Missing my home

So, I have been putting "together" my classroom that last few days. (I use quotations on 'together' because switching grade levels has left my room pretty bare bones.) Since I hadn't met many of the other teachers yet, I was actually being very productive. In other words, I wasn't being my chatty self.

We'll today we had the first staff meeting to start the year. It was hard. I kept wondering what CL was doing and really missing them. I was missing hearing everyone's stories of the summer. I was missing the laughter and fun we have together.

Change is hard. I know I did the right thing for my family. But, right now it sucks.

Making a change...

This last school year was very hard for me for many reasons. I REALLY wanted to stay at home with Isabella, but that just wasn't in the cards. So I drug my feet back to work.

I work in Woodinville. I live in Marysville. I commute for ATLEAST an hour each way. YUCK! I am spending 2 hours or more in the car, when I could be playing with my baby.

In January, we decided that I would look for a job closer to home.

This is easier said than done (of course!) I love where I work. I love the people I work with. I love the community. It is truly a great school to be. This made it hard for me to apply for a new job. When I told my principals I was going to apply to other districts to move closer to home, I cried. Just saying it out loud to them really made it real to me. I am really doing to do this.

By mid-april, after much procrastination, I finally sat down and filled out the applications. As I hit that first "submit" button, I was nauseous. But it was done. I only told a handful of people at work. I was really afraid of the "What if no one calls me? or What if I don't get a job?" I don't think a could deal with that.

But then, I started asking for boxes to pack up my room. One of the office assistants delivered about 15 paper boxes and stacked them outside my classroom. My secret was out!

So at the end of the school year, I packed up my room and waited.

The monday before we went on our adventure to Utah for the family reunion (I'll write about that another time) I got a call from a principal in Lake Stevens. Just the phone call alone lasted 30mins. I was asked to come in for an interview that Wednesday - the day we were leaving...

So I went. The interview lasted an hour and was awesome. The principal was so positive and excited about the changes in education, it was inspiring. I left the interview excited and hoping I got the job. Within a day, he called and offered me the job. I accepted the position.

Not only that, but it is also a 2nd grade teaching position. So I am changing schools and grades. I have to tell you, my new school is right down the road. Literally, 5 mins away. Could it be any better?

Today was the first official day back to school. I am very excited and nervous as HELL!

Here's to a great school year and new adventures!

Finally!!

Our computer has been down for over a month (hence, no new stories). We finally got a new one today and Skip spent most of the night setting it all up. I am so excited! I can't wait to fill you all in! Stay tuned!

My Brush with a Celebrity

Do you know who this is?

Elizabeth asked my to fill in for her women's softball team tonight and I recognized her, but couldn't place her. I asked Elizabeth if she worked with her. She smiled and said, "No. That's Angela King from Q13 FOX News."


So yep, I played softball with her tonight. She is an awesome softball player too. Great lady, lots of fun and such a crack up.

Party Shoes

Isabella just loves shoes. When I don't put her in some, she will find a pair and try to put them on herself. She's even really good about leaving them on. When I leave my flip-flops lying around, she will bring them to me and try to put them on my feet.

Today, I was putting clothes away and Isabella was "helping" me by emptying out her drawers. She found a pair of black dress shoes that a friend had given me and she hasn't worn yet. She immediately sat down to put them on. I think the party shoes look quite nice with the messy hair and pj's!

4th of July

This is Skip's favorite holiday. He goes out to Boom City to get the most for his money. Look at all the stuff he got this year. It took forever to go through them!

I absolutely love this picture. I think she looks adorable....

Every year, a bunch of us get together and scrapbook, play games and eat a ton of food. We have a great time. Here are other pictures from the day-

When it came time to set off fireworks, Isabella didn't really like them at first. She just sat on my lap and watch. As long as she was holding her straws she was good. After a while (and it took a while) she got bored and wanted to go to the neighbors house.

Water Play

It was soooooooo hot! I felt so bad for Isabella. She was so sweaty. We decided to set up her "sprinkler playground". She didn't move around, but splashed a lot!