22 students all that God sees in them.  A chance to encourage and empower.  A chance to offer hope. 

Today was the first day.  We spent the day getting to know one another, putting away supplies, organizing desks and learning procedures.  It was a good day!

This first day of school was no different than the others.  I'd maybe been in my car 5 minutes and I'd already started crying.  It's really just a release of all those pent up emotions.  After a hug from a good friend and an invite from my family, I felt better.  Kelly, I know we were supposed to walk after school, but I  really enjoyed dinner.  The chance to talk about the day was therapeutic.  Thanks for the listening ear and voice of reason!

Tonya texted me and asked if I wanted to join her, Mom, and Tina to celebrate this little one:

Abby starts Kindergarten Thursday!  While she's not quite entering womanhood, a celebration was definitely in order.  I'm so glad that I didn't let being back in school and the fact that my legs were aching keep me from joining them.  Tonight was just what I needed!

Tonya set it up for us to get pedicures!! 

It was my first one ever!  I could never bring myself to go because the callouses on my feet were so bad.  Thanks to "Flip Flop Repair" which can be found at Farkleberry's, my feet were in good shape! 

I was nervous and at times uncertain about what they were doing, but I loved it! 

The massage felt so good to my aching feet and legs.

I will definitely be going back!

Check out the finished products:

After the pedicure we headed to Cold Stone Creamery.  (Another first for me!)

Seriously!  Could there be any better ending to the first day of school: dinner with a friend, pedicures with my family, and ice cream!!!!