God's plans and lesson plans....

are sometimes extremely confusing.

I just finished my first week as a teacher. I. am. freaking. tired. My feet are swollen, my back hurts, I live on coffee, my students are crazy, and I love it. I really really do.

Don't get me wrong, it is not all fun all the time. (especially when all the 3rd grade teachers warned you about the group coming up.... and were right.) But I do love it. I love my kids. Even the one who was sent to the office TWICE in the first week of school... and the 10 of my 17 students sat out of recess today after all of them lost their recess privilege on Wednesday because of their behavior.... I even love the ones who disrupt my lessons just to get a laugh. They are amazing creatures and God has a special plan for each one of them. And somehow, He allowed me to be a part of that plan for one year. W.O.W.

It is really easy to focus on the negative parts of the day when you are a teacher. They are the ones that stress you out, exhaust you, help you become angry, and are fresh on your mind. But the little joys and triumphs are the things that get you through the day. Like... when my extremely low-performing SPED student (who doesn't usually look at the person who is talking to him, nor does he respond after spoken to) answered me with a "Yes, Miss Hall?" when I called his name. And then when I asked him to behave in the hallway said, "Yes, Ma'am," and walked PERFECTLY down the hallway. That filled me up with so much joy that I wanted to pick him up and spin him around until we fell over.

I love that.

I know, and have been warned multiple times, that this year is going to be really really hard. Bring it on. God is with me and I am teaching for Him. He will lead me through the sucky times and rejoice with me in the joyous times. He is good... ALL THE TIME.

Bring it on.

The kids come on MONDAY!

I have NEVER been this tired, stressed, confused, excited, and terrified before. I guess I should get used to it.
I mean, really, I had always heard that my first year would be hard... but no one prepared me for how crazy, confusing, and stressfull the three weeks before school starts would be. Good grief!
Whenever I find my camera adapter chord, I will upload pictures of my classroom. Don't hold your breath. I haven't seen it in about two years.
I really like the way it turned out. It is EXTREMELY organized. I have realized that I sweat and get really flusterd if things don't have their place. My poor students are going to think I am crazy, but it will make things flow better. Plus I will feel better when I don't have to think about a mess that has no place to be organized.
I feel pretty good about my routine and organization. The only problem I am having is lesson plans. I don't know what to do! Irving has specific things that need to be done every week... but I still don't know what to do. I think I will feel better after tomorrow when I plan with my mentor. I am such a newbie.
Even the parents noticed. Last night was meet the teacher and most of the parents asked me if it was my first year teaching. I told them that it was my first year teaching at Brown and that I had experience in teaching 5th, 7th, and 8th grades. Which is true... I just wasn't the only teacher in the room.

Basically, I am scared. I could use some prayers and some advice from my teacher friends. (Jes and Cassie.... I am talking to you) 4th graders are so little! I'm not used to it! Ah!

God is in control and all will be well. He is already there with me on my first day. I am supposed to be here. The kids in my class will know that I love them and that I wll do anything for them. This is right. Scary, but right.

Prayers!

Pierson Everette

That's my nephew's name!!!!

Pierson is Melissa's maiden name and Everette is my dad's middle name. I think it's awesome and I cannot wait to meet the little guy!
So, when I write something about Pierson, you know who I am talking about.

On Saturday, my amazing siblings and I finished (or almost finished) touching up Pierson's nursery. The colors are khaki, chocolate brown, and baby blue. The room is almost done; Nathan and Jared built his crib Saturday night, too.
(For pictures, check "The Hall Life" blog to the left. They might be up soon.)
I really cannot express how much I love hanging out with my brothers and sisters. They are amazing and I don't deserve them. God is so good. It's just a place of comfort when I am around them. Even when my brothers are beating each other with styrofoam boards, I am at peace. It's my normal.

I spent the night in Frisco with Nate and Melissa and went to The Village for the second time. I really love it there. I would love to start going there on a permanent basis, but the distance and uncertainty of my living situation in the next few months is holding me back. We'll see what happens.

I passed my exam and I am ready to finally sign a contract with Irving ISD when my grade is officially posted. I will be setting up my classroom this week! Ah! It's getting so real! I'm going to be a teacher!

My life is headed in a new direction. I am no longer the student! I will have a PAYCHECK! I will have a NEPHEW! I'm ready! Bring it on! Praise God!